The Individual and Game Theory Criticisms and the Evolutionary Theory

Introduction The individual choice/game theory uses a very strict definition of individual rationality. On the contrary, the evolutionary game theory does not make any rationality assumptions. In this paper, the focus is going to be on commenting on whether the evolutionary approach is successful in addressing the criticism that, in neoclassical economics, the profile of the rational individual is not very realistic.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Individual and Game Theory Criticisms and the Evolutionary Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Evolutionary Theory Provides a Satisfactory Answer to the Criticism In my view, the evolutionary game theory, which is a dynamic process, possibly offers the coordination mechanism which aligns beliefs with behaviour. It brings the game theory closer to economics by looking at economics as the product of an adjustment process instead of being looked at as a thing that simply springs in to existence. The classical game theory, which was a standard theory until the 1980s, is set up on the assumptions of ideal rationality as well as common knowledge (Hodgson 2007). However, it is without a doubt that not only an assumption is made that each individual makes an effort to maximize utility, there is also need to make an assumption of common knowledge of rationality and consistently aligned beliefs (Griine-Yanoff and Lehtinen 2010). According to my judgement, the evolutionary theory has offered some sort of solution to problems that are associated with the classical game theory. By making the relaxation of the perfect rationality assumption legitimate, the revolutionary turn overcame the hurdle which the refinement programme could not overcome. The issue was in the fact that â€Å"classical game theory facilitated generation of predictions were disconfirmed by evidence† (Sugden 2001, p.116). Economists had interest in game theory for the reason that they had hopes of utilizing it in explaining the actions of the â€Å"real economic agents†. Therefore, in the setting, there was an assumption that ‘real economic agents’ like the perfectly rational players of the theory, must possess some explanatory strength. However, the evolutionary theory is not confined to prescribed actions of ‘ideal’ agents as it focuses on the agents’ behaviour which is predetermined by successful actions of other agents. In other words, the evolutionary theory focuses on specific behavioural patterns which have already been checked and proved to be successful. Therefore, economists do not try to work out some patterns on the basis of certain assumptions. The economists can have more specific material. The evolutionary approach offers particular settings and particular examples to operate on.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More One of the strengths of the evolutionary game theory is that it does not focus on individuals but on the strategies themselves. It is those strategies that are successful themselves which attract the agents and the individuals do not consciously make choices. It is only that with time, in one way or the other, they learn to make choices of strategies which, in regard to expected utility, are better for them. This might come about for the reason that â€Å"individuals learn from past play, they copy the behaviours of other players that are successful, or they adapt† (Patokos 2011, p.3). Therefore, the evolutionary theory addresses limitations of the game theory which is too ‘theoretical’. The evolutionary theory leaves behind certain theoretical notions like rationality to focus on more specific points like strategies used by the agents. The individual choice/game theory offers models which can hardly fit the modern (i.e. real) world, whereas the evolutionary theory provides in-depth analysis of behavioural patterns and various strategies developed by agents. In simple terms, instead of theorizing (which is the case with game theory), the evolutionary theory is more concerned with analysis of situations which are true to life. It is possible to claim that the evolutionary theory addresses the criticism that the neoclassical approach is unrealistic. The evolutionary approach verifies that it is possible to work out specific strategies which can be used in real life settings. The evolutionary approach enables economists to work out new ways to analyse various processes which take place in the business world. Finally, the evolutionary approach addresses one of the weakest points of the individual choice/game theory. The evolutionary theory does not try to suggest some sort of rationality. The approach suggests that agents’ actions can be justified by previous experiences of agents. In other words, the evolutionary th eory is not confined to analysing rationalities which influence agents’ choices. The evolutionary approach suggests a simple answer to one of the major questions concerning motives and stimuli. The evolutionary theory focuses on successful strategies agents develop. Usefulness of the Evolutionary ApproachAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on The Individual and Game Theory Criticisms and the Evolutionary Theory specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The evolutionary approach is very useful in addressing the problems associated with the individual choice/game theories that have been pointed out by critics. In an interesting manner, it is not that the evolutionary game theory does not need to make any assumptions on rationality; in the actual sense, it can be proved that the individual rationality assumptions as they are known must not apply for evolutionary theory to take off. Therefore, I view this theory as being a response to the criticism that rationality in neoclassical economics is too restrictive and it offers a very strong answer by leaving out all the rationality assumptions. Furthermore, I assume that evolutionary approach is more applicable in the contemporary business world. Admittedly, game theory proved to be quite effective in analysing certain processes. However, it is too concerned with the concept of rationality. In the ideal world where agents are guided by ‘ideal’ rationality, this theory could be the best option. However, the modern competitive business world is more like the animal world where species try to adopt and simply survive. Likewise, evolutionary approach can explain many of the on-going processes. I assume that modern agents tend to strive for success which presupposes fitness to certain conditions. Thus, evolutionary approach is more concerned with agents’ actions and choices which lead to some kind of development, rather than tracing agentsà ¢â‚¬â„¢ choices based on specific rationality. In the evolutionary game, agents do not work out strategies based on their rationality. Agents â€Å"inherit† strategies which have already proved to be effective under certain conditions (Vincent Brown 2005, p. 74). In other words, according to the evolutionary theory agents have specific patterns to use in this or that situation. What is more, every pattern undergoes certain ‘mutation’ which makes it applicable in other situations. Thus, agents work out successful behavioral patterns based on previous experiences, and, at the same time, prepare ground for the next generations of players. The evolutionary approach reveals one of the most important phenomena in the business world. It is possible to claim that one of the advantages of the evolutionary game theory is that it has two layers. Thus, the evolutionary approach presents an outer and inner game (Vincent Brown 2005). These two layers can enable economists to carry out in-depth analysis of various trends.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The first layer takes into account players, their activities and the ways they develop new strategies. The second layer is concerned with the strategies worked out. Advantages, disadvantages and overall fitness of this or that strategy is under analysis. Admittedly, such thoroughness can help economists find answers for many questions. For instance, economists not only analyse successful strategies and behavioural patterns. They are able to analyse settings that make people come to this or that conclusion. Economists are also able to understand factors that influence agents’ decision making. Admittedly, this understanding can help to predict changes which can take place in the nearest future. In fact, the evolutionary approach makes economists prepared to various changes as it provides specific solutions to particular problems. This is one of the most important advantages of the evolutionary approach over the neoclassical game theory. Therefore, I assume that the evolutionary approach is more complete as it suggests explanations which are more true to life. This approach enables the economist to analyse former experiences of the agents, and this, in its turn, can enable the researcher to predict behaviour of agents rather than contemplate (and seek for) ideal rationalities. This approach can be applicable for analysis of various processes taking place in the contemporary world. Another advantage of the evolutionary approach is that it enables the researcher to work out (predict) certain behavioural patterns agents can follow in this or that situation. The approach suggests greater degree of certainty which is very important for such disciplines as economics. It is also important to note that the evolutionary theory can help to trace changes that occur in the business world. Thus, agents develop specific behavioural patterns to fit the ‘environment’. Basically, agents evolve to successfully operate in specific settings. By tracing the change s in behaviours, the researchers can single out trends and principles that appear. Therefore, the evolutionary approach extends to the analysis of agents’ behaviours as well as analysis of the settings. This approach can help researchers to carry out in-depth analysis of the major principles existing in the business world. The evolutionary approach can help to predict changes that are about to occur, or to work out the most effective strategies to cope with up-coming issues. Basically, the evolutionary approach offers effective solutions applicable in the rapidly changing world. Conclusion The evolutionary theory has given some solutions to problems that are said to be associated with the individual choice and game theories. By bringing a dynamic process to the game theory, this has rationalized the existence of several equilibriums. The evolutionary approach focuses on particular strategies which have been worked out by agents on the basis of successful experience of other a gents. The evolutionary theory offers specific solutions which can be applicable in the contemporary world, which is one of the advantages of the approach. Reference List Griine-Yanoff, T Lehtinen, A 2010, Philosophy of game theory, Elsevier BV, New York. Hodgson, MG 2007, ‘Evolutionary and institutional economics as the new mainstream’, Evolutionary and Institutional Economics Review, vol. 4 no. 1, pp.7–25. Patokos, T 2011, ‘Evolutionary game theory – an introduction: issues in applied economics, Lecture notes for session 4’ (University of Hertfordshire). Sugden, R 2001, ‘The evolutionary turn in game theory’, Journal of Economic Methodology, vol. 8 no. 1, pp. 113–130. Vincent, TL Brown JS 2005, Evolutionary game theory, natural selection, and Darwinian dynamics, Cambridge University Press, New York. This essay on The Individual and Game Theory Criticisms and the Evolutionary Theory was written and submitted by user GorillaMan to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Path Analysis -- What it Is and How to Use It

