Video game industry in North America Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Video game industry in North America - Essay Example Interactive game industry is the other term used in reference to the video game industry as it comprises of thousands of disciplines. The industry developed in the 1970s because of curiosity in which their development shifted from a focused market to a mainstreamed one (Huntemann & Aslinger, 2013). Presently, the video game industry is the most profitable component of the North American economy as it the profits generated from the sale of video game merchandise translates to billions of dollars. Ideally, the advancement in the computer or technology industry draws influence from the video gaming sector as the sector has facilitated significant improvements. For instance, the video game industry influenced the development of sound cards as video game players sought to develop the quality of sound produced but video games. Presently, modern games are a demanding lot as they require advanced applications on personal computers hence influencing the purchase of high quality equipment. The refore, this essay will delve on the video game industry in North America while focusing on the benefits and disadvantages of the same on the economy and the population. History of the Video game industry in North America Video games developed in North America contribute at least thirty percent of the games in the video game market. With this attribute, the industry that started almost forty decades ago has attracted the interest of many researchers in terms of their impact on the reality of the game players. Many researches have had their focus on the contents of the video games or the production aspects of the same. Ideally, the video game industry has a correlation with the development of the software industry in the North American continent, but the two industries took divergent paths as time progressed. However, the establishment of the video game industry is a subject that has dotted lines as it is not clear whether it started with Russell Steven with his colleagues or Baer Ra lph as they developed Magnavox Odyssey and Space wars respectively (Yost, 2005). These two individuals are just among the few that the video game industry cites as the developers of video game consoles in North America. In essence, the game console is the most significant aspect of video games as the device is needful in the running of video games. In definitive terms, the game console is a gaming device that can host numerous games that have different contents and display the contents on a television screen. For instance, the Nintendo 64 was the greatest game console to have hit the video game industry with its release in 1997. On the other hand, video game companies emerged in a period between the 1980s and the 1990s, but the game console sector remained as the principal force in the North American continent. Appendices 1: Comparison between the sales of video game consoles and PC game sales Year Console games Net sales Personal computer Game Sales 2006 231.8 Million pieces 1.2 Mi llion pieces 2007 388.4 Million pieces 5.2 Million pieces 2008 628.5 Million pieces 9.3 Million pieces 2009 602.3 Million pieces 8.8 Million pieces 2010 636 Million pieces 17.6 Million pieces The table asserts that sales in video game console are higher as compared to the sales of PC games making this aspect the object of focus for video game publishers and developers (Tremblay, 2007). Essentially, video game consoles are vital in the maintenance of the existing structures of the North American video game industry. Video game structures in North America As part of the regulations governing this industry, the acquisition of a license from the manufacturer is vital before a game development studio creates a game console. The license is an agreement

