Pan Yicheng

Information Privacy Issue about Gmail

2007-10-09T07:10:00.000-07:00

Abstract
The topic of this paper is information privacy issue on Gmail. This research argues that scanning e-mail content of the Gmail is bad for personal privacy. This paper discussion could divide into two parts. The first is Gmail’s advantage and disadvantage, the second is how Gmail could threaten and endanger the entire Gmail users, especially on personal information privacy issue. In summary, for business view, context-sensitive advertisement is trend and direction for email advertisements, because customization is now becoming standard in the Internet world. However, it seriously Impact on personal information privacy if Gmail combine Google search engine and share the personal information for other purposes. Therefore, users should trade-off the Gmail benefit between with personal privacy or pay the money for a complete secure email environment.

Introduction
With the growing of popularity using personal computer online, Email is becoming more popular in the world. It could be said that this is part of a global phenomenon. According to Pew Internet and American Life Project data from December 2006 survey, 91% of U.S. Internet users have most did online activity is sent or read email [3]. In general, most people favor using free webmail services because it is convenient, easy to use and no charge. Right now, internet has plenty of web-based email address providers could offer free email service such as Yahoo! Mail, Windows Live Hotmail, Gmail, AOL Mail,…etc. Besides, Email marketing is very competitive and every email address provider giving every effort on attracting email users by offer better performance [1]. Recently, Gmail became most favor web-based email address provider by provide better services. The numbers of Gmail active accounts are sudden increasing and it greatly threaten to other two largest competitors (Yahoo! Mail and Windows Live Hotmail). However, some new problems have resulted from using Gmail, especially on information privacy. Therefore, this paper focuses on Gmail’s information privacy issue. First at all, this paper explains Gmail’s good and bad, the second is analyzing how Gmail could threaten and endanger the Gmail user’s privacy.

What is Gmail
Gmail is a free Web-based email (Webmail) and POP3 e-mail service provided by Google Inc. It was released on April 1, 2004 as a private beta by invitation only, and was opened to all as a public beta on February 7, 2007. Because Google had had such success and high volume of use in search engine, it decided to offer a new free mail service for increase and sustain the competitive advantage. Google has extended several smaller applications including Google Calendar, Google Map, Google Page Creator and Google Talk in Gmail for attempts to increase user productivity and service, get bigger email marketing from business sectors, and make Gmail accessible on mobile phone [9].

Gmail’s good and bad
Gmail catch the attention of users with several new features: first one is that it has a one gigabyte of storage and archiving space. This was over 500 times the storage offered by Hotmail’s or Yahoo’s free mail. After that other e-mail services also have increased their storage capabilities for remain the current users. However, Gmail currently raise the storage capabilities the offers users 2.86 gigabytes of free storage for response to other competitors [9], [8], [2]. The second is the the ability to search mail archives for specific words or phrases. This function is similar to the feature in Microsoft Word. User can use the great Google search tools to find content in your emails that you have stored in your account [2]. In addition, user could use spell checker to check the typing error [2]. The third is that it not only has attractive and friendly user interface but also has an excellent spam filter(scan content of email) function for deleting spam mails and other unwanted business e-mails [8],[2]. The fourth is offer direction function. It will auto offer direction map that link with Google map, If user’s email content has address [2]. The fifth is user could get Gmail for mobile devices so user can read and reply to Gmail messages on user’s phone [9]. The sixth is offer free POP-in and POP-out, that meaning user can use Gmail to access other email accounts, or access Gmail from whatever email client user use. However, this service is needed to charge in other email providers [1]. In addition, according to Michael Arrington (2007) in his article” A Comparison of Live Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo Mail,” pointed out that “Overall we prefer Gmail over all other webmail applications because performance (speed) is consistently fast, and emails can be tagged making search much more effective. They also offer more storage and other features, and it’s free”. So the author also list the table 1 for compare the services on a feature-by-feature basis among Gmail, Yahoo, and Hotmail [1].

Table 1. Comparison the services
For these reasons, Gmail became the most popular email address provider. Especially during the invitation system (account holders were given up to 100 account invitations to send out to other e-mail addresses) was in use, it limit user’s number in Gmail system. So when that time, some people made money by sell Google's new e-mail service account as much as $60. Therefore in Joyoftech.com, it has very funny cartoon as figure 1 to satirize what benefit for become a Gmail user. It depicts a slick guy wear an "I got Gmail" T-shirt, with two girls stay around both his arms. Another guy asks this slick person, "What's your secret with the babes? Money? Power? Some kind of pheromone?" He answer, "Nope, something even more enticing then those...I have an invitation to a Gmail account to give out" [7].

Fig.1 cartoon of I got Gmail
On the other hand, user must sacrifice their personal privacy to enjoy the use of Gmail. This is biggest disadvantage of Gmail, because Gmail is supported by business advertisers who purchase Advertisements from Google. The Gmail’s advertising method similar to the Google search engine’s AdSense advertising program. AdSense system puts customized and targeted advertisements on thousands of sites across the Web that according to rapidly scanning the content of Web pages and determining which advertisements are most appropriate to them [2]. So, Gmail use this sort new approach to presenting advertising to its users that Google automatically scans e-mails to add context-sensitive advertisements. It screen the content of emails that user send and receive, and then select the personalized advertising for its email user that will appear on the right side of mailbox [1], [8], [2]. For example, if user were to send a message about how to buy and sell stock, you may find some financial and broker advertisement links set in into your e-mailbox. Imperceptibly, you Gmail account become a plenty of database for business or privacy search. As a result, privacy advocates are arguing about this privacy issue and insist that violating the privacy law especial in Europe.

How Gmail could threaten information privacy
Gmail offer huge storage space for reserve thousands of your messages. Consequently you can store many years of e-mail into Gmail and still have space to spare. Also you may never have to erase e-mail again. However it accumulated over many years, your email account will become a powerful and useful database. It will save on Gmail server for while even thought user deleted the email [4], [6]. So Gmail could scan you email for multiple times by different purposes. It is different with anti-spam and antivirus systems. Because anti-spam and antivirus systems will not saved user’s email and it will check email only during sent or receive. Therefore, privacy advocates claim that Gmail is immoral and illegal to scan the user’s email.
Recently Legislative efforts aimed specifically at Google and Gmail are not necessary to protect user privacy for national security due to terrorism is serious threaten to the world lately. Since Gmail and online data storage are like the real record for personal activities. Once these private data and information expose to public, the personal information privacy will reveal very thorough [5]. Base on the national safety, most governments desire to monitor the email and online data storage for protect their country. Even though Google has promised an ongoing responsibility to protect the privacy of its users and is now one of the industry leaders in this effort, there is no guarantee in future. So, user should be careful emailing instructions on how to make a gun, drug, pipe bomb or car bomb, because the government may eventually read that email [5].
An important privacy concern exclusive to Gmail is that Google could combine information about a huge store of your mail with records of your search activity by Google search engine into a detailed sketch of your life [4]. For instance, Gmail could use intelligent software for combine result of screen the contents of e-mail with result of search activity to predict and analysis the user’s personality and routine schedule. It will become better and approaching reality day by day. For that reason, Gmail could insidiously monitor you behavior and expose personal privacy. Perhaps Gmail might imitate the second life website, put the user’s attribute and relative information in virtual world for make up and record the real world’s activities. Perhaps like Scott McNealy of Sun Microsystems said: "If you're online, you have no privacy!" [4].

Conclusion
Scanning e-mails to add context-sensitive advertisements is a exclusive service and a new revenue stream for Google, which usually focuses on business advertisements revenue linked to Google search engine. However, they can efficiently target specific advertising to specific individuals by using scan the contents of the e- mail in its e-mail service. In business advertisers view, that is what they want and willing to pay in email marketing. On the other hand, different people have different perception on privacy issue depend on each one’s culture and personality. Some people seem to acceptable Gmail using context-sensitive advertisements while others tend to insist Gmail violating their privacy. Therefore users either trust in Gmail and then fell free to use this powerful email or pay the money for a reliable and private email.

Reference:

1. Arrington, M. (2007). A Comparison of Live Hotmail, Gmail and Yahoo Mail. Retrieved June 3, 2007 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/02/08/a-comparison-of-live-hotmail-gmail-and-yahoo-mail.
2. Freeman, E. H. (2006). Gmail and Privacy issues. Information system security.p.2 -p.6.
3. Pew Internet and American Life Project (2007). Internet Activities. Retrieved June 3, 2007. http://www.pewinternet.org/trends/Internet_Activities_1.11.07.htm.
4. Post, J. (2004). Gmail, new web privacy concerns, Regional Business News.
5. Rutledge. S. (2006), Ask the Law Geek: How the government (doesn't) read your email, Lifehacker.
6. Stephen H. (2004). Google's Gmail Is Great -- But Not for Privacy, Business Week, Issue 3881.
7. The joyoftech.com (2004). Gmail Cartoon. Retrieved June 3, 2007. http://www.geekculture.com/joyoftech/joyarchives/560.html.
8. Vogel, P. (2004). Google’s new Gmail service: A wake-up call for privacy? Fort Worth Business Press, p.7.
9. Wikipedia.org (2007), Gmail, Retrieved June 3, 2007. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ Gmail#Trademark_disputes.

