Morris Luries Pride and Joy Essay Example for Free

Morris Luries Pride and Joy Essay Write about how one character from Morris Luries Pride and Joy is presented and how this character develops key concerns in the story. Billy in Morris Luries Pride and Joy is initially presented as a 16 year old boy who literally lives his life in the footsteps of his abusive, irresponsible, bohemian father, Ned Mathews. By the end of the story Billys character has undergone a transformation to become his own person; he has broken away from his father. This short story is told in first person narrative by an anonymous narrator. This narrator is a tourist on an island in the Great Barrier Reef who tells his account of his encounter with millionaire Ned Mathews and his son, Billy. Through his characterization of Billy, Morris Lurie conveys themes of self realization, responsibility, judgment, and parenting. This essay will show how Billys characterization develops Morris Luries themes. Wealth, ownership, control and his desire for his fathers approval shows how Lurie, through his characterization of Billy conveys his theme of lifestyle choices. Ever since Billy and his father come to the island they act like they own everything and everyone on it. When they go to eat breakfast in the morning, Billy deals with the very pretty waitress like she is a prostitute, Whats ya name, honey? he said Why? said the girl. I always like to know the names of the girls I sleep with. Luries use of a colloquial language and inappropriate language such as honey and sleep with during Billys dialogue with a waitress show his desire to control a situation and to please his father; Easy, son said Mathews, but his face was beaming with pride. Billys self-confident and commanding swagger, He [Billy] walked with an exaggerated swagger is an example of a movement which Lurie associates with Billy to show yet another aspect of his desire to dominate over everyone else in the restaurant. By exploring Billys inappropriate choice of lifestyle in great detail, Lurie expresses his theme, which is to take care when choosing your lifestyle. Billys desire to please his father and to control is reiterated by the motif of alcohol. Billy is too young to be drinking as much alcohol as he does, yet he does and he does it to please his father and to control by demonstrating that he is able to drink as much as his father. This is shown in the quotation, His son [Billy] matched him drink for drink. Luries use of the narrators voice is very significant here because the narrator is presented to readers as very moral and sensible, so when the narrator talks about a boy drinking as much as a man we worry. This concern is further addressed by the narrative voice in the line, I watched the boy. How long could he last? I thought. How long could he keep it up? and also when he thinks, Dont tell me Billy is outdrinking him. I thought. His own son. His own pride and joy. The pace is significantly sped up during these two quotations by the shorter more choppy sentences. This serves two purposes, first it makes the passage stand out from the rest of the paragraph and second it permits the narrator to clearly state his point. The repetition of I though in both quotations creates an effective link of the two quotations. It is therefore reasonable to assume that the meaning of the two quotes are linked and that the narrator is wondering if Ned Mathews own ride and joy, his son Billy is already better at living the life of a spoiled, rude man than Ned Mathews. This is ironic because Billy is just a boy, so of course the narrator wonders How long can he keep it up? Another example is, When are we going to have some real drinking, Dad? I thought you told me we was gonna have some real fun.' Billys arrogance and the awkwardness of having an adolescent talking about drinking with his father really shines through here. He is almost criticizing his father because he has not had any real drinking. Lurie employs dialogue and colloquial diction such as we was to make the conversation sound even more out of place. Luries selection of alcohol as a motif in the story is important because alcohol has negative connotations and is illegal for adolescents to buy. By associating Billy with alcohol Lurie is implying that the life he is living where alcohol is a daily part of his routine is not suiting. Through Billy, Lurie evokes a theme of self realization which results in Billys character development. The first time there is evidence of this change in character is when Billy meets the Princess and eventually when he started to cry after him and his father got into a fight over his fathers abuse of the Princess. The most blatant example of this change however comes from Billys request for tea as opposed to the routine coffee and beer, Not for me, said Billy, in a voice I had never heard him use before. A young boys voice. Can I have. a cup of tea?' In this quotation Lurie utilizes related diction such as Can which has connotations of manners and kindness. Even the narrator recognizes Billys character development because he states that Billy spoke in a young boys voice which is a voice he had not spoken in before. The narrator is referring to Billys transgression from a boy who acts like an indecorous adult to a boy who acts like a young boy. There is also more subtle evidence of Billys character development in the text. The adjectives and adverbs change to correspond with the two different aspects of Billys character. In the first part of the text adjective and adverbs such as bleary and cocky then in the second part of the short story Lurie uses a new selection of adjectives and adverbs such as, neat, polite and young. Luries ability to reveal Billy through three different viewpoints: his fathers, the narrators and Billys own view of himself gives different perspectives to his character which helps position the readers to the themes of the short story. The overwhelming amount of dialogue in this text between Billy and his father Ned Mathews shows Billy and his fathers view that everything revolves around them. They are the only voice, which is heard in the story through dialogue despite the fact that there are roughly 80 other people on the island. The movements and actions of Billy convey part of his character. Billys actions are often direct or closely linked to the actions of his father. This shows the way that Billy looks up to the actions of his father, and how his father will abuse that respect throughout the story. Directly after his father tells the bartender to get off his fat behind and give a bit of service Billy says, Yeah, shake it up there. This quotation creates a nice image of the typical clichà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½ where a father says something and then his son repeats it. Except Billy is mimicking a very offensive and inappropriate thing that his father just said. This shows the reader how Ned Mathews is a inconsiderate role model and a poor parent. Through Billys actions Lurie also shows that Billy is not prepared to live the lifestyle of his father. The boy I noticed had to take a breath half way down. This quotations refers to the fact that Billy cannot drink all of the beer in one gulp when his father can as proof that his fathers life is not necessarily appropriate for him. This concern of Billy not being suited for his fathers life is restated by the narrator when he wonders, How long can he last? Through Billy, Lurie is able to express his themes and concerns in an interesting and realistic manner. The themes and concerns developed in Pride and Joy may appear to be very simple and obvious but that by no means makes them less important. Themes such as self realization, responsibility, judgment, and parenting are very significant in everyones lives.

