Smart Home Heating System

Question: Write an article for an Interface Design magazine that describes how you designed and why you chose that particular interface. You will need to discuss how your design meets the user requirements and enhances their experience. You should mention what factors influenced your design, how they influenced it and why. You should discuss similar interfaces that have given you the ideas or elements that you have used. You will also need to discuss the reasoning behind your design and WHY YOU think that this design is the best solution to this particular problem. Answer: Smart Home Heating System: A Smart Device for the Smart Users When I started working designing something innovative, the idea of designing a smart home heating system came to my mind. I explored the relevant research topics and works of some reputed researchers and I found that a new smart home heating system is needed (A Summary of User Interface Design Principles, 1998). I also did a survey on the domestic uses of heating device and I found that there is a large number of people who use home heating system but the control devices are of old design and low life. Moreover, these devices need non-reusable batteries that needs to be changed frequently. For this reason, I decided to design a device that will not need these batteries, will have a smooth and attractive user interface and can be used easily by the users (Gremeau, 2012). The first idea that came to my mind was a new smartphone like device with a touchpad and rechargeable battery system. With this, the device can be recharged and reused for a long time. Another thing that came to my mi nd was designing a new system that will automatically instruct the heating device to close when one leaves the room and automatically start when one enters the room. For the innovation of design, I kept few things in mind: Innovative and Attractive Design The device must be innovative in design and attractive for interesting the customers. Moreover, the design must be unique in nature. I used a touch pad in the control device with a transparent background with an ultra-modern look. Affordable Prices I kept in mind people want products that are unique, innovative as well as affordable. Therefore, I designed the device such that the manufacturer can manufacture it easily at low expenses. Ease of Use The device must be easy to use and the customers must understand the instructions to use the device properly. Longevity The device must survive for a long period. In my design, I used rechargeable battery that can be charged again and again with long battery life. My design was inspired from the smartphones that use smooth touch screen interface with an attractive outer design. I used the same technique in my device. Moreover, I added software support to the device (Nielsen, 2012). I used a microcontroller chip in the device so that the device can be controlled from remote location with the help of the phone or computer. Again, I was inspired from auto switch mechanisms that automatically turn on or off when someone enters or leaves a room. I used similar mechanism in my device. It can be configured such that it can automatically switch on, off or hibernate according to users requirements. I added another feature to it, the gesture control (Sachs, Duvier, Cheney Akers, 2012). This is a new technique that is attracting a lot of people. So I decided to use it my device. After a lot of analysis, I added a software support that can be used from a smartphone such that the smartphone can be used as the remote control device. I also added security layers so that only a specific user can use it. For this, I added a login feature that must be used with a password. Finally, I gave a finishing touch to the device so that the interface gets an attractive look. However, I made sure everything are in place so that the users do not understand how to use it. Figure: My design as shown in a model smartphone Now coming to the commercial and social part, I kept in mind several aspects. Firstly, the cost of the system should be such that it is affordable to all levels of customers and the seller should make decent profit from the sales (Shan Seuken, 2007). Another aspect here is that, the uniqueness of a design as well as attractive interface will attract more customers to buy the product. Again, the reusable nature and long battery life will attract even more customers. Secondly, the design has to be easily understood along with an ultramodern outlook to achieve commercial success. Moreover, the uniqueness of design will help the seller to get ahead of the rival companies in terms of net sale of products (Teo, 2010). Again, the device should be easy to manufacture, or for the software support easy to program, with least possible manufacture cost to gain maximum profits. These are the basics that I kept in mind for developing the smart home heating system. I analyzed each factor and developed the device after a long period of research and survey. References Gremeau, L. (2012). Service Providers the Smart Home (1st ed.). NIELSEN, J. (2012).Thinking Aloud: The #1 Usability Tool.Nngroup.com. Sachs, O., Duvier, C., Cheney, K., Akers, C. (2012). Field Evaluation of Programmable Thermostats (1st ed.). Teo, T. (2010). A path analysis of pre-service teachers' attitudes to computer use: applying and extending the technology acceptance model in an educational context.Interactive Learning Environments,18(1), 65-79.

