The Laptop Computer :: Mobile Computing Portable

"Alan Kay has remarked that had Vannevar Bush enjoyed working in all-night coffee shops, he would have invented the portable computer." (Press, 1993, p.31) The laptop computer has had a tremendous impact in the areas of business, education, government, and personal use. The emergence of portable computing and the laptop computer can be traced to the introduction of the personal computer itself. In 1975, the MITS Altair 8800 was introduced. The Altair is recognized as being the first commercially successful personal computer and the launching point for the personal computer revolution (Sysop, n.d.). Almost simultaneously, the idea of portability (in particular for the business-person) became a major focus in the industry. This new desire for computing portability introduced a number of new challenges. Factors such as cost, weight, power source, screen & keyboard size, overall size, and included software presented great challenges to computer system designers. There is some debate regarding which machine holds claim to being the first portable computer, as portable was a relative term used quite liberally. The earliest portables, while heavy by today’s standards, shared the common characteristic of integrating a keyboard, memory, processor(s), display, and expandability potential into a single unit able to be transported. In 1975, about one month after the Altair’s debut, IBM introduced the 5100 – dubbed the IBM Portable PC. There were few personal computers available around this time, making the powerful 5100 very attractive as a complete portable system (Sysop, n.d.). At almost 60 pounds and a cost of $9,000-$20,000 however, it was attractive to a small audience. It was designed specifically for professional and scientific problem-solvers. Several years later saw the introduction of what most historians refer to as the first truly portable computer, the Osborne 1 (Bellis, 2005). Released in 1981, the Osborne 1 weighed about 24 pounds and sold for $1795. While the unit itself was still rather bulky, it contained a fold-out keyboard, 5 inch monitor, and two floppy disk drives. Its biggest value however, was the $1500 worth of software that came with it. Unlike the IBM 5100, the Osborne 1 optionally ran on battery packs, enabling true portability. Advances in technology sa w the decrease in size of portable computers, as well as an increase in computing power.

Euthanasia is Morally Wrong Essay -- Against Euthanasia

According to Webster’s Dictionary, Euthanasia is â€Å"conceding painless death to a patient who is considered to be hopelessly ill, because of a non-curable disease†. The term is used to refer to the act of deliberately taking the life of a sick person, especially those who are sick from terminal illnesses. Patients in this category are normally those who are nearing their death from a persistent terminal illness and medicine does not to have much effect on them. Different scholars hold different opinions on whether to legalize the practice. Some stage a very strong that attempt to justify euthanasia. They argue that it is a common practice in the US and that it serves to end a person’s suffering and save the family members a lot of emotional and financial burden. However, the cost of doing it outweighs the benefits with aver huge margin. If not well checked, many malpractices will be witnessed in this in the medical centre due to the violation of the legal and medical regulations that controls the practice. Euthanasia can occur either through the physician assisted suicide where a doctor can remove the life support equipment from the patient or give the instructions of the most efficient way of ending their life. Doctors can also withhold treatment or give the patients a lethal injection. Patients can also achieve it through refraining from any form of nourishment and fluids. This way the death occurs faster due to dehydration. In this sense it can it can either be active or passive euthanasia. It is morally wrong to assist a patient in hasten his death. On the contrary you con give them proper care an reduce their suffering in all possible ways, comfort them and be there for them throughout their illness, and this will help them ... ...se to take care of the patient at home. This is much cheaper than admission in hospitals, as well as gives the patient hope of recovery, as opposed to being surrounded by other sick people. Works Cited American Medical Association, AMA End of Life Survey. December 1996. Back A, â€Å"physician assisted death† (editorial), journal of the American Medical Association 276 (1996): 1688 , G. J. The wrongfulness of Euthanasia. Belmount, California: Wadsworth, (1979). Lynn, J., Harell, F.E., Cohn F. et, al, For the support investicators, â€Å"Defining the ‘Terminally Ill’ Insights from support† Duquesne Law Review 25 (1996): 311-36; V. Mor and D. Kidder, â€Å"Cost savings in Hospice: Final results of the National Hospice Study,† Healty Services Research 20 (1985): 407-22. Lynn, J. and Harrold J., Handbook for mortals: New York; Oxford university press, (1999), 113

