Human Resource issues at Amazon Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Human Resource issues at Amazon - Coursework Example Within the warehouses the houses a mix of 1600 full-time part-time and temporary workers. Most of the temporary workers are hired by the company before the holiday season and fired after that period. The task designed to most of the labours inside the warehouse is to pack boxes. The warehouse is located over an area of 600,000 square foot. Inside these warehouses, the workers are required to pack boxes at the rate of 240-250 boxes per hour if the size of the shipment is large and up to 500 boxes per hour are the size of the shipment is small. In comparison to other companies in the same industry, this rate is excessively high. Amazon, as it is found, sets the rates higher than can be performed by the employees. It is expected even by Amazon that people won’t be able to attain the high productivity rates for which there are paid between $9 and $14 an hour. The workers are expected to work for 10 hours a day for four days in a week. In the holiday season when the shopping spree of the customers increases Amazon recruits temporary workers who have to work for 11 hours per day for four days in a week along with the regular staffs. The overtime in the holiday period is mandatory for the workers. The workers are given a 30-minute lunch break for which they are not paid. In addition, they are given two paid breaks each of the duration of 15 minutes. During the break, every minute is counted and the workers have to take a break at the ring of the bell and have to be back at their work at the ring of another bell.

An Analysis Of The Extended Mind Philosophy Essay

An Analysis Of The Extended Mind Philosophy Essay à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Minds like ours can (without the need for any radically new techniques, technologies, or interventions) extend into the world (Clark, 2010, p. 81). Evaluate this statement with reference to the literature on extended cognition. This essay aims to study the extended mind, without any need of completely adapting new techniques, technology, or interventions the minds like ours can launch into the world (Clark, 2010). The focus of the essay will be on internal and external representation of the mind and will evaluate the statement made by Clark (2010) with reference to other literature on extended cognition. Cognitive science believes that the mind has mental representations which are similar to computer data structures and computational procedures analogous and computational algorithms. Cognitive researchers have put forward that the mind holds mental representations as rules, images, logical proposition, and concepts (Dawson 1998). According to Norman (1988, 1993) cognition is viewed as terms of knowledge in the head and knowledge in the world. According to Clark (2010) one of the most significant current discussions in legal and moral philosophy is the extended mind, which refers to the concept between the mind and the environment, from the thesis of Clark and Chalmers (1998) active externalism or Hypothesis of Extended Cognition (HEC). The extended mind commences with the inquiry of where does the mind stop and the rest of the world begin? in respond to the question Clark and Chalmers (1998) present an alternative view with Hypothesis of Extended cognition (HEC). This is to be distinguished from the more traditional externalism meaning from the writing of (Putnam, 1975 Burge, 1986). Clark is asking for people to visualize that individuals could rotate images of geometrical shapes on a computer screen, by the use of a neural implant in their heads or by using a rotate button in the world. Clark affirmed that the implant perspective is evidently cognitive; therefore the button perspective is as well, in spite of either if they are carried out in the head or in the world (cited in Clark 2008). For this reason, it can be argued that the mind extends into the world which was Clarks belief in technology, physical objects, chips and CD-ROMs, as external memory stores that individuals can consult as needs dictate sort of coupled systems (Clark and Chalmers 1998). According to Dartnall (2007); (Schegloff, 1992, cite Alterman, 2007), Clark and Chalmers (1998) admitted that the processes in the world might be seen as individual, truly mental states-experiences, desires, emotions, beliefs, and so on might be in the mind. Nevertheless when it is performed in the head, it should also add up as cognitive when it is carried out in the world, Dartnall (2005) affirmed that the mind leaks or loops into the world. Clark and Chalmers (1998) argued that cognitive processes extend into the world when an individual uses pen and paper to solve a problem, using language to work or to solve a problem and the use of computers. Zhang and Norman (1994) draw our attention to internal representations as being intrinsic to many cognitive tasks and not just input and stimuli to the internal mind. This means that all these researchers thesis show a supportive argument toward Clark (2010) stating that the human mind can be extended into the world. Clark and Chalmers (1998) made such arguments as cognitive states being Parity argument by the things in the environment, in which they identify a number of possible objections to this argument such as the cognitive and the conscious, portability and reliability. They demonstrate two untrue characters to support their argument that the mind can extend into the world, using the example of Otto and Inga, who were both interested in art. Inga has a normal functioning brain, while Otto suffers from Alzheimers disease. They hear about an exhibition at different times and places and they both decide to go, Otto consults his notebook, which says that the museum is on 53rd street so he went to 53rd street to the museum. Whereas Inga recalls that the museum is on 53rd street and walks to the exhibition, as a result of this case Clark and Chalmers (1998) stated that the notebook plays the same role for Otto that biological memory plays for everyone else. They concluded for this reason that som e external objects execute this duty, and that some of our cognitive processes transcend the boundaries of skin and skull (Clark 2008). The HEC has been thoroughly criticized by Adams and Aizawa (2001) defenders of brainbound or organismbound approach to cognition. Clark and Chalmers, (1998) maintain their argument by pointing out to what extreme the mind extended, if someone hardly ever takes relevant action without consulting their Filofax, for instance, their cognitive system will be like that of the notebook in Ottos. Nevertheless if the individual frequently acted without consulting themselves, for example if the individual sometimes answers important questions with I do not know then the information in it counts less as part of individual belief system. Also