Information Technology Acts

Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 Almost every home, library and school in the US has computers as well as access to the internet. These have become very important to children’s success in their academic work. However, the internet can expose them to online predators as well as inappropriate material. The increase in use of the internet by children especially teenagers brought in concerns about the need to prevent illegal activities over the internet.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Technology Acts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The US Congress enacted the Children’s Internet Protection Act, 2000 to address access to offensive content through the internet. The Act requires schools as well as libraries to put content filters on their information systems to prevent minors from accessing inappropriate sites and contents (Reynolds, 2006). Content devices are placed to block o bscene and child pornography pictures, as well as, any other material deemed to cause harm to minors. The passing of this Act was prompted by the increase of global network which enabled minors to chart or communicate through email and chart rooms. This was deemed to pose risks to minors who can still be easily deceived by those who pretend to have good intent. Besides, software for hacking and spyware had become very common, meaning that anybody could easily illegally gain access to minors’ information if they wanted to for any reason. Hacking allows unauthorized access, disclosure as well as dissemination of personal identification information about children and teenagers. This posed great risks to minors who access the internet. There were concerns that some of these software companies develop software which enable them track minors’ web-surfing activities, and as a result sell the information to market research companies (Reynolds, 2006). This is illegitimate and a gainst the Privacy Act. Marketing companies and other firms use such information to send email advertisements by use of ardware through minors’ email addresses, regardless of their ages and the risks associated with the products or activities. Again, the internet allows those who develop pornography movies and pictures to distribute them online. Some of these contents are freely available online and always attract minors’ attention. Such inappropriate contents contribute to minors being involved in immoral activities which include sex when they are not yet mature. The internet also allows drug gangs to make attractive advertisements which allow them to easily recruit teenagers into their drug and gang activities. Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, 1986 The Act was passed to help reduce cracking of information systems as well as to deal with federal computer-related offenses. It governs cases where information systems are used to carry out crimes involving interstate as well as foreign commerce. It also covers the use of computers to commit crimes related to illegal access or use of computers of financial institutions or the federal government.Advertising Looking for essay on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The act was passed as a result of the development of electronic funds transfer systems, hacking software, spyware, virus and the increase in adoption of information systems in institutions. The adoption of electronic funds transfers created real concerns about fraud or illegal transfer of funds from financial institutions. Fraudsters are able to maliciously access data and use various techniques to steal money from financial institutions or individual accounts. The development of credit cards, ATM cards and automated machines has increased the risks of fraud. Criminals skim credit card details by swiping them through card reader to copy the information contained in their magnetic strip, an d use them to generate cloned cards (Stamp Walker, 2007). Companies have developed handheld skimmers which can fit into pockets and hands, which allow fraudsters to secretly swipe cards without the knowledge of the owners. Some of these skimmers are attached to ATMs in the card slot. They are used in combination with pinhole cameras to record customers entering PIN. Fraudsters can also take advantage of their powerful encrypting software to encrypt passwords of employees in a financial institution to transfer funds from the institution to a financial institution in another country. The development of online financial transactions has also increased fraud risk. Hackers can hack financial details of an individual or institution through unauthorized leaks in the system and use it carry out fraud activities, which includes illegal transfer of funds and assets across countries. Software companies and individuals continuously develop password hacking software which hackers and crackers u se to view activities of other remotely connected computers. They are therefore able to spy activities of institutions of the federal government or monitor the financial activities of financial institutions. There also software which enables them to capture the activities of these institutions or damage vital data belonging to these institutions (Wienbar, 2004). These software enable them crack passwords since they are stronger than firewall and other filters. They can therefore illegally gain access to confidential information and use it to achieve their own personal interest. Spyware and viruses have been developed to cause damage and to gain unauthorized access to federal information. They can be used to hack, delete files or information stored in protected computers vital to the federal government or institutions. New technologies such as spyware can be used to collect information from corporate or public institutions without the knowledge of the computer users. They can be used to monitor computer users, collect personal information and take control of the computer of computer systems.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Information Technology Acts specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More They can install additional software which may include virus, and interfere with functionality of other computer programs. The development of webcams also poses great risks. Individuals remotely activate webcams embedded in computers used in institutions to secretly capture activities, and therefore illegally monitor activities of individuals and institutions. Reference List Reynolds, G. (2006). Ethics in information technology, 2nd Ed. St Peter Port: Course Technology Inc. Stamp, J., Walker, J. (2007). Money laundering in Australia, 2004: Trends and issues in crime and criminal justice. Australian Institute of Criminology, 342. Wienbar, S. (2004). The Spyware Inferno. News.com. Web. This essay on Information Technology Acts was written and submitted by user Inertia to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Personal Experience Essaysâ€Coping with Changes in the Family

