Artificial Intelligence :: essays research papers fc

Artificial Intelligence: Can Small Insect Like Robots Rule the AI World? The Question that I propose is: Can insect-like robots perform tasks superior to that of any other style of robot? I am going to prove to you that the answer is yes, of course they can! With their superior stability and many less drawbacks that larger wheeled robots the legged â€Å"insects† can out perform even the most powerfully computing machines in many tasks. The applications of these robots are only limited by our imagination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people believe that artificial intelligence and robots should only be for â€Å"unthinking and repetitive tasks, or for dangerous but straightforward undertakings† (Economist 83). But as human understanding and intelligence of computer systems and technology progresses the idea of artificial intelligence becomes more of a reality instead of a vision. Right now a computer can be a matchmaker, a chess champion, and a useful searcher of medical information. And many people and programs are changing that with their leaps and bounds by actually giving the machine senses like a database of knowledge and sight and sound in the forms of a camera and a microphone respectively. In one case a robot can sense â€Å"hunger† by making a decision when it is running low on fuel to choose to refuel before it completes its task that has been scheduled. It may have to refuel multiple times before the task is completed. The decision can even be made taking into effect the distance it is away from a refueling station (Economist 84). This is one reason why a small insect –like robot could be more useful, because it could be more efficient and adaptive to the task at hand.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Much of the robotics community believes that a robot will have to be huge in size and programming to be useful in anything. But many of those types of robots could only mover across smooth surfaces like floors or roads for it to be stable and have no chance of it damaging itself by tipping over. The only way that robots could ever move where humans could, was to develop legs. But legs could be unstable causing the robot to fall, which concerned many people. But it wouldn’t be a concern if the robot was the size of an insect since insects fall down all of the time and they seem to still get around ok (Waldrop 963).

Museum Of Fine Arts Boston Essay

A flaw inherent to many business models is that the business/organization relies on a generic analysis of their resources instead of taking into account their specific product/market combination. The MFA is a museum, a school, a publisher, a retailer, a restaurateur, a film-theater, and more. Each demands unique research and analysis. A fusion of information would enable the MFA to establish an ongoing and effective strategic plan. Identification and discussion of three types of resources the MFA possesses with reference to the advantages of those resources. Three core resources (collections, audience, and exhibitions) and three supporting resources (facilities, financial, and organization) make the achievement of their strategic plan possible. Collections established a continued need to improve the quality of the collection, its management and care and provide electronic access to the collection. Audience included the need to engage, educate, and delight visitors as well as retain and expand the audience by better understanding the needs of their highly segmented target market. Special exhibitions entailed the creation of an exhibition schedule that met a variety of goals including an intellectual contribution, the attraction of visitors and revenue generation. Special-exhibition attendance is unpredictable and requires research to make reliable revenue forecasts. The supporting resources: Facilities focused specifically on enlarging and improving the museum. Financial reiterated the need for fiscal stability and fund-raising that would support facility expansion as well as other identified strategic needs. The MFA needs to maintain a balanced budget. Due to the American system of funding arts the MFA relies almost exclusively on private funding and its revenues come from memberships, admissions, sales of merchandise, restaurant food sales, school tuition, contributions, gifts and grants, and investments. The external relations group competes with other New England institutions for donations as well as educational institutions (Harvard) and area hospitals. Organization focuses on the adoption of an audience-aware, results-oriented, experimental attitude and realignment of the divisions within the MFA in order to support the strategic focus. This includes the MFA’s relationships with its customers, employees, donors and outside organizations; branding (which is directly related to mission and must be clear, specific, and not to be interpreted as a routine promise). The MFA needs to differentiate their purpose [other than to educate] from that of other museums. Their brand needs to be credible, meaningful and dependent upon a realistic mission statement. One type of resource that the organization needs to improve A significant issue for the museum is how to increase the visitor-experience in the museum. Research has revealed some key deficiencies in the visitor’s experience in the museum. Unique brand awareness challenges face the MFA because they are a non-profit multi-dimensional art institution with a highly segmented target market. The museum put together a cross-functional team that focused on initiatives related to orientation, customer service, on-site communications, and team undertook numerous initiatives to enhance the overall visitor experience of the MFA. Conclusion: why attendance is an important resource on which the MFA should focus. The museum’s will undoubtedly get focus and attract renewed attention in 2010 when the new wing opens but a continued strategy to improve core attendance is an ongoing priority. Critical questions remain: How does the MFA ensure continued, satisfactory visitor attendance? Continued education of their market, delivery on their mission and quality visitor experience. References Rangan, V. K. , Bell, M. (2005). Case 16. Museum of Fine Arts Boston. (pp. 530-557). Boston: Harvard Business School Publishing. Chiagouris, L. (2005). Article 13. Nonprofits can take Cues from the Biz World. Branding Roadmap Takes Shape. In Marketing Management Magazine. (September/October 2005, pp. 52-54). New York: Pace University’s Lubin School of Business. Developing Competitive Advantage and Strategic Focus. In Chapter 5 Lecture Notes. (2008). Thomson Learning Inc.