Path Analysis What it Is and How to Use It Path analysis is a form of multiple regression statistical analysis that is used to evaluate causal models by examining the relationships between a dependent variable and two or more independent variables. By using this method, one can estimate both the magnitude and significance of causal connections between variables. Key Takeaways: Path Analysis By conducting a path analysis, researchers can better understand the causal relationships between different variables.To begin, researchers draw a diagram that serves as a visual representation of the relationship between variables.Next, researchers use a statistical software program (such as SPSS or STATA) to compare their predictions to the actual relationship between the variables. Overview Path analysis is theoretically useful because, unlike other techniques, it forces us to specify relationships among all of the independent variables. This results in a model showing causal mechanisms through which independent variables produce both direct and indirect effects on a dependent variable. Path analysis was developed by Sewall Wright, a geneticist, in 1918. Over time the method has been adopted in other physical sciences and social sciences, including sociology. Today one can conduct path analysis with statistical programs including SPSS and STATA, among others. The method is also known as  causal modeling, analysis of covariance structures, and latent variable models. Prerequisites for Conducting a Path Analysis There are two main requirements for path analysis: All causal relationships between variables must go in one direction only (you cannot have a pair of variables that cause each other)The variables must have a clear time-ordering since one variable cannot be said to cause another unless it precedes it in time. How to Use Path Analysis Typically path analysis involves the construction of a path diagram in which the relationships between all variables and the causal direction between them are specifically laid out. When conducting a path analysis, one might first construct an input path diagram, which illustrates the hypothesized relationships. In a path diagram, researchers use arrows to show how different variables relate to each other. An arrow pointing from, say, Variable A to Variable B, shows that Variable A is hypothesized to influence Variable B. After the statistical analysis has been completed, a researcher would then construct an output path diagram, which illustrates the relationships as they actually exist, according to the analysis conducted. If the researcher’s hypothesis is correct, the input path diagram and output path diagram will show the same relationships between variables. Examples of Path Analysis in Research Lets consider an example in which path analysis might be useful. Say you hypothesize that age has a direct effect on job satisfaction, and you hypothesize that it has a positive effect, such that the older one is, the more satisfied one will be with their job. A good researcher will realize that there are certainly other independent variables that also influence our dependent variable of job satisfaction: for example, autonomy and income, among others. Using path analysis, a researcher can create a diagram that charts the relationships between the variables. The diagram would show a link between age and autonomy (because typically the older one is, the greater degree of autonomy they will have), and between age and income (again, there tends to be a positive relationship between the two). Then, the diagram should also show the relationships between these two sets of variables and the dependent variable: job satisfaction. After using a statistical program to evaluate these relationships, one can then redraw the diagram to indicate the magnitude and significance of the relationships. For example, the researcher might find that both autonomy and income are related to job satisfaction, that one of these two variables has a much stronger link to job satisfaction than the other, or that neither variable has a significant link to job satisfaction. Strengths and Limitations of Path Analysis While path analysis is useful for evaluating causal hypotheses, this method cannot determine the  direction  of causality. It clarifies correlation and indicates the strength of a causal hypothesis, but does not prove direction of causation. In order to fully understand the direction of causality, researchers can consider conducting experimental studies in which participants are randomly assigned to a treatment and control group. Additional Resources Students wishing to learn more about path analysis and how to conduct it can refer to  the University of Exeter’s overview of Path Analysis and  Quantitative Data Analysis for Social Scientists  by Bryman and Cramer. Updated by Nicki Lisa Cole, Ph.D.

Character Development How to Write Great Characters [Worksheet]

