Ethical, legal and societal issues of information technology systems

Ethical, legal and societal issues of information technology systems Introduction Most professions practiced in different global locations have stipulated codes of ethics or professional codes of conduct. The codes are essential given that the professionals are provided with advantage over other individuals. Typically, the professionals’ practice in respective fields has the possibility of influencing the rest of the public.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Ethical, legal and societal issues of information technology systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The codes offer guidelines for the professionals on how to execute their mandate and duties responsibly. However, the dawn of information technology has brought with it a host of ethical and legal concerns that are exclusive to the 21st century (Walcerz, 2013). The issue on the use of technology is intricate and complicated starting from personal online privacy to the disclosure of classified information. These have the potential to distract the lives of many individuals and institutions, as was the case in the Bradley Manning situation. The saga involved the release of classified military reports and diplomatic cables to the WikiLeaks and consequently to the entire world. The saga ignited debates from many quarters some arguing that Bradley acted in good faith as a whistleblower (Carr, 2013). Others viewed the move by the American soldier as an act of espionage hence a traitor. Stakeholders The United States Military The US Military was a key stakeholder in Bradley Manning case. The situation involved the leaking of classified military information to WikiLeaks by Bradley. The reports included a video by the military where two Apache army airplanes gunned down a crowd of Iraqis in the city of Baghdad. The footage shows the US military fire at civilians that left twelve men dead and several children fatally wounded. The US military personnel would be heard shouting appalling things while urging coll eagues to fire on the group (Porter, 2013). The revelations by Bradley meant that the military was deeply concerned with other reports that were eventually released by Bradley through WikiLeaks. The military became involved given its effort to stop further disclosure of its classified information. Public The release of classified reports according to Bradley was motivated by the appalling things that were happening in the military during the Iraq and Afghanistan wars as well as the antagonizing treatment of prisoners of war at Guantanamo Bay. Bradley sought to make it public the horrifying events that were taking place within military circles.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Prior to the release of the reports, the military had alleged it had lost the video. The public outcry that followed the release of the â€Å"Collateral Murder† footage by Julian As sange of WikiLeaks in April 2010 prompted Bradley to release other reports. The public criticized the government for allowing impunity leading to the loss of lives of innocent civilians. The public remains at loggerheads with the US Federal Government over multiplicity of issues that were revealed in hundreds of thousands military reports and diplomatic cables. Federal government and national security agencies Bradley released over 91,000 documents containing classified information. The documents detailed military activities that took place between 2004 and 2010. These activities included airstrike in Baghdad that left 147 civilians dead (Porter, 2013). The government was dragged into the issue when it became apparent that Pakistan and Iran had assisted the US and its allies in striking Iraq. The reports revealed that the Obama administration considered North Korea an enemy given that it traded weaponry to Osama bin Laden. The leaked documents indicated that the military had been br ibing Afghanistan media houses to report news that favored the United States. The leaks further revealed that the personnel working for the US Department of Defense hired teen prostitutes. The White House had to step in to safeguard the Obama administration legacy as democratic. The Pentagon and President Obama alleged that the leaked reports exposed and endangered the lives of Afghani informers. The national security agency apparatus was thrown into a spin by the rapid folding of events. They argued that Bradley intentionally leaked the classified information to Assange who was an enemy of the United States and eventually was within Osama’s reach. The agencies claimed that Bradley deliberately and knowingly revealed intelligence information that exposed undercover agents.Advertising We will write a custom assessment sample on Ethical, legal and societal issues of information technology systems specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This would also compromise ambassadors and risk the lives of military personnel in Afghanistan and Iraq. Additionally, the agencies argued that Bradley effectively placed the US security secrets into the enemies’ possession including the leader of the dreaded Al-Qaeda terrorist network. The agencies were key players in the prosecution of Bradley as it presented evidence that Osama asked for and eventually obtained Afghanistan battleground information as well as communications published by WikiLeaks. The security agencies worked around the clock to ensure that the existing security loopholes that may be exploited by terrorists and enemies were sealed to mitigate dangers posed to the US national security. Bradley Manning Bradley developed a knack for computers at an early age. His activities as a private staff in the military meant that he could access sensitive information in the military database. The revelations made by Bradley during the prosecution indicated that he was c onvinced that he was acting on behalf of the American public who deserved to know all about the ‘Collateral Murder’ by the military in Bagdad. By releasing the classified information to Assange, Bradley allegedly sought to clear his conscience about the deaths of the Reuter reporters, innocent children and men who were killed by hail of bullets from the US military Apache helicopter. Bradley took the position as he was convinced that the society should be based on justice as opposed to transparency and accountability. WikiLeaks The networks founded and administered by Julian Assange became a hotspot upon the release of the leaks to the public domain. WikiLeaks released classified military footage that portrayed the indiscriminate murder of ten Iraqis in New Baghdad including children and Reuter employees from an Apache helicopter. The military was part of the cover up. In fact, it did not reveal how the Reuter employees were murdered. The military indicated that it was not aware of how children were caught up in the collateral murder. In a surprising turn of events, the investigations by the military concluded that the military personnel involved in the shooting acted according to the law of armed conflict and rules of engagement. WikiLeaks obtained the classified rules of engagement through Bradley. WikiLeaks through its founder, Julian Assange engaged the US government in heated debates leading to the prosecution of Bradley and the eventual conviction to 35 years in prison.Advertising Looking for assessment on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More WikiLeaks allegedly went to great lengths to validate the legitimacy of information obtained. The information was mostly obtained from military whistleblowers. It then disseminates the information to the public although some posed risk to the national security. The access to information by the Al-Qaeda network compromised the lives of secret agents in Afghanistan, Iraq and the entire Gulf Region. Professionals should hence endeavor to maintain integrity in executing their duties. Situation from the stakeholders perspective Military The military personnel prosecuting Bradley’s case were explicit in stating the stand of the military on matters ‘espionage’ and classified information. In one situation when the military courtroom judge inquired from the prosecutor regarding the action that he would have taken if the reports were leaked to the dailies, he responded that the same charges would be pressed against Bradley. The question was meaningful as it brought out wha t the military and the government considered ethical with regard to Bradley’s situation. The ‘yes’ answer revealed and presented the clear danger of whistle-blowing in the national security platform (Benkler, 2013). The vigor that the prosecutor employed in executing the case was a signal that the military would employ aggressive tactics in interpreting law that would present the government with a large stick to execute unclearly defined national security exposures. According to the military perspective, Bradley had turned into a traitor and deserved dire consequences. The Public Typically, the public supports