Racism In America Essays (924 words) - Discrimination,

Racism In America Racism is an institution in America. It has existed since our Nations beginning, and it is now woven into many facets of society. Historically, white males have held all of the power positions in society. White males were the doctors, lawyers, and policy makers. Although minorities hold some positions of power today, white males still hold the majority of them. Despite legislation that has attempted to alleviate inequality in America, The Department of Housing and Urban Development maintains that, "disparity in home ownership is still great"(Washington Post, p.E10). Housing secretary Andrew M. Cuomo cites home ownership rates of, "72.5% for whites, 45% for African-Americans, and 44% for Hispanic-Americans (Washington Post, p.E10). Home mortgage denial rates are, "26% for whites and 53% for African-Americans" (Washington Post, p.E10). Given the fore-mentioned statistics that obviously indicate racism, federal housing officials launched a year long 7.5 million dollar study to investigate the racist practices of mortgage lenders, landlords, and other housing officials. Discrimination has become more sophisticated since the Fair Housing Act became law 30 years ago, according to complaints from the department. Cuomo commented, "Then it was more in your face. Now it is not as loud, not as flagrant, but just as devastating" (Washington Post, p.E10). The article, "U.S. Study to Target Racism in Housing," explains the link between attitudes and behavior related to issues of power, inequality, and discrimination. The racist attitudes of people in power, carry over to their behavior, which result in the unfair treatment of minorities. One explanation for this cycle is the Reasoned Action Model (text, p.240). The Reasoned Action Model is a theory of social psychology that examines the relationship between our attitudes and our behaviors. The theory suggests that our behaviors are best predicted by our behavioral intentions. If a person intends to do something, he/she is more likely to do it. According to the Reasoned Action Model, our behavioral intentions are shaped by a person's attitude toward the behavior and their subjective norms. A person's attitude toward a behavior is based upon his/her beliefs and evaluations of the possible outcomes of a behavior. A person's subjective norms are comprised of his/her beliefs about what significant others will say about the behavior and its outcome. Subjective norms are also affected by the person's motivation to comply with the wishes of significant others. The behavior of housing officials who discriminate against minorities can be explained using the Reasoned Action Model. Although the majority of housing officials probably do not say, "Today I intend to be a racist," their attitudes toward minorities cause them to behave in a racist manner. A housing official who discriminates against minorities is doing so because of his/her beliefs about possible outcomes of the behavior. What would happen if minorities were awarded home mortgages? Racist housing officials are not concerned about limiting where minorities will live. They are concerned about what will happen to their communities if minorities are awarded home mortgages. Housing officials are taking the issue personally. They are wondering, "What if they move into my neighborhood? What if they move into my mother's neighborhood? What if they attend school with my children?" These housing officials also believe that they are protecting their families and carrying out their wishes. Racism is simply fear that comes from ignorance. No one will ever know every single person in a particular race, yet people tend to judge people according to their personal beliefs about a particular race. Why do some people feel like it is okay to judge an entire race based on stereotypes? A stereotype is, "a schema of beliefs that attributes a set of characteristics to most or all members of a social identity" (text p. 454). Stereotypes are typically inaccurate. Most stereotypes about minorities are negative. Racist people use stereotypes as justification for having negative attitudes toward minorities. Housing officials do not want minorities in their neighborhoods because they believe that minorities will not keep up their property. They believe that drugs and violence will enter their neighborhoods, and that the house they paid so much for will lose its value. Some people actually believe that African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans ruin safe, peaceful neighborhoods. Stereotypes are perpetuated by American society. The media typically portrays African-American and Hispanic-Americans as lazy, poor, and uneducated. Some African-Americans and Hispanic-Americans are lazy, poor, and uneducated. The problem begins when the whole race is characterized negatively, and good people have to suffer. Every American should have the right to be judged as an individual. Another factor that contributes to the racist attitudes and behavior of housing officials is stigmatization. Stigmatization

Free Marketing Mix Economics Esay

Free Marketing Mix Economics Esay Marketing Mix Marketing mix is a set of variables that can be run and put in place by marketing managers to effectively satisfy the needs of every target customer in a particular selected niche. A typical marketing mix constitutes a product, offered at a specific pre-determined price, with some promotion to let the target customers know information about the product, and a mode in which the product will be able to reach the customers place (Perreault McCarthy 2009). This paper delves deeper into description of the four elements that make up the marketing mix; product, place, promotion, and price, normally referred to as the 4Ps in the marketing world. Into the bargain, the four major elements of the marketing mix will be conversed with the intention of making a clearer understanding of its functions. There are different variables in the market that play part solely for the purpose of making a single sale. The customers themselves cannot be manipulated in the making of the sales, but the sales are affected by setting the right prices for the products. It makes them available to the customers whenever they need the products, advertisement or the product attributes. If these variables are well interpreted and used effectively, the result will be successful. It means that very efficient marketing mixes in a company will improve its sales margins. Scientifically, the variables are interdependent tools that can be used to solve any marketing problem. 