Pros and Cons of the Internet Essay

Ever since the World Wide Web was invented by Tim Bernes Lee in 1989, the internet has grown by leaps and bounds, and today ranks as one of the central phenomena in human life. Even though it offers a lot of benefits, its benefits are not purely unalloyed, but it is also associated with several unintended consequences (Otfinoski, 2007). On the positive side, the internet has been able to expand access to educational opportunities through e-learning or distance learning. This is because it offers enhanced access to educational opportunities both at a cost that is highly affordable, as well as in a manner that is highly convenient. For example, it allows those with busy schedules to conveniently schedule their classes. Apart from enhancing access to educational opportunities, Fairlie (2004) writes that individuals with access to the internet generally exhibit higher school enrolment and completion rates compared to those without access to internet technology. The internet also offers a huge repository of data and knowledge, resources which researchers can tap into. Secondly, the internet has become an important channel through which employment opportunities can be accessed. Sites such as Monster. com are daily helping to connect thousands of jobseekers with available job opportunities. Additionally, the internet is a powerful communication tool. Through the e-mail, instant messaging, and online chatting forums, people from many different parts of the world are able to send and receive messages and feedback from each other. The internet offers social networking forums such as Facebook and Twitter, through which millions of people worldwide share ideas and resources (Buchanan, 2002). The internet also provides huge entertainment value for millions of people worldwide. Through the internet, it is possible to watch and download one’s favourite videos, music, and TV shows. One can also play or download one’s favourite game. It offers a platform through which users can shop online, which enhances convenience in buying and selling (Buchanan, 2002). The internet has also made significant contributions to business, with e-commerce helping businesses create new sources of competitive advantage. Through direct marketing, organizations are able to cut out intermediation costs and lower costs. They are also able to access new markets without the added hassles of travelling across geographical boundaries. With more than one billion people connected to the internet, organizations have a potentially huge market made of billions of people, unlimited by space or time, which can be tapped into at the touch of a button (Rahman and Rasinghani, 2000). The internet has additionally brought about new opportunities that have birthed entirely new businesses and industries. Some of these businesses that immediately spring to mind include the so-called dotcoms, some examples of which include Amazon. com and EBay. These have created employment opportunities, and become a source of livelihood for thousands of people (Rahman and Rasinghani, 2000). Even though the internet provides a lot of benefits to users, it also has a grim underside associated with it. Security risks related to the breach of data security and confidentiality, data integrity, authentication, and non-repudiation exist. For example, by using â€Å"sniffer† programs, hackers can collect personal information such as passwords or credit card numbers from their unwitting victims, which they can use to carry out fraud. This is known as identity theft (Cheswick, Bellovin, and Rubin, 2003). Apart from the theft of sensitive personal data, data being transmitted over the internet is prone to being compromised, by for example being modified by malicious users. Other threats include spoofing, where one computer can sidestep the authentication of a system by impersonating it, thus gaining unauthorized access to data carried in that system. Bugs in software and hardware resulting from design vulnerabilities, as well as malicious programs such as viruses, Trojan horses, and worms also present potential security threats that internet users are faced with (Cheswick, Bellovin, and Rubin, 2003). Apart from security threats that internet users face, the internet has also been associated with increasing the rate of sexual immorality, more specifically by exposing underage users to sexually explicit or pornographic material. According to Rovou (2007), there are some 4. 2 million pornography sites, and that every second, 28, 258 people are viewing pornography. Yet another adverse consequence that has been associated with the internet is that it has led the creation of the digital divide, which is threatening to widen the disparities between marginalized groups (such as minorities and those with lower incomes) and the privileged ones. For example, the internet offers educational opportunities (through distance learning), employment opportunities (through sites such as monster. com), and in recent times citizens of many country have been able to participate in many important national events through the internet thanks to e-governance initiatives. The fact that many people from the low income brackets and those from minority racial and ethnic groups have not been able to effectively access the internet as their counterparts from the dominant group has brought about concerns that the disparities between the two groups are likely to widen further, with the risk of the widening inequality causing social strife (Fairlie, 2004). References: Buchanan, W. 2002. The complete handbook of the internet. Springer. ISBN: 1402072368, 9781402072369. Cheswick, RW, Bellovin, SM, and Rubin AD. 2003. Firewalls and Internet security: repelling the wily hacker. Addison-Wesley. ISBN:020163466X, 9780201634662 Fairlie RW, Pastor M, London R and Rosner R. 2004. Race, youth, and the digital divide: a research and policy initiative. Center for justice, tolerance and community. Retrieved on 220 June 2009 from http://cjtc. ucsc. edu/PowerPoints/dd_wtgrant_slide_show_204. pdf. Otfinoski, S. 2007. Computers. Marshall Cavendish. ISBN: 0761425977, 9780761425977 Rahman SM, and Rasinghani, MS. 2000. Electronic commerce: opportunity and challenges. Idea Group Inc. ISBN: 1878289764, 9781878289766. Rovou, J. 2007. ‘Porn & Pancakes’ fights X-rated addictions. Retrieved on 20 June 2009 from http://www. cnn. com/2007/US/04/04/porn. addiction/

