The programs that run on the hardware Essay Example for Free

The programs that run on the hardware Essay Presentation software The main use of this software is to animated visual presentations. Examples of use include:   presentations for meetings   computer-based help systems Graphics software There are two types of graphics packages. Bitmap graphics software stores images as lots of coloured dots, known as pixels. Vector based graphics software stores images as rules, covering the dimensions, direction, and colour of the drawn object. Function Explanation/description drawing tools pre-defined shapes ability to scale, stretch, and crop images ability to rotate images ability to flip images paint palettezoom/magnify ability to fill Computer aided design (CAD) software The main use of this software is to design three dimensional objects. HTML editing software The main use of this software is to create web-pages. Communications software There are two types of communications software. Electronic mail, used to send and receive messages. Web-browser software to view web pages on the Internet. Integrated software A software package that combines the functions of two or more distinct generic applications. Specific software Software designed to carry out a single task for users. System software Software that manages and controls the computer and all its peripherals. Operating system software A layer of software that enables a user to control the hardware, and application programs to run on the computer. Utility software Software used to carry out routine tasks often needed by the user to maintain the performance of the computer. Hardware Hardware is the name given to any part of the computer that you can actually touch. A device is an individual piece of hardware. Examples include:   keyboard   visual display unit (VDU) or monitor   floppy disk drive Describing hardware Technical specification. This is a list of its properties. It usually refers to the performance and/or capacity of the device. Performance This is a way of describing how well a device in a computer system does its job. This often refers to the speed at which it works. Capacity This is the amount of data that can be stored. Processor The central processing unit (CPU) is the part of the computer where the searching and sorting of data, calculating and decision-making goes on. Also known as the processor. Choosing a processor Processors are measured by their speed. The number of instructions it can perform in 1 second. This is measured in hertz (Hz). 1 hertz = 1 instruction per second 1 KHz = 1,000 instructions per sec 1 MHz = 1,000,000 instructions per sec 1 GHz = 1,000,000,000 instructions per sec Input devices Input devices are used to enter commands or information into a computer. Examples of input devices include:   keyboard   mouse   scanner   microphone   trackball   joystick/ joypad   graphics tablet digital camera/ web-camera Output devices Output devices are used by the computer to communicate information to human users or to affect a change in a physical environment. Examples of output devices include: VDU/monitor   printer   speakers Types of VDUs/monitors cathode ray tube (CRT) liquid crystal display (LCD) less expensive to buy more expensive to buy better quality image lower quality image can be easily viewed from an angle can only be properly viewed from one angle requires more power requires less power gives off lots of heat gives off less heat takes up a lot of space takes up less space more likely to cause eye strain less likely to cause eye strain Choosing VDUs/monitors Type cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) (thin-film transistor [TFT]) Colour. Monochrome, or grey-scale, or colour Resolution measured in pixels; 640 X 480 (VGA), 800 X 600 (SVGA), 1024 X 768 (XVGA or XGA) Size diagonal distance, from one corner to another (inches) Types of printers inkjet laser less expensive to buy more expensive to buy more expensive to run less expensive to run relatively slow speed printing relatively fast speed printing Choosing printers Speed characters per second (cps) or pages per minute (ppm) Quality dots per inch (dpi) Colour monochrome, or colour Data storage devices Storage devices are used to store the programs and data needed by the computer. The two main categories of storage devices are main memory and backing storage. Main memory RAM random access memory RAM is used by the computer to store the programs and data that are being used at a given time. RAM is volatile which means that when the computer is turned off all its contents are wiped clean. Choosing RAM RAM is measured by its capacity; the amount of data that it can store when the computer is switched on. All computers ultimately store data as 1s and 0s (this number system is known as binary). A single unit (either 1 or 0) is called a bit. 8 bits = 1 byte 1,000 bytes = 1 KB 1,000 KB = 1 MB 1,000 MB = 1 GB Backing storage Backing storage is used to store programs and data when they are not being used or when the computer is switched off. Backing storage is non-volatile which means that when the computer is turned off none of its contents are lost. backing storage device used to read and write data onto storage