 |
| From variuos pictures |
2008-12-19
2008-12-18
behind the wheel
what does a lexus driver usually handle driving through our village?
rrrrrright! a paper cup of coffee and a blackberry!
2008-11-16
VPA3: Grant_Letter
Image Search Lab
888 Boulevard Toupique, Jincourt, QC, H3J 7B7
514-555-5555
Montreal City Council November 9, 2008
800, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest
Montréal (Québec)
Canada
H5A 1J6
Attention: Mr. Robert Lamontagne, Director General and Treasurer
Subject: Grant for image search research and development
Dear Mr. Lamontagne,
On behalf of Image Search Lab (ISL), I am requesting a grant in order to support the successful start of our company and promote its continuing growth in the next two years. Founded in 2008, ISL, a Montreal based company, focuses on image search technologies.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our goal is to create a new technology which will make the image search as easy as the text search.
For this purpose we set as our objectives:
to develop an innovative, break-through image search engine based on the latest mathematical research in visual pattern comparison;
to provide an image database available for public access by internet.
TARGET POPULATION
ISL is oriented towards Hi-Tech companies and end users.
Our technologies of image identification and image background analysis help software companies create their own software products and services. For an instance, a software company can develop a face recognition solution to secure the entrance of a building. In the same way, an anti-piracy solution can facilitate organizations monitoring and proving facts of copyright breaching.
End users can also benefit by using our web site that hosts the image database and search engine. In particular, everyone can find a lot of images similar to a search sample in a split second.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
At the current stage, we need to involve another mathematician on full-time basis in the research and development process.
For the next quarter, we also plan to upgrade three computers in our virtual modelling laboratory.
Taking into account the increasing number of images stored in our web site database and the accordingly growing traffic, we have to quadruple the web server capacity by the end of November.
KEY STAFF
At the moment, ISL has on board two programmers, two mathematicians and two partners who manage and develop the business, and, at the same time, participate in all key processes of technological research and development.
All our staff graduated from leading universities and have sound knowledge in appropriate domains and proven records in complex long-term projects. My partner Daniel Champagne and I both have MBAs and we have successfully launched two software start-ups in the past.
PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS
We will send a report on current achievements in accordance with the project plan every quarter as well as a fiscal report of our expenses every year.
CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
From the beginning of 2008, ISL has developed the basic algorithms of visual pattern search and the model of a self-learning image search engine. Besides, we are going to advance the research on the algorithm to allow for a comparative analysis of poor quality and small-sized images.
The next step in our roadmap is to release the alpha-candidate of our image search engine in the form of a web service this December; D. Champagne responsible.
Moreover, we will have extended the image database on our server up to one billion images by the end of the year; A. Levinsky responsible.
CONCLUSION
ISL has already made its first successful step; however, for the time being, we really need $300,000 financial assistance for these activities in order to achieve our challenging objectives.
This grant will allow our company to steadily evolve and to focus only on our research in next two years despite the economical crisis.
We really believe that our results will give new blood to the IT industry on the whole. In other words, hundreds of Canadian companies will get an additional opportunity to successfully run their businesses.
APPENDICES
Key Staff Resumes
Organization Operating Budget
With best regards,
Boruald Levinsky
Partner
888 Boulevard Toupique, Jincourt, QC, H3J 7B7
514-555-5555
Montreal City Council November 9, 2008
800, rue de La Gauchetière Ouest
Montréal (Québec)
Canada
H5A 1J6
Attention: Mr. Robert Lamontagne, Director General and Treasurer
Subject: Grant for image search research and development
Dear Mr. Lamontagne,
On behalf of Image Search Lab (ISL), I am requesting a grant in order to support the successful start of our company and promote its continuing growth in the next two years. Founded in 2008, ISL, a Montreal based company, focuses on image search technologies.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
Our goal is to create a new technology which will make the image search as easy as the text search.
For this purpose we set as our objectives:
to develop an innovative, break-through image search engine based on the latest mathematical research in visual pattern comparison;
to provide an image database available for public access by internet.
TARGET POPULATION
ISL is oriented towards Hi-Tech companies and end users.
Our technologies of image identification and image background analysis help software companies create their own software products and services. For an instance, a software company can develop a face recognition solution to secure the entrance of a building. In the same way, an anti-piracy solution can facilitate organizations monitoring and proving facts of copyright breaching.
End users can also benefit by using our web site that hosts the image database and search engine. In particular, everyone can find a lot of images similar to a search sample in a split second.
PROJECT ACTIVITIES
At the current stage, we need to involve another mathematician on full-time basis in the research and development process.
For the next quarter, we also plan to upgrade three computers in our virtual modelling laboratory.
Taking into account the increasing number of images stored in our web site database and the accordingly growing traffic, we have to quadruple the web server capacity by the end of November.