Character Development How to Write Great Characters [Worksheet] Character Development: How to Write Great Characters [Worksheet] The character development in your story is vital for its selling.After all, people love and rave about books not always because of the story itselfBut because of the characters they fell in love with.In fact, it’s specifically because someone fell in love with the characters and care so much about them and their journey that theyre willing to follow them through the entirety of it.That is why you need to put an emphasis on the character development in the book you’re writing- or preparing to write.Here is your 12 step guide for good character development:Create a background for your characterGive your character strengths and weaknessesCreate nervous ticks for your characterAvoid making a perfect characterGive your character realistic motivesGive them a unique featureDevelop a wide variety of character personalitiesCreate an impact of your characters pastMake secondary characters foil typesGive each character a unique voiceCreate a diverse character castAvoid character s tereotypesStick with us through this post and you’ll learn exactly how to accomplish character development in a way that will make readers think about your characters as if they were real people.Once you nail all of these, you’ll be writing strong characters in no time.Get Your Character Development SheetSometimes its worth it to have a character development sheet to keep track of your characters. Not only will you be able to keep track, but you can zoom out and better see if youre creating two character archetypes who are too much alike.Are you ready to get started right now? Download your free character development sheet to keep track of each character you write. Download your FREE character development worksheet!Talk to an Expert to Discuss Your Character DevelopmentDid you know we have our experts on hand to help you with your books- for free!It’s true.Just book a call for a FREE 20-minute coaching call and our experts can help you gain clarity on what youre struggling with and how you can work through it to finish your book!BOOK A FREE COACHING CALL!Talk with one of our experts by clicking the button below and scheduling your free coaching call.Click Here to Book a CallWhat is Character Development?Character development is the process and execution of creating a fully rounded, complex, and lifelike character within your fictional writing with the purpose of making readers invested in them and their life or journey.Think of character development like the paper of your book. Without it, you simply dont have a book at all- you just have a mess of ink smeared between two cover.But before we get into the extensive details, I’m go ing to cover what constitutes a well-developed character as well as the different types of character development you may consider.What is a Well Developed Character?A well-developed character needs a full backstory, personality traits reflective of it, realistic actions and emotions, along with being highly relatable to the average reader and as complex as a real person.If you cant imagine your characters as a real-life person, theyre not quite complex enough to be well developed. The key with character development is crafting your characters to feel as if theyre people you know who just live far away.Get comfortable with thinking of them as real and you almost always will have a well-developed character.Types of Character DevelopmentWhen it comes to learning how to write characters and write them well you have to understand which type of character youre dealing with.These are the different types of characters to write:ProtagonistAntagonistSecondaryStaticFoilStockDynamic/RoundDonà ¢â‚¬â„¢t be alarmed if you think this is a lot of different types of characters. After all, we all have people in our real lives who would fill these character â€Å"types† and that’s why it’s important for your book to include them.Without them, you can’t go through with character development and expect a captivating cast.But let’s help you understand what each type of character brings to the story.With this information, you can better understand which character development to focus on with each of the fictional people you create.12 Actionable Character Development TipsNow that you know which type of character you’re focusing on here when writing your book, let’s dive deeper into the character development methods you can use and exercises to help you get it right. #1 Create a background for each characterOur realities are shaped by where we’ve been, where we are, and where we want to go.That being said, the one with the most influence on our lives is where we’ve been our past.The same is likely true for your character. Based on what their life was like prior to the start of your novel, they’ll have different interests, quirks, fears, and more.Your job is to fill out what their life has looked like up until the beginning of your book. Character Development ExerciseFill out a character development sheet so you can understand your characters as full-fleshed people instead of just two-dimensional beings you created. Cover these main ideas when crafting your character’s background: Their childhood (good, bad, poverty-stricken, spoiled, etc.) Their parents (divorced, never married, one missing, both missing) Their friendships Their hobbies and interests as a kid versus now Their motivations for feeling the way they do about any given situation Their personality type and how it affects their actions These are some basic elements you should understand about your character in order to shape their personality, opinions, and actions that appropriately fit their background.#2 Know your characters’ strengths and weaknessesOne of the biggest means of influence over your characters will be their strengths or weaknesses.We, as humans, constantly face our strengths and weaknesses on a daily basis, even in the smallest of forms.What your characters are good at and what they’re not great at will affect how they perceive different events, what actions they choose to take, and can affect their overall character arc (which we’ll touch on later).If your character’s strength is talking to strangers and gaining their trust, this might be an asset for them throughout their journey. However, if that is your character’s weakness and they’re forced to do so, it can cause conflict for them.These strengths and weaknesses will shape your character arc and the plot as a whole, so know them well before writing. Character Development ExerciseCre ate a list of 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses for your characters. Make sure these play into the plot in order to cause conflict and gain sympathy from readers who can relate.#3 Create nervous ticks or habitsIf you’ve paid attention to humans for long enough, you’re aware that we all have certain habits we don’t even realize we’re doing when we’re nervous.Me? I pick at the skin around my nails. It’s a pain (literally) and I never notice I’m doing it until later.This can be a key characteristic that will make your characters feel more real and help make them more relatable to your readers, which will make them want to give you those 5-star reviews. Character Development ExerciseMake a small list for each of your characters. Write down 2 odd habits for each of them and decide which is their go-to (the one they do without even thinking about it) and which is made worse through nerves or anxiety.#4 No character can be perfectIt can be real ly hard to write your favorite fictional person as having flaws. After all, we want people to love them, right?But a â€Å"perfect† character is not lovable they’re hateable because it’s not realistic.The more you try to make your character â€Å"flawless,† the less readers can relate and therefore, they’ll like them less. You have to build flaws into your character just like we all have drawbacks in real like. Character Development ExerciseList 3 major flaws your character has that can actually become problems within your plot. Think about any bad habits they have, situations they dislike, or even personality traits that aren’t seen as â€Å"good† in order to craft these flaws in a realistic fashion.#5 All characters need realistic motivesNo matter which character they or what they want in your story, they need to have a real and valid reason for feeling this way.Take He Who Shall Not Be Named from Harry Potter for example.Voldemor t (woops!) wants to kill Harry. That much we should all know even if you’ve never read or seen the movies. But if he was just trying to kill Harry Potter for the sake of murdering a child, it wouldnt’ make sense.Yes, he’s evil, but he also has a valid reason for wanting him dead, right?He has to kill Harry Potter because he’s the only person who was able to defeat him before and because the prophecy says so.If your characters no matter how minor they are don’t have a motive that makes sense, readers will be pulled out of the story and end up questioning what’s happening, and not in a good way.This is largely how plot holes arise so in order to avoid them, stick to this character development method. Character Development ExerciseWhen coming up with your antagonist’s motives, list at least 2 ways in which they’re valid. For Voldemort, it would be the fact that Harry can kill him and that he wants to rule the wizarding world. Your bad character has to have at least 2 strong reasons for opposing your protagonist and they should make sense given their history.#6 Give each character a unique featureThis is particularly for those of you writing Game of Thrones-esque novels with a large number of characters, but it’s important for others as well.When writing a book, you want your readers to easily visualize and differentiate the cast. You want each character to stand out as individuals.A perfect way to do this is to give each person an identifiable feature.For example, let’s use Harry Potter again because you probably know what the main characters look like.Harry has glasses. Hermione has buck teeth (up until she has them shortened a bit too much and this is only in the books for those of you about to argue), and Ron has flaming red hair.These are very distinct features that can help you picture them as wildly different characters.Now, you don’t have to give each and every character som e crazy hair color or style, but try not to have your entire cast look the same.If you have a main character with brown wavy hair, have the next with blonde curly hair, etc.Keep in mind that siblings can certainly look similar! Character Development ExerciseCreate a spreadsheet or other document that lists all your characters and document their features. If you have two characters who spend a lot of time together in your book and you see they look similar, alter their appearance until they’re differentiable.Take my own spreadsheet for my work in progress below as an example.#7 Develop a wide variety of personality typesMeaning, don’t create all of your characters to be the â€Å"dark and sarcastic† type or the â€Å"tough guy† type.You have to have a wide variety of personalities just like in the real world.You can even back up their personality with real-life psychology. As an example, I have two characters who both have a tragic background.However, th ey don’t process that trauma in the same way. One character takes on a very withdrawn approach while the other hides his pain with humor. This gives them very different personalities despite having similar histories. Character Development ExerciseReference your character’s backstories and do a little research into possible coping mechanisms and how that can affect their personality. Develop it from there in order to have realistic personalities that differ.#8 Match your character’s history with the effects of itThis is when some research will come into play, which should be required anyway. Looking into some psychological effects of trauma can help you accurately and realistically dive into character development.Now, not all characters go through trauma, but there are other big life events that can shape how they behave.If you have a character whose parents were very strict growing up, they may be a bit of a rebel and lack the decision making abilities others h ave mostly because they never learned how since their parents made those choices for them. Character Development ExerciseSince you know your character’s backstory, do a little research into how those specific struggles or realities can shape a person’s psyche in order to accurately and realistically craft their behavior.#9 Make secondary characters foil typesThis is largely to help with personality contract within your novel. Most of the time, this will happen naturally if you’re giving each character a unique personality but it’s great to keep in mind anyway.If you have secondary characters (characters who get a decent amount of page time but are not main characters), craft their personality types to show the opposite of the main characters’.Why? Because you want to firstly create more diversity and secondly, create some non-plot-specific conflict. Character Development ExercisePinpoint your secondary characters and development them in a way tha t makes them clash or oppose your main characters in certain ways. Think about what could annoy your main character the most and give your secondary characters some of those habits or personality traits.#10 Give each character a distinct voiceWe all speak differently and that means your characters should too. Depending on where they’re from, they could have different accents, slang, and even phrases they tend to use regularly.Think of a friend of yours for a minute. What are some specific phrases they use a lot?It’s likely you were able to think of something in just a few seconds because it’s so unique to them and something they say a lot.Your characters should be developed in the same way.If you write two characters from very different areas of the world and they have the same style of speaking, your audience will be pulled out of the story because it’s not realistic. Their voices have to be consistent and not the same. Character Development ExerciseThe se tips can ensure your characters speak differently: Choose a slang word each character likes to use Use different wording for the same meaning like â€Å"apologies† versus â€Å"I’m sorry† or â€Å"my bad† Use unique sentence structures to give each character a unique speaking rhythm Make sure your more educated characters speak like it and your less educated use simpler words and phrases Create phrases similar to â€Å"knee-high to a grasshopper† with unique meanings for your characters’ specific regions Read their dialogue out loud in the voice you image they have and make changes if necessary The point of giving your characters unique voices is to ensure your readers imagine them as real people instead of two-dimensional beings living in paper.#11 Create a diverse cast in every wayI’ll be honest, there is a very real problem in literature when it comes to diversity.You can debate this all you want, but coming from someone who reads many books, it’s a very real issue that only you and other writers going forward can correct.Your book should be just as diverse as the real world.If you don’t have characters with varying skin, hair, or eye colors along with varying body types, disabilities, and even mental illnesses, your characters are not diverse enough.You do not have to write a book about these things in order for you to include them in your novel.For example, one of my main characters has high levels of anxiety. His storyline does not revolve around this mental illness, but it is there, seen, and can affect his plot. Character Development ExerciseLook through your characters and their appearances as well as their personalities. If there isn’t clear diversity amongst them, create it. You want to make sure you are allowing diverse readers to feel included, heard, and represented.#12 Avoid stereotypes This is really a â€Å"do not do† tip versus a â€Å"must do† tip . The reason for this is because so many writers feel as though they need a â€Å"side character† (or even a main character) but is too lazy to do the real work.Which means they create a stereotype of a specific type of person that can oftentimes be harmful without the author even knowing.A great way to ensure you never have offensive stereotyped characters is to use a sensitivity reader or make sure you have a diverse group of beta readers who can speak on behalf of the characters you’ve developed. What is a Character Arc?A character arc is used to describe the inner and even outer journey, which can be physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise that a character experiences throughout the duration of the story or plot.You thought you were done learning about character development, didn’t you?You’re not! In addition to crafting well-rounded characters, you also have to think about including arcs for them.How to Create a Character ArcAt the very least, your protagonist, or main character, requires an arc for their storyline and journey to be captivating and satisfying for readers.As an example, I’m going to use Harry Potter from that series simply because it’s widely known and his character arc even within the first novel is distinct.Harry Potter starts the novel as an 11-year-old kid suffering from emotionally abusive relatives who care for him due to his parents passing away.But by the end of the movie, Harry has discovered he’s a wizard, learned of his prominence in the wizarding world, and even taken on Voldemort himself (well, sort of).This character arc is distinct in that his mental and emotional journey from start to finish is wildly different. Harry Potter is not the same at the end as he was in the beginning and this remains true throughout each book in the series.When your character comes out at the end of the book as a transformed person in certain senses, it’s a character arc.Above is an examp le of what a character arc looks like on paper and how you can utilize plot elements in order to further your character’s development.Character development questionsIf youre looking for a way to further develop your characters in order to create lifelike and realistic personalities, we have a way to help.Here are 50 character development questions to ask:What is their full name?Why did their parents choose that name?What are their parents like?Do they have siblings?What are their siblings like?Were they bullied by their siblings?What order are they in their family (first born, middle, etc.)?What do they look like (full appearance)?Do they have any quirks or nervous habits?What do they do when they get mad?What do they do when theyre happy?Do they have close friends?What are their friends like?Whats their worst habit?Whats their best habit?Whats their biggest weakness?Whats their biggest strength?What is something they want to improve upon?Whats something they excel in?Did the y go to school or an equivalent?What were they like in school?Do they like to learn?Are they a rebel?Are they an obliger (people-pleaser)?Are they internally motivated?Do they look to others for help in times of stress?What is their stress response?Do they think logically or emotionally to make decisions?Are they able to make decisions clearly when emotional?What are their beliefs on religion?Do they have a strong moral compass?What do they value most in life (money, happiness, etc.?)What is something that would trigger irrational behavior?Are they introverted or extroverted?Are they a troublemaker or do they play by the rules?Whats something that fulfills them?Do they know their lifes purpose?Whos someone causing emotional struggles in their life?Who do they go to when theyre upset?What type of weather do they enjoy most?What are their sleeping habits like?What are their eating habits like?Whats something they could change about their world if they could?Are they someone who speaks up for themselves?Are they a passive person?What are they like at their very worst?What are they like at their very best?What do they envision their life to be 10 years from now?What do they want for their life when theyre old and gray?What does the perfect life look like in their eyes?Your Next Steps But Only if You’re a Serious WriterIt’s time to get serious about your book. If you’re here, it means you want to learn how to write your book to the best of your ability.That’s exactly what we can help with.We put together this FREE training for you to understand what it takes to write and publish a book.Make sure to watch this because you can create incredible characters all you want, but they’ll never see the light of day without publishing.