Developmental Delays and Trauma Essay Example for Free

Developmental Delays and Trauma Essay Developmental delays is when your child does not reach their developmental milestones at the projected times. It is an ongoing major or minor delay in the course of development. Developmental delays can have many different causes. There are many types of Developmental delays in children; they include problems with language or speech, vision, movement (motor skills), social, emotional and cognitive skills (van der Kolk, 1995). Developmental delays are easily distinguished if you pay close attention to the development and milestone periods contained by children; for example if you notice a child having a low attention span, they can’t stay still, they’re highly active and energetic all the time, that’s perhaps due to attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, known as ADHD. There are so many different things that can cause developmental delays and children aren’t always born with developmental delays. Although, developmental delays can be genetic or born with, there are times when trauma at different ages can cause developmental delays such as a child being abused and suffering brain trauma, concussion, which could cause memory lost. Or there could be an accident and a child or adult undergo serious injuries to the spine, eyes, etc. Spinal injuries can be of damage to you motor skills. Spinal injuries or brain injuries if serious can lead to you basically having to start over as if you were a baby learning to walk, read, jump, or talk. The Shaken baby syndrome also can be a trauma that can cause brain injuries. There are numerous of things that have major components to play in developmental delays. Trauma definitely plays a one of those major parts in developmental delays. There are a number of Trauma’s that can cause development delays. It doesn’t always have to be abuse or accidents. Trauma can be caused by divorce, neglect, bullying, sports injuries, or even bad relationship breaks up. These types of trauma are called psychological trauma. Psychological  traumas effects are mostly emotional and it isn’t always permanent. Psychological trauma causes anger, irritability; mood swings, guilt, hopeless, anxiety, withdrawing, and disconnected to name a few. For divorce, Feldman says (2011) ch ildren and adults may experience depression, and disturbances and phobias and these things last from 6 months up until 2 years. Feldman states children whose parents are divorcing blames themselves for the breakup. He also states, evidence shows that twice as many children of divorced parents enter psychological counseling (Feldman, 2011). Children under the age 18 suffer 40% more anxiety as a result of divorce (van der Kolk, 1995). About 10-15 percent of students are bullied one time or the other (Feldman, 2011) and almost 85% of girls and 80% of boys are being bullied (Feldman, 2011). Those who are bullied lack social skills, cry easy (Feldman, 2011), and they experience depression, stress, anger, etc. Prayer and meditation help brain activity. Mediation to the mind is like an aerobic exercise to the body. Studies have also shown that meditation promotes mindfulness, decreased stress, insomnia, illnesses, depression, anxiety and panic. Spiritual connection brings comfort and healing to trauma. Researchers are learning the parts of the brain that are responsible for the spiritual thoughts, prayer and meditation. In one of our presentations his week, Dr. Jeanne Brooks stated that we have a spir itual part in our brain (2014). There are good and bad parts to everyone, I believe the good part is the spiritual part in everyone. For example, we’ve all seen cartoons in which there was a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other. The shoulder with the angel is the part of us, the part of our brain or conscious that’s spiritual. References Brooks, Jeanne Dr. â€Å"Divorce and Stress† video presentation. LUO (2014) Feldman, R.S. (2014). Development across the Life Span (7th edition) Namka,, L. (2001). Children who are traumatized by bullying. alk, Trust and Feel Therapeutics., p. 18. Van Der Kolk, an der Kolk, B. (1995). developmental trauma disorder : Towards a rational diagnosis for children with complex trauma histories.

Hume on Revolution :: Government Politics Papers

Hume on Revolution David Hume offers a well conceived plan for the formation of government and its political workings. Furthermore, he grants that in special circumstances the citizens of a particular government may revolt. However, with respect to obedience and disloyalty, Hume gives no formal rules for revolution. We would like something more from Hume regarding revolution and, more specifically, what he considers justified revolution. Some authors, such as Richard H. Dees, find the basis for Hume’s account of justified revolution in his historical works. By connecting Hume’s historical writings with his political theory, we find a fuller account of revolution. Such an account, however, does not require him to give a rule or maxim prescribing revolution since such a rule or maxim would obviously go against his political theory as stated in the Treatise and his political essays. In sum, justified revolution for Hume centers around the established political practices and the principled ca uses held by factions. Unjustified revolutions, however, are denoted by lack of adherence to established practices and want of a genuine cause. They are, rather, motivated by speculative factions subject to fanaticism and enthusiasm which are the foundations of Hume’s political worries. These central tenets of Hume’s view of revolution are delineated within this paper. Introductory Remarks In "Of Passive Obedience," Hume chastises those who endorse at length the maxims of resistance. Disloyal acts are considered to be immoral because they strike us as being contrary to preserving order in society. The desire to preserve peace and order in society, for self-interest, motivates people to obey authority. We are, thus, to regard disobedience towards authority as something to be avoided. Hume writes, Besides; we must consider, that, as obedience is our duty in the common course of things, it ought chiefly to be inculcated; nor can any thing be more preposterous than an anxious care and solicitude in stating all the cases, in which resistance may be allowed.(1) For Hume, it is of major importance and consequence that obedience is taught and demonstrated for its benefits. First of all, liberty and commerce depend on obligation to promises. Secondly, submission to government is necessary for the performance of promises. Disobedience and revolution put both of these advantageous in jeopardy. Hume, however, in his explanation of the formation of government claims that government can be overthrown in times of egregious tyranny. To be sure, Hume had admittedly agreed with the Glorious Revolution of 1688 and sympathized with the American colonial situation but he finds too much liberty of resistance pernicious.