Personal Experience Essays- Coping with Changes in the Family Writing personal experience essays about coping with the changes in your family may include topics such as moving in a new house, migrating to a new country or community, moving out of the house of a family member, and introducing a new member of the family. Other topics delve on sensitive topics such as death of a family member, divorce, and other relevant issues. Developing this paper may be difficult for some students since some of the topics may be hard to be put into writing. Here are some essay tips on constructing a paper on this kind of topic:   Ã‚  Ã‚   First point to discuss on your paper is the usual reactions of society to the changes that occur in the family. Cite the negative and positive reactions and explain why changes in the family are perceived in these opposing manners in the society. Identify the perspective on changes that you and your family possess then elucidate how your family had acquired this kind of outlook towards changes in the family. Mention your personal view on changes in the family and the people or sources that had influenced your outlook on these changes. This point would serve as your anchor point in your statements on the later parts of your paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚   For this type of academic essay, the section on the account of your personal experience on changes you have experienced in your family is probably the highlight of your paper. Describe the events that ensued in the changes that had happened in your family and the ways this occurrence had affected you as an individual and your family. Specify a sociological analysis on these changes, the reactions your and your family had exhibited, and the effects of these changes to you and your family. Relatively, the family and an individual’s identity are also excellent topics tackled for sociology essays. Reading some of this type of essay can help you in providing the sociological view for this part of your paper.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Enumerate way on how to cope with changes in the family. Explain how each approach can be beneficial in dealing with changes. State which of these approaches you have applied personally and describe how this approach had aided you to manage the situation. Expound on the importance of getting immediate support from friends and family to deal with these changes as well as consulting professionals who can give you advice.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Clichà ©s about change being a part of your life are true; explain how understanding and accepting changes in your family as a permanent part of life would provide a positive outlook in life as well as prepare a person for future changes that may happen in life. Assess yourself if you have attained this attitude towards changes in your family and life changes in general.   Ã‚  Ã‚   State the possible harm that may result on an individual an on the family in not being able to cope with changes in the family. Explicate the reasons why this could cause harm. Specify if you have experienced any of these harmful consequences of not being able to cope with changes in the family. Personal experience essays on this topic can be immediately completed by observing these tips. A good essay on personal experiences involves in-depth views on these occurrences in life as well as the sincerity of the writer.

PADILLA Surname Meaning, Origin and Genealogy

PADILLA Surname Meaning, Origin and Genealogy Padilla is a Spanish geographical or locational surname, originating from a number of different villages of that name, from the Spanish padilla, meaning saucepan or bread pan, which in turn derived from the Latin patella, a diminutive of patina, or shallow dish. In this sense, the word was used topographically to describe a village built in a gentle depression. Padilla is the 57th most common Hispanic surname. Surname Origin Spanish Alternate Surname Spellings PADILLO, PADILA, PADILO, DE PADILLA, DE PADILLO Famous People With the Surname PADILLA Josà © Padilla - Spanish composer and pianistLeonard Padilla - American bounty hunterErnesto Padilla – Cuban-American artist and cigar makerHeberto Padilla - Cuban poet and father of Ernesto Padilla Where do People With the Padilla Surname Live? According to Public Profiler: World Names the majority of individuals with the Padilla surname live in Spain, followed by larger concentrations in Argentina and the United States, plus small populations in France and Canada. Public Profiler doesnt include information from all countries, however, including Mexico and Venezuela. Genealogy Resources for the Surname PADILLA 100 Common Hispanic Surnames Their MeaningsGarcia, Martinez, Rodriguez, Lopez, Hernandez... Are you one of the millions of people sporting one of these top 100 common Hispanic last names? Ancestry.com - Padilla Genealogy Records (free trial or subscription required)Thousands of records for individuals with the Padilla surname can be found on the subscription website Ancestry.com, including births, marriages, census, immigration and military records. PADILLA Family Genealogy ForumSearch this popular genealogy forum for the Padilla surname to find others who might be researching your ancestors, or post your own Padilla query. FamilySearch - PADILLA GenealogyFind records, queries, and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Padilla surname and its variations. PADILLA Surname Family Mailing ListsRootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers of the Padilla surname. Cousin Connect - PADILLA Genealogy QueriesRead or post genealogy queries for the surname Padilla, and sign up for free notification when new Padilla queries are added. DistantCousin.com - PADILLA Genealogy Family HistoryFree databases and genealogy links for the last name Padilla. You can read more about interesting surname origins and meanings here.