individuals who reveal thrilling revelations on impunity and corruption in the government circles. However, when the individuals are cornered, there is little the public can do above demonstrating in support. This was the case with Bradley currently serving a 35-year jail term. The public is divided in viewing Bradley as a traitor and a sainted whistleblowe r. The Federal government and national security agencies Bradley may have been a sainted whistleblower in the eyes of his supporters. On the other hand, he was a traitor in the eyes of the federal government and security agencies (Keller, 2013). The government pressed charges of ‘aiding the enemy’ against Bradley. In turn, he was charged with various counts of violating the Espionage Act. Besides, aiding the enemy is reprimandable by death. Bradley Inherently, Bradley performed a typical American act. That is, he stood alone in taking a large force head-on. He intended to perform a heroic crusade for the good of America and the entire world. He believed there was moral essence to expose the undertakings by the American government and the military. He believed he was standing on high ethical grounds and acting on behalf of humanity that deserved to know about military engagements in wars. WikiLeaks The American patriots view WikiLeaks as an enemy willing to support other enemies in an effort to bring down the United States. The network is alleged to supply the al-Qaeda terrorist network with crucial cables and information on military operations in the Gulf region. On the contrary, Assange in particular view himself as a whistleblower that presents pressure valve hampered by individual risks although fueled through ethical courage mustered by the whistleblower. WikiLeaks view the actions and motives by Bradley as components of the long-respected tradition of exposing the undoing by the incumbent and past administrations. WikiLeaks takes the view that governments are for, of, and by the people. Since it exists at the behest of the people, it reserves no right to secrets. Major areas of conflict The different stakeholders in Bradley’s case take different perspectives. Bradley believed that he was justified in releasing the leaks to Assange. Just like Bradley, Assange believed that the act of releasing the leaks to the public was morally justifi ed since the secrets belonged to the public domain. Assange uses the motivation as the driving force to release controversial information from different sources. On the other hand, the military and the federal government view the actions by whistleblowers as a threat to the national security of the United States. International code of ethics The Australian Computer Society code of ethics The Australian Computer Society (ACS) values the professionals in executing the mandates bestowed to them by the members. The codes prescribed in the manuscript require the members to proceed with respect, decorum and efficacy of career in the arts and sciences of information processing. The code requires the members to maintain high standards of aptitude and ethical conduct devoid of dishonesty and impartiality. It requires the members to serve with forthright openness and be loyal to employers. In this respect, members must subscribe to the requirements of the employer irrespective of their take o n issues that may influence their relationship with the public, the employer and the public. In view of Bradley case, the military would have been justified to act in the way it responded to the exposure of classified information. The code would have expected Bradley to act responsibly in his undertakings as a military officer. Bradley would have been expected to serve the interest of the federal government, his employer (the military) and the entire American population. Secrecy is highly regarded in national security matters. It is typically necessary and justified in security issues. The charges pressed against Bradley were in support of the ACS values. The code places significant concern on individuals affected by the conduct of the member. Bradley would have been expected to maintain high degree of secrecy to avoid putting the security of the US in the hands of the enemy including the Al-Qaeda network. The exposure of the diplomatic cables and classified information exposed the American agents to danger. The British Computer Society (BCS) code of conduct The code of conduct sets the professional standards of competence, behavior and ethical practice for computer operation in the UK. The code expects employers, customers, the public and other professionals to anticipate similar standards of proficiency and conduct from members of the BCS as expected from the distinguished members of other profession such as engineers (Gotterbarn, 1992). The BCS sets standards of technical capacity that members must satisfy. It also stipulates standards of conduct that members must be conventional to and failure to which they are held responsible for any lapse. Accountability and competence are elemental for associates of a professional institution. The BCS has for decades contributed to the raising of standards of technical competence in the information systems community. In view of the BCS code of conduct, Bradley acted in contradiction to the BCS stipulated conduct. The B CS believes that members should be aware of the accountability of its members. This is not only for members to possess but also to exercise the proficiency consistently according to high personal integrity. The BCS revised the society’s code of conduct to ensure that the code remains sufficient and relevant to modern needs. It also gave widespread publicity so that the public is aware of the standards to expect from the members. Conversely, if the BCS codes were to be applied in the Bradley case, the council would have reprimanded Bradley. Bradley had duty to his employer called the military. He would have been expected to carry out his responsibilities with appropriate care and diligence devoid of compromising the secrets of the military in accordance with the requirements of the military. Bradley’s professional judgment was overruled and he had to bear the consequences of his actions. Members of the BCS are not allowed to disclose or authorize the disclosure of confi dential information obtained in the course of professional practice. Bradley violated the code by leaking classified information without prior written authorization by the military, and the government direction to release the information by a court of law. Bradley compromised his responsibilities, as he did not seek to avoid being in a position where he became privy to information relating to activities that conflicted his professional responsibility. In this regard, the stakeholders held the position that Bradley acted in contravention of his professional position. The IITP code of professional conduct This obligatory code outlines moral and professional conditions for information technology professionals in New Zealand. The Institute of IT Professionals (IITP) was founded in 1960. The members of the institute shall conduct professional activities with decorum, honesty and respect that merit the trust of the society and profession. The members shall employ honesty, expertise, judgm ent and inventiveness to add positively to the wellbeing of the community. In view of Bradley case, the IITP code would have required Bradley to take reasonable steps to enlighten himself and the employer of the economic, legal and social repercussions that would arise from his action of leaking classified information to WikiLeaks. The stakeholder position The stakeholders in each of the codes of professional conduct have high regards for the professionals to act in accordance with the stipulated codes. The designers of the codes sought to have the professionals align to the standards that do not compromise the security of information in possession by the professionals. The stakeholders hold the codes in high esteem. The members of the respective institutions are expected to treat the profession in stipulated standards devoid of compromising the position of the member and respect for the profession. Ethical viewpoints Ethical viewpoint means the way a professional views a situation in logical sense founded on a set of moral principles. Different professionals hold varied viewpoints depending on the circumstances. In view of Bradley case, different stakeholders held different viewpoints. Bradley on his part held the position that his action to release leaks to Assange was justified by the fact that the military had intentionally withheld information that was sensitive to the American society. Bradley believed that releasing the information to the public domain would help in revealing the military action in the suburb of new Bagdad. On the other hand, the military personnel, security agents and the federal government officials held the viewpoint that Bradley had acted maliciously and in contravention of the ethical standards stipulated under his profession as a security