Nature and Materialism in Walden

Henry David Thoreau, an American author, lived alone in a small cabin which he himself built on the banks of Walden Pond near Concord, Massachusetts   for two years and two months starting in July 4, 1845. He gave an interesting account of this experience and experiment in living alone in a place close to nature and away from civilization in his book entitled Walden published in 1854. I especially liked Thoreau’s philosophical ideas and reflections that he learned while living in Walden. His experiences in living in Walden Pond encourages people to slow down and reflect on the kind of life that they are living whether they are supposedly living the kind of life that was meant to be. According to Miller, â€Å"He [Thoreau] endeavored to find the foundation for a more simple, honest, and pure life which he contrasted to the lives of â€Å"quiet desperation† led by most of his contemporaries† (Miller 1995). In relating his experiences, Thoreau also used wit and humor so that he made life away from civilization an interesting idea. What I do not like is that Thoreau can be extreme in his advocacy for simplicity. For example, he believed that â€Å"water is the only drink for a wise man; wine is not a noble liquor; and think of dashing the hopes of a morning with a cup of warm coffee, or of an evening with a dish of tea!† (Thoreau 182).   I do not agree that moderate drinking of tea and coffee is harmful to man. Throughout the book, Thoreau praised the life living in simplicity close to nature. For him life with nature is like living life in innocence. Every morning with nature, he felt renewed as he was far from noise and disturbance. In the cabin, he felt remote from the life that he had left behind with civilization and in so doing, he had the time to think about life in its purer form, to have an effective intellectual exertion. I do agree with Thoreau that nature had its positive effect of renewing the inner spirit of man for in their presence one felt relaxed and calm. Life away from nature can be very stressful and demanding and with time, one no longer knew what was important about living. Modern civilization in particular can be very stressful as more emphasis is put on the acquisition of material wealth. One is caught in the never-ending web of earning money as much as he can to live a supposed comfortable life so that he had no time to stop and smell the flowers. Yet the truth in most cases is that oftentimes modern man would not be able to enjoy what he worked so hard for either because he had no   time to do so or that he got sick for working too hard so that his money was spend in medical expenses ( Medical Science News 2005). According to Thoreau â€Å"Most of the luxuries, and many of the so-called comforts of life, are not only not indispensable, but positive hindrances to the elevation of mankind (Thoreau 10)†. I totally agree in this judgment because I have noticed that some of the inventions of modern man only deprived him of the exercise that he needs for healthy living. For example in cleaning the house he had floor polisher that replaced manual floor scrubbing so that in return he sweats less than he used to. Also, man had used the luxury of cars at his disadvantage for even in a short distance he will not take a walk. No wonder Thoreau had concluded, â€Å"the nation itself †¦ its so-called internal improvements, which, by the way, are all external and superficial†¦ is cluttered by furniture and tripped by its own traps †¦ (Thoreau 75)†. In my life, these ideas had largely opened my eyes to the reality that I do not have to compete for the acquisition of wealth for in so doing I may fail to really live. I believe now that many people who only spend their whole lifetime gaining possessions never actually lived after all. Their bodies and minds are like machines that are employed to acquire many of the supposed luxuries of life. For me, to avoid such a mistake, I must see to it that I spend sometime with nature in order to reflect and to be renewed. Thoreau’s Walden therefore revealed to man the need for simple living and to be close to nature and avoid the extreme need to acquire life’s luxuries. In order to really live and enjoy life man needs time to relax, to be calm, to reflect and be renewed by nature. Works Cited Medical Science News. Garvan scientists explain stress and sickness. Canadian Online Pharmacy. December 2005. Accessed April 7, 2008 < http://www.news-medical.net/?id=14885> Miller, Jakob. Two Truths in Thoreau's Inconclusive â€Å"Conclusion.   Hanover College Department of History. 1995. Accessed April 7, 2008 from Thoreau, Henry David. Walden. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 1966.               

