What is the meaning of education?
Webster defines education as the process of educating or teaching. Educate is further defined as "to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of..." Thus, from these definitions, we might assume that the purpose of education is to develop the knowledge, skill, or character of students.
It is also defined in Oxford that education is the knowledge, abilities, and the development of character and mental powers that are resulted from intellectual, moral, and physical trainings. So, it can be said that someone who already got education will have additional knowledge, abilities and change in character and mental power.
While in Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, it is stated that:
Education encompasses teaching and learning specific skills, and also something less tangible but more profound: the imparting of knowledge, positive judgment and well-developed wisdom. Education has as one of its fundamental aspects the imparting of culture from generation to generation (see socialization). Education means 'to draw out', facilitating realization of self-potential and latent talents of an individual. It is an application of pedagogy, a body of theoretical and applied research relating to teaching and learning and draws on many disciplines such as psychology, philosophy, computer science, linguistics, neuro-science, sociology and anthropology.
From the quotation above, it is assumed that education does not merely transfer knowledge or skill, but more specifically it trains people to have positive judgment and well-developed wisdom, better characters and mental powers. Through education, someone will be able to search through their natural talent and self-potential, empower them and finally will result in gaining their self-esteem and better life.
The history of education according to Dieter Lenzen, president of the Freie Universität Berlin 1994 "began either millions of years ago or at the end of 1770". Education as a science cannot be separated from the educational traditions that existed before. Education was the natural response of early civilizations to the struggle of surviving and thriving as a culture. Adults trained the young of their society in the knowledge and skills they would need to master and eventually pass on.
The education of an individual human begins since he was born and continues throughout his life. Even, some people believe that education begins even before birth, as evidenced by some parents' playing music or reading to the baby in the womb to hope it will influence the child's development. For some, the struggles and triumphs of daily life provide far more instruction than does formal. Family members may have a profound educational effect - often more profound than they realize - though family teaching may function very informally.
Education: the purpose, function and in practice
Theorists have made a distinction between the purpose of education and the functions of education. A purpose is the fundamental goal of the process-an end to be achieved, while Functions are other outcomes that may occur as a natural result of the process- byproducts or consequences of schooling. To elaborate these terms, it can be seen in reality that some teachers believe that the transfer of knowledge from teacher to students is the main purpose of education, while the transfer of knowledge from school to the real world or the application of what has been transferred is something that happens naturally as a consequence of possessing that knowledge; it is called a function of education.
Here are some quotations taking from The Meaning of Education:
"The only purpose of education is to teach a student how to live his life-by developing his mind and equipping him to deal with reality. The training he needs is theoretical, i.e., conceptual. He has to be taught to think, to understand, to integrate, to prove. He has to be taught the essentials of the knowledge discovered in the past-and he has to be equipped to acquire further knowledge by his own effort" ~Ayn Rand
"The aim of education should be to teach us rather how to think, than what to think-rather to improve our minds, so as to enable us to think for ourselves, than to load the memory with the thoughts of other men." ~Bill Beattie
From the above information it can be said that the purpose of education is to prepare the students to be able to face their life by facilitating them to develop their mind and equip them with "hard skill" and "soft skill" to deal with reality. As the result of this education, they themselves will be able to think, to understand, to integrate and to prove their ability.
Talking about the purpose of education, there are some overviews about it. There are different outlooks between autocratic and democratic regarding education. It is quite clear that each type of world outlook demands its consistent type of education. The autocratic wants the education in the purpose of making docile followers. So, that is why they prefer a type of education whose purpose is to build docility and obedience. In the other hand, Democracy is different from them. Democracy wishes all people to be able and willing to judge wisely for themselves. The democratic will seek a type of education whose purpose is to build responsible, thinking, public-spirited citizenship in all people.
This is also different for the authoritarian society. For them, it is just enough for the leaders to know what they want without thinking about what their people want. It is quite in contrary to what a democratic society wants. For the democracy society, the leaders and the most important - the large majority of the people must see clearly the aims/purpose of the type of education they have. In other words, in a democracy it is essential that the leaders and people have clear philosophy of life and a clear philosophy of education.
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When you begin your search for a childcare provider, particularly if you are using an online nanny site, you will quickly find that there are many different terms that are used within the industry, including "nanny," "babysitter," "au pair," and "home childcare provider." These terms may not always be used correctly by a childcare provider, but it is important to understand the true definitions of each and what they mean for your family.
Babysitter
A childcare provider labeling him or herself as a babysitter tends to be a young person who is available to watch children on occasion, usually in the evening or on weekends. The babysitter may also simply be someone with limited time to offer childcare services and may or may not have a great deal of experience in home childcare. This person may not charge very much for the services offered, but if a family is looking for a nanny to take care of children on a regular basis, this is not the right type of candidate for that situation. However, for the family that would only need a childcare provider for special circumstances, a babysitter may be worth investigating further.
Nanny
A family needing extensive home childcare services will ideally focus on listings for nannies. A nanny is traditionally a childcare provider with two or more years of experience and possibly a college degree related to childcare as well. This person will have references that can easily be checked relating to previous home childcare positions and can offer a great deal of stability to a household. A family with a newborn is likely to be particularly drawn to a nanny, as she may have experience that goes beyond that of the new parents and can be very helpful in the first few months of being home with the baby.
Families can find live-in or live-out nannies, as well as nannies who are available every day of the week or who are available limited days. Many nannies will also be able to handle light chores related to the children, while some nannies will also offer a full complement of housekeeping and cleaning services in addition to home childcare. Nannies encompass the broadest category of childcare provider but the designation is also the one that means the most to a searching family.
Au Pair
An au pair, by definition, is a foreign student who has come to the United States on a specific visa to work as a childcare provider for a specific period of time - usually one year. Hiring an au pair can bring a new culture and new language to a family's home, making this an appealing home childcare option for many families.
