SUVs: Not Just Practical Essay -- miscellaneous

SUVs: Not Just Practical Car technology is advancing quickly and unstoppably. Along with that, the concepts of some vehicles have also changed, creating new uses that consequently make them attractive for other clients. Following this tendency for more multifunctional machines, one kind of vehicle has increased its popularity as it combines the best of work vehicles and regular automobiles. Therefore, a new market has been opened for the Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). SUVs creators have developed such a comfortable and practical interior by placing accessories, small gadgets, devices, pleasure add-ons, and many other things we could want or need. Because of that, now it is easier than ever, for a person who owns a SUV to do activities that were not considered appropriate for these vehicles not very long ago. Examples of this are how these SUVs respond to demands regarding road trips, field trips, every day usage, usage as entertainment centers, and even in family vehicle usage. For the purpose of understanding the uses presented above it is helpful to know its definition. A SUV can be described basically as a high-performance four-wheel car built on a truck chassis, an element that gives a big part of its strength and durability. Even though, according to WordIQ.com, a SUV is a type of vehicle that combines the load-hauling and passenger-carrying capacity of a station wagon or minivan with features designed for off-road driving. In more recent years, though, the term has also grown to include vehicles with similar size and style marketed as sport utility vehicles, but do not incorporate many off-road features. The SUVs is considered to be descendent of commercial and military vehicles such as Jeep and Land Rover, starters of the genre. In the last 25 years, though, and even more in the last decade, they have become popular with urban buyers. Therefore, it has to fit the demands of urban buyers, who may use the SUVs to travel long distances. One very noticeable characteristic of today’s SUVs is that they have changed in order to be more suitable for long trips in them, keeping up with the competition for that market. Since a few years ago these cars were used almost exclusively for work, the purpose for what they were created, the manufacturers were not paying too much attention on how comfortable they would be for spending a big amount of time in ... ...umerous utilities. The SUVs can provide that, and they will continue to improve in order to fulfill the need of the buyers in the next decades, which will probably search for products with even broader uses. This appears to indicate that the SUVs are slowly becoming the vehicle of the future, for they are the most likely candidates to win in one market, that, along with many others, seems to be destined to become every time more simple. Finally, what was only a type of vehicle with work purposes is now also popular in cities and with people that would not think they needed it a few years ago. Statistics are moving towards the SUVs’ taking over the automobile market: Every year a bigger number of them being bought. Still, the exterior of the SUVs has barely changed during the last few years. This lead us to the conclusion that it is the redesign of the concept and interior of this type of car, not of the exterior, what has led to this major change of the use of it, which has been reflected on its current customers. They now not only give usefulness, but also comfort. This has led to the fact that we can do more things than ever with the every time more functional â€Å"house vehicle†.

