Monopoly and Microsoft Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Monopoly and Microsoft - Essay Example As will be demonstrated in this brief analytical response, it is the belief of this author that an monopoly, regardless of its shape, size, or form, is ultimately destructive to the market and harmful to the end consumer (Kapoor, 2009). As such, the case of Microsoft and a discussion of economic theory, as well as the behavior that Microsoft has indicated over the past several decades, will be engaged as a means of understanding this particular approach. Furthermore, it is the hope of this author that the reader will come to a more profound level of understanding with respect to the fact that monopolies are ultimately harmful and do not represent a net benefit to the society as a whole (figures 1 and 2 within the appendix of this brief work demonstrate the harm that a monopoly can have with regards to increased prices paid by the end consumer). Monopoly and Microsoft: In understanding the monopoly that Windows has on the user experience of operating a PC, one should not only look to the way in which the firm dominates the operating system itself. Instead, a quick consideration of recent history reveals that Microsoft has long cultivated the monopoly that it now holds (Ohlhausen, 2004). For instance, Microsoft purposefully packaged Internet Explorer within Windows 95 and after as a means of decreasing the market presence and overall level of profitability that Netscape could have in the market (Gisser, 2011). As this was an effective tool towards decreasing competition, and Microsoft soon learned the benefit of packaged software’s ability to further define the market that it had already captured, much the same technique was employed with regards to the audio/video player of Windows Media Player (Vogelstein, 2004). Realizing the a litany of different startups were threatening to take market share from Microsoft, the same strategy of packaging Windows Media Player into the operating system as a means of integrating the product with what can only be describe d as a captive market (Greene et al. ,2004). As can be firmly noted, the monopolistic model of competition is ultimately harmful to the market and to the consumer. The only entity that benefits from such a model is obviously the producer. As figure 1 and figure 2 both denote, a certain level of deadweight loss is portended by the monopoly. As a graphical representation helps the reader to understand, this deadweight loss is actually stolen from the equilibrium price and demand; thereby making the good under monopolistic competition greatly higher priced than it would be in normal competition. As previously denoted, this in and of itself is engaged by the monopoly seller as a means of incurring further profits. Figure 1: Figure 2: Microsoft’s Approach to Profitability and the Engagement of the Monopoly as a Function of Capitalist Drive Likewise, in seeking to understand the approach that Microsoft has engaged, it can only be defined as one that is bounded by rational self inte rest in the sense of continuing to accrue further levels of profitability and continue to integrate into further markets (Cohen et al., 1999). Even a cursory review into the current time does not reveal a Microsoft that allows its fate to be pinned upon the success or failure of an operating system; rather, when one looks at the face of Microsoft, one can see a firm that has recently expanded to purchase a controlling

Looking At Jargon And Acronyms English Language Essay

Looking At Jargon And Acronyms English Language Essay According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, jargon is the technical terminology or characteristic idiom of a special activity or group. In other words, Jargon is a highly specialized terminology different from the standard form of language. It is a sort of shorthand to quickly convey messages between group members. It is usually considered to be a communication barrier as it is difficult to understand by people unfamiliar with the specialized terminology. Fields that are extensively characterized by jargon include medical, engineering, sports, Information Technology , Internet and many more. Consider your target audience before including jargon in your writing. If your writing is aimed at a person familiar with the specific field, then the use of jargon is appropriate. It results in an efficient transferring of information to experts in a language they are familiar with. If, however, the intended audience is a lay person, avoid the use of jargon. Include clear descriptions and definitions instead. In such cases, use of jargon creates a distance between your writing and the reader. Some examples of computer jargon are as follows: Burn Create a CD or DVD. Character A letter of the alphabet, number, space or punctuation mark For a detailed list of computer jargon and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.jonstorm.com/glossary/ Some examples of medical jargon