KEY STAFF
At the moment, ISL has on board two programmers, two mathematicians and two partners who manage and develop the business, and, at the same time, participate in all key processes of technological research and development.
All our staff graduated from leading universities and have sound knowledge in appropriate domains and proven records in complex long-term projects. My partner Daniel Champagne and I both have MBAs and we have successfully launched two software start-ups in the past.
PLAN FOR MEASURING PROJECT RESULTS
We will send a report on current achievements in accordance with the project plan every quarter as well as a fiscal report of our expenses every year.
CURRENT PROGRAMS AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS
From the beginning of 2008, ISL has developed the basic algorithms of visual pattern search and the model of a self-learning image search engine. Besides, we are going to advance the research on the algorithm to allow for a comparative analysis of poor quality and small-sized images.
The next step in our roadmap is to release the alpha-candidate of our image search engine in the form of a web service this December; D. Champagne responsible.
Moreover, we will have extended the image database on our server up to one billion images by the end of the year; A. Levinsky responsible.
CONCLUSION
ISL has already made its first successful step; however, for the time being, we really need $300,000 financial assistance for these activities in order to achieve our challenging objectives.
This grant will allow our company to steadily evolve and to focus only on our research in next two years despite the economical crisis.
We really believe that our results will give new blood to the IT industry on the whole. In other words, hundreds of Canadian companies will get an additional opportunity to successfully run their businesses.
APPENDICES
Key Staff Resumes
Organization Operating Budget
With best regards,
Boruald Levinsky
Partner
VPA-2-Memo
Date: October 25, 2008
To: Luca Derette, secretary
From: John Doe, technical consultant
Subject: Message for Richard (Urgent!) and UPS Delivery
As you requested me to accept any calls during your absence, I accepted one yesterday. Some Ms. Lucien (I am not sure about her name) from Perfect Events Inc. called to Mr. Richard about their meeting in restaurant next Wednesday. She was a little bit nervous because she had unsuccessfully tried to reach him a few times. If I understood her correctly, she would like to re-arrange that meeting. Her cellular is 514- 911-0202. She asked me, too, to make a message for Mr. Richard. I suppose it would be much better if you will have Mr. President informed.
Also, please, do me a favour! Today I am going to work from home. I left a small box for delivery on your desk. I have filled in all needed address information, the delivery is paid by UPS; so, the only thing left to do is hand in this parcel to someone who will arrive from UPS this afternoon. If not, please, give me a call on my cellular 514 777-3330. Thank you in advance!
To: Luca Derette, secretary
From: John Doe, technical consultant
Subject: Message for Richard (Urgent!) and UPS Delivery
As you requested me to accept any calls during your absence, I accepted one yesterday. Some Ms. Lucien (I am not sure about her name) from Perfect Events Inc. called to Mr. Richard about their meeting in restaurant next Wednesday. She was a little bit nervous because she had unsuccessfully tried to reach him a few times. If I understood her correctly, she would like to re-arrange that meeting. Her cellular is 514- 911-0202. She asked me, too, to make a message for Mr. Richard. I suppose it would be much better if you will have Mr. President informed.
Also, please, do me a favour! Today I am going to work from home. I left a small box for delivery on your desk. I have filled in all needed address information, the delivery is paid by UPS; so, the only thing left to do is hand in this parcel to someone who will arrive from UPS this afternoon. If not, please, give me a call on my cellular 514 777-3330. Thank you in advance!
VPA1-MissionStatement
Founded in 2008, Image Search Lab (ISL) is a Montreal based company focusing on image search. Our goal is to provide a new technology in image searching based on cutting edge visual pattern recognition algorithms. It will enable Hi-Tech companies or end users to make image search as easy as text search.
A small team of programmers, mathematicians and managers have established their goal to develop an innovative, break-through image search engine. This will facilitate software companies to create their own products in image identification and image background analysis.
Day by day, increasing the database to billions of images ISL opens unlimited horizons in the use of visual information.
A small team of programmers, mathematicians and managers have established their goal to develop an innovative, break-through image search engine. This will facilitate software companies to create their own products in image identification and image background analysis.
Day by day, increasing the database to billions of images ISL opens unlimited horizons in the use of visual information.
2008-11-14
2008-11-02
Every Millimeter Counts
I do not know why but I have bought a few times shoes and boots a little bit smaller than I needed. It is a real torture to wear footwear that does not fit my feet. Especially for my left foot. It sounds crazy but it is real.
It happened in Russia, in Canary Islands, and, of course, here, in Canada, too. Last fall, when I was preparing myself for the cool Canadian winter, I bought a pair of Salomon winter boots. When I tried it at the store, it seemed me OK, but later, at home, I found out that it was too tight for me...
The customer service of the store told me that it was not possible to refund or exchange because I had already used the boots. Very interesting question, by the way, how one can know whether footwear is good without trying it. But anyway, I spent $130 on that. Sad but true.
