IMC is Not a Proven Marketing Theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

IMC is Not a Proven Marketing Theory - Essay Example Direct Marketing is an approach used to create relationship with customers and delivering information about products to customer, the method is mainly used for selling financial services to customers, direct marketing also helps to close sales cycle within a short time period. Sales Promotion is the process that helps the company to increase brand visibility in point of sales and point of purchases, companies use the technique to increase new product usage ratio among customers, the process also helps to increase customer footfall in the retail stores, companies use loyalty card, discount method, incentive schemes to increase purchase ratio among customers. Public Relation companies can go for organizing public events or news paper editorial about their new product, they use trade shows to increase category visibility among customers, creating good word of mouth about the product is one of the major objectives of public relation (Jones). Many advertising agencies have shifted focus f rom creating unilateral promotional message to making multidimensional promotional message. Main purpose of IMC is to channelize the promotional message in a unified manner though all promotional medium. David Ogilvy has characterized IMC as one stop solution offered by advertising agencies to companies. Keith Reinhard (CEO of DDB Needham) thinks IMC is an effective way to produce creative brand message. Many research scholars think demassifiction played pivotal role in evolution of IMC. After 1970, media industry started to restructure into smaller operational units. They started giving importance to various promotional medium rather than concentrating on age old advertising model. In this way IMC has emerged as a common platform to integrate various promotional medium (Schultz, Tannenbaum and Lauterborn 6). IMC is a process to align communication objectives of a company with corporate goals to achieve business efficiency. Jerome McCarthy used the concept of four P’s (Produc t, price, place and promotion) during 1950’s for the first time (Jerome McCarthy used 4P’s concept in his book â€Å"Basic Marketing† published in 1960 and he used the concept to explain campaign made by JWT). Philip Kotler and other academicians (in 1965, Philip Kotler described 4P’s as various marketing variables in his article) proselytized the concept in coming years. Four P’s can be described in the following manner. Product- the strategy emphasizes on manufacturing products, maintaining the quality standard of product and optimum utilization of resources during production process. Price- deciding the price of the product in accordance with the demand of the product, setting high price or low price for the product is an important part of pricing strategy. Place- designing distribution network for the product, company creates distribution network to expand the reach of the product, appointing c&f agents, stockiest, wholesalers, retailers are pa rt of distribution strategy. Promotion- companies use direct marketing, sales promotion, and advertising activities to

Fathers and Sons - The Quarrel - Chapter 10 Essay Example for Free

Fathers and Sons The Quarrel Chapter 10 Essay Chapter ten begins with Arkady and Bazarov discussing Nikolai and his outdatedness, Nikolai consulting his brother Pavel about the same issue follows this. These two events barely fit into the same chapter as the quarrel that occurs next. Bazarov and Pavel have not gotten along since they met and share different views on basically everything. Pavel loathes Bazarovs nihilist attitude and Bazarov, being a nihilist doesnt care much for Pavels aristocratic nature either. They have both been burning to have an argument, especially Pavel who was just waiting for a spark to start a flame. When the conversation drifted to one of the neighboring landowners Pavel noticed his chance and uses this as a catalyst to start the conversation about nihilism and their different viewpoints. As the two men begin dueling it is noticeable how both seem to be trained advocates. Their questions are brief and their answers to the point and dont give away too much. Bazarov seems to not care less about what is happening whereas Pavel seems to be dripping with enthusiasm. Pavel acts as more of an interrogator than Bazarov and begins the argument by stating his opposing viewpoint of aristocratism which Bazarov mocks so plainly. Both men have their dignity at this point and although Pavel seems pressured not much tension is in the atmosphere. I do not share the same opinion, said Pavel igniting the debate. Bazarov then asks Pavel what can be proved about the supposed superiority of the aristocrats. Though Pavel does answer the challenge I feel Bazarov is trying to change the subject when he chooses to personalize the argument and begins to talk about what the point of all of Pavels trouble is. He implies that Pavel doesnt achieve anything in his life and so his aristocratic way of life has been a useless one with no progress. Although this is clearly personal to Pavel I dont feel as if Bazarov was purposely trying to attack Pavels life and ridicule it. Unsurprisingly Pavel is offended and retorts, losing some of his dignity. He makes another personal statement towards Bazarov saying that only ignorant or stupid people would live without the principals that aristocrats preach; he is directly implying that Bazarov is ignorant and stupid. This argument I feel was more of a personal statement made towards Bazarov rather than a good argument to debate over, however Bazarov retains his dignity and moves to another topic, naming a few words used in aristocracy and labeling them as utter nonsense. At this point I think Bazarov is winning the argument, as Pavel seems confused and temporarily overwhelmed by Bazarovs questions. But Pavel does do the right thing next by asking Bazarov what he feels should be done about the situation, but again Pavel adds another personal statement at the end of his argument saying that if Bazarovs views were put into effect the Russian people shall find ourselves beyond the pale of humanity, outside human laws. Next more of Pavels dignity is stolen as they describe to him exactly what a nihilist does and does not do. Turgenev clearly states that Pavel is overwhelmed by the definition of nihilism and what plans they have for Russia. In his view it is as if Pavel underestimated their ignorance. Bazarov says that at present time the most useful thing that can be done by the Russian people is to deny. To deny authority, principals, art, everything. I fail to understand how much can be gained by this, Bazarovs theory is that all