Financial Reporting on Enron Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Financial Reporting on Enron - Case Study Example But as the time passed by the firm's business mix shifted from the regulated transportation of natural gas to unregulated energy trading markets. Since in the energy trading more money could be made in buying and selling financial contracts linked to the value of energy assets than in actual ownership of physical assets. Because of its business nature Enron's reported annual revenues grew from under $10 billion in the early 1990s to $101 billion in 2000, ranking it seventh on the Fortune 500 (Benston 2002). First, briefly it is important to know what happened which led to the ultimate bankruptcy and collapse. Enron was in the business of energy trading and distribution. It all started with Jeffery Skilling who replaced Kenneth Lay as CEO quitted from his position and Kenneth Lay became the CEO again. Another event of importance was the role of Enron's Chief Financial Officer, Andrew S. Fastow; he was responsible for handling all the off shore partnerships for the company; his actions led to hiding of around a billion dollar debt through these off shore drilling partnership businesses. This was one of the bases which led to the collapse of Enron when it was disclosed. And the admission was made regarding overstatement of profitability of Enron by hiding some of the debt; when the matter was disclosed Enron's share price came slashing down and the company lost its credibility in the financial markets. No one was ready to forward any loan so that the company can come out of the ditch of b ankruptcy. The collapse of Enron badly effected the retirement savings of the employees as these were linked to the stock prices which plummeted badly hence, effecting the employees' savings. An important thing to point out is that the accountants, Arthur Anderson did not indicate at any moment the worsening financial situation of the company. Thus, in the end the accountants, Anderson and the Enron shredded the company documents that reflected the audit reports and employees that were against this were fired (Beams 2002). What do we identify after Enron's implosion that we did not identify before it The conventional perception is that the Enron debacle exposes basic flaw in our current system of corporate governance. Conceivably, this is so, but where is the flaw located Beneath what conditions will critical systems fall short Chief debacles of historical dimensions (and Enron is certainly that) tend to produce a surplus of explanations. In Enron's case, the firm's strange breakdown is becoming an effective Rorschach test in which every commentator can observe evidence verifying that what he or she previously believed. However, the problem with viewing Enron as a sign of any methodical governance collapse is that its nucleus facts are maddeningly only one of its kinds. Most obviously, Enron's governance structure was sui generis. Other public corporations just have not certified their chief financial officer to run a self-governing entity that enters into billions of dollars of risky and unpredictable trading transactions with them; nor have they permitted their senior officials to profit from such self-dealing transactions with no wide direction or even understanding of the profits involved. Neither have

Officer Joe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Officer Joe - Essay Example There is little doubt that â€Å"management of the police department and its leadership is a demanding, complex, and challenging task,† but that task is â€Å"largely possible through good management†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Eisenberg 21). Managing this officer is not an easy task, as his negative attributes and their impact on the department must be weighed against his performance. Accordingly, we should examine the set of behaviors, assess the impact to the department and the public, balance the consequences of the officer’s negative behavior with his superior performance, and determine a way to help this officer. Officer Joe is, as any other police officer, under a lot of stress. The stress of police work is well known, and its effects on the individual can cause the officer to resort to various coping mechanisms. One of the more unhealthy ways of coping with stress on the job is alcohol abuse. In fact, Officer Joe is presenting classic signs of alcohol abuse. Disregard for authority, carelessness in personal appearance, as well as impatience and irritability are three indicators of alcohol abuse (Moriarty & Field 155). Officer Joe’s behavior indicates his condition is worsening, as this is presumptively the first time he has shown up for duty with alcohol on his breath. Immediate management intervention is required in this situation, to protect the public, the department, and Officer Joe himself. As there has been no indication of drinking while on the job, the officer is likely engaging in this self-destructive behavior in private. Some might content that the private behavior of a p olice officer is not an issue to management unless it affects job performance. In Officer Joe’s case, his performance has been very good. However, the private life of a police officer is something that can and should be considered by management. â€Å"The special role that the police

Why is Sir Isaac Newton Essay Example for Free

Why is Sir Isaac Newton Essay Why pick a scientist over someone who has contributed to any other field of endeavour? Look at the evidence: here is a person who discovered the universal law of why what goes up must come down, the explanation of the colours of a rainbow; and a method of calculation with applications in far reaching areas that affect our lives today. Newton is best known for formulating a universal law of gravitation, however it is unlikely that his ideas stemmed solely from the well-known story of an apple falling on his head whilst sat under a tree. His mathematical researches into planetary motion drew him to the conclusion that that the force of attraction that held planets in their orbits, and the Moon in its orbit around Earth, varied inversely with the square of their distance from the sun. In other words, the nearer you are to a planet the greater its force of gravitational pull. This was his fundamental law of gravitation. He discovered that the force of gravity affected all objects in the universe. His laws of motion can be summarised as follows: 1) Everything preserves its motion in a straight line unless its deflected from that course by a force. 2) The rate at which a body travels is in proportion to the force applied on it. 3) To every action there is an opposite and equal reaction These laws held true for many years and it was only until Einstein, in the twentieth century, proposed his theory of relativity that we were to have a more accurate picture of how the universe behaves. Newton is said to have invented the Calculus. The calculus, most simply put, is a way of finding the area under a curve drawn on a graph and the gradients of tangents drawn at any point on that curve. Why is this useful? Well, this allows us to find out rates, areas and volumes by what is known as differentiation and integration. For instance, if you wanted to find out how quickly your reconditioned MK1 Ford Cortina with go-faster stripes accelerated to 0-60 mph in, you could set up an experiment to plot the distance travelled by the car accelerating from a stand-still to its top speed against time. If you used differentiation on a corresponding curve drawn on a graph, you could find the speed of the car at any given time. Furthermore, if you used differentiation again, you could determine its acceleration. Alternatively, you could set up an experiment to measure the cars speed against time, if you were to find the area under the resultant curve using integration, you would be able to establish the distance travelled. Apart from measuring the performance of tasteful 70s automobiles, the calculus can be applied to more significant things like ascertaining reaction rates of chemicals, or discovering where the greatest stresses and strains are likely to be caused on a bridge. In the field of optics, Newton discovered that if a beam of sunlight were passed through a glass prism it would reveal rays forming a spectrum of colours, like that of a rainbow. He concluded that white light was composed of many different types of rays which when refracted at slightly different angles would produce a different spectral colour. He made this observation when using a refracting telescope and witnessed that the lenses were not clear but had an abnormal colour. It also led him to invent a reflecting telescope that did not display this aberration. But what of Newtons character: He typified the mathematical genius. He was obsessive by nature; at times toiling sixteen-hour days on work that would change the course of history. Anecdotes abound about his absent-mindedness, especially when entertaining friends (which he did rarely), where he would excuse himself to get more wine or run a similar errand, and would not return for some time because he had been busily working on some mathematical problem that had been troubling him, oblivious of his guests. He is someone who overcame adversity, probably being plagued with depression for most of his life, which resulted in him suffering two mental breakdowns. Despite his achievements he remained a modest man saying once: If I have seen farther than others, it is because I was standing on the shoulders of giants. During his lifetime he never married, although one could argue that he was married to his work. He summed up his scientific endeavour and cosmic curiosity when he innocently remarked. I know not what I appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the sea-shore, and diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me. Greatness but touched with humility, a lifetimes work that has had an enormous impact on the development of mankind and a single-minded pursuit to uncover the secrets of the universe: Surely Newton is the greatest Briton of all time.