Destination Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Destination Management - Essay Example Destination management has therefore become a recommendable system to any destination that expects to remain relevant in the world market. A good plan for any destination is very important based on various reasons that are highlighted herein. One of the best reasons is been able to predict and regulate some of the changes that come with hosting visitors in a destination ( Khraisheh & Jawahir, 2011, p. 154).The ability to predict lies on the dynamics of the industry as well as the seasonality. Tourists flow in a particular destination depends on seasonality in year. Visitors will tend to develop interest in visiting destinations during particular seasons. This may be during cold seasons or certain times in a year when specific attractions can be witnessed. Another importance of destination management is to promote optimal development and orderliness. A destination manager should consider factors that may cause overflow of visitors in a destination and regulate such incidences by enfor cing policies that control the flow of tourist. This promotes development of the destination and prevents straining of basic amenities and degradation of the attractions (Mazane, 1999, p.214). The ability to have order in a destination promotes environmental conservation and prevents hostility from the host communities. In order to achieve the defined goals of destination management, the ability to demonstrate clearly defined objectives is vital. Objectives of a destination should be more elaborate and driven towards the achievement of a certain goal. Destinations are managed in order to realize profits while at the same time satisfying the visitor’s expectations (Robinson, 2011, p.68). Through the application of objectives and goals a destination is able to come with a strategic plan that is meant to boost the economy of a destination. Strategic plan may be by providing incentives to visitors, having political stability, good road network and infrastructure, ruling out any t ransmittable disease and so forth. A destination should be safe and secure so as to attract visitors. A strategic plan reduces loses while at the same time optimizing the benefits depending on a destinations carrying capacity. If a manager is able have an organized and a well-planned way of controlling and maintaining a constant flow of visitors in a destination, it becomes easier to optimize and plan on how to realize profits and reduces loses (Lis, 2010, p.77). This is possible only if a manager is able to research on the market dynamics and the chances of receiving visitors. Therefore proper planning requires the ability to optimize benefits while at the same time reducing loses. A good destination manager takes into consideration the needs of key players and stakeholders in the industry. The needs of stakeholders vary depending on the factors that influence the tourism markets (Das Gupta, 2011, p.239). Stakeholders include the tour operators, travel agents, transport systems, ac commodation facilities and recreation centers. The integration of all these stakeholders makes a destination complete through having a larger participation. Therefore it is important to put other stakeholder interests into consideration since they play part in some key roles in the industry. Figure 1.1 Integration in the industry Tour operators Tourism organizations Transport Travel Agents A place can only be referred to as a destination depending on the fact that it has all the necessities that are required. This includes

Principles of taxonomy slp Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Principles of taxonomy slp - Coursework Example This family is called the true crocodiles, the caimans and alligators, which again fall under family alligatoridae (Sohlberg, 2001).. This specie is primarily an aquatic reptile found in tropical regions of Africa, Oceania, Asia and America and they occupy both marine and freshwater environments. The specie breeds on the land, swim and feed in water because of their ability to survive the water world an advantage that comes because of their lizard like form. This specie provides benefit for the ecosystem for humans while still advancing their own individual survival needs, reproduction and maintenance (Sohlberg, 2001). Crocodiles serve as apex predators ecologically but keep prey populations in check. The larger crocodiles tend to be very dangerous to human beings but provide nutritional, commercial and aesthetic benefit. Traders mostly use their tanned hides to make leather goods and in many parts of the world, crocodile meat is considered a delicacy. They specie adds wonder and enjoyment of nature to the human beings living on land. Crocodilia is an order of reptiles that appeared about 84 million years ago in the late cretaceous period. They have a flexible semi-sprawled or semi erect posture and can walk in sprawled or commonly called belly walk and hold their legs directly underneath to perform the high walk (Sohlberg, 2001). Crocodiles have no urinary bladder and vomeronasal organs yet detectable in the embryo. Many people like how they swallow stones because of the carbon dioxide produced in the stomach to help in digesting hard things. Unlike other reptiles and just like mammals and birds, crocodiles have a heart that is four chambered but unlike mammals, deoxygenated and oxygenated blood can mix with no harm caused because of the left aortic arch presence. Incubation temperatures determine the gender of the juvenile meaning crocodilians lack genetic sex determination like human beings but undergo through environmental sex determination

