Women Entrepreneurship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Women Entrepreneurship - Essay Example Despite an encouraging upturn in women entrepreneurs in the past decade, much still needs to be done to overcome some specific factors that hinder us from actively participating in startup ventures. According to Casserly (2013), unleashing the power of women entrepreneurs can have a dramatic positive impact on a country’s economy. While the top ranking nations consistently performed well in sectors such as banking, education, and economic development, U.S remains at the top with the best indicators of good institutional foundations and a story dynamic entrepreneurial environment. The frequency and contributions of women-owned companies continue to rise in the U.S as reported by Casserly (2013). The same report indicates that between 1997 and 2013, the number of women-owned enterprises in the U.S increased by 59% while the number of businesses increased by 41%. This generated approximately $ 1.3 trillion in revenue as well as employing over 8 million people. Measures to encoura ge women to venture in entrepreneurship and accessing such opportunities easily are necessary to enable them obtain the needed financial capacity for startup businesses. Different nations have tackled these problems facing women entrepreneurs in various ways, but none of them has all the answers to the problems. Improving these situations. It is ideal for us to exchange good practices and experiences among different states.Access to financial support is one of the major problems facing us as women entrepreneurs today.

My Hobby Essay Example for Free

My Hobby Essay Practically every person has his or her own hobby; whether it‘s a sport, collecting certain items, or something one takes their time practicing. Personally, I never thought I ever had a hobby. As a matter of fact I wasn’t even sure what a hobby actually was. Then I got to thinking and I finally realized that my hobby was dancing. Yes, I know that to some people dancing is not considered a true hobby; but the way I see it, if I enjoy dancing and spend my precious time doing it, then I have every right to consider it as my special hobby. As far as I can remember about my childhood, I have always loved to dance. Dancing was just my thing. I remember attending ballet classes when I was five years old. I would learn the routines so quickly that the instructor would sometimes ask me to help her teach the other students. The greatest part of being in ballet was attending the ballet recitals. That was when each of us let ourselves shine in front of our family and friends. I always thought that the crowd was watching my every move and thinking, â€Å"Wow, that girl dances so gracefully. † Just thinking that made me try even harder to be the b est I could. I would practice every day after school and right before bedtime, too. It didn’t even matter to me if there was no music playing, I just kept on dancing. Becoming a famous dancer was one of my greatest childhood dreams. I believed that one-day I would get the

Manufacturing and Service Sector Hypercompetitive Rivalries

Manufacturing and Service Sector Hypercompetitive Rivalries Hypercompetition has long been recognized as a significant problem in almost all manufacturing related industries. Service sectors are also experiencing the same problems. It is essential for competing companies to understand and take advantage of the dynamic motion and flux of current trends in global markets and technological breakthroughs. This paper aims to describe the movement toward hypercompetition and its implications to manufacturing and service based companies among ASEAN countries. Actions taken by companies in these two sectors provide new insights into what manufacturing and service based companies might expect to occur and how they could respond to such threat. This research finds that technological change, globalization, and increased competition are the most important environmental challenges facing manufacturing and service sectors today. Technology, in particular, seems to be acting as one of the principal accelerator toward hypercompetitive rivalries in manufactur ing and service sectors. Keyword(s): Competitive strategy; Technology; Manufacturing; Product; Service; Globalization Introduction Since the financial and economic crises hit most regions around the globe in the late 1990s, policymakers worldwide have been talking about how to re-balance their national economies. Putting back the balance in their economies involves reassessing the mix between the services and the manufacturing sectors. The services sector represents about 70 percent of the American economy, while that of the manufacturing makes up just 11 percent (Foroohar, 2010). The same trend is happening among European countries especially in the U.K., France and Germany. It is totally in the opposite scenario, however, for most developing countries including Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam (Hilman, 2006). The intensity of rivalries in the manufacturing sector started in the 1980s when many big companies from the United States, Europe, and Japan moved their business operations particularly their manufacturing plants to foreign countries. Among the most popular destination is the South East Asia region or ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations). The Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) flows to ASEAN increased by 18% in 2007 from US$44billions to US$61 billions. Nearly all ASEAN countries received higher inflows and Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam, were the largest FDI recipients that comprised more than 90% of the flows (Karimi, Yusop and Law, 2010). Favourable regional economic growth, an improved investment environment, higher intraregional investments, and strengthened regional integration were key contributory factors and all these have turned ASEAN as a hypercompetitive market (World Investment Report, 2008). Understanding hypercompetitive markets Dà veni (1995) described hypercompetition as a market condition typified by rapidly escalating competitive activities such as increasing price-quality positioning, developing new know-how and the products utilizing that know-how, establishing first-mover advantage, protecting or invading established product or geographic markets, and creating deep-pocketed alliances. Harari (2007) depicted secrets, proprietary information, and closed-door management systems dont have the competitive edge they used to because new technologies have the capabilities to create total transparency. It is important for local companies, multinational corporations (MNCs) and multinational enterprises (MNEs) in ASEAN to always alert and react accordingly on changes or development occur in market or industry. Understanding hypercompetitiveness is primarily important for businesses since the undermining of such can greatly result in the decline of the financial performance for businesses. Hypercompetition is highly associated with disruptive, uncertainty, intense, and rapidly changing environment where companies can only expect intermittent, temporary, and unsustainable advantages (DAveni, 1995). Those who can focus equally important on what not to do and what to stop doing, use technology to accelerate a transformation but not perceive it as cause of transformation, paid scant attention to staff development, and seek for revolutionary result and not revolutionary process should have better chance to champion market or industry (Collins, 2001). Drivers of hypercompetition There are several theories on what drives hypercompetition and how such conditions develop. Sengupta (2002) on the one hand, proposed several forces: globalization, knowledge capital resulting from superior information technology, demand-side economies of scale, and new strategic assets. Collins (2001) on the second hand, described that good and competitive companies should have highly capable individuals, contributing team members, competent managers, effective leaders who build enduring greatness through a paradoxical blend of personal humility and professional will. Thomas (1996) on the third hand, suggests that the dynamic resourcefulness of innovating companies was the primary driver. Overall the literature reflects mix drivers that accelerate hypercompetition (Hanssen-Bauer and Snow, 1996). In the case of manufacturing based companies in the ASEAN block, globalization seems to be the dominant driver for them while technological innovation becomes secondary. This slightly differs from the service sector companies which are impacted primarily by technological innovation, specifically information technology and secondarily by globalization. Most ASEAN based companies use information technology more than merely utilize new methods to improve efficiencies and productivity but use the technologies to create a fundamental change in how the services are delivered. New information technologies are truly disruptive and result in significant changes by creating new markets and reshaping existing markets (Christensen, Roth and Anthony, 2004). Thus, there is no doubt that new technological innovations create both positive and negative implications. Information technology and new forms of communication allow organizations to reach underserved markets, while creating more direct competition. As a result, competitive battles that ensue necessitated leaders to make strategic choices (Christensen et al., 2004). Consequently, most companies based in ASEAN countries not only offer services in the home markets but markets around the globe. The development creates undeniable probability that traditional product or services might be challenged for its very existence virtual based products or services. Hypercompetition in the Manufacturing and Service Sectors While much of the research on hypercompetition has focused on manufacturing, the same logic can be applied to the service sector. In fact, it might have been predictable that the intensity of rivalries in the service sector would be as intense as that of the manufacturing sector in the coming decade. There had always been competition in the service sector, although it was segmented and somewhat dampened by many reasons due to variations in the context and scope of competing companies and market segments. In the case of the manufacturing sector based in ASEAN countries, the intensity of competition is based on size and market reach of competing companies. For example, multinational corporations (MNCs) were competing on the basis of prestige, reputations and industry champion; while regional based companies were competing for location-bound which was on the basis of convenience and timing. For nationally known companies, they were focusing on maintaining or increasing the market shares of products or services. Some of the companies can be further classified as competing for reputation and are largely limited to few market segments and companies only. For those few companies, market position served as something between an emblem and a brand. The mailings and web sites are proclaimed important or relatively play small role in their market positioning. For most of the other thousands of companies in the ASEAN region, market share was a non-issue because they were facing localize competitive pressure which were centred more on cost and accessibility than reputation. As a result, high-quality and highly localized products or services were developed in response to local market demands. Apart from those mentioned above, the intensity of the hypercompetitiveness of the environment in the region drove companies to hunt for more customers and better ways to reach existing customers than a decade ago. This situation required companies to assess their business environment carefully. Issues like customer focus, competitive intelligence, knowledge and competency base, innovativeness, technological advancements, and new products, services or market need are among important factors that needed to be addressed strategically to date. Information technology is well received by companies as an important tool to accelerate their products or services reach greater market coverage. The intensity of rivalries in the region is centred on price, marketing, and new product development which leads to major competitors moved into one anothers home markets. The intention was to improve ones own financial performance while weakening their competitors by making them defensive in their home markets. The findings show most of ASEAN based companies offered similar products or services to a fixed number of customers with substantial price decreased but little or no increase in unit sales volume. The competition can be summarized as cut throat which finally led to a few companies to go better, while the most to go worse. The following subtopics discuss strategy options which were widely used by those companies. Strategy Option 1: Differentiation Most of companies competing in ASEAN countries face problems like inability to meet sales and financial objectives. In lieu to that, most of them expanded their products or services offerings. Some of them made new offerings, while other made modifications of existing one. In either case, markets became flooded. This proliferation of more varieties of products or services was good for consumers, but further weakened business performance. Thus, the other movement toward hypercompetition can be described as the expansion of offerings from suppliers without any increase in customer demand. What was initially viewed dynamism of ASEAN market as the creation of differentiated lines was in reality product or service line fragmentation. Most companies in the region were not content to offer traditional products or services in new markets but now sought to create new products or services. These new products or services appeared to be successful until management realized that they were, in some cases, merely cannibalizing existing one. The finding shows these new products or services grew but the number or revenue in the regular products or services are declined. This means, existing services were now experiencing competition from inside their own company as well as outside. In ASEAN markets where there had previously been only two or three products or services, now some of the market segments have four times more. As was the case with business, both revenue and customer retention suffered. Another strategic issue needs to address carefully is about growing demand among customers for better accessibility and convenience which has changed the environment of manufacturing and service sectors. Support by advancement in digital communications, traditional companies responded by changing structures and products or services provided (Rosenoer, Armstrong and Gates, 1999). Most MNCs and MNEs in ASEAN countries use current products or services to produce new by offering them in radically different ways. Those products or services are touted as the same but delivered with a different technology. It is seen as a new product or service in the market and this certainly increase the intensity of rivalry among competing companies. Some of the companies in this study created new products or services besides forged alliances with other organizations. Such inclination was developed in response to the opportunities created by a growing global market. There are companies deliver traditional product or services, but in a different location or with a different methodology (extended traditional companies and technology-based companies). Both are organized and designed to serve non-residential participants. This approach enables them to deliver existing products or services to audiences in different locations. Rosenoer et al., (1999) described online based transactions are organized around a technology to minimize the consequences of the physical separation between client and companies. The field of online business has grown rapidly and many of ASEAN based companies offer products or services via the web. While some experience a boom, majority encountered slow growth in online business. Overall most virtually promoted products or services are doing well and become strong competitors of traditional products. Such possibility to access to products or services enables buyers to shop at any time and at any place at their convenience. This certainly creates opportunities for noncustomers (Christensen et al., 2004). Strategy Option 2: Low Cost Leadership When the market expansion and product development strategies does not favour companies overall performance, the corporate response was to reduce costs. Major producers hunted for ways to reduce costs as a means of increasing gross margins, net profits, and earnings per share. This was the era of downsizing the blue-collar workforce; cutting back in corporate staff and middle management; give backs of employee benefits; and hiring of part-time or temporary employees who receive no benefits or who may not even be employees of the firm (Hilman, 2006). Some of the companies in this study standardized and automated their manufacturing and production operations; reduce number of staff; and planning to locate production abroad or to a new area with even low labour costs. The desired results were to increase financial performance and the ability to price-compete for market share. Interestingly most of them aware such actions create negative impact to them in the long run. Service sector based companies in the region also experienced identical implications. Cost reduction initiative leads to reduction of employment levels on number of full-time employees, reduced fringe benefits, made staffing decisions similar to those of business by moving to greater levels of temporary and part-time employment, and eliminated services that were not revenue positive. The findings show most of the companies aware that such actions negatively affect the quality of the service provided because a service based company involves more than factual product as it includes the skill and attitudinal development that comes with company and client interaction. Like manufacturing based sector, service based companies competing within ASEAN countries also faces cost-based competition from both local and foreign companies. In one sense the competition stems from the changes in the way companies see themselves. This is particularly true for numbers of subsectors in service sector. The quality of the services has a direct impact on how business community perceive the entire company. However, most of the cost-based competition in the region comes from the many smaller companies that have unknown standard of quality on services offered. In other words, some of the companies in both sectors (manufacturing and service) were trying to gain competitive advantage through low cost leadership or focus on cost strategies. Strategy Option 3: Focus The final stage of hypercompetitive market development is the birth of technologically competent, niche competitors that target only specialized, high profit market-segments with single purpose product. Some of the companies in the region exercise focus differentiation strategy. Products for this strategy are produced by talented engineers who design high-performance products, high-profit margin products and no consideration to become full-line suppliers. However, most of the companies exercise focus strategy opted for focus on cost instead by offering full line products with low-margin. of focus on differentiation. The same type of niche competitors exists in service sector. Some of the sample companies were focusing on a particular segment of the market in the attempt to isolate themselves from other competitors and to appeal to a particular group of high-value customers. They are able to provide value or brand identification that makes them extremely attractive. These providers will offer a specialized service. Most of them who opted for this strategy have no desire to offer a full range of business like manufacturing based companies. The reason for them not to offer full range of services were mainly due to do not want to use their revenues from a high-demand service to subsidize the lower-demand ones therefore they must cut marginal services. Conclusions, implications and strategies for hypercompetitive markets To face hypercompetition, ASEAN based companies must develop and produce specialized products or services faster than the competition. New or differentiated products or services provide customers with new, improved, or additional features; unfortunately hypercompetition means that products or services have shorter life cycles, which is the unintended consequence of competing with ones own products or services. In fact, for many companies competing in the region, their competitive strategy is to replace their own product or services before the competition does. This is often called eating ones own babies. Their strong tendency to increased product or service differentiation caused greater customer expectations and increasingly diverse applications, which in turn results in an explosion of demand for increasingly specialized products or services. More product or service differentiation leads to increase competition and creates a broader consumer market. It also leads to the development of small, overlapping sub-markets and price points. This review of hypercompetition of businesses among ASEAN based companies gives significant inputs for managers in particular and competing companies in general about the most recent state-of-the art strategies in doing business in the region. There is no doubt that companies must always prepare to deal with hypercompetitive environment and give special attention to environmental challenges such as technological change, globalization, and increased competition. To ensure that the region remains competitive in bringing FDIs and local investors to invest, it is an imperative requirement for ASEAN countries to work collectively and closely. Failure to do so may dampen their chances to record significant growth on gross domestic products (GDP).