2. Elements of Marketing Mix As I have explained in the introductory phrases of this paper, marketing mix is the terminology commonly used to depict the combination of the four inputs: the product, the price structure, the promotional activities that include advertisement, and the distribution system that a company uses to hunt the necessary level of desired amount of sales in the target market. 2.1 Product The products aspects of marketing are concerned with the specifications of the actual goods or services, and how best it relates to the end-user's wants and needs, normally referred to as the consumer or better still the customer. The scope of a product generally entails supporting elements, such as guarantees, warranties and support. The product mix entails many variables, which include the product line and range. This depends on the companies ability to produce a wide range of products for its target customers. This is what ultimately leads to product differentiation since many products will be designed to suit all the customers needs. Hence, a wide range of products will be subsequently produced. The style, design, colour, shape, quality and other physical features of a product are also paramount. This will affect the way the consumers will welcome the product in the market and affect its volume of sales. Packaging and labelling of a product are also factors to be considered when it comes to the individual goods. They have to be made in an attractive way as not to compromise the efforts made to boost the sale of that particular commodity. Another factor that is usually never overlooked is the branding attributed to a particular product. Branding affects the target market in a major way, showing how it will rela te to the product. A product with a huge and widely acknowledged brand name has a higher sales volume when compared to that with no distinct brand name. The other most important things in the promotion of the products are the production servicing and innovation. A product can be categorized in any of the following levels: The actual product, which has attributes and features exclusively to satisfy the customers needs and wants (e.g. iPhone from Apple). The core product, which satisfies customers needs while providing a benefit in addition to the primary intention for which it was created for (e.g. efficient technology). The augmented product offers supplementary services that aid to generate multiple revenues, e.g. accessories for iPhone. This is the non-physical attribute of the product, which adds certain value to the main product. A very good example of an augmented product is an extension of a warranty on a purchased iPhone. This is also a major study area for this paper and I will delve into this issue after I have efficiently exhausted on the four Ps of marketing. The product element is factored into companies marketing mix by answering certain questions that include actual customers demands from the particular product or service. What qualities will the product have to meet the consumers requirements? How and where will the product be used? What does the product look like and how will it be experienced? What should the name of the product be and how will it be branded? How will the product be differentiated from items of consumption created by competitors (Mind Tools 2011)? 2.2 Promotion Promotion is the second element of the marketing mix, and could be viewed as the most imperative as it relates to the communication process of marketing a product. What, when and where the consumer hears, knows, or gains knowledge about a product will greatly impact the buying decisions made by the target customers. There are certain aspects of promotional communication that can be put in place and integrated as required for maximum marketing results: Personal Selling. A well-trained sales representative acts as an agent of the company and develops personal customer relationships. Sales Promotion. This could include coupons, introductory offers, free accessories, or anything outside of personal selling, public relations and public selling. Public Relations. This is the predetermined, deliberate, and maintained effort of a company to institute mutual understanding with the general public and its customers. Direct Mail. This promotional aspect typically makes use of an informational database to the target customers, and the organizations take time to carefully monitor the responses and effectively act on them in order to ensure almost perfect satisfaction of the customers needs and wants. Trade Fairs and Exhibitions. Undertaking these activities provide good networking and exposure opportunities, where the company can lay out all its products and highlight on the features that will mostly attract the customers. Advertising. Product awareness is effectively achieved through purchased communication avenues, such as newspapers and televisions, as well as magazines. This is very important platform for letting the public in on the products provided by a company. Most, if not all, of the households in every state have access to either a television or radio or daily newspapers, hence these sources are clearly acknowledged as very effective advertising and marketing tools. Sponsorship. An organization pays for its name to be associated with a specific event, image or cause. Whenever a sales manager sits down to draft a promotion plan for a company, there are certain questions that he or she will have in mind before creating the final promotion plan for a certain product. Such questions include, when and where can the message be communicated to the target market? Will radio, TV, or billboard advertisements reach the target audience? Will public relations, direct mailings, or the Internet be effective in communicating to potential customers? When should the promotion campaign begin? Are there seasonal or environmental factors to consider? How will promotion choices be reacted to by competitors, if there is any at all (Mind Tools 2011)? Appropriate selection of the right time, target audience, and venue for promotions is indispensable to marketing triumph. Preferring an integrated combination of internet, TV and radio advertisements, sales promotion and direct mail, Verizon has again proven its strategic marketing intelligence by becoming the first of its competitors to promote nation-wide broadband network, successfully establishing the Verizon brand (Verizon 2011). 