The Role Of Cryptography In Network Security Computer Science Essay

The Role Of Cryptography In Network Security Computer Science Essay Network security is concerned with the protection of network resources against alteration, destruction and unauthorized use, cryptography and encryption are most critical components of network security. In my assignment, as a network security manager, I will try to research explore the performance of various cryptographic schemes and evaluate web security and the security of wireless network system. Networks take all kind of sensitive data and security play a vital role of any wireless network system. Security certify level of data integrity and data confidentiality as maintain wired network, without accurately implement security measures and wireless network adapter come within range of the network adapter. Security is high lack, laziness, and lack of knowledge and employee are not aware of these things, especially in small organisation and home, every organisation need to aware and training for employees time to time. Cryptology has two components, kryptos and logos. Cryptographic methods to certify the safety and security of communication and main goal is user authentication, data authentication such as integrity and authentication, non-repudiation of origin, and confidentiality and it has two functions encryption and decryption. In my research, as a network security manager, I will analyze cryptography, web security, and security of wireless network system to implement the network security strategies for the organisation in future. 1. Explore and explain different types of cryptography and assess the role of cryptography in network security. Cryptography has different methods for taking clear, readable data, and converts into unreadable data of secure communication and also transforms it back. Cryptography is also used to authenticate identify of message source and certify integrity of it. Cipher send message and use secret code. The cipher scrambles the message so that it cannot be understood by anyone other than the sender and receiver. Only the receiver who has the secret code can decipher the original message, thus ensuring confidentiality. (Citrix-system, 2010) Type of cryptography Following three common types of cryptography as below: Secret key cryptography is identified as symmetric key cryptography. Both sender and receiver know same secret code described the key and messages are encrypted by the sender and use key, decrypted by the receiver. It use single key for both encryption and decryption. This method works healthy if you are communicating with only a limited number of people, but it becomes impractical to exchange secret keys with large numbers of people. Secret key cryptography use is such as data encryption standard, advance encryption standard, Cast-128/256, international data encryption algorithm, and rivest ciphers etc. (Citrix-system, 2010) Public key cryptography is called asymmetric encryption and use couple of keys one for encryption and another for decryption. Key work in pairs of coordination public and private keys. Public key can freely distributed the private key. If senders and receivers dont have to communicate keys openly, they can give private key to communication confidentially. Public key cryptography use for key exchange and digital signatures such as RSA, digital signature algorithm, public-key cryptography standard etc. Hash functions use a mathematical transformation to permanently encrypt information. It also called message digests and one way encryption. Hash function use to provide a digital fingerprint of file contents and it is commonly employed by many operating system to encrypt passwords and it provide measure of the integrity of a file. It is also use message digest, secure hash algorithm, RIPEMD etc. (Kessler, G,2010) The role of cryptography Many feature combine to throw network security to the top issues in the organisation and face IS professional daily. Nowadays business operation decentralization and correspondence growth of computer network is the number one driver of concern about the network security. As far as security concern, many organisation networks are accidently waiting to occur, such accident will occur is impossible to predict but security breaches will occur. When organisation network security chooses is 100% involve cryptography technology. The following five basic uses of cryptography in network security solution are: Confidentiality Cryptography gives confidentiality through changing or hiding a message and protects confidential data from unauthorized access and use cryptographic key techniques to critically protect data; Access control Only authorized users (login password) can access to protect confidential data etc. Access would be possible for those individual that had access to the correct cryptographic keys; (Mitchell, M, 1995) Integrity Cryptographic tools give integrity verify that permit a recipient to authenticate that message transformed and cannot prevent a message from being transformed but effective to identify either planned and unplanned change of the message; Authentication is the ability to verify who sent a message. It done through the control key because those with access to the key are able to encrypt a message. Cryptographic function use different methods to certify that message is not changed or altered. These hash functions, digital signatures and message authentication codes. 2. Explore encryption for network security. Encryption for network security Encryption is the most effective method to reduce data loss or theft to encrypt the data on the network security. Encryption is a process of network security to apply crypto services at the network transfer layer on top of the data link level and under the application level. Network encryption other name network layer or network level encryption. The network transfer layers are layers 2 and 4 of the open systems interconnections (OSI) is the reference model, the layers responsible for connectivity and routing between two end points. Using the existing network services and application software, network encryption is invisible to the end user and operates independently of any other encryption processes used. Data is encrypted only while in transit, existing as plaintext on the originating and receiving hosts. Encryption for network security execute through internet protocol security and set of open internet engineering task force (IETF) standard and apply in combination and build structure for confidential communication over IP networks. Internet protocol security works through the network architecture and encrypted packets show to be the same to unencrypted packets and rout through any IP network easily. Network encryption product and services provide several companies such as Cisco, Oracle etc. (Search security, 2010) http://www.cipheroptics.com/images/network-encryption-big.jpg Figure 1 Network Encrypted 3. Critically review the key and password management in terms of network system security. The key management Information become essential assets and protects it