Romeo and Mercutio Essay Example for Free

Romeo and Mercutio Essay ‘Explore the ways in which Romeo and Mercutio are presented in Act 1 Scene 4 and elsewhere in Shakespeare’s play and in the performed version. In act 1 scene 4 of Romeo and Juliet, characters Romeo and Mercutio express different feelings that draw the reader in and shows how important the relationship between them is. In the scene everybody is wearing masks and Mercutio and Romeo have attended the Capulet’s party. Romeo states that he will not dance at the Capulet’s feast as he loves someone who does not love him so he is not in the mood to dance and be happy but Mercutio (a close friend of Romeo) tries to convince him to dance. Mercutio then goes on to recite his speech to Romeo about Queen Mab of the fairies and how she visits your dreams. Romeo is presented in a way that he seems like he worries whether dreams come true or if they are just made up. This makes him seem more scared than ready for anything. In Act 1 Scene 4, Romeo says that he â€Å"dreamt a dream tonight† to his friends Mercutio and Benvolio, on their way to the Capulet’s feast. He is worried whether his dream will actually become reality, saying that he fears the â€Å"vile forfeit of untimely death†. However, at the end of the play you see his dream as real life as he does eventually die before his time, because of this happening it is able to prove that Romeo may be seen a psychic. Also in this scene you see Mercutio also express his view on dreams and desires in his Queen Mab speech. After Romeo says that he dreamt a dream, Mercutio then jumps in and says he too dreamt a dream, although he says that â€Å"dreamers often lie†. He begins to describe Queen Mab, a fairy that brings fantasies to dreams. The speech begins very imaginative and unusual but changes nearer the end. Mercutio ends the speech saying that dreams are â€Å"children of an idle brain† and dreams are nothing but hopes. This shows Mercutio’s view on dreams and desires, which is that they are demeaning and undignified in comparison to Romeo’s view who see them quite real and true. This scene also shows how sensitive and depressed Romeo’s character really  is. Romeo talks about how uncomfortable being in love is making him feel â€Å"Under love’s heavy burden do I sink†. This is saying that Romeo sinks because of the strong and heavy weight of love. You can tell from this that Romeo is not enjoying being in love and at the beginning Rosaline does not love him and how sad this makes him feel – so the audience is being prepared for the meeting of Juliet and Romeo. Romeo is extremely depressed and does intend to dance or be merry, which is the reason that his good friend Mercutio tries to stop Romeo from feeling this way. Romeo and Mercutio’s relationship in the play in very important to the plot of Romeo and Juliet, for starters, Mercutio is the one who convinces Romeo to attend the Capulet’s feast and this is where Romeo and Juliet meet for the first time. No matter how reluctant to going Romeo was Mercutio was able to get Romeo to agree to go. Without Mercutio the couple would never of met and the play or Romeo and Juliet would not be able to unfold in the way it does. Another reason is because of Mercutios death it sets off event which then lead to the banishment of Romeo which then draws Romeo and Juliet together again. Not only is there comparison between parts of the actual play and film but there are differences with how they are both performed. A main comparison is that in a play text the focus is on what is spoken and it is then up to the imagination to build on a character. Whereas in a film text the focus is on how the characters look and the colours they are wearing because this can symbolise what the characters are like emotions. Another large difference is, in the play the language that is used creates different moods, whether it be poetic, longs or short sentences they all create various emotions – for example a short sentence may be trying to build tension between the characters. However, in the film, the camera shots affect how the characters feelings are put across to the viewer. Close ups are intended to show tension whereas longer shorts may be to show peace between the characters. This shows that there are infact many differences between the time in which Shakespeare, the per formed version was set and shown on stage and Shakespeare the filmed version was shown through the camera.