Memoirs of a Geshia and Andrea Del Sarto Essay

The film adaptation of Memoirs of a Geshia faithfully depict the context in which it was taken. Woman are portaryed strong feminists in today’s society. Sayuri’s blue eyes symbolise the Japanese culture, as the element of water is often associated with adoption and change, as it can be both a relaxing and a desructive force. Sayuri’s growth from a young servant to one of the most sought after geshia in her district â€Å"water is a good guard against fire. Sayuri is portrayed as being a worthy protective for the equally formidable element of fire which can be associated with the beautiful but highly dangerous Hutsumomo. Both â€Å"woman of fire† and the â€Å"girl of water† illustrate the dominance and power of women in today’s society. as both characters were associated with the element of earth, emphasising the power of women in today’s society as they have gained power over time. On the other hand, in Andrea del Sarto, Browning rejects the tendency rejects the tendancy of romantics to project all their desires onto a female object . His dramatic monolouge in the poem is a variation on the theme of men processing women as objects, â€Å"You beatiful Lucrezia that are mine! † reveals the artist’s desire to assert his male dominance over her female passivity. Browning showcases the role of women during the Victorian era and the time as men only refer to them as objects as they were only desired by men for their â€Å"perfect eyes†¦ perfect mouth†¦ â€Å"over time women have become more powerful as portrayed in Memoirs of a Geshia as the society has recognised and potential of women.

The Military in Art

The word propaganda has come to have sinister overtones though this was not always the case. Propaganda today evokes images of sinister lies and obfuscations told by enemies of the state to sway the minds of the citizens. Yet in a larger sense all art is propaganda to some degree and military art is propaganda on a grand scale. Art is designed to cause an emotional response in the viewer. Throughout history artists have served the state, willingly or not so willingly, in an effort to further the aims of the government, be it republic or clan of elders.   Those works of art that are most effective are those that hit the viewer viscerally and cause a response that is near equal to the actual event being depicted in the art work. The works mentioned here are like that. I served in the United States Air Force for six years as a military policeman. I have traveled to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Korea. I have seen artwork that has evoked emotion in me and I have seen art that was truly representational of the events I have seen. James Dietz’ work, I Shall Defeat Them on the Battlefield, can be found as a limited edition print from the online gallery of the artist. The image size is 36† x 21.5 â€Å". It depicts the United States Army 75th Ranger Unit on the ground. This unit remains the Army’s premier special operations force capable of conducting a full spectrum of operations to include direct action raids and forced entry operations (JamesDietz.com). Dietz depicts an action scene in a dim setting. In the background is the skyline of a city that was ancient in the days when Christ walked the lands of the Middle East. The modern warriors, carrying firearms and dressed in body armor seem incongruent beneath the palms and the domed edifices creating the negative space in the lower portion of the sky. An automobile is in the streets where camels would seem more at home, juxtaposed in contrast to the ancient city and the modern warriors, signifying a delivery system of enemy fire. First Boots on the Ground, by William Phillips, is now available as a limited edition print, measuring 31† x 19 â€Å". It is a classic scene from the Viet Nam era, featuring a sky filled with helicopters and reminiscent of Apocalypse Now. The work depicts the 1965 battle of La Drang Valley, famous for its intensity.   â€Å"At 10:48 the helicopter touches down, and Lt. Col. Moore, Sgt. Major Plumley, Capt. Metsker, Bob Ovellette, Al Bosse and Vietnamese translator Mr. Nik become the first boots on the ground at La Drang† (OzarkAirFieldsArtworks 2005). This art is compelling and personal to me for it depicts the ultimate in warfare, that time when the soldier commits and becomes a weapon aimed at the heart of the enemy. He has left the relative safety of the helicopter. He no longer is behind the line depending on artillery or mortar fire, but rather advances, putting his life on the line as he moves inexorably toward the opposing warrior. Charlene Cooper’s moving artwork, titled with the acronym B.O.M.B., signifying Blood of My Brothers, is a drawing in graphite and colored pencil. The intense blue of the flag is complimented by the red of the tear streaming down the face of the warrior. It appeals to me for reasons that would be clear to most combat veterans, as it shows the side of a soldier seldom seen or discussed openly. The man holds a folded American Flag as that single tear, executed in the red of blood, is seen to escape his eye. He shows the pent up emotion which soldiers rarely display and gives the viewer the understanding that he is a flesh and blood creature, endowed with all the sentiment and feeling of any other man. He is proud of the job he has done, but keenly aware of the price that was ultimately paid by so many of his friends and compatriots. I find Cooper’s work the most compelling of these three, for it appeals to a side of me that is most often hidden from the view of others. It touches me in a place where I am alone with my feelings and appeals to me on a spiritual level. Even her choice of title is compelling, bringing to the piece a thought-provoking message that transcends the art and gives the viewer ideas that there is more to the piece than what appears on the surface, making it multi-leveled and multi-dimensional. Works Cited Artwanted.com  Ã‚  Ã‚   2007 B.O.M.B. (Blood of My Brothers) Retrieved 10-8-2007 From: http://www.artwanted.com/imageview.cfm?id=458010  Ã‚  Ã‚   JamesDietz.com 2007 I Shall Defeat Them on the Battlefield Retrieved 10-8-2007 OzarkAirFieldArtworks.com  Ã‚   2005   First Boots on the Ground Retrieved 10-8- 2007 from: http://www.ozarkairfieldartworks.com/firstbootsontheground.html                      .