that has been built must be destroyed in order to construct a new life which the people want. Although I feel Bazarov is running a better argument I dont agree with his philosophy and feel that instead of denying everything an attempt can be made at just trying to change what has been built instead of destroying it and reconstructing it from scratch. Pavel continues to lose his temper and his arguments get worse as he loses his dignity and begins acting childlike. To reply to Bazarov and Arkadys description of the Russian people he says No, no! I cant believe that you young men really know the Russian people, that you represent their needs and aspirations! No, the Russian people are not what you imagine them to be. They hold tradition sacred, they are a patriarchal people, they cannot live without faith . . . This sentence with its abundance of nos sounds very childlike and most of it seems as if Pavel is trying to tell himself rather than the others that what they say is not true. Bazarov still contains full dignity and as adultly as possible agrees to ease Pavel, but he still refuses to admit if he is wrong. Then he states that although Pavel may be right it still proves nothing. His next argument is basic, but effective, Pavel says that in that case Bazarov must be going against his own people and Bazarov replies with an analogy that implies that according to Pavel if the majority of the people do something utterly stupid he must do so as well. Pavel ignores the last argument made by Bazarov and instead chooses to retaliate by attacking Bazarov by saying he is not part of the Russian people after he opposes them in so many ways. Bazarov handles this argument simply by referring to the most Russian people he knows, the peasants, who have knowledge of the past peasants who have risen and become of higher status now. Bazarov, as we have seen earlier in the book, talks to the peasants and doesnt mind answering their questions and talking to them. Although he may look down on them and not think much of them he still treats them like people and so they will obviously support him on this one so Pavel made bad move by challenging how Russian Bazarov is as he has more to show for it than Pavel. But again I do feel that comparing Pavel to himself was unnecessary and just made the argument more personal again. There is a short break in the chapter as Nikolai stands up and tries to cool the two down asking them not to make this personal. He is a bit late. With Nikolais interference Pavel has a chance to compose himself and regain some of the dignity he had had before. They start to discuss nihilism once again with a cooler and less tense atmosphere. Bazarov gives another definition for nihilism, this time focusing more on their actions as a group. They then begin to talk about the strength of the nihilists, which Pavel is proved to have underestimated. I agree with Bazarovs view here that a large number is not needed, but rather a stronger faith or force in what they are doing as the truth to be stronger then a large number. Although slightly irrelevant Bazarovs analogy to a single candle burning down the whole of Moscow, I feel was a strong argument. Pavel seems to lose his dignity along with the argument as he again starts acting restless and angered. Pavel then loses all dignity when he starts to be sarcastic saying Bravo, bravo! and trying to make what Bazarov is saying foolish by pretending to acknowledge it. His loss of dignity is made clear with Bazarovs statement You have departed from your praiseworthy sense of personal dignity and with this Bazarov chooses to close the argument, but not without his closing sentence in which he asks Pavel to think of institutions where the aristocracy has had an outcome of no problems. Pavel attempts to name a few but is proven wrong by Bazarov for his attempts. Bazarov once again asks Pavel to take his time and think about it; with this he takes his leave and the discussion comes to an end. Bazarov is clearly a powerful advocate who can maintain his dignity even when he is criticized and although many people oppose his views he has managed to keep his views alive. Pavel, although a good attempt would make a weaker advocate, his weaknesses lie in his quick temper. Maintaining your cool is very important and Bazarov proved that, he left the argument with all his dignity and my vote as the winner whereas Pavel was left tongue-tied and labeled as the loser.

Definition Essay - Defining the Word Private -- Definition Essays

Definition Essay – Defining the Word Private As time progresses, so does the English language.   We use many words out of context.   But depending on the person, time, and maybe the location a new meaning may be adopted for any word.   As well as actual definitions of words.   Since 1913, when The Merriam- Webster dictionary was published, the meaning of the word private has changed, but not drastically. Since the earliest publication of the three dictionaries, the use of private and its context has not changed much.   There are not many different ways the word private can be used that would not be different from when the word was first published in dictionaries.   Everyday conversations that include "private" have not evolved into anything major or unfamiliar . There are many similarities in the definitions from the different variations of dictionaries used.   The Merriam-Webster Dictionary published in 1913, The Shorter Oxford Dictionary, and The American Heritage Dictionary all have similar definitions of the word private, but there was one definition that caught my eye due to... Definition Essay - Defining the Word Private -- Definition Essays Definition Essay – Defining the Word Private As time progresses, so does the English language.   We use many words out of context.   But depending on the person, time, and maybe the location a new meaning may be adopted for any word.   As well as actual definitions of words.   Since 1913, when The Merriam- Webster dictionary was published, the meaning of the word private has changed, but not drastically. Since the earliest publication of the three dictionaries, the use of private and its context has not changed much.   There are not many different ways the word private can be used that would not be different from when the word was first published in dictionaries.   Everyday conversations that include "private" have not evolved into anything major or unfamiliar . There are many similarities in the definitions from the different variations of dictionaries used.   The Merriam-Webster Dictionary published in 1913, The Shorter Oxford Dictionary, and The American Heritage Dictionary all have similar definitions of the word private, but there was one definition that caught my eye due to...

