Value Chain Model Essay Example

Value Chain Model Essay Int. J. Management and Enterprise Development, Vol. 3, No. 3, 2006 Porter’s value chain model for assessing the impact of the internet for environmental gains Nazim U. Ahmed and Sushil K. Sharma* Department of Information Systems and Operations Management Ball State University Muncie, IN 47306, USA E-mail: [emailprotected] edu E-mail: [emailprotected] edu *Corresponding author Abstract: The revolutionary potential of the internet promises to transform economic and environmental gains. By reducing the amount of energy and materials consumed by business, the internet stands to revolutionise the relation between economic growth and the environment. The internet is improving the capability to understand the science of environmental degradation and communicate that knowledge to public and private decision makers. It also helps decrease resource waste and associated pollution by improving the efficiency of economic activity and provides improved sensors and instantaneous telecommunications links to control pollution spillovers, better manage shared resources and reduce waste. This paper examines the impact and potential of internet-based technologies in the performance of important information and communication functions for resolving the environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model. Managerial implications of using the internet for environmental gains for SMEs are also discussed. Keywords: internet; digital technologies; environment; Porter’s value chain model. Reference to this paper should be made as follows: Ahmed, N. U. and Sharma, S. K. (2006) ‘Porter’s value chain model for assessing the impact of the internet for environmental gains’,Int. J. We will write a custom essay sample on Value Chain Model specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Value Chain Model specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Value Chain Model specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Management and Enterprise Development, Vol. 3, No. 3, pp. 278–295. Biographical notes: Dr. Nazim U. Ahmed is a Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA. His research interests include environmental management, total quality management, productivity improvement, supply-chain issues and e-commerce. He has published articles inInternational Journal of Production Research, Journal of Operations Management, Journal of Business Research,Transportation Research,International Journal of Operations and Production Management,Information and Management,Information Resource Management,Management Decisions,Production and Inventory Management, Journal of the Academy of the Marketing Science, International Journal of Policy and Information, Computers and Industrial Engineering and other journals. Dr. Sushil K. Sharma is an Associate Professor of Information Systems and Operations Management, at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana, USA. Co-author of two textbooks and co-editor of four edited books, Dr. Sharma’s research contributions have appeared in many peer-reviewed national and international journals, conferences and seminar proceedings. Dr. Sharma’s primary teaching and research interests are in e-commerce, information systems Copyright  © 2006 Inderscience Enterprises Ltd. Porter’s value chain model ecurity, ERP systems, database management systems and knowledge management. Dr. Sharma has wide consulting experience in information systems and e-commerce and has served as advisor and consultant to several government and private organisations including World Bank-funded projects. 1Introduction 279 Studying natural environment is always a complex exercise because natural environment is produced by combined interactions among geological, hydrological , biological and human social systems and is therefore one of the most complex systems. The complexity of issues involved in understanding the impact of the industrialised world on the environment requires an interdisciplinary approach. For example; ecosystem and natural resource management involves integrating scientific knowledge of ecological relationships within a broader policy and economic framework. Transportation issues often carry important implications for the environment (Anderson and Bateman, 2000). In this study, we are examining the impact and potential of internet-based technologies in the performance of important information and communication functions for resolving the environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model. Internet-based technologies offer the potential to improve pollution prevention and environmental monitoring; for instance, the capabilities and limitations of satellite and other remote sensing systems to scan ecosystems and enhance the effectiveness of monitoring large tracts of land (Benedick, 1991). Internet and related information technologies help to capture process and transmit information with far more ease and efficiency than in the past; they can play a role at each point of this process, improving both the quantity and quality of scientific understanding about pressing environmental problems (Dodson, 1995; Starik and Marcus, 2000). The internet, has also proved valuable in allowing multiple researchers to access and process data simultaneously thus multiplying the analysis capability. The Human Genome Project1 demonstrated this capacity through immediate online publication, making the code results available to all scientists over the internet (Bentley, 1996). Thus, the internet provides numerous avenues for collecting, distributing and analysing environmental information, making it available to greater numbers of researchers, reducing redundancy and increasing our capacity to understand the complex global ecosystem. The graphical capabilities of the internet help policymakers and others to ‘see’ and understand the sources of environmental degradation. Images, such as the ‘ozone hole’ or the impacts on agriculture of a doubling of global temperature, are becoming increasingly available on the web. Furthermore, an OECD study indicates that generalised use of internet retailing could eliminate the need for 12. % of retail-building space, saving the energy and materials needed to build, operate and maintain buildings (OECD, 1999) and product delivery from e-tailers, contrary to common opinion, may use 40% to 90% less fuel than if customers drive their cars to the mall (Romm, 1999). UPS expects to improve on these numbers by using the internet to fill what would otherwise be empty trucks as they make the return trip from a delivery. Added benefits from these efforts are reduced traffic congestion, air pollution and fuel use. Even larger gains can be had with products that can be digitised and delivered entirely online, like software, music, N. U. Ahmed and S. K. Sharma entertainment, and some consulting services (Wired, 1999). Along this line Egghead Software has closed all physical stores and moved to a completely online business model (Libert and Ribaudo, 1996). The internet helps in product life cycle through improved supply chain management. By using the internet to integrate customers, manufacturers and suppliers, wasteful over production and spoilage can be largely eliminated (Siekman, 1999). An Ernst and Young study estimates that internet applications could reduce inventories by 25% to 35%, while IBM estimates the savings could be as high as 50% (Romm, 1999). All of these study indicate that the internet could prove an important innovation for reducing environmental degradation. The internet has also helped reduce environmental impacts in agriculture, water pollution etc. The internet has served as an important innovation in facilitating what is called ‘precision farming methods’ that dramatically lower the amount of inputs needed for any given crop (Chong et al. , 2005). There are not many articles in current literature dealing specifically with the internet and natural environment. However, there are a lot of articles dealing with different aspects of environment from awareness to benefits, to strategy implementation and so on, which can be impacted by the internet. One of the questions of the past decade is how individual environmental concerns shape corporate environmental actions (Avila, 1993; Starik, 1995; Bansal and Roth, 2000). Bansal and Roth (2000) mentioned that personal concern and values could affect a firm’s environmental efforts in important ways. First, values and concern can help decision makers discriminate, identify, and prioritise (Dutton, 1997). Second, environmental concerns will induce some individuals to champion eco-initiatives (Anderson and Bateman, 2000; Lawrence and Morell, 1995). Third, a firm’s top management will be more proactive in their environmental effort if their value systems reflect environmental concerns (Dutton and Ashford, 1993). Environmental decision-making is also dependent on concerns of external stakeholders such as customers and suppliers (Johnson, 1998). It is logical that the internet can be used effectively to convey relevant information to different stakeholder group which in turn will make them more understanding of the need for sustainability. Positive economic impacts of environmental strategies are discussed by Porter and Van der Linde (1995) and Cordano (1993). Porter and Van der Linde suggested that by reengineering the production process, firms could reduce environmental impacts and simultaneously reduce the cost of inputs and waste disposal. Cordano (1993) proposed that revenues could be increased through green marketing, sale of waste products and outsourcing a firm’s environmental expertise. Additionally, there are suggestions in the literature that eco-initiatives will improve corporate image (Hart, 1995; Russo and Fouts, 1997). Here we can also use the internet to make business processes reengineering, marketing and other functions more environmentally friendly. Despite the potentially important role that the internet is playing in improving environmental activities at a macro level, little research has been performed to date that examines the factors that affect environmental supply chain management at a micro level. This paper examines the impact and potential of internet-based technologies in the performance of important information and communication functions for resolving the environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model. The intent of this paper is to examine the internet as a communication and information dissemination tool for resolving environmental issues at a macro and a micro level, and identify the eco issues and eco criteria using Porter’s value chain model. Porter’s value chain model 2Impact and uses of internet-based technologies at macro level 81 Internet-based technologies are providing fast, easy and cost-effective means through which to access, use, create and disseminate information. E-mail, which knows no geographic boundaries, provides a cost-effective method of communication with other similar organisations and individuals. E-mail also provides a means of direct access to government representatives. Listservs, which are focus group discussions d isseminated via e-mail, provide opportunities for individuals to join in conversations about timely, focused topics. Organisational webpages provide mechanisms through which environmental organisations can affordably disseminate information about themselves to a large, geographically dispersed audience. Additionally, there is much useful information and data on the web to further grassroots environmental activists’ causes, which have never before been freely and easily accessible. The ability to transport computer files over the internet allows for rapid distribution of timely information. The internet also provides access to free downloadable software. The internet is a unique medium because of its speed, low cost, easy capacity for forwarding messages and unlimited capacity (Frantzich, 1999). The various interest groups can easily converse with each other and present their collective voice to national and international organisations to further their environmental causes. Neighbourhood organisations can use internet-based technologies to communicate effectively within their own communities and across neighbourhoods to build and expand their intracommunity and intercommunity power base (Craig, 1998). Internet technologies facilitate a shift from representative democracy to a more direct democracy, as the technology provides the ability for wide range participation by people outside existing power structures (Grossman, 1995). To understand the significance of the impact of internet-based technologies on the information functions of grassroots environmental justice initiatives, two guiding concepts are suggested, borrowed respectively from the fields of sociology and political science. First, the internet breaks the insider/outsider dichotomy as related to the flow of information. Traditionally, insiders such as government officials have had privileged access to certain kinds of information and do not seek information and advice from citizen for various decision-making related to environmental concerns (Chatman, 1996). The internet appears to be breaking down this traditional insider/outsider dichotomy and political empowerment, and makes it possible for citizens to participate in environment-related policy making. The internet is changing the flow of political information and thereby changing the pattern of political participation (Hill and Hughes, 1998). Secondly, the internet allows direct communication, bypassing many information intermediaries and also substantially reduces the cost of communicating through space and time, allowing for greater organisation around shared interests, and allowing for a more heterogeneous base of participants in political processes (Pierce et al. 1992). Using the internet, the media, opposition politicians, environmental entities, individual citizens, community groups and other nongovernmental organisations, can easily obtain vast quantities of data on environmental results. Substandard performance by governments or companies is easier to spot. Transparency may also smoke out cases where special interests distort the policy process. Power, in the form of the ability to create and disseminate information, has been given to relatively powerless segments of society through the use of internet-based technologies (Zelweitro, 1998). N. U. Ahmed and S. K. Sharma Using the internet to connect satellite imaging and global positioning systems to digital controllers on farm tractors and harvesters allows the precise applications of fertilisers and pesticides to local conditions in the fields. The result is higher yields, quality and profits and at the same time much lower environmental impacts. Similarly, the forestry giant Weyerhaeuser is using digital maps and satellite imagery to classify forest type, age and health (Horrigan et al. , 1998). This information is delivered to field crews over the internet through handheld devices and laptop computers. The technologies allow forest managers to extract maximum value from precious natural resources while reducing the environmental damage. The various impacts of the internet to resolve environmental issues at the macro level are shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 indicates how internet-based technologies have been helping to improve environmentalism through various means at a macro level. Figure 1 The impact of internet-based technologies to environmentalism at macro level Communication medium Internet-based technologies are providing fast, easy, and cost-effective means through w h i c h t o a c c e s s , u s e , c r e a t e , a n d disseminate information using e-mail, listservs, websites and other web-based channels. Greater policy transparency and comparative analysis Using internet, the media, opposition politicians, environmental entities, individual citizens, community groups and other non-governmental organisations, can easily obtain vast quantities of data on environmental results. Sub-standard performance by governments or companies is easier to spot. Internet helps to provide more data driven decision-making. Dematerialisation, the substitution of physical materials with information The substitution of books, periodicals, s t e r e o s , v i d e o r e c o r d e rs , c am e r as , telephones, and answering machines and any other information oriented products by interest-based digital products. The impact of internet-based technologies to environmentalism at macro level Integration and coordination with governments, suppliers, customers, and competitors Internet technology is integrating and coordinating activities of governments, suppliers, customers and other competitors for environmental gains. 