The Media and Eating Disorders Essay -- Argumentative Persuasive Topic

The Media and Eating Disorders It is funny how so many girls and women today are led to believe that the only way to feel attractive and be beautiful is to have their bodies consist of nothing but skin and bones. Women are dieting more today then they have ever been before. They are striving for an unattainable body figure that is portrayed by the media as being the ideal standard for today's women. It gets worse. Not only are women dieting unlike ever before, but they will ruthlessly harm their bodies in order to achieve these inaccessible standards. This ruthless harm that haunts so many women today just so happens to be what we call eating disorders. Anorexia and bulimia are the primary diseases that go in the category of eating disorders. Who is to blame for this daunting occurrence? In most cases, the media is either some or all to blame for the eating disorder and standards placed for women. Commercials, billboards, women's magazine ads, etc. are all forms of the media that portray negative images of women. When the women in today's society sees what is being advertised (which happens hundreds, if not thousands of times a day) it is not so shocking that many of them strive for these impossible body images. It is when the want and desire becomes so strong that these women drive themselves to starvation and other forms of eating disorders. In order to realize the effect that advertising is having on girls and women in society today, it is important for people to know the facts and statistics that are current about eating disorders. Eight million girls and women are affected with eating disorders (Wilson and Blackhurst 111). Among college-aged women, bulimia affects nearly one in every five (Wilson and Blackhurst 1... ...than the media. It is important, though, to recognize the kind of effect media and advertising has on women. It is important to realize that because of what is portrayed in Western society, many women will go to great lengths (sometimes deadly lengths) just to meet these portrayals. If society wants to change what women are doing to themselves every day, than it is up to the media to start showing women today that it is okay to be who you are, big or small. Works Cited Key, Sandra W.; Lindgren, Maryclaire. "Skinny Models in Ads Cause Immediate Anger, Depression in Women." Women's Health Weekly (5/11/99) 11. Wilson, Nona L.; Blackhurst, Anne E. "Food Advertising and Eating Disorders: Marketing Body Dissatisfaction, the Drive for Thinness, and Dieting in Women's Magazines." Journal of Humanistic Counseling, Education & Development 38 (99) 111-122.

Cell Phones and Teenagers Essay

Driving and talking on a cell phone is a major distraction and possible cause of car crashes. Cell phones and new technology is becoming the cause of more and more deadly crashes, especially when it is a teen driver. There were 3,092 deaths in distraction-related accidents in 2010, but the number is probably higher. Talking on a cell phone while driving can make a young driver’s reaction time as slow as that of a 70-year-old. While teenagers are texting, they spend about 10 percent of the time outside the driving lane they’re supposed to be in. About 6,000 deaths and a half a million injuries are caused by distracted drivers every year. Each year, 21% of deadly car crashes involving teenagers between the ages of 16 and 19 was because they were on their cell phones. This result has been expected to grow 4% every year. Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) is an organization all over the country and is a recognized group that started out 30 years ago with a mission to prevent drinking while driving. In 1997, they changed their name because they wanted increase their focus into all areas of negative behaviors such as texting while driving, road rage, and teen crashes in general. The National Organization for Youth Safety (NOYS) is another countrywide organization that promotes empowerment and leadership for teens to take action and help save lives among their fellow road companions.

