Translating the Spanish Verb Probar to English

Translating the Spanish Verb Probar to English Although the Spanish verb probar comes from the same Latin word as the English verb prove, it has a much wider range of meanings than the English word. It carries with it the idea not only of verifying that something is true, valid or suitable, but also of testing or trying to determine if that is the case. In fact, it can more often be translated as to test or to try than as to prove. Probar Meaning To Prove When it means to prove, probar is often followed by que: Hernando de Magallanes probà ³ que la Tierra es redonda. (Ferdinand Magellan proved that the Earth is round.) Los cientà ­ficos probaron que el cerebro de los sicà ³patas es biolà ³gicamente diferente. (The scientists proved that the brain of psychopaths is biologically different.) Si pides asilo polà ­tico en cualquier lugar, tienes que probar que hay persecucià ³n polà ­tica. (If you ask for political asylum anywhere, you have to prove that there is political persecution.) A veces tengo la sensacià ³n que alguien me observa, pero no puedo probarlo. (Sometimes I have the feeling that someone is watching me, but I cant prove it.) Probar Meaning To Test or To Try Probar is used in a wide variety of contexts to refer to the trying or testing of an item or activity. The context will determine whether try or test is a suitable translation, although often either one can be used. Los cientà ­ficos probaron la tà ©cnica en ratones diabà ©ticos. (The scientists tested the technique on diabetic mice.) Se probà ³ el mà ©todo tradicional empleado en el laboratorio. (The traditional method used in the laboratory was tried.) Se probà ³ la droga en catorce personas. (The drug was tested on 14 people.) Cuando la compaà ±Ãƒ ­a probà ³ Windows Server, vio importantes beneficios. (When the company tried Windows Server, it saw important advantages.) Una patata chiquita querrà ­a volar. Probaba y probaba y no podà ­a volar. (A little potato wanted to fly. She tried and she tried and she could not fly.) Using Probar in Reference to Food and Clothing Probar is very commonly used when referring to tasting food or putting on clothing, usually but not necessarily to see whether it is suitable. In a few cases, as in the final example below, it can refer to a habitual action rather than a single event. As in the examples below, it is very common to use the reflexive form, probarse, when referring to the trying on of clothing. Yo no querrà ­a probar los saltamontes fritos. (I didnt want to taste the fried grasshoppers.) Esta sopa de pollo es muy cicatrizante y te ayudar.  ¡Prà ³bala! (This chicken soup is very healing and will help you. Taste it!) Marco llegà ³ y rpidamente se probà ³ la camisa oficial del equipo. (Marco arrived and quickly tried on the teams official shirt.) Cenicienta se probà ³ la zapatilla de cristal. (Cinderella put on the crystal slipper.) Alejandra no prueba la carne porque piensa que es ms sano ser vegetariana. (Alejandra doesnt eat meat because she believes it is healthier to be a vegetarian.) In the negative form when referring to food or drink, probar can indicate that the person doesnt consume the product at all. No pruebo la carne de caballo. (I dont eat horse meat.) Phrases Using Probar The most common phrase using probar is obligacià ³n de probar, a legal term meaning burden of proof. En Estados Unidos, el fiscal tiene la obligacià ³n de probar. (In the United States, the prosecutor has the burden of proof.) Probar suerte typically means to try ones luck. Nuestra hija prueba suerte en Hollywood. (Our daughter is trying her luck in Hollywood.)