Grateful interview, However I was rejected

2007-10-19T07:36:00.000-07:00

I just finished the Telephone inertview. I am very sad because I was rejected. This morning, I woke up early and parpare for the interview. I wrote down lots answer of general interview question and pratice my speaking. At 9:00 AM, I got the phone and feel good because the lady spaking is more slowly. She asked a lot questions and I thought My answer was very good and I used lots my experiences as the example. However, when she ask me about do you have any question for they comapny, I asked that do you offer sponsorship of employment visa. She anwsered sorry our this program don't support sponsorship so you don't fit this position. ><"~~~~
But, She said she will send my resume to others department that might support sponsorship. If she find out any position is fit for me she will let me know. Though I know these words just consolation and she might never call back, I still very happy that I have a grateful telephone interview. Because this is my first time telephone interview by English. I believe I will do it better next interview. Never give up you can I a great job in USA.

Personal Study Plan of Mr. Yi-Cheng, PAN

2007-01-02T11:54:00.000-08:00

As for the rapid growing Transportation Services in Asia recently, most of the Asian countries make large efforts to enhance the technologies and management in Transportation Services, not to mention of Taiwan. Many researches in universities and government institutes have been done to increase the profits and security of Transportation operations.
I’ve been interested in civil aviation ever since senior high school and thought that is a very good future in civil aviation therefore made choice of civil aviation engineering as my major. Henceforward, I started to specialize in the field of civil aviation, I made continuous progress in all branches of the civil aviation Technology and management, and greatly increased my understanding the operation of airlines base on visiting and practical training in airlines. I want to be professional in my field and have aspirations to enter the best airline than become an executive officer. My ultimate goal is to become CFO of a large airline, but in the shorter term I know that the best way to grow professionally is to learn more about general business, and a College of Business and Administration of Southern Illinois University double degree exchange student program will help me do just that.
Right after my graduation form graduate school of Aeronautics and Astronautics Engineering of National Cheng-Kung University in 2003, I completed a professional international management certificate program in order to gain a management perspective of the field. I then realized that, in order to effectively combine my technical knowledge and management skills, I needed to accumulate real-world experience. Specifically, working at a large company would allow me to develop insight into various industries, as well as an overarching vision of the international business arena. The only reason why I decided to apply college of management of National Chung Kung University is that I hope to widen my knowledge and capability in management, and then advance myself in transportation services by means of study for my Ph.D. degree in transportation and communication management sciences.
In the mean time, I have now worked for nearly three years in the Industrial Technology Research Institute, Taiwan's first and biggest research & development organization. As a project management engineer, I am mainly responsible for our holding departments' research & development project for new technology or service. This position has given me the opportunity to interact with businessmen from all over the world, thereby expanding my international perspective. Because of my outstanding work performance, I was chosen to attend various meetings and conferences with local and international bodies. It is highly unusual for a young associate to represent the company at such events, and my self-confidence -- as well as my management skills -- was further enhanced by that successful experience.
While working in various business lines, including the automotive industry, consumer durables, electronics industry and the transportation sector, I have realized that the root cause of many research & development problems is lack of business administration, especially in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. I believe that many people in the research & development phase are so ignorant or insensitive that they will cheat customers to increase profits.
In the long term, I hope to help solve research & development problems by starting in transportation services business in Taiwan. The company will serve both local and international customers by providing cost-effective, adaptable solutions ranging from waste management to safety management. In order to accomplish this goal, however, I must deepen my knowledge of the field. Despite my experience, I still lack some important knowledge and management skills, especially in finance, marketing, and entrepreneurship. I am also aware that my knowledge of business administration issues is insufficient. Since dealing with aspects of international business will be an integral part of my job as an entrepreneur, it is essential that I fill in these gaps.
The SIU double degree exchange student program is the perfect bridge from where I am to where I want to be. I am attracted by the inventiveness and uniqueness of its entrepreneurial and business programs, and believe that I will increase my practical knowledge of entrepreneurship by interacting with my classmates. I value the fact that at SIU entrepreneurial education does not stop at the classroom, but rather continues through internships and extracurricular activities. I feel that a business school for entrepreneurs should balance a dose of theory with real-world application, and SIU's curriculum and hands-on experiences through associations, internships, and the management field study provide such balance.
I am also drawn to SIU because of the school's emphasis on teamwork and technology, reflected by such exciting courses and programs as High Technology Entrepreneurship, International Finance, 12-week field application projects, and the global immersion program directed to teach global thinking and global action. Additionally, the school's profusion of student groups and its flexible entrepreneurial program -- with electives from 100 courses -- will allow me to tailor my course of study directly to my career interests. It is precisely this flexibility that I plan to draw on while at SIU and beyond, by taking advantage of the school's strong international alumni network.
Above all, a SIU double degree exchange student program will help me strengthen both the business knowledge and the entrepreneurial skills necessary to secure a position as a project management specialist in a multinational American-based firm. Such a position, in turn, will prepare me to accomplish my long-term ambition of building my own company. By developing and maximizing the technical knowledge and managerial skills I have already accumulated, SIU will allow me to ultimately make a concrete and substantial contribution to Taiwan's transportation services.
If I got the recipient of a grant from the double degree exchange student program of the College of Business and Administration of Southern Illinois University. I’ll endeavor to improve language skills and I can go on from here to build up the specific skill and knowledge I’ll need to do my capability well; moreover, I’ll effort to reinforce the business of management and operation control methodology in period of study in SIU.
As a NCKU student, I will contribute the knowledge and skills I have gained not only through school and work but also through athletics and travel. My athletic training has taught me to pursue goals individually as well as while part of a team. While at SIU, I plan to join the baseball Club and play in intramural sports throughout the campus.
My international travels, including to America, France, China and Japan, had allowed me to build a bridge between my American upbringing, my Chinese background, and the other country cultures. This broad cultural exposure will make me an asset in providing a global perspective and cultural understanding in classroom discussions. While at SIU, I plan to visit Canada and Mexico during vacation for enrich my experience and knowledge.
After finishing my exchange student study program in SIU, I Will come back to Taiwan and speed up finish doctoral dissertation. I would like to devote myself to the transportation services development and research in Taiwan. With cherished and rare experience of study in SIU, I can apply a variety of disciplines, including finance, marketing, and operations in my future research and work.

The legalization of drugs

2007-01-01T12:22:00.000-08:00

Drugs are magic bullets that divisive into two opposing extremes. That is to say, they are panacea while it would be proper to use at cure. In contrary, Drugs are vital poison when people abuse. For this reason, there was a huge controversy over the using of drugs.
According to third paragraph, author noted that he did burgs until they wore him out, then he stopped (Michael W. Posey). That means people will proper to use drug after some painful experience teaches. However, in first paragraph, author stated that drug dealers do everything possible to find drug even have drug prohibition laws (Ethan A. Nadelmann). In addition, base on second paragraph, statistics argue against legalization of drugs by irrefutable evidences. Moreover, author clear pointed out that the prohibition of illegal drugs has helped, while the legal status of alcohol and cigarettes has not made them less popular (Sylvia Runkle). Therefore, the legalization of drugs will bring about a great calamity.

Family Life"Vermont court sets precedent with first lesbian adoption"

2006-12-30T12:25:00.000-08:00

In General, the most important functions of family are parenting coming generations and supporting the operation of society. Indeed, based on the book of American Way (P.88), we know that the concept of what makes a family has changed, and several nontraditional types of families, these called “alternative families”, who have been outnumbered traditional families. As a result, some people doubt whether new nontraditional types of families are competent to carry out these functions or not. However, in my opinion, it doesn’t matter whether it’s an alternative family or traditional family, as long as it function its responsibility.
According to the article” Vermont Court sets Precedent with First Lesbian Adoption,” the Vermont court passed the homosexuals family adopting children and set a precedent in Vermont. It is mean that the definition of family had changed and the societies must need to make a quick adaptation to the new type of family. I think that all adoption applicants should have an equal opportunity to apply for their consideration of their qualifications as adoptive parents, under applicable law (because some societies forbid homosexuals). At the same time, applicants should be fairly assessed on their abilities to successfully parent a child needing family membership, not on their appearance, differing lifestyle, or sexual preference.
In conclusion, I agree that alternative families can adopt children if they are legitimate and capable of parenting. Therefore, the society should research on that whether children of homosexual parents grow up just as well-adjusted as children of heterosexual parents or not and others similar issues. The result will help the societies make optima adaptation for the changing of family.

American Values"Unemployed man finds money bag, returns it to police"

2006-12-30T12:22:00.000-08:00

Actually, I wondered if that the honesty is American value and assumption before I came to America. In the book of American Way (chapter one), author didn’t mentioned that the honesty is one of the American values and assumptions. However, based on my personal experience, I feel American are very honest who I had been seen, so far. It is different with Chinese or Taiwanese values and assumptions.
According to the article” Unemployed man finds money bag, returns it to police,” Although the Mr. Hoare is unemployed, he doesn’t think twice and direct return the bag to police. He said that “if something isn’t yours, it isn’t yours” which is the way he was brought up. It is unbelievable in Chinese or Taiwanese societies. Even if Chinese or Taiwanese were brought up like that; they still do the dishonest behaviors and things, especially without witness. In China culture there is an idiom that what you have done will be observed by The God. Perhaps some people would like to return money found due to integrity such as me. In fact, I had carefully observed the behavior of American and I think they are honest even without witness. At the some time, I realized that the American school and family always teaching about the honesty, integrity, truth and justice. So I think that the values and assumptions can be change by education.
In conclusion, I agree that the honesty, integrity, truth and justice are American values and assumptions. Chinese or Taiwanese should imitate Americans a little more. Therefore, the Chinese or Taiwanese society should teach people about honesty, integrity, truth and justice. The result will help the people become honest.

