Michael Jordan Essays - McDonalds High School All-Americans

Michael Jordan Michael Jordan was born on January 17, 1963 in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in Wilmington, North Carolina. He has two brothers, is married, and has three kids. He is considered by many to be the greatest basketball player of all time (Kornbluth). My focus will be on his hardships, accomplishments, and people who influenced him. First, I would like to touch on some general information about Michael. He wears number 23 on his jersey because he considered it to be half of his brother's number, 45. He had wanted 45 because it was his brother's number and he deeply admired his brother, but he was on the same team as his brother so he needed to pick a different number. His most well known superstition is that he wears his University of North Carolina basketball shorts under his game shorts. When Michael was a kid, his favorite sport was not basketball. In fact, it was baseball. He was a pitcher on a little league team. He played baseball because he was short (Kornbluth). Later in his life, he would try to leave the NBA and play major league baseball. Michael was not always rich. His parents had to work two and three jobs each to support the family. Before Michael's dad built him a basketball court in his back yard Michael shot, basketballs into a trash can (Kornbluth). Michael was not always good at basketball, either. People told Michael that he was too short to play basketball. Michael now stands six feet six inches tall. He also went to the school gym before school to shoot baskets, stayed after school to shoot baskets, and could be found in the school gym on weekends shooting baskets. He also played his brother, Larry, one-on-one in basketball. His brother was only a year older than Michael was, but he was much better and taller than Michael was. Michael would often times lose and end up getting in a fight with his brother. This caused Michael to be extremely determined to succeed at basketball (Kornbluth). In his sophomore year of high school, he tried out for the Varsity team. He did not make it, so he was placed on the Junior Varsity team. On the J.V. team, he averaged 28 points per game. He thought this would get the attention of the Varsity team coach. It did. However, it was not in the way he hoped it would. The assistant coach for the Varsity team was sick so they needed someone to hand out towels to the players while on a playoff road trip. That is what Michael got to do (Kornbluth). When he finally got on the Varsity team in his junior year, he still worked hard. He practiced with both the Varsity and the Junior Varsity teams and continued to go to the school gym and work on his shooting (Kornbluth). Michael's hard work would attract many scouts from colleges (Kornbluth). He would go to the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In college, he was a very good player. In his junior year, the Tar Heels went to the NCAA Championship game where he would hit a clutch game winning buzzer beater to win the NCAA Championship. In 1984, Michael played for the United States Olympic basketball team. Michael was among the best college players in the country and helped the team win the gold medal. Michael was also part of the 1992 United States Olympic basketball team. The team was composed of the best NBA players and was nicknamed "The Dream Team." This Olympic team also won the gold medal (www.unc.edu/~lbrooks2/jordan.html). Michael was drafted after his junior year in college and would be the third pick in the first round of the 1984 NBA Draft. He went to the Chicago Bulls, who at that time were a struggling team. With Michael on their team, they started to win. Michael was the NBA's rookie of the year in 1985. He would also be a NBA all-star in his rookie year and a NBA all-star game starter in 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1996. In 1988 Michael would win the first of four league MVP honors, the others being 1991, 1992, and 1996. He was