B-26 Marauder, World War II Bomber Aircraft

B-26 Marauder, World War II Bomber Aircraft General: Length: 58 ft. 3 in.Wingspan: 71 ft.Height: 21 ft. 6 in.Wing Area: 658 sq. ft.Empty Weight: 24,000 lbs.Loaded Weight: 37,000 lbs.Crew: 7 Performance: Power Plant: 2 Ãâ€" Pratt Whitney R-2800-43 radial engines, 1,900 hp eachCombat Radius: 1,150 milesMax Speed: 287 mphCeiling: 21,000 ft. Armament: Guns: 12 Ãâ€" .50 in. Browning machine gunsBombs: 4,000 lbs. Design Development In March 1939, the US Army Air Corps began seeking a new medium bomber. Issuing Circular Proposal 39-640, it required the new aircraft to have a payload of 2,000 lbs, while possessing a top speed of 350 mph and a range of 2,000 miles. Among those to respond was the Glenn L. Martin Company which submitted its Model 179 for consideration. Created by a design team led by Peyton Magruder, the Model 179 was a shoulder-winged monoplane possessing a circular fuselage and tricycle landing gear. The aircraft was powered by two Pratt Whitney R-2800 Double Wasp radial engines which were slung under the wings. In an effort to achieve the desired performance, the aircrafts wings were relatively small with a low aspect ratio. This resulted in a high wing loading of 53 lbs./sq. ft. in early variants. Capable of carrying 5,800 lbs. of bombs the Model 179 possessed two bomb bays in its fuselage. For defense, it was armed with twin .50 cal. machine guns mounted in a powered dorsal turret as well as single .30 cal. machine guns in the nose and tail. While initial designs for the Model 179 utilized a twin tail configuration, this was replaced with a single fin and rudder to improve visibility for the tail gunner. Presented to the USAAC on June 5, 1939, the Model 179 scored highest of all of the designs submitted. As a result, Martin was issued a contract for 201 aircraft under the designation B-26 Marauder on August 10. Since the aircraft was effectively ordered off the drawing board, there was no prototype. Following the implementation of President Franklin D. Roosevelts 50,000 aircraft initiative in 1940, the order was increased by 990 aircraft despite the fact that the B-26 had yet to fly. On November 25, the first B-26 flew with Martin test pilot William K. Ken Ebel at the controls. Accident Issues Due to the B-26s small wings and high loading, the aircraft had a relatively high landing speed of between 120 and 135 mph as well as a stall speed of around 120 mph. These characteristics made it challenging aircraft to fly for inexperienced pilots. Though there were only two fatal accidents in the aircrafts first year of use (1941), these increased dramatically as the US Army Air Forces expanded rapidly after the United States entry into World War II. As novice flight crews struggled to learn the aircraft, losses continued with 15 aircraft crashing at McDill Field in one 30-day period. Due to the losses, the B-26 quickly earned the nicknames Widowmaker, Martin Murderer, and B-Dash-Crash, and many flight crews actively worked to avoid being assigned to Marauder-equipped units. With B-26 accidents mounting, the aircraft was investigated by Senator Harry Trumans Senate Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program. Throughout the war, Martin worked to make the aircraft easier to fly, but the landing and stall speeds remained high and the aircraft required a higher standard of training than the B-25 Mitchell. Variants Through the course of the war, Martin continually worked to improve and modify the aircraft. These improvements included efforts to make the B-26 safer, as well as to improve its combat effectiveness. During the course of its production run, 5,288 B-26s were built. The most numerous were the B-26B-10 and B-26C. Essentially the same aircraft, these variants saw the aircrafts armament increased to 12 .50 cal. machine guns, a larger wingspan, improved armor, and modifications to improve handling. The bulk of the added machine guns were forward-facing to allow the aircraft to conduct strafing attacks. Operational History Despite its poor reputation with many pilots, experienced aircrews found the B-26 to be a highly effective aircraft that offered a superb degree of crew survivability. The B-26 first saw combat in 1942 when the 22nd Bombardment Group was deployed to Australia. They were followed by elements 38th Bombardment Group. Four aircraft from the 38th conducted torpedo attacks against the Japanese fleet during the early stages of the Battle of Midway. The B-26 continued to fly in the Pacific through 1943 until it was withdrawn in favor of standardizing to the B-25 in that theater in early 1944. It was over Europe that the B-26 made its mark. First seeing service in support of Operation Torch, B-26 units took heavy losses before switching from low-level to medium-altitude attacks. Flying with the Twelfth Air Force, the B-26 proved an effective weapon during the invasions of Sicily and Italy. To the north, the B-26 first arrived in Britain with the Eighth Air Force in 1943. Shortly thereafter, B-26 units were shifted to the Ninth Air Force. Flying medium-altitude raids with the proper escort, the aircraft was a highly accurate bomber. Attacking with precision, the B-26 struck a multitude of targets prior to and in support of the invasion of Normandy. As bases in France became available, B-26 units crossed the Channel and continued to strike at the Germans. The B-26 flew its last combat mission on May 1, 1945. Having overcome its early issues, the Ninth Air Forces B-26s posted the lowest loss rate in the European Theater of Operations at around 0.5%. Briefly retained after the war, the B-26 was retired from American service by 1947. During the course of the conflict, the B-26 was used by several Allied nations including Great Britain, South Africa, and France. Dubbed the Marauder Mk I in British service, the aircraft saw extensive use in the Mediterranean where it proved an adept torpedo bomber. Other missions included mine-laying, long-range reconnaissance, and anti-shipping strikes. Provided under Lend-Lease, these aircraft were scrapped after the war. In the wake of Operation Torch in 1942, several Free French squadrons were equipped with the aircraft and supported Allied forces in Italy and during the invasion of southern France. The French retired the aircraft in 1947.

Business for transport Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business for transport - Essay Example These are the times when the organizations have unique resources and skills which help to satisfy the needs and requirements in specific mannerisms that are difficult to emulate. Michael Porter’s principle of differentiation is therefore something that takes a great amount of understanding before it could be deciphered in the most apt way. The generic business strategy regimes play their roles well so that the differentiation factor is embedded in a proper way. What differentiation does in essence is to get the message straight to the generic business hubs that it is there for creating the vital difference which will rule the roost within business at the end of the day. The target markets would be given the best possible solution in terms of the differentiation strategy because it helps shape up the business realms from a number of different angles. The differentiation strategy is always a good undertaking because it offers the business the alternatives that are much desired a nd which shall bring in the sound results in the long run scheme of things. Since differentiation is entirely dependent on the intricate details of the products themselves, it would be important to make a note of the generic business realms before delving into such discussions. The differentiation strategy helps the products to compete in such a manner that success is written all over it. This is so because the differentiation aspects are focused on highlighting the exact changes that could be mustered up within the products, and how these would embody accomplishment for the specific business hubs. There are the two different variants which are termed within the differentiation strategy. These include the shareholder value model which signifies the timing of the use of the specialized knowledge which creates a differentiation advantage until the knowledge remains distinctive. Similarly, the unlimited resources model within the differentiation strategy makes use of a large base of re sources which allows an organization to outwit the competitors (Porter, 1998). The differentiation strategy is applicable within the domains of the broad market scope and uniqueness competency which remain significant nonetheless. Some of the most successful examples of the differentiation strategy which have been employed within the generic business realms of present times include the Asian Paints, Apple Computer, Mercedes-Benz, Hero Honda, HLL and Nike. Conclusion Michael Porter has basically described a category which consists of three different types of strategies which are in common use, and among these, differentiation strategy remains one of the most sought after within the generic business discussions. The strategy coined by Michael Porter is a comprehensive one which encloses quite a few significant pointers – all of which suggest one determinant within the business realms or the other. b) Critically assess the concept of differentiation and its relevance to business strategy in the transport and travel sector, with reference to EITHER luxury hotel train companies (e.g. Orient Express), OR cruise shipping companies (e.g. Royal Caribbean). Introduction Differentiation within the business strategy of Royal Caribbean is such that it has 5 different brands running under its folds. One more brand is under

