Five Perils That Challenged Christopher Columbus

Five Perils That Challenged Christopher Columbus Free Online Research Papers America was discovered by an Italian explorer known as Christopher Columbus. Columbus was a navigator, colonizer, and explorer. His expeditions across the Atlantic Ocean were funded by the Spanish Crown. Columbus reached the Americas on his fourth voyage in 1502. Although his trip was successful, there were many troubles he faced along the way. Wind resistance, spoiled food, money problems, disease, and wasted time at sea were only a few of the perils faced by Christopher Columbus. Sailboats were common and widely used during Columbus’ time period. There were no gasoline powered boats. Most sailboats relied on the wind, and at times this could cause a problem. Columbus solely relied on sailing with the wind. Most of the time, Columbus and his men would have to sail against the wind using a technique called beating. Doing this technique would mean that there might be some days without food. Navigation and estimation were two important food determining factors for Columbus on his voyages. The menu for most Spanish seamen consisted of water, vinegar, wine, olive oil, molasses, cheese, honey, raisins, rice, garlic, almonds, sea biscuits, chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Most of the food was stored in wooden casks. The problem with this type of storage is leakage. If dry goods were contaminated with water, they would be ruined. A shortage of food would leave many of the crewmen hungry, and it would also be a waste of money for Columbus. Columbus had little money. He pushed for funding from many kingdoms. On May 1, 1486, Queen Isabella rejected his idea, but granted him an annual annuity of 12000 maravedis to keep him on his campaign. Later on, Columbus made a contract with King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella. This contract gave him the rank of Admiral of the Sea, and it entitled him to 10 percent of all profits gained. They did not expect Columbus to return from is voyage. Traveling many long months on the sea, many people had fallen sick. When Columbus and his crew arrived at America, they spread many diseases that the Native Americans were not immune to. This outbreak caused many deaths. Columbus also traded different foods with the Native Americans that may have caused them to become sick. Columbus’ crew also picked up many new diseases as well. During most of Columbus’ voyage, he did not know where he was going. Columbus’ crew was both anxious and impatient. They pushed to move on. Many days were lost from changing waters and poor directions. Columbus was unaware of where he had arrived on 1502. He thought he had found the Indies, but instead he found America. Christopher Columbus overcame many obstacles at sea. Wind resistance kept Columbus from traveling quickly. Today, ships are made more aerodynamic and they do not rely on the wind. Spoiled food was also a problem. Today, the refrigerator is used for storing food for extensive periods of time. Columbus’ crew and many Native Americans died from many unknown diseases. Diseases are treated by many vaccines discovered through medical science. Columbus also did not have an absolute navigational source, he only used his sense of direction and a map to guide him. Today’s sailors rely solely on navigation and communication technologies. Christopher Columbus was a great explorer. Sailing is a much easier task today, thanks to technological advances. Research Papers on Five Perils That Challenged Christopher ColumbusThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Spring and AutumnGenetic EngineeringAssess the importance of Nationalism 1815-1850 Europe19 Century Society: A Deeply Divided EraRiordan Manufacturing Production PlanLifes What IfsQuebec and CanadaMoral and Ethical Issues in Hiring New EmployeesBringing Democracy to Africa

Installing Gems from Git Repositories

Installing Gems from Git Repositories Many gems are hosted on git repositories, such as the public repositories on Github. However, to get the latest version, quite often there are no gems built for you to install with ease. Installing from git is quite easy though. First, you have to understand what git is. Git is what the developers of the library use to track the source code and to collaborate. Git is not a release mechanism. Its important to note that the version of the software you get from git may or may not be stable. Its not a release version and could contain bugs that will be fixed before the next official release. The first thing you have to do in order to install gems from git is install git. This page of The Git Book explains how to do this. Its rather straightforward on all platforms and once its installed, you have everything you need. Installing a gem from a Git repository is going to be a 4 step process. Clone the Git repository.Change to the new directory.Build the gem.Install the gem. Clone the Git Repository In Git lingo, to clone a git repository is to make a copy of it. Were going to be making a copy of the rspec repository from github. This copy will be a full copy, the same the developer will have on their computers. You can even make changes (though you wont be able to commit these changes back into the repository). The only thing you need to clone a git repository is the clone URL. This is provided on the github page for RSpec. The clone URL for RSpec is git://github.com/dchelimsky/rspec.git. Now simply use the git clone command provided with the clone URL. $ git clone git://github.com/dchelimsky/rspec.git This will clone the RSpec repository into a directory called rspec. This directory should always be the same as the final part of the clone URL (minus the .git part). Change to The New Directory This step, too, is very straightforward. Simply change to the new directory created by Git. $ cd rspec Build the Gem This step is a bit more tricky. Gems are built using Rake, using the task called gem. $ rake gem It may not be that simple though. When you install a gem using the gem command, silently in the background it does something rather important: dependency checking. When you issue the rake command, it may come back with an error message saying it needs another gem installed first, or that you need to upgrade a gem already installed. Install or upgrade this gem using either the gem command or by installing from git. You may have to do this several times depending on how many dependencies the gem has. Install the Gem When the build process is completed, you will have a new gem in the pkg directory. Simply give the relative path to this .gem file to the gem install command. Youll need administrator privileges to do this on Linux or OSX. $ gem install pkg/gemname-1.23.gem The gem is now installed and can be used just as any other gem.