2.3 Price Price is the third and definitely defining element of the marketing mix. There are various ways to apply pricing strategies to make a product scintillating to the consumers; however, there are the four main pricing strategies that I will describe in depth; Premium pricing. This strategy makes use of an elevated price on the basis of the uniqueness of the product or when there is a significant competitive advantage for the seller of that particular commodity. Penetration pricing. This is the type of low-balling strategy that is often used to gain a certain niche of the whole market share. Subject to product success, the product price increases to improve profitability margins for the seller. Economy pricing. The seller keeps the manufacturing and marketing costs at a regulated minimal level and offers a no-frills low price for the product. The seller is not bent on making a large amount of profit, but just enough as to recover the inputs put in the production of the goods or services. Price skimming. When a seller has a substantial competitive advantage, the introductive price is high; however, as the product draws more competitors, pricing decreases due to increased product availability (Semenik Bamossy 1995). In estimating price of a product or service, an organizational manager develops a pricing strategy that attempts to answer crucial questions that include the value of the product or service to the customer. Have prices already been established for the product or service in the area of business? Is the set price competitive with other sellers in the same business line? Is the set price sensitive to suit the economic needs of the consumers in a particular market niche? How can the selling cost be best managed to make the product reasonably priced to customers and at the same time guarantee profitability for the company (Mind Tools 2011)? Other strategic approaches to pricing include psychological pricing, which elicits an emotional consumers response versus a rational one. Verizons can you hear me now? campaign was triumphant in tackling cell phone customers dissatisfaction with dropped calls. Product line pricing is yet another effective approach that emphasizes the benefits of a range of related products or services. Pricing is of prime importance since it gives the consumer a clear mindset on the quantifiable value of the product in question. Thus, if it is underpriced, the consumer may discard the product as being of little or absolutely no value. 2.4 Place The fourth and certainly defining element in the marketing mix is place or placement. This is the mechanism and modes put in place to move products or services from the producer to the customer. It can also be referred to as the distribution channel, or intermediary. The products can get to the customers through various channels. Nevertheless, there are six basic channel decisions that include selling directly to customers or indirectly through a distributor or wholesaler or both. The producers can also sell through single or multiple channels of distributions depending on the target market. The producer should consider the number of intermediaries that he or she is willing to work with in order to put multiple channels into effect. There are certain distribution considerations that should be made in response to the placement of a product. Such queries include where exactly are targeted consumers looking for the product or service? What type of venue would be best to avail the produc ts; in what kind of store, shop, online, or as representations in a catalogue? Is the consideration of whether a sales force is direly needed of prime importance? Should samples be distributed in order to try to direct the clients attention to the target market? Would the attendance of trade fairs and exhibitions be beneficial to the company? These are some of the very crucial questions that a marketing manager should have looming in their thoughts while coming up with an effective product placement (Armstrong Kottler 2005). With help of the augmented product model, I will use examples of two companies to illustrate the importance of the segmented product model. The core product of Lipton Peach Ice Tea is a soft drink with a benefit to quench thirst. It also has a fundamental benefit of social acceptance as there may be a national perception that those who drink Lipton Peach Ice Tea are cool and awesome. Also, the ice tea is very convenient as it is easily bought and managed. The augmented product of Lipton Peach Ice Tea provides a number of additional services. The most obvious is the Lipton website that contains nutritional details and the health benefits of the product. There is also Liptons tea and health club where club members can have a newsletter sent to their home addresses or even emails detailing information about tea and health (Kottler et al. 2007). In addition to this, there is also the E-store which organizes specific Lipton Peach Ice Teas to be home delivered for extra convenience. Lastly , there are deals at supermarkets with special discounts, such as 2 for 1 or savings on the purchase. These are some of the benefits that the Lipton Ice Tea tags along with its consumption. The other company I will closely analyze is the corporation known as American Express Platinum Credit Card, which involves many additional services. With the use of its credit cards, the customer is in a position to use travellers cheques, which makes international travels more convenient as it allows the customer to avoid the tiresome and overwhelming hassle of exchanging money in each country. Another additional service is travel insurance as there is increased financial security for the customer with regards to property safety, accommodation, etc. Lastly, the American Express Platinum Credit Card is able to be personalized with different images for gift cards. Conclusion In conclusion, it is quite clear that when developing marketing strategies, all decisions affecting the four Ps should be made subsequently since they are all interdependent. The four elements are the most important. This is because the products, places, prices, and promotions of an organization surround the most significant element: target consumers (Perreault McCarthy 2009). Apparently, every marketing manager should put all the four Ps into consideration in order to coin the best marketing mix that can be used effectively as a tool to penetrate different target market niches. This is the secret weapon behind the success of each company.