Fitness Assignments Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Fitness Assignments - Coursework Example The client is a complete beginner to exercise and have not attended any fitness program before. In addition, the client possesses an active lifestyle with high intake of junk food. No cardio respiratory diseases or blood sugar abnormalities were identified to relate with the family history of the client. The client’s secondary motive is to remain fit and healthy. On the other hand, the primary goal of the client is to become a basketball player. A detailed information about the client has been presented below in a tabular format. Basketball is recognized as a ‘non-contact’ sport, wherein body contact is commonly witnessed among the players. Hence, basketball players usually require muscular strengths as well as body mass to maintain their position against the opponents. In this regard, certain qualities are extremely important for the basketball players to acquire a competitive edge over the opponents. Speed, agility and quick recovery are a few major fitness components that are essential for developing the performance of the individual players as well as team. The goals of the client behind attending training are to become a basketball player and keep self-fit and healthy. Hence, in line with these goals of the client, certain specific methods of testing by which further assessments can be gauged against for effective training have been designed. These testing methods will include ‘test of jumping’, ‘test of agility’, and ‘tests of strength’ (Sporis, Naglic, Milanovic, Talovic, & Jeleskovic, 2010). On each exercise, 20-30 sec work will be performed with 20-40sec recovery after the completion of each exercise. At the same time, warm up before starting exercise and cooling down after exercise will also be performed. The following exercise circuit has been set up for conducting a resistance-based circuit so that the fellow students work in each body part. The session is divided

My Endless Vacation Essay Example for Free

My Endless Vacation Essay My Never Ending Vacation Many childhood experiences may leave lifelong impressions on people. I would define my childhood as a never ending vacation. It was more than just a learning experience, but instead the time when my greatest memories were created with the people I would never forget. There are many places associated with my childhood memories, but for me, Tobago has definitely presented itself as my favorite place through out the years. As a child, I loved the thrill of packing our suitcases and going on an adventure to my favorite place, Tobago. The excitement began as we left our house in Palmiste, and began our drive to the airport. Once we arrived at the airport and boarded the plane, there was no feeling in the world that could compare to the way I felt when the plane bolted forward and lifted off the ground, taking us to our much anticipated destination. I could already feel the excitement tingling through my body. I could feel the warm embrace of the beautiful island. Tobago was my safe haven. It was staying at my grandmas house with the big pool and the marvelous view. It was seeing my grandma for the first time for the year. It was the fun of playing Marco Polo and splashing in the pool with my family. It was sitting on the porch with my sister and watching the beautiful sun setting in the distance until it eventually faded into the night sky. Tobago was sitting around a bonfire roasting sausages and marshmallows while listening eagerly to my grandmas childhood stories. It was singing campfire songs late into the night while my uncle played his guitar. It was falling asleep, laying on the ground, gazing up at the stars in the sky. Tobago was waking up at six in the morning and running into my parents room to wake them up. Tobago was the beautiful, white sand beaches and the clear blue waters. It was my mother spraying so much sunblock on me causing me to turn completely white. It was getting my hair braided. Tobago was buying bracelets and matching earrings from vendors on the beach. It was building sandcastles just to knock them down, and then build them again. Tobago was screaming last one in the water is a rotten egg! and crying when I was the rotten egg. It was the refreshing showers after a long day in the hot sun, and playing hide and  seek in the backyard. Tobago was late nights and early mornings. It was watching movies with my sister and falling asleep before half the movie was over. Tobago was eating my favorite food whenever I wanted without having to ask permission. It was a week without being forced to eat my vegetables or fruits. Most of all, it was eating grandmas delicious apple pie with vanilla ice cream on top. Tobago, without a doubt, has left indelible marks in my mind. The memories I have created there as a child are unforgettable and will forever remain with me. Tobago was me, twenty years ago, having the time of my life.