Now, when the winter is knock-knocking at our doors, I went to a Sports Experts and bought something less cumbersome for my day-by-day street
A shiver runs up and down my spine when I read how many technologies were used in order to create this footwear!
I only hope that I shall not be all in a shiver when the real cold comes to town. Who knows what weather will be this winter?
It happened in Russia, in Canary Islands, and, of course, here, in Canada, too. Last fall, when I was preparing myself for the cool Canadian winter, I bought a pair of Salomon winter boots. When I tried it at the store, it seemed me OK, but later, at home, I found out that it was too tight for me...
The customer service of the store told me that it was not possible to refund or exchange because I had already used the boots. Very interesting question, by the way, how one can know whether footwear is good without trying it. But anyway, I spent $130 on that. Sad but true.
Now, when the winter is knock-knocking at our doors, I went to a Sports Experts and bought something less cumbersome for my day-by-day street
A shiver runs up and down my spine when I read how many technologies were used in order to create this footwear!
I only hope that I shall not be all in a shiver when the real cold comes to town. Who knows what weather will be this winter?
2008-10-30
Ubuntu 8.10 (Intrepid Ibex)
I have already downloaded the new release, and you?
Tonight, I am going to see it on my laptop.
About Ubuntu® 8.10 Desktop Edition
Tonight, I am going to see it on my laptop.
2008-10-24
2008-10-23
Bye-bye, Apple Software
Finally, I have wiped out to the hell all Apple software (iTunes and his brothers and sisters) from my workstation because it hinders me more than helps. At long last it was nothing else but unhandy. Bye-bye!
Finalement, j'ai enlévé tous les logiciels d'Apple de mon ordi (iTunes et ses parents) parce qu'ils me derrangaient plus que m'aidaient. Après tout ce n'était rien que inconfortable tout court. Adieu !
2008-10-19
Ecological Footprint
It is a very good idea to start from myself discussing one's ecological footprint. Everyone is always personally responsible for his or her impact on ecology. It does not matter who you are: an executive manager of a huge chemical company polluting the environment or just a little boy who is spitting out his chewing-gum on the grass in the park. Sure, the latter is much less dangerous for the nature but that manager was brought up from this little boy.
I am entirely persuaded that parents must work hard on a nature friendly way of thinking of their children, always showing them the tight link between the family's life-style and the ecological consequences. From the beginning it should fall into their habits: to consume less, not to pollute the environment, be responsible, to think about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and so on.
But I believe that is not just a one's decision to be or not to be a real friend of the nature: bad habits die hard. Now, I am going to tell a little bit about my ecological footprint.
First of all, I do not always think about my every day life activities from ecological point of view – that is the question!
I always ask a bag at stores notwithstanding I could have taken my own bag before going shopping. I like reading in the bathroom listening the sounds of the shower-bath water. I used to forget the light on in my rooms when I left them. I am too lazy to separate my garbage into three categories to utilize it properly. I often throw rotten food to the kitchen waste because I bought more than I could eat. I use an old car with big engine that consumes more gas that smaller ones. So, you see, I have to admit that I am not a good candidate for a role model.
Frankly speaking I was very surprised when I recently read an article in 24 hours or in Métro that almost all of Canadian political leaders did not have personal cars. Before I have been sure that having a big car was a must in the North America. So, my bad habits do not die but they can be changed at least. I will be eating less and working more so that I can afford to buy a new lean-burn car in the future. I hope I am changing in the right direction. Am I not?
I am entirely persuaded that parents must work hard on a nature friendly way of thinking of their children, always showing them the tight link between the family's life-style and the ecological consequences. From the beginning it should fall into their habits: to consume less, not to pollute the environment, be responsible, to think about tomorrow and the day after tomorrow and so on.
But I believe that is not just a one's decision to be or not to be a real friend of the nature: bad habits die hard. Now, I am going to tell a little bit about my ecological footprint.
First of all, I do not always think about my every day life activities from ecological point of view – that is the question!
I always ask a bag at stores notwithstanding I could have taken my own bag before going shopping. I like reading in the bathroom listening the sounds of the shower-bath water. I used to forget the light on in my rooms when I left them. I am too lazy to separate my garbage into three categories to utilize it properly. I often throw rotten food to the kitchen waste because I bought more than I could eat. I use an old car with big engine that consumes more gas that smaller ones. So, you see, I have to admit that I am not a good candidate for a role model.
Frankly speaking I was very surprised when I recently read an article in 24 hours or in Métro that almost all of Canadian political leaders did not have personal cars. Before I have been sure that having a big car was a must in the North America. So, my bad habits do not die but they can be changed at least. I will be eating less and working more so that I can afford to buy a new lean-burn car in the future. I hope I am changing in the right direction. Am I not?
A Good Kitchen Knife
Having good knives in the kitchen is an essential part of well-cooking, isn't it? Hah! Oh, yes, it is!
