File Sharing Should Not Be Illegal - 1611 Words

Technology, now incorporated into almost every aspect of life, is constantly evolving. Technology being so incorporated in daily life has caused some issues to come up in the past; one of the most controversial uses of technology is file sharing. File sharing is the exchange of files over computer networks. These files include all types of media, software, and books. While some file sharing is legal, there are illegal downloads of copyrighted property widely available; there are intense debates about the level of protection of intellectual properties that should be used for these files. The increase of sharing copyrighted media over the internet has led to many lawsuits and court battles (Oberholzer†Gee and Strumpet). The sharing of files†¦show more content†¦The music businesses succeed in these courts because federal judges reject that these sites are protected by the digital copyright law (Alexander 152). However, where one is brought down, many more will soon fill its place. It will be a never ending pattern of legal action taking a step forward to stopping copyright infringement and then taking a step back once new file sharing sites pop up. Recording companies were quick to assume that file sharing was to blame for the decline in sales, so they began to sue the thousands that took part in illegal file sharing (Netanel 2-3). While copyright laws may protect music in the United States and some foreign countries, what about all the other countries? Most countries do not extend copyright protection to foreign works. So the downloading of copyrighted music is legal in those countries, making it easy for these illegal downloads to make their way back to America. Copyright industries’ desperate attempts to shut down peer-to-peer file sharing sites are just becoming ineffectual and costly (Netanel 8). Protection of intellectual property is thought to be necessary to ensure innovation. While that is accurate for many industries, innovation in the music industry will not decrease with weaker property rights (Oberholzer†Gee and Strumpet). Many people remix, cover, or even choreograph copyrighted music; this boosts creativity in the industry. Stricter copyright laws would undoubtedly lead to a decrease in self expression

Boom Boom Boom Free Essays

â€Å"Boom Boom† is a blues song written by John Lee Hooker and recorded in 1961. The song was a hit in the US in 1962 and in the UK 1992. â€Å"Boom Boom† has been recorded by numerous blues and other artists, including a 1965 Pop hit by The Animals. We will write a custom essay sample on Boom Boom Boom or any similar topic only for you Order Now John Lee Hooker’s â€Å"Boom Boom† has been acknowledged by the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. â€Å"Boom Boom† is an uptempo stop-time blues song that does not follow a typical twelve-bar blues pattern. Hooker’s sense of timing was his and his alone, demanding big-eared sidemen†. [2] Backing John Lee Hooker (vocal and guitar) are members of the Funk Brothers (Joe Hunter (piano), James Jamerson (bass), and Benny Benjamin (drums)); plus Larry Veeder (guitar), Hank Cosby (tenor saxophone), and Andrew â€Å"Mike† Terry (baritone saxophone).The song became a hit, reaching #16 in the Billboard RB chart where it spent eight weeks in 1962. 3] â€Å"Boom Boom† also made an appearance in the US pop chart (1962 at #60), one of only two Hooker singles to do so. [3] Thirty years later, after being featured in a Lee Jeans commercial in 1992, the song reached #16 in the UK Singles Chart. [4] In 1995, the song was included in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s list of â€Å"The Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll†. [5] â€Å"Boom Boom† was inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 2009 in the â€Å"Classics of Blues Recording† category. [6] How to cite Boom Boom Boom, Papers

Comparative Financial Statements free essay sample

Financial analysis is the best way the gauge the viability, stability and profitability of business. The ratios and analysis present us the key strengths and weaknesses of a certain company. Through this ratios and analysis, companies are able to maximize their key strengths and remedies if not eliminate their key weaknesses. Financial analysis and ratios aid stakeholders assess financial health of the companies. In light of this topic, we are going to compare the two largest real estate company in the Philippines: Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and DMCI Holdings, Inc. (DMCI) Ayala Land, Inc. is the Philippines largest, most diversified and fully- integrated property developer. It offers a full line of end-to-end real estate products – ranging from residential, retail and office developments, as well as hotels and island resorts, to construction and property management services. Their real estate portfolio include: Residential (Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, Avida, Amaia, BellaVita) Townships (Nuvali, Bonifacio Global City, FTI, Laguna Technopark, etc. We will write a custom essay sample on Comparative Financial Statements or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page ) Malls (Glorietta, Greenbelt, Trinoma, ATC, BHS, Marquee, Market Market, Abreeza, etc. Hotels and island resorts (El Nido Resorts, Holiday Inn, Seda, Marriott, Fairmont) Construction and property management services (Ayala Property Management Corporation, Makati Development Corporation) DMCI, a wholly owned subsidiary, is engaged in general construction services – the Company’s core business. It is also engaged in various construction component businesses such as production and trading of concrete products, and electrical and foundation works. It is one of the Philippines’ leading construction companies. Their real estate portfolio include: Residential (Rockwell Center Condominium Towers) Malls Commercial Bldgs (SM Megamall, Fareast Bank Headquarters, Ayala Triangle Tower I, Citibank Tower) Hotels and island resorts (Shangrila Mactan Island Resort, Shang Grand Towers, Shangrila Hotel Manila) DMCI, Holdings Inc. Financial Statements Horizontal Analysis It is observed that both companies have a steady increase in Net Earnings after Tax but DMCI Holdings, Inc beat Ayala Land, Inc, in terms of percentage increase from 2011 to 2012 due a minimization of Cost of Goods Sold. This reflected the efficient utilization of Assets by DMCI Holdings, Inc over Ayala Land, Inc. Vertical Analysis In terms of vertical analysis, DMCI Holdings, Inc is better than Ayala Land, Inc in converting its Revenue to Net Income for the past 2 years. DMCI was able to do this through constant decrease of its Cost of Goods Sold from 2010 to 2012 Management Viewpoint Operation Analysis Year on year, DMCI retains higher Gross Profit percentage. With more than 50% GM starting from 2011, the company retains about P0. 50 from each peso of revenue generated. This can be put towards paying off expenses and distributions to shareholders. DMCI leads to a more profitable operation, as it has a higher EBIT Margin. The higher the EBIT margin, the less operating expenses eat into the company’s bottom line. DMCI exceeded ALI with its OPEX percentage of 17% 21% year on year, proving that the company’s management can effectively reduce its operating expenses without significantly affecting the firm’s ability to compete with its competitors. Resource Management Asset turnover measures a firms efficiency at using its assets in generating sales or revenue the higher the number the better. DMCI has a higher ATO of around 0. 3, compared to ALI’s 0. 2. ALI surpassed DMCI with regards to Working Capital turnover exceeding year on year. This entails that the company is able to generate higher sales compared to the money it uses to fund the sales. DMCI is paying its creditors a lot quicker compared to ALI. On the other hand, ALI is quicker is converting its receivables to cash. It can also be noted that ALI is able to convert its inventory to sales based on the Inventory Turnover Ratio, which shows how fast ALI sold and replaced its inventory. Days of Inventory figures show how long it takes for the company to convert its inventory to sales. Resource management ratios help management see the current status of the company regarding asset management. In this light, we can see that ALI has a shorter Number of Days in Operating Cycle. This refers to interval from the time purchases are made to their conversion back into cash. This is used to manage the working capital efficiently. Cash conversion cycle is the time needed for a cash to be generated by the company until it is used to pay the creditors. In this regard, ALI is able to sell its inventory quicker, collect receivables from its customer is less time and able to pay its creditors longer. In conclusion ALI is better than DMCI in resource management. These ratios must also help DMCI management to assess is receivable collection effort. They must also investigate why inventories took so long to be sold. Profitability The return on assets (ROA) percentage shows how profitable a companys assets are in generating revenue. ROAs over 5% are generally considered good. For the last three years, DMCI Real Estate has beaten Ayala Land in generating revenues. It has consistently exceeded benchmark with 2011 as its highest. Ayala Land on the other hand had decreasing ROA for the past three years. Owners’ Viewpoint DMCI has a consistent increase in ROI year on year as compared to ALI. A steady growth year on year indicates that DMCI is able to efficiently allocate its capital to profitable investments. DMCI surpasses ALI with regards to the return on money that investors have put into the company, having a steady increase from 2010 to 2011 and 25. 5% jump in ROE for 2012. DMCI has again exceeded ALI wen it comes to its EPS numbers, averaging to 3 year on year. This indicates the portion a company’s profit is allocated to each outstanding share of common stock. Lenders’ Viewpoint Liquidity Current Ratio assesses the company’s ability to pay back its short-term liabilities with its short-term assets. A ratio under 1 suggests that the company would be unable to pay off its obligations if they came due at that point. ALI has an average of 1. 6 current ratio, while DMCI shows more capability of paying its short-term obligations with a higher Current Ratio. Acid test Ratio indicates the company’s ability to cover its immediate liabilities using its short-term assets without having to sell inventory. Again, DMCI exceeds ALI with an average of 3 year on year. Financial Leverage ALI has lower debt to assets percentage indicating lower debt over assets. Although DMCI’s Debt to Capitalization increased to 1.06 on 2012, the company still has lower ratio over Ali DMCI shows a higher Debt to Equity ratio, exceeding 100% year on year. This indicates that the company has been aggressive in financing its growth with debt. DuPont Analysis Profit Margin for both companies on upward trend, DMCI posted stronger gains. Return on Assets for both companies slipped in 2012, DMCI more efficient in utilizing its assets to generate earnings. Ayala Land’s financial leverage ratio increasing since 2010, while DMCI significantly improved in 2012. DMCI Real Estate performed better than Ayala Land.