Does copyright needs to be changed in Digital era Essay

Does copyright needs to be changed in Digital era - Essay Example This paper explores the controversy by presenting both points of view, examining the historical origins of intellectual property protection and modern development in the field. U.S. and British laws and alternative (non-legislative) methods of intellectual property protection are analysed. Possible future developments in this field are discussed from the positions of the current situation. Throughout the history of mankind information has been playing increasingly important role in various fields of human life and activity. The uses of information and different methods of its collection and storage have long historical traditions. Institutional structures created specifically for that purpose - libraries and museums - are as old as modern civilization itself. Each of the past inventions associated with transmission and storage of information could be addressed as the major factor that affected the course of social development: invention of writing, the printing press, telephone, radio, and television have stimulated profound changes. Similarly, development of new information technologies - computers and the Internet - deeply affects contemporary society in many ways. However, the same technologies have led to dramatic changes that turned protection of informational assets into a highly controversial issue. Traditionally, Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) represent an excep... Abundant literature covering various aspects of IPR management and protection is very indicative of this complexity. Recent technological developments have contributed to the challenges associated with protection of intellectual property. The new technologies have substantial implications for literally each aspect of traditional IPR practices. It has become very difficult to keep any information protected these days. Copying materials from another medium, encapsulating content and software for emulation, or migrating content to new hardware and software, all involve activities that can potentially infringe IPR. Digital images and electronic texts can be easily altered, and people may easily transform or incorporate them as a part of some other documents, images, etc. The challenges imposed by the developing technology are likely to increase rapidly in future. IPR holders are perfectly aware about the risks imposed by this trend, and try to protect their rights. Such inclination is absolutely natural granted the fact that similar situations have already occurred in the past when emergence of new circumstances resulted in amendments in the relevant intellectual property laws. For example, in 1992 the US Congress accepted the Audio Home Recording Act that allowed people making copies of copyrighted songs or music for personal use. In 1998 amendments to the Act were made to cover digital technologies of copying, reproduction and distribution (Chebium, 2000). Similarly, the recently emerged Digital Rights Management (DRM) technologies are meant to increase the quality and scope of control that IPR holders can assert over their intellectual property

Ethical case study Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Ethical case study - Essay Example She took the initiative to consult Jeffrey Anderson and was well prepared with the accounting manual of the parent company and the plan for valuation of the assets that belong to the company. Since, Jeffrey Anderson was a respected individual in the company, having served for more than a decade Lisa expected that he would have advised her on the way to approach the issue professionally to find a solution and to maintain confidentiality and integrity. The acquired company and the parent company are the main stakeholders in the issue that Lisa is trying to get solutions for. Lisa finds herself unprepared for the cultures within the corporate, and she did not believe that the acquired firm had used the appropriate financial rules and regulations. She was tasked to make sure that the assets of the corporate she was working for were secure. Lisa noted that the employees were more concerned in securing their jobs. Workplace ethics are some causes that make employees sacked especially during such strategic transitions that Lisa is encountering (Lawrence & Weber, 2013). According to the IMA guidelines that are used for ethical conflict resolution, Lisa is supposed to maintain confidentiality and ensure that she discusses it in details with the Controller. The reason why ethical standards should be maintained in businesses is to ensure that there is smooth flow and function of the advanced market economy. In addition, if there were no ethical standards in business, so many aspects would suffer particularly the economy and the people who depend on it for goods, services and jobs (Lawrence & Weber, 2013). Lisa provides clear, accurate and concise evidence to support her discoveries regardless of being turned down three times by Mr. Anderson. Lisa is keen not to abandon the ethical standards in the company as the finance manager. In her line of work, Lisa focused on the acquired assets and noted