The Risk and Impact of Airline Alliances

2006-12-29T08:17:00.000-08:00

Paper Abstract
This research argues that the bad impact of the airline alliances is getting worse everyday. This essay is about how airline alliances can threaten and endanger the entire world, especially passengers and communities, travel agencies and employees. The disadvantages of airline alliances can be removed in three ways that include establishing a supranational government organization, creating a communication platform and using antitrust laws.
Induction
The advent of global airline alliances in the 1980s gave rise to concerns that increased monopoly power of major carriers would lead to large and sustained producer surpluses. Airline alliances take many forms and provide varying benefits and risks to participating air carriers, as well as other stakeholders such as passengers, communities, travel agencies and employees. The most important consequence of an Airline alliance is the fact that supranational government organizations cannot yet match the power of supranational alliances, which have seized the wonderful occasion to engage in lawless activities recently. The risks and impacts of Airline alliances seem to outweigh the advantages of Airline alliances. Few articles researched on the bad effects of Airline alliances so far.Discuss about airline alliances bad effect in passengers, communities, travel agencies and employees and then suggest these stakeholders how to avoid the risks and impacts of airline alliances.
The bad effect in passengers
Reduce schedules and increase fares on passengers who fly on their planes. Consumers have an incorrect expectation because none of those services requires airline alliances. The major global airline alliance is to solidify the oligopoly of their participants, and to drive smaller non-participants and even large non-aligned airlines out of business.Remaining airlines can raise prices, while travelers are offered fewer choices Serious dangers for passengers if the ultimate outcome is an oligopoly that leads to reduced service quality and higher prices.
The bad effect on communities
Alliances seem to have grown into these giant organizations Little regard for the communities and passengers. Built some barriers to entry in airline industry such as financial barrier and priority obstacles. Airline alliances make the benefit for both sides:Pure hypocrisy and greedy behavior, as the airlines are search for even more special treatment and subsidies from governments. Use economies of scale for the airline members to achieve massive procurement savings, cutting costs by sharing facilities and allowing an expansion of their routes through code-sharing.
The bad effect travel agencies
Airline alliances are bring shivers among travel agencies as they worry about reduced to a minor role and low profit Travel agencies also select their cooperative alliance for competitive advantage because restricted by alliance. Besides, Some internet companies who want share this market by their advantage such as Orbitz.com and travelocity.com; The three biggest alliance developed their ticket system and website for selling their tickets. Small travel agencies are closing or going bankrupt in droves.
The bad effect on employees
Decreases opportunities for job growth.
Reduces security for employees through work force reductions.
For example, Delta Air Lines & Airways-Delta merger.
Market of aviation isn’t experiencing overcapacity; it’s just dislocation.
The airlines just find an excuse to terminate excess workers for reducing expenditures.
Conclusion
Difficult to pin down on merits or demerits.
The negative effects outweigh the positive effects.
Threatening the entire world, particularly on the traveler welfare problem, public benefit topic, travel agencies revenue, and rights of the employees.
Recommendation
Establishing a supranational government organization
Creating a communication platform
Using anti-trust laws.

Survey Report

2006-12-28T20:33:00.000-08:00

This survey is designed for statistical analysis in Graduate student English class research exercise and to examine the relationship between student satisfaction with Southern Illinois University (SIU) and some demographic characteristics. The main purpose of this research is to survey the overall opinion of SIU students and to find out the difference between international and American students on satisfaction issues about excellence areas of SIU, the value of an SIU degree, satisfaction with SIU, and recommend SIU.
The survey was administered in the SIU December 2006. The participants were 30 students from student center, recreation center, and dormitory that studying department/college includes literature art, social sciences, engineer, CESL, undecided, business, technology, and mess communication. In addition, the class distributions are various that include 3.3% freshmen, 6.6% sophomore, 36% junior, 23.3% senior, and 20% graduate students. About the gender distribution of participants, 30% are female and 70% are male. Regard nationality of survey, the one–thirds of participants are international students and others are American students.
This section discuss about the result of survey. At first, will discussing overall opinion on each issue. Then discuss the difference between international and American students.
In overall opinions about most important on excellence areas of SIU, 45% students thought Teaching is most important on excellence area. 31% students prefer cost and 20% students said that reputation of SIU. Only 4% students choose facilities for most important. Meanwhile, use score analysis method (1as 9 points, 2 as6 points, 3 as 3points and 4 as 1 point) to fine out, which is most important among four chooses. The ranking is the same (Teaching: 181, Facilities: 10,Cost: 136,Reputation: 116). However, we found out the significant different between international and American students about this issue. American students think that teaching is most important on excellence areas of SIU, second is reputation, and third is cost. In contract, international student said that most important is cost, next is teaching, after next is reputation, final is facilities. I think the cause is American school tuition. Most international students are come from developing countries so the cost influence their choose.
Regard to estimate the value of an SIU degree for getting job. In overall, 30% students agree very helpful and 60% agree somewhat helpful. As a whole, most students think that is helpful. Indeed, the agree degree of international students is lower than American student. 35% American students said very help and 55% said somewhat helpful. Conversely, international student only 20% think that it is very helpful. I think the reason is that most international student will go back their country and looking for job.
In satisfaction with SIU, most students are satisfying with SIU. To illustrate, 13% students agree very satisfied and 70% agree somewhat satisfied. Although most part of a whole satisfied, American students are higher than international students. No international students agree very satisfied, 80% students agree somewhat satisfied. On the contrary, American students have 20% prefer very satisfied and 65% said somewhat satisfied. I think that cause of different is American values and assumptions. The American values of independence and self-reliance are reflected in the university. Foreign students often fell frustrated and confused, lonely, isolated and misunderstood.
The final issues on recommend SIU, 90% student recommend SIU to others and 10% student do not. American students still significant difference with international students in this issue. American students have 95% prefer recommend, but 80% international students recommend SIU. The reason of different is that the satisfaction with SIU of American students is higher than foreign students because of more satisfaction more recommend.
In conclusion, overall students are satisfied with SIU in the value of an SIU degree and they will recommend SIU to others. In the mean time, teaching is most important in excellence areas of SIU. Second important is cost, after that is reputation and last one is facility. In addition, international student think that the most important in excellence areas of SIU is cost. On the other hand, there have significant difference between international and American students. As a whole, American student are higher than international students in the value of an SIU degree, satisfaction with SIU, and recommend SIU.

Using a fuzzy multi-criteria decision making approach to evaluate maintenance management concept policy

2006-12-28T19:50:00.000-08:00

More and more companies are searching for an optimal customized maintenance management concept policy. In this research, in order to improve the production quality and increase mean-time-between-failure (MTBF) of equipment to achieve an optimal customized maintenance management concept policy, will develop a framework for maintenance management concept policy evaluation that offer some guidelines to develop such a maintenance management concept policy. Furthermore will demonstrate the effectiveness of using an MCDM to evaluate maintenance management concept policy form five basic maintenance concepts policies can be distinguished: Failure Based Maintenance, Design-Out Maintenance, Use Based Maintenance, Condition Based Maintenance and Detection Based Maintenance that will help companies to develop an appropriate maintenance management. More and more companies are looking for a customised maintenance concept. The framework presented in this paper sets out some very clear guidelines for establishing a maintenance conceptpolicy, still allowing enough customisation space to create a company-specific concept. The framework takes into account both computerised information and knowledge.
This paper has provided the conceptual framework for using the fuzzy multi-criteria decision making approach to assist the companies to select the maintenance management concept policy. The inherent dilemma can be broken if the companies manage the few important systems and Components as their maintenance policy to achieve the overall goal. The goal of any maintenance is to increase throughput and at the same time reduce inventory and operating expense. As a prerequisite to ensuring profitability, the manager must be able to quickly identify and remove the constraint(s) and ensure that they can continue to meet changing environment accurately.
However, using fuzzy multi-criteria decision making approach to evaluate maintenance management concept policy should be adopted with care due to its intensive training requirements and radical approach that requires experimental learning. In future development of the framework, more modules should be added, and the content of each module should be carefully elaborated upon. In this way, a modular framework can be built. This modular approach would allow to ‘take ideas’ (i.e. a selection of modules) in order to make a customised maintenance concept policy.

socitey shapes our expectation and thinking

2006-12-28T09:53:00.000-08:00

The socitey shapes our expectation and thinking of anything all the time. According to frist article, John Stossel and Frank Mastropolo stated that the good looking people have more power and privilege because of the society infulance. Beautiful isn’t everything but beauty helps to reap no little benefit. The socitey teach us that good look are often a sign of health, smart, fertility, kindness, funny, friendly, and popular,which called “halo effect”. At the same tims, authors use some living example and test to prove the society cause to the privilege of being beautiful. In second article, Kate Klonick use halloween to claim that the society shapes our life and values. There have huge rules and taboos in our society that regulate and dominate our daily life. Only during halloween, we can escap out these rigorous restrication and enjoy getting to try on what you are not. For example, grils dress down and men dress up as women in the halloween. As a result, I agree that the society always influence our expectation and behavior based on my experience, sepcially about people’s performance and attitudes of respect to gander and appearance.
According my personal experience, I think that good appreance is evey helpful in anywhere driven by society effect. For example, at my university school life, some profeesors perfer discuess with good looking student because they look like progress, smart, and studing hard. Althought their performance worse than others students, they still got the high score. However it’s unfair, especially if you are not one of the beautiful people. Beside that in chinese culture and society, we was taught that man must be man and respect to gender. We can not cross dressing and trt on you are not. However, I changed my mind after I came to Amercian and join the American style halloween party. At the same time I relized that the different societis will shape different people expectation and behavior.
In conculsion, the socitey always shapes our expectation and thinking. In deed different societies will shapes various thinking and culture. However, everyone need some activites to break and relax form normal routine and return to usual role after that.

