Weekly Reflection Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Weekly Reflection - Essay Example The rights of the suspected criminal are guaranteed by the 4th, 5th and 6th amendments of the constitution of the United States (Miller, 2011). Substantive law originates from the legislative statues and the common legal system. On the other hand, civil law is recognized as the branch of common law which deals with the relations between institutions and individuals. This law entails certain rules, which are used by various jurisdictions in order to determine the sentence for a criminal offense in regard to the relationship between an institution and an individual. According to various scholars, these regulations are designed in order to ensure justice in the courts of law (Miller, 2011). Civil law can be distinguished from substantive law. In fact, civil law defines the procedure which allows the action of the law. Lastly, there are civil rights, which are closely interrelated to the civil law. Some of these rights include the right to life, justice and education among others (Miller,

The Life of Jonathan Swift Essay Example for Free

The Life of Jonathan Swift Essay Life has always been filled with people who have given much in their lives to contribute to the betterment of society. They surpass the boundaries that have been set by the government and the people around them, just to make a difference in the world. One of these people was Jonathan Swift. Jonathan Isaac Bickerstaff Swift was born on November 30, 1667 in Dublin, Ireland. He was the only son and second child of Abigaile Erick Swift and Jonathan Swift. Since he was named after his father, he was often called Jonathan Junior or simply Junior. Before he was born, Jonathan’s father died. His other relatives were of great assistance just so he could have a good education (Incompetech website, n. d. ). In 1686, he was able to graduate from Trinity College in Dublin. He immediately went to England to open new doors, and was fortunate enough to be accepted as the secretary of Sir William Temple. Living with Sir William paved way for Jonathan to meet a young lady, who later became an important part of his life. He met Esther Johnson and became her tutor. In between his sessions, he would scribble down his thoughts and ideas, but eventually burned them. Upon Sir William’s death, Jonathan was jobless and eventually became a fashionable satiric writer for Dublin (Incompetech website, n. d. ). Soon after, Stella, as he fondly called her, moved to Ireland just so she could be near him. Their relationship was a source of all gossips in town, because of their difference in age. Some said that the two lovers were even married in 1716. When Stella died in 1728, Jonathan Swift was desolated, and hid a lock of the lady love’s hair in his things until the day he died (Pegasos, 2000). His political ambitions were never taken aside. When Queen Anne was in position, Jonathan became the vicar of Kilroot. He then wrote for the Tattler, a newspaper, from 1708-1709. His writing skills were tested further when he became one of the founders of the Scriblerus Club. He worked together with the Pope, Congreve, and Robert Harley (Pegasos, 2000). The years 1713 – 1742 were the years when Jonathan was dean of the St. Patricks Cathedral. He became deaf in his early twenties, and many people thought that he was insane. During one of his conversations with Edward Young, he said that he would be mentally incapacitated when he reached the age of fifty. Basically he was ready to face this mentally challenging state early on in his life (Pegasos, 2000). He died on October 19, 1745 in Dublin Ireland due to Alzheimers disease. He died leaving behind his legacy through the numerous poetries and proses written in pamphlets (Pegasos, 2000). 1726 was another great year for Jonathan Swift. This was the time when he wrote and published the famous prose entitled, Gullivers Travels. At first reading, the book may be classified as a childrens book, although the writer had an underlying meaning behind each even in Gullivers life. The book showcased most of Jonathans feelings and emotions about the social problems at that time (Incompetech website, n. d. ). One of Jonathans works was evident in the proposal he wrote about the children in 1729. Entitled, â€Å"A Modest Proposal: For Preventing The Children of Poor People in Ireland From Being Aburden to Their Parents Or Country, and For Making Them Beneficial to The Public† (Art-Bin, n. d. ), focused on how the children of their time suffered the hardships in life. From the title alone, we can see that Jonathan wanted the children to live normal lives before they had to endure the hardships and realities of life. His main purpose in writing the proposal was to help uplift the lives people had in their society at that time. He had no children of his own, so the proposal he wrote was not of great bearing to his life. All he wanted was for people to first realize that the children should not be placed in situations that could ruin their lives, and eventually their futures (Art-bin, n. d). Although Jonathans book, Gullivers Travels, was well received by many, he always stood for his beliefs and oppositions on the inequalities of the government towards his native land. When he finally decided to run for politics, he kept his distance form the Whig and Tory parties. He wanted to be individually known for his works and accomplishments, other than the association that may be given to him by either parties. His writings were mostly satiric, meaning