Saturday, August 31, 2019
Investwrite Essay
InvestWrite Essay If you need help planning your financial future, then I am the one to help you. Through trial and error, learning from my mistakes, and just getting a better understanding of stocks, The Stock Market Game has greatly improved my knowledge on stocks and has made me an excellent source of information on investing. For the couple that is in their late twenties, I would ask them a series of questions like, â€Å"How much money do you plan on investing? †, â€Å"How long do you have to save? †, and â€Å"Are you willing to take some risks? Since the couple wants to save for their retirement and save up for their child’s college expenses, I would advise that they invest in a variety of stocks. First, I would recommend they invest in Sprint stock. With its low current price at around three dollars, they are bound to make some money, especially with the holiday season so close. Another reason they should pick Sprint, is that it is a fairly large corpor ation, which means that it’s somewhat stable and can benefit the couple in the long and short run. Second, I would recommend they invest in a more pricy stock, Procter and Gamble.Although it’s higher priced, around sixty dollars, this stock comes with dividends and is great no matter the state of the Stock Market. With brands like Bounty, Gain, Pampers, IAMS, and even Pringles, people are never going to stop buying these items just because the Stock Market goes down. That being said, this stock is very stable and will definitely help balance the couple’s portfolio. Third and finally, I would recommend they invest in PepsiCo. With its multiple food related items such as Frito-Lay chips and all the Pepsi related soft drinks, this somewhat pricy stock, is a great way to keep the couple’s portfolio balanced.With the nice addition of dividends, this stock is a sure fire way to make the couple money in the long run. I based my recommendations on a variety of th ings. I looked mostly to see if the stock price was on the rise or going down the drain. If I didn’t think that it would make money, I didn’t choose it. Secondly, I looked for dividends. Dividends are basically money you get from the company’s earnings for each share of their stock you own. So if the company makes money, then you make money. Dividends are usually found on the higher priced stocks, but re great for long term investors. Thirdly, I went for diversification. You want to keep a diversified portfolio so that if one of your stocks fails, then you have something to back it up. If you keep all of your stocks in one related industry, if one fails, then all of your stocks will go down as well. Fourth and foremost, I thought of risk and reward. Risk and reward are important because it bases what stocks are suitable for which people. Younger people can take a higher risk because they have time to earn their money back if a stock or two fails.Older people hav e a lower risk because they usually don’t have a source of regular fixed income, so they can’t earn their money back. All of these factors were key when picking my recommended stocks. Through trial and error, learning from mistakes, and gathering basic knowledge, The Stock Market game has helped so much by giving me the essential tools for picking stocks, diversifying portfolios, and overall just making money in the Stock Market. And it is with these tools that I have recommended these stocks to this couple to which I am sure they will meet both of their goals of saving for retirement, and saving for their child’s college.Works Cited â€Å"PEP: Summary for Pepsico, Inc. Common Stock- Yahoo! Finance. † Yahoo! Finance – Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"PG: Summary for Procter & Gamble Company (The) – Yahoo! Finance. † Yahoo! Finance – Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. . â€Å"S: Summary for Sprint Nextel Corporation Comm- Yahoo! Finance. † Yahoo! Finance – Business Finance, Stock Market, Quotes, News. Web. 13 Nov. 2011. .
Friday, August 30, 2019
Global Strategy for Lenovo
Global strategy for lenovo Content O      Abstract                                                 O      Introduction                                              O      Learning skills and globalization                            Step one: research learning.Step two: microcosmic learning                               Step three: trail learning                                      Step four: deepen and development learning                   Step five: reform enterprise DNA                               O      International employee and Lenovo next steps development   O      Supply chain                                            O      Global marketing and double operation mode               O      Global strategy and differentiation strategy                   O      Reform Lenovo business DNA for build new company culture and global developmentÂ à ‚                                      O      Summary                                              O     Reference Table of Contents AbstractNow days, more and more companies are going global. In China Lenovo is a representative in that area. During I do the research about Global strategy I am very interested in the Lenovo group. It might be the earliest one gets the mind about globalization. At the beginning to run company they get them target is going global. In my paper I find some area for them strategy try to find a way to suit for this big company. I will take seven parts to written this paper. There are: Learning skills and globalization International employee and Lenovo next steps development Supply chain Global marketing and double operation mode Global strategy and differentiation strategyReform Lenovo business DNA New company culture and global development This will be a system for a company should be taking on the global way. I want to explain ways to suitable Chinese company are going to global. Lenovo is a case to learn. Introduction Lenovo take a goal is international is come up very early. Lenovo has been raised from the factory opened in Hong Kong to buy IBM PC department. From list to open research and development base overseas. Lenovo is step by step towards international, to a multinational company. But deep in the blood of Lenovo company culture is a good thing or will become hinder development in the further is a point.Lenovo existing resources and the international strategy Lenovo take are good enough for the international journey. Through Lenovo history to find strategies Lenovo was taken Investigate Lenovo history is not difficult to find that Lenovo dev elopment seems get some relationship with China’s political. China’s international will be the Lenovo international. Lenovo is a national feeling of enterprises. 80’s ideas for the national association provide excellent development opportunities. Lenovo catch hold of people’s national feeling and do the right marketing as them general engineer Ni guangnan. Today, China’s international are also give Lenovo provides a strong support. From Lenovo development history is to view.Lenovo no mater what management mode, operating mode or technology mode have been in development. Each one changes is against every major change in the marketplace. But this time for Lenovo globalization them mark the change is not good enough. From the first to make the control of the plane to crash was indeed beyond imagination. Lenovo is from the confidence to headhunt from Dell. From Hong Kong to set up plants to in India and Mexico to establish research and development cent ers. Go to global is more real in the history of the Lenovo. Learning skills and globalization There are five steps enterprise should be take during them go to globalization. They are five different level learn enterprise will be taken.First three steps are get seedtime. For Lenovo, Last two steps are more impotent. If a company is not learning before they are going to international. It’s hard to successful. It’s like a student will be study in a new country but he or she can not know anything about that new country he or she is hard to enjoy his or her study. Step one: research learning. Step two: microcosmic learning Step three: trail learning Step four: deepen and development learning Step five: reform enterprise DNA Research learning Research learning is survey of the target country's macroeconomic environment and learning it. Before Wal-Mart has been open any supermarket in China.There management must be get research for Chinese population, income and consumption levels, the per capita GDP of the economy and the Chinese government’s intervention in the situation of more then one investigation. This is one very important point to explain why War-Mart so successful. Similarly, Lenovo must be research the target country macro environment Such as politics, economy, population, technology and environment. Lenovo Group on July 26, 2007 in Beijing announced that it will invest 31 million US dollars in India and Mexico for a new manufacturing center, in order to meet these growing demands for computers. Before Lenovo group mark this decision they must be get research about India and Mexico.For example: In recent years the information technology industry in India stress on the bull market, is expected in 2008 India's software industry output value of 87 billion US dollars, exports reached 50 billion US dollars, India's software industry has become an important pillar for economic development. The information like that Lenovo group must be know n before them marks this decision. Of course Lenovo group must research the government’s intervention in the situation of these two countries. Microcosmic learning The second phase of the study is aimed at relatively minor issues. The study focused on consumers and the local some unspoken rules.It contains the legal inside. If the analogy to the internationalization of a war, then only can we win the battles mutual understanding. However, the key factor in winning is not the master of public information. Master of public information is necessary, but not completely conditions. And this public information is that the internationalization of the war is that the macroeconomic environment analysis. So completely conditions are the local consumer habits, language, unspoken rules, logical thinking and values of the legal system and potential constraints which hidden in the surface. Those in the international war can be viewed as the enemy within the military.Lenovo is the same in a cquisition of IBM's PC division, Lenovo if learn the American consumer habits, lifestyle, and the legal situation of the values Americans have to understand that it acquired in association with the issue of integration after winning exposed to greater problems. In fact, Lenovo's acquisition of IBM's PC department does have a big problem. The first is IBM and Lenovo two different cultural conflicts. This situation is inevitable, but before Lenovo buying IBM PC department if Lenovo's management was learning the Americans these potential habits and the rules has so understood will be relatively less. You can imagine, if Lenovo Group and the United States in the negotiations of the use of the broken English is cooked then you can imagine people sitting in the two countries will have to work with how great the differences and contradictions.If Lenovo executives level are not study the United States culture and the unspoken rules before they buy IBM PC department so that the major acquisi tions will be difficult to continue. TCL and France's Thomson acquisition is between pictures of a negative example. Before TCL buy France’s company Thomson they are not conducted a detailed analysis and study for France’s legal system. In the end TCL encountered big issue in dealing of layoffs in the financing. French law on the protection of layoffs far exceed TCL budget. The outcome of the restructuring are not embarrassed. Trail learning The third step is learning phase of the second stage of in-depth. The first two stages of learning are to go abroad for the door before a preparatory work.The third phase is learning test water. In this regard Wal-Mart has done quite well. Wal-Mart entered China in 1996 after five years in China did not have open one more supermarket. Is Wal-Mart hasn’t enough money for more supermarket running in China? No, it’s not. It‘s Wal-Mart is doing the trail learning in China. In these five years, Wal-Mart needs further verification by the domestic market analysis and forecasts of expected adjustments and the development of strategic planning. Because of Wal-Mart's goal is to open Wal-Mart stores in China each city, perhaps further with the development of an opening in every town. So one trail learning is necessary for Wal-Mart.Lenovo If you want to succeed at the international level, it is the first Wal-Mart to learn patience and ability to learn. Lenovo Group in the United States, Europe, India, Mexico and other countries of the target market has sufficient patience to learn. At this stage of learning is the creation and nurturing of talents localization of management. If you have done research shows that the McDonald's and KFC Wal-Mart manager almost no Americans, the United States except shop. Wal-Mart in the five-year period not only learning to do business in China, to study the habits of the Chinese people and Chinese people to do things the way they want to also train them in conformity wi th the standards of the people and in accordance with the standards of the supply chain.So Lenovo in the United States and other targeted countries on the market to do less is to establish their base and develop their own localization of management talent. If Lenovo not build a team in the target country they are hard to quite join the local market. Localization is first step and most important step for the international. If Lenovo failed localization so it is difficult to achieve internationalization. Google appointed Kai-Fu Lee, vice president for global concurrently president of China