Essay on Abuse of Power in Catch-22 -- Catch-22

The Abuse of Power Exposed in Catch-22    In 1955, Joseph Heller wrote Catch-22. The story takes place on a small island in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Italy. As the story progresses, it follows the actions of a man named Yosarrian and his companions in his squadron. Many of the men begin with high rank and others are promoted throughout the novel. As these men come into power, one of Heller's themes is explicitly shown; as men achieve power, they become compelled to abuse it.    The story begins with Yosarrian in a hospital. He is there "with a pain in his liver that fell just short of being jaundice. The doctors were puzzled by the fact that it wasn't quite jaundice. If it became jaundice they could treat it. If it didn't become jaundice and went away they could discharge him. But this just short of being jaundice all the time confused them" (7). Yosarrian is clever about how he fakes his condition and is able to stay in the hospital for as long as he wishes. The doctors in the hospital are blind to the deception and allow Yosarrian to stay. After Yosarrian realizes that he can deceive the doctors, he returns whenever he wishes to relax and escape from the war. He even kicks other patients with real conditions out of their beds. "The startled patient jumped down to the floor at Yosarrian's command and ran away. Yosarrian climbed up into his bed and became Warrant Officer Homer Lumley, who felt like vomiting and was covered suddenly with clammy sweat" (286). Yosarrian likes the way it feels to move into someone else's bed and continues to do abuse this power when at the hospital.    Another hospital episode is rather frightening. Yosarrian has been wounded and is semi-conscious as he listens to two ... ...operating, so he allows Milo to take credit for the flights of others. Milo is an example of the worst of the human spirit. His desire to make a quick buck makes him one to easily abuse his power for his own gain.    To a certain extent, all men desire power. Yet how much power any man craves depends on his surroundings. In World War II, men were put into a survival of the fittest environment. For many, survival meant obtaining power in order to control their destiny. In Catch-22, Joseph Heller captured that feeling in his characters. From the absurdity of Lieutenant Scheisskopf to Milo's syndicate, Heller shows how easily men are able to abuse their power. To this day that feeling lurks somewhere inside of all of us. It is just a matter of what it takes for that need to emerge. Works Cited   Heller, Joseph. Catch-22, Simon and Schuster, 1955