Description of young professionals in Chicago

2006-12-28T09:47:00.000-08:00

The main purpose of This essay is describe the casual lives of young professionals in Chicago based on the articles about internet and mating life of this week and my opinions and guesses about American culture. This essay focus on two young professionals and individual describe their lives activities and habits in Chicago according to their profiles which provided by Mr. olive. That show my thinking and assumption in Americans causal lives.
Ms. Claudia cohabit with her boyfriend in a western suburb of Chicago since two years ago. she met her boyfriend when she was in school and dating for five years. Recently, Ms. Claudia have jealous conflict with her boyfriend because her boyfriend met another girl and spend five hours to chat with the girl everyday by internet. Her boyfriend complain that Ms. Claudia often travels in her job and no time to stay with him. After shouting match, she decide to go to music pub and release the bad emotions.
Coincidentally, she meet the Mr. Tom who is manager for advertising company in the music pub. He is dating with on steady companion. He usually go to music pub for his habits and companionship and sex. He is smooth talker due to his job and experience. In addition, he is very handsome and healthy because he like sport and excises his body. Thus, he always attract woman by his good looking. Ms. Claudia lend his ear for her argument with her boyfriend. They fall in love quickly because they have similar habits and interests. Therefore, Ms. Claudia broke up with her boyfriend and start dating with Mr. Tom.
In conclusion, most young professionals like spend their time on internet and cohabit in big city. At the same time, computer abuse already become the social problem. Indeed, the big city like the great market for searching companionship and sex. As a result, young people perhaps have more than one sexual partner and spend half life in single and dating for find Mr. right or Ms. Right on the Web.

Critical Review "Gaining a Competitive Edge through Airline Alliances"

2006-12-27T19:49:00.000-08:00

Gaining a Competitive Edge through Airline Alliances
Airlines always pursue the best way to be more efficient and safety to service their clients for snatch competitive advantages and greatest benefits especially for global civil aviation markets. Therefore many international airlines move into new phases of economic agreements in order to gain competitive advantages and revenues. In general, airline used the alliances and code sharing as the most common business models. However, airlines alliances are profound and have been constrained by some international, inter-alliances and internal alliances conflicts of benefits. For this reason, my research paper is researching into the obstacles of airline alliances by internal and external view. Based on my research requirement, I need refer some articles about the definition, advantage, situation, effect, and benefit of airline alliances .Thus I adopt the article “Gaining a Competitive Edge through Airline Alliances” as my critical review article.
In Stephan Vander Kraats’s article “Gaining a Competitive Edge through Airline Alliances,” he stated that alliances and cods sharing are popular among airlines and helping the airline gaining the competitive advantages. According to his article, “alliance is a merging of resources, operations, or financial interests between one entity and another entity.” In other words, alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate for the foreseeable future on a substantial level. Generally speaking, the degree of cooperation differs between alliances. As regards Code sharing, it is “marketing arrangement that permits a carrier to sell service under its name and airline designator code when the service is provided in whole or part by another air carrier.” Most airlines want to expand market and entry the new market segments, or to eliminate competition, hence airlines enter alliances and code sharing agreements. Because alliances and code sharing are paths for airline expand its flight network without huge investments. In addition, there have some barriers to entry in airline industry such as financial barrier and priority obstacles. It is mean that major airlines have exclusive-use gate leases, hold best take off and landing time or slots, who dominate the best and desirable airports. New and small airline are difficult to entry in this high profit routes. As a result, most small airlines can eliminate these obstacles depend on alliances and code sharing. Indeed, alliances and code sharing agreements create a variety of benefits to both airlines and society. For example, the employee job security of airlines, efficiency of passenger’s flight connections, revenues of airlines are greatly increased. Nevertheless, alliances and code sharing agreements induce some critics and problems. Government and some people seem to think that airline industry will become to anticompetitive market which cause Mega-carriers due to alliances agreements. As a consequence, perhaps others airlines and new airline can’t entry and mega-carriers enormous economical force to restrain trade and increase pricing. Besides, He stated that there is currently Insufficient data to determine whether good or bad in competition and fares. At final, author claimed that although alliances and code sharing agreements have some obstacles need to result, they represent critical and important sources of new traffic and revenues.
This article had effectively answer possible objections at the correct vocabulary level because it belongs in journal paper from Competitive Review. Although this paper had a little outdated, I think it is worth to refer this article due to it is the forerunner of airlines alliances research. The author has clearly state his main ideas which is approved that the alliances and code sharing agreements help airlines to increase competition advantage and profits. Furthermore, he was clearly describe the current problem and defined the alliances and code sharing. In addition, author give statistic charts and stronger evidences for clear explain the effects, benefits, oppositions and problems of the alliances and code sharing. However, I think to his conclusion was very weak and he must use strong statement in his conclusion. His research can be better if he can find some evidences about airline gain the competition advantage by alliances and code sharing agreements.
In conclusion, this paper is well organized and worth reading. After reading, this paper enlightens me on the issue of airline alliances, especially on oppositions and problems. In addition, it enhanced my viewpoint about the effect and benefit of the airline alliances. I believe that this article is very helpful to my research paper.

Reference:
Kraats, S. V. (2000). Gaining a competitive edge through airline alliances. Competitive Review, 10, 2, 56-64.

Peace prize winner "Muhannad Yunus"

2006-12-27T19:45:00.000-08:00

Muhannad Yunus, the new Nobel Peace Prize winner, use the concept of microcredit to provided loans which help poor people avoid poverty by starting small businesses. According to Paul Watson and Nurul Alam in they article” Peace Prize Winner Sees Every Cent as a Seed”, stated the microcredit means that “allows the very poor, who don't qualify for traditional loans, to borrow as little as a few dollars without collateral.” In other words, microcredit breaks down the conventional banking rules to loans the money to the poor and help they escape from poverty. In fact, the poor nations are use to some economic strategies for get away poverty quickly. As a result, nearly halt of all consumers in the world now are in poor developing countries such as China and India. At the same time, the expanded consumerism of the world cause some issues and arguments especially on economy and environment. Some people seem to say that expanded consumerism is contribute to solution of poverty while others tend to think that it is serious add to the problem of world. In my opinion, I think the effect of expanded consumerism is helpful to the economy of world, but it is also threaten to the environment if we disregard the situation in expanded consumerism consequence. Although expanded consumerism improves the health statement, education levels and social conditions, I think it serious effect on environment and natural recourses. The expanded consumerism destroys the environment and natural recourses by serious pollution. For example, some new technology bring with toxic material during processing of manufacture.
In conclusion, the expanded consumerism is double faced, one promising and the other threatening. Based on the argument of above-mentioned, the negative effects of expanded consumerism seem to outweigh the positive effects of globalization. Up to the present expanded consumerism was still threatening the entire world, particularly on the environmental problem, abusing natural resources. Therefore, we should pick out the danger of expanded consumerism. The bad effects of expanded consumerism can be removed in a number of ways. First, we should establish a supranational monitoring organization to dominate the situation of expanded consumerism in moderation. Second, we should teach the people about how to protect the Earth and how to economize on resources. Finally, we should use recycling and natural energy to avoid pollution. Thus economy and environment will approach to win- win situation.
Referance:
Watson, P. & Alam, N. (2006, October 14) Peace prize winner sees every cent as a seed. Times research. Retrieved October, 28, 2006, form http://www.latimes.com

Knickerbocker, B. (2004). If poor get richer, does world see progress? The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved October, 28, 2006, form http:// www.csmonitor.com

RESEARCH PAPER

2006-12-05T06:23:00.000-08:00

Research Paper

The Risk and Impact of Airline Alliances

Yi-Cheng Pan

GSE Course

Teacher: Floyd Olive

12/5/2006

Abstract

The topic of this paper is about the risk and impact of airline alliances. This research argues that bad impact of the airline alliances is getting worse everyday. This essay is about how airline alliances can threaten and endanger the entire world, especially on passengers and community, travel agencies and employees. The disadvantages of airline alliances can be removed in three ways that include establishing a supranational government organization, creating a communication platform and using antitrust.

Research Paper

The Risk and Impact of Airline Alliances

The past two decades has witnessed an increasingly rapid tendency toward globalization in the world economy, and this has significantly affected the international logistics and transportation of nations, especially in civil aviation transportation. International airlines supply services in many countries and sell to customers around the world. Indeed, globalization also has made the world more interdependent than ever. There is no question that the movement to the market economy throughout the world and the globalization of markets has led to the greatest demand for the greatest number. Nevertheless, the most important consequence of globalization is the fact that the capacity of individual airlines cannot yet match the demand of supranational firms and customers. As a result, airlines change competition to cooperation in order to create greatest gain and profit. At the same time, international airlines businesses face tough challenges from the huge demands of fragmentary international customers. Therefore, In order to service their clients to snatch the greatest comparative advantage and benefit, airlines must be mutual cooperate to get more efficiency and safety.