is a good example. Google to open the Chinese market to compete and Baidu, he first has to do is a localization team. Deepen and development learning The fourth stage of learning is to deepen and expand the learning.Foreign brands to enter an unfamiliar market, and in fact created a new brand with a same place. That is, no one knows you; no one will take the initiative to buy. Therefore, a brand in a local market in order to survive it so successful marketing is essential. In this regard Lenovo marketing done on the more successful. Firstly Lenovo’s sport marketing was successful in global. You can say this point is Lenovo learning from Samsung’s successful experience. Lenovo's sports marketing and event marketing performance to join the TOP program and Olympic soccer star Ronaldinho signed. These are reflected in the Lenovo in this regard made by the marketing efforts. It may Lenovo chairman Yang Yuanqing who is doing business on it.At this stage, enterprises in the target countries have started small-scale operations. It is a positive competition and competitor’s time. McDonald's in China began opening large fast-food chain has been established at the time of its raw material supply base in China. Wal-Mart China's rapid opening of the supermarket chain has been building his management team and rapid reaction supply chain. Theoretically Lenovo in the inte rnational market competitors began when awakened positive competition should also establish a strong management team and the localization response agile supply chain. But in fact it's not Reform enterprise DNA The fifth phase of the study is recombinant DNA enterprises time.Its enterprises rooted target countries, to thoroughly international. This stage enterprises need to reconsider the definition and rectification. This time the companies have no points of the country. It is not only to do right for the shareholders of such a simple matter. Before Samsung go to global it just need get responsibility for them investor. Need money earnings. But now Samsung has not only South Korea's Samsung. It needs of his enterprises in the world is responsible for the country. Need to integrate global resources and the right of consumers around the world responsible. They need to contribute to the community and they need to foster the image. Samsung done so it Samsung was successfully.Lenovo list ing of the problems facing this series, the reasons for Liu to defeat summed up a word, is listed after the changes are not suited. Still in the management of a small company means a rationale management listed companies. Now Lenovo whether there is sufficient justification capacity management a multinational? Lenovo seems to be done in this regard also not perfect. The mail incident in the United States is worrying Lenovo in the United States do the preparatory work. DELL salesman wrote in the e-mail, buy Lenovo is a disguised form of support to the Chinese government. He hopes to use this speech to persuade Lenovo customers to DELL. This incident will be taken bad influence for Lenovo group in the international.It also reflects Lenovo wasn’t establishing an image suit for consumer mind about multinational companies. The big problem exists internal of Lenovo is management model. After Lenovo acquisition of IBM's PC debasement emerging the contradictions in the management see m to be quite difficult. So Lenovo headhunt DELL CEO Departure to the CEO of Lenovo Group. Lenovo hopes he has come to a temporary solution to the conflict; tripartite management of the two sides will win unanimously. More or less the Lenovo Group also did not establish applicable to international management of the approach. It is also indicates that Lenovo determined to establish a new management system. International employee and Lenovo next steps developmentOn November 9, 2004, Lenovo group President Liu Chuanzhi speaks frankly at the eighth session of CEO annual meeting, at present the company has encountered two big difficult problems in the internationalization advancement: Brand internationalization difficult and the internationalization talented person is deficient. He indicated obtains the success after the Chinese market, the company in order to seek the achievement the breakthrough, at present is moving towards the internationalization and the multiplication. However meet s two major problems in the internationalization advancement: First is the brand internationalization process exceptionally is difficult, â€Å"before we the brand superiority which form in the Chinese market has vanished, must form the international well-known brand, must make the very big effort, and needs to have the massive funds†.Second is Lenovo need more high level international people to help them if company wants to successful in the international. He thinks this is very difficult for a local company. He expressed, â€Å"Although we have absorbed the colleague which many has the overseas service experience, but our backbone staff mainly is develops in the native place, raises, these years we unceasingly absorbed China to study to the overseas, to be some colleagues which the work came back, But requested to the internationalization talented person also to have the very great distance†The December of 2005, Dell senior vice- president concurrent Asia an the Pac ific and Japan area president William . J .Arab League Mei Liao leaving Dell and join Lenovo group and take up the post of CEO. This is a change for Lenovo group about them always like use people who are group up inside of Lenovo. From Beijing, Hong Kong to Singapore, the Lou advantage (the American North Carolina state) with Paris, disperse in global each place associates in GAO Guanceng, most probably is the foreigner. In Lenovo has formed the internationalization first step is as employee’s localization understanding. In the present case, the Lenovo group faces the biggest difficult problem still is to the internationalization talented person's demand. A company wants to be really international they must be having international employee first.Now, for Lenovo group the problem is they didn’t get enough international employees to do that work. Lenovo group build up them Research and development center any Headquarters in United States of America. In America Lenovo gro up feel very hard for looking for the suitable employees who understand Lenovo group culture. About this problem Lenovo get them own solution is improve them request for the new stuffs and change them officer language to English to suit for this problem. This also is the Lenovo speeds up the adoption internationalization advancement a demand. Lenovo must be know that Stealing Managers isn’t only way to get suitable employees way. Them must be build a good system to mark them own person with ability inside.Even Lenovo group founder to ask the reporter questions also said Lenovo like manger who are group inside. The main reason is Lenovo want to continue them company culture. Now, Lenovo group face the new position them must be get new employees who get more strong skills as learning new things and strong innovation skills. They must be get good team work skills. Supply chain In the supply chain, Lenovo Group of China there is a clear advantage. In 2000, Lenovo in domestic ente rprises in the first successful implementation of the ERP, and then at that time the supply chain management under the leadership of the Department, took two years to complete the project SCM. At the same time, Lenovo started a supply chain management system.The logistics sector-lead VMI project created with the vendor Lenovo synergy values and customs, and re-planning of the procurement logistics network layout, with the supplier's inventory visualization of collaborative management, real-time monitoring of inventory levels, according to Lenovo in the single-product production depositors from the original 14 days down to five days; CTO process optimization project improved the delivery of customized products, Lenovo was the rapid rise of direct technical support operations. After a series optimize of 2002-2004, Lenovo build in the Chinese market gold supply chain, the response speed and cost control has surpassed Dell, In China Lenovo’s cost just 1/4 about Dell. Leno vo’s response speed need only four days (Dell for a week). However, in overseas markets, Lenovo will have to face the original IBM's huge losses and the slow response of the supply chain?Cost pressures become Lenovo the enormous obstacles in overseas markets. But merging two huge companies in the supply chain integration has existed enormous difficulties. Therefore, Lenovo overseas is still used by IBM's original supply chain system. In China the use of the Lenovo deal set up before the supply chain system. So Lenovo CEO Amelio told the new Lenovo's global supply chain systems to two point, to balance First, Second is to achieve the lowest cost. Analysis several PC companies which are having more fierce competition with Lenovo group in the international are not difficult to find a problem with Lenovo. That is they are all have more quickly supply chain then Lenovo group has.Dell's suppliers are in the core of its computer production base in Xiamen next to factories, Lenovo is the need for a global procurement. Now Lenovo ‘s customers outside China's orders need eight days to reach the point of production, while Dell only needs one hour. Data show that before the acquisition, Lenovo’s product inventory days are 22. 7 days, close to the global average PC inventory levels. After the acquisition, Lenovo supply chain costs of the total cost of around 6%, while Acquisition former only 1% more. In establishing agile supply chain there are still an unpredictable mistake, it is the assessment for the land and the combined effect. Which is more important for Lenovo’s development? It is Lenovo by purchasing land in Laikaluona states of the United States.North Carolina will provide cheap land, but it can not provide competitive provider community. North Carolina has two characteristics: first, agriculture, tobacco production up to 700 million pounds annually, in the states, out of one; Second, the states of the cotton industry as the crown to Ch arlotte for the center, around the many small textile industry cities. Lenovo group should do is build a supply chain more quickly then Dell spent more than 20 years established electronic group. Lenovo has to do is to better integrate its internal resources in order to establish agile supply chain. Now there is a big problem inside of Lenovo group is Lenovo’s inside market.An associate director complained, â€Å"We often encounter a back-end motherboards are out of the situation a few weeks, the various district customer manager get goods, Tun goods. †The reason, he believed that there are several aspects: 1. Upstream manufacturers Intel and AMD led the industry in price oscillations; Two internal Lenovo is a â€Å"business forecasts†mechanism under a quarter of inaccurate forecasts, after mutual-blame; The three components of global procurement work is poor; four Lenovo's product line is the depth breakdown of demand led to parts of the complex. These reason s appear because Lenovo’s interior management system get big problem. Global marketing and double operation mode Global marketing is an important step for an enterprise going to internationalization.Marketing development process is including seven steps. They are Consumers analysis, market analysis, competitor surveys and the analysis of their own advantages, analysis of distribution channels, the formulation of a preliminary marketing programs, economic development and evaluation and revision before the six steps until the formation of a coordination program. Europe and the US market is a highly sophisticated market, consumers have more strong sense of themselves. They are in choosing products more sensibly. The issue of treatment for products problem are harsher. Some dissatisfaction will resort to the law. Consumers have the power to the more sober understanding.In the market, the saturation of the PC products is higher. Market share by several larger companies occupy. Del l, HP, Acer, is Lenovo strong competitor. Lenovo is more strangeness for the customer. More important is local customers are more strangeness for Lenovo. If they are in direct competition Lenovo only has a little chance of winning. Lenovo their advantages, can be more convenient to retain the original IBM's biggest customers. As we all know, most of IBM's customers are big customers, while them personal computers are few customers. Therefore the above address this specific Lenovo marketing information for them own tailored to a difference of an international marketing strategy.Specific performance is now vigorously promoting Lenovo dual business model. And find the Olympic torch in the overseas Chinese. Now chairman of Lenovo Group Lauded as the core competitiveness of the Lenovo – Lenovo's business model is focused on the development of the host. The so-called Lenovo double- business model is the target customer classifications. They are covered two part. One is for Major cl ients. It’s including the government clients. Other is the PC customer. Lenovo group get two different systems to suit this two different groups. As every know this two different groups are look forward to different areas. They get different request for the computer.So as this way Lenovo group can separate the two different services to two different customers groups to ensure satisfaction of customers and will not pass. After Lenovo Group in Germany and some other places that the experiment is indeed feasible. But Lenovo group said this double business model is them core competitiveness seems too hasty. This model is too easy to copy. We can continue analogy to Lenovo marketing for a war. As for the war, the most important thing is not win, but fought victory after how appease. This like Lenovo group get strong marketing in international and them double business model are successful attract the customer.So that if Lenovo group can not cash in the same quality service as they are commitment for the customer is Lenovo group ruin upon themselves. The United States and the European market is a mature market. Consumers are rational consumers. If Lenovo rely on the strength of marketing get the original customer. But they are not lets original customer become loyal consumers. Lenovo is undoubtedly offending consumers. This is a bad news for any business. Such behavior like this is self-destructive brand image. Global strategy and differentiation strategy Undeniably, Lenovo was chosen different operations on the internationalization road. This is a wise move for Lenovo group.Lenovo develop target markets mainly in Europe and the United States, some of the more mature markets. Competitors are more powerful. Lenovo Group on large customers has specific Differential Marketing. Whether in the products or marketing, Lenovo in overseas markets, chose the differences strategy of their own as an international strategy. Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. in this respect is the more successful. Today Lenovo faced situation is similar as several years ago Toyota faced. So in this side Lenovo group can learned from Toyota. A few years ago the American market is full of heavy car. The car like that are suit for American consumer buying psychology as a car. But Toyota's unique success is the choice of a different strategy.Toyota and strong competitors are not for positive conflict. First of all competitors can relax vigilance. At least Toyota can reduce the trouble about legal before it development enough strong. Secondly use of the product differentiation gradually enters the mainstream market to be successful. When Toyota was get success in the United States mainstream market. Its competitors were hard to market out of there. Instead of the United States car market share declined much. Now, Lenovo Group which is the situation has attracted the attention of competitors. Lenovo has to be done is not in the local market has not yet possible before the firm and competitors have a positive conflict.As Lenovo's deal with Dell and HP mail advertising time of the incident the same attitude. Lenovo should take the stable development as the first choice. The difference in the paralysis of the competitors is a more effective means. Competition in mind is not to put pressure on competitors. Reform Lenovo business DNA for build new company culture and global development Lenovo chairman Yang Yuanqing said for the high-speed flight refueling aircraft to the high-speed driving for car wheels. We can find how difficulty Lenovo group will be take for them reform business DNA. Commercial enterprises DNA of an enterprise is to determine the direction and life.Lenovo in the international community can also depend on the success of Lenovo's commercial DNA. Enterprise is the concept of DNA from peter Ducker. Lenovo enterprises DNA is still insufficient to support the internationalization of Lenovo. An adapted to international enterprises DNA is not support as a success leader. It depends on the business system. This includes enterprises inside the decision-making power, organizational structure, information transmission and incentive mechanism. A healthy enterprises DNA can adapt to the market risk. If Lenovo group want be more successful in the international market it must be reform them business DNA.Chinese enterprises are in the initial most commercial DNA, their flexibility in the application of event-based decision-making, rapid capture business, the first to enter the market; low-priced beat each other, and the lack of those international enterprise systems, scientific, a long-term multi-dimensional space-based game decision-making. Therefore, we must want to understand the development gap at first. Evolutionary their business DNA, in the integration resources, improve the companies create value skills. Mark the decision as more point. From the history of the development of Lenovo is not difficult to see that. Now Lenovo is on t he way which is going to internationalization.They must be facing different risks which are come from different regions and countries every day. If Lenovo can not upgrade their own enterprises commercial DNA, it will be difficult survive in the international competitive environment. Summery Lenovo group is going global is a way of Chinese business are going global. There are must be get five steps to learn. For a company which is want to going to global the most important thing is learning skills and reform the business DNA and build a new company culture to suite for new company. Remember that, you are an international company now. If you want to be more successful in the international market you must get the international business DNA.You must be a company and you are not only taking the responsibility for the share holds. Your company should be take responsibility for the customer who comes from all over the world and the people who are come from all over the world. Your company is not only a company. It is an international public machine which supplies service for all over the world. Reference Table of Contents LIANXIANGFENGYUN BY AS LIU ZHIJUN THE NEXT STEP BY AS JIGONG W SANDERSON MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES FOR 21TH CENTURY BY AS PETER DRUCKER FUNDAMENTALS OF INTEMATIONAL BUSINESS BY AS MICHAEL R. CZINKOTA, Ilkka A. Ronkainen and Michael H. Moffett http://business. sohu. com/20070122/n247764248. shtml
Thursday, August 29, 2019
Analysing Descartes Meditation On First Philosophy Philosophy Essay
Analysing Descartes Meditation On First Philosophy Philosophy Essay Renà © Descartes, in his work of Meditation on First Philosophy, sets the foundation for modern philosophy. Through the distinct style of writing in first person narrative, Descartes introduces radical skepticisms, proves the existence of God, distinguishes the soul from the body, and establishes levels of certainty in knowing the material world. With the Meditations intending to be a guide to exercising intellectual understanding and practice, there is a strong connection between the literary form and philosophical content, as one supplements the other. The use of meditation and narrative is especially important in delivering and emphasizing Descartes’ arguments on first philosophy because it offers an epistemological journey for the reader to undertake and experience along with the narrator. Meditation is an introspective process that involves the mind turning back in and upon itself, withdrawing from the material world and focusing attention inward. Traditionally, works o f meditation are meant to be guides for spiritual exercises, especially in the Christian religion, and not for intellectual or philosophical purposes. However, Descartes departs from this tradition and employs meditation as a way to detach the minds from external influences, to think and analyze philosophy from the original foundations. This is emphasized in the preface to the reader, where Descartes writes â€Å"I do not advise anyone to read these things except those who have both ability and the desire to meditate seriously with me, and to withdraw their minds from the senses as well as from all prejudices†(52). This leads into Meditation One, with the introduction of method of doubt to free the mind and demolish deception. As well, meditation is aimed to achieve self-transformation, and this is demonstrated throughout work as Descartes transforms the readers’ ways of thinking and understanding. Descartes uses first person narrative to engage and relate to the read ers. As the narrator and guide, Descartes is the embodiment of the general audience, sharing many of the same characteristics and motivations as the readers. For instance, the readers can easily identify with events such as dreaming and questions such as the existence of God. With this, Descartes can take on the challenge of demonstrating how the process of self-transformation in thinking and understanding unfolds through his own experiences. He writes, â€Å"I will first of all narrate in the Meditations the very thoughts by means of which I seem to have arrived at a certain and evident knowledge of the truth†with the intention that â€Å"the same arguments that persuaded me can be useful in persuading others†(52). Therefore, the readers, when reading the Meditations, will be able to experience a similar psychological and epistemological journey in understanding first philosophy. The Meditation begins with the introduction of the method of doubt in Meditation One. R ealizing many of his former opinions are falsehoods, and how subsequent opinions are built upon them, Descartes notes the need to doubt the truth of everything, and â€Å"raze everything to the ground and began again from the original foundations, if I wanted to establish anything firm and lasting in the sciences†(59). This architectural metaphor of razing and establishing serves to introduce Descartes’ purpose in building a firm groundwork for rational scientific inquiry and modern philosophy that cannot be further doubted. Since it is not practical to show all opinions are false individually, it is sufficient to â€Å"attack straightaway those principles which supported everything,†â€Å"because undermining the foundation will cause whatever has been built upon them to crumble of its own accord†(60). And Descartes does this through three levels of doubt: perception, dreaming, and God’s deceive.
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
Entrepreneurship Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 3
Entrepreneurship - Assignment Example Individual or group communication among the customers increases sharing of experiences and further requirements. Personal communication networks of ‘The Gathering Goddess’ are mainly the medium or channels that the management uses to interact with the customers. In the current study, critical evaluation of personal communication network (PCN) is made on the basis of small vintage apparel boutique based in London (Thegatheringgoddess.com, 2015). ‘The Gathering Goddess’ is developing new online stores to reach to more customers in the global market. Therefore, the organization must modify the personal networking policies as per the new platforms. ‘The Gathering Goddess’ is a small vintage apparel boutique based in the London area. The organization is producing female products for the Europe and USA clients. Initially, they started with sole physical store in the North Kensington area of London during the year 2002 (Thegatheringgoddess.com, 2015). The organization is facing huge challenge both nationally and internationally. ‘The Gathering Goddess’ is increasing their online presence for meeting challenges from competitors and increase market share and profitability. New partnership developed with the E-commerce firms like Fab.com and eBay helped the firms to meet global customers. Therefore, ‘The Gathering Goddess’ is modifying their Personal Communication Networks (Thegatheringgoddess.com, 2015). Initially, ‘The Gathering Goddess’ was using the personal communication networks to make direct influence on the customers. The firm was able to share information of the products and the services they were offering to the clients. They were using different types of communication channels and tools for communicating with the customers or other organizational stakeholders. Since 2002, the firm has used the several techniques to maintain communication networks among the customers (Thegatheringgoddess.com, 2015). The
Tuesday, August 27, 2019
Accelerating Change Management at CEB Case Study
Accelerating Change Management at CEB - Case Study Example The successes and failures of the change acceleration process have also been discussed and recommendations of how to improve the process made. CEB is one of the most prominent companies in the world and this is mainly as a result of its providing consultant services to a wide range of among the most successful companies today (Florent-Treacy, Kets de Vries & del Amo, 2010). Its success has been made possible through its ability to cater for the needs of the different corporations that seek its services and this has included a wide range of issues ranging from administration to the provision of advice concerning what to invest in and how to go through the process. A result has been that there has developed a wide variety of teams within the company that have enabled it to provide the services that are necessary to satisfy its clientele. Not only has CEB managed to expand globally, but it has also brought a unique style of management and consultancy into the market that has been sought after by a significant number of companies in the globe. CEB’s success has been attributed to its evolutionary attitude and actions, w hich have made it indispensable in the provision of services to its clients; all of which are based in different countries and environments. That these companies are based in different countries means that CEB has to ensure that it studies the new environments and make them a priority in the development of strategies that its clients can use to attain success. Through its efforts on behalf of its clients, CEB has managed to develop a unique position in the global market where it is able to adapt to different environments and advise its clients accordingly. The ever-evolving attitude that it has developed has made possible its success because this company has undergone many changes since its founding and as a young company, it has
Monday, August 26, 2019
Fireworks and Explosives Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
