Individual Assignment Essay

Having a strong web presence is not only important in today’s world, it is vital for survival in today’s super connected world. Companies, banks, agencies and private industries must be able to create an environment to interact with customers, government officials and other companies in order to thrive. Opening yourself up to anyone through the Internet often means opening your system up to the world. Today we are more connected than ever, and cyberspace is littered with a multitude of individuals, some with the intent to compromise network confidentiality, integrity and availability. Anyone with a computer and Internet access can become a victim or criminal over the web. As a result, networks and servers are under constant attack these days. Attackers are changing their techniques daily and are on a never ended endeavor to disrupt companies for their selfish reasons. Two such forms of disruption are Denial of Service (DoS) and Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks. These forms of disruption have cost companies millions of dollars and are showing no signs of stopping. That is why it is up to security professionals to create the best safeguards and impose efficient and proper techniques to prevent, mitigate and discover these attacks before they inflict terrible harm. In the following assignment, these important topics of prevention, mitigation and discovery will be discussed as they relate to DoS and DDoS attacks on today’s systems. Specifically, three academic journals have been selected that relate to this topic. This essay will first briefly summarize each article that was selected and state the methods of prevention, mitigation or discovery as they relate to denial of service attacks. The second part of this essay will explore in detail the specific methods discussed in the summaries as they relate to a proposed technique and practical approach, which can be implemented, into a platform. The strengths and weaknesses of each method that is selected will also be discussed within the summary. 2 Brief Overview In order to better understand the reasons for discovering, mitigating and preventing these attacks, it is necessary to first review what exactly Denial of Service and Distributed Denial of Service attacks are and why these specific journal articles were selected for this assignment. DoS and DDoS attacks are extremely popular cyber attacks launched by attackers because of their effectiveness and ease. The goal of a DoS attack is for the attacker to render certain specific resources of the victims’ computer or server unusable or make them unavailable. The attacker does this by sending large amounts of traffic that appear to be legitimate request to the victim. As a result, the victim’s computer or server is tangled up and that particular resource cannot be used. These attacks expose a significant loophole not just in certain applications, but loopholes in the TCP/IP suite (Joshi & Misra, 2010). A DoS attack only occurs when a resource on a computer or network is slowed down or stopped completely by an individual maliciously. A DDoS attack is very similar to a DoS attack. However, this form of attack is launched on multiple computers or devices in an organized manner. The goal, once again, is to attack a specific target or multiple computers and servers and make them unavailable for use. The first ever reported DDoS attack occurred at a University in 1999. From then on, these attacks have become increasingly more complex and sophisticated. Their widespread effect has ranged from simply slower speeds on websites, to financial institutions losing millions for not being accessible to customers. The journal article â€Å"DDoS Prevention Techniques† was chosen because it does a fantastic job of explaining the differences between the two attacks, multiple DDoS tools that attackers use, and lastly ways to prevent and defend against the attacks. The second article selected is titled â€Å"Prevention of Attacks under DDoS Using Target Customer Behavior. † I selected this article because it not only gives an overview of this form of attack but also a specific method of protecting a potential server by blocking DoS attacks with behavior based actions. The last article I chose â€Å"A Novel Technique for Detection and Prevention of DDoS† also gives a brief overview of the attack as well as a specific method to help filter DDoS attacks on online banking websites. 3 Article One The article â€Å"DDoS Prevention Techniques† mainly centered around DDoS attack and the methods of preventing them as well as the tools that criminals use to execute these attacks. One example of a tool that these individuals use is Trinoo, which can be used to, â€Å"launch a coordinated UDP flooding attack against target system† (Joshi & Misra, 2010). Another tool that Joshi & Misra discussed was Trinity. This DDoS attack tool is IRC based and uses flooding methods of the TCP SYN, TCP RST, TCP ACK request. This tool not only can flood the TCP/IP but also flood the UDP and IP Fragment. This article offers various forms of preventative methods against DDoS attacks. They separated them into two groups: General Techniques and Filtering Techniques. Since the article gave a plethora of examples of general techniques I will discuss two of them as well as the advantages and disadvantages to these practical approaches. One method of preventing against DDoS attacks is â€Å"disabling unused services. † Attackers can’t take advantage of something if it is not available to them. So, the fewer applications and open ports that are on a given host, the less likely an attacker can manipulate any vulnerability on that host. Therefore, if a network application is unnecessary it should be disabled or closed immediately (Joshi & Misra, 2010). The advantage of this approach is that it minimizes the attack surface, thus protecting the host from receiving certain request from ports that can be used to flood the system. The disadvantage to this approach is that you limit the amount of applications you may need to help run your organization more efficiently. Another method of preventing these attacks is by using a firewall. A firewall can help mitigate against simple DDoS attacks by using simple rules such as implicit deny, or deny any for certain ports and IP addresses. However, the disadvantage of using a firewall to mitigate attacks occurs when sophisticated attacks are launched on ports such as Port 80 used for web traffic. A firewall, cannot tell the difference between legitimate traffic and malicious traffic that comes through the port (Joshi & Misra, 2010). This can lead to an attack still being carried out if the firewall cannot decide what is good and bad traffic. One filtering technique that was discussed in the journal article was the technique of â€Å"History Based IP Filtering. † During normal function, traffic seems to stay balanced and stable. Yet, during most DoS attacks they are carried out with IP addresses that have never been seen before on the network to flood the system. This form of filtration relies on an IP Address Database (IAD) to store the IP addresses that are used frequently. If an attack is launched and the source address does not match any in the IAD the request is dropped. The advantage to this form of protection against DDoS attacks is that it will keep unknown IP address from ever reaching the host. However, the draw back is that it will not keep out legitimate or real IP address that are already in the database. Also, â€Å"Cost of storage and information sharing is very high† (Joshi & Misra, 2010). So if cost is an issue for an organization, this method may not be best. These methods can be implemented fairly easy for any organization. Most security professionals should already have these measures in place such as firewalls and minimizing the attack surface with an emphasis on disabling unnecessary services. History based IP filtering is a costly alternative to those methods but can be an additional form of security. 4 Article Two The second article that will be discussed is titled, â€Å"Prevention of Attacks under DDoS Using Target Customer Behavior. † This article discusses a method using an algorithm to determine if request to a specific server should be blocked or allowed in real time to mitigate the attack. The algorithm is used to maintain a list of users and to stop attacks from unknown users. The purpose of this tool is to prevent only authorized clients onto the server. This method accomplishes this by first determining which category the requesting client should be registered or non-registered. The tool uses an anomaly-based system during peak times to help determine if certain requests are deemed malicious or not. A client will deemed malicious if the client sends repeated request during peak hours and deemed an anomaly client, or possible attacking client (Kuppusarny & Malathi, 2012). This tool can track which request made on the server are authorized or unauthorized. Once the request is deemed unauthorized, the client is then placed in a group of non-registered users and blocked temporarily until the peak time is finished. This proposed method also features a count system for the amount of request a client may attempt, which are â€Å"Access Count† and â€Å"Warning Counts. † The article explains this in depth by stating, â€Å"The access count is the count that can be incremented every time the client sends the request. The Warning Count is the count that can be incremented once the unregistered client sends anomalous request† (Kuppusarny & Malathi, 2012). This count system helps to determine if the request are legitimate and if so are only temporally blocked during peak times in order to keep systems running and not flooded with request. This feature also presents a permanent block alternative as well. This occurs once the warning count reaches it’s threshold (Kuppusarny & Malathi, 2012). This can be extremely useful when defending against DDoS attacks because it works in real time. The chart below illustrates how this method is carried out for all users trying to request information from the server. This tool could easily be implemented for any organization looking to defend their systems as well as monitor customer and client user data. The only disadvantage that may occur while implementing this will be the temporarily lockout mechanism that legitimate users may encounter if they enter too many incorrect requests. Inconvenience for some users is the only drawback. However, this approach is extremely promising because it does not completely block IP addresses like some filtration systems. They are placed in a certain unauthorized category away from authorized clients and systems. And once they meet certain requirements their request may be authorized if they do not go over the warning count. Also as an added security feature if the client goes over the warning number of request and is also unauthorized they are blocked completely. 5 Article Three The final article that will be discussed is titled â€Å"A Novel Technique for Detection and Prevention of DDoS. † This article was dedicated around a specific method for detecting and preventing DDoS attacks. This method focused on using the Hidden Markov Model. Very similar to the previous method in being an anomaly based system that uses request behavior to block or authorize users. This method also uses an algorithm to track user behavior and determine whether the requests are legitimate or an attack. However uses a different form of authorizing request before allowing access into the system. During the Anomaly Detection Module of the system when resources are scarce and the server is under heavy traffic the filter is applied. The system uses a history to maintain each of the client’s IP addresses. If â€Å"unusual† behavior is detected through the algorithm the server then goes into a special detection mode. It, â€Å"reply’s with the captcha to that client. † And if a correct CAPTCHA response is not received within three responses, it then checks the request history sequence. If the difference between the request for the CAPTCHA is less than the threshold allowed, the client is blocked. (Patil, Salunke & Zade, 2011). This model is a great tool in defending against DDoS and also monitoring traffic on a server as a whole. When traffic begins to reach its peak this system can help alleviate between legitimate and flooding traffic. This model was put to the test in this article with a fake bank system. The testers used a script in java that repeatedly requested the log in page for a fake account. The server responded with CAPTCHA pages to verify if the requester was legitimate. After three failed attempts the IP address was blocked. This type of method should be implemented across systems everywhere. The only foreseeable disadvantage would be from those users who enter the wrong CAPTCHAs more than three times and are blocked out of the system. Other than that this method would be a great tool in the defense against DDoS attacks. 6 Conclusion Denials of Service and Distributed Denial of Service Attacks have proven to be a huge hassle for security professionals. Criminals are becoming more sophisticated in their attack schemes and are leaving security teams in a never ending game of catch up. It only takes one loophole in a defense strategy for an individual to wreck havoc on a system. None of these methods will stop DoS and DDoS attacks entirely. However, in the future we must look for tools that include multiple defense strategies to stop these forms of attack. Layering a computer network offers many benefits especially if one level of defense falls, it will not compromise the entire system. The fight to defend cyberspace against these malicious attackers is forever ongoing, but with the right tools and defense strategies we can help maintain a safer and productive Internet experience for all users. 7 Work Cited