History Paper 1877 – 1900

Over the years of 1877 to the 1900’s many changes were occurring. The Southern cities were changing faster than anyone could’ve imagined with new transportation, growing industries, and the end of slavery. Not to mention, the changing role of women. In the New South by the year 1880, steel and iron mills were progressing across the North. Railroad construction was fast paced in the 1880s. Comparing 1880 to 1890 the tracks had doubled with Texas and Georgia having the biggest growth. In 1886, an agreement was made to have a standardized width on the railroad tracks.This would help create a national transportation system. By creating this, the increasing demand of buying and selling goods would be fulfilled at a faster pace. Also, with this new transportation came new land for families to move into for work. The textile industry was growing significantly also because more people were traveling to the South. With immigrants and Southerners needing a steady form of income e ntrepreneurs took on the textile business not only to build good relationships with the people of the South but also to be less dependent on capital and manufactured products from the North.Tobacco was also a growing business with Virginia leading in the sales of chewing tobacco across the nation. When the discovery of bright-leaf tobacco was made, tobacco habits were changed into the form of cigarettes by James B. Duke. He had the first cigarette-making machine installed in his plant and by the year 1900, Duke’s tobacco company was controlling eighty percent of tobacco manufacturing in the United States. With these booming industries came low wages. The South experienced a downfall with the rise they were experiencing.Since the workers of the South were poorly paid they could not afford to buy much so the market in the South for manufactured goods was kept low as was the consumer demand. Low wages only brought in immigrants that were low-skilled so skilled laborers were more likely to go north and work complicated machinery to produce high-quality goods. The South had close to no capital reserves to expand leaving Northern financers to purchase the five major rail lines serving the South at a bargain after failing during a depression in the 1870s.Since the South was such a risk to invest in the textile industry stayed small-scale. On the other hand, the South’s largest industry, the lumber industry grew. Since it required little capital and provided unskilled laborers with a job, these raw materials were quickly produced. The tobacco industry unlike the textile industry avoided some turmoil. James B. Duke’s tobacco company was profitable enough to become its own bank. With enough capital to have the latest technologies on his plants, he was fortunate enough to buy out his competitors.In the late nineteenth century women began fighting to improve the status of women, sometimes by joining with men. Because women in the South were left with providing for their families when the South lost the war, some never wanting to depend on men again and others who dealt with Southern men who were shaken by defeat, they were not as motivated to campaign reform and threaten gender role changes. Despite such battles, southern women found opportunities in schools, and stores for example that expanded their social role twenty years after 1880.Women of the South, both black and white of the middle class, played important roles in civic work and reform. These middle class women began performing in activities ranging from lobbying for various causes, taking leadership on plenty of important issues and organizing clubs. Some of the first women’s clubs starting in the 1880s were self-improvement societies that did not care for reform. Women’s clubs grew and by 1890, most towns and cities had several women’s clubs. Some of the club’s and its members even began taking part in political issues.While both black and white women had their clubs, the activities of black women’s clubs were slightly different in comparison to the white women’s clubs. Black women’s clubs looked out for the women and children in their cities, supporting daycare facilities for working mothers and settlement houses in poor black neighborhoods. They also established homes for single black women so that they would not be an easy victim to sexual exploitation. Atlanta’s Neighborhood Union founded playgrounds, a health center and also received a grant to improve black education.These women also worked for woman suffrage. While both groups of women had strong beliefs and motives to speak their minds they rarely communicated with each other. Some white women would even use racial solidarity as a weapon to promote white women’s right to vote. They did this to prove the point that with white men and women’s votes combined they could further white interests. The black generation that ca me of age in this environment where blacks and whites could maintain cordial relations expected many privileges in society like the right to vote, work and attend school.Among these, they also wanted self-respect, dignity and to be considered equal to the white men and women. White southerners who came of age in this same environment saw blacks as the enemy. They wanted to preserve white purity and dominance. Because the tensions between blacks and whites continued to grow, not only on the view of equality but in jobs as well, violence against black people boomed in the 1890s. Some of these violent crimes included lynching. After two of the unspoken rules had been violated the lynchings started.White men began to see themselves as protectors of the weak, but it more importantly reinforced white solidarity and reminded the blacks that white supremacy ruled the South. When the Fifteenth Amendment guaranteed freedmen the right to vote, poll taxes, literacy test, understanding clause an d grandfather clause were all some of the disfranchising legislation that began to prevent blacks from voting. Blacks began moving to cities in the South where they could be somewhat free from white surveillance after feeling like American democracy had hung a â€Å"whites only† sign.Blacks began to create their own rich communities and the businesses and institutions they built during Reconstruction began to grow and some even flourish. By the year 1900, black southerners had less political power than they had before and were far more isolated from white southerners. Despite every obstacle, they were successful in building a comfortable community life and a rising middle class, all while being in a restricted environment.The changes brought over the time frame of 1877 to the 1900’s were the framework for some of the opportunities we have today. The South had plenty going on over the years, from building and trying to keep industries, to men and women moving into the S outhern cities with new opportunity that their ancestors did not have and Blacks fighting for their rights when white solidarity was having such a heavy effect on their lifestyles. The South was fast growing but holding itself back with segregation, and black disfranchisement.

Grading System

SUPPORT INFORMATION – Flash – BIOS LIFEBOOK AH531 SUPPORT INFORMATION File Description Flash – BIOS LIFEBOOK AH531 Issue: Pages: 20. 08. 2012 3 Windows BIOS Update Utility – LIFEBOOK A531/AH531 Description: File: Version: Date: Size: Status: Manufacturer: Important information: !!! Connect AC adapter before flashing !!! !!! Please suspend BitLocker encryption before updating the BIOS on a computer that has BitLocker enabled !!! !!! Please reboot your system after flashing !!! FTS_Windows BIOS Update Utility – LIFEBOOK A531/AH531_1. 30_1073231. EXE 1. 30 28. 5. 2012 2,91 MB Fujitsu Comment: _______________________________________________________________________________ BIOS Update – Windows for LIFEBOOK A531/AH531 Copyright (c) Fujitsu Technology Solutions 2011 _______________________________________________________________________________ – Inventory 1. Introduction 2. Preparation 3. BIOS Update Procedure 4. BIOS Version History ______ _________________________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction This package contains BIOS update files supporting BIOS Update Windows environment. BIOS Update – Windows _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Preparation ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 http://support. ts. fujitsu. com/ SUPPORT INFORMATION – LIFEBOOK_AH531 FileDesc_1073231 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIOS Update – Windows After downloading the *. exe file containing the BIOS Update Windows package you need to store the files to any directory. ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. BIOS Update Procedure Important notes: – Make sure that an AC adapter and a charged battery pack is connected to your system. – You ne ed to have administrator privileges to run the BIOS update utility. – First you need to suspend BitLocker encryption before updating the BIOS on a computer that has BitLocker enabled. Attention: – Do not turn off or suspend the computer until the BIOS update has been completed. – BIOS update will be completed by a shutdown / reboot of the system.BIOS Update – Windows: Run BIOS Update Utility (file: *. exe) to update your System BIOS in Windows environment. _______________________________________________________________________________ 4. BIOS Version History Current BIOS V1. 30 Solved problems: – Fixed Blue Screen 0x7B issue. BIOS V1. 29 Solved problems: -None BIOS V 1. 28 Solved problems: – Fixed black screen after resume from standby randomly. BIOS V. 1. 27 Solved problems: – Fixed system can't power on when it goes to S4 and press power button immediately. Fixed system can't boot when CPU Celeron B720 is installed. BIOS V1. 25 to V 1. 26 were skipped. BIOS V. 1. 24: Solved problems: -Fixed input supervisor password over 20 times continuously ,it will be clear automatically. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 http://support. ts. fujitsu. com/ SUPPORT INFORMATION – LIFEBOOK_AH531 FileDesc_1073231 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ -ADD F4 key to support Event LOG display.BIOS V. 1. 23 Solved problems: – Update CPU microcode to support Intel CPU i7-2640M BIOS V. 1. 22: Solved problems: – Can't select text in MS words using the Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keyboard shortcuts. – Fixed sometimes ODD can not be recognized in winPE. Known errors, problems and restrictions: – None Additional information: – Patch kernel to fix SCSI command (USB_MASS_STORE_SCSI) length problem in Android OS. (TOSHIBA REGZA SmartPhone) – Improve EFI variable auto recovery algorithm to cover RMA NG ROM failure. Fixed PIT timer issue when resume from S3. – Change the string while My Recovery is loading. â€Å"Please wait while My Recovery is loading†¦ â€Å"–>†Preparing now. Please wait for a while. † – When â€Å"WALKMAN A855† is connecting the system, system will hang up at FUJITSU logo. – The default setting of WOL is disabled in the BIOS setting. Change the power of LAN to low from high for battery life. – Update Realtek LAN controller PXE ROM from v2. 37 to v2. 41. – Fixed system can't boot after removeing AC/DC RTC battery for a while. Fixed memory frequence on 1333Mhz from â€Å"Auto†. – Update BIOS version to support new SPI ROM source. – Update Intel SandyBridge CPU MicroCode. – Correct â€Å"Copyright 1985-2011 Phoenix Technologies Ltd. † string display in BIOS diagnostic screen. ______________________________________ _________________________________________ Copyright (c) Fujitsu Technology Solutions 2011 CONTACT FUJITSU LIMITED Mies-van-der-Rohe-Stra? 8 80807 Muenchen Germany Website: http://www. fujitsu. com/fts/ Grading System SUPPORT INFORMATION – Flash – BIOS LIFEBOOK AH531 SUPPORT INFORMATION File Description Flash – BIOS LIFEBOOK AH531 Issue: Pages: 20. 08. 2012 3 Windows BIOS Update Utility – LIFEBOOK A531/AH531 Description: File: Version: Date: Size: Status: Manufacturer: Important information: !!! Connect AC adapter before flashing !!! !!! Please suspend BitLocker encryption before updating the BIOS on a computer that has BitLocker enabled !!! !!! Please reboot your system after flashing !!! FTS_Windows BIOS Update Utility – LIFEBOOK A531/AH531_1. 30_1073231. EXE 1. 30 28. 5. 2012 2,91 MB Fujitsu Comment: _______________________________________________________________________________ BIOS Update – Windows for LIFEBOOK A531/AH531 Copyright (c) Fujitsu Technology Solutions 2011 _______________________________________________________________________________ – Inventory 1. Introduction 2. Preparation 3. BIOS Update Procedure 4. BIOS Version History ______ _________________________________________________________________________ 1. Introduction This package contains BIOS update files supporting BIOS Update Windows environment. BIOS Update – Windows _______________________________________________________________________________ 2. Preparation ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 1 of 3 http://support. ts. fujitsu. com/ SUPPORT INFORMATION – LIFEBOOK_AH531 FileDesc_1073231 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BIOS Update – Windows After downloading the *. exe file containing the BIOS Update Windows package you need to store the files to any directory. ______________________________________________________________________________ 3. BIOS Update Procedure Important notes: – Make sure that an AC adapter and a charged battery pack is connected to your system. – You ne ed to have administrator privileges to run the BIOS update utility. – First you need to suspend BitLocker encryption before updating the BIOS on a computer that has BitLocker enabled. Attention: – Do not turn off or suspend the computer until the BIOS update has been completed. – BIOS update will be completed by a shutdown / reboot of the system.BIOS Update – Windows: Run BIOS Update Utility (file: *. exe) to update your System BIOS in Windows environment. _______________________________________________________________________________ 4. BIOS Version History Current BIOS V1. 30 Solved problems: – Fixed Blue Screen 0x7B issue. BIOS V1. 29 Solved problems: -None BIOS V 1. 28 Solved problems: – Fixed black screen after resume from standby randomly. BIOS V. 1. 27 Solved problems: – Fixed system can't power on when it goes to S4 and press power button immediately. Fixed system can't boot when CPU Celeron B720 is installed. BIOS V1. 25 to V 1. 26 were skipped. BIOS V. 1. 24: Solved problems: -Fixed input supervisor password over 20 times continuously ,it will be clear automatically. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Page 2 of 3 http://support. ts. fujitsu. com/ SUPPORT INFORMATION – LIFEBOOK_AH531 FileDesc_1073231 ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ -ADD F4 key to support Event LOG display.BIOS V. 1. 23 Solved problems: – Update CPU microcode to support Intel CPU i7-2640M BIOS V. 1. 22: Solved problems: – Can't select text in MS words using the Ctrl + Shift + Arrow keyboard shortcuts. – Fixed sometimes ODD can not be recognized in winPE. Known errors, problems and restrictions: – None Additional information: – Patch kernel to fix SCSI command (USB_MASS_STORE_SCSI) length problem in Android OS. (TOSHIBA REGZA SmartPhone) – Improve EFI variable auto recovery algorithm to cover RMA NG ROM failure. Fixed PIT timer issue when resume from S3. – Change the string while My Recovery is loading. â€Å"Please wait while My Recovery is loading†¦ â€Å"–>†Preparing now. Please wait for a while. † – When â€Å"WALKMAN A855† is connecting the system, system will hang up at FUJITSU logo. – The default setting of WOL is disabled in the BIOS setting. Change the power of LAN to low from high for battery life. – Update Realtek LAN controller PXE ROM from v2. 37 to v2. 41. – Fixed system can't boot after removeing AC/DC RTC battery for a while. Fixed memory frequence on 1333Mhz from â€Å"Auto†. – Update BIOS version to support new SPI ROM source. – Update Intel SandyBridge CPU MicroCode. – Correct â€Å"Copyright 1985-2011 Phoenix Technologies Ltd. † string display in BIOS diagnostic screen. ______________________________________ _________________________________________ Copyright (c) Fujitsu Technology Solutions 2011 CONTACT FUJITSU LIMITED Mies-van-der-Rohe-Stra? 8 80807 Muenchen Germany Website: http://www. fujitsu. com/fts/