Biological Theory of Aging

Biological Theory of Aging Tick tock, tick tock, what's that sound? According to this theory, it's your biological clock, ticking away at a predetermined rate. This theory says that DNA, the cells' genetic material, holds the key to your planned demise from day one. While this aging theory appears fatalistic on the surface, remember that biology is not destiny. You can't change your genes, but you can slow the march of time with better eating habits and regular exercise. Your body produces hormones that help regulate myriad functions, including growth and behavior, reproduction, and immune function.In your youth, hormone production is high, but as you get older, hormone levels drop off, causing declines in the body's ability to repair itself and to keep functioning in top form. Working cells produce waste. Over time, cells make more waste than they can possibly get rid of, which may wreak havoc on their ability to function and slowly lead to their death . Lipofuscion, or age pigment, is one of the waste products found primarily in some nerve and heart-muscle cells. Lipofuscin binds fat and proteins together in the cells.It accumulates over time and may interfere with cell function. The protein collagen is at the heart of this theory. Collagen, akin to the body's glue, is one of the most common proteins making up the skin, bones, ligaments, and tendons. When we're young, collagen is pliable. But with age, collagen becomes more rigid, and it shrinks. That's why your skin is less elastic than before (Alston, 2008). Aesthetics aside, cross-linking may block the transport of nutrients into cells as well as obstruct waste-product removal.Free radicals are destructive marauders roving your body, ready to pounce on healthy cells. They are produced as part of the millions of chemical reactions your body performs to sustain life (Ward, 2012). Your body also makes them in response to environmental toxins such as excessive amounts of unprotected sunlight and smoking. Free radicals oxidize your cells (think rusting metal). As unbalanced, volatile oxygen molecules, they sacrifice healthy cells to make themselves more stable. Free radicals destroy or alter DNA, the cell's genetic blueprint, and disrupt many other cell functions.Free radicals may kill cells as a result of their marauding, or they may give rise to mutant cells that can lead to chronic conditions including cancer and heart disease. Fortunately, the body maintains a sophisticated defense system against free radicals. Unfortunately, our defenses wane with time, and cell damage ensues (Ward, 2012). This theory could also be called The Use It and Lose It Theory. The idea is that use, and overuse, of your organs pushes them to the brink of destruction.A poor diet, too much alcohol and cigarette smoking are thought to accelerate natural wear and tear. With age, the body is less able to repair itself. How does wear and tear occur? Free radicals, which inflict cellular damage, may be culpable. Sim ilar to the wear and tear idea, this theory says you are born with a certain amount of energy. If you live â€Å"fast,† you die young, because you use up your energy reserves sooner. â€Å"Laid-back people,† who suffer from less stress and take life easier, would live longer should this theory prove correct (Ward 2012).A strong immune system is your body's most important defense against germs and toxins. White cells engulf and destroy potential pests such as bacteria and viruses. And they manufacture antibodies, the â€Å"soldiers† that patrol the bloodstream, attacking and disarming any substance they don't recognize as the body's own. Problem is, the immune system becomes less efficient with time, and fewer antibodies are produced, increasing your infection risk. What's more, the body may turn on itself by producing antibodies that destroy its own tissue.When that happens, autoimmune disease, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis, is the result (Alston, 2008) . Although we still do not completely understand the process of aging, we do know quite a lot about it. Sometimes it may be time for the clock to just get new batteries or perhaps the clock has stood the test time and became an antique. Bibliography Alston, Maude H. Basic Gerontology. Windows CD Version 3. 0 2008 Ward ,Liz. Discovery Fit and Health. What is Causing Aging? Discovery Communications. 2012.