Designation of Phylum Cryptomycota Within Kingdom Fungi

Designation of phylum cryptomycota within kingdom fungi Introduction The cryptomycota are considered to be to be an early branching clade of organisms, the only known members are species that belong in the genus Rozella (Lara et al 2010, Jones et al 2011, James and Berbee 2012). It has been suggested due largely to the amount of environmental sequences collected the phylum may be as diverse as the whole kingdom fungi (Jones et al 2011).While Rozella were originally placed in the fungal phylum Chytridiomycota(Jones and Pang 2012), a multi-gene molecular phylogeny of the Chytridiomycota found Rozella was in fact part of a separate linage considered to be the most basal lineage within the fungal kingdom (James et al 2006). Analysis of environmental DNA samples based on the analysis of SSU RNA (small subunit ribosomal RNA genes)had revealed 26 sequences, previously unknown, which clustered closely to two species of Rozella included in the survey (Lara et al 2010).Lara et al tentatively n amed this clade ‘Rozedilla' (Lara et al 2010, Jones et al 2011). However this clade was expanded to include 40 sequences found in marine and freshwater environments. This clade was renamed cryptomycota to reflect the position of the group relative to the fungi and its mostly hidden nature, as a large number of the phylum are only known from SSU RNA environmental surveys and their similarity in morphology and life-cycle to the Rozella is unknown (Jones et al 2011).Cryptomycota cells from freshwater samples, most notably from the Washington Singer pond (Exeter University, Devon, UK, 50. 7339uN, 3. 5375uW), were visualised with fluorescence in situ hybridization techniques. These target cells were shown to be small eukaryotes 3 to 5 ? meters in length (Jones et al 2011). Counter-staining with TAT1 tubulin revealed The target cells capable of forming a microtubule based flagellum (see fig 1)(Jones et al 2011). Chitin was not found in any of the morphs observed, this was tested by co-staining with cell wall markers (calcofluor white and lectin wheat germ agglutinin).Cellulose was also not present (Jones et al 2011). FIG 1: Micrographs showing flagella on cryptomycota cells, as detected by TAT1 tubulin antibody(Jones et al 2011) This study led Jones et al to the conclusion that the Cryptomycota were an intermediate group between fungus and protists. Others such as James and Berbee contend that †they may have lost their â€Å"dinner jacket† through convergence. Rather than evolutionary intermediates, the cryptomycota may be strange, divergent fungi † (James and Berbee 2012).The term †dinner jackets† here refers to cell walls. Some such as Griffith, Voight and Kirk would not consider the phylum fungal, but a non fungal opisthkonta like the Microsporidia(2011). In this essay I intended to explore the evidence both for and against the inclusion of the phylum Cryptomycota in the kingdom fungi. To do this it is important to understand the characteristics and life-cycle of Cryptomycota and what makes an organism part of the kingdom fungi. Characteristics of CryptomycotaThe known Cryptomycota :Rozella is a genus of entirely parasitic species that infect the thalli and sporidia of Chytridiomycota , Blastocladiomycota and some species of Oomycota. Study of Rozella allomycis , the only cultured Rozella species has shown it does ,unlike Fungi, not process cell walls at any time during there trophic phases like Fungi however they exhibit a zoosporic uniflagilate stage in which they propagate(Jones and Pang 2012) . James and Berbee demonstrated that chitin is present in the inner cell wall of immature spores via calcofluor white staining(2012).Zoospores attach to receptors on the surface of its host ,penetrating its surface with a germ tube before developing a naked multinucleate sporangium (Jones and Pang 2012)It is theorised that the uptake of nutrients is via phagocytosis (Powell 1984), however this is not known to be true of all Rozella. Zoospores form inside the host before being explosive discharged from exit papillae(Jones and Pang 2012) . Jones et al's observation of Cryptomycota cells show a certain similarity to the life-cycle of Rozella.Three life stage cycles were observed (fig 2), a zoosporic uniflagelate morph ,a non-flagellate cyst morph and a parasitic morph where the organism is attached to a host diatom . Jones et al admit, however, that stages in the life-cycle are likely to have been missed in their study and due to the diversity of the Cryptomycota, the life-cycle is unlikely to represent the entirety of the group (2011). Chitin was not found in any of the stages observed (Jones et al 2011) FIG 2:Putative Cryptomycota skeleton life-cycle (Jones et al 2011)Are Cryptomycota fungi? The penguin dictionary of biology defines Fungi as a kingdom of eukaryotic primarilary acellular organisms typically organised into cylindrical hypha . Their nutrition is osmotrophic and never phagotrop hic . Hyphal walls are characterised by chitin and ? -glucans (2004). Cryptomycota differs greatly from this standard definition of a fungi by not processing a cell wall ,forming hyphae and is likely to be phagotrophic. There are other organisms that are included in the kingdom fungi that do not fit with these definitions .For example yeasts reproduce by budding and are not organised into hypha. Zoospores are a shared characteristic with zoosporic true fungi and in most phylogenies constructed Cryptomycota are basal to fungi. Information on the life cycle stages is incomplete , it is possible some examples of cryptomycota process a chitinous cell wall at some stage in their life-cycles (Jones et al 2011). As a lot is uncertain about the cryptomycota it is hard to include or exclude them from the kingdom fungi and it seems premature to dub them the most basal fungi .As James and Berbee suggest the loss of a chitinous cell wall may be a secondary adaptation to parasitism not indicatio n of a basal fungi (2012). Almost anything could be found and much needs to be before they can be defined as true fungi such as observation of cell division and determination whether members of cryptomycota are phagotrophic or not. What is certain that if this phylum is included in the kingdom fungi , the definition for the whole group must change.

Environmental Regulations in the USA Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental Regulations in the USA - Essay Example Conservation and management of resource laws deals with a single resource like natural resources for example forests, animal species and intangible resources like archeological sites. Environmental regulations are influenced by principles of environmentalism including sustainability, conservation, ecology, stewardship, and responsibility. Environmental regulations are mainly aimed at protecting and preserving human health and natural environment (Pizer 123). Resource conservation and management laws try to balance the benefits of exploitation of economic resources as well as their preservation. The law aims at preventing externalities, in the present and in future, and conservation of public resources from individual exploitation. The expenses and limitations of such laws on commerce and non-money benefits of protecting the environment have generated and is still attracting a lot of controversy. This has led to the inception of the following acts: Environmental Policy and Planning: National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) of 1969; Environmental Quality Improvement Act (EQIA) of April 3rd, 1970; Federal Facility Compliance Act of 1992 (FFCA). Environmental Policy and Planning: National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 is an environmental law in United States that promotes environmental enhancement. The law led to the formation of the environmental quality presidents’ council. The most significant function of NEPA of 1969 was to set up procedures that had to be a requirement for all agencies of federal government, preparation of environmental assessments and statements of environmental impact. These requirements are applied by all federal agencies in the executive branch og government. However, it does not apply to the congress, president or federal courts. Â  

Research about coca cola in the states Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

About coca cola in the states - Research Paper Example I also seek to works with a firm that has respect for its employees and that provides channels for career growth. In a modern world, sustainability is extremely crucial and all firms need to be not only sensitive to sustainability issues but also have a solid plan to manage sustainability. As I seek for a firm in which to work, I hope to work with a firm that has a well developed sustainability plan. To get the most credible information, the study will begin by surfing the company’s website with the intention of looking for the way the firm looks at the various issues that have been indicated above. The study will seek to look at the company’s website and thus look at the various pieces of information provided by the firm. This will be with regarded to the following issues; This will provide an insight of the way in which Coca Cola looks at its human resource and whether it provides for growth channels for its employees’ careers. This will enable me to understand whether the firm will give me the kind of career growth that I am looking for. Once this information is gotten from the website, it will then be reinforced or criticized with information from other professional websites to look at the validity and objectivity of this information. This will also provide valuable information about the firm with regard to how it looks at the issues at hand. Step three will be to look at how various scholars have regarded the firms, especially from a critical point of view. This will aid in getting a better picture of the firm’s operations and also from a historic point of view. Coca Cola is one of the most globalized firms in the world. Unlike most companies that claim to be globalized despite the fact that they have not yet reached every corner of the habited planet, Coca Cola operates in all parts of the globe, even the

Critically examine the context of professionalism, core professional Essay

Critically examine the context of professionalism, core professional values in the Lifelong Learning Sector - Essay Example On the other hand, professionalism is a way that someone behaves appropriately in a way that is generally acceptable. In essence, professionalism entails contradictory processes that the practitioners undergo, as a way of achieving their strategic goals. Carr and Kemmis (1986) argue that, a profession must involve the use of theoretical knowledge and research, as the base of the professionals involved. They argued that occupations that can be regarded as professions or disciplines, include medicine, law and engineering. This is due to the fact that, these professions use techniques as well as skills. In addition, these professions involve commitment of the professionals, who are in these positions in a way that they capture the interest of their clients. Lastly, they argue that these professions are controlled through a set of ethical codes, which help them to achieve their goals. Therefore, looking at the teaching area, it can be referred as a profession, in the sense that it entails the above professional ethics, which are present in these other professions such as medicine and law. Considering a wider sociological thinking, there are greater challenges in terms of professionalism and practice by the professionals. Atkinson & Claxton (2000) argue that professionalism is one of the key factors to citizen’s modernization. Greater changes in the professional world, have been evident in the past 20 years, and this has led to the self-serving modernization in both civil society as well as other institutions (Clark & Newman 1997). The greater part of the organizations that has changed, is the view of the managers about different professionals, who have the competence to provide the required skills in their professions. As jobs are identified in different categories, they circumvent and maneuver within the professionals, and are based on the proliferation of the jobs given. Atkinson & Claxton (2000) believe that there is a need to define