and availability is vital for business success. Encryption is the technology for doing so and become significant part of network system security. Encryption key is very helpful to secure data and information. There are two types of key public and private key use to secure the information and network. These key used in cryptographic system as below: Public Key it was invented in 1976 and refer to cypher architecture type and apply two key pairs is encrypt and decrypt. It can use to encrypt message and corresponding private key to decrypt it. Public key encryption believe extremely secure because it does not need secret shared key among the sender and receiver. It is helpful for keeping private emails and stored on mail servers for many years. It programs such as PGP has digital signature ability built message sent can digitally signed. Private Key it also called secret key and encryption/decryption key to exchange secret messages and shared by the communicators so that each can encrypt and decrypt messages. Public key uses with private key together. (Search-security 2010) Password management Password is the most important aspect to login into the system and the network. Organisation should allow only authorised users to access to the network and every user access individual login and passwords to enter the network, its result increase the security aspects. There are following necessary things to secure password in the network system as below: Long Password every user need to long password because short password can very quickly compromised and analyse the permutation based on the password length; Change password anytime employee should change password regularly, nobody assume easily and helpful for security breaches of the network; Avoid utilize similar password dont use the same password for different accounts because it would naive for administrator to think and employee should use different password for safety and security for network system; Necessity to changing password regularly employees also gradually more access their work accounts from remote location, user need to educate/awareness on the required of altering the password frequently. (Storts, J, 2010) 4. Compare symmetric and asymmetric encryption systems and their vulnerability to attack. Symmetric encryption systems and their vulnerability Symmetric encryption system use same secret key is used to encrypt and decrypt information and transform between two keys. Secret key concern to information to transform the content because both can use encrypts and decrypts traffic. Symmetric encryption system has two types are: Stream ciphers it is bits of information one at a time and operates on 1 bit of data at a time. It is faster and smaller to implement and have an important security gap. Certain types of attacks may cause the information to be revealed; Block ciphers it is encrypts information by breaking it down into blocks and encrypt data in each block and this data is fixed sized commonly 64 bit and mostly use in triple DES and AES. (Encryptionanddecryption, 2010) Symmetric encryption algorithms including Des, 3DES, AES, and RC4 etc. 3DES and AES are normally used in IP sec and other types of VPNs. RC4 is used on wireless networks and used by WEP and WPA for encryption. Symmetric encryption algorithms can be extremely fast, and their relatively low complexity allows for easy implementation in hardware. However, they require that all hosts participating in the encryption have already been configured with the secret key through some external means. (Stretch, J, 2010) Symmetric Encryption Vulnerabilities are: To break symmetric encryption system through brute force and cryptanalysis; Figure-2 Symmetric encryption system Weak password can break symmetric encryption systems; Password always keep in mind or make a backup copy of the password; Exchange secret keys in secure manner and stored properly. (Encryptionanddecryption, 2010) To leaking and spying out password. symmetric_encryption.png Asymmetric encryption systems and their vulnerability Asymmetric encryption system use two keys one for encryption use for public, anyone can encrypt a message and another for decryption use for private and only receiver can decrypt a message, normally set up a key pair within a network and involve in six main elements are: Plaintext Text message applied in algorithm; Encryption algorithm it performs mathematical operation to conduct substitutions and transform to the plaintext; Public and Private keys the keys pair where one use for encryption and other decryption; Ciphertext produce encrypt message by applying algorithm to plaintext message through using key; Decryption Algorithm generates ciphertext and match key to produce the plaintext. (Encryptionanddecryption, 2010) Most common asymmetric encryption is RSA and if compare with symmetric encryption it is much slower but its capability to establish secure channel over a non-secure medium such as internet. This is accomplished by the exchange of public keys, which can only be used to encrypt data. The complementary private key, which is never shared, is used to decrypt. (Stretch, J, 2010) asymmetric_encryption.png Asymmetric Encryption Vulnerabilities are: Figure-3 Asymmetric encryption systemPublic key can be distributed freely; It is computing intensive; It process very slowly; Weak password can easily steal; Weak encryption to break this system; Crash digital signature; Security breach at the time of key exchange. 5. Explain and critically assess web security and critically list down different type web security tools and technologies. Web security Web is very vital role in our daily life such as online searching, surfing, customers, vendors, co-staffs, email, etc but need to be web security and identity theft protection. Web security has many problems like spam, viruses, security breaches theft etc. This problem with web security is the part of network of attack computers and servers send out spam messages without knowing it and email / passwords produce and re-sale to competitor. In my research, security expert says that shows you how to do something in five minutes and conveniently neglect to mention the security implications of their advice. If it sounds too easy to be true, it probably is. A perfect example of this is PHP solutions that use a file for data storage and ask you to make it writable to the world. This is easy to implement, but it means that any spammer can write to this file. (Heilmann, 2010) Web security has many risk and attacks such as IP address identify the computer, Fixed IP address is larger security risk, share network, staff unaware security leak in the network setting, SQL injection attacks, exploits browsers and websites, remote file inclusion (RFI), phishing etc. (Heilmann, 2010) Web Security Tools and Technologies The following list down of different type of web security tools and technologies as below: Spike Proxy It is a professional grade tool for looking for application level vulnerabilities in web application and cover SQL injection and cross-site-scripting; Power fuzzer It capable of spidering website and