The Simple 10-Step Guide to Character Development

The Simple 10-Step Guide to Character Development The Ultimate Guide to Character Development: 10 Steps to Creating Memorable Heroes You’ve settled on the idea for your novel. You’ve narrowed it to a sentence or two, and you’re ready to tackle what seems an insurmountable task- breathing life into your lead character. If you’re an Outliner (one who outlines your novel first), it’s time for character development, an endeavor not for wimps. Spellbinding stories feature believable characters who feel knowable. Yes, even if your genre is Fantasy or Allegory or Futuristic. Your character may even be a superhero, but he* must be real and knowable within your premise. [*I use male pronouns inclusively here to represent both genders only to avoid the awkward repetition of he/she or him/her, fully recognizing that many lead characters are female and so are a majority of readers.] I’d love to impart some gem that would magically make you an expert at character development. But, sorry, no shortcuts. This is as hard as it sounds. Fail at this task, and it shows. You cheat your readers when your lead character doesn’t develop and grow. No growth, no character arc. No character arc, fewer satisfied readers. What About Us Pantsers? Our name comes from the fact that we write by the seat of our pants. No outlines for us. We write by process of discovery. As Stephen King advises, â€Å"Put interesting characters in difficult situations and write to find out what happens.† I identify as a Pantser, so I’m sympathetic if you can’t imagine creating a character and giving him a personal history before starting to write. My characters introduce themselves to me and reveal their histories as the story unfolds. To a new writer or an Outliner, it may sound exciting and dangerous to wade into a story counting on characters to emerge and take over. Believe me, it’s both. Frankly, Outliners have some advantages over Pantsers here. They know a lot about their lead characters before they start writing. Fellow Pantsers, don’t ignore or discount this training. We must start with some idea who’s populating our stories. And when we get stuck, there’s no shame in going back and engaging in this exercise. Regardless which kind of a writer you are, character development- character arc- can make or break your novel. Consider some of literature’s most memorable characters- Jane Eyre, Scarlett O’Hara, Atticus Finch, Ebenezer Scrooge, Huckleberry Finn, Katniss Everdeen, Harry Potter. Can you name the novels they come from and what they have in common? Larger than life, they’re also universally humanThey see courage not as lack of fear but rather the ability to act in the face of fearThey learn from failure and rise to great moral victories Compelling characters like these make the difference between a memorable novel and a forgettable one. So, what are the keys to making a character unforgettable? Want to save this 10-step guide to read, save, or print whenever you wish? Click here. Character Development in 10 Steps Introduce him early, by nameGive readers a look at himGive him a backstoryMake sure hes human, vulnerable, and flawedBut also give him classic, heroic qualitiesEmphasize his inner life as well as his surface problemsDraw upon your own experience in Character DevelopmentKeep Character Arc in mind throughoutShow, dont tellDont skimp on research Step 1. Introduce him early, by name The biggest mistake new writers make is introducing their main character too late. As a rule he should be the first person on stage and the reader should be able to associate his name with how they see him. Naming your character can be almost as stressful as naming a newborn. You want something interesting and memorable, but not quirky or outrageous. Leave Blaze Starr and Goodnight Robicheaux to the melodramas. (Actually, I wish I’d thought of Goodnight Robicheaux; Ethan Hawke plays him in The Magnificent Seven.) Allegories call for telling names like Prudence and Truth and Pride, but modern ones should be more subtle. I wrote a Christmas parable where the main character was Tom Douten (get it? Doubting Thomas), and his fiancee was Noella (Christmasy, a believer in Santa) Wright (Miss Right). For standard novels, typical names are forgettable. Ethnicity is important. You shouldn’t have a Greek named Bubba Jackson. Your goal is to connect reader and character, so the name should reflect his heritage and perhaps even hint at his personality. In The Green Mile, Stephen King named a weak, cowardly character Percy Wetmore. Naturally, we treat heroes with more respect. Give naming the time it needs. Search online for baby names of both sexes, and most lists will categorize these by ethnicity. Be sure the name is historically and geographically accurate. You wouldn’t have characters named Jaxon and Brandi, for instance, in a story set in Elizabethan England. I often refer to World Almanacs to find names for foreign characters. I’ll pair the first name of a current government leader in that country with the last name of one of their historical figures (but not one so famous that the reader wonders if he’s related, like Franà §ois Bonaparte). Step 2. Give readers a look at him You want a clear picture of your character in your mind’s eye, but don’t make the mistake of forcing your reader to see him exactly the way you do. Sure, height, hair and eye color, and physicality (athletic or not) are important. But does it really matter whether your reader visualizes your blonde heroine as Gwyneth Paltrow or Charlize Theron? Or your dark-haired hero as George Clooney or Ben Affleck? As I teach regarding descriptions of the sky and the weather and settings, it’s important that your description of your main character is not rendered as a separate element. Rather, layer in what he looks like through dialogue and during the action. Hint at just enough to trigger the theater of the reader’s mind so he forms his own mental image. Thousands of readers might have thousands of slightly varied images of the character, which is all right, provided you’ve given him enough information to know whether your hero is big or small, attractive or not, and athletic or not. Whether you’re an Outliner (in essence interviewing your character as if he were sitting right in front of you) or a Pantser (getting to know him as he reveals himself to you), the more you know about him, the better you will tell your story. How old is he?What is his nationality?Does he have scars? Piercings? Tattoos? Physical imperfections? Deformities?What does his voice sound like? Does he have an accent? Readers often have trouble differentiating one character from another, so if you can give him a tag, in the form of a unique gesture or mannerism, that helps set him apart. You won’t come close to using all of the information you know about him, but the more you know, the more plot ideas will occur to you. The better acquainted you are with your character, the better your readers will come to know him and care. Step 3. Give him a backstory Backstory is everything that’s happened before Chapter 1. Dig deep. What has shaped your character into the person he is today? Things you should know, whether you include them in your novel or not: When, where, and to whom he was bornBrothers and sisters, their names and agesWhere he attended high school, college, and graduate schoolPolitical affiliationOccupationIncomeGoalsSkills and talentsSpiritual lifeFriendsBest friendWhether he’s single, dating, or marriedWorldviewPersonality typeAnger triggersJoys, pleasuresFearAnd anything else relevant to your story Step 4. Make sure he’s human, vulnerable, and flawed Want to save this 10-step guide to read, save, or print whenever you wish? Click here. Even superheroes have flaws and weaknesses. For Superman, there’s Kryptonite. For swashbucklers like Indiana Jones, there are snakes. A lead character without human qualities is impossible to identify with. But make sure his flaws aren’t deal breakers. They should be forgivable, understandable, identifiable. Be careful not to make your hero irredeemable – for instance, a wimp, a scaredy cat, a slob, a dunce, or a doofus (like a cop who forgets his gun or his ammunition). You want a character with whom your reader can relate, and to do that, he needs to be vulnerable. Create events that subtly exhibit strength of character and spirit. For example, does