Cadbury Company An Analysis of Financial Statements

Cadbury Company An Analysis of Financial Statements This analysis is to examine the performance of Cadbury in 2007 and 2008 from their financial statements which are shown below. There is a significant improvement in Cadburys confection revenues which increased 15% to  £5.4bn. Cadbury increased their price in their selling in 2008 for balancing the rise of their input cost and besides increased the price of their product, Cadbury also sleek their cost base, by decreasing in sales, to save their cost from labours, raw materials, and electricity, also Cadbury reduced their general and administration cost and in central overhead. Because of this movement, from the table of income statement and balance sheet, there is a significant change in their operating margin which is 278 million pounds in 2007 and it increased to 388 million pounds in 2008. There is also a big increase in discontinued operation from 2007 to 2008, which Cadbury made profit 258 million pounds in 2007 but loss 4 million pounds in 2008, this was happened because in 2008, Cadbury got a transaction cost of separation of the Americas Beverages business, in this year, Cadbury completed the demerger of its American Beverages business and sell the Australia Beverages business. From the table data that we had from Cadbury website, here are calculations to know about performance of Cadbury that each calculation has its own purpose. Mainly ratios have three important functions which are: From ratios, it is easier for us to make a conclusion than from a financial statement itself, because sometimes financial statement is very complex, and it is hard for us to draw a conclusion from that. Ratios provide a good benchmark that makes us easier to compare from one company to another. Here are some ratios about performance of Cadbury which all calculation is in million pounds. From this ratio, we compare 3 years financial statements and the ratios are: Profitability Efficiency Investment ratios PROFITABILITY Return on ordinary shareholders funds (ROSF) In 2007 Average shareholders fund = (3696+4173):2 = 3934.5 ROSF = (407 : 3934.5) x 100 = 10.344% In 2008 Average shareholders fund = (4173+3534):2= 3853.5 ROSF = (366 : 3853.5 ) x 100 = 9.5% Return on Capital employed (ROCE) In 2007 Average total assets less current liabilities = ( 6855 + 6724 ) : 2 = 6789.5 ROCE = (278 : 6789.5) x 100 = 4.095% In 2008 Average total assets less current liabilities = (6724 + 5507) : 2 = 6115.5 ROCE = (388 : 6115.5) x 100 = 6.345% Operating Profit Margin In 2007 Operating profit = 278 Operating profit margin = 278 : 4699 x 100 = 5.92% In 2008 Operating profit = 388 Operating profit margin = 388 : 5384 x 100 = 7.21% Gross Profit Margin In 2007 Gross profit margin = (2195 : 4669) x 100 = 47.01% In 2008 Gross profit margin = (2514 : 5384) x 100 = 46.69% EFFICIENCY Inventory days In 2007 Ratio = (821 : 2504) x 365 = 119.67 days (120 days) In 2008 Ratio = (767 : 2870) x 365 = 97.54 days (98 days) Total asset turnover In 2007 2006 = Fixed assets + current asset = 7815 + 2396 + 22 = 10233 2007 = Fixed assets + current asset = 8667 + 2600 + 71 = 11338 Average = (10233 + 11338) : 2 = 10785.5 Ratio = 4699 : 10785.5 = 0.448 In 2008 2007 = Fixed assets + current asset = 8667 + 2600 + 71 = 11338 2008 = Fixed assets + current asset = 5990 + 2635 + 270 = 8895 Average = (11338 + 8895) : 2 = 10116.5 Ratio = 5384 : 10116.5 = 0.532 Net asset turnover In 2007 Average total assets less current liabilities = ( 6855 + 6724 ) : 2 = 6789.5 Ratio = 4699 : 6789.5 = 0.688 In 2008 Average total assets less current liabilities = (6724 + 5507) : 2 = 6115.5 Ratio = 5384 : 6115.5 = 0.88 INVESTMENT RATIOS Dividend cover In 2007 Profit available for dividend = 149 + 258 = 407 Ratio = 407 : 311 = 1.31 In 2008 Profit available for dividend = 370 + (-4) = 366 Ratio = (366 : 295) = 1.24 Dividend Payment Ratio In 2007 Profit available for dividend = 149 + 258 = 407 Ratio = (311 : 407) x 100% = 76% In 2008 Profit available for dividend = 370 + (-4) = 366 Ratio = (295 : 366) x 100% = 81% Summary Based on calculation above, we can summarise a few things. There is a relation between profitability and efficiency, which is ROCE = operating profit margin x asset turnover In 2007 ( 278 : 6789.5 ) = ( 278 : 4699 ) x ( 4699 : 6789.5 ) In 2008 ( 388 : 6115.5 ) = ( 388 : 5384 ) x ( 5384 : 6115.5 ) It means that to improve ROCE, Cadbury has to improve their operating margins, from this Cadbury has increased their sales (increase their price of their product and reduce their cost), this method is effective, that we can see from their turn over which had increased from 4.7 billion pounds to 5.4 billion pounds in 2008. Return on ordinary shareholders funds (ROSF) ROSF means to compares the profit that available for shareholders with their investment in business. ROSF uses average investment in the business, from the calculation