Discuss the effectiveness of the opening three scenes of Macbeth Essay

Macbeth is a thrilling tragedy based on a mans lack of control over greed. A play that shows his downfall from being a noble lord who was in a close circle with the king, to losing all his morals. This escalated into his death. Its set in Scotland as it is somewhat known to be a nation of things such as blood feuds. Macbeth is a play associated with the supernatural. It is a theme throughout the play because it has reoccurrences from beginning to end. Examples of this would be the three witches. They appear right at the start where Macbeth is first mentioned. They have visions and further on tell Macbeth he will become thane of Cawdor and then king. This triggers off his arrogance. They then reappear to tell him that he will not die from anything human. The audience are repeatedly getting reminded that the play has a supernatural theme to it. A flying dagger also appears along with all of Macbeths strange hallucinations. Macbeth was written during the Elizabethan era. At that period of time the society had a very strong belief that witches and witchcraft was in existence. People would blame unexplainable events on witchcraft. These things would often include when people died from terrible diseases, an animals death, bad harvesting, and houses burnt down in fires. They didn’t have any knowledge on what was really happening so witches were an easy target to use. There were 270 witch trials during the Elizabethan times. 247 of those people were all women and only a mere 23 were men and I think this is mainly because men were known as being ‘all powerful’. The people that were normally accused for being witches were the old, the unprotected, the poor and single women or widows. Elizabethan women relied on the male members of their family. They didn’t have many rights and for that reason they were belittled by men and expected to obey them. The number of poorer people was increasing and old, poor and unprotected women needed to have some kind of support. Access to doctors and medicines was minimal. Women were expected to produce cures. ‘Wise women’ used herbs. The use of herbs and plants such as mandrake, datura, monkshood, cannabis, belladonna, henbane and hemlock were common ingredients in brews and ointments for medical purposes. As the fear of witches and witchcraft increased anyone with knowledge of herbs were thought to be having a pact with the devil. This would be resulted in execution. In act one scene one a dramatic atmosphere is automatically created. As Macbeth is a play, when the audience is watching this, the setting will set the mood to the scene. It’s set on a moor. This is telling us that it’s in a very quite, almost disturbing place as it’s a wasteland area. There’s thunder and lightning as the three witches enter. This allows the audience to have suspicions that something mysterious is about to happen. Thunder and lightning are also perceived as ghastly things which are associated with things that are awful or scary. This might set a tense atmosphere because the audience will now expect the witches to be like the thunder and lightning, something that will turn out to become awful or scary. In addition to this because the weather is unusual, its not like rain or clouds that we see near enough every day, it can let us acknowledge that something unusual will be at the entrance of the play. In this scene the witches are planning to meet again once the fighting is over to meet Macbeth. This would have made the Elizabethan audience a lot more frightened than our modern audience would ever be because back in that time there was a strong belief in witchcraft. They could have been alarmed and anxious to find out how the witches can be. But on the other hand they might think of the play as a re-enactment of things that have happened therefore being startled as the witches were a big fear in their lives. This is a peculiar scene because the witches saying things which are not normally supposed to happen. Things such as ‘when the battles lost and won’. We know that after a battle is either one or the other when it’s over. So saying that neither will happen makes the audience start to wonder. It gives the audience curiosity as they analyze what the witches words mean. It doesn’t seem to make sense, so why are they saying it is a question that runs through my mind. At the end of this scene the all three witches say a line together. ‘Fair is foul and foul is fair: hover through the filthy air.’ The language the witches use is often rhymes and riddles. This gives me several different interpretations of them. Either they want the audience to guess and attempt to solve the riddles in order to understand what they are talking about. They want us to be involved in the play by thinking of this as a game. Whoever solves the riddles will find their way to the plot the quickest. Or I think the witches are talking to the audience because they want us to wonder but they don’t want us to understand what they are talking about. Exactly like when a parents talks by spelling out words so that a young child does not understand. This is the witches’ way of communicating by making sure that no-one will understand what they are talking about and we are not like them so we don’t grasp their way of talking. It could also be a way of stating that they are witches in the play. Talking in a different sort of language to us means they are not from the same place as we are. In the Polanski film the witches are represented to be very mysterious creatures. They give off an eerie sense to them, with their old, haggered faces surrounding a human arm buried in the sand. The images alone tell us that the witches are nothing like the majority of the society. They are portrayed to look like outcasts as they appear on the moor when no-one is around to be seen. They look as if they’ve been washed up from the sea from a whole other world. In Act one Scene two there is a dramatic contrast to the opening scene. In the first scene there is a mysterious and quite a scary theme but in scene two it turns cheerful. The witches are gone and no elements of the supernatural are now presented. It seems like they have skipped a few scenes as it goes from the three witches riddle to then after the battle. There is no information about the battle except from this scene where they are only talking about its past events. The good king Duncan hears the news on how the battle went in this scene. He gets told how heroically Macbeth and Banquo have fought against Macdonwald and his band of rebels; and then against the