According to the recent article “Airline Alliances Beat Regulations to Rule the Skies” figured out “alliances between airlines have become de rigueur as an alternative to full-blown mergers and acquisitions, which are stifled by the present international aviation regulations” (Financial Express, 2006, para. 1). In other word, airline alliances are an important factor in airline development with members generating marketing and operational benefits. In Mr. Kraats’s article “Gaining a Competitive Edge through Airline Alliances,” he stated that alliances and cods sharing are popular among airlines and helping the airline gaining the competitive advantages (2000, p. 56). An alliance, as defined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), is “alliance is a merging of resources, operations, or financial interests between one entity and another entity” (as cited in Kraats, 2000, p. 56). In other words, alliance is an agreement between two or more airlines to cooperate for the foreseeable future on a substantial level. Generally speaking, the degree of cooperation differs between alliances. The following table lists the latest alliances and their memberships (Tourism Futures International, 2006).

World Airline Alliances

Alliance Members
One
world

(8 member airlines)
Founding members: American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways (1 February 1999).
Additional members: Finnair and Iberia (September 1999), Aer Lingus and LAN Airline (May 2000). .

Future members: Malev and Japan Airlines have formally accepted invitations to join. Royal Jordanian is a member elect.

Sky
Team

(10 member airlines)
Founding members: Air France, Delta, AeroMexico and Korean Airlines (June 2000).
Additional members: CSA Czech Airlines (March 2001), Alitalia (July 2001), KLM, Continental Airlines and Northwest Airlines (September 2004), Aeroflot (April 2006).

Future members: China Southern Airlines has taken preliminary joining steps. Air Liban, Air Europa, Copa Airlines, Kenya Airways, Tarom and Portugalia Airlines have begun the process of attaining Associate status.

Star Alliance
(18 member airlines, 3 regional members)
Founding members: United Airlines, Air Canada, Lufthansa, Thai Airways International and SAS-Scandinavian Airlines (14 May 1997).
Additional members: VARIG Brazilian Airlines (October 1997), Air New Zealand (March 1999), All Nippon Airways (October 1999), Austrian Airlines Group(March 2000), Singapore Airlines (April 2000), bmi british midland, (July 2000), Asiana Airlines (March 2003), Spanair (April 2003), LOT Polish Airlines (October 2003), US Airways (May 2004), Blue1 (October 2004, regional member), Adria Airways and Croatia Airlines (December 2004, regional members), TAP Air Portugal (March 2005), South African Airways and Swiss International Airlines (April 2006).

Future members: Air China Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding; Shanghai Airlines has been invited to join.

Note. The data are adapted from “Industry issues and trends: Airline alliances” (2006), Tourism Futures International.

The advent of global airline alliances in the 1980s gave rise to concerns that increased monopoly power of major carriers would lead to large and sustained producer surpluses. However, partner selection is a difficult decision of airline. If airlines can learn to make timely and well-considered decisions, then they can often lead their company to spectacular and well-deserved success. However, if they make poor decisions, their firm risks failure and losing their customers. For example, in Mr. Wilma’s article “Alliance strategy and the fall of Swissair,” he proved that the alliance strategy will undermine a corporate level goal to diversify risk beyond the airline business, if select the wrong alliance strategy. The article stated that “the Swissair Group's bankruptcy is a direct consequence of mistakes made in implementing its alliance strategy” (2002, p. 355). That showed the Swissair didn’t need equity to bind its partners to it, Moreover, the airline investments were unprofitable, increased the Group's leverage and weakened its cash position. As a result, the Group did not have adequate resources to recover from external shocks. Furthermore, In recent article “Airline Alliances: Much to Be Gained, But Risks Abound” pointed out that “airline alliances take many forms and provide varying benefits and risks to participating air carriers, as well as other stakeholders such as passengers, communities, travel agencies and employees”(Jon, 2002, p. 1).

Airline alliances are double faced, one promising and the other threatening. Nevertheless, the most important consequence of Airline alliance is the fact that supranational government organizations cannot yet match the power of supranational alliances, which seized the wonderful occasion to engage in lawless activities recently. For this reason, the risks and impacts of Airline alliances seem to outweigh the advantages of Airline alliances. Furthermore, there were few articles researched on the bad effect of Airline alliances so far. Thus, this research will individually discuss about airline alliances bad effect in passengers, communities, travel agencies and employees and then suggest these stakeholders how to avoid the risks and impacts of airline alliances.

The bad effect in passengers

The airline alliances could reduce schedules and increase fares on passengers who fly on their planes. Three of the nation's biggest airlines let consumers expected that will unite frequent-flier programs, enjoy greater airport lounges and gain more convenient travel schedules as these former rivals sell seats on each other's connecting flights (USA Today, 2002, A 14). And most passengers seem to think that airline alliances enable air carriers to offer better services like through ticketing, baggage transfers, and frequent flyer mileage credits between alliance partners. But that's wrong expectation because none of those services requires airline alliances. According to the article “Airline Subsidies, Alliances, and Code-Sharing” stated that ”The international standards that the airlines themselves established decades ago through International Air Transport Association (IATA) permit all IATA member airlines, not just alliance partners, to publish through fares and establish interline ticketing and baggage transfer agreements. Any IATA-appointed travel agency can sell tickets on any IATA airline, including tickets at a single through fare for a multi-airline journey. And even alliance members often give frequent flyer mileage credit for travel on non-alliance airlines, without code sharing” (Hasbrouck, 2006, para. 6). At the same time, Mr. Hasbrouck claimed the real purpose of the major global airline alliances is to solidify the oligopoly of their participants, and to drive smaller non-participants and even large non-aligned airlines out of business -- so that the remaining airlines can raise prices, while travelers are offered fewer choices (para. 9). As a result, there are also serious dangers for passengers if the ultimate outcome is an oligopoly that leads to reduced service quality and higher prices.

The bad effect in communities

This section takes a keen look at the problems facing the international community due to conflicts arising from applications of varying competition laws by different competition authorities to international airline alliances. As a result of privatization, deregulation, liberalization and globalization, international air carriers form alliances with one another in order to cope with growing competition in the international air transport market. Although there have anti-trust regulations and the patchwork of ownership restrictions, alliances seem to have grown into these giant organizations that are answerable to the airlines, and seem to have little regard for the communities and passengers. In deed, airline alliances hurt the public very serious recently. In addition, they have built some barriers to entry in airline industry such as financial barrier and priority obstacles. It is mean that major airlines have exclusive-use gate leases, hold best take off and landing time or slots, who dominate the best and desirable airports. New and small airline are difficult to entry in this high profit routes.

Airline alliances make the benefit to both sides. On the one hand, airline alliances claim their members that make a profit from their government as far as possible such as prices artificially inflated by protectionism, taxes increased to support government subsidies, exemption of the airlines from consumer protection laws…etc(Hasbrouck, 2006, para. 15). It’s pure hypocrisy and greed behavior, like the airlines are saying in their quest for even more special treatment and subsidies from governments. On the other hand, the big three airline alliances use to economies of scale for the airline members to achieve massive procurement savings, cutting costs by sharing facilities and allowing a rationalization of their routes through code-sharing. However, it's particularly unfair that public taxpayers are required to subsidize air carriers. Thus the United Nations should establish a supranational government organization which establish a level playing field in the international air transport market are identified and the author provides possible solutions for the harmonization of different applications of competition law to international airline alliances and ensures public benefit.

The bad effect in travel agencies

Airline alliances are bring shivers among travel agencies as they worry about the fate of their accounts. Travel agencies become minor role and low profit business in civil aviation industry due to airline alliances. According to Mr. Mayrhuber, CEO and chairmen of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said that “In the olden days, airlines competed against each other. Toady the competition is still there, but is has been extended to a competition between airline alliances” (as cited in Airline Sets Sights High to Join Alliance, 2006 May 23, para. 2).

For this reason, travel agencies also select their cooperation alliance for competition advantage and restricted by alliance. Besides, It's a triumph of standardization and interoperability that the CRS's used by internet which can give access to schedule and price information (although not complete price information -- no single source has that) and ticketing capabilities for hundreds of airlines, even very small ones with no offices abroad, through a single user interface. One of the things for which a CRS is most useful is booking and pricing journeys that involve flights on more than one airline. Thus, there have some internet companies want share this market by their advantage such as Orbitz.com and travelocity.com; moreover, three biggest alliance developed their ticket system and website for selling their tickets. As a result, small travel agencies are in droves to close or bankrupt.

The bad effect in employees

Airline alliance decreases opportunities for job growth and reduced security for employees by work force reductions. The goal of alliance is to broaden sources of income and reduce expenditure. Therefore, airline alliance would induce a large surplus of employees due to they share the recourses each other. The U.S. Rep. James Oberstar intends to look hard at potential airline mergers in the coming months because he knows that fusing two carriers often causes pain for workers and hurts some consumers (as cited in Fedor, 2006, December 5). For example, Delta Air Lines Inc. and the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corp. have settled the carrier's request to terminate its pilots pension plan due to the proposed US Airways-Delta merger. However, some routes are overcapacity and that some seats should be removed from the market. But some carriers flying with many full planes and there is a lack of substantial competition on many routes. That is mean that the market of aviation isn’t overcapacity, it just dislocation. The airlines just find an excuse to terminate excess worker for reducing expenditure. Although it is unfair for employees, it is hard truth and rationality. Thus the employees could find out the job opportunities from others market needs.