algorithm essays

algorithm essays Assemble clean frying pan, clean spatula, clean bowl, clean dish, chicken large egg, fresh butter, iodized salt, grind black pepper, fresh wheat bread to toast, clean glass, fresh non-fat milk, you need for frying an egg B) Place 1 tsp fresh butter in the clean frying pan Put on the fire under frying pan Make sure the temperature is on low to medium high In case pan gets too hot, and butter burns, repeat this step. C) Take a chicken large egg and tap in gently on the side of the bowl or on the counter While cracking an egg, if spilt on the table/floor, repeat this step D) Have a clean bowl ready and pour the egg into the bowl Gently pour it into the hot frying pan Sprinkle with iodized salt and grind black pepper If no salt needed, it can be done without salt. E) Wait until white of the egg gets very white Remove from the pan with clean spatula and place on the clean plate. If removed earlier, repeat the end If burned, repeat the procedure Toast the fresh wheat bread with butter on the same frying pan until it gets brown Put a cup of milk into the clean glass Put fried egg, and buttered toast in a clean dish combine with a glass of milk. ...

Photograph essays

Photograph essays To the photograph a person or object from below, distorts that object. It tends to elongate a person, making him seem more important. It also intimidates the audience, since it is in the inferior position of looking up. The scene gives an added power to the person on the screen. Kane is indeed bloated and enlarged by his material possessions, and in comparison, the audience feels very small. Yet it is precisely his excessiveness, which has distorted him and made him grotesque to our sensibilities. Kane is a selfish, greedy man, and his actions have distorted his life and appearance. The movie is a visual masterpiece, a kaleidoscope of daring angles and breathtaking images that had never been attempted before. Toland perfected a deep-focus technique that allowed him to photograph backgrounds with as much clarity as foregrounds. Such as the scene where Kane's parents discuss his future while, as seen through the window, the child plays outside in the snow. There's also an extremely eff ective low-angle shot late in the film where Kane trashes Susan's room. Sound montage is used extensively with the flashback scenes to denote the interval of time within related scenes. A character will begin a sentence and complete it weeks, months, or years later in a different location. On occasion, one character will begin the sentence and another will complete it in the same manner. This sound thread results in a constriction of time and an elimination of transitional periods of rest and calm. Aside from the aesthetic dividends of pacing and high lighting, Citizen Kane's sound montage reinforces the unnatural tension of the central character's driving, joyless ambition. One brilliant use of sound montage, is when Kane and his wife are arguing in a tent surrounded by hundreds of Kane's guests. A shrill scream punctuates the argument with a persistent, sensual rhythm. It is clear that some sexual outrage is being committed. When the parakeet...

UK House Prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

UK House Prices - Essay Example Any government has the power to regulate the economy of a country and not only does it regulate the economy, it has a vital role to ensure that the economic condition remains stable. It is the responsibility of the government to ensure that all the aspects of economy maintain a stable level so that the country can grow and expand. Government regulates many things in an economy including inflation, exports and imports, prices of many vital commodities, and also property prices to a large extent. Government of England has entrusted the job of determining the monetary policy, in the hands of Bank of England. Bank of England looks into many other big issues. One of the most important issues is that of ensuring monetary stability in the economy, which can be achieved through a combination of stable prices of goods and services across the economy coupled with a low inflation level and level of confidence of the investors in the currency of the country. The Bank comes out with the monetary policy in order to ensure a certain key objectives like, delivering price stability with a low inflation level coupled with an objective to support the Government's economic objectives of growth and employment. Price stability is taken care of, by the Government's usual inflation target of 2%. There is a need to contemplate the crucial and critical role played by price stability in achieving the aforesaid economic stability, and in providing just the right conditions for a sustainable and longe r living growth in output and employment. (How Monetary Policy Works) Inflation is a very sensitive concern that is one of the major economic factors and is generally impacted by the prices of different articles prevailing in an economy. For example, any increases in oil prices is expected to feed through into inflation over the next few years, and the gap between the value of imports and exports is growing to record levels, prompting expectations of a decline in the value of sterling, which is a welcome sign for the exporters but will hit the importers, as they will have to shell out more money for importing their raw materials leading to a further increase in inflation. Any decision is taken after considering the condition of the whole economy and all sections of the society at large and there are several other methods to tackle the prices of properties, but it will always be better to increase the rates at a slower but steady pace, rather than giving a monetary shock. Rising Inflation, if not tackled properly and at the right time may create a cycl e, wherein the inflation keeps rising due to no change in interest rates. Factors Influencing Property Prices in UK Assessing the price of a property is not an easy job, there are three main methods besides the economic factors that determine value, namely "Comparable Sales Method", "Income Approach" and the "Cost Approach" (Property Valuation for Home Buyers), but these methods are just a tool for a prospective seller to determine the price of the house they are going to sell and this price definitely influences the price at, which the transaction actually takes place. Let us now analyze how the concept of value plays a role in determining the prices and what

Accounting principals Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Accounting principals - Essay Example The key is to price it at a level where people can still afford it and will still demand it but where the company will also be able to make a profit and be able to maintain its status as a going concern. There are many ways measure performance but the reason why it is important is that if performance suffers than the whole company suffers. There are man econometric systems of measurement used for this process. Needless to say, it is complex. Clearly taxes play a huge role in every business and it is important to account for them. Transfer pricing is one method of adjusting prices between different parties at arms length. This is an effective method of determining the real price of something with relations to tax. All good accountants will do this. For many years governments have permitted this kind of calculation. Depending on where you sit politically outsourcing is either good or bad. It involves sending certain jobs to other places or countries where they can be done more cheaply. For example, a lot of companies outsource menial work such as call centres to India where wages are lower. This is a good way for companies to save money as they are always sending jobs to places where they can be done more cheaply. However, for workers at home they dont want to see their jobs move. In the end, the customers win as the companys savings are passed on to them. This is important to take into account when reading financial statements. Many workplaces are unionized. Workers sign collective agreements and have many rights. For workers this can be a good thing as their jobs are more easily protected, but for many companies this often involves higher costs as unions demand more wages and benefits. We can see how unions have nearly destroyed the American car industry through the way they drove up costs dramatically over the years. No

Dance Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 3

Dance - Assignment Example The Three Shades dance is characterized by fast rhythmic movements since the setting is a wedding, and there are is a mixture of joyous and turbulent occasions. In Swan Lake, the dancers remain close to the ground most of the time while including very little instances of jumps or balancing on one foot. All moves are done by not less than four dancers yet they move in perfect harmony, emulating the natural movements of swans in the lake. At one point, some of the dancers form a circle with eight girls in the middle. They engage in several smooth motions that eventually result to rows of four girls each walking in minute steps on their toes from one end to another. Almost immediately, the rows fuse and the girls are now in two perfectly straight columns, with each one passing through the other in turns. The viewer is hypnotized by the smooth movements of the dancers, which makes them think of how nature can surprise you with its perfect harmony. In the case of Three Shades, the dancers move with the fat rhythms. Only one dancer performs on the stage at a time, except for one scene where three of them are backed by the rest. The dancers are in the air more than they are on the ground, utilizing the concept of the level very well. On one scene, the lady dances with a male partner who lifts her off the ground with ease and precision, all the while maintaining a rhythmic motion to the music. The gentleman leaves and returns later after the lady exits. He also rarely stays on the ground, spinning in the air up to three times in a row. The dance seems to send the message that most of the joyous moments we experience are similar to flying high in the sky, although most of the time short-lived. The choreography for both dances coincides well with the theme of the tales and the titles. Just like swans in the lake are calm and graceful, the music in Swan Lake is slow and the dancers move in slow coordinated motions, depicting the calmness and

DQ-4-Sheila Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

DQ-4-Sheila - Essay Example All these implying that organizations are to start getting ready to adopt the advanced internet applications that are expected to rise soon. Due to these many benefits, organizations incorporating this change will have to clearly choose its operational strategies on whether or not to align its internet use at both departmental levels and organizational levels aiming at yielding high production levels. Internet use at any organization ought to be decentralized. To elaborate this, we need to put into consideration on how organizations were like before the advent of internet technology. During the genesis of internet use at various organizations, almost every other employer at different departments was hardly in a position to have any of the internet related computing devices at their disposal (Bullmore & Sporns, 2012). The type of data usage was determined by the mainframes run by the organization where the center staffs were having control over the input and output at each and every step of the whole process. Upon request, the trained personnel that were able to program these mainframe machines were able to generate data along with information needed by the organization, for example in the processing of payrolls. It is essential to note that most of the staff at different departments was ignorant when it came to this new way of processing data as it was only a task left for the In formational Technology (IT) departments in the organizations. As a result, the ignorant individuals became frustrated on the usage of this new technology. Recently, internet use at organizations has been shown a decentralized trend contrary to the later where it was centralized. As internet hardware and software became more cost efficient and reliable, organizations realized the need to make this process of internet use to be of independent in nature (Petter&DeLone, 2013). The inquiry, therefore, is to whether internet use may be