analyst. The vigor via which the prosecution of the case by the military court martial took was evident that the military anticipated having Bradley behind bars for a long time. The prosecution h ad sought to have Bradley charged with aiding the enemy which is punishable by death. Key differences between various ethical viewpoints The different ethical viewpoints taken by the stakeholders were meant to justify the position taken. The military considered Bradley’s position as one that compromised the national security of the United States. By initiating charges of aiding the enemy, the court martial prosecution sought to prove that indeed Bradley was a traitor that deserved severe consequences. Personal view on Bradley Manning In the recent past, there have been significant discussions regarding professionals leaking information that pose risks to the stakeholders. WikiLeaks and Bradley have been topics raising international concerns on how professionals handle ethical issues. The fact is based on the volume and sensitivity of the information Bradley leaked to Assange and consequently released by WikiLeaks. Discussions reveal that the media and authorities believe that there is a single central character to be concerned with in this regard. However, the protagonist is altogether different. Bradley would have been well intended to reveal his concerns about the undertakings of the government, security agencies and the military. The code of ethics stipulated in the military codes expected Bradley to maintain the integrity of information by not revealing the information to outsiders. The military personnel are bound by shared ethics and culture. It was wrong for Bradley to leak the information irrespective of the magnitude of the ills of the Bush and Obama administrations. This is founded on the fact that the revelations posed danger to the national security, the US citizen and agents outside the US. Bradley independently leaked thousands of classified documents. The move did not make him a folk champion in the broader culture. Manning took matters in his own hands by taking the large forces of the government individually. His whistle blowing has dir e consequences where national security is concerned. This fact did not deter him from leaking the information, as he believed that there was ethical significance to render secrets visible to the public that deserved to know more. Bradley performed the act of self-sacrifice. However, there was an unavoidable manifestation of self-aggrandizement. Some Americans are not ready to accept the novel version of informational cowboy. Some Americans hold the view that Bradley was hardly a well-intended whistleblower. Some indicate that he was ‘essentially a little person with bloated self-esteem and self-importance. Considering the Daniel Ellsberg case, Bradley was treated rudely by the Obama administration. Ellsberg was criticized for leaking the Pentagon Papers. Contemporarily, he is viewed as a chronological figure who founded the much-required accountability to the America’s hearing and determination of the Vietnam War. Unlike Ellsberg, Bradley is legally endangered and livin g in the position between a hero and a villain. Asked why he preferred to give the sensitive information of WikiLeaks instead of selling the documents to Russia or China, Bradley responded in true activist fashion, ‘It is public data belonging to the public domain and should be free (Ludlow, 2010). Subjective opinion Revealing controversial information Civic-minded individuals that encounter what they trust to be corrupt and illegal conduct typically take it upon themselves to leak relevant classified information. The Bush and Obama administrations as well as the Congress are notorious for betraying the established norms of the US system. These actions often incite whistleblowers to release classified information as a way of expressing discontent. Whistleblower laws that allow them an avenue for expressing dissatisfaction with federal and military activities motivate disgruntled employees within government circles. Key factors affecting decision include the fact that most Amer icans are sensitive to acts of civil disobedience. The Bush and Obama administrations along with the Congress have infringed basic customs and serious law in the pretext of national security. Civic-minded individuals are privy to the activities that motivate them to take controversial positions regarding the leaking of classified and sensitive information. Leakers are also motivated by the urge to get information to the public domain through the media to expose government guidelines to meticulous society discussions. Ethical/legal concerns arising from the spread of internet The development of technology is rapid. In fact, the development progressively affects lives in more ways than we are conscious about. It is imperative for the community to think constantly about the contemporary world we live in and the tools available for dealing with the changing world. The more tools that we develop the more explicit and implicit moral and legal issues that emerge. The power of the internet to reach global locations comes with it issues in conducting business. New technologies for collecting, manipulating and disseminating information have significantly impacted on the use and spread of information. Alongside the development of new technologies, there are ethical and legal dilemmas that emerge. The pace and effectiveness of electronic information systems including the domestic and global networks and databases compel individuals to face completely new rights, laws and responsibilities. Information is a source of power for the holder. It is essential to the success of individuals who have access to it. Developments in technology encompass communal and legal interactions. It is hence important to make moral considerations in how information is utilized by those with access to information. The spread of the internet modernly touch lives of individuals, the place of work and most government levels. Even individuals without access to technology are considerably affected. Th e rapid development of information systems legal issues lag behind technical developments. Information ethics bridge the widening gap as individuals and institutions discuss how the utilization of technology should proceed. Information morals involve choices people make relative to the rest of the society. It includes suitable behavioral standards and guidelines leading members of an occupation. Ethical issues related to information systems comprise of the control of and right of entry to information. Confidentiality of information and the mishandling of the same as well as other considerations are essential in dealing with information ethics. Conclusion Globalization and the rapid increase in the use of information technology systems in the emerging knowledge society raise many ethical, legal and societal issues. The access to information, the freedom of expression and the right to privacy pose challenges and complex concerns to human existence. Many advocates of civic-minded indiv iduals consider information technology systems as a basic right for all humans with government information as part of the public domain. It is imperative for the stakeholders to develop holistic, integrated and cohesive policies at national and international levels to guarantee effective and beneficial application of information systems. The policies will help in mitigating situations such as the Bradley and Assange’s cases. Governments should also ensure that information that will not compromise national security is made available to the public for the public to assess the operations of the government. The citizens’ vote for the government hence, the public deserves access to information held within government circles. The government, traditional media and security organizations should get unglued from the perception that there must be a single mastermind behind operations such as Assange’s WikiLeaks. Conversely, it is imperative for professionals to uphold the professional code of ethics in their respective professionals. References Benkler, Y 2013, The dangerous logic of the Bradley Manning case, newrepublic.com/article/112554. Carr, D 2013, Whistleblowers in limbo, neither a hero nor traitor, nytimes.com/2013/08/01/business/media/whistle-blowers-in-limbo-neither-hero-nor-traitor.html?ref=bradleyemanning. Gotterbarn, D 1992, ‘British computer society code of conduct’, British Computer Society code of Conduct, pp. 1-5. Keller, B 2013, Manning and Snowden, http://keller.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/30/manning-and-snowden/?ref=bradleyemanning_r=0. Ludlow, P 2010, ‘WikiLeaks and hacktivist culture’, The Nation, vol.1 no.2, pp. 25-27. Porter, C 2013, Who is Bradley Manning and why should you care? news.com.au/technology/who-is-bradley-manning-and-why-should-you-care/story-e6frfro0-1226658755452. Walcerz, M 2013, Legal and ethical issues in technology, ehow.com/list_7640133_legal-ethical-issues-technology.html.