However, it is important to use caution when answering the ad of someone advertising herself as an "au pair" on an online nanny or au pair service. A childcare provider who is advertising her services on a listing site by calling herself an au pair is likely to have completed her accepted time in the United States (and so may have great childcare skills and references) but is now looking to stay in the U.S. beyond her visa, either legally or, possibly, illegally. In addition, this type of au pair may not say up front what her intentions are for staying in the U.S. - she may be looking to settle down in the country permanently, and thus might be an acceptable choice for a family in need of home childcare services - but she may also be looking simply to extend her stay by a few months, which would mean that at the end of the time she would be leaving the family to start the search process over from the beginning.
The bottom line is that if a family wishes to hire an au pair as their childcare provider, it is best for them to go through the licensed au pair agencies that exist and that can handle the paperwork and the legalities of the process, rather than to find an au pair independently listing herself online.
Daycare or Home Childcare Provider
Finally, when searching an online listing site, a family may come across someone listing him or herself as a daycare provider. This means that the person is offering home childcare at his or her residence, rather than at the family's home. The most important thing to find out in considering this type of childcare provider is if the person is licensed. If he or she is not licensed, the family should walk away. An unlicensed daycare provider may offer the lowest rates, but he or she also brings the highest amount of risk. In addition, even if licensed, a daycare provider must be investigated thoroughly in terms of credibility and trustworthiness, particularly if he or she will be looking after a pre-verbal child. When dealing with this type of potential home childcare provider, not only should references be checked, but the family should also visit the daycare provider's facility - possibly multiple times - to assess the situation.
Conclusion
When searching for a childcare provider, families must be careful to understand the terms that are used to describe different types of positions. Most families will be looking for a nanny - someone with experience who provides home childcare at the family's home - but there are other home childcare options available that should be investigated as well. With careful, in-depth research on each childcare provider before making a final decision, a family is sure to find home childcare that fits in perfectly with its needs.
About the Author
Steven Lampert is the president of eNanny Source, an online nanny service [http://www.enannysource.com/nanny/background-checks.aspx] that brings together families and nannies. Lampert previously ran a successful, award-winning nanny agency in a major city for over 10 years, during which time he worked with thousands of families and nanny candidates. Through this experience, he became familiar with the important steps in a nanny search, which he continues to apply to his business today. To learn more, please visit http://www.enannysource.com.
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If you are a wrestling fan, then you probably enjoy collecting memorabilia that is associated with your favorite sport of superstar. Everything from t-shirts and books to trading cards are available, but perhaps the most popular is that of action figures. The reason is because these small collectibles bare the resemblance of a wrestling superstar and take up very little space in the display case. In addition, when they are first released, wrestling action figures are very inexpensive.
As the years progress, wrestling action figures can significantly increase in value. As a general rule, anything that is left in its original packaging is more valuable because, you guessed it, most people take them out and play with them. Action figures are very popular among children, which is why it is so often difficult to find a specific wrestling action figure in its original packaging. In addition, collectibles that are kept in mint/near mint condition inevitably increase in value much more than something that has visible scratches or other defects.
If you are a collector who is also purchasing wrestling action figures for investment, its not a bad idea to buy two of each item. With this approach, you will have one wrestling action figure for the display and one that you can keep in its original packaging for investment. If you are thinking like an investor, then you already know that any collectible that is produced in a limited edition will prove to be the most valuable in years to come. Additionally, those limited edition pieces are often higher in value if they have a low serial number. For instance, if there were to be 5,000 wrestling action figures produced of a certain superstar, the ones that may prove to gain in value the most could very well be those with the lowest number in that edition. An example would be 10/5,000 or 100/5,000. As a general rule, the closer you can get to the first collectible made, the more valuable your object becomes.
There is no shortage of ways to find wrestling action figures, with the newest releases being made widely available at most retail stores. The more rare collectibles will often be found in a sports collectibles store or at an annual memorabilia show. If you opt for the latter, be ready to shuck out some bucks if you plan to shop because show dealers are knowledgeable in the products that they sell and they arent likely to be offering a bargain. It is significantly expensive to set up a booth at a memorabilia show, so dealers tend to bring their top dollar merchandise for just such an occasion.
The internet is a virtual haven for all things collectible, including wrestling action figures. If you are looking for a rarity or just browsing for a mini replica of your favorite wrestling superstar, you are more likely to find it online than anywhere else. With a world of retailers, there really is no other place to shop that offers a better selection. If you want to be the one to set the price, check out the online auction sites and see if you can snag a bargain.
When teenagers go off to work-sometimes for the first time in their lives-parents want to know they will be safe in the workplace. Who will look out for their safety? Industrial hygienists are professionals who specialize in ensuring safe and healthy work environments for employees of all ages.
Are teenagers safe in the workplace? Do they know what to watch out for in terms of safety?? Consider these statistics from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH):
• On average, 45 percent of American teens are employed each year-more than any other developed country.
• More than three million U.S. teens enter the workforce every summer and thousands of these teens are admitted to emergency rooms due to work-related injuries.
• Nearly 200,000 adolescents suffer injuries on the job and approximately 70 die from these injuries each year.
• Teens have the highest rate of nonfatal work-related injuries, even though they encounter the same potential on-the-job hazards as adults.
• The reasons for teen work-related accidents include lack of experience, gaps in current laws and enforcement, inexperienced supervisors, working in industries that don't generally hire professionals trained in industrial hygiene and/or safety, physical limitations due to lack of size and strength, and simple lack of maturity ("goofing off" on the job).
• The majority of deaths and injuries of teen workers on the job occur in retail stores and restaurants.
• Common potential hazards include automobile and machinery operation (for teens old enough for such tasks), working in high-homicide industries such as retail, working with or near electrical or hot equipment, working jobs with fall hazards, and working jobs requiring manual lifting.
Our hair is often referred to as our crowning glory. Its state can add or detract from the physical attractiveness of any person. Like our skin, our hair can be a good indicator of our over-all physical and psychological condition, telling us if our body is in balance. A physically and emotionally healthy person's hair will be radiant and shining, their scalps pliant and moist. Our hair becomes dull and lifeless, prone to loss and split ends, and will become waxy from overactive sebaceous glands.