Fireworks and Explosives - Research Proposal Example As per the advanced analysis in of fireworks, it reveals that â€Å"potassium nitrate†, primarily the main chemical ingredient in gunpowder, is still an imperative element utilized in quite a lot of current explosives. (Michael S. Russell) An â€Å"explosion†is a chain of chemical reactions induced by fumed energetically unstable explosive materials that generate a rapid and aggressive oxidation reaction resulted in the production of the huge mass of hot gases and heat. Due to the mass force of gas and heat, it expands rapidly and forms a blast, further forming shock wave giving the blast its destructive power. (Gail Kay Haines) The â€Å"explosive train,†also termed as an initiation sequence or â€Å"firing train†is the series of charges that progress from moderately small levels of energy to instigate the absolute volatile material/main charge. There are two types of explosive trains Explosive materials comprise of any one of a chemically unadulterated compound like â€Å"nitroglycerin†or a mixture of an oxidizer and a fuel such as â€Å"black powder, flash powder, Sprengel explosives, ANFO, Panclastites†etc. For the understanding of explosive materials based on mixtures of fuel and oxidizers following equation can be useful: Diverse explosives utilize, unlike chemical reactions. The most primitive known explosive was gunpowder. Gunpowder or black powder is considered a grand historical significance in chemistry. The principal application of gunpowder is as a â€Å"propellant.†Gunpowder was invented by Chinese alchemists during the 9th century. (Appleton) The gunpowder was prepared by assimilating rudimentary sulfur, charcoal, and potassium nitrate. The â€Å"Potassium nitrate, sulfur in addition to carbon†retort collectively to produce nitrogen & carbon dioxide gases along with potassium sulfide. Â
Sunday, August 25, 2019
The Import-substitution Industrialisation (ISI) Failure in Argentina Essay
The Import-substitution Industrialisation (ISI) Failure in Argentina - Essay Example Center of discussion in this paper is import substitution industrialization in Argentina that depended on the exchange rate and trade restrictions. They included several exchange rates, import licenses, quotas, protective tariffs, and export taxes. The main aim was to limit external trade and prepared the domestic market for local manufactures. Further, another aim was to protect the domestic industries from stiff competition arising from external industries. The domestic industries were expected to compete internationally. However, these policies typically led to inefficient firms and high cost industrial substitutes. The consequences were diverse, for instance, the local industries could not pose any competitive challenge internationally. As a result, Latin Americans had to pay high prices for substandard goods that could not satisfy their need for quality. Further, Argentina was not able to have foreign exchange to pay for the much required imports; they had spent much time de-emp hasizing exports. ISI had actually led to some economic gains, however, by 1980s, it had been exhausted. During 1980s and 1990s, Argentina was forced to injstitute a number of policies with the aim of opening its economy, decrease the size of the government as well as improving efficiency. Other countries in the Latin America such as Brazil and Paraguay experience government involvement in infrastructure development and in the production sectors. However, the major difference between these countries and Argentina was the issue of funding. This issue was not well addressed in Argentina. The country began to use inflation taxation as the best solution to their problems. Inflation taxation occurs when the government decides to print money to pay the state bills. From the mid 1940s, Argentina witnessed huge difference in its rising inflation figures from the low inflation figures in other countries of the world (Zanetta, 2004). High inflation rates, high fiscal deficits and huge governm ent debts were the main challenges facing Argentina from 1940s to the end of the century. Several argentine citizens argued that the excessive government interference in the economy and the fiscal laxness were not the only problems that led to economic down turn in Argentina. Another challenge that faced Argentina was the relatively trained administrative personnel. The argentine government was not prepared to put in place policies that could lead to stable economic growth. Corruption also affected this problem as well (Birkbeck, 2011). President Peron’s earlier economic gains in Argentina quickly ran into a number of challenges. In 1949, Peron’s government witnessed inflation of about 31percent. This was due to Peron’s strategy of demand expansion through wage increases. At this time, employment was already high. Further, the controlling of imports and the stronger purchasing power siphoned off exports and led to inflation in Argentina (Birkbeck, 2011). In 1949 , Argentina was affected by its first foreign trade deficit since the First World War. In addition, the drought that affected Argentine’s agricultural export further affected argentine’s economy. Further, the terms of trade had started to work against the country. The terms of trade included the rising prices of imports and the decreasing prices of exports. Peron’s approach to economic growth was making the problems worse. For instance, in giving artificially low prices to farmers, to ensure that urban food
Advice for claim for financial relief Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words
Advice for claim for financial relief - Essay Example In this context of transferring assets to other person, the shared property may include lands and buildings which can be considered as one of the most usual subjects of the order. However, in various cases it can also observed that the financial investments are further included within the transferring process1. Based on this context, the report intends to develop a financial claim which provides an equal distribution of properties including houses and investments of a married couple, Megan and Hugh. Therefore, the discussion of the report will focus towards developing the financial claim which will be incorporated necessary elements including law, property claiming act along with other major concerns. Case Overview According to the case, it can be observed that Megan and Hugh agreed to mutually separate from each other due to personal conflicts based on adultery issues. As noted by Megan, it can be observed that she wants divorce from Hugh on the grounds of adultery allegations, afte r discovering that Hugh has been engaged in an affair for a year with one of her friends. It has been since then that the duo had been conflicting upon sharing the property and other savings and investments including, land and houses and other assets. In this context, Megan wanted to be separated from Hugh and proceed to split the property with an equal distribution among both. In relation to sharing the properties, Hugh has however refused to share investments and pensions to Megan. Although Hugh has agreed to pay child maintenance charged allowing the children to stay with their mother, he has confirmed to be unwilling to pay the maintenance amount for Megan affirming that she should be working as she had already planned after the birth of their first child when resigning from her last job. Legal Concerns In the context of the policy constitute in the UK family law act, a person can make legal application to the Court for orders in order to mitigate issues concerning financial fac tors including division of property and assets, valuation of houses and buildings along with other investment, pension as well as maintenance related issues. From the perspective of the case of Megan and Hugh, the particular application can be identified to be associated with divorce proceedings which are generally considered as Ancillary Relief (AR) Proceedings2. In the context of divorce or property separation, assets owned by the spouses can be defined as the matrimonial assets which are separated in an effective way in order to signify a fair judgement for both the parties benefitting the duo equally. With this concern, the court can enforce an order if the spouses are observed to be unable to make any agreement for their AR Proceedings. The considerable factors that shall be undertaken by the court can be identified in terms of marriage duration, age of the spouses, financial resources of each individual along with their income levels and future probable obligations3. It is in this context that needs concerning the custody of any children is also referred as a considerable factor for the court to render judgement in the case of AR proceedings between the spouses4. Recommendations According to the legal guidelines of the UK family law, either wife or husband can legally apply for AR Proceedings which can be formed to commence divorce agreement among the duo. In general, a hearing process considering all types of claims and applications are to be followed by both the parties, at the same time by the court as well. With this regard, it becomes an important and preferable
Saturday, August 24, 2019
The Civil Rights Movement Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words
The Civil Rights Movement - Research Paper Example This was while the latter had no time to care for their own families. This paper will examine the novel The Help, connecting its themes and events to those of the civil rights movement and other relevant issues. The Help offers insight into the provocative subject of racial, gender and class segregation during the civil rights movement era. Stockett’s novel is an intriguing novel that examines the lives of black maids during the civil rights movement in the early 1960s. Stockett shows the relationship between African Americans and the whites as a complex continuum of abuse, mistrust, hate, dependence, attachment and shockingly, love. Notably, Stockett wittingly portrays this array of emotions in a humorous and agile manner. However, her expression at the end of the novel shows that portraying these mixed emotions was not an easy feat. In a personal excerpt at the novel’s conclusion, Stockett notes that there is no trickier subject for a Southern writer than that of love between a white and a black person within the imbalanced world of segregation. Nonetheless, Stockett portrays these emotions with equal degrees of seriousness and humor. However, the absence of reference to one of the most critical mass struggles of the South gives a sense of inaccuracy with regard to the novel. The mass struggle in this case refers to that which shattered the Jim Crow structure in the South during the civil rights movement. ... Prior to the year, 1965, African Americans sought to break state disfranchisement but were unsuccessful. However, the motiveless attack of peaceful marchers by state troopers, in Alabama, forced Congress and President Johnson to counter the resistance of Southern legislators to allow African American’s enfranchisement. The Help centers on the lives of three characters. They include: Skeeter, a fresh grandaunt from an affluent white family aiming at a journalist career; Aibileen and Minny, black maids who consented to speak out about the tribulations of African Americans. The three set out on a project to expose the ills of racial segregation in the South. The trio’s project coincides with the upsurge of the second wave of the feminist movement. Although the novel revolves around feminist movement events that preceded the Women’s Liberation Movement and the foundation of the National Organization for Women (NOW) by feminist leaders like Betty Friedman, the novel s hows that women, particularly African American women, began seeking freedom from segregation before such movements become public (Maslin 16). While The Help does not provide a perfect description of the events of the 1960s by suppressing the budding feminism of certain characters, the novel still touches on many pertinent issues relevant to 1960s feminism movement and civil rights movement. The Help showcases the role of women’s feminism movements in the larger civil rights movement. Stockett uses different characters to describe the feminist issues at the center of the civil rights movement. Firstly, Skeeter’s independence and rebelliousness towards restrictions enforced by societal norms shows not only a hint of feminism, but also the progress of the civil rights
Friday, August 23, 2019
Chelsea Training Facility Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words
Chelsea Training Facility - Assignment Example In addition to these, the club's first team comprising of 27 players will also be playing here. Currently they practice in Harlington on all days except when they have a match. This has to be transferred to the new site once created, to Hazelwood. Chelsea football club proposes to convert the existing golf course in Hazelwood borough into a football training academy. The academy will be the training ground for the 27 first team players in the Chelsea club. In addition to these players, the academy will embark on training youth and children from the neighbourhood schools to build them up into professional footballers. The Chelsea Football Academy will have 12 senior and grass sided grass pitches with one floodlit pitch, one all weather floodlit pitch, ancillary training areas, parking place and required landscaping. An L shaped building will also be created out of the existing one. This will provide seating for 150 spectators on the top floor and also provide for quarters for two staff in the roof space. The first team, comprising of team players aged over 21 years will be using the pitches for their continuous training. There will be a reserve team of 12 players who are in the 19 and 21 years age group. The Academy will also train a youth team comprising of youth in the ages between 17 and 19 years. ... There will also be Saturday morning training in addition to week day training in the evenings on Tuesday and Thursday. This will number to approximately 120 boys. Once Hazelwood training starts, wards undergoing training in Harlington alone will be transferred to Hazelwood for training. On Sunday mornings, there are regular U9 to U16 matches. These are currently conducted at Cobham and this would continue even after starting training at Hazelwood. There are also the Ladies teams having about 60 senior players and 50 junior players. They train generally in the Feltham Community College and in the Raynes Park High School. Matches are normally played at the Sycob Football Club in Beaconsfield. At the time of making this proposal, the Ladies teams do not have any plans of using the Hazelwood club grounds for this purpose. Factors for the Proposal The following points are observed in favour of the proposal during the analysis of the document: 1. Chelsea FC needs an academy to train and continuously build professional footballers for it. This is line with the Football Association and Football League joint statement issued, reinforcing the idea of creating academies for every professional and Football league club. 2. The Football Academies would be special development centres that will have the best of the facilities and would have to meet very high standards in terms of facilities for both players and well as staff. The centres should be capable of producing students who are not just have technical capability but would be an all round professional. The academies shall have the best coaches and the support of other professionals, viz., physiotherapists, doctors and teachers. 3. These academies shall cater to the