A couple of weeks ago my wife suggested me to take a look at a small knife at Walmart store. It was a forged one made by Sheffield.
I opened the plastic box, took out the knife and tried it - it was so good! The knife was heavy and solid: the sharp forged steel and nice to touch handle is a very successful combination. Sure, I bought it.
Later that day, at home, I tried the knife in the real kitchen life, and, now, I have a full right to say you that that is the real thing!
A few days later, I realized that I had tried to use it for ever type of cutting job. So, today, with no doubts I went to the store and I bought its senior 8" brother. (It does not cost so much)
It seems to me very close to be perfect. Can I add anything more? Oh, yes! It is a sword!
By the way, I bought another small one too. This time, as a present for my friend in a countryside.
N.B.: nobody paid me for this post. Yet...
A couple of weeks ago my wife suggested me to take a look at a small knife at Walmart store. It was a forged one made by Sheffield.
I opened the plastic box, took out the knife and tried it - it was so good! The knife was heavy and solid: the sharp forged steel and nice to touch handle is a very successful combination. Sure, I bought it.
Later that day, at home, I tried the knife in the real kitchen life, and, now, I have a full right to say you that that is the real thing!
A few days later, I realized that I had tried to use it for ever type of cutting job. So, today, with no doubts I went to the store and I bought its senior 8" brother. (It does not cost so much)
It seems to me very close to be perfect. Can I add anything more? Oh, yes! It is a sword!
By the way, I bought another small one too. This time, as a present for my friend in a countryside.
N.B.: nobody paid me for this post. Yet...
2008-10-17
Menu Global sur Papier Virtuelle
Finalement ! Je crois qu'on a reçu finalement ce dont je toujours rêvais: j'ai trouvé la version virtuelle d'un journal papier !
Je parle de JobBoom, magaizne hebdomadaire, qui me plaît beaucoup grâce à son style et au grand nombre des articles tout intéressants.
Cette fois, j'y ai trouvé l'analyse comparative sur Menu Global (pages 16-17). Il s'agit de : qoui on mange, combien d'argent on met pour épicerie hebdomadaire et quel part ça fait dans toutes les dépenses familiales dans des différents pays du monde.
Je n'ai pas réussi de trouver une version anglaise mais peut-être je n'ai pas tâché bien.
Je parle de JobBoom, magaizne hebdomadaire, qui me plaît beaucoup grâce à son style et au grand nombre des articles tout intéressants.
Cette fois, j'y ai trouvé l'analyse comparative sur Menu Global (pages 16-17). Il s'agit de : qoui on mange, combien d'argent on met pour épicerie hebdomadaire et quel part ça fait dans toutes les dépenses familiales dans des différents pays du monde.
Je n'ai pas réussi de trouver une version anglaise mais peut-être je n'ai pas tâché bien.
2008-10-08
Piroshki
Not so many Russian words have been denizened in English. I guess much less than English words in Russian. I am not going to ask you what you think about vodka. Just take a look at piroshki. (Google spell-checker is not satisfied but it gives me no alternatives!)
... and medovukha in the jar!
2008-10-04
Calendar Using
Hi A!
I hope everything is fine.
If you let me I could propose a little improvement suggestion for our information flow.
Maybe, it would be a good idea to use Calendar of WebCT to give us home tasks and to arrange deadlines for them?
I see a few advantages of that some of them are the following:
- easy: it works the same way as email does: title+description+date. I guess everybody use some kind of a calendar at work, therefore nothing new for us.
Moreover, if you are able to switch some 'visible/invisible for students' option, then it is a very powerful weapon.
- fast: it just takes a few seconds to add an entry, just not forgetting to send a reminder to us about news or changes if any;
- effective: any entry is always tightly linked to a date, then everybody can plan his or her own time to do the job.
In your turn, you can consider it as a 'live' report where you can always easily to change or correct whatever to be.
It can be used for marking a day as 'online' or 'in-class' and much more others.
I always do it for me - transfer all information from your emails to calendar events.
I wish it seemed to you rational.
Thank you very much and good weekend!
I hope everything is fine.
If you let me I could propose a little improvement suggestion for our information flow.
Maybe, it would be a good idea to use Calendar of WebCT to give us home tasks and to arrange deadlines for them?
I see a few advantages of that some of them are the following:
- easy: it works the same way as email does: title+description+date. I guess everybody use some kind of a calendar at work, therefore nothing new for us.
Moreover, if you are able to switch some 'visible/invisible for students' option, then it is a very powerful weapon.
- fast: it just takes a few seconds to add an entry, just not forgetting to send a reminder to us about news or changes if any;
- effective: any entry is always tightly linked to a date, then everybody can plan his or her own time to do the job.
In your turn, you can consider it as a 'live' report where you can always easily to change or correct whatever to be.
It can be used for marking a day as 'online' or 'in-class' and much more others.