Systems installation and configuration Essay Example for Free

Systems installation and configuration Essay You can is the up and down arrow keys to move up and down the drop-down menu. To select and option, highlight the item on the drop-down menu and press Enter. An ellipse after a menu item signifies additional options; if you select that option, a dialog box will appear. Toolbars The standard Toolbar The Formatting Toolbar Toolbars provide shortcuts to menu commands. Toolbars are generally located just below the Menu bar. Before proceeding with the lesson, make sure the Toolbars we will use -standard and Formatting- are available. Follow these steps 1. Point to View on the Menu bar 2. Click the left mouse button 3. Press the down arrow and key until Toolbars is highlighted 4. Press Enter 5. Standard and Formatting should have a checkmark next to them 6. If both standard and formatting, have a checkmark next to them, press Esc three times to close the menu. 7. If one or both do not have a checkmark, highlight customize 8. Press Enter 9. Point to the box next to the unchecked word and click the left mouse button. A checkmark should appear. Note: you turn the checkmark on and off by clicking the left mouse button. 10. Point to close and click the left mouse button to close the dialog The Ruler The ruler is generally found below the main toolbars. The ruler is used to change the format of your document quickly. To display the ruler: 1. Point to View on the Menu bar. 2. Click your left mouse button. 3. The option Ruler should have a checkmark next to it. If it has a checkmark next to it, press Esc twice to close the menu. If it does not have a checkmark next to it, continue to the next step. 4. Press the down arrow key until Ruler is highlighted 5. Press the Enter key. The ruler should display below the toolbars. Creating a Template . BIOS Keeping your PC, secure Setting a password on your BIOS is an excellent way to make your computer more secure. A password in Windows only restricts access to Windows and can be bypassed with a little knowledge; a BIOS password protects the computer from the moment it is switched on. There are two kinds of password that you can set in the BIOS. The first and most important password gives permission to change options in the BIOS itself and is commonly called a Setup password. This is particularly useful if you have stopped the computer from booting from CDs or floppy disks and do not want anybody to change this. This would be protecting my user from unauthorized usages. The other password should be typed in as soon as the computer is switched on, even before the option to enter the BIOS appears a User password. This is the first line of defence you can add to your computer and is very effective. A word of warning about getting too overconfident about these passwords, however. It is possible to reset the BIOS if you can access the inside of the computer and it does not stop someone from removing the hard disk to read on another system. If the files on your computer are secret, consider buying a case that can be locked to stop people from changing these options. Get your boots in order A very useful setting the BIOS allows you to change is how your computer boots. When it first starts, the BIOS looks for a disk containing an operating system to boot from. Usually, this is the hard disk but there may be times when you want to boot from a floppy disk or a CD-Rom. Which drives are checked and in what order is determined by the Boot Order in the BIOS. Changing the Boot Order can make your computer more secure as it gives you more control over how it starts. Even if Windows is password-protected, it is possible for someone to start the computer with a floppy disk or a CD. Alternatively, if you want to stop someone messing around with your computer, you can do so by restricting how the computer starts and make your computer look on your hard drive for an operating system first. Enter your BIOS in the usual way and enter the Advanced BIOS Features screen. You will either see a list of the devices the BIOS checks, or an option to change the boot order. To make our computer more secure we are going to change the first boot device to HDD-0, which is short for Hard Disk Drive 0, or the first hard disk, in other words. Move down to First Boot Device and press Enter to see a list of devices the computer can boot from, Move down to HDD-0 and press Enter again. Changing the boot order for troubleshooting is effectively the reverse of this process. You can load many very good troubleshooting tools from CD or floppy disk. If there are problems with the hard drive, you may need to make the computer look elsewhere first. This might be necessary if Windows has a fault that stops it from loading properly or if you want to boot from the Windows CD-Rom in order to reinstall it. Return to the Advanced BIOS Features screen and change the First Boot Device to the media that you want to boot from. Unlike many other manufacturers that stick to BIOS, MSI often prefers BIOS from AMI. Well, there is nothing wrong as the new AMIBIOS versions, unlike the previous ones, offer a wide range of Setup settings and often show better performance than the BIOS versions from Award. And now lets dwell upon the Setup settings. Memory timings located on the separate page of the BIOS Setup come first. You can see that all the key timings in MSI KT4 Ultra can be modified. Besides CAS Latency, you can change Trp, Tras and Trcd settings as well as DRAM Command Rate, Memory Interleaving and DRAM Burst Length. All the parameters can vary in usual ranges, while CAS Latency can even be set to 1. 5, although we couldnt power up MSI KT4 Ultra with such a CAS value in our test lab. As for hardware monitoring, MSI KT4 Ultra keeps track of system and CPU temperatures, rotation speeds of two fans, processor core voltage and six other voltage values. Of course, MSI KT4 Ultra has something to offer over clocking fans. These tools are listed in a separate BIOS page called Frequency/Voltage Control, and deserve a closer look. Here is a list of options an over clocker receives from MSI KT4 Ultra main board: Â  Bus frequency adjustment. You can set any frequency from 100MHz to 280MHz. Well, the top FSB frequency is just an attraction. The maximum working FSB rate you can set on MSI Ultra KT4 is 233MHz. If you choose a frequency above this value, the bus will actually work at half the desired rate. CPU multiplier adjustment. The range is from 6x to 15x. Â  Manual adjustment of the CPU core voltage. The values available are Auto, 1. 625, 1. 650, 1. 675, 1. 700, 1. 725 and 1. 750V. Therefore, the options here are rather scarce (the regular core voltage is usually 1. 65V). Â  DDR DIMM slots voltage adjustment. The values available are Auto, 2. 6, 2. 7 and 2. 8V. It is also possible to set Termination Voltage (Auto, 1. 27 and 1. 29V). Therefore, MSI KT4 Ultra has every right to boast cool means of memory voltage adjustment. Â  AGP voltage can be set to Auto, 1. 6, 1. 7 and 1. 8V. This would be important for my user because it would let he/she know what facts and settings the BIOS have to offer. After checking all the options in practice, we can state that the entire range of FSB frequencies up to 233MHz is working, that is, the mainboard is stable at any FSB frequency up to 233MHz. Overclockers should really enjoy it and continue the AMDs initiative about raising the FSB frequency of their Athlon XP above 166MHz. But at 166MHz FSB, the memory in MSI KT4 Ultra can be clocked only synchronously due to the restrictions in the VIA KT400 chipset. Moreover, the minimum divisor of the PCI bus thats activated at the FSB rate over 166MHz is 1:5. So, when overclocking the FSB above 166MHz, the system may lose some of its stability because of certain problems with the memory or expansion cards. There is one more unpleasant peculiarity I noticed when overclocking the CPU in MSI KT4 Ultra. This mainboard turned to have no means to reset CPU parameters in case of over-overclocking. So, when the mainboard doesnt start up after a change in BIOS Setup settings, the only way to reanimate the system is to use the Clear CMOS jumper. Practical Components and fittings of a PC Motherboard This is the main circuit board of the computer. The motherboard contains connectors for attaching additional boards. The motherboard contains the CPU, BIOS, memory, mass storage interfaces, serial and parallel ports, expansion slots, and all the controllers required to control standard peripheral devices such as the monitor, screen, and disk drive. A motherboard. Fitting the motherboard The case has a slide-out tray, which provides a very elegant way to install the motherboard and all of its components. Cheaper cases will have a mounting case plate fixed permanently to the case. If I had that type of case, I would first lay the case on its side. Next, I screw in the spacer mounts for fixing the motherboard as seen in the photo above. There are usually more holes drilled in the mounting plate than you actually need. There are standard locations for these holes on the mounting plate, which correspond to the holes on the motherboard. How many of these are actually used depends on the board manufacturer. Fitting the Hard disk Photo of a Typical Hard disk The hard drive is secured with four screws, usually the coarse thread type, and the end of the drive with the connectors must point towards the inside of the case. There are usually a couple rows of holes in the cage, make sure the holes you pick let the screws clear the opening at the front of the case when you put the cage back in. Normally, the second set from the cage bottom is used The Ribbon Cable Always install the ribbon cables before replacing the drive cage in the case. As the cage is being installed back in the case, you can see that the ribbon cable is already connected to the floppy drive and has been fed through the opening prior to sliding the cage in. Note also the position of the screws securing the floppy drive to the cage, all the way forward in the slots, which is the norm. The hard drive is mounted in the second set of holes from the cage bottom. Do not forget to reinstall the screws back in the cage, even though it snaps into place. The CD drive has already been installed in the top bay of our mini-tower, though you can wait until after you restore the plastic faceplate to the case, particularly if you are not sure which set of screw holes will align the drive flush with the cover. The ribbon cable has been installed on to the motherboard; with the red key wire in the ribbon towards pin one on the connector.

Alienation Exposed in Richard Wrights Black Boy :: Wright Black Boy Essays

Alienation Exposed in Black Boy  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   From the early days of Richard’s childhood, Richard was always alienated from his environment.   Even though he tried to distance himself from the prejudice all around him, the white people still tried to turn him into the stereotypical southern black person.   However, throughout the story Richard is also alienated by his own people and perhaps even more then from the white people.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Richard was always a rebel, from his boyhood to his older teenage years.   Richard’s grandmother was always excessively beating him.   From the beginning, Richard would not subdue himself to the white man like the other black people around.   The white people knew that he was different from other black men.   Whites were scared because Richard challenged the system that they had created to insure white supremacy.   They feared Richard, and some of the white people felt it necessary to act out their racist feelings in order to cover up their fear.   White coworkers beat Richard because his boss was kind to him. Richard later had to leave a good job because those racist co-workers would â€Å"kill† him.   When the principal at Richard’s school had asked Richard to give a speech to a large audience of white and black people, Richard refused to read the principal’s prepared speech. By reading the principal’s speech, Richard was saying what the white power wanted him to say and to Richard this would be giving in to the very thing he hated so much.   Richard was willing to leave school without a diploma instead of this.   White people alienated Richard from his environment because he did not accept the way of life that other black people did.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Richard’s relatives never understood Richard and because of this he was alienated from his family and his own people.  Ã‚   Shorty is the young black boy who gets beat by the white people and jokes about it.   Richard hates Shorty because he accepts what Richard finds so disgusting.   Richard goes over in his mind the different choices he can make to deal with the feelings he has.   Richard does not want to â€Å"give in† and be a slave to the white people.   He would never give in and become a slave because he has hated that idea since day one.   Richard contemplates transferring his hatred and frustration out on other blacks, but knows that will not aid the situation.

