How to Write a Letter of Complaint

Heres a project that will introduce you to brainstorming and give you practice in group writing. You will join with three or four other writers to compose a letter of complaint (also called a claim letter). Consider Different Topics The best topic for this assignment will be one that you and the other members of your group truly care about. You may write to the dining hall supervisor to complain about the quality of the food, to an instructor to complain about his or her grading policies, to the governor to complain about cuts to the education budget--whatever subject the members of your group find interesting and worthwhile. Begin by suggesting topics, and ask one member of the group to write them down as they are given. Dont stop at this point to discuss or evaluate the topics: simply prepare a long list of possibilities. Choose a Topic and Brainstorm Once you have filled a page with topics, you can decide among yourselves which one you would like to write about. Then discuss the points that you think should be raised in the letter. Again, have one member of the group keep track of these suggestions. Your letter will need to explain the problem clearly and show why your complaint should be taken seriously. At this stage, you may discover that you need to gather additional information to develop your ideas effectively. If so, ask one or two members of the group to conduct some basic research and bring their findings back to the group. Draft and Revise a Letter After collecting sufficient material for your letter of complaint, elect one member to compose a rough draft. When this has been completed, the draft should be read aloud so that all members of the group can recommend ways to improve it through revision. Each group member should have the opportunity to revise the letter according to the suggestions made by the others. To guide your revision, you may want to study the structure of the sample complaint letter that follows. Notice that the letter has three distinct parts: An introduction that clearly identifies the subject of the complaint.A body paragraph that (a) clearly and specifically explains the nature of the complaint, and (b) provides the reader with all of the information needed to provide an appropriate response.A conclusion that clearly states what actions are needed to remedy the problem. Annie Jolly110-C Woodhouse LaneSavannah, Georgia 31419November 1, 2007Mr. Frederick Rozco, PresidentRozco Corporation14641 Peachtree BoulevardAtlanta, Georgia 303030Dear Mr. Rozco:On October 15, 2007, in response to a special television offer, I ordered a Tressel Toaster from your company. The product arrived in the mail, apparently undamaged, on October 22. However, when I tried to operate the Tressel Toaster that same evening, I was distressed to find that it did not fulfill your claim to provide fast, safe, professional hair-styling. Instead, it severely damaged my hair.After following the instructions to set up the toaster away from other appliances on a dry counter in my bathroom, I inserted the steel comb and waited 60 seconds. Then I removed the comb from the toaster and, following the instructions for a Venusian Curl, ran the hot comb through my hair. After just a few seconds, however, I smelled burning hair, and so I immediately placed the comb back into the toaster. When I did this, sparks flew from the outlet. I reached to unplug the toaster, but I was too late: a fuse had already blown out. A few minutes later, after replacing the fuse, I looked in the mirror and saw that my hair had been scorched in several spots.I am returning the Tressel Toaster (along with the unopened bottle of Un-Do Shampoo), and I expect a full refund of $39.95, plus $5.90 for shipping costs. In addition, I am enclosing a receipt for the wig I purchased and will have to wear until the damaged hair grows out. Please send me a check for $303.67 to cover the refund for the Tressel Toaster and the cost of the wig.Sincerely,Annie Jolly Notice how the writer has delivered her complaint with facts rather than emotions. The letter is firm and direct but also respectful and polite. Revise, Edit, and Proofread Your Letter Invite one member of your group to read aloud your letter of complaint and respond to it as if he or she had just received it in the mail. Does the complaint sound valid and worth taking seriously? If so, ask the members of the group to revise, edit, and proofread the letter one final time, using the following checklist as a guide: Does your letter follow the standard format shown in the example above?Does your letter consist of an introduction, a body paragraph, and a conclusion?Does your introductory paragraph clearly identify what you are complaining about?Does your body paragraph clearly and specifically explain the nature of the complaint?In the body paragraph, have you provided the reader with all of the information needed if he or she is to respond effectively to your complaint?Have you conveyed your complaint calmly and clearly, relying on facts rather than emotions?Have you clearly organized the information in your body paragraph so that one sentence leads logically to the next?In your conclusion, have you clearly stated what action(s) you want your reader to take?Have you proofread the letter carefully?

Sexuality at Different Life Stages - 986 Words

Sexuality at Different Life Stages The therapist’s response to Anna Anna you have been having some issues lately regarding having a boyfriend and your mother is concerned that you are not ready for a relationship with an older boy. At this point you think that what you are feeling for your boyfriend is love, but true love is when your partner can understand what you are going through and help you to go through it rather than force you to make a decision now. Maybe you are feeling that if you give nothing in the relationship it will not last. Maybe right now you are thinking less about yourself and more about your partner and pleasing him, but if he is really thinking about you and feel love for you he would be patient and try to work this through with you. At this stage you are not too young to love, these feelings only point to infatuation. Most adolescents have sex in order to make sure their boyfriend like them, or they give in to peer- pressure or they do it just to get back at parents for their disapproval of their relationship. At this point I must tell you that your mother is very concerned as to whether you can really handle a relationship at this stage or if you are mature enough to make the right choices. Your mother has been through the similar situation, we all as adults go through the same bodily changes as our children and we know that oftentimes the decisions made are not to our advantage. Many studies have been done t o prove this. Many girls whoShow MoreRelatedSexuality at Different Life Stages766 Words   |  4 PagesSexuality at Different Life Stages Kimberly Hamsher PSY/265 April 13, 2014 Kimberly Hima Sexuality at Different Life Stages In the case of Ashley, I would assume her therapist would point out all the options she has before deciding if she wants to pursue a sexual relationship with her boyfriend. She should explain the variety of emotions an adolescent girl might feel when a boy or young man shows an interest in her. She should let her know that the word love can sometimes be displaced andRead MoreSexuality at Different Life Stages Essay1018 Words   |  5 Pagesbehaviors even prior to birth. Throughout an individual’s life they will experience different stages of sexuality. This paper will address concerns, feelings, and changes that Anna, Tom and Susan, and Bill are experiencing during their specific life stage as well as some coaching ideas and recommendations to aid them through the roadblocks in his or her way so they each can continue to move through the life stages of sexuality. Adolescence Stage Anna is an adolescent girl who has a boyfriendRead MoreSexuality Is An Omnipresent Factor That Affects Everyone809 Words   |  4 PagesSexuality is an omnipresent factor that affects everyone individually in society today. It is a term that can be labeled as different things or meanings. Sexuality is a topic that is understood by all, yet talked by few. Sexuality can be seen as ones capacity for sexual feelings, and their sexual orientation or preference. It is a defining characteristic that is attributed to everyone, and has the power to set aside one from another. When looking at sexuality it is important to understand what itRead MoreFreud s Theory Of Sexuality956 Words   |  4 PagesOne of His most significant outlooks and study was in the sexology field. Sexology had already been constituted as a separate form of enquiry some time before the appearance of Freud’s most important contribution, The three essays on the theory of sexuality (1905) and many of the term s that we tend to identify with Freud, such as libido, component instincts, erotogenic zones, catharsis, autoerotism and narcissism were already in circulation. (Akroterion. 58, 79-96, Dec. 2013) Some have argued that FreudRead MoreGender and Human Sexuality1375 Words   |  6 PagesGender and human sexuality has major importance in lives. This can determine whether a person is healthy or not; not only physically but mentally as well. Also, having a certain gender can change the way feelings are obtain their own character. It is about finding yourself within the gender given and personal human sexuality. Gender can determine actions made by either a male or female called it gender norms. The human sexuality could be defined as thoughts, fantasies, morals, relationship, and attitudesRead MoreThe Struggles And Needs Elderly Lgbt Individuals Face And Its Effect On Their Aging Process1334 Words   |  6 Pagesdo they face discrimination due to their sexuality, but also due to their ag e and/or gender. The intersectionality of sexuality, age, and/or gender can cause many physical, mental, and emotional health issues which require social work intervention. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the struggles and needs elderly LGBT individuals face and its effect on their aging process. This can be achieved by applying theoretical frameworks such as Erickson’s Stages of Development, Intersectionality, andRead MoreAlize Johnson. Mr. Sidney. British Literature . March 27,1280 Words   |  6 PagesAlize Johnson Mr. Sidney British Literature March 27, 2017 Teen Sexuality â€Å"How sexuality, love,and autonomy are perceived and negotiated in parent-child relationships and among teenagers depends on the cultural templates people have available† -Amy Schale, 2010 The controversy over teen sexuality in America seems to be one of the top ranked topics that floods the internet, talk shows, and radio stations. Whether it’s talk about the latest teen pregnancy shows, child pornographyRead MoreThe Sexuality of Adolescent Americans in Juno1555 Words   |  6 PagesThe Sexuality of Adolescent Americans: Juno Abstract Sexuality and sex in America is a complicated subject in that there is little consensus on the topic of sex in, and the American media sends many mixed messages regarding sex and sexuality to everyone, not just to adolescents. Americans are aware of sex primarily through advertising (print media, commercials, etc.) as sex is used to sell anything and everything. The media also bombards Americans with sexuality and sex on television and inRead MoreThe Theory Of Sexuality By Sigmund Freud1654 Words   |  7 Pagestopics evoke so much intrigue and bewilderment, discussion and silence as the concept of sexuality. It has simultaneously been the focus of scientific experimentation and theoretical debate since the emergence of the modern world. Traditional views designate sexuality as purposeful, which is to say that our sexual instinct compels us toward reproduction and the preservation of life. This parallels human sexuality to that of animals, an instinct that is genetically programmed into us for the purposeRead MoreGoffman And Michel Foucault s Theory Of Society And The Unspoken Rule Of Conduct Of Our Everyday Interactions1324 Words   |  6 Pagesnorm has been broken. Sociologist Erving Goffman and Michel Foucault were concerned with the characteristics that make up the structure of society and the importance of the production of social order. Both theorists have used different methods to study the effect of social life in society and the unspoken rule of conduct of our everyday interactions. In this paper I will compare and contrast their influences, focusing on how social order is produced to help us understand the importance of human interaction