President Obamas Higher Education Agenda

Higher education in the United States of America has been dwindling for the last few years. This may be the major reason as to why President Barack Obama has turned his focus on improving education sector. He has been reinstating that economy of the United States of America relies heavily on education.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on President Obama’s Higher Education Agenda specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More His education goal of producing 8 million more graduates by 2020 is because America is currently experiencing shortage of skilled labor in the manufacturing sector which forms the basis for economic growth. Speaking at the University of Texas at Austin, he stated: â€Å"Education is an economic issue when nearly 8 of 10 new jobs will require workforce training or a higher education by the end of this decade† (Lee, 2010). He openly admitted that education standards in the United States of America have been declining over the past years. This has been proven by a drastic fall from position one to the current 12th position world wide over a short period of time. He remarked: â€Å"I want you to know we have been slipping. In a single generation, we’ve fallen from first place to 12th place in college graduation rates for young adults† (Lee, 2010). He, therefore, expressed his fears that countries with well streamlined education systems may become more prosperous than the United States of America. He claimed: â€Å"Education is an economic issue when we know beyond a shadow of doubt that countries that out-educate us today, they will out-compete us tomorrow† (Lee, 2010). However, President Obama’s goal of producing 8 million more college graduates by 2020 may not be achieved due to economic constrains. For instance, the current impact of inflation has led to negative effects on the U.S economy. This situation has been worsened by fluctuations of oil p rices which have also affected global economic status. Unemployment of young adults in the United States of America has also added its impact on the economy of the United States of America. As a result, the U.S Government has reduced its educational funding. Consequently, inadequate educational funding has led to a very great shortage of learning resources in educational centers. Almost all the States of America are experiencing challenges in the education sector (Cramer Elliot III, 2012). Therefore, educational standards in the U.S have been compromised. Some States have made remarkable efforts to generate extra revenue for supplementing National educational funding through increase of taxes.Advertising Looking for essay on government? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More However, very few improvements have been achieved. The K-12 education has been adversely affected by the shortage of funds because it receives the least share o f funds from the States’ budget allocations (Cramer Elliot III, 2012). It is, therefore, true to assert that the President’s brilliant educational objective will not be achieved unless educational funding is increased. Increase in educational funding remains a great challenge in virtually all States, thus this challenge has to be dealt with first. Though the President talked of designing effective strategies so as to ensure that students receive educational grants and loans, lack of enough learning resources in educational centers may impede developments in the education sector (Cramer Elliot III). President Obama’s Higher Education agenda may be made more difficult to be achieved by the current shortage of renewable energy resources. Nevertheless, President Obama believes that renewable energy sustainability holds the key to a stable economy (Lee, 2010). References Cramer, R. Elliot III, W. (2012). To Limit Debt, Promote Savings. Retrieved from http://www.in sidehighered.com/views/2012/02/10/essay-role-encouraging-savings-efforts-reduce-debt Lee, J. (2010, August 9) Re: President Obama on Higher Education in Austin: â€Å"We Are Not Playing for Second Place† [Web log post]. Retrieved from https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/blog/2010/08/09/president-obama-higher-education-austin-we-are-not-playing-second-place This essay on President Obama’s Higher Education Agenda was written and submitted by user Gloria F. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA)

International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) Definition The International Phonetic Alphabet is the most widely used system for representing the sounds of any language. A reproduction of the latest version of the International Phonetic Alphabet (2005) is available on the website of the International Phonetic Association. Abbreviation IPA Examples and Observations One of the most important achievements of phonetics in the past century has been to arrive at a system of phonetic symbols that anyone can learn to use and that can be used to represent the sounds of any language. This is the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA).(Peter Roach, Phonetics. Oxford Univ. Press, 2004)Though they are primarily designed for representing speech sounds (objective physical events), the IPA symbols are naturally also widely used for representing the phonemes of particular languages. For example, the initial consonant of English think is phonetically the dental fricative [ÃŽ ¸] for most speakers, and so the phoneme realized in this way is commonly represented as /ÃŽ ¸/. But note carefully that a conventional phoneme symbol consisting of an IPA symbol in phoneme slashes may not in fact be pronounced in the way the IPA symbol would suggest; for example, the phoneme at the beginning of English red is customarily represented as /r/, for orthographical convenience, b ut probably no native speaker of English ever pronounces this word with the trill [r]. . . . An IPA symbol in square brackets is (or should be) intended to represent a real speech sound accurately; an IPA symbol in phoneme slashes is just a convenient way of representing some phoneme in some language and may not be a faithful guide to phonetic reality.(R.L. Trask, Language and Linguistics: The Key Concepts. Routledge, 2007) See Also AlphabetPhonemePhoneticsPhonologyPronunciationSchwaSpeechWriting System