Huffman Trucking: Database Design and Development

Running head: HUFFMAN TRUCKING Huffman Trucking: Database Design and Development Huffman Trucking started out as a single owner, single truck and trailer, operating in the Cleveland Ohio area back in 1936 doing local contract hauls. Today, Huffman Trucking is a National carrier with 1,400 employees, 800 tractors, 2,100 trailers, and 260 roll-on/roll-off units, operating from 3 logistical hubs located in Los Angeles, California, St. Louis, Missouri, and Bayonne, New Jersey and its central maintenance facility located in Cleveland Ohio (Apollo Group Inc. , 2005).With the growth through the years, Huffman Trucking has maintained their competitiveness by being an industry leader in leveraging technology to the maximum to provide customer service and business efficiencies (Apollo Group Inc. , 2005). In the means to maintain this competitiveness, Huffman Trucking hired Smith Systems Consulting to develop a report of entities and attributes that will be needed for a Fleet Truck Maintenance Database. Upon receipt of Smith’s report detailing the entities and attributes needed, our IT Manager submitted a Service Request SR-ht-003 to design a Fleet Truck Maintenance Database.In the following paragraphs LTA will discuss the database architecture briefly and primary keys, which play a vital role in an Entity-Relational Database. The discussions of the different types of mistakes that are made in the design phase that led to a poor database design are also discussed. Mistakes include the lack of careful planning, proper normalization of data, poor naming conventions, lack of sufficient documentation and extensive testing. The ERD for the database will be revealed along with the choice of the program to manage the database and allow for versatility for various platforms, applications, and features.Huffman Trucking’s fleet truck maintenance records are fairly straight-forward, therefore, a basic database design architecture is recommended as a start in the entry of information, and importing of current database records into the new basic database. By starting simple, this database can be upgraded over time, as the company grows and the fleet grows. The important items to consider when designing a new database include: ease of use for the users, the production of query reporting, as well as financial records, parts orders, maintenance records, and purchase rders. â€Å"A good model and a proper database design form the foundation of an information system. Building the data layer is often the first critical step towards implementing a new system, and getting it right requires attention to detail and a whole lot of careful planning. A database, like any computer system, is a model of a small piece of the real world. And, like any model, it’s a narrow representation that disregards much of the complexity of the real thing† (Malone, 2007). A primary key, which is a record or an attribute, uniquely identifies a table.Primary keys ma ke mapping relational data simple, in order to uniquely identify each entry in the database. The concept of some sort of unique value is common in database designing — using account numbers to identify part numbers, vendor numbers, and maintenance work orders. These are also known as natural keys, common entities that are used to uniquely identify objects. Generally, if the data that is being modeled has a decent natural key, or identifier, that information should not be used as a primary key.Natural keys should not be used as primary keys, as the purpose of the primary key is to uniquely identify a value in a database record. Several primary key characteristics are the primary key must be able to identify each row in a table. The primary key should not describe the characteristics of the entity. A part number ID of â€Å"2566† is usually preferred over â€Å"Air Filter. † The value of a primary key should never change. Changing a primary key value means changin g the identity of an entity. Changing the identity is not advised. Non-intelligent keys are preferred because they are less likely to change.For example, the part number 2566 for an Air Filter for one model of truck, and the part number of 2560 would be an Air Filter for another model of truck. To have just a part number of â€Å"Air Filter† would be too ambiguous, and could result in lost time trying to locate the correct air filter for a specific model of truck. Those part numbers, in general would most likely never change over time, therefore, are best to use as primary keys in a database of part numbers. Primary keys should have the smallest number of attributes possible.It is easier to manage unique keys that are numeric. Items to Consider During Design Phase Several things that are easy to overlook during the database design process include design and planning of the database, normalization of data, insufficient naming conventions, documentation, and testing. A brief ru n-down of these common errors during the design phase of a database is listed below. By listing them now, it can be used as an effective guideline to follow when designing the database for Huffman Trucking’s Fleet Maintenance. Design and Planning of the DatabaseGood databases are designed with careful thought, and with the proper care and attention given to the needs of the data that will be part of it. Since a carefully constructed database is at the heart of every business project, insufficient planning and detailing of the needs of the project could cause the whole project to lose its direction and purpose. Additionally, by not taking the time at the beginning, any changes in the database structures that may be needed to be made in the future could cause devastating consequences on the whole project, and greatly increase the likelihood of the project timeline slipping.If the planning phase is rushed, problems will inevitably arise, and because of the lack of proper plannin g and design, there is usually no time to go back and fix any issues properly. â€Å"That is when the ‘hacking’ starts, with the veiled promise to return and fix things later, something that happens very rarely indeed† (Davidson, 2007). Normalization of Data Normalization defines a set of standards to break down tables into their basic parts until each table represents only one thing, and its columns fully describe the only thing that the table represents.Normalizing the Huffman Trucking’s data is important to ensure proper performance and ease of future development projects. Insufficient Naming Conventions Naming conventions are most the important line of documentation for any application. What is important to consider is the importance of consistency. Names should be kept simple while at the same time, identifying their purpose to the data being entered. Documentation Not only will a well-designed database conform to certainly quality tandards, it will a lso contain definitions and examples about its tables, so that its purpose is clear to everyone on how the tables, columns and relationships are intended to be used. The goal of proper documentation should be to provide enough information for a support programmer to find any bugs and fix them easily. Testing As many Information Technology professionals know, the first thing to be blamed when a business system starts running slow is because the database can get bogged down with fragmented information, or too much information.Deep knowledge of the system is the best way to dispel this notion Unfortunately, testing is the usually one of the things to go in a project when time starts to run out. What is important to consider in this whole process is that deep system testing is done to make sure that the design is implemented correctly. The first real test is for any database is when it goes into production, and users attempt to do real work. And if the system does not work fast enough, or contains bugs when it goes live, then more work will have to done on a live system, which could inherently cause the loss of revenue of any company.By insisting on strict testing as an important aspect of database development, then perhaps the day will come when the database will not be the first thing to be pointed out when the system slows down. In order to accomplish the goal of establishing a functional database that Huffman can use now and in the future to effectively manage their data, it is recommended that Huffman Trucking decide to use MySQL. There are many great things about MySQL, including the fact that MySQL is very popular among web applications and acts as a database for a multitude of platforms.Some of these platforms include FreeBSD, BSDi, AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Novell NetWare, OS/2 Warp, Solaris, i5/OS, Windows 95, Solaris, Windows 98, SunOS, Windows ME, Windows 2000, Windows XP, and Windows Vista. MySQL is popular among open source code and bug tracking tools such as Bugzilla as well. MySQL is written in C and C++. Libraries that are used to access MySQL databases can be found in many of today’s programming languages by using language specific API’s. There is also an Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) that allows additional programming languages to communicate with MySQL, including ColdFusion or ASP.MySQL features options that are not in many other RDBMSs. One feature that is not included in many RDBMSs is multiple storage engines. This feature allows for a user to select the most effective storage engine for each table in the application. Another great feature that MySQL offers is native storage engines. These are storage engines that are developed by MySQL and are optimized for specific application storage domain. They offer data warehousing, data archiving, high availability clustering, and many more features. MySQL recently developed a new advanced transactional storage engine called Falcon.Falcon was designed for modern day corporations and web applications which makes it perfect for Huffman Trucking. One feature not to be overlooked is the availability of Partner-developed storage engines. Search engines that are partner developed are developed buy outside companies, but they are then highly tested by MySQL in order to ensure workability and compatibility with MySQL. MySQL also has open source programmers that are independent and develop storage engines. These are used as well, but only after they pass MySQL rigorous inspection and testing.Customers are even developing and designing community storage systems. Commit grouping is a MySQL feature that allows for the gathering of multiple transactions. This is done from a multitude of connections in order to increase the number of commits per second. Conclusion In conclusion the Fleet Truck Maintenance Database will be easy to use, provide effective tracking of finances, maintenance, and queries. The primary key(s) used in the database will have the follo wing characteristics: be a single attribute, uniquely identify an entity, be non-intelligent, not change over time and be numeric.This will ensure the ease of normalizing the database during the design phase to prevent update anomalies when database is implemented. LTA discussed several mistakes that occur during the design phase in order to avoid the same mistakes. These mistakes include poor design/planning, ignoring normalization, poor naming standards, lack of documentation and testing. The DBMS of choice for Huffman Trucking is MySQL. MySQL will effectively manage our data while allowing many different platforms to interact with the database.MySQL is written in C and C++. However, MySQL offers much versatility in programming languages by using language specific API’s or ODBC to allow additional programming languages such as ASP or Coldfusion. MySQL has many options that other RDBMSs do no possess such as multiple storage engines, open source programmers, commit grouping and more. Bottom line is that MySQL offers versatility for our database to allow for continued growth, updates and changes in our company’s needs. References Apollo Group Inc. (2005). Huffman Trucking.Retrieved October 1, 2008, from Huffman Trucking Intranet: https://ecampus. phoenix. edu/secure/aapd/CIST/VOP/Business/Huffman/HuffmanHome002. htm Davidson  L. ,  (2007). Ten Common Database Design Mistakes. Simple-Talk. com. Retrieved  September  29,  2008,  from  http://www. simple-talk. com/sql/database-administration/ten-common-database-design-mistakes/ Malone  M,  (2007). I'm Mike. Database Design: Choosing A Primary Key. Retrieved  October  1,  2008,  from  http://immike. net/blog/2007/08/14/database-design-choosing-a-primary-key/