Russia’s Economic Future

Russia's economic future Nowadays, Americans always come up with the rise of China and India as new economic powerhouses on the global stage. It’s easy to forget that another superpower in Asia – Russia – occupied the central spot in our nation’s foreign policy consciousness for almost five decades after World War II. But Russia still matters. In August, global wheat prices surged to two-year highs after Prime Minister Vladimir Putin announced a ban on exports due to weather-driven supply shortages there.And the country remains a dominant supplier of oil and natural gas to the world market. Unlike China, however, the former Soviet Union has not been nearly as successful in making the transition from the communist era to a more market-based economy. According to Russia expert Bruce Parrott, not even the Russians are sure just what they want to be going forward. Although, the Russian economy faces serious challenges.Russian industry is not likely to regain a n important role in a global economy that demands peak efficiency. Consequently, the export of primary commodities and raw materials is likely to remain the bulwark of economic development. Primary commodity markets are relatively more susceptible to fluctuations than are industrial markets. Russia is likely to continue to be influenced by economic trends that it cannot control.International investors, including the major investment banks, commercial investors, and companies interested in expanding their businesses in world markets have remained on the sidelines, scared off by Russia's long-standing problems with capital flight, reliance on barter transactions, corruption of government officials, and fears of organized crime. The Russian government and leading economists in the country have developed an agreement on the need for various kinds of administrative changes.Failures such as corruption are not moral failures, but a failure of administrative structure. There is a consensus that the country needs to strengthen the institutional and legal underpinnings of a market economy. Improving the legal and regulatory structure would provide a reliable framework for improving governance, strengthening the rule of law, reducing corruption, and attracting the long-term capital needed for deep restructuring and sustained growth. The country also needs to improve its tax system to encourage greater tax compliance and a realistic appreciation in the opulation that the people must pay for the costs of a modern society. The government must avoid pressures to use central bank money to finance its budget deficit. Further reforms are needed in the banking sector, including a legal framework to make it easier to close down troubled banks. Any measures aiming to reduce poverty levels among workers are primarily associated with the increase in the official wages drawn by the lower paid workers, the majority of which are women, and also with the identification and taxation of i ncome in Russia's informal sector.A positive sign was that in mid-year 2000, the Russian government adopted an official development strategy for the period 2000-10. The strategy identified economic policy directed at ensuring equal conditions of market competition, protecting ownership rights, eliminating administrative barriers to entrepreneurship, making the economy more open, and carrying out tax reform. The strategy identified the creation of an effective state performing the function of a guarantor of external and internal security and also of social, political, and economic stability.The strategy spoke of a â€Å"new social contract† between the more active sections of Russian society and the reformed government. Analysts of Credit Suisse bank believe that in the next 10 years the Russian economy will grow by more than 60 per cent. They base their forecast on the Russian abundant natural resources, the active development of its energy infrastructure, as well as on the c ountry's strong scientific and technological base in certain industrial sectors.We foresee a bright future for the Russian economy, and we forecast an increase of 4. 9 per cent in 2011 and of 4. 6 per cent in 2012, said the Credit Suisse bank analysts. They believe that the Russian economy will thereafter be growing by 5 per cent annually and they believe that the major reason for the increase in the Russian economy is due to the well developed oil sector, which is still developing steadily.Head of the Russian Academy of Sciences' institute of economy's center for comparative study of transitional processes, Leonid Bardomsky has this to say about the forecast of the Swiss analysts: â€Å"The Swiss analysts have made a conservative forecast, taking into account that in the last decade the Russian GDP has doubled. The experts have cautiously predicted an increase of 60 per cent, in view of the fluctuation of oil prices on the global market, where there is the expectation of an increa se of 60 per cent which is normal for the sector.Income from oil can guarantee the mentioned 60 per cent increase, but reaching 100 per cent will require the development of nanotechnology†, said Bardomsky. He believes that the Swiss bank has no trust in this and hence its conservative forecast is based on global extraneous developments. Meanwhile, Russia's economy has many problems also. For example, it remains very vulnerable to external shocks and has not yet been able to develop a stable base for continued growth and poverty reduction.While the data are not yet sufficient to carefully assess the impact of the economic recovery on the enterprise sector, it appears that the rebound in the non-oil/gas traded goods sector has so far been driven by the real depreciation of the ruble and the greater availability of capital. Furthermore, there are indications that industrial growth is beginning to slow. Therefore, maintaining a realistic exchange rate, while controlling inflation, must remain a policy priority for sustaining the recovery and future growth of the real economy. Strong fiscal discipline needs to be maintained.A large swing factor is, of course, the level of capital flight, the reduction of which depends on progressive improvement in the investment climate in Russia. Finally, over the longer-term, Russia's deteriorating infrastructure is a matter of concern. Russia's basic public infrastructure—including roads, bridges, railways, ports, housing, and public facilities such as schools and hospitals—was built during the Soviet period. After independence, investment in maintenance and new construction of public infrastructure has fallen dramatically.Russia's aging physical plant is likely to become an increasing constraint to growth unless an improved investment climate can ensure substantially higher levels of investments than is presently the case. According to these problems, Russia should diversify its economy and not rely solely o n oil and gas if it wants to achieve a significant breakthrough; it should continue to keep the ruble weak in relation to other world currencies, to get the best from, the export of its raw materials.The Managing Director of the Department of Global markets of The New York-Mellon Bank, Michael Wolfork, says that in the first half of the New Year, prices of the Russian raw materials will increase as a result of high demands, and it will come about due to the lower exchange rate of the ruble against the dollar. European countries, the U. S and Japan will be buying more Russian goods if the ruble remains weak, said Wolfork. I think the world wants Russia to have a strong economy, to bring benefits not only to Russians, but also to the rest of the world.If the potential of the Russian economy increases, the economies of the rest of the world will likewise be boosted. Financial experts believe that by 2030, the Russian economy will become the strongest in Europe, and this view is backed by experts of Price Water House Cooper in a report circulated in the City of London, the financial center of Britain. It is believed by experts that by 2030, the Russian economy will become the 5th strongest in the world.

