IT Ethics and Security Essay Example for Free

IT Ethics and Security Essay The bill of Children’s Internet Protection Act or CIPA is included in the United States Congress and is recommended to keep a tight rein on children’s disclosure to obscene websites and explicit material available on the internet and online. This bill was proposed by the Senator of Arizona, Mr.  John McCain who wanted CIPA to be in United States Senate in the year 1999; however it was not included until various other delegates launched it in the United States House of Representatives, subsequent to which an absolute version was made and passed on the 15th December, 2000 after President Bill Clinton brought it into Law on 21st December, 2000 which after a few years on 23rd June, 2003 finally got defended by the Supreme Court of United States of America (US District Pennsylvania, 2010). This law requires the schools and public libraries to use internet safety filters for the reception of certain national financial support. Therefore the Supreme Court of United States of America has followed on constitutionality CIPA and has been providing them with the relieves to acquire reasonably priced telecommunications and Internet (Willard, 2007). Supreme Court of United States of America’s ruling on CIPA The purpose of CIPA was to provide the libraries and schools of the USA with support for internet and telecommunication facilities and this has been followed perfectly since the Supreme Court of USA approved it however it has certain limitation. A legal apprehension for instructors is lawsuits brought through anxious parents and associations. Through certain internet filters the minors can be saved from the explicit content on the internet which may rot their minds at a very early age so this helps in preventing the data of school from being seen by some other sources and, therefore from all points provide maximum security to the children and their families (US District Pennsylvania, 2010). As mentioned there are certain limitation to the support program which includes that as per CIPA, schools and libraries under CIPA do not obtain the concession accessible through the E-rate program, which is a concession that provides the facility of internet to schools and libraries, until they confirm that they have all the internet security measures in place which include the filter of blockage of pictures which are obscene, which may contain explicit material or certain data which might be bad for the children’s mind, therefore the schools which have CIPA facility need to have proper monitoring system which is too under check of the USA authorities jus in case of any violation (Willard, 2007). Also the educational institutions and libraries under the watch and aid of CIPA have to implement an authority and are inquired about to check the children while they use the internet, send any electronic mail or use some kind of chatting resource through the web while special check on certain hacking or misuse of internet by a minor is done and all the information is under supervision of the authorities however it does not need tracing of internet and the websites used by the children or any adult during the subjection to CIPA as it can be done by the supervisor of the place where the internet is being used (US District Pennsylvania, 2010). Hence this has been one of the greatest steps taken by the United States government and surely has a brilliant positive effect on the minors as they not only learn the use of internet but are also protected through it. Conclusion The united states government has always taken steps for the betterment of its citizen and the ones through which they can be benefitted therefore this step of CIPA ruling under the Supreme Court of the USA deserves appreciation and especially the people who donate funds to help the schools and libraries running and provide facilities the young minds

Three Information Systems Development Methods Information Technology Essay

Three Information Systems Development Methods Information Technology Essay Information system in this present period is been used by organisations, institutions, businesses and many industries. Information system development method is a general technique and procedures that is been followed in stages by system developers in the process of building a system. However, there are different types of information system development method which will be stated later in the report. The main aim of this report is to briefly compare three types of information systems development methods (ISDM) out of the several types of ISDM that exist which will be stated later in the report. Although, this report is more interested in the common methods that are mostly used such as waterfall method, spiral method and systems development life cycle method. In addition to the compared method this report has also adopted six related topics that are connected and interrelated to the information system development method. These six topics include information systems development method, types of information system development methodologies, difference between software development methodology (SDM) and SDLC, difference between system analysis and system design and introduction to project management. The Waterfall Method The waterfall information system development method is one of the easiest and straight forward information systems development method that talks about series of activities in the others of requirement, design, implementation, verification, and maintenance which are done in stages were each stage of the activity stated have to be hundred percent accomplished before the following section can be done (Davidson, 2002). In addition, Cadle Yeates (2004, pp. 77-78) also explained that the end product of each section of the waterfall method is used as an inputs to the product of the following stage as a result it does not permit you to review the previous stage once it is crossed just like the way water flows sequentially. Consequently, Hurst (2007) also analyzed that the waterfall information systems development method has been argued by many to be a bad method because it is not possible for a project to get one stage fully completed and corrected before making ahead to the following stage . However, Hughes et al (2004) one of the biggest advantages the waterfall method has over spiral and system development life cycle is that its make good use of time in terms of management, very easy to manage and it is mostly used for smaller project were all requirements are known. Though, it also has some drawbacks which include high level of risk, been disciplined in completing each stage of the activities in the model. The series of activities in the waterfall method is shown in the diagram below. Fig 1: Waterfall