Corporate Social Network Essay Example for Free

Corporate Social Network Essay

Federal Mandates :: essays research papers

Federal mandates can be very important to the well being of U.S. citizens. Mandate 13031 is for the protection of one of the natural rights of every U.S. citizen; life. The term "child abuse" means the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child. This mandate outlines the regulations of who is responsible for reporting possibilities of child abuse. This mandate is responsible for saving the lives of many abused children. Federal Mandate 13031 falls under U.S.C. Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 132 - Victims of Child Abuse, Subchapter IV - Reporting Requirements. It leaves the responsibility of reporting suspicions of child abuse with a great number of people. Any one in the medical profession including: physicians, dentists, medical residents or interns, hospital personnel and administrators, nurses, health care practitioners, chiropractors, osteopaths, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers, undertakers, coroners, medical examiners, alcohol or drug treatment personnel, and persons performing a healing role or practicing the healing arts are required to report child abuse. Other professions included in the mandate are: psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, licensed or unlicensed marriage, family, and individual counselors, teachers, teacher's aides or assistants, school counselors and guidance personnel, school officials, and school administrators, child care workers and administrators, law enforcement personnel, probation officers, criminal prosecutors, and juvenile rehabilitation or detention facility employees, commercial film and photo processors. Lastly, the parents and/or foster parents are responsible for reporting any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Despite the large numbers of responsible persons in this mandate, it has only a small impact on the local & state budget priorities. For most of these professions it is normal practice to check for signs of child abuse. It takes very little time and very few resources to look a child over. However, if a child is found to be abused, the costs of investigation, prosecution, and further care of the child can be very expensive. Due to this, there is millions of dollars appropriated each year for the area of child abuse. Any mandate that deals with the safety of children should never be removed. However, this particular mandate could probably be done without. The mandate simply shows who is required to report suspicions of child abuse. Although it doesn't sound very important, the number of abused children would probably continue to rise. Federal Mandates :: essays research papers Federal mandates can be very important to the well being of U.S. citizens. Mandate 13031 is for the protection of one of the natural rights of every U.S. citizen; life. The term "child abuse" means the physical or mental injury, sexual abuse or exploitation, or negligent treatment of a child. This mandate outlines the regulations of who is responsible for reporting possibilities of child abuse. This mandate is responsible for saving the lives of many abused children. Federal Mandate 13031 falls under U.S.C. Title 42 - The Public Health and Welfare, Chapter 132 - Victims of Child Abuse, Subchapter IV - Reporting Requirements. It leaves the responsibility of reporting suspicions of child abuse with a great number of people. Any one in the medical profession including: physicians, dentists, medical residents or interns, hospital personnel and administrators, nurses, health care practitioners, chiropractors, osteopaths, pharmacists, optometrists, podiatrists, emergency medical technicians, ambulance drivers, undertakers, coroners, medical examiners, alcohol or drug treatment personnel, and persons performing a healing role or practicing the healing arts are required to report child abuse. Other professions included in the mandate are: psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, licensed or unlicensed marriage, family, and individual counselors, teachers, teacher's aides or assistants, school counselors and guidance personnel, school officials, and school administrators, child care workers and administrators, law enforcement personnel, probation officers, criminal prosecutors, and juvenile rehabilitation or detention facility employees, commercial film and photo processors. Lastly, the parents and/or foster parents are responsible for reporting any suspicion of child abuse or neglect. Despite the large numbers of responsible persons in this mandate, it has only a small impact on the local & state budget priorities. For most of these professions it is normal practice to check for signs of child abuse. It takes very little time and very few resources to look a child over. However, if a child is found to be abused, the costs of investigation, prosecution, and further care of the child can be very expensive. Due to this, there is millions of dollars appropriated each year for the area of child abuse. Any mandate that deals with the safety of children should never be removed. However, this particular mandate could probably be done without. The mandate simply shows who is required to report suspicions of child abuse. Although it doesn't sound very important, the number of abused children would probably continue to rise.