I always do it for me - transfer all information from your emails to calendar events.
I wish it seemed to you rational.
Thank you very much and good weekend!
Utilisation Du Calendrier
Bonjour Mdme!
J'espère que tous va bien.
Si tu me laisse je voudrais proposer une petite suggestion pour améliorer nos communications.
Serait-il bon que tu utilises le Calendrier de WebCT pour nous donner nos devoirs et leurs derniers délais.
J'y trouve plusieurs avantages dont certains sont suivants:
- c'est facile: ça fonctionne à la même façon que le courriel. Je pense que tout le monde l'utilise en quelque forme chez le lieu de travail. Alors, je suis sûr que ce n'est rien de nouveau pour nous.
De plus, te pourrais avoir quelque option de changer le status d'une note comme 'visible/invisible pour les étudiants'.
- c'est rapide: ça prend seulement quelque seconds pour créer une note dans le calendrier, puis, tous qui est resté à faire est juste envoyer un rappel à tous - regardez votre calendrier!
- c'est efficace: chacune note de calendrier a toujours sa date, donc, tout le monde peut bien planifier son ouvrage. De ton coté, tu peut le considérer comme un 'vivant' rapport où te pourrais changer facilement n'importe quoi en incluant le statut 'en ligne/en classe'.
Je fais ça pour moi-même - trasfère toutes les informations que tu nous envoies au calendrier.
J'aimerais que ça te semblerait rationnel.
Merci beaucoup et bonne fin de semaine!
P.S.: Faute de mieux, c'était un bon exercice écrit pour moi, ha-ha!)
J'espère que tous va bien.
Si tu me laisse je voudrais proposer une petite suggestion pour améliorer nos communications.
Serait-il bon que tu utilises le Calendrier de WebCT pour nous donner nos devoirs et leurs derniers délais.
J'y trouve plusieurs avantages dont certains sont suivants:
- c'est facile: ça fonctionne à la même façon que le courriel. Je pense que tout le monde l'utilise en quelque forme chez le lieu de travail. Alors, je suis sûr que ce n'est rien de nouveau pour nous.
De plus, te pourrais avoir quelque option de changer le status d'une note comme 'visible/invisible pour les étudiants'.
- c'est rapide: ça prend seulement quelque seconds pour créer une note dans le calendrier, puis, tous qui est resté à faire est juste envoyer un rappel à tous - regardez votre calendrier!
- c'est efficace: chacune note de calendrier a toujours sa date, donc, tout le monde peut bien planifier son ouvrage. De ton coté, tu peut le considérer comme un 'vivant' rapport où te pourrais changer facilement n'importe quoi en incluant le statut 'en ligne/en classe'.
Je fais ça pour moi-même - trasfère toutes les informations que tu nous envoies au calendrier.
J'aimerais que ça te semblerait rationnel.
Merci beaucoup et bonne fin de semaine!
P.S.: Faute de mieux, c'était un bon exercice écrit pour moi, ha-ha!)
2008-10-02
FIDO, dollars and delivery
Being a customer of lovely FIDO, august 13th I have ordered one small thing (usb charger for my nokia - $45!) on their web-site for my FIDOdollars. they delivered me a charger for sony-ericsson. after a few calls in order to fix this issue, they delivered me an adapter. I have already called them 6 times and sent 2 emails totally concerning this problem.
Yesterday, I talked to a manager about that. She double-checked my order and delivery address once again and that's it. No confirmation, no number for tracking or something like that. Actually, I see no garantee that this time I would get what I wanted. Meantime, I have a tiny stock of FIDO stuff on my table. Ha-ha!
Just from my curiosity (I arrived from Europe), is it ok for local companies to have such bad-adjusted logistics processes? I have always thought that web-shopping is a thing which allows to sell everything 365/24/7 without any additional cost. By the way, recently they released a new online game.
Yesterday, I talked to a manager about that. She double-checked my order and delivery address once again and that's it. No confirmation, no number for tracking or something like that. Actually, I see no garantee that this time I would get what I wanted. Meantime, I have a tiny stock of FIDO stuff on my table. Ha-ha!
Just from my curiosity (I arrived from Europe), is it ok for local companies to have such bad-adjusted logistics processes? I have always thought that web-shopping is a thing which allows to sell everything 365/24/7 without any additional cost. By the way, recently they released a new online game.
2008-09-29
Corporate Social Responsibility – Nike In Focus
Considering CSR as a set of policies focused on measuring and controlling the economic, social and environmental impacts of corporate decisions, I have tried to analyze its standard regulations in Canadian companies.
I believe Nike, the world's largest producer of sports wear and equipment, is a shining example because this company holds its operations in more than 140 countries and declares CSR as a “core business objective”.
The most issues the corporation has for the time being are the working conditions and workers’ wage rates in developing countries which leave much to be desired in accordance with mass-media and non-governmental organizations’ critical articles based on the audit reports results.