model The Spiral Method This is another type of information systems development method just like the waterfall and the system development life cycle method that also has series of activities that have to be done one after the other but in a different approach. The spiral method combines the important features of both the waterfall method and the prototyping method and most concerned about risk analysis (Dawson, 2005). Although, the spiral method has four stages compared to the waterfall and system development life cycle method which is in the stated order, determine objective, identify and resolve risk, development and testing then finally plan the next execution. All these levels that are mentioned are constantly repeated over and over again section by section until all the difficulties of the waterfall method are rectify. However, some of it advantages is that it is not use for minor project, it takes a very long time to be completed and also it is very expensive to manage. Similarly, it also has some limitations which include, controlling high level of risk analysis in a system development and also used for project were all requirement are complex. Thus it could be concluded that the spiral information system development method is mostly used for larger and complicated system development where the entire requirements are very difficult to understand compared to the waterfall and system development life cycle method. A diagram showing how the spiral method works is shown below: Fig 2: Spiral model. System Development Life Cycle (SDLC) Method This is also another type of information system development method similar to the waterfall and the spiral method with series of activities followed in a circular other in stages through which every developer, database designer and project manager pass through as to develop an information system (Radack, 2009). The system development life cycle method is the overall cognitive process that takes place in the development of information systems in a gradual manner until there is an achievement of the best quality in the development of a system. In addition, (Dawson, 2005) also stated that the system development life cycle is the general process of developing, implementing, and constructing information systems through a multistep process from Requirement, Design, Build, Test and maintenance. However, some its features includes dividing stages into sub stages for easy management and also gives a room for going back to stage when there is a problem unlike the waterfall information system development method. It also has some limitations which includes not meeting the users requirements, not been stable, having lack of control and also having problems with documenting. On this basis, it can be inferred that the SDLC is a procedure that every information system development must pass through even if each of them emphasizes on different part of the five stages of the SDLC method. Below is a diagram that shows how the stages in the SDLC take place in a circular form moving from one stage to the other. Fig 3: System development life cycle model Information systems development method. A brief introduction of information system development method has been given at the beginning of this report but it will be better to look as the definition its self. Information systems development method (ISDM) is defined as: A collection of procedures, techniques, tools and documentation aids which help the system developers in their efforts to implement a new information system. A methodology will consist of phases, themselves consisting of sub phases, which will guide the systems developers in their choice of the techniques that might be appropriate at each stage of project and also help them plan, manage, control and evaluate information systems project (Avison Fitzgerald, 2006, p. 24). It is clear therefore that the information systems development methods concentrate on the general process of development. Categories of Information System Development Methods. Different categories of information systems development methods are considered in the outgrowth of developing an application. Although, every information systems development method has its own special way of approaching each stage of the ISDM process. Thus, the information system development method that exist include: Agile, SSM, SSADM, RAD, PRINCE, Spiral, SDLC, Waterfall, Object oriented, XP etc (Banks Wood-Harper, 2005). However, this information systems development method follows the same procedure known as life cycle. Difference between Software development methodology SDM and SDLC. Britton Doake (2006) differentiated the different between a software development methodology and system development life cycle as, a software development life cycle is mainly concerned about the overall development model of a system with different level of constructing procedures in addition to the sections and protocols that has to be used in completing each sections whereas a system development life cycle is strictly a sequence of activities that are carried out by designers and analyst to produced and implement an information system. Difference between System Analysis and System Design. Shelly (2008, p. 22) explain that System Analysis is the process of collecting or gathering all useful and possible requirement regarding the information system to be developed from the users and also determining how it will be put into the development of the system whereas System design is the process whereby all the requirement that was collected and analyzed during the system analysis stage is put together in the design of the system. Introduction to Project Management According to Kerzner (2006, pp.55-58), Project management can be defined as every unit of activity put to consideration or executed in achieving a common goal or task and the measurement of project success based on time, cost, and quality performance or scope critical success factors. However, information system development or project must be well managed in other to be successful. This is where project management is involved. In addition, project management deals more with the management of a project emphasizing more on time, cost and scope which are the most important issues in a project. Therefore, the main reason for managing a project is to present a well documented work or system development within a specific time in a full flesh package and of the best quality. Conclusion In conclusion, this report has been able to make a good comparison of three types of information system development methods which were waterfall, spiral and system development life cycle methods. In addition, it has also been able to include and discussed six topics that were related to information system development method.