Metaphysical Poetry :: essays papers

Metaphysical Poetry Discuss the uses of metaphors of colonization in metaphysical poetry and/or Milton. "Movement across or through space becomes a process of colonization of that space." During the period of Milton's Paradise Lost as well as myriad of poets construction of an epoque submerged in metaphysical literature, a number of significant events both socio-political, entwined with a systematic religious metamorphism of the sixteenth and seventeenth century led to a time of unrest and discovery. The creators and author's of work of this periods placed their emphasis not specifically on a level of morality or self understanding but rather a rediscovery of the body and soul, almost a form of existensionalism or physical cosmos with a geography. 'All things are subject to the Mind... It measures in one thought the whole circumference of heaven and by the same line it takes the geography of the earth. The seas, the air, the fire all things of either, are within the comprehension of the mind. It has an influence on them all, whence it lakes all that may be useful, all that may be helpful in government. No limitation is prescribed to it, no restriction is upon it, but in a free scope it has a liberty upon all. And in this liberty is the excellence of the mind; in this power and composition of the mind is perfection of a man... Man is an absolute master of himself; his own safety, and tranquillity by God... are made dependent on himself.'1 In this short example of Puritanism text as it stands, alone contains a number of various references to the process of colonization, of expanding, perceiving all geographically and manipulating, making man or perhaps more specifically the colonisers omniscient and God-like. The crusader self-reliant and independent with the knowledge that God is his guardian of safety and tranquillity. In this particular the growing number of Puritans played a significant role both in the cultivation and transformation of the Christian religion and foreign territories. The Puritans themselves comprised of those in the Church of England unhappy with limitations of the Elizabethan Settlement; some were Presbyterians, and all were to some extent or other Calvinists (though not all Calvinists were Puritans). They were a people of scrupulous moral rigour and favoured plain styles of dress, detesting any form of luxury or decadence. The name Puritan later became a catch-all label for the disparate groups who led much of the New World colonization and won the English Civil Wars. New World colonization began as early as 1480 by English seamen performing spectacular feats of exploration

Shark: Blood and Dr. Ramos

Eight-year-old Jim Morris, wading in the warm current off Florida's Gulf Coast, swam easily toward his sister Amy and his uncle Robert. But the kids' fun in the shoulder-deep water was cut short by Jim's shouts of â€Å"Get it off me! Get it off me! † Amy's screams sliced through the peacefully rolling breakers like a knife, â€Å"Help! A shark has bitten off my brother's arm! Call 911! † Nearby swimmers heard the cries as Uncle Robert yelled, â€Å"Help us get the shark. It swallowed the arm! † The swimmers converged on the spot, grabbing the six-and-a-half-foot bull shark by the tail and holding on for dear life. The twitching shark was hauled ashore barehanded by the group of men and shot. They pried open the shark's mouth while Robert pulled Jim's right arm out from between its jaws. As the boy's blood soaked into the white sand, lifeguards began CPR and applied a tourniquet. Paramedics arrived to stabilize Jim for transport to nearby Coastal Hospital. His arm was packed in ice and taken along. In the emergency room, Dr. Elaine Rogers, the physician on duty, quickly ordered multiple transfusions to restore the boy's blood supply as the ER team began stabilizing his vital signs. Dr. Rogers began assembling the operating room team that would attempt to reattach Jim's arm. She called Ronan McBane, a microvascular surgeon, at his home. â€Å"Ronan, we have a cleanly severed arm due to a shark bite. It looks like it was just chopped off, with not much shredding of the tissue. The sharp-edged teeth of the shark bit through the boy's arm so cleanly it almost seems to have been severed by a cleaver. The boy is eight years old and, although he is still in pretty bad shape, we think that since the arm was recovered and is in reasonably good condition, we have a good chance at success. Further conversation convinced Ronan that reattachment was possible. By the time Dr. McBane arrived, the other members of his medical team had started scrubbing for the 12 hours of surgery that would be needed to reconnect Jim's muscles, bone, and nerves. Dr. McBane announced to the watching interns: â€Å"This arm was severed about four inches above the elbow. I want first to identify the muscles, blood vessels, and nerves in both the arm and the stump. We'll mark each of these with sutures so that once Dr. Ramos has trimmed the wound and put in the supporting plate, we'll be able to come back and hoo k everything up. † Once the sutures were in place, orthopedic surgeon Juliet Ramos explained her role: â€Å"I'm going to trim bone on each side of the cut so that we can put in a plate that will keep the two parts of his arm together. This procedure will make the right arm a little shorter than the left one, but the one-inch difference shouldn't be too noticeable. † After the plate was screwed in, Dr. Ronan said: â€Å"Jim's arm is now intact from the shoulder to the hand, but the hard part is just beginning. We must now reattach each of the muscles and nerves on either side of this gap between the shoulder portion and the severed arm. We will also need to harvest the saphenous vein in order to reconnect some of these vessels. † Several hours later all of the blood vessels and nerves were connected. Dr. Ronan removed the clamps from the brachial and other arteries and blood started flowing once more through Jim's arm, bringing it to life again. As Jim was sent into the recovery room, Dr. Ramos and Dr. McBane looked at each other with relief. The two surgeons then left the operating room to explain the operation to Jim's parents. Although the prognosis for their son's recovery was good, one sentence spoken by Dr. Ramos stood out to Mr. and Mrs. Morris: â€Å"It is unlikely Jim will ever regain complete use of his arm and hand. † Note: These events are based on the real-life case of Jessie Arbogast, whose arm was bitten off by a bull shark near Pensacola, Florida, on July 6, 2001. Study Questions Look up information in your notes, text, atlas, the library, and the web about the arm and reattachment. List the additional resources you use to answer the following questions: 1. Identify at least five organ systems in this region of the arm that the surgeon would have marked for reattachment. 2. List the names of the specific structures that had to be reattached. 3. What organ system was most likely not reattached? Explain. 4. Why was a clean bite so important? 5. Why was the bone shortened? 6. Identify the movements associated with the arm, forearm, wrist, and fingers. 7. Explain how the movements of the reattached arm might be altered after the reattachment. 8. Define collateral circulation and identify the regions of collateral circulation that would be found in the upper extremity. 9. Identify the specific vessels that provide the collateral circulation to the elbow. 10. Identify specific types of activities that might cause Jim problems after recovery. 11. Why would full use of his arm be unlikely? 12. Assume the role of the surgeons as they explain the procedure to Jim's parents. Write a one- to two-page explanation about the surgery, paying particular attention to what you would say about regaining use of his arm, forearm, and hand. 13. Assume the surgery to reconnect blood vessels was successful and blood flow was re-established immediately throughout the arm. Would the nerves of the arm recover as quickly and completely as the muscles? Explain why or why not. 14. How might this situation have been different if Jim had been 80 instead of 8 years old? Image Credit: Photograph of bull shark by John Bantin. Copyright 2000. Used with permission. Date Posted: 05/24/02 nas. Revised 08/20/02. Copyright  © 2003 by the National Center for Case Study Teaching in Science. Please see our usage guidelines, which outline our policy concerning permissible reproduction of this work.