Industrial Communication

Question: Analysis of the wireless networks those are utilized in an enhancing number that has targeted the office applications. Answer: 1.0 Introduction The research studies the wireless networks that are used in an increasing number that has targeted office applications. The advances made in the embedded systems has allowed for the infusion of intelligence in the field devices [1]. The increasing processing, functionality and communication capabilities have largely been instrumental in the extensive trend of field devices that are referred to as field networks. 1.1 Value of the Study The value of the study elaborates the thesis of industrial communication in the current state of art in wired/ wireless field bus systems. The specifications of the research highlights the comparison made on different alternatives using PROFIBUS as the communication technology for hybrid wired/wireless field bus networks [2]. The contribution that wired/wireless network has made in innovative mechanism for eliminating traffic congestion for reducing the extra time and the setting up of master stations for extra time parameters. The methodology of duration of message transaction evaluates the worst case response in such type of wired/wireless field bus systems [3]. There is a mobility mechanism that has been established by the system before resuming the normal system operations. 1.1.1 Definition of Terms Industrial Automation Industrial automation is the way of communicating at different levels which are connected through point-to point cabled solutions or through field buses. Field buses and Ethernet give us an impression of the capability of handling repetitive tasks efficiently and quickly. Some common examples that define automation are mining, steel and gas, pulp and paper. Different protocols exist in various media in the automation domain such that the ranges of automation equipment to the IT domain from high end hardware [14]. In industrial automation, communication is used for interconnection of automation equipment, interconnection of dedicated real-time automation system, closed loop control, interlocking and control and most importantly for monitoring and supervision [4]. Field bus systems Field bus networks are physically connected through a wired bus under the used system End system that includes both the wired and the wireless node [13]. However, a wireless network system is communicated indirectly through network mode systems which is usually termed to be called be ad-hoc wireless network. However, if the messages are somewhere relied on the wireless network then it comes under the category of structured wireless network. Additionally there are situations when the network should support the interconnection and provide appropriate mechanism through inter cell mobility. The diagram below explains the wired/wireless connection network system [5]. Figure: Wired/Wireless Communication Connection Network 1.2 Research Problem The research problems is based on the safety of humans as well as environment that demands proper deployment of security measures that plays an important role while protecting both the safety and security of the rate of production. The increase of wireless network demands more attention, safety and security in automation process [6]. The problem reflected is given as: 1) Although, security is well developed when it comes to addressing wireless networks but there are issues in the effective integration of wireless sensor networks in existing automation standards and systems. 2) Security is considered to be the prime issue that needs to be certified through end-to-end field bus communication irrespective of the security measures taken in wired or wireless security measures? The research problem in field bus can be illustrated in the heterogeneous field networks below that should be both safe and secure [12]. Figure: Future Scenario of Automation System 1.3 Research Approach The research approach in the recent global economic stagnation is becoming intense as well as changing. There is need for improved quality as well as delivery and cost performance to satisfy various requirements that only reduces costs but also diminishes the wiring work that related to conventional wired instrumentation. Moreover, the increased number of points to be monitored highlights the application, physicality, data link, network, transport, session and presentation to underline the communication protocol [7]. Figure: Characteristics and Expected Benefits of Field Wireless 1.4 Research Questions The research questions that highlight the specific of wired/wireless communication state of art based on field bus systems. The research questions that evaluate the research are What is the current state of trends in wired/wireless field bus systems? What are the changes that can be viewed in trends over the years? What are the challenges that are faced in the field bus systems? 5.0 Conclusion This particular study has successfully deployed the current trends as well as the state of art in the wired as well as wireless fieldbus systems. This particular study has clearly deployed as well as implemented all of the advantages or benefits of both of the fieldbus network systems with a well-structured way. All of the advantages have been implemented with the help of the analysis of the suitable analysis of the selected hypothesis as per the research problems of this study those are mentioned in the above section of this study. In order to make the analysis of the hypothesis, proper research methodologies have been demonstrated. On the other hand, the challenges as well as the future work in order to mitigate the challenges have also been illustrated in a systematic manner so that these could be very effective for addressing the issues over the wired and wireless fieldbus network systems. References [1]E. Larsson, O. Edfors, F. Tufvesson and T. Marzetta, "Massive MIMO for next generation wireless systems",IEEE Commun. Mag., vol. 52, no. 2, pp. 186-195, 2014. [2]M. Alves and E. Tovar, "Real-time communications over wired/wireless PROFIBUS networks supporting inter-cell mobility",Computer Networks, vol. 51, no. 11, pp. 2994-3012, 2007. [3]H. Fahmy,Wireless Sensor Networks. Singapore: Springer, 2016. [4]D. Considine and G. Considine,Standard handbook of industrial automation, 7th ed. New York: Chapman and Hall, 2014. [5]J. Thomesse, "Fieldbus Technology in Industrial Automation",Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 6, pp. 1073-1101, 2005. [6]"On Safe and Secure Communication in Process Automation",Mlardalen University Press Dissertations, 2011. [5]T. Hasegawa, "The Wireless Technology to Open the Field Digital Innovation",Yokogawa Technical Report, vol. 5, no. 22, 2012. [8]D. Dzung, M. Naedele, T. Von Hoff and M. Crevatin, "Security for Industrial Communication Systems",Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 6, pp. 1152-1177, 2005. [9]A. Willig, K. Matheus and A. Wolisz, "Wireless Technology in Industrial Networks",Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 6, pp. 1130-1151, 2005. [10]P. Szulewski, "Functional Aspects of Modern Wireless Networks in Industrial Environment",Advances in Manufacturing Science and Technology, vol. 37, no. 2, 2013. [11]G. Zhao, "Wireless Sensor Networks for Industrial Process Monitoring and Control: A Survey",NPA, vol. 3, no. 1, 2011. [12]R. Zurawski, "Special Issue on Industrial Communication Systems",Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 6, pp. 1067-1072, 2005. [13]R. Arvind, R. Raj, R. Raj and N. Prakash, "Industrial Automation using Wireless Sensor Networks",Indian Journal of Science and Technology, vol. 9, no. 8, 2016. [14]N. Navet, Y. Song, F. Simonot-Lion and C. Wilwert, "Trends in Automotive Communication Systems",Proceedings of the IEEE, vol. 93, no. 6, pp. 1204-1223, 2005. [15]T. Sauter, "The Three Generations of Field-Level NetworksEvolution and Compatibility Issues",IEEE Trans. Ind. Electron., vol. 57, no. 11, pp. 3585-3595, 2010. [16]J. Ley Chavez,A communication system. 2015. [17]S. Hormell,The Presbyterian communication system. 2014. [18]A. Das,Line communication system. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd., Publishers, 2016. [19]P. Peebles,Communication system principles. Reading, Mass.: Addison-Wesley Pub. Co., Advanced Book Program, 2016. [20]L. Chen and G. Gong,Communication system security. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2012. [21]M. SchuÃÅ'ˆmmer, P. Martini and T. Welzel,Integration of field bus and MAP networks. Aachen, 2013. [22]X. Wang, L. Cui and Z. Guo,Advanced technologies in ad hoc and sensor networks. 2014. [23]F. Lamb,Industrial automation. 2012 [24]Industrial automation systems and integration. Geneva: ISO, 2014. [25]R. Budampati and S. Kolavennu,Industrial Wireless Sensor Networks 2016. [26]C. Sharma,Wireless Internet enterprise applications. New York: John Wiley, 2015. [27]J. Daafouz, S. Tarbouriech and M. Sigalotti,Hybrid systems with constraints. London: Iste, 2013. [28]N. Jha,Research methodology. Chandigarh: Abhishek Publications, 2014. [29]R. Kumar,Research methodology. London: SAGE, 2015. [30]I. Newman and C. Benz,Qualitative-quantitative research methodology. Carbondale, Ill.: Southern Illinois University Press, 2014. [31]C. Kothari,Research methodology. New Delhi: New Age International (P) Ltd., 2014. [32]S. Sen,Fieldbus and networking in process automation. 2015. [33]J. Song,Constraint-based real-time scheduling for process control. [Austin, Tex.]: [University of Texas], 2015. [34]Fieldbus Systems and Their Applications 2005. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2016. [35]Z. Zhong,Proceedings of the International Conference on Information Engineering and Applications (IEA) 2012. London: Springer, 2013. [36]Knowledge enterprise: intelligent strategies in product design, manufacturing, and management. New York: Springer, 2016. [37]X. Li,Information Technology and Applications. Hoboken: CRC Press, 2015. [38]Y. Zhang, J. Zheng and H. Hu,Security in wireless mesh networks. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 2009.

Ringgit rallies to 3-month high on oil rebound Essays -

Ringgit rallies to 3-month high on oil rebound KUALA LUMPUR BLOOMBERG ) - Malaysia's ringgit rallied the most in three months as a rebound in Brent crude boosted sentiment following a global selloff inSTOCKS due to slowing growth in China. Brent crude has rebounded almost 7 per cent in two days from its lowest level since 2003, improving the outlook for Asia's only major oil exporter. The ringgit appreciated 1.5 per cent to 4.3175 per US dollar as of 1:49 pm in Kuala Lumpur, the biggest gain since Oct 23, data compiled by Bloomberg show. That trimmed the currency's decline in 2016 to 0.6 per cent after it fell 19 per cent last year. The ringgit also strengthened sharply against the Singapore currency on Friday, with one Singdollar fetching 3.0170 ringgit as at 2:30 pm, down 0.9 per cent from from its close on Thursday 3.0444. To date this year, the Singdollar has reached a high against the ringgit of 3.0829. Malaysia's 10-year government bond yield dropped to the lowest since May and the cost to insure sovereign notes from default posted the steepest slide in more than a month. Bank Negara Malaysia cut the amount of cash banks must set aside as reserves for the first time since 2009 late on Thursday and opted to keep the benchmark overnight policy rate unchanged to save undermining the ringgit. Slowing Chinese growth and falling oil prices have deterred risk-taking this year, with the European Central Bank and the Bank of Japan indicating they may add to monetary stimulus due to the market turmoil. "Higher oil prices and general risk-on after the ECB president sweet talked the MARKETS with convincing rhetoric on additional stimulus boosted sentiment," said Vishnu Varathan, a Singapore-based economist at Mizuho Bank. "Bank Negara's liquidity infusion is ringgit-positive as it could allay concerns about an excessive selloff in domestic and global markets." The ringgit is stabilizing after the worst drop since the Asian financial crisis last year, with all eyes on Prime Minister Najib Razak's budget revisions next week as the oil-exporting nation gets hit by sliding commodities. Foreign investors sold a net US$7 billion of Malaysian equities and bonds in 2015, and were net sellers of shares in the first two weeks of this year, according to central bank figures. Bank Negara said Thursday it had pumped RM40 billion into the banking system via monetary operations including the reverse-repurchase facility since early 2015 as "net external outflows reduced the amount of liquidity in the system." The statutory reserve requirement cut will add RM6.2 billion to the system, according to estimates from Credit Suisse Group. There's a risk that if theMARKET interest rate structure is too low, it could result in further capital outflows, which could be negative for the ringgit, Singapore-based analyst Michael Wan wrote in a report released on Friday. "The cut in the statutory reserve requirement played a part in the falling swaps, which basically reflects the shift in sentiment toward a bias for some easing," Mizuho's Varathan said.

DEBATE THE PROPOSITION THAT RE essays

DEBATE THE PROPOSITION THAT RE essays DEBATE THE PROPOSITION THAT REVOLUTIONARY IDEAS WERE A MAJOR CAUSE OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE OLD REGIME Financially, France was in crisis. It owed millions of livre to other nations as a lot of money was borrowed to support the luxurious and extravagant lifestyle of the first and second orders. An example of the un-necessary spending is that the queen at the time, Marie Antoinette, was given the Trianon as a gift from the king. She then spent over 150,000 livres on changing the gardens to resemble English gardens. She also built an expensive theatre which only presented one play also costing a lot of money. Her extravagance only served to fuel the grievances of a population kept in poverty. Revolutionary ideas formed where the population started to demand political rights and economic freedom. It is said that King Louis the Sixteenth did not have a strong character and was often overpowered by emotions. He did not have the knowledge to run the country correctly and was influenced greatly by those around him. He was not the right person to get the nation out of financial ruin because he did not have the knowledge to do so. For example, he would simply make a law and then it was up to the leaders of the provinces to interpret the law and implement it. He also had a system of taxation in place that was extremely complex and inefficient. The kings decisions of waging wars in foreign countries caused a further financial burden on the country. Thus, his inadequacy as a ruler of France can be seen as a major cause for the need of a revolution. Prior to 1789, France was a nation in crisis both financially and politically. The king at the time, Louis the Sixteenth, was said to not have the knowledge to run a country properly. In terms of equity, the nation was un-just in that only a small percentage of the population were wealthy while the rest struggled to survive and all of these grievances were to contrib ...

Top 5 Reasons Why You DIdnt Get Hired

Top 5 Reasons Why You DIdnt Get Hired Want to know some red flags that will make hiring managers toss your resume to the bottom of the pile? Tim Sackett over at Eremedia offers these 5 dealbreakers- if you see one you recognize in yourself, make a quick fix before you enter  the job market. 1. Messy personal organizationIf a hiring manager  asks you for a copy of your  resume and you  reach into your  briefcase or portfolio (or pocket) and pull out anything crumpled, ripped or otherwise falling apart, it’s a safe inference that your organizational skills and priorities aren’t up to par.2. A troubling social media presenceIf your  social media presence features statements that would reflect poorly on a company or seem to indicate prejudice of any kind, you will more than likely be given  a hard pass.3. Disinterested interview mannersIf you  can’t even muster up enough enthusiasm to interview with some personality, what makes a manager  think you’ll bring your A-game to a regul ar dreary Tuesday?4. Fixation on an ex-employerWhile it’s just as bad to be shifty and mealy-mouthed about your  last employer, if you go on and on about  how your  last job was amazing, someone across the table is likely to be thinking, â€Å"So why are you interviewing with us†5. Bad manners to service employeesIf  you’re  snotty to a  receptionist or unleash a tirade on the barista, you’re likely to be shown the door. An inability to be a good customer speaks volumes about your ability to be a good employee, a good representative of a company, and probably a good person, too.Are you on Mobile? Click here to sign in to your account.  Five Clear Signs You Really Shouldn’t Make That Job Offer  Read More at www.eremedia.com

Why have Turkey's leaders found it hard to accomodate the aspirations Essay

Why have Turkey's leaders found it hard to accomodate the aspirations of many of the Kurdish population. Has there been Significant development on this since 1970 - Essay Example e development of a reasonable solution.1 This essay tries to determine the reason Turkey’s leaders found it hard to accommodate the aspirations of many of the Kurdish population. This essay argues that the strong nationalist tendencies within Turkey are the primary reason for the failure to resolve the Kurdish issue. The analysis looks at the development in Turkish-Kurdish relations since the 1970s. Without successfully resolving the Kurdish issue Turkey will continuously fail in its attempt to become a full member of the European Union (EU). Turkey will be forced to change its oppressive ideological foundations, and may fail to realise its full economic capability. But specifically, the country will continue to be engaged in its undying commitment to secure the nation. The capacity of Turkey’s leaders to resolve the Kurdish conflict has been impeded by too much politicisation that viewed the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) as a persistent hazard to the country. The Kurdish conflict aggravates the progressing inflation in Turkey and is the primary root of human rights abuses, and the greatest threat to the Turkey-EU relationship. In spite of the forceful Turkish military attempt and several substantial achievements in dealing with the PKK rebellion, the struggle continues. Turkey’s leaders realised that the European political system had been evolving. Thus, they understood the need to reform the country’s political structure to align it with the emerging European political system. In short, they know that the successful conclusion of the customs union relied on Turkey’s success in the arena of human rights, parliamentary democracy, and the Kurdish question.2 Thus, Turkey carried out definite reforms to abolish several anti-democratic policies, which had been established by the military regime. Furthermore, several reforms were instigated so as to advance the country’s human rights condition and to find a solution to the Kurdish issue. More

Critically analyse and evaluate (Human resources) Essay

Critically analyse and evaluate (Human resources) - Essay Example This fact appears to contradict the real significance of this department as evident in many business organizations. Human resource functions and decisions ought to drive positive performance gains in terms of personal efficiency and financial gains (Becker & Gerhart, 1996:782). The procedures by which HR functions and decisions develop sustainable value are intricate and difficult to fully comprehend. Instruments such as the resource based view are critical in evaluation of HR significance. Resources which are uncommon, unique and valuable can offer sources of sustainable competitive edge. Many people have argued that, HR practices no matter the uniqueness can not be fully relied on to offer a competitive advantage since they can be copied. Nevertheless, a point noteworthy is that effective human capital has the capacity to contribute largely to the development of a sustainable competitive advantage (Wright, Dunford, & Snell, 2001:704). Professionally crafted strategies which are deeply entrenched within an organization’s structure are not easy to imitate. This is because, it is not easy to fully comprehend the real approaches through which interaction between HR practices and procedures accrue value. Without the capacity to understand the interacti ons between elements of an intricate system, it is just impossible to imitate it. The resource based view remains to be considered a fundamental factor contributing to the intangible and hypothetical development of human resource study (Kirsch, 2007:3). Despite the contradicting perceptions regarding HR practices and function, the truth is that organizations that invest on innovativeness and unique HR practices will always testify to its benefits as both of these articles

