College Is a Waste of Time and Money Essay

1. Affluence- Abundance of money, property and other material goods Permissive- Habitually or characteristically accepting or tolerant of something, as social behavior or linguistic usage, which others might disapprove or forbid Elitist- A person having, thought to have, or professing superior intellect or talent, power, wealth, or membership in the upper echelons of society 2. The time and money put into college are not balanced with the return rate. * Society has developed an unspoken standard that college is the best fit for upcoming adults and for them to achieve the highest education possible. But in fact, most students do not want to be there because they do not want to learn. * â€Å"no more than 25 percent of their students are turned on by classwork†¦up to 30% are in college reluctantly† * College has failed at its expectations and promises to give opportunities to students that most bargained for. * There is already a surplus of adult workers in the economy with more experience than the out-of-college student. Even with a degree in hand, graduated students do not have the upper hand over the experienced adults. * College education fails to ready students for the real because liberal arts is a religion rather than a preparation. * â€Å"A liberal-arts education is supposed to provide you with a value system, a standard, a set of ideas, not a job.† 3. College is an over-rated system that does not give out what a student gives in. 4. Based on the author’s logic, I do agree with the author’s argument. Although she uses a small amount of specific evidence, she reasons well and thoroughly. As society has developed, it has pushed for everyone to obtain the highest education possible, which most students aren’t prepared for nor will they continue with their degree. The world simply cannot go round with a population full of highly educated people.

Drama Evaluation Example

On 12th of December we went to Stifford Clays Primary and performed our piece to 180 year 4’s and 5’s. When we got there we had to straight away bring in our set and therefore had to quickly work out our staging. We all agreed to have the boards on a slant so that we could get changed and await our queues without the children seeing us as if they did it would ruin the illusion. We did this and got changed into our costumes in 20 minutes which I thought was really good and professional.As a group the performance went really well, we all knew our queues and our lines and worked really well together, the costume changes were done in time and nobody came out of role, there for a bit of empty staging but I think this was due to the fact that we were in a new performance space and were not use to it. People were not coming off the right side and therefore ended up having to cross the back of the stage, but it was not obvious as it was in character.As an individual I think the performance was ok, the children booed as I came on as the teacher as they thought I was still the Wicked Witch, I think I did change each characters characterisation but the costume wasn’t different enough and I think they thought I was the Wicked Witch in disguise. Also when I did come on as the Wicked Witch they did not stop booing me, according to the video they booed me for a full minute.I was not expecting such a huge reaction and I just did what I thought my character would do and tell them to ‘be quite’ and ‘shut up’ I also did hand gesture of them talking, it was really tough to deal with as every time I went to talk they just started booing again. I then decided to stand there and wait for them to calm down which they eventually did. Although it was annoying I think the booing was a good sign as they believed in my character and really hated me as much as they were supposed to. As the teacher I think I did well in adopting a different role and I changed my voice and body language making everything precise.The audience interacted with everything and more and seemed to have a lot of fun. When Catherine and I did the chase scene the children loved the water gun being fired, as I ran through they grabbed my cape which I had to react to again in the way the Wicked Witch would I told them to ‘Get off before I turned them into frogs’ from this I learnt that my teacher character needs more of a disguise, that I need to hold onto my cape while running through the crowd and to react to the boo’ing at first but then stand there and wait or them to quieten down. When I melted as the Wicked Witch I melted to the side of the stage and therefore had to stay there for a little while, which I didn’t mind as I needed to catch my breath anyway, I had to pick the right time to move off the stage and therefore picked the time when Sophie and Jess were running as I though the audience’s attention would be on them, it turned out it was and I did pick the right time to slip off.When we were at the performance we had forgotten the limbo poll and the camera and therefore had to improvise with the limbo poll and use another poll at the school, we also used Catherine’s phone to record the performance. I think as an individual and a group we met the assignment brief as we engaged, entertained and educated, We engaged the audience as they interacted with all points possible, they were entertained as they all were shouting and reacting and they were educated as when the fairy god mother asked questions they knew the answers. Over all I think the performance was really good and went really well.

Ap English Free-Response Questions Essay

John Downed writes a letter to his wife Jukes from the United States to England. Downers purpose in the letter is to persuade his wife Jukes into coming to America. He adopts an objective tone in order to glorify America in his letter to Jukes using ambiguity, repetition, and pathos. Downed begins his letter to Jukes by describing the incredibility of what America has given him. He then shifts to pathos when he begins using repetition. He appeals to repetition by repeating my dear when addressing Jukes. He does this in order to emphasize his feelings awards his wife through his writing. When Downed moves to pathos, he uses guilt to persuade her. He describes that without her and the family he couldnt be happy, but if they were to come and Join him he could be happy again. He does this in order to motivate her into coming. Keys husband then opens the letter by loosely describing the crossing of Atlantic. He states that [she] will find a few inconveniences, and that after she has made the Journey over he knows It will be worth it all because he feels that she will like America.He does this in order to glorify America and not focus on any negatives because his goal to persuade her. If he was to tell her fully what the cross would be like, she would not wish to go, and thus defeating Downers purpose. He wants her to believe that America is a good place, so he coaxed her into coming by creating America into something superb instead of the truth. He told her that America Is not like England, thus making it seems America is a better place. Jukes would have no other choice, but to come to America and see her husband.

Nathaniel Hawthorne Young Goodman Brown and The Minister's Black Veil Essay

Nathaniel Hawthorne Young Goodman Brown and The Minister's Black Veil - Essay Example Symbolism is the most important in the story because it is the one through which the author is able to impress the essence of his story upon the reader. Nathaniel Hawthorne used several symbols in Young Goodman Brown and The Minister’s Black Veil to describe acts, subjects and persons in the two plays and the most prominent symbols used shall be discussed in this paper. In Young Goodman Brown, the devil’s staff that was surrounded by a sculpted serpent was symbolic of the serpent in the book of Genesis. The serpent was used to symbolize an evil demon. The devil told Goodman Brown that the staff would help him to travel faster and this is quite symbolic to the serpent in the bible that told Eve that eating the forbidden fruit would make her wiser. This further corroborates the argument that the devil’s staff is symbolic to the serpent in the book of Genesis. However, Goodman Brown followed the instruction of the devil and was punished for being a weakling and losi ng his innocence and this is also synonymous to the punishment that was meted on Adam and Eve for following the counsel of the serpent. It should also be noted that just like Eve’s curiosity made her eat the forbidden fruit, it was Goodman Brown’s curiosity that influenced his decision to go into the forest. Another symbol that was used in Young Goodman Brown is the pink ribbon that was used by Faith. Faith’s pink ribbon is symbolic of her purity and this can be seen if one considers the fact the color, ‘pink’ embodies purity and gaiety.

Marriage in Indian culture Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marriage in Indian culture - Essay Example 1. First detail of support for A: â€Å"among the educated classes, arrangements are made by parents and/or relatives for couples to photographs exchanged† (countrystudies) for couples to have an idea who they are going to marry. b. Further detail of 1: They can also meet where there are other people or groups around especially relatives â€Å"such as going out for tea with a group of people or meeting in the parlor of the girls home, with her relatives standing by† (countrystudies). 2. Second detail for B: Because of its importance in Hindu faith, preparations are made early and it follows that most girls are married before and almost all girls married before the age of 16 while most boys are married before the age of 22 (Gupta 146). C. Supporting information for third main point: Unlike in Hindu belief that a child is unholy and incomplete until he or she is married, Muslims in India believe that it is a parent’s duty to have their daughters happily married and believed that they are incomplete if were able to do so (Ahmad 53). a. Further detail of 1: This is founded on the belief of the Sunna that the female is viewed as a Par Gaheri, a woman who was born to look after her husband’s household. The burden of obligation here is on the parent (Ahmad 53). c. Further detail of 1: But unlike the Hindu’s where the arranged marriage happens during infancy, it is different among the Muslims where the couples are already grown up where the groom has to become marketable to be acceptable to the bride. II. (Connect to larger context, refer back to introduction, or connect to audience): The practice may not be acceptable in most parts of the world but it has actually held India’s society together for

Transfer Funds Business Miscommunication Case Study

Transfer Funds Business Miscommunication - Case Study Example This cae study researches the issue of miscommunication that may happen while transfering of the funds. The researcher provides the explanation of the situation as following. There was miscommunication in the transfer of funds. The manager forgot to indicate the U.S dollars currency as the right transfer funds currency. The organization clerk did not clarify from the manager the proper currency to be used in the funds transfer. The finance department moved to right the wrong transfer funds act. The message receiver should exert enough efforts to clarify any vague or confusing message by contacting the message sender. The finance department should ensure that the message is vividly transmitted from the message sender to the message receiver. The researcher tries to conclude the research presented in the case study and suggests that summarizing the important points of the discussion mentioned in the case study, communication incorporates message sending issues. It is analyzed that the wrong message sending can and should be prevented. Understanding the special business communication principles enhances message clarity for employees. The message sender and receiver must do their best to ensure that the message receiver accepts the message in the same way that the message sender aims to. Evidently, all these parties must contribute to the clear message sending process of business communication and ensuring the business communication messages are received in crystal clear manner.