Analysis of Consumer Decision Making Process

Consumer decision making process is a list of steps that are carried out by consumers concerning to a potential market transaction, before, during and after the purchase of a product or service. The process includes identifying the problem, collecting information, evaluating the alternatives, making the purchase decision and evaluating post purchase. Generally, decision making is the cognitive process of selecting a course of action from among multiple options. As a consumer, I find that the consumer decision making process is a great help in choosing for the right roduct which gives a consumer the greatest satisfaction. One of the latest scenarios where I applied this process into my product purchases was buying a beautiful, yet not too costly wedding gown, as I am getting married in the coming month. I went through five stages of the consumer decision making process in buying the perfect wedding gown as follows:- Problem recognition Information search Evaluation of alternatives Purchase / Decision making Post-purchase evaluation Problem recognition is the stage where the consumer is aware of a need or want. It occurs when the consumer realize a significant difference between his or her ctual state and desire state. My problem in this situation at this stage, is having to own a new wedding gown, because I am walking down the isle with my fianc © next month. This desire of something new leads to the triggering of the decision process. In addition to my problem, I do not have a very well-funded family, so I cannot afford expensive, luxurious designers wedding gown. Information search When a consumer discovers a problem or a need, he or she is likely to search for more information on how to solve it. The information search stage involves gathering nformation from various sources in order to make a better-informed decision, it helps clarifies the options open to the consumer which may involve internal search and external search. Internal search is not required in my situation, because I do not have any past experiences or feelings with wedding gown to recall to, as it is going to be my first time buying it. Since I have no prior experience with this high-involvement product, Ill have to use external search, that is, to engage in extensive search of the outside environment for helpful information on which to support a choice. IVe obtained information from various sources. First of all, I became more attentive towards commercial sources, such as, bridal gowns advertisements on the Moreover, I went to different bridal retailers to get help from the sales consultants and also to browse through the gowns myself. I even sought some information through internet source to see what the basic idea is I need to know about wedding gowns. Last but not least, I gained more information and opinions from my friends and family that are married, through word of mouth. Through gathering information, I learnt more about the brands that compete in the market and their features and characteristics. Evaluation of alternatives With the information search from the previous stage, it helps clarifies the problem for the consumer by suggesting criteria to use for the purchase, yielding brand names that might meet those criteria and developing the consumer value perception At this stage, I have narrowed down the options available to me and I have to compare the ones that caught my attention based on the criteria that matters most. After browsing through so many types of brands of wedding gowns, there are two main ones that really meet up to my requirements or expectations, that is Vera Wangs wedding dresses collection and Mori Lees. However, I cannot possibly purchase both of the gowns, because I only need one. Therefore, I have listed down and established the criteria of these wedding gowns for evaluation, so that I can make the right choice. The table below shows the designs of both wedding gowns:- Brands I Vera Wang I Mori Lee I Color Since I have a fair skin tone, a lighter delicate hue of dress should suit me very well. I Ivory I White pastel I Fabric- I prefer much lighter and softer fabrics, as Im