if someone is relying on the internet is likely to fail on multiple counts, unless the individual is unusually computer reliant, facile with the technology, and trusting, but information on certain files on the individual computer may qualify (cited in Clark 2008). Dartnall, (2005) who argues for internalism and its epistemological implication that an individual can execute actions mentally that someone could typically carry out in the world. These are naturally achieved on inner analogues of external substance, which means that there is a leakage in both ways such as from world to mind, from mind to world. This parity argument has epistemological inference; if the individual can make an empirical discovery in the world using a procedure, then that procedure will also lead to empirical discovery when carried out in the head. For instance if a person walks into a room and sees a partially completed jigsaw puzzle on the table, looks at the puzzle and leaves the room. The person then mentally rotates one of the pieces and discovers where it fits into the puzzle. They have discovered something new, where the piece fits in the jigsaw puzzle, but how has the person done this? Not by straightforward empirical discovery, they did not have the direct en try to the puzzle when they solved it, or if they might have remember it when they walk into the room, because they did not know where it fitted when they were in the room and Shepard Metzler, (1971) also in support of this work also is consistent with Clark (2010) statement. A number of studies have highlighted that our mind extends into the world in support of Clark and Chalmers (1998); Clark (2010); Kosslyn (2006); Zhang and Patel (2006), (Baddeley, 1986; Smith and Jonides, 1997) (cited in Kosslyn 2006). In addition, Kosslyn argues that you are not restricted to whats in your head, but also includes things around you, including other people. Consequently, the self becomes distributed over other people who function as long term social prosthetic devices, cited in (Kosslyn 2006). Rupert (2004) developed a methodology for the hypothesis of extended cognition (HEC) which he called hypothesis of embedded cognition (HEMC), they are two divergent holds on cognitive scheme and their composition and their position in cognitive processing. HEC could more or less correspond to the viewpoint implemented by Clark (2008) those cognitive processes factually extends into the environment, while the traditional HEMC persists that cognitive organism is bound. According to the HEMC rely on cognitive processes, instead of being constituted by the external mechanism and strategy for cognition to happen without the external element being a factual part of the cognitive process. Rupert (2010) opposes Clark (2010), but does not fully reject the HEC. Thus, the HEMC has further empirical support and descriptive worth than HEC (cited in Dahlback, Stjernberg, Kristansson and Skagerlund, 2010). A recent study by Dahlback et al (2010), reviews the hypothesis of the extended mind and in order for them to support Clark and Chalmers (1998), they conducted an empirical study. They developed a definition of what cognitive processes are and how to examine cognitive systems, for instance how external memory support is actually used in elderly peoples everyday life. The participants were four elderly people with mild memory impairments and were diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, and some with a form of dementia. It was observe that one of the women kept the disposed plastic envelopes for the medicine she used and clipped it on her kitchen table. The woman stated that the envelope is a way of reminding her that a home healthcare practitioner as visited her as she will not remember. Dahlback, et al. (2010), pointed out that the plastic envelop is part of the womans memory system from an active internal process, since an already existing material artefact is put to use to improve her m emory, because they is no need to create a material artefact to improve the womans internal function any more. While Clark and Chalmers state that the mind can extend into the world through active externalism, that if process counts as cognitive when carried out in the head, then it could be also counted as cognitive when someone uses object as external memory via a notebook. Bs note were on the inside of her door, for her not to open the door for strangers, just like Otto, but Otto carries her own every were she goes. C uses a shopping list, because she forgets things all the time, while F has an appointment at podiatrist, which she has written and posted on her fridge, she then rewrites the note and the information has been mixed up. Dahlback, et al. (2010), Clark and Chalmers (1998), the imagination of Otto is not as straightforward as they may think in real life. Hence external memory support in this context is of question on how information finds its way into the external memory with participant Fs memory support functions. Dahlback et al (2010) concluded that extended mind hypothesis of Clark and Chalmers had been argued in isolation, for instance the hypothesis was not looked at in a wider theoretical framework surrounding all variety of cognition. In addition, the empirical debate has been slight be being limited to a few paradigms. Consequently, they supported Clark and Chalmers, but proposed alternative theoretical framework that Activity Theory could be used to illuminate some problems brought up in the debate. Activity Theory cognition is first and foremost organism centered and biologically evident in examples alternative from Clark and Chalmers, (1998). Hutchins (1995) argued that cognition is culturally and socially processed. The Activity Theory which is derived from Vygotskys (1978) cultural historical psychology, that the human mind is essentially associated to the interaction linked to the world and the human being. According to the Activity Theory, culture may not only be external which might have power over the human mind, instead is an underlying producing power that is an element of the extraordinarily manufacture of the mind. This finding is consistent with Clarks (2010) thesis, even though they have a different idea. Vygotsky (1978) is also debated Clark and Chalmers (1998) thesis, stating that the human mind is social in nature; that people are shaped by their language, how they are construed and by their culture as well, also that human beings live in a social and communal w orld. Although they has been critics such as Adams and Aizawa (2001) claiming that there might be a crucial difference between a real extended cognitive process where some external artifact in the world is element of an actual cognitive process and process that permit some process. They ask Clark a question: Why did the pencil think that 2 + 2 =4? And Clark answered because it was coupled with a mathematician. According to Adams and