The Importance of Performance Related Pay in Motivating Employees Research Proposal

The Importance of Performance Related Pay in Motivating Employees - Research Proposal Example There has been several studies on the same topic; however, the findings are varied. Nonetheless, most of the researches that investigated the same area revealed that in longer run performance-related pay (PRP) is not motivating for the employees (Boachie-Mensah and Dogbe, 2011; Forest, 2008; Marsden et al., 2000; Perry et al, 2009). The researches quoted the reason for demotivating effects of PRP as biased appraisal systems and its effects on employees who are not benefited from PRP techniques. These findings are accomplished by several researchers but PRP is still in practice which indicates that there must be something behind this technique that motivates employers to use it in their organisations. These differences in theory and practice indicate a need to link PRP techniques for employee motivation with entire compensation system (practises) to ensure its positive effects are realised. The underpinning issue identified by this study is that how PRP can be integrated into the compensation system in a way that it works as a motivational tool for the workforce. The findings from other research studies that guide the stance of this study are stated below; Based on these findings it cannot be said directly that PRP is not motivating but it can be said that fair appraisal systems may help motivate employees and encourage them to achieve the set standard. This study explores how the issues identified by the research in PRP can be tackled and how it can be used as a strong motivation tool. The guiding statement for this research is that PRP is motivating however there should be elements that needs to be integrated if performance related pay is to be used as a motivational tool. Now the question is what elements can make PRP motivational for employees. Perry et al (2009) suggested that in order to make PRP work, it is important to focus on robust

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 18

Business law - Essay Example The courts might have used the written law to make their judgments. Andersen was found guilty of obstruction of justice for destroying of potential evidence by shredding their documents which could have been used by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the agency of the US Government With the primary responsibility for regulation of securities markets. Under US GAAP, the only acceptable method of financial reporting is consolidation of controlled entities .non consolidation can only occur under specific conditions Outside USA; consolidated financial reporting is called group accounting and is required when one entity owns more than half of the other entity and can dictate its operations. Consolidating financial reporting is complex and requires financial statements to be combined and reported as a single financial report. Enron failed to comply with this ethic Enron major crime was misrepresentation and misleading the general public about their financial position. Enron did not disclose its real financial figures. The major requirement in US financial reporting is disclosure of information. The disclosure requirement is based on the premise that markets are efficient. Enron traded on future contracts called derivatives because they derived their value from underlying assets. The market of the contracts reduces the volatility of prices by fixing a price at a future date. Example assume Enron have two option contracts matching the same amount of a commodity over the same period of time. One contract was to purchase the commodity while other contract was to sell the commodity. Enron looked on to the future on the assumption that contracts were exercised and there were net results. After evaluating all cost, the net income (loss) was estimated. The net income (loss) was discounted to its present value and recorded as loss. Earnings reported under the market to market were easy to manipulate because active markets for contracts dating

US army reserve in Homeland Security Research Paper

US army reserve in Homeland Security - Research Paper Example The US Army Reserve should engage in Homeland Security and guarding the US borders. It provides trained units in addition to qualified individuals in times of need such as time of war, national emergency, and at times when national security may need them. The security issue within and outside the US is at stake; the number of immigrants is very high in the US because of the illegal entry and smuggling. The paper will expound on the military experience, homeland security expertise, global demand for army forces, and the operational environment in future as the main factors that make the Reserve Component fit for being utilized in Homeland security and guarding the US borders. The paper will also on how the loss of attention in some key areas in addition to pressure on the US economy pose challenge on the integration of the Reserve Component in Homeland Security and guarding the US borders. The Armed Forces Reserve Act of 1952 expounds on the roles of reserve forces. In section 201 (a) of the 1952 Act claims that the reserve components of the United States have specific roles. They provide trained units in addition to qualified individuals in times of need such as time of war, national emergency, and at times when national security may need them (Marcia, 2012). Often, reservists are only given the opportunity to volunteer for active duties. Participation in volunteering activities denies them the promotion opportunities like other active-duty armies.

Riordan Manufacturing, Inc Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Riordan Manufacturing, Inc - Essay Example The company has a mission of providing outstanding quality and it believes it can achieve it through deploying Total Quality Management Practices (TQM) such as Six Sigma. The company has a strong emphasis on enhancing its quality control practices in order to accomplish and exceed the quality standards set by the customers. Hence, the processes of Riordan Manufacturing should be compatible with the mission which they are undertaking to provide outstanding quality. More importantly, we know that bad quality is highly correlated with increasing costs and lost sales. Review of the current processes The supply chain of Riordan Manufacturing is initiated by the procurement department. As raw materials are received, they are moved to the factory after validation by the respective personnel. At the same time the shipping documents of the raw materials are compared by the supervisor against the incoming orders. At the end of the day, the receiving area manager provides the details of the ent ire amount of raw materials to the inventory clerk who enters the information into the inventory control system. The second stage of the supply chain starts with manufacturing of the goods which takes place when inventory from the storage area is received to the manufacturing premises. The inventory clerk adjusts the information by taking out raw materials and sub assemblies (Work in process) and incorporating them to the inventory control system.... Potential Bottlenecks and Possible Solutions As per the definition, a bottleneck is the activity in a process that inhibits or slows down the overall capacity of the process (Chase, Jacobs & Aquilano, 2006). This reduces the productivity and causes the cost of production to increase. According to the processed defined, we need to enhance these processes a way such that inefficiencies are reduced in the system. At the current moment, the processes of supply chain management for Riordan Manufacturing are being handled through a manual process which is inefficient and consumes a lot of time. The manual based operation creates a paper based environment where there is a lot of room for error. From the beginning of the supply chain that is procuring raw materials to the final product that is delivered to the customer, every operation is performed manually. These are the inherent bottlenecks in the system as it can have disastrous consequences in the long term as a result of inventory loss which will further trigger lost sales and an increased cost of production. The initial process of supply chain is managed by the procurement department which is supposed to procure or remove raw materials from the inventory. They use a hard copy of the data which is processed to further departments. This is a major hurdle in the way of improving efficiency since it increases the physical transaction that is involved with each department. Furthermore, the productivity of the department also slows down since each department has to enter the data into their respective database. An optimal solution to handle this issue is to implement a single online system which can

Compare the representations of Frankenstein Essay Example for Free

Compare the representations of Frankenstein Essay Compare the representations of Frankenstein in Branaghs Mary Shelleys Frankenstein and the 1931 film Frankenstein directed by James Whale Language- 1931: Camera    Close ups are not used on Frankenstein as Branagh wants people to wonder what he looks like. There are lots of pans to show the set and the people there.   There is a close up on the monsters hand when it is twitching. There arent many edits which makes it boring and not very interesting. Sound    Diegetic sound is the machines, Frankenstein shouting, noise of the monster being taken up. Non-diegetic sound is the thunder; there is no music at all in the extract. Mise-en-scene    Henry Frankenstein is wearing a lab coat/straight jacket, which gives the impression that he is crazy.   He has slicked back hair using hair oil.   The acting style is very over the top, like theatrical acting. Frankenstein is side lit, to make him look scared and horrified.   Overall the lighting is mostly by top lights and sometimes the lightening. 1994: Camera    There are lots of frantic zooms, pans and also up and down shots, which makes the audience intimidated. The camera follows Frankenstein and shows his emotions/feelings.   The edits are very fast and unnoticeable, using cuts and jump cuts.   By making the editing quicker, this builds up the tension. Sound    Diegetic sound are the chains, machines moving, bangs, slots into the body, the electricity sparks and also Frankensteins voice and movements.   Non diegetic sound is the dramatic theme music, building up to create much more tension. Mise-en-scene    Victor Frankenstein is dressed in trousers but with no top. However the monster is naked. Frankensteins hair is shoulder length, which is very messy and sweaty. The acting style is exciting and energetic but not mad.   Frankenstein is mainly lit on his upper body.   There are lots of side lights and candle light, however the room looks dark. Institutions 1931:   In black and white.   Universal studios made the film, as they knew horror would be a big money spinner.   It was voted one of the best films of the year by New York Times. 1994:   It wasnt as brand new as it was in 1931, as in 1994 many horror films had been out. The technology was much more advanced and a lot had changed from 1931, new ideas and there was a new effect on people. Audience 1931: The big actor, Boris Karloff was used to attract the audiences.   People in 1931 were different to 1994, as it was all fresh and new to them.   Cinema was a get away for people.   Frankenstein was a big horror, and scared the audiences of its day.   The monster, which was thought as Frankenstein became a big horror icon, with a built up brow and a bolt through his neck. 1994: Kenneth Branagh and Robert de Niro were used to attract audiences. Horror films were the norm to people in 1994. They were a lot more sophisticated.   Money was much more wide-spread in 1994 but wasnt as much in 1931. Representation 1931: Frankenstein was dressed very much like a man in 1931.   His movements, delivery of the lines and his acting style is all over the top, like in the way of a theatre play. The light is normally based on the monster and when its on Frankenstein, the light would be on his upper body. The 1931 film changes Frankensteins name to Henry, rather than Victor The audience are supposed to react to Frankenstein in a scary way and that he comes across very mad. 1994:   Frankenstein dresses and looks very much like a man of the time that the novel was written.   His movements and acting style is energetic and exciting however doesnt come across at all mad. The light is mainly based on Frankensteins upper body; the rest of the room is very dark.   The music interprets Frankenstein very well, as he is running around being busy. The music is a fast, dramatic orchestra. Frankensteins name stays the same as the novel, which is Victor.   The audience are supposed to think that Frankenstein is very involved with his work and wants to get it done to see the result.