are as follows:   Abduction to move a limb or some other body part away from the midline of the body. Breath sounds the sounds heard through a stethoscope placed on the chest over the lungs For a detailed list of medical jargon and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_medical.html Some examples of physics jargon are as follows:  Ã‚   Singularity A negative point in space and time where all laws of quantum physics are meaningless, because all aspects take on infinite values. Ground State- is the lowest amount of energy as determined by quantum rules For a detailed list of physics jargon visit the following link: http://www.sciforums.com/showthread.php?t=73869 Some examples of financial jargon are as follows:  Ã‚   Ask The price at which someone who owns a security offers to sell it; also known as the asked price. Market Close Date Date on which the closing Net Asset Value (NAV) was last calculated. For a detailed list of financial jargons and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_financial.html Some examples of legal jargon are as follows Motion the request made by either side to the court requesting the court to rule or take action on their behalf. Bench term used to refer to judges or the court. For a detailed list of legal jargons and acronyms visit the following link: http://www.ruf.rice.edu/~kemmer/Words04/usage/jargon_legal.html Following is an article from AutoBiz( Irelands Motor Magazine) Thursday, January 10, 2008 Buyers baffled by techno jargon The average car buyer is completely baffled by technical jargon and does not know his ABS from his SUV. That is the finding of a survey conducted by website motoring.co.uk of 2,500 would-be car purchasers. 32% of drivers surveyed did not know that ABS stood for anti-lock braking system and 23% failed to associate BHP with brake horsepower. Katie Armitage, marketing manager of Motors.co.uk, commented boot space, comfort and cup holders are the kind of things buyers want to know about rather than being overwhelmed with technical jargon they dont understand. The 10 top terms that confused car buyers were: 1. SUV (sports utility vehicle) 2. MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) 3. BHP (brake horsepower) 4. ABS (anti-lock braking system) 5. Traction control 6. Cruise control 7. Hybrid 8. Understeer 9. 4WD (four wheel drive) 10. RDSS (radio determination satellite service) ACRONYM Acronyms often occur in jargon. According to answers.com (http://www.answers.com/acronym) An Acronym is a word formed from the initial letters of a name. Consider for example: ACE Angiotension-converting enzyme ADSL Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line Guidelines for Using Acronyms Use upper case for writing acronyms, and do not use periods. Acronyms are not capitalized in cases where they are used as common nouns for example, laser (Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation), radar (Radio Detection and Ranging), or scuba (Self-Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus). When using an acronym, prefer the full form at the first point of usage and provide the acronym in parentheses. The next time when you use the acronym in the document the reader will not misinterpret it to something else. Following is an example illustrating this point. In most current applications of Computer-Aided drug Design (CADD), attempts were made to find the ligand that will interact favorably with a receptor that represents the target size. Binding of ligand to the receptor may include hydrophobic, electrostatic and hydrogen-binding interactions. In addition, solvation energies of the ligand and receptor site also are important partial to complete desolvation must occur prior to binding. This approach to CADD optimizes the fit of a ligand in a receptor site. This convention is necessary because an acronym may have different full forms in different fields, writing, and industry. Have a look at the following table: CADD Computer-Aided Drafting and Design CADD Computer-Aided Design Drafting CADD Computer-Aided Drug Design CADD Combined Arms Doctrine Directorate CADD Computer-Aided Design Development CADD Complex Add CADD Combat Air Delivery Division CADD Customer Acquisition Due Diligence (banking) CADD Computer Aided Detector Design CADD Computer Aided Design and Drafting Source: http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/Computer-Aided+Design+Development Another Example: ACE in medical terms means Angiotension-converting enzyme ACE in computer terms means Adaptive Communication Environment If you are writing an internal document feel free to use the most common acronyms prevalent in your organization or industry. There is no need to provide full form. If your text contains many acronyms, it is better to provide the readers with the list of terms. Use a lowercase s without an apostrophe to create plurals of acronyms. Neeru and her sister have identical IQs. Acronym Database: http://www.acronymdb.com/browse/ USE OF ABBREVIATIONS: Merriam Webster