Dell Essay

4. Is Dell’s strategy working? What is your assessment of the financial performance that Dell’s strategy has delivered during fiscal years 2000-2008? Use the financial ratios presented in the Appendix of the text (pages 240-241) as a basis for doing your calculations and drawing conclusions about Dell’s performance. Selected Financial Statement Data for Dell Inc., Fiscal Years 2000 – 2008 (in million, except per share data) | February 1, 2008| February 2, 2007| February 3, 2006| January 28, 2005| January 30, 2004| February 1, 2002| January 28, 2000| Results of Operations| | | | | | | | Net Revenue| 61,133| 57,420| 55,788| 49,121| 41,327| 31,168| 25,265| Cost of Revenue| 49,462| 47,904| 45,897| 40,103| 33,764| 25,661| 20,047| Gross Margin| 11,671| 9,516| 9,891| 9,018| 7,563| 5,507| 5,218| Gross Profit Margin| 19.1%| 16.6%| 17.7%| 18.4%| 18.3%| 17.7%| 20.7%| Operating Expenses| | | | | | | | + Selling, general and administrative| 7,538| 5,948| 5,051| 4,352| 3,604| 2,784| 2,387| + Research, development and engineering| 693| 498| 458| 460| 434| 452| 374| + Special charges| -| -| -| -| -| 482| 194| Total operating expenses| 8,231| 6,446| 5,509| 4,812| 4,038| 3,718| 2,955| Total operating expenses as a % of net revenues| 13.5%| 11.2%| 9.9%| 9.8%| 9.8%| 10.4%| 10.9%| Operating Income| 3,440| 3,070| 4,382| 4,206| 3,525| 1,789| 2,263| Operating profit margin| 5.6%| 5.3%| 7.9%| 8.6%| 8.5%| 5.7%| 9.0%| Investment and other income (loss), net| 387| 275| 226| 197| 186| (58)| 188| Income before income taxes extraordinary loss, and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle| 3,827| 3,345| 4,608| 4,403| 3,711| 1,731| 2,451| Provision for income taxes| 880| 762| 1,006| 1,385| 1,086| 485| 785| Net Income| 2,947| 2,583| 3,602| 3,018| 2,625| 1,246| 1,666| Net profit margin| 4.8%| 4.5%| 6.5%| 6.1%| 6.4%| 4.0%| 6.6%| Earnings per common share: Basic| 1.33| 1.15| 1.50| 1.20|  1.02| 0.48| 0.66| Diluted| 1.31| 1.14| 1.47| 1.18| 1.01| 0.46| 0.61| Weighted average shares outstanding: Basic| 2,223| 2,255| 2,403| 2,509| 2,565| 2,602| 2,536| Diluted| 2,247| 2,271| 2,449| 2,568| 2,619| 2,726| 2,728| | | | | | | | | Cash Flow and Balance Sheet Data| | | | | | | | Net cash provided by operating activities| 3,949| 3,969| 4,751| 5,821| 3,670| 3,797| 3,926| Cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments| 7,972| 10,298| 9,070| 9,807| 11,922| 8,287| 6,853| Total assets| 27,561| 25,635| 23,252| 23,215| 19,311| 13,535| 11,560| Long-term debt| 362| 569| 625| 505| 505| 520| 508| Total stockholders’ equity| 3,735| 4,328| 4,047| 6,485| 6,280| 4,694| 5,308| Profitability Ratios | January 28, 2000| February 1, 2002| January 30, 2004| January 28, 2005| February 3, 2006| February 2, 2007| February 1, 2008| Gross Profit Margin| 20.7%| 17.7%| 18.3%| 18.4%| 17.7%| 16.6%| 19.1%| Operating Profit Margin| 9.0%| 5.7%| 8.5%| 8.6%| 7.9%| 5.3%| 5.6%| Net Profit Margin| 6.6%| 4.0%| 6.4%| 6.1%| 6.5%| 4.5%| 4.8%| The chart shows the Profitability Ratios of Dell from 2000 to 2008. In general, from 2000 to 2008, the profit of Dell was quite stable. As we can see, Dell’s strategy is still working and makes a lot of money for Dell every year. However, there was no remarkable increase. The net profit margin has been about 5% during Fiscal Years 2000 – 2008. | January 28, 2000| February 1, 2002| January 30, 2004| January 28, 2005| February 3, 2006| February 2, 2007| February 1, 2008| Return on total assets (ROA)| 14.4%| 9.2%| 13.6%| 13.0%| 15.5%| 10.1%| 10.7%| Return on Stockholder’s Equity (ROE)| 31.4%| 26.5%| 41.8%| 46.5%|  89.0%| 59.7%| 78.9%| Return on invested capital (ROI)| 28.6%| 23.9%| 38.7%| 43.2%| 77.1%| 52.7%| 71.9%| The chart indicates ROA, ROE and ROI of Dell from 2000 to 2008. From 2000 to 2008, ROA has been stable because Dell built a lot of manufactory. However, ROE and ROI had very impressive increase since 2000. In 2006, ROE reached the peak 89% and ROI reached the peak 77.1%. It proved that Dell has used the monetary capital invested in its operations and the returns to those investments very effectively. | January 28, 2000| February 1, 2002| January 30, 2004| January 28, 2005| February 3, 2006| February 2, 2007| February 1, 2008| Long term debt to capital ratio| 0.09| 0.10| 0.07| 0.07| 0.13| 0.12| 0.09| Long term debt to equity ratio| 0.10| 0.11| 0.08| 0.08| 0.15| 0.13| 0.10| The chart shows 2 leverage ratios of Dell: Long-term debt to capital ratio and long term debt to equity ratio. These ratios are quite important because they measure creditworthiness and balance sheet strength. As we can see, all the ratios were very low, under 0.2 which had very good effect to the creditworthiness and balance sheet strength. Besides that, they could also help Dell to borrow additional funds if needed. In conclusion: Through the analysis, we can say that Dell’s strategy is still effective. It helps Dell to earn a lot of money every year. However, although Dell has gained profit during Fiscal Years 2000 – 2008, there was no remarkable increase in profit and it seemed to be stable. Dell’s strategy has been very successful when it helped the company to control the cost very well and run the company very smoothly. 