Solar Power The trends and future of solar power generation Essay Example for Free

Solar Power The trends and future of solar power generation Essay Solar power is being increasingly conceived as a possible alternative to traditional energy sources, given the rise in costs associated with traditional energy sources. Although it had for long, been considered as highly uneconomic; this notion has been changing with the improvement in technologies. It should be noted here that generation of solar power is currently highly dependent on government subsidies. These subsidies are very essential for projecting solar power as an alternative to electricity from traditional fuel sources. However the cost of manufacturing and installing solar power generation system has been considerably decreased during the last two decades, during which the installed capacity too rose phenomenally. This scenario is in stark contrast to electricity generation from traditional sources where the generation costs increased with the rise in natural gas prices. The need for more power plants to meet the increasing consumption needs, the need to cut emissions and adopt other pollution control measures, only keep pushing conventional electricity prices further and further. The global solar capacity is anticipated to be about 20 to 40 times its current levels, by 2020, growing by 30 to 35% each year. The solar power generated today would correspondingly rise from 10 gigawatts to 400 gigawatts by 2020. However, despite the prospects for solar power, the solar power generation field is in its early stages; such that even if the estimated capacity level reaches the said 20 to 40 times its current level, it would only account for 3 to 6% of the electricity generation capability or 1.5 to 3% of the total output in 2020. It is now anticipated that in three to seven years from now, unsubsidized solar power should be available to the end customer at costs compatible to electricity produced by fossil fuels or other alternatives to solar. Parts of US and Italy, Japan and Spain are expected to see the equalization of solar and traditional power costs due to favorable trends and encouraging factors prevailing in these regions. Currently unsubsidized solar power costs about 36 cents per kilowatt-hour. This is expected to be around 12 cents per kilowatt-hour by 2020. The current solar technologies used are silicon-wafer photovoltaics, thin-film photovoltaics and concentrated solar thermal power. Each of these technologies have certain advantages with regard to particular usages. Through innovations and cost cuttings, the technologies strive to be more efficient, with enhanced applicability. The power conversion efficiency is the amount of electricity generated by the solar radiation corresponding to the surface of the photovoltaic cell, for a particular time period. Efficient systems are directed towards weighing less, with a smaller radiation collection surface, low cost transportation and installation. Photovoltaic refers to the solar panels which convert solar energy to electricity. The photovoltaic material is mainly formed of pure silicon, which emit electrons when subjected to solar radiation, thereby producing an electric current. While basic photovoltaic cells are used in calculators and wrist watches, more higher versions are used for powering water pumps, communications equipments and several other off-grid requirements. Photovoltaics are increasingly used as an additional or alternative for utility purposes already serviced by electric grid. More and more people increasingly opt for photovoltaics for several reasons like environmental, economic, emergency requirement, rising electricity costs etc. The silicon-wafer photovoltaics account for about 90% of installed solar capacity. It is particularly used in rooftop applications associated with space restrictions. Although these are doubly efficient compared to thin-film photovoltaics, their installation is costly. The solar panels themselves are costly too, requiring larger quantities of silicon photovoltaic material compared to thin film photovoltaic solar cells. Another disadvantage is that the theoretical efficiency limit of the photovoltaic single-junction silicon wafer cell, set at 31%, has been neared by several companies already. Although the limit of 31% can be extended by advanced techniques, these could lead to increased production costs. The commercially produced thin-film photovoltaics have only been recently proved to reach efficiency levels of about 10%. The lower efficiency levels with respect to silicon-wafer photovoltaics is achieved by very low usage of materials, requiring only about 5% or lesser than that needed for silicon wafer photovoltaics. The manufacturing costs associated with thin-film photovoltaics is almost half that for silicon-wafer, with tremendous prospects of increasing the costing gap in the long run. Thin-film photovoltaics are more used in large area installations, flat rooftops etc. While silicon-wafer based photovoltaics are capable of providing high output even for a quarter of a decade, the longevity of thin film are uncertain. Cadmium telluride is perhaps the most prospective thin film technology that have been developed commercially. However, the toxicity levels associated with cadmium and the availability of telluride are worrisome factors. The concentrated solar thermal power technology converts solar radiation to heat using mirror arrangements. These are then converted to electricity through heat conversion methods. The concentrated solar thermal power is appropriate for village requirements of 10 kilowatts as well as for grid applications involving several hundred megawatts (SEPA, 2008). These can be installed at the vicinity of the customers, thereby lowering transmission and distribution costs. Although these are the lowest in terms of associated costs, they require plenty of open space and very demanding solar conditions. The concentrated solar thermal technology mostly uses the usual components like reflectors and pipes, and therefore the prospects of costs reduction are less. The challenges confronting the advancement of solar power are those that are relevant to any upcoming or emerging sector. Given the intense competition, companies involved in manufacturing of solar power generation equipment must slash their costs by improving their manufacturing process of solar cells. The spurt in solar power activity has brought in funds from venture capital and private equity firms. An amount of $3.2 billion invested in the year 2007, saw new players in the solar power generation, who contributed to excess supply and falling prices. Early entrants like Dow Corning and Wacker as well as component developers like First Solar and SunPower saw high margins. At May end this year, the Abu-Dhabi based Masdar announced its entry in the manufacturing of thin film photovoltaic products. With an investment of $2 billion, the company expects to produce the state of art thin film modules, through a three phase strategy. (Ghelfi, 2008). On the previous day to this announcement, Q-Cells, the German solar cell manufacturer, announced an investment of $3.5 billion for developing a production center in Mexico, for manufacturing thin film modules. According to First Solar Inc., a company involved in manufacturing of solar modules, its average manufacturing cost for solar module in 2007 was only about $1.23 per watt. The company attributed the low cost to its thin film semiconductor technology compared to crystalline silicon modules, manufactured traditionally. The company expects to become the first solar module manufacturing company to provide non-subsidized solar electricity at retail electricity rates by 2010. A single manufactured solar module is about 2ft by 4ft, employing cadmium telluride as the absorption layer which provides high conversion efficiency with very little semiconductor material. From 2005, there had been an increasing demand for silicon from the solar module, solar cell and solar wafer manufacturers. Due to the insufficient supply of crystalline silicon, the solar modules and cells manufacturers’ utilization rates fell. The utilization rates fell to 70% in 2005 from 86% in 2004. With the demand increasing considerably, the German cell manufacturer ErSol Solar Energy reduced its 2007 expectations from 70 megawatts to 55 megawatts, due to fall in wafer supply. The supply shortfall led to a huge hike in silicon prices. The price of the silicon raw material shot to $45 a pound in 2007 from $20 in 2003. The higher prices in turn brought many companies into the business of silicon manufacturing. Silicon production rose by 14% in 2007 and is expected to rise by 43% in 2008 and by 50% in the each year 2009 and 2010. By 2010, the supply shortage and the resulting high prices would be taken care of. According to investment columnist Jim Jubak, rising prices of natural gases, slow developments and cancellations associated with nuclear and coal plants respectively, are pushing the price of solar stocks. Solar cell companies too are highly dependent on technology just as any other computer chip makers or cell phone one or television manufacturers. A bill seeking to extend the existing tax break for another six years have been passed by the House Ways and Means Committee. Jubak estimates that with everything looking in favor of solar power, the revenues in the solar industry are very likely to increase phenomenally (Jubak, 2008). Lux Research projects revenues to climb 27% annually, on a compounded basis through 2012. Another estimate from Clayton Securities suggests 17% annual compounded revenue growth through 2016. Â  REFERENCES Solar Electric Power Association (2008) Solar Electricity Basics [Electronic Version] Downloaded on 29th June 2008 from http://www.solarelectricpower.org/index.php?page=basics Jubak J., (2008) 3 high powered solar stocks [Electronic Version] Downloaded on 28th June 2008 from http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Investing/JubaksJournal/HighPoweredSolarStocks.aspx Ghelfi C. (2008) Masdar getting into thin film solar business Electronic Version] Downloaded on 27th June 2008 from http://media.cleantech.com/2904/masdar-getting-into-thin-film-solar-business-abu-dhabi Lorenz P., Pinner D. Seitz T., The economics of solar power. The McKinsey Quarterly [Electronic Version] Downloaded on 27th June 2008 from http://www.mckinseyquarterly.com/my_profile.aspx