Asian Blepharoplasty As A Type Of Body Modification Essay

Asian Blepharoplasty As A Type Of Body Modification - Essay Example What stands out from all these procedures is the fact that body features of Whites continue to prevail among the Asian culture and to the Asians, attaining such an ideal look is worth any cost. They feel that the Western look is more appealing compared to their own looks. These procedures from the brief, fair kind ones to the most dangerous, are dynamically provoked by the fashion industry or simply wanting to look good (Joo, 2012). Many advertisements in the Asian media relate individual and professional success to people with Western and Caucasian features and clear messages that in order to achieve significant things in life, then one has to follow the Western way of life, which involves looking like them (Nguyen et al., 2009). The Western way of life demands one to have a beautiful, appealing body from head to toe. During these efforts, Asians risk affecting their well-being and financial security due to the high expenses involved in these surgeries (Chen, 2001). This risky trend should be halted, but it will not happen if Asians continue to endorse Western fashion in their own fashion industry. This research will discuss the factors that cause Asians to feel pressured to endorse Western beauty by focusing mainly on Asian Blepharoplasty. It will also discuss tough issues brought up by these societal influences and propose the resolution to this social problem. As Epstein and Joo (2013) confirm, modification of the human body has been there for as long as humans have willed themselves in order to fulfill the established modes that they feel satisfy societal standards. These modifications have been practiced in many ways and for different reasons. Historical evidence reveals that red dye removed from hematite was applied to the body with the aim of decorating it. After this, archaeological evidence confirms that over 10,000 years ago, animal bones, teeth, and colorful stones were considered as human adornments (Chen, 2001).