I could hardly absolutely agree with these critics who suppose that CSR for Nike is just a kind of PR campaign since facts demonstrate that this transnational corporation really improved its reputation in the eyes of international community. But it is true that Nike responds to this criticism in a cost-effective manner. The company participates in CSR meetings around the world and develops remediation plans in order to attract much media attention and streamline own expenses. As a result, Nike spends 10 times less money than if it would decide to increase the workers’ wages.
As far as I can judge, CSR does not have any concise ‘standards’ therefore we can only compare the policies declared by a corporation with their implementation in real life. In this meaning, the best case scenario of the realization of the formula corporate + society = responsibility when a corporation provides the society with the absolute transparency of its business operations, and a local government ensures the control over economic, social and environmental consequences of it to act as a single point of accountability in the face of the nation.
I believe Nike, the world's largest producer of sports wear and equipment, is a shining example because this company holds its operations in more than 140 countries and declares CSR as a “core business objective”.
The most issues the corporation has for the time being are the working conditions and workers’ wage rates in developing countries which leave much to be desired in accordance with mass-media and non-governmental organizations’ critical articles based on the audit reports results.
I could hardly absolutely agree with these critics who suppose that CSR for Nike is just a kind of PR campaign since facts demonstrate that this transnational corporation really improved its reputation in the eyes of international community. But it is true that Nike responds to this criticism in a cost-effective manner. The company participates in CSR meetings around the world and develops remediation plans in order to attract much media attention and streamline own expenses. As a result, Nike spends 10 times less money than if it would decide to increase the workers’ wages.
As far as I can judge, CSR does not have any concise ‘standards’ therefore we can only compare the policies declared by a corporation with their implementation in real life. In this meaning, the best case scenario of the realization of the formula corporate + society = responsibility when a corporation provides the society with the absolute transparency of its business operations, and a local government ensures the control over economic, social and environmental consequences of it to act as a single point of accountability in the face of the nation.
2008-09-26
How to Become a Programmer
If you flirt with the idea of becoming a programmer but do not know where to start this article would be useful and interesting to you.
How to Become a Programmer
Unlike what you might find in some books and articles, programming can not be actually learned in 7, 21 or even 365 days[1]. It is a cumulative process that builds up your skills day after day and year after year. However, programming can also be fun and rewarding (mentally, spiritually and financially). This guide does not promise to give a magical easy way to becoming a programmer, and the ordering of the steps is not sacred, but you'll get a general outline of how to become a programmer in one of the modern programming fields
Interesting occupation and good salary. Really, why not?
Still reading the blog of http://www.wikihow.com
How to Become a Programmer
Unlike what you might find in some books and articles, programming can not be actually learned in 7, 21 or even 365 days[1]. It is a cumulative process that builds up your skills day after day and year after year. However, programming can also be fun and rewarding (mentally, spiritually and financially). This guide does not promise to give a magical easy way to becoming a programmer, and the ordering of the steps is not sacred, but you'll get a general outline of how to become a programmer in one of the modern programming fields
Interesting occupation and good salary. Really, why not?
Still reading the blog of http://www.wikihow.com
Husky
husky
1 croaking, croaky, gruff, guttural, harsh, hoarse, rasping, raucous, rough, throaty
2 (informal) beefy (informal) brawny, burly, hefty, muscular, powerful, rugged, stocky, strapping, thickset
English Collins Dictionary - English Definition & Thesaurus
2008-09-22
2008-09-20
English: Lean Word Manufacturing
Economy
Put an «X» beside each passage that clearly contains wordiness or undesirable repetition.
| Crying happens in both sexes. |
| Climate in Somalia is very hot and dry. |
| Society considers pit bulls to be killers because they have killed or fatally injured someone or another animal. |
| First Vancouver is multicultural. |
| Today in industrialized nations, 80 percent of the people live in urban area, while the rest in rural. |
| I closed my eyes to relive the incredible experience. |
| The front of the building faces north while the back south. |
| ok |
| In today’s society having a computer is crucial. |
| The best job I have ever had was at the London Public Library because of the interesting people who worked there. |
| Ok |
| The average wattage of a car sound system ranges 100 and 300 watts. |
| One of my favourite teachers I had last year was the calculus one. |
| Even though the novel Erewhom came under some criticism, the overall opinion was positive. |
| I must admit television as my only one addiction in life. |
| Ok |
| Ok |
| My grandmother limps quite a bit when walking because she once broke a leg. |
| Ok |
| Relationships are short-lived. |
| Ok (or After ten minutes in the cold, I could not feel my limbs.) |
| We find that some teachers are negligent of criteria essential to the students’ subject comprehension. |
| My 15 years old cousin Jason wants to have the latest clothes to look and feel good. |
| Ok |
| My dad says the quality of luxury cars sets them apart from economy ones. |
| Ok |
| A tax increase can create a black market or an underground economy. |
| Teenagers marry because of many reasons. |
| Many companies pollute the environment in harmful levels. |
| A trip to Mexico would be of a lifetime for us. |
| Ok |
| French, Japanese or Spanish are beautiful languages but I do not speak them. |
| Smoking is a major risk in pregnancies. |
| Winter is unique. |
| Speaking more than one language is a relative competitive advantage. |
| A family is something you will have forever. |
| The difference between a room with plants and without is extremely obvious. |
| Indonesia has only wet and dry seasons. |
| Politicians know they must lower taxes in order to be reelected. |
| A Chinese saying says, “A family that has an elderly person has a treasure”. |
2008-09-18
Busty Secretary Vacancy
Way to go, craiglist.com ! That's I'm lovin'!