media. backing storage media the collective name given to the disks and tapes used to store data. Choosing backing storage The first decision is between fixed media or removable media. Backing storage media can be measured by its capacity; bytes, or kilobytes (KB), or megabytes (MB), or gigabytes (GB). Backing storage can also be judged by the data transfer speed of the backing storage device to the backing storage media. This is measured in; bytes per second (Bps), or kilobytes per second (KBps), megabytes per second (MBps). Audio CDs read at 150KBps 8X, 16X, 24X, 48X, 52X. The final way that backing storage can be differentiated is whether it is: * read only memory (ROM), or * recordable (R)/ write once read many (WORM), or * read and write (RW). Types of portable backing storage * floppy disk drive (FDD) * compact disk (CD) drive * Zip drive * digital versatile disk (DVD) drive * flash stick Computers and peripherals Desktop computer An entire computer that sits on a desk or a table. Laptop computer A personal computer that can be simply carried around by one person and used in transit from internal battery power. Peripherals Standard (expected) Additional (extra) hard disk drive (HDD) printer floppy disk drive (FDD) scanner VDU/monitor microphone keyboard web-cam mouse (pointing device) joystick CD drive (ROM/R/RW) DVD drive (ROM/R/RW) speakers Zip drive Social Impact In the home In business P:\ICT\KS4\Yr09\Yr09Revision. 0304. doc HBDugard Page 1 of 10 Last printed 28/05/2004 14:09

Accounting Essays Comparability of Financial Statements

Accounting Essays Comparability of Financial Statements Comparability of Financial Statements. 1.0 Financial Statements and its Significance. In recent times, we have witnessed tremendous policy reforms and recommendations being made to tackle and control the manner in which businesses carry out their accounting work. Numerous accounting mismanagement and malpractices have only added to the urgency to bring regulations that seek to keep a check on accounting procedures followed by the corporate world. The failure of companies such as Enron due to inappropriate accounting tactics stands out as a perfect example. Investors in the form of shareholders and stakeholders provide huge sum of capital anticipating higher future returns. Firms are known to tamper with financial data in order to attract prospective investors to finance their capital requirements and debt elimination. Recently, Shell, one of world biggest energy and oil producing companies was accused of overstating oil reserves to attract investments and had eventually admitted to have tampered with its financial data. Therefore, proper scrutiny of financial statements is essentials especially since various individual and business interests are developed citing information provided in these statements. Countries such as the US have come up with regulations such as US GAAP1 to assess financial policies pursued by corporates and the format to be followed in publishing financial statements. Countries have adopt accounting procedures and guidelines framed under the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) to eliminate discrepancies in financial analysis, improve investment opportunities and to make financial information available. By 2005, all companies registered in the EU have to adhere by new accounting standard. Countries such as UK have come under immense pressure to replace UK GAAP with the new IFRS scheme. Investors often depend on various financial ratios to determine when and where to invest. Such complexities and the presence of diverse interests groups make it essential to develop financial mechanisms that determine the financial health of a company. Companies have to publish Annual Reports that summarise its financial status and act as a medium of information to its shareholders. An important and significant step in determining the health of a company is to analysis its historical financial statements. These historical data provides a picture of the financial health of a business and a roadmap outlining the direction the business is heading. The financial data are covered under various headings such as the Balance Sheet and Income Statements. Each of these has a particular format and is based on the principles of financial regulation framework such as the GAAP. We shall look at them briefly in the following chapter and also look at other techniques developed due to the shortcoming some of these financial ratios are known to show. 2.0 Understanding Financial Ratios Ratio is nothing but the comparison of one figure with another and is normally depicted as a percentage. Financial ratio is an analytical tool used to analyse trends, strength and weakness of a companys assets and its liabilities. Financial ratios are compared overtime on a year to year basis. The basic source for these ratios comes from the companys financial statements which contains information on the assets, liabilities, profits and losses and dividends accruing to its shareholders.2 The most common ratios can be classified under the following headings: Profitability Ratios Liquidity Ratios Capital Structure Ratios In the financial world, firms rely on investors to raise funds for its short