they made use of sarcastic words, and exposed the hard realities of their life at that time. Although the book was creative in manner and well suited for children, many were alarmed by his writings, for they opened new ideas for people (Westchester University, n. d. ). His writings were not only isolated to proses. He also participated in writing papers involving ecclesiastical matters, such as the â€Å"Three Sermons and Prayers†, which he wrote in 1744. Some of his other works were included in his book, The â€Å"Writings on Religion and the Church†, which was finally published in 1898 (Merriman, 2008). It was said that Jonathan had published a collection of his works three years before he slipped into senility. Eventually, he suffered from a paralytic stroke in 1738. The people close to him started to care for the ill Jonthan Swift. In 1742, his belongings and affairs were soon cared for by appointed guardians (Victorian Web, 2000). His life was lived to the fullest, and he made sure that people remembered him as someone who had hoped for the upheaval of society in Ireland. He left behind his legacy through the numerous poetries and proses he wrote in pamphlets. He died on October 19, 1745 in Dublin Ireland due to Alzheimers disease. (Pegasos, 2000). Jonathans remains were laid beside his beloved wife, Stella, inside the St. Patricks Cathedral in Dublin, Ireland (Merriman, 2008). With his own epitaph written, Jonathan became successful in accomplishing his dreams of being a well known person. He is in fact, forever remembered by his countrymen and of the whole world, forever. Jonathan Swift may have suffered before he died, but he was able to open the eyes of the people to the reality that was happening right before their eyes. He was an enemy to some, but an inspiration for many. His works will forever be present to inspire us and the children of the future to go on and be someone. References (. n. d. ). Jonathan isaac bickerstaff swift. Incompetech. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://incompetech. com/authors/swift/. West Chester University. (n. d. ). Jonathan swift: A modest proposal 1729. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://courses. wcupa. edu/wanko/LIT400/ireland/jonanthan_swift. htm (2007). Ireland. MSN encarta. Retrieved May 2, 2008 from http://encarta. msn. com/encyclopedia_761566701_9/Ireland. html. (n. d. ). A modest proposal. The art bin origo. Retrieved May 3, 2008 from http://art-bin. com/art/omodest. html (2000). Books and writers. Pegasos. Retrieved May 3, 2008 from http://www. kirjasto. sci. fi/jswift. htm (2000). A chronology of jonathan swifts life. The victorian web. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from http://www. victorianweb. org/previctorian/swift/chron. html. Merriman, C. D. (2008). Jonathan Swift. The literature network. Retrieved May 5, 2008 from

Buck versus Bell Essay example -- Supreme Court Sterilization Essays

Buck versus Bell During the early twentieth century, the United States was enduring significant social and economic changes due to its transformation into a commercial and industrial world power. As the need for labor escalated within many urban areas, millions of Europeans emigrated from Southern and Eastern Europe with the hopes of capitalizing upon these employment opportunities and attaining a better life. Simultaneously, many African-Americans migrated from the rural South into major cities, bearing the same intentions as those of the European immigrants. The presence of these minority groups generated both racial and class fears within white middle and upper class Americans. The fervent ethnocentrism resulting from these fears, coupled with the Social Darwinist concepts of Herbert Spencer, would ultimately spur the American eugenics movement. Originating from the theories of Sir Francis Galton, the cousin of Charles Darwin, eugenics is the study of human heredity and genetic principles for the purposes of improving the human race by limiting the proliferation of defective gene pools. Charles Davenport, the founding father of the American eugenics movement, was one of many elite Americans advocating for the incorporation of the ideals of this new "science" into society. The work of Davenport, which became known as eugenic principles, would not only have an impact on public education, but a legal impact as well. By 1931, thirty state legislatures had passed involuntary sterilization laws that targeted "defective strains" within the general population, such as the blind, the deaf, the poor, and the feebleminded. Virginia, one of these states, held the position that involuntary sterilization would not only benefit the overal... ... People With Mental Disabilities: Issues, Perspectives, and Cases (Westport CT: Auburn House, 1995) 22. Works Cited Buck v. Bell. 274 U.S. 200, 205. No. 292 US Supreme Ct. 1927. Brantlinger, Ellen. Sterilization of People With Mental Disabilities: Issues, Perspectives, and Cases. Westport CT: Auburn House, 1995. Larson, Edward. Sex, Race, and Science: Eugenics in the Deep South. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1995. Macklin, Ruth. Mental Retardation and Sterilization: A Problem of Competency and Paternalism. New York: Plenum Press, 1981. Reilly, Phillip. The Surgical Solution: A History of Involuntary Sterilization in the United States. Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1991. Shapiro, Thomas. Population Control Politics: Women, Sterilization, and Reproductive Choice. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1985.