Tokyo Disneyland Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Tokyo Disneyland - Case Study Example 3. To recognize how the differences of Tokyo Disneyland to other Disneyland theme parks in terms of the themes and features of the park. 4. To examine the visitor statistics of Tokyo Disneyland. 5. To know how Tokyo Disneyland maintain the Japanese culture in the park. Statement of the Problem The study intends to investigate the success of Tokyo Disneyland in terms of culture, compared to other Disneyland theme parks. Specifically the study intends to answer the following questions: 1. How does the management of Tokyo Disneyland promote the park to the Japanese market even if there is still a touch of American culture 2. What are the differences of Tokyo Disneyland to other Disneyland theme parks in terms of the participation of staff 3. What are the differences of Tokyo Disneyland to other Disneyland theme parks in terms of the themes and features of the park 4. How does Tokyo Disneyland maintain the Japanese culture in the park Conceptual Framework / Theoretical Framework This study will apply the input-process-output (IPO) framework. Originating form the Industrial Revolution, the IPO model has been applied to various fields-from manufacturing to communications to computer programming. (Harris & Taylor, 1997) The IPO model is a design of how different input, intermediate, and output variables form causal relationships in a system. (Walliman, 2001) In the IPO model, a process is viewed as a series of boxes (processing elements) connected by inputs and outputs. Information or material objects flow through a series of tasks or activities based on a set of rules or decision points. (Walliman, 2001) Flow charts and process diagrams are often used to represent the process. (Walliman, 2001) What goes in is the input;... With continuous effort and perseverance to make the study a success as well as the support of the people who have helped in the project, the research was completed. For the future researchers that will have to undergo a series of data collection methods, it should always be keep in mind the possibility of incidents and instances that will hinder the execution of the research. Be prepared for the worst scenarios that could happen during field work whether the case concerns the participants, the location, the time and the gatekeepers. It is easy to find common elements between Disneyland and Disney films in all parts of the park. For example, it is well known that Disney made only one gate to Disneyland, against advice from amusement park experts. To Disney, the entrance gate and the beginning part of a movie are the same. From the gate, visitors head toward the shopping mall, where each store is a three-story house with a facade, similar to those of a small American city in the late nineteenth century. These facades reduced in various degrees, detach visitors from outside reality and bring them into the world of nostalgia. As a similar scenography is also used on streets that stretch from the entrance to the central plaza, the scene inside the park is put in a frame, and the street is long enough for visitors to transform themselves into inhabitants of Disney’s world. The recommendation of this study is for Tokyo Disneyland to maintain representing the rich culture of Japan in Tokyo Disneyland since this i s what their market needs.

The Political Vision of Communist Manifesto Essay

The Political Vision of Communist Manifesto - Essay Example Marx does give credit to the contemporary Industrial Revolution to bring into existence a world market, aided and bolstered by the occupation of new colonies by the imperialistic forces. This Industrial Revolution has certainly led to progress and development in a scientific, commercial and communicative context. Yet, it goes without saying that the evolution and advancement of the Industrial Revolution supported and fed by the bourgeois elements is not merely materialistic and economic in its ramifications but does also have commensurate political ramifications. The bourgeoisie has not done away with the formal exploitative forces like feudalism and patriarchy to create an ideal world but has rather done so to remove all challenge and resistance to its advancement and growth. The bourgeoisie system and notion of economic growth simply cannot survive and expand without causing upheaval and disturbance in â€Å"the instruments of production â€Å"and â€Å"the relations of producti on†. Hence, as expected, the rise of the bourgeoisie has done away with all the hitherto existing notions of â€Å"national industries† thereby annihilating all the localized notions of belonging and allegiance. Yet, the irony of the matter is that the bourgeoisie concept of growth is not merely limited to profit accrual and limited domination. In contrast, the bourgeoisie intends to perpetuate its domination by remolding the existing socio-economic and politico-cultural structures as per one’s vision and interests. Hence to extend a material and political form to such vision and ideals, it is imperative for the bourgeoisie to compress and coagulate all sources and forms of production, leading to the unchallenged concentration of property in few hands. That way it gets easier for the bourgeoisie to retain a grip over the things and to perpetuate one’s advancement and dominion in the times to come. The existing feudal relations and frameworks of property ho lding were simply not in consonance with the bourgeoisie intentions. Hence, they were systematically dismantled and set aside. In their place, the bourgeoisie put in place a seemingly just provision of free competition, while doing its best to twist the political and social norms to be in alignment with the essence of free competition. Yet, what went wrong with this change is that while molding the world to its vision, the bourgeoisie also brought into existence its own nemesis that is â€Å"the modern working class†. The bourgeoisie commoditized labor as any other factor of production. It homogenized labor by resorting to the mechanization of all modes of production. Yet the â€Å"labor† class created by the bourgeoisie is bound to emerge victorious very early, helped and aided by the existing technology and infrastructure created by the bourgeoisie. In its rift with the aristocratic classes, the bourgeoisie tends to solicit the support of labor. This not only gives r ecognition to the working class but makes it a magnet for the other marginalized and sidelined sections of the society. As the working class emerges into an essential bourgeoisie platform, it starts seeing the institutions set by the bourgeoisie like morality, law, and religion as simply the tools of extending the vested bourgeoisie interests.