Bazin's View on Realism and Battleship Potemkin Essay

Bazin's View on Realism and Battleship Potemkin - Essay Example With his critical outlook, Bazin has succeeded in getting a positive focus on movies like Nanook of the North (1922) Robert Flaherty’s take on Canadian tribals, Bicycle Thieves (1948) (Cardullo, 2011, 53) and Umberto D. (1952), both from Vittorio De Sica’s labs, which had missed audience attention due to the prevalence of commercial cinema. However the story does not end there. Bazin has taken important steps in proving that realism although in its subtle form helps montage movie makers ultimately create the super finish in their manipulations and gives them new grounds for experimentation. The essay will analyze the contributions of Bazin’s criticism and arguments base on his humane understanding of real life and the way it needs to be portrayed in cinema and does not necessarily have a universal appeal in the world of contemporary motion cinema. Bazin was a wonderful follower of ontological movie making processes wherein the camera, the director, and the audience have nothing much to do than sit back and watch the proceedings in action without any manipulation of what is being recorded in the frame. While we can understand the rawness that he loves, Bazin never pulled down any scene by its elements and provided an explanation of how better it could have been presented even while basing on realism. All his criticisms are directed towards non-realistic moviemaking, while not even once has he made a suggestion towards the improvement or differential treatment of existing realistic movies which he so openly lauded. While neo-realism in cinema has derived a lot of inspiration from Bazin’s writing, the basic core of moviemaking, which involves the creative challenges for director and cinematographer gets negated out if we are to strictly follow in Bazin’s line of thinking. Modern day cinema is all based on the combination of digital and motion

Organization of Islamic Conference Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Organization of Islamic Conference - Essay Example The Organization was established in Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, on 12 Rajab 1389H (25 September 1969) when the First meeting of the leaders of the Islamic world was held in this city in the rouse of the unlawful arson perpetrated on 21 August 1969 by Zionist fundamentals against Al-Aqsa Mosque, in occupied Jerusalem. 1 It was certainly in order to secure the honor, dignity and faith of the Muslims, to face this inconsiderate challenge launched in the holy city of Al-Quds so dear to them and against the Mosque of Al-Aqsa, that the leaders of the Muslim world, at their Summit in Rabat, held that event, which brought about unanimous worldwide denunciation and reprobation, to think together of their common cause and congregate the force required to overcome their differences, unite and lay the foundations of this large grouping of States, that is, the Organization of the Islamic Conference which they commended, in absolute precedence, with liberating Jerusalem and Al-Aqsa from occupation. After that, the meeting of Heads of State and Government constitute the highest policy making organ of the OIC. The Summit Conferences enable the leader of the Islamic world to periodically review the conditions within the Islamic world as well as the entire spectrum of international political developments from an Is lamic perspective. Organization of the Islamic Conference - OIC "Six months after that historical meeting, i.e. in Muharram 1390H (March 1970), the First Islamic Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs held in Jeddah set up a permanent General Secretariat, to ensure a connection among Member States and charged it to synchronize their action. The Conference appointed its Secretary General and chose Jeddah as the Headquarters of the Organization, in anticipation of the liberation of Jerusalem, which would be the permanent Headquarters."2 Framework of the OIC Four dedicated institutions have been set up within the framework of the OIC, namely, The Islamic Development Bank; The Islamic Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization; the Islamic States Broadcasting Organization and the International Islamic News Agency. The general secretariat of the OIC has permanent viewer status at the United Nations and maintains its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The Doha Declaration (November 2000) called for an end to the occupation in Palestine and invited those member states that had traditional relations with the State of Israel to "put an end to all forms of normalization with Israel until it authentically and exactly implements U.N. resolutions relevant to the issue of Palestine. " The Kuala Lumpur Statement on International Terrorism, issued during the extraordinary

Evaluation Argument Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Evaluation Argument - Essay Example In other words the material things which were acquired from the earth will not help us in our future assignment. After death a person’s body will be destroyed; but what will happen to the mind and spirit? The relation between mind and spirit with the body is still debated among psychologists and philosophers. What will happen to the mind and body if all the materials used in the making of our body with some other materials from another planet? It is difficult to answer the above question though we can assume certain things on the basis of the evidences at present we have. The concept of mind and spirit is still a confusing topic for the psychologists and the philosophers. In my opinion mind cannot exist without a body and hence it will be destroyed after the death of the body. Our mind activities are controlled by our brain which is made of material things and once those material things destroyed all the entities associated with them like the mind will also be destroyed. But what will happen to the spirit? Physicians explain various functions of body while psychologists concentrate on the activities of mind. But nobody knows much about the soul or spirit though everybody agrees that it is the spirit which drives us in this material world. After death what happens to the spirit? Only the religions studied about the features of spirit and they have their own explanations about the future of spirit on the basis of the good and evil committed during the life in earth. Religions believe that those who engaged in good activities during the stay on earth will get salvation after death while others will be punished by God. I don’t want to comment on the future of spirit or mind. But I would like to argue that both spirit and mind can travel at a speed which may be greater than that of light. Light rays are considered to be the fastest (3 x 108 m/s) thing in the world. As per the principles of Physics nothing can achieve a speed greater than

How is the Marketing Concept and Its Implementation Responding to Essay

How is the Marketing Concept and Its Implementation Responding to Developments in the Macro-Environment - Essay Example According to the research findings marketing is mainly concerned with trade or exchange. The basic form of trade started when humankind started producing surplus. Humankind produced agricultural products and exchanged them with manufactured goods like earthenware or textiles. Such exchange brought about areas that promoted trade for instance, local markets and village fairs. The development of trade and marketing enabled individuals to specialize production of certain products and services to be traded in markets for ore products required. In the 18th century, the economy of UK changed during the early industrial revolution, leading to rise in industrial production and subsequent loss of dependence on agricultural products. Prior to the industrial revolution, the distribution and production of goods was mainly in small scale. Consequently, industrialization leads to a dramatic increase in productivity, because of technology development. As a result, enterprises enlarged, production i ncreased, and products became more standardized. Companies produced in large numbers for local, national and international markets. Factory systems grew leading to migration of people from rural homes to new and quickly expanding industrial cities and towns. Because of rapid developments during the industrial revolution periods, companies produced volumes more that the local economy could accommodate. Therefore, consumption spread over wider geographical distances, leading to loss of immediate contacts between the producers and the markets. A number of thinking entrepreneurs organized their business transactions in a (marketing oriented† way to deals with this problem, even though the terms â€Å"marketing orientation† or †marketing† were rare until the twentieth century, (Hult and Speh, 2010, p 45). For producers to manufacture products and services that would attract and sell in vastly scarce markets, they had to analyze, interpret and understand the wants and needs of consumers and product, which would appeal and fit in with the wants and needs of such consumers. The process of correlating the firm resources to the wants and needs of the market place is known as entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurs had to sense the requirements of the market in terms quality, prices and design, and later plan production and distribution strategies to meet efficient demands of consumers at a profit. Emergence of industrialization led to specialization and further division of labour, leading to increased productivity, which further reduced costs, and thus the products selling price. Consequently, the increase in work specialization led to increased desire for trade, (Kotler, Keller, Dubious and Marceau, 2006, p 105). Production in large scale led to marketing channels emerging to improve product distribution, and meet the effective demand for more goods by the vast markets. Such developments established essential foundations for the contemporary industrial economy that is still grounded on the critical concepts of exchange and trade. In the mid nineteenth century, Britain dominated the forces of the world economy. The main factor outlining Britain's industrial growth and development was the emergence of international trade. This was because, Britain was the first to secure raw materials supplies, and had a dominated the supply of manufactured products in the expense of underdeveloped nations that collectively formed the British Empire. Later, the United States and Germany emerged as competing industrials nations/powers. Even though United Kingdom experience stiff competition from the economically developing nations in the sectors of coal, steel and textile, British economy still dominated the economy till the first world war. Other countries generated more income that led to rise in effective demand for raw materials, goods and services. The United Kingdom total trade value increased although its international trad

Reasons to Study Overseas Essay Example for Free

Reasons to Study Overseas Essay Reasons to study overseas There are many reasons to study abroad. Impressiveness in teachers is the first of my motivations. Secondly, study abroad would enhance my learning in higher education in terms of their cutting edge technology and learning environment. The last reason is to gain life experiences by living in different city, different speaking language and different people. First of my motivations for PhD study abroad is from my teachers. I took their classes when I studied undergraduate school in Khon Kaen University. They look so smart and confident. They shared me their PhD study experience and told me how good it gives after graduated PhD. Although they studied hard, it is worth doing. Also, my advisor in graduated school taught me not only new exited field of study, but also forwarded his research experiences to me. These inspire me to further my study in foreign country to improve my research experiences and pass on to my students. Secondly, studying abroad would enhance my learning opportunities. Developed countries preserve more knowledge and technology, and contribute more applications, and problem solutions than underdeveloped and developing countries. For my field (application problem in industry) study in a developed country could provide me chances to solve world class problems in my interested study field Lastly, gaining life experiences is also another important issue to go study aboard. Living in different country, different language speaking and foreigner people around will challenge me to improve myself. I have got a lot of experiences in US when I were there doing a part time job for three months. I have learned to work with foreign people, learned their culture, learned how to make foreigner friends under different culture and learned how to live without family. Using English in daily life was also the greatest experience that I could not get in Thailand. In summary, studying overseas will provide me chances to gain experiences in terms of academic and life. Once I graduate, I will have required ability to support my work in engineering programme at Nakhon Phanom University, and pass on my knowledge to my students. These are main reasons why I would like to study abroad in PhD study.