3The Porter’s value chain model Politi cal empowerment through internet technologies Internet is helping citizen participation through community organisations as a collective voice to local governments. Neighbourhood organisations can use internet-based technologies to communicate effectively within their own communities and across neighbourhoods to build and expand their intra-community and inter-community power base for environmental concerns. Internet-driven, web-based technologies have a tremendous impact on procurement, manufacturing, and distribution to significantly compress time and reduce costs throughout the supply chain (Benjamin and Wigand, 1995). To better understand the impact, we have mapped the environmental issues on Porter’s value chain model. In the later section, we have mapped the impact of the internet on these environmental issues (Porter and Miller, 1985). Our identification of environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model are detailed in Table 1. Porter’s value chain model Table 1 Identification of environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model Primary activities Environmental issues Eco-performance criteria A-criteria In-bound logisticsReturnable containers Percentage of returnable containers Cost of returning the containers Amount of pollution due to non-returnable containers Percentage of returnable containers Operations Outbound logistics Efficient transport route Less pollutable transport mode Warehousing and storage space requirements Supplier relation Product Process Material Storage and warehousing Packaging Shipping Load-distance Amount of fuel consumption Amount of pollution generated in transport mode Amount of fuel consumption Amount of storage space needed to per unit of output Percentage of outputs using JIT Number of suppliers who has environmental programme Number of supplier ISO 14000 certified Number of suppliers on JIT Service life Percentage of output recycled Percentage of output reused Amount of waste generated per hour of use Decibel of noise Amount of toxicity Time to degrade Amount of raw material needed Amount of energy needed per unit of output Amount of pollution generated per unit of output Percentage of production related waste recycled Percentage reduction in production elated waste Amount of hazardous material Percentage of substitution for hazardous material Warehousing cost per unit of output shipped Pound of material used in packaging Percentage of degradable material in packaging Percentage of packaging recyclable Load-distance Fuel consumption per mile per item Amount of fuel consumption Amount of fuel consumption Percentage of output using JIT Number of suppliers who has environmental programmes Number of suppliers on JIT Service life Percentage of output recycled Time to degrade Amount of raw material needed Amount of pollution generated per unit of output Amount of energy needed per unit of output Percentage substitution of hazardous material Warehousing cost per unit of output shipped Pound of material used in packaging Percentage of packaging recyclable Fuel consumption per mile per item N. U. Ahmed and S. K. Sharma Table 1 Identification of environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model (continued) Primary activities Environmental issues Eco-performance criteria A-criteria Marketing and sales Service Communication of environmentally friendly product offerings Value added service in the environmental area Environmental awareness and audit Percentage of total advertising expenditure for environmentally friendly products Percentage growth of sales of environmentally friendly product Percentage of market research dollars environmentally friendly products Total dollar amount of environmental value added service provided Number of customers provided with environmental value added services Number of environmental value added offerings Number of customers on environmental audit programmes Percentage of customers on recycling programme Percentage of total advertising expenditure for environmentally friendly products Total dollar amount of environmental value dded service provided Percentage of customers on recycling programme Support activities Product take backPercentage of product take-back Percentage of customers on take-back programme Cost per unit of product take-back Percentage of product take-back Procurement Human resource development Environmental purchasing Environmental training and awareness Number of suppliers wh o has environmental programme Number of supplier ISO 14000 certified Number of suppliers on JIT Percentage of employees trained in environmental programme Percentage of employees participating in environmental programmes Number of suppliers who as environmental programmes Number of suppliers on JIT Percentage of employees participating in environmental programmes Technological Environmental auditNumber of employees trained in environmental audit Number of employees participating in environmental audit Waste reductionNumber of units or plants using Number of employees participating in environmental audit Percentage change in development technology Recycling technology Energy reduction technology waste reduction technology Percentage change in waste reduction in last five years Number of plants or units using recycling Percentage of output recycled Percentage of units or plants using energy reduction technology Percentage of total energy reduction in last five years waste reduction in last five years Percentage of output recycled Percentage of total energy reduction in last five years Porter’s value chain model Table 1 Identification of environmental issues using Porter’s value chain model (continued) Support activitiesEnvironmental issues Eco-performance criteria A-criteria Infrastructure Reuse technologyPercentage of outputs being reused Number of products in the reuse programme Environmental policy Number of environmental initiatives nd initiativesin last three years Number of incentive schemes for environmental leadership Frequency of environmental audits EnvironmentalPresence of an environmental website Number of products in the reuse programme Number of incentive schemes for environmental leadership Frequency of environmental audits Percentage of employees communication Frequency of up-dates Percentage of em ployees using environmental website using environmental website Eco-criteria are environmental performance criteria that can be used to track the impact of environmental strategies or decisions in the value chain. For example, for inbound-logistics, one of the ways to achieve environmental efficiency is to use returnable containers. Several criteria such as the percentage of returnable containers, cost of returnable containers, amount of pollution reduction by returnable containers etc. , can be used as eco-criteria. Among several eco-criteria, which can be used to track impact of a strategy or decisions, some could be more important than others. For efficiency and simplicity one can use one or some but not all of the eco-criteria. These are called A-criteria. For the environmental strategy of using returnable containers, the A-criteria can be a percentage of returnable containers. 4Impact of internet technologies at micro level 4. 1 Inbound logistic: efficient transport and logistic management Internet-based technologies will enormously help the environment industry improve its value chain by conveying real-time information to ensure a product’s timely arrival. Information include raw materials to manufacturers, goods to distributors, products to retailers and purchases to customers. Retailers, customers, suppliers and manufacturers can now have immediate access to their supply chain information to track valuable shipping information (Rayport and Sviokla, 1996). Real-time information available to manufacturers and retailers will help them to manage their transportation and logistics resources more effectively. This would not only help for efficient transport routes and less pollutable transport mode but help to manage warehousing and storage space requirement with better efficiencies. Efficient package delivery by truck may replace at least in part inefficient personal driving to malls, supermarkets, bookstores and the like. The transportation sector is responsible for about one-third of US energy consumption today. The internet holds the prospect of reducing transportation energy intensity by replacing some commuting with telecommuting; replacing some shopping with teleshopping; replacing some air travel with teleconferencing; enabling digital transmission or e-materialisation of a variety of N. U. Ahmed and S. K. Sharma goods that are today shipped by truck, train and plane, including formerly printed material, software, construction materials, and the like; improving the efficiency of the supply chain and increasing the capacity utilisation of the entire transportation system. As traditional manufacturing and commercial companies put their supply chain on the internet, and reduce inventories, overproduction, unnecessary capital purchases, paper transactions, mistaken orders, and the like, they achieve greater output with less energy consumption. These things will have a larger environmental benefit than pollution prevention, especially in the energy-intensive manufacturing sector. The internet allows vastly superior supply chain management, which can dramatically reduce inventories, improve forecasting, and eliminate mistakes and wasted production. This would improve capacity utilisation, and holds the potential for increased material reuse. Avoiding overproduction, waste, and mistakes, and fostering material reuse, can have disproportionately large energy and environmental impacts. Web-based technologies enable buyer and supplier to operate more efficiently, as a result of visibility of orders throughout the entire distribution network. Transactional outsourcing for transportation, warehousing, packaging, and related activities is being replaced by network outsourcing, where these individual functions are managed integrally by a third-party provider. Also, the Logistics Management module helps companies transport goods more efficiently because suppliers and customers configure optimal truckload and delivery schedules. This reduces wasted truck (or other carrier) space, wasted time, and fuel mileage due to inefficient routing. 4. 1. 1 Warehousing and storage space requirements The internet-based technologies will enormously help the companies improve its value chain by conveying real-time information to customers, suppliers and manufacturers. This would help companies to accurately predict consumer demands and that will result into a reduction of excess inventories at the retail level by replenishing them on a just-in-time basis. This could decrease the space needed to store excess inventories, thereby minimising the environmental impacts of warehousing: the consumption of open spaces by warehouses; the materials used to build them; and the energy needed for heating, cooling and lighting (Stein and Sweat, 1998; Basile, 1998). The internet makes mass customisation possible because it facilitates information exchange between companies and individual customers. The internet and innovative production technologies are helping companies to manufacture products specifically designed for individual consumers. Customisation enables producers to manufacture the products that are needed by customers thus reducing product waste or slashing inventories by reducing stockpiles of soon-to-be obsolescent equipment and machines (Mathieson, 1998). For example; e-book or publishing on demand may eliminate the waste thus saving on paper and reducing printing and storage costs (Basile, 1998). Mass customisation could have profound environmental benefits for reducing the energy and Porter’s value chain model 4. 1. 2 Relationships Internet technology has enabled a firm to begin to extend the concept of its value chain to include all of the firm’s suppliers and business partners into a single web. This enables companies to work directly with companies around the world. One-to-one buyer-supplier relationships are quickly being replaced by interenterprise collaboration enabled by horizontal and vertical marketplaces. Defined products and services are giving way to dynamic, customer-configurable offerings, where products and services related to those products are bundled to meet the unique requirements of individual customers. In addition to efficiently balancing demand (orders) with supply (availability and capacity), effective demand and supply planning significantly impacts the bottom line. Optimisation of the planning process can drive revenue growth, reduce inventory investment, and lower operating costs. . 2 Operations Through mass customisation, manufacturers can formulate products specifically for individual customers: detergents that fit the cleaning needs of particular workplaces; pesticides that fit the insect population of specific localities, lawn-care products that fit the nutritional needs of unique landscapes; and cosmetics and personal hygiene products formulated to avoid a particular allergen or exposure to a particular chemical or chemicals (Schafer, 1997). Efficient product, processes and technology: e-materialisation Many of the materials such as newspapers, books, dictionaries and encyclopedias, periodicals, stereos, video recorders, cameras, telephones, and answering machines, are products designed to manipulate, store and transmit information. Similarly, many of our institutions, from the post office to the local bank, consume energy and materials by occupying structures that exist mainly to process information. As a technology for manipulating, storing and transmitting information, the internet can perform many of the same functions as these material objects, and in some cases much more quickly and conveniently. This substitution of bits and bytes for physical goods has been called ‘dematerialisation’. Dematerialisation through the internet helps not only to assimilate and communicate information, and conduct financial transactions online, but also has the potential to dramatically reduce the raw materials used in the production of goods, the energy consumed in manufacturing, and the solid waste generated by businesses and consumers. For example, the manufacture of film, processing chemicals, and photographic paper is a significant source of emissions of toxic chemicals such as ethylene chloride, methanol, acetone, toluene, chromium, selenium, and methyl ethyl ketone (US-EPA, 1994). Digital photography avoids the major environmental impacts of film manufacturing and photo processing. Few companies offer customers to receive and store pictures electronically, thus, enables broad distribution without any material required. Financial transactions performed via the web require far fewer material resources and none of the energy involved in moving information stored on paper to and from the home or office. It is estimated that electronic billing saves approximately 50 to 75 cents per bill in envelopes and postage, and another $1 in handling costs. N. U. Ahmed and S. K. Sharma The internet is helping companies and organisations to reduce energy costs and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions by providing them with tools and strategies that can improve the environment, while increasing profits and productivity. E-materialisation of paper alone holds the prospect of cutting energy consumption by about 0. 25% of total industrial energy use. By 2010, e-materialisation of paper, construction, and other activities could reduce US industrial energy and GHG emissions by more than 1. 5% (Romm et al. , 2003; Romm, 1999). 4. 3 Outbound logistics Manufacturers invest large amounts of money in the design of packaging. The environmental costs of packaging are enormous. The packaging results into solid waste. Using internet for selling, and marketing products makes attractive pollution-causing packaging a less attrac