of ROSF, we can see that the profit for shareholders had decreased from 2007 to 2008 which was 10.344% in 2007 and 9.5% in 2008, this was happened because in 2008 there was loss because discontinued operation which has explained from above. Gross Profit Margin and Operating Profit Margin Gross profit margin calculates about the difference between cost of manufacturing and the selling price, from that we have calculated on above, there is a slightly decrease from 2007 to 2008 which was 47.01% in 2007 and it was decreased to 46.69%. for operating margin, it calculates about operating profit that Cadbury received in every 100 pounds of sales, in Cadburys financial statement, we can see that there is an increase from 5.92 in 2007 to 7.21 in 2008, which means that in 2007 Cadbury received 5.92% as operating profit and 94.08% going in cost, and also in 2008. Inventory days From this calculation, it calculated about planning how much inventory level that can cover for the sales, it means to calculate how many days that left before you run out your inventory and there will be nothing for your customers to buy. from the calculation, we can see that there was a decrease from 2007 to 2008 in inventory days, which was 120 days in 2007 and 98 days in 2008, it means that Cadbury in 2007 Cadbury had 120 days left to cover their selling so in that time if Cadbury did not produce their product, then they had 120 days to cover before they run out, and it had decreased in 2008 to 98 days. Total asset turnover and Net asset turnover Total asset turnover of Cadbury PLC in 2007 and 2008 were 0.448 and 0.532, whereas their net asset turnover in 2007 and 2008 were 0.688 and 0.88. Total asset turnover is based on total assets while net asset turnover is based on total assets less current liabilities. According to data in 2008, it showed that Cadbury got  £ 0.532 for every  £ 1 of their assets and got  £ 0.88 for every  £ 1 of their net assets. This situation indicated that Cadbury had loss  £ 0.468 per  £ 1 of their assets and had loss  £ 0.12 per  £ 1 of their net assets. Dividend cover and Dividend payment ratio Both of those ratios have same purpose which is to know how much money that the shareholders received from the profit of the company. In 2007, the dividend cover and dividend payment ratio were 1.31 and 76% while the dividend cover and dividend payment ratio in 2008 were 1.24 and 81%. It expressed that Cadbury got some profit which is  £ 1.31 per  £ 1 that Cadbury paid out as dividend in 2007 and they got  £ 1.24 in 2008. Those percentages expressed the amount of profit that is allocated to pay the shareholders as dividend, so 76% and 81% of their profit has been paid out as dividend. The Analysis of Financial Statements of Cadbury Competitor Cadbury has several competitors in confectionary business which are Nestle, Mars, etc. In this case, we would like to compare Cadbury with Nestle because Nestle is the largest food and beverage company in the world. Nestle also produces chocolate, gum, and candy same as Cadbury. The tables of financial statements of Nestle are shown below. According to table that is shown above, we can analyze the financial statements of Nestle. There are several ratios that we can calculate which are: Profitability Return on ordinary shareholders funds (ROSF) In 2007 = 20.79% In 2008 = 37.92% Return on capital employed (ROCE) In 2007 = 20.08% In 2008 = 34.58% Operating profit margin In 2007 = 13.42% In 2008 = 20.91% Gross profit margin In 2007 = 58.13% In 2008 = 56.93% Efficiency Inventory days In 2007 = 75.14 days In 2008 = 72.03 days Total assets turnover In 2007 = 0.98 In 2008 = 1.09 Net assets turnover In 2007 = 1.50 In 2008 = 1.65 Efficiency Acid test ratio In 2007 = 0.61 In 2008 = 0.71 Investment ratios Dividend cover In 2007 = 2.49 times In 2008 = 3.72 times In 2008, turnover of Cadbury and Nestle were  £ 5,384 millions and  £ 55,174.6988 millions, whereas the net profit of Cadbury and Nestle were  £366 millions and  £ 9,563.75502 millions. From those data, we can compare both of their performance in 2008. Cadbury = = 0.068 = 6.8% Nestle = = 0.173 = 17.3% Based on those results, it looks Nestle has a better performance than Cadbury. Nestle has a lot of variety of products that they have sold and Nestle company is also has wider market than Cadbury. The categories of Nestle products are baby foods, breakfast cereals, chocolate and confectionery, beverages, bottled water, dairy products, ice cream, prepared foods, foodservice, and pet care. (ANSWERS.COM http://www.answers.com/topic/nestl-sa). That reason is the one of many reasons that is causing Nestle performance is better than Cadbury. However, if we observe in one category such as chocolate and confectionary, Cadbury has a good market rather than Nestle. Cadbury is the second largest candy factory in the world after Mars and the second largest gum factory in the world after Wrigley.

