My Higher Administration class of 2009-10 have worked together to produce an eBook for the ITFM theory element of the course.
It can be viewed here:
http://www.docstoc.com/docs/19685631/Higher-Administration-E-Book-ITFM
A special mention goes to C. Hall, who was the Editor and Designer of what I hope you will find is a useful resource.
Now all we need to do is to create an eBook for Administrative Services Units 1-5!
Sunday, 31 January 2010
Apple Launch the i-Pad
Apple founder Steve Jobs launched the i-Pad, the latest attempt to make a success of the Tablet computer market.
During the iPad launch, Apple said that it had recently sold its 250 millionth iPod.
One analyst predicted future sales of the iPod will be cannibalised by those of the iPad.
Apple's rivals Microsoft had a rare product failure in this category with a Tablet Computer that didn't catch on in 2001.
Apple said its aim was to try to create a third category of product that sits between a laptop and a smartphone, which is the traditional interpretation of a tablet computer.
There are some issues with the iPad. It does not support multi-tasking, the ability to have more than one application open at any one time. It doesn't have a camera nor support Flash, the ubiquitous software that handles video and animation on the web.
Some believe the lack of a camera is to keep the price low and afordable to less of a nice market and more of a mass market.
A 32GB iPad will cost $599 (£376) and a 64GB will cost $699 (£439).
However, Apple has given no hint about exact UK prices and final costs may be higher.
Polymath Stephen Fry is raving about the new gadget . He was at the launch and had a trial of the iPad. He said he would like to run away with it!
So will we be talking about the iPad in the same way the iPod and to a lesser extent the iPhone have fired our imaginations?
Remember, for a brilliant example of how to pitch your product, look up Steve Jobs iPod launch for his incredible presentation. I show this to classes every year as he not only introduces the product but he explains how and why they found and satisfied the gap in the market. It is truly brilliant!
You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0SVBCJqLs. It is on You Tube so you may not be able to access it in school, but it is worth the wait when you get home!
During the iPad launch, Apple said that it had recently sold its 250 millionth iPod.
One analyst predicted future sales of the iPod will be cannibalised by those of the iPad.
Apple's rivals Microsoft had a rare product failure in this category with a Tablet Computer that didn't catch on in 2001.
Apple said its aim was to try to create a third category of product that sits between a laptop and a smartphone, which is the traditional interpretation of a tablet computer.
There are some issues with the iPad. It does not support multi-tasking, the ability to have more than one application open at any one time. It doesn't have a camera nor support Flash, the ubiquitous software that handles video and animation on the web.
Some believe the lack of a camera is to keep the price low and afordable to less of a nice market and more of a mass market.
A 32GB iPad will cost $599 (£376) and a 64GB will cost $699 (£439).
However, Apple has given no hint about exact UK prices and final costs may be higher.
Polymath Stephen Fry is raving about the new gadget . He was at the launch and had a trial of the iPad. He said he would like to run away with it!
So will we be talking about the iPad in the same way the iPod and to a lesser extent the iPhone have fired our imaginations?
Remember, for a brilliant example of how to pitch your product, look up Steve Jobs iPod launch for his incredible presentation. I show this to classes every year as he not only introduces the product but he explains how and why they found and satisfied the gap in the market. It is truly brilliant!
You can watch it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kN0SVBCJqLs. It is on You Tube so you may not be able to access it in school, but it is worth the wait when you get home!
Friday, 29 January 2010
Prelims 2010
Good luck to all students preparing for Prelim exams next week.
Just remember to do your best and think about what questions you know best!
Just remember to do your best and think about what questions you know best!
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Avatar wins big at the Golden Globes
James Cameron's sci-fi epic Avatar has won Best Picture and Best Director at the Golden Globes Awards Ceremony in Hollywood.
The Golden Globes are a good indicator of what the Academy will vote for in March. The Golden Globes are actually made up of all the Foreign Press in Hollywood, so it again shows the global appeal of the 3-D movie.
Avatar's current gross is $1.6 billion. This has been done in 4 weeks. It is only now $200 million from beating Titanic as the overall box office champ. Who directed Titanic? None other than James Cameron!
Looking at Avatar just illustrates what a risky yet lucrative business Hollywood is. Avatar cost somewhere in the region of $500 million to create, and normally you have to add another $200 million in marketing and advertising, so it just shows that to start making a profit Avatar had to rake in $700 million!
But James Cameron is used to this. T2, True Lies, and Titanic, were all the most expensive films ever at the time. All were blockbusters.
Curiously, Cameron has went for the same slot in the year as Titanic. The December/January period is a quiet one for cinema generally, and by launching the film at this time, he is avoiding the summer blockbusters of May-August, and also avoiding the Oscar worthies who launch in October/November.