Asset and Guest Security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Asset and Guest Security - Essay Example Since pieces of art have been collected from the world class artists, painters and museums, the protection and safety of these things requires comprehensive security schemes, so that the confidence and trust of the artists and guests in the gallery could be sustained. Alarm System: The main objective behind an art gallery is the displaying of worthwhile art pieces for the visitors and guests, so that the lovers of art could appreciate and evaluate the talented and exquisite work accomplished by the artists, painters and sculptors in an eloquent mode. Incorporation and inclusion of security alarm system is highly advisable for the protection of these precious assets of art. The alarm system should be adjusted in such a way that it could cover the entire edifice of art gallery from roof to the main entrance and from doors and windows to the all the four walls of the building. There should be no other entrance other than the main gate, monitoring of which should be double-checked by the security staff. The security staff must note the identity and entry time of every guest, so that in case of any doubt or loss, the visitors could be traced out easily. The security guards should be provided with metal detectors so that no person loaded with the weapo n could have entry in the gallery. The guards should be loaded with the latest weapons in order to face any untoward situation. Special Security on the Roof of Gallery: It has aptly been stated that in art exhibitions, the thieves use the roof of the building as the easiest way through which they can slip with the object of art quite easily. â€Å"The experience shows that fifty percent of all thefts take place on the upper floors of a building, or even from the roof. Security measures should not be limited to motion detection inside the building; if permitted by the surrounding environment, it is ideal to have a security system that

Consequences of deception in romantic relationships Dissertation

Consequences of deception in romantic relationships - Dissertation Example When deception is detected, negative emotional reactions result, particularly when the lies exposed are considered to be significant. In Cole’s (2001) study, 256 individuals (128 couples) were used as the research sample. They were asked to complete questionnaires pertaining to their partner’s and their own communication behavior. The aim was to determine the link between the extent of interpersonal communication and the practice of deception. Moreover, the study examined the roles played by causes for deception such as reciprocity, avoidance of punishment, or deceptive fulfilment of the lack of intimacy in their romantic relationship. The use of deception is more frequently found where relational characteristics are at lower levels. Thus, deception appears to be used as a method for coping with relational problems, and greater use of deception is considered to be â€Å"an indicator of overall relational distress† (Cole, 2001, p.125). Cole’s (2001) research study also obtained certain results related to the outcome of deception. Primarily, the best relational outcomes arise from couples avoiding deception while at the same time trusting each other’s fidelity. However, when it becomes known that deception is being practised by one of the partners, there are negative outcomes for everyone involved. When there is a little suspicion, the other partner may be tempted to engage in deception too, thus sending the relationship into a downward spiral. This results in increasing deception by both the individuals, greater suspicion between partners, and progressive deterioration of the romantic relationship. The above study could have been made more useful through a greater focus on the outcomes of deception among the couples where deception was found, thereby providing evidence based results. The research study would need to extend over a longer period of time, to determine how each couple who had experienced deception between them, fared with the passage of time. This is because some couples may reconcile, while others may break up the romantic relationship permanently. In romantic relationships, fidelity is a serious concern for both sexes. Deception by one of the partners can have devastating results on the relationship. When the infidelity comes to light, the betrayed partner’s feelings of being let down can give rise to â€Å"unpleasant emotions including depression, anger, self-reproach and jealousy† (Shackelford, Buss and Bennett, 2002, p.299). Infidelity remains as the most serious cause for the dissolution of a relationship leading to divorce, and breaking up of the relationship is resorted to as the most common solution. On the other hand, not all couples break up their relationship because of a partner’s infidelity. Some individuals try to find out all the details from their unfaithful partner to determine the nature and

DQ-4-Sheila Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

DQ-4-Sheila - Essay Example All these implying that organizations are to start getting ready to adopt the advanced internet applications that are expected to rise soon. Due to these many benefits, organizations incorporating this change will have to clearly choose its operational strategies on whether or not to align its internet use at both departmental levels and organizational levels aiming at yielding high production levels. Internet use at any organization ought to be decentralized. To elaborate this, we need to put into consideration on how organizations were like before the advent of internet technology. During the genesis of internet use at various organizations, almost every other employer at different departments was hardly in a position to have any of the internet related computing devices at their disposal (Bullmore & Sporns, 2012). The type of data usage was determined by the mainframes run by the organization where the center staffs were having control over the input and output at each and every step of the whole process. Upon request, the trained personnel that were able to program these mainframe machines were able to generate data along with information needed by the organization, for example in the processing of payrolls. It is essential to note that most of the staff at different departments was ignorant when it came to this new way of processing data as it was only a task left for the In formational Technology (IT) departments in the organizations. As a result, the ignorant individuals became frustrated on the usage of this new technology. Recently, internet use at organizations has been shown a decentralized trend contrary to the later where it was centralized. As internet hardware and software became more cost efficient and reliable, organizations realized the need to make this process of internet use to be of independent in nature (Petter&DeLone, 2013). The inquiry, therefore, is to whether internet use may be

Consequences of deception in romantic relationships Dissertation

Consequences of deception in romantic relationships - Dissertation Example When deception is detected, negative emotional reactions result, particularly when the lies exposed are considered to be significant. In Cole’s (2001) study, 256 individuals (128 couples) were used as the research sample. They were asked to complete questionnaires pertaining to their partner’s and their own communication behavior. The aim was to determine the link between the extent of interpersonal communication and the practice of deception. Moreover, the study examined the roles played by causes for deception such as reciprocity, avoidance of punishment, or deceptive fulfilment of the lack of intimacy in their romantic relationship. The use of deception is more frequently found where relational characteristics are at lower levels. Thus, deception appears to be used as a method for coping with relational problems, and greater use of deception is considered to be â€Å"an indicator of overall relational distress† (Cole, 2001, p.125). Cole’s (2001) research study also obtained certain results related to the outcome of deception. Primarily, the best relational outcomes arise from couples avoiding deception while at the same time trusting each other’s fidelity. However, when it becomes known that deception is being practised by one of the partners, there are negative outcomes for everyone involved. When there is a little suspicion, the other partner may be tempted to engage in deception too, thus sending the relationship into a downward spiral. This results in increasing deception by both the individuals, greater suspicion between partners, and progressive deterioration of the romantic relationship. The above study could have been made more useful through a greater focus on the outcomes of deception among the couples where deception was found, thereby providing evidence based results. The research study would need to extend over a longer period of time, to determine how each couple who had experienced deception between them, fared with the passage of time. This is because some couples may reconcile, while others may break up the romantic relationship permanently. In romantic relationships, fidelity is a serious concern for both sexes. Deception by one of the partners can have devastating results on the relationship. When the infidelity comes to light, the betrayed partner’s feelings of being let down can give rise to â€Å"unpleasant emotions including depression, anger, self-reproach and jealousy† (Shackelford, Buss and Bennett, 2002, p.299). Infidelity remains as the most serious cause for the dissolution of a relationship leading to divorce, and breaking up of the relationship is resorted to as the most common solution. On the other hand, not all couples break up their relationship because of a partner’s infidelity. Some individuals try to find out all the details from their unfaithful partner to determine the nature and

How Ruth Portrays Herself From Never Let Me Go Essay Example for Free

How Ruth Portrays Herself From Never Let Me Go Essay In the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro Ruth wants to portray her as being better than other clones. Ruth portrays herself in this matter because she does not want to be a typical clone. This is because a clones’ only purpose is to donate organs. For example in the text it states â€Å"what you’ve got to realize,† she said to Chrissie, â€Å"is that even though Tommy was at Hailsham he isn’t like a real Hailsham student. He was left out of everything and people were always laughing at him. So there’s no point in asking him about anything like this† (Page 155). With this quote one can see that Ruth is trying to down grade Tommy and make her seem special by inferring that she is qualified for deferrals and Tommy is not. Also in the novel Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro it states â€Å"For the first weeks after we arrived, she made a big deal of it, always putting her arm around Tommy, sometimes snagging him in the corner of a room while other people were still about† (Page 120). With this quote one can see that Ruth is trying to make herself feel superior because she is in a couple and the others are not. Another example that’s Ruth wants to better then other clones is in the novel when if states â€Å"She was the one always pretending to have finished anything anyone happened to be reading; and she was the only one with this notion that the way to demonstrate your superior reading was to go around telling people the plots of novels they were in the middle of† (Page 123). With this quote one can see the effort Ruth puts in to try to be better than the other clones by reading books before everyone else to be able to rub in their faces that she knows the plot already. Also in the text it states â€Å"Ruth came a step closer.†My best horse,† she said,† is thunder. I can’t let you ride on him. He’s much too dangerous. But you can ride Bramble, as long as you don’t use your crop on him† (Page 46). With this quote one can see that Ruth is trying to be special by stating that only she  can ride the best house and Kathy cannot. Last but not least in the novel Ruth states â€Å"I know how it worried you,† she said. â€Å"I should have told you, I should have said how it was the same for me too. Just the way you described it. You realise all of this I know. But you didn’t back then, and I should have said. I should have told you how ever though I was with Tommy I couldn’t resist doing it with other people sometimes† (Page 231-232) with this quote one can see that Ruth is confessing that she was trying to be better than Kathy because Kathy once told Ruth that she had desires about sex and Ruth acted as though Kathy was weird because she never had feeling such as the ones Kathy described. With these quotes from the passage it is clear that Ruth wants to portray herself as special among other clones.