The Price of Peace Essay Example for Free

The Price of Peace Essay I saw some children playing in our neighborhood the other day and the simplicity of how they lived their life amazed me. Here were two kids belonging to relatively the same age group; one had a Popsicle stick and the other had a pack of cookies. Now, I am sure both of them were quite curious as to what the other child had since they would look curiously at each other. Finally, after about a minute or so, the child with the pack of cookies approached the other child. At that point I wish I had the ability to speak the language of children because I have no idea what was said but when the child with the pack of cookies reached for the Popsicle, the other child simply gave him the liberty to taste it. What is even more astonishing is the fact that when the other child offered a cookie without any hesitations! Looking back at this, I would say it was a sublime experience for me. At that point, the world suddenly made sense to me. I thought to myself, â€Å"This is how life should be! † It’s simply living in utter understanding of your fellow man. I have no idea how the course of history shaped humanity into the beasts we are today. We put ourselves on a pedestal and think that our society has reached the pinnacle of success when in fact; we continue to spiral towards decadence. We have left a trail of war, violence, prejudice, and discrimination in our history and yet all we can say is that we have evolved into a more civil society! It is a false consciousness that has become the fabric of our world. Moreover, we have resorted to power and domination as tools to bring about what we refer to as â€Å"peace. † This is quite saddening but nonetheless, it is the reality we are faced with. As we grow and develop into the so called responsible individuals’ society demands, we continually lose the purity and simplicity we possessed as children. As we mature we become more jaded and as a result the lines of what is right or wrong blur before us. We lose touch of the most basic of values; that is to say, loving one another. A basic command left to us by Christ and the key to a utopian society. I came to realize that the world has been reduced to the tangible things; materials and objects have become what define a man. Consequently, it has also made us ego-centric. Our world has become about what I want and what I need†¦we have become apathetic to the plight of others and have been raised to be callous. We no longer have a sense of social equity or justice. As I reflect more on this, I become increasingly convinced that this is the root of all the chaos we have. No wonder we seek to engage in war and look to send our own people to foreign lands just to get slaughtered in the name of â€Å"democracy† and peace! You see peace may be an abstract thought to us simply because we have forgotten about how tangible it can be. It isn’t always about what makes us feel good or what benefits us. It’s about looking at a grander scheme wherein other people, regardless of color, race or creed become a part of who we are. This is a consciousness we must internalize and reintroduce into the fabric of society. Plato, Aristotle and Socrates spoke of this in varying degrees. It is about the common good. Not I but we. Looking back at the two children, it wasn’t about bartering or what one could get from the other. It was simply about understanding the needs of the other person. Applying this rudimentary ideology would be the key to a better society. What would I pay to achieve peace? Not millions in monetary value, not just because I don’t have this†¦well no one could actually put a price on peace. In the end, the price is simple; I would give-up my civil liberties in order for others live more comfortably. Quite a sacrifice, but it is a higher level of understanding we all have to achieve and one I would gladly pay in order to attain peace. After all, if everyone lived in this manner then establishing a world of peace would be child’s play so to speak!

Essay --

What’s better: Fast Food vs. Healthy Food? Although today, the vast majority would argue that eating healthier foods would be more advantageous to one’s health, the question is whether it is conducive to the faster pace lifestyle of today’s individual and family? Today’s family dynamic is normally made up of two hardworking individuals with equally busy children. For each individual and family members, we know that a healthy lifestyle is dependent on plenty of exercise and nutritious foods. Advertisers for health and diet foods retailers sell a variety of healthy foods to help customers stick to their diets. Products can range from supplements and vitamins to vegetables and protein. Some health and diet foods can be found in supermarkets. Usually they have their own aisle, and are coupled with the organics section. They can also be found in the fruits and vegetables sections. But many health and diet foods have their own specialty shops aimed at getting people to lose fat, inches, and weight. Losing excess weight and improving your overall health via exercise and wise eating cho... Essay -- What’s better: Fast Food vs. Healthy Food? Although today, the vast majority would argue that eating healthier foods would be more advantageous to one’s health, the question is whether it is conducive to the faster pace lifestyle of today’s individual and family? Today’s family dynamic is normally made up of two hardworking individuals with equally busy children. For each individual and family members, we know that a healthy lifestyle is dependent on plenty of exercise and nutritious foods. Advertisers for health and diet foods retailers sell a variety of healthy foods to help customers stick to their diets. Products can range from supplements and vitamins to vegetables and protein. Some health and diet foods can be found in supermarkets. Usually they have their own aisle, and are coupled with the organics section. They can also be found in the fruits and vegetables sections. But many health and diet foods have their own specialty shops aimed at getting people to lose fat, inches, and weight. Losing excess weight and improving your overall health via exercise and wise eating cho...

Unified Threat Management System

`Unified Threat Management System’s What is Unified Threat Management System? Unified threat management system is the emerging trend in the network security market. Utm appliances have evolved from traditional firewall/VPN products into the solution with many additional capabilities . i. e Spam blocking, Gateway antivirus, Spyware Prevention, Intrusion prevention, URL filtering. (guard, n. d. ) All these functions were previously provided and handled by multiple systems.UTM systems also provide integrated management, monitoring and logging capabilities to streamline deployment and maintenance. How Unified Threat Management Systems works? Unified Threat Management eliminates the need for machine to machine protection. It is the combination of multiple security features integrated into one single hardware platform. Therefore offering layers of security features within a corporations network. The Machines UTM Machine is what provides multiple solutions to an entire network of mac hines.It works off the assumption that blended threats cannot be abated under one solution alone. Even with the use of multiple solutions there seems left a hole within the security of the network. When there is the use of multiple different solutions there seems a confusion as well as the need for updates and monitoring of several different brands of security measures which lead to problems within an organization. With the introduction of Unified Threat Management in 2004, this idea was taken and turned into one system solution for businesses on the small to medium level.The idea of this solution was to take the need for multiple brands of solutions and combine it into a multilayer solution for the security needs of an organization. (jaringankita, 2012) Data Security services in cloud computing is still mystery for the customers although service providers have implemented all standard technologies that you can imagine: state ful inspection firewalls, Intrusion Detection and Prevent ion devices, Web services firewalls, Application firewalls, Spam filters, Antivirus, Anti-Spyware, Gateway Level File Inspections, etc.But customers are not able to specifically identify the controls applicable on their files/folders because they do not know the physical location of them (as you must be knowing, files get distributed into multiple virtual machines spread across multiple data centres). In this context, a new concept is evolving. It is called â€Å"Unified Threat Management System (UTM System)†.In UTM, a separate service provider builds a lot of controls for the customers that can be shared through â€Å"subscription model† (similar to the cloud computing model) and can assure security for the customer’s assets by seamlessly integrating their UTM solutions with the Cloud hosting service providers. The customer just needs to buy a leased line connection to the UTM provider and will get all the controls applicable on their hosted environments Curren tly, cloud computing service providers are operating in three different modes – Software as a Service (SaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS) and Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS).However, a fourth mode is emerging rapidly to provide security solutions on cloud computing infrastructures – Unified Threat Management as a Service (UTMaaS). Unified threat management (UTM) service for cloud hosting users is a rapidly emerging concept in which, the security controls for the end users are managed by a third party, that allow the user sessions from thousands of clients through their systems and ensure optimum protection and personalization.Their services span from network security controls to application security controls. Cloud hosting customers may need a Leased Circuit Connection to the UTM provider, that serves as a backhaul connection to the Cloud Hosting provider with appropriate peering between the security controls and the infrastructure maintained by the cloud provider and the corresponding client environment for the customers. (etcoindia, 2012) Works Cited etcoindia, 2012. cademic research on new challenging in it. [Online] Available at: http://etcoindia. blogspot. com/ [Accessed 15 November 2012]. guard, w. , n. d. unified threat management system. [Online] Available at: http://www. watchguard. com/why/utm. asp [Accessed 21 November 2012]. jaringankita, 2012. knowing unified managemnet system. [Online] Available at: http://www. jaringankita. com/blog/knowing-unified-threat-management-utm [Accessed 21 November 2012].

Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Phrenology Essay

After fMRI was first introduced, it has been under criticism that it is not hard science. The most common technique, the BOLD (blood oxygen level-dependent) fMRI, measures the increase in regional cerebral blood flow in response to increased metabolism, which is to be caused from heightened activity of neuron firing (Menon & Kim, 1999). Some neurologists believe that this is an indirect way of measuring brain activity, and is not sufficient to support any idea. By many scientists fMRI is often compared to phrenology, a study that once gained popularity in the 19th century. Phrenology is based on the concept that the brain is the organ of the mind, and that certain brain areas have localized, specific functions or modules (Fodor, 1983). This is similar to fMRI practitioners’ attempts to localize brain structure, matching the divided parts of the brain with certain functions. Judging whether fMRI is a new form of phrenology concerns two points: fMRI’s similarities to phrenology, and fMRI’s significance to be admitted as the ‘new form’. This will also lead to the question of whether fMRI scan is meaningful to be presented as evidence in court. The logic of fMRI is straight-forward. Brain parts that light up to a certain stimulus, is related to the function provoked by the stimulus. The fMRI machine measures increase in blood flow in brain regions. The regions with increased blood flow appear in brighter colors, in red or yellow (Dobbs, 2005). fMRI’s logic of relating higher blood flow and function is similar to that of phrenology, which relates size of lump to function. From this analogy we can say that fMRI can be considered some form of ‘phrenology. ’ Another reason that fMRI is compared to phrenology is for its limitations (Menon & Kim, 1999). MRI’s problem rise from the fact that it does not show interactions between parts. It takes a univariate approach to the brain, implying that only one factor is considered as variable. The current fMRI shows voxels’ activity as one sum, meaning that it cannot collect relational or sequential information of brain parts (Dobbs, 2005). Many neurologists believe that brain parts’ interaction is an important aspect, and fMRI’s lack of capacity to do so results in criticism. Compared with the old phrenology, fMRI shares the same view that brains have localized functions. However, fMRI takes a more scientific approach than the old phrenology. Although it has its limitation in presenting spatial information, it does contribute in relating brains structure and the mind’s function. Although the ‘old’ phrenology is labeled ‘pseudoscience’ and no longer acknowledged in the field of science anymore, it has had its contributions. It sparked the idea that mind can be localized, such as language and memory. In the same context fMRI can contribute, only much more than the ‘old’ phrenology. Although fMRI’s blood flow measurement and the actual neural activity do not perfectly correspond with each other (Dobbs, 2005), significant correlation can be drawn from the fMRI scanning. As for the usage as court evidence, I see fMRI scan valuable as evidence, for fMRI does show some level of correlation of parts of brains and certain activity. fMRI should not be criticized and banned from court just because of its possibility of erroneous conclusion (Hughes, 2010). Even witnesses’ testimonies are bound to be wrong, but their testimonies are accepted as evidence. Thus fMRI should be allowed to be presented as evidence in court. However, the juries should be made aware that fMRI scan is an arbitrarily interpreted output, and contain risks of erroneous conclusions. I believe fMRI will gain stronger grounds in the court later in the future though, with the advance of technology as mentioned above. Some compare neurologists with fMRI to molecular biologists with light microscopes (Jaffe, 2004), for the reason that the capacity of fMRI is not sufficient for neurological study. It must be taken into account that later light microscopes evolved to electron microscopes, meaning that also fMRI will offer improved spatial and temporal information in the future. Its potential must be acknowledged, and in the meantime there should be efforts to find complementary analysis methods (Hubbard, 2003).