identifying inputs and common web vulnerabilities such as XSS, SQL injection and support https. Written in python; Sec point penetrator It network security tools based, penetration testing appliance or web based service give vulnerability scan pen testing and can change IP address to scan and report; Net sparker It allows users to exploit the identified vulnerabilities and see real impact of the problem. It capable false positive free, handling of websites that rely on AJAX and JavaScript; OWASP It uses multiple techniques such as conditional errors injection, blind injection based on integers, strings/statements, MS-SQL verbose error message and identify database version and gather information Gama Sec It is automated online website vulnerability assessment delivers test to web servers, web based application and web-interfaced system and support HTTP authentication schemes, HTTP protocol, BASIC etc; NIkto Scanner Open source web server scanner and perform complete tests against web servers for multiple items, dangerous files, CGIs, and problems of the server; Perimeter check it analyze external network devices such as servers, websites, firewalls, routers and security vulnerabilities and also lead to interrupted service, data theft, system destruction and help immediately remedy security problem. (Hower, R, 2010) . 6. Identify vulnerabilities and mis-configurations in wireless networks. Vulnerability and mis-configuration describe as some event that exposes organisation and network security has ability to work efficiently its required confidentiality level and protects lack of the systems. Wireless networks vulnerabilities Some of the following common wireless networks vulnerabilities as below: No set physical boundaries wireless access points can lose signals, due to doors, walls, floors, and insulation etc; Untrained users setting up unauthorized networks and workstation untrained users who either are uninformed and therefore unaware of security measures that must be taken when deploying wireless, or whose desire to have wireless is so strong that it completely overshadows the rules set by the organization to ensure that systems are secure. (Lane, H, 2005) Rogue access points this attack consist of connecting illegal access point on the network; Lack of monitoring every organisation has some loopholes in monitoring but intrusion detection tools can use continuously monitor to secure the network system; MAC address filtering it is unique number assigned and wireless LANs allows access point to connect to network. Filtering can result in security breach as user change MAC address, it result identity theft; Insufficient encryption standards weak encryption standard say that users will not enable it and harmful to wireless LAN as weak encryption; Easy to eavesdrop wireless use airwaves to listen easy on network traffic or connect to network and it results the data is encrypted with strong encryption. If WEP encryption use, hackers can some attempt to decrypt the information; Unsecure holes in network hacker can enter wireless LAN by circumventing firewalls and allow other to come, as a result confidential data lost or may compromise on the network; Denial-of-service attacks external causes based is Denial-of-service attacks and make network unproductive and forcefully user to disconnect continually disrupting operation in the organisation such as jamming (jam a radio network), rush access (overload network with malicious connection), spoofed de-authentication frames etc. (Lane, H, 2005) Wireless network mis-configuration Mis-matched software and hardware it is problem arises for network infrastructure that is vulnerable to wide range of attacks. Sometime function work properly but awfully mis-configured; Service Set ID (SSID) SSID is a configurable identification mechanism to enables a client to communicate with the correct base-station. Configured properly with SSID otherwise attacker can exploit the SSID in attempt to access base station and change SSID password and change 802.11 security settings for authentication. (Spam-laws, 2009) 7. Demonstrate how to keep wireless network system safe. Nowadays, wireless network become more common called Wi-Fi /802.11 and allow computer to connect to another without cables and using computer easier and more convenient than ever before with fast internet connection and wireless router and surf internet, data transfer, print documents, email, download information etc but unhappily, it also make easy for outsider/hacker to do the same. Organisation should following points to keep wireless network system safe and secure as below: Keep-out undesirable wireless guests wireless network restrict access through encryption is easy through which encoding or scrambling information to receive and send, only those can access with right password or encryption key and restrict wireless network to normal office hours. Some encryption protect wireless network such as wired equivalent protection (WEP), Wi-Fi protected access (WPA), WPA2 etc; Choose strong password in my research, I found some basic guideline when create a wireless network password is Password should be longer (20 characters) it takes someone to figure it out; Use mixture lowercase and uppercase letters; Insert numbers in between letters; Change password every 3 months; Write password down and keep in safe (in case of forget). Use the firewall it is front security and secures network, computers and data from snooping eyes; (Bryan, S, 2010) Dont show the name of the network (SSID); Change default SSID, dont use name to identify the organisation; Use MAC filtering because each network card is unique code known MAC address and access points to restrict access to assured; Switch on and use built-in encryption to prevent eavesdrop; Restrict user ability (network administrators) to setup quick and dirty wireless network, even temporarily. One rogue access point can undo all the good work you do on the others; Certify all security measures are in place, it result defence against intruders; (Microsoft, 2010) Turn off the wireless network when it isnt use; Hide/keep safe place confidential files/data. Conclusion I conclude that security of wireless network system play key role in every organisation and also implement all network security strategies for the organisation in present and future and secure network resources against alteration, destruction, and unauthorized use. Cryptography tools and web security tools are also very helpful to secure the network system and protect IT assets, confidential data and information. Recommendation I recommend some of the important points as below: Better education and stronger security implementation; Wireless network awareness and training for employees timely; Update wireless network security timely; Certify to secure wireless access point with a strong password; When it need implement WEP authentication method; Make sure all users have proper key or password configured on their system; Make sure all service provide to users are protected by end to end encryption; Use SSID, MAC address filtering allows to configure wireless APs.