Mcdonald’s Is China Loving It Possible Solution

With China’s rapidly developing economy, the rising wealth of its middle-class and more Western fast-food chains infiltrating the nation, McDonald’s finds itself at a crossroads. The company must evaluate its current standing in the Chinese fast-food market and elect to either continue its present operations, hoping to maintain its second place rank to KFC, or implement new strategies to gain market share, meet the Chinese people’s expectations, and abide by governmental standards. The following alternatives will be evaluated to make a decision: 1. Base – Status QuoIn this scenario, McDonald’s will continue operating under its current strategies. New threats from competitors in China, including long-time rival KFC, Asian fast-food companies like Hong Kong’s Cafe de Coral, Taiwan’s Dicos Fried Chicken and Japan’s Ajisen Ramen, and emerging Western chains like Subway and Rainforest Cafe, would be ignored. Since its competitorsâ₠¬â„¢ menus focus on Chinese preferences for chicken and noodle dishes, McDonald’s will attempt to continue to offset that advantage by emphasizing quality and service. However, in the long run, McDonald’s operations would fall victim to China’s developing economy.In particular, China’s unionized workers would call for additional pay increases and inflationary pressures would cause material costs to rise. As a result, McDonald’s would be forced to increase its prices, as it had done in the past. In all likelihood, the price point for the quality of food offered would fail to live up to public and governmental standards. With competitors progressing in tandem with China’s economy, offering more luxurious casual dining environments and healthier menu options, McDonald’s would fall behind in the market. 2.Option 1: Efficiency, Convenience, and Environmental Responsibility. In this case, McDonald’s would augment its strategies to re main competitive with Western fast-food counterparts like KFC, Burger King and Subway, and Asian competitors like Cafe de Coral, Dicos Fried Chicken and Ajisen Ramen. McDonald’s would capitalize on the public’s demand for quick, convenient service at low prices and continue using its tier pricing model. The company would further exploit the wealth distribution in China by widening its target focus to include the increasing purchasing power of the lower-tier consumer in rural egions of the country. Chinese rural households account for over 60% of the total population. These households spend a larger proportion of income on food, compared to urban households, but as incomes rise, the proportion spent on food does not increase (see Exhibit 1). Thus, McDonald’s would focus on selling more products to more customers at lower prices. McDonald’s would incorporate healthier options in its menu, so to compete with Subway, a chain focused on fresh, healthy food, an d to address growing governmental concerns with an obesity epidemic.McDonald’s would also secure and sustain its locally-based supply chain and joint ventures, to maintain value and its business model, keeping competitors at a disadvantage. (page 8 lihua) (ultra modern cost efficiency) Despite the lack of formal legislation on environmental issues in China, McDonald’s would further emphasize its dedication to decreasing its environmental impact by repositioning itself as a market leader in environmentally friendly packaging, going beyond the established â€Å"no straw days† instituted in Hong Kong.This will highlight McDonald’s willingness to partner with its customers to decrease the use of plastic as well as reducing packaging costs. McDonald’s long-term goal would be to dominate the fast-food market as a dependable, responsible and valued brand. 3. Option 2 – Sophisticated Dining Experiences This option targets the higher-income segment o f the population. McDonald’s would recognize that individuals in this market have rising standards on the type of food and service they receive.Additionally, the amount of money these individuals spend on food, in proportion to growing incomes, is not increasing (see Exhibit 1). In order to retain these higher-income customers, McDonald’s will offer more luxurious ambiences and more amenities at its restaurants. McDonald’s would renovate current locations and build new locations in two ways, with both types offering the typical Western McDonald’s menu and options catered to Chinese tastes. One line of restaurants would encompass sit-down dining-rooms with waiter-service, which would mainly compete with Pizza Hut and Rainforest Cafe.The other line of restaurants, McCafes, would include sit-down dining spaces without waiter-service and offer wireless internet, calm music, and comfortable seating. The McCafes would compete directly with Starbucks. Delivery s ervice and car-side pickup options would expand throughout the country in both types of settings, to maintain sales volume. In addition, coupon partnerships with Internet companies like Taobao. com will continue to provide incentives for customers to dine at McDonald’s.The main risk in this scenario is that McDonald’s is completely revamping its identity as a true-fast food company. Consequently, the company may lose its second-place position to KFC, to justify itself as a luxury brand. 4. Option 3 – Fast Food Efficiency and McCafe Combination In this situation, McDonald’s would implement strategies from options 1 and 2. Tier pricing would continue, services and products would be tailored to the characteristics of the various provinces in the nation, and convenience, health, the environment, and luxury would be emphasized.As in option 1, McDonald’s would expand its operations in the more rural, Western provinces and renovate current locations in ur ban areas, to include the environmentally friendly and health-conscious menus and processes. In addition, a percentage of the urban locations would be transformed into McCafes, as mentioned in option 2. Drive-thrus, delivery service, and car side pickup would expand to all areas. Furthermore, McDonald’s would secure its local supply-chain, proceed with its joint venture structure, and continue coupon programs with Internet companies.IV. Critical Issues The following issues are significant considerations for McDonald’s, in order to make its decision: 1. Brand Perception: McDonald’s needs to convince its Chinese consumers that it offers a product worthy of the price it costs, that the products are special and luxurious, and that the company cares about its workers, the environment, suppliers and the health of consumers. McDonald’s must also address governmental concerns on safety and health, demonstrating that its products will not propose any detriment to China’s developing economy. 2.Impact on Market Share: Since KFC, its biggest competitor, entered the China market earlier than it did, McDonald’s must consider whether its new strategies will be able to surpass KFC in the fast-food market. McDonald’s must consider that as China develops, many new competitors will enter the fast-food market. McDonald’s strategies must be able to attract and maintain its targeted customer bases, and attract the consumers in competitors’ markets. 3. Long Term Sustainability: McDonald’s must consider whether its plan would have its desired affect to gain market share, maximize gross margin and cut its expenses.The company wants to ensure that it will maintain pricing power (charging more for fewer high-end product sales and charging less for more low-end product sales), improve consumer confidence in a rapidly changing economic environment, and continue to profit in the future. 4. Costs to Implement: McDonaldâ⠂¬â„¢s must consider the expenses associated with developing new programs and funding expansions. The company must be confident that future profits will cover implementation costs. V. Rubric and Methodology Score Key: 1 = Poor, 2 = Fair, 3 = Good, 4 = Superior, 5 = ExcellentBrand PerceptionImpact to market share LT SustainabilityCost to ImplementTotal Score Weight0. 40. 30. 20. 11. 00 Base**21141. 7 Option 144413. 7 Option 232222. 4 Option 354414. 1 **Base refers to current method. The ratings are based on a 1 through 5 scale with a score of 1 being poor and a score 5 being excellent. Weights for each criterion were assigned on an arbitrary evaluation of their importance. Brand Perception was considered most important (0. 