Analysis Of Feyerabends Against Method Philosophy Essay

Analysis Of Feyerabends Against Method Philosophy Essay Paul, Karl Feyerabend (1924-1994) is one representative of the post positivism, studies Philosophy and Methodology of Science.  He formulated a number of fruitful methodological ideas, developed the anarchist theory of knowledge, which has received great attention in the international philosophical community. Paul Karl Feyerabend was born January 13, 1924 in Vienna.  He received an excellent education.  His interests were very different: in Weimar, he studied drama in London, and in Copenhagen he studied philosophy, microphysics, and in Vienna history.  His teaching career began in Vienna as an assistant professor of the Vienna Institute of Arts and Sciences.  From 1951 he lectured at the University of Bristol, from 1958 he worked in the U.S. (because of this it is usually ranked among the American Scientists).   Name Feyerabend has acquired international fame thanks to the concept of epistemological anarchism.  Furthermore, Feyerabend criticizes the view that the theory is just a convenient scheme for organizing facts.  He emphasizes that every scientific theory has its own special way of viewing the world.  Her perception is influenced by peoples shared beliefs and expectations, and through this the experience and our perception of the real.  It turns out that the facts and experimental results, serve as a measure of reliability theory in the classical science, is not so infallible, but rather due to the original setting of the researcher.  On the basis of this statement, Feyerabend introduces the rule, which states that it is necessary to introduce and develop hypotheses that are incompatible with the well-grounded theory that existed previously with the facts and the experimental data.  Because it is often the evidence that can disprove a theory, it can be obtained only by us ing an alternative that is incompatible with this theory.  The recommendation to use an alternative only after a denial has discredited the orthodox theory, puts, according to Feyerabend, the cart before the horse.  The rule of the Feyerabend puts the basis of its pluralistic methodology.  In the article against the methodological constraint (Against Method, London: Verso, 1975) Feyerabend wrote that a true scientist should compare ideas with other ideas, not experience, and seek to improve those concepts that were defeated in the competition, rather than discard them.  In doing so, he retains the concept of man and cosmos as contained in the book of Life or Pomander, and will use them to gauge the success of the theory of evolution and other innovative concepts.  Feyerabend gained fame largely due to the requirement to develop incompatible with the facts of the theory on the grounds, that there was no single more or less interesting theory, which is consistent with all kn own facts.  It was for the possible existence of a pluralistic methodology to the lack of established standards, propaganda, coercion.  Hence the thesis that everything is permissible (anything goes). Feyerabend said that science is a relatively new form of knowledge that occurred two hundred years ago, which was born in a fierce conflict with religion and, perhaps, itself sooner or later be barred from forward positions in any other form of knowledge. Science is much closer to myth than willing to allow philosophy of science.  It dazzles only those who have already decided in favor of a particular ideology or not at all reflect on the advantages and limitations of science.  After all, modern science is dominated not by virtue of its merits, but because of the organized for her advocacy and promotions.  This is a form of ideology, and it, according to Feyerabend, should be separated from the state, as is already done in regard to religion.  How can be organized the state, in which there is an approach to science? First of all, Feyerabend rejects the idea that to solve the problems there should be a theory, developed by experts, for example,  intellectuals who explain what is possible and what is impossible.  In a free society, intellectuals, and ideas that their value, and the ways that they deem most appropriate, represent only one of many traditions.  Problems are solved by non-specialist (though their advice is not ignored).  Feyerabend writes: But take, for example, the idea of motion of the Earth.  It originated in antiquity, was defeated by arguments and then was considered an incredible absurdity of Ptolemy, and, nevertheless, returned in triumph in the 18 century.  One can cite many other examples to prove the following moral: the time lag in the development of some ideology (which is a bunch of theories, connected with a specific method and more general philosophical concept) should not be considered grounds for its removal. To create a free society, there should be provided equal rights to all traditions, but in order to implement this project to change the structure of society from the ideological to the protective (do not impose a theory as required, but supporting all theories).  