Hannah Essay Example

Hannah Essay Example Hannah Essay Hannah Essay This autobiography is called butterflies and was written by an author called Roger Dean Kisser. Roger Dean was raised up in an orphanage with kids Just like him, at that age he was between 6 and 7 years old not old but very young, every morning they would get up early and march to breakfast. This orphanage was full of beautiful creatures, butterflies, everywhere watching the anonymous house parents pinning them onto the heavy cardboard sheet, how cruel it was to kill something of such beauty, something so small can mean something special to him. In this critical essay I will be explaining how Rogers Dean uses significant language in this event, by collecting quotes throughout the biography, and proving the point, and answer the essay question which is, how Roger Dean felt being kept in an Orphanage. Ever since when he was a little boy of 6 years old, growing up in an orphanage with kids Just like him must have been trouble, One Saturday morning returning from the dormitory and witnessing the house parents pinning butterflies to a cardboard, after the phone rang which had to be answered he quickly went to check the board sheet where all he beautiful butterflies pined causing one innocent butterfly to fall over and leaving the other wing unattached, without touching anything. : A few minutes later the house parent arrived back to think he did something but he didnt, but wouldnt get believed. Roger Dean felt guilty picking up the torn wing spitting on its wing and trying to get it sick back together so it could fly away and escape this nasty place Just wasnt working, I guess. Being yelled at for absolutely nothing wasnt the best. Getting smacked with the cardboard paper across his head, pieces everywhere, throwing the roadbed on the ground telling him to pick it up and put it in the garbage. At this point roger dean was getting in trouble for things he didnt do though he was telling the truth but yet again the house parents didnt believe him at all. l sat there in the dirt by that big old tree, for the longest time trying to fit all the butterfly pieces together so I could bury them whole but was too hard to do In this quotation it explains that he was Broken and how he wanted to treat the butterfly with at least some respect by gathering all the pieces and trying to put them into place so that he an bury them whole, but was finding it really difficult. Every year when butterflies decides to enter this orphanage and try land on me I shoo them away because they did not know that the orphanage was a bad place to live and a bad place to die For Roger Dean Kisser growing up being looked after up into that orphanage, until he was older to look after himself taking half of his childhood away from him, leaving him forever with the thought of, orphanage was a bad place to live and certainly not a good place to die.

Character and Setting in Popular Music

Whether through characters and scenes music in popular music or written literature like novels, a character can convey emotions and thoughts. The audience understands through the present role. Just as we find the character we like, we also find characters that look down. The setting is almost the same. Whether explicitly given or implicitly set, the audience will think about the picture. Sometimes it's a beautiful place, sometimes it's a place we'd rather ignore. In this article, we will explain the role of the environment in public machinery. Analyze the relationship between the central figure and the surrounding environment. Do you set character limit options or affect plot development? Does the environment play an important role in raising the theme of the story? Popular Machinery was written to imagine details to the audience. Men and women in the story are anonymous, there is no clue to the explanation of the story, there is no mention of the city, state or country where the sto ry takes place. This allows the reader to draw the context and detail of the story in his own way. Perhaps the reader has heard of it or is in a similar situation and you can put your face and place in the story. The setup details are very simple, but it is also the most detailed information on every element of the story. Whether through characters and scenes music in popular music or written literature like novels, a character can convey emotions and thoughts. The audience understands through the present role. Just as we find the character we like, we also find characters that look down. The setting is almost the same. Whether explicitly given or implicitly set, the audience will think about the picture. - Setting is a term indicating where the behavior occurred in the narrative work and the past time. However, the settings can be used for other purposes of the novel, such as as a symbol supporting the novel theme. Various settings of red letters such as market, forest, Hester Cott age are examples of this. The market is a typical department of a tough Puritans society In psychology literature, the word personality has become common. This is a term popular in the early 20 th century. Back then, people believed that people had a particular character and had a series of virtues and moral personality traits, including integrity, honesty, generosity, reliability. But by the middle of the century this word became unpopular and rarely used. The main reason for being rejected by psychologists is that according to the mainstream theory at the time, human behavior is determined not by individual but by environment.