and long term needs. This is done by floating shares in the stock markets or by issuing debentures or bonds (loans). The funds may come in the form of short term, medium or long term loans. An investor will only invest if he is fully convinced that his investment will gain higher returns/dividends. He may look at the balance sheet to analyse how much the company is worth. Liquidity is an important criterion that influences investor decisions. The company must be able to pay back its loans on time and doing so will only raise its reputation in the capital market for future borrowings. The company that relies heavily on borrowing its expenses will obviously find it difficult to service its liabilities. Besides, customers spending habit has a larger impact on the companys sales and liquidity. Purchase affects the companys stock of goods which, in turn, affects its liquidity. Since stocks cannot be sold in short notice, it has a direct impact on the firms capability to raise fund to finance short term debt financing. The current liabilities have to be settled in cash within short period of time. The presence of large stocks will artificially inflate the total current assets which may make it appear as if the company has enough resources to meet its short term liabilities. We shall look at some popular ratios that, though informative, cannot be used as an ideal tool for financial analysis. Lets see how. The annual report 2004 of The EMI Group suggests that group has current assets (including stocks) worth  £1107 million and current liabilities worth  £1403.5 million. The resultant current ratio is 0.78:1.3 This figure suggests that the Group does not have enough short term resources to meet its short term requirements. It has only 78 pence to meet a pound of debt. If we deduct the stocks ( £36.4 million) from its current assets to see its immediate liquidity, the quick ratio shows an even poor debt financing capability. The quick ratio is 0.76:1.4 This figure suggests that the Group has only 76 pence to meet every 1 pound worth of debt.5 Analysing the results suggest that it would be inappropriate to rely on the current ratio as it does not explain how much the company real assets are readily convertible into cash in short notice. Stocks are not highly liquid and therefore must be excluded in assessing the companys liquidity in the short period. Therefore, current ratio cannot be used as a reliable means to make investment decisions and that it essential that we look at other ratios and their merits and demerits to determine which of these is appropriate in the capital market. The Gross Profit Ratio is the ratio between the Gross Profit and the Sales Revenue. The Gross Profits is arrived at by deducting the Cost of Sales from the Sales Revenue.6 To analyse this ratio we shall look at the Income Statement of The Sandvik Group.7 The Consolidated Income Statement suggests that the group had an Invoiced Sales of  £4010.2 million and Cost of Sales equalling  £2742 million. The GP ratio between these two figures is 1.46:1 meaning that the group is able to make 46 pence extra from every  £1 of sales. It may look appealing but it must be noted that the Cost of Sales does not include other expenses that may significantly reduce the gross profits.8 If we deduct other expenses worth  £741.9 million, the operating profits drop to  £526.3 million. The Shareholders and the companys future investment plans and its dividend policies depends on the Net Profits. It is arrived at by deducting the interest payables. The Sandviks Net Profits for the year after tax de ductions are equivalent to  £327million. We can see that though the Gross Profit ratio is a useful ratio it does not shows the companys financial position and does not influence any investment decisions. The real true figure that matters is the Net Profits after taxation. The ratio categorised under capital structure ratios are more elaborate and descriptive. However when using ratios such as gearing and interest cover, factor such as market structure, consumer preference and taste, economies of scale, product type have considerable influence. For example, payments from debtors depends of consumer income and preference. These factors have its affect on the current assets (cash) which will in turn affect the company ability to pay its creditors. The points here is that though some factors cannot be measured and may not have direct consequences (market structure) it cannot be ignored. The ideas highlighted above are very important in performing financial analysis of a company. The accounting professionals have introduced techniques that are more accurate and explicable. We shall look at one such technique in the next chapter. 