Of course, Feyerabend often has been accused of outrageous and utopian, but we cannot deny the positive influence of his critics on the academic, an established and dogmatize science. In his book Against Method and Science in a free society, Feyerabend defended the idea that there is no methodological rules, which are always used by scientists.  He opposed a single, tradition, scientific method, arguing that any such method of putting some limits on the activities of scientists, and thus limits of the progress.  According to his view, science would benefit most from a dose of anarchism in scientific theory. He also believed that anarchism in theory is desirable, because it is more humanistic approach than the other scientific systems, since it does not force scientists to rigid rules. Can we exclude the possibility that the presently known science, or search for truth in the style of traditional philosophy, will turn a man into a monster?  Is it possible to exclude the possibility that it will be waning man turned into a miserable, moody, arrogant mechanism, devoid of charm and sense of humor?  Can we rule out the possibility asks Kierkegaard that my work as an objective or rational critical observer of nature weakens my human nature? I believe that the answer to all these questions must be negative, and I am sure that  Reform of Sciences will make them more anarchistic and more subjective (in Kierkegaards sense) is essential. (Against Method) Feyerabends position in the philosophical community is radical enough, since it implies that philosophy cannot successfully describe science as a whole, nor can it develop a method of separating scientific papers on nonscientific entities, such as myths.  It also suggests that developed and recommended by the philosophy of common course of science should be rejected by scientists, if it is necessary for further progress. To support his contention that adherence to methodological rules does not lead to success in science, Feyerabend cites examples to refute statements that would (correctly) help the science is valid corresponds to certain fixed rules.  He considers some of the episodes in the history of science considered as the indisputable examples of progress in science (such as the scientific revolution of Copernicus), and shows that in these cases violated all accepted rules of science.  Moreover, he argues that if these rules are adhered to, then in these historical situations scientific revolution could not happen. One of the criteria for evaluating scientific theories, which have been actively criticized by Feyerabend is a criterion for consistency.  He points out that the insistence on the fact that the new theory has consistently continued the old theory that gives undue advantage of the old theories, and that the sequence with respect to the old theories does not lead to the fact that the new theory describes reality better than another new theory, which is a  sequence not in compliance.  That is, if you need to choose between two equally compelling theories, the choice of one of them, which is compatible with the old, already invalid theory will be more aesthetic choice, rather than rational.  After the acquaintance with such theory, scientists can also be harmful because they do not discard much long-standing bias in the transition to a new theory. Many critics agree with Feyerabend . He states that everyone has the right to choose.  And the option do not drown is not necessarily true.  In other words, it seems that Feyerabend does not believe the pursuit of truth and objectivity, knowledge of concepts about the really important goal. The first step in the critique of conventional human concepts and responses is to get out of the circle and either to invent a new conceptual system, such as a new theory that comes into conflict with the most firmly established observational results and reverses the most plausible theoretical principles, or to transfer  a system of what is science, of religion, mythology, from the ideas of incompetent people, or from the ravings of a madman. Feyerabend 1993. One problem is the concept that blurs the line between Feyerabend process of the invention of a scientific theory and its justification.  Arguing that the source of the theory can be anything goes, he denies the need for rational jus tification of the theory, thus diverting their concept to the region of extreme relativism. For all the apparent humanity of the concept, the desire to create a society where everyone will be developed individually, and the state will protect all forms of knowledge, Feyerabend provisions are too general and abstract. In any of his works he does not explain what in fact is bad in this or that theory, or whether the generally accepted concept about the world order are false. Towards a theory of epistemological anarchism, Feyerabend push its social and political beliefs.  He always came to the consideration of science and its methodology from the standpoint of humanism, happiness, and the free development of all people.He opposed to the spiritual enslavement of people, and rebels against the science when it dogmatization is used as a bondage. Anarchism of Feyerabend is, in fact, a rebellion against the spiritual slavery, which keeps peoples bourgeois culture.