Every AP Chemistry Practice Test Available Free and Official

Every AP Chemistry Practice Test Available Free and Official SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips What's the best way to study for AP Chemistry? Practice, practice, practice. This article will provide you with links to every practice test and quiz for AP Chemistry that's available online, including full official and unofficial tests, shorter quizzes that cover each topic area, and other prep services you can access with a subscription! Official AP Chemistry Practice Exams Official exams are the best practice materials because they help you make accurate predictions of your performance on the real test. They will also get you used to the test format so that you're not caught off guard by the structure of the final exam. Unfortunately, for AP Chemistry, most of the available official practice materials are for the old version of the test (pre-2013), but these can still be useful for practice. You should be able to get newer practice tests from your teacher or through review books. I'd recommend starting with the unofficial practice materials listed later on in this article and then using official tests in the final stages of your studying. That way you'll be in the best position to estimate your ultimate AP score, and you won't squander limited resources. Want to get a perfect 5 on your AP exam and an A in class? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. Old Official Released Exams: 2008 AP Chemistry Exam 2002 AP Chemistry Exam (multiple choice only) 1999 AP Chemistry Exam 1994 AP Chemistry Exam These official exams come from before 2013 (when significant changes were made to the AP Chemistry curriculum), so they're formatted slightly differently from the current test. They have 75 multiple-choice questions (there are now 60) and six free-response questions (there are now seven). There are also five answer choices for each multiple-choice question, whereas now there are only four. The old AP Chemistry exam emphasized calculations and factual knowledge over a strong understanding of fundamental concepts and mastery of scientific practices. The questions on these tests will still help you practice your skills; just make sure you also use more recent materials for an accurate preview of what to expect on test day. Current AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description (multiple choice practice included) Go to page 126 of this course description to review sample multiple-choice and free-response questions for the current exam. This is not a full practice test (it only has 26 multiple-choice questions and four free-response questions total), but it's directly from the College Board, so it's the most accurate representation of the format and content of the test in 2016. Free-Response Questions 2014-19 These free response questions are from the most up-to-date version of the test. I would advise you to save most of them for later on in the year when you're more serious about practicing for the real AP exam. There are seven questions from each year. Free-Response Questions 2006-13 These free-response questions are from the old version of the AP Chemistry exam. As I mentioned in my description of the out-of-date practice tests above, you'll notice that there used to be six free-response questions on the test instead of seven. You should also know that the questions that ask you to write balanced equations are not on the new version of the test (doesn't mean they're not good practice, though!). Practice Tests from Your Teacher Since there aren't any full AP Chemistry practice tests available online that reflect the current format of the exam (well, any that I can legally link to in this blog post), you can also ask your teacher for additional practice materials. AP teachers have access to extra practice tests from the College Board that are available for classroom use. Oh, you need more practice tests? Maybe you should have thought of that before you interrupted all of my lectures with unnecessary questions about when I'm planning on "breaking bad." I don't even watch that show, Eric. You are a nightmare. Unofficial Free AP Chemistry Practice Exams There are also a bunch of unofficial resources for AP Chemistry practice questions on various online learning platforms and independent sites. Few of these offer complete tests in the same format as the real exam, but they do provide a large repository of practice questions (mainly multiple-choice). These are great if you're looking for questions in specific topic areas or are studying early on in the year and want to avoid certain concepts that you haven't learned in class yet. Just be wary of using these resources too much in your studying, and make sure you supplement them with official College Board materials at regular intervals. Unofficial practice questions often lack many of the nuances of real test questions. In a lot of cases, they will test straightforward factual recall whereas on the real test you'll have to do more complex analyses of unfamiliar experimental scenarios. Barron's AP Chemistry Practice Test This is a full test in the same format as the up-to-date AP exam (free response and all!). There's automatic online scoring for multiple-choice questions, and free-response answers are provided so that you can check your responses. Varsity Tutors Diagnostic Tests There are six diagnostic tests here with 50-60 questions each at varying difficulty levels. You'll also be timed as you take the tests so you can get a better sense of your pacing. Questions are multiple-choice only, so this won't give you any free-response practice. I'd also recommend trying out their AP Chemistry practice app (it's free). Albert Quizzes This site includes quizzes for each concept broken down according to the Big Ideas of the course. This site will track your progress and tell you what percentage of questions you got right from each difficulty level (questions are organized into easy, medium, and hard categories). You can also access over 200 additional questions, including free-response, if you pay $25 to set up an account. ScienceGeek Here you'll find tons of review questions and activities, with lengthy practice quizzes for each unit of the course. This is one of the few resources that has non-multiple-choice questions that you can check automatically online. PracticeQuiz This quiz includes 58 free AP Chemistry practice multiple-choice questions. ChemmyBear There's a lot of stuff here, but if you're just looking for practice tests, you can find them at the end of the list of resources for each unit. There are multiple-choice and free-response tests for most units with accompanying answer keys. Chemmy bear? Actually, there is some interesting chemistry behind how gummy candies are made. Unofficial Paid/Subscription AP Chemistry Practice Exams Here are some additional resources that will cost you some money, but they might be worth it because they provide full properly-formatted AP Chemistry practice tests. Peterson's ($29.95) Two full-length practice tests (up to date format and content) Answer explanations Automatically tells you what you still need to study based on your results 90-day access Sterling Test Prep (price varies) On this site, you can buy individual practice tests for each topic in AP Chemistry. All of them together cost almost $100, so that might not be feasible, but you can get each specialized practice test for less than $3 each (most have around 60 questions). You can also just get the Sterling book of practice questions, which many students seem to find helpful. Review Books (price varies) Review books can be great resources because many of them include instructions for how to structure your studying in addition to focused content overviews. For AP Chemistry, I recommend the 5 Steps to a 5 and Crash Course books. You can click on the link in the title of this section to read my full article on the best review books for this course. You can also get review books as e-books on your Kindle or whatever, but that's much harder to represent visually. Do you guys even know what you're looking at here? Do people under the age of 20 still read physical books? Want to get a perfect 5 on your AP exam and an A in class? We can help. PrepScholar Tutors is the world's best tutoring service. We combine world-class expert tutors with our proprietary teaching techniques. Our students have gotten A's on thousands of classes, perfect 5's on AP tests, and ludicrously high SAT Subject Test scores. Whether you need help with science, math, English, social science, or more, we've got you covered. Get better grades today with PrepScholar Tutors. How to Use AP Chemistry Practice Tests Practice tests are great study tools for AP tests, and they're especially helpful for a subject like Chemistry that involves a lot of calculations and experimental analysis. In the next couple of subsections, I'll tell you how to use practice tests throughout the school year to prepare for the AP Chemistry exam. First Semester: Using Practice Tests for Your Class It's not practical to take full practice tests during the first semester of AP Chemistry because you haven't covered enough of the course material yet. Focus on official free-response questions and unofficial topic-specific practice tests that address aspects of the curriculum that you've learned already. It's a great idea to start early and do consistent reviews so that your knowledge base remains strong throughout the year. Since chemistry is a subject that builds on the fundamental concepts learned in the first few months of class, it's vital that those early lessons are solidified in your memory. This way, more complex material that you learn second semester won't fly over your head. You can also consider getting a prep book; most of them have practice questions organized by chapter for selective review of different concepts. Second Semester: Preparing for the AP Test During your second semester, you can start to take full practice tests to predict your AP score-range. At this point, you've learned most of the material that will be covered in the class, so your scores should accurately reflect your abilities. Every time you take a full practice test, keep track of the areas where you need more practice. As I mentioned at the beginning of this article, I would recommend saving the most up-to-date official practice materials for later in the semester so that the format of the current test stays fresh in your mind. As you take each test, circle any questions where you were unsure about your answer. Even if your choice ends up being correct, you should still plan to go over these concepts, so you don't feel shaky about them on the real AP test. After you've finished taking the test (with realistic time constraints!), categorize your mistakes by topic area, and use their distribution to inform the rest of your studying. The purpose of taking practice tests is to diagnose your weaknesses so you can address them as efficiently as possible. DON'T go from one test to the next without taking a deeper look at what went wrong! You'll end up wasting your time, and your second practice test is unlikely to demonstrate much improvement. Spend at least a couple of hours after each practice test doing practice problems and reviewing concepts that you didn't quite understand when they came up on the test. When you feel satisfied that you have a better handle on the background information and solution methods, you can take a second practice test to see how much you've improved. The process as a whole should work like this: Take and score first practice test (4 hours) Evaluate mistakes (1.5 hours) Practice problems and study content to improve weak areas (2.5 hours) Take and score second practice test (4 hours) Reevaluate your progress and repeat steps if necessary! One cycle through all of these steps will take around 8-10 hours, but you can repeat the steps ad infinitum until you're satisfied with your scores. If you find that you're not improving between practice tests, you'll need to reevaluate your study strategy. To master a complex subject like chemistry, you need to have a strong grasp of the fundamental concepts. Then, you can build on that understanding for more difficult problems. Be sure to do lots of practice problems where you're required to justify your answers! The smug dude on top is you after studying with these practice tests! Just mentally replace the 1 with a 5 so that your smugness makes sense on the AP scale. Conclusion Practice tests are essential study tools, especially for AP Chemistry. Doing practice problems that align with the format and content of the real exam will help you to gain familiarity with the material and feel less stressed on test day. Try to start your studying with unofficial practice tests to build up a strong knowledge base, and then move onto official practice tests when you're ready to estimate your real AP score level. As you take practice tests, assess your mistakes and plan out your study time according to which areas need the most work. Make sure you start with basic concepts and then work your way up to more complex problems. Use these practice materials to detect gaps in your knowledge, and fill them before you take the test! What's Next? Want to learn a bit more about the test before you start practicing? Read our expert guide to the AP Chemistry exam, which includes sample questions and study tips! If you want a complete overview of the concepts that will be covered on the test, check out our ultimate study guide for AP Chemistry. We also have a specific guide to balancing chemical equations, if that's something you need extra help with. Do you plan on taking the Chemistry SAT Subject Test as well? Find out the differences between AP tests and SAT Subject Tests, and check out our Chemistry SAT II study guide article. Wondering how you can see chemistry in action in your day-to-day life? If you're looking for chemistry you can taste, we recommend these articles on vegetable oil substitutes and pozole (Mexican corn soup). If you're thinking more along the lines of something to play with, we have three different recipes for homemade slime. And if you need to clean things up afterwards, be sure to read our article on muriatic acid and how to safely use it. Want to improve your SAT score by 160 points or your ACT score by 4 points? We've written a guide for each test about the top 5 strategies you must be using to have a shot at improving your score. Download it for free now:

Making Money from Farm Magazines

Making Money from Farm Magazines After publishing an article in  N.D. REC  magazine about  Toy Farmer  magazine, the TF editor asked if I would write for them. I said no; I knew green was John Deere equipment and red was International Harvester, but I knew almost nothing about farm toys. â€Å"Doesn’t matter,† editor Cathy Scheibe said. â€Å"Just be accurate.† Just be accurate! Of course! Accuracy is the hallmark of any article if you want to get it published and make money at writing. She named two collectors within ten minutes of me. How could I refuse? Thus began a working relationship that morphed into writing for a dozen other farm-related magazines, relationships which continue today, thirty years later, half my writing income every month, at ten cents a word to $350 an article, depending on which magazine, pay-on-publication. Writing for  Toy Farmer  at that time required photo sessions at farm homes of collections of thirty to a thousand toy tractors, combines, plows, and other miniature equipment, ranging from about 1.5 inches long to 18 inches long. Or toy trucks, which led to articles in  Toy Trucker Contractormagazine. Invariably after the session farmers would say, â€Å"Let me show you my other toys,â€Å" leading me to a Quonset filled with a dozen or two or more, real, big, tractors. Another opportunity, which led to articles in magazines featuring the big tractors:  Red Power, Green Magazine, Polk‘s Antique Tractor Magazine, Antique Power, Steam Traction, Farm Show, Farm Times, and  Farm Ranch Living. But the real steady money-makers were Gas Engine (68 articles, and counting,)  Farm Collector, (233 articles, and counting,) and the granddaddy of them all,  Toy Farmer  (293 articles, and counting.) As well as seven books about farm toys and tractors. The key to success at selling to these markets is threefold: 1. Finding the collectorsnot as difficult as it seems. Rather than going from farm to farm as I used to, now the simplest way is attending thresher shows or toy shows, held all over the U.S. Or finding neighbors or friends who collect. 2. Taking publishable pictures of collections at the shows, and if possible, getting the telephone numbers of collectorsnot always easy as they are often busy elsewhere in the show. These photos alone, or plus a quick chat with a collector at the show, if possible, is your research for your query letter to the magazines. Sometimes the pictures you take don’t become an articlethe life of a writer. Right now I have 59 sets of photostaken at a series of shows ready to query to my regular magazine editors. Judging Collectors often help with photos; for example, with my latest piece with Farm Collector, the interviewee revealed he owned a very rare tractor he hadn’t had at the show. He provided photos. 3. Set up telephone interviews. You’ll discover farm collectors are very passionate about their collections. They often tell great stories you can use: â€Å"As kids, my brother got mad at me, grabbed my cast-iron tractors, and smashed them on the sidewalk one These markets require basic information about the collection and collector, which they are more than willing to give. After you’ve studied a couple of the magazines, give them a try. The field is wide open. Farm Magazines: Farm Collector Magazine,  www.farmcollector.com Farm Show Magazine,  www.farmshow.com Gas Engine,  www.gasenginemagazine.com Green Magazine,  www.greenmagazine.com Red Power Magazine,  www.redpowermagazine.com Toy Farmer Magazine,  www.toyfarmer.com Toy Trucker Contractor Magazine,  www.toytrucker.com

Financial management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Financial management - Essay Example Dividends are the consequences of performances actual or expected. The market’s perception with regard to the change in dividend policy will have impact on the investment decisions of the investors which will reflect in stock prices. Therefore, dividend per se is not the dominant determinant factor, but it constitute as a signal to the performance of the company when it is changed and this perception is the key driver for performance of the stocks in the markets. Dividend policy The dividend decisions are guided by various factors relating to the business at the discretion of the management. Similarly, the motives behind the change in dividend policies could be influenced by taxation policies of the government, influence of major shareholders in dividend decisions, structure of the management, retention of management control, fulfilling the expectations of the market or simply meeting the guidelines already given. On many occasions the process of price discovery in market is f rustrated by earnings management or insider trading in relation to declaration of dividends. However the fundamental factors governing dividend policy in a company are stability in earnings, growth in profitability, opportunities available for reinvestment of the profits made based on marginal efficiency of additional capital and type or composition of the shareholders and their expectations. However, any increase in the rate of dividends is generally appreciated by the market and the prices of the shares react positively to such announcements. For a meaningful analysis of dividend policy the dividend history of the companies in relation to earnings (EPS) and dividend yield over years, leverage or debt to equity ratio and the management policy in distribution of earnings needs to be studied. Also, comparison with the industry standards will reveal the relative position of the company in the industry. Different types of investors will react differently to the dividend policy. For exa mple, retired people expect consistency in payment of dividends since they need regular income from their investments in the absence of earnings from employment or other sources. Therefore, any negative change in dividend payout will adversely affect the stock prices. Relevance of dividends to market value of the stocks highly correlated in such cases. Determinants of dividend policy The question of whether a company's dividend policy is relevant or irrelevant to its market value has implications in firming up the dividend policy of a company. Primarily the question has to be analyzed with regard to the motives behind the changes in dividend policy from the perspective of the management of the companies taking into account the market expectations, future capital investments proposed, the earnings guidance already given and the tax considerations involved. The companies have to formulate their dividend policies in tune with the needs for the development of the business since the shar eholders are the most important stakeholders in the business. Future expansions, mergers & acquisitions could be easily managed if the shareholders’ confidence on the company is maintained at the highest level. It is very important to note that the policy does not focus primarily on distribution of dividends per se. It is