Occupational Performance Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Occupational Performance - Essay Example It also tries to explain why the impairment could cause difficulties and the consequences for the individuals of these difficulties and finds ways in which these difficulties might be reduced or overcome. Occupational performance can be defined as the ability of a person to perform tasks for the purpose of carrying out her/his occupational roles in a satisfying manner. The importance of analyzing functional performance is of crucial importance to occupational therapy. The assessment of an individual's / group or populations' level of functioning is very important in planning an occupational therapy for an individual. Occupational therapists take into account the many types of occupations humans might engage, sort them into categories called 'areas of occupation' Let's look at the various performance roles first: Occupational performance roles are patterns of behavior in different kinds of occupation in ones daily life i.e. self-maintenance, productivity, leisure and rest. The roles are determined by individual's physical, mental and spiritual conditions and her/his relationship with external environment. Biomechanical components refer to the operation and interaction of and between physical structures of the body during task performance. This can include range of motion, muscle strength, grasp, muscular and cardiovascular endurance, circulation, elimination of body waste. From the perspective of the task or sub-task, this component refers to the biomechanical attributes of the task; for example, size, weight, dimension and location of objects. Sensory-Motor Performance Component refers to the operation and interaction of and between sensory input and motor responses of the body during task performance. Cognitive Performance Component: refers to the operation and interaction of and between mental processes used during task performance. Intrapersonal Performance Component: refers to the operation and interaction of and between internal psychological processes used during task performance. Interpersonal Performance Component refers to the continuing and changing interaction between a person and others during task performance that contributes to the development of the individual as a participant in society. Elements of Occupational Performance are the body, mind and spirit. The Occupational Performance Model (Australia) acknowledges that together these core elements of human existence form the human body, the human brain, the human mind, the human consciousness of self and the human awareness of the universe (Popper, 1981) Body Element: The tangible physical components of human structure consists the body element. Mind Element: the basic intellectual component of an individual is called the Mind element Spirit Element: is defined loosely as that aspect of humans which seeks a sense of harmony within self and between self, nature, others and in some cases an ultimate other; seeks an existing mystery to life; inner conviction; hope and meaning.As stated earlier the areas on which occupational performances are observed are Self-maintenance, productivity, leisure and rest. Self-Maintenance Occupations are regular tasks and sub-tasks done by an

Zara Plus Sized A Case Study for a New Product Line Assignment

Zara Plus Sized A Case Study for a New Product Line - Assignment Example Accordingly, Zara does not currently have any offerings in plus sizes or for the fuller figured woman. Therefore, this is a lucrative market in which Zara’s competitors are capitalizing and Zara apparel is not. If Zara intends to maintain its competitive edge in this evolving market, it will be forced to integrate a full figured line of clothes into its product offerings. Normally, the apparel industry is already one that is almost wholly driven by consumer tastes; however, now that consumer needs play such a key role, the evolution of the industry takes place even more rapidly than prior market demands dictated. Objective The overall objective is to create a prosperous new line of plus sized/full figured women’s clothing to augment the existing profitability of the Zara apparel firm. This objective will be accomplished by designing and producing a new line of full figured/plus sized women’s clothing, internally marketing that new product line, working to streaml ine and maximize the profitability of the new product line, monitoring its growth and success, and expanding the product line to different markets based on the profitability both online and in the initial US market introduction. As such, Zara’s primary objective is to achieve market share in an existing market with existing products. According to analysis of Ansoff’s matrix referenced below in Figure 1.0, this strategy is the safest of Ansoff’s 4 strategies. Figure 1.0 However, it is a well known fact that even with this safest of strategies, it is not without its limitations. Most prominent among these drawbacks is the fact that competitors will necessarily react to Zara’s entry into the market. As Zara will be attempting to cut down on the number of customers and market share which these firms previously held, expect the competition to be fierce. By carefully measuring Zara’s objectives within the metrics of SMART (specific, measurable, attainabl e, and time bound), Zara apparel will ensure that the metrics and milestones of the product launch are well defined, possible, and timely. SPECIFIC/Measurable With the plus sized clothing market approaching US 20 billion dollar a year industry in the United States alone (Stark, 2012), it will be Zara’s intent to capture 0.00875% of the US market - equating to total sales figures of around US 165 million dollars per annum. Figure 2.0 below shows overall sales objectives for the first year of the new product line as compared with the overall size of the plus sized clothing economy in the United States. Figure 2.0 Attainable/Time Bound It is the understanding of this analysis that such a figure is attainable given Zara’s current market share and net profits as of fiscal year 2011 totaling over US 2.14 billion dollars (Irish Times, 2011). Even without accessing total internet sales into the overall tally, each of Zara’s 49 stores in the United States will be respons ible for generating around US 3.34 million dollars in sales of plus sized clothing in order to reach the sales number set forth by this analysis. For purposes of this analysis, the sales goals, both online and in