Basic Parts of Computer Essay

Introduction Almost everyone uses a computer daily, but many don’t know how a computer works or all the different individual pieces that make it up. In fact, many people erroneously look at a computer and call it a CPU or a hard drive, when in fact these are just two parts of a computer. When these individual components are connected together they create a complete and working device with an all encompassing name of computer. As a computer user it is important that you have a basic understanding of the core components that make up your computer. This knowledge will prove invaluable if you decide to upgrade your computer or if a piece of hardware breaks and you need to purchase a replacement. The purpose of this is to discuss the basic pieces in every computer and their function. HISTORY OF COMPUTER The computer as we know it today had its beginning with a 19th century English mathematics professor name Charles Babbage. He designed the Analytical Engine and it was this design that the basic framework of the computers of today are based on. Generally speaking, computers can be classified into three generations. Each generation lasted for a certain period of time,and each gave us either a new and improved computer or an improvement to the existing computer. First generation: 1937 – 1946 – In 1937 the first electronic digital computer was built by Dr. John V. Atanasoff and Clifford Berry. It was called the Atanasoff-Berry Computer (ABC). In 1943 an electronic computer name the Colossus was built for the military. Other developments continued until in 1946 the first general– purpose digital computer, the Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) was built. It is said that this computer weighed 30 tons, and had 18,000 vacuum tubes which was used for pr ocessing. When this computer was turned on for the first time lights dim in sections of Philadelphia. Computers of this generation could only perform single task, and they had no operating system. Second generation: 1947 – 1962 – This generation of computers used transistors instead of vacuum tubes which were more reliable. In 1951 the first computer for commercial use was introduced to the public; the Universal Automatic Computer (UNIVAC 1). In 1953 the International Business Machine (IBM) 650 and 700 series computers made their mark in the computer world. During this generation of computers over 100 computer programming languages were developed, computers had memory and operating systems. Storage media such as tape and disk were in use also were printers for output. Third generation: 1963 – present – The invention of integrated circuit brought us the third generation of computers. With this invention computers became smaller, more powerful more reliable and they are able to run many different programs at the same time. In1980 Microsoft Disk Operating System (MS-Dos) was born and in 1981 IBM introduced the personal computer (PC) for home and office use. Three years later Apple gave us the Macintosh computer with its icon driven interface and the 90s gave us Windows operating system. As a result of the various improvements to the development of the computer we have seen the computer being used in all areas of life. It is a very useful tool that will continue to experience new development as time passes. The Outside of your Computer When you look at your computer what you are seeing is actually the computer case. Inside the case are all of the individual components that when connected together create your computer. On the outside of the case you will see various external ports that you can plug devices into as well as the ability to access your optical devices such as your CD and DVD drives. Front of a Dell Inspiron DesktopBack of a Dell Inspiron Desktop On the front of the computer you will commonly find a CD or DVD drive that can be opened by pressing a small button near the door of the drive. This will eject the drive tray where you can place a CD or DVD disk. When you press the button again, the tray will slide back into your computer so that you can access it from within your operating system. On the front of the case, you will also typically find USB ports and media readers. A USB port is a small opening on the front of your computer that allows you to plug a USB device or cable into it. You can usually determine if a port on your computer is USB as it will have the logo next to it. Common devices that you would plug into USB ports are iPod and iPads, flash drives, and external hard drives. The other common ports that you can find are for camera memory media. These media readers allow you to remove the memory card from your camera and insert it into the computer so you can access the images stored on it. On the back of the case are connectors that are typically only used when you assemble your computer for the first time. These connectors allow you to connect external devices such as your printer, monitor, mouse, keyboard, and speakers. The back connections will also include an Ethernet port that will allow you to connect your computer to your network. Last, but not least, there will also be more USB ports available in the event that you need more USB connections than are available on the front of your computer. The Inside of your Computer Now that you know how to connect your various external components to your computer case, let’s take a look at the inside of a computer as this is where the magic really happens. To open your case, you will need to typically unscrew a side panel or press a button on the bottom of the computer to open the computer like a clamshell. Once you can see inside a computer, you will see various individual components connected via cables or plugged directly into a large board attached to the side of the case. This board is the motherboard and is used to connect all the individual devices inside your case into a single computer. These individual devices and the motherboard they plug into can be seen in the image below. As you can see from the image above, there are various components all connected to each other. Every device must be connected to the power supply unit , which provides electricity to various components. The add-on cards, each performing their own function, are inserted to the motherboard so that they can communicate with it. When all of these components are properly connected to each other, they can then communicate with each other and the computer will operate properly. In the next section we will discuss each individual component and what function they serve. The individual parts of your computer As already stated, a computer is nothing more than various individual hardware components connected to each through cables and the motherboard. These devices are then given electricity by the power supply unit so that they can function. In this section we will discuss the individual components and the function that each performs. * Computer Case The computer case, also called a chassis, houses and protects other core parts of the computer. Computer cases come in different sizes and shapes in order to accommodate the various environments that they will be stored in. These shapes