your character show respect to a waitress and recognize her by name? Would he treat a cashier the same way he treats his broker? If he’s running late, but witnesses an emergency, does he stop and help? These are called pet-the-dog moments, where an otherwise bigger-than-life personality does something out of character- something that might be considered beneath him. Readers remember such poignant episodes, and they make the key moments even more dramatic. It was George Bailey’s sacrificing his travel-the-world dreams to take over the lowly savings and loan that made his standing up to the villainous Mr. Potter so heroic in the classic movie It’s a Wonderful Life. Want to turn your Jimmy Stewart into a George Bailey? Make him real. Give him a pet-the-dog moment. Step 5. But also give him classic, heroic qualities While striving to make your main character real and human, be sure to also make him heroic or implant within him at least the potential to be heroic. In the end, after he has learned all the lessons he needs to from his failures to get out of the terrible trouble you plunged him into, he must rise to the occasion and score a great moral victory. He can have a weakness for chocolates or a fear of snakes, but he must show up and face the music when the time comes. A well-developed character should be extraordinary, but relatable. Never allow your protagonist to be the victim. It is certainly okay to allow him to face obstacles and challenges, but never portray him as a wimp or a coward. Give your character qualities that captivate and compel the reader to continue. For example: a character with a humble upbringing (an underdog) rises to the occasion a character with a hidden strength or ability subtly reveals it early in the story and later uses it in an unusual or extraordinary way Make him heroic, and you’ll make him unforgettable. Step 6. Emphasize his inner life as well as his surface problems What physically happens in the novel is one thing. Your hero needs trouble, a problem, a quest, a challenge, something that drives the story. But just as important is your character’s primary internal conflict. This will determine his inner dialogue. Growing internally will usually contribute more to your Character Arc than the surface story. Ask yourself: What keeps him awake at night?What is his blind spot?What are his secrets?What embarrasses him?What passion drives him?   Mix and match details from people you know – and yourself – to create both the inner and outer person. When he faces a life or death situation, you’ll know how he should respond. Step 7. Draw upon your own experience in Character Development The fun of being a novelist is getting to embody the characters we write about. I can be a young girl, an old man, a boy, a father, a grandmother, another race, a villain, of a different political or spiritual persuasion, etc. The list goes on and the possibilities are endless. The best way to develop a character is to, in essence, become that character. Imagine yourself in every situation he finds himself, facing every dilemma, answering every question- how would you react if you were your character? If your character finds himself in mortal danger, imagine yourself in that predicament. Maybe you’ve never experienced such a thing, but you can conjure it in your mind. Think back to the last time you felt in danger, multiply that by a thousand, and become your character. What ran through your mind when you believed you were home alone and heard footsteps across the floor above? Have you had a child suddenly go missing in a busy store? Have you ever had to muster the courage to finally speak your mind and set somebody straight? There’s nothing like personal experience to help you develop characters. Step 8. Keep Character Arc in mind throughout Whatever message you’re trying to convey through your story, it must result in a transformation in the life of your character. A well-written novel that follows a Classic Story Structure plunges its main character into terrible trouble quickly, turns up the heat, and fosters change and growth in the character from the beginning. That’s the very definition of Character Arc. Remember, as I covered above, a perfect character isn’t relatable or believable. But every reader can relate to a flawed character who faces obstacles that force him to change. How does your character respond to challenges? Does he learn from them or face the same obstacle repeatedly because he fails to recognize his mistakes? Every scene should somehow contribute your to hero’s Character Arc. Step 9. Show, don’t tell You’ve heard this one before, and you’ll hear it again. If there’s one Cardinal Rule of fiction, this is it. It also applies to character development. Give your readers credit by trusting them to deduce character qualities by what they see in your scenes and hear in your dialogue. If you have to tell about your character in narrative summary, you’ve failed your reader. Your reader has a mind, an imagination. Using it is part of the joy of reading. As the life of your character unfolds, show who your character is through what he says, his body language, his thoughts, and what he does. Would rather be told: Fritz was one of those friendly, gregarious types who treated everyone the same, from the powerful to the lowly. Or be shown this: â€Å"How’s that grandson doing, Marci?† Fritz asked the elevator operator. â€Å"James, right?† â€Å"Jimmy’s doin’ great, thanks. Came home from the hospital yesterday.† â€Å"Vacation was the tonic, Bud,† Fritz told the doorman. â€Å"You’re tanned as a movie star.† As he settled into the backseat of the car, Fritz said, â€Å"Tell me your name and how long you’ve been driving Uber†¦Ã¢â‚¬  Show and you won’t have to tell. For more on this, see my blog post:Showing vs. Telling: What You Need to Know. Step 10. Don’t skimp on research Resist the temptation to write about something you haven’t experienced before conducting thorough research. Imagination can take you only so far. But you can bet the first time you guess at something, astute readers will call you on it. For instance, I can imagine myself as a woman. I had a mother, I have a wife, I have daughters-in-law and granddaughters, a female assistant, women colleagues. So I can guess at their feelings and emotions, but I’ll always be handicapped by the simple fact that I’m not a woman. I recently ran into an old friend who told me she was homeless. I mentioned to some women friends that I doubted her because she looked put together, as if she’d been to the beauty shop. I said, â€Å"If you were living in your car, would you spend money on getting your hair and nails done?† Naturally that’s the last thing a man would think about. But women in my orbit said, sure, they could see it. Camouflaging your predicament and maintaining a modicum of self-respect would be worth skipping a few meals. Say you’re writing about what you’d feel if you lost a child. I hope you would only be guessing about such a horror, but to write about it with credibility takes thorough research. You’d have to interview someone who has endured such a tragedy and has had the time to be able to talk about it. Is your character a teacher? A police officer? A CEO? Or the member of another profession with which you have no personal experience? Spend time in a classroom, interview a teacher, arrange a ride-along with a cop, interview a CEO. Don’t base your hero on images from movies and TV shows. The last thing you want is a stereotype readers cannot identify with and whom some would see through instantly. You’ll find that most people love talking about their lives and professions. The #1 Mistake Writers Make When Developing Characters Making a hero perfect. What reader can identify with perfect? Potentially heroic, yes. Honorable, sure. With a bent toward doing the right thing, yes! But perfect, no. In the end your hero will likely rise to the occasion and win against all odds. But he has to grow into that from a stance of reality, humanity. Render a lead character your reader can identify with, and in your ending he’ll see himself with the same potential. That way your Character Arc becomes also a Reader Arc. You can do this. Develop a character who feels real, and he could become unforgettable. Want to save this 10-step guide to read, save, or print whenever you wish? Click here. Questions about character development? Ask me in the comments below.