Issues in the Construction of the Scottish Parliament

Issues in the Construction of the Scottish Parliament Introduction This report intends to answer how a national iconic project turned into â€Å"a hugely expensive and politically embarrassing fiasco?† (Fortescue, 2004) by analyzing the reasons that led to delay, cost overrun and quality issue in construction of new Scottish Parliament Building. This report has utilized the researches available on the internet, auditors report and other articles available from varied sources. This report will start by introduction to the background of Scottish Parliament project and will continue by discussing the reason for delays and cost increases, role of the project management and at the end concluding the lessons learned from this project. The reason for selection of this project is that the Scottish Parliament building was estimated to be completed in  £40m but finished at over  £400m which is an interesting parameter to study (BBC, 2004). Background to the Scottish Parliament Project: After the referendum in 1997, Scottish parliament was established as a devolved legislature by Scotland Act 1998. Thereafter, Donald Dewar, Secretary of Scotland state adjudicated to have a purpose built facility to accommodate the Parliament in the Edinburgh city. After having a chaotic journey to completion, Scottish parliament Complex was inaugurated on 9 Oct 2004 by Queen Elizabeth II. Remarkable features of the complex consist of leaf-shaped buildings, flipped over boat shaped roof, a grass-roofed division meeting into adjacent parkland and gabion walls made from the stones. All over the building there are various repeated motifs. Scottish parliament is a complex building comprising of new and old buildings such as Dewar room, Canon gate building, Debating chamber, Garden lobby, MSP building, Media tower, Main hall, Tower building, and Queensberry house. All of these buildings were renovated or constructed as per Architects vision. High end materials like Granite, Cattiness Ston e, Oak Timber, Sycamore Timber, Steel Glass and Marble was used in the construction. Detailed environment and sustainability study was carried out which confirmed that propose built complex is environment friendly (Fraser, 2004). Brief summary of the Project: Road to Holyrood Site Selection: To begin with, Edinburgh City Council provided a long list of 27 sites in Edinburgh. In September 1997 officials short listed three leading options: two new build options, either at Leith or Haymarket, or adapting and developing the existing St Andrews House building (old Royal high school). At this stage, an engineer Jones Lang Wootton was engaged by the Scottish office to viably evaluate the acquisition costs of the shortlisted sites. Measurements of environmental issue and traffic issue were also considered at this point. Haymarket was never considered as preferred option and officials sensed real hostility in Edinburgh to house the Parliament anywhere except centrally thus reducing the chances of Leith (Auditor General, 2000). The Holyrood site was not considered at this stage as it was occupied by Scottish and Newcastle brewery and was anticipated that it would not be completed within the required deadline. However, an accidental meeting of a civil servant on train with an official of Newcastle and subsequent negotiations resulted in the company demonstrating that they would evacuate the site in early 1999. As a consequence, on 8th December Holyrood was short-listed, and design and cost viability studies undertaken. Davis, Langdon and Everest (DLE) , Cost Consultants were commissioned to provide initial cost estimate for proposed sites and the Holyrood site was selected in early 1998 from the shortlist based on the following cost estimate (Auditor General,2000).: Design Selection: Once, the location was finalized the Scottish Office announced an international competition to acquire a designer for a new-fangled building to accommodate the parliament through a competitive selection procedure. The competition was suitably setup with a press release on 26 January 1998. The final design teams named on 7th May 1998 providing the project cost as being in the range of  £50 million excluding VAT (Fraser, 2004). Under the chairmanship of Dewar, a design committee was allotted to choose from a shortlist of designer. Conceptual designs were cost and displayed for public to view and provide their opinion. Feedback from the public depicted that the Catalan architect Enric Miralles designs were one of the most popular. The design team considered public opinion on the designs, and on 6 July 1998 the Enric Miralles‘s design was selected, with work being awarded to a Spanish Scottish design company namely EMBT/RMJM (Scotland) Ltd, exclusively created for the project. Construction management system of procurement was adopted and BLL was appointed as construction manager. In June 1999, construction commenced, by demolishing the Scottish and Newcastle brewery and opening the foundation work (The royal society of Edinburg, 2001). Journey of Estimate: The construction of the Scottish Parliament Complex generated controversy in several aspects. Spiraling costs and the use of public capital to fund the project rendered most controversy. By early 2004, the project was estimated to be  £430m, some ten times higher. In my opinion it is not fair to compare final figure with initial figure of  £10m as it was never an estimated price but an indicative one (Fraser, 2004). Time delay and cost overrun From the beginning, the complex and its construction have been controversial. For instance, Auditor General of Scotland expressed â€Å"in the recent history of Scotland there has not been public building project as complex or as difficult to deliver as the Holyrood Project† (Prasser, S., n.d.). Almost all aspect such as location, design, architect, construction management company, project manager all have been criticized by different factions namely, politician, media and general public. Due to complexity of the project, it is very difficult to single out one reason for delay and cost overrun but infect it was compound and interaction of many factors that resulted in delay and cost overrun (Fraser, 2004). Location: Selection of Holyrood to be the seat of parliament has contributed to delay and cost overrun. Holyrood was not an easy area to work due to the approach and being located in populated area. The selection of Holyrood added  £4.5m to the project being the cost for site acquisition and clearing. As the table1.1 (Fraser, 2004) shows, according to the costing done by DLE Holyrood was not economically attractive. Design and Design Development Factor: Main cause of the delay to the project was from Sept2000 due to the production of detailed design variations and the late supply of information during the construction process (Auditor General, 2004). Construction started in June1999 but Stage D design was approved after a year. Everyone anticipated that this will put an end too uncertainly and provide some sort of anchorage for the project but it did not happen. The project was densely populated, unusual and complex and was pitted against tight deadline. In some cases, trade contractors were responsible for part design but both the architects and some trade contractors failed to deliver some critical elements on time. Design development process added another  £80m to the cost of project. It is a process of bringing approved design to detailed design. This process runs parallel to Tendering and award of work packages and subsequent work on site. From 2000 onward, client didnt change its requirements significantly but the cost of br inging envisioned design to reality escalated (Black, 2004). Increase in area: after several revisions and new requirement were incorporated, total area reached from 16000.00 m2 to 31,000.00 m2 resulting in an increase of 47% and consequently effecting schedule and cost of the project. Building users brief prepared by the authorities substantially underestimated the requirements which resulted in various revisions and thus increase in area. For instance, Mr. Stewart said that the original estimate was â€Å"absolutely, too optimistic for a public building of this nature† (Fraser, 2004). The experience and expertise in construction management was not fully developed and was not present in the early stages of development. Procurement vehicle: In 1998, Civil servants opted for fast track method known as construction management form of procurement to build the parliament complex (Fraser, 2004). It works by fragmenting complete job into several small packages that are awarded, monitored and designed independently of one another. Its advantage is that the overall design doesnt have to be complete at the start of building works. In this form of contract, risk stays with the client, which is responsible for management of each individual work package-in this case around 60. However, after keeping in mind importance and urgency of the project, construction management procurement was the only viable option available. For instance, Harry Thorburn articulated, â€Å"The reality is that construction management was the only contract option for a client wanting to make an early start on a project that was still at the design concept stage† (Fortescue, S. 2004). Communication and coordination was another issue which added to the foes of already troubled project. Fraser (2004) reports that there was a lack of communication, coordination and understanding between stakeholders, for example, resolution of many design issues was delayed due to misunderstanding and lack of communication between RMJM EMBT. Landscaping is although minor part of overall figure, still it reflects failure of system. Cost of landscaping amounting to  £ 14 m came to the surface and was added when the project was well underway during autumn 2001 (Fraser, 2004). Schedule: Time-table for completion by project management was very demanding and idealistic rather than realistic. Construction manger consistently tried to achieve the set target but failed. According to Auditor Generals report (2004), schedule set in Sept 2000 for completion by December 2002 was probably unachievable. Proper EU guidelines and procedures were not followed for appointment of Bovis Lend and Lease as construction manager. BLL was not the lowest, yet they were awarded. BLLs contract was supposed to be converted to Lump sum after finalization of cost plan but was not done. Conversion of fees would have provided a powerful incentive to Bovis to apply maximum rigor in relation to cost control. No system was devised and implemented neither for performance measurement nor for cost reporting, analysis and financial control. Queensberry House proved to be the most costly item, in terms of cost per square meter (Fraser, 2004). However, Queensberrys cost was comparatively minor in context of the full cost of the Project at completion. Golden triangle of quality time and cost was ignored and quality was preferred against time and cost, time was preferred against cost. The undue importance given to time and quality resulted in escalated cost. Security issue and 9/11 factor also played an important role in delay and spiraling cost of the project. Fraser in his inquiry agrees that security bill amounted to  £29.11. Design of anti-blast measures causes a sum of  £17.54m and delay associated with blast causes additional sum of  £11.57m. Another major factor to be recognized was constructing a very complex, unusual building, visionary architecture was difficult to bring to reality. The Debating chamber roof, for example, was an extremely challenging task both for designers and builders (Fraser, 2004). Proper risk analysis and cost management studies were not done. At the early stage of decision making, no independent professional project management company was involved to advise the client. Role of Project Management Role of Project management is to deliver the project on time, within budget and with acceptable quality (Fraser, 2004). In this case, Project management provided an exceptional complex of high quality but failed miserable in context to cost and time. Black (2004) criticized performance of the project management or officials responsible for delivering the project. Decision making process and control over project was not clearly recognized along with lack of leadership. Normally project director is responsible for leadership and control, client delegates the authority to project director to render the project. Here, project director should have had clear responsibility in making decisions on balancing time, cost and quality/performance of the project. Auditor General (2004) affirmed that the client (the Parliament) did not clearly establish leadership and control of project. Leading parties could not agree on cost plan which was a missing link in effective project management, a draft plan was made in late 2000, that was an indicator of the costs instead of available estimate of the cost. Under construction management, design was vague and deficient initially, therefore the risks remained with the client (Fig 1.1). Project management selected a high risk route but failed to manage it properly. Risk accounting was insufficient in early stages and there was no quantified allowance for risk facing the project. Initially project management did introduce a process for quantifying risk and conducted some reviews but the general approach was to accept the cost increase and increase in the forecast as risk materialized. No system or forceful action was adopted to reduce the increase in cost (Fraser, 2004). Project management did not fully implement cost reporting and financial controls. Regular reporting of the total estimated costs of the project only started in July 2003(Black, 2004). Earlier financial reporting was neither comprehensive nor systematic. Once, the overall budget constraint of  £195m was removed by Parliament in June 2001, management did not establish an alternative budget which gave them liberty to achieve high quality and tight deadlines without due considerations of cost implications (Black, 2004; Fraser 2004). Conclusion Project management plays an important role in the success of mega and prestigious projects. Construction of Scottish parliament has put a negative mark on the role of project management. Delay and cost overrun of the project cannot be attributed to the failure of project management only, Fraser (2004) in his inquiry stated that it was the result of systematic failure and it is difficult to single out one villain. Also, there were several mistakes but the biggest one was involved in Procurement system. They were interconnected, increased exponentially, and had a rippling effect which was visible all throughout the period of construction. Despite of all the problems, Scotland has got an architectural gem; its an iconic building representing the land. In few years, the people of Scotland will be as proud of it as the people of Sydney are of Opera House, which was also an example of project failure when it was built (Australian Government Department, 2006; Mosaic Projects, n.d.). The entire project should have agreed project budget and proper set of performance indicators. Proper benchmarking should be done to measure the performance. If, competition is commissioned for selection of design, proper evaluation of pre qualification must be done and compatibility of working cultures should be considered. While selecting the design, attention should be paid to cost and execution problems that may arise due to complexity of design. Procurement route must always be chosen with care coupled with comprehensive evaluation. Construction management procurement route should be used rarely for public projects. Before construction starts adequate time should be available for the planning stage. As Fraser (2004) reports that investing time initially, to develop complete definitions reduces the chance of changes later. Good planning will involve (a) right sequence of construction to avoid delays and extra costs, (b) risk management (c) using value management to evaluate the role of each element of the construction processes (Black, 2004) (d) Selection of proper planning system â€Å"There must always be sufficient time for procurement to allow the clients requirements to be adequately defined so that it may obtain fixed and firm prices for the work in a competition† (Black, 2004). In all projects, performance payment incentives system should be initiated for contractors to perform against targets for quality, time and cost. Clearly defined duties and single point of leadership with explicit authority and responsibility should be ensured. Strong system of reporting and transparent channels of communication must be devised. It is essential that full contracts, guarantees and bond should be secured to prevent the risk. Early involvement of contractors in design phase might help in solving the problems later on. Concurrent engineering should be carried out to avoid complications during execution. Safety measures needs to be a considered as an integral part. In this particular case, no one would have anticipated the impact of 9/11. So it is better to have some contingency plan in place to tackle unforeseen events. Bibliography: Auditor General (2004). ‘Management of the Holyrood building project prepared for the Auditor General for Scotland Project overview, the reason for later delivery and increased costs, project management and control. Chapters 1-5., pp 1-92. Available from: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/central/2004/nr_040629_holyrood_project.pdf [Accessed: 2nd April 2010]. Auditor General (2000). ‘The new Scottish Parliament building an examination of the management of the Holyrood building project prepared for the Auditor General for Scotland. Available from: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/central/2000/nr_000919_new_parliament_building.pdf [Accessed: 3rd April 2010]. Australian Government Department (2006). ‘Sydney Opera House Nomination by the govt of Australia. Available from: http://www.sydneyoperahouse.com/uploadedFiles/About_Us/Ad_Hoc_Information_Pages/WorldHeritageNominationDocument.pdf [Accessed 8th April 2010] BBC (2004). ‘Timeline: Holyrood. Available from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3210729.stm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010]. Black, R. (2004). ‘Presentation by the Auditor General for Scotland, Robert Black to the Audit Committee of the Scottish Parliament, on his report, Managing of the Holyrood building project Available from: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/docs/central/2004/nr_040629_holyrood_projec_statement_pr.pdf. [Accessed: 4th April 2010] Black R. (2004) ‘Audit Scotland. Available from: http://www.audit-scotland.gov.uk/publications/pdf/2004/04pf07ag.pdf [Accessed: 4th April 2010] Black R. (2004) ‘Audit committee official report 29 June 2004 Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/committees/audit/or-04/au04-1402.htm [Accessed: 4th April 2010] Edinphoto (n.d.). ‘Scottish Parliament Complex at Holyrood. Available from: http://www.edinphoto.org.uk/0_edin_t/0_edinburgh_transport_buses_terminus_36_holyrood_024373.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fortescue, S. (2004). ‘The  £431 million question. Available from: http://www.pennwood.org.uk/Level%20Four/L402/Holyrood%20example.pdf [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Fortescue, S. (2004). ‘The  £431 million question supply management. Available from: http://www.supplymanagement.com/analysis/features/2004/the-431-million-question/ [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Fraser, R. H. L. (2004). ‘A Report by the Rt Hon Lord Fraser of Carmyllie QC on his Inquiry into the About Holyrood Project. SP Paper 205. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-00.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010]. Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Events Prior to 1 May 1997. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-02.htm. [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘White Paper to the Passing of the Scotland Act 1998. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-03.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Selection of the Holyrood Site. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-04.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Appointment of the Architect Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-05.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Evolution of the Building User Brief. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-06.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Construction Management. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-07.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Appointment of the Construction Manager. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-08.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Project Management 1998 to 1 June 1999. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-09.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Project from Handover to February 2000. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-10.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Early 2000 and the Establishment of the Holyrood Progress Group. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-11.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Holyrood Project June to December 2000 -Stage D The Cost Plan. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-12.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Project from Late 2000. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-13.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Planning, Queensberry House and the Role of Historic Scotland. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-14.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Programming and Design Delay- Factual Background- Construction Manager. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-15.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘Security Issues. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-16.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Fraser, R.H.L. (2004). ‘The Holyrood Project from Autumn 2003 Onwards. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/holyrood/inquiry/sp205-17.htm [Accessed: 2nd April 2010] Meredith, J.R. Mantel, S.J. (2006). ‘Project management a managerial approach 6th edition. John Wiley sons, New York. Mosaic Projects (n.d.). ‘Avoiding the successful failure. Available from: http://www.mosaicprojects.com.au/PDF_Papers/P046_Successful_Failure.pdf [Accessed: 8th April 2010]. Prasser, S. (n.d.). ‘Parallels with Overseas Experience: The Holyrood Building Project, Scotland Overcoming the White Elephant Syndrome in Big and Iconic Projects in the Public and Private Sectors. Available from: http://epress.anu.edu.au/anzsog/imp/mobile_devices/ch05s07.html [Accessed: 4th April 2004] Project Management Institute (2004). ‘A guide to Project Management Body of Knowledge third edition (PMBOK Guides). Project Management Institute. Newtown Square. USA.:Philadelpia. Roberts, D (2003). ‘MSP says Holyrood builders are left idle Available from: http://www.scotsman.com/politics/MSP-says-Holyrood-builders-are.2459894.jp [Accessed: 4th April 2010]. Supply management.com (2004). ‘The  £431 million question. Available from: http://www.supplymanagement.com/analysis/features/2004/the-431-million-question/ [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Scottish Parliament, (2001). ‘The Scottish Parliament building. Available from: http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/business/research/pdf_res_notes/rn01-64.pdf. [Accessed: 5th April 2010] The royal society of Edinburg (2001). ‘Engineering the Scottish Parliament building. Available from: http://www.royalsoced.org.uk/events/reports/2000-2001/rae_01.pdf [Accessed: 4th April 2010] The Scottish Government (2007). ‘The government economic strategy. Available from: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Resource/Doc/202993/0054092.pdf. [Accessed: 3rd April 2010] Westland, J. (2006). ‘The Project Management Life Cycle. London: Kogan Page.