are: * Tower – A tower case is vertical and usually sits on the floor. A tower case comes in a mini, mid, and full size, with the larger sizes being able to hold more components. * Desktop – A horizontal case that is designed to rest on a shelf or sit on your desk with the monitor on top of it. * Rackmount – Rackmount cases are horizontal and are typically used for servers. These servers will then mount in a rack so that there are stacks of computers in one computer rack. Full Tower CaseRackmount Case Computer cases also need to support the largest component that resides inside it, which is typically the motherboard. The motherboard can come in many different shapes and sizes, called form factors, and the specifications on a computer case will state which form factors can fit inside it. Virtually all modern cases have: * Power switch * Indicator lights such as disk activity or network activity. * Back panel that contains holes to expose external ports. * Metal framework to house the PSU and hard disk/optical drives * Mounting points to secure the motherboard * Vented panels to allow airflow through the case Depending on the model, some cases have other features as well such as headphone jacks or USB ports. * Motherboard The motherboard, or mobo for short, is perhaps the most critical piece of the computer. It is a relatively large, rectangular board filled with various circuits, chips , and slots that you plug things into The motherboard serves two functions. First, the motherboard is home to a number of chips that dictate how the various components of the computer will talk to each other. It also has special slots that allow you to plug expansion cards in that add new or improved functionality to your computer. Secondly, and perhaps most importantly, the motherboard is the connecting point for all of the other pieces of the computer. Without the motherboard, the different parts cannot communicate with each other, and the computer cannot function. Computer Motherboard Motherboards come in a variety of sizes, or form factors, such as ATX or micro ATX. Generally speaking, the larger the form factor the more devices can be attached to it. Motherboards connect with the other devices in your computer using a set of special slots and connectors called ports that are located on the top and back edge of the motherboard. The ports on the back edge of the motherboard protrude out of the back panel of the computer case and allow you to connect external devices to the computer. Virtually all modern motherboards have one or more USB ports and an Ethernet port mounted externally to allow connection to the internet and external devices. Additionally, all modern motherboards contain at least one IDE or SATA port to allow the connection of a hard drive. * Central Processing Unit(CPU) The central processing unit, or CPU, is at the core of every computer. Functioning as the â€Å"brain† of the computer, the CPU performs basic mathematical and logical functions as instructed by a computer program. The CPU is located on the motherboard and is connected to it through a special port called the CPU socket. When the CPU is in use it generates heats, which must be transferred away from CPU chip so that it is not damaged. This is accomplished through the use of a heat-sink and fan which draws the heat out of the CPU chip and transfers it into the case instead. computer’s CPU A CPU has a maximum speed at which it can safely process instructions. This speed is called the clock rate and is measured in hertz (Hz). Some CPUs will allow a user to raise the clock rate beyond the speed at which the CPU is safely rated. This is called overclocking, and can provide increased computer performance at the cost of potential system instability or damage. Due to the complexity of overclocking and the potentially destructive side effects it can cause, overclocking is a technique not recommended for average or professional computer users. A relatively recent development in the field of CPUs is the multi-core processor. Having many processing cores in the CPU effectively multiplies its potential by allowing the CPU to simultaneously process as many instructions as it has cores. However, the OS must be designed to make use of multiple cores for this ability to take effect. The CPU of a modern PC will likely have anywhere from two to eight cores * Power Supply Unit All parts of a computer require electricity in order to operate. The part of the computer that provides this electricity is called the power supply unit, or PSU. The PSU receives electricity from an external source, which is usually a wall outlet, and changes it into power that the other parts of the computer can use. Power Supply A PSU is necessary for two reasons. First, computers require direct current, or DC, power. However, electricity is supplied by power companies in alternating current, or AC, form. The PSU takes the AC electricity and converts it into a DC form so that the computer can use it. The second reason is that computer components use electrical power of relatively low voltage, while the electricity that comes out of a wall socket is of a significantly higher voltage. The PSU converts the higher voltage energy into a low voltage form that the computer can properly use. Power supplies are classified by the maximum amount of watts, such as 500 or 650 watts, which can be supplied to your computer system. The amount of electricity that is required to power a computer depends on what components the computer is using. For example, if you are using a high-end processor and a high-end video card your power you may need a more powerful PSU to support these power hungry devices. Therefore, when buying n ew components for a computer you should always look at the specifications for these devices to determine how much power they need and whether or not your PSU can support it. * Hard Disk Drive The hard disk drive, or HDD, is the primary source of secondary storage in modern computers. Secondary storage is any device where information is stored when it is not needed for immediate use. An HDD uses magnetism to record information on a rotating disk of magnetic material. It uses a moveable arm containing a device called a drive head to read from and write to different portions of the disk.. Since the disk remains magnetized even after power is removed, information is not lost when you turn off the computer. One downside of HDDs is that they are very slow compared to other devices in the computer. This is because the drive must position the arm and disk in the correct position in order to retrieve a particular piece of information. Hard Disk Drive Modern HDDs have three major variables. The first is the drive capacity. This is how much information the drive can hold. Drive capacity is measured in either gigabytes (GB) or terabytes (TB). One terabyte is equal to one thousand gigabytes. The second variable is the rotation speed. This is how quickly the disk inside the HDD can rotate, and is measured in rotations per minute (RPM). The faster the disk spins, the more quickly information can be retrieved from it. The final variable is the type of interface the HDD uses. The interface is