Echelon: Considerations with International Communications Monitoring :: Technology

Echelon: Considerations with International Communications Monitoring Introduction Since the invention of radio, intelligence-gathering organizations have been developing and using eavesdropping techniques to intercept and review wireless communications. Initially, these capabilities were solely used to spy on hostile nations, and particularly for military purposes. Human operators had to manually review each transmission, and cryptanalysts pored over military ciphers in an attempt to decode important messages. As wireless communication has become an integral part of commercial and individual existence, and potential threats to security are increasingly found in peacetime and on home ground, the scope of this intelligence gathering has likewise broadened. One of the most controversial eavesdropping systems in existence is a classified project known as ‘Echelon.’ Its use of computer hardware and software to filter communications from all over the world brings up many ethical issues related to the impact of computers on privacy. Overview of Echelon Most of the evidence for Echelon is circumstantial, though a few facts have been established. The participating organizations (notably the US Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency) have neither confirmed nor denied its existence. In lieu of a discussion of the ethical issues, a brief summary of the current knowledge follows. How it Works Echelon is the product of Cold War efforts to monitor wireless communications in the USSR. It traces its roots back to the clandestine UKUSA alliance, a communications intelligence agreement that dates back from around 1947. Member nations include the US, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is now known that the system has been in existence for at least 20 years.[1] In the past, high frequency radio listening posts were also used to listen to radio communications. Currently, the system is composed of a series of eavesdropping satellites, ground listening stations, and supercomputers that intercept and sift through telecommunications satellite broadcasts. These broadcasts include faxes, phone calls, and web traffic- especially those dispatched over long distances.[2] The term Echelon has never actually been mentioned by officials, but is believed to represent the computer system that manages the data gathered by the network.[3] The computers are used to store and ana lyze text data for key words, and to review telephone conversations for unique ‘voiceprints’ or the phone numbers of persons under surveillance.[4] This makes it possible to filter an enormous amount of traffic, since human analysts review only relevant messages. The US National Security Agency (NSA) is widely considered to be both the originator and head of the project, and likely owns and operates the major computer facilities for Echelon. Echelon: Considerations with International Communications Monitoring :: Technology Echelon: Considerations with International Communications Monitoring Introduction Since the invention of radio, intelligence-gathering organizations have been developing and using eavesdropping techniques to intercept and review wireless communications. Initially, these capabilities were solely used to spy on hostile nations, and particularly for military purposes. Human operators had to manually review each transmission, and cryptanalysts pored over military ciphers in an attempt to decode important messages. As wireless communication has become an integral part of commercial and individual existence, and potential threats to security are increasingly found in peacetime and on home ground, the scope of this intelligence gathering has likewise broadened. One of the most controversial eavesdropping systems in existence is a classified project known as ‘Echelon.’ Its use of computer hardware and software to filter communications from all over the world brings up many ethical issues related to the impact of computers on privacy. Overview of Echelon Most of the evidence for Echelon is circumstantial, though a few facts have been established. The participating organizations (notably the US Central Intelligence Agency and National Security Agency) have neither confirmed nor denied its existence. In lieu of a discussion of the ethical issues, a brief summary of the current knowledge follows. How it Works Echelon is the product of Cold War efforts to monitor wireless communications in the USSR. It traces its roots back to the clandestine UKUSA alliance, a communications intelligence agreement that dates back from around 1947. Member nations include the US, Great Britain, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is now known that the system has been in existence for at least 20 years.[1] In the past, high frequency radio listening posts were also used to listen to radio communications. Currently, the system is composed of a series of eavesdropping satellites, ground listening stations, and supercomputers that intercept and sift through telecommunications satellite broadcasts. These broadcasts include faxes, phone calls, and web traffic- especially those dispatched over long distances.[2] The term Echelon has never actually been mentioned by officials, but is believed to represent the computer system that manages the data gathered by the network.[3] The computers are used to store and ana lyze text data for key words, and to review telephone conversations for unique ‘voiceprints’ or the phone numbers of persons under surveillance.[4] This makes it possible to filter an enormous amount of traffic, since human analysts review only relevant messages. The US National Security Agency (NSA) is widely considered to be both the originator and head of the project, and likely owns and operates the major computer facilities for Echelon.