History of Roads in America and First Federal Highway

History of Roads in America and First Federal Highway Transportation innovations boomed in the 19th century, including  steamships, canals, and  railroads. But it was the popularity of the bicycle that would spark a revolution in transportation in the 20th century and lead to the need for paved roads and the interstate highway system. The Office of Road Inquiry (ORI) within the Department of Agriculture was established in 1893, headed by Civil War hero General Roy Stone. It had a budget of $10,000 to promote new rural road development, which at that time were mostly dirt roads. Bicycle Mechanics Lead the Transportation Revolution In 1893 in Springfield, Massachusetts,  bicycle mechanics Charles and Frank Duryea built the first gasoline-powered motor wagon to be operated in the United States.They formed the first company to manufacture and sell gasoline-powered vehicles, although they sold very few. Meanwhile, two other bicycle mechanics, brothers Wilbur and Orville Wright, launched the aviation revolution with their first flight in December, 1903. The Model T Ford Pressures Road Development Henry Ford  debuted the low-priced, mass-produced Model T Ford in 1908. Now that an automobile was within reach for many more Americans, it created more desire for better roads. Rural voters lobbied for paved roads with the slogan, Get the farmers out of the mud! Federal-Aid Road Act of 1916 created the Federal-Aid Highway Program. This funded state highway agencies so they could make road improvements. However, World War I intervened and was a higher priority, sending road improvements to the back burner. Building Two-Lane Interstate Highways The Federal Highway Act of 1921 transformed the ORI into the Bureau of Public Roads. It now provided funding for a system of paved two-lane interstate highways to be built by state  highway agencies. These road projects got an infusion of labor during the 1930s with Depression-era job-creation programs. Military Needs Spur Development of the Interstate Highway System Entry into World War II swung the focus to building roads where the military needed them. This may have contributed to neglect that left many other roads inadequate for the traffic and in disrepair after the war. In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had signed legislation authorizing a network of rural and urban express highways called the National System of Interstate Highways. That sounded ambitious, but it was unfunded. It was only after President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed the Federal-Aid Highway Act of 1956 that the Interstate program got under way. U.S. Department of Transportation Established The Interstate Highway System employed highway engineers for decades was a massive public works project and achievement. However, it was not without new concerns about how these highways affected the environment, city development, and the ability to provide public mass transit. These concerns were part of the mission created by the establishment of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in 1966. BPR was renamed the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) under this new department in April  1967. The Interstate System became a reality through the next two decades, opening 99 percent of the designated 42,800 miles of the Dwight D. Eisenhower National System of Interstate and Defense Highways. Source: Information provided by the United States Department of Transportation- Federal Highway Administration.

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Networked Medium Information Technology Essay

Advantages And Disadvantages Of Networked Medium Information Technology Essay Bus networks use a common backbone to connect all devices. A single cable, the backbone functions as a shared communication medium that devices attach or tap into with an interface connector. A device wanting to communicate with another device on the network sends a broadcast message onto the wire that all other devices see, but only the intended recipient actually accepts and processes the message. Ring topology: In a ring network, every device has exactly two neighbors for communication purposes. All messages travel through a ring in the same direction. A failure in any cable or device breaks the loop and can take down the entire network. Star topology: Many home networks use the star topology. A star network features a central connection point called a â€Å"hub† that may be a  hub,  switch  or router. Devices typically connect to the hub with Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) Ethernet. Compared to the bus topology, a star network generally requires more cable, but a fai lure in any star network cable will only take down one computer’s network access and not the entire LAN. b) Advantages and disadvantages of each medium. Network medium is the physical channel that used for transmission in the network. The types of the medium are: Wire Fiber air Wire: UTP cable is a medium that is composed of pairs of wires.  UTP cable is used in a variety of networks. Each of the eight individual copper wires in UTP cable is covered by an insulating material. In addition, the wires in each pair are twisted around each other. Fiber: Long distance signal transmission. Large Bandwidth, Light Weight, and Small Diameter Long Lengths Easy Installation and Upgrades Non-Conductivity Security Designed for Future Applications Needs Air: Mobility. Elimination of unsightly cables. c) Recommendation for topology and medium to use: Topology: Figure 1.1 : Star topology We select the star topology for this in-house network. Because the star topology is most popular topolog y for in-house network (LAN). Also we can be benefit by using the star topology in a LAN. Benefits: Information can be easily shared allowing for quick and informed decisions to be made, saving time and money. A more productive and competitive environment is achieved through greater teamwork within the organization. Network-based communication such as email is considerably cheaper than using the phone or fax and sharing resources such as printers gives more efficient use of equipment at lower costs. Standard versions of procedures and directories can be made accessible to everyone. IT administration can be centralised. Data can be backed-up from a single point on a scheduled basis ensuring consistency. Medium: Figure1.2: WI-FI network We select the WI-FI for this in-house network. Because Mobility. Elimination of unsightly cables. Problem Identification: Task 2 – 10 Marks Investigate the Internet connection requirements for the Fire Department. a) Describe the Internet servic es that may be required. b) Explain the connection speeds that are suitable for these requirements. c) Find examples of Internet Service Providers (ISPs) that can meet these requirements in your country. d) Make a recommendation to use one ISP based upon the services offered and price charged.