The Last Wave :: essays research papers

The Last Wave SOC 118 "The Last Wave"-Peter Weir dir.(1977) In the film, The Last Wave, the director is trying to communicate the idea of a culture within a culture or sub culture. The dominant culture in the film is the white members of society living in Australia. The subculture in the film is the Aborigines who were natives to the land before the white people settled in Australia. The natives sustained their cultural beliefs and ideologies while living in largely populated cities. The dominant white culture imposes their laws , ideas of societal values and moral beliefs on the native Aborigines. Forcing them to abide by a different law system and way of life than what their peoples have practiced for hundreds of years. In the movie the lawyer, David, represents the dominant culture to the Aborigines because he represents the law that is controlling their fate in the white culture. The director is also giving us many symbols or visual communication such as the consistency of water in the film as well as, the overbearing control of darkness. The film is shot in shadows and overall is very dark , almost forcing us to look beyond the obvious plot and storyline and into the meaning or what the film/director is trying to tell us. The darkness in the film can be seen as unconsciousness. It can also be seen as a prediction of the darkness that will occur in the world when the last wave comes. The last wave meaning a giant tidal wave that will cover the earth , killing humanity. This idea is similar to the Christian belief in the flood that was sent down centuries ago to destroy all the evil in the world. Also, all the modern aspects of the movie (courtroom, David's office..etc) are filmed in light. While, all of the Aborigines' scenes are filmed in darkness or shadows. Giving me the impression of something mysterious or not understood by the whites concerning the Aborigines. The fact that all the modern scenes are filmed in light can also support the idea of the white culture being the predominate culture in the film but yet not dominant enough to take away the shadows(mysterious , mystical)aspect of the Aborigines. The lawyer, David, Also goes through a series of dreams and premonitions. This is stressing the idea of mind power and mystical strength that the Aborigines have. In that way they can be seen as the dominant culture. David is stuck between two worlds. The world he knows and understands and the other world that he is definitely a part of but does not understand.

Hypnotherapy Essay -- Health, Smoking Cessation

Hypnotherapy is widely recognised, as a method for aiding smoking cessation, however, conflicting evidence exists regarding its efficacy. In meta analysis hypnosis proved 3 times more effective than nicotine replacement methods, and 15 times more effective than stopping without help (Schmidt and Chockalingham, 1992). Having said this, results are not always clean cut. A number of studies report a mixture of success rates i.e. 90.6% (Barber, 2001), 90% (Klager, 2004), and 80% (Crasilneck, 1990), while others report much lower rates of success at 48% (Elkins and Rajab, 2004) and 25% (Ahijevych, Yerardi and Nedilsky, 2000). Something else to consider is the variety of methods that may be adopted in order to treat smoking cessation with hypnosis, as the efficacy of these methods may also vary (Crasilneck, 1990; Barber, 2001; Spiegel, Frischholz, Fleiss and Spiegel, 1993). However, the constant variable within smoking cessation treatment is the patient. Therefore, treatment tailored towar ds the individual needs of the smoker needs to be considered when evaluating the best approach to therapy. This is a non-clinical case study exploring whether multi session tailored treatment may better serve the individual needs of certain smokers. Therefore, hypnotherapeutic techniques are tailored to the patient’s needs in order to achieve optimum success. The patient (D) is a male actor. He lives with his partner who has recently stopped smoking with hypnosis. He is 31 yrs old and has been smoking for 18yrs. This is D’s third attempt at smoking cessation. Initially D attempted to stop smoking without help and was unsuccessful. D’s second attempt involved single session smoking cessation, and failed to achieve lasting results. Therefore a multi ses... ...to practice relaxation techniques autonomously over a three-day period before his second session of hypnosis. D had showed Case Study, London. prolonged abstinence in the past and is living with a significant other (who has now stopped smoking); therefore, it would seem probable that low level of hypnotisability may have been elemental in impeding his progress, initially. Research suggests that high hypnotisability facilitates successful behaviour modification (Frischolz et al, 1993). Therefore, in D’s case, this needed to be addressed before further therapy could commence. However, it has been suggested that abstinence from smoking does not correlate with hypnotisability (Holroyd, 1991). Nevertheless, it could be argued that within this study, low rate of abstinence i.e. 16% may have impeded verification of a relationship between hypnotisability and outcome.