Basic knowledge of Contract Law Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Basic knowledge of Contract Law - Case Study Example Shiny Ltd. faces the prospects of grappling with breach of contract cases after three separate retailers found the orders delivered to them deficient. The purpose of this paper is to advise Shiny Ltd. of its legal position on these cases, which suggest breach of contract. Retailer 1 - Mohammed personally placed an order for 75 pieces of the orange plastic buckets that he saw at the display room of Shiny Ltd. He specified that he wanted the handles of the same buckets to be replaced with metal ones. The retailer learned that these buckets were the last items of that type and color that Shiny Ltd. had in stock. When Shiny Ltd. agreed to the additional specification, Mohammed paid for the order in cash with the understanding that delivery will be made the following week Retailer 2 - At about the same time, another retailer by the name of Navraj telephoned Shiny Ltd. to order 120 black buckets. The supplier had 180 of such black-colored buckets stored in its warehouse and informed Navraj that his order would be sourced from that stock. Delivery was arranged for the following week with payment to be made within 10 days of delivery. Immediately after the telephone call, the manager of Shiny Ltd. went to the warehouse and made a separate stack of 120 black buckets from the 180 in stock. The stack of 120 black buckets was then labeled: "Property of Mr. Navraj." Before any delivery was made to either Mohammed or Navraj, however, there was a fire at the supplier's warehouse that, before it was put out in time, completely burned the 120 black buckets destined for Navraj and partially destroyed the 25 orange buckets ordered by Mohammed. The stack of 60 black buckets that was separated from Navraj's order was rescued from the fire. When informed of the accidental fire, Navraj and Mohammed indicated that they wanted Shiny Ltd. to fulfill their orders. Retailer 3 - The third retailer, Oliver, ordered and paid for 100 lightweight plastic buckets without specifying any color, to be delivered the very next day. Shiny Ltd. duly loaded the buckets onto a lorry owned by an independent carrier for delivery to Oliver. When the buckets arrived at Oliver's premises he found that a number of the bucket handles had been damaged. The buckets apparently sustained the damage because they were not properly secured in transit. Oliver wanted to return his order to Shiny Ltd. and get his money back plus damages. Legal Principles The term breach of contract is defined in law as the "failure without legal reason or legal excuse to comply with the terms of a contract or to perform any promise which forms the whole or part of the contract." Shiny Ltd. definitely has the "legal excuse" for failing to meet the terms of the three aforementioned purchase orders, which represent the breached contracts. The firm may have fallen short of the retailers' expectations on three counts, failing to deliver the orders of Mohammed and Navraj on time and having partially damaged goods delivered to Oliver. However, no willful conduct and gross negligence were involved at all in these shortcomings of Shiny Ltd. In the US and many other countries, punitive damages are awarded on breach of

Hotel energy management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Hotel energy management - Essay Example We can ask the staff to be less friendly and visible or the reverse,'' he said. (Thomasson, 1) ''The changes must be small. If you were making changes every day it would be too disruptive.'' (Thomasson, 1)The stylish new facility has self-service tills that allow diners to scan their lunch while they and their trays are being weighed by a set of scales built into the floor. From a control room, researchers can direct cameras built into the ceiling of the restaurant to zoom in on individual diners and their plates. These are just a few examples of the way state of the art facilities can lighten up the customer world and add to the competitive edge. One must keep in mind that Australia attracts people from different parts of the globe. To understand the particularities of taste and comfort it becomes imperative that a detailed research support system is created to keep the hostel industry up to date. It becomes necessary for state of the art facilities to strike a balance between the t raditional and the modern, this fine balance is the key to competitive advantage in the market. (Fletcher, 188) Today's hot technology topics, including e-commerce, wi-fi, electronic payment systems, Web site design, data security, and identity theft have to be included in any discussion on technology and the way it influences the hospitality industry. The new age customer even while unwinding wants to be connected to the technological appendages it carries during the ordinary work hours. Moreover the level of comfort is often measured by the smooth functioning of the technology that a particular hotel is able to provide. One important aspect is to not make the technology involved overtly perceptible. It is important to keep the intricacies of the technology covered by a gloss of easy comfort. (Deb, 323) 2. New facilities will involve require substantial investments by hotel. How would you justify making such an investment The rate of technological input is directly proportional to the revenue generation. Investment must be and should be justified because of the competitive advantage state of art customer facilities will bring and the edge that technological inputs herald. Investment has to be put in context of the overall customer behavior pattern and the society at large. A society that breathes and lives on the micro physics of technological pervasiveness cannot imagine its hospitality industry to be devoid of the technological drive that characterizes the broader society. Profits from the hospitality industries will only start to assume substantial proportions once the technology and the comparative advantage are welded together to create an