the part of the HDD that connects to the motherboard and is how the HDD sends and receives information. Most modern HDDs use SATA or SAS interfaces, although HDDs using IDE interfaces are still somewhat common. It is important to know which interfaces your motherboard supports when purchasing a new HDD. A recent addition to the personal computer market is a technology called a solid state drive, or SSD. While not technically an HDD, SSD’s fill the same functions. The difference between HDDs and SSDs is that while an HDD uses a spinning disk to store data, an SSD uses special microchips. Due to this, SSD’s are less susceptible to physical shocks such as impacts and falls compared to a HDD. Additionally, SSDs run silently and can access data more quickly. However, SSDs have a higher cost per gigabyte than their HDD cousins do. * Optical Disk Drives An optical disk drive is a component that uses a laser to read from or write to an optical disk. Examples of optical disks include CDs, DVDs, and Blu-Rays. An optical disk drive writes to a disk by using a laser to etch tiny grooves into the surface of the disk. The disk is read by using a different, low-power laser to detect those grooves. Modern optical disk drives usually have reading and writing (burning) capability. Additionally, most optical drives are backwards compatible, which means that a new technology can read the media from an older technology. For example, a Blu-Ray drive can also play DVDs and CDs. Optical Drive Optical disk drive speed is measured differently than HDD speed. While HDD speed is measured in the number of RPMs, optical drive speed is measured by the maximum rate at which data can be read from the disk. For each technology (CD, DVD, Blu-Ray) there is an industry-wide standard data rate that serves as a benchmark by which drive speeds are measured. The speed listed is put in terms of multiples of that base speed. For example, the base speed for Blu-Ray technology is 6.74 megabytes per second. Therefore, a drive rated at 52x can read data at a maximum rate of 52 x 6.74 = 350.48 megabytes per second. * Cooling Devices As a computer runs, it generates a lot of heat. One or more cooling devices are part of any modern computer in order to keep the machine from overheating. The two types of cooling devices that are in almost every modern computer are heat sinks and cooling fans. Heat sinks are small metal structures that conduct heat well. They function by absorbing the heat produced by a component and efficiently releasing it into the air, or a liquid in certain special situations, similarly to how the radiator in your car works. Cooling fans work by removing warm air from components or heat sinks and pulling in cool air to replace it. Fans are available in a variety of sizes that determine how much air they can move within your case. When adding a fan, it is important to ensure that you purchase a fan that is compatible with your motherboard, since different fans have different kinds of power connectors. CPU Heat Sink and Fan Some extremely high-end PCs have liquid cooling systems which use tubes of flowing water or coolant instead of or in addition to cooling fans. These systems are more effective, quieter, and more efficient than air cooling systems. However, they are complex, expensive, and carry the danger of a coolant leak which can damage the system. For a typical PC, air cooling systems are sufficiently effective. * Memory Random Access Memory, or RAM, is the part of the computer where information is stored while it is being used by the computer’s processor, operating system, programs, and other devices on your computer. RAM is designed so that any of the information stored on it can be read in any order without losing performance. This makes RAM faster and more efficient to store data compared to slower devices such as an HDD or CD-ROM. Computer Memory When you are using your computer it copies information that it is currently using, such as parts of the operating system or currently running programs, into RAM so that it can work faster. The more RAM that the computer has, the less often it needs to get information off of the much slower HDD. To use a comparison, think of your HDD as a well. The information on the HDD is the water in the well, and the RAM is a bucket. The bigger your bucket, the fewer trips you have to make to the well to get the water you need. One characteristic of RAM is that it is volatile. This means that when you turn off the computer, any information in the RAM is erased. To protect against loss of information, an operating system will copy any data that it needs to the HDD so that it is available the next time you start the computer. RAM comes in different speeds and types. When you upgrade your computer’s memory, it is important that you ensure that you choose a speed and type of RAM that is compatible with a computer’s motherboard. A great tool for finding out what kind of memory your computer uses is Crucial’s Memory Advisory. * Expansion Cards An expansion card is a device that is inserted into special slots on the motherboard and provides the computer with additional functions, resources, or features. There are a number of different kinds of expansion cards available; two of the most common being video cards, which provide increased graphics processing ability, and sound cards, which enhance the audio ability of the computer. Some expansion cards such as video cards also include their own processor, memory, and even cooling devices such as fans or heat sinks. When purchasing expansion cards there are a number of important factors to consider. First and foremost is the type of connection that the expansion card requires. There are a number of different standards for expansion slots, and motherboards have only a limited number of each kind of slot. Before purchasing you need to ensure that your motherboard has the required slots available for use. Another important factor is the size of the expansion card. The card needs to be able to fit inside your computer case, and should not make contact with any other parts of the computer except for the motherboard. Finally, you should ensure that your PSU can output enough power to support all your connected expansion cards. If the PSU cannot supply the computer with enough electricity then one or more of your devices will fail to function. Two common types of expansion cards are sound and video graphic cards * Sound Cards Sound cards are a kind of expansion card which deals with audio input and output. Sound cards generally fill two functions. First, sound cards enhance the sound processing capability of the computer, allowing for the creation and output of more complex sounds. Secondly, sound cards often possess input and output ports that allow for other audio devices such as microphones or speakers to be connected to it. Sound Card * Video Cards A video card is a type of expansion card which increases the computer’s ability to handle different kinds of visual output. Video cards have two main functions. First, while nearly all modern motherboards have some basic graphics capabilities built in, a video card can handle graphics issues much more effectively