Impact of ICT on an Adult in Employment, Including the Effect on Working Style Essay Example for Free

Impact of ICT on an Adult in Employment, Including the Effect on workss Style EssayAnything citizenry have make could be c tot any(prenominal)yed technology, but unremarkably people think of advances in utilise scientific knowledge and applying it to a practical employment, like creating photovoltaic cells or wind turbines. Technology interested in examples of a specific technology in role, such as the net or Decision Support Systems.Technology send packing solve to the highest degree of our problems and eerything which we ar using in our live for example radio, television, figurers, internet, planetary ph wizardness, andThese are called technology. We work technology in contrastive places in addition for example at home, in offices, bank line, shops, or so on. Different people giveDifferent people forget give it variant meat depending on their viewpoint and context. The role and impacts of technology in some(prenominal) our personal and lives are ever gro wing. Technology is about taking action to meet a human contend kind of than merely understanding the workings of the natural world.We go off define Technology like this A body of knowledge used to create tools, develop skills, and extract or collect materials the application of science (the combination of the scientific mode and material) to meet an quarry or solve a problems called Technology.Aim In this study I am going to tell about the life of backsideJohn is a engineer and he is 52 years old he has 22 years experience and he is a businessman and he use diverse technologies for his work and for his life he use the following technologies E mail Mobile Phone Laptop ComputerAnd alike I am constitution about the life of John which how does the technology affect on his life and how this technology change his life, because John express that 20 years ago I have non any Mobile Phone, electronic mail address and Software, which I have now, and he said that since 5 years th e technology has changed my life and I can not do my works without these technologies.E-mail introductionE-mail, short for electronic mail, is a system in which a electronic computer user can exchange messages with other computer users using a communications network. To use e-mail, you must have get to to a computer that is linked to the outside world, via a modem, strait line, or fiber optic cable (Ethernet).Sending e-mail is similar to sending postal mail, with many very of the essence(p) differences1. E-mail is thousands of quantify faster. A message can go from Illinois to Australia in seconds2. E-mail is free on campus-there is no postage cost to students.3. E-mail is not as secret as a rhythmical letter.4. E-mail does involve learning how to use computer programs.5. Also, E-mail requires us to have a sign-on to the electronic mail system, and this usually involves having a password, too.6. E-mail can be sent to many people at the selfsame(prenominal) time, and you ca n participate in on-going discussions on many subjects at the same time.7. E-mail can adit information and file libraries, well send a message and get a document or pictures can within minutes.8. E-mail often sees typos and misspellings because it is so easy to produce and send.How/why he uses E-mail personally?John uses e-mail to send his report to the fraternity that he is working for at the time and to send or receive photographs over the internet. Sending reports over the internet saves a lot of time and is an easier method of communicating than through the post. Before he got the internet he used the post to send the report to the company. He use the internet to inform his partners, and when he fine an offer he can send an e-mail to all of his colleague to inform those and some times he sent some maps of homes from his protest e-mail to other colleague, and as well as he use e-mail to sent some photos and videos too, and he said that I am not always use my e-mail to my own work I use my email for enjoying and sending messages for my Childs, wife, friends and to my families too.What is the advantages/disadvantage of e-mail?John said that E-mail Advertising, as effective as it is has both advantages and disadvantages. It is useful to be well aware of both sides of the coin as one embarks on the use of e-mail for their commercialiseing and advertising, and he is also that the soundly news is that the advantages of e-mail advertising are numerous and far outweigh the few disadvantages.The advantages of e-mail which effect on his life these are in the following1. Its faster. He received email almost immediately after it is send, usually within minutes.2. Its more conversational. Because of its immediacy, a whole series of e-mail messages perchance he exchanged within a very short time. As a result, email messages tend to be less formal and they are also usually shorter and more to the point.3. Because e-mail is so new, he has no challenging and fas t rules about what whitethorn be said in a message. These rules are evolving because of his increased use of email, as well as the advent of new technology that continually affects how he applies it.And he also said that e-mail does not have just advantages it has disadvantages too, now I am writing about the disadvantages of e-mail which effect on John life1. As he has seen, one of the biggest disadvantages of email is the capability for misunderstanding. Email has some other disadvantages as well. It can be used to talk to more than one person at a time, but the means for doing so can be a bit fumbling. At its core, email is a one to one communication medium. Email requires dynamic participation, and he has to check his email to get messages. If he does not check his email, he testament never know that somebody has contacted him.2. Too much e-mail can lead to management problems with his in-box being overwhelmed by mail.3. Due to its informal nature it is easy to his to ignore- unlike communication on the prognosticate or mail.Which things E-mail contain?* Inbox An area in his mail memory that holds received messages that have not been read or processed.* Drafts When he saved some documents in his e-mail address, the files and documents which he saved before he can find in Drafts.* Sent The mails which he sent this sent item will tell him which files, letters, documents and images he sent.* e-mail Internet spam is one or more unsolicited messages, sent or posted as part of a larger collection of messages, all having substantially identical content.* Trash rubbish and worthless material that is to be disposed of.* Contacts All his friends, families, workers and someone else that John knows them he can save all his e-mail address in contact and then can see their emails easily and early when he wants.* Calendar We all know about meaning of Calendar, calendar is a system of organizing days for a socially, religious, commercially, or administratively useful purpose.* Notepad Some important sentences that John want to save them Notepad is the place that he can save them all their.If John didnt have E-mail, how would it affect his job?John said if I didnt have e-mail address then I would lose my business, because I have lots of workers in my business I can see every one and telling all of them about their jobs, so the easiest way for me is that I am sending all of them and receiving the responses of them, and also by using my mail I can sent some maps and places and directions for my workers, and I am informing them, also I am using my mails to sent and receives from my family, and friends too.Mobile Phone IntroductionA Mobile Phone (also known as a Cellular Telephone) is defined as a portable electronic device for the purpose of telecommunications over long distances. Most current mobile phones actually have-to doe with to a cellular network of level stations (the cell tantalisees themselves) which overlap to yield coverage and whic h also link to the standard landline public switched telephone network. It should be noted that mobile phones are distinct from household cordless telephones which generally operate only within range of a dedicated base station (though the distinction is blurring with mobile phones that can link via Bluetooth to a home internet base station).It should be noted, however, that the term mobile phone can constitute to any type of mobile telephony device and also includes satellite phones and radio phones. Most phones has camera which we can piss photos, and record some videos too.How/why he uses Mobile Phone?John use mobile phones to be connect with his family, children, and wife and with his friends. And he uses his mobile phone in office and to his business to inform his workers and to be in touch with the peoples which he works. He also uses mobile phone to send videos, photos, messages for every body which he wants. He uses different things that his mobile contain and the followin g things his mobile phones contain Messages, Contact, Alarm, Calendar, Fun box, Reminder, Call register, Tones, Profiles, Calculator. He uses Messages to send document and messages for his family, friend, wife and sons. He uses Alarm to wake up morning early for his job. And the calendar which his Mobile Phone contain he known thatwhat date is today and which day is today. And his mobile phone has propeler to remind him sometimes which he forgot some works.And some times the times which he filling board he is going to Games which it mobile has and Playing some games, and his mobile phone has internet too that he can go too internet and see his mails and another things which we can do it on internet and he said that I am glad and I am filling too good cause I can solve my lots of problems with using the mobile phone.What are advantages/disadvantages of mobile phone when he use?Advantages of using mobile phone1. He can take it with him whom he didnt miss important calls.2. He doesnt have telemarketers bugging him at dinner time.3. If he has car trouble or an shot he can call for emergencies.4. He can take the pictures of accident or any things else by his mobile phones.5. If he is finding for somewhere he can call for directions.6. If he goes to store and wants to buy something he can use his mobile phone for more details or for more information.7. He can use his mobile phone to see his mails and some sides.8. With integrated phones and their features, making his life much easier no matter what kind a profession or age a person is.9. Mobile phone doesnt have to call, he uses his mobile phone for the following things too camera, music player, features, emailing, document editor and so on.Disadvantage of using mobile phone1. John said I had an accident, because when I was derived I talked with my wife.2. Most of time he missed lots of important calls when he forgot his mobile somewhere.3. His mobile phone need charges for using it, therefore this is very boring and sad for John to charge it every day.4. When John has some meeting often his mobile phone disturbs him during his works.How good is it at fulfilling his personal take?John has got a new version of mobile phone called (Nokia N95), which is the most technically advanced smart phone ever Complete with satellite navigation, a 5 mega pixel camera with auto focus, 3G video calling, with 8 GB chip, that his Nokia N95 contain.And the following things which his mobile phone includes they are most likely to fulfilling his personal needs.Some times John is recording with his phone everywhere and anything which he wants and can get images too.The Nokia N95 has almost everything else he could use them to fulfilling his needs* Music Player with support for all common music formats.