Three West African Kingdoms

To what extent did geography determine the location of the three West African kingdoms of Ghana, Mali and Songhai? Ghana, Mali and Songhai were the three largest Kingdoms to exist in the history of West Africa. They were located in West Africa during the 11th, 14th and 15th century. West Africa is the region in the western part of the African continent, it lies approximately 15 ° north of the equator. Geography is the study of the physical features of the earth and its atmosphere.These three prominent western african kingdoms flourished due to strategically located trade routes, abundance of natural resources and diverse types of land. These three factors primarily determined the location of the kingdoms and sustained and supported their societies. The existing trade routes greatly influenced the location of where the empires were built and expanded upon. One of the most commonly used and oldest trade routes in the world is the Trans Sahara route which crosses the Sahara desert and leads to the West African coast.As a result to the location of this trade route all three empires were located south of the desert to be the first civilization traders would reach after their journey. Map A (Trade Routes in Western Africa at the time of the Mali Kingdom) shows the location of the kingdoms in relation to the different trade routes coming from and to western Africa. This gave the kingdoms the direct link to different cultures from Europe, Asia and India whom all frequented this path. As the kingdoms prolonged more routes were opened up, leading northeast across the Sahara for example.As well as this, the positioning of trade routes allowed the empires to stabilize a flourishing economy with little risk of failure. The kingdoms proximity to the routes gave the population exactly what they wanted from all over the world. Merchants coming from Europe, Asia and India brought a variety of goods to Africa, including ceramics, silk, spices, camels and slaves. These items co uld be traded for a range of natural resources the West African region was enriched with. Not only could items be traded, but the kingdoms were able to enforce taxes on all trades within the area.The Ghanaian King imposed taxes on all people passing through the kingdom; in return he provided soldiers who protected the trade routes from unwanted intruders. The king also created the system of silent barter. An issue faced by people who traded with Ghana was the language barrier. To eliminate the use of language in trade, silent barter was used to trade goods. The location of the kingdoms in relation to the trade routes, the use of taxation and the system of silent bartering made trade with West African Kingdoms safe and efficient, helping them become prime trading centers.The western African region was enriched with large quantities of different natural resources, which not only allowed trade and economic success but also helped prosper a sustainable civilization. As shown in Map B (M ineral Resources of W. Africa), the area occupied by the kingdoms was filled with natural resources such as gold and iron. Also shown on Map B, the areas to the north and south of the kingdoms were rich in common salt, iron, titanium, copper, diamonds and zinc.Even though the region of the kingdom might have not been the location with the largest quantities of resources, their territories were in the middle of the northern and southern trade in Africa, allowing them to be in control of all internal African trade. The access to valuable resources subsequently allowed the economy to depend largely on trade and due to its economic success earned the title â€Å"Gold Coast†. Not only were natural resources used for trade, however they were also used to advance machinery and tools in order to sustain and develop the empires.Metals such as iron and copper were used to create tools (Image of iron tools found in western Africa on right), weapons and to increase efficiency of work. Ir on smelting and manufacture was not only prominent in West Africa but also among the Nok culture of Nigeria and various other parts of the continent. The productions of iron tools let agriculture, hunting and warfare progress and improve, and soon became a fundamental part of life. In conclusion, the diversity of natural resources found in the area helped flourish the economy and extend the technology and knowledge of the population in the kingdoms.The West African regions was not only a center of trade and home to many natural resources but also possessed a number of different types of land which were successfully used to increase agriculture and make a self-dependent society. As indicated on Map C (Land use in West Africa), this region had a combination of permanent crops, arable, grazing and forest land. Native plants such as pearl millet, sorghum and cowpeas were grown in large quantities to feed the majority of the population. This permitted the population to adapt to farming a nd agriculture using the land for different crops.In addition, West Africa is also coastal region bordering the Atlantic Ocean as shown on Map D. This gave the advantage of having fertile soil near the coast all year round. The European influence and steady trade greatly encouraged farming and consequently led the region to become extremely agriculturally productive as merchants would be looking for places to stock up on food and supplies whilst passing through the trade routes. Alongside this, the introduction of iron farming tools enhanced the production of crops immensely.This contributed to the many ways of how the African kingdoms became successful and self-sufficient civilization. After close examination, it can be concluded that a efficiently managed system of trade routes (including taxation and silent barter), diverse use of the different types of land (including arable, grazing and forest land) and an abundance of natural resources which were used to the kingdoms’ a dvantages, Ghana, Mali and Songhai were able to sustain themselves by using the geographic factors available. Word count: 1,044