Some Advice about Advise

Some Advice about Advise Some Advice about â€Å"Advise† Some Advice about â€Å"Advise† By Maeve Maddox Two comments on writing sites jumped out at me recently: Whereas other kinds of writing you could slide a bit, although that is not adviced or recommended. and Very smart advise. Also always check with the publisher for submission guidelines as they all can be a little diferent but they all want perfection to their rules. I know that it’s easy to write comments in a hurry and then see, too late, that you’ve misspelled something or written an ungrammatical sentence and can’t go back to correct it. I have a lot of experience in doing just that. However, it’s not just in rapidly-written comments that advice and advise are mixed up. ESL speakers and writers must find the words easy to confuse. This from the Norway Post: Swine Flu: Mass vaccination adviced As expected the Norwegian Health authorities on Friday announced that they advice all Norwegians to be vaccinated against the swine flu Many bloggers and forum commentators, possibly native English speakers, suffer from the same confusion: nature Viewer discretion advicedegh (headline over unpleasant photo) Why heart patients are adviced for morning work (headline on medical advice site) Post Tooth Extraction Care as adviced to my patients (headline on the blog of a dental surgeon) Why are people adviced to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables? (Answers.com wiki question) We Adviced a New Mum How to Cope With a New Baby and the New Role of Motherhood (Articlesbase headline) Advice and advise are pronounced differently. The c in advice has the sound /s/. The s in advise has the sound /z/. Both words have numerous meanings, but the usual ones are: Advice: a noun meaning â€Å"opinion given or offered as to action.† Advise: a verb meaning â€Å"to counsel, caution, or warn.† The past tense form of the verb advise is advised. Tip for keeping them straight: The word advice never changes its form. You can talk about â€Å"different pieces of advice† but never â€Å"advices.† If you catch yourself trying to add any kind of ending to advice, you’re about to commit an error. Examples of use: Take my advice and stay home when it snows. I am advising you for your own good. He advised her to stay home. She failed to heed his advice. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Wether, Weather, WhetherBody Parts as Tools of MeasurementI wish I were...

Comparison of IFRS and US GAAP Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Comparison of IFRS and US GAAP - Essay Example A financial statement must provide details with regard to financial position, changes in position and operations of an enterprise which may be useful for decision making. International Accounting Standards Board is development of International Accounting Standards Committee (IASC) created in 1973 with the objective of developing the uniform standards of accounting. IASB and US Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) congregated the IFRS and US GAAP in 2002 as part of the Norwalk agreement making their existing financial reporting standards compatible and practicable and coordinating their future work programme to ensure compatibility. The IASB provided two accounting standards for financial reporting frame works like International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) developed by The International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (US GAAP). The US GAAP was acknowledged extensively as the international set of standards to make certain best quality financial statements. This standard was mostly used in the US and also elsewhere, but with the entry of IFRS a debate on the virtual class of both authoritie s has taken place. GAAP is exceptionally comprehensive on what is acceptable and unacceptable. IFRS is used by more than hundred countries as their standard set of guidelines and principles. Still more countries, like Canada and India are projecting to follow IFRS from 2011. This paper is intended for providing some explorative information on the IFRS / US GAAP and also some demarcation and comparison of the two standards of financial reporting. More specifically, the purpose of the current study is to investigate the properties of IFRS versus US GAAP standards of accounting using the accounts of National Grid Plc that is listed both in EU and US Stock Exchange. And most importantly, the paper identifies the difference between the rules and principles of two accounting standards through the accounts of National Grid Plc and its usefulness to various stakeholders of the organization. IFRS and US GAAP - Significant differences in National Grid Plc National Grid is an energy production organization which owns and operates the electricity transmission system in England and US. National Grid distributes gas to 11 million homes and businesses in UK. The company is also engaged in business of wireless infrastructure along with other businesses like National Grid Metering, Onstream, National Grid Grain, property, etc. The main areas of operation of the company are UK and US which was created by the restructuring of UK gas industry in 1986 and electricity industry in 1990 and entered the US market in the year 2000. (www.nationalgrid.com) According to annual report for the year 2005/06, it is revealed that the group has achieved 25% increase in the revenue from 7382m to 9193m. And according to the same reports, operating profits have also increased from 2142m to 2439m (2005/06) which is 14% higher. National Grid has also entered into acquisition and merger with some companies like Keyspan Corporation. The company with its base in US and UK, the countries which adopt two different standards of accounting principles, has to prepare accounts conforming to the rules and regulations of that particular nation. However,