4 weight) because most of McDonald’s problems regarding competition in China stem from a changing consumer perception of the McDonald’s brand.Impact to Market Share was considered to have the strongest secondary importance (0. 3 weight) because McDona ld’s main motivation for changing marketing strategies is to gain market share from its major competitor KFC as well as share from the increasing number of domestic fast food suppliers. Long-Term sustainability was considered to be less important (0. 2 weight) as in such a highly competitive market, McDonald’s may be forced to continuously alter the focus of its marketing strategy due the dynamic nature of the Chinese market. Finally, Cost to Implement was considered to be the least important (0. weight) as McDonald’s growth has been extremely robust and, regardless of the competition it faces, McDonald’s should be able to finance significant capital expenditures for the purpose of securing future growth. The option with the highest score should be implemented immediately. Base is included for comparison only. VI. Analysis of Alternatives Base Method: †¢Brand Perception – FAIR – Increasing awareness of the health risks of McDonaldâ€⠄¢s food, unfair treatment of workers, inconsistent environmental policy, and global perception of McDonald’s has reduced Chinese perception of the McDonald’s brand.The brand will continue eroding without action. †¢Impact to Market Share – POOR – McDonald’s will lose market share to KFC and an increasing number of domestic and foreign competitors offering diverse fast food and casual dining options. †¢Long-Term Sustainability – POOR – The dynamic changes in the purchasing power of Chinese consumers and the eroding brand perception will inspire them to purchase alternative products to those offered by McDonald’s. †¢Cost to Implement – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will incur no additional costs than it is already incurring in the China market.Option 1: McDonald’s Concentrates on Efficiency, Convenience, and Environmental Responsibility. †¢Brand Perception – SUPERIOR – Increas ing supply chain efficiency, healthy food alternatives, clean/green/modern restaurant environment will make Chinese consumers perceive McDonald’s to be a vital, healthy, and responsible fast food alternative. †¢Impact to Market Share – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will gain market share from KFC and other domestic and foreign competitors because its modern, energy efficient, and cost effective supply chain approach will allow McDonald’s to offer a superior product at a competitive price. Long-Term Sustainability – SUPERIOR – The efficiency of this new style of McDonald’s will enable it to keep profit margins higher during times of increased inflation and raw materials costs. This advantage will increase the sustainability of McDonald’s. †¢Cost to Implement – POOR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures costs to refurbish current restaurants, develop a more efficient supply chain p rocess, research healthier fast food alternatives that will prove successful in the Chinese market while maintaining McDonald’s brand identity as an American hamburger company.Additionally, McDonald’s will incur significant advertising expenditures as it campaigns to sell the new, green, and modern McDonald’s. Option 2: McDonald’s Concentrates on Sophisticated Dining Experiences †¢Brand Perception – GOOD – McDonald’s will increase the Chinese market’s perception of the McDonald’s brand by offering a more sophisticated dining experience worthy of higher prices and a continued characterization as a luxury brand. Impact to Market Share – FAIR – McDonald’s will enter a smaller and more specialized market with increased risks. While offering a more sophisticated and specialized food alternative will allow McDonald’s to charge a premium, there is a significant probability that this alternative will not catch on due to the increasing purchasing power of Chinese and ability to choose among casual dining competitors such as Pizza Hut and Rainforest Cafe.Long-Term Sustainability – FAIR – It is highly possible that the radical change in business plan suggested by option 2 will increase profits in the short-term as the new McDonald’s will be considered a novelty however, over the long-term, this novelty may wear off and significantly reduce the amount of returning customers. Cost to Implement – FAIR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures costs to refurbish current locations into more sophisticated casual dining atmospheres and significant advertising costs as the company campaigns to change the Chinese perception of McDonald’s from being a cheap and low class dining option to a sophisticated high-end establishment. Option 3: Fast Food Efficiency and McCafe Combination Brand Perception – EXCELLENT – McDonald’s brand perception will be maximized as it will offer a clean and green environment with fresh, fast, inexpensive, and healthy food in its flagship stores and a sophisticated and cool bistro cafe experience with interesting regional food options in its McCafe stores. †¢Impact to Market Share – SUPERIOR – McDonald’s will gain market share from KFC and other domestic and foreign fast food chains as it will offer a superior product at a lower price with an increasing corporate responsibility to have a low environmental impact.Further McDonald’s will steal market share from casual dining and coffee shop entrants as it works to make McCafe a market leader. †¢Long-Term Sustainability – SUPERIOR – Option 3 will foster superior sustainability through a strong brand perception of McDonald’s as a market leader in efficient and healthy fast food and cafe service. McDonald’s efforts to use its economies of scale to produce a very low environmental impact will keep its operating costs low and allow McDonald’s to price out the competition in the long-run while keeping margins high. Cost to Implement – POOR – McDonald’s will incur significant capital expenditures as it retools its supply chain and refurbishes its stores to operate more energy efficiently and with minimal environmental impact as well as advertising costs to convince Chinese consumers that it has corrected its prior missteps and has reinvented itself as a market leader in a new fast food space. VII. Recommendations Options 1 and 2 are not the best route for McDonald’s to pursue.In option 1 McDonald’s will seek to compete in only one market, the cheap fast food market. The more healthy, modern, and energy efficient approach will increase its brand perception, but at the opportunity cost of not exploring more casual dining marketing opportunities. By pursuing only option 2, McDonaldâ€℠¢s will compete only in the casual dining market but at the opportunity cost of the cheap fast food market that McDonald’s has been a world leader in.While option 2 will result in increased brand perception, the long-term sustainability of this option is unclear and may not justify the significant capital expenditures required to refurbish the company’s locations. While option 1 and 2 will both significantly increase McDonald’s brand perception, the increased costs of implementation and increased opportunity costs of foregoing other markets for a single market approach warrant that these options not be recommended.We recommend that McDonald’s pursue option 3 because it is a multi-segmented approach that utilizes McDonald’s current position as a market leader and focuses on expanding McDonald’s marketing footprint in the casual but sophisticated bistro/cafe space. Option 3, more than the other options, will increase McDonald’s brand pe rception and counter the growing sentiment in the China market that McDonald’s does not treat its workers fairly, does not offer healthy food choices, and does not strive to positively impact the environment.Following option 3 will reposition McDonald’s as a healthy and environmentally responsible fast food alternative. While this option will incur significant capital costs in the short-run, this option will allow McDonald’s to grow market share, price more competitively, and run a more streamlined operations that, in the long-run, will reduce operating expenses and lead to higher margins. As it will impact the problems McDonald’s faces in the case most effectively, we highly recommend that McDonald’s implement option 3 immediately. From HBS case, McDonald's Is China Loving it?