getting married during a hot season. I SilkThis light and floaty material is nown for its lustrous shine, which gives a lightweight look and feel. I Chiffon and Cr ©pe These two materials were used to produce the tulle gown in delicate sheets. It gives a soft flowing with a crinkled floral texture. I Length-full-length gowns are more suitable for my formal wedding. I Full-length I Full-length I Silhouette- This refers to the shape of the gown and how it hugs your body. I Mermaid shapelt is form fitting and slim, but the skirt flares out below the knee to show the perfect hourglass shape. I Full ball gownThis is the most traditional wedding dress silhouette. The bodice is fitted through the waist with full puffy skirt. I Train- The gown comes with a long train for people to carry when I walk. I It is detachable, so that it will not be stepped on or torn during the reception. I It is detachable, so that it will not be stepped on or torn during the reception. I Mood- Dresses are also categorized by moods. I RomanticThe dress is strapless and is usually complemented with a long train. I Traditional and romanticlt is described as a full gown with fluffy bottom and bares a heart-shaped neckline. I Pricing- The price of the dress. I Approximately RM13, 000 | Approximately RM9,OOO I Purchase / Decision Making After giving the criteria of both wedding gowns a thorough evaluation, I have come to a decision on which dress to purchase. I chose the second option, which is the Mori Lees full wedding ball gown, because the design, texture and color really meet up to my requirements. As I have mentioned before, I am not very well-funded, thus I cannot afford to pay requires me to pay only 20% of the original price. Vera Wangs do not provide rental services, thus this adds extra points up on why I prefer Mori Lees gown. To implement my purchasing decision, I have decided to rent the gown from Milan ridal studio, Penang. There are many sizes available there, where I can try them and loan from there easily. Furthermore, I do not need to own the wedding gown myself, because I wont be wearing it again after my wedding day, so renting the gown is the best option. I have paid for the loan fee using credit card two weeks before my wedding day, so I can get myself prepared with the wedding themes and set ups beforehand. Post-purchase evaluation Last but not least, we have come to the final stage, which is the post-purchase evaluation of the decision. It is very common for consumers to experience concerns fter making a product purchase. After buying a product, the consumer compares it with expectations and is either satisfied or dissatisfied. What I experienced after using the product was the performance of this product exceeds my expectations, causing what is known as positive disconfirmation. After wearing Mori Lees wedding ball gown on my special day, I felt completely satisfied and contented with the gown I chose. That wedding gown suited me perfectly well on that day; the floral texture on the skirt matches the wedding theme flawlessly and I felt really comfortable wearing it. The fabric of the gown did not cause me to feel hot or itchy at all, unlike some other gowns I have tried. Furthermore, I was really happy with the decision I made, that is to only rent the dress. It helped me saved a lot from my budget and I still get to flaunt that piece of beautiful gown during my wedding day at the same time. Conclusion In short, I find that the consumer decision making process is really helpful when it comes to choosing the right product to purchase. I think this process is more suitable to be used in high-involvement purchases, which include those involving high xpenditure or personal risk for example buying a house, a car or making investments, because the stages of the process really guides you to choose the best option, without having to feel guilty or regret after buying it. I will strongly recommend people whom I know to use this process when they are purchasing something important, because it lessens the risk of buying and increases post-purchase satisfaction to a consumer after going through the stages and choosing the right alternative.