Framing News on Foreign Countries: Media Interests

Framing News on Foreign Countries: Media Interests Framing news on foreign countries: Media Interests and Motivations. Analyzing 10 yrs of US and UK newspaper editorials on Venezuela. 1)INTRODUCTION Media organizations are essential in international affairs in terms of their important role in providing information to the public.[3] The question has often been whether the Media frames news in the context of the national interest of the host country, for example. Whether they reflect official position without challenging them or rather influence national interest objectives by putting pressure on politicians. The Medias interest and other motivating factors are essential for understanding how editorials for instance are framed. Lacking in the study of Media framing is the application to bilateral relations. This study would attempt to add that dimension to the numerous researches on the Media in international affairs. It would analyze editorials by four prominent newspapers in the United States and the United Kingdom on issues concerning Venezuela. The aim is to find the likely motivating factors when it comes to framing news on foreign countries For many countries the media represents an important window to the international world. Patched knowledge on foreign issues would be close to a reality without a source of information about what happens elsewhere in the world, made available by the media. In democratic countries in particular, the reliance on the media for foreign news might be as important as the quest for local news. Images of foreign countries, issues and happenings in a particular country abroad are likely to be influenced by the media to a much larger scale when impressions are created of a healthy or strained bi-lateral relations, for instance. Due to factors such as cultural assumptions and political beliefs, it is believed that news carves out images and impressions of the world some of which are preferred over other images.[4] The media, both electronic and print are a major component of the democratic processes in several countries. The media has often been referred to, in many countries, as an important branch of the government with roles from functioning as the main political informant'[7] There has been several publications on issues of Media and Government relations by several authors. For instance, in the scope of international relations and communications, there have been books published on the issue of how the media works in or out of line with foreign policy or the national interest. The debate has been whether or not the media is likely to support the national interest of the country in which it operates in relation to other countries(as the theory of Manufacturing Consent depicts)[9]. Either option makes foreign events relevant to the media. On the whole the media is believed to reflect social consensus.[15] There may be variations in the nature of the Media depending on the region or country of operation. A media in a democratic country may be freer than those in a non-democratic country so news coverage, media culture and ethics could vary. In this study, a section of the Media in two democratic countries would be analyzed in terms of their positions on issues in a third country(Venezuela). What would be of interest to this study, as mention earlier, would be the factors that would be most highlighted in the accounts of these editorials. It may bring about issues of objectivity and latent Media interests or the interests of the consumers of the news content. In the US for example, the Media is often said to domesticate foreign news. The themes represented in news in the US are those which often have some relevance to American interests.[17] Thus, how the media frames news is largely important for understanding the positions they yield to and their response to certain foreign events. In issues of national interest and in relation to bilateral relations, it would be important to know how the media in different countries frame news on events in countries abroad. 2) LITERATURE REVIEW NEWS FRAMING Entman, (1993) suggests that the concept of framing could be studied as a feature of a political discourse or as an instrument applied by the Media in making news.[19] And by extension, Media analysis or news analysis would deserve a look at the concept of news framing. Framing is, the process by which a communication source constructs and defines a social or political issue for its audienceà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?.[23] Framing theory is also applicable to Media analysis. Media frames as explained by Entman (1991: 7), are attributes of news itself.[24] In a broad sense, frames are regarded as persistent patterns of cognition, interpretation, and presentation, and as selection, emphasis, and exclusion, by which symbol handlers routinely organize discourse, whether verbal or visual.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?.[27] Tuchman showed how framing as a process theory works. And that the routine procedures used by newsmakers, direct news frames in a particular way. She argues that these procedures continually help showcase certain places and ideas, while consistently closing off and blocking inquiry into others.[29] Entman (1993: 52) helped refine the scope of the definition given to news framing. He established that by the definition of news frame, frames could be seen as a process that defines problems à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" determine what a causal agent is doing with what costs and benefits, usually measured in terms of common cultural values; diagnose causes à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" identify the forces creating the problem; make moral judgments à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" evaluate causal agents and their effects; and suggest remedies à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬Å" offer and justify treatments for the problems and predict their likely effects.[30] Entman, (1991:7) also showed that frames used by the media are often captured in the keywords, metaphors, concepts, symbols and visual images in news narratives. He stresses the point that one way is which news framing works is through repetition which is important for Media news framing because news narratives, usually dependent on frames, are meant to direct attention to certain ideas, while excluding certain other ideas.[33] It has also been established that Framing involves processes of inclusion and exclusion as well as emphasis.'[38] Framing also has the ability to make consumers of news accept and adopt some symbolic themes and values.[39] While the process of selectively and emphasis is carried out by the newsmakers, those for whom a particular news is meant, are also likely to be predisposed to understanding and interpreting information in a selective way. Framing has also been explained to be the process of placing information into a context of preconscious symbolism. [43] The framing process employed by the Media is regarded as key to shaping both the publics and decision-makers knowledge, image and understanding of the world.[49]. Perhaps a perfect definition of the concept of framing in relation to the print media is the fact that, a frame is a central organizing idea or story line that provides meaning to an unfolding strip of events, weaving a connection among them. The frame suggests what the controversy is about and the essence of the issue'[53] One of the significant areas in relation to framing of news and Media positioning is Foreign Policy. Assessments of the response of the media to foreign issues is largely based on a critical analysis of how the media operates or how a particular section of the media churns out news or editorials, for example the position that major newspapers take on certain foreign issues. In a way how it sets the agenda for government or public reactions. Both agenda setting and framing have been identified in news framing literature as ways in which the media can influence policy making and public opinion.[57] There has been some convergence on how framing analysis can be carried out, according to the literature. Two approaches of framing analysis has evolved over the years. The Inductive approach and the Deductive approach. The latter has been proven more scientific than the former. The Deductive approach organizes the framing analysis based on pre-outlined broader frames.[59] There has also been an attempt by some authors to group frames along certain distinctions. Frames could be grouped under issue-specific frames which deal with particular issues in detail and generic frames which cover broader themes found in different settings.[61] One issue raised by some authors on framing is how the Media treat sources. When elite sources to news are relied on by journalists for example, they may in a way be a channel for promoting the views and opinions of the political order or the elites to the larger audience[63] Most of the literature also agree that the location of a news story gives it much weight in terms of the perceived influence on the newspapers readership and how important the issues are to them. It also demonstrates the importance the media attaches to that particular issue or event.[67] In all, Media scholars have studied Framing theory as either theories of Effects and Process. By Framing as effects theory, media scholars have studied the influence that news frames have on audiences while studies on framing as a process theory have addressed how news content is created and modified in certain ways considering the factors that influence the carving of news in a particular way. [68] . Although the framing of news is important to the coverage given to events and issues, there are other elements or factors that influence the framing of news in itself have to be identified.[72] This study would turn the spot light on the wide array of all the other factors that may help explain why news is framed in a particular way. As pointed out earlier, some literature on the Media have suggested that the sources that the Media relies go an extent to make the news themselves. In other words, Organizations with more resources, or that have more credibility in the eyes of journalists, are more likely to become regular news sources, and thus shape which issues (agenda-setting) and which perspectives (frames) dominate the news.[74] Some Media scholars are of the opinion that the ideal state of Media Objectivity is far fetched. Some are of the view that there is no fundamentally non-ideological, apolitical, non-partisan news gathering and reporting system. Since there may be dispute over objectivity and news without bias, the concept of framing becomes important to analyzing the frames used in making news.[77] While journalists may dispute these assertions, it is believed that news content is not an objective entity, independent of political, social, ideological or sociopsychological influences than mere information.[80] As stated before, the Media often depicts the Governments position in respect to interests and issues especially in relation to other countries. There has been the suggestion that the Medias position is based on national values, national interest and cultural values of their host countries.[82] The Media is likely to succumb to the views of governments because the latters position on issues is seen as an overriding common good transcending the specific interests of parties, factions, and other entities smaller than the nation as a whole.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬?[84] The problem with the concept of framing is that it lacks clear conceptual definitions and a comprehensive statement to guide research.[85] Yet these challenges would make it important for more research into factors that influence news framing. The extent to which consumers of news perceive foreign leaders in either a positive or negative light is dependent on how framing is carried out.[86] The latter point might be important to understand how the reading-public of the four sampled newspapers are likely to perceive the leadership in Venezuela. Most of the research done on news framing have largely gone in the way of foreign policy research. A few have looked at news framing in relation to another country with a lengthy time range while Media response and framing on various issues are measured and analyzed. The study hopes to add to the already existing research on news framing in this regard. 3) Proposed Research Questions Research Question 1 :What is the tone of coverage on Venezuela in U.S. and U.K. editorials? Do the two groups of newspapers differ in tone? Research Question 2: Which frames dominated in the overall coverage and was there a significant difference between the two countries in terms of the frames used? Research Question 3: Which issues dominated the overall coverage country-wise? Research Question 3: Do positions on issues covered reflect National Interest of the two countries? Research Question 4: Do these editorials rely on government sources in arriving at opinions and conclusions? Research Question 5: Which issues are most prominent in all the coverage? Research Question 6: Do the editorials lean towards a kind of political or economic ideology? 