Enabling a Remote Workforce. Essay Example for Free

Enabling a Remote Workforce. Essay Productivity Are employees who telecommute more productive than their traditional office colleagues? 1 Savings What types of savings from a telecommuting program should employers expect? 2 Planning What kind of planning does an organization need to do to properly implement a successful telecommuting program? 2 Eligibility How do managers determine the eligibility of employees for telecommuting? 3 Social Interaction What types of social limitations do remote workers experience? 3 Communication Limitations Are organizations disadvantaged due to communication limitations with remote workers? 4 Management How do managers successfully manage and support remote workers? 5 Technical Issues 5 Network What are the security, bandwidth, and infrastructure implications for the company network to support remote access? 5 Hardware/Software Needs What are the hardware, home infrastructure, and software licensing needs for the remote user? 6 Telecommuting Variations What are alternative solutions or variations for telecommuting programs? 7 Connectivity What are the tools and considerations to accommodate remote network access? 8 Communication How do you allow your employees to communicate electronically and verbally from home? 9 Collaboration What are the tools that foster communication? 9 IT Support What are the options and challenges to providing remote employees with technical support? 10 Cost How much does deploying a remote workforce cost? 10 Conclusion 11 Introduction There are a number of good reasons why companies should consider supporting a remote worker program including an expanded labor pool, reduced traffic congestion costs (late arriving/stressed out employees), improved recruitment and retention of staff, facility cost savings, reduced parking costs, reduced sick leave and improved worker productivity. Conversely, there are some disadvantages that companies should also be aware of including an isolated work force, family turf problems, lack of social interaction with other employees and the fear by remote workers that they will be overlooked for promotions. Companies obviously have a lot to factor in deciding whether or not to implement a telecommuting program. Thus, the goal of this paper is to provide consideration points to many of the common questions facing such companies. The questions and discussion herein are divided into two primary categories: technical and organizational. They are intended to provide more generalized information that decision makers can use to enhance their understanding of telecommuting issues. Organizational Issues Productivity Are employees who telecommute more productive than their traditional office colleagues? In general, remote workers appear to be more productive than traditional office workers. In an October 1995 survey of Fortune 1000 managers, 58% reported increased productivity by employees who telecommuted. Also, according to the State of Californias Telecommuting Pilot Program, companies that implemented a remote work force experienced productivity increases ranging from 10 30%. Further, telecommuters working for American Express produced 43% more business than their office-based counterparts1. Clearly the case can be made that remote workers are indeed more productive. The primary explanation for improved productivity is a quieter work environment, which offers fewer interruptions. Certainly the remote worker also faces interruptions in their daily work, such as family business, neighbors, chores, television, etc. However these interruptions are generally much fewer than those experienced by the traditional office worker. Savings What types of savings from a telecommuting program should employers expect? The biggest savings for companies result from reduced absenteeism costs and reduced real estate costs. Oftentimes when employees need to take care of personal business such as doctor visits, car repair, tending to children, etc. they call in sick for the entire day. However, remote workers can take care of personal business and still accomplish some or most of their work tasks from home. The International Telework Association Council estimates that employees who telecommute can save their employers $10,000 each in reduced absenteeism costs2. According to PC World, telework can cut corporate real estate costs from 25 to 90%, which can result in substantial savings for employers. In fact, ATT saves $25 million per year from employees who are full-time telecommuters3. Many companies who have implemented a successful telecommuting program have instituted hoteling systems in their offices. A hotel is essentially an empty cubicle that is set up with a phone, network connections and basic office supplies that any employee can use, often by making a reservation with an office administrator. Hoteling offers telecommuting employees a place to work in the office when necessary without employers having to provide them with a full-time workspace. Planning What kind of planning does an organization need to do to properly implement a successful telecommuting program? Without doubt one of the most important keys to implementing a successful telecommuting program is proper planning. And since every organization has their unique differences (i.e. size, industry, complexity, culture, locale), there is no single formula for such planning. However, successful telecommuting programs should address the following at a minimum: * Perform an initial assessment * Consider organizational strategy and culture * Consider the role of management * Consider the need for staff input * Determine which staff tasks are most amenable to telecommuting * Consider regulatory compliance and legal issues * Determine technology needs * Prepare a cost-benefit analysis and/or ROI analysis4 Eligibility How do managers determine the eligibility of employees for telecommuting? According to Langhoff, tasks that are most appropriate for telecommuting are jobs where a person works alone, handling information such as reports, proposals, data or research. Writers, salespersons, accountants, programmers, graphic artists, researchers, engineers, architects, public relations professionals all are prime candidates for telecommuting5. In determining eligibility for telecommuting, managers should first consider whether the employees tasks can be performed remotely. Second, an examination of the individuals level of performance should be made (i.e. are they hard working and self-motivated or do they need constant supervision and coaching?). Of course it can be tricky selecting who can and cannot telecommute; therefore companies should be aware of the potential legal implications stemming from employees who wished to work remotely but were turned down. Social Interaction What types of social limitations do remote workers experience? Too often companies only view telecommuting as providing benefits to them and to their employees; however, there remains potential downsides. One potential downside is the lack of social interaction between employees. Employees who work at an office setting spend a considerable amount of their day interacting with other employees. These water-cooler discussions foster a camaraderie that translates into value for companies when the same employees work on projects together or are in need of support from each other. Also, the camaraderie indirectly benefits the company when management is trying to achieve buy-in on various initiatives. Lastly, having close relationships allow employees to maintain a healthy mental balance at work resulting in an overall higher level of morale. Once telecommuting is introduced into the mixed, some or all of those relationships are lost. Analysis of past telecommuting research shows that the most cited problem associated with negative impacts of telecommuting is the feeling of isolation and loss of morale6. Although isolation feelings and loss of morale (and the resulting decrease in a companys value) are difficult metrics to measure, some workable solutions have been devised to combat these negative issues. Other solutions have included limiting telecommuting days and making sure to include telecommuting employees in company events7. Communication Limitations Are organizations disadvantaged due to communication limitations with remote workers? The office environment offers some benefits that telecommuting cannot provide. Most important amongst these benefits is the companys ability to communicate to its employees. Most offices display signs of the companys direct communication whether it is embodied in mission statements, annual goal and targets, or newsletters. Indirectly, the company communicates with corporate color schemes, promotion company clothing, and other branding material such as coffee mugs. All of these communications are omnipresent throughout the corporate office setting and help to build company pride, employee loyalty, and a sense of corporate culture. Employees who tend to work remotely are only exposed slightly to this communication through email, conference calls, and other mailed material. This lack of corporate communication may lead to low motivation, lack of identification with the company, and reduced company loyalty8. The solution to the communication challenge is to ensure that corporate communication includes channels to the remote worker. In fact, companies should recognize that off-site employees need more direct and indirect communication such that employees do not develop those negative feelings. Also, companies should make a concerted effort to limit telecommuting days and to include all telecommuting employees in company events9. Management How do managers successfully manage and support remote workers? Another challenge with telecommuting employees revolves around their direct management. Not only do managers find it much more difficult to monitor the productivity and effectiveness of their telecommuting employee, but they are also challenged by having to change their management style to incorporate the limitations brought about by telecommuting10. Managers who have telecommuting employees are also faced with more potential issues such as family conflicts arising from their employee working from home. These conflicts cross the boundary of work and personal life, and almost always negatively impact productivity. Lastly, it is the role of managers to provide organizational support to the telecommuting employee. With the employee being off-site, the manager is usually limited to email and telephone to support his employee. This limitation further restricts a managers effectiveness and typically utilizes more of a managers time in sorting out support logistic11. Solutions to the managers challenge involve setting up a detailed action plan between manager and telecommuting employee. This action plan should be supplemented with an active communication plan12. Once expectations for both parties are clearly outlined in the action plan, both parties can then communicate progress or support needs more efficiently. Moreover, managers can adapt their management styles to telecommuting employees by setting results-based milestones and orienting tasks into projects such that managers still retain control of certain processes13. Technical Issues Network What are the security, bandwidth, and infrastructure implications for the company network to support remote access? Before considering the strategy to deploying remote access for a company, a survey should be done of the existing network and current remote access configurations. Once a complete analysis of the current configuration and future needs are assessed, then the following issues need to be included in your strategy of preparing and deploying the company network for a remote force: security, bandwidth, and infrastructure.14 Table N1 3 Areas of Security15 Internal Network Usually the most secure of the three, but still should be reviewed for any fallacies. External Network Must secure the PC in the remote location (i.e. firewalls, RSA encryption, etc) to prevent unauthorized access and snooping from the remote location. Remote Worker Least secure, must require security policies to be followed about passwords, where to connect, and who to trust. With more remote workers, there will be an increased demand of bandwidth on the network. Will the remote employees be productive with the current infrastructure that your network can provide? Perhaps considerations for upgrading from16: From To Dial-up (56K) ISDN (128K-256K) ISDN (128K-256K) T1 (up to 1.5M) T1 (up to1.5M) T3 (44.736 Mbps) With the increase demand more infrastructure will be required for allowing an increasing number of remote workers to connect to the corporate network (more servers, security hardware, and routing hardware). Hardware/Software Needs What are the hardware, home infrastructure, and software licensing needs for the remote user? For the employees who travel often, they are usually provided some mobile computing solutions and they have found ways to work from remote locations. However the new generation of employees, the remote worker will work from the comfort of their home. Working from home brings a new set of issues in to play. HARDWARE * Can the employee keep work and personal items separated? * If not, should the company provide additional hardware? * If the company does NOT provide additional hardware, then how much of the employees hardware can be expensed if upgrades are necessary? * The employee may need/require a fax machine, an additional phone line, or other office equipment. SOFTWARE * Software licensing has be clear-cut as far as how many computers can use the same license, however what about home workers? * The companys site licensing may not cover home computers and will require the company to pay extra for these licenses. INFRASTRUCTURE * For someone at home who has a DSL, Cable, or Dial-Up connecting, how much of that should the company pay for? * Support, Support, Support. Who will provide the maintenance and support? * Is the home PC secure? If not, who will provide the hardware/software in order to secure it? Also consider how much of the companys data should be on the personal machine. What happens if the home PC is hacked? Telecommuting Variations What are alternative solutions or variations for telecommuting programs? Outlined in this paper is the most common setup for a company to develop telecommuting options for their employees. However most of these configurations allow the employee to use limited resources over the Internet (access to shared folders, documents and e-mail). Depending on the size, the costs of setting up an infrastructure for telecommuting workforce could be unaffordable. The following are other options available to companies who wish to have a telecommuting workforce. Citrix Remember or heard about the mainframe days? Well, history tends to repeat itself. As more PCs were becoming powerful, we moved away from the mainframe days. However with the Internet, the paradigm of sharing resources has returned and now software applications and operating systems have the enhanced ability to handle more than one user concurrently. Citrix17 allows concurrent remote users access to a single server that will give a separate session for each user. Each user will have access to the same set applications on one machine. This solves the software licensing issues of working from a remote location as well as reduces amount of maintenance of hardware/software for the IT department. Satellite Offices Companies are opening satellite offices to reduce commute times for employees and help alleviate city traffic and parking congestion problems. This will result in reduced land costs since these centers are away from the city where the cost of living is lower.18 Telework centers are similar to a satellite office, but operate by independent parties. Unlike satellite offices, numerous employees use them. Think of these options as outsourcing building/infrastructure issues. Connectivity What are the tools and considerations to accommodate remote network access? In todays information environment, connectivity has become essential for a significant portion of the workplace. Access to email, network resources, server applications, and the Internet is a continual activity for the white-collar professional. At a minimum, companies would be well served to support webmail. In much the same vein as portal email (Hotmail, Yahoo), mail is maintained on the company server. This server is then linked to a website, and employees can gain secure access to the company server via any browser. Once logged in, an individual has the full functionality of their account to compose, receive, store, and delete email without explicitly needing to connect to the company network. However, there will be a resulting lack of security employees need to be encouraged to create and regularly modify complex passwords, and to close public web sessions. That said, the security risk is only to an individual email account; not the company network as a whole. A second logical step for an IT department is to enable Virtual Private Networking (VPN). This will allow employees to connect their remote machines to the company network after establishing an Internet connection through an ISP. This machine then behaves just as a networked office-located computer. For users maintaining both an office and remote computer, this solution requires any desktop applications be maintained on both systems. To avoid this duality, many users will first establish a VPN connection and then emulate their office computer with built-in Windows 2000 and Windows XP remote desktop tools or 3rd party tools such as VNC19. In essence, the remote machine then acts as a terminal or monitor to the office computer, and the user can run the applications found on that machine without any needs for secondary software. The downside to this solution is that emulation is only as good as the connection speed. Communication How do you allow your employees to communicate electronically and verbally from home? Todays telephone solutions for the telecommuter generally consist of providing an office phone with call-forwarding features to an employees business cell phone an often times reimbursed expense. This avoids some of the problems associated with using a home line for a combination of business, personal, and dial-up use. The office system simplifies contacting an individual (Simply dial an extension and press 7 to connect to the forwarded line rather than maintaining a constantly changing set of employee contact information). A home line alternative is a distinctive ring system multiple phone numbers (home, office, fax) use a single line with each producing a unique ring that can be directed to an appropriate voice mail box or machine (PC, fax). A second alternative consists of an off-premise-extension (OPX) or foreign exchange (FX) system. While more expensive, these systems truly mimic the office with a separate home line that is identical to an office extension20. Electronic mail is a requirement for most remote users. IT departments can help support employees using multiple computers to access their email by allowing mail to be retained on the company server rather than downloaded to the individual PC. (As an unrelated benefit, this provides much greater redundancy in the event of a computer hard drive crash). Please see the discussion on web mail for more on remote e-mail use. A less intrusive substitute to phone conversations is instant messaging. While this has potential for both misuse and unproductive use (where conversation is more efficient), this is often times an ideal mechanism for sharing small tidbits of information and is especially valuable for troubleshooting. A more extensive tool would be the newsgroup in combination with a company intranet. Here, employees can develop an extensive knowledge base of processes, questions and answers. Collaboration What are the tools that foster communication? At the lowest end of the technology spectrum, there is the traditional conference call a virtual audio meeting with many parties. In an effort to fight the inherent isolationism of remote workers, the videoconference personalizes the conference call as participants better identify with the visual image than the audio. To implement, however, youll need additional webcam hardware, videoconferencing software and a fast Internet connection. Chat rooms (a variation on the aforementioned instant messaging) are suitable for short discussions or as supplements to a meeting (agenda, minutes, links, data, follow-ups) Web conferencing often includes both videoconferencing and chat room features, but distinguishes itself in that it allows a moderator to emulate his/her desktop to the attendees. Among the forefront of the software leaders in this area is WebEx21. IT Support What are the options and challenges to providing remote employees with technical support? One of the drawbacks to working remotely is the absence of immediate technical support for both trivial and complex hardware and software issues. Given that troubleshooting is often a hands-on activity, solving problems for telecommuters is likely to be frustrating and time-consuming. However IT managers can take a number of steps to reduce downtime. * Standardize the equipment and installation. The more alike your users systems are, the better positioned you will be to reproduce and diagnose problems. * Maintain an inventory of back-up equipment in the same way that a car repair shop offers loaner cars. * Set up remote users so their desktops can be emulated by technical support in this way an IT department can provide step by step demonstrations to fix problems * Maintain an easily accessible FAQ and update it with each new problem and solution Managers may also want to consider outsourcing their technical support requirements. Companies like Voyus22 provide 24 hour help desk support and web-based support applications. Cost How much does deploying a remote workforce cost? The decision that the companies face is how much ownership the company will take for each of the types of telecommuters. For an occasional telecommuter, the employee will more than likely take on the costs. For a heavy telecommuter, the company will probably need to cover the costs to the employee. Telecommuter Type Frequency Implementation Costs Involved Occasional Infrequently Dial-up, Web-based applications Regular Scheduled intervals Remote Connection, 3rd Party Software, Laptop, Firewall, Router. Heavy Frequently to Full Time Provide second computer, VPN connection, ISP costs, other office equipment, maintenance. It is not the technology costs that make or break the telecommuting decision, but its the organizational issues that should benefit the company if deployed properly. Conclusion Telecommuting seems to be the answer to the increased workload versus work/personal life balance issue that many companies are seeking. While there exist many challenges towards implementing a successful telecommuting plan, there also seem to be many practical solutions. The real issue seems to stem from whether a company will change its processes and standards to allow for telecommuting to co-exist with office employees. Such a decision, as this paper has outlined, is not as simple as providing remote employees with an internet connection. Rather, the decision has significant technical and organizational ramifications that need to be well thought out before implementation; otherwise, the company is doomed to make the mistakes of many companies that have haphazardly gone down this path. 1 http://www.langhoff.com/faqs.html 2 http://www.youcanworkfromanywhere.com/infocenter/facts.htm 3 http://www.youcanworkfromanywhere.com/infocenter/facts.htm 4 http://www.tfw.org.uk/teleworking/contents.htm 5 http://www.langhoff.com/faqs.html 6 Pinsonneault, A. (1999). The Impacts of Telecommuting on Organizations and Individuals: A Review of the Literature, Cahier du GreSI, 99(9). 7 Guimaraes, T., and Dallow, P. (1999). Empiracally Testing the Benefits, Problems, and Success Factors for Telecommuting Programs, European Journal of Information Systems, 8, 40-54. 8 Davenport, T.H. and Pearlson, K. (1998). Two Cheers for the Virtual Office, Sloan Management Review, 39(4), 51-65. 9 Guimaraes, T., and Dallow, P. (1999). Empiracally Testing the Benefits, Problems, and Success Factors for Telecommuting Programs, European Journal of Information Systems, 8, 40-54. 10 Kirvan, P. (1995). How to Manage Systems for Remote Workers, Communications News, 33, 67. 11 Kirvan, P. (1995). How to Manage Systems for Remote Workers, Communications News, 33, 67. 12 Guimaraes, T., and Dallow, P. (1999). Empiracally Testing the Benefits, Problems, and Success Factors for Telecommuting Programs, European Journal of Information Systems, 8, 40-54. 13 Davenport, T.H. and Pearlson, K. (1998). Two Cheers for the Virtual Office, Sloan Management Review, 39(4), 51-65. 14 Ascend Communications, 2002, Telecommuting Network Guide: A Resource for Planners, Excutives, and Information Managers, http://users.skynet.be/teletravail/PDF/solut_technique.pdf 15 Jessica L. Hirsch, 2000, Telecommuting: Security Policies and Procedures for the Work-From-Home Workforce, http://www.teleworker.org/articles/telework_security.html 16 Bandwidth Savings, 2003, Services In Detailed, http://www.bandwidthsavings.net/servicesdetail.cfm 17 Citrix.com, 2003, Home Page, http://www.citrix.com 18 Hall, Aric, Bilski, Alicia, Wadman, Scott, 2003, Ways People Telecommute, http://members.tripod.com/~trom/page3.html 19 http://www.uk.research.att.com/vnc 20 Wrobel, Leo A., February 1997, Helpful Hints for MIS Managers Supporting Telecommuters and Nomadic Users -Part I: Voice Communications, http://www.rewireit.com/articles/w0297.pdf 21 http://www.webx.com 22 http://www.pcsupport.com/