Containerization: Cargo and Traditional Bulk Transport

What is containerization and how did the innovative use of containers transform the distribution of goods? The traditional way of transporting goods from one place to another was highly labor intensive and goods were in individual crates of different sizes and shapes and they had to be manually lifted and stowed in the holds of ships. As the time passed by, the concept of containerization emerged.Basically, Containerization is an inter-modal system of transporting the general cargo or product in lots which are too small for the traditional bulk transport system, using ISO standard containers that can be loaded and sealed intact onto  container ships,  railroad cars, planes, and trucks. The concept of containerization is considered as the key innovation in the field of logistics which has revolutionized freight handling in the twentieth century.Containerization reduces time in transit, the inventory costs and increases reliability. Such benefits are forcing the industry to make it more favorable in terms of cost, flexibility and speed. As the Internet and other new technologies and advancements are developing, it is expected to bring more innovations which will further simplify the tasks of logistics.The innovative use of containerization has transformed the distribution of goods in following ways: * Goods in lots which are too small for the traditional bulk transport can be moved using containers * It is best option for high-value and delicate cargo as it provides safety from human and natural factors * As containers are moved intact, substantial amount of time and labor cost is saved which would otherwise have incurred in loading and unloading goods * It prevents poor handling of goods that results from bulk transport systems * Containers can act as mode of storage anywhere along the transport route * Container ships provide regular service to overseas ports, thus it minimizes the waiting time * It reduces the transit time which not only offers a means of marketing for the producer that bulk systems cannot provide, but also helps to reduce the inventory costs and increases reliability. 2. What role has containerization played in the development of a global economic system? As containerization is the new way of transportation model, it’s definitely is more advanced and optimum way of shipping the goods from one place to the other.Container shipping eventually replaced the traditional â€Å"break-bulk† method of handling crates, barrels and bags, and stowing them loose in a ship's hold, a system in use since the days of the Phoenicians. The replacement of break-bulk with cargo containers dramatically reduced shipping costs, reinvigorating markets and fueling the world economy. Due to cheap transportation cost, the countries could engage themselves in a fierce export drive exploiting the technological advancements and lower labor costs which are the major basis for the industrialization. In addition to that, cheap transpor tation also helped in revolutionizing the supply chain management of the business houses.There had been some major developments like South Korea developed a very strong ship building industry centered on the new ships made possible in the development and introduction of containerization. And also, the major and biggest container ports in the world are located in Southeast Asia. Thus, the credit for the development of such ports in these areas goes to the containerization. Without which, these areas wouldn’t have been developed like they are today. Containerization makes the loading and unloading of goods from the ships to the ports easy and consumes extremely less time in comparison to that of tradition way of transportation. These are some of the major roles that containerization played in the development of the global economic system.