Painting is the art of applying pigments to a surface whether it is on paper, canvas, a wall or any other medium, to create an image with lines and colors. The image can represent real objects found around us or imaginary ones. It may also be an arrangement of abstract forms. The art of drawing is very essential in painting as one step together with composition and other aesthetic consideration in forming the finished work.
History has allowed painting to serve a variety of functions. It was an important part of religious rites during prehistoric times. It was also the most common means of providing a visual record of events and people. By the 20th century, painting has become a medium of personal expression. Modern artists have incorporated other materials such as sand, cement, straw and wood to add variation to the texture. The concept has slowly eclipsed the historic value of the craft but this has not deterred most artists to continue practicing it.
The Prehistoric times saw paintings of animals in the walls of the caves of primitive men. The Egyptians decorated tombs with scenes depicting the dead mans family and possessions. The more lively Minoan painting was used to decorate stuccoed walls of palaces. Mycenaean culture changed this painting to depict conquests and hunts. Classical Greek paintings have simplified forms and geometric patterns. Etruscan painting put emphasis on silhouettes, ornamental contour and design. There was a new interest in emotional and psychological effects as seen on Roman painting. Early Christian painting rejected illusionism where modeling was replaced by flat decorative patters. The Byzantine style combined elements of Greek, Roman and Eastern art. Much of the decoration was done in Mosaic which was highly favored due to its durability. Islamic artists created ornamental designs called arabesques because the Islam religion forbade representation of human beings in art. Chinese and Japanese painting revealed the constant extraordinarily skillful use of the brush.
Early medieval painting is characterized by Celtic, Carolingian and Romanesque art where form has been adapted for the illustration and illumination of Christian texts. Gothic art generally depicted subjects related to architecture. The Pre-Renaissance period show a revival of interest in classical art. It produced the International style which is characterized by refinement, decorative movement, elongated and swaying figures and linear pattern. The perfection of the technique of oil painting during the Late-Gothic period made it possible to produce brilliant colors, minute details and permanence of finish.
The Renaissance period put much emphasis on man and the world rather than God. High-Renaissance was generally applied to the period when the idea of classical, balanced harmony was achieved. The Mannerist style followed which was ironically characterized by disturbing tensions and distortions. It was soon replaced by Baroque painting which used the elements of dynamic pose, gesture and composition as well as the sharp contrast between light and shadow. The style of the 18th century exalts color, light and movement and bordered on the frivolous and concern with pleasure. It was during the latter part of the period that artists began to paint for themselves rather than to please the church. The 19th century gave rise to Romanticism, Realism and Impressionism. Expressionism, Fauvism, Cubism, Dada, Surrealism and Non-Objective art are all products of the 20th century.
Time has produced several styles, each a reflection of what happened during a certain period. This is why a painting is able to provide anyone with a rich visual experience that cannot be found anywhere else. You can only learn to appreciate a painting by reading and studying information about artists, styles and periods. From there, you will see each work and the particular point of view as seen by the artist himself.
Today's oft repeated expression is that there are just not enough hours in a day to accomplish everything that needs to be done. This holds true for most people who are busy juggling the demands of a job, family, chores, and other commitments. They are constantly under pressure to fulfill all the roles that have been thrust upon them, and this leaves them vulnerable to stress. And while pressure is part and parcel of all work and helps to keep us motivated, excessive amounts can lead to stress. This undermines individual performance and productivity, and is costly to employers when the employees become ill.
When we decide to make changes in our lives, one of the biggest obstacles we might need to overcome is procrastination. We want to change (don't we?), yet we keep putting off the very steps that will create the desired results. At times we might feel like a crazy person, starting and stopping, starting and stopping. Why can't we just get it together once and for all?
Unfortunately, it's not that simple unless we develop an iron will. In the meantime, we might need to come up with strategies that ease our transition through changes. Here are six strategies that can help:
Use obvious reminders - One of the hardest parts of forming new habits is actually remembering to perform the new habits we are trying to put in place! A habit, by definition, is something we do automatically. When we operate on autopilot, we might actually forget the promises we've made to ourselves. We might grab a cookie and start munching mindlessly on it, even though we vowed to avoid sugar. Or we might realize, 10 minutes before bed time, that we never did find time to exercise that day.
The easiest way to overcome this forgetfulness is to place visible reminders in obvious places. Try using brightly colored sticky notes and colored markers. You can even get creative and add stickers and glitter if it helps catch your attention. Then stick them up on the refrigerator, the bathroom mirror, the dashboard of your car - wherever you might need a little wake up call. However, try to limit the notes to no more than 3 or 4, and be sure to change them around frequently so you don't become accustomed to them and begin to overlook them.
You can also create a planner for yourself and get into the habit of using it every day. A cheap, simple planner is a 6"x9" lined, spiral-bound notebook. Each evening, set aside 10 or 15 minutes to write all of your tasks for the next day, including the new habits you are trying to adopt. Place the notebook in an obvious location, and you can even use a brightly colored "READ ME" note on the front so it is the first thing you notice when you wake up the next day. Over time you will get into the groove of your new habits and find you don't need the reminders anymore.
Envision the outcome - We often avoid tasks that we feel won't be enjoyable. Instead, take some time to think about why you will enjoy your activities, even if it's simply the outcome that makes you feel inspired. State your reasons aloud, and affirm the good reasons why you should get moving. For example, "I enjoy working out because it makes me feel good, I can release tension, and I get that great endorphin rush!" Then take a few minutes to visualize the outcome in your mind. See yourself with a strong, firm, healthy body. Imagine yourself having plenty of energy to run around and play with the kids. See yourself in a slinky new dress and heels. After just a few minutes of these visualizations, you may suddenly appreciate the wisdom of huffing and puffing and sweating for 30 minutes and make that workout a priority.