Transforming the Enterprise with IT Phase 2 Individial Project Essay

Transforming the Enterprise with IT Phase 2 Individial Project - Essay Example Every single second we came across new technology, new inventions and of course innovations i.e. existing with new add-ons. This was the basic introduction. Let’s turn the pages to enterprise. What is an enterprise? Or in others words define ‘enterprise’? Quite a puzzling question. But the only answer is- â€Å"Enterprise may be defined as the place where all the W’s are fully sorted and compatible with each other i.e. What, How, Where, Who, When and Why and some groups of Visionary, Owner, Designer, Builder, Implementer and Worker are brought up together to give a holistic view of enterprise.† Now let us walk to the way of IT (Information Technology), an ace up your sleeve. â€Å"Information technology has ballooned to encompass many aspects of computing and technology, and the term is more recognizable than ever before. The information technology umbrella can be quite large, covering many fields. IT professionals perform a variety of duties that range from installing applications to designing complex computer networks and information databases. A few of the duties that IT professionals perform may include data management, networking, engineering computer hardware, database and software design, as well as the management and administration of entire systems.† IT can be best viewed as the â€Å"use of computers for designing, developing, implementing, supporting and managing information system.† Enterprise is like a container (tumbler) which holds the IT in it .It is a shell (enterprise) in which pearl (IT) is safe, growing and increasing day-by-day and the hardware& software used is its shine. This would result in e-business (online business), B2B (business to business), B2C (business to customers) and B2E (business to employees) solutions. The main key to success of any organization is business intelligence. One should have a thorough knowledge of business intelligence. But

Thunder from the Sea Essay Example for Free

Thunder from the Sea Essay The story of Joan Hiatt Harlows Thunder from the Sea (2004) revolves around a 13 year-old boy named Tom Campbell and a dog-called Thunder. Tom has been an orphaned since the age of 3, which is why he has never experience belonging in a family. On the other hand, Thunder was lost at sea during a very bad storm and it was during this time of need that Tom rescued this dog. Tom and Thunder were able to find companionship with each other. Tom experienced having a family with the Murray household and a loyal friend with Thunder. It was through these relationships that he was able to find the sense of acceptance and belongingness that he never experience in the orphanage.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   â€Å"No man is an island.† This line is indeed true especially when you used it in the context of this book. Tom Campbell is like anyone else also needs other people in order to make their lives complete. Almost everyone have to establish a certain connection with others in order to know more about themselves. It is through the very idea of caring for someone, being loyal to other people and most especially loving your fellow individual that one can make sense of the world. The mere idea of feeling these emotions makes a person realized that he or she is indeed a human being that is capable of giving a part of his or her life to other people and sometimes that is what it takes for a life to be meaningful.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   This heart-warming story emphasizes the importance of finding lifes meaning through the influence and aid of others. Someone does not have to be a dog-lover in order to appreciate and see the lessons underlying this book. It approaches the idea of loneliness, loyalty, and love in a way that almost all people could relate to. Harlow succeeded in writing a piece of literature that tackles an important aspect of a persons life especially during this present time that the society is taking for granted how essential it is to establish meaningful and long-lasting relationships.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Thunder from the Sea is a good read that will take its readers to an exciting journey of finding lifes meaning. It will also invokes its readers to re-think and re-assess the relationships that they have or need to have as well as their over all outlook about their lives. Reference Harlow, J. H. (2004). Thunder from the Sea. U.S.A: Simon and Schuster Childrens Publishing.

The Raising of the Age You Can Get Your Drivers License Essays

Should the age to receive a driver's license be raised and, if not, should graduated licensing be instituted? This is a growing question across America as well as other countries around our globe. The percentage of teenage accidents involving automobiles is on a constant rise. Whether caused by the lack of experience or under the influence of alcohol, death has become all too common among teen motorists. This problem is not going to go away by itself; action needs to be taken. The state must raise the age requirement to receive a license or institute graduated licensing because teens are not mature enough to handle the dangerous responsibilities of driving. We allow teens to get their licenses at an earlier age than in most countries, and little driving experience typically is required before licenses are issued. This is not very smart on our part considering that according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 16 year olds have the highest percentage of crashes-involving speeding, the highest percentage of single vehicle crashes, the highest percentage of crashes with driver error, and the highest vehicle occupancy (NHTSA ). Compared with older drivers, teenagers as a group are more willing to take risks and less likely to use safety belts. Many experts blame the young teens immaturity, impulsiveness, and lack of proper training and experience as contributing factors to the high rate of teen involved accidents. Teens don't need to be victims of there driving inexperience. During 1975-96 the death rate among 16 year-old drivers was trending upward. The rate increased from 19 per 100,000 in 1975 to 35 per 100,000 in 1996, and this increase occurred in both males and females. The number of 16 year old driver... ...the teen turns 18 a full license could be obtained if the driver has completed at least 12 months with an intermediate license and has no accidents or violations (Vehicle choice). Driving is a privilege, and should be treated as such. Too many people treat driving like a constitutionally protected right; driving is too serious an activity to be placed in the hands of teenagers who do not know what they are doing, regardless of how much training teens may receive. Raising the required age to receive a driver license or instituting graduated licensing is a must if the United States wants to save the lives of teenagers. This would also lower the number of teen involve accidents that occur every day. Driving is a huge responsibility for persons of any age and the choices that are made by teen drivers could make the teen years the best of times or the worst of times.