Equity in legal system origin, development and significance Essay

Equity in legal system origin, development and significance - Essay Example Today equity apparently has lost its significant correlation to 'justice,' as rules of equity are settled in much the same way as the common law.2 However creations of equity such as including the rights, interests and remedies continue to be of significance in English legal system3 The paper attempts to understand the origin and development of equity as a source of law in the English legal system and analyze the significance of rules of equity and equitable doctrines and remedies in legal proceedings today. While analyzing the significance of equity, it would be imperative to understand its percepts as well as the principles and remedies of equity; hence a discussion on the same is also included. The historical origin of equity in English legal system dates back to the late 13th and 14th centuries. The English legal system of the time - the common law system developed by the judges on the basis of unwritten customary rules and precedents or past judicial decisions - were very rigid and too technical with the procedures such as the writ. The procedural compliance and the legality of the writ often surpassed the merits of the case in legal decisions. The inadequacy of the common law remedy of damages was another issue with the system. Also, the common law only recognized certain kinds of cases; for example, the common law courts did not recognize the Trust deed.4 The defects in common law obviously led to distress, as disappointed litigants directly petitioned the King for justice. The King, considered the 'Fountain of Justice,' either determined the petitions himself or referred the cases to the King's Chancellor, usually a clergyman and priest, known as "Keeper of King's conscience." The petitions were decided on the basis of principle of natural justice and "moral rightness," considering the merits of the case rather than any precedent.5 The broad principles used by the King and his Chancellor's became to be known as rules of equity. Equity was not a complete system of law and as Jacqueline Martin observes, it "merely filled the gaps in the common law and softened the strict rules of the common law." 6 As the volume of cases increased separate courts called Court of Chancery, also called Courts of Equity, were established and administered by the Chancellor. The Chancellors developed new and flexible procedures, as well as new and appropriate remedies to compensate the plaintiffs, which are applicable to this day. However, the jurisdictional overlap of the two systems - common law and equity - led to an inevitable conflict between the two, impinging the certainty of law. The conflict was finally resolved by the King in Earl of Oxford's Case (1615) it was ruled that equity should prevail in case of conflict.7 While the equity courts continued to enjoy supremacy over common law courts, with the enactment of Judicature Acts 1873-75, the common law courts and the court of equity merged together to form the Supreme Court of Judicature, which would concurrently administer common and equity. The supremacy of equity in legal decisions was affirmed in Section 25 of the Judicature Act 1873 an d continues to be followed by the Supreme Court.

Respiratory, Endocrine, Urinary Systems Coursework

Respiratory, Endocrine, Urinary Systems - Coursework Example As a result, the tissue plays many functions in the body. Some of the functions include support and protection (Human Biology, n.d.). Some of the connective tissues include fat tissue, dense fibrous tissue, bone, blood, and lymph. There are different types of muscle tissue in the body. They include skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle. The skeletal tissue helps contraction of skeletal parts of the body (Human Biology, n.d.). The movement of the muscle is voluntary. On the other hand, smooth muscles are found prominently in the internal organ and blood vessels, and it is involuntary (Human Biology, n.d.). Additionally, the cardiac muscle is only located in the walls of the heart (Human Biology, n.d.). The muscle is also involuntary. Nerve tissue also plays a vital role in the body. The nerve tissue comprises of specialized cells (Human Biology, n.d.). The tissue receives stimuli and conduct impulse to and from different parts of the body (Human Biology, n.d.). The microscope helps in clear observation of components of the cutaneous membrane. The outer layer of the membrane appears covered with a tough fibrous structure. Moreover, there are some small pores on the surface of the membrane. Moreover, the cells appear to be organized in layers. On the other hand, the mucous membrane appears covered by the fluid on the surface. Moreover, the surface appears covered by tiny protruding structures. Moreover, the cells appear longitudinal in shape. The synovial membrane is found in various joints in the body(Buzzle, 2014). The membrane comprises soft tissue that lines non-cartilaginous surfaces with joints that have opening (Buzzle, 2014). The membrane usually is bi-layered. The outer layer is known as subintima while the inner layer is known as intima (Buzzle, 2014). The outer layer of the membrane is loose, and the inner layer is located above the pliable membrane (Buzzle, 2014). In conclusion, the microscopy helps in identifying some of the majo r components of the membranes. Moreover, the structures organization appears linked to the adaptation of the membranes.