Psych yourself up - Repeat after me: "I want to do this. I can do this. I deserve to do this. I am powerful enough to create the life I want. I refuse to be held back by my fears and negative habits. I am capable of so much more than I've done so far. No matter how successful I get, there is always room for improvement and growth. Yes I can, yes I can, yes I can!" Using affirmations like this, you will feel your resolve grow stronger, and your excitement build, and you will actually look forward to taking the steps that lead you down the path to success.
Just five minutes - If you're still struggling to get moving, vow to yourself that you will begin working on your tasks and stick with it for just five minutes. Five minutes is nearly nothing! Tell yourself that you can do anything for five minutes, and simply start. If you know that you only have to work on it for five minutes, it will seem less overwhelming and that will often be enough to nudge you into action. After the five minutes are up, give yourself permission to stop if you really want to. More often, however, you will decide to keep going. It's the start that holds so many of us back.
Reward yourself - Once you've gotten started and worked on your goals for at least 5 minutes, give yourself a pat on the back! This can be verbal praise, or an actual physical reward like a new book or trinket you've been wanting to buy. If funds are tight, your rewards don't have to cost anything; how about a 15 minute bubble bath or a visit to a favorite website? In fact, make it a priority to praise yourself often. Encourage yourself just like you would a best friend or loved one who is working on making their dreams come true. Become your own cheerleader!
Consistency wins the game - Remember that forming new habits and overcoming procrastination is a moment to moment decision. It would be great if we could just decide to change and have it be so, but it doesn't usually work that way. We need to become aware of our self-defeating actions, and make the effort to change them moment to moment, day to day, week to week. In fact, keep that in mind when setting your goals. Rather than setting yourself up for failure by vowing, "From now on I will...," turn it around and say, "Just for today, I will..." This makes change less intimidating and you won't feel so pressured to be perfect.
In the end, it is our willingness to keep getting up again after we've stumbled or fallen that will eventually strengthen our will and lead us along the path to success. So, if you have been struggling with procrastination, don't despair! Simply set yourself up for success by developing strategies that will blast your excuses right out of the water.
Consulting rates of your competitors provide an excellent starting point for your own billing rate analysis. If you know you competitor's consulting rates you can analyze various rate scenarios within a tighter range. You don't want to under or over price your own services and this information gives you valuable insight into what your target clients are currently willing to pay.
Techniques For Competitor Sleuthing
If you have friends or acquaintances that are niche technology providers, ask them what the going consulting rates are
Ask business partners, accountants and management consultants what consulting rate their clients pay
When you go to user group meetings, inquire about the going consulting rate in the area
Try to access government bid information - the consulting rates will be quoted
Look through old paperwork supplied by your clients and see if there is any mention of the consulting rate - purchase history, work billed, etc...
The Bottom Line on Consulting Rates
Setting your consulting rate requires knowledge. You have to know what your services are worth in the market. The best way to do this is to find out what your competitors' consulting rates are. Get creative: use your network, don't be shy about asking people outright, and do some snooping. Once you know the going rates in your area it is much easier for you to strategically position your own consulting rate.
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Moving forward with life as a handicap is the best thing you can do. You know as they say "This too shall pass" sooner or later you'll get over it and enjoy the life as it was meant to be.
Enjoying life as handicap may be a little daunting since the loss of motor skill can cause a lot of barriers. Fortunately electric wheelchairs are here to save the day. This makes transportation easy and you can roam around as you like and visit your favorite place in town.
Electric wheelchairs are also know as "Power Chairs". As it comes with its name, electric wheelchairs makes use of electricity coming from batteries which then turns the motors for mobility. Power chairs can be classified as indoors, outdoors and some are both.
Electric wheelchairs are controlled by a joystick. Which also controls the speed and direction. This giving handicap the ease of mobility and no need to exert too much effort just to get around.
In the market today there are three major types of electric wheelchairs according to the wheel it is driven. There are rear wheel drives, also mid and front wheel drives. As same as automobiles each has different feel from each other.
Some tips for choosing electric wheelchairs:
1. Make sure that the wheelchair is appropriate for your age. Kid wheelchairs are for kids and adult wheelchairs are for adults. It is also convenient if you can find one that's easily folded so it's a lot more manageable.
2. Take time to learn and discover what brands and types of electric wheelchair that has a proven good track record. Visit some websites, ask a friend or opinions from relatives. This will greatly reduce regrets for buying a lemon electric wheelchair.
3. Also look for a wheelchair that has the greatest mobility available. Not only on terms of direction of movement but also to the position of the chair itself. Does it lean or not? Is it only stuck into one position?
Electric wheelchairs help you bring back the zest in life. It will help them overcome the feel of unworthiness and help them to move on. Such condition may lead them to grow as a person of worth and importance.
Reverse Osmosis is a system of filtration that is highly effective at removing even the smallest particles from a liquid. It is also known as Hyperfiltration. The Reverse Osmosis process can remove particles as small as a dissolved individual ion. The most popular use for this process is in the purification of water for human consumption.
Reverse Osmosis uses a semi-permeable membrane that allows the water to pass through it, while ensuring that contaminants do not. Reverse Osmosis systems have come a long way in recent years, and many people have installed them in their homes to ensure that their family is drinking clean, pure, healthy water.
Many families are rightly concerned about the quality of water they are consuming. As evidenced by various stories in the press, people cannot always be sure that their tap water is clean and free from contaminants. One of the best ways to ensure that your family has clean drinking water is to take matter?s into your own hands and invest in a Reverse Osmosis system. There is no other commercial system available that is as effective as Reverse Osmosis.
While a Reverse Osmosis system does effectively clean water, it does not disinfect it. The membrane that is used for filtration can and will remove biological contaminants, but it should not be relied upon solely to treat contaminated water for human consumption. If you are concerned about biological contaminants, you could always add an ultraviolet light to your water system. Intense ultraviolet light systems will destroy biological contaminants before they reach your RO system, therefore ensuring only the best possible drinking water.