Food Ethics Essay

The ethics surrounding food hasn’t always been a major contributor in ones decision on what to eat. In the beginning, we would have to physically hunt or gather our meals in order to survive. The choice of what was for breakfast, lunch or dinner solely relied on what was accessible to us. The ethical questions would only come as a result of a modernized food system, where other options for food became accessible and convenient. In the essay Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace, the author describes lobsters in New England in the 1800’s as having an â€Å"Unbelievable abundance (238). Read more:  Good people analysis  essay These crustaceous creatures were all over the shores of New England. Wallace writes about the Boston seashore as, â€Å"being littered with lobsters after hard storms†¦ (238). † Yet, Lobster were considered â€Å"low-class† and as Wallace states, â€Å"†¦eaten only by the poor and institutionalized (237). † It was considered unethical to even feed the poor lobster â€Å"†¦more than once a week (238). † This was modernized New England, which eventually changed at the turn of the century, just as Lobster shifted from being â€Å"low class† to â€Å"chewable fuel†. As the world became more industrialized, food became centralized. The shift from small businesses to large companies started to occur. The lobster industry changed as well during these times as Wallace describes, â€Å"Maine’s earliest lobster industry was based around a dozen such seaside canneries in the 1840’s, from which lobster was shipped as far away as California†¦ (238). † Just like the lobster industry in New England, many companies in the United States started to fulfill the demands for products to gain a profit. Ethics became secondary to making money. Corporations would produce so much that they would drive the price down, increasing its affordability and making it more accessible and widely consumed. Eventually, large companies would become so efficient and affordable, that small businesses like farms and mom and pop shops found it increasingly difficult to compete. Many small companies and farms had to either adjust their products to niche markets or work as a subsidiary to these corporations. Along with mass production of products, was a new manufacturing process. Foods started to become streamlined in such a way that they would grow in the harshest of environments. These new forms of industrialization lead to the creation of processed foods. The companies found ways to maximize profits while making the costs as affordable as possible for the consumer. The supermarkets offered everything one could think of, packaged and ready to eat. Although the prices for most foods were at an all-time low, hunger and malnutrition still existed. There were also issues arising regarding consumer trust in food safety, and the effects on the human body. As a result of these cost efficient products, people in the United States started to become increasingly heavy, leading to an obesity epidemic and a major health crisis. The ethical issues involving economical behavior of consumers and agricultural ethics are at question. Is it unethical for corporations to mass produce unhealthy foods, knowing the adverse side effects on the environment and growing rates of obesity in the United States? The trend seemed to lead to, the more affordable the food, the more we consume. Is this a personal problem or are the companies to blame for offering these products to us? We must first look into the goals of a business and if ethics play any part in the obligations to supply our population with affordable food. The very basic objective to any business is to create a profit. This is what allows companies to continue function and thrive. The best way for this to happen is to make something that is sellable and where there is room for profit. In the food industry corn is not only a commodity it’s a common ingredient in almost every product on our shelves. According to Michael Pollan, in his book, The Omnivore’s Dilemma, It is also used to feed most of the animals that become meats in our supermarkets. To say that corn is widely used would be an understatement. It seemed that we couldn’t produce enough of this plant. Not only is our climate great for growing it, we also were able to store it very effectively. The boom in corn production can be traced back to the nineteen seventies. Since those same years, â€Å"†¦American’s average daily intake of calories has jumped by more than 10 percent (Pollan 102). † The reason for this increased caloric intake leaves many to question whether people are eating more because it’s less expensive or people are eating the same amounts but the food contains more calories. Either way, the companies that were producing these items didn’t seem to be bothered by the problem affecting â€Å"three of every five Americans being overweight (Pollan 102). † The truth is that the companies are driven by profits. The Americans who consume these foods create the profits. Additionally, a lot of these companies are traded on the public market and have a responsibility to their shareholders, who subsequently are the same ones buying these foods. So the companies were being driven to make profits for the people invested. Two of the biggest soda companies in the world, Coca-Cola and Pepsi, have followed these trends as well. As Pollen says, â€Å"By 1984, Coca-Cola and Pepsi had switched over entirely from sugar to high-fructose corn syrup. Why? Because HFCS was a few cents cheaper than sugar (thanks in part to tariffs on imported sugarcane secured by corn refiners) and consumers didn’t seem to notice the substitution (104). †It’s as if these corn companies were monopolizing the industry, trying to turn-over as much product as possible. The increased production would eventually lead to increased portion sizes. Instead of lowering the prices of products, companies started charging a small upcharge for additional food and soda. This practice of continually turning over product has become so dangerous that now, â€Å"†¦in 2000 the number of people suffering from [overnutrition]-a billion- had surpassed the number suffering from malnutrition-800 million (Pollan 102). † There is clearly something broken with this system. These companies are catering to our consumer appetites and enabling us to act accordingly. You would think that the prices of the food being low would solve our food problems globally, but the answer is unfortunately no. These companies are in places where there is both a market for high sales and where they can grow these crops. Most of the areas that are facing malnutrition are in remote areas of the world. These areas wouldn’t make the companies money and therefor there isn’t an incentive for them. On the other hand, America is of course one of the largest consumer countries in the world. Our desire for food is unsurpassed by most counties. There is no question that Americans have a sweet tooth. It is part of the human makeup to consume high energy foods and is linked to natural selection. According to Pollan, â€Å"Add fat or sugar to anything and it’s going to taste better on the tongue of an animal that natural selection has wired to seek out energy-dense foods (107). † Pollan also suggests that, â€Å"natural selection predisposed us to the taste of sugar and fat (its texture as well as taste) because sugars and fats offer the most energy (which is what a calorie is) per bite (106). It’s only natural for humans to consume these ingredients, because after all we are â€Å"predisposed† to do them. This of course doesn’t mean that we are completely free of blame for our overindulging. We are all individuals and are responsible in formulating our own decisions. The companies which provide us with these calorie-packed foods and beverages also list their nutritional information on the packages. If we were to eat any packaged foods, we would be responsible for understanding the health risks involved. The real problem is whether we have the mental capacity to control our physical urges. There is extensive research that suggests, â€Å"†¦people {presented} with large portions will eat up to 30 percent more (Pollan 106). † At one time in our history, this might have served us. Now, there is no question that our bodies are becoming poisoned from this. Knowing all of this information, companies continue doing their best to offer these calorie-packed foods. This is evident in just about every corner store and fast food restaurant. The ethics concerning public safety and effects on the human body are clear. Companies are only concerned over their ability to raise a profit. Their aim to create profits from the overconsumption of high energy foods has been effective in making Americans unhealthy, while continuing to turn over profits. While the companies are certainly a large part of the problem, the consumers are also to blame. They have enabled this overproduction by continuing to consume the same products making them sick. Additionally, people seem to be ignoring their recommended caloric intakes and are choosing to eat more and more. Companies can only be blamed for producing products with limited nutritional value. They are ethically absolved of their responsibilities if they inform their consumers properly. Their goal is to make profits, not worry whether their consumers are eating the recommended serving size or not. The best way to take control of this issue would to be to consume less and choose healthier options as individuals. The more aware we become as individuals, the healthier we will become as a society.

Free Essays on Pre-marital Sex

Premarital Sex: Truth and Consequence â€Å"In the United States, 41% of the American population thinks that premarital sexual relations are ‘not wrong at all’, while 29% think that premarital sex is ‘always wrong’. Twelve percent think that it is ‘almost always wrong’, and 18% think that ‘only sometimes’ is it wrong† (Widmer at al. (sic.)). Over half the teenage population is sexually active. What motivates them to make the decision to have sex before marriage, and what are the consequences? There are several positive outcomes to being sexually active at an early age. As a teenager, you think about sex all the time, and are curious about sex and what it feels like. If you become sexually active, you will no longer be frustrated with the possibility that you may never experience sex, and the frustration that you may feel due to holding your sexual thoughts and feelings back. Having sexual relations with another person can make you feel loved and beautiful. This, in turn, will boost both partners’ self-esteem. High self-esteem is good for anyone. â€Å"Self-esteem is positively related to sexual intercourse for adolescents who believe that intercourse is always right, but negatively related for those who believe it is always wrong† (Werner-Wilson). Morals and values also influence sexual decisions. â€Å" Sexual behavior that contradicts personal values are likely to match local social norms† (Werner-Wilson). Local social norms being the kind of commu nity you live in, your family, and even things like your sex and race. When deciding whether or not to have sex with a partner, you must consider many options such as, the number of partners your partner has had, why you want to have sex, and is your partner clear/free of disease? If these questions are answered before your sexual encounter, you will be much more at ease, and therefore you may have a more pleasant, fulfilling sexual experience. You will have more pos... Free Essays on Pre-marital Sex Free Essays on Pre-marital Sex Premarital Sex: Truth and Consequence â€Å"In the United States, 41% of the American population thinks that premarital sexual relations are ‘not wrong at all’, while 29% think that premarital sex is ‘always wrong’. Twelve percent think that it is ‘almost always wrong’, and 18% think that ‘only sometimes’ is it wrong† (Widmer at al. (sic.)). Over half the teenage population is sexually active. What motivates them to make the decision to have sex before marriage, and what are the consequences? There are several positive outcomes to being sexually active at an early age. As a teenager, you think about sex all the time, and are curious about sex and what it feels like. If you become sexually active, you will no longer be frustrated with the possibility that you may never experience sex, and the frustration that you may feel due to holding your sexual thoughts and feelings back. Having sexual relations with another person can make you feel loved and beautiful. This, in turn, will boost both partners’ self-esteem. High self-esteem is good for anyone. â€Å"Self-esteem is positively related to sexual intercourse for adolescents who believe that intercourse is always right, but negatively related for those who believe it is always wrong† (Werner-Wilson). Morals and values also influence sexual decisions. â€Å" Sexual behavior that contradicts personal values are likely to match local social norms† (Werner-Wilson). Local social norms being the kind of commu nity you live in, your family, and even things like your sex and race. When deciding whether or not to have sex with a partner, you must consider many options such as, the number of partners your partner has had, why you want to have sex, and is your partner clear/free of disease? If these questions are answered before your sexual encounter, you will be much more at ease, and therefore you may have a more pleasant, fulfilling sexual experience. You will have more pos...