Organisational Change Consultancy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Organisational Change Consultancy - Case Study Example It is such problems that contribute to the tarnishing of Toyota’s reputation, especially concerning the safety issue (Mark, 2010). These defects also contributed to more than 50 deaths globally, and since customers prefer an assurance of their goods, Toyota Company could pay dearly for such defects. For instance, customers around the world may lose their trust in the Toyota brand and opt for another brand that is more effective and with less or no defects. Another arising issue is the April threat by Toyota’s union members to fight the cuts on their shifts by half, following the disaster in Japan. Nevertheless, the company sees the need for these cuts due to the heavy losses incurred after Japan’s tsunami and earthquake in March (Donovan, 2011). Employment levels would also be reduced by half, O’Brien (2010) reports in an interview on the state of Toyota following the recalling process of over a million vehicles. In her report, Toyota has always based thei r brands on quality and reliability, to the extent of many clients preferring used Toyota vehicles due to their effectiveness over the years. However, with the recent questions on Toyota’s effectiveness due to various noted defects, it is likely to have a major impact on its market. Some of these results would include stiff competition from Ford and General Motors, which are some of the competitors in the motor industry. According to Willacy (2010), Toyota Company suggested that it would cease production temporarily in Britain and France following sales decrease, as a result of the worldwide safety recalls on their vehicles. The recall of over a million of their vehicles had a negative impact on their sales; hence, a quick action was required. This followed lawsuits from the United States clients who sued the Japan automaker company over the Toyota car defects; for instance, the sticky accelerator pedals. The ongoing car recalls in Toyota could damage its brand name and decre ase its sales, as the company’s image is destroyed due to the many challenges of defaults that heave occurred over the past few years. In the United States, Toyota’s market has deteriorated; however, based on this year’s projections, Toyota expects higher returns in Japan, Russia, and Asia (DBRS, 2011). Nevertheless, the Toyota company as a whole faces a lot of challenges in its various branches; for instance, in Australia, over 3000 employees went on strike demanding promotion and the cease of the proposed wage cut on their salary, as the workers have not received wage increase since April 2010, (Bryne & O’Connor, 2011). Toyota Tsusho Corporation controls operations for Toyota distributors and retailers in seven countries, whilst assisting in distribution for Toyota vehicles and parts to variety of distributors. Toyota Tsusho has worked hand in hand with Toyota Motor Company to become the leading automotive company. Therefore, most challenges that face t he parent Toyota Company also affect Toyota Tsusho and its subsidiaries as well. Nevertheless, supply has been interrupted due to the Japanese earthquake and tsunami disasters early this year. For Toyota Tsusho to enhance its business in the south pacific, certain changes have to be made. Change Management Plan According to Queensland government, (N.d, p1), change management plan contributes the required flexibility, since it is designed to satisfy the needs of the organization. The change management

Reflelction paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Reflelction paper - Essay Example As a citizen I feel less than nationalistic towards any form of government. I see myself as a citizen of Earth not a particular nation. As a worker I am honest. I may procrastinate and deviate from social norms but I still do what I need to get done. My role as a leisure user is important to me. I throw myself into all visual forms of art and literature and I practice very hard to perfect my skills. As a learner I am always there. I will never stop learning new things as each day passes by and for every new thing I learn will add to my well of wisdom. As myself I value my individuality highly, which is normal for an INTP. I refer to myself as an enlightened anarchist. I do not care what others think about me or what they do as long as it does not affect others in a negative way. I believe my self-esteem is average. I do not over-estimate my value though I am proud. I do not mind using myself as the butt of a joke nor am I quick to criticize others. If I would change something about m y self-confidence it would be my notorious shyness when it comes to meeting new people. My timidity tends to lock me up when I’m surrounded by new faces. I also find it hard to make conversations with others without being introduced to them. Most of my friends are there because they came to me. When I break out of my shell it is when people realize that I am not as innocent or quiet as they initially thought. They tend to think of me as crude but at least I am not hiding behind a shell like most people do. When it comes to being a worker, I believe that is where my weakness lies. I would like to able to enjoy work instead of despise it. I do not want to feel like a serf to some sleaze who is sipping coconut drinks all day on the beach while many others barely have enough money to put food in their stomachs. I know this is a very pessimistic view and that I need to change it. But I feel that society has been brainwashed into wanting to live inside of a golden cage. 2. There ar e different levels of loving, among them: passion, romantic and consummate forms of love. Passionate loving means an intense sexual desire for the object of desire. The main core of this relationship can be purely physical, meeting one’s sexual needs at the most. Many people derive happiness when their sexual needs are met regardless if there’s a commitment or none. Passion can happen between two strangers such as a one-night stand where both parties feel a burning desire to have sexual relations. After passion has been consumed, a partner can simply forget the event since there are no strings attached or what we call â€Å"commitment†. Passion is also possible between two people who truly love each other like couples in a marriage. Romantic love is more on developing intimacy and passion but with no commitment. Most young people feel these nowadays thinking that emotional commitment and making their other person happy is enough to sustain a solid relationship. Although some relationships can begin this way, many relationships also fail after this stage. When a relationship is tested by adversity, partners who are not willing to commit would just abandon the romantic relationship. Consummate love includes all three levels of loving: intimacy, passion and commitment. Solid marriages are often characterized by consummate love because the partners were able to balance the three levels. The attributes that the relationship must have to become consummate are the following: transparency, trust, compassion,