Product Based Learning

After more than 15 years in Singapore, I will be returning to Australia. Helping to start an institution that was committed to the philosophy and practice of programmable learning has been tremendously enriching in many ways: trying to understand the unique nature of different disciplinary knowledge when crafting problems; deconstructing facilitation practice in classrooms made up of diverse students; designing faculty development activities that try to foster and model critical and reflective practice; and the creation of learning spaces, both concrete and virtual, all of which assist in the achievement of learning.My immersion in the practice and empirical research of PL has forced me to wrestle almost daily with philosophical questions that are not easily resolved. I share two such questions that have motivated constant reflection about PL. Question 1: What is the â€Å"self' in self-directed learning? Aristotle, Kant, Descartes, Habeas and Hegel all allude to the importance of t he concept of self in any theory of human development and learning. In PL there is a strong emphasis on the â€Å"self' directing learning. The appeal for self-directness is very compelling, yet hard to get a handle on.Contemporary sociological texts suggest we are constantly constructing our sense of self. So how does a PL facilitator understand the students' ever- changing sense of self so this can be acted upon, or, perhaps more fundamentally, how does the student derive a notion of self in a manner that would drive his or her learning? Furthermore if the self is embodied by the rational, the emotional, and biological attributes of an individual, how do these combine to inform self-directness? Question 2: How do PL institutions and facilitators affect the behavior of learners?When PL is implemented at an institutional level, it stems from the life that PL can affect the behaviors of students to achieve certain desired outcomes – what should be valued in the pursuit of cha nge? The various traditions in psychology and sociology address the question of how to affect behavior differently, I. E. , whether the emphasis is on altering the internal state, or the manipulation of external and social environments. Parker Palmer takes this divide further and asks is meaningful change from the human heart (the subjective) or from factors external from us (what is regarded as objective)?Add to that the belief that knowledge is socially constructed, and a yard of epistemological and ontological questions arise. In addressing these types of complex philosophical questions that underpin PL, have found myself, at times, confounded by the intricacies of the competing philosophical positions. This can lead, if one is not careful, to a paralysis wherein we choose to either dismiss PL as an idea that is too hard to come to terms with, or accept PL as method for teaching that is simply followed.I addressed the danger of the latter in a paper presented in 2004 at the 5th A sia Pacific Conference in PL: â€Å"An explicit philosophy of teaching grounded in the beliefs of what is knowledge and learning, while also taking into the account the context within which a teacher operates, can provide the basis of a conviction for one's actions, an anchor that can secure the teacher when faced with the opposition that naturally occurs in trying to enact a vision of a better education. This is especially so for those trying to implement or sustain PL in the â€Å"hallowed† halls of reproductive pedagogy.Without a philosophical basis of PL the educator is placed in a perplexed situation of trying to defend the house built on sand with the tide washing in. In deciding to flee from the UN- enable fight he becomes akin to a nomadic wanderer searching the waste lands of instrumentalist drifting from one pedagogical fad to the next but being unable to establish a foundation long enough to ensure when the next wave of â€Å"what is good education† hits th e beach that they are not swept up by it. I share these philosophical questions, as hand the baton over to the new editor of Reflections on PL Karen Gogh, with the purpose of pointing out how there is a continued need to persist in the reflection of PL both empirically and philosophically. In this edition we feature highlights from the 3rd International Symposium on Problem-eased Learning and include two research papers that were presented at the symposium. I really valued the symposium as we collectively grappled with the philosophical and practical issues of PL.