Norwegians and the Scottish traitor. King Duncan, Sergeant and Ross now views Macbeth as a brave warrior. ‘For brave Macbeth – well he deserves that name’ is how the sergeant describes him to be. This shows the respect and appreciation they have for him. They now portray Macbeth to be a noble gentleman and an idol that should be looked up to. At this point in the play the audience will also think highly of Macbeth by his description without even laying eyes on him yet. Whilst the sergeant carries on talking about Macbeth he then says ‘Which ne’er shook hands, nor bade farewell to him, till he unseam’d him from nave to the chaps’. He was basically saying that Macbeth didn’t give up the battle, he didn’t leave until he had fully destroyed Macdonwald ‘from nave to the chaps’ meaning from his nose to his jaws. This is showing Macbeths inner strength as well as outer strength by not giving up until he was done. In addition, it is showing their lifestyle and how it was a good thing to be able to fight so savagely. This might make an Elizabethan audience idolize Macbeth. Macbeth is then given the honour of ‘Thane of Cawdor’ by King Duncan. He earns this by his courageous bat tle and has therefore made the Norwegian king beg for peace. Scene three is again dramatically different from the first two scenes. The first scene has a purely supernatural theme to it and the second scene has none whatsoever. Then the third scene comes in and this is where the two worlds collide. Supernatural versus normality. The audience find themselves back at the moor again with more thunder as the witches open the scene. This is like a flashback from the first scene. From the witches interactions at the start of the scene we find out that they are not in the least bit kind but instead they are rather malicious. At the start of their conversation after the first witch asks ‘where hast thou been, sister?’ the second witch replied with ‘killing swine’. This is a simple but effective quote. It tells the audience that the witches stir up trouble. But it also gives them the tension of wanting to know the plans they have got for Macbeth. It is a forceful quote because where the witches are usually talking in riddles; instead she gives a heartless answer with no riddles as we know exactly what killing is. Generally most people would have been a little more shaken up by the thought of killing but not her. Then having no regrets whatsoever because she names the person she has just killed ‘swine’. Once Macbeth and Banquo enter the scene Macbeths firsts words into the play are ‘So foul and fair a day I have not seen’. This links him to the witches because right at the end of the first scene all three of the witches recite ‘fair is foul, and foul is fair: hover through the fog and filthy air’. Macbeth and Banquo describe the witches as ‘so wither’d and so wild in their attire, that look not like th’ inhabitants o’ the earth, and yet are on ‘t?’. They are describing the witches to be barbarians. He is questioning whether they should be on this world or not. This shows that he instantly knows that they are not entirely human. The appearance of the witches gives the audience a judgement to what their going to be like. The appearance of a character is supposed to be there in a play to show off the characters personality traits in it too. The predictions that are given to Macbeth and Banquo are that Macbeth will be the thane of Cawdor and then the king soon after and that Macbeth and Banquo will both be fathers of kings but they won’t become them. Banquo questions the witches along with Macbeth shortly after. They are confused as to what had just happened. When they are about to leave Macbeth says ‘stay you imperfect speakers, tell me more’. This is telling the audience that Macbeth is anxious to find out where they have gathered this knowledge. They seemed to have been stunned by the news. It is weird that the witches already knew that he was thane of Glamis without anyone telling them so they must have some form of power. In addition, the Elizabethan audience thought that witches could tell the future so they would know that what they are saying is true. Plus, the audience now know that Macbeth has become thane of Cawdor already so the rest of their speech is likely to be true too. Afterwards Ross and Angus enter the scene once the witches have vanished and announce that Macbeth is now the thane of Cawdor. This is a really dramatic point in the play because after the witches telling them that Macbeth will become thane of Cawdor it suddenly happens. However the audience can judge the witches better than what Macbeth can because they know what happened in the previous scene. The audience knows that it’s due to Macbeth’s bravery that he has been given the honour of thane of Cawdor. It is dramatic because Macbeth and Banquo now think that its not because of courage it is because of the witches ‘magic’ that got him there. From these opening scenes of the play it is dropping the audience some clues of what is about to happen. They know that something is going to happen to make Macbeth to become king but then he is going to lose that position. They know that Banquo and Macbeth’s sons are going to be kings and they know that king Duncan has to be killed if Macbeth is going to be king. In my opinion the first three scenes of Macbeth are very effective as an opening to the play. It has already showcased the main points of the play with not giving away too much information to make it predictable. It leaves the audience to ask questions to themselves to query what is going to happen next. The theme has been shown in the play by mixing the supernatural and the not. It is also showing how the play is all about power and the hierarchy that Macbeth is climbing up on. Then telling the audience that battles are something that’s going to occur throughout this play by having the first three scenes based around one. The opening would have been more effective to an Elizabethan audience as opposed to a modern audience. The modern audience would find it a lot harder to understand the language that’s being used as it has changed from when the play was written. The Elizabethan audience believed in the supernatural so it would have been more intense to watch. The play is based around things that might of happened around the Elizabethan era. They can relate the play more to their real lives. Whereas for a modern day audience, witches are not something that we talk about in our everyday lives so we cannot relate the play to our own experience. This might make the Elizabethan audience understand the play more.