Even at $1.6 billion (with 2 weeks of that in December) Avatar may have legs yet. Titanic was released in December 1997, but actually grossed more in 1998. So Avatar may become the first movie to break the $2 billion mark, and who knows where it might end up? Is $3 billion out of the question?
Repeat viewings and a successful foreign (to the USA) market has raised hopes. Normally a Hollywood film that is a success does more box office in the USA than the rest of the world combined. However, since 1997/98, more and more former Eastern Bloc nations have cinemas, so Avatar is bound to do better in Russia et al than Titanic did.
No doubt Avatar's video/DVD/blu ray sales will be massive also... just in time for 3-D TV!
What next for Cameron? President? (He's born in Canada, so he's ruled out!)
The Golden Globes are a good indicator of what the Academy will vote for in March. The Golden Globes are actually made up of all the Foreign Press in Hollywood, so it again shows the global appeal of the 3-D movie.
Avatar's current gross is $1.6 billion. This has been done in 4 weeks. It is only now $200 million from beating Titanic as the overall box office champ. Who directed Titanic? None other than James Cameron!
Looking at Avatar just illustrates what a risky yet lucrative business Hollywood is. Avatar cost somewhere in the region of $500 million to create, and normally you have to add another $200 million in marketing and advertising, so it just shows that to start making a profit Avatar had to rake in $700 million!
But James Cameron is used to this. T2, True Lies, and Titanic, were all the most expensive films ever at the time. All were blockbusters.
Curiously, Cameron has went for the same slot in the year as Titanic. The December/January period is a quiet one for cinema generally, and by launching the film at this time, he is avoiding the summer blockbusters of May-August, and also avoiding the Oscar worthies who launch in October/November.
Even at $1.6 billion (with 2 weeks of that in December) Avatar may have legs yet. Titanic was released in December 1997, but actually grossed more in 1998. So Avatar may become the first movie to break the $2 billion mark, and who knows where it might end up? Is $3 billion out of the question?
Repeat viewings and a successful foreign (to the USA) market has raised hopes. Normally a Hollywood film that is a success does more box office in the USA than the rest of the world combined. However, since 1997/98, more and more former Eastern Bloc nations have cinemas, so Avatar is bound to do better in Russia et al than Titanic did.
No doubt Avatar's video/DVD/blu ray sales will be massive also... just in time for 3-D TV!
What next for Cameron? President? (He's born in Canada, so he's ruled out!)
Saturday, 16 January 2010
Top 10 Most Stressful Jobs in the UK
According to the University of Manchester's Institute of Science and Technology here are the most stressful jobs in the UK:
1. Prison Officer
2. Police
3. Social Work
4. Teaching
5. Ambulance Service
6. Nursing
7. Medicine
8. Fire Fighting
9. Dentistry
10. Mining
Interesting to see Social Work above Teaching on the list as many pupils leave school and go into Social Work under the misconception that it isn't stressful! I don't know where they get that idea from!
And from the same researchers here is the Top 10 Least Stressful Jobs in the UK:
1. Librarian
2. Museum personnel
3. Biologist
4. Nursery Nurse
5. Astronomer
6. Beauty Therapist
7. Linguist
8. Redmedial gymnast
9. Speech therapist
10. Chemist
So there we have it. If there is a museum which contains a library in it, then you are sorted!
Remember when you are choosing your career do not make the mistake of many people and just go for the salary. You have to seriously think of job satisfaction, because you are going to spend a great deal of the next 40 years plus in your job.
The school's careers convention is coming up soon, you it is important for S2, S4 and upper school to attend.
1. Prison Officer
2. Police
3. Social Work
4. Teaching
5. Ambulance Service
6. Nursing
7. Medicine
8. Fire Fighting
9. Dentistry
10. Mining
Interesting to see Social Work above Teaching on the list as many pupils leave school and go into Social Work under the misconception that it isn't stressful! I don't know where they get that idea from!
And from the same researchers here is the Top 10 Least Stressful Jobs in the UK:
1. Librarian
2. Museum personnel
3. Biologist
4. Nursery Nurse
5. Astronomer
6. Beauty Therapist
7. Linguist
8. Redmedial gymnast
9. Speech therapist
10. Chemist
So there we have it. If there is a museum which contains a library in it, then you are sorted!
Remember when you are choosing your career do not make the mistake of many people and just go for the salary. You have to seriously think of job satisfaction, because you are going to spend a great deal of the next 40 years plus in your job.
The school's careers convention is coming up soon, you it is important for S2, S4 and upper school to attend.
Monday, 11 January 2010
Higher Administration - Calculations in Reports Reminder
Since we are doing this in class and I admit I forget this step all the time, let's put it on here!