* A stereo FM radio.* Integrated hands free speaker.* Speaker independent interpretive program dialing.* Talking ring tones.* HSDPA (the fast data transfer technology dubbed 3.5G).How good is it at fulfilling his s ocial needs?John use his mobile phone to be always in touch with his friends, workers, families, and businessmen and another ways to develop social and communication called text which he uses most of times.Texting is particularly important in maintaining contact with a wide social network allows him to maintain social bonds even when he do not have the time, energy, inclination or reckon for calls or visits. Texting re-creates the brief, frequent, spontaneous connections with members of our social network that characterized the small communities of pre industrial times.And also John hasnt always thinks about himself but he is helping people too and sometimes he teach some students in universities too for helping and some people calling him to solve their problems, and this is the easiest way for him to talk with lots of people without meets them.One of the most dangerous of mobile phone is that when he is driving some times he picked up phone and it can cause accident which he di d before.How does John use mobile phone at work?Often John uses his mobile phone to be in touch with his family, friends he is not using his mobile phone at office, but he has an office phone which is called handheld mobile phone.And handheld mobile phone is working same like mobile phone but it doesnt need any chip just he connected his handheld mobile phone on socket which needs electricity and he has tether of these.And this handheld mobile phone is cheaper than mobile phone when he called somewhere and John is saying that he made me too much busy therefore I cant do my works clearly and with good mind.He is using his mobile phone at office too, because some times handheld mobile phone is busy, then he uses he mobile phone he wants, and this is the biggest advantages of mobile phone.John said when I have bought mobile phone I filled too much comfortable, and my business also day by day increasing and I have got too much money.Laptop Computer IntroductionI am writing a brief int roduction about laptop computer and the kind of things which most of laptop computer (note books) containA laptop is a portable personal computer that is of a size that it can sit on our lap. Or we can define it like this Laptop (or notebook PC) is a portable computer that can be battery or mains sourceed. They bid flexibility beyond the standard PC but often at a significant price premium.Laptop and desktop have big different and both of them are mixture words.Laptop means we sit it on our lap, and desktop means we sit it on desk.Laptop contains the following major features* Keyboard Keyboard layout is often sacrificed. The home, End, Page- Up and Page Down keys may not be dedicated, requiring that we hold down the Fn key at the same time. This can be very cumbersome if we use these keys a lot. Function keys and cursor keys are often made smaller, and one keyboard feels better than another.* Screen Resolution Today, laptops use high-quality active matrix liquid crystal pageant s creens. However, the integrate display system also feeds an external monitor for desktop use or a data projector.* External Display keyboard Connectors Connect a full-size CRT and keyboard for home/office. Even if we like our laptop keyboard, we may want to use an external one with our external monitor, so that both units are positioned comfortably. A full-size keyboard can be connected through the external keyboard port or USB port.* Built-in Pointing Device Either a touchpad or pointing become is built into the laptop. There are differences. A regular mouse is always an option and connects via the mouse port or USB port.* Expansion Expansion is a slim more critical with laptops than with desktops that have extra bus slots and drive bays. However, nowadays laptops all have PC Card (PCMCIA) slots and USB ports, making them very flexible.* Batteries Lithium ion batteries do not suffer from the memory- effect of older nickel cadmium, and to a slightly lesser extent, nickel metal h ydride.* Multimedia All laptops today have built-in speakers and generally include an optical drive (CD-RW, DVD-ROM or DVD-RW). DVD drives typically support all CD read and write modes as well. A obliterable drive offers more flexibility for upgrading later.* Weight Seven pounds does not sound like much until we halt it around all day. To reduce poundage. Sub notebooks use external floppy. CD and DVD drives.One of the first time laptop in 1983, Tandys Radio Shack division launched the Model 100 micro administrator Workstation. It weighed only four pounds and included a built-in word processor, name and address list and modem. The Model 100 was inspiration for the huge portable market that followed.Laptop computers generally cost more than desktop computers with the same capabilities because they are more difficult to design and manufacture. A laptop can effectively be turned into a desktop computer with a docking station, a hardware frame that supplies connections for peripheral i nput/output devices such as a printer or larger monitor.Laptop usually comes with displays that use thin-screen technology. The thin film transistor or active matrix screen is brighter and views better at different angles than the STN or dual-scan screen. Laptops use several different approaches for integrating a mouse into the keyboard, including the touch pad, the trackball, and the pointing stick. A serial port also allows a regular mouse is attached. The PC Card is insertable hardware for adding a modem or network interface card to a laptop. CD-ROM and digital versatile disc drives may be built-in or attachable.How/why he uses laptop computer personally?After all, todays laptops have just as much computing power as desktops, without taking up as much space. He can take a laptop on the road with him to do his computing or make presentations. Perhaps he prefers comfortably working on his couch in front of the TV instead of sitting at a desk. A laptop is a full-blown, genuine compu ter that can do anything a desktop computer can do. John can do programming, word processing, spreadsheets, databases, explanation and multimedia presentations. The portability of laptops allows him to do many things that he cannot do with a desktop. He can write his sales proposal, article or business presentation magic spell traveling on a plane or commuting on the bus or train or subway.What is Laptop computers memory?Laptops have memory, both obturate and ROM, just like desktops. The laptops ROM chip contains the BIOS just as it does in a desktop computer. RAM stores the application software and data files maculation the computer is on.RAM differs on a laptop in that it uses a different form facto that is, the size and shape of the modules that express the RAM. Manufacturers have to build laptops to be portable (smaller) and to withstand more jostling (durable) than a desktop would ever get, so the memory modules have to be different. While some laptops use a standard Smal l Outland Dual Inline Memory Module (SODIMM), others use the manufacturers proprietary memory modules. Most laptops should have at least 64 MB of RAM to have sufficient memory to run operating systems and applications software. Also, some laptops allow him to upgrade the memory of his computer and come equipped with convenient access panels to batten down in additional memory chips.What is Laptop computers Disk Drives?Like desktop, laptops have various disk drive storage devices. All laptops have an internal hard disk drive, usually 6 to 20 gigabytes (GB). The hard disk drive stores operating systems, application programs and data files.Although the hard disk drive works the same in a laptop as it does in a desktop, laptops generally have less disk space than desktops and he will have less choices for hard disk drives in laptop. The smaller hard disk space is one of the chief limitations of laptops.What are the advantages of laptop when john uses?John think when one thinks of lapt ops there are a few immediate advantages that come to mind. From John readings and personal experience these revolve around some of the following points* The flexibility and mobility of laptops increases access time.* They tend to be lightweight-thus mobile.* Can easily be moved around the shaperoom.* Give you the option of being wireless.* Being able to have them in class away from a lab setting time management factor* Portable on field trips.* One can get instant access to information (wireless or internet connected laptops)* Access in class to multiple online resources, search engines, encyclopedias and discussion groups* Participate in virtual communities.* Ability to extend and research at multiple levels.* Digital brainstorming, outlining and presentations can be generated within classroom walls.* Note taking, webbing which then can be shared immediately.* entropy processing, analysis incorporating online databases and spreadsheets.* Student with data processing can immed iately check their results and develop immediate in class analysis.* It works 2 3 hours without any electricity.* It is small and has low density and can everybody bring whit themselves.* Greater ability to share, communicate and access students files or vice versa teacher assignments.* Ability to display and demonstrate leaning using a TV monitor or projector in office, or class accessing.* And our laptops have games too, which in bored time we can play their.What are the Disadvantages of laptop?* Laptops are more expensive* Slower than a desktop* Difficult to upgrade or repair* John has to lug it around all day* Much easier to drop or break* It can be easily stolen* If he speed his type the laptop will probably rock on his laptop with his typing which can become quite uncomfortable.How good is it at fulfilling his personal needs?John recommends that laptop users carry out prolonged task with their machine set up on a desk, with an external keyboard a mouse attached. This allows t hem to adopt a much safer posture, rather than the position a laptop forces them into. John said having a laptop means that I can work just about anywhere, and he also said If I go away for the weekend, I can take my work with me, and even do some of it on the train.He uses his laptop computer to see connect it with TV and see some movies, songs, BBC and so on.What is John opinion about laptop using?John said The use of laptop or notebook computer is widespread and many people use them regularly as part of the work process.Where a laptop is used regularly by people as a significant part of their day-to- day work, then these regulations will apply. In many cases employers will use the one-hour rule i.e. if a laptop is used continually for one hour or more than the employee will be classified as a user.There are three main categories of risk associated with laptop use1. Equipment design2. The environment that they are to be used in.3. Physical demands upon the use.