Revision notes Essay

Hardware is the physical parts of the computer system – the parts that you can touch and see. A motherboard, a CPU, a keyboard and a monitor are all items of hardware What is Software? Software is a collection of instructions that can be ‘run’ on a computer. These instructions tell the computer what to do. Software is not a physical thing (but it can of course be stored on a physical medium such as a CD-ROM), it is just a bunch of codes. An operating system such as Windows XP or Mac OS X, applications such as Microsoft Word, and the instructions that control a robot are all examples of software. The Difference Between Hardware and Software? Computer hardware is the physical components that make up the computer system. Hardware is useless without software to run on it. Software is instructions that tell computer hardware what to do. Software is useless unless there is hardware to run it on. For a computer system to be useful it has to consist of both hardware and software. Central Processing Unit (CPU) The CPU is the ‘brain’ of the computer. It is the device that carries out software instructions. The Pentium processor made by Intel is an example of a CPU. CPUs usually plug into a large socket on the main circuit board (the motherboard) of a computer. They get very hot when they are operating so usually have a large fan attached to their top to keep them cool. Random Access Memory (RAM) Random Access Memory (RAM) is the part of the computer that temporarily stores the instructions that the computer is running, and the data it is processing. RAM is a volatile storage device. This means that if the computer’s power is turned off the contents of RAM disappear and are lost. RAM, like the CPU, also plugs in to sockets on the motherboard. When a computer is in use, its RAM will contain Read-Only Memory (ROM) Read-Only Memory (ROM) is used in most computers to hold a small, special piece of software: the ‘boot up’ program. This software runs when the computer is switched on or ‘boots up’. The software checks the computer’s hardware and then loads the operating system. ROM is non-volatile storage. This means that the data it contains is never lost, even if the power is switched off. Graphical User Interface (GUI) A GUI is an interface built around visual (graphical) things. Windows are regions of the screen used to display information. Icons are small pictures that are used to represent folders, software, etc. Menus are lists of options the user can select from. A pointer is an arrow that can be moved around the screen and is used to select things. Windows XP is an example of an operating system with a GUI. GUIs are quite easy to use due to the visual nature of the interface – the user has lots of visual clues as to what things do. However, to display all of the nice graphics required by a GUI takes a lot of computing power so quite a powerful computer is needed. Mainframe Computer A mainframe computer is a large computer, often used by large businesses, in government offices, or by universities. Mainframe computers are typically: Powerful – they can process vast amounts of data, very quickly. Large – they are often kept in special, air-conditioned rooms. Multi-user – they allow several users (sometimes hundreds) to use the computer at the same time, connected via remote terminals (screens and keyboards). Laptop Computer A ‘laptop’ computer is a light, compact and portable PC. Laptops contain a rechargeable battery so that they can be used even when not plugged in to a mains power supply. They also have a built-in LCD monitor. To make them as portable as possible, most laptops try to avoid any sort of cable or wire. Instead of a mouse, a track pad is used. Instead of a wired connection to a network or printer, ‘wireless’ radio connections are used. MICR Reader Magnetic Ink Character Recognition (MICR) is a technology that allows details from bank cheques to be read into a computer quickly and accurately. The cheque number and bank account number are printed at the bottom of each bank cheque in special magnetic ink using a special font. An MICR reader can detect these numbers. OMR Scanner Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) is a technology that allows the data from a multiple-choice type form to be read quickly and accurately into a computer. Special OMR forms are used which have spaces that can be coloured in (usually using a pencil). An OMR scanner can then detect these marks. Common uses of OMR are multiple-choice exam answer sheets and lottery number forms. OCR Scanner Optical Character Recognition (OCR) is a software technology that can convert images of text into an actual text file that can then be edited, e. g. using word-processing software). The result is just as if the text had been typed in by hand. OCR is typically used after a page of a book has been scanned. The scanned image of the page is then analyzed by the OCR software, which looks for recognizable letter shapes and generates a matching text file. Advanced OCR software can recognize normal handwriting as well as printed text – this is usually called handwriting recognition. Sensors A sensor is a device that converts a real-world property (e. g. temperature) into data that a computer can process. Examples of sensors and the properties they detect are†¦ A sensor measures a specific property data and sends a signal to the computer. Usually this is an analogue signal so it needs to be converted into digital data for the computer to process. This is done using by an Analogue-to-Digital Converter (ADC). Sensors are used extensively in monitoring / measuring / data logging systems, and also in computer control systems. SensorWhat it Detects TemperatureTemperature LightLight / dark PressurePressure (e. g. someone standing on it) MoistureDampness / dryness Water-levelHow full / empty a container is MovementMovement nearby ProximityHow close / far something