Loss and Bereavement Essay -- essays research papers fc

Loss and Bereavement The loss of someone close can be a very painful experience. When someone passes over to the other side, the people they leave behind are left grief-stricken. The process they go through is called bereavement or another word, people may use is called in mourning. This all depends on what beliefs the bereaved may have on dying. Different religions cope with mortality in different ways. The Buddhist religion believes in recoronation (life after death) so when a person dies the Buddhists believe that the dearly departed will come back in another life form. So what is the meaning of bereavement? Bereavement is the emotion, which everybody goes through one time or another in their life time. When someone dies the bereaved will experience the stages of bereavement, whether it is a death of a pet, someone in their family or someone who is close. A death of a son or daughter is very heartbreaking, its one of the worst pain, a parent could ever go through in his or her entire life. Parents believe that they should out live their sons or daughters and when the child passes away before they do it comes as a big shock. When a child dies, the parents are forever picking up the pieces for a long time after the death. As the years go by other people have less pain and appear to accept the death of the child where a parent will still feel the same hurt for the rest of their lives. There is always a place missing in their hearts and it cannot be fulfilled by anyone. These questions are still asked by the parents who have been bereaved through a child. Did I really have the child I lost or was I dreaming? Will all my memories start to deteriorate as time passes by? Am I going to wake up from this nightmare? When certain times of the year come round, e.g. birthdays of the deceased, mother’s day, father’s day, Christmas and the anniversary of the day the deceased departed from this existence. At any of these times of the year it can be very agonizing for the parent of the deceased. It does not matter how long ago the child has been deceased for, the memories will always be there and the agony they went through at that particular time when their child passed over to the other side. Time is supposed to be a great healer in situations like this. This is not always the case. The parent learns to live with the pain of losing a child. Some days are b... ...s, the person feels very dizzy. In the more severe panic attacks the persons’ limbs go all stiff, they can pass out, then they could be rushed to a hospital. After a few years the panic attacks ware off.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Bibliography Davies, R, Houghton, P, (1995) Mastering Psychology 2nd edition Macmillan Press Ltd London  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Donnellan, C, Bereavement. Vol 41, Independence Education Publisher Dunn, M, (2000) The Good Grief Guide Pathways/ How To Books Oxford Gross, r, Mcileen,R, Coolican, H, Clamp, A, Russel, J, (2000) Psychology 2nd edition Hodder & Stoughton Kubler-Ross, E, (1983) On Children and Death Macmillan Publishing Company Levine,S, (1998) Who Dies Catways Books. Bath   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   web pages http://avoca.vicnet.au/-griefedu/projects.htm http://hed2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/mosby_factsheets/bereavement.html http://www.sci.monash.edu.au/psych/subject/nur1401/week12.html http://www.season.org/panic.html http://familydoctor.org/handouts/137.html