Aizawa (2010) in respond to Clarks answer they stated that, there were problems with Clarks extended mind hypothesis. They stated that Clark had no right explanation of the cognitive and the coupling constitution fallacy, so they made a theory mark of the cognitive, which may well prove that cognitive processes in fact are extended. Adams and Aizawa (2001) illustrated some artifact pencil and paper, in which they explain when using pen and paper and at the same time as carry out arithmetic which is rather difficult, the individual may not be able to work out the problem when using just their head and that the person needs to pass information onto the paper. They state that the paper and pen merely permitted a little cognitive process or else may be unattainable. While Menary (2010) feels that the mark of the cognitive is too limited. Adams and Aizawa (2010) propose an explanatory work, that cognition is constituted through underlying processes that involve non-derived content. They offer this in two ways, chemistry, and physics and by psychological laws. They stated that particular psychophysical laws, like Webers law, and psychological laws central memory formation and recall. Consequently they projected that the weight of empirical evidence supports the view that, since an object is of conditional empirical fact, that there are some processes that are identifiable cognitive, which happened in the brain and cannot cross from the brain into the external world. Clark (2010) argued that Adams and Aizawas (2010) argument is not strong enough, mark of the cognition, that cognition should be noticed not by its causes, but by its effects, which means Clark is arguing for a different cognition science which is the coupling constitution fallacy. Nevertheless Adams and Aizawa (2010) believe that Clark cannot come understand the view they had that cognition is a fundamental processing concerning non-derived content. As a result their work did not provoke Clark to address the problem of the most widespread problems with extracranial and transcranial theories of tool use. According to them, Clark did not offer a response to the coupling constitution fallacy and he gives a hint at what he thinks distinguishes the cognitive from the non cognitive. In conclusion this essay has given an account of and the reasons for the widespread extended mind debate and the statement made by (Clark 2010, p. 18) that minds like ours can (without the need for any radically new techniques, technologies, or interventions) extend into the world. It is possible to state that external representation has shown an option to the classical thesis of Clark (2010) view of all cognition taking place in the head. In addition, how it can be practical to be of assistance in real-world problem solving and arrangement of tasks, hence it provides insight into the association between human internal and external worlds and the nature of the mind itself. Furthermore other researches such as Clark, 2003, Clark and Chalmers, 1998, Dennett, 1996, Donald, 1991, Hutchins 1995 (cited in Dartnall, 2005) state that, cognitive processes extend into the world when individuals use pen and paper to work something out or the use of a computer. These findings suggest that the statement made by Clark with reference to other literature on extended cognition has brought new areas to be looked into like the need of technologies. Finally, a number of important limitations need to be considered, first Adams and Aizawa (2010) (cited in Clark 2008) which were the ones who attempted to argue what was wrong with the extended mind hypothesis and Clark stated that they fall short to successfully undermine the argument for the extended mind, because it seems that everyone agreed with Clark, but also bring alternative explanations. However, Adams and Aizawa (2010) argued that Clark was not able to address their theory of the mark of the cognitive, on the other hand Clark and Chalmers attempt to tackle the pervasive coupling constitution fallacy and set out a reasonable theory of what differentiates the cognitive from the non cognitive. The statement made by Clark and Chalmers (1998) has thrown up many questions in need of further investigation with empirical evidence to support the statement.

The Scarlet Letter - Roger Chi :: essays research papers

Imagine a man having insecurities of his own, with a somewhat deformed and unpretentious appearance, finding that his spouse had betrayed him. For Roger Chillingworth, it was a completely heart-breaking devastation. In The Scarlet Letter, Chillingworth is the husband of Hester Prynne. When they married, he knew that she didn't love him, but still proceeded to commit the rest of his life to her. Consequently, a story of forbidden passion, hatred, and jealousy unfolds. Starting off as a scholar, Roger Chillingworth finds himself in a doctor's position later in the book. His back is deformed, and one shoulder is higher than the other, giving him a hunchbacked appearance. Chillingworth is not physically attractive and very slender. His eyes have a 'strong, penetrating power,'; (Chpt. 10, p. 157) and he is a loner. 'Old Roger Chillingworth, throughout life, had been calm in temperament, kindly, though not of warm affections, but ever, and in all his relations with the world, a pure and upright man.'; (p. 157, Chpt. 10) He enjoys studying and the pursuit of knowledge. When Chillingworth finds out that Hester cheated on him, he cannot be blamed for being dismayed and livid. He feels betrayed, and calls Hester's sin unpardonable. His rage quickly becomes resentment, and he develops a strong desire to find out with whom Hester had an affair with. Chillingworth seeks nothing but revenge. When Arthur Dimmesdale defends Hester and her actions, Chillingworth begins his suspicion. Chillingworth quickly becomes determined to withdraw the truth from Dimmesdale, who in fact was the man for whom Hester had betrayed him. The spite Chillingworth feels towards Dimmesdale grows stronger as his suspicion about Hester and Dimmesdale seems more and more likely. Chillingworth plans his vengeance during all of his waking hours. He becomes close to Dimmesdale, hoping maybe he would get a confession, but it didn't happen. The two soon lived together, while Chillingworth still prodded. From then on, Dimmesdale's life became miserable. 'Roger Chillingworth's aspect had undergone a remarkable change while he had dwelt in town, and especially since his abode with Mr. Dimmesdale. At first his expression had been calm, meditative, and scholar-like. "Now, there was something ugly and evil in his face, which they [people of the town] had not previously noticed, and which grew still the more obvious to sight the oftener they looked upon him.'; (Chpt. 9, p. 155) While pretending to be Dimmesdale's trusted confidant and physician, Chillingworth is actually slaying him by means of medicine and mental torture.