(just afraid it will be deleted by their moderator):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are a leader in the adult industry and we are looking for a secretary. Image is everything so having an attractive busty secretary is a huge plus in our company marketing itself. We are #1 in our market space and have a staff that includes all good looking intelligent people. Ugly people may feel this is discrimination. I call it good business. Ugly people don't drive the cars I drive ;)
We pay very well and have a fun relaxed atmosphere in our office. We are looking for an energetic talented person that will fit the roll.
If you are interested please send us an email detailing why we should give you a shot. If you'd like to include a picture of yourself to improve your chances that's fine by us.
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ugly people may feel this is discrimination. - I am sure this awesome guy feels nothing. But anyway, 50K do not grow on trees!
(just afraid it will be deleted by their moderator):
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are a leader in the adult industry and we are looking for a secretary. Image is everything so having an attractive busty secretary is a huge plus in our company marketing itself. We are #1 in our market space and have a staff that includes all good looking intelligent people. Ugly people may feel this is discrimination. I call it good business. Ugly people don't drive the cars I drive ;)
We pay very well and have a fun relaxed atmosphere in our office. We are looking for an energetic talented person that will fit the roll.
If you are interested please send us an email detailing why we should give you a shot. If you'd like to include a picture of yourself to improve your chances that's fine by us.
Good Luck!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Ugly people may feel this is discrimination. - I am sure this awesome guy feels nothing. But anyway, 50K do not grow on trees!
Russian Tartar Emetic
some dictionary defines Russian as a person with a Caucasian body and a Mongolian soul. A Tartar Emetic.
what do you think of it my friends?
what do you think of it my friends?
2008-09-16
Unit 2: My Opinion On Randomly Chosen Article
Worrisome economic reports add to market fears in Canada, U.S.
As a matter of fact, the index of affordability which includes sales of new cars and houses has decreased significantly in the country what bears witness of the slump. The authorities assure there is no reason for awaiting something worse than it has been and the Canada’s economy is stronger than her American counterpart. I am not very good at the economics but I do not see any principal difference between them.
For my deeper concerns those bad economic reports do not bode well for us. All market indicators, first of all, like job growth, housing sales and prices are a little bit better in Canada than in the U.S. at the moment.
I could not say much about this steepest drop of the exchange indices but I am able to judge about my personal plans on buying my own home. Now, it seems to me more far away along with the last news on the market.
The only thing that always makes me surprised is the gas prices: despite all these news about oil prices drop below $95 per barrel, quite the opposite, they have still been rising!
I believe we have to prepare for bad times because as far as I can judge that is only the tip of the iceberg. I am not sure what the word recession means precisely but I guess the continuing growth of prices and of unemployment (thanks god not yet in IT industry!) are in this notion.
As to a number of the huge financial corporations bankrupting lately as falling apples from the tree and all that jazz I suppose it proves the theory on the capitalistic economy as the subject to periodic crisis. Good times bad times. We will go through it.
Our Professor
As usual, at the beginning everybody in a group has to tell a little about his or her own person to others to 'break the ice'.
No need to say how many nationalities and occupations are in our group. Ordinary canadian mosaic. But something interesting on our professor. She got BAC at McGill and Master's degree in Sydney, Australia where she taught as well as in Tokyo, Japan, Warsaw, Poland, Istanbul, Turkey, and Tver, Russia - what's a surprise!
She mentioned its name as Kalinin (former name, the city was named after Mikhail Kalinin, Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR). I wonder in what times she was there!
2008-09-14
An Interesting Question On OS We Still Have Not An Answer For
Searching for Google Chrome for Linux recently installed on my laptop I came across this blog posting A Web OS?.
The author maybe is a little bit aggressive, and therefore the text is stuffed with f-words too much but it gives the general view of how the OS environment are evolving - from simple to sophisticated and ineffective - disregarding of real user's needs.
The point I like most there is the following question:
"... when your Aunt asks why her 1.2GHz computer isn't fast enough to run an online word processor that has the same fucking features as the 1987 version of Corel WordPerfect, you don't have an answer for her."