Brave New World - Is Individuality a Threat to Society, or a Gift to So

As man has progressed through the ages, there has been, essentially, one purpose. That purpose is to arrive at a utopian society, where everyone is happy, disease is nonexistent, and strife, anger, or sadness is unheard of. Only happiness exists. But when confronted with Aldous Huxley's Brave New World, we come to realize that this is not, in fact, what the human soul really craves. In fact, Utopian societies are much worse than those of today. In a utopian society, the individual, who among others composes the society, is lost in the melting pot of semblance and world of uninterest. The theme of Huxley's Brave New World is community, identity, and stability. Each of these three themes represents what a Brave New World society needs to have in order to survive. According to the new world controllers, community is a result of identity and stability, identity is a part of genetic engineering, and stability is what everyone desires to achieve. These themes are represented in the bo ok by the symbolic meaning of the phrase "Children are from bottles" and the hypnotic phrase "Everybody belongs to everybody else. For a better understanding it is useful to explore these themes in detail. Community refers to the thought of one whole unit. Everyone is connected, by their actions toward each other in every day life, sexual desires, and what they do to remove the feeling of horrible emotions. This connectedness and lie, and its effects can be seen in the character of Bernard, a person who hates what society has become. The year is A.F. 632 (After Ford; Ford is the equivalent to God in Brave New World and with the available technology, citizens are mass produced. But have an underlying theme in common. The stability of this brave new w... ...ch.† It is this willingness of man to make the same mistake twice that in 2000 the ideas in Brave New World do not seem that far off base. Most people thought that with the collapse of the Soviet Union it would put an end to the suffering and an all-controlling government. But with an influx of clones, test tube babies, government controls of television, needless violence, and the search for the perfect mood altering drug. Who is to say that Brave New World is not earth in fifty years? As more people lose their individuality they become connected with community. It is with this connection that they begin to let others control their lives and humanity is already headed in that direction. Brave New World should not only be seen as a great piece of science fiction. It should be seen as a warning. Of what can happen when people live up to the influence of outside sources.

Compare and contrast the styles and techniques of two of the Wilfred :: English Literature

Compare and contrast the styles and techniques of two of the Wilfred Owen poems you have studied to demonstrate the poet's attitude to war Wilfred Owen was a war poet from the First World War; he was born in 1893 and died in 1918, whilst fighting in the "Great War". He wrote his poetry while sitting as an injured soldier on a hospital bed, and many say this is where he developed his flair for writing. In this essay, I have decided to analyse two poems; "Dulce et Decorum est" and "Anthem for Doomed Youth". In my opinion both of these poems portray Owen's anger towards the war, but do so in very different ways. I am going to compare and contrast the two poems, so that I get a better idea of Owen's attitude to war. Themes are important to any poem because it is what they are about. The main theme in "Dulce et Decorum est" is that it is not a glorious thing to fight for one's country; it is actually a horrific and traumatising experience. This is ironic because the name of the poem translates to "It is a glorious and honorable thing to fight for one’s country". I think Owen has done this so that he can lead up to the last line where he is urging people back at home to cease telling their children the "old lie" and to me this is effective. Stanza three is writing about the tragedy of war; it says "Obscene as cancer", and I think this is a useful simile because it is something that people back at home, reading the poetry, could relate to. Another theme of this poem is death; there are many occasions in which Owen talks about death. I have chosen "guttering, choking, drowning" as an example because it portrays an image of a horrific and painful way of dying. Another example of death is â€Å"white eyes writhing in his face, his hanging face† this is effective to me because the use of repetition emphasises the state in which the soldier is in, and draws a vivid images in the readers mind. I think these themes show that Owen has a bitter attitude towards war because he seems to only mention a bad side of war as if there is no glorious part. The main theme in stanza one of "Anthem for Doomed Youth" however is the lack of a funeral for people dying in the war. An example of this is "choirs of wailing shells"; this means that the only choir they have when they die is the sound the shells make as they move through

Education in the Philippines Essay

Education, a continuous process of growth from womb to tomb that is most essential to man for development and progress. In technical sense, it is the process by which society deliberately transmits its accumulated knowledge, values and skills from one generation to another through institutions. This technical process is sometimes called schooling, when referring to the compulsory education of the youth. The continuous growth of the population in the Philippines has been a great factor that affects the quality of education one can experience. There are greater and greater number of students in a class that a learning institution can accommodate. Other than that, some other problems occurred such as: lack of qualified teachers, inadequate classrooms and ineffective programs. These are more evident to public schools here in the country. Recognizant of this reality, small communities in the urban part of the country have been sensitively responding to this situation. Little by little, the number of private learning institutes have been massively growing in some areas in the city. The sustenance of these private schools is, in a very large extent, depend upon enrolment. School administrators have been continuously seeking ways and means to upgrade the standards and quality of their respective school in terms of its delivery system and other related components of quality education. This have been noticeable to Barangay Bagong Silangan because of the numerous learning centers that was established here for the past ten years. Parents, regardless of the schools’ standards, enroll their children to these private learning centers believing that they would experience a better quality education than that of in the public schools. It is, most of the people, if not everybody’s interest, to be equipped with knowledge and skills for productive endeavor in the future. The vital reason for a researcher to conduct a study is to make the parents aware if their children are getting the quality of education that they want for them in these private learning centers.

Colgate Pricing Strategy

In a highly competitive oral care market, Colgate holds its’ own, and maintains a category leadership position. The company's strategies to category growth are accomplished by long-term, joint planning with retailers; understanding consumers and how they shop; and employing integrated marketing to demonstrate the benefits of new products. The company has long been on the voyage to establish the best brush possible, and in doing so, has developed a number of impeccable products along the way. The introduction of the Wisp portable mini-brush, which was voted 2010 Product of the Year and marketed through online video and social media, increased Colgate's market share of the U. S. manual toothbrushes to a record 32. 2% last year. In the toothpaste segment, Colgate took the leadership position with 36. 2%. Earlier this year, Colgate introduced Wisp Plus Whitening with over 15 million impressions in the second quarter. Articles in Fitness and InStyle magazines and mentions on â€Å"The View† television program and numerous blogs further promoted awareness of the product, as did sampling at colleges and conducting a Facebook fan drive. In keeping up with consumer trends, Colgate began to focus on features, comfort and professional recommendations. Consumers first purchased toothbrushes without much knowledge or information concerning the product’s benefits. As new product development increased, and consumers became better informed about the benefits of toothbrushes, they began to focus their interest not only on cavity prevention, but also on the health of their gums, their oral hygiene, and their cosmetic appearance. Because consumer interest and toothbrush purchases began to increase, advertising and promotion also began to increase, which lead to the development and addition of the super-premium product class (McCarthy, 2002). Consumers began to purchase toothbrushes based on the specific benefits each toothbrush and company had to offer. One study identified 46% of adults as being therapeutic brushers – that is, brushers acting primarily to avoid cavaties and other problems with oral care (Pauszek, 2009). In reaction, Colgate developed the new Prescision toothbrush. CP tracked consumers brushing movements and how they affected plaque removal, thereby developing a brush with a varation of bristle lengths to thoroughly clean hard to reach areas (Younger, 2002). Production began in 1989 when the company put together a research team whose purpose was aimed at testing the design of the toothbrush, how the company would market the product, and how the company would gain a competitive advantage over others. Colgate-Palmolive’s mission was to â€Å"develop a superior, technical, plaque-removing device† (Laidler, 2003). The research team tested and experimented with the toothbrush for eighteen months by the usage of â€Å"dental professional focus groups and product usage tests. † This led to the introduction stage of the product life cycle, with the â€Å"launching† of the Precision toothbrush to the oral health care market in 1993 (Laidler, 2003). Colgate-Palmolive considered many different names, which included, â€Å"Colgate System III, Colgate Advantage, Colgate 1. 2. 3, Colgate Contour, Colgate Sensation, and Colgate Probe† (Laidler, 2003). Colgate-Palmolive decided upon the name Precision, because they did not want a name that could lead customers to associate the new toothbrush with their already existing toothbrush, Colgate Plus. The price budget for promotion was set at 14. 4 million dollars. The company’s promotion plan was to â€Å"induce trial† (Laidler, 2003). Colgate Palmolive planned to promote the Precision toothbrush by offering a free five-ounce tube of toothpaste or a fifty percent off coupon that could be put towards any other size of toothpaste to every consumer who purchased a Precision toothbrush, and by offering $. 0 off coupons (Younger, 2002). The position of the Precision toothbrush could be niche or mainstream (Colgate Palmolive, 2009). The focus of niche positioning would be placed on consumers who are concerned about the prevention of gum diseases. There would be many positive benefits to the company if Colgate-Palmolive were to position the Precision toothbrush as a niche product. These benefits would include one, by targeting the segment of consumers who are worried about gum disease; Colgate-Palmolive would be able to charge premium prices (Colgate Palmolive, 2009). Two, Colgate-Palmolive would be able to differentiate the Precision toothbrush from other toothbrushes, because of Precision’s technological superiority over the other toothbrushes already on the market. In contrast, mainstream positioning would place emphasis on the Precision toothbrush as being the most appealing and effective toothbrush available on the market. The advantages of using mainstream positioning for the Precision toothbrush would be that most retail stores are under a mainstream position rather than a niche position. In addition, in the super-premium category, the Precision toothbrush would be the most superior product (Younger, 2002). By positioning the toothbrush as a mainstream product, it would in return increase name recognition for Colgate. Negative advantages of using mainstream positioning for the Precision toothbrush are that although the toothbrush would be superior to the other super-premium toothbrushes, the prices for the Precision and other brushes would be equal. Equal prices would then lead to increased competition, which in return could cause prices to go up. A second disadvantage could also lead to the cannibalization of Colgate-Palmolive’s other super-premium toothbrush, the Colgate Plus. By producing a superior toothbrush, that offers more qualities than the other toothbrushes available on the market, at or around the same price as the competition, consumers will hopefully want to purchase the Precision toothbrush over the others. There will be more qualities offered at no extra charge. The price of the toothbrush if positioned as a mainstream product will have to be equal to the prices of the other toothbrushes already available on the market. If the Precision toothbrush is profitable and there is a high percentage of consumer demand, then Colgate-Palmolive might want to consider increasing the price of the toothbrush by a small margin. The price of a product says something about the quality. Even though the quality of the Precision toothbrush will be significantly higher than other leading toothbrushes, the price of the toothbrush will be determined by the prices of the other toothbrushes already in the market (McCarthy, 2002). This pricing strategy is a result of positioning the toothbrush as a mainstream product rather than a niche product.