online dictionary describes abbreviation as a shortened form of a written word or phrase used in place of the whole. Abbreviations often confuse a reader try to keep them to a minimum by avoiding the usage of unnecessary abbreviations Following are some guidelines for using abbreviations: When using an abbreviation, prefer the full form at the first point of usage and provide the abbreviation in parentheses. The next time when you use the abbreviation in the document the reader will not misinterpret it to something else. Following is an example illustrating this point. Abbreviate terms and words in graphics to save space. Never use an abbreviation in the title of a paper. This gives rise to problems in indexing. Moreover, there may be a change in abbreviation which may give rise to problems of recognition of the abbreviation in the future. E.g. According to Daimler Annual Report, 2007 due to the transfer of a majority interest in Chrysler and the related change of the corporations name, the stock-exchange abbreviation was changed from DCX to DAI. Abbreviate certain words and phrases like Examples of some words: Dr., Mr., Ms., B.A., Ph.D., A.D. Examples of some phrases: et al. (and others in Latin) i.e. (that is in Latin) e.g. (for example in Latin) Do not use two abbreviations in a title of a person at the same time. For example: write either Dr. Har Gobind Khurana, or Har Gobind Khurana, Ph.D.; NOT Dr. Har Gobind Khurana, Ph.D. As stated in Mayfield Handbook of Scientific and Technical Writing, if you need to coin an abbreviation to make a word fit into some limited space, such as in a drawing or table, the most common approach is to cut the word off, five letters long or so, after the consonant following the first, second, or last syllable. Thus magnetic becomes mag. and environmental becomes envir. The usage of a or an before an abbreviation depends on the sound of the first alphabet of the spelled out term. For example: She possesses an M.Pharm degree. Note that you read out M.Pharm as em pharm and e is a vowel so you use an M.Pharm and not a M.Pharm. SI UNITS: As stated in Wikipedia -The International System of Units (SI) defines a set of base units, from which other derived units may be obtained. The abbreviations, or more accurately symbols (using Roman letters, or Greek in the case of ohm) for these units are also clearly defined together with a set of prefixes for which there are also abbreviations or symbols. The 11th General Conference on Weights and Measures (1960) adopted the name Systà ¨me International dUnità ©s (International System of Units, international abbreviation SI), for the recommended practical system of units of measurement. The base units are seven well-defined and dimensionally independent units. They are: the meter, the kilogram, the second, the ampere, the kelvin, the mole, and the candela. Derived units are defined as products of powers of the base units. When the product of powers includes no numerical factor other than one, the derived units are called coherent derived units. The base and coherent derived units of the SI form a coherent set, designated the set of coherent SI units (SI brochure, Section 1.4). Some guidelines to write the SI Units are as follows: Never insert a period after or inside a unit; both 5 c.m. and 5 c.m are wrong. Instead it should be written as 5 cm. Followed it with a period only if it is at the end of a sentence. In Section 5.3.3. of The International System of Units (SI), the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM) states The numerical value always precedes the unit, and a space is always used to separate the unit from the number. à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ The only exceptions to this rule are for the unit symbols for degree, minute, and second for plane angle. This means always write 10 km and not km 10 And 10 km and not 10km Never change the case of letter of an SI unit. Each case may denote a different unit. E.g. S denotes siemens which is a unit of conductance whereas s denotes second which is a unit of time. However, symbol for litre is allowed to be L to help avoid misunderstanding with an upper case i (I)or a numeric one(1). Table 1: PREFIXES AND ABBREVIATIONS FOR SI UNITS Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 2- SI UNITS Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table3- Examples of Derived units expressed in terms of base units Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 4-Coherent derived units in the SI with special names and symbols Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Table 5- Examples of SI coherent derived units whose names and symbols include SI coherent derived units with special names and symbols Source: http://www.bipm.org/utils/common/pdf/si_brochure_8_en.pdf Please visit NSTC website for the following: Select list of words, phrases and expressions that have to be avoided. Select list of common errors in spelling and style. Select list of accepted contractions and symbols.