Slaughterhouse Five Essay -- essays research papers

Thesis: Because he was unable to find comfort from human cruelty in common human institutions, Billy Pilgrim turns to the Tralfalmadorian concept of time.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Billy Pilgrim has been through many cruelties in his life. As a child his own father was cruel to him. They had gone to the Y.M.C.A. to teach Billy how to swim. A horrible, traumatic, event that would stay with Billy for the rest of his life. â€Å"Little Billy was terrified, because his father had said Billy was going to learn to swim by the method of sink-or –swim. His father was going to throw Billy into the deep end, and Billy was going to damn well swim†(43). Roland Wear was a very cruel man as well. He even to it as far as to try and kill Billy by kicking him in the spine. The only reason he had to kick Billy in the spine was because some organization Roland had in his mind about he, and the other two scouts being the â€Å"Three Musketeers†. In Roland’s mind, Billy had broken them up, he had severed the connection between the greatest fighting force in the army. â€Å"Weary drew back his right boot aimed a kick at the spine, at the tube which had so many of Billy’s important wires in it. Weary was going to break that tube†(51). A horrible and saddening event that even the U.S. A. would hide for twenty-three years from the people of its own nation. The bombing of Dresden was the major cruelty for the simple reason that it killed so many innocent people with there being no military around. One of the most beautiful cities in the world to see devastated by war. â€Å"There were hundreds of corpse mines operating by and by. They didn’t even smell bad at first, were wax museums. But then the bodies rotted and liquefied, and the stink was like roses and mustard gas†(214). Such horrible tragedies how could Billy ever even come close to being able to cope with them all? Something must keep Billy sane.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The failure to comfort Billy through human institutions, is how humanity has failed to try and comfort those less fortunate. Billy’s daughter, who is trying to comfort him constantly, does not do a very good job for the fact that she puts down every single thing that Billy will say about Tralfalmadoriane. If family should help comfort humans then why would Billy’s daughter yell at him so often? Family is supposed to be understanding and sensitive to each other’s proble... ...madorian concept of time and has finally achieved the peace he has so long needed. â€Å"It was all right, said Billy. Everything is all right and everybody has to do exactly what he does. I learned that on Tralfalmadore†(198). As he was giving his speech in Chicago, Billy knew he would die that day by the end of his speech. This showed how much he had accepted what the Tralfalmadorian’s had taught to him. â€Å"It is time for your to go home to your wives and children, and it is time for me to be dead for a little while-and then live again.†(142). Billy’s belief in the Tralfalmadorian concept of time not only gives him peace of mind, but a courage that he will not fear death because he will still live in memories therefore not being dead at all.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The only way Billy could keep from going insane from the nagging question of â€Å"why†, was to turn to the Tralfalmadorian concept of time. Billy now has the answers to any of the â€Å"why† questions he has ever asked. This makes life more free and comforting to many people since they may now have a guilt free mind. â€Å"Now he closes his speech as he closes every speech- with these words: farewell, hello, farewell, hello†(142).