Business Essays – Commercial Domestic Cleaning

Business Essays Commercial Domestic Cleaning Commercial Domestic Cleaning Business Description This is the perfect time to starting this new venture after patiently searching for nine months for the perfect location, finally we realise we could use our own house as an office. Our business is locate in Gateshead and our cleaning contractors cover Gateshead, Newcastle and Sunderland. The demand from the owners clients as well as the ambitions of the owner to one day start his own business will make this business to be one of greatest and potencial business in the region. Business Idea Avelino Family Commercial Domestic Cleaning and Ironing Service is a full cleaning service dedicated to consistently providing high customer satisfaction by providing the best possible highest standards office, domestic cleaning and ironing service at an acceptable price and value relationship. We also will maintain a friendly, fair, and good working environment which respects, ideas and hard work. The key to success in archiving our busine ss goal are: Genuine client care Attention to detail Commitment to our work and customers Providing an environment conducive to giving relaxing and professional service We are dedicated not just to meeting our customer’s expectation, but rather exceeding them. AFCD cleaning service has the Experience, Expertise and Resources to provide the best value contract cleaning service. Management Bedrooms – hoover and wipe the floors, clean door, light switches and skirting boards, clean mirrors, dust all surfaces, wash windows inside; Living room – dust and polish all surfaces, clean windows inside, mirrors and pictures, wipe skirting boards, light switches and door frame, hoover and mop the floor; Bathrooms – scrub and discalce bath and showers, sinks, shower doors and tiles, wipe all surfaces, clean mirrors, wash inside windows, scrub and disinfect toilets, hoover and wash floors; Entrance area and stairs – hoover and wash (if necessary) floor and stairs, wipe skirting boards, entrance door and light switches. Offices – cleaning all desks, hoover and mop the floor. Unique Features A a sole trader I will run my business, with a good eye for detail, that as got the experience of years in the business and knowing what my customers needs are. The AFCD cleaning service staff are highly trained in all aspects of cleaning to a very high standard, and are fully vetted, honest, reliable, friendly, uniformed staff so if customers are tied of housework or to busy with work! want their evenings and weekends back, well let AFCD cleaning service take the work out of housework, so they can relax of an evening, or just enjoy they weekends having fun, while we leave they home spick n span.

International ManagementCase Study and Set the strategies Essay

International ManagementCase Study and Set the strategies - Essay Example It cannot also modify the product that it offers to the European market. The company will also have to deal with the high marketing expenses and will need to deal with the government authorities in keeping with their regulations on exporting. 2. Enter into an alliance with a large European company. Entering an alliance with a European company offers myriad of benefits for Dale. For one, this will enable the business organization to share risks and costs associated in entering the European market. Since, it will be dealing with an established firm which is already prominent in the target market, its entry will be much easier. Conforming to government regulation is also facilitated by the partnership. It should be noted that governments often favor local companies than foreign ones. Through the partnership, Dale will also benefit from the European company's knowledge and brand equity in the market together with the technology and other expertise of its partner. However, drawbacks can include mistrust in sharing proprietary technology and cultural clashes. Dale also has to deal with how to split the profit noting the asymmetric investments by the partners. 3. Manufacture the product in the United States and set up a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe. Manufacturing the product in the home country will enable Dale to reap economies of scale in production. Setting up a wholly owned subsidiary in Europe will allow the company to control marketing tactics and building brand image. It will also enable Dale to learn more about the market and tailor its product according. However, this will present concerns over government regulation and having to deal with a workforce with a different culture. 4. License a European firm to manufacture and market the phone in Europe. This will benefit Dale with a high return on investment as it will be given a high fee for the manufacture and marketing of the revolutionary wireless phone. No intervention in the foreign market is required as the licensee shoulders all the risk involved. The only downside is its inability to reap returns on manufacturing and marketing activities. It is recommended that Dale chooses to partner with a large European firm in manufacturing and marketing its product abroad. This partnership will enable the company to enter the market easier while using the strong brand equity of the large firm. Sharing the risk with another entity is a potential way of mitigating risk. It should be noted that its partner's knowledge about the market will allow it to tailor its product according to unique needs of its target market. Section 2. 1. How does expanding internationally benefit Wal-Mart In the international arena, Wal-Mart recognized that opportunities in the home country were becoming constrained. Wal-Mart is benefited from the international expansion through capturing a wider market base. It should be noted that as most developing economies improve their condition, opportunities abroad abound. The higher income in foreign markets represents profit prospects for retailers. The company also reaps economies of scale in purchasing and ordering due to its strategic partnership with merchandise suppliers. International expansion also enables it to employ its expertise and capabilities while banking on its strong brand equit

Ebay Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Ebay - Term Paper Example This enables them to maintain the reputation and goodwill of the customers which in turn increases the number of companies that sell their products through them. Although, online shopping and payment transaction is a tedious process, the company takes measures to ensure that the customer is satisfied with their service. The purpose of this project is to learn the online shopping process. There are various steps that have to be carried out before listing an item in the site and they must be followed on a predefined basis. The concept of research enables the customers and companies to buy and advertise their products on this website. Search option is of great advantage to the buyers since they can search the products they require. To accomplish this, Ebay website provides the customers with an option that filters the search keywords so that the customers can narrow down on their requirement easily instead of searching on the entire list of products. Another option is advanced search in which the users can provide the basic details about the product. This option is popular among the users since it eases the process of identifying required products. Pricing of a product is one of the main features that determine how well a product reaches the customers. Ebay provides the users with an auction option using which the goods can be purchased at a better rate. This auction is performed with the products that have more demands so that the buyer and seller can get mutually benefitted. Though it has certain disadvantages, this is popular among the users. Auctioning is one among the effective options of selling a product. The other formats include fixed price options that enable the users to purchase a product easily with the rate that is directly mentioned and it ensures that product is also sold. Before including any item in the website, effective merchandising must be implemented. This will reduce the

Design a Flowchart for a Process Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Design a Flowchart for a Process - Essay Example If such a thing happens, the wins come from the bucket. The machine is designed in such a way that is able to keep the payout bucket filled automatically in the course of a play. After the payout bucket becomes full, silver dollars are then deposited in the second bucket that handles the winnings. The winnings bucket is usually periodically emptied in order for the winnings to be claimed from the casino. The flow chart that I have drawn shows the internal movements of the coin and the activities that take place externally that are controlled by the player. The machine is usually programmed in a manner that in case the payout bucket empties, the lights on the top side of the machine flash and the machine stops and that notifies the personnel in the casino that there is a person who has worn by emptying the machine. Most casinos usually size their payout buckets so as to ensure that the occurrence of winning is rare. If we perceive the payout bucket to be a buffer for silver dollars th at usually helps in the automatic running of the machine (Kari, 1999). A payout bucket that is small will mean that a casino will require more personnel that are required to attend to the machine and that will also create more time that the machine will be idle as a result of lack of silver dollars. ... Buffers that are large usually help the process to be more independent which is contrary to buffers that are small that would require more attention (Hemp, 2002). Factors affecting process design The design of the slot machine is usually affected by a number of factors. The factors include the following; 1. Size of buckets- the buckets that are used in the slot machine usually affects the running of the process. The buckets should be sized in a manner that there will be no much flow of personnel and that will cut on the costs. The cost that will be cut will include the cost of hiring new personnel and the cost of transporting money to the bank. The other factors include the risk factor that is associated with the transportation of money from the casino to the bank. 2. The flow of people into the casino- the functioning of the slot machine will be largely affected by the number of people that flow into the casino. The flow of people will affect the level of operations that will happen in the casino. That means that the income or revenue that accrues from the slot machine is directly affected by the flow of people (Menor, 2000). 3. the management of the slot machine or casino is also a critical factor that affects the way people will view the casino r the business that is been run in the casino. Metric measure The metric used to measure the effectiveness of the process is observing the number of recipients and matching it with the amount that is collected from the income of the casino. That is used to measure the effectiveness of the process and that will ensure that incase there is a complication it will be noted. Flow Chart for the process Yes Loose No Win No Yes Key Task or operations Storage areas or queues

The Issues of Gender Inequality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Issues of Gender Inequality - Essay Example A typical case that shocked me was the ordeal of a close female friend. In fact, it is without a doubt upsetting and unforgettable. Philip and I looked at the scene helplessly as Jennifer; our best friend and classmate faced the wrath of her fuming father after she refused a proposal to abandon school for a rich man her father forced her to marry. What was even more disgusting was the age difference. We had just joined college together with Jennifer. I looked at her straight in the face and realized something was amiss. Emotions were literarily overcoming the slender and innocent-looking girl. The next day, I sought to inquire from her about what exactly transpired. The young girl spoke candidly; she narrated her ordeal trying to break down the difficulties, as well as challenges she had gone through in the hands of her own parents. Jennifer was categorical that men had a huge influence on female lives (Mary Wollstonecraft). It was heartbreaking to hear from the helpless girl how her efforts and pleas to evade attempts by her father to force her into marrying the wealthy 52-year-old man were always futile. It is beyond any logical reasoning for such a respected man to make a harsh resolve decide for his daughter when and the kind of man she should marry. It is even more complicated bearing in mind that the girl was industrious and focused to achieve her dream plan of sensitizing women in the society regarding the importance of fighting for gender equality (Mary Wollstonecraft). Against expectations, the extent to which the practice had almost become the norm in the neighboring community was even alarming. Philip and I were always against the stereotype that said women are the weaker gender. I have personally seen the positive, as well as negative sides of gender stereotyping and believed they were both harsh and discriminatory against women. It beat logic when some individuals argue that men are wiser than their female counterparts are (Mary Wollstonecraft).  

