Draconian Internet Laws in Australia :: Argumentative Persuasive Topics

  Ã‚   The Internet is a revolutionary new medium that has provided people the world round a new medium of communication.   In "cyberspace" as the Internet has been nicknamed, everyone can have a voice and it is relatively easy for one person to reach a very large audience.   In addition to revolutionizing the way messages are broadcasted, cyberspace has also revolutionized peer-to-peer communication.   E-mail and instant messaging have become a very convenient method of communication for many people, oftentimes replacing the use of telephones and conventional postal mail.   However, the new methods of communication emerging on the Internet have also created a new communication medium for criminals.   Many criminals have found e-mail to be a safer method of communication as opposed to the telephone as it is impervious to wiretaps.   Instances of criminal use of cyberspace include espionage and drug trafficking.   Cyberspace has also led to the rise of a new form of cr ime - cybercrime.   Such crimes include child pornography and online stalking.      The Internet is an international medium, therefore, it cannot be regulated by any one government, however, as crimes committed using the Internet have serious ramifications within real world borders, it is necessary that governments of affected nations take safeguards to protect its citizens.   The way in which governments prevent crime on the Internet, however, has become a point of contention for many people.   For example, privacy advocates in the United States oppose the Federal Bureau of Investigation's implementation of "Carnivore" a program that reads all e-mail passing through mail servers on which it is installed.   They argue that while Carnivore's purpose is to intercept correspondence between criminals, it invades the privacy of all Internet users as it allows the FBI to monitor all e-mail that passes through a system1.   However, of all the nations implementing precautions to prevent cybercrime and crime committed with the aid of the Internet, Australia's are per haps the most draconian.      On November 25, 1999, the Australian Parliament passed laws permitting the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) - the counterpart to the United States Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) - to gain access to private computer systems and alter data for surveillance purposes without the knowledge of the owner of the computer.   It is important to note also that the ASIO is not subject to the Privacy Act of 1988.   This makes many Australian citizens uneasy that the government may now not only to monitor their actions on the Internet but also to compromise their computer systems.

Disney Park

Disney Theme Parks Case 1. What do you think motivated Disney to set up parks abroad, and what might be the pros and cons from the standpoint of the Walt Disney Company? The reason behind Disney's motivation to set up theme parks abroad were mostly because of business opportunities. Based on how successful the Disney Theme Park is in the United States and the attraction they are gaining from foreigners, the management probably realized that it is time to consider entering the global market. By doing this, it would mean an increase of sales for the company.This is somehow a form of advertisement for people to buy their products and even to attract more and more consumers. Opening another theme park in a different country would also contribute to the survival of the company should their theme park in the United States lower in sales. On the other hand, for the cons, one is concerning the cultural factors that may hinder the company from doing business in other countries. A good example would be the concerns in Paris. They feared that putting up a Disney Theme Park in their country might destroy their own culture. Another con would probably be the area where the park would be best put up.In other words, which area the theme park should be placed that would be profitable. Transportation is another factor as well as competition from other theme parks abroad. 2. Why do you suppose Disney made no financial investment in Japan, one of $140 million in France, and then one of over $300 million in Hong Kong? Disney made no financial investment in Japan because they were considering the risks of building one. They probably think that it might not be as profitable or that putting up a Disney Theme Park in Japan would outweigh the cons than the benefits.Paris, like what was mentioned in the case, is the most visited European City and the French are the largest European consumers of Disney Products. This is the reason why Disney invested in Paris. Also they were getting a lot of support from the country's government. And with their help, they would be able to get investors. According to the case, the reason why Disney invested only $140 million to take 49% of the ownership in a $5 billion worth of operation was due to the problems they have encountered before, which is the fear of France's culture to be destroyed.So what Disney did was to add attractions that would cater to French tastes and agreeing to make French the first language in the park. Aside from France, Disney also invested in Hong Kong. The case states that Disney is interested in Asia since it accounts for about half the world's population and is becoming affluent enough that more people can afford to take trips and pay for leisure activities. They chose Hong Kong not only for their infrastructure, but also because it is Asia's largest tourist destination.In addition, the families that live in Hong Kong are those with higher family incomes than mainland Chinese cities. Soon after, the two agreed to a joint venture that included 57% ownership by the Hong Kong government and the remaining by Disney. 3. What factors in the external environment have contributed to Disney's success, failure, and adjustments in foreign them park operations? There are many factors in the external environment that contributed both to Disney's success and failure.For the factors that contributed to the success, one would probably be Disney's already popular reputation, which helped them in entering the global market easily. Another is their strategy of focusing on countries that would ensure and give them better business opportunities. Another factor to be considered is the government support they are getting. As for the factors that contributed to their failure, one that is mentioned in the case is that they encounter problems concerning the culture of other countries.Another example would be the almost downfall of Euro Disney when their shares went down to 39% and the general public to 36%. This is probably due to the high prices and their no-alcohol policy. Another factor that contributed to their failure is the climate. Some countries were just too cold to attract visitors. 4. Should Disney set up a park in Shanghai? If so, what types of operating adjustments might it make there? It is not advisable for Disney to put up a theme park in Shanghai. One of the major reasons is competition.The case states that China has built more than 2000 amusement parks, ranging from lavish to shoddy. Although most of them have not done well, putting up a Disney Theme Park would not necessarily mean that it would eliminate its competitors. In addition, China's one child per family policy may hinder the success of Disney. The visitors of Disney Theme Parks are mostly children, and if the number is lacking, it would also probably mean lack of visitors. Another reason is that if Disney puts up a theme park in Shanghai, there would be few customers since there is also a Disney theme park in Hong Kong.

Budget Sets Costs and Expenses Free Essay Example, 2500 words

For instance, the marketing department aims to generate sales of one million dollars for the coming quarter. The figure is considered the budgeted sales. Hence, if the number of sales realized for that given quarter is only eight hundred thousand dollars, the difference of two hundred thousand dollars is an unfavorable sales variance. However, if sales reach one million one hundred thousand dollars for the projected three-month period, there is a favorable variance of one hundred thousand dollars. There are different types of variances and the more commonly used to pertain to the costs of labor and materials. Both are pegged according to quantity and unit cost. To illustrate, Company X is in the construction business. For the window installation process of a certain building, it has budgeted one hundred glass panes at ten dollars each for materials. It will thus be a budget of one thousand dollars (100 x 10) for the cost of materials. Labor cost is pegged at one dollar per hour and it is estimated that a total of five hundred hours is needed to finish installing the windows. We will write a custom essay sample on Budget Sets Costs and Expenses or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now That will be a total budgeted cost for labor in the sum of five hundred dollars (1 x 500). Total budgeted cost for both materials and labor needed to complete installing the windows is one thousand five hundred (1,000 + 500) dollars. In the illustration for Company X, if it actually used one hundred glass panes which were purchased at the budgeted amount of ten dollars per pane, the total actual cost for materials is one thousand dollars. This shows that costs for materials were incurred according to the forecast amount of one thousand dollars. There is no difference between projected and actual costs for materials. Otherwise stated, there is no variance as materials cost were exactly the same as projected. If Company X was able to use one hundred ten glass panes instead which were bought at ten dollars apiece, the total actual cost for materials is one thousand one hundred dollars or one hundred dollars more than what was budgeted.