Speech and Written Forms of Communication

Communication is a composite phenomenon that enables people to impart skills, knowledge, or information from one source (person) to the other. Most people intuitively comprehend the differences between speech and writing as the two major forms of communication.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Speech and Written Forms of Communication specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Speech is a form of communication that can address a large audience at once while written form of communication only applies when the audience is literate therefore, the information can reach only a few people. Oral communication promotes fundamental interaction between the speaker and the audience, which enables the speaker to study effectively the people at hand. Due to the dynamism of speech as a means of communication, it has a great impact on the confidence, speaking, and listening skills of students while the static nature of written communicati on greatly affects writing skills, grammar, content of information, and quality of essays in colleges. When compared to an oral presentation, a written paper is precise, elaborate, lengthy, permanent, and easier to comprehend by the reader. Consequently, the audience or reader has the ability to retain the written information and even refer to the paper sometimes later. Therefore, the precision and permanence of written information gives the writer the chance to choose carefully his/her words before jotting them down. Moreover the writer has the ability to re-read or re-write the paper as many times as s/he can because he/she has enough time to assemble the intended information (Ferraro Palmer, 1996). Thus, the accuracy and durability of written communication enable college students to write good and quality essays as they can refer to the information given by the lecturers. Moreover, students can rewrite or re-read their essays correcting where necessary to ensure they meet the re quirements of the lecturer.Advertising Looking for essay on communication strategies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Additionally, students can study a written paper from a lecturer or another student and apply the methodology or tactics in their essays therefore, perfecting on their writing skills. Although speeches can be accurate, they need adequate time and concentration from both the audience and the speaker because the information presented is only temporary. Sometimes the wrongful interpretation of information or a mistake during the utterance of words from the speaker is the major disadvantage of oral communication (Kegan, Biber, 1996, p.5). Therefore, the audience always calls for clarification or apology from the speaker, which gives a bad public impression. The main solution is for the speaker to write down his/her speech and re-read several times to comprehend the info and avoid any controversies during the prese ntation. Fortunately, the major implication of speeches to the student fraternity is that it enables them to improve their spoken language and listening skills. For any student to succeed in his/her education he/she has to pay attention to the lecturers who most of the time communicates orally. In addition, students have to sharpen their intellectual level and pick out major points from an oral representation. On the contrary, the major advantage of oral communication is that it promotes the interaction between the audience and the speaker, which is not the case with written communication. Through tonal variation, use of gestures, visuals, and eye contacts, both the speaker and the audience interact therefore, understanding the speaker’s ideas (Ferraro Palmer, 1996). A speaker is able to control the audience, something that a writer cannot do.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Speech and Written Forms of Communication specifically for you for o nly $16.05 $11/page Learn More Consequently, the speaker can get feedback from the audience through facial expressions or through question time and assess the impact of his/her speech or ideas. On the other hand, a speaker should not continually re-read the same information he/she is speaking because the audience might loose concentration. All speakers should be interesting and prepare short speeches to avoid creating boredom while presenting their work. When the some people in the audience start sleeping, peeping through windows, playing with their phones, or even walking away, is a clear sign of boredom. Therefore, to avoid such embarrassment, the speaker should study his/her audience prior to the presentation and put in mind their likes and dislikes (Tannen, 1982, p.10). On the other hand, the major implication of interaction between the speaker and audience (students) enlightens the student on how to present an oral speech or write a quality essay on speech presen tation. Through interaction and personal experience, the students retain the information presented to them by the lecturer or any other information source. In summary, speech and written forms of communication are the main forms applied in the education system. The dynamic nature of speech calls for both the speaker and the audience to practice attentiveness to improve both the spoken language and listening skills. On the other hand, the static nature of written form of communication improves the writing skills and the understanding ability of the reader. A written document is permanent and is important for future reference while speech promotes the interaction of the audience and the speaker. Therefore, the major implication of both speech and written communication is that they improve both the writing and listening skills of the students, which enables them to write quality essays. References Ferraro, V., Palmer K.C. (1996). Differences between Oral and Written  Communication: Speaking and Arguing: The Rhetoric of Peace and War. Retrieved from https://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/intrel/speech/differences.htmAdvertising Looking for essay on communication strategies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Kegan, P., Biber, D. (1988). Variation across Speech and Writing: Comprehending  Oral and Written Language. USA: Routledge. Tannen, D. (1982). Spoken and Written Language: Exploring Orality and Literacy. New  Jersey: Ablex. This essay on Speech and Written Forms of Communication was written and submitted by user Harvey Z. 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.

How International Relations ca essays

How International Relations ca essays II. International Relations C) The difference between International Relations and Foreign Policy III. International Terrorism 1. Psychological Factors F) New York City and Arlington, VA planes crash into buildings I) Groups involved in terrorist acts in the 20th century 2. Palestine Liberation Organization K) Photographs of the FBI's most wanted terrorists How can International Relations be utilized to overcome the horror of International Terrorism? This question is very difficult to answer, but is a question that we as human beings on the planet Earth are faced with on a daily basis. Who is to say who terrorist really are? They come in many different forms and wear many different faces. Human nature and the Holy Bible have taught me to do unto others as they have done unto me, and I believe that many other religions around the world teach this principle. That is why I am not surprised at the incidents that have happened over the past months in the United States government. People in other countries are sick and tired of being pushed around by the United States government. I feel our government tends to think that it is the best one in the world and no other country can touch it. But, we have recently witnessed different. The devastation that occurred in New York City, NY, the World Trade Center twin towers, and Arlington, VA, have left us in a state of shock. Our government leaders have retaliated by sending troops to Afghanistan and launching air strikers with attacks on land soon to follow. But is this truly a remedy to the problem or the making for even larger problems in the future? Personally, I do not feel that war is the answer, but only time will tell. With that being said, I did some research on my own to try and find out why incidents, such as what happened on September 11, 2001, take place and some ways to reduce the chanc...