Pride and Prejudice †The storyline Essay

Using Information from the storyline, write a Chapter for the book which should include feelings about the occurrences after Elizabeth Recieves her letter off Mr Darcy. You may create your own scenario. Elizabeth Bennet’s head pounded with anger and dismay, as she hastily stepped out of the towering marble framed doors that belonged to Pemberley Court. She stepped into the forgiving downpour of a bleak winter’s day, and let the cool rain refresh her in a way that she had been longing for all day. A relief that a stuffy courtroom full of people couldn’t give. Too add to that, the day’s proceedings hadn’t gone exactly the way she had planned, and that fact had considerably played on her nerves. She just couldn’t condone the fact that a man, who could execute such evil acts and hurt so many people without a glimmer of regret, could be let free into the world, without any type of restraint or punishment. As it is imaginable, the day’s pressures had not only put a strain on her mind, but also on her elegant posture. Her face was a frustrated scarlet colour, but that was being eased by the iced droplets of rain that were running down it, turning it into more of a pink winter glow than a face full of anger. Her renewed glow resembled her now slightly more calmed nerves as she basked in the calming chill of the afternoon rain, no longer dwelling on the pains in her life. No longer worrying about Mr Darcy’s marriage proposal. No longer worrying about every triviality in her life. Just her and the rain. Then Elizabeth felt a warm hand on her shoulder. The protective wall of imaginary glass between her and the rest of the world was shattered in an instant and all the worries of her life came flooding back into her head. She took a deep breath as the real world came back into view. The realities of life back to haunt her. She turned round and was stunned into paralysis by the sight before her eyes. â€Å"Good day to you Miss Elizabeth. Don’t you just love a successful morning?† grinned Mr Darcy. How had she not heard him coming? Surely she should have heard the clatter of footsteps and the crash of the closing marble doors. She was both angry and embarrassed at the fact that he had seen her drenched in rainwater and that he had generally sneaked up on her.] â€Å"Mr Darcy†¦Ã¢â‚¬  she acknowledged. â€Å"If you may permit me to speak so boldly. What are you doing out here?† Darcy was merely silent and handed her a letter which was written on a yellow parchment and in the most beautiful italic writing she had ever seen. She looked at him confused. He then walked off. Without any more witty comments. Without any more sarcastic looks. Elizabeth got up, letter in hand, and advanced towards somewhere where the prying eyes of the raindrops couldn’t see or destroy her secret letter. It was sealed with a seal of red wax, obviously from the candle in the Courts waiting room. She chuckled and then broke the seal, then opening the crisp yellow paper. The letter read My dear Elizabeth, Though I know not of any feelings on your behalf towards me, I would like to express mine towards yourself. I apologise if this letter will in any way offend you, but i feel that it is necessary for you to know how I feel. From the first moment I met you, I looked into your eyes, and experienced such a surge of love which I had experienced none other like in my life. I covered up my feelings for you with a complete denial of anything I felt and I feel that at this time, I managed to sincerely offend both you and your family. I apologise for my actions in speaking so poorly of you and your, sorry to say, poor relations. I was afraid of falling ion love with someone who wouldn’t boost my position in the business world and for that I am sincerely sorry, for I now realise that true love is a thing which is only experienced on very rare occasions in one’s life. Elizabeth Bennet. I love you more than words can say. If love could be measured in numbers, my love for you would add up to a higher number than there are stars in the sky. In the Milky Way. In the galaxies that surround that and those around them. I can’t deny that I don’t regret anything that I said in court or the turnout of the case, but I plead to you that if you can find it in your heart to forgive me for my sins and unforgivable actions, and love me as I love you, then I pray you would accept my hand in marriage and make me the happiest man alive. Please find a ring behind the flowerpot on the left hand side of the door. If you feel my proposal unfit, then you may do as you wish with the ring which is 2 carats of diamond. If you feel the same way about me that I feel about you though, please meet me in the breakfast room at 5pm sharp. Yours, Fitzwilliam Darcy Elizabeth Folded the letter up, out it in her pocket and then sat down with a thump on a cold stone bench, her heart pounding with both delight and disgust. Life always threw either stones or sweets at her. Normally she wouldn’t get to choose which one she got. This time however, she could. She could chew on the huge sweet or the large lump of coal. Her decision. No one else’s.

Motivational Advice from Oscar-Winning Actors

Motivational Advice from Oscar-Winning Actors We have collected some nice motivational quotes from the most beloved Oscar-winning actors. The way to the big screen is a really hard way and most celebrities have achieved great success through dedication, sacrifice and hard work, learning wisdom on their way. Today they are going to share their wisdom with you. Its a wonderful metaphor, catching a wave, for how you can look at other challenges in your life. Jeff Bridges There is no life without hardships just like there is no sea without waves. Some people give up after facing a challenge, but they shouldnt. Sometimes waves knock you down but you should get up and move on. Only if you keep moving forward you can catch the wave and let it drift you. I think that when you dont see the boundaries, you cross them without even knowing they exist in the first place. Marion Cotillard The best way to push the boundaries is to forget about their existence. Boundaries are born in your mind and you are the only one who sets them. My life is the road, man. I need to keep moving. Matthew McConaughey Every individual has his own way on the road of life. So never stop moving forward, no matter how tough the road is. Don’t just aspire to make a living, aspire to make a difference. Denzel Washington The only way to achieve success is being an individual. Whatever you are doing, try to do it your own way. Making a living without feeling pleasure in your life and work will get you into nowhere. When you make a difference, you make your life more challenging but interesting and full of hopes. There are a lot of great movies that have won the Academy Award, and a lot of great movies that havent. You just do the best you can. Clint Eastwood What is the most important factor for success? Is it luck or hard work? Of course, luck is tricky: sometimes it is good, sometimes it is bad and we cannot engineer it. But we can come closer to doing so by applying our best efforts. In this industry, there are only two ways up the ladder. Rung by rung or claw your way to the top. Its sure been tough on my nails. Jack Nicholson Some people achieve success operating really tough while the others just move slowly but steadily. No matter how exactly you are acting, after you apply the best efforts, achievement is bound to come. So never give up and be tough when it is needed. Some are born great. Some achieve greatness. Some get it as a graduation gift. Robin Williams Some people are born with something special that others do not seem to have. It might be a look in their eyes or a great charisma: you either have it or you dont. However, there are people who know what to do to become great and they are continually trying to become better. Thus, what Robin Williams says, is that real greatness is a mixture of the two. When I was a little kid, I watched great people acting. You are the people wanted made me want to be an actor. Now Im proud to be an actor and Im gonna keep on acting. Whoopi Goldberg There are great people in the world - people who have inspired others by their achievements, values and attitudes. People who are the best at what they do are the greatest teachers. Watch them and learn from them and maybe someday you will inspire others as well. These powerful messages is something you can benefit from - realize your potential, do your best, set goals and achieve them. There are many ways to make your dreams come true, so keep these motivational advice in your mind and be a winner! Image credit: CNN Entertainment.