3.0 Improvement in assessment of financial statement. We have seen the technical failure of various financial ratios and the difficulty in using them as a tool to make investment decisions. Comparing financial results from different periods has its own drawbacks because there are no independent frameworks to assess whether the companys current results are good or bad. It is very important that care must be taken when comparing results between two different companies in terms of products, size, market share etc. For example, company A may have a significant market share (turnover) compared to company Bs but smaller net profit due to its bigger operational costs. Such discrepancies can influence wrong investment patterns and decisions. Another major drawback of ratio analysis is that accountants indulge in creative accounting techniques where ratios calculated from published financial statements show favourable figures. For example, sale and repurchase agreements manipulate liquidity figures and off-balance sheet finance which distorts return on capital employed and thereby influencing companys gearing. It is therefore essential that new approach to assessing financial statement must be devised and changed to suit to new market conditions. One such technique was developed by Professor Altman who devised a new technique popularly known as the Z-Score.9 The Z-Score is a statistical model that incorporates the use of five different ratios which serve to predict the health of a firm.10 The Z-Score is used to predict bankruptcy of the business using traditional financial ratios and statistical method known as the Multiple Discriminant Analysis. The Z-score is considered to be 90 % accurate in forecasting business failure one year into the future and 80 percent accurate in forecasting it two years into the future.11 By selecting various financial ratios and applying weight to each ratio it is possible to estimate the financial position of the company. In his study, he analysed over 22 such financial ratios and selected 5 distinctive ratios that focused on the balance sheet and performance ratios. Weights were assigned by establishing appropriate coefficients to show how each of these ratios influenced the dependent Z-Score. Altman Z-Score equation: Z = X1 (a) + X2 (b) + X3 (c) + X4 (d) + X5 (e)12 Where, X1 Working Capital/Total Assets. X2 Retained Earning/Total Assets. X3 EBIT/Total Assets.13 X4 Market Value Equity/Book Value of Total Debt. X5 Sales/Total Assets a, b, c, d, e are respective coefficient assigned to each ratios (X1,X2 ¦Ã‚ ¦..X5). Z Overall Z-Score. Now, companies expand their reach in the global market by producing goods that belong to different markets. Firms engage in horizontal and vertical integration to expand their market and also to reduce risk by spreading their resources in different activities. It is therefore illogical to do a financial comparison of firms from different industry. Professor Altman overcame the problem of comparing companies that specialised in different industries by altering the above equation by eliminating certain ratios. For example, Ratio X5 for non-manufacturing companies. This is done because sales/total assets ratio greatly varies from industry to industry. Z = X1 (a) + X2 (b) + X3 (c) + X4 (d) He modified the equation for a privately held company by implementing book value of equity as a private companys stocks are not publicly traded. He further devised Z Score table to determine a financial healthy company from a sick company in various industries. The companies in the grey area were considered misclassified. Unhealthy Gray Area Healthy Private Companies < 1.23 1.23 2.90 > 2.90 Public Companies < 1.81 1.81 2.99 > 2.99 Non Manufacturing Companies < 1.00 1.11 2.60 > 2.60 The Z Score technique is gaining popularity in the financial world as an efficient and accurate method to predict financial health of a company and also it is less likely to be manipulated as Ratio Analysis are known to be. In the next chapter I shall focus on the International Financial Reporting standard and look at ways it can be improved to promote comparability and facilitate globalisation and movement of capital. 4.0 Financial Reporting and Applications. The International Financial Reporting Standards also known as the International Accounting Standard are a set of accounting standards companies must follow when formulating financial policies and publication of financial statements. In the EU, new regulations require EU companies to adopt International Accounting Standards by the year 2005. Questions have been raised as to whether we need international standards with massive movement towards free market. As Mr. Andrew Crockett puts in advances in IT and the ascendancy of free market principles have underpinned government-led to market-led financial system ¦.the period saw the emergence of financial instability 14 Mr. Crockett also stress on the fact that we need to develop, seek global acceptance of, and implement a set of codes or standards that pertain to key elements of financial system infrastructure . It was felt that certain regulations on financial prices, financial statements framework, and accounting principles pertaining to domestic and cross border transactions were hindering market forces. These factors combined with the shift towards greater fiscal and monetary prudence laid the foundation for a system that controlled capital movement across borders and international standards that improved global accounting principles. The steps taken to achieve efficient financial mechanism must be able to address two factors firstly, it must be able to identify the most economic way of utilising resources and secondly, it must be able to control the