than the graphic chips built into the motherboard. As a result, a video card allows for the creation and display of more complex and detailed images without putting an additional strain on the CPU. Additionally, since many video cards have their own memory, this leaves more of the general computer memory available for other purposes. Second, many video cards add additional functions to the computer such as video capture, a TV-tuner which allows you to watch TV on your computer, or the ability to connect multiple monitors to the computer. Video Graphics Card * External Ports As mentioned above in the motherboard section, a number of connectors on the motherboard are accessible from the back panel of the computer case. These connections are called external ports because they can be accessed from outside the computer case. There are a number of different kinds of connections available that include: * VGA or DVI Connector- These ports are used for connecting a monitor or other display device to your computer. * Ethernet Port – This port allows you to connect your computer to a network or the Internet. * HDMI – Allows you to connect your computer a High Definition display or TV. * eSATA – These ports allow you to connect an external SATA hard drive to your computer. * USB Port – A common connector for external devices. More information about USB ports can be found below. External Ports on the back of a computer Virtually every modern PC also includes one or more USB, or Universal Serial Bus, ports. There are two primary kinds of USB ports in use right now: USB 2.0 and USB 3.0. USB 3.0 ports can move data much more quickly than USB 2.0 ports. However, the connected device must be designed to take advantage of USB 3.0 technology in order to use the increased speed. USB ports and devices are both backwards and forwards compatible. This means that you can plug any standard USB device into any standard USB port, and the device will function. However, if the USB version of the device and the port do not match then the device can only transfer data to and from the PC at a maximum rate set by the lower of the two versions. For example, if you connect a USB 3.0 device to a USB 2.0 port, the device will only transfer data at a maximum rate of 60 megabytes per second, which is the maximum rate for USB 2.0 technology. When purchasing an external device such as a monitor, keyboard, mouse, or printer it is important to ensure that you have the correct kind of port available for use. Otherwise you will be unable to use the device. Conclusion As you can see, a computer is more than that box sitting on the side of your desk. In fact it is a very complex machine comprised of numerous parts, cables, and devices that all need to properly work together in order for the computer to operate correctly. Having this basic understanding of the parts of your computer is important for any computer user. Whether you need to purchase a new one, upgrade an existing one, or repair a broken one, you now have the knowledge to understand what you are looking at.

Why did relations between the Soviet Union and the USA change in the years 1970-1985?

* The 1979 soviet invasion of Afghanistan. * The ‘Zero Option' * Deployment of missiles in Europe * Strategic Defence initiative Between the years 1979 – 1985, relations between the Soviet Union and the USA, changed, and we can look at many reasons as to why this was the case. For example up until 1979, the superpowers were in a period of ‘Detente'. Detente was simply a period of extended Co-operation and agreement. So relations had slightly improved up until 1979. Sadly this improvement of relations came to a Holt, as the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. The Soviets saw Fundamentalism as a great threat to the soviet system, and so the PDPA who were a communist party overthrew Afghan government. Before the invasion, Afghanistan seeked to improve relations with the USA, so by invading Afghanistan this would have, perhaps annoyed the USA. The USA however did heavily criticise the invasion, which only put more strain on relations. The way, in which the USA showed their annoyance and disapproval of the War, was to boycott the1980 Moscow Olympic Games. In reply to the USA boycott the Soviet Union were not present at the 1984 Los Angeles games. Clearly unrest between both Super Powers was emerging, and they showed this by their boycott of each Olympic Games. Had the Soviets not invaded Afghanistan you wonder whether the USA would have boycotted the games. In 1981 Ronald Reagan was elected president. By him becoming president, it only worsened things, as he was very supportive of anti – Communist forces in places such as Afghanistan. Reagan also proposed the ‘zero option'. This was basically the deployment of new US intermediate range missiles in Western Europe in return for soviet dismantlement of comparable forces. There are some Historians who think Reagan knew that Brezhnev would refuse, which meant he could therefore build bigger and greater weapons. This ‘zero option' only helped contribute to worsened relations a great deal, and by the Soviet rejecting ‘zero option' it gave Reagan the opportunity to accuse the Soviet Union of being an evil empire, but Yuri Andropov responded and called Reagan insane and a liar. Relations were now at a low, and it seems there is no co-operation, but accusations instead. The Strategic Defence Initiative (SDI) commonly called Star Wars. It was proposed by U.S. President Ronald Reagan on March 23, 1983 to use ground-based and space-based systems to protect the United States from attack by strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. The aim of SDI was to create a ‘defence shield' that would protect the USA from a full nuclear missile attack by the Soviet Union or other hostile nuclear powers. This would end reliance on offence-dominated deterrence (‘Mutually Assured Destruction') through a balance of terror. Diplomatically, Russia and fiercely opposed SDI, and the deployment of such a system would have been a breach of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missiles (ABM) treaty. This also meant that USA had done something which the Soviets were opposed to, which can only have also worsened relations. The ongoing worsened relations were not helped by the fact that throughout 1979-1985 there was no stability in the Soviet Union. Leaders kept changing meaning the Super Powers did not have the time to relate to each other and make an effort to improve relations. Say the minute a leader came in, and they actually agreed on something, then, that leader would die, and they would have to start again. On overall, all of the factors I have mentioned above all contribute to a worsening of relations between the Soviet Union and the USA. It seems that each thing happens one after the other and they are not positives steps. When Brezhnev was in charge, the war in Afghanistan was going on, and after his death, you might expect relations to improve, but then Reagan announces ‘zero option' and so on. So between the years 1979-1980 it seems that relations worsened, and the levels of trust between the USA and the Soviet Union worsened.

Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Legal

Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Legal Regardless of the changing societal systems, norms, values, ethics, behavioral patterns, since time memorial the institution of marriage has been one of the most valued institutions in all societies, because of its role in continuation of the human species. Yes, I cannot deny that not all individuals marry with an aim of raising children, but could we be alive today to cherish the kind of choices we make in our daily lives had our ancestors not given birth to our parents.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Legal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Therefore, because marriage is a consecrated unification of a male and a female, ready to sacrifice all that is at their disposal for the continuation of the human species and societal values, I believe all individuals should respect it hence, the need to illegalize gay marriage. It is important to note that, regardless of nature of value systems ad opted by a society, we can never detach the union of a male and a female from its cultural, holy, and natural foundations, without interfering with societal systems, norms, and values (Messerli 1). With the increasing number of same sex marriages, I believe unless the government takes serious legal steps, soon such marriages will entirely erode the significance of marriage in societies. The gay alliance should be illegal, because the union between a male and a female in matrimony is of great significance not only to an individual, but also to societies. Yes, I cannot deny that, as normal couples, gay couples can also handle all financial needs of their family however, what kind of values will such couples instill in their children or children in their neighborhoods? As research studies show, such unions have many negative influences on growing children hence, the likelihoods of such children developing desired societal norms and values are minimal. In addition, although gay parents have the potential of bringing children, such children lack the parental love that mothers and fathers can provide, because you can imagine the many questions that children brought up in such families always ask themselves. It is important to note that, all societal and religious values form the primary pillars of any society’s well-being. Therefore, because the society frowns at the mentioning of gay marriage, most children brought up in gay marriages suffer from stress and psychological torture, as most of them are never comfortable in associating with their peers.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Because of psychological suffering that these children have to endure, most of them will engage themselves in deviant behavior, for example, substance abuse and criminal activity (Patterson and Redding 31-39). Considering this, it therefore means that, allowing the pra ctice to continue in our societies is a disrespect of children’s rights; hence, greatly jeopardizing the well-being of future generations. Yes, the argument by supporters of gay marriages that the constitution should give equal protection to all individuals’ rights is correct. However, although this is the case, do gays recognize the impact of their practice on the general societal systems, more so the marriage institution? In addition, it means that, accepting of this like a practice is like accepting matrimony between relatives, because the society needs so. Therefore, it is important to note that, the effects from this domino effect will greatly affect other societal practices hence, the need to abolish the practice completely from the society. On the other hand, although the constitution should provide all individuals with equal freedoms, the society must not fail to recognize that, to some extent accepting gay marriages may render â€Å"normal† marriages to lose meaning. Hence, because no individual is special, there is need for the law to limit granting some legal rights to practices that will alter the normal peaceful and accepted societal lifestyles. Supporters of gay marriages should always bear in mind that, the joining of a female and a male in matrimony is a natural practice that has been there since time memorial, and not a law created practice (Bidstrup 1). From a religious point of view, the joining of two individuals of different sexes in matrimony is of great significance not only to the church, but also to maintaining healthy relationships between the state and religious organizations (Bidstrup 1). Yes, although the argument that not all individuals are religious fanatics is correct, one thing they supporters of gay marriages fail to recognize is that, there is no way we can separate the church and the state. Although not all individuals believe in church doctrines, it is important to note that, the church is one pillar o f the society, whose contributions are enormous as far as the peaceful co-existence of individuals in societies is concerned. Therefore, it is of great significance to respect church doctrines, because of the contributions churches make to societies to ensure people live peaceful, loving and supporting one anotherAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Why Gay Marriage Should Not Be Legal specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More On the other hand, although most supporters of gay marriage associate it with reduction of sexually transmitted diseases, as research studies show more than seventy-five percent