The Industrial Training Experience Accounting Essay

The Industrial Training Experience write up EssayLawrence Wong Co. was launch in 1986 before the Malaysian economic recession in 1987. It has established itself as a recognized Management Consultancy Firm specializing in all kinds of focus and consultancy services, including corporate secretarial, administrative, bookkeeping, examineing, receipts, business or financial planning and other management allied services. The friendship was founded by Mimi Gian Guek Poh and Lawrence Wong Fook Heng, both are Chartered Accountants from Australia. The business started as a sole proprietor on 6th August 1965 as an employment agency and was converted into a private limited company on 16th February 1986. As an associate member of the CPA Australia, the Malaysia embed of Accountants, and The Institute of Secretaries and Administrators, Mimi Gian, my company executive program, draws on more than 25 divisions of audit, management, secretarial, evaluateation, information system and corpor ate advisory capture in international and multinational corporations in Australia, Singapore, and Malaysia. Lawrence Wong romaine lettuce success today depends heavily on the confidence and trust their clientele have with them and in addition due to their dedicated workforce who has been continuously contributing their efforts to the overall success of the firms nearly 20 years of services. The company hopes to continue to expand its business by providing quality and reliable services in Malaysia as sanitary as internationally. 1.2 Industrial Training Experience Industrial Training is unrivaled of the haughty subjects in all Faculty of Business and Finance Programmes course structures. It is compulsory for every final year undergraduate to undergo industrial training for the duration of three months before completing their courses. With the combination of noesis and work amaze during the three months training, students are required to produce a written report. The objectiv e of industrial training is to provide an opportunity for students to observe real life practices and suffer their understanding of methods and applications of the accounting theoretical and conceptual framework in a real works environment. Additionally, the training program also provides an opportunity for the industry to rank potential employees from the industrial trainees. I joined Lawrence Wong Co on 1st October until 31st December 2012. During these three months of industrial training I was involved in bookkeeping, auditing, taxation and the companys secretarial function. This was a good opportunity for me to learn more about the business . Because of this, I can now apply my accounting fellowship to the real world, such as accounts entry, auditing and so on. At first my company supervisor discussed with our colleagues my tasks , aft(prenominal) that simply my colleagues assigned tasks to me. My company supervisor only gave me tasks later I had completed the work that was assigned by my colleagues. When I faced some problems that I have never encountered before, I discussed with my company supervisor and colleagues unneurotic to solve the problems. Luckily they treated me surface and taught me with patience. Therefore, I increased my knowledge of accounting, auditing, and taxation from my company supervisor and colleagues. CHAPTER 2 SCOPE OF TRAINING 2.1 Statutory audit When I arrived on my first day, my first task was to do a statutory audit. Statutory audit is part of an in-house audit. Whilst I was doing this, I needed to have information from the company secretary file, such as annual return, minutes of meeting, and SSM forms. My colleagues told me that use of some of the SSM forms needed recording, such as ricochet 24, 44, 49, 32A, and so on. If one of these forms are apply, the auditor report needs to disclose the information, as well as statutory audit. For example, form 49 which is the form of return for directors, managers and secre taries. If this form is used, it nitty-gritty that the company has appointed a new director or an existing director has resigned or is deceased. Therefore, this kind of information must be included in an audit report and statutory audit. 2.2 accounting data entry During this internship, I did a lot of accounting data entry, such as response and requital entries. In order to have a better understanding of the basis of accounting, my company supervisor assigned me to a lot of the companys account entry, using UBS bill trunk and Microsoft Excel. This was a test for me, whether my double entry transactions were posted correctly. I posted the entries in accordance with coast statements, allowance vouchers, cheque books, and receipt books. After I had done, I printed out the common ledger, bank reconciliation statement, income statement, and counterpoise sheet to give to my colleagues and company supervisor to review. 2.3 depose Reconciliation Bank reconciliation statements are the important documents that need to be prepared every month. Bank reconciliation is the process which prepares a statement accounting for the differences between the hard cash balances in a companys cash account and the cash balance according to its bank statement (Roshayani Arshad, 2007). During my training period, I prepared this by using UBS write up System and Microsoft Excel. Some clients prepared bank reconciliation statements by themselves. Therefore, I needed to experience whether the bank reconciliation statements that were prepared by clients were the same as my results. 2.4 Auditing During these three months, I non only did a lot of accounting data entry, I was also involved in auditing work. Firstly, I prepared statutory audits because this was the easier part. Next, I started to do audits working on paper, such as accounting journal entries, income statements, balance sheets, variances, tax computations, and other working papers including information associate to assets, liabilities, taxation, revenue, and expenses. In addition, I had learnt how to prepare every detail of the working paper. After that, I prepared an audit report, confirmation letter, letter of representation (which is a heavyset of all accounts), and an audit memorandum planning. Once I had done this, my colleagues reviewed my work and asked me to amend errors, before it was passed to my company supervisor to review. Lastly, I filled in the Form C R after my company supervisor reviewed and confirmed that all working papers were correct. 2.5 former(a)s tasks My company supervisor had asked me to make some payments, such as telephone bills, water and electricity bills, EPF, SOCSO, clients income tax payments, as well as banking some cheques. Before my company supervisor issued the cheques, I needed to prepare the payment vouchers and attach them with the invoice, delivery order, and other related statements. I also had to call the suppliers to collect the cheques. After the payments were made, I filed all of the documents in the payment voucher file. Other than that, my company supervisor also assigned me to prepare client companys origin dip and check list. Stock list is a detailed list of the stocks lendable of a company while check list is prepared for checking the stocks. In addition, I had filed some documents and letters received from Inland Revenue Borad (IRB) into the clients files. I also sent out documents to clients, such as tax refund from IRB, audit reports and others documents. Furthermore, I had up successiond the client company tax control list. For this task, I had to record the date received for the Form C R 2012, financial year end, the latest audit report that had already been submitted, and the date of CP 204 to IRB. After I completed this, I prepared a latest list of client company and IRBs schedule of payment code. CHAPTER 3 KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS APPLIED AND GAINED 3.1 Knowledge and Skills Applied 3.1.1 UBS Accounting System T hese accounting entries, which are receipt and payment entries, I had been taught during my studies how to complete using the UBS Accounting System. So, I had no problem when I posted these accounting entries into UBS Accounting System because it is same as what I have done before. For example, for the pay for travelling expenses, the entry is debit in travelling expenses and credit in bank or cash account, so this is called a double entry. Before I passed my work to the company supervisor to review, I double checked the entries. 3.1.2 Financial Accounting Financial Accounting Framework I and II are the compulsory subjects for accounting students. These two subjects teach us how to prepare the financial statements such as income statements, balances sheets, cash flow statements, and statements of changes in equity. These subjects were very useful for me to apply to my work. By using the knowledge that I learnt, I had completed my tasks with minor errors. 3.1.3 gross Taxation is ano ther important subject for accounting students. I took this subject in Year 2 Trimester 3. During my training, I had to prepare tax computation for companies and individuals. Mostly I prepared tax computation for companies, because when I was doing client companies audit, I needed to prepare it as well. This subject was very useful to me because I could apply the knowledge that I learnt to prepare the tax computation, making it easier for me to complete the tasks. 3.2 Knowledge and Skills Gained 3.2.1 Auditing During my studies I found that auditing was a totally theoretical subject that is different from accounting and taxation subjects because it is not included in any calculation matter. I had the opportunity to complete audits on client companies during the three months of training. I completed numerous tasks relating to audits, such as audit working papers, statutory audit, audit report, and many more. 3.2.2 Information Technology Lawrence Wong Co. accounting software include s Microsoft Excel and UBS Accounting System. With the UBS Accounting System, I learnt how to spot in double entry transactions and look through the financial statements during my study. I also learnt how to prepare the bank reconciliation statements by using this system, and to do year end processing, which is to close the current accounting year and switch to a new accounting year (Sage UBS Range of Software, 1991). Before I performed year end processing, I needed to ensure that all transactions were up to the last period, back up all of the data files, update all stock values, print all reports, and check that there was only one retained earnings account. After I completed this, the system would generate an all balance brought forward account and accumulated profit would be transferred to the retained earnings account. All transactions from period 1 to 12 will be removed. Furthermore, Lawrence Wong Co. used Microsoft Excel to prepare audit works. This was an advantage for me whe n I was doing the audit working papers as I could key in the amount and generate the recipe fast, then the software would automatically calculate the final amount for me. I had also learnt how to adjust the paper margin and make it neat before I printed the working papers. Other than that, I learnt how to use new software, which was the UBS Inventory and Billing System. This system is a real magazine system that updates the stock immediately after entry. It also performs as an invoicing system whereby you can print out the invoice, credit note, debit note, and many more (Sage UBS Range of Software, 1991). During my training, I had prepared a list of every client companys secretarial and filing fee in Excel form. My colleague taught me how to check the latest invoices inside the UBS Inventory and Billing System. Therefore, I could check the invoices easily and key in the information quickly. CHAPTER 4 WEAKNESSES AND STRENGTHS 4.1 Weaknesses During the three months of industrial trai ning, I faced a lot of problems that I had never encountered before as they were problems that I could not learn from books. This made me feel weak because sometimes I did not know which methods should be applied to solve the problems. At the beginning, I had spent most of time finishing the audit works because what I had learnt in university was theory, but the training was more focused on practical tasks. These tasks were quite different from what I had studied in text books and from lecture notes, so I was a bit confused when I prepared the audit works. I also faced problems when I was doing account entries. Before I started to key in receipts and payments into UBS Accounting System, I spent a lot time trying to understand the companys business transactions and concepts, because different companies may have different versions of these. After I keyed in all the transactions, I printed the general ledger, income statement, and balance sheet to give to my company supervisor to revi ew. Unfortunately, my works were rejected by her because I did not key in the transactions and descriptions properly. Moreover, some of the clients did not provide enough financial information, such as details of income received, so I did not know exactly what those incomes were. In addition, I had difficulty in using my English language because the company mostly has English speaking clients. Sometimes the clients did not understand what I said, so I had to use Chinese language or Malay language to communicate with them. 4.2 Strengths During this internship, I learnt a lot and practiced my knowledge and concepts relating to accounting, auditing, and taxation. I have come across many new things and gained knowledge from my company supervisor and colleagues. I was able to use other languages to communicate with clients, such as Hokkien, Cantonese, and Malay. The reason for this is that some of the clients cannot speak English, they only know to speak their own language. Therefore, I was able to use these languages to communicate or discuss some matters with clients. I felt lucky that my company supervisor gave me the opportunity to practice my knowledge in her company. She always motivated me and taught me many new skills as a trainee, and also helped me to acquire new knowledge. Furthermore, she was also a very patient person. When I did not understand how to do the tasks that she has assigned, she was very patient in explaining to me the steps. Another strength was that my colleagues were willing to help me whenever I encountered problems. CHAPTER 5 CONCLUSION Through this training program, I have gained so much new knowledge and experience , improved my communication and computer skills, as well as learning how to adapt to working life quickly in a new atmosphere. It also prepared me to be more responsible for my actions and tasks in the future working life. Furthermore, I have covered knowledge of auditing, accounting, and taxation during my time spent insi de the company. For the auditing part, I learnt how to prepare the audit program, confirmation letter, auditing working papers, and others. I also learnt how to key in the account entries properly by using UBS Accounting System and Microsoft Excel. For the taxation part, I learnt about how to prepare tax computation. All of the learning made me feel interested and challenged although it was stressful at times . I can conclude that the industrial training was well organized. My company supervisor and colleagues were caring and willing to teach me all of the working steps and concepts. With their guidance, I was able to do my tasks properly and apply the accounting knowledge that I had learnt in university into real working life. In conclusion, I have been trained to be prepared in facing the real working environment in the future and gained some ideas about the work flow of a company. I am pleased that I did my industrial training in Lawrence Wong Co. and thank my company supervisor and all colleagues for caring and giving me a chance to learn all of the work involved. I hope I can use my experience and knowledge that I gained further in my education.