Mis Used in Libraries Essay Example for Free

Mis Used in Libraries Essay Information systems are the software and hardware systems that support data-intensive applications. An information system is a collection of methods, practices, algorithms and methodologies that transforms data into information and knowledge desired by and useful for the individual and the group users in organizations and other entities. This system can involve a combination of work practices, information, people and technologies organized to accomplish goals in an organization. All businesses today utilize some form of a technological information system in their company. Using an automated system to record and process business transactions is essential to running a profitable company and responding to market fluctuations. However, information systems are best for just collecting and reporting company information; management must still review and use the information for achieving company goals. As information systems have enabled more diverse human activities, they have exerted a profound influence over society. These systems have quickened the pace of daily activities, affected the structure and mix of organizations, changed the type of products bought, and influenced the nature of work. Information and knowledge have become vital economic resources. Yet, along with opportunities, the dependence on information systems has brought new threats. Intensive industry innovation and academic research continually develop new opportunities while aiming to contain the threats. A management information system (MIS) is set of internal controls that aid company management in running a business on a daily basis. The MIS is not just a computer information system that gathers information, but an overall decision-making tool used by management. The information reported by the MIS will help management find areas that need improvement in their company. How this information is used to correct business operations relies on the style of management used in a business. Using a de-centralized management style allows for corrections to be made by the front-line manager; this allows for a great deal of autonomy in management positions. Centralized management styles rely on top-level managers to correct business operations. NEED FOR INFORMATION SYSTEMS IN LIBRARIES. Information systems are electronic databases that manage large amounts of information, often for a business or large organization. You might not initially associate information systems with libraries, as libraries at first glance seem like buildings filled with paper books. However, many libraries use information systems to help them complete various tasks. There are a few key advantages for libraries that use information systems. Keeping Stock †¢One of the challenges for any library, especially large ones, is keeping track of all the books, CDs, DVDs, maps and other materials. Information systems can be used to put an indentifying code on each material that allows a librarian to look up where a material is, who took it out, and when. If a book is missing, the information system can help the librarians find it. Building a Collection †¢Whenever a librarian is choosing which materials to buy to add to the librarys collection, he must research what, if any, similar materials already exist. Information systems allow librarians to access easily information about what materials the library already owns on a particular subject or time period. This expedites the purchasing process. Customer Service oA library can use information systems to make it easier for customers to offer comments on how the library can change or improve. Customers can send an email or fill out an online form and an information system can collect all the comments and send them to the right person. This not only helps keep track of customer opinions, it also allows the librarian to receive a daily or weekly comments email rather than deal with multiple messages per day. Money Management oWhile books at libraries are usually free, libraries run on money. Information systems, including simple systems like spreadsheets, help libraries manage their budgets and plan their finances for the future. Large libraries with endowments rely even more on information systems to keep track of their investments and expected dividends. Traditionally, libraries have been aligned with the collecting, organizing, archiving, disseminating, and sometimes evaluation of data and information. Libraries are not about books. They are about information and knowledge. In the past libraries has been associated with books only because books were the primary manifestations of information. In todays world, information manifests itself in many more mediums. Most notable is the electronic medium. Integrated library system, or ILS, is another enterprise resource planning system for a library. One word, ‘INTERNET’ has completely changed the way Libraries operate. Today’s libraries are having a paradigm shift towards web-based e-resources. The conventional bibliographic resources are now fast supplemented by the e-resources. It is huge task for librarians to maintain a supply chain that moves shoulder to shoulder with a global information generation rate that doubles at every 20 months. Management Information Systems (MIS) have emerged as a solution to this capacity expansion requirement of Academic Libraries. According to McClure (1990), Management information systems are tools designed to improve management decisions. †¢Integrated Library System Modules module = a portion of a program that carries out a specific function Acquisitions: select, order, budget, receive, pay for materials; claim or cancel orders that were not received. Cataloging: create records which describe and classify materials