10 Ways to Promote Self-Directed Classroom

10 Ways to Promote Self-Directed Classroom Effective elementary teachers promote a self-directed classroom so that their students know if they cannot solve a problem or figure out an answer then they will have the tools to do it themselves. Here are 10 tips to help you promote a classroom where your students are self-reliant, as well as self-confident and feel that they can do anything on their own. Promote an â€Å"I Can† Attitude Teaching your students how to overcome disappointment is one of the best lessons that you can ever teach them in their life. When students face disappointment, teach them to analyze it and look at the big picture. Teach them to talk about how it feels so that they can move past it. Instilling an â€Å"I can† attitude will help them know and understand that they can do anything. Allow Student to Fail Failing is usually never an option in school. However, in today’s society, it just may be the answer to getting our children to be independent. When a student is practicing balancing on a beam or they are in a yoga position and they fall down, don’t they usually get back up and try one more time, or until they get it? When a child is playing a video game and their character dies, don’t they keep playing until they get to the end? Failure can be the pathway to something much bigger. As teachers, we can give students room to fail, and allow them to learn to pick themselves up and give it another try. Give your students a chance to make a mistake, allow them to struggle and let them know that it is okay to fail just as long as they get back up and try again. Study Leaders and Role Models Take time out of your busy curriculum to study leaders and role models who persevered. Study people like Bethany Hamilton who got her arm bitten off in a shark attack, but continued to compete in surfing competitions. Find a real-world example of perseverance that will help your students understand that people fail and go through hard times, but if they pick themselves up and try again, they can do anything. Get Students to Believe in Themselves Give students positive affirmations that they can do anything they put their mind to. Let’s say that one of your students is failing one of their subjects. Instead of telling them that there’s a chance that they will fail, build them up and tell them that you know that they can do it. If the student sees that you believe in their abilities, then they will soon believe in themselves too. Teach Students to Pull Themselves Out of a Negative Mindset If you want a classroom where your students are self-directed learners then you must get rid of the negative thoughts and beliefs that are in their head. Teach students to see that their negative thoughts are only holding them back from where they need to be or want to go. So then, the next time your students find themselves in a negative mindset, they will be able to pull themselves out of it all by themselves and be mindful of their actions and thoughts. Give Current and Frequent Feedback Try giving students feedback as soon as possible, this way your words will resonate with them, and they will be more willing to make changes if needed. By giving immediate feedback then your students will have the opportunity to implement your suggestions right away and make the changes they need in order to be a self-directed learner. Bolster Students Confidence Bolster your students’ confidence by discussing their strengths and their abilities with them. Find something about each and every student that you can celebrate, this will help boost their confidence. Confidence building is a known way to increase students’ self-assurance and make them feel more independent. Isn’t that what a self-directed learner is? Teach Students How to Manage their Goals In order to promote a self-directed classroom where students are self-reliant then you must teach them how to manage their own goals. You can begin by helping students set small, achievable goals that can be achieved fairly quickly. This will help them understand the process of setting and achieving a goal. Once students grasp this concept, then you can have them set more long term goals. Learn Something New Together To help cultivate a classroom where students learn independence then try learning something new together as a class. Students will learn by observing the way you learn. They will watch you learn through your techniques, which will help them get ideas on how they can do it on their own. Give Your Students a Voice Your classroom should set the stage for students to feel comfortable enough to have a voice. Make your classroom environment a place where students are free to speak their minds. This will not only make them feel more empowered, but also help them feel like they are part of a classroom community, which will help bolster their self-confidence, and in turn, help them become more independent learners.

Logistics and Transportation as a Category within a Category Essay

Logistics and Transportation as a Category within a Category - Essay Example This essay discusses that Category Management is a retailing and supply management process of managing categories as SBU (strategic business unit) produces better business results, with emphasis on delivering consumer value. In Category management, has to be given priority the retailer and the supplier work together to achieve certain targets that are mutually beneficial. Working together offers comparatively better opportunities, as it endless sharing of resources and insight. Category management usually focuses on using key methods such as range assortment, allocation and flow, inventory levels, shelf space, promotion, merchandising and pricing. Category management can be defined as a marketing strategy where a full set of products, excluding individual products or brands, is managed as an SBU. It focuses on the entire product category, by which a marketing manager can easily understand market trends and preferential tastes of the customers. Another definition of category managemen t is it is that, a strategic management of product groups through business partnership. It aims to maximize profit and sales, by satisfying consumers and shoppers. â€Å"This mutual understanding lays a solid foundation for category management†. The two key elements of Category management are †¢ To provide the consumer and the shopper with what they need, in relation to place and time. †¢ To categorise products in order to reflect consumers’ needs based on how the product is used, purchased or consumed. It is a long term continual business philosophy, normally approached through a series of short term projects, involving sharing of information and close working relationships by suppliers and retailers. A supplier uses the expertise available, the knowledge about the shopper, the consumer, and their needs and behavior. The retailer uses the expertise of the customers, their purchasing behavior and the way they purchase. The concept category management originated in North America in 1980. It introduced changes in the traditional relationship of the supplier and the retailer to a more collaborative extent. In 1992,  category management began to gain a momentum through AC Neilson, who started publishing information to several supply chain associations and suppliers. This won a lot of recognition across Europe, UK and Canada. The standard model for a category management is an 8- step process. Developed by the parent group, they Define the category Assess the role of the category within the e retailer Assess the performance of the category Set objectives and targets Engage in Category strategies Perform Category tactics Involve in Plan implementation. Review and evaluate. In category definition steps, the job is to determine the product which constitutes a category and its segmentation. In category role, the definition of the purpose of the category is in relation with retailers’ portfolio. The analysis of various category performances is carried out in the third step and set targets and objectives in the next step. The fifth step defines marketing and in store service strategy for the category. In category, there are tactics sessions determining optimal products, promotions, placement, pricing and supply methods. In plan implementation stage, making a written plan ensures this tactics to achieve strategies, to fit the role and meet the scorecard. In category review, the purpose is to monitor measure and modify the progress of the categories. The 8-step pro cess is criticized for being bulky and time consuming. Nielson process is a 5-step process. It pinpoints Reviewing the category Targeting consumers Merchandise planning Implementing the