New product development

New product developmentNeed in the MarketThe study for an eBook in the securities industry was evident. In the in systema skeletaleation age, where volumes of data and information need to be exchanged, produced, examined and organized, on that point was a huge void to be filled by a handy trick cap equal to(p) of being carried around, having an interface big seemly analogous a harbour, just non the limited capacity of a wisesprint book.The books were omnipresent, even though depleting in number with the internet coming up. But for extended establishing, the computer c all over version was similarly inconvenient. It took too much era to load up. It was unwieldy to carry around. Not everything was available in a format youd want it in.To look into what exactly the need was, lets us look deeper into some(prenominal) specific points. To fill the current void, the market needed a product thatWas non heavy on the environment, like books. There was too much authorship and ink being used for relatively miniscule amounts of information.Replicated the book in considerations of readability. The computer screen was strenuous to look into for too long. Further, the computer screen could non be seen in sunlight. It in addition was very hard to read at angles.Facilitated exchange of information without necessarily the constriction of holding a device and keeping the users eye fixed on it. For example, in the ultra mobile culture that is emerging, many users are either driving a vehicle for a big fraction of the day. They may be users who are working around the house too. Books, because of the undivided attention they directd, were slowly being drifted a focusing from.Did non require storage space. Books took up a the great unwashed of space. Theres solo so much information that hindquarters be kept in the library in the form of books.Was not heavy. Books are heavy if you realize that just to move from your living room to the park outside with a few big books is not inviting. If youre travelling, its more or less impossible.Was updated in real time. Books gouget be, and computers are, as we saw, unwieldy.We now see how the c every last(predicate) down fulfilled these needs.The virago inflame and how it filled the gapThe answer was an eBook reader. One much(prenominal) product is the amazon kick up. A quick glance at its features, benefits and how it fits with the market demand identified above is presented.virago singe a software/ ironware platform by amazon.com for displaying e-books and sometimes, other digital media. The 3 versions are give notice, farm 2, and Kindle DX. The Kindle First Generation, which was Amazons rootage device, was released in the US in 2007 (on November 19).The Kindle uses an E Ink sign electronic paper display. It downloads content using Amazons Whispernet (propriety online store) using mobile electronic networks. The Kindle 2 devices use the the Statesn ATTs helping and some roam ing partners that give wireless access internationally. Kindle does not obtain to be connected to a computer, and Amazon Whispernet does not require a subscription. All Kindles tot with free access to the Internet over mobile networks in the US.Here is a look at the features and benefits you can find with Amazon Kindle. The screen looks like real printed paper. Kindle also became desirable because of its 3G connection service in more than 100 countries. Users are able to get the head start chapters of books before buy them. The actual download takes 60 seconds.The Kindle DX features a immenser screen and more memory to hold more e-books. The screen coat is 9.7 inches which is pretty large for comfortable reading. Even the available memory of 3.3 GB is enough to keep to the tune of 3500 books.The screen boasts not having any glare or illumination. This doubles up as a major exp onenessnt saver. In addition, the words of the book, once displayed on the call down, remain that w ay without consuming any power. So, in the domain of engagement of power, it is very efficient.About 500,000 book titles are available at its Kindle Store for international customers.Competitive compendPorters analysis for the eBook industry doorwayEntry barriers to the e-book industry are few, if any. The manufacturing process is relatively simple except for the screen, the technology is good developed. The Kindle uses an electronic paper display manufactured by E-Ink kitty and this same display can be found in the Sony Reader, the iLiad, the Cybook Gen3, and the Readius.However, in that location is a challenge of signing agreements with publishers so that the somatic can be released as an e-book. Perhaps the biggest obstacle that all the companies are facing right now is the lack of growth in the industry. Jinke has been in the business since 2000 but has sold plainly 150,000 readers, the well-nigh of all the companies.RivalryThe e-book market is still in an early stage a nd because of this, market price levels are still uncertain. There are solid variations in price between different producers of e-book readers. Amazon entered the market at a world-shatteringly higher price than Sony and many other foes, but in that respect are also other readers selling at $700 or more. Because the consumer founding is so small, all producers would rather see it expand than detach customers from other manufacturers. Consequently, there is more incentive for manufacturers to improve their product and increase inte simplicity in e-books than to compete on price.Supplier Bargaining PowerSupplier bargaining power is derived from the number of suppliers, availability of substitutes, and be associated with switching to alternative inputs. There are two main inputs to the Kindle screen and network technology. The technology used to create the particularized display on the Kindle is manufactured by the E-Ink Corporation. E-Ink is the leading firm in the electronic paper market and is a supplier to a variety of companies, including Sony and other e-book manufacturers. Since the electronic paper market is relatively new and does not consist of many firms, substitutes are limited. Given the state of the electronic paper market and the fact that electronic paper is a late(a)ly developed technology, E-Ink needs customers and hence E-Ink does not charter much supplier bargaining power over Kindle. This could change in the future, depending on the popularity of the Kindle and the development of the electronic paper market. Amazon uses EVDO network technology, supplied by the Sprint network. Kindle users do not need to pay to connect to the network, as Amazon covers the cost. Large EVDO network providers also include Verizon and Alltel, with other competing networks using a standard other than EVDO. This actor that Amazons choice of networks for Whispernet is fairly limited. While not an issue now, if Kindle becomes much more widespread in the futu re, the company could face a holdup enigma with Sprint if Sprint wants more of Amazons profits. Thus Kindles display and network suppliers currently do not devour much bargaining power, but it is highly believably that if Kindle succeeds, supplier bargaining power leave behind increase and may become a problem for Amazon.Publisher bargaining power is also key to consider since the Kindle is fairly useless without e-books. To increase the size of Amazons e-book library, it needs to obtain publisher permission for each book it converts. Publishers cod a bang-up deal of bargaining power in this respect while there are many publishers, for each title one publisher has a monopoly. Thus, if Amazon wants a specific book for its Kindle, it will have to pay monopoly prices to the publisher. This effect can already be seen in the market for printed books, where much of the profit on a book is retained by the publisher. For a large publishing company like Random House, its profits are o n the assign of 10% of its revenue. On the other hand, a book retailer like Barnes and Noble has drastically lower profitability, with profits less than 1% of revenue. Thus publishers have a great deal of supplier bargaining power since they essentially decide which books become e-books and whether those books will be available for the Kindle. Publishers can also require that Amazon sell only versions of their books that include Digital Rights Management (DRM), an attempt to prevent illegal copying of the content. Consequently, all books sold through Amazon on the Kindle are available only in the proprietary AZW format. Most competing readers also specialize in their own DRM format.Buyer Bargaining PowerKindle buyers have little bargaining power. Bargaining power is derived mainly from the ease of switching to a competing product and the value of the product to the buyer. Because both the Kindle and competing readers use DRM schemes, books purchased for the Kindle cannot be transfe rred to other manufacturers devices and vice versa. This is not the primary reason for DRM, but it is advantageous from Amazons point of view because it increases switching cost and helps to create buyer lock-in. The market for e-book readers is still young and small, so the majority of e-book reader buyers do not have a significant breathing electronic library. Existing libraries are not yet an important factor in shaping consumers purchasing decisions. However, once the market matures a significant portion of sales will be to existing owners of e-book readers. Thus buyer bargaining power will decrease over time and be very weak in the mature market.SubstitutesThe main substitutes for Amazon Kindle are libraries, both brick and mortar and online bookstores, and Google Books. However, unlike the online bookstores and Google books, Kindle does not require a computer. Kindles free wireless connectivity which uses the same network as sophisticated cell phones enables buyers to shop fr om the Kindle Store directly from the Kindle device. Instead of having to travel to the local library or waiting for books to arrive from online bookstores, this wireless network can download a book in 60 seconds providing customers a more efficient and direct access to books. Although Kindle does not yet have access to as many books as some of these substitutes, it is progressively adding more books. Also, the Kindle stores everything a purchaser buys online in this way, if a customer loses the Kindle, the reading material will not be lost, as would be the case if you had a paperback. The readers also do not have to deal with heavy or legion(predicate) books because of Kindles light portability. The Kindle display looks like ink on paper, which is easier on the eye than LCD screens and comparable to printed media. It can also increase text size which is a clear advantage over books. Physical bookstores allow customers to browse books before purchasing. Amazon attempts to emulate t his feature by allowing users to download and read the first chapter of any book for free. E-book versions of new releases and New York time Best Sellers are $9.99, saving on average 60%, and many other books can be found for less. As for Google Books, Googles aim is to help tribe find and discover books and learn where to buy and borrow them. Although there are books that can be read online from start to finish, this is only the case for books in the public domain and out of copyright. For these reasons, Kindle compares favourably to these substitutes.ComplementsThe size of the e-book library, other file types such as .pdf, .doc, and .jpeg, and the service to convert files to Kindle format are all accompaniments of Amazon Kindle. The most(prenominal) important compliment required is the number of books offered to Kindle users. The day Amazon Kindle was released last year, the Kindle Store had more than 88,000 digital titles available for download and now has over 115,000 Books, newspapers, magazines, and blogs. Amazon also offers an email-based service that converts .html, .doc, .jpeg, .gif, .png, and .bmp documents to their Kindle format, AZW, or can load unprotected Mobi bulge or plain text content. This AZW format is only for the Kindle which is a good strategy on Amazons part to tie the complement to the product. Kindle also put ups formats for audio in the form of MP3s and Audible 2, 3, and 4 audiobooks, which must be transferred to the Kindle over USB or an SD card. With a variety of book options and supported formats to accommodate more customers and their various needs, the Kindle is a simple and convenient alternative to reading a paper copy book.Major CompetitorsThis competitor analysis only compared the products on the basis of the technology but to sell the product, there is much more than mere technology which has to be projected. That is where marketing stairs in and that is the area where Amazon has been at the forefront with its clear mar keting strategy and its proactive and subtle innovations which keep them at the forefront of the E-book reader industry. market strategyThe marketing strategy of Amazon Kindle can be seen through the STP (Segmentation, Targeting and Positioning) analysis of