In conclusion, airline alliance is difficult to pin down which can be a merits or demerits. Based on the argument of above-mentioned, the negative effects of airline alliances seem to outweigh the positive effects of airline alliances. Up to the present airline alliance was still threatening the entire world, particularly on the traveler welfare problem, public benefit topic, travel agencies revenue, and right of the employees. Therefore, we should pick out the danger of airline alliance. The disadvantages of airline alliance can be removed in a number of ways. First, we should establish a supranational government organization to contend with this enigma. Second, we should create a communication platform to know where good effect is and where bad effect is. Finally, individual could curtail supranational alliances’ powers by antitrust. Thus market and demand will approach to win- win situation.

Reference:

Airline alliances beat regulations to rule the skies. (2006, October 8) Financial Express Sunday Express. Retrieved November 12, 2006 from LexisNexis.

Airline 'alliances' may limit fliers' options, raise fares. (2002, September, 3) USA Today, A 14. Retrieved November 12, 2006 from Academic Search Premier.

Airline Sets Sights High to Join Alliance. (2006, may, 23) Financial Time Information. Retrieved November 12, 2006 from LexisNexis.

Fedor, L. (2006, December, 5). Oberstar will cast beacon across airline mergers. McClatchy Newspapers. Retrieved December 5, 2006 from http://www. commercialappeal.com/mca/business/article/0,1426,MCA_440_5190303,00.html.

Industry issues and trends: Airline alliances. (2006). Tourism Futures International. Retrieved November 12, 2006 from http://www.tourismfuturesintl.com/

Kraats, S. V. (2000). Gaining a competitive edge through airline alliances. Competitive Review, 10, 2, 56-64.

WEBER H. R. (2006, December, 4). Delta, Pension Agency Reach Settlement, AP Markets. Retrieved December 5, 2006 from http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ ap/fn/4378869.html.

Wilma, W. S. (2002). Alliance strategy and the fall of Swissair. Journal of Air Transport Management, 8, 5, 355-363.

The New iBT TOEFL More Beneficial than The Original Paper Based Test

2006-10-12T08:02:00.001-07:00

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score is one of the most important admission requirements for international students to get the path to college and graduate school. All American universities use the TOEFL score to evaluate the international student’s language skill. However, now that test method has changed to iBT (Internet-based test) that entirely different the before method PBT (paper-based test). Some people say that the new iBT is better than PBT while others think that iBT is a mistake, especially on test center capacity(European Educators Predict Chaos if ETS Expands Internet-Based English Test to 100 Countries”, 2006, para 4). In my personal opinion, I think the new iBT more beneficial than the PBT for several reasons: iBT is a better evaluating how well applicants can communicate in English, iBT help students perform better in university, iBT can feedback applicants ability on speaking, listening reading and writing.

The iBT is the better way to evaluate how well applicants can communicate in English. Communication skill is essential to success in school. According to Justin Pope in his article “Agency Overhauls English Proficiency Test”, stated that “in recent years, many of the 5,200 English-speaking colleges and universities that use the exam have grown concerned the test fails to identify students who master only “textbook” English. There have also been complaints from undergraduates who can’t understand the foreign graduate students teaching their classes” (2005, para 3). Thus, How to evaluate the Communication skill of international students is very important thing on TOEFL.
One more advantage of iBT is that it will help students perform better in university. In Article “New TOEFL pattern may help students”, claimed that “iBT will help English instructors link teaching and learning with testing to help students perform better in academic institutions” (2005, para 2). The iBT is measures all four skill of speaking, listening reading and writing; moreover, these question are similar to reality school life. In the same time, candidates allowed note-taking throughout the entire test. As a result, students will improve their performance in university. For example, when students are in the class, they need to listen, read, discuss, and take notes. In addition, students need all four skills in daily life. Therefore, iBT help candidates to develop a higher level of English ability in school and daily life.

The third benefit of iBT is that iBT have performance feedback on score reports and score results are provided online within 15 days of after the test. The performance feedback is very useful to improve candidates’ English ability on speaking, listening reading and writing. Because the feedback will show up weak point of candidate and suggest candidate how to improve their skills. For example, I had been taken two times iBT exam. After 15days, I can find out my TOEFL score online and know my weakness in the speaking, listening reading and writing. Thus, I can select my strategy on study schedule to improve my chief defects.

In conclusion, despite some critics on test center capacity, iBT still more beneficial than PBT based on emphasis on communicative competence, question contents near campus life and effective feedback report. However, ETS (Educational Testing Service) actually has completed more than 30,000 iBT test centers in the world. For this reason, iBT would be quickly to settle down in orderly operation and would be more beneficial to international students.

Reference

European educators predict if ETS expands internet-based English test to 100 countries. (2006, February 3). The Chronicle of Higher Education, 52(22), 47. Retrieved October 6, 2006 from LexisNexis.
New TOEFL pattern may help students. (2005, November 7). Global News Wire-Asia Africa Intelligence Wire. Retrieved October 6, 2006 from LexisNexis.
Pope, J. (2005, September 23). Agency overhauls English proficiency test. Associate Press Online. Retrieved October 6, 2006 from LexisNexis.

Summary and Response

2006-10-12T08:28:00.000-07:00

The impact of globalization on sovereignty and the environment
By Stuart Smith
United States law journal, 1998, vol. 24, p263, 8p

According to Stuart Smith in his article” The impact of globalization on sovereignty and the environment,” the globalization of market has certainly had an impact on the ability of nation-states to control externalities such as environment, ethics, labor practices, working conditions, and human right etc. these are no monetary values; Consequently, the unparalleled growth and the now unopposed victory of the market system. Moreover, he point out that globalization was also stimulated to some extent by large government borrowing. Advanced countries were very willing to buy large amounts of that debt and to do a lot of portfolio investment and even create factories in other part of the world. There is no question that the movement to the market economy throughout the world and the globalization of markets has led to the greatest good for the greatest number. Nevertheless, the most important consequence of globalization is the fact that supranational government organizations cannot yet match the power of supranational firms. Individual governments difficult to set standard for these externalities and companies are easily able to leap over any particular rule by globalization market. There is only the world trade organization (WTO) has the power and influence to put teeth in any of these treaties, although the WTO has had no appetite for any restrictions. In conclusion, author hope that will have a world organization that can apply sanctions on behalf of such issue as the environment and human rights. Beside, he thinks that should open a dialogue with the WTO and encourage it to slightly dilute its general approach which has been in favor of opening markets at all costs. Finally, market and externalities will approach to win- win situation.
I agree with Mr. Stuart Smith’s opinion because the serious bad influence of globalization on sovereignty and the environment are self-evident. The globalization market affects the ability of nation-states to control externalities by level of education, development of technology, financial deficit, and national government factors.
The most important effect factor is level of education. In high-wage areas people know the right of the individual self and the common sense of environmental protection because they got advanced schooling. On the contrary, in low-wage areas people didn’t have high education, so they didn’t know the human right, the important of the environment, the worker right on career, and ethics. They just know that they need to earn money if they want to survival. For this reason, some enterprise films are capable of squeezing money out of the labor on weaker nation-sates.
Rapid Growth of development of technology is the second effect factor that significantly accelerated the globalization and weighted the impact degree. In addition, the technology being struggles with environment all the time. New technology productions are laced with toxic materials such as lead, mercury, flame-retardants, and cadmium. Besides, new technology usually comes with the new E-waste which has become a serious environmental problem.
The third bad influential factor is country’s financial deficit. Poor countries are easy to get into debt and than at the mercy of the irresistible force, because some developing countries have a lots of deficits and they need finance support by films and advanced countries. The powerful companies soon began to predominate over them with the bait of a huge budget. Usually, the needy countries couldn't resist the lure of money. As a consequence, the conquerors plundered their resource and trampled on sovereignty and environment.
The final effect factor is national government theory. Every country has the right to self-government. These actions were interpreted as a threat to national sovereignty if some countries want to interfere or demand in the internal affairs of other countries. Some countries strongly resist foreign regime intervention even though it is useful interference. As a result, no any supranational government organizations could match up the power of supranational firms. Indeed, the powerful films or countries seized the chance of disparity to persecute externalities.
In summaries, the globalization critical impact on sovereignty and the environment, and this is an issue that can’t be ignored. Moreover, there have four major factors caused the globalization great effect the ability of nation-states to control externalities that include education different, technology evolution, deficit financing, and sovereignty intervention. Therefore, every country should pay attention to this problem and establish a supranational government organization to contend with this enigma. Furthermore, individual could curtail supranational firms’ powers by antitrust.

Reference:

Smith, S. (1998). The impact of globalization on sovereignty and the environment. United States Law Journal, 42, 263-271.

Globalization Issue:Globalization is Poison for Developing Countries

2006-10-12T07:19:00.000-07:00

Abstract

The topic of this paper is globalization issue. This research argues that impact of the globalization is bad for developing countries. This essay is about how globalization can threaten and endanger the entire world, especially on environment and natural resource, public health, tradition and culture, and sovereignty issue. The poison of globalization can be removed in three ways that include establishing a supranational government organization, creating a communication and using antitrust.