manner in which these resources are utilised. It forms the basis for the allocation of income among various claimants on the company and to bring in financial discipline. The major advantages of such reporting standards are:- It helps in poverty reduction by reducing the risk of financial crisis and their impact on the global poor. It achieves significance because the scope of globalisation has reached almost every single country. It helps in creating investor confidence by improving investment climate, eradication of loopholes affecting direct and indirect investments. Its helps by eliminating barriers on free movement of market information and sentiments. It assists local governments to implement taxation regulations and also unwanted barriers to trade. Despite the advantages of having international standards for financial reporting, it is quite evident that certain factors act as a barrier to accounting standards. For e.g. the UK banking sector has been in the forefront of this conflict between the international standards and the national standards. Lets very briefly look at two such regulations that will have an impact on the banking sector the Basel II capital accord and International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), which apply to all companies listed in the EU.15 Basel II requires banks to link their capital to risk. It is likely to have consequences on all types of lending to SMEs and large companies. Despite the advantages in terms of better risk management and accurate pricing of loans, the complexity involved in switching will cause some problems. The eventual replacement of UK GAAP with the IFRS comes with the complexity of changing over, cost involved and bad debt provisions. According to an article published in the Business Money magazine by Mr. Mike Imeson, the HSBC bank incurred $ 400 million in expense to bring regulatory changes in accounting standards world over in 2003. Similar sentiments were expressed by Mr. Stephen Pegge, Lloyd TSB in this article by saying that when a business approaches you for a loan, you wont know for certain which legislation applies .16 Considering the above statements, it is essential to look at national concern towards the development of an international standard on financial regulation. It is true that it will improve investment opportunities by elimination of unwanted barriers and it is also likely to create expenses that may prove as a hindrance to an already volatile and underdeveloped financial systems in most countries. As Mr. Pegge puts in, it will create confusion in the mind of investors and lenders as to what legislation applies and bureaucratic delays in understanding and applying them. 5.0 Conclusions In the preceding chapters, we have seen the importance of financial analysis in investment choice and decision making. The ratio forms a very important aspect in making financial choices and also acts as a medium for companies to assess their business performance. Financial analysis of these ratios influences the interests of various groups of individuals and organisations such as Individual shareholders, Employees, Managers, Directors, Governments. Considering these interest groups and affects on each of these entities, the need for an international framework for accounting standard has being increasing felt. It acts as a medium of information for the investors who would assess the basis for making further investments and also to see how well the company is performing. The managers stand to benefit as their remuneration and income are directly linked to the company performance. The governments policy towards economic development and need for further reforms are based on these financial analysis and financial statements. It forms the basis for taxes on trade and tax benefits and exemptions. While the importance haves been highlighted, it is also essential to note that drawbacks are not ignored. As Mr. Pegge points out there must be a clear understanding of the legislations and it must work towards reducing costs rather than increasing it. To conclude, financial reforms and regulations are an essential component in todays global economy. Financial statements must as an informative source free from manipulations of date and figures. References and Bibliography Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA), (2005 Edition), Financial Accounting Fundamentals Paper C2. Chartered Institute of Management Accountant (CIMA), (2005 Edition), Management Accounting Fundamentals Paper C1. Annual Report, 2004, The EMI Group. Annual Report, 2004, The Sandvik Group. Internet Sources: The EMI Group www.emigroup.com/financial.html The Sandvik Group www3.sandvik.com/pdf/annualreports/sandvik2004_eng_web.pdf Vercor The Global Resource for Business, Sales, Merger and Acquisitions www.vercoradvisor.com/articles/companyscore.html Bank for International Settlement www.bis.org/speeches/sp020227.htm BusinessMoney.com http://www.business-money.com/features_mike_imeson_jan05.html Ventureline www.ventureline.com/SampleOneIndustry.asp

The Effects Of Foreign Species Introduction On An Ecosystem :: essays research papers