Thursday, August 22, 2019
Describe and evaluate two treatments of unipolar depression Essay Example for Free
Describe and evaluate two treatments of unipolar depression Essay Describe and evaluate two treatments for unipolar depression (25 marks). It has been believed that psychological disorders, like physical illnesses, have organic causes. Therefore, mental disorders are treated just like physical ones. Earlier treatments have included things like trepanning which was carried out in the stone again. Nowadays we have much safer and effective treatments such as therapies and drug treatment. Low levels of both noradrenaline (nora) and serotonin (sero) have been found as being important in unipolar depression (UD) and so it seems logical to treat depression with drugs which increase the availability of these neurotransmitters. Tricyclic, a type of anti-depressant, appears to work by blocking the reuptake of nora and sero. They block the transport route that would normally allow these neurotransmitters to be taken back into the pre-synaptic neurones. This means that nora and sero remain in the synapse longer which leads to an increase in the synaptic activity in the neurones. This helps the transmission of impulses to neurones which use up nora and sero. Another type of drug treatment is the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs). SSRIs work in a similar way to tricyclics but affect only the levels of serotonin in the synapses. In order to make efficient use of the body’s resources there is a system whereby serotonin isn’t wasted in the synapse but ‘taken back’ by the pre-synaptic neuron. If this mechanism is impaired by using inhibitor drugs then the sero which isn’t received by the post-synaptic neuron remains in the synapse. This extends the duration of the message being transmitted and/or increases the message intensity. Both SSRIs and tricyclics reduce the symptoms of depression and improves mood. However, these drug treatments don’t always work. The success rate for them is around 60% but it varies from person to person, as do the side effects. There is, however, many different types of drug and each may have a different success rate. It must be remembered that the ‘success’ of drug treatments for one person may be seen as something completely different to another. Kirsch et al collected data for the licensing of four new-generation anti-depressants. These were all SSRIs. A meta-analysis was carried out comparing the improvements seen in patients taking SSRIs with the improvements in control patients who had received placebos. They found that there was ‘no difference at moderate levels of initial depression’ between the improvements of those receiving SSRIs and those receiving placebos. This shows that the placebo appeared to benefit moderately depressed individuals. This could be due to the sufferers being presented with hope of reducing their symptoms. This contrasts with the results found of severely depressed groups who experienced lessened symptoms, which discredits the placebo effect. It could be argued that the drug itself may have a ‘placebo effect’ where a person feels that they are getting better because they are taking a pill, no matter what the pill is. It could be that the person is helping themselves and the drug is simply supplying the idea that they’re getting better when it does nothing to them. Geller et al found that double blind studies showed anti-depressants to be more effective than placebos for children and adolescents. This could be because there are differences in development between children’s and adult’s brains concerning their neurochemistry. Therefore, children and teenagers may not need to use chemistry altering drugs and could just take a placebo instead as they seen to work better than anti-depressants. Furthermore, Ferguson et al found that those treated with SSRIs were twice more likely to attempted suicide than those treated with a placebo. However, a later review found that a higher risk of suicide was amongst adolescents and decreased amongst adults. This supports Geller’s theory that SSRIs are more effective on adults than adolescents, reinforcing Geller’s view. Drugs have been found to be appropriate and effective at preventing relapse and giving the sufferer a good quality of life meaning they can integrate back into society and return to everyday tasks. Alternatively, research such as Kirsch, Geller and Ferguson is based on correlational studies. This makes it difficult to say whether UD is caused by low levels of neurotransmitters or if it’s visa-versa. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a therapy which treats depression by combining both cognitive and behavioural techniques. The aim of this is to help people who have mental disorders to cope better with their lives and coincidentally feel better. Ellis suggests that depression is due to irrational beliefs but is also maintained by reinforcement. Rational Emotive Behavioural therapy (REBT) aims to replace self-defeating beliefs with adaptive beliefs and uses the ABC model. An example of this is a student getting a good grade for their essay. This is the ‘activating’ of an event. How the person interprets an event or situation is where the ‘belief system’ comes in. The emotional response is then observed which is the ‘consequence’ of the action is. The aim of REBT is to develop a ‘D’ aspect adding a ‘dispute system’ to replace B, adding an adaptive belief, so the person realises they do not have to be perfect. The therapist will ‘test’ patient’s beliefs with actions which challenge their faulty thinking. Often they can be blunt with clients and not show sympathy in order to avoid reinforcing the problem. Cognitive therapy (CT) by Beck involves the use of ‘thought catching’ and ‘behavioural activation’. Thought catching involves the observation of client’s thinking and see how their thoughts influence their feelings. This brings around the realisation that even though their thoughts can seem factual, they are often not. Behavioural activation is where the client is encourage to find activities they might enjoy and put themselves in a position where they may have to deal with ‘cognitive obstacles’ so they can see that they are getting better whilst being active. Butler et al looked at a meta-analyse of the effectiveness of CBT in the treatment of a variety of conditions and found it was ‘somewhat superior to anti-depressants in the treatment of adult depression’. This shows that CBT is highly effective for treating UD as supporting evidence was found across an entire range of data, making the results more reliable due to the large amount of information covered. However, Holmes reported that in ‘the single largest study’ of treatments for depression, CBT appeared to be less effective than other psychotherapies and drug treatments. It was also pointed out that evidence for the effectiveness of CBT comes from studies of patients who have depression but no other symptoms. This suggests that CBT may be less effective for people who have multiple diagnoses or are considered to have comorbidity. It may be that CBT’s nature is to only focus on one mental illness due to how quick it is compared to other treatments for mental health disorders and therefore isn’t able to relieve all. In conclusion, the diathesis-stress model would suggest that someone is born with a predisposition for UD but something from their environment must trigger it in order for them to suffer from it. Therefore it makes sense that a physiological treatment such as drug therapy should be used alongside a psychological therapy such as REBT in order to ensure that the treatment does in fact work as Holmes’, Geller’s and Ferguson’s research has shown it may not.
Wednesday, August 21, 2019
Features And Characteristics Of Dbms Products Computer Science Essay
Features And Characteristics Of Dbms Products Computer Science Essay A Database Management System is system software that enables users to define, create, update, organize, manage and maintain databases. DBMS also controls access to data in the database. It allocates organizations to set control of organization-wide database growth in the hands of database administrators (DBAs) and other experts. 1A DBMS is a system software package that assists the use of integrated collection of data records and files recognized as databases. It allows dissimilar user application programs to simply access the same database. DBMSs might use any of a diversity of database models, for instance the network model or relational model. There are 4 major components of DBMS such as Data model, Data Definition Language (DDL), Data Manipulation Language (DML) and Data dictionary. Data model defines the way data is arranged as an example hierarchy, network, relational, object-oriented, hypermedia, and object-relational multidimensional. Data definition language (DDL) defines the type of data stored in the database and how it is stored. DDL is used to define the scheme. Scheme is a description of the content database and a list of items and their relationship. Data Manipulation Language (DML) is used with third-generation language, fourth-and object-oriented language to achieve the content database so that it can be added, modified and deleted. Structured Query Language (SQL) DML is one of the most popular. Example commands: SELECT, INSERT, DELETE, and UPDATE. Data Dictionary stores definition data elements and characteristics. Elements represent a data field for example, individuals, businesses, programs, reports, etc. DBMS products including are SQL, Oracle, dBase, Paradox, Ingres, Foxpro, and Microsoft Access etc. The Features and Characteristics of DBMS Products Microsoft Access 2Microsoft Office Access, formerly known as Microsoft Access, is a relational database management system from Microsoft that merges the relational Microsoft Jet Database Engine with a graphical user interface and software development tools. Access stores data in its own format based on the Access Jet Database Engine. It capable also import or connect directly to data stored in other Access databases, SharePoint lists, XML, Excel, text, HTML, Outlook, dBase, Lotus 1-2-3, Paradox, or any ODBC-compliant data container as well as Oracle, Microsoft SQL Server, MySQL and PostgreSQL. Software developers and data architects know how to use it to develop application software and non-programmer power users can use it to build simple applications. 3Visual Basic for Applications supported Office applications Access like other and it is an object-oriented programming language that can reference a variety of objects, including the DAO (Data Access Objects) and ActiveX Data Objects, and many other ActiveX components created by Microsoft or by third parties. Visual objects applied in forms and reports interpretation their properties and methods kindly in the VBA programming environment and a big selection of Windows operating system functions can be stated and called from VBA code modules, making Access a rich programming environment. Users are able to produce tables, queries, forms and reports, and link them jointly with macros. VBA can use by advanced that able to write rich solutions with advanced data manipulation and user control. 4The original concept of Access was for end users to be able to access data from any source. Other uses include: the import and export of data to many formats including Excel, Outlook, ASCII, dBase, Paradox, FoxPro, SQL Server, Oracle, ODBC, etc. It also has the ability to link to data in its existing location and use it for viewing, querying, editing, and reporting. This allows the existing data to change and the Access platform to always use the latest data. It can perform heterogeneous joins between data sets stored across different platforms. Access is often used by people downloading data from enterprise level databases for manipulation, analysis, and reporting locally. There is also the Jet Database format (MDB or ACCDB in Access 2007) which can include the application and data in one file. This creates it very suitable to allocate the whole application to another user, who can run it in disconnected environments. The benefits of Access from a programmers viewpoint is its relation compatibility with SQL (structured query language) queries can be viewed graphically or edited as SQL statements, and SQL statements can be used straightforwardly in Macros and VBA Modules to manipulate Access tables. Users can merge and apply both VBA and Macros for programming forms and logic and proposes object-oriented potential. VBA can also be integrated in queries. Microsoft Access suggests parameterized queries. Other programs like VB6 and .NET through DAO or ADO can be referenced for these queries and Access tables. From Microsoft Access, VBA can reference parameterized stored procedures via ADO. 5The desktop editions of Microsoft SQL Server can be used with Access as an alternative to the Jet Database Engine. This support started with MSDE (Microsoft SQL Server Desktop Engine), a scaled down version of Microsoft SQL Server 2000, and continues with the SQL Server Express versions of SQL Server 2005 and 2008. 