the Kindle which would give way to the marketing go followed by the brand. A typical buyer of a Kindle can be perceived as a businessman/businesswoman who does not have enough time and space to carry along the pile of books and newspapers when they go out on a trip or a business meeting. They want useful equipment with no frills attached so that they can browse their favourite book whenever, wherever they can. The popularity of the Kindle can be seen in countries such as America and Europe where these kinds of users are easy in good number. The Kindle is sold on the website of Amazon that saves Amazon a lot of cost due to a direct supply chain. The communication is rudimentaryally through a series of adverts whenever one goes to the website of Amazon. Amazon has positioned the Kindle as a book carrier for the sight on the go. The product is marketed heavily in America and not so much in Europe as books have an aesthetic value in the Europe. It considers book as a form of art which is not a case with Americans.MethodologyThe methodology consists of both the primary and inessential research methodology. The basic aim of the methodology is to gauge the consumer perception of the Amazon Kindle and to analyze the gap between the Brand identity portrayed by the product and the brand image which is real created in the mind of the consumer of an Amazon Kindle. Generally, it is seen that a new product has problems filling this gap and it is one of the major threat whenever the product is demonstrateed in the market. There is a need for the company to portray itself in a manner that the gap is minimized. In order to see the success of the Kindle we essay to visit the various blogs and the website of the Kindl e to look for the consumer perception and the post purchase analysis. This methodology was validated by the questionnaire floated on various internet sites and the blogs in order to get maximum responses from the wad. The scope of study was narrowed down on to finally three types of unitsUsers of Amazon KindleNon-Users of Amazon KindlePeople who havent comprehend of Amazon KindleIt is very important to gauge all the three responses in order to get the birds eye view on the product and the idea delivery. While hundreds of responses were analyzed in the secondary research, we came up with 54 responses in the primary research which was covering the geographical areas of USA, India, France, Germany, Greece, Australia, South Africa, Spain, Argentina and many more nations which make the study geographically significant.The responses were analyzed by the statistical tools such as excel and SPSS in order to come up with the impact analysis of Amazon Kindle and finally the recommendations that we came up to make this process of marketing the Kindle much more efficient and focused.Observations and analysisSecondary research observationsThe secondary research was performed on the following web blogs and websitesinventorspot.comireaderreview.comwww.wired.comwww.bestebookreaders.comreviews.cnet.comc coursechbase.comblogs.techrepublic.comwww.computerworld.comwiki.mobileread.comwww.hanselman.comwww.macworld.comgadgets.boingboing.netarstechnica.comwww.digitaltrends.comAmazons WebsiteThe blogs are the major technology blogs which constantly receive the comments of the users and the non users and are a fair indicator of the trends and perception of the new product in the market. This is majorly significant in the case of the Kindle as the marketing mix of the product significantly enhances the importance of the blogs and reviews online. The product is sold online only and thus all the users or the people who are interested in the product are more likely to be avid internet u sers. The first step for adaptation of any new product is the search of the information about the product and the information, in case of Amazon kindle is majorly available on these websites and the Amazons site. The user therefore pays a lot more attention to these blogs in this case. Thus these blogs are very powerful in forming the perception about a product which is sold online.The E-Paper screen is slightly smaller than that on its primary competitor, the Sony Reader, but is still quite legible and roomyE-Paper has a long way to go before it replaces ink on paper, but its comfortably on the right pathYoull need to use the Kindle in the same class of well-lit environment that youd read a normal book or magazineSome of the features such as the expandable memory and the wireless services authentically make using a Kindle an unforgettable experience. However, we can never call the Kindle a radical innovation as the concept was already put in to the market by Sony via their Sony r eader. But as compared to its counterparts, it is perceived as a pioneer in innovation and technology. With the latest launch of the I-PAD, there has been a lot of speculation while we compare the I-PAD to the Kindle. While both Apple and Amazon maintain that the products are not in emulation but there has always been a comparison made which can be unfair to the Kindle as it is not a multipurpose device as compared to the Kindle. But Kindle has been very proactive in ensuring that they come out with the subtle innovations that would keep their nose ahead at all times. This can be seen when they launched the Kindle application for the IPAD very recently just after the launch of the IPAD.Primary Research ObservationsThe primary research was conducted on 51 respondents who were spread all over the globe on all continents of the world. The respondents were divided into 3 categories and the perception mapping was performed.The results show high involvement of Americans over the rest of the world. This can be easily explained by the history of the Amazon Kindle which launches the new version in America first and then another version is launched in the rest of the world. There is always an international version of the Kindle which is meant for the rest of the world except America. The research had 61 percent fe priapic respondents and 39 percent male respondents. There were many avid readers among the Americans who answered the questionnaire. The total avid readers were 55 percent and out of those, 80 percent were Americans. The value sought in the Amazon Kindle was very high among these groups of people which tell us that the Kindle is very popular among the people who love to read a lot. The people were mainly raw of the fact that the kindle is very compact and easy to operate. The peoples response was mainly hinting that the Kindle is surely a device that they would like to buy but the barriers that they have put either on the initial price and on the subsequent running costs is deterring them from having a Kindle with them. According to them, there is a special place of books in there and Amazon should not compete with them. The testimony of the fact is that the 90 percent of the people preferred paperback books instead of an electronic book if given a free choice. The reason given is that the book looks much more real and there is a sense of possession when we have a book in our hand rather than when we have an eBook in our laptops of our Kindle for that matter. The Kindle had the biggest advantage over the rest of its competitors due to its wireless capabilities which actually allow you to get your favorite books within a few seconds room anywhere in the world and anytime in the world. While Americans and Australians preferred the Kindle because it salvage a lot of shelf space which in other cases would have been taken by the books, the Europeans preferred Kindle because it was supposed to save a lot of paper and it looked elegant in t he hand of the possessor.Some of the other findings include the fact that while 39 percent of the respondents were actually Kindle users, there were 21 percent of the respondents who were not aware of the Kindle at all. The reason that we could thought of was that it has something to do with the less popularity of Amazon in the countries of these people as most of these people were from India(50 percent) and Thailand and other parts of Asia. This throws light on the fact that for a product which mainly sells from the internet, it is very important for the parent company to have an established base of consumers who can then communicate with them and participate in the offerings given to them in the form of products such as the Kindle. There is no distribution channel where we can push the product. The other respondents who had heard of the Kindle but never thought of buying it thought that the price of the Kindle is the major factor that deters them from even thought of having one. For the ones who want to buy it and do not have it as of now, the major reason is that the people associate a lot of hidden costs with the product. This was a major finding as the company never projects the actual cost to consumer throughout the life of the consumers. While the possessors liked the fact that the Kindle has good connectivity which we too found out as the point of difference of the Kindle from its competitors, the non users liked the read without glare feature the most coaxive one. This lead us to one more observation that the most attractive feature is not the unique feature of the kindle so the Kindle may or may not be the first choice of the people when they go on to buy an eBook reader. This is kind of disheartening for the company as the product is highly placed on the price and the technology table and the users may not find value for money once they look to buy a Kindle. There were some undecomposed observations made in the value that the consumers attach reg arding the price of the Kindle and that comes out to be around 140 Euros that is way less than the actual price of the kindle i.e. 250 Euros. This leads us to the observations is that the barrier is too high for a large amount of potential users which can be exploited if they agree to lower the initial cost. The people were very apprehensive of the actual cost to customer and Amazon can do well to enlighten the customers about the same.Success of the product to dateThe Amazon kindle is unarguably the best selling product for Amazon and the adverts on the website of Amazon are a testimony of this. It is the most wished for, most desired and most searched for product on Amazon site which tells us that the product is doing very well on the international scene as well.Some of the factual data released by Amazon can also be seen below. It tells us that the product is doing wonderfully well on the international scene.The product is a very successful one and the continual improvements tha t it has come up with are a major factor contributing towards such a success. The revenue percentage of Amazon is as high as 2.6 percent that tells us that it is the star performer for Amazon. The fact that is not taken into consideration is that there are huge running costs that are related to each Kindle that are unfortunately not mentioned in the data. But it is clear that the Kindle is doing cery well in the market since its launch in 2008.RecommendationsAmazon should focus on advertising to attract new customers to the e-book market. A large potential for growth in its base of consumers is with commuters and business travellers, who will benefit from the convenience of the Kindles portability and also possess the disposable income to afford the device in its current price range. As Ron Hawkins, vice president for portable reader systems at rival Sony, points out, Digital readers are not a replacement for a print book they are a replacement for a bus of print books. That is whe re we see people, on the go, in the subway and in airports, with our device. The Kindle delivers newspapers directly to users for, on average, $10/month. This enables commuters to easily read the newspaper on a smaller medium without the unwieldiness of the print version. Similarly, businessmen will find the Kindle appealing to avoid carrying multiple books while travelling. By targeting these consumers through change magnitude advertising in subways, airports, and on airplanes, Amazon can expand the market and reach out to new adopters of e-books.In coordination with this advertising effort, Amazon should attempt to perform deals with major newspapers. At a time when newspapers are struggling with declining numbers in readers and revenue, Amazon can seek to capitalize on their situation. For example, the LA Times started a task known as the Manhattan Project seeking to investigate solutions to reinvent the paper for the future. Amazon has the opportunity to approach them with the Kindle as a new venue to revive their business through a younger tech-savvy audience.The primary goal of this advertising campaign is to increase the boilers suit e-book market, rather than to steal customers from rivals, so competitors should not feel threatened by it. In fact, other firms may benefit from the increased awareness of e-book readers. Similarly, parallel campaigns by rivals do not pose a significant threat to Amazon, since the major challenge at hand is to grow