4) VARIABLES The variables for this study would be the following 1 Independent -Tone of coverage and framing in UK editorials -Tone of coverage and framing in US editorials -Most highlighted issues 2 Dependent -The interests of the UK(economic, political, other) -The interests of the US (economic, political, other) -The ideology of the paper 5) Proposed Research Hypothesis 1 There is no difference in tone between the two groups of newspapers. 2 The level of interest given to highlighted issues between the two groups of newspapers will be the same? 3 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the interests of the host nation of the newspapers. 4 Positioning and framing of news will depend on the ideology of the host nation of the newspapers. 5 UK newspaper editorials are likely to be less critical of Venezuela because of better bi- lateral relations. 6 US newspaper editorials are likely to be more critical of Venezuela because of worse bi-lateral relations. 6) METHODOLOGY Method The study on these editorials would be carried out using quantitative content analysis to assess qualitative data published by the four newspapers. Content analysis is defined as a research technique that involves measuring a content( in this case, news frames) in a random sampling of some form of communication( in this case, editorials). The basic assumption implicit in content analysis is that an investigation of messages and communication will allow some insight into the people who receive these messages'[87]. However the use of content analysis in this study would be to capture the frames used in the sampled editorials and what informs interests in issues and not what the consumers of such news perceive or how they react to these messages. One advantage of content analysis is that unlike other research methods where the researcher can easily influence the outcome of the research, it offers mediated communication to be rather studied rather than the behavior of people which may be difficult to analyze. Additionally it provides numbers and figures which can be quantified to secure likely viable assessments.[88] Admittedly, the use content analysis technique also brings to the fore issues concerning the representativeness of the samples used, the adequate definition of issues, difficulties with measuring units to be analyzed and coder reliability issues.[89] A conversion of coded values into quantitative statistical data would be made after the content analysis. Population The population of this study would be all editorials on Venezuela within the ten year period by high circulating newspapers in the US and the UK. The assumption is that editorials from newspapers with a relatively high number of circulations, may have been read by a significant number of people or may have reached a wider audience or a politically responsive section of the public. The study would not be concerned with gauging public reactions but in the frames used themselves. Yet high circulation newspapers offer a good basis for selection in the sample. Sample The type of sampling used in selecting editorials is Criterion Sampling .Editorials which will make up the sample are those with references made to the words VENEZUELA and HUGO CHAVEZ and political and economic issues related to these terms. A retrieval of the editorials from the search engine LEXIS-NEXIS has already been carried out using the following terms: VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and EDITORIAL for the US newspaper database. For the LEXIS NEXIS -UK database, editorials were retrieved using the search terms VENEZUELA, HUGO CHAVEZ and LEADING ARTICLE. Editorials not focusing on these issues or not focusing on issues of political relevance were dropped from the sample ,for example those focusing on say sports or those with the mere mention of these terms with no relation to relevant issues discussed. US Newspapers From an earlier assessment of the account of data on newspaper circulations by the Audit Bureau of Circulations in both the USA and the UK, the highest circulating newspaper over the 10 year period was USA TODAY with the most circulations for the said period. The WALL STREET JOURNAL (WSJ) came second with the most circulations over the period. The WSJ will however be discounted because of its orientation mostly to financial news and events. The research would be limited to newspapers which mostly deal with political news and also focuses on foreign political news in its content or publications. With these criteria, the third major political newspapers which polled the third highest number of circulations over the 10 year period was the NEW YORK TIMES (NYT). Thus editorials from the USA TODAY and the NYT will be used in the content analysis. UK Newspapers The selection criteria for the two highest Circulating newspapers in the UK however differ slightly from the basis on which the newspapers from the US were selected. THE DAILY TELEGRAPH and THE TIMES newspapers would be used in this study. The two newspapers averagely rank 4th and 7th in terms of circulation data according to the Audit Bureau from January 2000 to 2009. The two newspapers which ranked as the two highest-circulating newspapers for the 10 year period in the UK were THE SUN and DAILY MAIL. The two come under the category of Tabloid Newspapers and are not considered serious political newspapers. The two will not be the focus of this study. The DAILY MIRROR, DAILY STAR, and the DAILY EXPRESS ranked 3rd, 5th and 6th respectively. This study will focus on those newspapers which come under those usually termed newspapers-of- record or those which practice serious journalism. Of the newspapers under this category,THE GUARDIAN and THE TIMES had averagely, the highest number of circulations during the 10 year period discounting those newspapers which fall under the tabloid category. A percentage breakdown of the editorials from each newspaper is found below. The four newspapers had on average a significant circulation tally during the specified period namely from (January) 2000 to (December) 2009. Why Venezuela? Venezuela offers a good to chance to study the politics behind the news. Various perceived interests are involved in relation to the US, UK and Venezuela. The controversies have been over the stifling of democracy and civil rights, the abuse of power by President Chavez, issues over the supply of oil and what it means for the two western countries to have the economy of Venezuela in a bad shape. These factors make Venezuela a good choice and would it possible to analyze Media positioning on these issues in response to a relevant third country while factoring in bi-lateral relations. Time Period The choice of long time duration will allow for significant content analysis to be done on the editorials. Since this research would also assess government statements and positions on the issues arising from Venezuela, the time period which saw the BUSH and BLAIR administration for most of the period would offer an opportunity to compare the US and UK government responses and attitudes towards Venezuelan issues with hopefully little variation in policy change. The reasoning is that an unchanged administration or party in power is likely to have the same attitudes or reactions to foreign issues from a particular country than when the administration changes over a period of time, barring any major shift in interests and policy towards Venezuela by either country during the time period. The study will take all these changes into account in the final analysis, including the editorial responses and positioning on these issues. Coding Units Editorials will be the focal point for the coding procedures. Editorials are a good basis for this study because they often represent the view or position of the newspaper. Op-Eds and editorials with Bylines (those written by individuals and credited with names) have been excluded from the sample. The focus was to look out for editorials which have been written by the editorial board of the various newspapers and would represent a justifiable opinion or position of the newspaper itself rather than the views of individual writers. Coding Procedure The source for the editorials is the academic search engine; LEXIS-NEXIS (which stores electronic copies of newspaper articles and editorials including those that this study would be focused on). Pre-testing 4 independent coders would be used to code each editorial article according to frames created from a Pre-test which has already been carried out on two other newspapers. A pretest on The Washington Post and The Guardian newspapers has been carried out to source for appropriate categories of frames to be used in the final coding of the 141 editorials. In addition, coders could add extra categories of frames to the basic list during coding to update the original codebook. 24 editorials from the Washington Post and 54 editorials from The Guardian newspapers were retrieved with the same search words as the main sample. They all fit the same criteria. 25% of each newspapers editorial would be used in the Pre-test. The selection was done randomly. In all 19 editorials would be used for the Pre-test. Framing Variables Frames(meant for pre-test and to be modified). the problem frames, 1-the diagnostic frames( these coverage would identify a problem and assign a responsibility to someone or some other reason) 2-the prognostic frames.( here the study seeks to find an editorials solution to particular problems) the presentation frames, 1-the issue frame ( coverage on issues such as economy, oil etc) 3-the image frame.( portraying leadership, attitudes, affiliation of subjects) General tone (is the editorial positive(supportive) or negative(condemnatory))? Coder Reliability An intercoder reliability would predict the amount of agreement or correspondence among the 4 coders. Intercoder Reliability is the extent to which the different judges tend to assign exactly the same rating to each object.[90] The Intercoder reliability would be checked for the Pre-test and the main test. The formula to be used is Holstis (1969) formula. Coder agreement on each unit of analysis( i.e frames) would be calculated. Preliminary Coding Sheet for Newspaper Editorial Content Analysis(To be amended). Technical Data: Editorial Number= give in full Paper: 1= USA; 2= NY Times; 3= Daily Telegraph; 4=The Times Date: given in full Title of Editorial: given in full Page: page on which the editorial is written. Location( section of newspaper) 1= Editorials and Opinions; 2= Features; 3=Non Stated 99= other Length of words= please indicate number Is a source cited?: 1= Yes; 2= No; 99= other Source cited: please indicate Country Mentioned in affiliation to venezuela: please indicate Country Location(continent): 1= Africa 2=Antarctia 3=Asia 4 =Australia 5= Europe 6=North America 7=South America Issues linked to country referred to: please indicate Themes in the News: Theme of the editorial: 1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Secondary Themes: 1= Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Tertiary Themes: 1 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the world 2 =Concerns over Venezuelan crises impacting the US 3 =Concerns of economic and political life of Venezuelans being grim 4 =Concerns over oil supply and price hikes 5 =Championing support for Chavez and policies 6 =Denouncing Chavez 7 =A critique of white house intervention in Venezuelan matters 8 =Concerns over Venezuelan influence in Latin America 9 =Need to counter Chavez influence over other states 10 =That socialist economies are often a disaster 11 =Concerns over human rights abuse 12 =Concerns over Media abuse 13 =Need to have effective policies to deal with Venezuela 14 =Supporting regime change 15 =Denouncing regime change Other Themes?: Please state Orientation of Editorial: 1= event-oriented 2= issue-oriented Framing of the Editorial: (A) References To Sources Domestic Sources( in US or UK) : please indicate International Sources(in Venezuela) : please indicate Other Sources: please indicate How instrumental is the source to the story: 1=very central; 2= central; 3= moderately mentioned; 4=only gets a mention (B) Character of Commentary Evaluation of Commentary: 1= very laudable; 2= favorable; 3= neutral; 4= critical; 5= abrasive; 99= other Secondary Evaluation of Commentary: 1= crusading; 2= argumentative; 3= descriptive; 4= summary; 5= cynical; 6= humorous; 7= warning/ helpful; 8= lyrical; Descriptive Characterization of President Chavez in editorials: As 1= authoritarian 2= socialist/leftist 3= populist 4= autocrat 5= strongman 6= bold 99= other ( please state) Characterization of other persons in editorials: please mention character and indicate descrption Main Discourse: Please state any significant words used: Location of word in editorial: 1= headline 2= main body 7) BIBLIOGRAPHY Althaus, Scott L. 2003. When News Norms Collide, Follow the Lead: New Evidence for Press Independence.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬? Political Communication, 20 Barbara Allen, Paula OLoughlin, Amy Jasperson, John L. Sullivan The Media and the Gulf War: Framing, Pri