Changing Face of Indian Advertising Mascots

The success of these mascots can be qualified by, the increase in the brand value of these brands consumer connect. Decline of mascot power The Indian market grew at a fast pace in nineties everything from pencils to cars, salt to luxury goods required an advertising campaign this was the time when we saw emergence of celebrity advertising and mascots lost their appeal. We also lived in a time when there was no argument regarding the fact that a celebrity can make or break a brand. The pampering and recognition given to the celebrity in the marketing of the product in some cases was even greater than the product itself. The advertising world, during this time strongly believed that the celebrities transfer their success, personality, status and power to the brand. They attributed reasons for the growth of celebrity endorsements to: †¢ Create great brand awareness for product †¢ Sustaining the brand image †¢ Stimulating and reviving brands †¢ Product association However, the advertising world also realized that many brand ambassadors does not practice what they preach and sometimes controversies and unpleasant incidents connected with the celebrity causes damage. It is also observed that over exposure and multiple endorsements too can damage the image of product. The Indian market which is saturated with celebrity endorsements has seen emergence of the mascots. Emergence of the mascots The courage and optimism that common man of R. K. Laxman portrays and a middle-class Indian, that Chintamani portrays is certainly unmatched but the new age mascots are more attractive, and trendy. The advertisers have become more creative with the use of animation. The new age mascots have a lasting appeal and create a whole new persona for the product. They manage the product as efficiently as a celebrity. Moreover, in the current marketing scenario when the celebrity charisma diminishing away the world of advertising is turning back to mascots. Celebrities get associated with too many products and therefore it is difficult to relate them with one particular brand, which is not the case with the mascots. For an example Shahrukh Khan endorse brands such as Pepsi, Airtel, Santro, Emami , and many more but Fido is just associated with 7Up. The strength of mascots lies in its uniqueness, and its power of effectively communicating the ethos of the brand like, Chintamani solves all our worries related to tax savings and good returns paving a new way for no chinta, Share Khan tell us how to smartly invest in stocks and reap rich dividends, Gattu with the brush in his hand and the smile on his face passes the message that a bright coat of paint will brighten up the house. Moreover the mascots are not as expensive as celebrities. The cost of creating these characters is as low as development of a normal commercial. Lowe Advertising creative director Delna Sethna claims that the first Chintamani ad cost around Rs 7 lakh. Moreover, the animated characters also give more scope for creative-flexibility. Mascots are dynamic and they adapt with changing times. We should acknowledge how the Amul girl in polka dots has changed overtime, and Fido has makeovers with the changing time. The advertising world has also observed that the popularity of any mascot is not only based on the response they get, but also depend on the fact that these faces have a higher recall value. Conclusion The Amul girl was born in 1967 is still a popular mascot. She may soon enter into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest campaign to survive in the market. This goes on to prove that the mascots are more appropriate brand ambassadors. The impact and success of the mascot, depends on how effectively it conveys the brand values and the ideals that consumers would associate with. Changing Face of Indian Advertising Mascots The success of these mascots can be qualified by, the increase in the brand value of these brands consumer connect. Decline of mascot power The Indian market grew at a fast pace in nineties everything from pencils to cars, salt to luxury goods required an advertising campaign this was the time when we saw emergence of celebrity advertising and mascots lost their appeal. We also lived in a time when there was no argument regarding the fact that a celebrity can make or break a brand. The pampering and recognition given to the celebrity in the marketing of the product in some cases was even greater than the product itself. The advertising world, during this time strongly believed that the celebrities transfer their success, personality, status and power to the brand. They attributed reasons for the growth of celebrity endorsements to: †¢ Create great brand awareness for product †¢ Sustaining the brand image †¢ Stimulating and reviving brands †¢ Product association However, the advertising world also realized that many brand ambassadors does not practice what they preach and sometimes controversies and unpleasant incidents connected with the celebrity causes damage. It is also observed that over exposure and multiple endorsements too can damage the image of product. The Indian market which is saturated with celebrity endorsements has seen emergence of the mascots. Emergence of the mascots The courage and optimism that common man of R. K. Laxman portrays and a middle-class Indian, that Chintamani portrays is certainly unmatched but the new age mascots are more attractive, and trendy. The advertisers have become more creative with the use of animation. The new age mascots have a lasting appeal and create a whole new persona for the product. They manage the product as efficiently as a celebrity. Moreover, in the current marketing scenario when the celebrity charisma diminishing away the world of advertising is turning back to mascots. Celebrities get associated with too many products and therefore it is difficult to relate them with one particular brand, which is not the case with the mascots. For an example Shahrukh Khan endorse brands such as Pepsi, Airtel, Santro, Emami , and many more but Fido is just associated with 7Up. The strength of mascots lies in its uniqueness, and its power of effectively communicating the ethos of the brand like, Chintamani solves all our worries related to tax savings and good returns paving a new way for no chinta, Share Khan tell us how to smartly invest in stocks and reap rich dividends, Gattu with the brush in his hand and the smile on his face passes the message that a bright coat of paint will brighten up the house. Moreover the mascots are not as expensive as celebrities. The cost of creating these characters is as low as development of a normal commercial. Lowe Advertising creative director Delna Sethna claims that the first Chintamani ad cost around Rs 7 lakh. Moreover, the animated characters also give more scope for creative-flexibility. Mascots are dynamic and they adapt with changing times. We should acknowledge how the Amul girl in polka dots has changed overtime, and Fido has makeovers with the changing time. The advertising world has also observed that the popularity of any mascot is not only based on the response they get, but also depend on the fact that these faces have a higher recall value. Conclusion The Amul girl was born in 1967 is still a popular mascot. She may soon enter into the Guinness Book of World Records as the oldest campaign to survive in the market. This goes on to prove that the mascots are more appropriate brand ambassadors. The impact and success of the mascot, depends on how effectively it conveys the brand values and the ideals that consumers would associate with.

Chemotherapy Lounge Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Chemotherapy Lounge - Assignment Example Nursing as caring by Anne Boykin and Savina Schoenhofer is the most appropriate theory. The theory explains that caring is an innate virtue arising from the humanness of a person. It further explains that people live their live caring at every moment with each moment being unique. The patient in the case requires simple recognitions some of which arises from the humanness of the nurses. He wants the nurse to care for his unique needs at every moment. As such, the theory offers the best description of a nurse that would enhance his holistic healing. Jean Watson’s theory of human caring offers relational caring both for self and for others. The theory explains that one must always cultivate his or her spiritual practice beyond the ego. This requires a form of mind body and spirit type of wholesomeness in order for one to work as a nurse (Watson, 2008). Such an individual practices a form of loving kindness and equanimity that can help the patient in the

Should Texas have a voter ID law or not Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Should Texas have a voter ID law or not - Essay Example The law was allowed despite the dissenting opinion of the Supreme Court judges who indicated that the law was unconstitutional and would lead to poll tax. This essay will examine the pros and cons of the Texas having a voter ID Law. The main aim for coming up with the stricter voter ID law was to ensure that there was a reduction of fraud during the election. The most common type of fraud that is witnessed during the election is impersonation fraud, which would be curbed using the Voter ID law because the voter before voting has to produce an identification that contains their photo (Smith et al 90). By so doing, it ensures that another person does not vote on their behalf. For that reason, the enacting of voter ID laws was meant to ensure that one person one vote; hence, allowing free and fair elections. Secondly, the voter ID law is imperative to the state of Texas because it is sensible and legal because it safeguards the integrity of the polls (Langholz 731). This is an opinion given by the United States Supreme Court. The elections should be free and fair and such elections can only be achieved by ensuring that there are set out procedures that will ensure that people vote in a democratic manner. Therefore, the State of Texas enacting a law that will ensure such elections will be conducted in a democratic manner should not be challenged. Additionally, the candidates that are competing have the duty and right to be elected fairly and by ensuring that the integrity of elections is safeguarded then it becomes appropriate to have such strict elections laws. â€Å"We are pleased that the United States Supreme Court Has agreed that Texas’ Voter ID law should remain in effect for the upcoming election. The state shall continue to defend the voter ID law and remain confident that the district’s court misguided ruling will be overturned on the

Personal Identity - Philosophy Essay Example for Free

Personal Identity Philosophy Essay It is easy to see oneself as the same person we were ten, twenty, or fifty years ago. We can define identity through our physical presence, life experiences, memories, and mental awareness of self. One can testify our persistence as a person through our existence as a person. But what makes us the same person? In this paper, I will argue for the â€Å"simple† view of the persistence of identity – that it is impossible to determine what single thing that makes us the same person over time. I will support my claim with the refutation of the main complex view claims of the body, brain and psychological continuity criterion. Entrenched in the â€Å"simple† view is the idea that personal identity, and the persistence of personal identity, cannot be measured through philosophical discourse or scientific investigation. There are a number of opposing arguments, known as complex theories of personal identity. In each of these arguments, the central claim is that either the body, the brain, or the psychological continuity of an individual determines how they persist as the same person (Garrett, 1998, p 52). To call them complex is a misnomer – for each is far too narrow to properly define and explain personal identity. Complex argument 1– Psychological continuity John Locke defines a person as a ‘thinking, intelligent being, that has reason and reflection and can consider itself as itself, the same thinking thing, in different times and places’ (Locke, 1689, p 1-6). This statement suggests that, in order to persist as the same person, we must have a mental consciousness which persists through time. We can say that a person is psychologically continuous if they have a mental state that is descendent from their previous mental states. For example, this theory states that a five-year-old will be the same person when they are a 25-year-old, because their mental state in later years is descendent from their earlier years. Counter argument By its very nature, the idea of psychological continuity is flawed. It is not uncommon for an individuals mental state to be changed so drastically that they could not truly be considered the same person. Several examples have been made by Waller: sufferers of cognitive impairments such as dementia, people who have gone through stressful or traumatic situations, and war eterans that are affected by post-traumatic stress disorder (Waller, 2011, p 198-210). In any of these cases, it would be difficult to argue that the individual has a continuous mental state – more accurate would be to describe them as a â€Å"snap† or â€Å"break† that, effectively, creates a new person. The only conclusion is that these individuals do not persist, as their psychological states become radically different from their previous psychological states. Complex argument 2 – Persistence of the body Another expression of the complex view is the body criterion. Put simply, a person is said to persist if they exist in the same physical body over time. In this case, the previously mentioned dementia or PTSD sufferers would be considered the same people, as their physical body has continued. The theory suggests a â€Å"brute physical relation† between body and identity (Korfmacher, 2006). Without regard for mental state, an individual is considered to have a persistent personal identity as long as their body survives. Counter argument This theory lends itself easily to thought experiments, and they quickly expose some problems. If individual A receives an organ donation from individual B, can it be said that individual A has taken some of Bs identity? Surely not. It would be absurd to suggest that having the kidney or liver of another person would affect ones persistence as an individual. Similarly, if individual C had their body cloned, it would not make their clone the same person. There is much more to personal identity than can be defined by something so comparatively insignificant as the physical body. Complex argument 3 – Persistence of the brain The brain is the functional centre of the human body; the place where memories are stored, feelings are felt, and environmental signals are processed. It is unsurprising, therefore, that the brain is so often considered to be the â€Å"home† of personal identity. This theory is a staple of many science fiction texts – as a convention, the cognizant â€Å"brain in a jar† or brain transplant recipient is fairly common. Proponents of this â€Å"we are our brains† theory claim that, so long as the brain persists, so does the person. Counter argument This theory seems to refer to consciousness rather than the physicality of the brain, so it is important to make a clarification between the two. Julian Baggini suggests that we should view the relationship between consciousness and identity similarly to the relationship between a musical score and the paper it is written on (Baggini, 2005, pp. 112-114). In other words, the brain is simply a storage space for our memories, thoughts, and self-awareness. Should it not, therefore, be so that an individual could simply persist as a brain in a jar, provided they could be sustained in that state? If the entirety of personal identity is stored in the brain, there must be no need for the rest of the body beyond keeping the brain alive. Such a theory could not possibly be true – life experiences and interactions with the world are such an intrinsic part of identity that we could not persist without them. The theory that consciousness plays a significant role in the persistence of personal identity is appealing, but it can not be said that the brain alone could sustain consciousness. Conclusion  To call the simple view of the persistence of personal identity â€Å"simple† is almost deceptive; deep consideration on the subject quickly turns towards the complex. It is easy to grasp at the categories of body, brain, and mental state, but it would be wrong to say that the persistence of any of those equates to the persistence of an individual. Personal identity is something so much harder to define, and it is harder still to find definitive measures of its continuation. Personal identity is evasive, and fleeting; it is intangible, ever-changing. Its persistence is so much more than can be determined.