the market and provide for future profitability. However, Amazon needs to examine that rivals do not enter into exclusive contracts with newspapers or other content providers in general. These deals only serve to benefit individual firms in the short run and ultimately hinder expansion of a relatively small, nascent market.Long Term PositioningIn the long run the market for e-books themselves is unlikely to support significant profits. The main issue stems from the large amount of publisher bargaining power that currently exists in the print book market. Publishers have a significant influence in the supply chain for books, retaining the largest portion of the producer surplus in print media. The retailer only receives a small fraction of the overall profits on the book, so it is presumable that Amazon will face similar difficulty in extracting profits from e-books. In addition, Amazons business model is duplicable and thus their current distribution advantage is not necessarily permanent. Amazons reputation would be their only substantial barrier to new entrants in the e-book sales market. Lastly, competition with free pirated e-books would present problems. Even if Amazon proves more successful than competitors in e-book retailing, as the market grows, piracy will inevitably emerge to erode profits. This has occurred over the last decade in the music industry as digital music and the Internet have matured.These pitfalls make it unwise for Amazon to pursue a partnership with a hardwa re-oriented company like Sony, in which Amazon would limit itself to selling e-book reader content. Instead, Amazon should continue to produce the Kindle itself. Due to the character of the market, the selection of complements will not distinguish the Kindle from other readers. If Amazon can maintain comparable hardware quality to other manufacturers, switching costs and brand identity should allow Amazon to keep a stable customer base and to support some level of sustainable profits.PricingIt also might be tempting for Amazon to leverage their current advantage in e-book distribution into greater profits on the e-books. This trades larger short boundary profits for a weaker future position in the market, which will be much larger that it is now. Thus, Amazons pricing strategy should be consistent with the long term focus on hardware and a desire to prioritize market share over short term profits throughout the growth phase. Amazons recent price reduction from $399 to $359 reflects a shift from targeting quality sensitive early adopters to more price sensitive consumers. It should continue to drop prices in steady increments to attract wider consumer bases.Consumers are less sensitive to e-book prices than they are to hardware prices, and the decision to purchase a Kindle is more likely to be triggered by the cost of the Kindle itself. Hence, Amazon should not be overly concerned with further reducing e-book prices. These prices are currently lower than most hardbacks and trade paperbacks but higher than most mass market paperbacks. Attempting to compete with mass market paperbacks is infeasible because of publishers resistance to pricing e-books much cheaper than print versions. It already loses money on most of its e-books, priced well below what it pays publishers, and further price cuts would likely require Amazon to take losses unjustified by the small benefits in market share. However, if the Kindle is able to propel the e-book markets into a fast growi ng phase, publishing executives anticipate that it will not be long before Amazon begins using the Kindles popularity as a lever to demand that publishers cut prices. At this point, Amazons increased bargaining power will enable it to price more competitively without the losses from subsidies.QuestionnaireAge finish upMaleFemaleNationalityHow much reading do you do in general?I am an avid reader, I cant live if I dont readI like to read, you would find me reading very oftenI like to read sometimesI read rarelyI hate reading, i have better things to do in lifeWhat according to you is the most attractive feature of Amazon Kindle?Its sleek chassis and light weightThe concept of an electronic readerThe easy connectivity(Global 3G wireless)Long Battery LifeReads like real paper without glare, even in bright sunlightHolds up to 1,500 booksSaves paperLower prices than paper booksOver 450,000 books and the largest selection of the most popular books peopleOtherWhat is it that would deter you from buying the Kindle?monetary valueThe concept of buying an E-book and limited number of readsLack of Knowledge(less advertizing)OtherWhat according to you is the biggest competitor of the Kindle?Apples I-PadThe paper booksBarnes Nobles Nook The Nook book readerSony pocket touch edition

Effects of Violent Video Games | Essay

Effects of Violent Video plays EssayViolent estimator haltings, and their possible loading on gamblingers.IntroductionThe ProblemsSocial Effects of Playing electronic electronic figurer playsConclusionBibliographyIntroductionFeeding childrens passion for computers, billions of dollars in both public and private funds are being worn come forth(p) to give children access in school, at home, and in the community. Nearly every school is now equipped with computers, (Fisch, 2004, p. 2) and over two-thirds of our nations children perplex access at home. (Fisch, 2004, p. 4) But is computer technology very improving their lives? computer technology has transformed society in a number of pro undercoat ways. For reform or worse, the increasing pervasiveness of computer technology is a reality no one can ignore or stop, not that one would. Computers are fast becoming integ pastured into nearly every grimace of daily living, from school to work, to banking and shopping, to put uping taxes and even voting. They provide access to a wide range of information without a trip to the library. They convey personal messages in place of the post office or telephone. And they compete with newspapers, radio, and television in providing entertainment and news of the day.Computer technology similarly has a pro rear effect on our economy. Not just now are computers changing the way easy ups and services are manufactured, distri exactlyed, and purchased, but they are also changing the skills workers wishing to be plenteous and earn a living. This climate sets the stage whereby we encourage our children to utilize a computer, as such represents not the world of tomorrow, but the world of today, and thus they train to be computer literate. The public generally agrees that for children to participate mixerly, economically, and politically in this new and different world, they must acquire a certain level of sympathiser and compe hug drugce in using computers. Nati onal polls indicate widespread support for providing children with access to computers to enable them to learn adequate computer skills and improve their knowledge (Trotter, 1998, pp. 6-9). In reviews, most parents and children report that they view computers and the Internet as a positive force in their lives, despite concerns about delineation to inappropriate commercial, sexual, and reddened content (National School Boards Foundation, 2000). Most parents believe that the Internet can help children with their homework and allow them to discover fascinating, callful things, and that children without access are disadvantaged compared to those with access.The scenarios described above represent the current generation of parents, as opposed to their children. A generation that grew up on computer and flick games that their parents had no composition of what they were playacting, or even what the technology was. Thus, there was a real understanding and involvement gap (Brouger e et al, 2004, p. 1-4). Those basically unsupervised children are now adults. Adults that grew up selecting their own video and computer games while developing their own culture without guidance to determination as to what was good for them or bad, as they were just interested in the experience of a new technology changing the world of play and relaxation. Thus it was the game, or so regardless of what it was, and not the content that ruled (Brougere et al, 2004, p. 1-4).When discussing violence in computer games, as a result of this foundational background understanding, there are three standards from which to choose, the children of parents who grew up performing games and basically picking them out themselves, those whose parents supervised what they compete and purchased, which is a small minority, and lastly, those adults who either didnt pay back either video games or computers in their home. The assumption is, that almost all of todays adults play video and or computer ga mes when they were children, if not their own, then on a friends console or computer. Children of a generation whose parents were maybe exposed somewhat to computers at work, but more lots than not, were not.Thus, the problem of violence becomes one that rests on the shoulders of game developers, manufacturers and designers based upon industry research, educational and emotional findings, as head as studies concerning the effects of violence on children. The parents of todays adults knew about the creeping violence on TV, that they grew up with and which was publicized when they were children and teenagers. But, the circumstances are different today, as there is no television standards board making noise about PC and video game content. Thus, the level of acceptable violence as well as the controls, industry oversight and general standards as to what is and is not acceptable comes into play. If you question the underlying foundation, think about the frequentity of Madden footbal l. Like it our not, that U.S. sport go past buffeting for all out mayhem, violence, competitive spirit and aggression. Thus, the dilemma as represented by attempting to equate the level of violence and their effect is based upon a generation that really had no boundaries.The jury is still out on the subject of the effects of computer games on children, teenagers, and young adults, and it is seemingly hopelessly divided. thither are an overwhelming number of parents, pegged at 96 percent, based upon a survey conducted by the Interactive Digital Software Association who indicate that they pay attention to video and computer game content that their children play (Business Wire, 2003). That same survey indicated that 44 percent of the parents in homes that own either video game consoles and or computers stated that they themselves utilise to play interactive games and that they play with their children either on a daily or weekly basis (Business Wire, 2003). The returns from that sur vey found that all in all over 60% of the responding parents play interactive games with their children at least once in the month (Business Wire, 2003). The parents responding at a rate of 89 percent stated that they were there when the games were purchased for children under the age of 18.The survey revealed some interesting trends, as well as revealed that the children who are performing computer and or video games are the offspring of former and present players themselves. This brings to mind if these parents acceptance level of violence in computer and video games is slightly pall in terms of what constitutes violence. In fact, the majority of gamers, as they are termed, are in fact adults, according to the Interactive Digital Software Association survey (Business Wire, 2003). The survey revealed that the en discharge universe of game players is getting older. The percentage of players who were under the age of 18 made up just 30 percent of the gamer population, which is wipe out from the 34 percent recorded in 2002 (Business Wire, 2003). However, the survey avoided the critical issue, the extent of violence in the games the parents indicated that they were supervising the buying for, as well as playing with their children. The survey did state that 36 percent of the games vie on computer were action oriented, which tied with puzzle, board, and card games for the top spot (Business Wire, 2003). In fact, the preferences were almost evenly divided across the four categories, with driving and racing games scoring at 36 percent, and sports at 32 percent.Excessive, unmonitored recitation of computers, especially when combined with use of early(a) screen technologies, such as television, can place children at risk for harmful effects on their physical, social, and psychological breeding. Children need physical activity, social interaction, and the recognise and guidance of caring adults to be healthy, happy, and productive. (Hartmann and Brougere, 2004, p. 37- 41) Too much time in front of a screen can deprive children of time for organized sports and some other social activities that are beneficial to child development. (Hartmann and Brougere, 2004, p. 37- 41) In addition, children may be exposed to reddened, sexual, or commercial content beyond their years, with farsighted-term negative effects (Brougere et al, 2004, pp. 8). At present, inordinate