I have not any answer. And you?
The author maybe is a little bit aggressive, and therefore the text is stuffed with f-words too much but it gives the general view of how the OS environment are evolving - from simple to sophisticated and ineffective - disregarding of real user's needs.
The point I like most there is the following question:
"... when your Aunt asks why her 1.2GHz computer isn't fast enough to run an online word processor that has the same fucking features as the 1987 version of Corel WordPerfect, you don't have an answer for her."
I have not any answer. And you?
2008-09-13
unit 1
I am going to post here my homeworks of the course I take in McGill University. Not to teach someone but rather to remember the material we pass through during the course English Grammar and Writing Techniques. Your comments are warmly welcomed and appreciated!
Since there is such a topic as Blog Writing in the course I believe this blogspot of mine will be useful.
So, this is the first one about good writing, the text taken from the anthology recommended by our professor to buy ($20) at McGill bookstore.
Simplicity Questions
1.What is the main argument or thesis of “Simplicity”? (Course pack p.111)
The gist of the article is the right way of writing. The good writing must be clear as reflection of clear way of thinking. It is not something given like a nature's gift but might be learnt by hard working.
2.List some examples of clutter. (Course pack p.111)
Too complicated texts of manuals, sophisticated style of insurance or medical plans, ciphered financial reports, and my favorite one – FIDO mobile plans.
3.How can a writer avoid clutter? (Course pack p.113)
In very simple manner – just to simplify the words themselves and the text entirely by means of which one tries to express thoughts. In any case, it should be started from clear thinking, then continued in clear writing, and finally, in iterative redactions in order to achieve the initial lucidity of mind.
4.Define the “common reader” and list some possible reasons a reader could become confused when reading a text. (Course pack p.113)
This is a person with very short average period (30 sec) of attention and many temptations to lose the latter like the following: TV, cellular, advertising, radio, internet and so on.
5.Provide examples of ways a writer can be careless. (Course pack p.113)
It can be in many forms. For example, the shoddiness when a reader may interpret a phrase in a few ways, or when a logical liaison is absent, or a reader just loses the sense because of verbiage or incorrect using of a word.
6.Why is the edited manuscript included in the “Simplicity” essay? (Course pack pgs. 114-115)
To show us the process of 'clearing' as it is in reality of a writer's life. How much work should be done before the text is accepted in final redaction.
7.What important questions should writers ask themselves? (Course pack p.116)
Is what I have written exactly what I wanted to say? Would it be enough clear for somebody else who reads it without my assistance? How much bigger could my honorarium be if I added some more words in this apparently too simple and short sentence?
8.What conclusions does the author of “Simplicity” come to? (Course pack p.116)
The author bewares us to be persistent on that long hard road that leads to good writing (good mention of the ancient proportion of inspiration and respiration in any action).
Since there is such a topic as Blog Writing in the course I believe this blogspot of mine will be useful.
So, this is the first one about good writing, the text taken from the anthology recommended by our professor to buy ($20) at McGill bookstore.
Simplicity Questions
1.What is the main argument or thesis of “Simplicity”? (Course pack p.111)
The gist of the article is the right way of writing. The good writing must be clear as reflection of clear way of thinking. It is not something given like a nature's gift but might be learnt by hard working.
2.List some examples of clutter. (Course pack p.111)
Too complicated texts of manuals, sophisticated style of insurance or medical plans, ciphered financial reports, and my favorite one – FIDO mobile plans.
3.How can a writer avoid clutter? (Course pack p.113)
In very simple manner – just to simplify the words themselves and the text entirely by means of which one tries to express thoughts. In any case, it should be started from clear thinking, then continued in clear writing, and finally, in iterative redactions in order to achieve the initial lucidity of mind.
4.Define the “common reader” and list some possible reasons a reader could become confused when reading a text. (Course pack p.113)
This is a person with very short average period (30 sec) of attention and many temptations to lose the latter like the following: TV, cellular, advertising, radio, internet and so on.
5.Provide examples of ways a writer can be careless. (Course pack p.113)
It can be in many forms. For example, the shoddiness when a reader may interpret a phrase in a few ways, or when a logical liaison is absent, or a reader just loses the sense because of verbiage or incorrect using of a word.
6.Why is the edited manuscript included in the “Simplicity” essay? (Course pack pgs. 114-115)
To show us the process of 'clearing' as it is in reality of a writer's life. How much work should be done before the text is accepted in final redaction.
7.What important questions should writers ask themselves? (Course pack p.116)
Is what I have written exactly what I wanted to say? Would it be enough clear for somebody else who reads it without my assistance? How much bigger could my honorarium be if I added some more words in this apparently too simple and short sentence?
8.What conclusions does the author of “Simplicity” come to? (Course pack p.116)
The author bewares us to be persistent on that long hard road that leads to good writing (good mention of the ancient proportion of inspiration and respiration in any action).
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