A Little Piece of Heaven Essay -- Descriptive Essay Examples

A Little Piece of Heaven Teacher's Comment: This essay, which received an "A," is strong because the vivid and careful descriptions enliven a commonplace topic: a simple walk in the woods. The writer creates an effective persona though a flashback to "a corner of captured memories." The writer recreates the child's persona, questioning and then understanding the motives of the counselor who is leading the group. Whenever I am troubled or confused, I always plunder through my mind to a corner of captured memories in my childhood. Here in this corner, tucked safely away from all of the mundane facts and figures, is a place I once visited as a small child. This spot has never failed to create a wealth of wonder and serenity for me. Join me now as I take a journey back through time. The day was an unbelievably hot one for the usual cool summers that North Carolina is so popular for. The dusty, faded-blue van in which my journey began was tightly packed with many eager and sweaty children, all of whom were anxious with anticipation of our day's fieldtrip. We were on our way to a particular stream that is well known in the small town o f Chesswood, which is located deep in the heart of the Carolina mountains. Upon finally reaching our destination, we unglued ourselves from the hot, vinyl seats and tumbled out of the van. I had become extremely hot and my skin was sticky from the sweat and dirt of afternoon play. The camp counselor called for all fourteen of us to line up in single-file and follow her lead. I did not understand why we had to do this, but as we travele d down the path that led to the stream, I began to understand her reasoning. The descending path was very steep and narrow. The sand and un... ... in the air. Among this kaleidoscope of brilliant hues appeared tangy-oranges, fiery-reds, crystal-clear blues, and fresh-greens. As the day came close to an end, the setting sun also displayed a work of art through this tree. The light, that bravely beamed through the V, created a heavenly aura. I felt as if angels were gracefully dancing on the colored droplets of water. The colors had changed somewhat and consisted mostly of a transparent-white mixed with brilliant oranges and yellows. Soon afterward, my little piece of Heaven was broken up by the shouts of our counselor telling us it was time to return to camp. I know I had to physically leave that stream back then, but it has never left my memory. Even though you did not visit that place, it is now in your memory also. I hope you have enjoyed experiencing this little piece of Heaven with me.

Standard Issues: Aicpa

Standard Issues: AICPA The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants has created a code of professional conduct that all certified public accountants must follow. This code of conduct lists the responsibilities CPAs have when working with a company's financial information. The AICPA also includes information regarding the integrity, objectivity, independence and due care that CPAs must use when working in the accounting industry. The AICPA offers an ethics course for accountants to refresh their understanding of accounting ethics.The AICPA professional code of conduct is designed to protect the individual and users of the company’s financial information. The accounting scandals of Enron, WorldCom and Sunbeam during the early 2000s highlighted some significant deficiencies regarding individual accounting ethics. In order to combat the negative perceptions of the accounting industry arising from these scandals, the AICPA began focusing more attention on developing the e thical standards of individual accountants.The professional code of conduct requires CPAs to exhibit unwavering ethical behavior in the business environment. Although the AICPA code of professional conduct is an ethical standard governing the public accounting industry, private companies may also choose to develop an accounting ethics manual. Companies can choose to use the AICPA code of conduct as the basic framework for their internal accounting ethics manual. They may also choose to create or develop specific standards for their employees to follow when handling sensitive financial information.This manual can help companies prevent significant legal liabilities from employee actions. A written ethical code of conduct for accountants benefits more than just the individual company or public accounting firm. Companies operating under strict accounting ethical standards may be able to increase their relevance or economic footprint in the business environment through the positive good will generated through strong accounting ethics.A strong ethical stance can set an example that a company is unwilling to advance its business through the use of inappropriate employee actions. Rule 101, one of the most important aspect of the AICPA is that a member in public practice shall be independent in the performance of professional services as required by the standards promulgated by bodies designated by Council. Independence is a highly subjective term because it concerns an individual’s ability to act with integrity and objectivity.Integrity relates to an auditor’s honesty, while objectivity is the ability to be neutral during the conduct of the engagement and the preparation of the auditor’s report. Two facets of independence are independence in fact and independence in appearance. The second general standard of generally accepted auditing standards requires that an auditor be independent in mental attitude in all matters relating to the engagement. I n essence, the second standard embraces the concept of independence in fact.However, independence in fact is impossible to measure, since it is a mental attitude; the Code of Professional Conduct takes a more pragmatic approach to the concept of independence. Being independent in fact and in appearance means that one not only is unbiased, impartial, and objective but also is perceived to be that way by others. While applicable to all accounting professionals, independence is especially important for CPAs in public practice. The AICPA's rules pertaining to independence for CPAs who perform audits are detailed and technical.For instance, a CPA lacks independence and thus may not audit a company if he or she (or the spouse or dependents) owns stock in that company and/or has certain other financial or employment relationships with client. In regard to Rule 102, in the performance of any professional service, a member shall maintain objectivity and integrity, shall be free of conflicts of interest, and shall not knowingly misrepresent facts or subordinate his or her judgment to others. Rule 102 is very broad on purpose. The Code of Professional Conduct could not possibly proscribe every action that is to be avoided.In light of the strict principles and rules of the AICPA, accounting ethics has been deemed difficult to control as accountants and auditors must consider the interest of the public which relies on the information gathered in audits while ensuring that they remained employed by the company they are auditing. They must consider how to best apply accounting standards even when faced with issues that could cause a company to face a significant loss or even be discontinued. Due to several accounting scandals within the profession, critics of accountants have stated that when asked by a client â€Å"what does two plus two equal? the accountant would be likely to respond â€Å"what would you like it to be? â€Å". This thought process along with other crit icisms of the profession's issues with conflict of interest, have led to various increased standards of professionalism while stressing ethics in the work environment. From the 1980s to the present there have been multiple accounting scandals that were widely reported on by the media and resulted in fraud charges, bankruptcy protection requests, and the closure of companies and accounting firms.The scandals were the result of creative accounting, misleading financial analysis, as well as bribery. For example, various companies had issues with fraudulent accounting practices, including Enron, WorldCom and AIG. One of the most widely-reported violation of accounting ethics involved Enron, a multinational company, that for several years had not shown a true or fair view of their financial statements. Their auditor Arthur Andersen signed off on the validity of the accounts despite the inaccuracies in the financial statements.When the unethical activities were reported, not only did Enro n dissolve but Arthur Andersen also went out of business. Enron's shareholders lost $25 billion as a result of the company's bankruptcy. Although only a fraction of Arthur Anderson's employees were involved with the scandal, the closure of the firm resulted in the loss of 85,000 jobs. This is a perfect example of the consequences of not abiding by the AICPA code of conduct.