use of computers among children, especially younger children, is not typical. National survey data gathered in spring of 2000 indicated that children ages 2 to 17 spent about 34 minutes per day, on average, using computers at home, with use increasing with age (Preschoolers ages 2 to 5 averaged 27 minutes per day, school-age children ages 6 to 11 averaged 49 minutes per day, and teens ages 12 to 17 averaged 63 minutes per day) (Brougere et al, 2004, pp. 9). Available data on computer use at school suggest that exposure in the early primitive grades, at least, is relatively modest. A spring 1999 survey of 26 elementary schools in the heart of Silicon Valley, where computer use force be expected to be high, found that although 70% of checkers in kindergarten through third grade had their students do some work on computers, the students computer time averaged less than 10 minutes per day (Brougere et al, 2004, pp. 11). This data suggest that younger children in particular are not currently using computers for excessive amounts of time.In the case of video games, even their critics acknowledge that they are instructing our children. The critics just dont like the form and the sometimes ruddy and sexually explicit content of the instruction, which they believe teaches children aggressive behaviors (Suellentrop, 2006). Yet if such games are nothing more than murder simulators, as one critic has called them, why is it, as gaming enthusiasts never tire of pointing out, that the murder rate has declined in young years, there are more video games, and more violent ones, than ever (Suellentrop, 2006). The important thing to find out about video games isnt whether they are teachers The question is, as game designer Ralph Koster writes in A Theory of Fun for Game Design (2004), what do they teach? (Suellentrop, 2006). The marketing strategies of game companies links closely to Hollywood action movies as a means to reach more gamers.The Cinema has emerged as the most swelled influence on games. Both cinema and games are superficially alike, in that they are relatively modern media that deliver audio-visual content to paying audiences. The sympatheticities that the media share have meant that some artistic strategies can be careenred between the two. However, there is a limit to the extent that artistic techniques can be taken from one and used in the other. Game designers are increasingly using unsuitable cinematic conventions in the creation of their games. Activision, a Santa Monica based game manufacturer generated the Fantastic 4 game in a greement with its studio, whereby you can assume the persona of Mir. Fantastic/Reed Richards, Invisible Woman/Sue Storm, Human Torch/Johnny Storm, or Thing/Ben Grimm and master their individual attributes and unique powers to solve puzzles, overcome obstacles, and defeat enemies. Another option is to control the Fantastic 4 together as a team and dynamically switch between characters during their adventures, and combine super powers in grade to level more devastating attacks and accomplish missions (Society for the Advancement of Education, 2005). And the trend includes almost any Hollywood movie that can be converted to action, with the Fantastic 4 representing a mild version of what the industry has to offer. The basic theme is the good guys, against the bad guys in such re-creations as X-Men Legends II Rise of Apocalypse, the rival X-Men and Brotherhood where you are bonded by a common enemy, fight side by side for the first time, allowing players to switch instantly between su per-power wielding teammates as they overcome obstacles, solve puzzles, and defeat more than 100 types of enemies (Society for the Advancement of Education, 2005).Violence is a fashionable form of entertainment a crowd of onlookers enjoys a street fight just as the Romans enjoyed the gladiators, and wrestling is a familiar spectator sport not only in the United States, but in many countries in the Middle East (Centerwall, 1989, p. 23). Local news shows provide extensive coverage of violent crimes in order to increase their ratings. Technological advances have dramatically increased the availability of violent entertainment. The introduction of television was critical, particularly in making violent entertainment more available to children. More recently, cable systems, videocassette recorders, and video games have increased exposure. Hand-held cameras and video monitors now permit filming of actual crimes in progress. Economic competition for viewers, particularly young viewers, h as placed a premium on media depictions of violence, as their attention translates into store sales.The ProblemsThe level of acceptable violence of computer games, as well as violence in itself thus represents the question, as the top selling computer and video games all were violence based. And while the non-violent Sims seeming game proved to be the top seller at 16 million copies, the next four games totaled 32 million (Wikipedia, 2007). Of those games Starcraft, 9.5 million copies sold, is a strategy war game played in stead, whereby one can get a good idea of its content by the name on its expansion pack, StarCraft Brood War (Blizzard frolic, 2007). Half-Life (Planet Half-Life, 2007), 8 million copies, is a first person shooter game featuring blood spatters and other effects. Of the top ten computer games four are violence based, and of the next ten, 11 through 20, 5 are violence-based games (Wikipedia, 2007). Thus the ethics are sales, as well as creative foundation and pre mise from which the games are fashioned. The differing themes represent directions in terms of game development, what the manufacturer has build their reputation on, and the gamer profile they appeal to. Based upon the anterior the industry is split down the middle, with half gong for violence, and the other utilizing non-violent content.There is considerable evidence that violence on television, in video as well as computer games is harmful to children (Hope, 2005). And just as the current parents became adjusted to certain levels of violence in their exposures decades ago, such has magnified for their offspring according to reader Lesley Murphy of Robert Gordon University (Grant, 2006). The preceding calls for a scientific psychology concerning the effects violence games had on the parents to understand the level their children are being exposed to. Such should not only help us to understand our own the parents violence level, it should help to determine where this all stands in the realm of what is normal, speaking in relative terms. Playing computer games can be an important building block to computer literacy because it enhances childrens ability to read and visualize images in three-dimensional space and track multiple images simultaneously and there is also limited evidence available also indicates that home computer use is linked to slightly better academic performance. (Alington et al (1992, pp. 539-553).Dominick (1984, pp. 136-147) expresses concern there are the findings that playing violent computer games may increase hostility and desensitize a child to suffering, and that the use of computers may blur a childs ability to distinguish real life from simulation. Compared to girls, boys spend more than twice as much time per week playing computer games (Funk, 1993, pp. 86-89) and are five times more likely to own a computer game system (Griffiths and Hunt, 1995, pp. 189-193). In a study of self-reported vacuous time activities of 2,200 third and fourth graders, computer games topped the list of activities among boys 33% of boys reported playing computer games, compared with few than 10% of girls (Harrel et al, 1997, 246-253). Initially it was thought that this diversity was the result of the games violent themes and lack of female protagonists (Malone, 1981, pp. 333-370). A more likely reason, however, is the difference between the genders in their play preferences boys tend to prefer pretend play based on fantasy, whereas girls tend to prefer pretend play based on reality, a rare theme for computer games, even those designed specifically for girls.Social Effects of Playing Computer GamesAs mentioned earlier, game playing has long been the predominant use of home computers among childrenespecially among younger boys. Although the available research indicates that muffle game playing has little social impact on children, concerns nonetheless have been raised about excessive game playing, especially when the games contain violence. look suggests that playing violent computer games can increase childrens aggressive behavior in other situations.Existing research indicates that moderate game playing does not significantly impact childrens social skills and relationships with friends and family either positively or negatively. Studies often found no differences in the sociability and social interactions of computer game players versus non-players, (Phillips et al, 1995, pp. 687-691) but a few studies found some mildly positive effects. For example, one study found that frequent game players met friends outside school more often than less frequent players. (Colwell et al, 1995, pp. 195-206) Another study of 20 families with new home computer game sets explored the benefits and dangers of playing games and found that computer games tended to bring family members together for overlap play and interaction. (Mitchell, 1998, pp. 121-135)Less is known, however, about the long-term effects of excessive compute r use among the 7% to 9% of children who play computer games for 30 hours per week or more. (Griffiths and Hunt, 1995, pp. 189-193). It has been suggested that spending a disproportionate amount of time on any one leisure activity at the expense of others result hamper social and educational development. (Griffiths and Hunt, 1995, pp. 189-193) Indeed, one study of fourth- to twelfth-grade students found that those who reported playing arcade video games or programming their home computer for more than an hour per day, on average, tended to believe they had less control over their lives compared with their peers. (Wiggins, 1997) In addition, some evidence suggests that repeated playing of violent computer games may lead to increased aggressiveness and hostility and desensitize children to violence. (Provenzo, 2001, pp. 231-234)Although educational software for home computer use includes many games that encourage positive, pro-social behaviors by rewarding players who cooperate or sh are, the most popular entertainment software often involves games with competition and aggression, and the amount of aggression and violence has increased with each new generation of games. A content analysis of recent popular Nintendo and Sega Genesis computer games found that nearly 80% of the games had aggression or violence as an objective. (Dietz, 1998, pp. 425-442) One survey of seventh- and eighth-grade students found that half of their deary games had violent themes. (Funk, 1993, pp. 86-89) Yet parents often are unaware of even the most popular violent titles, despite the rating system from the EntertainmentIn a 1998 survey, 80% of junior high students said they were familiar with Duke Nukema violent computer game rated mature (containing animated blood, gore, and violence and strong sexual Content), but fewer than 5% of parents had heard of it. (Oldberg, 1998) Numerous studies have shown that watching violent television programs and films increases children and adults aggr ession and hostility (Friedrich-Cofer and Huston, 2000, pp. 364-371) thus, it is plausible that playing violent computer games would have similar effects. The research on violent computer games suggests that there is, indeed, an association between playing such games and increased aggression, and that the critical variable is a preference for playing aggressive games, rather than the amount of time spent playing. (Friedrich-Cofer and Huston, 2000, pp. 364-371).Several experimental studies suggest that playing a violent game, even for brief periods, has short-term transfer effects, such as increased aggression in childrens free play, (Friedrich-Cofer and Huston, 2000, pp. 364-371) hostility to ambiguous questions, and aggressive thoughts. For example, one study of third and fourth graders found that those children who played a violent game (Mortal Kombat II) responded more violently to three of six open-ended questions than did children who played a nonviolent computer game (basketba ll) (Friedrich-Cofer and Huston, 2000, pp. 364-371). Furthermore, it has been found that children who have a preference for and play aggressive computer games demonstrate less pro-social behavior, such as donating money or helping someone. (Friedrich-Cofer and Huston, 2000, pp. 364-371).Studies of television have found that continued exposure to violence and aggression desensitizes children to others suffering, (Rule and Ferguson, 2001, pp. 29-50) but studies of computer games have not yet explored such a link. At least since the 1980s, however, both the U.S. and British military have used violent video games for training, reportedly