Overdraft

An overdraft is when one has overdrawn at the bank. Meaning there is a negative balance due to spending more than the money that is in the bank. Bank overdraft is a temporary facility whereby a bank customer can withdraw more money than what is actually available in his/her account. Obviously the money doesn’t belong to them but belongs to the bank, so this money will need to be paid back. Normally, paying back is automatically done when money goes into the person’s account.However, a small amount of interest based on the amount overdrawn and the length of time overdrawn is charged, a bank overdraft is also a type of loan which can be used if required to provide additional working capital for a short period of time when there is a cash deficit. An overdraft is particularly useful when one has regular sales and purchases coming out of the account which could result in bad cash flow situations. The best thing to do is to avoid overdrafts entirely.Do this by creating a bud get, keeping an extra cash cushion in your account, managing your checkbook and checking your balance before making a purchase or writing a cheque. The advantage of a bank overdraft is that it is there when you need. It allows you to make essential payments whilst chasing up for your own payments, and helps to maintain cash flow. You only need to borrow what you need at the time. Overdrafts are also easy and quick to arrange, providing a good cash flow backup with the minimum of fuss.The disadvantages of a bank overdrafts is that it carries an interest and fees which is often at much higher rates than loans. This makes them very expensive for long term borrowing. You also face large charges if you go over the agreed overdraft limit. Unless specified in the terms and conditions, the bank can recall the entire overdraft at any time. This may happen if you fail to make other payments, or if you have broken terms and conditions; though sometimes the banks simply change their policies.Ov erdrafts may need to be secured against your business assets, which put them at risk if you cannot meet repayments. Unlike  loans  you can only get an overdraft from the bank where you maintain your current account. In order to get an overdraft elsewhere you need to transfer your  business bank account. Situation: Mr. T applied for an overdraft facility with collateral. He mortgaged his house in order to get an overdraft facility of RM200,000 with an interest of BLR-2. 2% with HSBC Bank (BLR-Base lending rate).RM200,000 is deposited into his account upon the completion of security documentation. Interest is only payable for the amount of money utilized and he is given a tenor of 10 years to repay back. If he does not utilize the RM 200,000, he need not pay any interest to the bank for that month. The bank only calculates interest for the utilized amount only on a daily basis. However, if he doesn’t utilize any money, the bank may impose a service charge. This type of ov erdraft facility is best for businessman.

The History of Hacky Sack

The History of Hacky Sack Hacky Sack, also known as Footbag, is a modern, non-competitive American sport that involves kicking a bean bag and keeping it off the ground for as long as possible. It was invented in 1972 by John Stalberger and Mike Marshall of Oregon City, Oregon as a fun, challenging way to exercise. Inventing the Hacky Sack The story of Hacky Sack began in the summer of 1972. Mike Marshall introduced visiting Texan John Stalberger to a game that he had learned from a Native American, a fellow inmate in a military brig. The game involved kicking a small bean bag repeatedly to keep it off the ground for as long as possible- using all parts of your body except your hands and arms- and then eventually passing it to another player. Stalberger, who was recovering from a knee injury, began playing the game- which they described as going to â€Å"hack a sack†- as a way to rehabilitate his leg. Six months later, with Stalberger’s knee healed and newly acquired mastery of their game, they decided to go into manufacturing. Hacky Sack Evolution For about a year and a half, Marshall and Stalberger experimented with different versions of the sack. Their 1972 initial sack was square-shaped, made of denim and filled with rice. They quickly realized that internal stitching provided an improvement in control, and tried round instead of square, and switched from denim to cowhide for longevitys sake. By ’73, they had developed the classic, two-panel, leather, internally sewn, disc-shaped style that would stay in use and manufacture for the next twenty years. The first bags using the Hacky Sack name appeared in 1974. When the 28-year-old Marshall died of a heart attack in 1975, Stalberger decided to soldier on, developing a more durable bag and working to promote the game he and his late friend had created. Hacky Sack Ancient History LIke most modern inventions, hacky sack is a really old idea. A game similar to hacky sack was supposedly invented by the legendary (or mythological) Chinese Yellow Emperor (or deity), who used a hair-filled leather bag in a game called cuju, as training for his military forces during his reign in the late mid-third millennium BCE. The first non-mythological records of cuju date to the Zhan Guo Ce, a Chinese record written during the Warring States period (476–221 BCE). Cuju is also mentioned in the Chinese history of Shiji written about 94 BCE. In Japan, a similar game called kemari was being played at Nara by the 7th century CE; and in Malaysia, a game with a small rattan ball called sepak takraw has been played at least since the 11th century CE. Of course, hacky sack is also similar to soccer (European football), and soccer players frequently â€Å"juggle† or â€Å"freestyle† with a ball before kicking it in the air to a teammate. Official Techniques There arent any rules per se to the game of hacky sack, except that you cant use your hands or arms to keep the ball from falling to the ground. There are established techniques. The inside kick involves using the inside curve of your foot to kick the ball straight upward. The outside kick uses the outside of your foot to the same thing, and the toe kick hooks the ball straight upward. It is legal to stall the ball, bouncing it off any of those places on your foot rather than passing it high into the air, and it is legal to bounce it off your chest, head, or back. Just not your arms or hands. More formal types of hacky sack include footbag net (played with a net), footbag golf (like Frisbee golf), and consecutive (where you try to set a record for continuous bouncing). The original hacky sack is known as freestyle, where people stand in a circle and pass it to one another. The Hacky Sack Game Catches On Hacky Sack became extremely popular with high school and college students, especially with counterculture groups who would stand in circles, taking turns working to keep the footbags aloft. Groups of Deadheads playing the game became a familiar sight outside concert venues whenever the Grateful Dead performed. Stalberg was instrumental in founding the National Hacky Sack Association, founded in 1975. In 1979 the U.S. Patent office granted a license to the Hacky Sack brand footbag. By then Hacky Sack Company was a solid business, and Wham-O, the company that manufactures the Frisbee, acquired it from Stalberger. in 1983. A World Wide Sport Along the way, the generic, non-copyright name of footbag became popular for the game, and the game has become a worldwide sport with official rules. The first official organizing body for the sport, the National Hacky Sack Association, was organized by John Stalberger and Ted Huff in 1975. It sanctioned or sponsored U.S. footbag tournaments, including the World Footbag Championships, which have been running annually since 1980.   The NHSA ended in 1984, and the World Footbag Association rose to become its replacement. The World Wide Footbag Foundation was incorporated in 1994 and in 2000 it morphed into the International Footbag Players Association, Inc. The IFPA has a Football Hall of Fame: the first person initiated was Ted Huff in 1997.