Impact of US Credit Crunch on Global Economy Essay

Impact of US Credit Crunch on Global Economy - Essay Example Lenders were also looking for borrowers even with lesser creditworthiness but new house buyers. Interest rate was already slashed from 5% to 0.75% in 11 installments. They were ready with exotic offers such as 'interest only' loans or 'option adjustable rate' mortgage (option ARMs). These loans were attractive because of low down payment but later the payment was to skyrocket. Banks wrote in average1% of option ARMs all mortgages in 2003 that went up to 15% by 2006. In certain American communities the option was one in every three mortgages written. By 2006 brokers were accountable for 80% of all mortgages originated. Brokers advocated hard for the option ARMs because that was highly profitable for banks and high commission fetching for the brokers. Banks had another advantage to bundle up many mortgages to sell them to investment funds; hedge funds, which used these as collateral for highly leveraged loans. The mortgages bundles were highly unregulated and not properly verified for credit worthiness. Investors who were holding these mortgage- backed bonds were at risk of losing high as a result of home loans given to people with poor credit profile. Since 2001 banks' credits have gone up 83% to$14.9 trillion and the total mortgage debt is up106% over the last six and a half years. There were millions of sub-prime mortgages in USA with reports of about two million of them expected to lose homes to foreclosure according to Pittman 2007. Global economy will have negative repurcussions of the credit crunch in USA. IMF has alreay revised it growth forecast on account of the credit crunch by cutting the growth rate of UK to 1.6% down from 1.8%, and by cutting down the euro zone growth to 1.4% from 1.6% ad that of US itself from 1.5% to just 0.5% (IMF world Business outlook) This makes UK to sustain the higest growth rate in the face of crdit crunch. IMF has revised its forecast about the growth of emerging economies down to 6.7% in 2008. This is just 0.2% down which appears egligible with a view to 1% reduction in growth of US economy. This is a correction in IMF estimate of the past when it forecasted major impact on developing economoies of the credt crunch in US.0.8%

Case Study-The Russian Ruble Crisis and Its Aftermath Essay

Case Study-The Russian Ruble Crisis and Its Aftermath - Essay Example The Russian government wanted to create a dynamic economy, but there where inherent constraint that did not allowed their wishes to occur. Once price controls were removed prices for goods went wild because the people had a surplus of money to spend and there were no goods available to be purchased due an overall shortage of merchandise. One of reasons inflation took over the economy was that prior to the governmental move of unfreezing prices the government had been running an economy in which good were sold at artificially low levels. The government could have done thing differently in order to prevent prices to go out of control. For example the government central planning could have realized that there was a shortage of goods, and imports could have been increased prior to opening the economy. Another policy that would have helped was to increase the prices point of all good prior to the 1992 policy change. Another mistake the government made was investing too much money in state own companies which diminished the amount of money the Russian government had to spend on policies to bring social economic reform to the nation. The Russian economic situation between 1992 and 1998 showed us that there is an inverse relationship between currency value and interest rates. As the overall interest rates of the Rumble continue to climb which was directly reflected on the daily basis in the rise in unitary value of the currency, the actual value of the currency in comparison with other currency worldwide went down tremendously. In situations in which a country faces hyperinflation of its internal monetary policies and the international community loses faith is such currency which devalues the monetary unit (Moyer, McGuigan, Kretlow, 1992). When a country falls out of grace and stops being an attractive site for international