It Strategy

B19 – IT Strategy Syllabus Start January 31, 2013 Ends April 25, 2013 Day and Time: Thursday 12-14 & 14-16 Instructors:Stefan Henningsson (sh. [email  protected] dk) Jonas Hedman (jh. [email  protected] dk) + guests Course Description This course uses the IVK Case Series to examine important issues in IT management through the eyes of Jim Barton, a talented business (i. e. , non-technical) manager who is thrust into the Chief Information Officer (CIO) role at a troubled financial services firm. The course follows Barton through challenges, mistakes, travails, and triumphs.We take this journey with him, commenting on and debating his choices and decisions. During his first year as CIO, Barton confronts issues related to skill and talent management; IT costs, budgets, value, and chargeback systems; priority setting and financial justification of IT investments; project management; runaway projects and underperforming vendors; security risks and crises; Web 2. 0 policies; com munications with other senior executives; vendor management; infrastructure standardization; support for innovation; and risk management. As Barton encounters these issues, we address them too, through associated readings.As we examine and critique both research and conventional management wisdom on these topics, we’ll derive a framework for managing IT as a business leader. Course Book The main text for this course is the book â€Å"Adventures of an IT Leader†, also called IVK after the company in the book. Adventures of an IT Leader Robert D. Austin, Richard L. Nolan, Shannon O’Donnell | Apr 21, 2009 Publisher: Harvard Business School Press (1 Mar 2009) ISBN-10: 142214660X ISBN-13: 978-1422146606 Among other places, the book is available from http://amzn. com/142214660X Obtaining Harvard Business School Publishing MaterialsSome of the readings in this course must be acquired online from Harvard Business School Publishing. You can access the site to download th ese materials here: https://cb. hbsp. harvard. edu/cbmp/access/17620259 At this site you will need to use a credit card to purchase copyrighted materials, which you will then download in PDFs and be able to print as is convenient. Please be sure to use this link, not the main HBSP website, so that you get the discount associated with the course. Course blog The course blog is the official source of information, where updates, session presentations, etc. ill be posted. http://www. itu. dk/courses/EB19/F2013/ Session 1: Introduction to the Case Method and the Course (Thursday, January 31, 12:00 to 12:00, ScrollBar) Reading (please read before class): â€Å"A Note on Case Learning,† HBS 899-105 (download/purchase from HBSP website) IVK 1 – The New CIO â€Å"Understanding Financial Statements† HBS 5238BC (download/purchase from HBSP website) Assignment Questions (think about and discuss with others before class): Consider the exhibits at the end of IVK-1; what do th ey tell you about the IVK Corporation’s business situation? Why has this company replaced its CEO?If you were Jim Barton, would you accept the CIO job offered by the new CEO? If he accepts, what should be his plan of action? What should he do first? Second? What would be your best single piece of advice to Barton if he decides to take the job? What should he watch out for? Where should he be careful? Session 2: Challenges Facing the New CIO (Thursday, February 7, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) *** IBM Guest Presentation *** Reading: IVK 2 – CIO Challenges IVK 3 – CIO Leadership IVK 4 – The Cost of IT Assignment Questions: How do you interpret the kid’s advice to Barton: â€Å"You need to know what you don’t know? †Davies predicts that Barton will be gone in a year; why does he say this? Do Maggie’s notes (exhibit at end of IVK-2) shed any light on Davies’ assertion? What should be Barton’s plan for reaching out to oth er CIOs and industry experts to gain expertise quickly about running an IT department? Whom should he talk to first? Do you agree with Ruben that IT is a â€Å"unique† business function, that it is different from other departments in the organization? What did Barton learn from his trip to the bookstore and subsequent night of studying? Session 3: The Value of IT (Thursday, February 14, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar)Reading: IVK 5 – The Value of IT â€Å"Zara: IT for Fast Fashion† HBS 604-081 (download/purchase from HBSP website) â€Å"IT Doesn’t Matter† HBS 0306B (download/purchase from HBSP website) â€Å"Dog Eat Dog† http://online. wsj. com/public/article_print/SB117735476945179344. html â€Å"The IT Productivity Gap† http://ebusiness. mit. edu/erik/Optimize/pr_roi. html â€Å"Zara: IT for Fast Fashion† Assignment Questions: How would you advise Salgado to proceed on the issue of upgrading the POS terminals? Should he upgrade to a modern operating system? Should the POS applications be rewritten to include any additional functionality?If so, what functionality? What benefits does Inditex/Zara get from its IT infrastructure? How difficult would it be for a competitor to acquire these same benefits? IVK Assignment Questions: What is the â€Å"right† amount for a company to invest in IT? How should Jim Barton respond to the CEO when he asks: â€Å"What is the ‘right’ amount for IVK to spend on IT? ’ What is the purpose of a â€Å"chargeback† system for returning IT costs to business units? Why implement such a system? As we learn in IVK-4, at IVK business units control all of the IT budget; what do you think of this arrangement?Should Barton try to â€Å"pull back† some of the budget that is allocated to business units, to create his own discretionary budget? How does IT create or enable the creation of value within a company? How should we value IT capabilities requi red to keep us in business, but that do not differentiate us from competitors (so-called â€Å"qualifiers† in the discussion in IVK-5)? Session 4: Managing Projects (Thursday, February 21, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 6 – Project Management IVK 7 – The Runaway Project â€Å"Cisco Systems, Inc. : Implementing ERP† HBS 699-022 (download/purchase from HBSP website) Managing Project Uncertainty: From Variation to Chaos† by Arnoud De Meyer, Christoph H. Loch, and Michael T. Pich, MIT Sloan Management Review 42, 2, (Winter 2002); CBS Library Database: http://search. ebscohost. com/login. aspx? direct=true&db=bth&AN=5982685& amp;site=ehost-live&scope=site Cisco Systems Assignment Questions: Cisco was highly successful with its enterprise resource planning (ERP) effort. What accounts for this success? What were the most important things that Cisco did correctly? Did Cisco do anything wrong on this project? If so, what? Was Cisco smart or lucky wi th its ERP implementation?IVK Assignment Questions: Which side would you take in the debate between Henderson and Calder? What do you think of the approach that Davies seems to have used (judging from documents found by Barton) to managing uncertainty in projects? What should Barton do to get the IR initiative back on track? Should he fire NetiFects? How do you manage project problems you cannot anticipate? Session 5: Prioritization, Governance (Thursday, February 28, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 8 – IT Priorities IVK 9 – Governance â€Å"Volkswagen of America: Managing IT Priorities† HBS 605-003 (download/purchase from HBSP website)Volkswagen of America Assignment Questions: What is your assessment of the new process for managing priorities at Volkswagen? Are the criticisms justified? Is it an improvement over the old process? Who controls the budgets from which IT projects are funded at Volkswagen of America? Who should control these budgets? How sh ould Matulovic respond to his fellow executives who are calling to ask him for special treatment outside the new priority management system? IVK Assignment Questions: Should Barton try to take control of the entire IT budget? Should he ask for a percentage of the overall budget to be placed under his control?Or should he try to fix the committee structure put in place by Davies? What should Barton do about â€Å"managing Beckworth? † Managing Williams? Session 6: Crisis and Damage control (Thursday, March 7, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) IVK 10 – Crisis IVK 11 – Damage http://www. nytimes. com/2011/01/16/world/middleeast/16stuxnet. html Symantec Internet Security Threat Report: Executive Summary April 2010 http://eval. symantec. com/mktginfo/enterprise/white_papers/b-whitepaper_exec_summary_internet_security_threat_report_xv_04-2010. en-us. pdf Viruses and threats Questions: What type of malware is the Stuxnet, and how did it work?How did the Hydraq Trojan operate? Could it be a potential threat to IVK? IVK Assignment Questions: What is your assessment of how IVK handled the crisis during the event itself? Did they do a good job of crisis management? How would you recommend that Barton handle the analyst meeting? If you were on the team coming up with the strategy for the meeting, what guidelines would you suggest to Barton? Session 7: Communication (Thursday, March 14, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) *** Danske Bank Guest Presentation *** Reading: IVK 12 – Communication â€Å"The Lessons of ValuJet 592,† by William Langewiesch (March 1998) The Atlantic. ttp://www. theatlantic. com/issues/98mar/valujet1. htm â€Å"Ready to Acquire: IT resources for a growth-by-acquisition strategy†. To be distributed. IVK Assignment Questions: Which option for securing IVK in the aftermath of the attack would you choose? Would you recommend shutting the company down? If so, when? Do you agree with the CEO’s decision about what to disclo se about this possible hacker attack? How should Barton handle the CEO’s new tendency to offer him helpful but misinformed advice? How should Barton communicate with people outside the IT department to rebuild his and his department’s credibility?How frequently should he communicate with the CEO? With his peers? Should he rely on â€Å"The Doctrine of Completed Staff Work† as he formulates a communication strategy? Session 8: Emerging technologies and Sustainable IT (Thursday, March 21, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 13 – Emerging Technology â€Å"Three strategies for Green IT† by Hedman & Henningsson http://www. computer. org/portal/web/csdl/doi/10. 1109/MITP. 2010. 141 (see also course blog) â€Å"Organizational self-renewal: The role of IS in developing organizational eco-effectiveness† by Hedman, Henningsson & Selander. 2012. To be distributed in class. Green IT TBDIVK Assignment Questions: How would you respond to Bernie Rubenà ¢â‚¬â„¢s three questions concerning possible action on the blog issue? What technology can IVK use to improve business? March 28: Easter Break Session 9: Outsourcing, Infrastructure, and Vendor Partners (Thursday, April 4, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading: IVK 14 – Vendor Partnering IVK 16 – Standardization and Innovation IVK Assignment Questions: Which vendor should IVK choose for the IR project? Which approach to an SLA? Service delivery model? How much technical expertise does a company like IVK need to keep in house if it plans to outsource much of it’s IT work?How can it retain expertise when most of the interesting work is being done by vendors? What information should a company like IVK ask for in a â€Å"Request for Proposal† (RFP) document? What questions should they ask a vendor to answer? Should the IR project implementation be â€Å"fixed price† or another sort of contract? Which approach should IVK take to infrastructure standardizat ion? Are IT standardization and innovation (or flexibility) in conflict in an organization like IVK? How do you interpret the kid’s story about the great man who went missing? Session 10: Managing Talent (Thursday, April 11, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) Reading:IVK 15 – Managing Talent â€Å"Bridging the Gap Between Stewards and Creators† (download/purchase from HBSP website) Online Streaming Video: â€Å"Panel Discussion: The Organizational Dilemma of Stewards and Creators† http://www. uwtv. org/programs/displayevent. aspx? rid=4858 Assignment Questions: What should Carter and Barton do about the Ivan Korsky situation? Should Barton seek a technological way of monitoring what his employees are doing? Why or why not? Should IVK have a management system for identifying its top value people assets? If so, how might such a system work? How would it interact with training and skills development?Should Barton reorganize the IT function so that the best talent is in a central â€Å"shared services† organization available to the entire organization (rather than just a particular business unit)? What are the pluses and minuses of such an arrangement? What might Barton be able to learn from the way jazz ensembles work about how to manage top notch IT talent? Session 11: IT Risk Management (Thursday, April 18, 12:00 to 16:00, ScrollBar) IVK 17 – Risk IVK 18 – Looking Forward â€Å"The Evolution of Security† http://www. acmqueue. org/modules. php? name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=478 â€Å"CareGroup† HBS 303-097 (download/purchase from HBSP website) The Myth of Secure Computing† HBS 0306J (download/purchase from HBSP website) IVK Assignment Questions: What do you think of CEO Williams’s explanation of his actions in the aftermath of the crisis described in IVK-10? How should a company like IVK approach its cost and risk tradeoffs? CareGroup Assignment Questions: What caused the network outage at CareGr oup? Consider the lessons learned that Halamka enumerates at the end of this case—are these the right lessons? Has he missed any? Session 12: Mini-project presentations (Thursday, April 25, 12:00 to 14:00, ScrollBar) ***Mini-project presentations ***