Serials: describe and check-in serials (periodicals, magazines, journals) †¢5. Integrated Library System Modules (pg. 2) 4. Circulation: record the check-in and check-out of materials to patrons 5. Interlibrary Loans: lend and borrow materials from other libraries 6. OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog): display materials to patrons The Main Functions of a Library Knowledge is for all, but to be indeed for all, it should be accessible for all those who seek it regardless of their mother tongue. Consequently, libraries as the organizers and heralds of this knowledge, adding value to it by cataloguing and classifying, should, in turn, be Universal; i. e. provide equality of access for all. Today, Information Technology has converted the world into a global village and libraries, as part of this age, should make use of these technological advancements in achieving the Universality goal and quenching the generations thirst for knowledge. This means that traditional libraries should change into well-equipped interconnected digital libraries Libraries should be so organized and the staff so trained that they become relevant to user communities (including special groups) in every respect. Primary Functions of Integrated Library Systems 1)Ordering and receiving materials. 2)Recording financial information 3)Storing information about the library’s collection of materials 4)Recording the borrowing of materials . The objective of an MIS based Library is to be an effective library through: (1) Providing convenience and justice to its readers. (2) Attract non-readers to become readers. FEASIBILITY STUDY Key Features 1Tracks number of books and subscribers in a library 2Add manage books categories 3Manage and edit books 4Search books by name 5Add book details with category, price and purchase date 6Maintains book issue date, return date and overdue days. 7Maintains employee details who borrows the books Benefits 1User friendly interface 2Subscribers can easily check availability of books, CD’s, DVD’s in a library 3Reporting of overdue books 4Cost effective 5Efficiency in speed and operation 6Elimination of duplication of Books, CD’s and DVD’s 7Security of Library 8Better inventory preservation because of less handling by staff 9Time saving 10Easily locate books, CD’s and DVD’s on racks SOFTWARES USED IN LIBRARIES VOYAGER: Voyager is broken down into different modules that are focused on helping with certain tasks commonly done in a library. The modules are the main way that library workers interact with the system. They are implemented as custom Microsoft Windows programs that talk to a centralized server and database. The modules are as follows: 1. Circulation The primary use of this module is charge and discharge items to library patrons. It allows for the creation and maintenance of patron records, fine processing and request processing of library items. 2. Media Scheduling (optional) lets people reserve videos and media equipment ahead of time as well as equipment maintenance. The types of items allowed to be reserved are only limited by what library staff have added to it. 3. Web Voyage This is the web based interface for use by patrons to search, renew items, and request items from the libraries collection. 4. Access Reports Not officially a module, Voyager does allows for an ODBC connection to its main database. This allows library staff to create custom Statistic and usage reports. 5. Reporter One of the purposes of this module is to generate email and print notifications to patrons informing them of, recalls, overdue items, courtesy notices and fines. Reporter also generates exception reports, which are violations of system policy, Transaction reports, and some statistics, which are used by library staff. 6. Cataloging This is the main module used by Library Technical Services department. It is used to create and edit records for all the items in a libraries collection. 7. Acquisitions Lets staff track orders and assign money to funds and ledgers. 8. Call Slip (optional) Allows patrons to request items to be transferred between different units in a library system. 9. Self Check provides and interface for Self Check stations. 10. Voyager Inter-library Loan (ILL)- (Optional) Allows library patrons to request items from other institutions. 11. System Admin Used to add system users, set up circulation locations, and policies as well as setting up location calendars. Alexandria: Alexandria efficiently manages modern libraries, freeing up administrators, technology coordinators, and librarians for more important tasks. Library Automation Software Benefits to IT Managers You are tasked to do more with less, and you need library automation software that can answer the call. Alexandria will enable you to: †¢Relieve the support load of your staff. In addition to ease-of-use and stability, Alexandrias unmatched technical support team is available any time you need them via phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, providing end-user support directly to your users, and IT support to you when necessary. †¢Minimize the resource drain of multiple servers at multiple sites. Alexandria gives you the ability to update/upgrade and backup your entire district from one primary location. †¢Eliminate upgrade and backup hassles. Alexandrias update, upgrades, and critical data backups are all done automatically within the software. Library Automation Software Benefits to Administrators Alexandria library automation software allows you to efficiently manage your varied library education and management responsibilities with the following unique capabilities: †¢Improve reading scores. Alexandrias built in Lexile capabilities actually improve reading scores †¢Universal access from home. With Alexandria, there is secure