Organizational Culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Organizational Culture - Essay Example There are various perspectives that are used in interpreting the organisational culture. Each organisation has its stated approach in interpreting organisational culture. This explains the reason why there is a discrepancy in the performance of many organisations operating in the same field. For instance, some organisations fuse organisational culture with other aspects that enhance its performance. On the other hand, some organisations solely rely on the organisational culture to enhance their performance. As it is explicitly seen, some organisations will have an upper hand as compared to other organisations (Levinson, 2010:15). The first perspective in organisational culture is the scope of maintaining the organisational culture at all times. In this perspective, an organisation sticks to its intended organisational culture at all times. Though there may be changing times, the organisation will focus on its organisational culture through all times. This is mostly done in organisati ons that have strong organisational cultures that were implemented by the founding fathers. Some of these organisations were formed long time ago with strong organisational cultures that were influential in the success of the organisation. To ensure the organisation keeps improving, the organisation makes the decision that it will stick to the organisational culture as initially stated. To begin with, some organisations stick to their initial organisational culture to enhance uniformity. Uniformity explains the way people in the organisation interact, work and behave. This is a continuous process that does not change through different times. For instance, some organisations have a belief that their behaviour inside and outside the organisation will have direct effects on the... The researcher of this essay states that success in any organisation starts with understanding of an organisation’s culture. Workers and people that understand the culture of an organisation are well prepared to make effective changes when they are needed. For instance, the organisational culture explains the acceptable behaviour as required by the organisation. As such, workers will be observant as they do not want to let down the organisation. Collective assumption of such will enhance the performance of the organisation as all the workers are in unison. Secondly, organisational culture shows enhanced communication in an organisation. Thirdly, understanding organisational culture shows uniformity and organised working. The workers will be in constant communication in achieving the organisation’s goals and vision. As such they will be working in unison for the success of the organisation. Fourthly, understanding organisational culture ensures workers are focused on imp lementing positive attributes in the organisation. This includes success, service delivery, quality production and uplifting the name if the organisation that were discussed in the essay. Lastly, Understanding organisational culture ensures there is development of people’s experience. In conclusion, organisational culture is a vital aspect that should be given utter consideration. This will be vital in making the developments as required. However, when the organisational culture is not observed, the organisation is not likely to make positive change.

Relationships in Minimum of Two Essay Example for Free

Relationships in Minimum of Two Essay The story ‘Laps’ encapsulates the importance of confronting past failures and losses. As a young adult, Queenie is rejected by her hometown community of Angelus, made into â€Å"a loser, an outcast†. From early on in the opening passage we are given an indication of past hurts, â€Å"a grave and a crusade and a well of bitterness†. Through this use of strong imagery and metaphor, Winton establishes character and highlights Queenie’s sense of disconnection from her past. Additionally, the use of interior monologue such as â€Å"all this time they’ve been growing, and I’ve gone to fat† gives us an indication that although time has passed and people have moved on with their lives, Queenie has remained stationary in her past, unable to move on from her rejection and loss. She is numb with the weight of the past, feeling â€Å"as though all this was a story she had read somewhere; it didn’t seem part of her life†. Queenie’s isolation is further reflected in the setting. Angelus is a physical representation of Queenie’s past, as she says â€Å"I want to confirm things†¦. ike this town being the past†. Additionally, water is used as a reoccurring symbol; the ocean, once a place of happy childhood memories, is now a place of exile and defeat. The metaphoric description of the â€Å"steel surface of the harbour† is an example of pathetic fallacy, reflecting Queenie’s hardness, her sense of rejection and defeat as an outsider. Furthermore, juxtaposition in setting is used to contrast the urban – representing the present, new life of â€Å"softness† – with her prior life in the countryside – a symbol of â€Å"hardness† and her past loss and defeat. Queenie is aware that she has not moved on from her past, â€Å"The hurt of seven years before had healed them together in a way they had not expected†¦she had been numb for longer than she could remember†. She confronts her husband, suggesting they return to Angelus for a weekend, saying â€Å"places shouldnt frighten us anymore†¦. a place can’t screw you forever†. We can see that Queenie has come to the realisation that in order the move forward she must take a step back into her past. As Queenie and her young family approach Angelus, the town is described as a â€Å"new galaxy†, reflecting change and as well as Queenie’s sense of foreboding and anticipation. As they enter the town, the family is dumbfounded by how much it has changed – â€Å"Angelus had learned to live off its dying†¦it was a town looking bright faced into the future†. The notion of the town and community having moved on in time is a stark contrast to Queenie’s step back into her past. As they return to Angelus, Winton begins to give us snippets of information similar to flashbacks – of her past. The revelation of Queenie’s loss and defeat to the reader is parallel to Queenie’s confrontation with her past. As the family move through the town, visiting places from their past, we see that Queenie slowly gains hope and comfort that she can move on with her life, as well as regaining her confidence, putting her past into a broader perspective. The idea of Angelus as â€Å"just a place† suggests that through visiting , Queenie is finally able to detach herself from her past. The story ends on a sense of hope as Queenie lunges into the water, â€Å"not invincible but strong†. She comes to the realisation that â€Å"she knew she could swim it all out of her† – she can finally move on from her grief and loss. Through this story, Winton reveals that sometimes in order to move forward you have to take a step back; you have to move on or your past will destroy you. â€Å"Gravity† is another story highlighting the importance of confronting the past. On the anniversary of his father’s death, Jerra is forced to confront his loss and father’s absence. From earlier stories in the Nilsam suite we learn that Jerra can be self-indulgent and immature, taking a long time to accept changed circumstances. This inability to confront the past reaches a climax in â€Å"Gravity†. Jerra is unable to move on – the loss of this father has bounded him to the past, giving him a sense of emptiness, â€Å"there was a hole in him†¦something was lost. † From the opening passage Jerra’s self-indulgence and bitterness is evident by his reluctance to return to the party he is supposed to be co-hosting. The use of flashbacks of Jerra’s father teaching him to ride a bike highlights the bond of the father-son relationship and the pain of Jerra’s loss – â€Å"And then the grip gone, no old man. Sudden grave feeling of independence. Turning, turning†. Jerra is hit with the realisation that his father is gone, that he is alone â€Å"it was riding down that street, as though he had been balancing a cycle for the first time. There was no exhilaration in it, only a terrible sense of gravity†. The memory of learning to ride a bike is a metaphor of Jerra’s current struggle to deal with reality – he must stay on the bike in order to move forward or be dragged down by gravity; Jerra must move on or be held down by the past. The vibrant atmosphere of the party is a stark contrast to Jerra’s sense of loss. Everything is a blur, â€Å"he felt a little punch drunk†, disoriented. As â€Å"the party wore on†, Jerra seeks refuge in the studio which his father built for him. As Jerra unlocks the studio door, he is unlocking his past. The studio is linked to â€Å"the Tower of Babel†, suggesting a safe haven, a place of sanctuary. Compared to the world outside the walls of the studio, everything within is clear – Winton uses listing to describe the studio in great detail. The studio is a physical representation of the connection between father and son. By coming here, we are given an indication that Jerra is ready to confront his past and move on with his life. The studio is full of memories, and as Jerra is forced to confront them and reflect, we see a sudden change in the way he sees the world. â€Å"Nilsam was a father. He was a husband. He was a son† – Jerra finally accepts his responsibilities and understands his place in life. As with ‘Laps’, the story ends on an optimistic note, the setting of dawn symbolizing a new day and bright future. Today he would do many things† – Jerra is finally able to move forward and make the most of his life, after directly confronting his father’s loss. Jerra acknowledges his father’s death and his responsibility of his own role as a father, and comes to the realization that life needs to be lived. On the other hand, ‘Minimum of Two’ challenges the idea of confronting the past. The story highlights that taking the wrong approach to a problem, especially matters that involve others, can have disastrous consequences. Madigan is consumed with anger, frustration and bitterness over the rape of his wife Greta. The use of short, sharp syntax in the quote â€Å"I was ashamed. That hatred came back and I was frightened of myself† illustrates Madigan’s raw emotion of fear, anger and guilt at his inability to console his wife. Winton uses contrast to show Greta’s deterioration – â€Å"Greta had never been a weak person†¦ [but] Greta was no longer strong, there was nothing†. Madigan is well aware that the couple’s relationship is disintegrating, likening it to â€Å"starving to death†. This simile shows his utter helplessness as he watches his wife suffer physically and mentally. His hunger for his wife and helplessness at her alienation drives Madigan into darker emotions, his anger building up into hatred and revenge, to the want â€Å"to kill Fred Blakey†. Unlike ‘Laps’ and ‘Gravity’, the story has a sombre ending, with Madigan realising that â€Å"something had slipped from [his] grasp†. Consumed with anger, Madigan kills Fred Blakey, yet â€Å"in that moment [he] knew [he] had lost [his] life. [He] was a dead man. † In the moments following his act of revenge, Madigan has the crystalline realisation that revenge means absolutely nothing. In this story, Winton suggests that sometimes when we try and confront our problems, we end up making things worse. Winton explores both the positive and negative outcomes of confronting one’s problems, highlighting the need to do so in order to move forward. This message is evident in ‘Laps’ and ‘Gravity’, where the protagonists are forced to confront their past loss and defeat. In these two stories, Winton suggests that in order to move forward, a backwards step into the past is necessary. Although the process may bring back painful memories, Winton shows that there is hope for those who confront their problems. However, Winton also emphasises the need to deal with problems from the right approach, with calm rather than bitterness, the failure of doing so resulting in potentially disastrous consequences as seen in ‘Minimum of Two’. As a whole, the anthology of stories reveals to us that those who confront their problems do deal with them more successfully, and are able to move on with their lives.