One particular episode of ‘The Simpsons’ in detail Essay

Does Matt Groening succeed in making his cartoon show appeal to such a wide audience? Discuss one particular episode of ‘The Simpsons’ in detail The Simpsons is made to the highest production values with the most complex and sophisticated scripts animation has yet seen. An amazing fifteen scriptwriters re-write the whole show eight to nine times before it is considered to be finished. Each episode of the Simpsons is carefully constructed from twenty to thirty thousand drawings, which are sent to Korea to be oil painted by professional artists. The show uses a thirty six piece orchestra for its background music, which creates a wide selection of audio effects and life like sounds and the music is especially composed to fit the mood of the scene, helping to boost the emotions felt by the viewers. The Simpsons has become one of the most popular cartoon shows yet to be produced, as it is shown in many countries over the world in many different languages. The Simpsons, becoming such a success and accomplishment, has made its money for Fox TV, helping it to save Rupert Murdoch’s massive multi national corporation, from bankruptcy when it was launched. Every episode of The Simpsons begins with a short two minute credit, in which the viewers are very cunningly told about each of the characters. The credits begin with blissful and godly music suggesting an angelic family and â€Å"The Simpsons† title coming towards the viewers from behind moving clouds. But what we are about to see next we find out that the Simpson’s are far from being angelic. The camera takes a long range overview of Springfield, zooming through the town towards the local elementary school where we see Bart writing detention lines already suggesting that he is badly behaved. As the school bell rings Bart dashes out of the door leaving for home on his skateboard. The focus then switches to Homer, whom we see is working at the nuclear power plant. He is working with some green radioactive rod when he hears the bell, indicating the end of the shift. Quickly forgetting what he is doing, Homer drops the rod which bounces back into his overall without him noticing. By just watching this we can see that homer is reckless and immature. He only realises the radioactive rod down his back later in the credits. After that we see Marge with Maggie in the supermarket where Marge is reading a ladies magazine. This, as we can clearly see is satirizing American wives who basically have to do every household chores as well as doing the shopping etc. Following on from Marge and Maggie we then see Lisa in a music lesson where she is playing the saxophone in a different tune to the rest of the class. This tells us that Lisa is independent and different. Next we view that all the members of the family are going home to watch TV. Matt Groening is again satirizing Americans through the Simpson’s as he is telling us that all Americans revolve around television. Anyway as the family are about to sit down on the couch and watch TV, something bizarre or hilarious always happens to the couch like it turns into a fish or runs away. This couch gag changes every episode like Bart’s detention lines and real Simpsons fanatics will be looking forward for every episode to see what the new detention lines and the couch gags are. All this is crammed into a space two minutes and therefore the credits are always quick, accompanied by fast flowing background music. The scene that I am going to study in depth is the therapy centre of the episode â€Å"There’s no disgrace like home†. Here Homer takes the whole family to this therapy centre where it guarantees saintly family. He saw this therapy commercial in Moe’s bar where Dr Marvin Monroe says that for only $500 he can cure badly behaved families or double the money back. So seeing the commercial and really convinced he goes home and wants to sell the TV. But Marge so desperate for the TV, offers her engagement ring. This is a clear satire on American family as it tells us that all American people revolve around TV and value nothing else. However homer sells the TV and takes the family to the therapy centre. At the centre they meet Dr Marvin Monroe where he sets the family their first task, which is to draw a picture of the centre of violence in the family. Everyone else draws Homer but Homer draws a fighter jet, clearly showing that he is paying no attention what so ever. Then the family are given foam mallets to gently hit each other, but Bart removes the foam from the mallets so only the metal stick remains. This satirizes all American violence in general. Nevertheless the most important scene is where the family are linked to electric chairs and are told to zap each other in turns. This goes too far as the family zap each other so much that Springfield runs out of electricity. This satirizes American belief in psychotherapy and the American electric chair. The scene was taken from the original ‘A clockwork Orange’ directed by Stanley Kubrick and as a result will be funny to those film fans. So in the end Dr Marvin Monroe kicks the family out as they achieve no results. But Homer tells Dr Marvin Monroe that the therapy commercial said that if there was no result there would be double the money back. Now nervous, Dr Marvin Monroe tells homer that did he believe in the commercial satirizing American people as it tells us that TV is their life. Nowhere to go Dr Marvin Monroe pays Homer $1000 and now the family are able to get a better-quality TV. At the beginning of the scene the family sell the dearly loved TV to pat for the therapy treatment and now at the end of the scene the family can by a better one, which takes the whole story round and round in a circle.

Native Americans in the United States and Pocahontas Life Essay

This book was the bases and the most informative piece I have seen on a review of Pocahontas life in my perspective. Pocahontas life is a difficult piece of history to analysis for the fact that her life is only denoted by other persons of history writings. She has no known piece of writing of her own so all knowledge is personal based of outside parties. This makes it for sometimes difficult to truly believe everything for many of the views were from white men during a time period where they had not seen many females weren’t around. I believe the author thesis of the book for the Pocahontas part was her involvement with the English and her growth throughout her life. The other thesis of the book from the Powhatan side was there involvement with the English as well and there plan to use the culture but at the same time push them away. Within the first five chapter of Pocahontas and the Powhatan Dilemma it gives you a base review of history. This first part of the book it explains the culture of the Powhatan and how they are laid out. At this point in the book within the first chapter we find out that Pocahontas is only 9 years of age and her mother is nowhere to be found, but her father is Powhatan the chief of many native people and villages. It talks about the arrival of English in 1603 and we learn that many ships have come before us truly being to talk about John Smith and Jamestown. It also mention the arrival of Don Luis and the Spanish, but doesn’t get into much detail he just seems to pop up with the first few chapters her and there. We learn that Pocahontas name means â€Å"mischief† or the â€Å"little playful one. † The author tells us that the native were not completely different from the Europeans just simply behind the times. We also learn that within the native culture of the Powhatan that there chiefs do not come from the next up son, but from marriage of the daughters. We also learn that the Europeans felt that the women of the tribes need to be saved due to their work in the fields and other jobs around the village. It speaks of the native’s religion of their belief in spirits within everything. John Smith comes into play in 1606 when the English begin to prepare for the Virginia campaign. What I learn from John Smith was that he was a captain that has been captured a lot and has numerous stories of being saved by women that fall lustful in love with. As kids watching films and stories we are told of Pocahontas is her and John Smith fall in love, but at the time of them meeting Pocahontas would’ve been ten years of age. The plans of the English and John Smith was to: improve native culture, use the land properly, get there before the Spanish, and bring English enlighten, and a place to send the unemployed English. One of the main fears that I read about in the reading was the fear of the English to become like the Indians. The term we learned in class for this is recolonization. After the landing John Smith gets taken by the Powhatan and convince them not to kill him by way of trade. He promises them weapons which out of smarts gives them a cannon which cannot be moved. Both the native and the English realize the need of each. Without one another the English could not survive without food and the natives want weapons or easier put there technology. Over time many English were sent to live with natives to learn their culture and a native would be sent with the English. The most notable was Pocahontas herself was sent with the English to learn their language and lifestyle. The book talks of Pocahontas marriage first to a native warrior, but it fails to mention what happens to him. She later marries John Rolfe an English man who experience much of the reverse colonization. Before her marriage though Pocahontas was kidnapped one of the main characters they looked over her kidnapping was Sir Thomas Dale who was the first Marshall of Virginia. Pocahontas would declare herself a Christian in 1616 and then start her life with John. They would build a log on the land John was granted from the Virginia Company. They would have two children together in their lifetime. Shortly after being settled in there Pocahontas would go to London and experience true English culture. Pocahontas would become very ill around the time the Rolfe family was ready to head back to Virginia. Pocahontas died on March 21, 1617 in the Rolfe inn. What I learned from this book that for someone of her time period and of native culture Pocahontas got to see much more than any Native American of her time period for sure. I learned that much of what we were taught or told of her in are childhood was wrong. I learned that john smith stories could not be trusted. The feeling I receive as well is Pocahontas rejected her culture and tribe, but in return was probably rejected in a way due to her mother situation. Though she might have be royal in a way just from some of the information I read. The book was good though and I enjoyed the insist of Pocahontas life.

Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln

Fun Fact: During the Civil War, telegraph wires were strung to follow the action on the battlefield. But there was no telegraph office in the White House, so Lincoln went across the street to the War Department to get the news. Fast Fact: Abhorring war, Abraham Lincoln accepted it as the only means to save the Union. Biography: Abraham Lincoln warned the South in his Inaugural Address: "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you.... You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it." Lincoln thought secession illegal, and was willing to use force to defend Federal law and the Union. When Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter and forced its surrender, he called on the states for 75,000 volunteers. Four more slave states joined the Confederacy but four remained within the Union. The Civil War had begun. The son of a Kentucky frontiersman, Lincoln had to struggle for a living and for learning. Five months before receiving his party's nomination for President, he sketched his life: "I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished familiessecond families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks.... My father ... removed from Kentucky to ... Indiana, in my eighth year.... It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all." Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to attain knowledge while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences, and keeping store at New Salem, Illinois. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, spent eight years in the Illinois leg... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, from the backwoods of Hodgenville Kentucky, rose to become one of the greatest presidents of the United States. During his attempt to keep the Union in the Civil War, he gained more power and authority than any president before him. A excellent politician, Lincoln was always looked upon for leadership for he put reason and thoughtful decisions behind his word. Abraham Lincoln, born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hawks on February 12, 1809, was conceived in a log cabin built by his father. Abe had one older sister, and a younger brother that died as an infant. The Lincoln family moved a lot, from Kentucky to Indiana, and back to Kentucky. Abe read a book titled Mason Locke Weems's Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, this book mad a lasting impression on him that persuaded him throughout his life. By the time he was nineteen Abe reached his full grown height of six feet four inches. He held small jobs such as a clerk, postmaster and a few others through his early twenties. Then in 1832 he ran for county candidate against 13 others. Only four were to be elected and Lincoln finished eighth. In '834 he ran for a representative to the Illinois legislature, by this time Lincoln was well known and he got the election. Abe began to study law, and in 1836 became a licensed attorney. In 1837 he made his first public stand against slavery, Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionist groups though he was greatly against slavery. On November 4, 1842 Lincoln married Mary Todd, whom he spent the rest of his life with. He became a United States Congressman, although he was an amateur, his goal was to make his mark. What might of made him fulfill this goal was the fact that he never lost confidence in himself. Years went by, and Abraham could not stand slavery any more, he was elected by the republican party to do something about it. On March 4, 1861, Lincoln was sworn in as preside... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln LINCOLN, Abraham, twenty-sixth president of the United States and sixteenth under the US Constitution, born in Hardin county, Kentucky, 12 February, 1809; died in Washington, D. C., 15 April, 1865. His earliest ancestor in America seems to have been Samuel Lincoln, of Norwich, England, who settled in Hingham, Mass., where he died, leaving a son, Mordecai, whose son of the same name removed to Monmouth, N. J., and thence to Berks County, Pa., dying there in 1735. He was a man of some property, which at his death was divided among his sons and daughters, one of whom, John Lincoln, having disposed of his land in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, established himself in Rockingham county, Va. The records of that county show that he was possessed of a valuable estate, which was divided among five sons, one of whom, named Abraham, emigrated to Kentucky about 1780. Abraham Lincoln left his father's house as soon as the farm was fenced and cleared, hired himself to a man named Denton Offutt, in Sangamon County, assisted him to build a flat-boat, accompanied him to New Orleans on a trading voyage, and returned with him to New Salem, in Menard county, where Offutt opened a store for the sale of general merchandise. Little was accomplished in this way, and Lincoln employed his too abundant leisure in constant reading and study. He learned during this time the elements of English grammar, and made a beginning in the study of surveying and the principles of law. But the next year an Indian war began, occasioned by the return of Black Hawk with his bands of Sacs and Foxes from Iowa to Illinois. Lincoln volunteered in a company raised in Sangamon county, and was immediately elected captain. His company was organized at Richland on 21 April, 1832; but his service in command of it was brief, for it was mustered out on 27 May. Lincoln immediately re-enlisted as a private, and served for several weeks in that capacity, being finally mustered out on 16 June,... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln Lincoln, Abraham (1809-65), 16th president of the United States (1861-65), who steered the Union to victory in the American Civil War and abolished slavery. Early Life Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, near Hodgenville, Kentucky, the son of Nancy Hanks and Thomas Lincoln, pioneer farmers. At the age of two he was taken by his parents to nearby Knob Creek and at eight to Spencer County, Indiana. The following year his mother died. In 1819 his father married Sarah Bush Johnston, a kindly widow, who soon gained the boy's affection. Lincoln grew up a tall, gangling youth, who could hold his own in physical contests and also showed great intellectual promise, although he had little formal education. In 1831, after moving with his family to Macon County, Illinois, he struck out on his own, taking cargo on a flatboat to New Orleans, Louisiana. He then returned to Illinois and settled in New Salem, a short-lived community on the Sangamon River, where he split rails and clerked in a store. He gained the respect of his fellow townspeople, including the so-called Clary Grove boys, who had challenged him to physical combat, and was elected captain of his company in the Black Hawk War (1832). Returning from the war, he began an unsuccessful venture in shopkeeping that ended when his partner died. In 1833 he was appointed postmaster but had to supplement his income with surveying and various other jobs. At the same time he began to study law. That he gradually paid off his and his deceased partner's debts firmly establish ed his reputation for honesty. The story of his romance with Ann Rutledge, a local young woman whom he knew briefly before her untimely death, is unsubstantiated. Illinois Politician and Lawyer Defeated in 1832 in a race for the state legislature, Lincoln was elected on the Whig ticket two years later and served in the lower house from 1834 to 1841. He quickly emerged as one of the leaders of the party and was ... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished familiessecond families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks.... My father ... removed from Kentucky to ... Indiana, in my eighth year.... It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all." Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to attain knowledge while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences, and keeping store at New Salem, Illinois. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, spent eight years in the Illinois legislature, and rode the circuit of courts for many years. His law partner said of him, "His ambition was a little engine that knew no rest." He married Mary Todd, and they had four boys, only one of whom lived to maturity. In 1858 Lincoln ran against Stephen A. Douglas for Senator. He lost the election, but in debating with Douglas he gained a national reputation that won him the Republican nomination for President in 1860. As President, he built the Republican Party into a strong national organization. Further, he rallied most of the northern Democrats to the Union cause. On January 1, 1863, he issued the Emancipation Proclamation that declared forever free those slaves within the Confederacy. Lincoln never let the world forget that the Civil War involved an even larger issue. This he stated most movingly in dedicating the military cemetery at Gettysburg: "that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vainthat this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedomand that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth." Lincoln won re-election in 1864, as Union military triumphs heralded an end to the... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln On the stormy morning of Sunday, February 12, Nancy Hanks Lincoln, wife of Thomas, gave birth to a boy. He was born on a bed of poles covered with corn husks. The baby was named Abraham after his grandfather. In 1811 the Lincolns moved to a farm on Knob Creek which was also near Hodgenville. In 1811 or 1812, Abraham's younger brother, Thomas, died in infancy. Abraham spent a short amount of time in a log schoolhouse. He began to learn his ABC's from a teacher named Zachariah Riney. He attended school with his sister, Sarah. Late in 1816 the Lincoln family moved to southern Indiana and settled near present day Gentryville. A cabin was constructed near Little Pigeon Creek. It measured 16 X 18 feet, and it had one window. Abraham's mother, Nancy, passed away on October 5th, 1818, she died of milk sickness. In 1819, Abraham would barrow books from his neighbors to read. In 1821 Abraham attended school taught by James Swaney for about 4 months. Also in 1824 Abraham attended school taught by Azel Dorsey. In 1827 Abraham's sister, Sarah died giving birth to her son. In 1831, Lincoln decided to leave his family and go off on his own. In July he moved to New Salem, Illinois, where he boarded at Rutledge's tavern and became acquainted with the owner's daughter, Ann. New Salem was a frontier village consisting of one long street on a bluff over the Sangamon River. On August 6th, 1832 Lincoln was defeated while running for the Illinois State Legislature. Lincoln began to operate a general store in New Salem along with William F. Berry. Again, In 1834, Lincoln ran for the Illinois State Legislature, but this time he was elected. During the summer, John T. Stuart advised Lincoln to study law. On December 1 he took his seat in state government in Vandalia. In 1837 Lincoln, 28, was admitted to the Illinois Bar on March 1, and he moved to Springfield on April 15. He became a law partner of John Stuart and lived with Joshua Speed. Lincoln n... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln Abraham Lincoln, from the backwoods of Hodgenville Kentucky, rose to become one of the greatest presidents of the United States. During his attempt to keep the Union in the Civil War, he gained more power and authority than any president before him. A excellent politician, Lincoln was always looked upon for leadership for he put reason and thoughtful decisions behind his word. Abraham Lincoln, born to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hawks on February 12, 1809, was conceived in a log cabin built by his father. Abe had one older sister, and a younger brother that died as an infant. The Lincoln family moved a lot, from Kentucky to Indiana, and back to Kentucky. Abe read a book titled Mason Locke Weems's Life and Memorable Actions of George Washington, this book mad a lasting impression on him that persuaded him throughout his life. By the time he was nineteen Abe reached his full grown height of six feet four inches. He held small jobs such as a clerk, postmaster and a few others through his early twenties. Then in 1832 he ran for county candidate against 13 others. Only four were to be elected and Lincoln finished eighth. In '834 he ran for a representative to the Illinois legislature, by this time Lincoln was well known and he got the election. Abe began to study law, and in 1836 became a licensed attorney. In 1837 he made his first public stand against slavery, Lincoln avoided extreme abolitionist groups though he was greatly against slavery. On November 4, 1842 Lincoln married Mary Todd, whom he spent the rest of his life with. He became a United States Congressman, although he was an amateur, his goal was to make his mark. What might of made him fulfill this goal was the fact that he never lost confidence in himself. Years went by, and Abraham could not stand slavery any more, he was elected by the republican party to do something about it. On March 4, 1861, Lincoln was sworn in as president of the United States of America at... Free Essays on Abraham Lincoln Fun Fact: During the Civil War, telegraph wires were strung to follow the action on the battlefield. But there was no telegraph office in the White House, so Lincoln went across the street to the War Department to get the news. Fast Fact: Abhorring war, Abraham Lincoln accepted it as the only means to save the Union. Biography: Abraham Lincoln warned the South in his Inaugural Address: "In your hands, my dissatisfied fellow countrymen, and not in mine, is the momentous issue of civil war. The government will not assail you.... You have no oath registered in Heaven to destroy the government, while I shall have the most solemn one to preserve, protect and defend it." Lincoln thought secession illegal, and was willing to use force to defend Federal law and the Union. When Confederate batteries fired on Fort Sumter and forced its surrender, he called on the states for 75,000 volunteers. Four more slave states joined the Confederacy but four remained within the Union. The Civil War had begun. The son of a Kentucky frontiersman, Lincoln had to struggle for a living and for learning. Five months before receiving his party's nomination for President, he sketched his life: "I was born Feb. 12, 1809, in Hardin County, Kentucky. My parents were both born in Virginia, of undistinguished familiessecond families, perhaps I should say. My mother, who died in my tenth year, was of a family of the name of Hanks.... My father ... removed from Kentucky to ... Indiana, in my eighth year.... It was a wild region, with many bears and other wild animals still in the woods. There I grew up.... Of course when I came of age I did not know much. Still somehow, I could read, write, and cipher ... but that was all." Lincoln made extraordinary efforts to attain knowledge while working on a farm, splitting rails for fences, and keeping store at New Salem, Illinois. He was a captain in the Black Hawk War, spent eight years in the Illinois leg...