Why People Should Ride a Bicycle

Why People Should Ride a Bicycle for Short Distance Trips A bicycle is a mechanism that has transported man for many decades. Nowadays, bicycling is a great way to move from one place to another in short distances. In my opinion, everyone should use a bicycle for short distant trips, rather than the convenience of a car. The use of a bicycle has many great advantages over a car. If you choose to ride your bicycle to drive a short distant trip, you will can decrease gasoline consumption, improve the quality of your life, and protect our environment. The first reason to use a bicycle for short distances is that gasoline consumption is a major effect on oil and gas prices. If more people would take advantage of riding their bicycles, rather than driving their car, then gas and oil prices would lower. Our economy is at risk of losing the value of a dollar because the increase of oil and gas. If more people would ride their bicycles, then it would save money and gas consumption would save as well. Another good reason to riding your bicycle is that it can improve the quality of your life. By riding your bicycle it gives you the opportunity to breathe in fresh air. You can clear your lungs, get plenty of exercise, and stay in shape. Riding a bicycle gives you the freedom that you wouldn’t get by driving your car. Improving the quality of your life can be as simple as taking a short trip on your bike. Finally, we can help protect our environment by giving up the convenience of driving our car which causes gas fumes and chemicals in there air. If more people would realize that gas fumes are bad for our environment, and harmful to the birds and creatures that live here with us, they would surely take the opportunity to ride their bike. These are some excellent reasons why riding our bicycle is more to our advantage than the convenience of driving our car. If we will take the opportunity of riding our bike for short trips, we can definitely help on gas consumption, improving the quality of our lives, and be a help to improving the quality of our environment.

Part Three Chapter III

III Gavin could have invited Mary into his office to discuss the most recent exchange of letters with the insurance company, but decided to visit her at home instead. He had kept the late afternoon free of appointments, on the off-chance that she might ask him to stay for something to eat; she was a fantastic cook. His instinctive shying away from her naked grief had been dissipated by regular contact. He had always liked Mary, but Barry had eclipsed her in company. Not that she ever appeared to dislike her supporting role; on the contrary, she had seemed delighted to beautify the background, happy laughing at Barry's jokes, happy simply to be with him. Gavin doubted that Kay had ever been happy to play second fiddle in her life. Crashing the gears as he drove up Church Row, he thought that Kay would have been outraged by any suggestion that she modify her behaviour or suppress her opinions for the sake of her partner's enjoyment, his happiness or his self-esteem. He did not think that he had ever been unhappier in a relationship than he was now. Even in the death throes of the affair with Lisa, there had been temporary truces, laughs, sudden poignant reminders of better times. The situation with Kay was like war. Sometimes he forgot that there was supposed to be any affection between them; did she even like him? They had had their worst ever argument by telephone on the morning after Miles and Samantha's dinner party. Eventually, Kay had slammed down the receiver, cutting Gavin off. For a full twenty-four hours he had believed that their relationship was at an end, and although this was what he wanted he had experienced more fear than relief. In his fantasies, Kay simply disappeared back to London, but the reality was that she had tethered herself to Pagford with a job and a daughter at Winterdown. He faced the prospect of bumping into her wherever he went in the tiny town. Perhaps she was already poisoning the well of gossip against him; he imagined her repeating some of the things she had said to him on the telephone to Samantha, or to that nosy old woman in the delicatessen who gave him goose-flesh. I uprooted my daughter and left my job and moved house for you, and you treat me like a hooker you don't have to pay. People would say that he had behaved badly. Perhaps he had behaved badly. There must have been a crucial point when he ought to have pulled back, but he had not seen it. Gavin spent the whole weekend brooding on how it would feel to be seen as the bad guy. He had never been in that position before. After Lisa had left him, everybody had been kind and sympathetic, especially the Fairbrothers. Guilt and dread dogged him until, on Sunday evening, he cracked and called Kay to apologize. Now he was back where he did not want to be, and he hated Kay for it. Parking his car in the Fairbrothers' drive, as he had done so often when Barry was alive, he headed for the front door, noticing that somebody had mowed the lawn since he had last called. Mary answered his ring on the doorbell almost instantaneously. ‘Hi, how – Mary, what's wrong?' Her whole face was wet, her eyes brimming with diamond-bright tears. She gulped once or twice, shook her head, and then, without quite knowing how it had happened, Gavin found himself holding her in his arms on the doorstep. ‘Mary? Has something happened?' He felt her nod. Acutely aware of their exposed position, of the open road behind him, Gavin manoeuvred her inside. She was small and fragile in his arms; her fingers clutched at him, her face pressed into his coat. He relinquished his briefcase as gently as he could, but the sound of it hitting the floor made her withdraw from him, her breath short as she covered her mouth with her hands. ‘I'm sorry †¦ I'm sorry †¦ oh God, Gav †¦' ‘What's happened?' His voice sounded different from usual: forceful, take command, more like the way Miles sometimes talked in a crisis at work. ‘Someone's put †¦ I don't †¦ someone's put Barry's †¦' She beckoned him into the home office, cluttered, shabby and cosy, with Barry's old rowing trophies on the shelves, and a big framed photograph on the wall of eight teenage girls punching the air, with medals around their necks. Mary pointed a trembling finger at the computer screen. Still in his coat, Gavin dropped into the chair and stared at the message board of Pagford Parish Council's website. ‘I w-was in the delicatessen this morning, and Maureen Lowe told me that lots of people had put messages of condolence on the site †¦ so I was going to p-post a message to s-say thank you. And – look †¦' He spotted it as she spoke. Simon Price Unfit to Stand for Council, posted by The Ghost of Barry Fairbrother. ‘Jesus Christ,' said Gavin in disgust. Mary dissolved into tears again. Gavin wanted to put his arms back around her, but was afraid to, especially here, in this snug little room so full of Barry. He compromised by taking hold of her thin wrist and leading her through the hall into the kitchen. ‘You need a drink,' he