The Host Chapter 21: Named

I kept tight to Jeb's side, a little in front of him. I wanted to be as far as possible from the two men following us. Jamie walked somewhere in the middle, not sure of where he wanted to be. I wasn't able to concentrate much on the rest of Jeb's tour. My attention was not focused on the second set of gardens he led me through-one with corn growing waist-high in the blistering heat of the brilliant mirrors-or the wide but low-ceilinged cavern he called the â€Å"rec room.† That one was pitch-black and deep underground, but he told me they brought in lights when they wanted to play. The word play didn't make sense to me, not here in this group of tense, angry survivors, but I didn't ask him to explain. There was more water here, a tiny, noxiously sulfurous spring that Jeb said they sometimes used as a second latrine because it was no good for drinking. My attention was divided between the men walking behind us and the boy at my side. Ian and the doctor did mind their manners surprisingly well. No one attacked me from behind-though I thought my eyes might get lodged in the back of my head from trying to see if they were about to. They just followed quietly, sometimes talking to each other in low voices. Their comments revolved around names I didn't know and nicknames for places and things that might or might not have been inside these caves. I couldn't understand any of it. Jamie said nothing, but he looked at me a lot. When I wasn't trying to keep an eye on the others, I was often peeking at him, too. This left little time to admire the things Jeb showed me, but he didn't seem to notice my preoccupations. Some of the tunnels were very long-the distances hidden beneath the ground here were mind-boggling. Often they were pitch-black, but Jeb and the others never so much as paused, clearly familiar with their whereabouts and long since accustomed to traveling in darkness. It was harder for me than it was when Jeb and I were alone. In the dark, every noise sounded like an attack. Even the doctor's and Ian's casual chatter seemed like a cover for some nefarious move. Paranoid, Melanie commented. If that's what it takes to keep us alive, so be it. I wish you would pay more attention to Uncle Jeb. This is fascinating. Do what you want with your time. I can only hear and see what you hear and see, Wanderer, she told me. Then she changed the subject. Jamie looks okay, don't you think? Not too unhappy. He looks†¦ wary. We were just coming into some light after the longest trek so far in the humid blackness. â€Å"This here is the southernmost spur of the tube system,† Jeb explained as we walked. â€Å"Not super convenient, but it gets good light all day long. That's why we made it the hospital wing. This is where Doc does his thing.† The moment Jeb announced where we were, my body froze and my joints locked; I skidded to a halt, my feet planted against the rock floor. My eyes, wide with terror, flickered between Jeb's face and the face of the doctor. Had this all been a ruse, then? Wait for stubborn Jared to be out of the picture and then lure me back here? I couldn't believe I'd walked to this place under my own power. How stupid I was! Melanie was just as aghast. We might as well have gift-wrapped ourselves for them! They stared back at me, Jeb expressionless, the doctor looking as surprised as I felt-though not as horrified. I would have flinched, ripped myself away from the touch of a hand on my arm, if the hand had not been so familiar. â€Å"No,† Jamie said, his hand hesitantly resting just below my elbow. â€Å"No, it's okay. Really. Right, Uncle Jeb?† Jamie looked trustingly at the old man. â€Å"It's okay, right?† â€Å"Sure it is.† Jeb's faded blue eyes were calm and clear. â€Å"Just showing you my place, kid, that's all.† â€Å"What are you talking about?† Ian grumbled from behind us, sounding annoyed that he didn't understand. â€Å"Did you think we brought you here on purpose, for Doc?† Jamie said to me instead of answering Ian. â€Å"Because we wouldn't do that. We promised Jared.† I stared at his earnest face, trying to believe. â€Å"Oh!† Ian said as he understood, and then he laughed. â€Å"That wasn't a bad plan. I'm surprised I didn't think of it.† Jamie scowled at the big man and patted my arm before removing his hand. â€Å"Don't be scared,† he said. Jeb took up where he'd left off. â€Å"So this big room here is fitted up with a few cots in case anyone gets sick or hurt. We've been pretty lucky on that count. Doc doesn't have much to work with in an emergency.† Jeb grinned at me. â€Å"Your folks threw out all our medicines when they took over things. Hard to get our hands on what we need.† I nodded slightly; the movement was absentminded. I was still reeling, trying to get my bearings. This room looked innocent enough, as if it were only used for healing, but it made my stomach twist and contract. â€Å"What do you know about alien medicine?† the doctor asked suddenly, his head cocked to the side. He watched my face with expectant curiosity. I stared at him wordlessly. â€Å"Oh, you can talk to Doc,† Jeb encouraged me. â€Å"He's a pretty decent guy, all things considered.† I shook my head once. I meant to answer the doctor's question, to tell them that I knew nothing, but they misunderstood. â€Å"She's not giving away any trade secrets,† Ian said sourly. â€Å"Are you, sweetheart?† â€Å"Manners, Ian,† Jeb barked. â€Å"Is it a secret?† Jamie asked, guarded but clearly curious. I shook my head again. They all stared at me in confusion. Doc shook his head, too, slowly, baffled. I took a deep breath, then whispered, â€Å"I'm not a Healer. I don't know how they-the medications-work. Only that they do work- they heal, rather than merely treating symptoms. No trial and error. Of course the human medicines were discarded.† All four of them stared with blank expressions. First they were surprised when I didn't answer, and now they were surprised when I did. Humans were impossible to please. â€Å"Your kind didn't change too much of what we left behind,† Jeb said thoughtfully after a moment. â€Å"Just the medical stuff, and the spaceships instead of planes. Other than that, life seems to go on just the same as ever†¦ on the surface.† â€Å"We come to experience, not to change,† I whispered. â€Å"Health takes priority over that philosophy, though.† I shut my mouth with an audible snap. I had to be more careful. The humans hardly wanted a lecture on soul philosophy. Who knew what would anger them? Or what would snap their fragile patience? Jeb nodded, still thoughtful, and then ushered us onward. He wasn't as enthusiastic as he continued my tour through the few connecting caves here in the medical wing, not as involved in the presentation. When we turned around and headed back into the black corridor, he lapsed into silence. It was a long, quiet walk. I thought through what I'd said, looking for something that might have offended. Jeb was too strange for me to guess if that was the case. The other humans, hostile and suspicious as they were, at least made sense. How could I hope to make sense of Jeb? The tour ended abruptly when we reentered the huge garden cavern where the carrot sprouts made a bright green carpet across the dark floor. â€Å"Show's over,† Jeb said gruffly, looking at Ian and the doctor. â€Å"Go do something useful.† Ian rolled his eyes at the doctor, but they both turned good-naturedly enough and made their way toward the biggest exit-the one that led to the kitchen, I remembered. Jamie hesitated, looking after them but not moving. â€Å"You come with me,† Jeb told him, slightly less gruff this time. â€Å"I've got a job for you.† â€Å"Okay,† Jamie said. I could see that he was pleased to have been chosen. Jamie walked beside me again as we headed back toward the sleeping-quarters section of the caves. I was surprised, as we chose the third passageway from the left, that Jamie seemed to know exactly where we were going. Jeb was slightly behind us, but Jamie stopped at once when we reached the green screen that covered the seventh apartment. He moved the screen aside for me but stayed in the hall. â€Å"You okay to sit tight for a while?† Jeb asked me. I nodded, grateful at the thought of hiding again. I ducked through the opening and then stood a few feet in, not sure what to do with myself. Melanie remembered that there were books here, but I reminded her of my vow to not touch anything. â€Å"I got things to do, kid,† Jeb said to Jamie. â€Å"Food ain't gonna fix itself, you know. You up to guard duty?† â€Å"Sure,† Jamie said with a bright smile. His thin chest swelled with a deep breath. My eyes widened in disbelief as I watched Jeb place the rifle in Jamie's eager hands. â€Å"Are you crazy?† I shouted. My voice was so loud that I didn't recognize it at first. It felt like I'd been whispering forever. Jeb and Jamie looked up at me, shocked. I was out in the hallway with them in a second. I almost reached for the hard metal of the barrel, almost ripped it from the boy's hands. What stopped me wasn't the knowledge that a move like that would surely get me killed. What stopped me was the fact that I was weaker than the humans in this way; even to save the boy, I could not make myself touch the weapon. I turned on Jeb instead. â€Å"What are you thinking? Giving the weapon to a child? He could kill himself!† â€Å"Jamie's been through enough to be called a man, I think. He knows how to handle himself around a gun.† Jamie's shoulders straightened at Jeb's praise, and he gripped the gun tighter to his chest. I gaped at Jeb's stupidity. â€Å"What if they come for me with him here? Did you think of what could happen? This isn't a joke! They'll hurt him to get to me!† Jeb remained calm, his face placid. â€Å"Don't think there'll be any trouble today. I'd bet on it.† â€Å"Well, I wouldn't!† I was yelling again. My voice echoed off the tunnel walls-someone was sure to hear, but I didn't care. Better they come while Jeb was still here. â€Å"If you're so sure, then leave me here alone. Let what happens happen. But don't put Jamie in danger!† â€Å"Is it the kid you're worried about, or are you just afraid that he'll turn the gun on you?† Jeb asked, his voice almost languid. I blinked, my anger derailed. That thought had not even occurred to me. I glanced blankly at Jamie, met his surprised gaze, and saw that the idea was shocking to him, too. It took me a minute to recover my side of the argument, and by the time I did, Jeb's expression had changed. His eyes were intent, his mouth pursed-as if he were about to fit the last piece into a frustrating puzzle. â€Å"Give the gun to Ian or any of the others. I don't care,† I said, my voice slow and even. â€Å"Just leave the boy out of this.† Jeb's sudden face-wide grin reminded me, strangely, of a pouncing cat. â€Å"It's my house, kid, and I'll do what I want. I always do.† Jeb turned his back and ambled away down the hall, whistling as he went. I watched him go, my mouth hanging open. When he disappeared, I turned to Jamie, who was watching me with a sullen expression. â€Å"I'm not a child,† he muttered in a deeper tone than usual, his chin jutting out belligerently. â€Å"Now, you should†¦ you should go in your room.† The order was less than severe, but there was nothing else I could do. I'd lost this disagreement by a large margin. I sat down with my back against the rock that formed one side of the cave opening-the side where I could hide behind the half-opened screen but still watch Jamie. I wrapped my arms around my legs and began doing what I knew I would be doing as long as this insane situation continued: I worried. I also strained my eyes and ears for some sound of approach, to be ready. No matter what Jeb said, I would prevent anyone from challenging Jamie's guard. I would give myself up before they asked. Yes, Melanie agreed succinctly. Jamie stood in the hallway for a few minutes, the gun tight in his hands, unsure as to how to do his job. He started pacing after that, back and forth in front of the screen, but he seemed to feel silly after a couple of passes. Then he sat down on the floor beside the open end of the screen. The gun eventually settled on his folded legs, and his chin into his cupped hands. After a long time, he sighed. Guard duty was not as exciting as he'd been expecting. I did not get bored watching him. After maybe an hour or two, he started looking at me again, flickering glances. His lips opened a few times, and then he thought better of whatever he was going to say. I laid my chin on my knees and waited as he struggled. My patience was rewarded. â€Å"That planet you were coming from before you were in Melanie,† he finally said. â€Å"What was it like there? Was it like here?† The direction of his thoughts caught me off guard. â€Å"No,† I said. With only Jamie here, it felt right to speak normally instead of whispering. â€Å"No, it was very different.† â€Å"Will you tell me what it was like?† he asked, cocking his head to one side the way he used to when he was really interested in one of Melanie's bedtime stories. So I told him. I told him all about the See Weeds' waterlogged planet. I told him about the two suns, the elliptical orbit, the gray waters, the unmoving permanence of roots, the stunning vistas of a thousand eyes, the endless conversations of a million soundless voices that all could hear. He listened with wide eyes and a fascinated smile. â€Å"Is that the only other place?† he asked when I fell silent, trying to think of anything I'd missed. â€Å"Are the See Weeds†-he laughed once at the pun-â€Å"the only other aliens?† I laughed, too. â€Å"Hardly. No more than I'm the only alien on this world.† â€Å"Tell me.† So I told him about the Bats on the Singing World-how it was to live in musical blindness, how it was to fly. I told him about the Mists Planet-how it felt to have thick white fur and four hearts to keep warm, how to give claw beasts a wide berth. I started to tell him about the Planet of the Flowers, about the color and the light, but he interrupted me with a new question. â€Å"What about the little green guys with the triangle heads and the big black eyes? The ones who crashed in Roswell and all that. Was that you guys?† â€Å"Nope, not us.† â€Å"Was it all fake?† â€Å"I don't know-maybe, maybe not. It's a big universe, and there's a lot of company out there.† â€Å"How did you come here, then-if you weren't the little green guys, who were you? You had to have bodies to move and stuff, right?† â€Å"Right,† I agreed, surprised at his grasp of the facts at hand. I shouldn't have been surprised-I knew how bright he was, his mind like a thirsty sponge. â€Å"We used our Spider selves in the very beginning, to get things started.† â€Å"Spiders?† I told him about the Spiders-a fascinating species. Brilliant, the most incredible minds we'd ever come across, and each Spider had three of them. Three brains, one in each section of their segmented bodies. We'd yet to find a problem they couldn't solve for us. And yet they were so coldly analytical that they rarely came up with a problem they were curious enough to solve for themselves. Of all our hosts, the Spiders welcomed our occupation the most. They barely noticed the difference, and when they did, they seemed to appreciate the direction we provided. The few souls who had walked on the surface of the Spiders' planet before implantation told us that it was cold and gray-no wonder the Spiders only saw in black and white and had a limited sense of temperature. The Spiders lived short lives, but the young were born knowing everything their parent had, so no knowledge was lost. I'd lived out one of the short life terms of the species and then left with no desire to return. The amazing clarity of my thoughts, the easy answers that came to any question almost without effort, the march and dance of numbers were no substitute for emotion and color, which I could only vaguely understand when inside that body. I wondered how any soul could be content there, but the planet had been self-sufficient for thousands of Earth years. It was still open for settling only because the Spiders reproduced so quickly-great sacs of eggs. I started to tell Jamie how the offensive had been launched here. The Spiders were our best engineers-the ships they made for us danced nimbly and undetectably through the stars. The Spiders' bodies were almost as useful as their minds: four long legs to each segment-from which they'd earned their nickname on this planet-and twelve-fingered hands on each leg. These six-jointed fingers were as slender and strong as steel threads, capable of the most delicate procedures. About the mass of a cow, but short and lean, the Spiders had no trouble with the first insertions. They were stronger than humans, smarter than humans, and prepared, which the humans were not†¦ I stopped short, midsentence, when I saw the crystalline sparkle on Jamie's cheek. He was staring straight ahead at nothing, his lips pressed in a tight line. A large drop of salt water rolled slowly down the cheek closest to me. Idiot, Melanie chastised me. Didn't you think what your story would mean to him? Didn't you think of warning me sooner? She didn't answer. No doubt she'd been as caught up in the storytelling as I was. â€Å"Jamie,† I murmured. My voice was thick. The sight of his tear had done strange things to my throat. â€Å"Jamie, I'm so sorry. I wasn't thinking.† Jamie shook his head. â€Å"‘S okay. I asked. I wanted to know how it happened.† His voice was gruff, trying to hide the pain. It was instinctive, the desire to lean forward and wipe that tear away. I tried at first to ignore it; I was not Melanie. But the tear hung there, motionless, as if it would never fall. Jamie's eyes stayed fixed on the blank wall, and his lips trembled. He wasn't far from me. I stretched my arm out to brush my fingers against his cheek; the tear spread thin across his skin and disappeared. Acting on instinct again, I left my hand against his warm cheek, cradling his face. For a short second, he pretended to ignore me. Then he rolled toward me, his eyes closed, his hands reaching. He curled into my side, his cheek against the hollow of my shoulder, where it had once fit better, and sobbed. These were not the tears of a child, and that made them more profound-made it more sacred and painful that he would cry them in front of me. This was the grief of a man at the funeral for his entire family. My arms wound around him, not fitting as easily as they used to, and I cried, too. â€Å"I'm sorry,† I said again and again. I apologized for everything in those two words. That we'd ever found this place. That we'd chosen it. That I'd been the one to take his sister. That I'd brought her back here and hurt him again. That I'd made him cry today with my insensitive stories. I didn't drop my arms when his anguish quieted; I was in no hurry to let him go. It seemed as though my body had been starving for this from the beginning, but I'd never understood before now what would feed the hunger. The mysterious bond of mother and child-so strong on this planet-was not a mystery to me any longer. There was no bond greater than one that required your life for another's. I'd understood this truth before; what I had not understood was why. Now I knew why a mother would give her life for her child, and this knowledge would forever shape the way I saw the universe. â€Å"I know I've taught you better than that, kid.† We jumped apart. Jamie lurched to his feet, but I curled closer to the ground, cringing into the wall. Jeb leaned down and picked up the gun we'd both forgotten from the floor. â€Å"You've got to mind a gun better than this, Jamie.† His tone was very gentle-it softened the criticism. He reached out to tousle Jamie's shaggy hair. Jamie ducked under Jeb's hand, his face scarlet with mortification. â€Å"Sorry,† he muttered, and turned as if to flee. He stopped after just a step, though, and swiveled back to look at me. â€Å"I don't know your name,† he said. â€Å"They called me Wanderer,† I whispered. â€Å"Wanderer?† I nodded. He nodded, too, then hurried away. The back of his neck was still red. When he was gone, Jeb leaned against the rock and slid down till he was seated where Jamie had been. Like Jamie, he kept the gun cradled in his lap. â€Å"That's a real interesting name you've got there,† he told me. He seemed to be back to his chatty mood. â€Å"Maybe sometime you'll tell me how you got it. Bet that's a good story. But it's kind of a mouthful, don't you think? Wanderer?† I stared at him. â€Å"Mind if I call you Wanda, for short? It flows easier.† He waited this time for a response. Finally, I shrugged. It didn't matter to me whether he called me â€Å"kid† or some strange human nickname. I believed it was meant kindly. â€Å"Okay, then, Wanda.† He smiled, pleased at his invention. â€Å"It's nice to have a handle on you. Makes me feel like we're old friends.† He grinned that huge, cheek-stretching grin, and I couldn't help grinning back, though my smile was more rueful than delighted. He was supposed to be my enemy. He was probably insane. And he was my friend. Not that he wouldn't kill me if things turned out that way, but he wouldn't like doing it. With humans, what more could you ask of a friend?