American Indians :: essays research papers Native American Indian

The American Indians Between 1609 To 1865 The Native Americans or American Indians, once occupied all of the entire region of the United States. They were composed of many different groups, who speaked hundreds of languages and dialects. The Indians from the Southwest used to live in large built terraced communities and their way of sustain was from the agriculture where they planted squash, pumpkins, beans and corn crops. Trades between neighboring tribes were common, this brought in additional goods and also some raw materials such as gems, cooper. seashells and soapstone.To this day, movies and television continue the stereotype of Indians wearing feathered headdresses killing innocent white settlers. As they encountered the Europeans, automatically their material world was changed. The American Indians were amazed by the physical looks of the white settlers, their way of dressing and also by their language. The first Indian-White encounter was very peaceful and trade was their principal interaction. Tension and disputes were sometimes resolved by force but more often by negotiation or treaties. On the other hand, the Natives were described as strong and very innocent creatures awaiting for the first opportunity to be christianized. The Indians were called the â€Å"Noble Savages† by the settlers because they were cooperative people but sometimes, after having a few conflicts with them, they seem to behaved like animals. We should apprehend that the encounter with the settlers really amazed the natives, they were only used to interact with people from their own race and surroundings and all of this was like a new discovery for them as well as for the white immigrants. The relations between the English and the Virginian Indians was somewhat strong in a few ways. They were having marriages among them. For example, when Pocahontas married John Rolfe, many said it has a political implication to unite more settlers with the Indians to have a better relation between both groups. As for the Indians, their attitude was always friendly and full of curiosity when they saw the strange and light-skinned creatures from beyond the ocean. The colonists only survived with the help of the Indians when they first settler in Jamestown and Plymouth. In this areas, the Indians showed the colonists how to cultivate crops and gather seafood.The Indians changed their attitude from welcome to hostility when the strangers increased and encroached more and more on hunting and planting in the Natives’ grounds.

Free Hamlet Essays: Interpretation of Hamlet :: The Tragedy of Hamlet Essays

Keys to Interpretation of Hamlet William Shakespeare's Hamlet is, at heart, a play about suicide. Though it is surrounded by a fairly standard revenge plot, the play's core is an intense psychodrama about a prince gone mad from the pressures of his station and his unrequited love for Ophelia. He longs for the ultimate release of killing himself - but why? In this respect, Hamlet is equivocal - he gives several different motives depending on the situation. But we learn to trust his soliloquies - his thoughts - more than his actions. In Hamlet's own speeches lie the indications for the methods we should use for its interpretation. Hamlet's reason for suicide is the death of his father, the late King Hamlet - or at least this is what he tells the world. He claims his father's death as the reason in his first soliloquy (1.2.133-164), but we are led towards other reasons by the evidence he gives. In the famous "to be or not to be" soliloquy, he says: "For who would bear... the pangs of despised love... when he himself might his quietus make/with a bare bodkin?" (3.1.78-84). The word "despised" is glossed as "unrequited" - and thus we are led to speculation that Ophelia, not the late King, is the true cause of his suicidal urges. The claim that he is mourning his father seems to me to be at best an excuse - in the public eye as he is, Hamlet cannot sink so low as to be moved to kill himself by a woman. This is an example of a phenomenon that we note throughout Hamlet - the separation of what is stated on the surface from the implications a few layers beneath. The play works on two levels - the revenge drama works as a backdrop for Hamlet's internal psychodrama. It is clear that Shakespeare intends for Hamlet's thoughts to be superior to his outward actions in interpretation of the play. After listing all the outward signs of his depression, he tells his mother that he would prefer to be considered on the basis of his thoughts: "These indeed 'seem'/For they are actions that a man might play;/But I have that within which passes show/These but the trappings and the suits of woe" (1.2.86-89). Yet Hamlet, for all the disdain for played action that he shows here, also appreciates its power, in his remarks on the player's soliloquy on Hecuba (2.