Reverse Osmosis systems effectively remove dozens of contaminants from water, including chlorine, benzene, chloroform, barium, and countless others. These systems essentially strip water down to its most basic form. We installed one in our home a few years ago. A manufacturing plant on the edge of town contaminated the local water supply and, although we were not affected, it served as a much needed wake-up call. Within days, we had a Reverse Osmosis water treatment system installed. We added the UV light system a month later, when we learned some more about it. Clean water is essential for health and survival. Contaminated water can kill you. Do you really have a choice in the matter? Think smart. Plan ahead.
Creating a document shredding strategy is an important aspect of almost every business. Not only are there lots and regulations that require businesses to shred documents, but it is also part of running a trustworthy, excellent business.
Why do business is need to destroy documents?
Practically every business is creating and managing new paper documents every day and the list of documents that legally need to be shredded is constantly growing.
Bills, customer order information, contracts, employee applications, in-house memos, receipts, piles of mail, insurance documents, old tax records, payment records, account records and balance sheets, personnel files and bank records Practically any document that has a first name last name address, and other information probably needs to be shredded.
What can happen if this information falls into the wrong hands?
Well, aside from forgery, credit card fraud, con schemes, corporate espionage, there is of course the potential for bad publicity, loss of customers, lawsuits and fines.
It is important that all businesses shred or destroy certain sensitive documents. Law enforcement, legal industries, government agencies, banks, health care providers, insurance providers, financial brokers, and real estate are just a few industries where managing paperwork is crucial. Not to mention hospitals, insurers, doctors offices, retirement homes, drugstores, legal papers.
So how can a business manage their documents safely and effectively?
A detailed security policy for every type of document your business uses is essential and employees need to know these policies!
For example: What are the shredding requirements for the various document types that your company frequently uses? What are employees allowed to photocopy? Who has access to files with private information?
Signs can be posted in the workplace and next to trash cans and recycling bins were sensitive documents may inadvertently be thrown out, un-shredded.
Also, whoever is overseeing the destruction of documents should closely consult with the companys IT staff and any other department that works with electronic records and files to ensure safe handling.
Training employees about disposing of sensitive documents and developing a very specific policy about how long to hold and went to discard documents will go a long way. Access to company read records should be controlled and restricted to a small number of individuals and there should be rules relating to records.
And finally, use a certified document destruction company that has a good track record.
For a more information about safe document disposal and list of document shredding services including mobile document shredding services, you can browse our services directory.
2005 Overview:
The Cleveland Indians were arguably the best overall team in baseball during the 2nd half of the season. The Indians remained right in the thick of the AL pennant chase until the very last week of the season when a 4-6 record in their last 10 games left them two games back in the wildcard standings. Cleveland ended the year with an impressive final record of 93-69. The Tribe fielded some of the best young offensive talent in all of baseball in 2005, led by a breakout year from shortstop Jhonny Peralta (.292 25 78). Peraltas first full season helped Clevelands offense keep the Tribe close for the better part of the summer. Newly acquired 3b Aaron Boone (.243 16 60) also combined talents with infielders Ronnie Belliard (.284 17 78) and 1st baseman Ben Broussard (.255 19 68) in order to assemble one of the best all around infields in all of baseball. Additional offense was provided in 2005 from outfielder Grady Sizemore (.289 22 81) and Casey Blake (.241 23 58) who joined Coco Crisp (.300 16 69), catcher Victor Martinez (.305 20 80) and DH Travis Hafner (.305 33 108) to complete the rest of the lineup.
The Indians pitching staff also proved to be among the best in the AL with starting Pitcher Cliff Lee (18-5 3.79) and C.C. Sabathia (15-10 4.03) joining Jake Westbrook (15-15 4.49) and newly acquired pitchers Scott Elarton (11-9 4.61) and Kevin Millwood (9-11 2.86) in order to form a solid rotation. Aging closer Bob Wickman (0-4 2.47 45 saves) surprised skeptics by proving he still had plenty left in the tank posting a 14-year career high 45 saves in 50 attempts.
Off Season Moves:
The Indians didnt make many moves during the off season although free-agent right-hander Paul Byrd (12-11 3.74) was signed to take the place of departing Kevin Millwood (who was signed by the Rangers). The Indians also replaced starting pitcher Scott Elarton (signed by the Royals) with Detroit Tiger free-agent Jason Johnson (8-13 4.54). Cleveland also tried to obtain another closer chasing both B.J. Ryan and Trevor Hoffman in the off season but finally settled on bringing back Bob Wickman.
Outfielder Coco Crisp was sent to the Red Sox in exchange for reliever Guillermo Mota (2-2 4.70). The Indians also sent reliever Arthur Rhodes to Philadelphia for outfielder Jason Michaels (.304 4 31), the probable replacement for Crisp as Cleveland's starting left fielder.
2006 Analysis:
The Indians did their best by addressing the free agent departures of Millwood and Elarton but the bottom of the rotation is still shaky. Paul Byrd should be a nice addition to the starting group. The Indians let Millwood go despite the fact that he posted one of the best ERAs in the league. Cleveland was somewhat disappointed in Millwoods ability to win more games for them. The workhorse bullpen expects to pick up right where it left off in 2005 with Arthur Rhodes (3-1 2.08), Fernando Cabrera (2-1 1.47), Scott Sauerbeck (1-0 4.04) and newcomer Guillermo Mota setting up closer Bob Wickman. The tribe should be primed for another title chase in 2006 if the starting pitching and bullpen can hold up. With an offense like the Indians its hard to count them out of anything especially if Peralta can continue to improve at the plate in 2006.
Hoodia Gordonii was introduced to the United States in 2004 as a weight loss herb. It has been around for thousands of years and has been used by the San people in South Africa for its ability to be an appetite suppressant while hunting. The Hoodia Gordonii plant looks like a cactus but is really a succulent that grows in the high areas of the Kalahari Desert. It is the weight loss herb for anyone looking to diet without hunger. Hoodia Gordonii is not a drug, it is an herb. It is a completely natural and safe herbal diet pill for weight loss that will not cause any stimulation.