Effects of Computer Society Essay

Traditionally, courses that deal with computers and society issues focus primarily on enumerating the various ways in which computers impact society. This is done by listing categories of topics such as privacy, computers in medicine, military uses of computers, etc. Classic cases of computer abuse or errant systems are typically described in detail, as a way of simply making students more aware of how computers affect society. These examples are meant to serve as warnings to future professionals, in the hopes that they will practice their profession with greater care. What is missing from these discussions, however, is  why  computers have the impact they do on society. What are the characteristics that are the root of this impact? Are there fundamental differences between this technology and others that have transformed our world in the past? The intent of developing a list of these characteristics is that it could lead to a better understanding of the nature of the social impact of computers. In this way, it might be possible to examine a new computer project at the time of its  design  (not, as is the usual case, a long time after the project has been implemented and disseminated) to determine its potential impacts as a social change agent. The characteristics given below are not necessarily unique to computer technology. However, in many instances computers have created situations that were previously impossible to accomplish (such as space flight), were essentially inconceivable until the technology was applied, or at least were very difficult to achieve without the aid of computer technology. Furthermore, even though other technologies may have had impacts similar to computers in many ways, computer technology has greatly amplified their effects to the point of entirely overshadowing any previous technology’s impact. Finally, the term  computer technology  is meant to be inclusive of any device that is essentially controlled by a basic computer (CPU, program, etc. ). This would include, therefore, modern telephones, VCRs, microwave ovens, CAT scanners, supermarket scanners, and the like. The following are in no particular order. Also, some devices or examples are likely to fit into more than one of the categories below: (1) Ubiquity – It is perhaps stating the obvious that computers appear to be everywhere today. Even when we don’t encounter them directly in their various forms of modern convenience devices, such as digital watches, microwave ovens, VCRs, and the like, we generate transactions that are processed via computers without actively doing anything: the utility companies are recording our usage, the phone company records incoming calls, our answering machine might be recording a message while we are doing something else, someone is performing a credit check on us, etc. (2) Magnification – Computers tend toward magnification in several different ways. First, the explosion of the availability of information is due in large part to the computer’s ability to generate, collect, and store an ever increasing amount of raw data. Since the ability to create and collect data is growing exponentially, so too is the generation of information that can be synthesized from this data. Second, the types of negative impacts a single error can have has grown enormously with computer technology. Finally, the number of people directly affected by a system error has also grown enormously, to where a single software system literally can affect millions directly. 3) Accessibility – Access to information continues to increase at hard to believe speeds. Many information resources are available only in digital form, via, for instance, the Internet. As more information is converted to digital form (e. g. voice and video), the ability to duplicate and distribute such information increases enormously. Indeed, there are some forms of publishing that can exist only within the context of a computer system. The concept of hypertext and hypermedia (including audio and video), the ability to create non-linear accessibility to information, was conceived out of the ability to randomly access information via computers. Its increasing success easily shows how important information in a digital form has become already. (Oz, 1994). (5) Lack of Accountability – It has become a popular complaint that it is getting more and more difficult to locate a human being who is willing to accept responsibility for an error made by a computerized system. While it is tempting to blame such problems on incompetent employees, in truth the problem may be a poor user interface, lack of training, or an error in the software, none of which can be solved by those providing the front-line service. Another difficulty is finding someone who will, indeed, fix an error in an account. It is often the case that service representatives are reluctant to accept the responsibility for making a necessary change. In addition, it can often be difficult to even find a human being to deal with a problem. Getting lost in a voice-mail system has become a modern urban legend. (Nissenbaum, 1994). (6) Temporality – Computers have several effects on time and the timeliness of information. It seems that computer technology is to blame in large part for the â€Å"speed p† of modern society – everything has to get done faster, be there sooner, be available immediately. Another form of temporality in computer systems is that information can be retained over long periods of time, even when they appear to have been destroyed (consider the classic case of Col. Oliver North). There is little reason that information should be entirely lost any more, even due to accident. And it is reas onable to suspect that every scrap of information generated today will be available virtually forever. Another temporal shift for which computers have been responsible is that people who work together do not necessarily have to do so at the same time. Finally, services and information are more frequently available on a 24-hour basis. This allows people to request a service or seek information when it fits their schedule, rather than when it fits the service provider’s schedule. (7) Spatiality – Computers have done more to shorten distances than any previous technology, even the supersonic jet. It is possible to send large amounts of data, messages, video, etc. virtually anywhere in the world via networks such as Internet. Long distance learning, using information databases or video feeds of courses via satellite, is a reality for a growing portion of our modern society. We can now even be on the move when we talk with someone on the phone, or receive a fax. (8) Surveillability – Is there any doubt that computers have made surveillance easier than at any time in history? In addition to the usual surveillance equipment such as cameras and microphones, transactional data is increasingly being collected for virtually all types of transactions, even cash purchases and the acquisition of services. There has even been discussion by the government of using a universal health card, which is seen by many as the first step toward finalizing the move (begun with the co-opting of the social security number) in the US toward a national identification card. (9) Shifting of Relationships/Changes in Intercommunication Protocols – One of the more difficult characteristics to track is how computer technology has changed communication between people and groups of people. In particular, the use of email has been shown to eliminate a lot of the usual visual and verbal cues we often use in communicating with one another (whch can be viewed as both an advantage and as a disadvantage). In addition to removing such cues, computer-mediated communications mask attributes such as race, gender, age, or physical disability, in addition, perhaps, to the person’s social or management status within an organization. (Grudin, 1994; Perrole, 1987). (10) Illusion of Precision – It is not difficult to make many (perhaps even most) people who are not in the computer field believe that any numeric result generated by a computer is correct. Those not well versed in the hardware of computers have little understanding of the fact that numbers must be converted back and forth between decimal and binary forms, or that there is a limitation on the accuracy of numbers due to memory constraints. As a result, they willingly accept values generated by a computer as infinitely accurate. (Liffick, 1985). Conclusion The characteristics described above are factors in the social impact of computer technology. For most there is at least anecdotal evidence of their existence (with seemingly countless examples). For some, there is also experimental evidence. It has finally become widely accepted that technology is not value neutral, as originally thought. By examining this list and using it as a set of landmarks for evaluating new systems, it may be possible to better anticipate the social impact of new systems, prior to their dissemination.