told her, in that unfamiliarly strong and commanding voice. ‘Sod coffee. Where's the proper stuff?' But he remembered before she answered; he had seen Barry take the bottles out of the cupboard often enough, so he mixed her a small gin and tonic, which was the only thing he had ever known her drink before dinner. ‘Gav, it's four in the afternoon.' ‘Who gives a damn?' said Gavin, in his new voice. ‘Get that down you.' An unbalanced laugh broke her sobs; she accepted the glass and sipped. He fetched her kitchen roll to mop her face and eyes. ‘You're so kind, Gav. Don't you want anything? Coffee or †¦ or beer?' she asked, on another weak laugh. He fetched himself a bottle from the fridge, took off his coat and sat down opposite her at the island in the middle of the room. After a while, when she had drunk most of her gin, she became calm and quiet again, the way he always thought of her. ‘Who d'you think did it?' she asked him. ‘Some total bastard,' said Gavin. ‘They're all fighting over his council seat, now. Squabbling away over the Fields as usual. And he's still in there, putting his two cents in. The Ghost of Barry Fairbrother. Maybe it really is him, posting on the message board?' Gavin did not know whether this was meant as a joke, and settled for a slight smile that might be quickly removed. ‘You know, I'd love to think that he's worrying about us, wherever he is; about me and the kids. But I doubt it. I'll bet he's still most worried about Krystal Weedon. Do you know what he'd probably say to me if he was here?' She drained her glass. Gavin had not thought that he had mixed the gin very strong, but there were patches of high colour on her cheeks. ‘No,' he said cautiously. ‘He'd tell me that I've got support,' said Mary, and to Gavin's astonishment, he heard anger in the voice he always thought of as gentle. ‘Yeah, he'd probably say, â€Å"You've got all the family and our friends and the kids to comfort you, but Krystal,†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ Mary's voice was becoming louder, ‘†Krystal's got nobody to look out for her.† D'you know what he spent our wedding anniversary doing?' ‘No,' said Gavin again. ‘Writing an article for the local paper about Krystal. Krystal and the Fields. The bloody Fields. If I never hear them mentioned again, it'll be too soon. I want another gin. I don't drink enough.' Gavin picked up her glass automatically and returned to the drinks cupboard, stunned. He had always regarded her and Barry's marriage as literally perfect. Never had it occurred to him that Mary might be other than one hundred per cent approving of every venture and crusade with which the ever-busy Barry concerned himself. ‘Rowing practice in the evenings, driving them to races at the weekends,' she said, over the tinkling of ice he was adding to her glass, ‘and most nights he was on the computer, trying to get people to support him about the Fields, and getting stuff on the agenda for council meetings. And everyone always said, â€Å"Isn't Barry marvellous, the way he does it all, the way he volunteers, he's so involved with the community.†Ã¢â‚¬Ëœ She took a big gulp of her fresh gin and tonic. ‘Yes, marvellous. Absolutely marvellous. Until it killed him. All day long, on our wedding anniversary, struggling to meet that stupid deadline. They haven't even printed it yet.' Gavin could not take his eyes off her. Anger and alcohol had restored colour to her face. She was sitting upright, instead of cowed and hunched over, as she had been recently. ‘That's what killed him,' she said clearly, and her voice echoed a little in the kitchen. ‘He gave everything to everybody. Except to me.' Ever since Barry's funeral, Gavin had dwelled, with a sense of deep inadequacy, on the comparatively small gap that he was sure he would leave behind in his community, should he die. Looking at Mary, he wondered whether it would not be better to leave a huge hole in one person's heart. Had Barry not realized how Mary felt? Had he not realized how lucky he was? The front door opened with a loud clatter, and he heard the sound of the four children coming in; voices and footsteps and the thumping of shoes and bags. ‘Hi, Gav,' said eighteen-year-old Fergus, kissing his mother on top of her head. ‘Are you drinking, Mum?' ‘It's my fault,' said Gavin. ‘Blame me.' They were such nice kids, the Fairbrother kids. Gavin liked the way they talked to their mother, hugged her, chatted to each other and to him. They were open, polite and funny. He thought of Gaia, her vicious asides, silences like jagged glass, the snarling way she addressed him. ‘Gav, we haven't even talked about the insurance,' said Mary, as the children surged around the kitchen, finding themselves drinks and snacks. ‘It doesn't matter,' said Gavin, without thinking, before correcting himself hastily; ‘shall we go through to the sitting room or †¦?' ‘Yes, let's.' She wobbled a little getting down from the high kitchen stool, and he caught her arm again. ‘Are you staying for dinner, Gav?' called Fergus. ‘Do, if you want to,' said Mary. A surge of warmth flooded him. ‘I'd love to,' he said. ‘Thanks.'

Rise of Totalitarian Dictatorships essays

Rise of Totalitarian Dictatorships essays The Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations were major contributing factors into the rise of totalitarian dictatorships, especially in Europe, following the First World War. The symptoms of the treaty led to hostilities in most of Europe, and the lack of power propagated throughout Europe by the League of Nations to contain aggression proved its failure. Highlights of the treaty that ended the First World War would include the surrender of all-German colonies, German reparations (6,600 million), a ban on German and Austrian unions, the common military limitations, and Germanys acceptance for causing the war. These numerous chastisements to Germany are what have been blamed for the rise of totalitarian dictatorships in that country, and eventually the Second World War. As German nationalistic desires inflate once more, the accompaniment of instability in the economy, society, and politics, Germany was left considerably vulnerable and harsher governments were easily assimilated. Had it been softer on Germany, the Weimar Republic would have been stronger and would not have faced as much economic and social turmoil. Had the treaty been harsher, Germany would not have had the power to make war. ... The faults in the Treaty of Versailles were great, but the faults of those who refused to later enforce it were far greater. The Treaty of Versailles was also faulted in its promises to both Italy and Russia, countries both of who eventually were left vulnerable for totalitarian governments to be enacted in them. This vulnerability was created by the resentment of the two countries, Italy due to its mis-receivement of promised land, and the stripping of Russian land as punishment for leaving the war early. And as was with Germany, the accompaniment of poor economic, social, and political conditions in Europe laid the seeds for two very nationalistic countries and dictatorships easily arose. ...