is. Switch or buttonIf something is touching / pressing it Printers Dot-Matrix Printer A dot-matrix printer is named after the pattern (a grid or ‘matrix’) of dots used when creating the paper printout. Dot-matrix print quality is poor, the printers are noisy, and there are much better printing systems available today. However, the dot-matrix printers are still used in certain situations: Since the pins actually hit the paper, several ‘carbon-copies’ can be printed in one go. An example of this is airline tickets, which have several duplicate pages, all printed in one go. The print mechanism is very cheap, and the inked ribbons last for a long time. So, where cheap, low-quality printouts are required, dot-matrix printers are used. An example is shop receipts. Inkjet Printer Cheap, high-quality, full-color printing became available during the 1980s due to the development of ink-jet printers. Ink-jet printers are very quiet in use. Since they have so few moving parts they are also cheap to manufacture and thus cheap to purchase. However, the ink is very expensive to buy (this is how the printer companies make their profits! ) so the printers are expensive to use. Laser Printer Laser printers are very complex devices, and thus expensive to buy. However they are very cheap to use. This is because they produce marks on paper using a fine dust called toner that is relatively cheap to buy. A single toner cartridge will often last for 5,000-10,000 pages of printing. The laser printer uses a complex system, involving a laser, to make the toner stick to the required parts of the paper. (This system is very different to a dot-matrix or ink-jet, and you don’t need to know the details. )The laser and toner system allows very fast printing compared to other printers (just a few seconds per page). Plotter Plotters create hard copy in a very different way to printers. Instead of building up text and images from tiny dots, plotters draw on the paper using a pen. The pens are held in an arm which can lift the pen up or down, and which can move across the paper. The arm and pen create a drawing just like a human could, but much more accurately and more quickly. Different coloured pens can be used to produce coloured line drawings. Designers and architects often use plotters since they work with huge pieces of paper, far bigger than anything a normal printer could work with†¦ Why Backup Your Data? If you delete a file by accident, your computer breaks, your laptop is stolen, or your business burns to the ground, having a backup copy means that you have not lost your precious data. You can recover your lost files and continue working. Most businesses use computers to store very important data (customer records, financial information, designs for products, etc. ) If this data is lost, the business could possibly have to close. Backing-up business data is essential. How Are Backups Created? Personal backups of the data on your hard-drive can be made by†¦Burning files to a CD-R. Copying files to an external hard-drive. Copying the files to another computer on a network. Businesses backup essential data by†¦Making copies of data very regularly. Using large-capacity media such as magnetic tape. Keeping old copies of backups, just in case. Automating the system so that nobody forgets to do it! Keeping backup media off-site (in case of fire or theft) What is a Network? A network is two or more computers, or other electronic devices, connected together so that they can exchange data. For example a network allows computers to share files, users to message each other, a whole room of computers to share a single printer, etc. Network connections between computers are typically created using cables (wires). However, connections can be created using radio signals (wireless / wi-fi), telephone lines (and modems) or even, for very long distances, via satellite links. Local Area Network (LAN) A Local Area Network is a network confined to one building or site. Often a LAN is a private network belonging to an organisation or business. Because LANs are geographically small, they usually use cables or low-power radio (wireless) for the connections. Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) A wireless LAN (WLAN) is a LAN that uses radio signals (WiFi) to connect computers instead of cables. At the centre of the WLAN is a wireless switch or router – a small box with one or two antennas sticking out the back – used for sending and receiving data to the computers. (Most laptops have a wireless antenna built into the case. )It is much more convenient to use wireless connections instead of running long wires all over a building. However, WLANs are more difficult to make secure since other people can also try to connect to the wireless network. So, it is very important to have a good, hard-to-guess password for the WLAN connections. Typically, the range of a wireless connection is about 50m, but it depends how many walls, etc. are in the way. Wide Area Network (WAN) A Wide Area Network is a network that extends over a large area. A WAN is often created by joining several LANs together, such as when a business that has offices in different countries links the office LANs together. Because WANs are often geographically spread over large areas and links between computers are over long distances, they often use quite exotic connections technologies: optical fibre (glass) cables, satellite radio links, microwave radio links, etc. Topologies The word topology means ‘arrangement’, so when we talk about the topology of a network, we mean how the different parts are arranged and connected together. There are three common network topologies†¦ Bus Network In this type of network, a long, central cable, the ‘bus’ is used to connect all of the computers together. Each computer has a short cable linking it to the ‘bus’. A bus network†¦Is cheap to install (just one long cable). Can be quite slow since