5. What does a SWOT analysis reveal about the attractiveness of Dell’s situation in 2008? Dell SWOT analysis Strengths: * World’s largest PC maker. * One of the best known brands in the world. * First PC maker to offer next-day, on-site product service. * Direct to customer business model. Uses latest technology. * Dell has remarkably low operating cost relative to revenue because it cuts out the retailer and supplies directly to the customers. * Dell’s Direct Model approach enables the company to offer direct relationships with customers such as corporate and institutional customers. * Dell’s direct customer allows it to provide top-notch customer service before and after the sale. * Each Dell system is built to order to meet each customer’s specifications. Reliability, Service and Support. * Dell boasts a very efficient procurement, manufacturing and distribution process allowing it to offer customers powerful systems at competitive prices. * Dell is able to introduce the latest relevant technology compared to companies using the indirect distribution channels. * Dell is not a manufacturer; Components are made by the suppliers and Dell assembles the computers using relatively cheap labor. The finished goods are then dropped off with the customer by courier. Dell has total command of the supply chain. * Dell turns over inventory for an average of every six days, keeping inventory costs low. * Dell is enhancing and broadening the fundamental competitive advantages of the direct model by increasingly applying the efficiencies of the Internet to its entire business. Weakness: * A huge range of products and components from many suppliers from various countries. * Computer maker and not the computer manufacturer, making DELL unable to switch supply. * Dell lacked solid dealer / retailer relationships. * No propriety technology * Not attracting the college student segment of the market. Dell’s sales revenue from educational institutions such as colleges only accounts for a merely 5% of the total. * Dell’s focus on the corporate and government institutional customers somehow affected its ability to form relationships  with educational institutions. * For home users, Dell’s direct method and customization approach posed problems. For one, customers cannot go to retailers because Dell does not use distribution channels. * Customers just can’t buy Dell as simply as other brands because each product is custom-built according to their specifications and this might take days to finish. Opportunities: * Diversification strategy by introducing many new products to its range. * Personal computers are becoming a necessity now more than ever. Customers are getting more and more educated about computers. Second-time buyers would most likely avail of Dell’s custom-built computers because as their knowledge grows, so do their need to experiment or use some additional computer features. * The internet also provides Dell with greater opportunities since all they have to do now is to visit Dell’s website to place their order or to get information. * Since Dell does not have retail stores, the online stores would surely make up for its absence. It is also more convenient for customers to shop online than to actually drive and do purchase at a physical store. Threats: * Competitive rivalry that exists in the PC market globally. * New entrants to the market pose potential threats. * The threat to become outmoded is a pulsating reality in a computer business. * Price difference among brands is getting smaller. * Dell’s Direct Model attracts customers because it saves cost. Since other companies are able to offer computers at low costs, this could threaten Dell’s price-conscious growing customer base. * With almost identical prices, price difference is no longer an issue for a customer. They might choose other brands instead of waiting for Dell’s customized computers. * The growth rate of the computer industry is also slowing down. Today, Dell has the biggest share of the market. If the demand slows down, the competition will become stiffer in the process. Dell has to work doubly hard to differentiate itself from its substitutes to be able to continue holding a significant market share. => Technological advancement is a double-edge sword. It is an opportunity but at the same time a threat. Low-cost leadership strategy is no longer an issue to computer companies therefore it is important for Dell to stand out from the rest. 6. Which company is competitively stronger—Dell or Hewlett-Packard? Use the weighted competitive strength assessment methodology shown in Table 4.2 of Chapter 4 to support your answer.