Is Study Guide Midterm

Understand some basic terminology in IS Examine how IS supports a major company's business function (UPS case) information and technology strategy Required Readings Chapter 1, Text, pages 2-35 Preparation and Questions Read the UPS case carefully, peg. 23-24 What are the inputs, processing, and outputs of Pup's package tracking system? What technologies are used by UPS? How are these technologies related to Pup's business strategy? What problems do Pup's information systems solve?What would happen if these systems were not available? SIS – Collaboration through Technology Introduce the Team Contract Understand the basics of collaborative behavior Examine different types of collaborative technology that can be used to support team behavior Choose a collaboration platform for your team Required Readings Chapter 2 Collaboration Information Systems, pegs. 41-71 Questions and Preparation What experiences have you had with collaboration tools in the past? Have you used Keep, Google Docs, SMS Tools to get projects done? Have you ever worked on a virtual team? How did collaboration work when you could not work face to face?What are some of the criteria that you are thinking about in choosing the appropriate collaboration platform for your team? Be sure you understand the pros and cons of the different collaboration tools described in this chapter . SIS – Competitive Strategy: Competitive Advantage through the Web Objectives Identify how technology changes are affecting industries and businesses within different industries. Example of Blockbuster, Nettling Examine how different impasses (Ezra and TAX) make different technology choices to support distinct strategies Understand the concept of the â€Å"Long Tail† Reading Text, pages 83-104.Movie Rental Business: Blockbuster, Nettling and Redbook SMS Tools â€Å"Long Tail† How do the various players create and capture value? (movie studios, theaters, DVD retailers, Blockbuster, Nettling, Redbook , On Demand, Apple TV) What factors led to Nettling growth? How should Blockbuster have responded? What Factors led to Redbird's growth? Why did it capture a market already dominated by others? What are the key success factors in movie rental? How do Blockbuster, Nettling and Redbook compare on these dimensions? What's next? What advice do you have for players in this business?SIS- Business Process, Information Systems, Information Nomadic Field Manual: Understand at a basic level what a business process is Understand how to map a business process Understand the relationship between business processes and information systems Text, Chapter 4 â€Å"Business Processes, Information Systems and Information† Pages 105-123. Nomadic FM on Business Process Complete the assignment in the Nomadic Field Manual before you come to class. FM Assignment due in class Review the BPML on page 110 Identify one or two key business process that your company will need to develop.What is the informa tion that will be required? How would you map one of these processes? SIS – Applying Process Thinking Understand how to improve the business processes of a small company Understand how to link business process improvement with information technology support Create a process map for your business Readings 1-888-Jungian Pegs. 133- up to â€Å"Possible Information Technology Solutions†, peg. 137. What are the business problems that Marcus King is facing? Bring to class a map of the major business processes that are described in the case.What does your process map reveal about the information problems that King is facing? SIS – Database I To understand what a database is To understand the difference between spreadsheets, databases and files To understand how businesses use database software to access critical information for managing all aspects of the business To explore how to construct a relational database Text, Chapter 6 â€Å"Foundations of Business Intellige nce: Databases and Information Management† pages 149-166. Be sure you can identify the following: a) Primary key(s) b) Relationships c) 1 and the many side d) Foreign Keys What is an entity?Understand the basics of tracking customers as they click through your website Understand how to measure the value of Internet advertising Understand different types of Internet advertising such as banner ads versus pay per click Text, peg. 239-250, Mended. Com confronts â€Å"Click-Through† Competition, What does the Advertiser want? (sales, leads, product awareness? ) What are the best metrics for measuring success? What specific consumer behaviors determine whether or not a business model produces the desired results? How would Heather Yates Justify buying impressions rather than click-through?What are her alternatives? What is the difference in value between a general interest site vs.. A niche site to a consumer? Which is the more defensible business model from an advertising st andpoint? What steps can Mended take to address emerging competitors? SIS I-Technology Infrastructure Define IT infrastructure and describe its components. Identify and describe the stages and technology drivers of IT infrastructure evolution. Assess contemporary computer hardware platform trends. Assess contemporary software platform trends. Text, Chapter 9 â€Å"IT Infrastructure and Emerging Technologies† pages 251-298What has been the business impact of declining costs for communications and integrated circuits? What kinds of infrastructure are needed to make the phone work? (Hint: it's more than Just the phone) Review the definition of cloud computing on page 245. What is the likely impact of this shift on the software industry? Microsoft? Apple? What is the likely impact on businesses? Consumers? SIS 2-Developing and Acquiring Information Systems Chapter 10, pages 299-347 Nomadic Field Manual Exercise on Systems Analysis and Design Complete the assignment in the Nomadic Field Manual before you come to class.