access to your library—24 hours a day. †¢Relieve the resource drain of extra support staff just to manage your library automation software. Alexandrias automatic updates, 24/7/365 technical support, and renowned ease-of-use allow you to re-deploy valuable resources to more important areas. †¢Alexandria is the only library system that provides a live 24/7 help line for any librarian or tech person in your facility who needs assistance. e-Granthalaya e-Granthalaya is a library automation software from National, Department of Electronics Information Technology, Ministry of Communications and Information Technology, Government of India. The software has been designed by a team of experts from software as well as Library and Information Science discipline. Using this software the libraries can automate in-house activities as well as user services. The software can be implemented either in stand-alone or in client-server mode where database and WebOPAC are installed on the server PC while the data entry program is installed on client PCs. The software provides LAN/Web based data entry solutions for a cluster of libraries where a centralized/Common database can be created with Union Catalog output. The software provides Web OPAC interface to publish the library catalog over Internet/Intranet. The software runs on Windows paltform Only, UNICODE Compliant, thus, supports data entry in local language.. Distribution Policy The software is provided at zero cost libraries. The support, training, Data Entry, Maintenance, Migration, etc are provided on Payment basis by the NIC/NICSI Empanelment Agency. System Requirements Hardware: the computer itself, (CPU), and all of its support equipments. Among the support equipments are input and output devices, storage devices and communications devices Connectivity: LAN/Internet Connectivity. BarCode Printer (Any Model/Make) with Barcode Reader Software Components 1. Database (MS SQL Server 2005/2008) on Server PC (Windows 2003/2008) 2. Web OPAC on Server PC 3. Data entry program on client PCs For the details and information with regards to our project , the following libraries have been visited THE AMERICAN LIBRARY The American Library, Mumbai is one of the divisions of the American Center, which carries out a variety of activities aimed at promoting a better understanding of the policies, values, institutions, and culture of the United States. The American Library, Mumbai provides you with a wide range of current, accurate and authoritative information from a vast selection of print and electronic resources using state-of-the-art technology. The American Library collection focuses primarily on U. S. foreign policy, business and economics, management, law and legislation, human rights, environment, and life and culture in the U. S. It maintains a collection of approximately 13,000 volumes of books, government publications, and think tank reports. It has 89 U. S. magazines and 3 newspapers titles in hardcopy. They provide timely, reliable and comparative information on a variety of topics ranging from American politics, culture, history, economy as well as international relations and global issues. With books, journals, English language learning materials along with DVDs, newspapers, U. S. government publications, there is something for everyone. Even the young reader will find more than 1,000 titles of fiction and non-fiction at the American Library. This library uses Voyager as its software . It is a centralized network . oVoyager automates many of the processes necessary for libraries to function smoothly, such as circulation. o Voyager is capable of managing a variety of formats, such as print and online resources. oIt addresses recent concerns for patron information privacy and privacy related to circulation history oGives more options on user/patron service (e. g. alerts for pending transactions for a patron) oImproved search tools for staff and patrons, including enhancements for subject headings searching (controlled vocab), where patron doesn’t have to know starting words or word order of headings to look them up oAcquisitions: select, order, budget, receive, pay for materials; claim or cancel orders that were not received. oCataloguing: create records which describe and classify materials oSerials: describe and check-in serials (periodicals, magazines, journals) MMRDA LIBRARY Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority commonly abbreviated as MMRDA, is a body of the Government of Maharashtra that is responsible for the infrastructure development of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. MMRDA was set up on the 26th January, 1975 under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority Act, 1974 Government of Maharashtra as an apex body for planning and co-ordination of development activities in the Region. The MMRDA comprises 17 members and is chaired by the Minister for Urban Development in Maharashtra Prithviraj Chavan (who is also the current Chief Minister of Maharashtra). It is also the richest state owned organisations in india. on the similar lines to this, recently government of maharashtra has announced to establish pmrda and nmrda for pune and nasik respectively. Mmrda uses e granthalaya. It consists of an isolated network design  omulti-lingual version supports data entry in all the 10 Indian Scripts/languages oHigh security for library data and members’ accounts oFine calculation for late receipt or lost or damage of items oEasy way to take Database Backup and Restore the database oTimely reminders will be given for the periodical subscription of items oImproved circulation and tracking oEasy access to all information BIBLIGRAPHY The American Library MMRDA library http://egranthalaya. nic. in/ http://www. exlibrisgroup. com/category/Voyager.