Changes in Holography

Changes in Holography 001 Looking Back, Moving Forward How was 2004 for you? For the industry as a whole, reviewing the developments that we covered last year in Holography News, we can conclude that it was a good year for most, with many positive developments that set the scene for 2005 and beyond, but with sufficient clouds on the horizon to prevent any complacency. In terms of markets, in the high security arena the growth of holograms on banknotes continues apace (see page 3) and this will continue to be key market notwithstanding the recent news that the new $100 and other denominations will not, in all likelihood, include a holographic feature. In other high security markets, passports took something of a back seat, for holograms at least not because of technology concerns but because of the current pre-occupation with biometrics. But elsewhere in document protection, AAMVAs specification of holograms on all US driving licences was a significant boost for the industry, while the tax stamp market continues provide significant high volume opportunities for suppliers. There were few major developments in brand protection although the use of holograms as the prime authentication feature on a new labelling program for pharmaceutical products in Malaysia, and the Olympics 2004 merchandising program demonstrated the continuing success of hologram s in these areas. On the downside, the FDAs controversial decision to adopt RFID-based track and trace as the solution to product safety and supply chain management for pharmaceuticals in the US could have unwelcome consequences for the industry should drug regulatory authorities elsewhere in the world follow its example. In packaging, meanwhile, as the Stock watch article in this issue (see page 6) points out, it is barely possible to go out nowadays without seeing holography embellishing shop shelves on all manner of goods from luxury high end to everyday items. Innovation and Development On the technology front, holography continued to demonstrate its inherent capacity for innovation and development. The integration of holograms with other technologies for enhanced security and functionality continued apace examples including Schreiners KeySecure technology, Securiketts Authentikett labels, combined hologram/DNA/RFID labels from ADNAS and Holomex and enhancements to teas scribos Holospot system (see page 8) to name but a few. In the banknote market, De La Rue, Louisenthal and Kurz all launched new security features during 2004 based on combinations of substrate, thread and foil technology. In terms of production, Newmec and Gidue both entered the market with foil applications systems, General Vacuum launched its new compact metalliser while Spatial Imagings new Lightspeed digital hologram printer marked the beginning of new era in large format hologram origination. Aside from the developments in the ‘conventional market for authentication and decorative devices, holography is also beginning to demonstrate its potential for use as a tool as well as a feature. Examples of this potential include Smart Holograms development of reflection holograms as medical diagnostic devices and holographic data storage systems from Optware. Publicly-listed companies were covered in detail in the December issue of Holography News. But there was news from many other qua rters as well, including the expansion plans announced by ABNH, ITW Covid, AFC and Holoshape, and AET Films move into wide embossing on the packaging front. Louisenthal, a major player in the banknote industry, revealed that it now offers full-scale hologram production, including origination, while its former strategic partner in foils, Hueck Folien, joined the ranks of banknote suppliers with its first order for stripes for the Thai currency, signalling a potentially significant new entrant to the market. Its arrival was partially offset by AOTs decision to abandon banknote foils, while the bankruptcy of another high security supplier, Mantegazza, was staved off by its acquisition by Italian security papermaker Fabriano. Outside of the traditional industry centres of Western Europe and North America, the Far East, India and Eastern Europe and the CIS countries continue to play an increasingly important role not just as markets for western companies but as major centres of developm ent in their own right. Russia, a hotbed of scientific innovation, held its first regional conference this year; the commitment amongst Indian companies to quality and industry standards is an inspiration to us all, while all eyes are currently on China, the location for the 2005 Holo-pack†¢Holo-print which will provide the first opportunity for many western hologram companies to witness the strength and scope of this massive market. 2004s Downside So much for the positive. On the downside, RFID continues to position itself, and be viewed in some quarters, as the ‘silver bullet antidote to counterfeiting and diversion, new technologies such as Nanoventions claim their superiority over diffractive features and high quality counterfeit holograms have been discovered on currency notably the euro. The latter, in particular, is leading to a perceptible sense of disenchantment with holograms in terms of their claimed security benefits, technology proliferation and lax standard s amongst suppliers. This topic has been covered exhaustively in recent issues of Holography News and was one of the main topics for discussion at the recent Holo-pack†¢Holo-print conference in Prague, a positive outcome of which was the openness of debate and willingness amongst industry participants to work collectively to address the real issues that are causing concern and counter the misperceptions behind them. All in all, not a bad year for the industry. Provided the concerns leading to disenchantment in some sectors continues to be recognised and addressed with appropriate measures, and provided hologram companies continue to invest in the new products and techniques that form the lifeblood and future of this industry, 2005 could be even better. 002 A Watershed Year for the IHMA In his Chairmans report to the Annual General Meeting of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, Hugues Souparis identified the launch of the Secure Hologram Producer Certification Scheme as a watershed for the Association (se HN Vol 18 No 3). This Scheme, run in co-operation with Intergraf, should make a significant contribution to improving procedures in the secure hologram field, and help to raise customer awareness of the need to source secure holograms from a qualified secure producer. Souparis company, Hologram Industries, was the first to be certified, but several others have now applied. Another important development during the year had been the negotiations with the Hologram Manufacturers Association of India (HoMAI), aimed at building a strong relationship between the two associations and serving as a model for the IHMAs relationship with other regional or national hologram associations. An important part of the planned relationship was that the IHMAs Hologram Image Register and HoMAIs Hologram Registry would be linked so that all searches for a hologram match on either database would cover both databases, improving the likelihood of identifying matches which resulted from attempts to source illicit copies of a hologram already in use. He reported that Despite the news that the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing is casting its net wider for security features (see page 1), banknotes continue to be a good market for the holography industry. A number of new banknotes have been introduced during 2004, including two major currencies the new Canadian dollar series which features a stripe and the two higher denominations of the newly-designed Japanese yen, each with a patch. Kurz was the supplier for both, the latter understood to be the largest single hologram order for banknotes in the industry. Other currencies that have introduced holograms to all or most of their the Board was in discussion with the China AntiCounterfeiting Technology As sociation (CATA) with a view to CATA establishing a hologram section, and that the IHMA was also in preliminary discussions with Russian producers interested in an industry organisation there. Souparis also reminded members of IHMAs links with Interpol and other international and national police organisations, saying that he hoped to build on these contacts in the coming year. New Board Members In the elections at the AGM, Souparis was re-elected Chairman a post he can hold for another two years. Wilfried Schipper (Hologram Company Rako) was elected as the European representative on the Board, with Alkis Lembessis (Cavomit and Taurus) as his deputy; Umendra Gupta (Holostik India) was re-elected as Asian representative, with Khalid Khanani (Metatex) as deputy. Randy James (Pacific Holographics) was elected as deputy North American representative and since the AGM the Board has co-opted John Halotek (ITW Covid) as the North American representative, there being no accepted nomination at the meeting. Alex Goncharsky (Computer Holography Centre, Moscow) and Ken Traub (ABNH) remain on the board for a second and fourth year respectively. Spreading the Word In addition to the objectives above, a key task for the IHMA in 2005 and thereafter will be to promote the positive benefits of holograms, particularly as authentication devices, as a counter to disenchantment with the technology in certain quarters, notably some parts of the high security sector. A proactive PR campaign, a greater presence at industry conferences, an improved website as a communications tool both for members and users, and a drive to increase the membership and the visibility of the IHMA are all currently underway. The hologram industry is one of the few in the authentication sector to have its own association and the IHMA is committed to building on this position and the strengths that a collective voice can provide for hologram companies. Contact: www.IHMA.org. 003 General Vacuums New Compact Metalliser (Pg # 5) General Vacuum, manufacturer of vacuum metallising equipment, unveiled further details of its new compact Holosecâ„ ¢ metalliser (see HN Vol 18 No 2) at the recent Holo-pack†¢Holo-print conference in Prague. Vacuum metallisers have until now been supplied with production widths of 800-3000m, limiting their use both financially and for production purposes among small and narrow-web hologram producers and forcing these to buy in their film and foil pre-metallised from wide web suppliers. The Holosec was designed to fill this niche and enable narrow-web producers to bring metallising in-house, thereby increasing their security of production and enabling them to take advantage of the specialised treatments the system offers. The Holosec combines the vacuum chamber, unwind and rewind units, plasma pre-treatment, demetallization and evaporation source within one compact unit with a footprint of 2m x 3m. In addition to the conventional aluminium used for holographic films and foils, it can coat silicon oxide, chrome, silver and copper and zinc sulphide for high refractive index films. It also offers pattern demetallisation with in-line registration and plasma pre-treatment that enhances the sur face energy of the films to improve adhesion and hence quality. The run rate varies from 10m to a maximum of 200m per minute. General Vacuum, formerly Valmet and now part of the Bobst Group, declined to give prices for the Holosec, stating that these depend on specification. But it can assumed that they will be considerably lower than the prices for wide web systems. When questioned at Holopack.†¢ Holo-print about the risks of spreading low-cost secure hologram production technology in the market, Dr Nadir Ahmed, who gave the presentation on behalf of his former company, commented that the company would check the legitimacy of customers before supply. To date, two machines have been sold with other orders in the pipeline for early 2005. Contact: Andy Jack, General Vacuum Equipment. Tel: +44 1706 622442; [emailprotected] 004 Menzel Vision System for Web Guiding Menzel, a German company specialising in machinery for finishing and inspection machines for textiles, expanded into similar equipment for the plastic films industry in the late 1960s, and at Holopack†¢ Holo-print exhibited a machine vision system for control of web handling machines for holographic films. The system keeps web lines in register to improve the accuracy and quality of slitting, winding/re-winding, stamping and other hologram finishing processes. Based on the companys experience building textile and film web guiding systems, the hologram guiding system can be set to read the edge of the hologram film or a specific part of the pattern in the hologram the camera scans across the width of the film to record the edge position, the registration mark position or the position of a specified image element. Once programmed, it feeds the image data to a sensor and a controller, which in turn adjusts the web guides to maintain the position of the web. The Menzel vision system for holographic film costs around â‚ ¬17- 20,000, depending on the configuration required. Contact: www.menzel.net. 005 Optical Document Security The third edition of the reference book Optical Document Security is now available from publishers Artech House. Written by Rudolf van Renesse, an expert in the field and editor and co-author of the two previous editions (published in 1994 and 1998 respectively), the book provides a comprehensive and cohesive treatment of all aspects of optical document security, according to its publishers. The books contents have been substantially updated and revised from the previous edition, and expanded to include coverage of additional security features and evaluation. The introduction on the theory of colours is followed by chapters on light interference and diffraction, substrate-based security, printing inks and printing techniques, printed security patterns (including screen decoded images and digital watermarks), diffractive- and interference-based security features, security design and evaluation and an introduction to biometrics. The emphasis is on both the physics of security features and their value in resisting counterfeiting, while the chapter evaluating security design looks at the human factors of first line document inspection. The books 350 pages contain over 270 black and white illustrations, including live security documents, and an appendix with samples of important security features. In addition, a CD-ROM is included which contains all illustrations of the book in full-colour. Author Rudolf van Renesse was senior research engineer in the Optics Department of TNO Institute of Applied Physics in The Netherlands and is now an independent consultant on document security for government departments and banking and financial institutions. He has extensive experience in the areas of holography, optical inspection techniques, and the theory of colors and document security, and is the author of more than 80 publications in these areas, as well as a contributor to Holography News and its sister publications Authentication News and Currency News. Optical Document Security is available at the discounted price  £72/$118 from Artech House www.artech-house.com 006 Display Holography on the Rise Photopolymer is making progress winning projects that perhaps embossed hologram producers might have expected to supply We feel for Nick Hardy and Valerie Love of OpGraphics, the British company that has listed its DuPont photopolymer hologram production equipment for sale on eBay. Op has been producing display holograms for the gift and promotional trade since 1983, originally on Agfa silver halide films, then in the 1990s Nick Hardy started working with DuPonts holographic photopolymer, partly because Agfa ceased production of its holographic films, partly because the photopolymer reflection holograms had lower noise and were more light efficient. Unfortunately, when DuPont Authentication Systems was established as a joint venture with Label Systems Inc, the company decided to restrict the distribution of its unexposed photopolymer film to authorised security hologram producers. Op were among the hologram producers which were given notice of a cessation of supply. They tried to fight this under competition law in the UK, but despite their significant investment in DuPonts production equipment and the time to perfect their processes, this was to no avail. The result: holographic production kit being offered on eBay. The Year of Photopolymer? The timing could not be more poignant as there appears to be an upsurge of interest in photopolymer holograms could 2005 be the year of photopolymer? The year has started well for DAS with NASCARs announcement of its licensed product authentication label, a numbered photopolymer reflection hologram (see page 4). To date, the North American sports licensing authentication projects have been dominated by embossed holograms. NASCAR (the most popular motor sport organisation in North America) may not rival the big national sporting leagues in popularity, but big race meetings such as Daytona and Indianapolis attract large crowds of eager souvenir hunters. Last year, DAS released its izonâ„ ¢ advanced photopolymer holograms, offering instant holo portraits on the film, making it particularly suitable for ID documents. And across the Pacific, Dai Nippon and Nippon Paint Co announced that Teikoku Piston Ring Co had become the first major customer for authentication holograms on Secure I mageâ„ ¢ hot-stampable photopolymer. So photopolymer is making progress in the brand protection market, perhaps winning projects that embossed hologram producers might have expected to supply. Two announcements do not make a fully-fledged market, but do represent progress. Coming Full Circle And now, coming full circle, Liti Holographics has announced that it is shipping a new instant holographic film suitable for reflection holograms for the home and hobby market (see page 3). Meanwhile, silver halide display holograms remain a force in the marketplace. Slavich continues to find a market in Russia and beyond for its silver halide plates and films, and Colour Holographics, which took over the production and supply of HRT holographic plates, finds a steady if not spectacular market. The company is finding a ready market for its own large format co lour holograms, while other silver halide display hologram producers remain in steady production. The availability of compact LED lights which illuminate holograms at a very high quality, and the improved recognition by holographers that they have to deliver a complete, lit and framed installation, is boosting the readiness of display artists and interior designers to consider display holograms as a medium. As one who first got involved in holography because of the excitement of such 3D images, it is reassuring and somewhat surprising to see the continuing interest in full parallax holograms, complementing and supplementing the large volume market of embossed holograms. 007 Litis New Reflection Film Liti Holographics, which offers low cost portrait hologram kits selling for $99 (see HN Vol 18, No 9), has launched a new hologram film. According to the company, this film has all the ‘instant hologram qualities of its previous film but is now capable of making reflection as well as transmission holograms. The new film is red-sensitive, making it compatible with both the Litiholo and other hologram kits, as well as red laser diodes and even helium neon lasers. Contact: www.litiholo.com 008 Nigerias New Pharma Certificate NAFDAC, the Nigerian Food Drugs Agency, has introduced a new certificate to be issued to authorised imported and domestically produced pharmaceuticals. The new certificate is being produced by a security printer in the UK and includes a hologram among its security features. This follows participation by Dr Dora Akunyili, Director of NAFDAC in the first Global Forum on Pharmaceutical AntiCounterfeiting, where she made contact with possible suppliers among the exhibitors. 