of gays at one time in their lives are promiscuous and never use protection. Therefore, the argument that gay marriages can reduce transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is refutable, because research has proved that, instead of reducing it increases the prevalence and spread of deadly infections, for example, HIV and AIDS ( Shea, Wilson, Ranali, Paulaitis, Castagna, Raabe, and Lafrance 1-2). In conclusion, considering the impacts of legalizing gay marriage to the social health status, norms, values of the society and practices cherished by the society, in my view there is need for the government to enact tough legislation to prevent the practice from spreading. Such legislation should ensure all societal members give the marriage institution the respect and sanctity it deserves, it being the primary determinant of the continuation of the human species. Bidstrup, Scott. Gay marriage: the arguments and motives (arguments a against Gay marriage). 2000. Web. Messerli, Joe. Should same sex be legalized? Balanced Politics, 24 June. 2009. Web. Patterson, Charlotte and Redding, Richard. Lesbian and gay families with children: Implications of social science research and for policy. Journal of Social Issues, 52.3 (1996): 29-50. Web. Shea, John, Wilson, John, Ranali, Paul, Paulaitis, Christina, Castagna, Luigi, Raabe, Hans-Christina, and Lafrance, Andre. Gay marriage and homosexuality Some medical comments. 2010. Web.Advertising Looking for essay on gender studies? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More

Use Elegant Variation in Your Resumé

Use Elegant Variation in Your Resumà © Use Elegant Variation in Your Resumà © Use Elegant Variation in Your Resumà © By Guest Author This is a guest post by Debra Wheatman. If you want to write for Daily Writing Tips check the guidelines here. W. Fowler coined the term â€Å"elegant variation† to denote the unnecessary use of synonyms to denote a single thing.   One of his examples was a newspaper excerpt in which the writer referred to the same person, the King of England, as Emperor, His Majesty, and the Monarch.   Fowler’s objection to this kind of â€Å"elegant variation† was that â€Å"the effect is to set readers wondering what the significance of the change is, only to conclude that there is none.† When it comes to drafting a strong resumà ©, elegant variation is not only acceptable, but desirable. Your resumà © is a marketing document. The product being marketed is you. The death knell of any marketing campaign is boredom. Boring products don’t sell. If your resumà © comes across as uninteresting, so do you: you probably won’t get put in the short pile; you probably won’t get interviews, and someone with a more exciting resumà © will get the job. Many resumà ©s use the same verbs and phrases over and over again. You can use â€Å"elegant variation† to engage the reader with the use of compelling, absorbing, engrossing, gripping, riveting, and fascinating action verbs and descriptive words. Here are some examples of â€Å"elegant variation† in action – Why say â€Å"led† when you can claim to have spearheaded, propelled, pioneered, orchestrated, officiated, optimized, instituted, inspired, headed, governed, enacted, directed, crafted, controlled, championed, built, or supervised. Why say you â€Å"developed† something when you can use cultivated, advanced, evolved, fostered, amplified, promoted, expanded, actualized, refined, augmented, enriched, extended, magnified, or strengthened. Why â€Å"handle† something when you can address, advance, alter, apply, centralize, compile, conduct, construct, coordinate, determine, execute, exhibit, formalize, govern, oversee, or establish it. Obviously, these words cannot and should not be substituted without understanding context and nuance. It behooves you to spend the time to find alternates whenever possible. There are numerous tools that can help your resume be more stimulating. I have a dog-eared and coffee-stained copy of Roget’s International Thesaurus. This book was a gift from my father when I was in college and is still without a doubt, the most useful resource for writing – period. When I am writing for clients, including business documents, resumà ©s, and cover letters, I keep this book very close by to help me identify synonyms to avoid repeating the same words over and over. The Internet is a wonderful source of new words to use in your career documents. Some examples that I use regularly are dictionary.com and visualthesaurus.com. Job descriptions can provide a plethora of phrases and key words that you should review. Part of what draws the attention of a hiring manager is the use of key words that are related to the job vacancy. It is very easy to identify positions online; review the roles in connection with your rà ©sumà © so you can create some compelling content as you draft your document. Employ some creativity when creating your focused, succinct, cogent, inspirational, targeted, exceptionally results-focused rà ©sumà ©. (How’s that for a few adjectives?) Entice your reader with a taste – not the plate of what you have to offer! Debra Wheatman is a human capital management strategist and the founder of Careers Done Write, a career services firm. Debra is also the Career Doctor, a career advice blog for business leaders and executives. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Business Writing category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Comma After i.e. and e.g.75 Idioms and Expressions That Include â€Å"Break†Sentence Adverbs