Globalization Issue:
Globalization is Poison for Developing Countries

Two men return from a vacation in Shawnee National Forest. They meet a friend and immediately start complaining: “The food was terrible,” the first man says, “I think they were trying to poison us.” The second man adds, “Yes, and the portions were so small.” That is my opinion on globalization: the portions are small, and they are poisonous. This is not to make light of the very real gains that have come with globalization. According to Webster's Dictionary Online define globalization as “the development of an increasingly which integrated global economy marked especially by free trade, free flow of capital, and the tapping of cheaper foreign labor markets”(globalization, n.d., para 1). Besides, according to “Making Globalization Work” claimed that “Globalization is a double-edged tool. We can take advantage of it with sound national strategies designed to increase the well-being of our citizens, or we can fold our arms and do nothing and allow globalization to take advantage of us” (“Making Globalization Work”, 2003, para2). For example, globalization creates new markets and wealth and businessmen delight in a thing and never get tired of it, hence many politicians, academics, and journalists treat these trends as both inevitable and on the whole welcome. But for billions of the world people, business-driven globalization means uprooting old ways of life and threatening livelihoods and cultures. In fact, globalization invaded the entire world, especially in developing countries.
The past two decades has witnessed an increasingly rapid tendency toward globalization in the world economy, and this has significantly affected the comparative advantage and international competitiveness of nations. Indeed, globalization also has made the world more interdependent than ever. Multinational corporations manufacture products in many countries and sell to consumers around the world. Advanced countries business and industries face increasing competition from the top of developing countries companies such as Taiwan, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore and China that have captured a share of the market with cheap products, thanks to low domestic wage rates. For this reason, developed countries –America, United Kingdom, Canada, and Japan– companies hoping to withstand foreign competition were go to developing countries. However, John Manzella, publisher and an internationally recognized expert on trade and globalization, stated “due to successful efforts to lower global barriers, international trade and investment have become a primary engine of world growth. And growth is responsible for reducing poverty. But in fact, studies indicate that developing countries with open economies grew by approximately 5% a year in the 1970s and 1980s, while those with closed economies grew less than 1% annually”(2002, para. 2). That is mean globalization just balance the economies of the world from wealth places to poor areas and didn’t create the extra wealth of the world. At the same time, he also pointed out “globalization has had negative consequences on some developing countries“(para. 9).
According to Stuart Smith (1998) in his article” The Impact of Globalization on Sovereignty and the Environment,” pointed out that “the globalization of market has certainly had an impact on the ability of nation-states to control externalities such as environment, ethics, labor practices, working conditions, and human right etc. These externalities are no monetary values (p. 263); consequently, this disadvantage led to the unparalleled growth and the now unopposed victory of the market system. There is no question that the movement to the market economy throughout the world and the globalization of markets has led to the greatest good for the greatest number. Nevertheless, the most important consequence of globalization is the fact that supranational government organizations cannot yet match the power of supranational firms. For example, advanced countries companies are moving to developing countries to avoid tough enforcement of environmental laws and resources restricted distribution. Individual governments difficult to set standard for these externalities and companies are easily able to leap over any particular rule by globalization market. As this result, globalization changes from panacea to poison at once in the whole world, developing countries especially. This research agrees with Mr. Smith’s opinion because the serious bad influence of globalization on sovereignty and the environment of low wage areas are self-evident. Moreover, this research claims that the globalization market affects the ability of developing countries to control externalities specifically on environment and natural resource, public health, tradition and culture, and sovereignty.
The most serious Impact of globalization is on the environment and natural resource of developing countries because globalization directly harm developing countries environment and squeeze their natural resource without limits. Since globalization has greatly reduced poverty throughout the world via development, and meantime the abominable businessmen gained a lot of profit from developing countries whom delighted in globalization and never get tired of it. In addition, poor countries are easy to get into debt and than suffer at the mercy of this irresistible force because some developing countries have lots of deficits and they need finance support by foreign films and advanced countries. The powerful companies soon began to predominate over them with the bait of huge money. Usually, the needy countries couldn't resist the lure of money. As a consequence, the conquerors plundered their resource and trampled on sovereignty and environment that common occurrence. In “Report Says Globalization May Work in Favor of Environment” stated that “an upsurge of trade and investment in natural resources sectors such as forestry, mining and petroleum development is threatening the health of the world's sensitive ecosystems. The world's leading biologists have reported that the loss of living species in recent decades represents the largest mass extinction since the dinosaurs were wiped out 65 million years ago. In addition, the rapid growth in the movement of human beings and their goods and services has provided convenient transportation for thousands of alien species of plants and animals to take root on foreign shores. International commerce is a potent mechanism through which hazardous products and technologies move around the world” (2000, p1). For this reason, powerful organization such as World Trade Organization (WTO) should set up the international policies and institutions needed to ensure that the world economy of the 21st century without destroying the environment and overusing natural resource.
One more argument from public health issue is that globalization threatens fiercely to public health far greater than developing countries have benefited greatly in public health by increased trade, improved technology, and respected human rights. Some of the negative aspects of globalization had serious impact to public health. In other words, the more interconnection make the more sufferers. In Derek Yach’s article, professor and head of division of global health, “The Globalization of Public Health, I: Threats and Opportunities” he stated that ”The domain of globalization includes many interconnected phenomena and risk that affect the sustainability of health systems and the well-being of the populations of both developing and industrialized countries”(1998, p2). For example, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) is a viral respiratory illness. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that “SARS was first reported in Asia in February 2003. Over the next few months, the illness spread to more than two dozen countries in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia before the SARS global outbreak of 2003 was contained” (Basic Information About SARS, 2005, para. 1). As this result, the World Health Organization (WHO) should promote the public health policies of international to prevent the fatal contagious diseases.
A third claim is that notwithstanding developing countries trying doing their best to keep up the nation-states traditions and cultures, globalization wiping off intensely. In fact, it is obvious how bad of globalization will impact on tradition or culture. Because foreign influences still destroy the good of ways of life violently. According to Mohammed Moussalli (2003) in his article “impact of globalization” claimed that ”Cultural invasion of globalization will lead to the disintegration of identity and the spirit of culture.(para.5) For example, there have lots of the fast food restaurants and foreign restaurants in Taiwan, such as McDonald, KFC, japans’ food, and Korean food. They led the many Taiwanese to changed diet behavior and culture. Besides, young people pent lot of money and time to follow the fashion of foreign countries, and discarded old beliefs. Thus many Taiwanese worry about the Americanization of their country, seeing the use the U.S. style. Thus, every country should pay attention to this problem and prevent to lose good tradition and culture.
The fourth argument at government issue is that globalization endangers developing countries’ sovereignty. The poor countries were unable to resist the canvasses and persuades from greedy businessmen of advanced countries who buy large amounts of that debt and to do a lot of portfolio investment and even create factories. Some countries and companies want to interfere or demand in the internal affairs of other countries in order to earn maximum Profit. In fact, these actions were interpreted as a threat to national sovereignty. Besides, an interesting side-effect of globalization on weaker nation-states is that governments sacrifice the power, resource and right of human in order to compete with others countries to attract industry and investment. Stuart Smith (1998) also claimed that “the real power of nation-states has been greatly diminished …They need to please investors, whose supply of loyalty is pretty close to zero.” (p.2). As a result, no any supranational government organizations could match up the power of supranational firms. Indeed, the powerful films or countries seized the chance of disparity to persecute externalities of developing countries. Every country should have the right to self-government in order to ensure national peace, equality and freedom. Hence, government of developing countries should careful about this issue and resist the invasion of greedy merchants.
In conclusion, globalization is double faced, one promising and the other threatening. Based on the argument of above-mentioned, the poisons of globalization seem to outweigh the delicacies of globalization. Up to the present globalization was still threatening the entire world, particularly on the environmental problem, public healthful topic, cultural invasion, and governmental right of the developing countries. Therefore, developing countries should pick out the danger of globalization. The poison of globalization can be removed in a number of ways. First, we should establish a supranational government organization to contend with this enigma. Second, we should create a communication platform to know where poison is and where delicacy is. Finally, individual could curtail supranational firms’ powers by antitrust. Thus market and externalities will approach to win- win situation.

Reference:

Basic information about SARS. (2005, May 3). Retrieved September 28, 2006, from http://www.cdc.gov/NCIDOD/SARS/factsheet.htm
Figueres, J. M. (2003, October 01). Making Globalization Work. Global Envision. Retrieved September 26, 2006, from http://www. globalenvision.org/library/3/536/
Manzella, J. (2002, September 1). Globalization's Effects. Retrieved September 28, 2006 from http://www.aworldconnected.org/article.php /231.html
Moussalli, M. (2003, August 25). Impact of Globalization. Global Policy Forum. Retrieved September 28, 2006 from http://www.globalpolicy.org/ golbaliz/cultural/2003/0828islam.html
Report says globalization may work in favor of environment. (2000, March 27). Environmental News Network. Retrieved September 28, 2006 from EBSCO.
Smith, S. (1998). The impact of globalization on sovereignty and the environment. United States Law Journal, 42, 263-271.
Globalization (n.d.). Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Retrieved September 28, 2006 from http://www.m-w.com/dictionary/Globalization
Yach, D. (1998, May). The globalization of public health, I: Threats and opportunities. American Journal of Public Health, 88, 5,735-738.

Should parents have to take parenting classes?