Free Essays on Welding

Plastic & Metal Welding Processes â€Å"In plastics welding, films are fused together under action of heat and pressure, resulting in cross linking of their molecular chains.†(T.I.S.-Plastic welding processes) It is very similar to the way that metal is welded together. Instead of gas, metal and electricity the plastic processes use various types of heat and pressure. In a process called Hot Gas Welding, hot air melts the plastic films and they are put together. When they are cool the hot air made the molecules mix-up and fuse together. A very low efficiency level and high losses of energy are major down falls in Hot Gas Welding. Another process used to weld some plastics, is one called Contact Welding. In this process the films are heated, pressurized by pincers, resulting in a low efficiency weld, because only the outside of the films get heated and welded. This process can only make small welds. Impulse welding isthe same as Contact Welding, only that in Impulse Welding you are able to adjust the heat that is imposed into the film. High Frequency Welding is another form of a Plastic Welding Process. In High Frequency welding high frequency waves travel through the plastic. When this is done it make the electrons move really fast, thus making the plastic heat up. Then you pressurize the plastic and you have your weld. This process is very efficient; it can be welded in small precise areas or in large areas as well. â€Å"High frequencies excite the chemical structure of plastics with neutral or atoms containing both a negative and positive electrons.†(T.I.S.-Plastic Welding Processes) Welding is a craft that can be preformed reasonably by amateurs. As always, good equipment is important for producing good work.†(Garnett, Roger - I.W.P.E.) In metal welding a filler rod is melted by electricity, materials need to be similar, and a shield gas of some sort is usually used. The MIG/MAG process is an easy method of... Free Essays on Welding Free Essays on Welding Plastic & Metal Welding Processes â€Å"In plastics welding, films are fused together under action of heat and pressure, resulting in cross linking of their molecular chains.†(T.I.S.-Plastic welding processes) It is very similar to the way that metal is welded together. Instead of gas, metal and electricity the plastic processes use various types of heat and pressure. In a process called Hot Gas Welding, hot air melts the plastic films and they are put together. When they are cool the hot air made the molecules mix-up and fuse together. A very low efficiency level and high losses of energy are major down falls in Hot Gas Welding. Another process used to weld some plastics, is one called Contact Welding. In this process the films are heated, pressurized by pincers, resulting in a low efficiency weld, because only the outside of the films get heated and welded. This process can only make small welds. Impulse welding isthe same as Contact Welding, only that in Impulse Welding you are able to adjust the heat that is imposed into the film. High Frequency Welding is another form of a Plastic Welding Process. In High Frequency welding high frequency waves travel through the plastic. When this is done it make the electrons move really fast, thus making the plastic heat up. Then you pressurize the plastic and you have your weld. This process is very efficient; it can be welded in small precise areas or in large areas as well. â€Å"High frequencies excite the chemical structure of plastics with neutral or atoms containing both a negative and positive electrons.†(T.I.S.-Plastic Welding Processes) Welding is a craft that can be preformed reasonably by amateurs. As always, good equipment is important for producing good work.†(Garnett, Roger - I.W.P.E.) In metal welding a filler rod is melted by electricity, materials need to be similar, and a shield gas of some sort is usually used. The MIG/MAG process is an easy method of...