009 Pharmaceuticals: a Hologram Market Expanding or Threatened? At the time of writing, the 2nd Global Forum on Pharmaceutical AntiCounterfeiting has just finished in Paris, organised by Holography News publisher, Reconnaissance International. One of the themes to emerge during the course of the 21/2 day meeting was the importance of authentication of genuine products as part of the system to combat counterfeit medicines, heard from speakers from national drug regulatory agencies and from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Several of the speakers implied, but Dr Thomas Zimmer of Boehringer Ingelheim explicitly stated, that the ideal authentication device for pharmaceuticals is not yet available. As Dr Zimmer was speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Group of the European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (EFPIA), his observations must be taken seriously by suppliers or aspiring suppliers of authentication products to the pharmaceutical sector. To date holograms have been the leading device used for overt authentication on pharmaceuticals, so the claim that the ideal device is not yet available can only be interpreted as a challenge to hologram suppliers. Either holograms have failed to deliver what the pharma sector requires or hologram manufacturers have not succeeded in persuading their customers to use all the levels of security that a hologram can offer; that is first, second and third levels overt, covert and machine read. To implement covert and machine read requires additional investment by customers in training, reading tools and for machine read infrastructure. Ideal Sector The pharmaceutical sector is ideal for the introduction of such an infrastructure. Another call at the Global Forum was for increased harmonisation of authentication and inspection systems. In a sector which is as regulated and as controlled as this one, where all medicines (at least, the legitimate ones) are distributed through a controlled system in a willing partnership between manufacturers, distributors, retailers and governments, training and equipping those who handle the goods to examine the authentication device should be feasible. As should the introduction of a machine-read infrastructure, assuming that there is commonality of what is to be read. The call for greater harmonisation results from the heterogeneity in the sector at present, which makes inpsection and examination a harder task for all involved. At present each hologram supplier offers its own proprietary method of encoding and reading hidden data. It is impractical for a warehouse or pharmacist to be equipped with numerous hologram reading systems, each one required to read the differently encoded information on the holograms from each of the many manufacturers whose medicines they provide. Equally, government inspectors are not able to carry around numerous handheld devices. But as the well-established precedent of credit cards and bar-codes shows, distributors and retailers will equip themselves to read standardised codes if the equipment footprint, cost and training required is minimal and the compatibility is maximal. Can the hologram industry achieve this for the pharmaceutical sector? That is to say, will the hologram industry recognise that here is a cause where collaboration on the adoption of a common approach to encoding and decoding could offer the industry the opportunity to capture that market for many years to come? Because once established, any competing technique has not just to prove itself superior, but must also overcome the inevitable reluctance of a whole sector to change the way it does things. Huge Advantage The hologram industry starts with a huge advantage because holograms have an established customer base in the Pharma sector. And holograms are perceived by the public as a mark of authentication the public may not know how to examine a hologram but its presence gives a level of comfort. Yet if the industry takes no coherent action to work together, it will squander this advantage. The Pharma sector (manufacturers, regulators, even patients groups) is making a case for the ideal authentication device, without perhaps realising that what is actually needed is an authentication system. That system could be built around holograms but it could alternatively be built around other types of device. There are many alternatives all seeking to usurp holograms from their number one spot. Recently, RFID has made the running, in lobbying and PR terms at least, but other technologies taggants, magnetics, complex bar-codes and others are all looking for their ‘killer application and see th e pharma sector as ripe for their efforts. The pharma sector is giving mixed signals about the use of holograms. On one side, Pfizer, in its current generation of product authentication, is currently using colour shift inks instead of holograms as the basis for its solution; on the positive side, Malaysias Meditag uses a three-level hologram (overt, covert and machine-read) at the heart of a system of registration and inspection. Can the hologram industry not individual suppliers, but the industry working together persuade the whole pharmaceutical sector that Malaysias is the way forward, not Pfizers? The RFID industry successfully lobbied the US Food Drugs Administration anticounterfeit task force so that it has identified RFID as the best way forward, although it has left the door open for other technologies by not mandating the use of RFID. This is the example the hologram industry needs to follow, because it has to persuade governments, distributors and manufacturers that the pharma sector can continue to use or even, needs to use holograms at the heart of an integrated system of authentication. The prize is immense, because other market sectors would follow the pharmaceuticals sector. There is no consolation prize, because surrendering this market sector to an alternative technology would give an unavoidable signal to other market sectors. 010 HoloTouch Progress HoloTouchâ„ ¢ Inc, a development company based in Darien, Connecticut working in association with Atlantex Corp, has launched the BeamOne HoloTouch evaluation unit, a working demonstration of its noncontact control technique. HoloTouch was founded by R Douglas McPheters to exploit its patented process for projecting a real holographic image of a keypad or similar finger-tip control board such that passing a real item, such as a finger, through the image, activates the control (US Patent 6377238 see H N Vol 17 No 6). Atlantex specialises in helping bring new products to market, especially in the field of electronic controls and computer accessories . The BeamOne is a four-button box to issue instructions to a PC, to which it is connected by a USB cable. The holographic image of the buttons float about 4 (10 cm) above the BeamOne box and can be programmed to instruct the computer to perform the required functions. It is fully functional, priced at US$1995, but is characterised by Atlantex and HoloTouch as an evaluation device. Nonetheless, it has been chosen by readers of Control Engineering as ‘the most innovative human-machine interface featured in Control Engineering during the past year. McPheters identifies HoloTouch as suiting applications where non-contact is important, such as in a sterile environment, or where switches or buttons cannot be made rugged enough for the environment. The hologram image can also be larger than the keypad it mimics, making it suitable where the device is small or vision may require assistance, such as for sight impaired people or while driving a vehicle, where a quick glance at a small but ton can be dangerous. The hologram is also, of course, intrinsically illuminated, so it is useful for night time or dark environments. HoloTouch and Atlantex are looking for applications partners who will adapt the HoloTouch technique into their own control devices. www.HoloTouch.com HoloTouch Selected for FastTrack HoloTouchâ„ ¢ Inc, the company that has developed a holographic interface for contactless control devices, has been selected for Connecticut Technology Councils FastTrack scheme for promising high-technology start-ups. FastTrack is an advisory and matching programme that helps start-ups with innovative ideas and rapid growth potential to gain seed-stage capital and business planning input through the mobilisation of a network of investors, advisors, professional service providers and industry contacts. Commenting on the scheme, HoloTouch founder and president R Douglas McPheters said: ‘FastTrack offers potentially valuable assistance in connecting us with mentors and advisors and can promote our partnering with companies who see value in our innovative touchless, holographic actuation and control technology. The company has already partnered with Atlantex Corp to launch the BeamOne HoloTouch unit. This enables operators of control boards such as keypads to enter commands simply by passing a finger through holographic images that represent these commands and float in front of the device (see HN Vol 19, No 3) and is suited for applications where non-contact is important for operability of hygiene, including consumer electronics, kiosks, ATMs and medical equipment. HoloTouch and Atlantex have also announced that the BeamOne is now available with relay output, extending the technologys reach to electronic equipment controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLCs). BeamOne already offers communication with PCs through USB, serial and other ports. According to McPheters, this latest development means that the technology can now be used in a numerous industrial applications as well, such as factory floor equipment. McPheters will be presenting a paper on the HoloTouch technology at Holopack†¢ Holo-print 2005. Contact: www.holotouch.com 011 Holotek Doubles Sales and Profits Holotek Technologies Ltd, of Sanzao Zhuhai in China, has doubled its sales and profits in 2004 and is aiming to achieve at least 50% growth in 2005. Its 2003 audited sales of RMB103m ( ±US$12.5m) rose to RMB210M ( ±$25.5m) in 2004, with net profit climbing from RMB58m ( ±$7m) to RMB123.5m ( ±$15.2m), but note that the 2004 figures are not yet audited. Although the company was not liable to tax in its first years of operation (as a start-up in the Zhuhai Economic Zone), these margins of almost 60% make Holotek probably the most profitable holographic producer in the world, both by margin and in its dollar figure. 98% of these sales are for packaging, mainly for transfer metallising of cigarette liners and cartons; 85% is on OPP with the reminder on PET. Holotek has been through ownership changes since we first reported on the company (see HN Vol 17 No 6). It was set up by Fong Teng Technology of Taiwan, but government regulations limit the investment that can be put into a mai nland Chinese company from Taiwan. FT has accordingly sold its interest to four private shareholders, including the CEO Mark Chiang (as a minority owner), and Holotek operates as a subsidiary of Aimrich which is registered in Samoa. The company has also divested its former 49% holding in Yong Feng Tian Technology, a Shenzhen company that produces cigarette packaging materials. All these changes mean Holotek has also postponed its plans to float on the Hong Kong stock exchange. It had originally stated its aim was to float this year with a market capitalisation of US$150m, but it is now aiming for floatation in 2008 with a Changes in Holography Changes in Holography 001 Looking Back, Moving Forward How was 2004 for you? For the industry as a whole, reviewing the developments that we covered last year in Holography News, we can conclude that it was a good year for most, with many positive developments that set the scene for 2005 and beyond, but with sufficient clouds on the horizon to prevent any complacency. In terms of markets, in the high security arena the growth of holograms on banknotes continues apace (see page 3) and this will continue to be key market notwithstanding the recent news that the new $100 and other denominations will not, in all likelihood, include a holographic feature. In other high security markets, passports took something of a back seat, for holograms at least not because of technology concerns but because of the current pre-occupation with biometrics. But elsewhere in document protection, AAMVAs specification of holograms on all US driving licences was a significant boost for the industry, while the tax stamp market continues provide significant high volume opportunities for suppliers. There were few major developments in brand protection although the use of holograms as the prime authentication feature on a new labelling program for pharmaceutical products in Malaysia, and the Olympics 2004 merchandising program demonstrated the continuing success of hologram s in these areas. On the downside, the FDAs controversial decision to adopt RFID-based track and trace as the solution to product safety and supply chain management for pharmaceuticals in the US could have unwelcome consequences for the industry should drug regulatory authorities elsewhere in the world follow its example. In packaging, meanwhile, as the Stock watch article in this issue (see page 6) points out, it is barely possible to go out nowadays without seeing holography embellishing shop shelves on all manner of goods from luxury high end to everyday items. Innovation and Development On the technology front, holography continued to demonstrate its inherent capacity for innovation and development. The integration of holograms with other technologies for enhanced security and functionality continued apace examples including Schreiners KeySecure technology, Securiketts Authentikett labels, combined hologram/DNA/RFID labels from ADNAS and Holomex and enhancements to teas scribos Holospot system (see page 8) to name but a few. In the banknote market, De La Rue, Louisenthal and Kurz all launched new security features during 2004 based on combinations of substrate, thread and foil technology. In terms of production, Newmec and Gidue both entered the market with foil applications systems, General Vacuum launched its new compact metalliser while Spatial Imagings new Lightspeed digital hologram printer marked the beginning of new era in large format hologram origination. Aside from the developments in the ‘conventional market for authentication and decorative devices, holography is also beginning to demonstrate its potential for use as a tool as well as a feature. Examples of this potential include Smart Holograms development of reflection holograms as medical diagnostic devices and holographic data storage systems from Optware. Publicly-listed companies were covered in detail in the December issue of Holography News. But there was news from many other qua rters as well, including the expansion plans announced by ABNH, ITW Covid, AFC and Holoshape, and AET Films move into wide embossing on the packaging front. Louisenthal, a major player in the banknote industry, revealed that it now offers full-scale hologram production, including origination, while its former strategic partner in foils, Hueck Folien, joined the ranks of banknote suppliers with its first order for stripes for the Thai currency, signalling a potentially significant new entrant to the market. Its arrival was partially offset by AOTs decision to abandon banknote foils, while the bankruptcy of another high security supplier, Mantegazza, was staved off by its acquisition by Italian security papermaker Fabriano. Outside of the traditional industry centres of Western Europe and North America, the Far East, India and Eastern Europe and the CIS countries continue to play an increasingly important role not just as markets for western companies but as major centres of developm ent in their own right. Russia, a hotbed of scientific innovation, held its first regional conference this year; the commitment amongst Indian companies to quality and industry standards is an inspiration to us all, while all eyes are currently on China, the location for the 2005 Holo-pack†¢Holo-print which will provide the first opportunity for many western hologram companies to witness the strength and scope of this massive market. 2004s Downside So much for the positive. On the downside, RFID continues to position itself, and be viewed in some quarters, as the ‘silver bullet antidote to counterfeiting and diversion, new technologies such as Nanoventions claim their superiority over diffractive features and high quality counterfeit holograms have been discovered on currency notably the euro. The latter, in particular, is leading to a perceptible sense of disenchantment with holograms in terms of their claimed security benefits, technology proliferation and lax standard s amongst suppliers. This topic has been covered exhaustively in recent issues of Holography News and was one of the main topics for discussion at the recent Holo-pack†¢Holo-print conference in Prague, a positive outcome of which was the openness of debate and willingness amongst industry participants to work collectively to address the real issues that are causing concern and counter the misperceptions behind them. All in all, not a bad year for the industry. Provided the concerns leading to disenchantment in some sectors continues to be recognised and addressed with appropriate measures, and provided hologram companies continue to invest in the new products and techniques that form the lifeblood and future of this industry, 2005 could be even better. 002 A Watershed Year for the IHMA In his Chairmans report to the Annual General Meeting of the International Hologram Manufacturers Association, Hugues Souparis identified the launch of the Secure Hologram Producer Certification Scheme as a watershed for the Association (se HN Vol 18 No 3). This Scheme, run in co-operation with Intergraf, should make a significant contribution to improving procedures in the secure hologram field, and help to raise customer awareness of the need to source secure holograms from a qualified secure producer. Souparis company, Hologram Industries, was the first to be certified, but several others have now applied. Another important development during the year had been the negotiations with the Hologram Manufacturers Association of India (HoMAI), aimed at building a strong relationship between the two associations and serving as a model for the IHMAs relationship with other regional or national hologram associations. An important part of the planned relationship was that the IHMAs Hologram Image Register and HoMAIs Hologram Registry would be linked so that all searches for a hologram match on either database would cover both databases, improving the likelihood of identifying matches which resulted from attempts to source illicit copies of a hologram already in use. He reported that Despite the news that the US Bureau of Engraving and Printing is casting its net wider for security features (see page 1), banknotes continue to be a good market for the holography industry. A number of new banknotes have been introduced during 2004, including two major currencies the new Canadian dollar series which features a stripe and the two higher denominations of the newly-designed Japanese yen, each with a patch. Kurz was the supplier for both, the latter understood to be the largest single hologram order for banknotes in the industry. Other currencies that have introduced holograms to all or most of their the Board was in discussion with the China AntiCounterfeiting Technology As sociation (CATA) with a view to CATA establishing a hologram section, and that the IHMA was also in preliminary discussions with Russian producers interested in an industry organisation there. Souparis also reminded members of IHMAs links with Interpol and other international and national police organisations, saying that he hoped to build on these contacts in the coming year. New Board Members In the elections at the AGM, Souparis was re-elected Chairman a post he can hold for another two years. Wilfried Schipper (Hologram Company Rako) was elected as the European representative on the Board, with Alkis Lembessis (Cavomit and Taurus) as his deputy; Umendra Gupta (Holostik India) was re-elected as Asian representative, with Khalid Khanani (Metatex) as deputy. Randy James (Pacific Holographics) was elected as deputy North American representative and since the AGM the Board has co-opted John Halotek (ITW Covid) as the North American representative, there being no accepted nomination at the meeting. Alex Goncharsky (Computer Holography Centre, Moscow) and Ken Traub (ABNH) remain on the board for a second and fourth year respectively. Spreading the Word In addition to the objectives above, a key task for the IHMA in 2005 and thereafter will be to promote the positive benefits of holograms, particularly as authentication devices, as a counter to disenchantment with the technology in certain quarters, notably some parts of the high security sector. A proactive PR campaign, a greater presence at industry conferences, an improved website as a communications tool both for members and users, and a drive to increase the membership and the visibility of the IHMA are all currently underway. The hologram industry is one of the few in the authentication sector to have its own association and the IHMA is committed to building on this position and the strengths that a collective voice can provide for hologram companies. Contact: www.IHMA.org. 003 General Vacuums New Compact Metalliser (Pg # 5) General Vacuum, manufacturer of vacuum metallising equipment, unveiled further details of its new compact Holosecâ„ ¢ metalliser (see HN Vol 18 No 2) at the recent Holo-pack†¢Holo-print conference in Prague. Vacuum metallisers have until now been supplied with production widths of 800-3000m, limiting their use both financially and for production purposes among small and narrow-web hologram producers and forcing these to buy in their film and foil pre-metallised from wide web suppliers. The Holosec was designed to fill this niche and enable narrow-web producers to bring metallising in-house, thereby increasing their security of production and enabling them to take advantage of the specialised treatments the system offers. The Holosec combines the vacuum chamber, unwind and rewind units, plasma pre-treatment, demetallization and evaporation source within one compact unit with a footprint of 2m x 3m. In addition to the conventional aluminium used for holographic films and foils, it can coat silicon oxide, chrome, silver and copper and zinc sulphide for high refractive index films. It also offers pattern demetallisation with in-line registration and plasma pre-treatment that enhances the sur face energy of the films to improve adhesion and hence quality. The run rate varies from 10m to a maximum of 200m per minute. General Vacuum, formerly Valmet and now part of the Bobst Group, declined to give prices for the Holosec, stating that these depend on specification. But it can assumed that they will be considerably lower than the prices for wide web systems. When questioned at Holopack.