Overview of Bristol, Rhode Island

Overview of Bristol, Rhode Island Silva 1 Thousands upon thousands of cities and towns blanket this beautiful planet. Many different cities and towns are indeed interesting subjects for study and analysis. One particular town in general possesses many characteristics that help to build what this planet is. Bristol, Rhode Island definitely is a magnificent town to visit, live, or study. Why Bristol? Bristol, Rhode Island and its unique history, culture and other geographic characteristics make it a wonderful place to live. To understand the Bristol of today, one must critically analyze the history of the area. Bristol has a long, rich history—a history that dates back over 1000 years. Around the year 1000, Vikings from Iceland are believed to have landed on the shores of what is today Mount Hope Bay (Almy 8). This is the first recorded contact from the outside perimeter of the world to Bristol. Many believe that the name â€Å"Mount Hope† has been passed down from these Vikings to the indigenous Amerindians of the region. The Amerindians ultimately passed the name onto the first English settlers (Almy 8). The first European settler to make his home in the Mount Hope Lands was John Gorham. Gorham was granted 100 acres of land by the Plymouth colony, and has been given credit to be the official founder of Bristol. Much of the surrounding time saw little English settlement. However, much of the time was devoted to a series of conflicts between Amerindians and English settlers. The most notab le conflict was the King Phillips War (1675-1676). The Amerindians were subsequently crushed by the English settlers and Amerindian control over the lands was lost forever. The Mount Hope Lands were now under full control of the Plymouth Colony and not the Amerindians (Funk Wagnall’s 358). The colonial administrators took little time in making attempts to develop the area, and in 1680 the process of settlement took a momentous step. Four proprietors bought a tract of land (what is now Bristol). At this time the relative location of Bristol was as follows: The Mount Hope Lands lied between present day Taunton and the Mount Hope Bay on the East and the Narragansett Bay on the west; the land also extended from Bristol Ferry some 6 miles from the north (Almy 8). The Proprietors took their land and broke it up, selling portions to other English settlers. The following year, 1681, the first town meeting was held and a decision was reached about the future name of the Mount Hope La nds. The settlers saw the opportunities that were before them and they chose to name the Mount Hope Lands after the seaport city of Bristol, England in the hopes that one day, Bristol of the New World would emulate the success of Bristol, England (Funk Wagnall’s 358). Bristol finally had a name and a mass a settlers that would plant the seed and develop the area to what it is today. It is important to understand at this particular point in history the town of Bristol was under the auspice of the Plymouth Colony, which today is present day Massachusetts. The surrounding areas, most notably Taunton, made attempts to diminish the role of Bristol within the colony; therefore, Bristol attempted to remove itself from the Plymouth Colony and chose to be annexed by the colony of Rhode Island. At a town meeting in 1747, Bristol decided to officially break away from Plymouth Colony, and Rhode Island was there to take the potential seaport. Bristol was now part of Rhode Island (Almy 9). Bristol, as it is known today, came into existence. To better understand the Bristol of today, two important aspects of Bristol’s history must be understood. The history of industry and the history of immigration helped to shape Bristol immensely. From 1680 until about 1830 the town of Bristol was engaged in commerce and agriculture. Everything from onions to slaves was exported from this busy seaport all around the world (Almy 9). A new industry sprang up in 1832 as ships were sent out in search of whales on the Pacific Coast—whaling was successfully profitable for nearly 10 years. At about the same time the Industrial Revolution took hold in Bristol. Distilleries, gristmills, tanneries, and shipbuilding sprung up all over Bristol to support the commerce she engaged in (DiGati 15). The industrial age dominated Bristol for the remainder of the 19th century and most of the 20th century, but today Bristol is not engaged as heavily in manufacturing as it once was. A general shift, nationwide, has been to service industries. Another important historical aspect that has shaped Bristol is immigration. Several ethnic groups have come to Bristol throughout the years. The history of immigration in Bristol is necessary to understand the demographic composition of present day Bristol. In 1846 a massive potato famine struck Ireland, which led many Irish to flee their homeland and immigrate to the United States. Some of these immigrants ended up in Bristol, and by 1852 there were hundreds of Irish residing in Bristol. The Irish brought with them many new cultural traits; among those was their religion—Roman Catholicism. In response to the Irish presence in Bristol, the first Roman Catholic Church was built in Bristol in 1855. However, industry in Bristol was growing faster than the workforce, and a massive campaign was launched to recruit cheap foreign labor, or more specifically the Italians. The Italians were the second major wave of immigrants to reach Bristol; a high concentration immigrated around the 1880s (DiGati 16). The third major migration to reach Bristol is the most important, and the reason why today half the total population is from Portuguese ancestry and 20% of the homes still speak the Portuguese language (Census 1990). The Portuguese influx into Bristol has been steady and constant throughout most of the 20th century, and exploded immensely during the late 1970s as volcanic eruptions created havoc among the Azorean Islands (DiGati 16). The Portuguese, like other ethnic groups, brought a culture that is clearly evident today in Bristol. Unfortunately, there is a dark side to Bristol’s history that must be mentioned. Bristol actively, and openly engaged in the trading of slaves. Between the years of 1804 and 1807, 8,238 slaves were delivered to be sold by Rhode Island ships (DiGati 15). How could Bristol engage in this enterprise? The answer is money. Today Bristol is a prominent town in the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and serves as the seat of Bristol County in Rhode Island. Located on a peninsula between Narragansett and Mount Hope Bays, Bristol is about 12 miles southeast of Providence and 12 miles north of Newport. With a population of 22, 000, Bristol is easily accessible from Route 114 or Route 136 via Route 195, and from the Mount Hope Bridge via Route 24 (http://www.town.bristol.ri.us/about1.htm). To the west of Bristol’s border is the Narragansett Bay, which gives Bristol excellent access to the Atlantic Ocean. The demographics of Bristol help to create a diverse town. Census data reveals many changes and patterns of certain demographics within Bristol. Population demographics revealed by the 1960 census give keen insight into the town of Bristol during the 1960s. The total population of Bristol in 1960 was 14,570; of this total a mere 26 were nonwhite who inhabited Bristol (1960 Census). The African American population in Bristol at that time was virtually nonexistent. In terms of the minority presence in Bristol, nothing has changed over the years. From 1960 to 1990 the population of Bristol has grown to 21,624 persons; of this number a mere 60 are from African decent (1990 Census). A great disparity exists between the population of whites and blacks in Bristol. Statements made by minorities in Bristol gives insight into the reasons why this disparity exists. There is a feeling that opportunities are available, but, perhaps, the property is too expensive for minorities to afford to buy. D onald Isom, a concerned resident of Bristol, stated, â€Å"Property is expensive in Bristol, and minorities just can’t afford it.