Notes for Driving Essays

Notes for Driving Essays Notes for Driving Paper Notes for Driving Paper and where might the point of conflict be? Predicting the reactions of your vehicle is the easiest of this process. You should know what condition your car is in, how are the tires, how soon can I stop, etc. Decide – Once you have identified and predicted what may happen, you now need to decide what you need to do. Maintain, swerve, brake, speed up, or just communicate with my lights or horn. You may decide to change your speed. You can avoid conflicts by maintaining, slowing down, or speeding up. To make a change in direction you need to look at your zones. Try to leave yourself a way out or cushion so you are able to move into that area without conflict. You may also avoid conflict by changing you position in your lane. You may need to be centered, slightly left or slightly right in your lane. If you decide that all you need to do is communicate with the other driver you may do this by your lights, horn, car position or eye contact. You want to try to minimize your number of hazards by separating the hazards. Sometimes you are going to have to pick the hazard that will possibly do the least amount of damage. This is compromising space. Give way to the big truck swerving into your lane. Execute- Once you make your decision you need to execute it. Remember, DON†T second guess yourself. The three areas that you have execution control over are speed control, steering, and communication. The hardest thing when driving is how so I handle multiple conflicts that occur? Being able to use the IPDE process effectively takes practice and time. You are not as good at using it today as you will be next week. You will learn how to use the IPDE process selectively. This means that you start one process and something else will come up that makes you begin the process all over again. Remember this: You used the IPDE Process getting to this class today and you will use it again going to every class you take today. Chapter 5 Natural Laws and Car Control In this chapter you will learn about gravity and energy of motion, friction and traction, stopping distance and controlling the force of impact. Gravity – Gravity is the force that pulls you to the earth. Going up and down hills in a car you can feel the pull of gravity. You need to be able to adjust your driving to accommodate for this pull. The point at which your car’s weight is evenly distributed is called the center of gravity. The lower the center of gravity, the better the handling of the car. Energy of Motion – Energy of motion is called kinetic energy. What you must understand about this energy is the way it will affect your driving. The faster your vehicle is moving, the more energy you have, the heavier it weighs, the more energy of motion it has. Two important facts to know† 1- Your energy of motion doubles when the weight doubles 2- Your energy of motion increases by the square when your speed increases by a certain amount. ( speed doubles – energy quadruples) If your energy of motion increases your stopping distance will also go up that amount. Friction and Traction Friction is the force that keeps your tires from sliding on the road. Traction makes it possible for your vehicle to grip the road for you to change speed and direction. The grooved surface of the tire is called the tread. This tread cuts through the water on the road allowing your tire to grip the road. As the amount of tread decreases, the amount of traction also decreases. If the tire tread gets worn almost completely off (bald tire) the possibility of a blowout becomes great. A blowout is when the tire loses all pressure at once. The way your tire is inflated also determines how much of the tire tread is touching the road. An under inflated tire causes the tread to gap in the middle. An over inflated tire causes the tire tread to only touch in the middle (like a balloon) Things that could reduce the traction you have are: 1- bad tires 2- bad shocks 3- faulty steering system 4- road surfaces Checking for traction while you are driving can be done but must be done carefully. check rear zone – brake gently for response – if you don’t slow down reduce speed Driving on curves can be very tricky. The energy of motion tries to keep your car in a straight line but the traction from the tires pulls you around the curve. Driving around curves: Speed – reduce your speed to avoid skids 2- Sharpness – the sharper the curve the more traction you will need to go around it. 3- Banked – most curves are banked, this helps prevent your car from wanting to stay in a straight line. 4- Load – The heaver the load or weight of your vehicle the more friction it is going to take to get through the curve. Stopping Distance Total Stopping D istance – the distance your car travels while you are making a stop. Total stopping distance is made up of three parts: 1- perception distance 2- reaction distance 3- braking distance Look at the chart on page 98. To estimate the distance you need to stop you can use the four second rule. pick a spot in the road, a sign or driveway When the car in front of you reaches that point begin counting, one-thousand one, one-thousand two†¦ If your car gets to that same point after you reach one-thousand four you have enough space to stop if you need to. Factors that affect you’re stopping distance: Speed – the higher the speed the longer the distance Car condition – worn out tires, etc need more distance Surface – rain, snow, ice, dirt, leaves gravel increase the distance Driver ability – if distracted or impaired you increase the distance ABS – helps when stopping while turning Hills – up or down hills shortens or lengthens the distance Loads – the weight of your vehicle, heavier takes longer. Force of Impact The force at which a moving object hits another object is force of impact. Force of impact is determined by: 1- Speed 2- Wei ght 3- Distance between impact and stopping Safety Belts When you are in a collision, three collisions actually take place. First the car hits an object and stops. Second, you hit the inside of the car or a restraining device (seat belt) Third, your body organs slam against your skeleton or each other. There are two types of restraining devices: 1- restraining devices – seat belts 2- passive restraining devices – air bags (automatic) Air Bags Air bags deploy automatically. They are there to protect your life. When an air bag deploys it comes out at a speed over 200 mph. Air bags are designed to work with the seat belts. Just relying on the air bag will not save your life. To avoid the air bag injuring your arms or shoulders you need to keep your hands about 9 and 3 or a little below. You don’t want to sit too close to the air bag, @ 10 away is good. Tilt your steering wheel to deploy the bag at your chest and not your face. Of course, child seats need to be in the rear seat or facing away from the air bags. Some air bags now have a feature that senses the weight of the person in the seat and will deploy in two stages. Some vehicles have switches for you to turn the passenger air bag off. Other protective devices in vehicles today: n Automatic seat belts n Front and rear crush areas n Energy absorbing bumpers n Side door beams n Reinforced windshields Energy absorbing steering wheel and column n Padded dash n Child seats built in n Head restraints Chapter 6 Performing Basic Vehicle Maneuvers STEERING Straight forward: hands should be at a comfortable spot, look ahead and avoid looking at your feet and hands. You need to pay attention to what is approaching you. Try to avoid over or under-steering: over-steering is when you make too sharp of a turn and you w eave from side to side; under-steering is when you don’t turn the wheel enough to keep it on its intended path. When you are trying to back a straight line (driving test skill) you need to: keep the brake pressed and put the car in reverse 2- turn your body to the right, put your right arm over the back of the passenger seat and look out of the back window. 3- Place your left hand at 12 o’clock on the steering wheel 4- Release your pressure on the brake enough to get moving 5- Adjust your position by turning the wheel in the direction that you wish to go 6- Keep you foot over the brake (covering) and take quick glances to the front and sides checking for traffic. When you wish to stop keep looking out of the back window until you have come to a complete stop. SIGNALING Make it a habit to signal your intent every time you plan to turn or stop. You must use your turn signals when you are making a left or right turn, changing lanes, pulling over to the side of the road. Make sure that you know the hand signals for when you are driving. Left arm out and angled up = right turn Left arm out and pointing straight out = left turn Left arm out and angled down = braking You need to remember to signal early but not too early. CHANGING LANES You must be able to make the lane change smoothly and safely each and every time. Try to get the steering down. You don’t want to over or understeer. Steps for a lane change: Check traffic in front and to the side in which you are going to move into 2- Signal your intent and check your blind spot 3- Increase your speed slightly as you steer into the next lane; if it is clear to do so 4- Cancel your signal, if it did not do so automatically, and adjust your speed and steering. MAKING TURNS AND TURNABOUTS Two method s for steering your car: 1- Hand over hand 2- Push – pull Left and Right Hand Turns You should make a turn only after you have checked traffic. 1- Look for pedestrians and oncoming vehicles; check your rear zone for cars getting ready to pass you. Plan well in advance. Put yourself in the correct lane well before the turn. 3- Obey all traffic signals and controls plus roadway markings. When turning left you MUST yield to oncoming traffic. Procedures for turning: (page 114) 1- Get in the proper lane 2- Brake early and get to the proper speed 3- Do a visual search 4- Before the crosswalk you should be at about 10 mph 5- Turning right you need to check left then right and begin your turn when your front bumper reaches the curve of the curb line. 6- For a left turn check left then right and then left again. Begin your turn when your front bumper gets to the center of the intersection. 