Factors that Effet the Price Depreciation of a Car :: Economics Transportation Essays

Factors that Effet the Price Depreciation of a Car What factors effect the Price depreciation of a car and how? As a common teenager I am reaching the legal driving age and will soon require a car. As for most teenagers my age a new car is expensive so a second hand car would by more appropriate. For this project I will be looking at cars from two data sources: * The Primary Source. I will be doing my own research by using an "Auto Freeway" magazine for second hand cars and a "What Car?" magazine to find the prices of the cars when they are new. (Information Provided: Car Make, Car Model, Price When New. Price Second Hand, Age, Colour, Engine Size, Mileage) * The Secondary Source. I will be provided with this data. (Information Provided: Car Make, Car Model, Price When New. Price Second Hand, Age, Colour, Engine Size, Mileage, MPG, Fuel Type, Service History, MOT, Tax, Owners, Insurance Group, Doors, Seats, Style, Gearbox, Central Locking, Air Conditioning, Airbags) Since the magazine is not a totally reliable source I could not research as much information for the primary source as the secondary source. After I have 100 results of each source I will use systematic sampling by selecting every second car to cut my results into half from both sources. I will compare both sources. With my results I will calculate the Price Depreciation (%) showing by how much percent the car has decreased from the (Price When New). I suspect that there will be several trends and patterns in the results. The lack of information in the primary source means that I can only make 3 successful hypotheses: * The Older the car the higher the Price Depreciation * The Higher the Mileage the higher the Price Depreciation * The Engine Size would have a very little correlation if any, but if it does the correlation would be, the Bigger the Engine Size the Lower the Price Depreciation To get my primary data I will be using a random sampling. To do this I will use the random button on my calculator. I will pres it twice: first time I will take the last two digits for the page number and then I will press it again and use the last 2 digits for the car number in the page. If there is no such page or car then I will repeat the procedure. I am using Random Sampling because since I don't get told what order the cars are in. Due to this Cluster Sampling cannot be used because the group selected could be only for one make of cars.

The Farm :: Descriptive Farms Essays Papers

The Farm Flat Rock Farm was a hardscrabble anachronism in the 1950s. The dirt roads of Kansas, in those days, were littered with similar testimonies; relics of another time, passed down by the pioneers who carved them from the prairie. That it survived at all was a testament to the resourcefulness and tenacity of those that had scratched a subsistence from it during the dust bowl and great depression. Once the fulfillment of life-long dreams, farms like this one were being rendered obsolete by the emerging consumer society of post-war America. To the uninitiated there was nothing unique or extraordinary about this particular farm, except perhaps for the telltale signs of its certain obsolescence. The harness hanging from the tack room wall, the idle team of aging horses milling in the corral, the bucket at the cistern pump and the absence of electric lines all betrayed the homestead's lack of modernization and its inevitable future. Like thousands of others, it would be bought out and combined with a larger, more modern operation when death or bankruptcy hastened its demise. The passing of such a small and unremarkable homestead on the Kansas prairie would not be noticed nor long remembered -- yet it is. To a small boy growing up in the inner city, there was no place more wondrous or exciting to visit than that small farmstead somewhere northeast of Emporia. It was a vibrant place, alive with the sights and sounds of nature and bustling with important work that mattered. Work whose value and purpose was easily recognized by a child. Work connected to the land and animals in some grand collaboration with the universe. There were people there too who were glad when you came to visit. Patient people who cared, and who took the time to listen as well as teach. People who understood the value of a small child's efforts to help with the important work of the farm and encouraged those efforts. There always seemed to be a humming in the background that permeated everything there. A current, perhaps, that ran through it all and kept the people, land, and animals in sync with some universal pattern. I couldn't actually hear it, but if I sat very still on the rocks by the well pump, on a warm spring afternoon, and closed my eyes, I could feel it. The warmth of the rock beneath me, the sun reaching out to touch my skin, the breeze on my cheek -- all were connected -- as I was, with the sounds of the insects and animals around me.