† Hopefully as wages for minorities increase, property will become more affordable for minorities in Bristol. Another interesting demographic characteristic that has remained intact over the years is the relative stability of the ethnic composition in the town of Bristol. In 1960 the total number of foreign born residing in Bristol was 2,367; of this total 1,476 were Portuguese; a distant second were the Italians, which had 474 foreign born residents in Bristol (1960 Census). At the present time, little has changed in the ethnic composition of Bristol. According to the 1960 Census, 9,146 declared Portuguese ancestry—nearly half of the total population of Bristol; again the Italians were a distant second with 4,768 declaring Italian ancestry. These statistics leave little doubt that the Portuguese are a dominant factor in the population of Bristol. The impact of the Portuguese on Bristol can also be seen by the language grouping in the area. A whopping 4,554 persons speak Portuguese at home, which constitutes 20% of the total population. The Portuguese have been able to preserve their culture in Bristol; the language data clearly explains this. Bristol is getting old these days. The population of Bristol has been growing gradually older throughout the years. In 1960, 10% of the total population was ages 65 or older. As of 1990 the proportion has doubled to nearly 20% (1960 1990 Census). The aging of Bristol can be attributed to improved medical treatments since 1960. The proportion of men to women in Bristol has remained the same since 1960, equally divided between men and women (1960 1990 Census). Income statistics in Bristol raise questions about equality in the town. A great disparity exists between men and women and their average yearly income. However, the gap in income has closed somewhat since 1960. In 1960, the average male, working full time, earned approximately $3,846 per year, while the average woman earned less than half that total—a mere $1,828 dollars (1960 Census). By 1990 the gap had closed significantly, but not enough to merit full equality. The median income of a female working full time was $18,402, while the median income of a male working full time was $27,422 (1990 Census). Although the situation has improved, there is a long way to go, not only for Bristol but also for the rest of the country. The disparity between wages is not a problem just for Bristol, but it’s a problem that faces the nation as a whole. Sandra Pereira, an employee of Coastal Medical in Bristol, stated her concerns on this matter, â€Å"Men are the ones who own most of the businesses [in Bristol] and they hire other males and pay them the big money. More women have to get better educated and take an active role in business, and hopefully [women] will make more money than men.† Housing statistics reveal interesting traits in Bristol. In 1960 there were 4,284 homes in Bristol, and 3832 of them were occupied. The owner occupied 3,326 homes or 86.8%, while the remaining 506 homes were rented (Census 1960). Obviously, as of 1960, a great number of Bristolians owned a home, compared to those who rented. Things have changed in the modern Bristol. By 1990 the homes in Bristol grew from 4,284 in 1960 to a staggering 7,959. The owner occupied 4,863 housing units, while 2,592 units were rented (1990 Census). Although the proportion of renters has changed since 1960, there is still a greater majority of those who own homes compared to those who rent. What is life like today in Bristol? The answer to the question depends upon the person who is answering the question. The question: â€Å"What do you like/dislike about Bristol and Why?† met different answers from different people. A young teen living in Bristol, answered the question with a resounding â€Å"No!† â€Å"There isn’t anything exciting to do in this town.† His answer is perhaps a little harsh, but it does have some validity. There is Colt State Park, but the beach there is not a major tourist attraction. It is a park where families can have cookouts, but nothing overly exciting. There are museums and historical houses that can be visited, but again nothing compares to an amusement park or a mall, which Bristol has neither. Most of the younger people yearned for something of that magnitude in Bristol. When the question was posed to older people different answers were acquired. Sandra Pereira a town resident in her mid forties proclaimed,  "I really love Bristol because it is a quiet, close community.† An African American in his early 20s answered, â€Å"Bristol would be a better place if more opportunities are made available to all races.† One major complaint that seemed to plague most residents was the horrible traffic that engulfs Bristol. Congestion is most common among routes 114 and 136. These are the two main roads that go through Bristol, and these are the two roads that are most congested with traffic. One possible solution to this problem would be converting route 136 into a four-lane road to ease traffic congestion. However, local government cannot solve this particular issue. Route 136 is a state road; therefore it must be augmented by the state. As of today the traffic problem is in a state of gridlock between Bristolians and the State of Rhode Island. Another issue that faces Bristol is the after effects of Bristol/Warren regionalization. For the past 6 years the Bristol and Warren school departments have been merged in the hopes of saving money. Students from Bristol are bussed to certain schools in Warren, while students from Warren are bussed to certain schools in Bristol. This new system has been in effect for over 6 years, and complaints are rising from Bristol. The Bristol/Warren School Committee was promised funds from the state, but the new governor reneged on that proposal. Now Bristol has swallowed much of the debt inherited from the Warren School Department. Property taxes have also increased when they were supposed to decrease. Anger and frustration are themes of school committee meetings. â€Å"Residents of Bristol and Warren must work together to do what is best for the education of our young people. We must cooperate or we will suffer,† stated Thomas Scuba, member of the Bristol/Warren School Committee. The i