So if we are doing a complex calculation the first thing we do is:
1. Draw a LABEL
2. Draw a TEXT BOX (which corresponds to the LABEL)
3. Right click TEXT BOX and click PROPERTIES
4. In CONTROL SOURCE then key in the formula. Remember to add in the round brackets...
i.e. =([Quantity]*[Price per item])
5. Use the other itemms such as DECIMAL PLACES or FORMAT to complete what is asked.
So there we have a simple, straightforward way of doing a difficult task.
Also remember that the easier calculations such as SUM and AVG must be completed using SUMMARY OPTIONS when you are going through the REPORT WIZARD.
So if we are doing a complex calculation the first thing we do is:
1. Draw a LABEL
2. Draw a TEXT BOX (which corresponds to the LABEL)
3. Right click TEXT BOX and click PROPERTIES
4. In CONTROL SOURCE then key in the formula. Remember to add in the round brackets...
i.e. =([Quantity]*[Price per item])
5. Use the other itemms such as DECIMAL PLACES or FORMAT to complete what is asked.
So there we have a simple, straightforward way of doing a difficult task.
Also remember that the easier calculations such as SUM and AVG must be completed using SUMMARY OPTIONS when you are going through the REPORT WIZARD.
Tuesday, 5 January 2010
Burj Khalifa
The world's tallest building opened in Dubai.
The Burj Khalifa is 2,716 feet high, breaking Tapei 101's long standing record and even the CN Tower in Canada's record as the tallest man made structures.
The building is named after the leader of Abu Dhabi, who funnily enough paid some money to Dubai who owe £80 bn in the current credit crisis.
It begs the question of just how high engineering can go?
The Burj Khalifa is 2,716 feet high, breaking Tapei 101's long standing record and even the CN Tower in Canada's record as the tallest man made structures.
The building is named after the leader of Abu Dhabi, who funnily enough paid some money to Dubai who owe £80 bn in the current credit crisis.
It begs the question of just how high engineering can go?
In the News...
CHINA MANUFACTURING GROWING
Chinese manufacturing grew by the biggest margin in five years in December, fuelling growth expectations for the world's third-biggest economy.
The purchasing managers index (PMI) from HSBC Holdings and Markit Economics reported the fastest rate of growth since records began in 2004.
The index is based on a survey of more than 400 Chinese manufacturers.
The finding supports the view among some economists that China's economy could grow by as much as 10% this year.
ICELAND VOTE ON BANKS
Iceland's president has announced plans to hold a referendum on the payment of compensation resulting from the collapse of the country's banks.
President Olafur Ragnar Grimmson said he would not sign a controversial bill to repay $5bn lost by UK and Dutch savers in Icesave accounts.
The government has seen strong domestic opposition to the bill.
The Landsbanki bank, which ran the Icesave accounts, collapsed at the height of the banking crisis in 2008.
The money would have gone to the UK and Dutch governments who compensated Icesave holders following the collapse.
BONO CAUSES A NET STORM
Bono, frontman of rock band U2, has warned the film industry not to make the same mistakes with file-sharing that have dogged the music industry.
Writing for the New York Times, Bono claimed internet service providers were "reverse Robin Hoods" benefiting from the music industry's lost profits.
He hinted that China's efforts prove that tracking net content is possible.
The editorial drew sharp criticism, both on its economic merits and for the suggestion of net content policing.
AUSTRALIA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOWN
Australia's unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in November, as the country's economic recovery continued.
The jobless rate dropped to 5.7% last month, from 5.8% in October, as 30,800 new full-time jobs were created, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The figure surprised analysts, who had been expecting the unemployment rate to increase in November to 5.9%.
The latest figures raise the prospect that Australia will increase interest rates again.
Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates to 3.75% from 3.5% - the third month in succession that it had increased the price of borrowing.
Australia was also the first major economy to raise interest rates since the outbreak of the global financial crisis.
GOOGLE LOSES OUT TO CANADIANS
A Canadian company behind a search engine called Groovle.com has won a case filed against it by online search giant Google.
Google said the domain name used by the small business, 207 Media, was too similar to its own, but mediators the National Arbitration Forum disagreed.
In the complaint, Google asked for the judges to rule that 207 Media transfer the domain name over to it.
But three judges appointed by the forum refused the request.
They said the name was not similar enough to confuse people and the word 'groovle' was more closely linked to "groovy" or "groove" rather than Google.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
Chinese manufacturing grew by the biggest margin in five years in December, fuelling growth expectations for the world's third-biggest economy.
The purchasing managers index (PMI) from HSBC Holdings and Markit Economics reported the fastest rate of growth since records began in 2004.
The index is based on a survey of more than 400 Chinese manufacturers.