The Effects of Foreign Species Introduction On An Ecosystem   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The effects of foreign species introduction into an ecosystem are very profound. From small microorganisms to species of large mammals, many foreign species introductions occur every day. New implications of their introduction are found just as often.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When a foreign species is introduced into an ecosystem, often the ecosystem contains no natural predators for the new species. This lack of predators sometimes leads to; in conjunction with a supply of food suitable for the new species, a period of exponential growth of the species. This growth and severe increase in the size of the population can cause a shortage of food for native species. When this occurs, the native species disappear and the biodiversity in the ecosystem is reduced. The carrying capacity is also reduced because the ecosystem will not be capable of supporting the same amount of life. If one species hogs the food and does not contribute itself to the food chain, the balance is disrupted and there will be less available for the native species. Once the new species has found its ecological niche however, balance begins to restore itself.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the biodiversity in the ecosystem is reduced, the ability of the ecosystem to grow, or the biotic potential, is as well reduced. More species residing in an ecosystem which depend on each other allows for a greater chance of survival and perpetuation. This may occur for several reasons, for example a bee and a flower. The bee requires the pollen of the flower to make its honey. However, while gathering the pollen from the flowers, it transfers some of the pollen to female flowers, allowing them to make seeds and spawn further generations. However, a foreign species may, for example, eat the bees therefore allowing for decreased fecundity of the flowers.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another implication of the introduction of foreign species into an ecosystem is the potential for toxins to be spread up the species chain is increased. For example, in ports all over the world, ships empty their ballast tanks containing large amounts of sea water, often laced with organisms not naturally found in their new region. The zebra mussel provides food for a certain type of fish, and also contains several toxins because it is a filter feeder. The level of toxins in the fish due to the biological amplification is high. But if and when a new type of fish are introduced, which eats zebra mussels and provides a more preferred food for the fish which formerly ate the mussels, a new level of biological amplification is inserted.

The Great Depression Possible Leads to Its Cause :: essays papers

The Great Depression Possible Leads to Its Cause The Great Depression is known as the worst economic disaster of our time. While this fact is accepted throughout the world, a specific cause to this disaster remains a mystery. Maybe there is no one certain reason. Maybe it was a result of widespread factors causing the world-wide recession. Overproduction, World War I, and the banking system were all origins of the Great Depression. Thanks to the "roaring twenties," consumers of the late twenties were very confident. They didn't care to spend. To complement the increased spending, producers began to spend more as technology improved production speeds and costs. Author T.H. Watkins says "more and better goods were produced during this time (the 1920's), than at any time in history" (45). With slightly increasing wages, consumers bought as much as their wallet would allow them. However, they couldn't afford to purchase all that was produced and overproduction occurred. Even though overproduction occurred, that still wasn't enough to cause this stagnant economic recession. World War I was partly to blame because it had made the international economy unstable. Though Great Britain was the national creditor before the war, devastating circumstances made G.B. needy for some finances instead. In fact, much of the continent of Europe had been destroyed. Factories, farms, and homes were all brought to the ground as the battle between nations began. By the end of the war, the United States was the least harmed of the Allied nations. The United States didn't lose near the lives but it did lose a lot of money. After the war, nations still sought cash to repair their tarnished homelands. The United States and its supposed booming economy became the lender to many countries. These loans couldn't be repaid. In fact, Europe even relied on U.S. loans to purchase U.S. goods. With the foreign trade market in a downward spiral, it was evident that harsh times were soon to come. As Paul Gusmorino illustrates on his web page, by 1929, ten percent of American gross national product went into exports. When the foreign nations discovered they couldn't afford to buy U.S. goods, U.S. exports fell a drastic thirty percent seemingly overnight. The $1.5 billion lost in foreign sales between 1929 to 1933 was one-eighth of all lost American sales, Gusmorino concludes. So, as the world economy became a nightmare, the banking system of the United States also became a disgust.