Production Management

1. A nation's ability to compete with other nations impacts a business' strategy in the area of: A) Marketing B) Finance C) Operations D) Distribution E) All of the above 2. Competitiveness doesn’t include: A) Productivity B) Effectiveness C) Profitability D) Operations Strategy E) Operations Management 3. Cost cutting in international operations can take place because of A) lower taxes and tariffs B) lower wage scales C) lower indirect costs D) less stringent regulations E) all of the above 4. Operations management involves continuous decision-making; hopefully most decisions made will be: A) redundant B) minor in nature C) smart D) quantitative E) none of the above5. A ‘product package' consists of: A) the exterior wrapping B) the shipping container C) a combination of goods and services D) goods if a manufacturing organization E) customer relations if a service organization6. Multinational organizations can shop from country to country and cut costs through A) lower wage scales B) lower indirect costs C) less stringent regulations D) lower taxes and tariffs E) all of the above7. Product design and choice of location are examples of _______ decisions. A) strategic B) tactical C) operational D) customer focused E) design8. Scheduling personnel is an example of an operations management: A) mission implementation B) operational decision C) organizational strategy D) functional strategy E) tactical decision9. Productivity is expressed as: A) output plus input B) outp ut minus input C) output times input D) output divided by input E) input divided by output10. Which of the following is true about business strategies? A) An organization should stick with its strategy for the life of the business. B) All firms within an industry will adopt the same strategy. C) Well defined missions make strategy development much easier. D) Strategies are formulated independently of SWOT analysis. E) Organizational strategies depend on operations strategies.11. Which of the following activities takes place most immediately once the mission has been developed? A) The firm develops alternative or back-up missions in case the original mission fails. B) The functional areas develop their functional area strategies. C) The functional areas develop their supporting missions. D) The ten OM decision areas are prioritized. E) Operational tactics are developed.12. What term describes how an organization expects to achieve its missions and goals? A) conditional expectation B) tactic C) SWOT D) strategy E) competitive advantage13. Which of the following is not a key step toward improving productivity? A) developing productivity measures for all operations B) improving the bottleneck operations C) establishing reasonable goals for improvement D) considering incentives to reward workers E) converting bond debt to stock ownership14. The fundamental purpose of an organization's mission statement is to A) create a good human relations climate in the organization B) define the organization's purpose in society C) define the operational structure of the organization D) generate good public relations for the organization E) define the functional areas required by the organization15. The ratio of good output to quantity of raw material input is called A) non-defective productivity B) process yield C) worker quality measurement D) total quality productivity E) quantity/quality ratio16. Time-based approaches of business organizations focus on reducing the time to a ccomplish certain necessary activities. Time reductions seldom apply to: A) product/service design time B) processing time C) delivery time D) response time for complaints E) internal audits17. Business organizations consist of three major functions which: A) overlap B) are mutually exclusive C) exist independently of each other D) function independently of each other E) do not interface with each other18. The external elements of SWOT analysis are: A) strengths and weaknesses B) strengths and threats C) opportunities and threats D) weaknesses and opportunities E) strengths and opportunities19. Which of the following is not one of the Ten Critical Decisions of Operations Management? A) location strategy B) human resources and job design C) managing quality D) design of goods and services E) determining the financial leverage position20. Which of the following is true? A) Corporate mission is shaped by functional strategies. B) Corporate strategy is shaped by functional strategies. C ) Functional strategies are shaped by corporate strategy. D) External conditions are shaped by corporate mission. E) Functional area missions are merged to become the organizational mission.21. Operations management is applicable A) mostly to the service sector B) to services exclusively C) mostly to the manufacturing sector D) to all firms, whether manufacturing or service E) to the manufacturing sector exclusively22. Which