all computers share the same cable when communicating. Will stop working if there is a break in the central bus cable. Ring Network In this type of network each computer is connected to a loop of cable, the ‘ring’. (If you took a bus network and connected the ends of the bus cable together, you would have a ring network. )A ring network†¦Can cope with a break in the ring cable since all computers are still joined together (it is now a bus network) Star Network In this type of network every computer is connected to a central device. The device passes messages between computers. At the center of a star network you might use a hub (cheap, but slower) or a switch (more expensive, but faster). A star network†¦Is quite expensive to install (you have to buy lots of cable and the central device)Is very fast since each computer has its own cable which it doesn’t need to share. Can cope with a broken cable (only one computer will be affected). Will stop working if the central device breaks. Is the most common network topology. †¢Any computer that is to be connected to a network needs to have a network interface card (NIC). Cables are still used in most networks, rather than using only wireless, because they can carry much more data per second, and are more secure (less open to hacking). †¢A hub is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN. †¢A switch, like a hub, is a device that connects a number of computers together to make a LAN. †¢A router is a network device that connects together two or more networks. A common use of a router is to join a home or business network (LAN) to the Internet (WAN). †¢A proxy server is a computer setup to share a resource, usually an Internet connection. A bridge is a network device that typically links together two different parts of a LAN. What is a Record? The set of data associated with a single object or person is known as a record. What is a Field, and what is a Field Name? You’ll see that each of our student’s records contain the same items. These items are known as fields. Each field has a field name. What is a Key Field / Primary Key? It is very important that every record in a database can be individually identified. We need to be sure that when we access a record, we are accessing the correct one. Analogue to Digital Convertor (ADC) If you want to attach an analogue input device to a digital device such as a computer, you will need an analogue to digital convertor (ADC). A good example of a computer peripheral that requires an ADC is a microphone. When you plug a microphone into a computer, you are actually plugging it into an ADC which converts the analogue signals from the microphone into digital data that the computer can then process. Digital to Analogue Convertor (DAC) If you want to attach an analogue output device to a digital device such as a computer, you will need a digital to analogue convertor (DAC). A good example of a computer peripheral that requires a DAC is a loudspeaker or headphones. When you plug a loudspeaker into a computer, you are actually plugging it into a DAC, which takes digital data from the computer and converts it into analogue signals which the loudspeaker then converts into sound. The Effect of These Devices on Our Lives Look at the list of devices above. Now try to imagine living without them – washing your clothes by hand! Life would be a lot tougher. Microprocessor-controlled devices mean that we have more leisure time to relax and enjoy ourselves instead of doing household chores. We are able to communicate with people very easily using computers, mobile phones, etc. We can become part of online social networks, making friends with people from all over the world. Computers and Internet connections mean that many of the tasks that involved us leaving the house, for example, shopping for music, clothes or food, can now be done on-line. Online shopping gives us more choice of products and saves us time. It is also great from those who are unable to get out of the house easily, such as the elderly, or the disabled. Trailing Cables Computer equipment is often connected to lots of cables: power, network, etc. If these cables are lying on the floor, they can cause people to trip over them. Solution: Place cables inside cable ducts, or under the carpet / flooring Spilt Drinks or Food If any liquids are spilt on electrical equipment, such a s a computer, it can result in damage to the equipment, or an electric shock to the user. Solution: Keep drinks and food away from computers Overloaded Power Sockets Plugging too many power cables into a socket can result in the socket being overloaded, overheating, and a fire starting. Solution: Never plug too many cables into a socket. Always make sure there are fire extinguishers nearby Heavy Objects Falling Many items of computer equipment are very heavy: CRT monitors, laser printers, etc. Heavy items can cause serious injury if they fall on people. Solution: Make sure equipment is placed on strong tables / shelves †¢Use strong passwords to protect your user login account †¢Never reveal your login password to anyone else †¢Place a firewall between your computer and any network †¢Disconnect from networks when you are not using them †¢Encrypt any sensitive information (just in case they get in) Batch Processing It is often not desirable to deal with a set of data inputs until a certain number have occurred or a set time has passed. So they are stored until the system comes online to process the data in one ‘batch’. The advantage of batch processing is that it can be done during less-busy times on the computer or jobs can be queued up in order to fairly share a computing resource such as a super-computer. The main disadvantage of batch processing is the time delay between collecting the input data and getting an output. It can also be frustrating to find out only later that a batch run has failed due to a data input problem. Good Luck!