British Airways Essay Example for Free

British Airways Essay Going into more deep and applying this theory to such company as British Airways I can say that Product strategy is the main strategy of Marketing Mix (4 P’S). Without Product strategy there is no Place, Price and Promotion. Speaking about BA it is transporting industry its product is not physical and cannot be touched. British Airways product strategy includes flight  services, quality of flights, various destinations across Europe and  the world, executive class, business class, speed, security, support  facilities and years of experience. Nowadays, the main aircrafts which BA uses to transport people are Airbus A318-100, Airbus A319-100, Airbus A320-200, Airbus A321-200, Airbus A380-800, Boeing 737–400, Boeing 747-400, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777–200, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787–8, Boeing 787–9. Most of the airplanes which are 77% use either Rolls-Royce or IAE alliance engines. Another 23% is divided between General Electric  and the  CFM International  consortium. To the year 2012 BA operates over 400 aircraft, carries over 62  million passengers annually, and serves more than 200 destinations. British Airways is not only Airline Company it also has its own  engineering branch  to exploit its aircraft fleet, this includes line maintenance at over 70 airports around the world. One more vital option of 4 p’s is Place. The main â€Å"place† were customers can consume services of British Airways is situated in Waterside, close to its main airport at London Heathrow Airport. However BA is international company and you can also find it in main airports all over the world. Also there are two important service centers in Glasgow  and  Cardiff Airports. Turning to the third option which is Price the organization should set the price relative with the value delivered and perceived by the  customer. British Airways has set its services in the way that customers can chose how much they want to pay for this service. Comparing with other Airline Companies BA poses four types of services economy class, premium economy class, business class, premium business class. The difference is in quality of â€Å"product which are you consuming† and the price. So price of the tickets are varied from ? 00 to ? 400. Main success of the company depends on its promotion. People in the promotional team of British Airways know their. First slogan The Worlds Favourite Airline was established in 1989 with the song of The Flower Duet by  Leo Delibes. After this there were a lot of changes like Upgrade to British Airways, The Worlds Favourite Airline, The Worlds Best Airline, Well Take More Care Of You, and Fly the Flag. One of the latest tricks was â€Å"Christmas gift voucher† which is promotional prices. This works during the Christmas holidays and offers lowest prices for their customers. For example flying to 14 travel zones from ? 59 return on UK and Europe destinations and  from ? 269 return on the rest of the world In the end I would like to say that British Airlines is one of the biggest companies in this area and one of the best companies. For a long time it provides its clients with high level services and security which is the most important things in this business. Meanwhile, price is responsible to the quality. Service is easily available and well promoted.