The eNotes Blog 9 Dark Reads for Every Type ofBooklover

9 Dark Reads for Every Type ofBooklover Whether it’s morbid humor or downright macabre, everyone needs a spooky-themed read now and then- and that doesn’t just mean thrillers. Whether you want a modern or a classic, non-fiction or a novel, an epic poem or a play, we have nine sinister stories for you. 1. For the Brooding Romantic: Jane Eyre  by Charlotte Brontà « Jane Eyre has an undoubtedly tragic beginning, complete with a ghostly visitation and a deadly epidemic. Jane is an orphan surrounded by deaths- those of her parents, uncle, and best friend- and long abused by her aunt and the superiors at her boarding school. After boarding school, Jane goes to Thornfield estate to work as a governess, where she is tormented by deranged laughter coming from the attic in the night. Whats more, the strange demeanor of her boss, Mr. Rochester, along with their ensuing love affair, build the story into a thrilling romance-turned-horror. 2. For the Historical Fiction Aficionado: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson Erik Larson’s widely acclaimed historical novel The Devil in the White City follows two men: Henry (H.H.) Holmes, the devil, and Daniel Burnham, the architect of the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Burnham is turning Chicago around from a city that was practically a wasteland to â€Å"the White City.† However, Chicago’s most notorious killer, H.H. Holmes, is lying in wait. After Holmes attends the hugely successful fair with his new bride and her sister, he takes them back to his infamous â€Å"castle,† a labyrinth built to accommodate his murderous habits. This fictionalization of a true-crime tale adds suspense and theatrics to one of the most infamous murder cases of American history. 3. For the Ghostly Thespian: Hamlet  by William Shakespeare Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, is one of Shakespeare’s most tortured and complex protagonists. Visited by the ghost of his recently-deceased father, Hamlet discovers that the king was, in fact, murdered by his own brother, Hamlet’s uncle Claudius, in order to usurp the throne. Claudius amplifies this blow to the late king’s memory by marrying his wife and Prince Hamlet’s mother, Gertrude, shortly after the king’s death. Hamlet’s ensuing torment over whether or not to kill Claudius in revenge for his father’s death- punctuated by murders, madness, and suicide- seal his fate as a classic tragic hero. 4. For the True-Crime Junkie: Ill Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara Michelle McNamaras true-crime story paints a grisly portrait of the then-unidentified Golden State Killer, who ran rampant throughout California from 1974 until 1986. McNamara not only coined his now infamous moniker, but she is also widely credited with drawing the attention to this four-decades-long unsolved mystery that led to his capture. Ill Be Gone in the Dark just might be the greatest true-crime novel of the decade, and any murderino or Dateline-watcher will be absorbed by this book from the first page. 5. For the Fan of the Supernatural: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley As for paranormal tales, Mary Shelley’s classic exploration into the question of what makes us human remains unsurpassed. Dr. Frankenstein achieves his obsessive goal of reanimation and unleashes his creation upon the world. As the monster discovers his lonely fate, he seeks revenge on his creator. This classic horror laid the foundation for many of its successors, and its questions about the humanity of scientific creations have only become more relevant in todays world. 6. For the Creepy Classics Lover: Inferno by Dante Alighieri The oldest text on our list, Inferno paints a grisly landscape of hell- in all its regions, creations, and horrors- informed by Dante’s medieval context. This epic poem describes in graphic detail the torment of sinners in the afterlife, giving readers a disturbing perspective of medieval theology. While Dante’s melodrama adds subtle humor for todays readers- for example, his fantasies of meeting his hero, the ancient Roman poet Virgil, and of his enemies being tortured for their sins- his scenes of human suffering paint a bleak picture of life after death. 7. For the Grim Poet: â€Å"The Raven,† â€Å"The Cask of Amontillado,† and â€Å"The Tell-Tale Heart† by Edgar Allan Poe Though these are a series of distinct poems and short stories, Poe’s defining and ominous style cemented his canon in the history of poetry are best represented in these three works. Death of a one true love, murder, and foreboding omens tie these tales to one another, giving readers a feel for Poe’s gothic style of poetry. Plus, they are great starting points from which to enter Poe’s extensive collection of other grim works. 8. For the Macabre Humorist: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes: And Other Lessons from the Crematory by Caitlin Doughty Caitlin Doughty’s first publication, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, is the memoir of Doughty, a twenty-three-year-old novice mortician. It follows her from her first job as a crematory operator, filled with morbid misadventures, to her time in mortuary school, where she develops a passion for changing the way people view death and dying. Doughty’s sharp humor and unusual enthusiasm for undertaking make this book a distinctive combination of creepy and clever. 9. For the Dystopian Devotee: 1984  by George Orwell A picture of a dystopian future, Orwell’s classic novel is gaining relevance as it is referenced more in the media today more than ever before. In Oceania, the homeland of 1984’s protagonist, Winston Smith, most everyone is constantly surveilled by the government, or â€Å"Big Brother.† This totalitarian regime goes to great lengths to maintain power- burning â€Å"dangerous† books, altering history, forcing citizens to participate in allegiance rituals, and eradicating love and intimacy; that is, until Winston and his lover, Julia, defy Big Brother’s rules in pursuit of knowledge and freedom.