Campbell’s Food Industry Competition

Campbells Food Industry Competition The rivalry among companies in the food processing industry is high and intense. These food processing companies are competing on price, quality, taste, health factors, product innovation, and product benefits (The Food Processing Industry 2006). Campbell’s major rivals are General Millis Progresso, Heinz and Kraft Foods. As a multinational food processing company, Campbell’s faces an extremely competitive market in internationally, nationally and locally due to the similarities between each soup producer and wider selection of products provided by other food processing company. (Ellison, Sarah 2003) On the other hand, various types of generic soup brands in the existing market which offer products in lower price have raised the competitive pressure. However, the Campbell’s high quality of soup products and the ability to keep low production costs weaken the rivalry of the generic soup brands. For instance, Campbell’s price their soup products only 20 t o 25% higher than generic brands while maintaining a level high quality. Campbell’s would have to continue developing superior healthy food to distinguish itself from Progresso and smaller soup maker companies. 3.1.2 Threat of New Entrants The threat of entry depends on the presence of entry barriers and the presence of new entrants to a food processing industry typically bring to it new capacity and the want to gain market share. (Wheelen & Hunger J.D 2007) Campbell’s major rival- Kraft foods and General Mills, create high entry barriers in food processing industry through their high levels of advertising and promotion. Besides, the intense competition in the food processing industry makes it hard to access in the market. Smaller food processing companies often have difficulty obtaining supermarket shelf space for their products as large retailers charge for space on their shelves and give priority to the established companies who can pay for the advertising needed to generate high customer demand. According to Ghemawat & Collis (2001), the economy is a major factor as if the company wants to be a part in this food processing industry it must be able to face high costs for strong competition. Moreover, the slow market growth rate for the food processing industry causes acquisition between companies, resulted the barriers to entry are high with so many food processing companies and little to zero capacity remaining for any more companies. 3.1.3-The Threat of Substitutes Products The rivalry from firms of other industries which offer substitute products is intense as they are producing, supplying and serving the same food products that the food processing companies are. For example, Dunkin’ Donuts is in the foodservice industry and Campbell Soup Company is in the food processing industry, yet Dunkin’ Donuts serves soup and Campbell Soup sells soup. Consumers can still go to Dunkin’ Donuts and acquire the similar soups that Campbell sells. (Wall Street Journal 2003) 3.1.4- Bargaining power of buyers Consumers affect the food processing industry through their ability to force down prices, bargain for higher products quality and services, and play competitors against each other. The bargaining power of buyers is high as there are huge tendency of new entrance with new and variety of products. Besides, consumers prefer choosing products which offer lower prices. For example, Campbell’s soup products price is relatively 20 to 25% higher than generic brands in grocery stores, hence some consumers would choose generic brand products in the market rather than Campbell’s. Besides, the profitability obtained by the company is also determined by consumers. Food processing companies would be forced to lower prices if consumers think that the prices are too expensive as consumers tend to stop buying their products or switch to supplements.

San Francisco Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

San Francisco - Research Paper Example the dimension of natural beauty and steady lifestyle has been a lucrative advantage to visitors who prefer spending vacations or organising events in this city. Understanding these appraisals in the global forefront, the government of California has also been taking credible measures to support the growth in San Francisco. The paper focuses on the different aspects of the city located at the lap of the marshland, giving an overview of the different travel destinations within the periphery of San Francisco. A complete detailing has been provided in the content of this paper, on the various travel modes and the accommodation facilities available in the port city. San Francisco is positioned on a beautiful geographical location, having sea on one side and mountains on the other. The beautiful city hosting a number of activities, acts as an attraction to adventure lovers as well as nature lovers. Being the financial hub for Northern California, the city has also got its fame of being the financial hub of the state, which attracts a number of entrepreneurs and business heads to take interest of holding meetings here, boosting its Meetings, Expositions, Events & Conventions (MEEC) industry (U.S. News Travel, â€Å"Best Things to do in San Francisco†). The city also holds the competency to host a variety of tourist groups ranging from vocational tourists visiting the city to eco-tourists having special interests in wildlife and marine life. For instance, the city offers splendid natural beauty through its national parks, among which, Yosemite national park, the Point Reyes national seashore and the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (GGN RA) are world famous and attract millions of visitors round the year (Morton, â€Å"Top 10 national parks in California†). In 3000 BC, the Europeans arrived at the California coast, when the area was inhabited by the ‘Ohlone’ speaking ‘Yelamu’ tribes. Later on, Juan Bautiza de Anza trooped in from north and established a