Essay --

Gender roles have been a predominant factor in our world since the early emergence of human societies. They are based on expectations that societies have over the people in them. Gender roles have always been a part of society, whether they are positive or negative. The Epic of Sunjata, shows us how men and women are treated almost equally in different forms. Women are praised for their ability to birth leaders, which is similar to the early Greek Society. In most societies, women are treated less equal than men. This was prevalent in the early Indian society. No matter the gender role, it has been shown that any society cannot survive without both men and women. As we studied in class, early Indian culture and society in 300 C.E., the Hindu society was dominated by the caste system, which influenced almost every aspect of life. Each caste had its own particular dharma, carrying with rights, obligations and restrictions. Beyond this was a generalized dharma applicable to all: deference to the Brahmins, devotion to the gods, and reverence for the Ganges and for sacred cattle. Procreation too, was considered a sacred duty: large families were seen as blessings from the gods, and any attempt to limit family size was frowned upon. Since reproduction was essential to reincarnation, for most people marriage and parenthood were moral obligations. Naturally, to fulfill their dharma, people had to marry within their caste. Unwillingly to leave such a crucial concern to romance or personal choice, parents arranged proper unions for their children, sometimes at ages as young as eight or nine, before sexual attraction had a chance to complicate things. Indian society was patriarchal, centered on villages and extended families dominated by ... ...o Greek polis ever granted them. Athenian women, in contrast, were confined to the home, except for infrequent occasions such as celebrations or funerals. As full citizens of a state that relied on substantial male political participation, Athenian husbands possessed nearly total authority over their households and everyone living in them. A woman was protected by her father or male guardian until she married; if divorced or widowed, she returned to him Virginity before marriage was highly prized for both men and women. After marriage, wives were expected to remain faithful, but a husband’s casual adultery, particularly when away from home, was not considered immoral. Wives ran from their households, supervised slaves and wove clothing for family members. Once menopause occurred, Athenian women enjoyed greater freedom, working as midwives, nurses and seamstresses.

Nutrition and Obesity Crisis

Why is parental responsibility the basis of each solution? 5. Based on my research, why do I conclude that parental responslblllty Is the best solution for the obesity crlsls? Expanded Research Questions: 1 . What Is obesity and why Is It an Important Issue? (INTRO) a. statistics b. story c. hesis 2. What background Information Is necessary to understand this issue fully? a. brief history of crisis b. brief effects of crisis 3. What solutions have been put forth to help solve the obesity crisis? a. Dietary solutions b. Exercise solutions 4. Why Is parental responslblllty the basis of each solution? 5.Based on my research, why do I conclude that parental responsibility is the best solution for the obesity crisis? These are examples of great questions to ask. America is one of the most obese countries in the world, and the reasons are quite obvious. Just take a look around you. Fast food chains on every block (unhealthy foods re much less expensive than the healthy foods we should be e ating), more and more technology to make our lives easier (and lazier), and high amounts of stress are all factors to weight gain In our country.A recent study In January 2010 shows that obesity rates have reached a constant level and stayed there for the past five years, but still the levels of obesity are still unacceptable. Almost 34 percent of American adults are obese; this number Is more than double the amount of 30 years ago. And the percentage of obese children has nearly tripled in that time, to 17 percent. Are we doing enough to bring these numbers down?

The Yin and Yang of American Culture

The Yin and Yang of American Culture: A Paradox by Eun Y. Kim is a perspective of the American way of life by a Korean American. Kim uses the yin and yang symbol to describe the positive and negatives of American culture and how it compares to Asian culture. Kim's exposure to American culture as a young child in Korea and immigrating to the United States while also being raised in a Korean household where Korean tradition was upheld provides a solid basis for her analysis.I have chosen five of her yang statements for discussion which I believe I have experienced eing a fourth generation American but also witnessing the truth to these statements during my travels to Asia as well as to Portugal. One of the biggest statements for Kim's yang is â€Å"Dreaming the Impossible†. As children in America the majority of us are told to dream big. I was told as a child that I could be anything I wanted to be whether it was an astronaut, a veterinarian, or an entrepreneur. I have always dr eamed of being a veterinarian, and I am slowly working towards my dream.I have seen friends of mine achieve their dreams such s a close friend wanted to play football for the Air Force academy; he completed his four years at the academy playing football and went on to complete ten years as an Air Force officer. I have also seen the difference between the United States and Portugal, and how we encourage dreams and support them. My husband was born in Portugal and moved to the U. S. when he was two years old. His mom and dad worked hard to live â€Å"the American dream† which to them was owning your own