The Invasion of the Florida Everglades Ecosystem by the Brazilian Peppe

The Invasion of the Florida Everglades Ecosystem by the Brazilian Pepper It was as if the class had just stepped out onto the moon the way the limestone craters pockmarked the area's surface. It looked most uninhabitable indeed! Yet, here and there tufts of sawgrass had naturally reseeded and sprung up to reclaim the land. Like the American flag hoisted in place by Neil Armstrong on the moon, the tufts of sawgrass seemed to be saying, â€Å"One small step for sawgrass, one giant leap for the Everglades ecosystem!† Indeed, to witness the success of the Hole-in-the-Donut Restoration Project is like being the captain of a boat lost at sea catching a break in the fog long enough to glimpse a beacon's light before it becomes shrouded again in the mist of politics, economics and bureaucracy. Yet, that brief glimpse of light is enough to encourage even me, an increasingly cynical and apathetic environmentalist, to trudge on. Before this seemingly barren lunar landscape emerged, the first invasive exotic species to colonize what would later be called the Hole-in-the-Donut area were a group of Homosapiens sapiens subsp. agricultis , otherwise known as farmers. After the last of the farmers left in the early 1970s, they left behind a rock-plowed, slightly elevated patch of land pregnant with nutrients otherwise not known in the mesic prairie wetlands that originally occupied this space. Thus, the scene was set for one of the most destructive vegetative invasions seen in the Everglades ecosystem thus far. The army came from Brazil and was crafty enough to get its enemy to use its own resources to advance its invasion. Its weapon: clusters of bright red berries that enticed the likes of Florida 's state bird the mockingbird, cedar wax... ...con. Bot . 32: p. 354. 6) Morton, JF. 1978. Brazilian pepper, its impact on people, animals, and the environment. Econ. Bot . 32: p. 354. 7) Workman, R, ed. 1978. Schinus : Technical proceedings of techniques for control of Schinus in south Florida : A workshop for natural area managers. Tech. report. Sanibel (FL): The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Inc. pg. 1. 8) Workman, R, ed. 1978. Schinus : Technical proceedings of techniques for control of Schinus in south Florida : A workshop for natural area managers. Tech. report. Sanibel (FL): The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Inc. pg. 19. 9) Workman, R, ed. 1978. Schinus : Technical proceedings of techniques for control of Schinus in south Florida : A workshop for natural area managers. Tech. report. Sanibel (FL): The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation, Inc. pg. 19.

In paper for Martin Luther Trial

Martin Luther is a German monk. He has given himself up to the authority of the Catholic Church to address the charges that he is a heretical revolutionist. The year is 1520 and it is taken place in the city of Worms. Historians have said that this trial has led to the birth of the modern world. Martin Luther was on a journey to Worms when a bolt of lightening knocked Luther to the ground. Luther took the lightening to be a call from God, and to the disappointment of his father, who hoped he would become a lawyer, took vows at an Augustinian monastery to begin a profoundly Christian life.A trip to Rome in 1510 caused Luther to begin to seriously question certain Catholic practices. As he watched incompetent, flippant, and cynical clergy performing their holy duties he began to experience doubts about the Catholic Church. Encouraged by the reception to his views, Luther aimed at new targets. He challenged the power of the Church to excommunicate its members, writing that only God coul d sever spiritual communion. He also questioned the primacy of the Church in Rome, suggesting that there was a lack of historical support for putting its authority above that of other churches.By holding steadfast to his interpretation of Scripture, Luther provided the impetus for the Reformation, a reform movement that would divide Europe into two regions, one Protestant and one Catholic. This set the scene for religious wars. Martin Luther is being charged on 2 counts. One, inciting members of the Catholic Church to rebel against the authority and established doctrines of the universal Christian church. Two, willful denial of the authority of the Pope and the Catholic Church.Opening statement: Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. My name is Elizabeth and it is my privilege to represent Martin Luther in this case before you today. You have heard the prosecutors explain what they hope to be proven, but the prosecutors did not tell you â€Å"all† of the facts. It is said that Luther was ‘inciting members of the Catholic Church to rebel against the authority' but Luther was representive of his time in the sense that he articulated the widespread desire for reform of the Christian church and a deep yearning for salvation.It has also been said that Luther has a willful denial of the authority of the pope and the Catholic Church when it is just that he arrived at a new understanding of the Christian doctrines. He became to believe that salvation comes not through external observances and penance but through a simple faith in Christ. The witnesses we will be examining is Martin Luther, Henry VIII, John Calvin, Queen Elizabeth, Jan Hus, John Wycliffe, and Anabaptist. After listening to what the witnesses have said we would ask you to keep an open mind and listen to ALL the evidence and return a verdict of not guilty. Thank you.