Duke Ellingtons Contribution To American Jazz Film Studies Essay

Duke Ellingtons Contribution To American Jazz Film Studies Essay The famous U.S. jazz musician known as Duke Ellington was born on April 29, 1989 to two musician parents who both played the piano. His legal name at birth was Edward Kennedy Ellington, and the nickname Duke was one he acquired from childhood friends who believed that the way he dressed and the manner in which he carried himself gave him a regal appearance. (Wikipedia, 2013). While he himself eschewed the use of the term jazz to define the kind of music he played, opting instead to refer to it as simply American music, critics have repeatedly identified him as one of the seminal figures in the development of jazz, which is often identified as one of the few authentically U.S.-developed musical forms. (Biography, 2013). Ellington was an African-American and his maternal grandmother was an ex-slave. His own introduction to music in a formal sense occurred when he was seven years old, with him commencing piano lessons. His passion for music was intense, even during his youth and he is recorded as having written his first song, :Soda Fountain Rag, which some called Poodle Dog Rag, in 1914 at a time when he was personally working at a soda fountain at a restaurant known as the Poole Dog Cafe. At the time, his formal music training did not include the reading and writing of music notes on paper. He was to develop those skills later in life. (Wikipedia, 2013). As a young man, in addition to the restaurant job, he worked at the games of the Washington, D.C. Senators baseball team as a peanut vendor. Other recreations included playing pool, and it was there that he encountered many contemporary piano players who provided entertainment there, utilizing a variety of styles, including ragtime. It was only then that he started to entertain the notion that he might himself become a professional musician. Ellington himself described both his early life and his musical career in an autobiography he published in 1973 entitled Music is my Mistress. (Ellington, 1976). By the summer of 1916, he declined to pursue an offered scholarship to study art in Brooklyn, New York at the Pratt Institute, preferring instead to provide musical entertainment in various small venues in and around Washington, D.C. for money, although the amounts earned were relatively meager compared to the success he was to experience later in life. He continued, for a time, to attend commercial art classes at the Armstrong Manual Training School, but abandoned those studies a mere 90 day or so before a scheduled graduation. (Ellington, 1976). It was after that occurred that he summoned up the courage to assemble small groups of musicians to band together to play for dances and other social events, while working on the side as a sign painter to augment his otherwise meager income. His first more permanent formal band was formed in 1917 and was known as The Dukes Serenaders, who were described as Colored Syncopators in an ad he took out in the then relatively new media of the local telephone directory. (Ellington, 1976) Because Washington, D.C. was the capitol of the U.S., Ellington also managed to survive economically in those early years by working as a messenger for the State Department and U.S. Navy. Later, his band would become quite a local hit playing at parties put on by foreign embassies located in the capitol as well as for society dances and balls. While this was an era where there was still much segregation in the U.S., his group did manage to play to both white and African-American audiences, which was unusual at the time. (Wikipedia, 2013). Ellington got married on July 2, 1918 to Edna Thompson, who had attended the same high school as he did, and they had a son, Mercer Kennedy Ellington, himself a musician skilled in the use of both the piano and trumpet, who at times operated as the business manager for his fathers more successful group while also running his own band. (Wikipedia, 2013). Looking back on his career, which only ended with his death on May 24, 1974 from lung cancer and pneumonia, music critics widely agree that his influence helped raise the regard of jazz among other forms of music in the U.S. At the time of his death, despite his advanced age and ill health, he was continuing to actively work as an orchestra leader. He did not exclusively play jazz. however, and at times delved into the areas of classical, popular, gospel and blues music, as well as composing scores for popular motion pictures. As the U.S. recording industry took off, Ellington and his groups recorded music for many companies, while continuing to tour widely and play live. In 1924 alone, Duke Ellington released eight records, indicating the beginning of a very fertile period for him that continued almost unabated until his death. (Wikipedia, 2013). Ellington became a seminal figure in the so-called Harlem Renaissance and gradually expanded the size of his musical group, with it becoming the house band in the legendary Cotton Club in Harlem, New York in 1927. Ellingtons fame grew and he was widely known for playing the bugle at the end of many performances. Radio broadcasts of his music live from the club helped him develop an audience that stretched nationwide and encompassed many people who had never seen him perform live in New York. (Biography, 2013). A song that Duke Ellington recorded with his orchestra and Adelaide Hall in the fall of 927, entitled Creole Love Call became a runaway hit, selling widely through the world, and firmly establishing Ellington and his group as star musicians. (Wikipedia, 2013) Ultimately, Ellington became perhaps best known for expanding the concept of the small jazz band, playing only in tiny nightclubs, to a full big band experience, with his group becoming a full orchestra with him as the leader. The size and scope of the group gave Ellington much more latitude to experiment with new musical pathways and attempt things never tried before. (Wikipedia, 2013). His versatility was shown by the fact that he recorded for numerous recording labels, often at the same time, an unusual thing. He sometimes would create different versions of the same compositions for inclusion on records for the different companies. (Wikipedia, 2013). He obtained even broader popularity after appearing at the prestigious Newport Jazz Festival, where his orchestras performance was met by the audiences passionate acclaim, and went on long as the festival organizers had planned to shut things down. The result was worldwide frenzied publicity, including Duke Ellingtons appearance on the front cover of Time magazine, and Ellingtons best-selling recording of his entire career, Ellington at Newport.(Wikipedia, 2013). One area where he experienced a rare lack of success was his inability to breakthrough in the new medium of television, where jazz was somewhat ignored as a form of music. But both his live performances and his popular recordings continued throughout his life. His musical career spanned the Great Depression, the Second World War, the 1950s, the turbulent 1960s with the explosion of the civil rights movement and the conflict over the Vietnam war, and the Watergate Era of Richard Nixon. Throughout those changing times, Duke Ellingtons commitment to experiment with his music and burst through staid conventions of form and length remained the one constant thing, raising the standard high for other jazz musicians to try to emulate. Critics believe that there are few, if any, figures in the development of American jazz more important and more central than Duke Ellington. (Wikipedia, 2013). Ellingtons root strength was as a skilled jazz pianist, but he is often more remembered for his orchestral arrangements and composing of both jazz and other popular musical pieces. His group for the bulk of his career was known simply as the Duke Ellington Orchestra and it continues to tour the world today under the aegis of his son, who serves as the archivist for his fathers rich legacy. (Wikipedia, 2013). Duke Ellingtons contributions to American music were recognized by no fewer than twelve Grammy awards, starting with his first one in 1959 with three awards for music he composed and performed for Anatomy of a Murder, a major motion picture. He composed and performed music for a number of other motion pictures. Most of these awards, however, were for jazz performances and compositions, with three of the awards given after his death, including the last one in 1999 for the historical jazz album The Duke Ellington Centennial Edition, collecting the recordings he made for the RCA Victor company from 1927-1973. He received a special Grammy Lifetime Achievement award in 1966. (Biography, 2013). Nine of his recordings were also inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, starting with Black and Tan Fantasy in 1928 and concluding with Far East Suite in 1967. His 1932 jazz hit It Dont Mean a Thing (If It Aint Got That Swing) was also inducted, was highly popular worldwide, and is still widely played today. He was also given a Special Citation by the Pulitzer Prize Committee after his death, and received a U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1969. He was also inducted into the French Legion of Honor in 1973. (Wikipedia, 2013).