How to bridge language barriers - Emphasis

How to bridge language barriers How to bridge language barriers A new dictionary is set to make sense of that most inscrutable of languages: teen speak. This comprehensive reference book, called Pimp Your Vocab, aims to allow bemused parents and teachers to comprehend such teenglish terms as owned (meaning embarrassed), smacked it (to have done well), and teek (adjective for very old; from antique). Understanding your child or pupil may help you to save face (though its probably best not to adopt these words yourself); but being completely clear in business communications can be the difference between winning and losing a client. Thinking globally In the modern world of global commerce, chances are at some point youll have to correspond with someone in another part of the world. We know technology can instantly transport information to just about anywhere on the planet, but are you sure your message will be completely understood once its there? If you are writing any work document (including any letters and emails) for someone whose first language isnt English, there are some rules that you must follow if you want to be understood. 1. Think of the reader and keep it simple This advice really applies to all business writing, but it is particularly important across language barriers. Use the most straightforward words and sentences you can. So, instead of saying, we have been thinking of implementing some alterations, please see them outlined in the attached document, try descriptions of the changes we want to make are in the attached document. Usually you should try to avoid tions (like description, recommendation etc.), as they tend to make sentences heavy with extra words. However, in this case its good to use them, since other languages often have recognisable equivalents. 2. Structure thoughtfully You want to make the readers journey through your document as smooth and easy as possible. Plan thoroughly first to make sure you structure it in the most logical way and use clear subheadings to guide them. If they have to work even harder by following a haphazard stream-of-consciousness, you risk irritating them and losing their interest entirely. 3. Be literal and explain yourself Be very aware of the language you choose. English is bursting with idioms (expressions that dont make sense from literal translations), like put the project to bed, cut the mustard and clear as mud. Avoid these entirely. What is an everyday term to us could well be utterly bewildering to your reader just imagine them looking up each individual word to understand the sentiment behind think outside the box or a different kettle of fish. Even such simple phrasal verbs as turned up and stand for dont make literal sense. Use came and represent or mean instead. Abbreviations and acronyms should also be used with care, or left out if possible. If you really cant avoid including them, make sure you explain them at your first use, or add a glossary. If you stick to these principles in your global dealings, you will reap the rewards. But when you do, just try to resist telling your colleagues that you totally smacked it.

Network security Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Network security - Essay Example There is a requirement of a powerful vulnerability assessment and management tool that will facilitate the network security team in crises situations. Moreover, there is one more challenge for the network administrators i.e. they are not able to find traces for the threat that has already penetrated into a distributed network environment. Likewise, distributed network is a merger of two or more networks and may be operational on a broad spectrum. Moreover, the existing network security controls are not capable to detect the worm, as the distributed network is connected to one or more networks; it is difficult to analyze specific anomalies and patterns of unknown activity on the distributed network. Furthermore, the combination of infinite data packets can construct a major impact on the network because they all have the same frequency and are associated with the same domain that is similar to the current scenario. For addressing this issue, powerful vulnerability detection and assess ment tools are required for detecting threats on a distributed network. ... Moreover, these tools will also facilitate to categorize data packets in to time and frequency domains distinctly. Furthermore, network administrators can also implement a methodology, subset of the current methodology, which is called as anomalous space extraction based on predictions of network traffic or transmission of data packets. Successful information security management involves an amalgamation of prevention, detection and response in order to deploy a strong security defense. Security has become an encircling issue for designers and developers of the digital world. A system should also be able to counter incidents and raise proper procedures in case an information security incident occurs. Information security incident handling takes a stride forward in the information security management procedure. The aim is to provide a reference for the management, administration and other technical operational staff. If considering the enterprise government, focus on executing manageme nt actions is required to support the strategic goals of the organization. It has been calculated approximately half of the breaches to the security of the information systems are made by the internal staff or employee of the organization. Security incident management facilitates the development of security incident handling and planning including preparation for detection and reply to information security issues. The standard of the incident management primarily relates to ensure the existence of processes rather than the contents of these procedures. The security incident of different computing systems will have dissimilar effects and escort to different consequences, bureau, departments the organization need to tailor the security