Verificar estatus de caso migratorio con el USCIS

Verificar estatus de caso migratorio con el USCIS Verificar el estatus del caso de inmigracià ³n en Estados Unidos es un derecho de todas las personas con un caso ante el Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). En ocasiones la demora puede ser tan grande que uno acaba preguntndose si es que algo va mal o comienza a tener nervios imaginando lo peor y que su caso no va a ser aprobado. Lo cierto es que casi siempre lo que sucede es que las demoras son muy grandes, particularmente para cierto tipo de trmites. Por ello, en este artà ­culo se explica cà ³mo se puede conocer quà © est pasando con la solicitud migratoria por medio de Internet, por telà ©fono o en persona. Adems, hacia el final del artà ­culo hay un enlace para averiguar los tiempos promedio que se estn tardando para tramitar peticiones de familia, naturalizaciones, casos en corte e incluso peticiones de visas no inmigrantes.   Opciones para verificar estatus migratorio con USCIS Internet: Por medio de la pgina oficial USICS https:egov.uscis.gov/casestatus. Se necesita el nà ºmero de identificacià ³n del caso, el cual consta de 13 caracteres (3 letras seguidas por 10 nà ºmeros).Por telà ©fono: 1-800-375-5283. Las personas con problemas de audicià ³n pueden marcar al 1-800-767-1833.En persona: Puede presentarse en cualquier oficina migratoria (solo migrantes con estatus legal). Utilice el sistema InfoPass para concertar una cita previamente.  ¿Cà ³mo verificar el estatus del caso con el USCIS? La pgina de Internet del Servicio de Inmigracià ³n y Ciudadanà ­a (USCIS, por sus siglas en inglà ©s) ofrece un servicio en inglà ©s y en espaà ±ol para revisar cà ³mo se va procesando el caso migratorio de cada inmigrante. Debe introducirse en la casilla apropiada el nà ºmero de recibo del caso que se quiere verificar y est compuesto por 13 caracteres. Esto es, tres letras seguido por diez nà ºmeros. Las letras pueden ser cualquiera de las siguientes: EAC, WAC, LIN, SRC. Es muy importante que al introducir no se escriba ningà ºn sà ­mbolo de guion (-). Sin embargo, si el nà ºmero incluye otros sà ­mbolos, como por ejemplo asteriscos (*), sà ­ deben incluirse. El nà ºmero que pide la pgina del USCIS es el que corresponde a un determinado caso migratorio. Se encuentra en el recibo de confirmacià ³n que envà ­a a cada inmigrante que realiza una peticià ³n o solicitud antes las autoridades migratorias. En el caso de peticiones de tarjeta de residencia para un familiar o de visa de prometido (novio o fiancà ©), ese nà ºmero est en el documento conocido como NOA1. Despuà ©s de introducir el nà ºmero de recibo, presionar la tecla de verifique estatus. Se abrir una pantalla en la que se pueden comprobar los pasos por los que ya ha pasado la solicitud del inmigrante y cules estn todavà ­a pendientes.  ¿Cà ³mo recibir actualizaciones de estatus de caso electrà ³nico? Cada inmigrante que tiene un caso pendiente con el USCIS puede solicitar que se le mantenga al dà ­a sobre cà ³mo se va procesando su solicitud mediante correo electrà ³nico. Para este caso es preciso crear previamente una cuenta en la pgina del Servicio de Inmigracià ³n presionando en inscribirse como cliente solicitante. A continuacià ³n, debe aceptar los tà ©rminos y condiciones de uso de este servicio y ya se puede darse de alta en este servicio. Informacià ³n electrà ³nica para planillas N-400 e I-90 Solo para los casos de los formularios N-400, para solicitar la ciudadanà ­a estadounidense por naturalizacià ³n, o I-90, la solicitud para reemplazar la tarjeta de residente permanente o green card, es posible verificar el estatus del caso mediante el denominado e-request. Para poder utilizar este servicio es necesario que ya haya transcurrido el tiempo normal de procesamiento de estos documentos y no se tenga respuesta. Por ejemplo, en la actualidad para el N-400 est entre 12 y 20 meses, variando enormemente segà ºn la oficina encargada para su procesamiento. Por otro lado, para el I-90, de 4 meses a 10 meses y medio. Si pasado este tiempo no tiene noticias, puede plantear su pregunta. Si sigue sin obtener respuesta, debe dejar pasar 30 dà ­as antes de volver a pedir una explicacià ³n. Solicitud de informacià ³n sobre el estatus del caso en persona Los inmigrantes con estatus migratorio legal pueden verificar el estatus del caso presentndose en las oficinas del USCIS y, tras esperar en fila a que llegue su turno, preguntar por su caso. O tambià ©n es posible concertar una cita para un dà ­a y una hora en concreto mediante el servicio InfoPass. Es muy importante que los migrantes indocumentados no se presenten voluntariamente en persona en las oficinas del USCIS ya que pueden ser detenidos. Sin embargo, en los casos en los que han sido previamente citados sà ­ deben presentarse, pero es altamente recomendable que vayan acompaà ±ados de abogados migratorios. Solicitud por telà ©fono de informacià ³n sobre estatus de caso Los migrantes tambià ©n pueden comunicarse con el Servicio de Inmigracià ³n por telà ©fono, marcando al 1-800-375-5283 o al 1-800-767-1833, si se sufre de algà ºn problema de audicià ³n. Se brinda servicio en inglà ©s y en espaà ±ol. Se puede llamar a cualquier otra para recibir informacià ³n automatizada, es decir, ofrecida por una computadora. Para hablar con una persona es preciso realizar la llamada en horas de oficina (8am a 6 pm) de lunes a viernes, si el inmigrante se encuentra en cualquiera de los estados de EUA excepto Hawaii (8am-4pm) o Alaska (8am-5pm). Recuerde tener a mano toda la informacià ³n necesaria, como el nà ºmero de caso, el Alien Registration Number, si se tiene, el pasaporte o cualquier otro documento que contenga informacià ³n importante sobre su situacià ³n de inmigracià ³n en USA. Verificar estatus de caso con el CENTRO NACIONAL DE VISAS Despuà ©s de que el USCIS apruebe una peticià ³n de visa no inmigrante, si la tramitacià ³n debe seguir un procesamiento consular (cuando la persona pedida est fuera de EEUU o, si est aquà ­, no puede ajustar su estatus) la solicitud pasa al Centro Nacional de Visas (NVC, por sus siglas en inglà ©s). Y aquà ­ se va a recibir un nuevo nà ºmero de caso, que es el que se debe utilizar para comunicarse con el NVC. Es muy importante entender, adems, que en los siguientes casos la tramitacià ³n va a quedar dormida por un tiempo: peticià ³n de ciudadano de green card para hijos casados, hijos solteros mayores de 21 aà ±os y hermanospeticià ³n de residentes para cà ³nyuges e hijos solteros (menores y mayores de 21 aà ±os)peticiones de green card patrocinadas por empleador Esto se debe a que es necesario que haya tarjetas de residencia disponibles para la categorà ­a por la que se aplica. Asà ­, es posible obtener la aprobacià ³n en unos meses pero tener que esperar incluso aà ±os por la green card. Una vez que hay nà ºmero de visa disponible, comienza la fase final de la tramitacià ³n. La disponibilidad de tarjetas de residencia o determinadas categorà ­as de visas se puede verificar en el à ºltimo boletà ­n de visas  del Departamento de Estado, para ello hay que tener a mano la fecha de prioridad que aparece en la carta que se conoce como NOA2, y que envià ³ el USCIS. Por el contrario, las peticiones de ciudadano para cà ³nyuge, hijos solteros menores de 21 aà ±os y padres no tienen que esperar, por lo que una vez que lleguen al NVC se proceder a su tramitacià ³n sin demora. Tiempos de demora en tramitacià ³n y quà © hacer con retrasos. Es posible informarse de cunto aproximadamente se estn demorando los casos similares ante el USCIS dependiendo de la oficina de tramitacià ³n, visas no inmigrantes, migrantes, NVC e incluso en  Corte etc. Adems, en casos de demoras ms all de lo habitual para el mismo tipo de casos, se puede demandar mediante lo que se conoce como un writ of mandamus. Para ellos, consultar antes con un abogado. De interà ©s para obtener confiable informacià ³n para resolver inquietudes Para obtener ms informacià ³n sobre telà ©fonos o pginas webs en los que acudir para encontrar informacià ³n oficial, denunciar fraudes migratorios o encontrar asesorà ­a legal a buen precio y reputada se puede consultar esta lista importante de recursos para migrantes. Este es un artà ­culo meramente informativo. No es asesorà ­a legal.