ssue is a hot one and definitely needs cooperation for it to succeed. Regionalization is too far along to reverse, so it must be dealt with. Bristol, indeed, is a great place to live, work, and recreate. Violent crime is virtually nonexistent in Bristol, and the community seems more like a family than anything else. This is best seen by the massive 4th of July Parade that engulfs Bristol each year. The oldest continuous independence parade in the country attracted 250,000 people to Bristol last year (http://www.town.bristol.ri.us/hmepge.htm). Colt State Park and many museums make Bristol a fun and cultural place to live in and visit. Jobs are widely available in Bristol. Manufacturing of machines, the fishing industry, and the service industry make Bristol an easy place to find a job. There is, undoubtedly, room for improvement in the town of Bristol. Opportunities must be available for minorities and women must earn a wage equal to that of men. In an interview with a longtime resident of Bristol, many emotions were uncovered. Maria Menezes, an immigrant into Bristol in 1944, has seen Bristol go through many changes. She has first hand knowledge of Bristol’s changing from a manufacturing powerhouse—dominated by mills, and factories—to the service economy of today. â€Å"It’s bad that plants closed, but I still love my home—Bristol.† Throughout her life she has loved Bristol, and it is understandable why. I have great faith in the future of Bristol. Bristol has a rich history, and dynamic ambiance. Certain problems within Bristol need to be addressed. More funds should be made available to decrease traffic and make roads more efficient. The state of animosity between Warren and Bristol over regionalization must also be dealt with. The two sides ought to come together, put aside their differences and do what is best for the both of them. If that means separation—so be it. There is no doubt that Bristol will work through these problems and continue to progress. All in all, I look forward to the future and success of the town of Bristol.

What causes acne? :: essays research papers

What causes acne?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Acne vulgaris, the medical term for common acne; is the most common skin disease. It is so common that nearly eighty-five percent of the population will develop some form of acne at some time between the ages of twelve and twenty-five years. Although there are several theories about what causes acne, medical doctors generally agree that acne is a by-product of hormonal changes in the body.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  At puberty (that period of life when a child develops secondary sex characteristics), increased levels of androgens (normally referred to as the male hormone) cause the sebaceous glands to produce to much sebum. The sebaceous glands lie just beneath the skin’s surface. They produce an oily substance called sebum, the skin’s natural moisturizer. These glands and the hair follicles (the tube like structures from which hair develops) within which they are found are called sebaceous follicles. These follicles open into the skin through pores. When excess sebum combines with dead sticky skin cells a hard plug, or comedo is formed. If comedones are open to the surface, they are called blackheads. Comedones that are closed at the surface are called white heads. Plugged follicles can rupture internally, resulting in a discharge of their contents into the surrounding tissues. A comedo is the mildest type of acne.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Moderate and severe inflammatory types of acne are the result of plugged follicles being invaded by the bacteria that normally lives on the skin. The role of the bacteria is unclear. Bacteria may act by causing chemical reactions in the sebaceous fluid, leading to the release of very irritating compounds called fatty acids. These in turn cause inflammation that increases susceptibility to infection. A pimple forms when the damaged follicle weakens and bursts open, releasing a substance (sebum, bacteria, and skin) into the surrounding tissues. Pimples that are near the skin’s surface and are inflamed are called papules. When pimples are deeper they are called pustules. This process begins an inflammatory response that sets the stage for the development of acne. Specialists are unable to detect the exact cause of acne, but there are many risk factors that have been identified with the contribution of developing acne. Diet does not cause acne, but certain foods can cause flare-ups. However, eliminating certain foods, particularly chocolates and fats, appear to improve some cases of acne. Teenagers are more likely to develop acne, due to hormonal changes they experience. Boys tend to develop more severe acne than girls, as well as more often.

A Seperate Peace :: essays research papers

The book, A Separate Peace, written by John Knowles, can be related to adolescence in several ways. The attendants of this school face many new experiences during the course of their stay, many of which occur in their last year. This is where the book picks up. The book takes place at the Devon School, in the summer session of 1942. Throughout this book, the children are constantly fighting and fearing adulthood and their future. The pressure to be successful and layout a plan for the future is always upon students in school. Also, the constant reminder of World War || lays like heavy blankets over them, smothering at all times. Many of the students at the Devon School accept this pressure and continue to press on, while others may crack. Adolescence is conveyed throughout this book through many points. One of which is the society established by both Gene and Finny, known as the Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Super Suicide Society of the Summer Session was the main activity that kept the student's minds off the war. Their society was established on the banks of the Devon River, a river that passed through school grounds. This river was quite the opposite of the Naguamsett River. The Naguamsett was rough, cloudy, and unpredictable, much like the students' futures. The Devon River was smooth and fresh, with clear waters, and was pure like their childhood. To join the society, you would have to jump from the tree into the river, testing your courage. Once it had been done, everyone else wanted to try and out-jump the prior jumper. This changed the student's perception of the tree from soldier training to fun and games. Finny established this game because he was not one to let the depression of the war overcome him. He always tried to make others happy, going to any extreme to get a laugh. He was the sign of peace, childhood and fun at Devon. Without Finny, the students would soon lose to uch with their childhood, turning all their attention onto the war. Adolescence was also shown through Finny's clothing. Finny had no inhibitions, which was conveyed very well through his pink shirt and tie-belt. The pink shirt and tie-belt served as an emblem, because news had just arrived of the bombing overseas. Finny wore this to tea, something no one else would dare ever do.