6Microsoft Access is a file server-based database. Unlike client-server relational database management systems (RDBMS), Microsoft Access does not implement database triggers, stored procedures, or transaction logging. Access 2010 (not released) does have table level triggers and stored procedures built into the ACE data engine. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Microsoft produced Microsoft SQL Server that is a relational model database server. Its main query languages are ANSI SQL and T-SQL. 7The recent version of SQL Server, SQL Server 2008, (code-named Katmai) was released on August 6, 2008 and aims to make data management self-tuning, self organizing, and self maintaining with the development of SQL Server Always On technologies, to provide near-zero downtime. SQL Server 2008 also includes support for structured and semi-structured data, including digital media formats for pictures, audio, video and other multimedia data. In current versions, such multimedia data can be stored as BLOBs (binary large objects), but they are generic bitstreams. Inherent awareness of multimedia data will allow focused functions to be presented on them. According to Paul Flessner, senior Vice President, Server Applications, Microsoft Corp., SQL Server 2008 can be a data storage backend for different varieties of data: XML, email, time/calendar, file, document, spatial, etc as well as perform search, query, analysis, sharing, and synchronization across all data types. 8Other new data types include specialized date and time types and a spatial data type for location-dependent data.[7] Better support for unstructured and semi-structured data is provided using the new FILESTREAM data type, which can be used to reference any file stored on the file system. Structured data and metadata about the file is stored in SQL Server database, whereas the unstructured component is stored in the file system. Such files can be accessed both via Win32 file handling APIs as well as via SQL Server using T-SQL; doing the latter accesses the file data as a BLOB. Backing up and restoring the database backs up or restores the referenced files as well. SQL Server 2008 also natively supports hierarchical data, and includes T-SQL constructs to directly deal with them, without using recursive queries. SQL Server contains better compression features, which also assists in improving scalability. It also contains Resource Governor that allows preserving resources for certain users or workflows. It also contains potentiality for transparent encryption of data as well as compression of backups. SQL Server 2008 maintains the ADO.NET Entity Framework and the reporting tools, replication, and data definition will be built around the Entity Data Model. SQL Server Reporting Services will get charting capabilities from the integration of the data visualization products from Dundas Data Visualization Inc., which was acquired by Microsoft. 9On the management side, SQL Server 2008 includes the Declarative Management Framework which allows configuring policies and constraints, on the entire database or certain tables, declaratively. The version of SQL Server Management Studio included with SQL Server 2008 supports IntelliSense for SQL queries against a SQL Server 2008 Database Engine. SQL Server 2008 also makes the databases available via Windows PowerShell providers and management functionality available as Cmdlets, so that the server and all the running instances can be managed from Windows PowerShell. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Express SQL Server Express supports most of the features and functions of SQL Server. SQL Server 2008 Express is based on SQL Server, which fully supports the features of the Database Engine products. 10The following table lists a few of the major features and components that are supported. Stored Procedures SQL Server Configuration Manager Views Replication (as a subscriber only) Triggers Advanced Query Optimizer Cursors SMO/RMO sqlcmd and osql utilities Integration with Visual Studio 2005 Snapshot Isolation Levels Service Broker (as a client only) ¹ Native XML support, including XQuery and XML Schemas SQL CLR Transact-SQL language support Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS) Dedicated Administrator Connection ² Import/Export Wizard SQL Server Express supports Service Broker, but direct communication between two SQL Server Express servers is not supported. The Dedicated Administrator Connection feature for SQL Server Express is supported with the trace flag 7806. Oracle Database 11g 11Oracle Database is the only database designed for grid computing. With the release of Oracle Database 11g, Oracle is making the management of enterprise information easier than ever; enabling customers to know more about their business and innovate more quickly. Oracle Database 11g delivers superior performance, scalability, availability, security and ease of management on a low-cost grid of industry standard storage and servers. Oracle Database 11g is designed to be effectively deployed on everything from small blade servers to the biggest SMP servers and clusters of all sizes. Herein combination series, study how significant latest features such as Flashback Data, Archive Database Replay, and SecureFiles work through easy, actionable how-tos and taster code. It features computerized management abilities for simple, cost-effective operation. Oracle Database 11gs unique ability to run all data from conventional business information to XML and 3D spatial information makes it the perfect choice to power transaction processing, data warehousing, and content management applications. Replay database tools, such as allows capturing the production workload and repeating the test database or stilling the same database to assess the effects of modifies. As a whole, Oracle Database 11g builds database infrastructure distance further capable, flexible, and convenient. For instance, the compelling new features in the area of partitioning ease the design and management of partitioned tables hugely. MySQL 5.1 MySQL 5.1 is the newest of the MySQL releaseswith 5.1.7, the most recent it has just progressed from alpha to beta status. [12] The following features have been included to MySQL 5.1. Partitioning. This capability enables distributing portions of individual tables across a file system, according to rules which can be set when the table is created. In effect, different portions of a table are stored as separate tables in different locations, but from the user point of view, the partitioned table is still a single table. Row-based replication. Replication capabilities in MySQL originally were based on propagation of SQL statements from master to slave. This is called statement-based replication. Plugin API. MySQL 5.1 adds support for a very flexible plug-in API that enables loading and unloading of various components at runtime, without restarting the server. Although the work on this is not finished yet, plug-in full-text parsers are a first step in this direction. This allows users to implement their own input filter on the indexed text, enabling full-text search capability on arbitrary data such as PDF files or other document formats. Event scheduler. MySQL Events are tasks that run according to a schedule. When you create an event, you are creating a named database object containing one or more SQL statements to be executed at one or more regular intervals, beginning and ending at a specific date and time. Server log tables. Before MySQL 5.1, the server writes general query log and slow query log entries to log files. As of MySQL 5.1, the servers logging capabilities for these logs are more flexible. Log entries can be written to log files (as before) or to the general log and slow log tables in the mysql database. If logging is enabled, either or both destinations can be selected. The log-output option controls the destination or destinations of log output. Upgrade program. The mysql_upgrade program (available as of MySQL 5.1.7) checks all existing tables for incompatibilities with the current version of MySQL Server and repairs them if necessary. This program should be run for each MySQL upgrade. MySQL Cluster. MySQL Cluster is now released as a separate product, based on MySQL 5.1 but with the addition of the NDBCLUSTER storage engine. Some of the changes in MySQL Cluster since MySQL 5.0 are listed here: MySQL Cluster replication. MySQL Cluster disk data storage. Improved backups for MySQL Cluster. IBM DB2 DB2 is regard as by many to have been the earliest database product to use SQL (as well build up by IBM) while Oracle released a commercial SQL database product rather before than IBM did. 13IBMs DB2 database software is a leader in database scalability, reliability, multimedia extensibility, and Web enablement needed for the most demanding e-business applications, said Boris Nalbach, CTO (Chief Technical Officer) The executive responsible for the technical direction of an organization. DB2(R) move towards with a diversity of features that run on the server that can apply to increase or extend the applications. While use DB2 features, no need to write our own code to perform the same tasks. DB2 also allows storing some parts of our code at the server as an alternative of keeping all of it in the client application. This can have performance and maintenance benefits. Here are features to protect data and to identify relationships between data. Additionally, here are object-relational features to build flexible, advanced applications. Some features can use in more than one way. For example, limitations enable to protect data and to identify relationships between data values. [14] There are several key DB2 features: Constraints User-defined types (UDTs) and large objects (LOBs) User-defined functions (UDFs) Triggers Stored procedures 15To choose whether or not to apply DB2 features, consider the following points: Application independence Can make application independent of the data it processes. Using DB2 features that run at the database enables to maintain and change the logic surrounding the data without affecting the application. If, need to make a transform to that logic, require only to change it in one place at the server, and not in every application that accesses the data. Performance Make the application perform more quickly by storing and running parts of the application on the server. This modifies some processing to normally more powerful server machines, and can decrease network traffic between client application and the server. Application requirements Application might have unique logic that other applications dont have. For example, if application processes data entry errors in a particular order that would be unsuitable for other applications; this might want to write our own code to handle this situation. Some cases, that may to decide using DB2 features to run on the server since they can be used by several applications. Others decide to keep logic in the application as it is used by your application only. Comparison of the Features and Characteristics of DBMS Products Developers and database administrators recognize significant differences in the database tools they are presently using. Oracle and IBM DB2 are considered considerably better than Microsoft Access, even though considerably more people use Microsoft Access. 16Information about what fundamental RDBMS features are implemented natively.  Features ACID  Referential integrity  Transactions  Unicode  Interface  DB2 Yes Yes Yes Yes GUI SQL Microsoft Access No Yes Yes Yes GUI SQL Microsoft SQL Server Yes Yes Yes Yes GUI SQL MySQL Yes Yes Yes partial SQL Oracle Yes Yes Yes Yes GUI SQL Oracle Rdb Yes Yes Yes Yes SQL Most of the features and functionality of SQL Server that supported by SQL Server Express. 17Table lists of some features and components that are supported as given below. Stored Procedures SQL Server Configuration Manager Views Replication (as a subscriber only) Triggers Advanced Query Optimizer Cursors SMO/RMO sqlcmd and osql utilities Integration with Visual Studio 2005 Snapshot Isolation Levels Service Broker (as a client only) ¹ Native XML support, including XQuery and XML Schemas SQL CLR Transact-SQL language support Multiple Active Result Sets (MARS) Dedicated Administrator Connection ² Import/Export Wizard SQL Server Express supports Service Broker, but direct communication between two SQL Server Express servers is not supported. The following list highlights the major SQL Server components that are not supported in SQL Server Express: Reporting Services Notification Services Integration Services Analysis Services Full text search OLAP Services / Data Mining Conclusion 18Different DBMS package has different features and capabilities. Most likely the most significant general features to consider in the DBMS chase are security-related. Reflect on whether the DBMS supports access by numerous users at once (multi-user support), which is a significant feature in many situations. If using RDBMS, be sure it features broad support for SQL. If going to be bound by the rigor of the relational model, should be at least be capable to take benefit of the entire area of its features. If using an object-oriented DBMS, support for the Object Database Management Groups (ODMGs) standards offers improved hope of porting code to other DBMS products. Apart from of the chosen model, language or platform, investigate what open standards there are for DBMS and look for these in the products under consideration.