You have been asked to create a database to handle various account combinations of customers in a bank of your choice Essays

You have been asked to create a database to handle various account combinations of customers in a bank of your choice Essays You have been asked to create a database to handle various account combinations of customers in a bank of your choice Essay You have been asked to create a database to handle various account combinations of customers in a bank of your choice Essay You have been asked to create a database to handle various account combinations of customers in a bank of your choice. Your database must consist of at leas three tables (maximum of 7) to store information about customers, accounts, investments, mortgages, etc. The bank offers a range of accounts, such a current, student high rate deposit, etc and a range of investment services such as Individual Savings Account (ISA) or a portfolio holding shares. A customer may have more than one account and at the same time may also hold an investment or a fixed rate mortgage (or both). Your working database will allow users to: * set up new accounts * enter, view, and edit data in entry forms * initiate queries to search for specific information * and generate a monthly overall financial statement for each customer USER SPECIFICATION PURPOSE A model is a representation of something in the real world. We use models in all walks of life because they represent a simplified view of the world, highlighting the part which interests us. A good model should: Aid communication A model that is difficult to read or understand is of no use. Projects of various sizes all depend upon communication exchanging ideas, discussing proposals, understanding requirements. A model should aid all ideas. There is no use communicating a complex model as it will be difficult to understand, to verify and to maintain. A test which can be applied to any model is to give someone unconnected with the system and ask them what the model represents. If they describe the system accurately then a good model has been produced. Fits its purpose A good model should have an explicit purpose that everyone uses it recognises. Project models are produced at many different stages of a project life cycle for various purposes. This includes: * physical models showing the system as it is currently exists, with implementation details who does what and where * logical models showing the essence of the system what the system actually does, without any implementation details * models used during the systems analysis stage of the project * models used during the design stages of a project * models giving a general overview of a system, putting all the relevant parts of the problem into perspective * highly detailed models for one small part of a system * models that show different perspectives of a system, for example dynamic, functional or static. Capture the essentials Many models consist of documentation for businesses, such as invoices, orders, receipts. If it only consisted of documents, what would happen if the business changes? Most businesses today are dynamic meaning that they have to respond to increasing competition and to he changes in the environment around them. It is therefore necessary to capture the essence of the business and model around those core concepts to be able to handle changes properly. Be consistent with other models in the system Different models of the same system can be integrated or cross checked against each other for consistency. This is to say that if a set of models represent the same thing then it should be possible to put them altogether without introducing inconsistencies. Reduce complexity To deal with systems not too complex to understand directly by breaking them up into more manageable parts and separating out a small number of important things to deal with at a time. Be able to be drawn on ordinary paper Models are a communication aid. If we present users with a model that fills the back of a roll of wallpaper then no matter how accurately it may represent the system under investigation it is unlikely that it will communicate the main point to users. Models produced on a standard A4 sheet of paper are more likely o represent manageable chunks or a system that users can comprehend, comment on file, post to other users and so on. Be capable of manipulation by computer Drawing models is essentially an iterative process a model is produced, shown to the users then redrawn as many times as is necessary until the users are happy with it. Using a model that can be manipulated by computer cuts out the drudgery of redrafting, and ensures that models can be produced and amended speedily and without introducing errors. USER SPECIFICATION AND USER SKILLS In order to identify the type of working model that the user would want I designed a questionnaire. This was distributed to 10 employees of who all worked for Barclays and were used to an already existing system put into the banks. The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify what the user wants. As part of my GNVQ Advanced IT project I have to design a database for a bank. I would be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill it in. Please tick as applicable. 1) When filling in information would you like the font to be a large or small size? -Large -Small 2) Would it be easier if drop down lists were made available to reduce time taking operations? -Yes -No 3) On average how long do you spend with a customer? -5 to 10 minutes -11 to 20 minutes -21 to 30 minutes -1 hour -longer 4) Would it not be easier if the customer could fill out a form first and then you could input the information into the computer? -Yes -No 5) How many ranges of accounts do you offer from the following? -Current account -ISA -Insurance -Savings and investments -Mortgages and home -Students and graduates 6) Would it be easier if information was copied from table to table or was identified in different sections using the customer ID? -Yes -No 7) Does adding colour make the database more interesting? -Yes -No 8) Would it be a good idea if the database was made more realistic using 3D effects and interesting graphics and writing? -Yes -No 9) Is it a good or bad idea if certain boxes were eliminated with a certain validation rules. E.g. Tel no. can only be a number up to 11 digits. -Good -Bad 9) Would it be suitable for certain formulas to imply be themselves such as date? -Yes -No Thank you. USER SPECIFICATION AND USER SKILLS Below you are able to view the results of this questionnaire based upon 10 people: In order to identify the type of working model that the user would want I designed a questionnaire. This was distributed to 10 employees of who all worked for Barclays and were used to an already existing system put into the banks. The purpose of the questionnaire was to identify what the user wants. As part of my GNVQ Advanced IT project I have to design a database for a bank. I would be very grateful if you could spare a few minutes to fill it in. Please tick as applicable. 