Importance of data security and data safety Essay

To prevent companies from using or passing on confidential information to other companies without the permission of the person who the data is about, companies will need to protect the data. With the popularity of the Internet there are opportunities for thieves to steal their personal data. So the government set a law (data protection act) which is used to protect people’s rights concerning how data is used and you also have the right to see such information and have any errors corrected. Also organisation will want to keep data confidential because it will not want its competitors to know how the business is going. List the 8 principles of the Data Protection Act The Data Protection Act says the personal data should: 1. Be adequate, relevant and not excessive. For example college should keep students details and details must be just what is needed and nothing more. 2. Be processed in accordance with the data subject right. For example the person that the data refers to have the right to read the information about him/her and the organisation should provide hem/her with information they need. 3. Be accurate and be kept up to date. There is a duty to keep it up to date, for example to change an address when people move. 4. Not be kept longer than necessary. For example it is alright to keep information for certain length of time but it would be wrong to keep information about past customers longer than a few years at most 5. Be obtained and processed for limited purposes. For example the organization must use the data only in the way it is described and it must not use it for any other purpose. 6. Be secure. This includes keeping the information backed up and away from any unauthorised access. It would be wrong to leave personal data open to be viewed by just anyone. 7. Not be transferred to countries outside Europe without adequate protection. Unless the country that the data is being sent to has a suitable data protection law 8. Be processed fairly and lawfully. For example if you put your money at bank no one can transfer your money without your permission. (a) What is the difference between the Internet, Intranet and Extranet? (P8) Internet: Are public networks that allow the user to use any of its facilities. Intranet and Extranet: is like a private internet. It is like a website that is only accessible to the members of a business or company. The different between Intranets and Extranet is: Intranet: Allow the members of organisation to access the access the system with an organisation. Extranet: Allow the members of organisation to access the system from different location but only by the users who have been given access rights. (b) * What is a browser? Is programme that can read web pages, by downloading HTML code and that allows the browser to interpret the code to the web page. A browser displays web pages, keeps track of where you’ve been, and remembers the places you want to return to, the most used browsers are Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. Describe the role of a browser when using the Internet, Intranet and Extranet Browser allows the people to access information, view images, hear music and watch video, in the term of intranet and extranet the browser allows user to share documents, access databases and allow group work. * Describe the role of email when using internet communications. You can send email to an individual or to a group of people at the same time, you can create mailing list so that you can write a message and send it automatically to number of people. Also you can send files such as pictures, word document and sound as attachments to your message. (a) List major threats to an organisation that could happen while using the Internet. (P9) 1. Hacking (use to steal the personal details and private files of company) 2. The spreading of viruses (use to destroy or damage the important files of company) 3. Internet fraud (taking credit card details from customers) 4. Spay ware (is biggest threat in the computer system which allows someone to log into your computer and use it for their own purpose) 5. Spam ( sending unwanted messages especially commercial advertising) Purpose of assignment In this assignment, I have to do research and get information on the importance of data security and data safety. M research must be from ICT sources and non ICT sources and by using the evidence that I collect I should explain the importance of keeping customer information confidential, the main provision of data protection act, the role of browsers and email in internet communications, the difference between internet, intranet and extranet, the major threats to organization from internet and finally a poster that explains the importance of data safety and data security. The assignment will also gather key skills portfolio evidence. M5 Physical Security: Use of security guards, locks, reinforced doors, windows and walls depending on what is being protected. Use of ICT to enforce security entry on doors, and protected areas of buildings i. e. : swipe cards, fingerprint ID, voice recognition. Firewall: This is a security device, which acts as a single entry/exit point for information and access to a computer system. All traffic must pass through the firewall and therefore a system is secure from external threats. A firewall usually sits between the internal network of an organisation and access by the internet. Virus Protection: It is usual for systems to have some form of anti-virus software installed and running in the background. All files and devices introduced to the system would be scanned, any attempts to alter system files would be blocked, and notification made to the user/system administrator. Preventing the use of floppy disks is a good method of eliminating one source of potential virus problems. Identification of Users: A system of user ID’s and passwords is a simple method of preventing unauthorised personnel accessing the system. These should be managed by the system administrator. With this, only some users will have access to certain programmes and data therefore increasing the level of security on sensitive data. In addition, some users may only be able to read the data and not write the data. Other users may not have the ability to delete or even to access certain files. Encryption software: the data may be encrypted (coded) into a form, which can only then be decoded by the intended user. If the data falls into the wrong hands, it will be meaningless. Backups: To guard against the loss of data, backups should be regularly made. These backups should be stored in a separate place, preferably in a fireproof environment. Passwords software: Password protection usually involves a person typing in:   A User Name – to identify the person.   A Password – to identify the person. He should be the only one to know what it is. Computer viruses: which are programs that destroy the way computer operates without the knowledge of the user, there are huge numbers of viruses some are extremely malicious with the ability to delete or damage files and programs. Some of the threats that they cause to computer systems include:   Deleting data on the hard disk of the organisation computer system.   Enabling hackers to hijack the organisation system and use it for their own purposes. How do viruses spread:   CDs and floppy disks containing infected documents. Emails containing infected attachments. Hackers: who gain unauthorised access to computer systems for the purpose of stealing and corrupting data, also gaining access to financial information about the organisation business or their customers for the purposes of fraud. Security measures may include†¦ Each user should be given a user name and a password.   Computer usage may be logged.   Computers should be disconnected from a network when not in use.   Use a firewall – a computer running software, which detects hackers dialling in to a network. Spam: authorised users downloading a web page or receiving an email with hidden active content that attacks the organisation system or send sensitive information to unauthorised people. Organisation can stop spreading of spam by using spam filtering software. Spy ware: is software that is placed on organisation computer when the employee visits certain websites, it is used to secretly gather information about the organisation usage and sends it back to advertiser or other interested company to tracking the organisation system use . it can also slow down or crashes the organisation computer Pop up: Many company advertisers on the Internet by using windows that pop up in the middle of computer screen to display a message. They might also open when you click a link or button on a Web site, and they might open either over or under the window, you wish to view. Some pop-up windows can contain inappropriate content or can be a way for employee of organisation to accidentally download dangerous software (called spyware or adware) onto organisation computer. Infringement of copyright: Internet users are not allowed to copy or print some internet materials such as; video, music, files and photos without the permission of copyright holder and sometimes they may have to pay a licence to do so. Theft and fraud: credits card fraud for example people can steal the details on credits card and using them illegally to buy goods. Sole trader: A sole trader is the actual owner of a business, a sole trader also has unlimited liability. All the debts of the business are the debts of the owner. They can not issues shares . The whole meaning behind † Sole† means that she/he does not have partners. (e. g. electrical repair, picture framing, photography, diving instruction, retail shops, and hotels) Partnership A Partnership can be liable for all debts, it is easy to setup, but is also inexpensive to form. Forming partnership requires an agreement that is some times called partnership agreement ‘between two to twenty individuals’ which entitles them to jointly own and carry on a trader business together. A partnership is a contract between two or more persons who agree to pool talent and money and share profit or loss. Private limited company A Private limited company has limited liability (the shareholders cannot loose more than their original shareholdings), and a minimum of two shareholders and a maximum of fifty shareholders. It cannot offer its shares to the public. A private limited company is treated as a legal entity. Public limited company A company which may have an unlimited number of shareholders and offer its shares to the wider public. (e. g. Cadbury and Tesco) Multi-National company A company that does business in more than one country, usually by setting up branch offices. Tesco Characteristics   Type of company: Tesco is an international retailer and is a publicly owned company (Public Limited Company Plc).   Products: including food and non-food business, personal finance, internet shopping, electrical items, home entertainment, toys, sports equipment, and many more. Profit / loss: Tesco’s Profit and Loss 2005 2004 Sales at net selling prices 37,070 33,557 Turnover including share of joint ventures 34,353 31,050 Less: share of joint ventures’ turnover (379) (236) Operating profit/(loss) 1,949 1,735 Share of operating profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates 130 97 Net profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets 53 (9) Profit on ordinary activities before taxation 1,962 1,600 Underlying profit before net profit/(loss) on disposal of fixed assets, integration costs and goodwill amortisation 2,0291,708. Size of company: Tesco operates 923 stores and employs 240,000 people , there are 639 branches in Great Britain and 182 in the rest of Europe .Location: they operate in UK, Hungary, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovak Republic, Thailand, South Korea, Taiwan and the Republic of Ireland   Purpose of company: to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty.   Aims: Built good non-food sales expanded into retailing services and exploited e-commerce successfully.   Objective: 1. To deliver a consistently strong customer offer. 2. Making their shopping trip as easy as possible. 3. Constantly seeking to reduce their prices to help customer spend less.   Logo: Cadbury Characteristics Type of company: is an international retailer and is a publicly owned company (Public Limited Company Plc). Products: chocolate and drinks brands. Profit / loss: Cadbury Profit and Loss i (Millions) 2006 i (Millions) 2005 Turnover 6,508. 00 6,085. 00 Operating Profit / (Loss) 1,003. 00 825. 00 Net Interest (188. 00) (205. 00) Pretax Profit 843. 00 642. 00 Post Tax Profits 703. 00 497. 00 Total Dividend Paid n/a n/a. Retained Profit / (Loss) for the financial year n/a n/a   Size of company: they operate in more than 35 countries and they employs over 55,000 people   Location: Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific.   Purpose of company: the organization work together to create brands people love. Aims : 1. Deliver shareowner performance. 2. Ensure their capabilities are best in class. 3. Reinforce reputation with employees and society   objective: 1. Responding to consumer needs quickly. 2. Grow shareowner value. 3. Attract and develop the best kind of people.