2006-09-12T13:02:00.000-07:00

Parenting is one of the most important jobs in the world. Everyone have a chance to be parent. Some people may be say that parents should learn how to parenting by themselves, but parents should have to take parenting classes for education, social, health, and mental reasons.
The important reason is parenting education. In general, people learn parenting skills form they parents, in other word, what kinds parents will teaching what kinds parenting. Most parents can teaching good parenting know-how, But sometimes these parenting skills just base on personal opinion and concepts. However, these knowledge was not enough to cover all, and in consequence some parents abuse their power while in teaching child and then misuse a child. Patricia A. Gorzka (1999) reported that short-tram parenting education courses may be useful intervention strategy to prevent parents’ abusive behaviors. People should need to take parenting classes to learn how to take-care their son or daughter and to develop effective parenting skills instead of child abuse.
The second reason is social that also a key reason. If parents have excellent parenting skill and knowledge, they will teaching their child to obey the social rule and regulation, and therefore reduce social problem. Domitrovich, Celene E and Bierman, Karen L (2001) noted that Children's perceptions of their parenting experiences were related to their social problem solving and their reported social distress that is to say parenting will affect child’s behavior shaping and social development. For this reason, parents can learn how to be a good parent and avoid children run away in the streets.
The third reason is mental health problem. In the present age of the high stresses and pressures, not only adult easy suffer from mental health problem but so child. “Mental health problems of clinical severity affect up to 20% of all children aged 5–15 years in Great Britain, and these are now the commonest cause of severe disability in childhood. Mental health promotion is a priority for public health in the UK. The importance of parenting as a risk factor for mental illness, both in childhood and in adulthood is well recognized” (J Patterson, J Barlow, C Mockford, I Klimes, C Pyper and S Stewart-Brown, 2002). Furthermore, research conclusion pointed out that good program of parenting make a useful contribution to the prevention of child behavior problems and to mental health promotion in primary care. In order to avoid a few vital parenting mistakes can make child’s life difficult. Hence, parents need learning prepare the mental facilities in parenting classes.
The final reason is health for parents and children. Child is weaker then adult and easy be sick and ill. If parent are not well aware, child will fell sick of a serious illness by big mistake. So Parenting classes are teaching parents how to take care children when they were sick and kept the child psychological well-being.
In summary, for educational, social, mental, and health reason, parents should have to take parenting classes; in order to let our next generation can be better. Furthermore, parent should depend on son or daughter’s situation to choice appropriate parenting class.

Reference:
J Patterson, J Barlow, C Mockford, I Klimes, C Pyper, and S Stewart-Brown (2002, May 20). Improving mental health through parenting programs: block randomised controlled trial. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 87, 472-477.
P.A. Gorzka (1999,July). Homeless parents: parenting education to prevent abusive behaviors. Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Nursing, 12, 3, 101-109.
Domitrovich, Celene E and Bierman, Karen L (2001, April) Parenting practices and child social adjustment: Multiple pathways of influence. Merrill-Palmer Quarterly, 47, 2, 235-63.

Character analysis: Brenda Strong form the film Catch Me If You Can

2006-10-02T20:48:00.000-07:00

Brenda Strong is an innocent and sweet young girl who is mostly a small role in the film Catch Me If You Can. In the movie, she is a candy striper and working for a hospital in Atlanta. One time, Frank visited his friend who was staying at hospital. He met her accidentally when she was blamed for the neglect of duty. Frank tried to comfort her, and made her happy. At that time, she was looked like pitiful. But it pushed Frank to pose as a doctor as soon as possible. Frank lied to Brenda and everyone that he is a pediatrician. At the same time, Frank usually cares for Brenda. Hence, Brenda falls in love with Frank quickly.
While he falls in love with Brenda Strong, she tells to Frank that she was kicked out by her parents because she had an unmarried abortion. Frank suggests that if she comes home on the arm of a graduate of the Harvard Medical School, Daddy might not be so judgmental. At the same time, Frank asks Brenda to marry him in order to help Brenda Strong win back her parents. For this reason, Frank decides to assume a new identity to impress her father, Roger Strong, and then Frank happens to be the Assistant Prosecutor of New Orleans, LA.
With the help of Brenda Strong, Frank climbs to the top of his life. He wants to settle down with Brenda and call a truce with F.B.I. agent. On the contrary, Carl wants to catch him and knows he will marry some one. In addition, Carl guesses he can’t change his name and searches the wedding announcements in recent newspapers. As a result, Frank was almost arrested on his wedding. When he escaped from Brenda’s home, he told the truth to Brenda and made an appointment to meet in two day at Miami International Airport.
Unfortunately, Brenda discloses the news of her appointment with Frank to F.B.I. agent. This movement makes Frank disappointed and sad and that proves Brenda doesn’t love Frank from the bottom of her heart. If I were Brenda, I would creep stealthily up to Miami International Airport and be together forever.
Actually, Brenda Strong of the film is quite different from the novel. I think the director combined two roles, Brenda and Rosalie in the novel, and used this method in order to combine the story and let movie more dramatize.

Journal of Culture Conversation Partner Group (9/21/2006)

2006-09-25T08:59:00.000-07:00

Date: 9/21/2006
Time: 3:30~8:30(p.m.)
Place: Garth’s Home
Person: Peter, Jay, Chen, Garth, Jiana, Wendy (Peter’s wife)
Writer: Peter

The fourth of meeting, American style living experience, that's just what I expected. Garth says that American like to barbeque party in home outside. He holds a grate barbeque party at his house and invite his friends join this party. In addition, his parents also are kindness and sympathy host.
His is father is entrepreneur who collecting more over 300 old cars and sale spare parts on E-bay. He told to me that he bought these car les then 500 dollars, but he earns 700 dollars at his first time business deal.
Garth prepares the American barbeque foods for us that include sausage, chicken, steak, hot dog, beans, potato salad, and beverage and so on. We put carbon to roaster and start made the fire. During waiting for the barbeque, Garth shows us the game of American traditional, horse shoe. His father usually play horseshoe three times per week. He teaches us how to play this game that the score can divide to three kinds, one point, two points, and three points. We had a competition of horseshoe game.
After game, we start enjoy our American style foods and discuss some culture issues. Chinese people like hold the barbeque party in mid-moon festival and the number of family will meet together. This festival is one of important festivals that like to Halloween festival or thanksgiving festival for American.
I had post some picture on website and my blog website the address as blow:
http://airmansky.spaces.live.com/
http://panyicheng.blogspot.com/

Journal of Culture Conversation Partner Group

2006-09-24T11:30:00.000-07:00

Date: 9/14/2006
Time: 3:30~8:30(p.m.)
Place: Peter’s Home (Southern Hill)
Person: Peter, Jay, Chen, Garth, Jiana, Wendy (Peter’s wife)
Writer: Peter

This week, I invited my culture conversation partners to the dumpling party in my apartment in order to let Garth and Jiana to observe and learn Chinese culture food from real life. Chinese Dumpling is one of the Chinese culture delicacies and becomes one of the most widely loved foods in the world. Besides, Chinese dumpling is one of the most important foods in Chinese New Year. Since the shape of Chinese dumplings is similar to ancient Chinese gold or silver ingots, they symbolize wealth. Traditionally, the members of a family will get together to make dumplings during the New Year's Eve. They may hide a coin in one of the dumplings. The person who finds the coin will likely have a good fortune in the New Year. Chinese dumpling is also popular in other Chinese holidays or festivals, so it is part of the Chinese culture or tradition.
You can make a variety of Chinese dumplings using different fillings based on your taste and how various ingredients mixed together by you. In addition, Chinese Dumpling can be cooked in many ways such as fire dumpling, boiled dumpling, steam dumpling, soup dumpling and so on. This time we select pork and chicken for the main meat. Both Garth and Jiana are first time to make dumpling, so I show them four kinds dumpling that include fire dumpling, boiled dumpling, steam dumpling, and soup dumpling.Moreover, Jay brings Taiwan’s famous drink and beef soup and Garth brings American chips and sauces .
We started from made fillings and mixed ingredients. And then, we wrapped the ingredients in dumpling skins that spend two hours in made dumpling. Next, we cook four kind’s dumpling and one kind soup.
Finally, we can start enjoy our booty. In the same time, we discuss different issues about Taiwan’s and American’s living culture. Garth invited us to his house for American style outside Barbeque next Thursday when the ending of meeting.

Weblog Writing Assignment

2006-09-11T22:47:00.000-07:00

Among the characters in the film Catch me if you can, the most interesting character in my opinion is Frank William Abagrale, Sr., Who is the father of Frank William Abagnale, Jr. I think He is a good father and he very loves Frank very much, even if Frank made some big mistakes In addition, I admire him for his sociability in business and He was very brave when he failed in business. By the way, he love his former wife very mach and is a who, when he loved a women, he loved her forever. There have some questions about the role of Frank William Abagrale, Sr. as follow as:

1 Why does this character stand out to you above all the others?
Beside above These reasons, I think he is a good father and a nice teacher for frank even much he failed in business, He placed the money in an account in Frank’s name. In the movie he looked like a silent person, but His every word is very important for Frank.

2 Identify the actor in this role.
Frank William Abagnale, Sr. is the father of Frank Willian Abagnale, Jr., the author of Catch Me If You Can. He was rich until he failed in business and then he became a postal clerk.

3 Identify the character’s goals and the obstacles in her / his path.
I think Frank willians, Sr. has three goals. The first is be a good father, the second is trying to win his wife bock and the thild is saving his business. Also he has(debta problems) or a problem wiln clabt.

4 Is this a static or dynamic character?
I think Frank William Abagnale, Sr. is a static. He always act a good father.

5 predict what will happen next for this character.
I think he will die in 1974 that Bosedon the book.

6 Have you encountered this character in the book yet? If so are there important differences between the two depictions?
Yes, I have encountered in the book. I think that the film and book were similar. But I think the book that described more detail. I very like he say : As long as a men knows what he is and who he is, he’ll do all right.: although he failed in business.

My picture!!

2006-08-31T00:21:00.000-07:00

Crcate New Blog account

2006-08-31T00:00:00.000-07:00

That is my second time to crate blog account. I feel this blog system easier then my first time. in addition, this blog is a cute website. I love it. Don't you?