Indoor trampolines, also known as mini-trampolines, are small trampoline kits designed for children between 3 to 7 years old. They are available in many sizes but most of them are portable and smaller than regular trampolines. Average height is about 9 -11 inches off the ground and may be circular, rectangular or square in shape.
Since many emergency room-treated injuries are related to trampoline jumping, before letting kids use indoor trampolines (though smaller and look more harmless), all safety precautions should be taken. Adequate adult supervision is also imperative for all types of trampolines if it involves kids in the trampoline activity.
Indoor trampolines may also be used as a bouncing device by gymnasts or stuntmen to be catapulted into the air. Professional indoor, or Olympic style trampolines, have a webbed surface and are generally much more expensive. They also need folding down and are not suitable for outdoors. Other indoor trampolines may also be used as fitness and weight loss tools.
Popular Indoor Trampoline Models:
Nursery Trampoline: This indoor trampoline has a grip handle, and is designed to encourage children to exercise and keep fit. The model is suitable for outdoor use too. It is also equipped with a weatherproof mat and tubular steel frame with a durable coated finish. The padded cover around the mat cushions the frame and prevents children from stepping through the bungee cord for extra safety. Costs around $100 to $135.
Joey Trampoline: is designed to help kids learn balance and coordination with the assistance of a handlebar, which can be removed as the child gets older and bigger. It features 6 steel feet, anti-slip rubber pads, a powder-coated steel frame, heavy-duty jumping mat, and strong padded foam cushion frame cover for extra safety. Approximate cost - $60 to $70.
Child Sport Fit Trainer: Manufactured by Texas Trampoline, the jumping surface of this indoor trampoline is woven Permatron material, and has extra wide, deluxe safety pads that cover the frame and the springs. Its an 8-foot square and 24 inches high trampoline which can also be used by adults who want to stay in shape. No additional tools are required for assembly. It costs around $600, and is one of the most expensive indoor trampolines.
Soft-Bounce Rebounder: A product from Needak, it has a surface diameter of 28.5 inches and a Permatron mat rebounding surface, with protective, spring cover padding, and is intended for indoor, aerobic use by adults. The rebounder comes in a folding or non-folding model. Purchase also includes a video, book, article, and a carrying bag. Costs around $120 to $180.
TP Medium Junior Trampoline: Features a detachable handle which can be used when the trampoline is used by more than one child. Designed to improve co-ordination, balance skills and spatial awareness of the child through play. Made from galvanized steel frame and tough mesh mat that allows rain to fall through. Costs around $60 to $70.
Bounce around Inflatable Trampoline: This is an inflatable bouncing trampoline constructed out of heavy-duty vinyl, which can be conveniently deflated after use. Great for kids who love to jump on beds. Approximately costs around $35 to $45.
As you know, an Italian gentleman has challenged the Catholic Church to prove that Christ existed, and, while the case was, somewhat expectedly, tossed out in an Italian court, the plaintiff, undaunted, found a court in Strasbourg that has agreed to hear it. It remains to be revealed who the Catholic Church will designate to defend its historical foundation.
Should we flinch from such a touchy subject and leave you to your own puzzlements? No, dear reader, rest assured that we will never abandon you out of fear to follow whatever the ever-surprising pageant of daily events may present to our fretted brow but smiling aspect. After all, how much more refreshingly salutary it is to realize we can share even the most subtle adumbrations that flit through our evanescent moments of self-awareness.
So what is, in our opinion, the correct question?
We prefer to ask whether belief in Christ, as the Son of God or in any relevant modification, helps people live better lives and deal with the trembling uncertainties that the enormous question mark in the sky about the why and wither of everything, including our mortal selves, still provokes in many a frail human being?
Or is belief in Christs divinity more in use to devise liabilities against the natural potential for joy that life seems to be gifted with, while it provides less unshakable hope than one might wish for assured eternal bliss?
What, pray tell, is the answer? Since the two can hardly be hefted into a balance scale, the decision is, agreeably enough, what you, as the decisive individual you undoubtedly are, have determined is your own estimable belief.
Dare we proceed to the evidence for or against what is known as the historical Jesus? What else, ideational companion, would you expect?
First, as you know, the Romans kept engagingly careful histories and prudent civic accounts. Yet there is little mention in the remnants of the Roman record of an existent called Jesus Christ, except one brief notation in a civic record, another in a Jewish history, or a line in a few letters. Some demanding historians, in their histrionics, suppose that, had Jesus performed the wonders He is reported to have accomplished, His existence would have enlarged into an invitingly more elaborate documentation.
Consequentially considered Christian evidence begins with the man who has come to be known as Saint Paul. While he was, unfortunately, too young to have known Jesus in person, it seems he met with the extant personages Peter, James, and John.
We must also come head to headline with the historically disquieting fact that the four Gospels were penned to paper at a later date than we might, in our ideal hopes, prefer: sometime between A. D. 60 and A. D. 120. The Book of Mark, considered the earliest of the four gospels, made its initial appearance about the year 150 AD. While the historic document may well have recorded an oral history or earlier written versions of the story of Jesus, obviously by the time it was penned the scribe never actually broke bread with the central inspiration of his Gospel.
We have not, of course, invented any of the foregoing evidences. We have merely recorded, as accurately as we can in a brief space, what seems to have been passed down over the centuries.
Now, we pass from our wandering deliberations to our initial point.
In the very soul of our hopes and uncertainties, most of us are not excessively concerned about what is historically invariable. We more likely ask what in this wide and chancy world is more helpful, or useful, to us and our fellow uncertain human beings. While it may not be the most piercingly trenchant question, it is certainly the kindest and therefore, in many ways, the most invitingly wise.
By the way, soul of light and wonder, there is also another wrong question we should deliberate with before we conclude. The questioning gentleman from Italy also proclaims that he is an atheist, and we grant him his predilection.