What would you do if you knew someone was not inspecting an aircraft Essay

What would you do if you knew someone was not inspecting an aircraft properly (a mechanic or pilot) How would you handle it as a manager What about as a co-worker - Essay Example I will make sure that this issue does not remain subdued but receives as much attention on the part of the higher authorities as possible (Tsang 2003). This is a very important thing and one should be on guard to report such basic mistakes that the mechanics and pilots commit on and off. As a co-worker, I would also do the same thing. I would speak to the mechanic or the pilot later but before that report the same anomaly to the higher authorities because it is my ethical responsibility and I must guarantee that I come equal to it no matter how difficult or strenuous the circumstances and situations turn out to be. In essence, my focus would be on maintaining close ties with my seniors so that no issues creep up at a later stage. These mistakes can cause fatal aircraft problems and thus proper care and attention must be paid beforehand to avoid any such mistakes and

Concept of Cultural Imperialism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Concept of Cultural Imperialism - Essay Example As connoted by Sarmela, â€Å"Cultural imperialism is the economic, technological and cultural hegemony of the industrialized nations, which determines the direction of both economic and social progress, defines cultural values, and standardizes the civilization and cultural environment throughout the world† (Sarmela 13). Hence, considering the instability and struggle of the various nations to understand and thereby react resourcefully towards the accreditations as well as criticisms made by foreign cultures, it can be affirmed that the aspect of cultural imperialism indeed plays a vital role. Contextually, it can also be regarded that forethought to the criticality of the concept (i.e. cultural imperialism), has been argued by various experts associated with different professional dimensions as a means to elaborate homogeny within humankind (Hawksley, â€Å"Conceptualising Imperialism in the 21st Century†). A philosophical explanation to the aspect also encourages the arguments on behalf of cultural imperialism, describing it as a fundamental aspect to energize human communication, harmony and socio-economic progress (Gilbert, â€Å"Cultural Imperialism Revisited: Counselling and Globalisation†). However, rather than being well thought-out in every industrialized nation, the concept of cultural imperialism has been mostly related with the philosophies considered by the United States of America in relation to its socio-economic progressive initiatives. ... itiative of ‘Americanization’, especially when relating to the socio-economic relationship between the US and the Middle Eastern Islamic countries. This particular concern can be critically analyzed with concern to the study conducted by Rauschenberger (1-35). According to Rauschenberger, many industrialized nations today have been inevitably influenced by the technological developments as well as the philosophical aspirations of America and other developed western countries, which are somewhat impulsively re-shaping the cultural rudiments of those developing nations. The examples include China, Saudi Arabia, France, Iran and Iraq among others. The rudiments of the alterations happening within the national contexts in effect of cultural imperialism, which is also referred as ‘Americanization’ can be identified with reference to the rapid progression of American retail chains, film industry as well as the channelization of societal paradigms in the internatio nal podium. It is worth mentioning in this regard that not all the nations have been convivial with such alterations, disregarding their ancient heritage and cultural rudiments for the sake of cultural imperialism (Rauschenberger, â€Å"It’s Only a Movie – Right? Deconstructing Cultural Imperialism Examining the Mechanisms Behind U.S. Domination of the Global Cultural Trade†). It is in this context that Islamic nations have often been disparaged in the international context as a major adversary of the US. Even a few of the terrorist attacks on America have been deliberated by the groups as fundamentally motivated by the â€Å"perceived American cultural imperialism† (Rauschenberger, â€Å"It’s Only a Movie – Right? Deconstructing Cultural Imperialism Examining the Mechanisms Behind U.S. Domination of the