Tuesday, August 20, 2019
Roland barthes and his semiotic theory
Roland barthes and his semiotic theory Abstract Roland Barthes (1915 – 1980) is one of the most recognised names in the field of Semiotics. His Semiotic Theory has been the inspiration behind many aspiring students and teachers alike. His rise to fame coincided with the release of his 1957 book Mythologies, which was a collection of essays he had authored. The public was so fascinated by his ideas that his opinion was often sort in the public arena. Signs range from speech, body language and symbols to paintings, music and Morse code. Barthes Semiotic Theory broke down the process of reading signs and focused on their interpretation by different cultures or societies. According to Barthes, signs had both a signifier, being the physical form of the sign as we perceive it through our senses and the signified, or meaning that is interpreted. Barthes also believed that every ideological sign is either a Denotative sign system or a Connotative sign system. A Denotative sign, which is a strictly descriptive system, is the result of the signifier image and the signified concept combining. A Connotative sign is one that has lost its historical meaning. This could be due to a number of things including: changes in culture or terminology, an event, or even just evolution. Semiotic Theory is an ‘Interpretive theory that can be applied to most aspects of everyday life although most people would not realise it. Introduction Purpose The purpose of this report is to gain insight into the world of Roland Barthes in terms of a brief timeline of his life. Also of particular focus will be to gain a basic outline and understanding of his Semiotic Theory. This will include the key issues involved in the theory, along with its application in everyday life and an evaluation of the theory. A few of my own views on this theory will also be included. Scope This report will focus on the basic concepts of Barthes Semiotic Theory. It will only look into the most basic concepts as going into great detail would involve a much more involved and lengthy research process given its complexity. An attempt to gain an understanding of the theory will be sort in order to assess it relevance in todays society. Limitations In the process of researching this topic it quickly became apparent that it would be difficult to gain a clear and concise understanding of it. The availability of ‘easy to read information sources seemed few and far between, with the majority of available material worded in a nature that was at times impossible to decipher. It was also found that many of Barthes work is not freely available, access to it was more than once accompanied with a monetary contribution of some sort. Research Methods A number of different research methods were used in the acquirement of information for this report, all with varying success. The primary source was the internet because of its easily accessible pool of information. Using this method it was possible to gain immediate information on most topics, although it did occasionally have its limitations. The use of books was also another primary information source. Finding books that were easy to read was difficult but a number of them were of great aid. Periodicals were also used to acquire information although the available articles were of little use due to the nature of the language and terminology used. Structure of the Report This report will first outline the life and times of Roland Barthes including his upbringing and education. It will then go on to outline his Semiotic Theory and describe some of its most basic concepts. This will flow on into how the theory can be applied to everyday life as well as an evaluation. Literature Review Book Reference One Hall, S. (2007). This Means This, This Means That. A Users Guide to Semiotics. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd. Summary Although this book uses fairly basic language to describe the concepts it is trying to portray, it does not ‘water down the text so much as to make you feel stupid. Given that semiotics can be quite a difficult subject to explain, this book does a decent job of explaining a number of different concepts with graphical examples. The graphical examples it supplies helps to give a greater understanding of the idea/s that is being put across, and gives readers the opportunity to first interpret what they are viewing from their own perspective, before reading the explanation describing the theory behind the graphic, or sign. This interaction gets the reader involved in a lot of creative thinking which is a great way to re-enforce the points and concepts being laid out by the text. Given its graphical nature, this book will also be extremely useful for presentation purposes. Accuracy and Validity The author of this book, Sean Hall, is the Leader in Contextual Studies at Goldsmiths, University of London. Although not a ‘big name in semiotics, his previous studies, academic status, and proven track record in research goes a long way to proving the accuracy and validity of his work. The extensive bibliography provided in this book shows that he has sourced many areas for his research and consulted many different individuals. Semiotics is a subject that has no body of knowledge to fall back on. For this reason it is difficult to determine whether or not any information is accurate as everything about semiotics is subjective and open to scrutiny. Book Reference Two Cobley, P., Jansz, L. (2004). Introducing Semiotics. (2nd ed.). Singapore: Tien Wah Press Ltd. Summary I found this book to be rather difficult to follow due to the nature of the layout. It is set out in almost a comic style, or storyboard type approach, which can be a little difficult to follow at times. This is also not helped by the absence of a contents page, forcing the investigation of particular ‘ideas to be located through the index at the back of the book, or else recalling exactly where in the book that it was originally read. It is difficult to determine exactly what information will be useful from this book. Some information, such as that about particular theorists, will be somewhat helpful; however, many of the other concepts covered may not be of any use due to the difficulty of finding it again – and the comic book type nature. One topic, which is covered at the beginning of the book, is a pre-history of semiotics. This information is extremely helpful as information of this nature has been difficult to locate. As previously stated, this book opens up with a brief history and a little about the very first researchers in the area of semiotics. It then goes on to outline how some of the earlier historical figures contributed to the early understanding and significance of signs. This is followed by an attempt to give an understanding of the concepts involved with semiotics and also includes reference to some of the more recent researchers of this field, including Roland Barthes. Accuracy and Validity Dr Paul Cobley, the man responsible for the text in this book, is a Senior Lecturer in Communication at London Guildhall University. He has authored as number of books in the area of Semiotics as well as Communication Theory, and his record in these areas is exceptional. I have found that a lot of his work has been used as reference by many of the other information sources I have used. This shows that his work is highly regarded by many in the field, and that the accuracy and validity of his work is widely recognised. Library Database Reference One Petrilli,S.(2008). On Communication: Contributions to the Human Sciences and to Humanism from Semiotics Understood as Semioethics.The American Journal of Semiotics,24(4),193-236.Retrieved August 7, 2009 from Research Library. (Document ID:1608836621). Summary This article was extremely difficult to decipher and not very helpful. For this reason I find it particularly challenging to review it as it made little to no sense to me. This article was chosen more out of necessity than anything else as finding useful database articles proofed to be difficult. Accuracy and Validity Susan Petrilli teaches Semiotics and Philosophy of Language at the Department of Linguistic Practices and Text Analysis at Bari University, Italy. Her list of studies and publications is extensive, as is her work in the translation of research done by Charles Morris and Thomas A. Sebeok from English to Italian. There is little doubt that information sourced from Susan Petrilli is viable, it is just a shame that in this case it was of little use as it was not valid. Library Database Reference Two Petrilli,S.(2008). The Relation with Morris in Rossi-Landis and Sebeoks Approach to Signs1.The American Journal of Semiotics,24(4),89-121.Retrieved August 7, 2009 from Research Library. (Document ID:1608836581). Summary This article authored by Susan Petrilli and featured in The American Journal of Semiotics, outlines the work done by Ferruccio Rossi-Landi and Thomas Sebeok, which in turn was based on the work of Charles Morris. Charles Morris (1901 – 1979), is quite a controversial character in the world of Semiotics. Some credit him with the recognition of Semiotics as a science field, and others accuse him of copying the work of another theorist, Charles Peirce. Either way, the work he did or didnt do was influential in the works of other theorists. It gave new direction and recognition to semiotics and helped pave the way for future study and research. Both Ferruccio Rossi-Landi and Thomas Sebeok have helped to advance the science of semiotics but it is important to highlight that the work they have done was in most cases an extension of Morriss research. This article highlights that fact and expands on it in much greater detail. Whether or not this article will directly influence my studies is debatable, it does however, give a greater understanding about the evolution of semiotics and how it came to be recognised. Accuracy and Validity Susan Petrilli teaches Semiotics and Philosophy of Language at the Department of Linguistic Practices and Text Analysis at Bari University, Italy. Her list of studies and publications is extensive, as is her work in the translation of research done by Charles Morris and Thomas A. Sebeok from English to Italian. Web Article Reference One Barthes, R (1957). Mythologies: The World of Wrestling. Retrieved 1 September, 2009 from http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/Barthes-Mythologies-Wrestling-1957.pdf Summary Having access to an actual essay by Roland Barthes proved to be a great help in the research process. This essay picked apart a wrestling event by applying his theories to it. It was an excellent way to explain certain aspects of the theory. This ranged from the physical appearance of the competitors and their general mannerisms, to the cultural or public interpretation of what was unfolding before them. It explained the theatrical side of wrestling and how it is catered to the needs of its audience. Everybody at the event knows what is going on because of the different signs expresses by the ‘actors. Accuracy and Validity Given that this report is based on Roland Barthes theory, the accuracy and validity of the information needs little clarification. Everything in this report is based on his ideas and concepts so the accuracy needs not be questioned. Web Article Reference Two Wikipedia.(2009). Roland Barthes. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Barthes Summary This article on Roland Barthes was a great starting point in the research process. Without being too technical it gave a nice brief outline about Roland Barthes including a little about his works and theory. Accuracy and Validity Not always an accurate source of information, I was initially reluctant to take any information from Wikipedia at face value. However, this did slowly change as my research went on and verification of the content was discovered. The great thing about Wikipedia is that it has its own references meaning that it paves the way for more in depth research. Findings Roland Barthes Roland Barthes is considered to be one of the biggest names in Semiotics and much of his work has been the primary inspiration and information source for many aspiring students, as well as teachers, in the field of Semiotics. Born in Cherbough, France, on the 12th of November 1915, Roland Barthes had what he called â€Å"Not an unhappy youth†. Less than a year after his birth his father was killed in a naval accident forcing his mother to move with him to Bayonne. Here he spent the early part of his childhood before moving again in 1924, this time to Paris. It was in Paris that he attended school at Lycà ©e Louis-le-Grand and Lycà ©e Montaigne, both being well renowned secondary schools in France. In 1934 he contracted Tuberculosis and spent a number of years in Sanatoriums. Although this often meant he was unable to undertake his doctorate studies, it did give him the time to pursue other interests, the most dominant being reading, â€Å"What else did you ha ve to do except read?