The finding supports the view among some economists that China's economy could grow by as much as 10% this year.
ICELAND VOTE ON BANKS
Iceland's president has announced plans to hold a referendum on the payment of compensation resulting from the collapse of the country's banks.
President Olafur Ragnar Grimmson said he would not sign a controversial bill to repay $5bn lost by UK and Dutch savers in Icesave accounts.
The government has seen strong domestic opposition to the bill.
The Landsbanki bank, which ran the Icesave accounts, collapsed at the height of the banking crisis in 2008.
The money would have gone to the UK and Dutch governments who compensated Icesave holders following the collapse.
BONO CAUSES A NET STORM
Bono, frontman of rock band U2, has warned the film industry not to make the same mistakes with file-sharing that have dogged the music industry.
Writing for the New York Times, Bono claimed internet service providers were "reverse Robin Hoods" benefiting from the music industry's lost profits.
He hinted that China's efforts prove that tracking net content is possible.
The editorial drew sharp criticism, both on its economic merits and for the suggestion of net content policing.
AUSTRALIA UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DOWN
Australia's unemployment rate fell unexpectedly in November, as the country's economic recovery continued.
The jobless rate dropped to 5.7% last month, from 5.8% in October, as 30,800 new full-time jobs were created, said the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
The figure surprised analysts, who had been expecting the unemployment rate to increase in November to 5.9%.
The latest figures raise the prospect that Australia will increase interest rates again.
Earlier this month, the Reserve Bank of Australia increased interest rates to 3.75% from 3.5% - the third month in succession that it had increased the price of borrowing.
Australia was also the first major economy to raise interest rates since the outbreak of the global financial crisis.
GOOGLE LOSES OUT TO CANADIANS
A Canadian company behind a search engine called Groovle.com has won a case filed against it by online search giant Google.
Google said the domain name used by the small business, 207 Media, was too similar to its own, but mediators the National Arbitration Forum disagreed.
In the complaint, Google asked for the judges to rule that 207 Media transfer the domain name over to it.
But three judges appointed by the forum refused the request.
They said the name was not similar enough to confuse people and the word 'groovle' was more closely linked to "groovy" or "groove" rather than Google.
SOURCE: BBC NEWS
Chile Copper Crisis
Since some pupils have started the Americas Adventure in S1 and they have been given Chile as a nation to investigate, there is a current crisis in one of Chile's largest copper mines.
The Chuquicamata mining complex produces about 4% of the world's copper and is estimated to have produced 565,000 tonnes of copper last year.
A strike is currently underway due to poor pay and conditions. The company who own the mine, Codelco, are unconcerned at present.
On Monday the 4th of January, the price of copper reached a 16-month high of $7,504 a tonne.
If the strike continues long term there could be global repercussions, but the company apparently have a large stockpile at present.
The Chuquicamata mining complex produces about 4% of the world's copper and is estimated to have produced 565,000 tonnes of copper last year.
A strike is currently underway due to poor pay and conditions. The company who own the mine, Codelco, are unconcerned at present.
On Monday the 4th of January, the price of copper reached a 16-month high of $7,504 a tonne.
If the strike continues long term there could be global repercussions, but the company apparently have a large stockpile at present.
Friday, 1 January 2010
Motivation for 2010
Happy New Year to everyone. 2010 is here!In 1910, it is rumoured that the above advert was placed in a London newspaper by Sir Ernest Shackleton, a famous Polar explorer.
Shackleton advertised for men to come on his Antarctic adventure and told the blunt truth. Long winter nights, safe return doubtful. Recognition only if we make it back!
Some 20,000 applicants applied. The original X Factor?
Some have argued about the veracity of this famous advert and indeed it may be apocryphal. However whether it is true or not it does somehow speak of a bygone age where to become rich and famous you had to work hard, have talent and actually do something. Sadly in the modern age of the Internet and Reality TV people can become "famous for 15 minutes" just like Andy Warhol said, even when having no discernible talent.
So why post this on the 1st day of the new decade?
To remind students, learners and young people in general that in order to achieve their potential and become successful, there has to be sacrifices and determination. You don't fluke it and become successful. Hard work lays the foundation for any future success. Natural talent is needed, yes. But practising, working hard and setting goals for oneself are vital. Aim for the stars and aim for excellence.
The good thing is that talent is not fixed. It can be developed and grown. David Beckham may be one of the best practitioners of a dead ball in world football, but that is partly down to his natural talent, but also to the hours he spent honing these skills from an early age.
So when it comes to Prelims and Exams, study. Don't rely on chance or natural talent. Give yourself the best opportunity to succeed. Practice. Study. And ask for help and advice from all your teachers.
You may not believe it, but we ARE here to help. It's called job satisfaction!
Have a great 2010.
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