1) When filling in information would you like the font to be a large or small size? -Large 8 -Small 2 2) Would it be easier if drop down lists were made available to reduce time taking operations? -Yes 9 -No 1 3) On average how long do you spend with a customer? -5 to 10 minutes 2 -11 to 20 minutes 1 -21 to 30 minutes 7 -1 hour 0 -longer 0 4) Would it not be easier if the customer could fill out a form first and then you could input the information into the computer? -Yes 2 -No 8 5) How many ranges of accounts do you offer from the following? -Current account 10 -ISA 10 -Insurance 10 -Savings and investments 10 -Mortgages and home 10 -Students and graduates 6) Would it be easier if information was copied from table to table or was identified in different sections using the customer ID? -Yes 10 -No 0 7) Does adding colour make the database more interesting? -Yes 10 -No 0 8) Would it be a good idea if the database was made more realistic using 3D effects and interesting graphics and writing? -Yes 5 -No 5 9) Is it a good or bad idea if certain boxes were eliminated with a certain validation rules? E.g. Tel no. can only be a number up to 11 digits. -Good 10 -Bad 0 9) Would it be suitable for certain formulas to imply be themselves such as date? -Yes 10 -No 0 Thank you. Final Specification Carrying out the questionnaire has enabled me to come up with the following specification according to the results that were achieved. 1) The model should be simple and user friendly and be able to communicate well. It should be able to: -exchange ideas -discuss proposals -understand requirements 2) It should capture the essentials so if the business does face changes the way it operates is not affected due to the pressures of ever growing competition. 3) Reduce complexity of the model and break it down into manageable chunks. 4) To be able to fit the basic concept or model onto one A4 sheet. 5) Ensure models can be produced and amended speedily and without introducing errors according to the user. 6) Ensure the font is of a reasonable size to ensure less constraint on the eyes of the user. A font size of 12 should be a good idea. 7) Drop down lists should be made available to ensure less time is taken. 8) The whole database should be able to be filled in between 21 to 30 minutes. 9) A minimum of 5 tables should be implemented which will include information on customers, accounts, investments and insurances. 10) Information should be made available in different tables, which will be identified by the customer ID. 11) Colour should be implemented to make the database more interesting and easier to identify different sectors. 12) Certain boxes/cells should contain validation rules as it will mean that errors are minimised. 13) Certain formulas should also be implied as it will mean that it is for less time consuming. NORMALISTATION THE STEPS INVOLVED IN ORMALISTAION The steps involved are the creation of an un-normalised form (UNF) followed by first (FNF or 1NF), second (SNF or 2NF) and third normal forms (TNF or 3NF). UNF Collect all attributes and select a key for the un-normalised relation. The key could be any item but select a reasonable key that is, unique for the particular data source, involving the smallest combination of items possible and not textual. 1NF Remove all repeating groups of attributes (those with several values determined by a single value of the key) to form a new relation. The key to this new relation will be the key of the UNF (which should be taken with the removed group of attributes) plus any further attributes belonging to the removed group which are necessary to uniquely each row. 2NF Remove attributes determined by part of a compound or composite key to form a new relation. The determining attributes become the key of the new relation. A relation is in 2NF if it is 1NF and every non-primary key attribute is fully functionally dependent on the primary key. 3NF Remove attributes determined by non-key attributes to form a new relation. The determining attributes become the key of the new relation. Mark foreign keys. Remember that determinacy exists when the value of the determined attribute is totally dependent on the value of the determining attributes. Test for TNF Given a value for the key, is there only one possible value for each attribute in the relation? Examine every non-key attribute and question its relationship with every other non-key attribute. Ask the question, If I know the value for attribute A, is there only one value for attribute B? If the answer is Yes, then attribute B is determined by attribute A (that is, is functionally dependent on A). Since A is a non-key attribute, attributes A and B must be removed to a separate relation, leaving A behind as a foreign key and using it as the primary key of the new relation. When this process is finished you should be able to examine each relation and answer Yes to the following question: Is each attribute dependent on the key, the whole key and nothing but the key? NORMALISATION TABLE UNF 1NF 2NF 3NF Customer ID Customer ID Customer ID Customer ID Title *Sort code *Sort code *Sort code Customer name Title Title Title Customer address Customer name Customer name Customer name Telephone number Customer address Customer address Customer address Sex Telephone number Telephone number Telephone number Date of birth Sex Sex Sex Marital status Date of birth Date of birth Date of birth Sort code Marital status Marital status Marital status Branch name Branch address Sort code Sort code Sort code Current account number Branch name Branch name Branch name Date of CA transaction Branch address Branch address Branch address CA Start balance CA Money out Customer ID Customer ID Customer ID CA Money in Current account number Current account number Current account number CA Overdraft limit Date of CA transaction Date of CA transaction Date of CA transaction CA Description CA Start balance CA Start balance CA Start balance Savings account number CA Money out CA Money out CA Money out Date of SA transaction CA Money in CA Money in CA Money in SA Start balance CA Overdraft limit CA Overdraft limit CA Overdraft limit Date of SA transaction CA Description CA Description CA Description SA Money out Savings account number SA Money in Date of SA transaction Customer ID Customer ID SA Overdraft limit SA Start balance Savings account number Savings account number SA Description Date of SA transaction Date of SA transaction Date of SA transaction Interest earned tax year ending 2002 (before tax) SA Money out SA Start balance SA Start balance Lower rate tax deducted SA Money in Date of SA transaction Date of SA transaction Mortgage account number SA Overdraft limit SA Money out SA Money out Date of MA transaction SA Description SA Money in SA Money in MA Balance bought forward Interest earned tax year ending 2002 (before tax) SA Overdraft limit SA Overdraft limit MA Description Lower rate tax deducted SA Description SA Description Debit