Bad news letter Essay

Your order for five Canon LPB-8 A1 Laser Printers arrived today. This lightweight, rapid-speed, letter quality printer is the leading machine in the field.  Our main function is to purchase office equipment in large quantities and then resell it to retailers. In order to do this most efficiently, we ask that all orders be for at least 12 units. If you will call me at 551-5656 and increase your order to a dozen or more, your machines will be shipped within three days. Should you feel that this order is too large, Harrison & Sons, Inc, a retailer in your area, should be able to provide you with excellent service.(Give a solution) Their price will be slightly higher than ours, but they have a fine reputation for sales and service. You can reach them at 227-0404. The first paragraph, the buffer, discusses the quality of the machine, a fact with which both the buyer and the seller can agree. The reasons for the bad news and the bad news itself are presented in sequential order. The third paragraph offers a solution for the problem. The final close offers an alternative. In writing a bad news letter, every effort should be made to reduce the impact. A well-written bad news letter will accomplish three objectives: 1. The reader will realise that the bad news decision is final. 2. The person will understand that the decision was both fair and reasonable. 3. The reader’s attitude towards the writer and the company will remain positive. A bad news letter has four elements: buffer, reasons, decision and close. They are discussed in detail on the next pages. Buffer A buffer is a neutral or non-controversial statement that is used to open a bad news letter. The most effective buffers have four characteristics: 1. they are pleasant; 2. they are relevant to the issue; 3. they are neutral in tone, saying neither yes nor no; 4. they provide a transition to the next part of the letter where the reasons for the decision are discussed. 1. pleasant, offering assistance We like to help our customers as much as we realistically can. 2. relevant and fair We have carefully reviewed your application for an extension of credit with our firm. 3. neutral, finding a point on which the writer and the reader can agree. The objective of a credit line should be to make one’s financial obligations easier to manage. DON’TS ï‚ · Avoid saying no at the beginning of the letter. This will discourage the individual from reading the rest of the message and defeat the effort to present the news in an indirect manner. ï‚ · Do not apologise. An apology weakens the reasons that follow and may lead the reader to conclude that the rejection was unnecessary. ï‚ · Avoid writing an overly long opening paragraph. â€Å"We are in receipt of your letter of January 18† adds nothing to the letter and may give the reader the impression that the writer is stalling for time. ï‚ · Do not use a â€Å"know-it-all† tone. â€Å"Our years of experience have shown us that †¦.† is likely to be negatively received. Reasons To justify the bad news decision and to explain the situation to your reader, you give reasons for the negative decision. Four guidelines are: 1. Do not hide behind company policy. Explain the specific reasons behind the policy rather than mentioning the policy itself. 2. Do not talk down to the reader. 3. Do not be so brief that the reader is unable to follow your explanation. We have reviewed your request for an increase in your credit line and have decided to take no action at this time. 4. Avoid using negative words that are likely to upset the reader. (mistake, error, will not, regrettably, dismayed, cannot, fault, wrong, unable). Decision Make a clear statement of the decision. In many cases the refusal does not have to be explained in detail, because the previous section has already conveyed the decision. If it has not, then this is the time to do so. There are three useful techniques: 1. Give the refusal a minimum amount of space. 2. Put the refusal in the middle of the paragraph. 3. Use the passive voice Active: Since you forgot to send in the refund request until after the assigned period, we are unable to give you the refund. Passive: Since your request for a refund was received after the assigned period, we are unable to grant your request for a refund. Don’t use indirect approach. Get to the point quickly Positive Close End the letter on a positive note. This depends on the situation. For example, in the case of a person who wants an extension of credit, the writer could recommend purchasing the goods for cash. In the case of a customer who has made a mistake and now wants the order refilled for free, the writer could offer a discount on future orders. However the close is written, it should keep the customer’s goodwill. Do not: ï‚ · bring up the refusal again ï‚ · apologise for the decision ï‚ · ask for a continuance of the correspondence. The closing statement: If you have any further questions about our decision, do not hesitate to write. indicates that the matter is not closed. ï‚ · use clichà ©s. If we can be of help in the future, please let us know has no real meaning. The reader has just been refused something; he is unlikely to believe the statement. Summary A bad news message should make clear that the bad news decision is final but is also fair and reasonable. It should be written in such a way that the reader’s attitude towards the writer and the company remains positive. Bad news messages usually follow the indirect approach. They have four elements: buffer, reasons, decision and positive close.

The Way You Speak

Yelling, making snarly comments, talking in what as well be a different language to most people are just parts of the way you speak. Depending on the situation you are going to speak differently. If you are at Work, with your friends, or with your family more than likely you talk almost as a different person. At work you should be acting professional and speaking in a more proper way. Using more of a â€Å"Yes sir† way of speaking is the way to talk.However different jobs would call for a certain way to talk. My job for example isn’t very formal or even professional. I work with people I’ve known for years, so I really don’t change the way I talk unless customers are around; then I become a completely different person. I become a cheerful, nice, and talkative person which isn’t really me at all. Loud, offensive, funny, rude, or downright wrong more than likely you’re talking with your friends.The things you say around your friends might seem mean to other people but to you and your friends it’s normal to you. For example, with my friends we say things that seem stupid and out of context to most people but to us it makes perfect sense. Every group of friends is going to speak differently, completely informal for the most part. If your family is anything like mine, nothing is off limits. I talk almost the exact same to my family as I do with my friends.Maybe less swearing, but virtually the same language. Unless I’m around my grandparents then I turn into a kid again and don’t say anything they wouldn’t approve of. Obviously every situation calls for different language, whether it be talking to someone new, your friends and family, or your boss. Every way is going to be different from the last. Friends and family usually don’t care how you talk, but your boss is a completely different story.