7- As you begin your turn check your blind spot and turn into the first lane you come to. When you are backing to your left you want to look more over your left shoulder to where you are trying to back. If backing right you want to look over your right shoulder. You will use hand over hand steering and do the visual search before you begin the maneuver. Turnabouts Precautions when you are planning to do a turnabout: Be sure that local laws permit it Need at least 500 feet of visibility Don’t do on hills or curves or within 200 feet of an intersection Should not be done where high-speed traffic or any traffic would be Check all zones while doing the turnabout U-Turn Select your spot and signal right to move over and stop. When the way is clear, turn on your left signal and move into the lane Check your front and left rear zones and your blind spot. Turn the wheel hard left and move through the turn u ntil you have completely turned around. Driveway turnabouts Backing into on the right Pull in on the left Pull in on the right Which of these is the safest? Three point turnabout (driving test skill) Check your zones, signal right and pull to the curb (or side of road) and stop Signal left, turn the wheel hard left and pull across the road as far as you can Signal right, put the car in reverse, turn the wheel hard right and back as far as you need to back Signal left, put the car in Drive, turn the wheel hard right and pull forward finishing the turnabout. Parking When you are trying to park you need to have speed control, steering control and accurate judgment. Before parking you need to find a space big enough for your car to get into. Avoid end spaces or beside large trucks or poorly parked vehicles. You need to learn some reference points for parking. You will be exposed to standard reference points, these are for a typical vehicle and driver, and you will learn your personal reference points, ones that you like to use. Angle parking: This parking is done diagonally to the curb. Mostly in shopping center parking lots. 1- Check for peds. Position your car about 6 feet from the parked cars. Signal right and begin braking. 2- Check your right blind spot and continue braking. 3- Move forward until you can see the middle of the space without obstructions. Turn your wheels hard right and ease into the space. Straighten your wheels when you are in the center of the space and pull forward as far into the space as you can. Perpendicular parking: This parking is when your car is at a right angle to the curb. 1- Set up about 8 feet from the line of parked cars or as far over as you can. Signal right, check your blind spot, and begin braking. 2- Check traffic to the rear and continue braki ng. 3- Turn hard right when your front bumper passes the back bumper of the car to the left of the parking space. Slowly enter the space and check your rear right to make sure that you have missed the car. Straighten the wheels when you are centered in the space and pull forward. Leaving both of these spaces (angle and perpendicular) 1- Ease straight back with your foot covering the brake. 2- When your front bumper is even with the rear bumper of the car to your left turn hard right. 3- Back into the nearest lane and straighten your wheels. Put the car in drive and pull away. Parallel parking (driving test skill) This is parking your car parallel to the curb. Select your space that is 5 – 6 feet longer than your car. 1- While approaching the space, signal right and brake. Stop with your car 2-3 feet away from the car on the right and your back bumper even with the back bumper of the car to the right. Put the car into reverse and check traffic. Turn the wheel hard right and ease into the space. 2- When the back of your seat is even with the back bumper of the car to the right straighten the wheels. Ease straight back into the space. 3- When your front bumper is even with the rear bumper of the car to your right turn the wheels hard left. Ease back looking out of your rear window. 4- When your car is parallel to the curb straighten the wheels and stop. Pull forward and center your car in the space. Put the car in park. My cues when we do this in the car: Wheels – hard right, straight, hard left Reference points – back bumpers even, rear of seat even with bumper, front bumper even with the rear bumper, don’t hit the barrier. Parking on hills: Up hill with a curb – turn the wheels left, ease back to touch the curb, engage parking brake, put car in park, turn the car off. Up hill without a curb, Downhill with or without a curb – turn the wheels to the right, ease until you touch the curb (if there is a curb), engage the parking brake, turn the car off. Chapter 7 Negotiating Intersections Searching the Intersection When you are approaching any intersection there are things that you need to look for. The main cause of collisions in intersections is the drivers failure to identity a safe path of travel. Clue you need to look for: Signs and lights Roadway markings Crossing traffic Park car on the cross street Turning traffic Rows of fences and mailboxes Traffic stopping Power lines Most intersections are + or X, but some are Y or T When you are approaching an intersection you need to check your front zones to make sure that your path of travel in open. Look for anything that may cause your path to close and cause you to change your plans. The closer you get to the intersection the more you need to search your side zones for obstructions. Scan and focus on what may cause you a problem, dont just keep your eyes in constant motion. Once you approach your point of no return you need to continue through the intersection but still scan your zones. Your point of no return is the point at which you can no longer make a safe stop outside of the intersection. Sometimes when you get close to the intersection your path of travel closes causing you to need to change lanes. Do this at an intersection only if there is no other option. You are not allowed to legally change lanes within the intersection. If your decision at the intersection is to stop, for what ever reason, you now need to do the full 180 degree scan before you inter the intersection. Controlled Intersections A controlled intersection is one that has signs or lights that determine the right of way. With signs The two signs that control an intersection are Stop and Yield. At a stop sign you MUST come to a complete stop and at a yield sign you need to slow down and give the right of way to any vehicle in the intersection. At stop signs you need to begin your search of the intersection well back of the stop sign. As you approach you need to scan front, as well as 45 degrees to the right and left for anything that may interfere with your path of travel. Crossing Traffic with a blocked view Search your front and rear zones, look for pedestrians and prepare to make your legal stop at the sign, ease up to the intersection and stop again, scan for obstructions and inter the intersection only when it is clear for you to go through the intersection without conflict. (7 sec gap) Joining traffic right turns Go through the same checks as above. When you get stopped at the sign and cant see, ease up until you can without going into the intersection and stop again. Look for a gap of at least 7 seconds. When you have a clear path make your turn and accelerate keeping the car about 4 feet from the side of the road. Joining traffic left turns Do your scans as with the other approaches. Stop at the sign and pull fo rward and stop again before entering the intersection. When the way is clear (7 sec gap) move forward and recheck your zones. Accelerate into the proper lane and adjust your steering. Light Controlled Intersections When you are approaching an intersection controlled by lights you need to use your IPDE process to determine what the intersection will be like when you reach it. How may the lights change your path of travel? Stale Green Light this Is a light that has been green for a while, expect It to change Fresh Green Light this is a light that has Just turned green, you may still not have a safe path of travel. Check your intended path for obstacles. Yellow Light this is a light that is telling you that the intersection is closing to your traffic lane. If you have reached the point of no return you have to determine whether to proceed through or try to stop, hat can influence this decision? Red Light at this light you MUST stop. You need to check your rear zones as you apply the brakes. An unprotected left turn is a left turn done at an intersection that does not have a left turn green arrow. You MUST be sure that you can complete the turn before beginning it Protected Left Turns At these turns you will have three things apparent 1- Left turn light, this is an entire light sequence (R,Y,G) to guide you at your left turn. Green arrow appears with the normal light system, when the arrow goes off you simply do not have a protected left turn. 3- Delayed green light at these lights you light is green and the opposing traffic light is still red. Turning on Red Light Right on red means that you are allowed to make a right hand turn at a red light AFTER you have made a complete stop and have scanned the intersection. When it is safe to proceed you can make the turn. Left on red is allowed in most states when you are turning left from a one-way street onto a on-way street going to your left. Some states allow this if you are in a left turn only lane (two way traffic) and are turning onto a one way street. A controlled railroad crossing has lights and/or a stop arm. You must come to a complete stop and stay until the lights have stopped flashing and the arm has come up. DO NOT EVER go around the stop arm to cross. Uncontrolled Intersections An uncontrolled intersection is one in which there are no traffic controls. As you approach one of these intersections you MUST expect traffic problems. NEVER assume that the other driver will give you the right of way. You must really use your IPDE process as you approach these intersections. It is best to treat these intersections as yield signs. There are also uncontrolled railroad crossings. Simply slow down, scanning the tracks for trains and do not cross if you see or hear one coming. Determining Right of Way Right of way describes the privilege of having immediate use of a certain part of the roadway. Right of way is GIVEN not taken. You may have to YIELD and allows others to go first in order to be safe. Judging Gaps A gap is the distance between two vehicles. When you are at an intersection you have to make sure that you can successfully get through the intersection. Chapter8 Sharing The Roadway With Motorcycles: About 2000 people a year are killed on motorcycles. The primary reason is there are so many body parts not protected when riding a motorcycle. You MUST use the IPDE process when motorcycles are around. They can hide in spots, they spend longer times in your blind spots and many cyclist take more chances that car drivers do. - -i - ;; ; Problem areas in which you need to really look for motorcyclist: a vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle a vehicle turning right at an intersection or into a driveway a motorcycle turning left inblindspots a tailgating motorcyclist one passing you on the right or left meeting an oncoming motorcycle When you are going to pass a motorcycle you need to stay well back to avoid shocking the cyclist, use the entire lane to make the pass and wait until you can see them in your rearview mirror to move back over. It is just like passing a vehicle. With Bicycles, Mopeds and Motor Scooters: Bicyclist need to remember that when they are on the