But, one of the surprisingly incisive items the overly commended philosopher William James managed to utter, in his hopefulThe Will To Believe, is that we require just as much information not to believe as it takes to believe.
Once again we must reach for the same handy harp and arpeggiate as follows:
The right question, or so it seems us, is not whether God exists, but whether we can define God in a way we can, with scientific respect, consider valid?
We can only share with you the invitingly unassuming definition that works for us and that, astonishingly, seems unassailably cogent.
And here it is.
Since we, being as logically exacting as we should, cannot dare infer with philosophical propriety that the universe has a cause, without the adherents of Davy Hume rushing to inform us that what we, as frequently but not ever fallible humans, perceive as cause and effect may, in fact, be more exactly explicated as usual but not unexceptionable sequence.
So all we can credibly say is that all we behold must have a source an original or, if you will, an ultimate source and that we, as placidly accommodated inhabitants of finitude, are willing to consider that source God.
As you might guess, whether or not such a carefully considered God partakes in our everyday lives or has decided weve been equipped well enough to manage things on our own if we would only use the mental and spiritual resources weve been given is, yet again, another question, undoubtedly to be ciphered, yet again, primarily by our own dispositions.
So, interestingly enough, after our exceedingly perspicacious amble through the honed brambles of theological speculation, we arrive, to some extent, where our sometime intellectual companion, ancient Aristotle, left us, that is, with the concept of God as the First Mover or Unmoved Mover. While his description is obviously a bit more assumptive than ours, its reassuringly close enough to make us smile at the inadvertent paternity of his wisdom.
So, lest we trouble you too long in your inquisitive surf of the worldwide Web, we will conclude as follows:
While the daring Italian plaintiff gears up to challenge the divinity of Christ in a Strasbourg court, and the spokespeople of the Catholic Church present their most revered proofs, while the media kern the boiling pot as intemperately as they can, the entire host will all be overwrought about what is, at least to us, really neither the most practical nor spiritually consequential question.
We realize we havent been especially humorous in this article, but, if you think about the high subject, such an achievement would have actually been inappropriate.
We also cannot but realize you may be thinking, OK, smarty pants, so what do you think about matters infinite?
Would we ever deny you the inviting knowledge? Never, me bonny lads and lasses!
So here it is. We have a faith not shaken by such perturbations on the largely unmapped sea of certitude, because we have a comforting faith in life faith that it is, after all, a logical evanescence and therefore an overall benevolence. As part of our faith in it, we believe that, if we take good are of it, we will not only have a much higher likelihood of realizing its resplendent possibilities, but also of helping save it from our own depredations, and, in accordance with our assumpiton of its supreme logic, that whatever made it will, if it takes good care of anyone, take good care of us, who, after all, live in the service of life, accepted as considerately free and capable of exultation. We call this moderate infinite extension of our enlightened commitment faith through life.
Our only remaining hope is that weve been able to deconstruct the theological tempest that likely lies ahead into a venue you may observe as, in its inevitable confrontations and triangulations, your informed and wisely unruffled self.
The total purses for the Breeders Cup World Championship have been raised to $20 million, $6 million more than last year. Seven of the eight Breeders Cup races have increased their purses.
The Breeders Cup Classic which is powered by Dodge has increased its purse to $5 million that means $1 million more than last year. The horse race will take place on November 4th, at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.
Breeders Cup races have doubled their purses since its beginning in 1984, when they started with a $10 million purse. Last time purses increased was before the 2003 Breeders Cup when the Breeders Cup Mile and the Breeders Cup Juvenile were increased to 1.5 million dollars.
This situation is turning the Breeders Cup into the richest race of all, giving its property even more value than ever. It is formed by eight races: the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile, the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, the TVG Breeders' Cup Sprint, the NetJets Breeders' Cup Mile, the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Distaff, the John Deere Breeders' Cup and the Turf Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge.
This race is a determining factor in Horse of the Year honors. The Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships is a series of thoroughbred horse races sponsored by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association. It is a one-day event that takes place every year at a different location. It has always taken place in the United States; the one year that was in another country was in 1996, when the races were at the Woodbine Racetrack in Canada.
The horse racing event was created as a championship for North American thoroughbred racing, but it also attracts top horses from other parts of the world, especially Europe and during recent years, the Middle East.
Each type of TV has positives and negatives. Before purchasing a possibly expensive piece of furniture for you home it would be wise to learn a little about each technology. This may prevent you from making a big mistake when you are ready to buy. Once you understand which type of television is right for you it's a lot easier to take the plunge.
If you are more than 10 years old you probably grew up watching television on a CRT type of TV. CRT stands for cathode ray tube. These televisions are still very popular due to a few advantages they still hold over the newer plasma televisions and other newer types.
If you've ever watched a plasma or LCD TV from the side you have probably noticed that the picture is darker from that angle. One of the great things about CRT televisions is that they are still bright even when viewed from the side. Sure, the LCD or plasma television has a great quality picture from the front, but if you plan on placing your TV in an area that will be viewed often from the side you should be testing out all of the different models in that regard. It would be very disappointing to see the great plasma picture quality at the dealer and then get it home and have a darker picture from your viewing point of view.
Another positive with regard to CRT displays is their price. They are more inexpensive than the more modern types of televisions while still producing a very clear and bright picture. They also show the color black truer than most newer models and have no danger of burn-in. On some of the newer models it's possible to have a bright picture burn into the screen and be faintly visible for the life of the TV.
With all of these positives why are the CRT displays diminishing in popularity? There are two main reasons. One, these television sets are usually bigger, bulkier and heavier. And two, if you want a large wide screen TV that is 42 inches, 50 inches, 60 inches or larger you just cannot find a CRT display that big. So if you have a big wide screen TV in mind you won't be able to go with the older CRT units.
The last deciding factor about CRT televisions concerns whether you should buy a flat screen or curved screen model. The flat screen versions can be viewed from the side better than the curved screens. The curved screens can distort the picture while the flat screens let you see the picture as it was intended to be seen. The difference may not be apparent when viewed alone, but put them side to side and you will certainly see the difference.