Japanese Food †General Analysis and Comparison to American Food Essay

It is generally true that different countries have distinct cultures. The culture of a country is shaped by various factors unique to that country, directly affecting it during its historical development. An example of such factors is geography. The geographic nature and location of a country dictates what resources it may have; a country surrounded by water tends to depend on the aquatic life for food, while a country endowed with vast fields of fertile land tends to feed its citizens through harvested crops. As one can infer, the food source of a country is in a direct relationship with its culture. This concept in turn supports the development of unique variants of food, also defined as its local or traditional food. The United States of America and Japan, in this sense, are two vastly different cultures with diverse food variants. The American continent, although of course surrounded by bodies of water, has a vast land area which it is known for. This prompted the development of the country to be generally agricultural and crop-based. Hence, corn and potatoes are considered as its staple food. Japan, on the other hand, is considerably less in terms of total land area; therefore, the development of its agriculture is quite limited and crop variants held to a minimum. The whole population instead focused its attention on the sea as a limitless source of food. Such basic differences in food also result in additional variance to the details regarding it. Suggested food intake, nutritional claims, health claims are expected to be different to a certain extent between the two. Health issues are expected to vary as well. Hence, the American food culture and the Japanese food culture are expected to be distinctly different with consideration to these aforementioned points of comparison. Methodology In order to begin the analysis of the characteristics of the food from the unfamiliar Japanese culture, a direct sampling of Japanese food is required. Hence, the first major portion of the methodology requires that a restaurant serving authentic Japanese cuisine is to be located within the locality. After choosing one, also keeping in mind that the price range is well within the reach of the researcher’s budget, a sample Japanese dish is to be ordered or bought. If possible, the method as to how the dish is prepared should be properly observed and noted. The characteristics of the dish should also be considered and inspected. Specific details in terms of taste and appearance are to be listed down. If possible, the constituents of the dish or its basic ingredients are also to be identified. After assessing such details regarding a sample dish of Japanese cuisine, a more technical and research oriented approach towards analysis is to be started. The second main segment of the methodology pertains to the technical and research oriented part of the study. Specific details regarding the whole Japanese food culture are to be determined. Further research into the Japanese food culture and its historical development is to be accomplished. Further insights regarding the differences with the American food culture and standards will be provided by searching for the occurrence of a localized food pyramid as well as rules or guidelines for food labeling, health claims, and nutrient content claims. Also, health concerns regarding food in the Japanese culture will also be taken into account. The common health problems, its sources and effects, will be established. Resulting data from the two main sections of the research method gathered through such methods will be properly collated and completely analyzed afterwards. Results Upon locating a restaurant that offers authentic Japanese cuisine, a choice was made to order a highly popular and common Japanese specialty, the sushi. In this case, an unlimited amount of sushi was made available, each variant served in differently colored plates riding on top of a conveyor belt like mechanism. There were so many variants of sushi, making the process of identification more troublesome. Fortunately in this case, each plate was properly labeled. The first variant of sushi sampled is called the nigiri sushi. In physical form, the nigiri sushi mainly consists of hand-shaped rice with a single kind of topping per serving. This variant is however not simply a single kind as there were notable difference in toppings between servings. There were four main types of nigiri sushi served; one type had squid as topping, the second had shrimp, the third had raw fish, and the fourth was egg. Upon immediate sampling, the shrimp, and squid were notably very lightly cooked, if cooked at all. The thin slices of fish served as toppings were obviously uncooked. Also, no additional flavor was added to enhance the flavor of these two toppings. The egg however, was noticeably scrambled and sweetened. The rice below the topping, aside from being shaped, had no detectable additional flavoring. The second variant of sushi sampled was considerably more complex in both structure and appearance. Called as the maki sushi, this variant evidently had more ingredients. There were two main types of maki sushi sampled, futo maki and hoso maki. In both, a thin dried seaweed preparation, known in Japan as the nori, covers the outer area of the flat circular shaped sushi. Another common ingredient noticed for this variant is cucumber, sliced in small portions and apparently used fresh with no additional cooking procedures. Carrots were also noted to be present in both types, having been prepared in the same manner as the cucumbers. The last notable similarity between the two is the use of caviar. The nature and source of the caviar was not determined; the only detail noted regarding it was that it was commonly used as additional toppings or dispersed within the sushi. In terms of differences, the main distinguishing factor between the futo maki and the hoso maki is the inclusion of fish. Of the two, only hoso maki had slices of fresh raw fish, known to be commonly tuna, interspersed within the roll. As an additional note, the sushi variants were dipped in a mixture of Japanese soy sauce and a spicy paste known as wasabi, with the resulting ratio dependent on one’s preferences. After discussing the structure and constituent parts of the sampled dish in detail, findings regarding the taste are placed in focus. It is noticeable that the overall taste of the sushi alone is quite simple and plain, and at the same time pleasant and cool. It draws its appeal from the combined flavor of its parts. Such taste is expected since the parts used are neither seasoned nor flavored in any matter. However, upon the addition of the wasabi and soy sauce concoction, the sushi is given a stronger flavor, mainly a combination of salty and spicy taste. Upon completion of the sampling phase of the study, research was done to determine the historical context of Japanese food. Japan is one of the several island based countries throughout the world which is mainly surrounded by the sea, and along it also contains several bodies of water; hence, even from the early points of Japanese history, food is commonly gathered from aquatic sources (Minnesota State University [MSU], n. d. ). Since fish and other aquatic creatures such as shrimp, crabs, squid, octopus, and urchins, are commonly associated with the Japanese diet, people tend to think that the Japanese consume these exclusively. This however, is not the case in reality. The Japanese also consume various land grown products including well known ones like eggplants and carrots, along with rice which is considered as their staple food (MSU, n. d. ). Another subject of research conducted in the study is concerned with something more current: government issued guidelines and policies regarding the food industry as well as the presence of a food pyramid. Specific points analyzed include food labeling, health claims, nutrient content claims, and of course, the food pyramid. Details regarding