The end of the road Essay -- Personal Narrative Papers

The end of the road At the end of a journey, it’s always strange to look back on the roads traveled and places visited. It brings with it a sense of nostalgia, a feeling of time passed with the inability, or perhaps unwillingness to go back. I felt like this at the end of the road trip I took this time last year from San Francisco to Alaska. I knew that most likely I’d never again visit those quirky villages in the depths of the Yukon Territory, or stand in the middle of the Alaskan Highway watching a herd of mountain rams cross, miles away from anywhere. And when we reached our destination, the journey seemed far away – separated from the here and now of Whittier, Alaska. And all we had as proof of the 3500 miles traveled were bills for gas and pictures taken along the way. At the end of my semester in EL170, I am left with a very similar feeling of nostalgia and a strange separation from my journey through writing. I look back at genres visited and works â€Å"completed† by our class, and I’m left with a sense of pride at how far we’ve come. And most likely I’ll never again visit where I’ve been, but that doesn’t mean that the memories of where I have visited won’t stay with me for a long time. Thinking way, way back to the world of Non-Fiction shows me just how unexplored my writing really was. Let’s face it, my non-fiction was pretty bad. I had never really written before or had any â€Å"coaching,† so I think my shortcomings were understandable. I found it easy to write because I was drawing from my own experiences, but I found it hard to write well. It felt forced to write about my own experiences. Of all the pieces I wrote, there was one that I liked – my Knowledge Tree. I think that this piece worked better than the othe... ... And it worked. Writing – done. Once I was over the writing hump, I faced the task of creating the digital story. It was difficult, but really fun and it was a great break from the monotony of text book studying which consumed the rest of my life. I feel like my digital story improves as it goes on, simply because I was getting the hang of the idea of the digital story and IMovie. But, in the end I was really proud of what I had made. It was a great experience and I will treasure my digital story forever. So now I’m at the end of my EL170 journey. This has been the best class that I’ve taken in college with the best group of people – professor and tutors included. We created a community in which I could safely release my first writing failures to the world. Words don’t do justice to this class, so I shall leave it at that, and wait for my next journey to start.

Politics in the Novel Imperium by Robert Harris Essay -- Robert Harris

Imperium begins when Cicero as a young man from a middle class family. He leaves his small town behind and comes to Rome, looking to make a name for himself in politics. He begins as a lawyer and is immediately noticed for his outstanding oratory skills and daring composure . Gradually, he gains influence in the realm of the courts until he has achieved the title of "the second best advocate in Rome," only beaten by his bitter rival, Hortensius. His next triumph is to take on a daring case against the governor or Sicily, Verres, who has extorted his people for decades and wrongfully imprisoned hundreds of them. Though Cicero has a bounty of evidence of this corruption, he has other huge disadvantages. A huge majority of the court is biased against him because he is new blood, and is not yet a respected lawyer compared to Hortensius who has very good lineage. Verres is also an aristocrat, and is thus backed by nearly the entirety of the aristocracy of the Senate, who would be the jury in his case. However, Cicero won the favor of the jury with his charisma and his courageous and controversial courtroom maneuvers. Now that Cicero is on the political board, he marries into an affluent family so that he might advance his status. He then enters the senate by showing that he has the money to hold a seat and from that moment on he has branded himself as a politician, ever aspiring to up his position on the rungs of the Roman political ladder until he has achieved the power of life and death in politics, known to the Romans as imperium. The idea behind this novel is that Rome had a very complex political system that can only be fully understood from an inside source such as this novel. This novel got extremely complicated, especially wi... ...tic system of election such as America?s and how inefficient it is. Changes that Cicero himself put into play all that time ago have been incorporated into our system today simply by him speaking up in a session of the senate. It is awesome to consider how dedicated to the republic these ancient politicians were compared to todays politicians who abuse the system that has been set in place and have only popularity and selfishness. This novel reminds the reader of how great these people that we have heard about from ancient times are and it gives us proof that what they did really did make a difference. We cannot know if people from our century will influenced history forever because they have yet to stand the test of time, but significant Roman figures have and the evidence of that lies in the difference they left on Rome, and eventually all of western civilization.

Controversy Control And Contraception Essay -- Religion

Controversy and contraceptives has been recorded together in some of the earliest writings of man. In Genesis, it was written that when a man spilled his seed on the ground, the Lord was upset and killed the man. â€Å"And it came to pass, when he went into his brother’s wife, that he spilled it on the ground, lest that he should give seed to his brother. And the thing which he did displeased the Lord: wherefore he slew him also (Genesis 38:9-10).† Many have used this scripture as their reason to be against birth control, but throughout time there have been particular groups of people and parties that have also taken up the issue of birth control and have used it as a way to divide people. Two groups in particular have very opposing views on the issue of contraceptive use, they are Conservatives and Feminists. While feminist believe women should have control over the use of birth control and it should be available for all, contemporary conservatives are against contra ceptives because they believe contraceptives creates moral degradation, and the use of birth control is contrary to God’s will, and that the government is violating religious freedom rights by requiring women access to birth control. Conservatives views on contraceptive uses varies, the type of contraception Conservatives choose to boycott depends on their religious beliefs. Followers of the Vatican strongly oppose all types of birth control. . Ironically, the man responsible for improving the birth control pill, that many use today, was Catholic. Dr. John Rock labeled himself a social conservative and early on in his medical career he began to change his mind about the use of birth control. Dr. Rock began to support contraception within the confines of marriage... ...inter_1118.shtml (accessed May 29, 2012). Hartline, Dave. The American Catholic: In the Birth Control Controversy; The Mocking of Conservative Religios Women By Militant Secularist Will Soon Backfire. February 19, 2012. http://the-american-catholic.com/2012/02/19/the-mocking-of-conservative-religious-women-by-militant-secularists-will-soon-backfire/ (accessed May 29, 2012). Holman, D.S. Commonsense Conservative Views: Are American Women Stupid? March 4, 2012. www.dsholman.com/conservative-politics/are-women-stupid/ (accessed May 3, 2012). MacKinnon, Catherine A. Toward a Feminist Theory of the State. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1989. NOW. NOW and Abortion Rights?Reproductive Justice. 2011. www.now.org/issues/abortion/ (accessed May 28, 2012). Schrieber, Ronnee. Righting Feminism: Conservative Women and American Politics. Oxford: University Press, 2008.

Message of the Mountain

THE BOOK REPORT Message of the Mountain [pic] Submitted by Gertrude Beatriz Lim 6-6 Submitted to Mrs. Miriam E. Rana Message of the Mountain is a Christian fiction written by Matilda Nordtvedt. The book has 135 pages with 30 chapters. The story takes place in Bellingham, Washington in the early 1900s. It was settled, the Johnsons were relocating to Bellingham, Washington; since Papa cannot sustain the work in the country. John liked the idea of moving to the city, but Hilda and Lois were not so thrilled. Their house in Bellingham was modern, and John was delighted.From the window, you could see the magnificent Mount Baker. Papa and Hilda started talking about how Mount Baker was like God, making John feel awkward. The girls were a bit worried going to school even with John’s encouragement. After class, John’s classmate, Marvin, led him to the railroad tracks where he got him to smoke a cigarette brought by a fifth-grader named Pete. As they parted, John ran home in dism ay, anxious that his parents might find out. When he got home, John saw Mama chopping down some onions, so he ate a piece to take the smell of the cigarette out.John felt guilty for smoking, but thought that at least he did something to please his father by chopping down some wood. There are some lessons that can be picked up from Message of the Mountain. One is about learning to accept change, because change is the only thing permanent in our lives. Everything changes in this world, so there is no way to resist it anyways. Another is that we should learn to say no. Saying no to wrong things will always be the right thing to do even if doing so means losing everything. Lastly, we should not lie, because lying could lead to broken trust and relationship. I don’t think we have to worry about bears and ghosts, Lois. God protects us from other things we meet each day and accidents maybe, and especially from evil. † That was what Mama told Lois. It means that God will always guard us from things that may endanger us. It’s one of my favorite lines in the book. It makes me feel secure in the times of trouble knowing God will not leave us, but He will be there protecting us. The best part in the chapters is when they arrived in Bellingham. It was about the time when things were about to change.It was nice because it described how John felt towards making new friends and adjusting to a new life. Message of the Mountain is a Christian fiction book written by Matilda Nordtvedt. Chapters 5 to 14 have forty-four pages in all. The story takes place in Bellingham, Washington, in the early 1900s. In Chapter 5, the Johnson family went to church. John still could not decide on what to believe in, creation or the theory of evolution; but after Mr. Strom’s discussion, he believed in creation. While in Chapter 6, John was convinced by Mr. William’s lecture that everything evolved from something.After class, the trio: John, Marvin, and Pete were do wn by the tracks smoking. Marvin suddenly asked for John’s share of tobacco, but John said he did not afford tobacco and Papa does not smoke. Marvin shrugged and suggested him to steal some at Mr. Thorsen’s store. John was astonished by his suggestion; he could not steal now or could he? In Chapter 7, Mama had a big announcement: Hilda could take piano lessons if Mama would clean Mrs. Lavine’s house once a week. The girls were squealing from excitement but all John felt was hugging someone and getting some tobacco.In Chapter 8, Mr. Strom showed his complex watch and related it to the wonderful creations of God. John then reconsidered believing in creation. In the next chapter, Lois eavesdropped on Marvin and John’s conversation. She heard all their plans! John made Lois promise to not tell anyone anything but he would have to give her some Life Savers. When Marvin and John proceeded to their plan, John was given a Life Saver. When John went home, he saw M arvin being pushed in a wagon by a police man. That night, Papa talked about the boy who was caught stealing tobacco.The next day, Marvin did not show up at school. When John came back from school, Lois was curled up in his bed wanting more Life Savers. During supper, Lois was not present. She had gone to Mr. Thorsen’s store and stole a Life Saver. Marvin was back by the next day. John was relieved to know Marvin did not tell on him. Lois and John were going to Mr. Thorsen’s to apologize but did not. They went back home, and Mama told John to ask Marvin to have supper with them. John hesitated but eventually asked Marvin. Our lies will find us out. No matter how we try to hide it; the truth will be revealed.We should also be a good example to others. Our actions may affect others’ actions. There are some people who do wrong things because of their peer pressure in being called a chicken or whatsoever, but we should learn to be stand up to do the right thing. â⠂¬Å"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. † This line affected me most because it reminds me that God is a forgiving God. It assured me that if I confess my sins to Him, I will be cleansed.