The next type of technology we will look at is the flat panel LCD displays. These come in HDTV (high definition television) or wide screen. If you want to see your DVD movies as you saw them in the movie theater you need to purchase a widescreen TV. LCD is a liquid crystal display and is not only used in televisions, but in computer monitors as well.
LCD displays have a flat screen and are relatively thin in width and lightweight. They have an exceptional picture viewing quality and as with the CRT displays will not produce burn-in. These TVs have high resolution that creates a superior picture.
The biggest problem with LCD flat screens is the fact that their viewing angles are lessened when compared with traditional CRT models. If you get too far off to the side the picture becomes extremely dark. They are also incapable of creating true blacks, another disadvantage when compared to older CRT models. Plus, the larger models can become rather expensive. However, if money is not your major concern and you plan on viewing the TV from directly in front you may decide that this is the best choice for you.
Plasma television sets, also known as plasma HDTV displays, have come way down in price over the last two years. Their prices used to exclude people from buying them, but their prices are now comparable to LCD models.
These TVs have become popular because not only can you get it in a very large screen size, perfect for your favorite movie or sporting event, but it has an excellent picture quality that is also viewable from wide angles. This is a plus over the LCD technology. This TV will give you the perfect "movie experience" at home in your own theater room.
Plasma television displays are great when it comes to picture quality and viewing angles, but their prices may still be slightly higher than other types. They also have a small potential for burn-in. But the big negative is their life span. They are basically not repairable when their bulb burns out. Depending on how much you watch TV you could end up with an expensive unit that will only last a few years. Once the bulb has burned out the TV is generally history. This is not the case with an LCD display where the bulb may cost in the neighborhood of $200, but it can be changed.
Rear projection models also have their positives and negatives. Rear projection CRT HDTV's are cheaper than the larger plasma and LCD displays, plus they have a flat screen and great picture. The negatives are their size and weight and smaller viewing angles. They are too heavy to hang on a wall and are much wider than the more narrow plasma and LCD units. Also, in a well lit room their picture can seem a little less bright than what is considered ideal.
There are other types of rear projection HDTV units too. The most popular are the LCD and DLP models. Both have flat screens with wide viewing angles, are thin and lightweight which means they can be wall mounted, will not produce burn-in and have terrific picture resolution and quality. Also, when the bulb burns out they can be replaced, unlike the plasma television models. However, they can both be a bit on the expensive side.
Now that you know the differences it's time to go down to your local electronics store and try them out. A little bit of viewing can go a long way in your determination of what's best and what's not. One more piece of advice: when looking at the varied assortment of models at you local store you'll notice that some have bright pictures and some do not. Do not base your opinion solely on that one thing. The store models will not have their brightness controls all set the same and it's possible that a dim picture on one of their televisions could easily be adjusted into a magnificent picture.
"Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what you want to achieve and they will
surprise you with their ingenuity."
General George Patton
"If you can dream it, you can do it."
Walt Disney
One of the nicest things about problems is that a good many of them do not exist except in our imagination
Steve Allen
Having fun unleashes creativity. It is one of the seeds you plant to get ideas.
Jack Foster
The ultimate creative thinking technique is to think like God. If youre atheist, pretend how God would do it.
Frank Lloyd Wright
The innovative company understands that innovation starts with an idea and ideas are somewhat like babies they are born small, immature, and shapeless.
Peter Drucker
The hallmark of creative people is their mental flexibility Sometimes they are open and probing, at others theyre playful and off-the-wall. At still other times, theyre critical and faultfinding. And finally theyre doggedly persistent in striving to reach their goals.
Roger von Oech
If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange, then you and I still each have an apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each one of us will have two ideas.
George Bernard Shaw
"The Empires of the future are the Empires of the mind."
Winston Churchill
Business reporting is not always easy. Too often we can get swamped down in paper work and long, exhaustive reports that offer entirely too much information. Your business reporting does not have to end up like that. If you find yourself caught in this trap of creating long boring reports that nobody wants to read then perhaps it is time you find a new way to present your findings.
Have you ever heard of a business intelligence tool? Chances are you havent and that is okay. I will explain exactly what a business intelligence tool is. Quite honestly, it is pretty simple. A business intelligence tool is a tool that allows you to present information in an intelligent and meaningful manner.
One such business intelligence tool that allows you to do this is known as a dashboard. A dashboard is simply a means of displaying information. There are a variety of different kinds of business dashboards that you can use to display the information compiled in your reports. The dashboard facilitates this process by making it extremely easy to convert information into charts and graphs.
When you display information in charts and graphs it is easier to understand and interpret the data. In turn this makes the business reporting process that much easier and meaningful. You can offer the information you have researched to your boss in a much more efficient manner than a 50 page report. We all know your boss isnt really interested in reading that long boring report so why should you waste your time preparing it? The answer is you should not waste all that time writing a report. Rather, you should spend your time analyzing the numbers and preparing a short presentation using charts and graphs like a pie graph to present your findings on business aspects like the latest changes in market share. Certainly, your boss would much rather take a look at a pie graph and visually see how your market share has grown while the competitions piece of the pie has shrunk.
Through a dashboard, making better use of a chart and graph is entirely possible. You can use a pie graph to display other vital information. For instance you might rely on a pie graph to show how the percentage costs of various components of your product compares. Such a pie graph could assist you in easily identifying the component costs that are out of line with the all the others. With this knowledge in hand you can then make the appropriate recommendation to your boss. He will appreciate the visual representation of the component costs displayed by the pie graph, and will be more likely to respond to your recommendations.
In this
manner the business reporting process can be simplified and improved, through the efficient use of a great business intelligence tool such as a management dashboard. The incorporation of the visual aspect into your brief report, like charts and graphs, will prove more valuable and useful to your boss. So next time you have to prepare a report, think outside the box and impress your boss by taking advantage of informative charts and pie graphs to support your recommendations.