Building Effective Teams

Work teams of all types are being empowered to perform tasks that previously were employees’ responsibility. As organizations move toward more highly empowered work teams, the organizations that invest resources to train teams can increase both team and organizational effectiveness. Management often rushes to form work teams without considering how the behaviors needed for effective team work differ from those needed for effective individual contributions. Team members may receive little or no training to ensure that they can perform the required tasks and achieve the goals set.Communication Issues in Situations 1. Not informing other departments of status and updated schedules. Improving communication in organization involves more accurate encoding, transmitting, decoding and updating at the interdepartmental level. People can overcome barriers to effective communication. They must first be aware that barriers exist and can cause serious organizational problems. Then they mus t be willing to invest the effort and time necessary to overcome the barriers. When departments do not communicate or update the status of information, then, there will be confusion in the process.To avoid this, employees must be able to follow up to determine whether important messages have been understood. Feedback doesn’t have to be verbal; in fact, actions often speak louder than words. The sales manager who describes desired changes in the monthly sales planning report receives feedback from the report itself when it is turned in. If it contains the proper changes, the manager knows the message was received and understood. Managers who tell everyone to see the big picture often create a serious communication overload.Rather than trying to keep everyone involved, top-level management need follow the â€Å"need-to-know† principle transmitting communication and updating people in other areas of the organization that need the necessary information. Sometimes it is use ful to regulate the flow of information and procedures that need to be brought to the attention of the people in the other departments. As long as performance falls within the acceptable range, the regular procedures aware followed. Misunderstandings and confusion can be reduced when adequate and timely feedback of information is done.Information must always be updated. Feedback mechanisms and reporting systems need to be established so managers know whether their messages have been understood, accepted and followed. Sometimes, a useful technique here is to manage the timing of messages so they are received in an orderly manner. This principle is similar to the procedure many executives use in responding to their in-basket. Incoming mail is sorted into piles of related topics. A similar procedure can be used, to some extent, with verbal communication where specific time periods are scheduled for discussing a specific topic.â€Å"Knowledge work is a process requiring knowledge from both internal and external sources to produce a product that is distinguished by its specific information content† (Kappes and Thomas). 2. Blaming between people of different races This is a big communication barrier that needs immediate remedy. When one has a grudge against someone, he tends to make that someone responsible for everything he finds wrong. When a person in one department blames someone, his desire to judge and punish is often what is at work.Someone blames another hen he is angry because the action made things turn out differently than he wished—if not through his words, then through his manner and tone of voice. One can put all the responsibility for what happened to him, in a way that implies what he did was â€Å"wrong† or â€Å"bad. † Moreover, blame breeds resentment. â€Å"it’s your fault! † is a red-flag phrase. It is to a person what a matador’s cape is to a bull. The hooker in blame is that smidgen of truth in what one said or implied. One can seldom say, â€Å"That’s just what you feel-it has nothing to do with me.† When a person’s blamer goes to work, it is very canny. It knows exactly where to go zap, where to pick out that nasty kernel of truth. A put-down artist is an expert at zeroing in on where you feel bad about oneself and making him feel even smaller there. Two messages get mixed up in blame: one party’s statement of how he feels (I’m angry and disappointed†) and one’s evaluation of the other party (â€Å"Scum like you shouldn’t be aloud to work in this company. †). The feelings about the situation are often hidden in the â€Å"you-are-bad† message, instead of being said straight out.One-way blaming in the organization is overcome is help open up communication between two blaming departments. Members of these departments must also be reminded that they need to take responsibility for their part in what happene d. 3. Lack of standardization among terms used with different departments. This signifies uniform and consistent procedures or knowledge of terms that employees are to follow in doing their jobs. They must be aware of not only the terms used in the different departments but also the written procedures, job descriptions, instructions, rules and regulations to standardize the routine aspects of jobs.Standards among terms used with different departments allow people to reinforce values important to the organization’s success. This approach may seem mechanical, but if terms were not standardized, many organizations couldn’t achieve their goals and will have confusion of meanings in the process. Terms serve to bind as well as to separate departments. Terms sometimes block more than they reveal. They can prevent a true look. One is unlikely ever to know the whole truth of something. Someone else may see or touch a thing in a different way than one does, and know another side of it.An idea or statement, or concept is true to the degree that it helps one accurately experience the thing or event it represents. Some of the terms team members use are: free riding which means that a member does not contribute fully to team performance but still sharing in team rewards despite making less effort than the