Miranda v. Arizona Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Miranda v. Arizona - Essay Example The Arizona Supreme Court convicted and sentenced Miranda to 20-30 years imprisonment, based from his written confession. Later, the U.S. Supreme Court repealed the conviction and ordered the suppression of Miranda’s signed rape confession (Mason & Stephenson, 2007). The Court ruled that â€Å"the prosecution may not use statements, whether exculpatory or inculpatory, stemming from custodial interrogation of the defendant unless it demonstrates the use of procedural safeguards effective to secure the Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination† (Warren, 1966) and the Sixth Amendment right to a legal counsel (Mason & Stephenson, 2007). This rule is what is now famously known as the ‘Miranda Warning.† This paper will discuss the Miranda v. Arizona Case; show how it violated the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution; and tackle how the 1966 U.S. Supreme Court’s Miranda decision transformed the American judicial system. Critical analysis by this author will likewise be given. Miranda versus Arizona In 1963, Ernesto Miranda, a young, destitute and uneducated migrant from Mexico, was arrested by the Arizona Police for crimes of kidnapping and rape. ... The written confession was used in the trial. He was convicted of kidnapping and rape crimes and sentenced to 20-30 years imprisonment for each crime by the Arizona Supreme Court (Baker, 1985). Miranda’s legal defense appealed to the Arizona Supreme Court and revealed reasonable doubt regarding the elements of the said committed crime: the rape victim was unable to show evidence of resistance to Miranda during the said sexual assault; it was questionable if Miranda had fully understood his legal rights and had indeed â€Å"voluntarily† waived them. His lawyer disputed that the written confession should not have been allowed in the trial since he was not afforded appropriate protection to his rights as mandated by the U.S Constitution and the U.S. court laws (Gribben, 2011). Two years after, the U. S. Supreme Court overturned the conviction and ordered the inadmissibility of the signed confession. The Court ruled that the defendant should be fully knowledgeable of his ri ght to assistance of a legal counsel before or during the interrogation; aware of his right to remain silent; and reminded that any admitted statement may be used against him. The Court explained that police interrogation procedures are intimidating and could forcefully compel the individual to self-incrimination, especially without a defense lawyer present during the interrogation (Hendrie, 1997). Violation of the Fifth and Sixth Amendments of the Constitution The Fifth Amendment (right to self-incrimination) and the Sixth Amendment (right to the assistance of a defense counsel) are the legal privileges guaranteed to all individuals by the U.S. Constitution. Any confession made by an individual is inadmissible in court if it

Karl Marx's Philosophical Views Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Karl Marx's Philosophical Views - Essay Example Finally, I shall give my own reflection on whether communism would work or not.   Affluence by Marx According to Karl Marx, affluence refers to a situation when the working class in the society ends up being more economically stable. This relates to them having an opportunity to mortgage houses, invest in the stock market, amongst other businesses. In the long run, class struggles were witnessed in the society, and as Galbraith (pp.63) indicates, the rich had a lot to lose in this struggle. The society saw a reduction in the cottage factories, due to the increasing service provision industries, which saw a huge employment of the persons in the middle class society. It is apparent that the number of persons employed to perform manual jobs greatly reduced; thus, an increase in the bourgeoisie jobs. This gave a lot of people meaning to the kind of life they were living in the society, as all upheld the fact that they had to work to survive in the economic times. There was an increase in the rush to production and consumption means, an elucidation of the fact that all humans wanted to fulfill their potential. At this time, it is vital to note that the society was industrializing by the day. The society was slowly shifting into being an affluent one, with the rush of the classes, especially persons of the low classes taking part in the revolution towards attaining a higher status. However, one would argue that Marx was wrong in his thoughts that the society would not attain socialism with then rush to affluence and the advent of new technologies in the society. Galbraith would instead argue that the society would otherwise attain socialism if the foundations of the society are upheld keenly, even with most humble societies (63). Marx- ‘religion is the opium of the masses’ This remains one of the most remembered phrases by Karl Marx. In relation to the workers party, Marx aimed at bringing pout the view that religion is simply a tool that is used to su bdue some groups of people from others. In the research carried out by Marx & Marx et al, (pp.89), Marx indicates that religion has been vocal in silencing the working class, in an endeavor to defend the bourgeois from any form of exploitation and competition. In this case, the rich always avoided a situation whereby religion would die down. Marx & Marx et al state categorically that religion is the best instrument to get to the people with (90). In the layman point of view, religion is the source of hope for all, food for the hungry, home to the destitute, amongst others. Through this notion the poor have been oppressed in terms of the economic ability; thus, injustices in the social order. Religion can in this case be described as the source of all the predicaments in the society, by virtue of the oppressors using this tool to oppress the inexperienced and poor. In light to the interpretation of this statement, it is palpable that it holds much deeper meaning than it is perceived by the layman. It would be of great benefit if the whole theme of religion would be banned to reduce the endless streams of tears among the societal members (Marx & Marx et al, pp.89).   Marx- ‘workers of the world unite’ In his work, Hallas attempts to scrutinize Karl Marx’s viewpoints on the unity by workers (11). Marx was fully concerned with the progress of capitalism in the society, which according to him was the source of a myriad of production forces in