†He also started to do a little writing and cofounded the magazine Thà ©Ãƒ ¢tre populaire. There was one positive to come out of his ill health – it kept him out of military service during World War II. Barthes went on to study at the Historic University of Paris, or Sorbonne, where he received a degree in Classical literature, as well as in grammar and philology. This was followed by various teaching positions including appointments in France, Romania and Egypt. He had made an intentional avoidance of major degree awarding universities throughout his career which lead to these ‘unusual posts. In 1957, Barthes had a book called Mythologies released. In this publication Barthes used the concepts of semiotics to analyse myths and signs in contemporary culture. The release of this book coincided with the rapid rise of fame for Barthes. The ideas and concepts within the book seemed to strike a chord with scholars and the general public. This pop ularity lead to material from the book being referred to in newspapers, films, shows, and exhibitions. Auto manufacturer Renault found his work so compelling that they temporarily hired him as an advertising consultant. During the early 1960s, Barthes spent much of his time exploring the fields of semiology and structuralism. This was accompanied by various faculty positions around France and a continuation in the production of his more full length studies. During his career, Roland Barthes published more essays than substantial studies. He often presented his views in a concise, subjective way that differed from the theoretical approach used by the majority of scholars. It was this approach that not only made him a standout in various fields but also a somewhat controversial character. Many other academics and theorists had a love hate relationship with him. Roland Barthes died on the 25th of March 1980 from injuries succumbed from being hit by a van a month earlier. Outline Of Roland Barthes Semiotic Theory Among other fields studied by Roland Barthes, his Semiotic Theory is one of the most famous and well renowned. Although he changed his mind about the way signs work more than once over his career, most practitioners follow the concepts of his original theory. Semiotics, or Semiology as it is often referred to, is concerned with anything that can stand for something else. It is the study of sign processes, meaning what signs signify and how, what signs are communicating, as well as how meaning is constructed and understood. In short it is the study of everything to do with signs. Although arguably not a recognised field until the work of Charles Morris, Semiotics can be applied to almost every aspect of life because it is an interpretation of everything around us. Signs are not only the visual aspect that we all immediately think of but also extends to include areas such as gestures or body language, music, clothes, poetry, paintings, Morse code, food, and graffiti. These are all cons idered to be signs that fall into the category of Semiotics because they can all mean something other than the obvious. For example, an apple can mean healthy and a crown can mean king. These meaning are however, very dependent on the context in which they are referred too. Spots on your chest need to be deciphered in a medical context and road signs will be judged in a transport context. According to Barthes theory, every ideological sign is either a Denotative sign system or a Connotative sign system. A Denotative sign, which is a strictly descriptive system, is the result of the signifier image and the signified concept combining. In other words the apple is the signifier and healthy is the signified. A Connotative sign is one that has lost its historical meaning. This could be due to a number of things including: changes in culture or terminology, an event, or even just evolution. It is important to note that Barthes description of a sign as the correlation between the signifier and the signified came directly from the Swiss linguist Ferdinand de Saussure. The best way to describe the difference between the signifier and signified may be to refer to Barthes essay ‘The World of Wrestling which was published in his 1957 book Mythologies. In this essay he describes the image portrayed by the wrestlers and the resulting portrayal by the fans resulting from the wrestlers image. As Barthes (1957) states: As soon as the adversaries are in the ring, the public is overwhelmed with the obviousness of the roles. As in the theatre, each physical type expresses to excess the part which has been assigned to the contestant. Thauvin, a fifty-year-old with an obese and sagging body The nausea voluntarily provoked by Thauvin shows therefore a very extended use of signs: not only is ugliness used here in order to signify baseness, but in addition ugliness is wholly gathered into a particularly repulsive quality of matter I know from the start that all of Thauvins actions, his treacheries, cruelties and acts of cowardice, will not fail to measure up to the first image of ignobility he gave me; I can trust him to carry out intelligently and to the last detail all the gestures of a kind of amorphous baseness, and thus fill to the brim the image of the most repugnant bastard there is: the bastard-octopus (p.2). This description of the wrestler Thauvin contains a number of signifiers. His physical image: â€Å"fifty-year-old with an obese and sagging body†accompanied by his general mannerisms, are all signifiers. The immediate impression gained by these signifiers lead us to the signified â€Å" all of Thauvins actions, his treacheries, cruelties and acts of cowardice, will not fail to measure up to the first image of ignobility he gave me†. The impression we gain of ugliness and evil by way of the signifier and signified form an image of a villain – which is the sign. This example of a Denotative Sign System is easily dissected because of its theatrical nature. The ability to clearly define the signifier and signified, and therefore the sign, is not always so easily achieved. Application of Theory Semiotic Theory can be applied to many aspects of everyday life and includes activities carried out by most people. Signs have become a part of everyday living and are everywhere. In many societies they are essential, for without them there would be chaos. A simple task such as driving from A to B could become a real nightmare without knowing where you are going, what the road rules are, or how fast your car is travelling. The application of signs in society gives us rules and order. But signs are not always so clearly displayed, read, or interpreted. A married couple can tell each others sad state of mind whereas anyone else may not realise that anything is wrong or out of place. A farmer can tell a sick animal from a healthy one, others will see absolutely no difference. A systems analyst will interpret the clients needs better than a programmer (in most cases). More often than not experience in reading or interpreting a sign is essential in gaining meaning to it and a better understanding of what it is trying to get across. If signs were always clearly interpreted, the number of system projects failing wouldnt be so great; a clear thorough understanding of what is needed would be more easily obtained. Evaluation of Theory Semiotic Theory seems to be based on a mainly Interpretive Approach but does include a small number of Scientific or Objective Approach qualities. The process of deciphering a sign involves many interpretive aspects. While a particular symbol may mean something in one culture, it may mean something different in another. It is how that culture interprets that symbol which determines its meaning. An example can be taken from ‘The World of Wrestling essay by Barthes, â€Å"As soon as the adversaries are in the ring, the public is overwhelmed with the obviousness of the roles.†(p.2). That particular culture (public) has a clear interpretation of what they think the wrestlers are portraying. This is clarified further on in the essay: â€Å"It has already been noted that in America wrestling represents a sort of mythological fight between Good and Evil (of a quasi-political nature, the bad wrestler always being supposed to be a Red [Communist]).†( Barthes, 1957, p.3). This tells us clearly that it is the American publics interpretation of events which gives the desired meaning or effect. The same ‘show being played out in another culture will likely have very different results. This clearly shows an example of ‘Clarification of Values. Over the course of his career, Barthes reviewed his theory and even changed his mind about certain aspects. This ‘evolution as it has been referred to, shows that it was very much under scrutiny and social reform. Given that it in no way could be ‘scientifically tested, many other scholars or likewise had their own opinion on Semiotic Theory – some for and other against. Either way, it was all very much how it was interpreted. Conclusion Summary of Points Roland Barthes (1915 – 1980) is one of the most recognised names in the field of Semiotics. His Semiotic Theory has been the inspiration behind many aspiring students and teachers alike. His rise to fame coincided with the release of his 1957 book Mythologies, which was a collection of essays he had authored. The public was so fascinated by his ideas that his opinion was often sort in the public arena. Signs range from speech, body language and symbols to paintings, music and Morse code. Barthes Semiotic Theory broke down the process of reading signs and focused on their interpretation by different cultures or societies. According to Barthes, signs had both a signifier, being the physical form of the sign as we perceive it through our senses and the signified, or meaning that is interpreted. Barthes also believed that every ideological sign is either a Denotative sign system or a Connotative sign system. A Denotative sign, which is a strictly descriptive system, is the result of the signifier image and the signified concept combining. A Connotative sign is one that has lost its historical meaning. This could be due to a number of things including: changes in culture or terminology, an event, or even just evolution. Semiotic Theory is an ‘Interpretive theory that can be applied to most aspects of everyday life although most people would not realise it. A Critique of the Theory Roland Barthes often caused controversy because of his often non-scholarly point of view, and the subjective nature of his essays. Barthes 1963 study ‘Sur Racine was one such series of works that caused such controversy. Another ‘Racine scholar name Raymond Picard, took particular exception to this work and criticised Barthes approach in some of his work. In turn, Barthes responded by writing an essay which implied that criticism should become a ‘science. Generally such criticism of Barthes work was rare, and his approach often had fellow scholars intrigued. It is my opinion that this theory is an over-analysis of what should be a simple act of reading a sign. Constantly analysing every aspect of life would easily become very painstaking and I can imagine some ‘enjoyment of life would be lost due to this. The concept of the signifier and signified forming the sign seems relatively simple in theory and if left at that would be. The constant in-depth analysis of even the simplest of tasks seems to be rather pedantic and unnecessary – hence the reason I am not a Semiotic Theorist. Glossary Of Terms Amorphous – Having no definite form. Baseness – Despicable, Untrustworthy, Treacherous. Connotative – In Semiotics connotation arises when the denotative relationship between a signifier and its signified is inadequate to serve the needs of the community. Connotative Sign System – A mythic sign that has lost its historical referent; form without substance. Denotative In semiotics, denotation is the surface or literal meaning encoded to a signifier. Denotative Sign System A descriptive sign without ideological content. Ideology – Knowledge presented as common sense or natural, especially when its social construction is ignored or suppressed. Ignobility – Not noble in quality, character or purpose. Myth – The connotative meaning that signs carry wherever they go; myth makes what is cultural seem natural. Philology the study of literature and of disciplines relevant to literature or to language as used in literature. Sanatorium – an institution for treating chronic diseases, typically tuberculosis. Sign – The inseparable combination of the signifier and the signified. Signified – The meaning we associate with the sign. The idea or thing that that the Signifier represents. Signifier – The physical form of the sign as we perceive it through our senses; an image, object or word being referred too. References / Bibliography Amazon.com. (2009). Universe of the Mind: A Semiotic Theory of Culture. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.amazon.com/Universe-Mind-Semiotic-Theory-Culture/dp/025321405X Australia Donna. (2009). Susan Petrilli. Retrieved August 7, 2009 from http://www.australiadonna.on.net/english/prof/petrilli.htm Barthes, R (1957). Mythologies: The World of Wrestling. Retrieved 1 September, 2009 from http://www9.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/theory/Barthes-Mythologies-Wrestling-1957.pdf Chandler, D. (2002). Semiotics: The Basics. Great Britain: Routledge. Chandler, D. (2005). Semiotics for Beginners. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://www.aber.ac.uk/media/Documents/S4B/sem01.html Cobley, P., Jansz, L. (2004). Introducing Semiotics. (2nd ed.). Singapore: Tien Wah Press Ltd. Goldsmiths, University of London. (2008). Hall, Sean. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www.gold.ac.uk/design/staff/hall/ Griffin, E. (2009). A First Look at Communication Theory. (7th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill. Hall, S. (2007). This Means This, This Means That. A Users Guide to Semiotics. London: Laurence King Publishing Ltd. Halton, E. (1992). Charles Morris A Brief Outline of His Philosophy with relations to semiotics, pragmatics, and linguistics. Retrieved August 7, 2009 from http://www.nd.edu/~ehalton/Morrisbio.htm Liukkonen, P. (2008). Roland Barthes (1915 – 1980). Retrieved September 1, 2009 from http://www.kirjasto.sci.fi/rbarthes.htm London Metropolitan University. (2009). Sir John Cass Department of Art, Media and Design. Staff Research: Media and Communication. Retrieved August 10, 2009 from http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/jcamd/research/staff-research/mc/paul-cobley.cfm No Author. (1992). Websters Dictionary. (1992 ed.) United States of America: Leisure Entertainment Service Co Inc. Petrilli,S.(2008). On Communication: Contributions to the Human Sciences and to Humanism from Semiotics Understood as Semioethics.The American Journal of Semiotics,24(4),193-236.Retrieved August 7, 2009 from Research Library. (Document ID:1608836621). Petrilli,S.(2008). The Relation with Morris in Rossi-Landis and Sebeoks Approach to Signs1.The American Journal of Semiotics,24(4),89-121.Retrieved August 7, 2009 from Research Library. (Document ID:1608836581). The Stewardship. (n.d.). Semiotic Theory. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://the-stewardship.org/research/semiotics.htm Wikipedia.(2009). Roland Barthes. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roland_Barthes Wikipedia.(2009). Semiotics. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiotics Wikipedia.(2009). Semiotic Information Theory. Retrieved July 22, 2009 from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semiotic_information_theory
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