others; groupthink which is an agreement-at-any-cost mentality that results in ineffective work team decision-making and may lead to poor solutions; productive controversy which occurs when team members value different points of view and seek to draw them out to facilitate creative problem-solving (Hellriegel et al 1996).Dryer and Ericksen (March 2004) propose that human behaviors in high-reliability organizations can affect organizational performance. They examine several Strategic Human Resource Management (SHRM) strategies that engender and reinforce certain human behaviors that in turn can result to reliability in organizations that â€Å"operate under t rying conditions, i. e. , those that manage complex and interdependent systems subject to substantial external volatility. † They believe reliability in organizations (like mining firms) is a â€Å"critical process-based† measure of organizational performance (Dryer and Ericksen, 2004).Communication Strategy Team discussions are important. This is crucial especially in discussing feelings for these reflect the emotional climate of a tram. The four feelings most likely to influence work team effectiveness and productivity are the feelings of trust, openness, freedom and interdependence. The more these feelings are present, the more likely the work team will be effective and the members will experience satisfaction. These feelings probably are present in a formal or informal group to which one belongs if they agree with the following statements:– Trust- Members have confidence in each other. – Openness – Members are really interested in what others ha ve to say. – Freedom – Members do what they do out of a sense of responsibility to the group, not because of a lot of pressure from others. – Interdependence – Members coordinate and work together to achieve common goals. Indeed, in organizations, departments can easily get into trouble when they forget that they are sometimes dealing with abstractions, and then act as though they were concrete things and events. REFERENCES Dryer, L. and Ericksen, J. (March 2004).Towards a Strategic Human Resource Management Model of High Reliability Organization Performance: A Working Paper. Center for Advanced Human Resource Studies, Cornell School of Labor and Industrial Relations. Retrieved Oct. 30, 2006 at: http://www. ilr. cornell. edu/depts/cahrs/downloads/pdfs/workingpapers/WP04-02. pdf Hellriegel, D. Jackson S. and Slocum, J. (1996). Management. USA: International Thomson Publishing. Kappes, S. and Thomas, B. A Model for Knowledge Worker Information Support. Know ledge Worker Information Management. Retrieved Oct. 30, 2006 at: http://www. cecer. army. mil/kws/kap_supp. htm Building Effective Teams Building a global-based team is not as easy as building a new internal team in the company. There are many things to be considered. Creating a single team composed of different nationalities with different cultures should be done with thorough research and full attention. Several factors need to be looked at and taken into consideration to build an effective global team working together despite the geographical barriers. A good mix of international team members can only be obtained if the right criteria in the selection are correctly set.The rest of this paper discusses some of the criteria that would best help in the purpose of building a global-based team working effectively towards a common goal. Selecting Global Sales Team Members As an HR Manager tasked to come up with an effective global sales team, there should be some criteria that would better facilitate the selection of team members. Some of these criteria can be the following: †¢ Each member should be open to the fact of working with other members from other countries. †¢ The member should have a proven record of being responsible and reliable in their jobs especially when it comes to important tasks or assignments.†¢ Excellent communication skills, especially when it comes to dealing with business projects and endeavors, need to be exhibited by the global team member. †¢ The member should have a sense of independence and organization. Working in a global-based team means a possibility of working in a virtual environment where members are not directly supervised by a manager. The member should be able to work on his own at times and organized enough to be able to manage his own time in order to accomplish all the deliverables on time.As mentioned, if a global sales team is desired, there is a possibility that the members will work together in a virtual environment. With this in mind, I would probably decide on building a team composed of highly experienced professionals with prove n and excellent track record. These professionals should also exhibit the criteria and characteristics mentioned above. All of those things are necessary in building an effective global sales team. As the manager who is in charge of building the team, I would ensure that every member of the team is aware of the team’s nature.They should be briefed when it comes to differing time zones, languages, culture and work ethics of each member since they belong to different nationalities. The members of this global team should fully and clearly understand the objectives and goals of the global team. Since the members do not work in just a single location, they should exhaust all possible means of communication. With today’s technology, working in a virtual team, with members located in all parts of the globe, is now easy because of all the advanced means of communications easily available to anyone just like email, mobile phones and internet telephony.An effective communication is crucial in the success of any global-based team. For a global team to build trust and integrate well with each other, Mitchell (2000, p. 162) said that â€Å"team members [should] realize that each culture has much to offer. The team [should] take the best from each culture and mold them into a team personality that reflects the diverse nature of team members. † References Mitchell, C. (2000). A Short Course in International Business Culture. Novato, CA: World Trade Press.