THE AUDIENCE YOU LOVE

THE AUDIENCE YOU LOVE Promotion, my current nemesis, is a hungry, all-consuming animal, demanding every waking moment of your life. As a result of its commanding character, we often tend to turn reactive, appearing before anyone wholl let us pitch a table and flash our book. But soon youll be running harem-scarem, marketing like a snake-oil salesman, telling everyone your book will change their world. You dont want to go there. What an education Ive gained since Lowcountry Bribe came in early February. Ive spoken to a room of three and others of a hundred. Ive guest blogged on tiny sites and nationally known. My articles appeared in start-up magazines and the infamous The Writer Magazine. People have promised to buy and not followed through. Others bought several copies for gifts. Bookstore owners have loved me and tossed me on my ear. Even Barnes Noble said the book was available then forgot to order it. The list goes on. My husband ordered me to stop and slow down a week ago. My publisher shot me an email full of harsh realities of the business as who to trust and who isnt worth my time. Then I spoke to a small group in Greenville, SC. Then again in Pittsboro, NC. My 10th grade English teacher invited me to her book club for June, and another lovely lady is trying to schedule her book club to read Lowcountry Bribe and invite me to Myrtle Beach. My parents sold at least 50 copies to tax clients. A girlfriend lined up a newspaper interview, a reading and sales to several friends. Another friend hosted a party and sold 20 books. Here I was, running around like a chicken with its head cut off (not any of MY chickens, BTW), when I should have slowed down and really focused on who I want to reach and how to reach them. So . . . while Ill continue to do conferences here and there, becauseFundsforWriters commands it, I think Ill enjoy the camaraderie of smaller groups for Carolina Slades mystery series. I want people to chat about Slade, the characters, the setting and the twists of the plot. I want feedback on what they loved and would like to see done differently. I think reachable is the term Im seeking. A FundsforWriters reader told me last week that she liked the fact I was reachable. Id like to take that further and say likeable and personable. I attended a conference this year where the highly awarded guest author came and went with the wind, not staying for any of the event other than her talk and a brief moment when she said, Thank you. Ill now entertain questions. Since I get to know most of the conference organizers, I already knew the author was not happy to be there because she liked larger audiences. Dont ever let that be me. I just came off several small group events on the way to The Oklahoma Writers Federation Conference in Oklahoma City, where I am as you are reading this. A well organized event like this is a joy to behold, but I have to admit . . . I love the evening sessions or the small groups in the bar the most. When we are all writers and just enjoying the fact we are.

Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 18

Personal Statement Example It is through family that I have learnt to invest in simple things such as happiness and respect, prerequisites to every good life. Playing Persian drums requires both physical and mental skills. Physically, one need to develop a listening ear, it is through listening that one learns how and what to play. Any missed part means a lost rhythm which waters down the efforts of other instrumentalists and that of the lead singer or singers. Secondly, one needs a sense of rhythm and timing, one has to identify a rhythm fast enough to be able to play and aid the other performers. This also means that as a Persian drummer you have to have a fast response in order to coordinate well with the rest. The last physical skill is hands and feet coordination. One has to be able to coordinate their hands and feet to create the required rhythm. This level of coordination should be top notch to ensure a stable rhythm through out a performance. Physical skills and engagements may spell one’s prowess on the drums; however, it is the mental skills that allow one to develop the requisite physical skills. The most important mental skills are: a positive mindset, self-discipline and patience. A positive mindset helps one’s patience and resilience as they learn how to play drums. This is because it is a process and without a positive mindset then one will undoubtedly give up. Self-discipline is also another skill this is greatly informed by a positive mindset. Self-discipline ensures that a drummer becomes committed to his act and manages his time well to provide adequate time for practice. Just like in any other engaging activity, patience is paramount. One has to continually resist the urge to walk before one can crawl, a drummer must learn to make the small steps which ultimately build up the necessary skills. As evident, playing Persian drums is an involving engagement. Taking the learning process and being able to stay focused has required a lot of determination. Thankfully,

Global Investment Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Global Investment - Article Example This is the reason behind the industrial success of the nation as well as the admirable economy. On the other hand, Indians would work tirelessly to ensure that, he benefits optimally, through both corruption and fund embezzlement activities. Peter Killing, an American professor, confirm the above philosophy, as he proves to us that, Americans are the best business managers around the world. He further illustrates that the above is evident, from different surveys and education workshops held around the country. The topic arises as a result of the spirit of the American in adopting different environment with the aim to invest. The inclusions to consider when investing in a foreign nation are cultural differences, climate, language, and cost, among others. This is because they are determiners of the success or failures of the business ventures. The above inclusion will facilitate bridging the gap between the two nations. In regard to thriving businesses, like Cisco and Wall Street busters, comes the debate of future IPOs and NASDAQ stocks. Business success in any country comes due to technology, internet revolution, productivity levels and the spirit of the entrepreneurial ship. Ignorance of affairs in the world trade and materialism are hindrances in business development. Understanding the history of business in the country of choice and learning the language of the people of the country, contributes to a business success and also understanding the geographical conditions. A culture of the people in the new country is also noteworthy so that they can remove the `we have a foreign boss’ mindset. This helps in creating openness and befriending the people of that country, thus the success of the business. Managers said that operating a business in a foreign country would succeed first by learning the language of the people and their culture to create friendliness.