of the international operations strategies involves a focus on high cost reductions and low local responsiveness? A) international strategy B) global strategy C) transnational strategy D) multidomestic strategy E) none of the above23. Which of the following is not a key factor of competitiveness? A) price B) product differentiation C) flexibility D) after-sale service E) size of organization24. Gourmet Pretzels bakes soft pretzels on an assembly line. It currently bakes 800 pretzels each 8-hour shift. If the production is increased to 1,200 pretzels each shift, the productivity increases by: A) 50% B) 33% C) 25% D) 67%25. An operation that processes less than a previous operation is called a: A) bottleneck B) multi-factor constraint C) parallel operation D) turnabout process E) tactical operation26. Which of the following is not a type of operations? A) goods production B) storage/transportation C) entertainment D) communication E) all the above involve operations27. Which one of the following would not generally be classified under the heading of transformation? A) assembling B) teaching C) staffing D) farming E) consulting28. Which of the following is least likely to be a Cost Leadership competitive advantage? A) low overhead B) effective capacity use C) inventory management D) broad product line E) mass production29. The ability of an organization to produce goods or services that have some uniqueness in their characteristics is A) mass production B) time-based competition C) competing on productivity D) competing on flexibility E) comp eting on differentiation30. Which of the international operations strategies involves a focus on low cost reductions and high local responsiveness? A) international strategy B) global strategy C) transnational strategy D) multidomestic strategy E) none of the above31. Which of the following statements best characterizes delivery reliability? A) a company that always delivers on the same day of the week B) a company that always delivers at the promised time C) a company that delivers more frequently than its competitors D) a company that delivers faster than its competitors E) a company that has a computerized delivery scheduling system32. Which of the following best describes â€Å"experience differentiation†? A) immerses consumers in the delivery of a service B) uses people's five senses to enhance the service C) complements physical elements with visual and sound elements D) consumers may become active participants in the product or service E) All of the above are elements of experience differentiation.33. Product design and process selection are examples of decisions that are: A) financial B) tactical C) system design D) system operation E) forecasting34. The responsibilities of the operations manager are: A) planning, organizing, staffing, procuring, and reviewing B) planning, organizing, staffing, directing, and controlling C) forecasting, designing, planning, organizing, and controlling D) forecasting, designing, operating, procuring, and reviewing E) designing and operating35. Which of the following is not true about systems approach? A) A systems viewpoint is almost always beneficial in decision making. B) A systems approach emphasizes interrelationships among subsystems. C) A systems approach concentrates on efficiency within subsystems. D) A systems approach is essential whenever something is being redesigned or improved. E) All of the above are true.36. Which of the following is not a characteristic of service operations? A) intangible output B) high customer contact C) high labor content D) easy measurement of productivity E) low uniformity of output37. Which of the following does not relate to system design? A) altering the system capacity B) location of facilities C) inventory management D) selection and acquisition of equipment E) physical arrangement of departments38. Which of the following is not a benefit of using models in decision making? A) They provide a standardized format for analyzing a problem. B) They serve as a consistent tool for evaluation. C) They are easy to use and less expensive than dealing with the actual situation. D) All of the above are benefits. E) None of the above is a benefit.39. Which of the following is the best example of competing on low-cost leadership? A) A firm produces its product with less raw material waste than its competitors. B) A firm offers more reliable products than its competitors. C) A firm's products are introduced into the market faster than its competitors' products. D) A firm's research and development department generates many ideas for new products. E) A firm advertises more than its competitors.40. Reasons to study Operations Management include learning about A) how people organize themselves for productive enterprise B) how goods and services are produced C) what operations managers do D) a costly part of the enterpriseE) all of the above