house and providing for your family.They did not push â€Å"dreams† other than that one on my usband or his brother. Despite this my husband created his dream; to fly planes. He cannot remember how old he was Just that he was young, but he remembers taking a summer trip to Portugal to visit his grandparents, and he was invited into the cockpit of the airplane where he was allowed to sit in the captains seat and was given a short tutorial, but ever since than his obsession with airplanes and flying took off. His parents may not have told him that he could do anything he dreamed of like my parents, but the American school system did.Dreaming the Impossible† also leads to â€Å"Flexible Systems, Flexible Roles†. I am a great example of this. I finished high school and automatically rolled into college but after a year and a half of doing the bare minimum I decided that I wasn't serious about school at the moment and instead of wasting my time and money I would take some time off to decide what was important to me. Now about ten years later I am finally back to school full time while also finishing up my contract in the Navvy. I am working full time and going to school full time with a flexible system and a semi- lexible role in both.The American education system allows me to do this and actually encourages us to do this. When I was growing up, my best friend's mother was a computer engineer and when we were in middle school she had decided it was no longer for her. She quit her Job and went back to school, and she now teaches middle school mathematics which she had always wanted to but chose engineering because of the money. A third â€Å"yang† I have had experience with is â€Å"Openness and Friendliness†. In September 2 I was able to visit Japan tor a tew days due to a deployment portThe ship I was stationed on pulled into Yokosuka Japan, and although I didn't receive much ofa culture shock there, I did when I traveled to Tokyo. My first observation of how the Japanese were not as friendly as Americans was when I rode the train. My friends and I were patiently waiting for the train doors to open to allow those getting off to get off first before boarding but no one else did. Everyone else was crowding the doors and making it difficult for those getting off to do so but no one seemed to have a problem with the so called â€Å"rudeness† except for us Americans.We quickly learned if we wanted a place on the train we had to be quick and impatient. Although Japanese citizens were not as friendly and open as American citizens I did experience a very nice Japanese woman who could tell I was confused by the subway map in Tokyo. I was standing in the subway trying to make heads and tails of the map on the wall when this elderly Japanese woman started speaking English to me asking me if I needed assistance. She explained that she had recently moved back to Tokyo after living in Minnesota for the past 40 years which quickly explained her illingness to help a complete stranger out.Although I did meet plenty of helpful strangers in Yokosuka, which is accustomed to American visitors, she was the only smile I received while in Tokyo which wasn't from a friend. Americans love to have fun, and I am no exception. The phase â€Å"work hard, play hard† is commonly used in the United S tates and describes me. I work full time and go to school full time, and if I have completed all my homework by Saturday night or budgeted my time I definitely like to go out and have fun. I also find time during the eek to do things that are not work related or school related such as see a movie or go for a run or catch a workout class at the gym.To me if I work hard then I deserve to spend some time getting out and doing what I want. My family is the same way as well as my in laws who live in the states. A couple times a year my husband and I will vacation with our family either going camping or going to Wildwood, NJ to spend some time at the beach and the boardwalk. If my husband and I can coordinate a weekend where we both have off we will usually head some place new to kayak or ightsee. We are always looking for fun as well as saving our money to complete these fun tasks.It's what we live for even if we have to put in some overtime to achieve it. My last â€Å"yang† is à ¢â‚¬Å"Remaining Active throughout Life† which I have yet to experience personally since I am only 31 years old but I have observed my 80 year old father in this accomplishment. I started bugging my dad around the time I graduated from high school that he should think about slowing down and retiring since he was 67 years old. This past May he finally took my advice and is finally retired but still ontinues to enjoy life.A few times a week he is fishing or riding his motorcycle or spending time with family; he is the energizer bunny. He also looks like he Just turned 60 and not 80, which he turned in October of this year. I believe that staying busy and having hobbies is what has allowed him to take 20 years off his life. I also like to think I have kept him young because he did have me late in life (around the age of 49), and he was always active in parenting me. He helped me with my homework and also helped me practice basketball and softball by participating in them with me.I am thankful that he didn't believe that as he aged he was unable to do things those younger than him could do. The Yin and Yang of American Culture has reinforced the wonderful things I love about the American culture but has also helped me realize that there are certain things from the East I would like to incorporate into my life. Kim's insight of the light as well as the dark in the United States is something all United States citizens should take notice of, and in my opinion may make our society better. I know I am going to correct some of my own vices to bring over to the â€Å"yang†.