Packaging as an Important Marketing Tool Assignment

Packaging as an Important Marketing Tool - Assignment Example Packaging is important for preserving quality as well as building a communication channel between manufacturers and buyers in the form of information and convenience. For example, packaged food items are often served with information regarding its nutrition level and ingredients as well as are packed in a convenient manner for the customers’ use. It is through these features that manufacturers tend to build a relationship with their ultimate customers with the advantages of packaging. Moreover, packaging also plays important functions with the objective of seeking that products are packaged and distributed to end consumers with appropriate weight, quantity, measure and quality as per the industry standards. Hence, packaging also contributes to the transparency of the production and distribution process (Brody, â€Å"Development of packaging for food products†). In the present business scenario, with the development of different technologies, the packaging is seemed to be playing an effective role in offering different types of products to worldwide customers. Notably, with rising awareness among customers, intensification of competition as well as a greater need for transparency in the distribution process, have essentialized computerized packaging systems. With this development, companies are now able to obtain higher cost efficiency in their packaging process (Brody, â€Å"Development of packaging for food products†). Market Competition: In the recent era, market competition has aroused to a significant level due to the arrival of new companies as well as products. Moreover, companies are observed to be offering products resembling identical features and use in the form of close substitutes. In this respect, companies have focused on developing innovative packaging ideas as a differentiation strategy.  

The Case of Raleigh Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

The Case of Raleigh - Essay Example The company evidently as its humble beginning started from nothing to something. However, Raleigh was able to survive tough times due to its implementation of competitive strategies. It was able to survive the Great Depression due to its introduction of value-for-money products. Not only that, even if in between 1950 and 1962, Raleigh was still able to consider a competitive strategy which involved focusing on bicycle sales. Focus is a generic strategy which was then applied to Raleigh. This strategy particularly includes concentrating on a certain segment of product line that at some point would benefit the entire organisation in reaching its competitive advantage in the international market (Porter, 1998). By then, Raleigh started to acquire other rival groups in order to dominate in the market and then it started to expand overseas where there were potential for its product offerings. Not only that, Raleigh was good at ensuring promotion of its product line by sponsoring road raci ng team in Europe. Raleigh survived as it continuously obtained subsidiaries which in 2005 came to be around six in all, which include Derby Cycle Werke, Raleigh America, Raleigh Canada, Raleigh Taiwan, Raleigh UK Limited, and Raleigh International. This simply shows how marketing at Raleigh has become more complex as it continues to expand in the international market. 1.1 Q1 1.1.1 Marketing issue... 1.1 Q1 1.1.1 Marketing issue Marketing today is about creating a need or demand for certain product or service offerings and various firms are actually good at doing this for this is an essential step in order for a certain business to survive (Boone and Kurtz, 2006; Kotler et al., 1999). Although the basic idea of marketing is about meeting the needs of the customers, firms actually have significant influence in order to create a need for their service or product offerings. Raleigh was good at doing this stuff. In fact, its ability to create a significant sale amidst tough economic times just proved that it was essentially good at creating a need for its product offerings. 1.1.2 Keegan’s approaches to the study of culture However, modern marketing tries to integrate the idea of understanding the entire market and its prevailing language, religion, values and attitudes, manners and customs, aesthetics, technology, education, and social institutions which are dynamic variables that are integral components of culture (Czinkota and Ronkainen, 2007). Keegan (1989) had different approaches in the study of culture and these include anthropological approach, Maslow’s approach, the Self-Reference Criterion, diffusion theory, high and low context cultures and perception. In the case of Raleigh, all of these can possibly be applied, but on a general or universal context, it is much applicable to use the Maslow’s approach which is entirely about understanding the hierarchy of needs. Modern marketing after all, is about understanding the needs of the customers and even trying to create them on the part of the firm (Kotler et al., 1999; Boone and Kurtz, 2006). Thus, the decision to standardised or adapt a customised approach