Arab Spring Essay

Two years ago, the West thought it recognised what was happening in the Arab world: people wanted democracy, and were having revolutions to make that point. Now, recent events in Egypt have left many open-mouthed. Why should the generals be welcomed back? Why should the same crowds who gathered in Tahrir Square to protest against the old regime reconvene to cheer the deposing of their elected president? Could it be that the Arab Spring was about something else entirely? I believe so. The Arab Spring was a massive economic protest: a demand that the poor should have the basic rights to buy, sell and make their way in the world. I have the nerve to say this because just after the death of Mohammed Bouazizi, the Tunisian fruit seller who started the Arab Spring by setting himself ablaze, my researchers spent 20 months in the region to find out more. Why would someone kill himself after he had lost a cartful of fruit and an old set of scales? We found something the newspapers missed: he was not alone. No fewer 63 men and women replicated Bouazizi’s protest within two months of his death, in one country after another. We interviewed their families, and started to piece together their story — the true story of the Arab Spring. The picture is now complete and the facts are in. These facts have deep implications for David Cameron’s government. Our research suggests that the region’s revolution has just begun and has the potential to transform the Arab world for the better. But only if the West can see what is really going on, and offer support. As is so often the case with political martyrs, Mohammed Bouazizi has come to mean different things to different people. To some he’s a symbol of resistance to injustice; to others an archetype of the fight against autocracy. Last year the Occupy activists enlisted him as a spiritual ally. It is hard to imagine that the real Bouazizi would have recognised himself in any of these incarnations. When local authorities took away his fruit and scales, his livelihood was destroyed. He knew that from then on he would never have a legal right to put up a stall. He had no way to reduce the cost of the bribes that he paid regularly for his right to buy and sell. This would destroy his ability to get credit to buy the truck he dreamed of. The government has the power to crush people like Bouazizi, and it seemed to him that they would do so. He protested, in an act copied by 21 more people in Tunisia, 29 in Algeria, five in Egypt, four in Morocco, two in Syria, one in Saudi Arabia and one in Yemen. They were all, like Bouazizi, extralegal entrepreneurs — protesting for the right to get on. The right to own and better their lives; to accumulate capital; not to have their property expropriated on a whim. They were in businesses as diverse as restaurants, computing, real estate, opticians and taxis and their decision to commit suicide in public was usually taken after the authorities confiscated their wares or their documentation. As one Tunisian survivor told us: ‘I have no problem with competition, but expropriation is an indignity. Authorities do not recognise what is ours, and that is not -tolerable.’ This is the case not just for most of the Arab world, but for most of the third world. The phrase ‘black market’ suggests, to western ears, dodgy dealing on the sidelines. But in the Arab world legality is what happens on the sidelines. Economists look only at the official statistics, and imagine, for example, that Egypt has a massive unemployment rate. If you were an out-of-work Egyptian, however, you would be dead after three or four months be cause you would not have enough food. Most Arabs are working, but in a way that has become invisible not only to their governments but to the West. ‘Grandad, tell me again about the old days when we were rubbish at sport and Britain never won anything.’ Outside Cairo, the poorest of the poor live in a district of old tombs called the ‘city of the dead’. But almost all of Cairo is the city of the dead — that is to say, dead capital. Assets that cannot be used to their fullest, cannot be used as collateral for loans or changed for other assets. Seeds that can never grow. These people are working, but not in ways that western governments are prepared to recognise. Given the chance, they would pull themselves, and their countries, out of poverty. But they are denied the chance, because the rule of law is a cosy club to which only the elite belong. And the scale? In Egypt alone, the extra-legal sector accounts for 84 per cent of businesses and 92 per cent of land parcels. My organisation, the Peru-based Institute for Liberty & Democracy, estimates that some 380 million Arabs derive most of their incom e from the ‘shadow’ economy. If the Arab Spring is to be compared to a revolution, then it should that of England in 1688. After the Glorious Revolution, the crown agreed to be limited by the rule of law. The English were able to have deeds for their property, a right that even a king could not take away. People could borrow against their property, no matter how humble. The eventual result was the industrial revolution. This process, which allowed the West’s incredible economic transformation, has yet to happen in the third world. And so many billions of people are stuck in poverty. This is not some western monopolistic conspiracy. Americans, Europeans and Japanese take the wealth-creation process so completely for granted that they have forgotten that property is about more than real estate or ownership. It is about the identities, contracts, rules, credit guarantees and documented information that allow entrepreneurs to join people, things and capital into more valuable combinations. These tools, essential to escape poverty, lie out of reach for most Arab entrepreneurs. In Egypt, for example, to legally own a small business such as a bakery requires dealing with 29 different government agencies and navigating 215 sets of laws. In Arab countries, the poor entrepreneur’s right to transact derives from the goodwill of local authorities, not the law. When Bouazizi and those other entrepreneurs lost that goodwill, that right evaporated, severing access forever to the legal tools that property rights bestow. Those authorities expropriated not just their property but their futures. This is why they burned themselves alive. Britain has been generous with international aid. But if Cameron were to match this by pointing out the obstacles facing the Arab poor, it could be transformative. He has long been a vocal proponent for property rights and the rule of law as crucial elements for economic development. What better moment than to carry that message to the Arab world? Relieving poverty need not be seen by the new Arab governments as an act of charity. On the contrary, legal reforms are already at the top of these new governments’ agendas for growth. It was a British philosopher, Gilbert Ryle, who coined the term ‘category mistake’. If don’t get your categories right, he said, you won’t get your analysis right. If the West places Egypt and the Arab Spring into the category of ‘Islamist uprising’, it will not only misunderstand the hopes of millions but miss a remarkable opportunity. By our estimates, entrepreneurs who want a legal system with property rights like those in the West outnumber al-Qa’eda members in the region by a ratio of about 100,000 to one. Britain is ideally placed to see the link between the 1688 Glorious Revolution, and what it did to ensure so many shared the benefits of the industrial revolution, and what is happening today in Egypt. If it did so, much of theconfusion of what underpins the Arab Spring would clear up. This is not only an Arab phenomenon. It needs an eloquent western advocate, who can point the economic potential in extending the rule of law, property and businesses to the many, not the few. The West has spent decades making a category error in how it sees third world poverty and stability. It needs a new voice, with a new approach. There is no reason why that voice should not be David Cameron’s. Hernando de Soto, is president of the Institute for Liberty & Democracy and author of The Mystery of Capital