Free Essays on Mothers Night

Spies I have just recently finished reading the book â€Å"Mothers Night†, by Kurt Vonnegut. This book focuses and is based on events that occurred during the World War Two era. The book includes extreme events in which i am a sure that probably never happened. But there are many events that I could see happening. The book is about a man named Campbell, a confused spy. Campbell has found himself not as normal spy but a double spy. What I mean by this is that he is actually acting as a spy for two countries, the U.S. and Germany. It is like he really can’t make up his mind on which country he likes more. I also see him trying to find himself in the novel; he has been through many hard times in the novel. I think the novel helps to show just how hard times were back during the Second World War, along with just overall war. I also liked how this novel gave me a story to follow along with that was pretty much unpredictable. The book was always keeping me guessing and w as not what I thought it would be. Now I would like to talk about one of the most intriguing topics in the book, most intriguing to me anyway. This would be the act of spying and the spies themselves. Just the name â€Å"spy† get the hair on my neck standing up. It is a sleek and sly word, it sounds cool to. I would have to say that I somewhat admire spies and what they do. It has got to be hard, I mean just think about it. If you can’t then read this book and I am sure it will make you think. It made me think about spies when I never really gave them the time of day until reading the book â€Å"Mother Night†. Spies live life on the edge. I mean could you just imagine how difficult it could be? The book shows just how hard it really is, in the end of the novel Campbell is driven into killing himself. He had no desire to live because he felt like he had no life. He felt as if he was just a tool. This hurt him, along with the feeling that he co... Free Essays on Mothers Night Free Essays on Mothers Night Spies I have just recently finished reading the book â€Å"Mothers Night†, by Kurt Vonnegut. This book focuses and is based on events that occurred during the World War Two era. The book includes extreme events in which i am a sure that probably never happened. But there are many events that I could see happening. The book is about a man named Campbell, a confused spy. Campbell has found himself not as normal spy but a double spy. What I mean by this is that he is actually acting as a spy for two countries, the U.S. and Germany. It is like he really can’t make up his mind on which country he likes more. I also see him trying to find himself in the novel; he has been through many hard times in the novel. I think the novel helps to show just how hard times were back during the Second World War, along with just overall war. I also liked how this novel gave me a story to follow along with that was pretty much unpredictable. The book was always keeping me guessing and w as not what I thought it would be. Now I would like to talk about one of the most intriguing topics in the book, most intriguing to me anyway. This would be the act of spying and the spies themselves. Just the name â€Å"spy† get the hair on my neck standing up. It is a sleek and sly word, it sounds cool to. I would have to say that I somewhat admire spies and what they do. It has got to be hard, I mean just think about it. If you can’t then read this book and I am sure it will make you think. It made me think about spies when I never really gave them the time of day until reading the book â€Å"Mother Night†. Spies live life on the edge. I mean could you just imagine how difficult it could be? The book shows just how hard it really is, in the end of the novel Campbell is driven into killing himself. He had no desire to live because he felt like he had no life. He felt as if he was just a tool. This hurt him, along with the feeling that he co...

MBA Math Skills Every Business Student Needs

MBA Math Skills Every Business Student Needs While some math requirements will vary by program, there are several MBA math skills that every business student needs to succeed. These skills can be obtained (or brushed up on) online, as part of a GMAT prep program or in a math refresher course, such as the pre-MBA math boot camps offered by many business schools. Some of the most important MBA math skills involve basic number sense, algebra, calculus, statistics, and probability. Basic Number Sense Basic number sense may seem elementary, but it is important because it is the foundation for all of the business math you will do in an MBA program. You should be able to understand symbolic representation (i.e. the different ways numbers can be represented), how numbers relate to each other, and how numbers can be used in real-world situations. More specifically, you should be able to: Represent numbers as percents, fractions and decimalsPerform conversions on percents, fractions and decimalsSolve problems using percents, decimals, fractions and mixed numbersSimplify mathematical expressions using the appropriate order of operations Algebra for Business Reviewing all the algebra you learned in high school is a must. Algebra is used constantly in business math, particularly in economics, finance, and statistics courses. You can start your preparation by reviewing the definitions of key terms like variable, constant, exponent and operator. After that, you should practice simplifying algebraic expressions, evaluating algebraic expressions with multiple variables, and expanding algebraic expressions using the distributive property. Finally, take time to learn how to: Solve linear equationsSolve systems of linear equationsSolve quadratics by factoringSimplify and solve binomialsSimplify and solve polynomials Calculus for Business Most business school professors will help you understand the calculus you need to know as you go through the curriculum, but if you spend all your time learning the math while youre in a program, youll get a lot less out of most courses than you should. Its a good idea to master a few essential calculus skills prior to the start of your program. Here are specific concepts to know before you go: Function composition and graphingFunction operationsLimits of functionsSlopes and rates of changeDerivatives and differentiationMinimum and maximum valuesExponentials and logarithmsDefinite and indefinite integrals Statistics for Business Statistical analysis is a common task in many MBA courses.  It is important to understand key measures, such as measures of central tendency and measures of spread or dispersion, as well as key properties of populations and samples. Brushing up on the following statistics concepts will help you ace your coursework: Calculate mean, median, mode and rangeCalculate the standard deviationCalculate normal distributionIdentify shifts in the meanCalculate statistical significanceInterpret sampling distributionEstimate sample and population variance Probability for Business When it comes to MBA math, knowing how to calculate probabilities is helpful but not absolutely essential. However, it is important to know how to use numerical probabilities to interpret scenarios, clarify information in uncertain scenarios, and communicate the probability of certain events occurring. You should know how to define all of the following terms: Dependent eventIndependent eventSimple eventCompound eventComplementary eventMutually exclusive eventNon-mutually exclusive eventConditional probability Math for Finance Every MBA student  takes at least one finance class. If youre specializing in a finance-related track, youll take quite a few finance classes. The curriculum will be much easier to navigate if you are familiar with finance mathematics. Some of the specific topics youll want to study before heading off to business school include the time value of money, rates of return and interest formulas. You should be able to calculate: Present and future valuesRequired rate of returnSimple rate of returnModified rate of returnInternal rate of returnSimple interest and compound interest Math for Accounting Like finance classes, accounting classes are practically  inevitable in an MBA program. Youll spend a lot of time working with financial statements, which means you need to be comfortable with common financial ratios. Understanding these ratios will help you analyze trends and perform ratio analysis. You should learn how to calculate: Liquidity ratiosFinancial leverage ratiosProfitability ratiosAsset turnover ratiosDividend policy ratios