Difference Between Love And Sex Theology Religion Essay

Difference Between Love And Sex Theology Religion Essay Peter Bertocci has explained the human experience of sex and explains the value of sex as part of the meaning of life. Regarding sex an end in itself Peter argues that more profound satisfaction is felt when the normal experience of sex lust is not primarily an end in itself but a symbolic expression of other values. Bertocci further explains the challenge in love which he explains through his progression of love in which marriage and its values are highlighted as an essentiality to protect sex and love. He argues that sex, love, marriage, family, and social responsibility are the key factors that bring stability in the society and nourish the values morality. He considers love as a an essential element to live, otherwise it will be a mere existence not living joyously. He argues for the place of marriage in society and emphasizes on the self regeneration of the partners through this novel relationship. In my opinion he really draws on personal experience and has a closed minded view. I disagree and will give reasons and arguments in my essay as to why I think that Bertocci narrates a story of an ideal situation. Difference between Love and Sex: Psychoanalysis asserts that love and sex can never be of same origin and character due to differences of decisive nature. Love and sex must be analyzed in their own purview and in their purest forms. Sex is related to biology related to some organism; love gives an emotional touch and a sign of individuals thoughts. Sex is used to eliminate the tense attitude; love can be used as an escape goat from ones own failure. Sex satisfies a person physically; love gives happiness. Sex has a broader meaning; special meaning is shown through love. Natures call can be answered through sex; culture is satisfied through love. Sex is known to millions; millions have not even heard of romance or love. Sex is arbitrary; love is always directed to someone. Sex gives relaxation; love grooms the personality. The taste and pleasure of sex cannot be called later while love can be recalled anytime even in thoughts if the lover is not physically present. Sex is an act; love is spiritual. Sex eagerness is f or a short time whereas love is continuous warmth. (Reik, New York: Grove Press.  1945)[1]. Can Love and Lust be combined? (Reik, p. 19), observes that if love and sex are combined, it is very difficult to assess that which has the most part or share, to be precise, during a sexual intercourse. I believe that it is purely dependant on our perception. It is our own mind and body that drives us to a particular point where we need to think that what should be combined and what should be separated. I believe that there are ways in which sex without love can be as joyous, fruitful and soothing as sex with love. So, the question as to the combination of lust and love, one cannot say that which is more dominating but one can say is that crude form of sex is generated after divorcing love from sex. Sex with Love: What Bertocci has explained about love is that through sex with love one gives in everything but Rollo May s  Love and Will  (New York: Dell Publishing Co.. 1969), says that one will always hold something back until the act is personal, and if we use this word personal instead of love, the context of sex is broadened and sex can be joyful even the partners are not lovers. May further argues that holding off something does not mean that sex will not be a pure sex. According to May (p. 311), relationship and intimacy are much more important factors than merely having sex with a person because of the impersonal society and it is unknown that the act of sex will satisfy the required needs of relationship and intimacy. But what one can say according to Mays stance that through love one is absorbed in another and isolation can be overcome through this. The irony of love is that one is at the same time losing oneself and absorbing the other in him. Mays writings show a lack of understan ding of how gratification can be achieved through sex without love. Analysis of Sex with Love: Like May many people in this world are unaware of the possibility of sex being a loving act even without being lovers to each other. As I mentioned earlier this is a traditional or closed mind view that sex without love is not as fruitful as sex with love. I reiterate my view that Sex without love allows the partners to have a more relaxing feeling. Contrasting to what bertocci, I would say that sex with love leading to a more chaining relationship which leads to taking each others pain, then placing your life in the basket of marriage which will land your life in the rearing of children. Bertocci further asks you to nourish the society through all these preceding acts of yours. Sadly, a true and a happy relationship of sex have been destroyed by the clogging views of writers such as May and Bertocci. Sex should be as free and motivating as a clear sky is available to the bird that goes high in strength and spirits to have a broader overview of the intricacies of this world. This fee ling takes me higher and regenerates the true spirit of life and makes me see what the believers of sex with love cannot see or visualize in their thoughts. Sex without Love: (Russell Vannoy, Buffalo: Prometheus, 1980) gives some of the examples from the papers of his students. I would like to mention a few; pleasuring my lover leaves me pleasure less as the mind is devoted to his satisfaction, thus disturbing the whole concept of sex. The deeper you get involve in other person and as the other is absorbed in you, the more a person is ceased to be a separate person, which is absolutely not encouraging and equally not satisfactory. The lovers gets cocksure and sometimes the girl does not feel horny, then if the lover pushes her and she refuses, is she getting selfish. I would say no because this might not have been the case with a stranger whom she did not love, a stranger cannot push you for something and one is at liberty to say no to stranger without worrying to dishearten him. Once a lover knows what you are capable of in the bed, he wants repetition whereas a new person will be attracted to the same demonstration. Self-sacrifice is common among lovers whereas no such sacrifice is required to be done during sex without non-lovers. (Casler, New York: Behavioural Publications, 1973), has argued that love is needed to satisfy the needs of personal insecurity. These needs are dictated to by the societal pressure and those without it are not considered an active part of this so called moral society. Caslers view shows that people getting loved or love someone are just trying to gain self-worth. With this attitude in mind the sex is most unfulfilling. Considering the older ages when women were not respected, how can males give respect to them in the shape of love? This has aroused women to write the most criticism on love. (Robert Solomon, Buffalo,  NY: Prometheus Books, 1976), writes that sexual encounters with strangers are the most satisfying ass there is fear, guilt and anticipation. Conversely sex with those we know and love is much less satisfying as the habits and reactions are known to each other which, nullifies the uniqueness among the partners. Moralists paints the picture of sex with a non-lover as crude and animalistic. They still have their view of having successful sex with only the ones you love and the other sex is never pure. Giving justification to love is just as hypocrite as actually doing hypocrisy during crude sex in love; one says that if I dont love her I am exploiting her, so he loves to make his sex justified is just another form of hypocrisy. The advocates of sex with love has not allowed the people to think to stop being selfishly loving others to justify the societys value system. Once this selfish behavior is outsmarted, only then a true loving act of sex could emerge without romantically being involved in the other partner. Many husbands perform crude sex and wives are left unfulfilled. The reason is that wives want a sensuous sex while men want manly, lusty sex which cannot be achieved as they get involved in each other and cannot push for the demands and now when married cannot change husbands. This situation leaves both thirsty for real experience in sex. Social Approval: Societys approval is considered necessary and the sex must be given the assent of the pure spirit of love. Otherwise the sex would animalistic and dirty. If this option is considered then, even in sex with love the partners remain unfulfilled and they are not spontaneous and guilt free. I believe that societys concept must not be involved in sex relationships, as it is only to strengthen the institution of marriage. Marriage will certainly make the experience of sex laborious although the society gives the assent of piety but will ultimately make the people who make the society unfulfilled with regards to their sexual satisfaction. Analysis of Sex without Love: I strongly believe that sex without love is much more fruitful and joyous than the sex with love. The reality is still that sex opens the doors for the people to happiness and gratification but when love comes and knocks the door and hugs sex, it suddenly engulfs sex and convinces to move to the next stage of sex with love. I reject this and say that this encompassing is just like going into a war which one choose for its own self without any reason. Conclusion The sex without love is the superior, mature and natural attitude which one must follow. The societys regeneration is indeed laid in the foundations of liberty and freedom of choice which can only be exercised when one has no restriction to follow a particular schedule or guidelines while having sex. I strongly believe in having sex without love for which I have argued in my paper after taking a view of the various aspects of what people want and what people face after taking a wrong decision of landing at a lovers corner.