†¢ Holo-print about the risks of spreading low-cost secure hologram production technology in the market, Dr Nadir Ahmed, who gave the presentation on behalf of his former company, commented that the company would check the legitimacy of customers before supply. To date, two machines have been sold with other orders in the pipeline for early 2005. Contact: Andy Jack, General Vacuum Equipment. Tel: +44 1706 622442; [emailprotected] 004 Menzel Vision System for Web Guiding Menzel, a German company specialising in machinery for finishing and inspection machines for textiles, expanded into similar equipment for the plastic films industry in the late 1960s, and at Holopack†¢ Holo-print exhibited a machine vision system for control of web handling machines for holographic films. The system keeps web lines in register to improve the accuracy and quality of slitting, winding/re-winding, stamping and other hologram finishing processes. Based on the companys experience building textile and film web guiding systems, the hologram guiding system can be set to read the edge of the hologram film or a specific part of the pattern in the hologram the camera scans across the width of the film to record the edge position, the registration mark position or the position of a specified image element. Once programmed, it feeds the image data to a sensor and a controller, which in turn adjusts the web guides to maintain the position of the web. The Menzel vision system for holographic film costs around â‚ ¬17- 20,000, depending on the configuration required. Contact: www.menzel.net. 005 Optical Document Security The third edition of the reference book Optical Document Security is now available from publishers Artech House. Written by Rudolf van Renesse, an expert in the field and editor and co-author of the two previous editions (published in 1994 and 1998 respectively), the book provides a comprehensive and cohesive treatment of all aspects of optical document security, according to its publishers. The books contents have been substantially updated and revised from the previous edition, and expanded to include coverage of additional security features and evaluation. The introduction on the theory of colours is followed by chapters on light interference and diffraction, substrate-based security, printing inks and printing techniques, printed security patterns (including screen decoded images and digital watermarks), diffractive- and interference-based security features, security design and evaluation and an introduction to biometrics. The emphasis is on both the physics of security features and their value in resisting counterfeiting, while the chapter evaluating security design looks at the human factors of first line document inspection. The books 350 pages contain over 270 black and white illustrations, including live security documents, and an appendix with samples of important security features. In addition, a CD-ROM is included which contains all illustrations of the book in full-colour. Author Rudolf van Renesse was senior research engineer in the Optics Department of TNO Institute of Applied Physics in The Netherlands and is now an independent consultant on document security for government departments and banking and financial institutions. He has extensive experience in the areas of holography, optical inspection techniques, and the theory of colors and document security, and is the author of more than 80 publications in these areas, as well as a contributor to Holography News and its sister publications Authentication News and Currency News. Optical Document Security is available at the discounted price  £72/$118 from Artech House www.artech-house.com 006 Display Holography on the Rise Photopolymer is making progress winning projects that perhaps embossed hologram producers might have expected to supply We feel for Nick Hardy and Valerie Love of OpGraphics, the British company that has listed its DuPont photopolymer hologram production equipment for sale on eBay. Op has been producing display holograms for the gift and promotional trade since 1983, originally on Agfa silver halide films, then in the 1990s Nick Hardy started working with DuPonts holographic photopolymer, partly because Agfa ceased production of its holographic films, partly because the photopolymer reflection holograms had lower noise and were more light efficient. Unfortunately, when DuPont Authentication Systems was established as a joint venture with Label Systems Inc, the company decided to restrict the distribution of its unexposed photopolymer film to authorised security hologram producers. Op were among the hologram producers which were given notice of a cessation of supply. They tried to fight this under competition law in the UK, but despite their significant investment in DuPonts production equipment and the time to perfect their processes, this was to no avail. The result: holographic production kit being offered on eBay. The Year of Photopolymer? The timing could not be more poignant as there appears to be an upsurge of interest in photopolymer holograms could 2005 be the year of photopolymer? The year has started well for DAS with NASCARs announcement of its licensed product authentication label, a numbered photopolymer reflection hologram (see page 4). To date, the North American sports licensing authentication projects have been dominated by embossed holograms. NASCAR (the most popular motor sport organisation in North America) may not rival the big national sporting leagues in popularity, but big race meetings such as Daytona and Indianapolis attract large crowds of eager souvenir hunters. Last year, DAS released its izonâ„ ¢ advanced photopolymer holograms, offering instant holo portraits on the film, making it particularly suitable for ID documents. And across the Pacific, Dai Nippon and Nippon Paint Co announced that Teikoku Piston Ring Co had become the first major customer for authentication holograms on Secure I mageâ„ ¢ hot-stampable photopolymer. So photopolymer is making progress in the brand protection market, perhaps winning projects that embossed hologram producers might have expected to supply. Two announcements do not make a fully-fledged market, but do represent progress. Coming Full Circle And now, coming full circle, Liti Holographics has announced that it is shipping a new instant holographic film suitable for reflection holograms for the home and hobby market (see page 3). Meanwhile, silver halide display holograms remain a force in the marketplace. Slavich continues to find a market in Russia and beyond for its silver halide plates and films, and Colour Holographics, which took over the production and supply of HRT holographic plates, finds a steady if not spectacular market. The company is finding a ready market for its own large format co lour holograms, while other silver halide display hologram producers remain in steady production. The availability of compact LED lights which illuminate holograms at a very high quality, and the improved recognition by holographers that they have to deliver a complete, lit and framed installation, is boosting the readiness of display artists and interior designers to consider display holograms as a medium. As one who first got involved in holography because of the excitement of such 3D images, it is reassuring and somewhat surprising to see the continuing interest in full parallax holograms, complementing and supplementing the large volume market of embossed holograms. 007 Litis New Reflection Film Liti Holographics, which offers low cost portrait hologram kits selling for $99 (see HN Vol 18, No 9), has launched a new hologram film. According to the company, this film has all the ‘instant hologram qualities of its previous film but is now capable of making reflection as well as transmission holograms. The new film is red-sensitive, making it compatible with both the Litiholo and other hologram kits, as well as red laser diodes and even helium neon lasers. Contact: www.litiholo.com 008 Nigerias New Pharma Certificate NAFDAC, the Nigerian Food Drugs Agency, has introduced a new certificate to be issued to authorised imported and domestically produced pharmaceuticals. The new certificate is being produced by a security printer in the UK and includes a hologram among its security features. This follows participation by Dr Dora Akunyili, Director of NAFDAC in the first Global Forum on Pharmaceutical AntiCounterfeiting, where she made contact with possible suppliers among the exhibitors. 009 Pharmaceuticals: a Hologram Market Expanding or Threatened? At the time of writing, the 2nd Global Forum on Pharmaceutical AntiCounterfeiting has just finished in Paris, organised by Holography News publisher, Reconnaissance International. One of the themes to emerge during the course of the 21/2 day meeting was the importance of authentication of genuine products as part of the system to combat counterfeit medicines, heard from speakers from national drug regulatory agencies and from pharmaceutical manufacturers. Several of the speakers implied, but Dr Thomas Zimmer of Boehringer Ingelheim explicitly stated, that the ideal authentication device for pharmaceuticals is not yet available. As Dr Zimmer was speaking in his capacity as Chairman of the Anti-Counterfeit Group of the European Federation of the Pharmaceutical Industry Associations (EFPIA), his observations must be taken seriously by suppliers or aspiring suppliers of authentication products to the pharmaceutical sector. To date holograms have been the leading device used for overt authentication on pharmaceuticals, so the claim that the ideal device is not yet available can only be interpreted as a challenge to hologram suppliers. Either holograms have failed to deliver what the pharma sector requires or hologram manufacturers have not succeeded in persuading their customers to use all the levels of security that a hologram can offer; that is first, second and third levels overt, covert and machine read. To implement covert and machine read requires additional investment by customers in training, reading tools and for machine read infrastructure. Ideal Sector The pharmaceutical sector is ideal for the introduction of such an infrastructure. Another call at the Global Forum was for increased harmonisation of authentication and inspection systems. In a sector which is as regulated and as controlled as this one, where all medicines (at least, the legitimate ones) are distributed through a controlled system in a willing partnership between manufacturers, distributors, retailers and governments, training and equipping those who handle the goods to examine the authentication device should be feasible. As should the introduction of a machine-read infrastructure, assuming that there is commonality of what is to be read. The call for greater harmonisation results from the heterogeneity in the sector at present, which makes inpsection and examination a harder task for all involved. At present each hologram supplier offers its own proprietary method of encoding and reading hidden data. It is impractical for a warehouse or pharmacist to be equipped with numerous hologram reading systems, each one required to read the differently encoded information on the holograms from each of the many manufacturers whose medicines they provide. Equally, government inspectors are not able to carry around numerous handheld devices. But as the well-established precedent of credit cards and bar-codes shows, distributors and retailers will equip themselves to read standardised codes if the equipment footprint, cost and training required is minimal and the compatibility is maximal. Can the hologram industry achieve this for the pharmaceutical sector? That is to say, will the hologram industry recognise that here is a cause where collaboration on the adoption of a common approach to encoding and decoding could offer the industry the opportunity to capture that market for many years to come? Because once established, any competing technique has not just to prove itself superior, but must also overcome the inevitable reluctance of a whole sector to change the way it does things. Huge Advantage The hologram industry starts with a huge advantage because holograms have an established customer base in the Pharma sector. And holograms are perceived by the public as a mark of authentication the public may not know how to examine a hologram but its presence gives a level of comfort. Yet if the industry takes no coherent action to work together, it will squander this advantage. The Pharma sector (manufacturers, regulators, even patients groups) is making a case for the ideal authentication device, without perhaps realising that what is actually needed is an authentication system. That system could be built around holograms but it could alternatively be built around other types of device. There are many alternatives all seeking to usurp holograms from their number one spot. Recently, RFID has made the running, in lobbying and PR terms at least, but other technologies taggants, magnetics, complex bar-codes and others are all looking for their ‘killer application and see th e pharma sector as ripe for their efforts. The pharma sector is giving mixed signals about the use of holograms. On one side, Pfizer, in its current generation of product authentication, is currently using colour shift inks instead of holograms as the basis for its solution; on the positive side, Malaysias Meditag uses a three-level hologram (overt, covert and machine-read) at the heart of a system of registration and inspection. Can the hologram industry not individual suppliers, but the industry working together persuade the whole pharmaceutical sector that Malaysias is the way forward, not Pfizers? The RFID industry successfully lobbied the US Food Drugs Administration anticounterfeit task force so that it has identified RFID as the best way forward, although it has left the door open for other technologies by not mandating the use of RFID. This is the example the hologram industry needs to follow, because it has to persuade governments, distributors and manufacturers that the pharma sector can continue to use or even, needs to use holograms at the heart of an integrated system of authentication. The prize is immense, because other market sectors would follow the pharmaceuticals sector. There is no consolation prize, because surrendering this market sector to an alternative technology would give an unavoidable signal to other market sectors. 010 HoloTouch Progress HoloTouchâ„ ¢ Inc, a development company based in Darien, Connecticut working in association with Atlantex Corp, has launched the BeamOne HoloTouch evaluation unit, a working demonstration of its noncontact control technique. HoloTouch was founded by R Douglas McPheters to exploit its patented process for projecting a real holographic image of a keypad or similar finger-tip control board such that passing a real item, such as a finger, through the image, activates the control (US Patent 6377238 see H N Vol 17 No 6). Atlantex specialises in helping bring new products to market, especially in the field of electronic controls and computer accessories . The BeamOne is a four-button box to issue instructions to a PC, to which it is connected by a USB cable. The holographic image of the buttons float about 4 (10 cm) above the BeamOne box and can be programmed to instruct the computer to perform the required functions. It is fully functional, priced at US$1995, but is characterised by Atlantex and HoloTouch as an evaluation device. Nonetheless, it has been chosen by readers of Control Engineering as ‘the most innovative human-machine interface featured in Control Engineering during the past year. McPheters identifies HoloTouch as suiting applications where non-contact is important, such as in a sterile environment, or where switches or buttons cannot be made rugged enough for the environment. The hologram image can also be larger than the keypad it mimics, making it suitable where the device is small or vision may require assistance, such as for sight impaired people or while driving a vehicle, where a quick glance at a small but ton can be dangerous. The hologram is also, of course, intrinsically illuminated, so it is useful for night time or dark environments. HoloTouch and Atlantex are looking for applications partners who will adapt the HoloTouch technique into their own control devices. www.HoloTouch.com HoloTouch Selected for FastTrack HoloTouchâ„ ¢ Inc, the company that has developed a holographic interface for contactless control devices, has been selected for Connecticut Technology Councils FastTrack scheme for promising high-technology start-ups. FastTrack is an advisory and matching programme that helps start-ups with innovative ideas and rapid growth potential to gain seed-stage capital and business planning input through the mobilisation of a network of investors, advisors, professional service providers and industry contacts. Commenting on the scheme, HoloTouch founder and president R Douglas McPheters said: ‘FastTrack offers potentially valuable assistance in connecting us with mentors and advisors and can promote our partnering with companies who see value in our innovative touchless, holographic actuation and control technology. The company has already partnered with Atlantex Corp to launch the BeamOne HoloTouch unit. This enables operators of control boards such as keypads to enter commands simply by passing a finger through holographic images that represent these commands and float in front of the device (see HN Vol 19, No 3) and is suited for applications where non-contact is important for operability of hygiene, including consumer electronics, kiosks, ATMs and medical equipment. HoloTouch and Atlantex have also announced that the BeamOne is now available with relay output, extending the technologys reach to electronic equipment controlled by programmable logic controllers (PLCs). BeamOne already offers communication with PCs through USB, serial and other ports. According to McPheters, this latest development means that the technology can now be used in a numerous industrial applications as well, such as factory floor equipment. McPheters will be presenting a paper on the HoloTouch technology at Holopack†¢ Holo-print 2005. Contact: www.holotouch.com 011 Holotek Doubles Sales and Profits Holotek Technologies Ltd, of Sanzao Zhuhai in China, has doubled its sales and profits in 2004 and is aiming to achieve at least 50% growth in 2005. Its 2003 audited sales of RMB103m ( ±US$12.5m) rose to RMB210M ( ±$25.5m) in 2004, with net profit climbing from RMB58m ( ±$7m) to RMB123.5m ( ±$15.2m), but note that the 2004 figures are not yet audited. Although the company was not liable to tax in its first years of operation (as a start-up in the Zhuhai Economic Zone), these margins of almost 60% make Holotek probably the most profitable holographic producer in the world, both by margin and in its dollar figure. 98% of these sales are for packaging, mainly for transfer metallising of cigarette liners and cartons; 85% is on OPP with the reminder on PET. Holotek has been through ownership changes since we first reported on the company (see HN Vol 17 No 6). It was set up by Fong Teng Technology of Taiwan, but government regulations limit the investment that can be put into a mai nland Chinese company from Taiwan. FT has accordingly sold its interest to four private shareholders, including the CEO Mark Chiang (as a minority owner), and Holotek operates as a subsidiary of Aimrich which is registered in Samoa. The company has also divested its former 49% holding in Yong Feng Tian Technology, a Shenzhen company that produces cigarette packaging materials. All these changes mean Holotek has also postponed its plans to float on the Hong Kong stock exchange. It had originally stated its aim was to float this year with a market capitalisation of US$150m, but it is now aiming for floatation in 2008 with a