Favorite Memory

Samantha Vega Eng 073-08 My Favorite memory My Favorite memory was when I first played in a softball game, it was very exciting, nerve reckon and challenging. Stepping into the field was the best feeling in the world. The air was so fresh. The field was very smooth and the dirt was crispy brown. I remembered watching girl’s plays softball at a young age and I always wanted to see how it felt to play. I became fascinated and was amazed how older girls played amongst themselves and I actually learned just by watching. Playing softball for the first time was exciting.The weather was very nice, the sun was shining, the sky was blue, the birds chirped and the wing blew so smoothly. I could also hear the crowed yelling and shouting excited to see the game. My parents were also there supporting me at my first game. Lincoln high school, a school that wasn’t very good in softball but that was my team. We were facing a school from Parsippany. It was a home game so we played in ou r field in Lincoln Park. It was diamond shape. The dirt was very smooth as I entered the field with my team. The grass on the outfield was wet and green, it was very shiny.Being my first time I was very happy and excited to play. I couldn’t imagine how much fun I was going to have. Softball is very nerve reckon sport. Trying to catch every ball that comes your way or hitting the ball to make a run. Having two strikes on you, 2 outs, last inning and the game is tied makes you really nervous. In my memory, after the team got ready and prepared to face the opponents, number 23 stepped up to the plate and started of the game. I was in center field on the outfield. I was going to give it my all and have our first win. So number 23 had 2 strikes and 1 ball.Yari, our team captain was pitching; everyone was rooting her on to make that out. Number 23 was a big girl, she looked strong and hit the ball all the way to outfield were I was playing my position. I ran as quickly as I could t o catch that ball and I actually caught it. It was fun running and forcing me to catch it. I was very excited that the ball came to me and it was up to me to catch it. I was so nervous and thought to myself â€Å"What way should I run? † â€Å"What to do? † When I caught it the crowd got so happy and screamed my name rooting me on. Lastly, playing in my first game was very challenging.I didn’t expect it was going to be as challenging as I thought it would. Stepping into the plate for the first time made me feel strong and proud to wear my royal blue with the lion logo uniform. My uniform was crisp and ready to get dirty. The wind was blowing in my face as I was holding my bat ready to swing as hard as I could. The first pitch came my way all you heard was â€Å"STRIKE†, â€Å"STRIKE TWO† the umpire yelled. I hit the ball the third time and hit it to 3 rd base and ran as fast as I could after I ran to first base I tripped on the base but quickly got up before they called me out.I was safe. It was a great feeling being safe but it was very challenging when the girl on first almost got me out. Although, in this game there is so much competition, but the whole point of this game is to have fun and be the best you can. In my case, I had the best time playing my first game. We actually won our first game with the score of 10-8. I had so much fun and worked hard to get my spot in the team. It isn’t all about winning or losing it about having the best time and creating friendships with team members.