Mortgage account number Interest earned tax year ending 2002 (before tax) Interest earned tax year ending 2002 (before tax) Credit Date of MA transaction Lower rate tax deducted Lower rate tax deducted MA Balance bought forward Mortgage account number MA Description Date of MA transaction Customer ID Debit MA Balance bought forward Mortgage account number Credit MA Description Date of MA transaction Debit MA Balance bought forward Credit MA Description Debit Credit EXPLAINING THE DATA DICTIONARY Different databases vendors supply different dictionary products. The following is a general review of the desirable components and the tasks it ought to be capable of. A data dictionary is a composite of: Data dictionary contains definitions of records; data; items; relations, etc. The user can find the characteristics of the data stored in the database. Data directory or catalogue Contains information about where data is stored. Thus, it will contain the internal schemes and indexes maintained by the DBMS (such as CustNo_Index and CustomerName_Index). Also, in a distributed database, the data directory keeps track of which data is stored at which nod. The data directory is used by the data management software rather than by users. Data stored by the data dictionary is known as meta data which is data about data. A data dictionary may hold only information about the database implementation or may also hold details of conceptual model ad process or functional model. The four partition model of a data dictionary can be used to describe the features that a fully implemented data dictionary may contain. The line between the boxes represents the relationship between data structures and the programs which use them, etc. This information is useful when amending data structures, for example so that the programs affected can be traced and the data model updated as necessary to correspond to the new data structures. Using the data dictionary in systems development As an example of how the data dictionary may be used, the following points illustrate how it may be used in systems development: * Information provided by the data dictionary helps to identify redundant data and help developers and users to understand and agree what data means. * Information can be used to help with conceptual data modelling and also to generate documentation. * Prototyping may be used to develop a database system it is a quick, experimental approach which requires a readily available store of data and a readily available description of that data together with some computer based tools. Other data dictionary users There are several things that management needs that the data directory provides, including: * Information about existing corporate data * Information about how and where data is used * A means of controlling data * A means of controlling new users or modifications of existing data or processes using the data * A tool for standardising data definitions * Security of data resources The data administrator: * Helps to ensure all users are provided with the communications network and data and processing structures they need * Is responsible for implementing and maintaining DBMS and DDS * Is responsible for controlling the consistency of entries. For the Data Administrator the dictionary provides: * Description of the DB * Subschema generation * Data description for application programs * Extensive and timely on-line documentation of all data structures * An effective and uniform means of recording detail about DBMS, non-DBMS and manual systems * A valuable tool for monitoring changes * A device for estimating major cost factors in implementing planned modifications * A facility that optimises the use of corporate data * A medium through which non-data processing staff can be acquainted with corporate data. For the system analyst/designer the dictionary provides: * Verification of the structure of company data * Identification of redundancy * Implementation standards * System documentation * Description of schemas and subschemas * Description of files records and fields * Automatic COPY facilities * Cross reference to users of data * Security facilities * Responsibilities for updating * Project progress facilities. For programmers the dictionary provides: * COPY facilities * Information about interdependencies * Description of the usage of files and programs within systems * Usage of data entities * Generation of reporting facilities The auditor needs: * Control of information * Accuracy of information about flow of data * To evaluate and audit new and revised systems for accuracy, effectiveness, reliability and timeliness * Quick and effective mechanism to trace and audit all activities. THE DATA DICTIONARY ENTITY KEY ATTRIBUTE DATA TYPE SIZE VALIDATION CUSTOMER ID PRIMARY Customer ID Auto number LI SORT CODE FOREIGN *Sort code Lookup wizard / / Title Text 4 chars Mr/Mrs/Miss/Ms Customer name Text 15 chars Customer address Text 50 chars Telephone number Text 11 digit Sex Text 6 chars Male/Female Date of birth Text 8 digits Format:00/00/00 Marital status Text 7 chars Married/Single SORT CODE PRIMARY Sort code Number LI Branch name Text 20 chars Branch address Text 50 chars CUSTOMER ID PRIMARY Customer ID Lookup wizard / / CURRENT ACCOUNT NUMBER PRIMARY Current account number Number 8 digits Date of CA transaction Text 8 digits Format:00/00/00 CA start balance Currency / / CA Money out Currency / / CA Money in Currency / / CA Overdraft limit Currency / / CA Description Text 50 chars CUSTOMER ID PRIMARY Customer ID Lookup wizard / / SAVINGS ACCOUNT NUMBER PRIMARY Savings account number Number 8 digits Date of SA transaction Text 8 digits Format:00/00/00 SA start balance Currency / / SA Money out Currency / / SA Money in Currency / / SA Overdraft limit Currency / / SA Description Text 50 chars Interest earned tax year ending 2002 (before tax) Currency / / Lower rate tax deducted Currency / / CUSTOMER ID PRIMARY Customer ID Lookup wizard / / MORTGAGE ACCOUNT NUMBER PRIMARY Mortgage account number Number 8 digits Date of MA transaction Text 8 digits Format:00/00/00 Balance bought forward Currency / / MA Description Text 50 chars Debit Currency / / Credit Currency / / ENTITY RELATIONSHIP DIAGRAM An entity relationship diagram is a graphic used to represent entities and their relationships. Entities are normally shown in rectangles or squares, and relationships are shown in diamonds. The cardinality of the relationship is shown inside the diagram. The simplest form of binary relationship is a one-to-one (1:1) relationship, in which an entity of one type is related to no more than one entity of another type. The second type of binary relationship is one to many (1:N), in which an entity of one type can be related to many entities of another type. The third and final type of binary relationship is many to many (M:N), in which an entity of one type corresponds too many entities of the second type, and an entity of the second type corresponds too many entities of the first type.