Clothing in Hawthornes The Scarlet Letter Essay -- essays research pa

Clothing: A Form of Rebellion â€Å"Symbols are objects, characters, figures, or colors used by the author to represent abstract ideas or concepts.† Symbolism in literature is the depth and hidden meaning in any piece of work. The Scarlet Letter, by Nathaniel Hawthorne is a powerful and evocative novel laced with symbolism. The most obvious is the symbol of the scarlet letter itself, representing Hester’s sin of adultery. Hawthorne’s other symbols are less obvious and are very often obscured in the novel. Clothing is an important but often forgotten symbol in The Scarlet Letter. Clothing is defined as â€Å"garments collectively, clothes, raiment, apparel†¦ a covering† (dictionary.com). The second part of the definition, which describes clothing as â€Å"a covering† is the most relevant to its symbolism in the novel (dictionary.com). Hester is a seamstress and uses it as her source of income to support herself and her daughter Pearl. Hester uses clothing as a covering or escape from her sentence of having to wear the scarlet letter on her bosom all the time. The connotation of the word throughout the novel is a form of rebellion. Her work supplies an outlet for Hester’s artistic sensibilities, which she exercises in the work she does for others and in the clothes she embroiders for Pearl. With Pearl’s attire, Hester can give â€Å"the gorgeous tendencies of her imagination their full play† (Scarlet). Hester dresses Pearl in bright colors rather than the dark, drab colors that were so prevalently worn in Puritan society. In Chapter 1, the beginning scene of the novel, Hawthorne describes a group of Puritans in front of the prison. They were wearing â€Å"sad-colored garments and gray†¦hats.† Some were wearing hoods (Scarlet 42). Already Hawthorne is sh... ...l anyone of his crime. Moreover, clothing has vague significance because the reverend is wearing a black veil, like Chillingworth who wears black all the time, and that gives insight to his evil nature. In conclusion, clothing is used for multiple reasons in the novel. Hester uses it as a form of rebellion, it is her way to express her feelings through garments. In addition, it is her way of rebelling against Puritan society, by dressing Pearl in colors much not the norm to the society. In addition, clothing is also used to reflect character and situation in the novel. The clothes worn by Chillingworth and by the witch foreshadow their character. Colors of clothing are also important. The use of bright colors, such as crimson, and gold conveys how dissimilar Hester and Pearl are viewed by the Puritan society, which generally dresses in plain, emotionless colors.