Internet Exercises Appendix Chapter 1

INTERNET EXERCISES APPENDIX Chapter 1: Marketing's Role in the Global Economy Internet Exercise: Wal-Mart You can check out the on-line shopping experience of Wal-Mart on the Web by going to www. wal-mart. com and clicking on â€Å"Go Shopping. † For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 8. Internet Exercise: ONSALE Auction Supersite The ONSALE Auction Supersite features a number of on-line auctions in which different sellers auction off computer, consumer electronics, and other products to buyers. Visit the web site at www. onsale. com and review an open auction for a consumer electronics product.What are the advantages and disadvantages of this market for sellers? For buyers? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 17. Internet Exercise: World Trade Organization The World Trade Organization is a very important force behind the global move toward free trade, but sometimes there are still disputes. Go to the WTO web site at www. wto. org and find out how the WTO settles disputes. Do you think that this procedure favors the developed nations, the less-developed nations, or neither? Give your thinking. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 22.Chapter 2: Marketing's Role within the Firm or Nonprofit Organization Internet Exercise: L. L. Bean The L. L. Bean web site (www. llbean. com) offers consumers a lot of information, including information about national parks. Do you think that this helps Bean to build relationships with its target customers? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 40. Internet Exercise: Lilly Lilly, the pharmaceutical company, makes the effort to be socially responsible. To find out more about Lilly’s corporate citizenship, go to the Lilly home page (www. lilly. om) and click on company information and then click on corporate citizenship. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 42. Chapter 3: Focusing Marketing Strategy with Segmentation and Positioning Internet Exercise: McDonald’s McDonald’s has about 22,000 restaurants in 109 countries. Go to its web site, www. mcdonalds. com, and determine what country is its largest market outside the U. S. Do you think it offers more or less opportunity for future growth than the U. S.? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 67. Internet Exercise: MarriottCourtyard by Marriott targets business travelers. Visit the Marriott web site, www. marriott. com, and write down what you think are the qualifying and determining dimensions for a businessperson choosing Courtyard over Marriott’s other hotel options. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 81. Chapter 4: Evaluating Opportunities in the Changing Marketing Environment Internet Exercise: Tupperware If you were a new marketing manager at Rubbermaid, you might be interested in finding out more about Tupperware, an important competitor in some markets.Wh at type of relevant information could you get by going to the Tupperware web site, (www. tupperware. com)? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 101. Internet Exercise: Consumer Reports The Consumer Product Safety Commission sometimes requires auto makers to issue recalls. However, not all consumers learn about the recalls. Go to the Consumer Reports web site (www. consumerreports. com/recalls) and check to see if there has been a recall on a year and model of car or truck that is of interest to you (say, one owned by your family). For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 110.Chapter 5: Demographic Dimensions of Global Consumer Markets Internet Exercise: CIA’s World Factbook Visit the web site for the CIA’s World Factbook (www. odci. gov/cia/publications/factbook) and compare the profile data for Canada and Australia. How are they similar and how are they different? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 133. Internet Exercise: JNCO Revatex grew rapidly when its wide-leg JNCO brand jeans became a hit with teens. Do you think that its web site (www. jnco. com) does a good job appealing to teens? Why? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 138.Chapter 6: Behavioral Dimensions of the Consumer Market Internet Exercise: SRI’s VALS Go to the SRI Internet site (http://future. sri. com), click on VALS, and then click on â€Å"direct to the survey† to review the VALS questionnaire. If you wish, complete the short questionnaire on-line. SRI will provide you with your VALS profile. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 164. Internet Exercise: GAP To make it easier for consumers to visualize how certain fashions will look together, the GAP’s web site (www. gap. com) has a â€Å"get dressed interactive† feature.Go the GAP web site and check out this feature. Do you think that it makes it easier to evaluate a potential purch ase? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 173. Chapter 7: Business and Organizational Customers and Their Buying Behavior Internet Exercise: Computer Discount Warehouse At the Computer Discount Warehouse web site (www. cdw. com) a buyer can easily compare the features and prices of competing products. Click on desktop computers and then on the CDW Compare feature to do a comparison of two â€Å"high end† computers from two different manufacturers.How helpful would this analysis be if you were a computer buyer? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 187. Internet Exercise: Thomas Register The Thomas Register has a very comprehensive database of firms at its web site (www. thomasregister. com). Click on search and it will prompt you to register. After you register (it’s free), search by product/service on the keyword welding. How could the information provided by your search help you if you sold a product that was used by fir ms in the welding industry? How could it help you if you were a buyer looking for a supplier of welding products?For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 199. Chapter 8: Improving Decisions with Marketing Information Internet Exercise: Yahoo Assume that your boss has asked you to do a customer satisfaction survey. As part of a situation analysis, you want to get ideas about what others have done in this area. Go to the web site for the Yahoo search engine (www. yahoo. com). In the dialogue box type â€Å"customer satisfaction survey† (include the quote marks) and click on search. Look at some of the web sites identified. How helpful is this ?How could it be improved? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 222. Internet Exercise: Perseus Perseus Development Corporation sells software that allows a user to create on-line questionnaires that can be distributed by e-mail or used on the Internet. To see samples of on-line questions, go to the Perseus web site (www. perseus. com) and then click on Survey Samples. Do you think that it’s more convenient for a consumer to complete a survey on-line or with pencil and paper? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 227.Chapter 9: Elements of Product Planning for Goods and Services Internet Exercise: Procter & Gamble Go to the Procter & Gamble web site (www. pg. com) and click on P&G Products. Find out the brand names of the different shampoos that P&G makes. How are the different brands positioned and what target markets do they appeal too? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 259. Internet Exercise: FDA The FDA’s web site has a page on the new food label requirements that proclaims â€Å"grocery store aisles have become avenues to greater nutritional knowledge. Go to that page at Internet address (www. fda. gov/opacom/backgrounders/foodlabel/newlabel. html) and review the actual label requirements. Do you use this information in deciding what products to buy? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 262. Chapter 10: Product Management and New-Product Development Internet Exercise: WebTV A number of software, hardware, and programming firms are working on products that deliver Internet information via TV. Explore the WebTV web site (www. webtv. com) to find out about one aspect of this idea.Do you think that many people will be interested in quickly adopting WebTV? How does it stack up when you consider the characteristics of an innovation reviewed above? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 275. Internet Exercise: Marketing Intelligence Service Marketing Intelligence Service, Ltd. is a U. S. -based firm that tracks new consumer packaged goods–both successes and failures. Go to its web site (ourworld. compuserve. com/homepages/mktgintelsvc) and click on the What’s New button and then review its selections for new product innovations of the year.Do you think that these products offer customers superior value, or are they just me-too imitations? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 283. Chapter 11: Place and Development of Channel Systems Internet Exercise: Gateway Gateway is a computer company that uses direct distribution to its customers in the U. S. Go to the Gateway web site (www. gateway. com) and think about how it is organized. Given that Gateway doesn’t use different channels of distribution to reach different types of customers, how does it segment the market?For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 301. Internet Exercise: Avon Avon sells cosmetics and other products through independent sales representatives (agents) and also though a catalog (both on-line and printed). Review the Avon web site (www. avon. com). Do you think that Avon’s independent sales representatives would view the web site as competing for their customers’ purchases and a source of conflict or would they think that it helps them promote the product and identify new prospects? Explain your thinking. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 317.Chapter 12: Distribution Customer Service and Logistics Internet Exercise: Virtual Logistics Directory Large corporations often turn to other firms that specialize in logistics–transportation and warehousing services, consultants, developers of computer systems, and the like–to help implement the physical distribution aspects of their marketing strategies. The web site of the Virtual Logistics Directory (www. logisticdirectory. com) lists many logistics specialists and what they do. Go to the web site and select the Integrated Logistics category.Review the descriptions of some of the firms listed, and then pick one. Explain why a large corporation with a logistics problem might seek its help rather than just trying to tackle the problem internally. For related discussion in th e Basic Marketing text, see page 329. Internet Exercise: North Carolina Ports Authority A firm that is just starting to export to international markets may want help figuring out what shipping services are available. The North Carolina Ports Authority’s web site (www. ncports. com) helps provide such information.Go to the web site, select Port Services, and review the different firms and agencies that might be able to provide you with help if you had to ship a large quantity of furniture to the Middle East. Identify an organization from those listed that you might want to contact first, and indicate why. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 334. Chapter 13: Retailers, Wholesalers, and Their Strategy Planning Internet Exercise: INTERSHOP INTERSHOP Communications develops and sells software that companies use to create â€Å"virtual stores† for Internet retailing.For example, it allows a seller to create an on-line catalog that is easy for consume rs to use and it has tools for analyzing sales and keeping track of customers. Go to the firm’s web site (www. intershop. com) and select Products. Review the information provided. (If your computer is equipped to view RealVideo video, you might also want to watch the demo. ) Do you think it would be easier for consumers if all Internet sellers used a common system, such as this one, rather than coming up with many different arrangements? Briefly explain your thinking. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 359.Internet Exercise: Fastenal Visit the Fastenal web site (www. fastenal. com). Check out the different aspects of the Fastenal web site. Give examples of ways that the web site is intended to help Fastenal’s customers and suppliers. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 370. Chapter 14: Promotion–Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communications Internet Exercise: Sony Sony produces a very wide variety of prod ucts. Does the information available on the web site (www. sony. com) appear to be part of an integrated marketing communications effort? Explain your thinking.For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 386. Internet Exercise: Campbell’s Soup Visit the Campbell’s Soup web site (www. campbellsoup. com). Does the web site make it easy for you to get information? Does it make you want to spend more time and get more information? Explain your answer. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 395. Chapter 15: Personal Selling Internet Exercise: Motivating Tape Company The Motivating Tape Company sells various sales training videos. Go to the firm’s web site at www. achievement. com and then scroll down and select Sales Training.Review the list of sales training videos offered. If a sales manager were going to rely on some of these tapes for training people just moving into a sales career, what key areas of sales training would he have to cover by some other approach? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 427. Internet Exercise: Symantec Symantec is the maker of various software products, including ACT! personal management software that is used by many salespeople to organize information about their customers, sales calls, and tasks they need to do. Visit the ACT! web site (www. ymantec. com/act) for information about this product. Give a few specific examples of ways that a salesperson could use ACT! to build better relationships with customers. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 431. Chapter 16: Advertising and Sales Promotion Internet Exercise: NarrowCast Media NarrowCast Media is an Internet firm that provides services for firms that want to advertise on the Internet and also for web sites that host Internet advertising. Go to its web site (www. narrowcastmedia. com) and read about NarrowCast Media’s various services.Briefly describe the main benefit s it provides for advertisers and the main benefits it provides for host sites. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 455. Internet Exercise: Catalina Marketing Catalina Marketing Corporation is a supplier of in store, electronic scanner activated consumer promotions. Go to the Catalina web site (www. catalinamktg. com) and select Manufacturer Solutions, then review information about its Sampling Programs. Briefly describe, in your own words, how the sampling program works and describe a situation in which a manufacturer might find it useful.For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 468. Chapter 17: Pricing Objectives and Policies Internet Exercise: International Currency Converter Xenon Laboratories has set up a web site with a system that uses current exchanges rates to convert one country’s currency to another. Go to the web site (www. ausmall. com. au), scroll down to the reference section, and click on International Currency Conv erter. How much is a $100 U. S. worth now in Thai bhats, British pounds, and German marks? How do those number compare with June of 1998 (See Exhibit 17-6)?For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 486. Internet Exercise: ValuPage Catalina, a firm that specializes in targeted sales promotions, set up an on-line system called â€Å"ValuPage. † Consumers can print out a sheet with a list of discounts that sponsoring supermarkets redeem with â€Å"web bucks†Ã¢â‚¬â€œwhich the consumer can then use for any future purchase at the store. Go to the web site (www. supermarkets. com), enter your zip code, and review the system. Do you think this system will be more or less susceptible to fraud than regular coupons? Explain your thinking.For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 492. Chapter 18: Price Setting in the Business World Internet Exercise: Sporting Auction Evergreen Information Technology launched an Internet auction site for many d ifferent categories of sporting goods. Go to the auction web site (www. sportingauction. com) and review the activities in two auction categories, one for a sport that is in season and another sport that is not. For example, you might compare snowboarding and golfing. Do you think that season makes a difference in the bidding activity? Explain your thinking.For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 524. Internet Exercise: Tiffany Tiffany & Co. is widely recognized as one of the world’s premiere jewelers. It commands high prices for what it offers. Go the Tiffany web site (www. tiffany. com) and review the different sections. Do you think that the web site communicates superior customer value to the Tiffany target market? Explain your opinion and point to specific aspects of the web site that support your view. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 528. Chapter 19: Implementing and Controlling Marketing Plans: Evolution and RevolutionI nternet Exercise: BaRaN Systems BaRaN Systems Ltd. has developed a software product called SQC for Excel that works with the Microsoft Excel spreadsheet program and makes it easy to do the types of analysis that are useful for quality management. Go to its web site (www. baran-systems. com) and click on the link for SQC for Excel and then at that web page scroll down and look at the â€Å"quick tour† section. What is it about the graphs that makes it easy to see which areas need special attention? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 544. Internet Exercise: CopernicusCopernicus: The Marketing Investment Strategy Group has developed a comprehensive procedure, The Copernican Decision Navigator, that its consultants have used as the basis for performing marketing audits for many major corporations. The procedure determines if the firm is using â€Å"best practices† in planning and implementing its strategies. Go the Copernicus web site (www. copern icusmarketing. com), scroll down to the items under â€Å"about Copernicus,† and select the link for Marketing Best Practices. Review what is involved in the Copernicus procedure. What are the advantages of having outside experts do this sort of audit?For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 562. Chapter 20: Managing Marketing's Link with Other Functional Areas Internet Exercise: Cductive CDuctive offers an on-line service in which the customer selects certain tracts of music and, for a fee, CDuctive will create a custom CD of those selections. Explore the CDuctive web site (www. cductive. com), and then list what you think are the major (1) strengths and (2) weaknesses of its approach. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 578. Internet Exercise: ITW ITW, Inc. has a variety of different businesses that produce different products.Go to the ITW web site (www. itwinc. com) and then select the list of other ITW web sites. After you brie fly review the descriptions of ITW’s different web sites, select ITW Brands and study it in more detail. From a cost standpoint, does it make sense to have a unit like ITW Brands? Why or why not? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 581. Chapter 21: Developing Innovative Marketing Plans Internet Exercise: Survey of Buying Power The Survey of Buying Power has an on-line site that is available on a pay-for-use basis. However, a sample section is available without charge.Go to the web site (www. sbponline. com) and select Samples and then select Samples of Site97. Look at the Income Trend Report (and others if you wish). How would this information be helpful to a retail chain that is considering a new facility for this sample market? For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 604. Internet Exercise: Maytag Go to the Maytag web site (www. maytag. com) and review the information about the Neptune line. Do you see any indication that the st rategy for Neptune is changing from what is described in the case that introduces this chapter? Explain your point of view.For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 614. Chapter 22: Ethical Marketing in a Consumer-Oriented World: Appraisal and Challenges Internet Exercise: Ikea Ikea is an innovative furniture company that is using its web site to refine its strategy. It has always relied on information technology to keep costs low by tracking sales at individual stores and using the information to control inventory and reduce shipping costs between the factory, distribution centers, and its massive retail stores. Go to the Ikea web site (www. ikea. com). What else does the web site tell you about Ikea’s strategy?Will the web site help Ikea offer superior value? Explain your answer. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 629. Internet Exercise: Obvious Implementations Obvious Implementations Corp. is a small consulting and manufacturing firm. Go to its web page (www. obviously. com) and then select How to stop junk mail, e-mail and phone calls. Read through the information and, if you wish, follow some of the links to other sites listed. Should it be easier to avoid mail, e-mail, and calls you don’t want? Explain your thinking. For related discussion in the Basic Marketing text, see page 636.