road they have the responsibility to follow ALL of the traffic laws just as the other vehicles do. They need to wear a helmet, know the rules for riding on roads as well as idewalks, and wear light colored clothing (especially at night), keep from wearing headphones, and keep their bike in good condition. When you encounter a bike you need to increase your scanning to avoid serious conflict. If you pass a bike you need to follow the same rules as passing a car. Remember that some bicyclist do not have great control over their bike and may swerve or fall into your path. Mopeds and scooters create the same types of problems as bikes do. They are low powered and very small. They are hard to see and the people riding them may not be able to handle them properly. People on mopeds and scooters do not have to have a drivers license but they do have to follow the rules of the road, just as bicyclist and drivers do. Pedestrians Pedestrians are the most vulnerable users of the HTS. It is the drivers responsibility to protect the pedestrians. Children and old people are at most risk. Children do not know about consequences and old people may not hear or see well. When you drive in an area with pedestrians you need to heighten you IPDE usage. Look for pedestrians in areas where you expect to see them. Playgrounds, sidewalks, residential areas, parks, and parking lots. Sharing the roadway with emergency vehicles is a common thing in populated areas. You should yield the right of way to the emergency vehicles when they are traveling with their light and/or sirens on. Simply move to the right side of the road if you can and or to the lane as far to the right as possible. If you have to you can stop but make sure that you are as little a hazard as possible. With Trucks: The type of truck you need to really worry about when driving are the big semis (18 wheelers, tractor trailer, transfer). The main reason is that they are sooo big and can do a whole lot of damage to your car in a very little amount of time. These larger trucks make wide right turns. When you are near one and they put on their right turn signal you have to make sure that you are not to their right because the trailer of the truck will turn into your lane when they turn. You need to avoid following these trucks because they have big blind spots which make you hard to see. If you can not see their face in the mirror, they can not see your car. Use caution when passing a truck. Because their blind spots are larger you have to make sure that they see you during your pass as well as before your pass. When you meet a large truck on a two lane roadway you need to prepare for the after wave when they go by. The air that they push to the right and left will make your car jump of vibrate. Also on wet roads the trucks will throw up water that will cover your windshield. Simply grasp the steering wheel tightly and steer through the problem. Chapter 9 Driving in Urban Traffic Adjusting to Urban Traffic Two of the main factors that make urban driving difficult: 1- Traffic is more dense there are more cars, buses, trucks and pedestrians per mile than on rural roads City hazards are closer to you more things are closer to your car than in the country. Mile per mile, city roads have the highest number and variety of hazards. It takes time to do the IPDE process and in cities you dont have as much time to process the information as in the country. When you are on urban streets you have to pay attention and try to identify hazards as early as possible. Following Traffic on City Streets Spac e cushion refers to the space between your car and the car in front of you. If you have a good space cushion you have some advantages: 1- You can see further ahead and get the big picture You can be seen better 3- You have more time to do the IPDE process 4- You are in better position to avoid the car in front of you if they stop suddenly. The 3-second following distance. When you are 3 seconds behind you have enough cushion to avoid most collisions in most normal driving situations. 1- Pick out a spot on the road ahead 2- When the car in front gets to that spot begin counting; 1001,1002,1003 3- If your car has not gotten to the spot by 1003 you have enough cushion to avoid a collision. If you reach the spot before you get to 1003, you need to back off a little. The faster you are traveling the bigger your space cushion will be. Being Followed on City Streets A tailgater is a vehicle that is following you too closely. The main hazard of a tailgater is that if you have to do a sudden stop they will hit you in the rear. They think that they are saving time by going so fast and getting close to you. If you have a tailgater behind you, you need to increase your following distance so you will not have to react as quickly when a car in front of you makes a sudden stop or move. When you are meeting cars in the city you have to really look ahead for your front zone to close. Oncoming drivers may cross the center line and block your path. Reasons that people cross the center line are: 1- driver impairment 2- poor judgment 3- poor visibility 4- reduced space 5- sudden moves for others 6- vehicle failure 7- turning car, buses or trucks 8- double parked vehicles Managing Space on Urban Streets Look ahead try to see at least one block ahead but if you can see farther, look as far as you can but IDENTIFY possible problems. , When you are approaching a traffic light and you first see the light green you need to expect it to change. If you see a green light but the crosswalk light is flashing dont walk you need to anticipate that the light is getting ready to change. NEVER speed through an intersection trying to beat the light. Covering you brake means that you have taken your foot off of the accelerator pedal and have it in front of the brake pedal, but not pushing it down. You are anticipating that you are going to need to brake. This takes away your reaction distance/time if you need to brake suddenly. Riding your brake means that you have your foot on the brake pedal and you are pushing it down slightly. Most people that two foot drive end up riding their brakes. On city streets that have parked cars on your right you need to anticipate that a car door may open when you get to it. To help avoid hitting the door you need to drive about the width of a car door away from parked cars. Chapter 10 Driving in Rural Areas Characteristics of Rural Traffic 82% of all of the roadway miles in the US are considered rural roads. When you approach a curve on a rural road with an advisory speed limit, you should be at that posted speed before you enter the curve. Advisory speeds are posted to help keep cars from having a collision on a curve because they entered the curve at too great a speed to control the car. Speed kills on rural roads. Twice as many deaths occur on rural roads as opposed to urban roads. On rural roads in normal (ideal) conditions the 3 second rule for following is sufficient. If you are following another car using the 3 second rule and a car cuts in between you and the other car you need to reestablish your 3 second rule with the new car. The basic speed rule states that you should not drive faster than the road or traffic conditions allow you to. It is more difficult to maintain control of your car at higher speeds. When you are driving on rural roads you are going to encounter slow moving vehicles, animals in the road and oncoming traffic that is close to you. Roadside hazards that you will come across are narrow shoulders, bridges, ditches, guardrails, and trees. You are not going to have as many tailgaters here because of the type of driving you are doing plus there are not as many cars on the road. In rural areas your speed is going to be faster so your IPDE process is affected. At higher speeds you decrease your time to make a decision using the process. So the faster you are driving, the farther you need to look ahead so you can perform the IPDE process. When driving on these roads you may see mailboxes, reflectors on posts, or small utility lines. These are all clues that you are approaching a driveway. When you are driving in the mountains you are going to come to sections of the road that have sharper curves and steeper hills. When you are going down a steep hill you should NEVER shift your car into neutral. If you change gears you need to shift to a lower gear to avoid burning your brakes. Passing in rural areas is done generally on two lane/two way roads. If you are passing another car you must make sure that you can complete the pass safely and before the passing area ends. When you think that you need to pass another car you need to think before you pass. One main question that you need to ask is, is it safe to pass here? When driving at night on rural roads you are going to encounter car light that pop up from around curves or hills. To avoid being temporarily blinded you need to look to the right side of the road, white line. Chapter 11 Driving on Expressways An expressway is defined as a roadway that has limited-access or controlled-access. Driving on expressways is more dangerous because of the higher speeds and the number of cars. For this reason, collisions on expressways are generally more serious. Expressways have minimum speed limits posted. If you are going below this minimum speed then you are a hazard on the roadway. To drive effectively on expressways you must be willing to cooperate with other drivers. They also have multiple lanes which means that when you change lanes you need to do so one lane at a time. You are driving on an expressway and you need to exit; the ramp you need to get off on is totally Mocked by traffic, preventing you from getting over. Wiat should you do? Go to the next exit and come back up the expressway. If you get onto the wrong entrance ramp you should go ahead and get on the expressway and travel to the next exit, get off and turn around. It is NEVER permissible to back up an entrance ramp. The entrance lane has three parts; the ramp, the acceleration lane and the merging lane. When you are coming down the ramp you need to check for a gap to merge into by looking over your left shoulder as well as into your left mirror. If you are entering an expressway on the entrance ramp and your way is blocked so that you can not merge onto the road you should avoid stopping. Stopping on the ramp in the acceleration lane can cause a rear end collision. If you are driving in a group of car on an expressway you are driving in a wolf pack. You are driving in the center lane of the expressway and you keep getting passed on the right and left, you should move into the right lane to avoid being a hazard. Highway hypnosis happens when you get lulled into staring while driving. If you stare for long enough you will put yourself to sleep. If you are taking a long trip on expressway you need to plan ahead for food, fuel and rest This will make your trip more enjoyable and safe.

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