Business Model Concept

Model in business is a precise and clear way in which a company can generate profit or revenues. Due to the technology change and advance in communication has put customers in a variety of choice. Competitiveness and efficient has contributed to managers employing the business model to provide better product and services. The business model is a way of analyzing data and evidence presented to prove how they can increase the value of their customer (Peris-Ortiz, 2016). Type of product determines the criteria in company choose a business model. Additionally, the model determines how a company goes about sales and marketing strategies including pricing, sales channel, potential partners, and branding. However, produce a super average profit and sustainable competitive advantage, business should excel in both business model design and product innovation (Fields, 2016). Business model differs from one company to another; because of companies offering differing products (Piperopoulos, 2012 ). The main aim of a company is to generate high-profit margin. For instance, the mobile industry might decide to sell the mobile at a low price, and then they will generate revenues from the sales of recharge card. Due to global economy development, the company has changed the relationship between the customers and suppliers (Rainey, 2010). This essay aims to explain and provide a discussion of value creation and appropriation and innovation process at firms. The business model is how a company makes, delivers, and gets value in the social, cultural and economic environment (Baden-Fuller and Morgan, 2010, P.161). Theoretically, a company comprises core aspects including trading practices, strategies, infrastructure, targeting customers, purpose, operational policies, organizational structures, and business process. In a theoretical perspective, design logical is a process of changing organization management to get profit. â€Å"Managers were interviewed, and also various literature was conducted to understand what comprises business model† (George and Bock, 2012).In this design logic, it explains how the managers can view and explain business modeling. The relevant studies show how managers create a strong narrative study on how to move the business from one point to another. If the stories are incoherent, the business will fail (George and Bock, 2012). Companies create value by their products in the stable market. Suppliers set up and capture value by introducing their product to a competitive market price (Ruzzier et al., 2014).The law of demand and supply states that vendors are ready to provide their product to market if demand is high and therefore recording high-profit margin. On another side, the customers will buy the product if the price is less than utility yielded (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Innovation occurs due to technology change (Rainey, 2010). The ability of value is capturing; the firm must embrace new business modeling. The technology that does not match with new business modeling is meant to fail (Piperopoulos, 2012). The history shows that innovation will fail if the market system does not offer quality at good prices and also compelling value. On the contrary, small business does not require business modeling change (Zott and Amit, 2010). Therefore expanding the market share and segment one can achieve innovation; helps to create new business models will further create a new organization. Innovation process cannot make sense without the process of innovation of products and services. For instances, the Google, e-bays, and Apple: embraced new business models due to advancement in technology (Ruzzier et al., 2014). Apparently, designing efficient business models require one to have an in-depth knowledge about various items including market research, availability of the intelligent system and Innovation point of view (Chesbrough, 2010, p.355). The business model is worthy if the system is dynamic.Therefore contributes to the success of the firm. Business modeling is all about organizing value chain. However, it shows also the value capturing importance (Teece, 2010, p.176). Hybrid framework of business model  Ã‚  Ã‚   Importance of business model in value creation Perception of the business concept, antecedents, then consequences Clarity in the business model and innovation The first quadrant represents a clear understanding of the business concept`s conceptualization. There is also conceptual of antecedences and its consequences. It focuses on academic rather than practical oriented. This quadrant shows the essence of the concept, whereby academic journals published mainly in the English language. The second quadrant shows the established business for an existing technology like automobile industries. There are openness and clarity to external environment and technology innovation. .in order to further understand this quadrant, (Daimler AG (‘Car2Go’) and Volkswagen AG (‘Quicar’) have developed an approach to car sharing. The third quadrant examines the efficiency and novelty lock-in centered designs (Amit & Zott, 2001). Automated electronics industries in Germany such as control systems, electric drives, measurement and testing equipment and finally electric drives (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). The fourth quadrant takes most dynamic aspect. It focuses on content, structure or governance.it represents the new to the technology. Quadrant identifies the element of business model change. (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.280). Another importance issue worth discussing is that complementary in finding the business partner. When finding a business partner, Managers should make sure that value drivers of partnering business; can only be achieved by analyzing their business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218). According to Zott and Amit (2009) considers themes design and content design as important in business model design. Design content refers to examining to greater details actions completed, and finally sequencing the operations and looking for someone to perform. Themes design is the dominant value of the system in value creation. Basing on the above, Zott and Amit (2009) views the business model as two market choices: differentiation and cost leadership (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.219).Design themes include company description and modeling: targeting segment, the channel of distribution, partner network, value appropriation, customer relationship, revenue model and cost structuring (Zhang, 2009). Building on the same literature argument, a business can be conceptualized as series of dependent events forming business and then expanding its borders. The designer of action systems needs to check design themes and design elements (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.220). For a new entrepreneur, the business model is vital while for already existing firms, their managers will have difficult tasks to change a new one (Fields, 2016). These dependent events are performed or done by the leaders integrate organization activities to form business activity system. Value appropriation depends on the way competitors put pressure to the choice of business modeling manager as chosen (Berglund and sandstorm, 2013, p.277).The pricing strategies are related to product design while revenue design compliments the model layout. Conceptualization of business is the set of activities. First, business systems enable addressing of all vitals issues. Managers and academic languages have conceptual tools on how to engage in a proper manner (Zott et al., 2011, p.1025). Another point is that activity system enables firms not to think about product activity, but help in the holistic system is thinking about the business model (Zott and Amit, 2010, p.218).  Ã‚   Zara is a retail enterprise in Spain which has an excellent thoughtful of the business model. Conceptualization in the business activities enables more of further theoretical development. Even though there is little devotion in the world of business management literature, scholars have been unable to put together the relationship between team activities, individual actions, and performance of business model to come up with activity system (Zott et al., 2011, p.1020). The operation system could crucial in developing old and current business model, improve on predictive business design model. To conclude, this essay has addressed some significant issues regarding business model. Managers must be considerate to an external and internal environment surrounding the firm. The companies should know what their customers want, where and when. Activity system is vital in the development of new and old business model. Zott and Amit’s (2010) contribution to this essay is highly significant. Zott and Amit work explains largely on Business modeling, business as an activity and innovation in respect to the business model design. Baden-Fuller, C., & Morgan, M. S. (2010). Business models as models. Long range planning, 43(2), 156-171.   Berglund, H., & Sandstrà ¶m, C. (2013). Business model innovation from an open systems perspective: structural challenges and managerial solutions. International Journal of Product Development, 18(3-4), 274-285. Chesbrough, H. (2010). Business model innovation: opportunities and barriers. Long range planning, 43(2), 354-363. Fields, Z. (2016). Incorporating business models and strategies into social entrepreneurship. Hershey, PA: Business Science Reference. George, G., & Bock, A. J. (2012). Models of opportunity: How entrepreneurs design firms to achieve the unexpected. Cambridge University Press. .Peris-Ortiz, M., & Sahut, J. (2016). New challenges in entrepreneurship and finance examining the prospects for sustainable business development, performance, innovation, and economic growth. Cham: Springer International. Piperopoulos, P. G. (2012). Entrepreneurship, innovation and business clusters. Farnham: Gower. Rainey, D. L. (2010). Sustainable business development: inventing the future through strategy, innovation, and leadership. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Ruzzier, M. K., Ruzzier, M., & Hisrich, R. D. (2014). Marketing for Entrepreneurs and SMEs A Global Perspective. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing. Teece, D. J. (2010). Business models, business strategy and innovation. Long range planning, 43(2), 172-194. Zhang, X. (2009). Values, expectations, ad hoc rules, and culture emergence in international cross-cultural management contexts. New York: Nova Science . Zott, C., & Amit, R. (2010). Business model design: an activity system perspective. Long range planning, 43(2), 216-226. Zott, C., Amit, R., & Massa, L. (2011). The business model: recent developments and future research. Journal of management, 37(4), 1019-1042.

The effect of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen Literature review

The effect of economic crisis to the marketing strategy of Volkswagen in Asian market - The Case of Vietnam - Literature review Example All relevant literature dealing with the impact of global financial crisis on the automotive industry in general and a special note on its impact on the automotive industry in Vietnam’s automotive sector have been included in this chapter. Moreover since the research study takes a case study approach of studying the impact of economic downturn on Vietnam, the economic and business scenario in Vietnam and its automotive industry and the impact of the economic downturn would also be discussed here. It is important to know the business environment in Vietnam because for companies like Volkswagen which is willing to enter into the automotive industry of the country, it is necessary for them to assess all the environmental impacts that its business might have to face while establishing their business in Vietnam and make it sustainable for the future. In addition to this the oil consumption behaviour in Vietnam would also be studied which is directly related with the economic develo pment of Vietnam and its automotive industry. The oil consumption behaviour and its associated trend can help us to gain insight about how the Vietnam’s economy had been performing during period of global economic meltdown and would also enable us to answer to the research question as to whether the economic downturn had an adverse effect on the economic conditions of the country or not. The changing behaviour of the consumers in the automotive industry and the existing competition in the market would also be discussed because it would help to gain insight on the changing marketing strategies followed by the organisations. The initial requirement in the formulation of any business strategy or marketing strategy of a company is to assess the consumer behaviour in the particular region where the organisation is trying to market its products. Most of the business organisations today are market oriented. Hence their first priority is to develop products in accordance with the spe cific needs and requirements of the customers so that it can best satisfy their expectation levels from having the product. Hence reviewing the literature for the changing consumer behaviour related to the automotive industry worldwide and in Vietnam would serve as a precursor for assessing the needs and requirements of the automobiles consumers in Vietnam which could be further utilised to formulate an optimum marketing strategy by any companies like Volkswagen. Some theories related to formulating marketing strategies in case of financial crisis situation have also been discussed which is directly related to the objective of this research study. The existing literature in alignment with the recent trend in marketing strategies followed by the business organisations would be reviewed and analysed. This would help us to gain understanding about the set of marketing