Explain Irenaeus Theodicy Essay Example for Free

Explain Irenaeus Theodicy Essay The Irenaeus Theodicy, often called Soul Making, is a counterpart to Augustines Theodicy, yet it is also and opposing argument. While Augustine stated that evil came from humans and Adam in Genesis, Irenaeus proposes that evil is opposing the human races bid to become one with God. Irenaeustheodicy differs from Augustines, as it is more in the sense that God created evil, whereas Augustine described its existence to be more of a mistake. Yet some of Irenaeus points relate to Augustines, though are different forms as they are based on different opinions. Irenaeus battles the problem of the inconsistent triad by saying that God is omnipotent, omnibenevolent and omnificent and evil does exist, but that we, as a race, are not perfect. He believes that at the moment of creation we were not at all perfect, but drastically flawed. And to become one with God, as God intended, we must work toward that goal. The idea that we must work towards God places him in a higher realm. It is this epistemic distance that evil fills and we must fight through. John Hick, a perpetrator of this Theodicy states that: In order to be a person, exercising some measure of genuine freedom, the creature must be brought into existence, not in the immediate divine presence, but at a distance from God. Evil comes in as the obstacle coarse in the way of the ultimate prize. After all, with such a great goal, it shouldnt be easy. Though this doesnt really answer the question of where evil came from, or why God allows it. Irenaeus believes that we chose it when humanity fell in Creation. That justifies moral evil. But what of natural evil? Why did God want this journey to take place in such a hazardous environment, with earthquakes and pestilence, and in such frail form, which is susceptible to such dangers? Hicks response is that moral and spiritual development does not take place in a static environment but comes as the result of challenge and struggle and because we live in a world where pain and suffering is real our actions have real moral consequences for both ourselves and others. Any world where this was not the case would be one where the distinction between right and  wrong could not be made. In saying this, Hick is accused of belittling some of the worlds more excessive examples of evil. The holocaust for example. But in this modern day and age, where Nihilistic attitudes are taking over, people dieing is seen as less of an evil. After all, if you kill one, whats the difference in killing six million? He further argues that those who say that any kind of omnibenevolent wouldnt allow evil to exist full stop are depriving themselves of freedom that humanity entails. For God to get involved in every act of evil that occurs would deprave us of the free will that God gave. And it would reduce God, the ultimate creator of the universe, to a human plaything. If that happened he would no longer be God, as we would control him. As Irenaeus said, If anyone do shun the knowledge of both kinds of things he unaware divests himself of the character of a human being. As far as criticisms go, it is to optimistic. It is essentially an everything will work out in the end theory, that we will end up at Gods side after a long struggle and every thing will be happily ever after in heaven. But if we do that, there is really no reason for a God to make us happy, which negates Augustine and Irenaeus theories. Also, he is basing all of this on the bases that God exists. For that reason, atheists dont hold to this argument at all. Overall, atheists dont hold to this on the basis that they believe that God doesnt exist; therefore there is no ultimate cause. Theists like this theodicy as it allows them to keep their ideal of an omnipotent etc god, but does justify evil. Reasoned arguments cannot account for the amount of evil in the world Discuss A reasoned argument is one that has no empirical bases. Therefore it is a posteri. In the case of evil, the two theodicies of Augustine and Irenaeus  are reasoned. There is no physical base of proof for either. For Augustine, the bible cant be proved; the Christ event cant be proved to have improved our worth in terms of evil either. The same for Irenaeus, we cant prove that we are heading for paradise as no one has ever come back to tell us. But we cant deny the fact that there is a lot of injustice exists and, if we could measure it, evil is a large digit. But the amount of evil in the world has no quantity. How can we measure something that is essentially a human concept? Cheetahs have no idea that killing an innocent gazelle is classified as evil. After all, the gazelle did nothing to harm the cheetah. But the predator has cubs to feed and hasnt eaten for days. So putting those two facts together justifies the original statement. But just because we cant justify the quantity doesnt mean we cant do anything about it. To date, the better off countries have dropped about  £30 million in 3rd world debt. The Live Aid concert that happened all around the world has raised awareness of the plight of those less well off. While it is an undisputable fact that people are still suffering through both moral and natural evils, something is being done to lower the quantity of evils.

Roddy Doyles Paddy Clark: No More Laughing For Paddy Essay -- essays r

Roddy Doyle's Paddy Clark: No More Laughing for Paddy Yer Name Here Poetry/Fiction Paddy Clarke Roddy Doyle's Paddy Clarke HA HA HA was a beautifully written book. It perfectly captures the mind of a ten year old boy in Ireland during the mid- 1960's. Paddy Clarke, the young boy who Doyle uses to enter the mind of a ten year old, is a boy who most can relate to. The book explores most aspects of life through the eyes of Paddy. Doyle takes us through childhood and childhood's end. Doyle is able to seize the complexities of life, but at the same time simplify them enough for ten year old. Everything is a mystery or an adventure to Paddy and his friends. From taking over construction sites to receiving polio check-ups. However not everything is a game to Paddy. His parents lack of compatibility troubles Paddy and his brother Sinbad greatly. The intensity of his parents arguments accelerate as the book goes on. At times Paddy feels he can stop them, at one point he considers himself a "referee" in the fights. "I didn't know what I'd do. If I was there he wouldn't do it again, that was all."(p.191) He ends up contemplating who he would want to win. He comes to the conclusion that he would want his mom to win because she does so much for him, however his father is his father and he loves him. Sinbad reacts differently to his parents fighting. He doesn't try to intervene ...