Misconceptions of a Tenth-Century Muslim Traveler

Historical and cultural accounts are important documents in order for the next generation to mirror the past and learn from the early people. If such accounts are incomplete and biased, the people being described may be underestimated and the readers may be misled. The essay written by Al Mas'udi on the natives of Oman or the Zanj tribe is one example of a cultural account lacking in information and depth.As a merchant, Al Mas'udi gave a commercialist account of what can be found in Oman. In focusing much on what he could benefit from in the country, he failed to give a truthful observation of the people—their culture, beliefs, and traditions. This narrow point of view by a merchant traveler, if given serious consideration, may be dangerous as it may picture the people of Oman differently.In his essay, the author regarded the sail to the sea of Oman as the most dangerous, saying, â€Å"I do not know of one more dangerous than that of the Zanj.† This introduction could l ead the readers to be disappointed from going to the place because of the danger he stated. Also, Mas’udi used the term Zanj to refer to all the people in Oman, but this is not proper because the word has a connotation that may demean his subjects. Such terms are said to be taboo, just like the term â€Å"Negroes† for Black Americans for this remind the Blacks of their painful past.The journal of Mas’udi also contained misconceptions about the natives of Oman as he pictured them to be like savages who â€Å"do not use [elephants] for war or anything but only hurt and kill them.† This statement is too rude as it depicts a tribe that did not pay respect for animal life, but a tribe that was so cruel and uncivilized.On the positive side, though, the author mentioned that the people had a beautiful language and they had a preacher to teach them about God. However, he said that there were no religious laws, which leads us to asking, what do the preachers preac h aside from the law of their god? Truly, this statement gives a confusion on the people’s beliefs.As a traveler, one thing that Mas’udi must have done was to respect the people he observed and carefully write about them, without missing out on details which could lead the audience to misconceptions.This is similar to the term lesbian which was given a misconception from its original meaning of â€Å"people of Lesbos,† an island where the poet Sappho originated. The term was later given negative interpretation due to interpretations of the author’s poems which depicted platonic love between women. Indeed, we can see, â€Å"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!† (Pope 1709)Work Citedâ€Å"Lesbos Lived on an Island.† Pearl’s Rainbow Key West. 3 December 2007.. Misconceptions of a Tenth-Century Muslim Traveler Historical and cultural accounts are important documents in order for the next generation to mirror the past and learn from the early people. If such accounts are incomplete and biased, the people being described may be underestimated and the readers may be misled. The essay written by Al Mas'udi on the natives of Oman or the Zanj tribe is one example of a cultural account lacking in information and depth.As a merchant, Al Mas'udi gave a commercialist account of what can be found in Oman. In focusing much on what he could benefit from in the country, he failed to give a truthful observation of the people—their culture, beliefs, and traditions. This narrow point of view by a merchant traveler, if given serious consideration, may be dangerous as it may picture the people of Oman differently.In his essay, the author regarded the sail to the sea of Oman as the most dangerous, saying, â€Å"I do not know of one more dangerous than that of the Zanj.† This introduction could l ead the readers to be disappointed from going to the place because of the danger he stated. Also, Mas’udi used the term Zanj to refer to all the people in Oman, but this is not proper because the word has a connotation that may demean his subjects. Such terms are said to be taboo, just like the term â€Å"Negroes† for Black Americans for this remind the Blacks of their painful past.The journal of Mas’udi also contained misconceptions about the natives of Oman as he pictured them to be like savages who â€Å"do not use [elephants] for war or anything but only hurt and kill them.† This statement is too rude as it depicts a tribe that did not pay respect for animal life, but a tribe that was so cruel and uncivilized.On the positive side, though, the author mentioned that the people had a beautiful language and they had a preacher to teach them about God. However, he said that there were no religious laws, which leads us to asking, what do the preachers preac h aside from the law of their god? Truly, this statement gives a confusion on the people’s beliefs.As a traveler, one thing that Mas’udi must have done was to respect the people he observed and carefully write about them, without missing out on details which could lead the audience to misconceptions. This is similar to the term lesbian which was given a misconception from its original meaning of â€Å"people of Lesbos,† an island where the poet Sappho originated. The term was later given negative interpretation due to interpretations of the author’s poems which depicted platonic love between women. Indeed, we can see, â€Å"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing!† (Pope 1709)Work Citedâ€Å"Lesbos Lived on an Island.† Pearl’s Rainbow Key West. 3 December 2007..