Meaning of life †Mind Essay

The meaning of life is a question that is thrown around from person to person asking them what they think. Some people have an idea of what the meaning of life is and other has no clue. Some believe that you just live life and others believe while living life you discover the meaning. During this essay I will be talking about what other people think about this question. When I had a conversation with my father about what the meaning of life is all about he had the same response to the question that basically everyone else had came up with. The one difference that he said while we were chatting was that life is full of choices and decisions. I thought long and hard for a while about what he said thinking that there was more behind it then just what he had stated. What I came up with was that maybe he was implying that what we do during our term of living is what sets up the next thing that happens in life. So each choice that we make is important in that it’s not the meaning of life that’s so important but the concept of what we do during life is the meaning. Some might disagree and imp still thinking about what my father has said to, but its just another point of view and I have no problem looking at it from a different angle. Another big topic when it comes to the question of the meaning of life is music. Music is a great way to hear what other people and especially artist think about the meaning of life thought their songs. Sometimes it’s hard to hear but if you listen closely there is always a message somewhere that says something about the meaning of life. For example in the song â€Å"I don’t wanna be† By the artist Gavin Degraw he speaks out about what he thinks about the meaning of life threw what other people are and what he doesn’t want to become. â€Å"I’m surrounded by liars everywhere I turn Imposters everywhere I turn surround me I’m surrounded by identity crisis everywhere I turn Am I the only one who’s noticed? I can’t be the only one who’s learned I don’t want to be anything other than what I’ve been trying to be lately All I have to do is think of me and I’ve peace of mind I’m tired of looking ’round rooms wondering what I got to do Or who I’m supposed to be I don’t want to be anything other than me† (www. sing365. com) What these lyrics are basically saying is that he can see that everyone around him is acting like something that there not. Then he says that he doesn’t want to act like everyone else and not know who he is but he just wants to be he and live life the way he wants to. The next topic that is a good place to find out the meaning of life is the creative minds of artist and there art work. Art work is always a good place to find out the meaning of life because again the artist have a message in there work hidden and you have to find what there saying. The only difference from music is instead of saying the message they paint the message in a form of image weather it’s a paining or it’s a sculpture. There is many ways that you can discover meaning of life. In some ways its not what you find the meaning of life in its more about what you perceive of the meaning of life. When you look at something like a painting or a song what do you think it is trying to say? Does it paint a picture in your head and what does that picture look like? I find that the best way to see the meaning of life is threw movie. Movies are an image of the life that we live but it shows us the true meaning of life in a way that we can all understand. People are blind when it comes to what makes them in this world. In a movie the character is set up to live there life and threw events shows us what makes them unique. In one movie the Shaw shank redemption the main character Andy is convicted for a murder that he doesn’t commit and is forced to go to hail for life. In the movie you think that he has nothing to live for anymore but in a way they present what his meaning of life is and how it comes clear to the characters eyes. The character see’s that he needs certine things in life to live. Friends was one of the things that he discovered was important to live a happy and full life. Hope is another one; if you don’t have hope then you have nothing to look forward to so then what is the point of living. The main thought in the movie was get busy living or get busy dieing. What this is suppose to mean is if your not going to start living and doing all the things you want to complete in life you might as well start on dieing. The meaning of life is very complex and you can’t always pick up everything that it’s going to throw at you. That’s why movies, art and music in around so that other people who think about the topic more can show you there incite. If you listen and look at thoughts things you can learn things that will show you what the meaning of life is or at least what you can do to get started on living your life.