Learning to read by Malcolm answers

When Malcolm faced the frustration of not being able to express what he wanted in letters especially those to Mr.. Elijah Muhammad. He begun his studies in the prison were Bimbo his fellow prisoner would lead in conversations because of his knowledge and vast vocabulary. Since Malcolm couldn't understand the meanings of the words when he was reading the books he learned that he has to study them from a dictionary and also he wanted to improve his penmanship.When he realized that studying using a dictionary was a very powerful tool he got motivate to further use teeth of copying in writing the content of the dictionary along with memorizing the new words. As a result he was able to read and understand any book. 2. He started his education from the teachings of Mr.. Muhammad about the history that was â€Å"whitened† and had no place for black man. Since then Malcolm was eager to learn more about the history of a black man. He learned that collective white man brought nothing bu t disadvantages to Black people and people of color in general. Mr..Nonhuman teaching taught him that all races came from Negroes and Whites are just â€Å"bleached ‘ Blacks so Blacks are actually a superior nation. The knowledge and a believe in this knowledge has both freed and empowered him. He became independent by the ability to gather and process the information and to apply that knowledge for the good of Black people. The reading changed the direction of what he wanted to do In life and made him â€Å"mentally alive. † 3. If public schools find the way to motivate students and make them crave the Information the students will study the subjects that they are Interested In with effortless ease.On my opinion introducing students to the purpose of learning a certain topic will set up their mind to want to find out more Information about It and understand It In order to use this information In life. 4. 1 think the he Is taking one sided uncompressed position about W hites. He Is generalizing the Idea about a broad topic and I don't think that the general opinion should be considered as the truth. He Is holding an aggressive position of â€Å"battling the white man† which Is as bad as the White man behavior towards Blacks.I can see his motives for Internal hostility of racial Injustice but I don't hint that acting from this position would solve that problem. It Is Just create more anger and can lead to the contention between people. I know that a lot of white people are ashamed of their race because of the history of cruel acts towards Blacks. Learning to read by Malcolm answers By extendibility's he wanted to do in life and made him â€Å"mentally alive. † 3. If public schools find the way to motivate students and make them crave the information the students will study the subjects that they are interested in with effortless ease.On my opinion o want to find out more information about it and understand it in order to use this info rmation in life. 4. 1 think the he is taking one sided uncompressed position about Whites. He is generalizing the idea about a broad topic and I don't think that the general opinion should be considered as the truth. He is holding an aggressive position of â€Å"battling the white man† which is as bad as the White man behavior towards Blacks. I can see his motives for internal hostility of racial injustice but I don't think that acting from this position would solve that problem. It is Just create more

Volunteer management plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Volunteer management plan - Essay Example 4) to ensure the safety and protection especially of the children, the elderly, and the handicapped during times of emergencies; and 5) to provide livelihood programs especially after emergencies and/or disasters that affected the whole community. It is wise to start developing the disaster volunteer team by tapping into already existing volunteers. However, a structure must already be in place to ensure the success of the recruitment process. The group of volunteers should be prepared in advanced and should not wait until disaster strikes to prepare volunteers for response. Since One Family will mainly work with larger organizations with bigger budgets, the target manpower of the volunteer group is approximately 217 persons. In evaluating the role of the volunteers, a clear outline of every volunteer’s responsibility should be discussed. Clear positions and necessary qualifications to fill such positions should be developed. One should always remember that there is no such thing as â€Å"just a volunteer†. Every volunteer should be challenged to effectively perform his/her duties and be held accountable accordingly. The 217 long-term volunteers needed for this volunteer group will be divided into different roles and committees. The role of each volunteer will be as follows (in general terms): 1) one volunteer group head, 2) one volunteer group assistant-head, 3) five volunteer committee heads, 4) ten volunteer committee assistant-heads, and 5) 200 committee members. The committees will be handling specific tasks and providing specific services, namely: 1) immediate survival needs, 2) relocation needs, 3) medical assistance, 4) safety and protection, and 5) livelihood programs. Each committee will consist of 40 members, two committee assistant-heads, and one committee head. Each committee will be divided into two sub-groups to divide the tasks of each committee evenly and also to act as a failsafe in case the other sub-group cannot, due to unexpected reasons,