food labeling, health claims, and nutrient content claims were not very much analyzed in this case, but rather, the focus was placed upon whether such policies exist. In terms of food labeling, it has been noted that a similar system exists in Japan in comparison to other countries such as America. In fact, there has been a movement by the Japanese government to further increase the scope of the law, making it considerably more stringent in comparison to those of other countries (Gale Group Incorporated [GGI], 2008). As for laws regarding health claims, Japan has a well-defined and extensive policy system, pointing out specific categories for health and nutrient claims and requirements for the application of companies for such claims to be approved for their product (National Centre of Excellence in Functional Foods [NCEFF], 2004). Japan currently has a well-adapted food pyramid. Commonly encountered food items in Japan are included as examples; some of these are rice, miso, honey, soy sauce, milk, soy milk, tofu, fish, clams, plums, and kelp (Southeastern Michigan Dietetic Association [SEMDA], 1998). The final aspect looked upon in the research was regarding the usual health problems accompanying the local cuisine. Given the fact that Japanese food preparations often utilize raw to lightly cooked seafood, parasitic organisms is a usual threat (Ransom, n. d. ). Examples of these parasitic organisms are worms which latch on to various areas of a person, usually the gastrointestinal tract, in order to provide themselves vital nutrients. Another problem arising from their preference towards seafood is the possible occurrence of heavy metals in the flesh of sea-based organisms due to global environmental problems (Ransom, n. d. ). Discussion The results point out evident differences and similarities between the American and the Japanese food cultures. First, regarding food preparation and taste, from what was observed with the sushi, Japanese food preparation is simpler in constituent and is also rather simpler in terms of preparation. The focus of the Japanese cooking is to maintain the natural form and flavor of the ingredients while blending well in combination. This is very much unlike the American way of cooking since the focus is usually to use a main ingredient and season or flavor it in a way that after being cooked for a certain amount of time, the food has acquired an enhanced taste. In relation to this, the Japanese cuisine has a preference towards the uncooked and seafood, while American cuisine focuses on cooking techniques and the use of beef, pork, and chicken. These differences mainly arise from the varied historical development of each country. In terms of the more technical side of food and its culture, specifically food labeling, health claims, and nutrient claims, due to the trend of globalization, it is quite understandable that in general, both Japan and America have law pertaining to food labeling, health claims, and nutrient claims. Differences on these are mainly observed when inspecting the specifics. Aside from this, both countries have food pyramids. The difference on this point pertains to the food examples written in the pyramid; the main structure and recommendations remain the same. Lastly, health issues and risks differ for both countries to a certain degree. The Japanese mainly worry about issues regarding contaminants and parasites due to seafood consumption, while the Americans worry about problems such as heart disease and obesity due to the way food is prepared. Conclusion The historical and geographic differences of America and Japan have led to a distinct difference in terms of their local cuisine. Japan focused on seafood as one of the main food sources unlike America. The staple food is also different for both countries, being rice for Japan which is rather uncommon in the United States. Hence, in relation to this, food-related heath concerns also differ for both countries. However, far from what is expected in terms of Japan and America being completely different, current trends in relation to globalization and exports have shown that in the subject of food in general, America and Japan have several points in common. These points mentioned laws and policies pertaining to food labeling as well as health and nutritional claims. Therefore, although different at various points, Japan and America evidently has certain points of close similarities in the general subject of food contrary to what is commonly thought of.

Investment strategy Essay

Adams discontinuity based investment strategy revolved around making investing in companies which were in in the process of or on the fore of exploiting dramatic and sudden changes in well developed markets. Adams focused on both discontinuities and a targeted investment strategy in his search for above average returns. Adams operationalized his discontinuity based investing method by hiring only engineers as partners, leveraging their technical training in the search of promising markets in which to invest. Overtime ACM’s investment focus evolved to focus on markets which he and his partners were already relatively familiar with and had already recognized as attractive. From a Limited Partner’s perspective Adams strategy in comparable to a growth-investing strategy many fund managers implement in the equity markets. That being said, Adams is searching for method of discontinuity based investing looks to capitalise on a company’s potential growth well before they have reached a large enough size to be listed on the equity market. ACM developed more sophisticated pre-requisites to investment developed overtime, these methods digress from typical investment managers and Private Equity/Venture Capital theories firms. Firstly, ACM was only interested in investing in companies which had business to business relationships with their customers, meaning companies without a retail branch from which to distribute products or services to consumers. Secondly, ACM believed the firm value’s and hence the value of their investment would be driven by return on investment (ROI) of respective business customers. Whilst always remaining focused on the business making us of â€Å"first generation applied technology† or being one of the first companies to use a specific technology for a specific application. A combination of ACM’s investment strategy’s divergence from typical investment theory, as it invested in small companies who’s growth prospects were infinite, focused on ROI of a firm’s business clients and utilise the partners wealth of knowledge and expertise to gear ACM to being highly technology focused allowing for Limited Partners looking for diversification to make significant ground. Not only were investors being exposed to diversification in the form of different investment methodologies, an LP also received exposure to the inherently high growth technology sector, all of which was a fantastic way to gain access to shifts that would create opportunities for start-up companies to become market leaders leading to high returns for investors. The four primary causes of discontinuities 1. Standards   2. Regulation   3. Technology   4. Distribution Adams believed â€Å"Market due diligence is the only due diligence you can do independent of a transaction. † A unique part of the ACM strategy was the need for unanimous firm agreement upon the industry or market before individual companies were considered for investment. This was based on the premise of top down analysis, meaning that only when market or industry based analysis showed potential for a discontinuity based investment would further research be conducted to find viable target companies. In addition, the inclusion of a Discontinuity Roundtable, consisting of twenty industry experts and observers that periodically met with the ACM partners to identify and discuss market discontinuities, provides a comprehensive and systematic approach to identifying investment opportunities in the market, and makes ACM more attractive as an investment partner.