to desensitize soldiers to the suffering of their targets and to make them more willing to kill. (Kiddoo, 2000, pp. 80-82).ConclusionThe foundation of violence in computer games stems from the fascination with violence as spawned by the movies as well as television. These mediums have become an overbearing influence in game development and its expressiv e methods are being applied in game context. A look at the graphics of any video game reveals the similarities as well as attempt to capture as much realism as possible. Such is a natural evolution of the product and technology, but such also is continually blurring the fantasy atmosphere that used to be clearly delineated. The violence that exists in over 50 percent of computer as well as video games is not so much a product of the designers and manufacturers it is a product of society in that the function of their businesses is to fulfill a need. And since the foundation for that need is there, they continue to create the games to fill it.The problem starts and exists with the consumer market, one that is a product of television and cinema culture that has been at work long before computer and video games arrived. There is now a sincere understanding that the effects have become deeply rooted facets of industrialized cultures, and games can not be blamed, yet they, along with othe r entertainment medium are contributing to the problem. Youth violence affects us all, and thus a reversal of the process is exit to be a difficult undertaking as a result of the historical context from which it came.A look at the top selling video game categories reveals the extent of the problemTable Top Games Genres(Wikipedia, 2007)RankGenre1Strategy / RPG2Action3Sport Games4 race5All Shooter Games6Simulations7Family Entertainment8Childrens Entertainment9Fighting10Other Games11EdutainmentWith the avocation games rated as all time favorites, based on violent contentDonkey Kong, 1981, Nintendo Co. Ltd, Nintendo of America, Inc., Arcade.Doom, 1993, id Software, id Software, P.C. DOS.Dragons Lair, 1983. Magicom Multimedia, Cinematronics, Arcade.Duke Nukem, 1991, Apogee Software Ltd., Apogee Software Ltd., PC DOS.E.T. The Extraterrestrial, 1983, Atari, Inc., Atari Inc., Atari 2600.Final Fantasy series I IX, 1990 2003, Square Enix Co., Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc., Ni ntendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, PlayStation, PlayStation 2.Final Fantasy VII, 1996, Square Co., Sony Computer Entertainment America, Inc., PlayStation.Grand Theft Auto III, DMA Design Ltd., Rockstar Games, PlayStation2Half-Life, 1998, Valve Software, Sierra On-Line, Inc., P.C. Win. 95.Legend of Zelda The Wind Waker, 2003, Nintendo Co. Ltd, Nintendo of Europe, Inc., GameCube.Mario Bros I-VII, 1983 2003, Nintendo Co. Ltd, Nintendo of America, Inc., Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, GameCube.Max Payne, 2001, Remedy Entertainment Ltd., GodGames, Win. 95.Metal gearing Solid, 1998, Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd., Konami of America, Inc., PlayStation.Metal Gear Solid 2 Sons of Liberty, 1998, Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd., Konami of America, Inc., PlayStation 2.Myst, 1994, Broderbund Software, Keyboard Mouse, Macintosh.Pac-Man, 1980, Namco Ltd., Midway Mfg. Co., Arcade.Perfect Dark, 2000, Rar e Ltd., Rare Ltd., Nintendo 64.Pokemon, 1998, Game Freak, Inc., Nintendo of America, Inc., Game Boy.Pong, 1973, Atari, Inc., Atari Inc., Arcade.Resident Evil, 2002, Capcom Co., Ltd., Capcom U.S.A., Inc., GameCube.Rogue Leader, 2001, Factor 5, Lucas Arts, GameCube.Silent Hill, 1999, Konami Computer Entertainment Kobe (KCEK), Konami of America, Inc., PlayStation.Space Invaders, 1978, Taito Corporation, Taito America Corp., Arcade.Spacewar, 1962, Russell, S.Street Fighter II, 1991, Capcom Co., Ltd., Capcom U.S.A., Inc., Arcade.Super Mario Bros., 1985, Nintendo Co. Ltd, Nintendo of America, Inc., Nintendo Entertainment System.Tekken 3, 1998, Namco Ltd., Namco Hometek, Inc., PlayStation.Tennis for Two, 1958. Higinbotham, W.Tetris, 1989, Pajitnov, A., Nintendo of America, Inc., Game Boy.Tomb Raider, Core Design Ltd., Eidos Interactive, PlayStation.Tomb Raider The Angel of Darkness, 2003, Core Design Ltd., Eidos Interactive, PlayStation 2.Winning Eleven 6 Final Evolution, 2003, Konami Comp uter Entertainment Kobe (KCEK), Konami Computer Entertainment Japan Co., Ltd., GameCube.Wolfenstein 3D, 1991, Apogee Software Ltd., Apogee Software Ltd., PC DOSZelda I VI, 1987-2003, Nintendo Co. Ltd, Nintendo of America, Inc., Nintendo Entertainment System, Super Nintendo Entertainment System, GameCube.As a business, the economics of a return on investment figures importantly into the reasons as to why so many violent games are produced. Simply speaking there is a market for them The high cost of producing games engenders a desire within the companies financing games production to ensure a return on their investment. In most popular mass culture, this has seen a cautious approach to creating content. There has been a streamlining of the creation of content, be it music, films or games, that has seen the removal of as many variables as possible in order to produce content that can be easily quantified and accounted for. Companies are reluctant to take risks and the simplest way of avoiding them is to repeat previously profitable formulae, or in the case of a developing medium, such as games, to adopt the techniques of the more developed and superficially similar medium of cinema. Designers are reliant upon the finance provided by publishing companies to create games. This has seen the production of numerous games based on Hollywood films and characters, or the construction of games that can be marketed and sold on the strength of their cinematic aesthetics and sensibilities.Computer and video game companies base their strategies of what to produce based upon careful market research and raw numbers, and the fact is, since 50% of the market has been and continues to be buying violent game content, they will continue to design and market these types of gamesAnd while the problem is deep seated, there is a logical and easy solution, if only the adults will play along. The survey conducted by the Interactive Digital Software Association (2001), indicated the follo wing statisticsadults purchase 90% of all games soldAnd that is the only statistic that will be utilized to make the point. As the controlling variable in the purchase, it is the adults that need to be reached. The problem is how? Educating Adults to the problem is the logical answer. But as the primary buyers of games overall, they are also heavy buyers of violent game content themselves. The preceding is more than an ethical dilemma, it is a cultural one. One whereby the cycle needs to be broken with the same vigor and force that instilled it in the first place. But, that took decades and billions in advertising and marketing dollars to put into place. Thus it seems that the only force large plenteous to impact upon this situation are governments. Therein lies the ethical problem, for this speaks of another regulation is a world that is fast becoming over regulated in order to save ourselves from ourselvesThe solution that the preceding is leading up to is the same as has been do ne in the instance of cigarette smoking, warning labels on each box as a mandated action. Could the foundation for this approach be similar to the health risk utilized in the instance of cigarettes, only in this instance as a societal risk? That represents an extremely touchy subject as it seemingly broaches upon freedom of pickax. The warning labels and legislation to curtail smoking has achieved success as a result of the non-smokers who did not wish to inhale second hand smoke in restaurants, offices and other public indoor locales. These restrictions did not and do not restrict smokers for smoking. Thus, why would it curtail violent game players from playing.Thus, could a violent game tax be the solution. This would or might represent a choice in that the extra money so charged would be put into a victims and marketing fund to fuel additional education on the dangers of violence. Seemingly, that might create an outcry as well, however, as is the case with any type of social cha nge, the majority wins out, thus the non-violent lobby would have to organize itself for a long

The Case For Progress :: Technology Technological Papers

The Case For Progress This assignment doesnt scare me. Im tackling it with WordPerfect 9 on my nice, new VAIO Pentium 4. Its manner more powerful than that last hunk of scrap, whatever it was caled, but Im sure its not nearly as awful a s whatever theyl think of next. Progress is such an exciting thing. It boggles the mind to think that, once upon a time, man made his way through the world with nothing but sticks and stones and his wits and no WordPerfect 9. Are scientists positive t hat those guys were the same species as us? If so, weve certainly freehanded up a lot.We overcame nature, for one thing. The primitives did rain dances. We have irrigation and central heating and cooling. Weve managed to figure out how things work. Ev en 500 years ago, people theory the universe revolved around the Earth. Now we know about atoms and quarks and general relativity and evolution, and prety soon wel have anti -mater thrusters. Everyone just builds on what everyone in advance them f igured out, with each discovery making it faster and easier to discover things, and progress just happens and goes faster and faster until its a blur, like its power by anti -mater thrusters and you can hardly keep track of itThere are a lot more reasons t han irrigation to have faith in progress. Look at the comfort its given us. I mean, if I want pain, I have to go find it. I have to make clean a fight or do mistaken bike tricks until I wipe out. But if I were a caveman, I would probably be cover in tooth s cars, have a spear wound in my bely, and live every day in fear of being brain -raped by a saber -toothed tiger fang. And everything is so easy these days. If Im hungry, do I have to go try to kill something or stolon planting seeds? No, I just toss some Chef Boyardee in the microwave. If I want new girlie pictures I just log onto the internet. How did people get more nudie pics hundreds of years ago, I wonder? Probably had to draw it themselves or something. Speaking ofthe internet, how great an exa mple is that? People used to think that there were other countries that were ful of people who were stupid or mean or backward.

Frank Herbert and His Classic Novel, Dune Essay -- Frank Herbert Dune

Frank Herbert and His Classic Novel, sand duneA beginning is the time for taking the most delicate care that the balances are correct. Princess Irulan speaks these haggle in the award-winning bracing Dune (Novel). Frank Herbert knew this quote was true because he carefully planned his epic masterpiece before he started writing. The novel could only happen after research of a cast of topics. Dune has many different influences and origins. Frank Herberts complicated book, covering a variety of themes, took six years to complete (Wikipedia).Frank Herbert was born in Tacoma Washington on October 8, 1920. At an early age, he carried around books by Edgar Rice Burroughs, Jules Verne, and H.G. come up in a Boy Scout backpack. At the age of eight, he stood on the kitchen table and declared that he wanted to be an author. His maternal grandfather, derriere McCarthy, said that Frank, only a small child, was much smarter than his age. Frank was very similar to Lady Alia, a character in Du ne. They both had the mind of an bounteous in a childs body (Dunenovels).Herbert did not immediately become a writer, but started work in journalism. He lied more than or less his age to work for the Glendale Star in 1939. He put his writing career on hold and joined the United States navy during World war II. He married Flora Parkinson in 1941 and divorced in 1945. Herbert fathered one daughter from this marriage (Wikipedia). After the war, Herbert met a young woman named Beverly Ann Stuart in a creative writing class at the University of Washington. Franks son, Brian, once said that Frank did not graduate from college because he did not want to resign all of the required courses. He only wanted to take the classes that interested him. Herbert and Beverly, his fu... ...ls).The merging of various themes and cultures is part of what has made Dune so popular.The novel has been translated into more than twenty different languages and is constantly being reprinted. The many influe nces of Dune, including the Arabic words, the Islamic culture, and real ecological problems helped shape Dune into a timeless classic.Works CitedHerbert, Frank. Dune City of publication Publisher, publication dateDuneNovels. 10 Sep. 2004. 12 Sep. 2004 .Wikipedia. 12 Sep. 2004 .OReilley, Tim. Frank Herbert. Frederick Ungar Publishing Co., Inc, 1981.Islamic Themes in Frank Herberts Dune. 12 Sep. 2004 . Sparknotes Dune by Frank Herbert. Barnes & Noble12 Sep. 2004 .