Religious movements in Asia Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Religious movements in Asia - Essay Example nged into social and political movements, which forced the governments revise their foreign policies in so many western and eastern countries at international level. The most dynamic religious movements are launched by the Jewish and Islamic fundamentalist parties, which has split the whole world into extremist groups and factions, who are always engaged in terrorist activities and hostilities against their rival factions on the one hand, and against the peaceful citizens of the world on the other jeopardizing the very peace and stability of the world at large. The most significant and influential social and political movement that made imperative alterations in the social and political establishment includes Marxism. Named after eminent German socialist thinker and philosopher of nineteenth century i.e. Karl Marx, the movement got the masses realized at global level regarding their rights and privileges that must have been established on equal foundations on the noble principles of social justice, brotherhood and equality. It was Marxist perspective that gave birth to all social movements in Asia, Europe and Africa during the twentieth century. The people of Africa and Asia stood up against imperialism and demanded freedom from the western imperialism. The movement influenced the American society in such a way that the minority groups particularly the African Americans strived to break the shackles of slavery and successfully won the battle against prejudice and racial discrimination after a long and tiresome struggle against the dominati ng majority group i.e. White Anglo Saxon Population (WASP). Karl Marx views conflict as inevitable in every culture and social set up, which is necessary for its progress and prosperity. Since Marxist perspective was a reaction to the exploitation of the lower stratum at the hands of the upper classes, all the future movements related to it also united to eradicate inequality from society. â€Å"Marx notes how the separate