Creating a Market for Electric Cars Essay example -- Electric Cars Ess

When Ford Motor Company was founded in 1903, it would go on to start a revolution for the American auto industry. Ford pioneered the assembly line and increased auto production substantially. Today, Ford is one of the most successful auto makers in the world. According to the company, a key factor of success is the focus on building relationships and placing the consumer first. Understanding the consumer and how they view business helps Ford to continue improvement ("Marketing strategy", 2010). Ford is a first-rate example of good marketing techniques. They know how to sell a vehicle to a consumer, as displayed by their position in the top eight of U. S. auto makers. New technology paves the way for new ideas, and new ideas do best when they use existing models. That is why the relatively new concept of battery operated cars should look to already successful auto makers for example. Battery powered cars are becoming more and more marketable with more research and a developing consumer base. Although there is plenty of development to ensue, this paper can help marketing managers figure out the best way to utilize the power of new technology and, in time, have a consumer base that desires battery powered cars for various reasons. This paper will show an array of issues that support an argument for the marketability of cars that operate on battery power. Battery powered cars are more complex than they sound. One might think that the mechanics behind battery power merely consist of charging the battery before a road trip. There is actually an entire process that transforms energy into power. Whereas a gasoline powered vehicle uses an internal combustion engine to convert gasoline into energy, battery powered vehicles generate... .../2013/01/03/why-2013-will-be-another-huge-year-for-car-sales/ Electronic Design, 59(8), 18. U.S. Census Bureau (2008). A Gas Station for Every 2,500 People - County Business Patterns - Newsroom. Retrieved from http://www.census.gov/newsroom/releases/archives/county_business_patterns/c b08-96.html U.S. Department of Energy (2014a). Alternative fuels data center: Electric vehicle charging station locations. Retrieved from http://www.afdc.energy.gov/fuels/electricity_locations.html U.S. Department of Energy (2014b). Alternative fuels data center: Emissions from hybrid and plug-in electric vehicles. Retrieved from http://www.afdc.energy.gov/vehicles/electric_emissions.php U.S. Department of Energy (n.d.). EnerDel/Argonne advanced high-power battery for hybrid electric vehicles. Retrieved from ://www.transportation.anl.gov/batteries/enerdel.html

The Great Gatsby, a novel of the past

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a novel written in the past. The characters chase visions of the future that are determined by their past, which leads them to tragedy. The protagonist, Jay Gatsby, has dedicated his entire life to recapturing the perfect past with his soul mate, Daisy. Even though he believes that recreating the past is his life's goal, this leaves a tragic, heart-breaking, and disastrous ending to the novel. When Nick Carraway, the narrator, tells Gatsby that you can't repeat the past,Gatsby replies, â€Å"Why of course you can! † this is because when he has a month of fun love with Daisy, he thinks that that can compete with the years and experiences she has shared with Tom, which was proven wrong when she admits she is also still has feelings for Tom. The effect of the exclamation mark shows the emotional outburst he has and exaggerates his excitement to win back Daisy, as it is his version of the American Dream. Gatsbys mansion is a physical symb ol of his love for Daisy, he is certain that money can reconstruct his history with her.Gatsby uses his â€Å"new money' to create a home that he thought equalled houses of â€Å"old money', which is ironic as the segregation between societies is what had taken her away from him originally. The novel is told in a linear fashion but not in chronological order, it includes many flashbacks and moments in time. Even though there is a lack of faith whether the narrator is reliable or trustworthy, it adds realism as the reader's life is also not in chronological order.The reason for this is because Fitzgerald uses an impressionistic arrative technique, where Nick tries to make sense of the events in the story and comments on them, which mirrors the same way we do as readers. He focuses on the past as he has in fear of the future without Gatsby. There are hints and accusations that Nick is homosexual and in love with him. Greg Olear, in an article on The Weeklings, highlights that his de scription of Jordan Baker in Chapter One â€Å"could be a description of a man† and â€Å"the word ‘small breasted' which de-emphasizes the golfer's feminine attributes.This could explain why he fixates on the past and idealises it. Technology plays a big role in the novel in ending huge opportunities and futures, especially with Tom's marriage and love affair. The tension created in the novel when his house phone rings is vast as even though we are not told who is calling, the reader knows it is Tom's lover. This may be the reason that Daisy feels obliged to have an affair as she is rebelling against Tom. Another example of technology is Gatsbys yellow car which kills Myrtle.The description of her death is xtremely vivid to create an image in the reader's brain, â€Å"her left breast was swinging loose like a flap. † The significance of the symbol of her â€Å"left breast† is femininity and motherhood. It is being ripped off her body as she dies; transla ting that her femininity led to her death or that it had been taken away from her because of her lower class birth. The Lost Generation involves a group of writers, including Fitzgerald, who during the First World War and the Great Depression moved to France, Paris, for its inexpensive cost of living. https://donemyessay.com/the-great-gatsby-novel-questions/