Essay on Case Study

Essay on Case Study Essay on Case Study Chapter 4 Case Study - John Jacob, Inc., Online Trading System 1. With respect to telephone survey, how should customers be selected to participate? Should the customer sample be random? What questions should be asked? Customers should be randomly selected to participate in a telephone survey. You can obtain lists of random telephone numbers that are created by computer programs, or you can create your own list from local telephone directories. Questions that should be asked are: 1. What is you yearly income? 2. How long have you used our services to buy, sell, or trade stock? 3. What type of stocks do you own or will own in the future? 4. What is your gender? 5. Are you at least 18 years or older? If not ask for a person in the household that is 18 years or older. 6. How did you hear about us? 7. Were you able to navigate through our web site without problems? 2. With respect to the questionnaire, list some possible questions to include. Remember to include both close- and open-ended questions. Some possible close- and open-ended questions in a questionnaire are: 1. Do you have any suggestions for enhancing our services? 2. How would you measure your overall satisfaction with our services? Rating from 0 to 10. 3. How likely are you to continue to use our services? Rating from 0 to 10. 4. How likely is it that you would suggest a friend/coworker to try our services? Rating from 0 to 10. 5. How often do you buy, sell, or trade stocks from us? Daily, Weekly, Hourly, Monthly. 6. What was the speed of our web site? Very Slow, Slow, SO-SO, Fast, Rapid. 3. With respect to the focus group, how should customers be selected to participate? Who should lead the discussion? What questions should be asked? Should a version of the existing system be available as a discussion aid? Should a prototype of the new system be available as a discussion aid? The customers that should be selected for a focus group should be you should have similarity within a group with regard to stratifying characteristics. For example, separate groups for teachers, parents, and administrators. You should have diversity within a group with regard to other characteristics that might influence responses. Some examples are: 1. Men and women 2. Blacks, Hispanics, and whites 3. Old and young 4. Geographical and occupational mix 5. Prior knowledge or attitude toward the topic In addition, you should stay away from individuals that know one another and/or individuals of exceptionally different rank, socioeconomic rank, and/or hostile viewpoints. The person that should lead the focus group discussion should be an individual with knowledge or is qualified in-group dynamics and focus group discussions. Questions that should be asked in a focus group are: 1. What do you believe should be done to help individuals gain better access to our web site? 2. What do you think about the new user face of the web site? 3. How should the improved and faster web site be promoted? 4. What do you believe should be done to help people gain better access to their portfolios? 5. How well is the present user face functioning? I think that a version of the existing system should be available as a discussion aid so that the individual speaking can use it for reference. I also think that a prototype of the new system should be available as a discussion aid. You can use these two systems to compare the differences, good and bad. 4. With respect to the JAD session, how should customers be selected to participate? Who else should participate? What are the chief requirements that should be determined during the session? This will typically call for the program manager, the project manager, the business leaders, the subject matter experts (SME), end users, a number of programmers and perhaps some others to be there. You are looking for participation from everyone with whom this project will have a direct or indirect effect. We cannot forget the

Jacksonian Presidency Essays - Second Party System, Democracy

Jacksonian Presidency Essays - Second Party System, Democracy Jacksonian Presidency Jacksonian Presidency Summary Despite the looming effects of the Jacksonian presidency, the following only discusses the actions and results, which occurred during the Jacksonian presidency. The activation of a new presidency was accompanied by huge numbers of Hickoryites (Jacksonian supporters) and official hopefuls. Many of these hopefuls were granted their desire of holding office, which is one of the changes brought into Washington by Andrew Jackson. The major accomplishments of Jackson during his presidency pertain to his rural upbrining and democratic beliefs. Jacksons major accomplishments were his nationalization of the spoils system, his liberal application of Jeffersonian democratic policy, and his achievement of the status of president. Firstly, prior to the presidency of Andrew Jackson, the system of appointing officials was under the ideal of holding office during good behavior, which led to the holding of positions by aged and incapable politicians. Conversely, Jackson appointed officials from all w alks of life to promote the equality principles of democracy. Jackson also advocated rotation in office, which meant allow as many people serve in office for the shortest possible time for experience was discounted as a governing skill. Although these principles seem to follow the guidelines of democracy they were not entirely responsible and often the appointment of officials did not fall under these jurisdictions. The selection of officials of Jackson was in many cases the return of a financial grant during campaigning. The consideration of ability to govern, intellegence, resposiblity, etc. were ignored in the wake of compensation. Although opposites alike were granted power they were not always for the continuance of democracy. Secondly, Jefferson was the most democratic of any president at that time to come to power. In practically all areas of political application there was the existence of liberal thinking. This was especially aparent in his previously mentioned appiontment of officials. Jackson considered the roles of officials fairly simple and could and should be carried out by all people not just the members of the socially and intellectually elite. The belief of complete equality is with out a doubt Jeffersonian. Despite this already democratic view Jackson took it one step further and appointed the illiterate and plain incompetant members of society to office. This was from the influence of Jefferson and his rural upbringing in which he was at the social rump of the republic. Lastly, but of equal importance was Jacksons acheivement of president. Jackson was the very first president of the United States to have not attended college. He was completely self taught and self reliant. For someone from the backwaters of Tennessee to become president in a time of rule by the elite of the elite was revolutionary in itself. Under no other circumstances could such a leader or