Timeline of Important Dates in Microsoft History

This timeline shows the main events in Microsoft history. 1975: Microsoft foundedJanuary 1, 1979: Microsoft moves from Albuquerque, New Mexico to Bellevue, WashingtonJune 25, 1981: Microsoft incorporatesAugust 12, 1981: IBM introduces its personal computer with Microsofts 16-bit operating system, MS-DOS 1.0November 1983: Microsoft Windows announcedNovember 1985: Microsoft Windows version 1.0 releasedFebruary 26, 1986: Microsoft moves to corporate campus in Redmond, WashingtonMarch 13, 1986: Microsoft stock goes publicApril 1987: Microsoft Windows version 2.0 releasedAugust 1, 1989: Microsoft introduces earliest version of Office suite of productivity applicationsMay 22, 1990: Microsoft launches Windows 3.0August 24, 1995: Microsoft launches Windows 95December 7, 1995: Internet by launching internet explorer a web browser.June 25, 1998: Microsoft launches Windows 98Jan. 13, 2000: Steve Ballmer named president and chief executive officer for MicrosoftFeb. 17, 2000: Microsoft launches Windows 2000June 22, 2000: Bill Gates and Steve Ballmer out line Microsofts .NET strategy for Web servicesMay 31, 2001: Microsoft launches Office XPOct. 25, 2001: Microsoft launches Windows XPNov. 15, 2001: Microsoft launches XboxNov. 7, 2002: Microsoft and partners launch Tablet PCApril 24, 2003: Microsoft launches Windows Server 2003Oct. 21, 2003: Microsoft launches Microsoft Office SystemNov. 22, 2005: Microsoft launches Xbox 360Jan. 30, 2007: Microsoft launches Windows Vista and the 2007 Microsoft Office System to consumers worldwideFeb. 27, 2008: Microsoft launches Windows Server 2008, SQL Server 2008 and Visual Studio 2008June 27, 2008: Bill Gates transitions from his day-to-day role at Microsoft to spend more time on his work at The Bill Melinda Gates FoundationJune 3, 2009: Microsoft launches Bing search engineOct. 22, 2009: Microsoft launches Windows 7June 15, 2010: Microsoft launches general availability of Office 2010Nov. 4, 2010: Microsoft launches Kinect for Xbox 360Nov. 10, 2010: Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7Nov. 17, 2010 : Microsoft announces availability of Microsoft LyncJune 28, 2011: Microsoft launches Office 365

Global Warming and the Kyoto Treaty - 586 Words

Global Warming and the Kyoto Treaty Global warming is the increase in temperature of Earth’s atmosphere, and the Kyoto Treaty was made to reduce greenhouse gases, and have the climate that all living things have come to rely upon, back on track. After decades of ongoing research and debate, scientists have not been able to figure out what causes global warming. The only conclusion that has been made is the fact that greenhouse gases emitted by humans have led to deadly consequences. Thus, 189 United Nations member states have signed an agreement aimed at combating global warming. However, some countries have not ratified the treaty, leading to political dispute over global warming. Gases in the earth’s atmosphere help control Earth’s temperature. It all starts off with sunlight that is absorbed by land and water. The earth’s surface warms up and gives out energy called infrared radiation. The energy is eventually released back into space, and then trapped by greenhouse gases. It is important to remember that some greenhouse gases are needed, or else Earth would be too cold for plants and animals to live. The problem is extra carbon dioxide and other gases. As extra greenhouse gases trap more heat, the whole planet becomes warmer. As the greenhouse effect is stronger, Earth’s natural balance is upset. The problem is huge and happening only because greenhouse gases are overloading the atmosphere (epa.gov). It is unfortunate that humans are mainly responsible for globalShow MoreRelated Global Warming and the Kyoto Treaty Essay2786 Words   |  12 Pageseach. Unfortunately, the weather does not work that way. Hurricane Katrina alone may have cost one hundred billion dollars (Tucker 13). What could be causing these devastating storms? Many atmospheric scientists like Kerry Emanuel believe that global warming is the cause of the increased ferocity of the hurricanes (Nash 38). With the polar temperatures increasing the icecaps are melting. Without the ice to reflect the suns light, the water absorbs the heat. This creates a vicious cycle. The oceanRead MoreThe Kyoto Protocol Essay1388 Words   |  6 Pagespaper examines the Kyoto Protocol and the United States position on their participation in the Kyoto Protocol. To understand the underpinnings of the Kyoto Protocol one must agree that our planet is warming, and we (its citizens) are contributing to its warming. Any general argument abou t global warming has to address at least the following five questions: 1. Is global warming really occurring? 2. If global warming is occurring, are humans responsible for it? 3. If global warming is occurring, whatRead MoreKyoto Protocol And Its Effect On The Earth s Natural Cycles999 Words   |  4 Pages20th century, global changes were measurable. This marked the beginning of the â€Å"Anthropocene†, and era where human activity became a force affecting the Earth’s natural cycles. One of these changes is a global planetary warming, causing more frequent droughts or heavy rains depending on the locations, ice cap melting at the Earth’s poles and rising sea levels, triggered by the emission of massive amounts of man-made greenhouse gases, mostly carbon dioxide (Holland 2015). This warming impacts everyoneRead MoreGlobal Warming And The Kyoto Protocol1470 Words   |  6 Pagesthe global warming agenda and tackle the issues surrounding the Kyoto Protocol. The second part will look at climate change and the protocol from the respective lenses of realism and liberalism. I will argue that while none of the theories precisely covers the entirety of the issue, each provides helpful analysis falls short of clarifying the entire climate change picture. Can states cooperate effectively through the structure of the Kyoto protocol to solve an international problem of global warmingRead MoreGlobal Warming Is The Heating Of The Atmosphere870 Words   |  4 Pages Global warming is the heating of the atmosphere through the increase or surplus of greenhouse gases. Acting as a blanket trapping heat that would normally escape the Earth. These greenhouse gases are a result of excessive burning of fossil fuels, to fuel our technological dependent lives. This results in an increase in Earth’s average temperature which causes the melting of the polar ice caps, rising sea levels,longer and more damaging wildfire seasons,more frequent and intense heat waves, heavierRead MoreUnderlying Problems of the Kyoto Protocol1481 Words   |  6 PagesFor the past years, global warming and climate change became important issues of science and the environment. However, with the realization of the possible threats it poses to humankind in general, global warming gained international significance. Climate change is a global problem that requires a global response embracing the needs and interests of all countries (Boer, 2008). Countries around the world, convinced by the threats of the global warming, choose to act hand-in-hand to face to the issueRead MoreKyoto Protocol : Global Climate Change1146 Words   |  5 PagesKyoto’s Consequences After growing concern over global climate change, the Kyoto Protocol was proposed in 1997 and ratified in 2005. The protocol was created to address the issue of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, specifically aiming to reduce these emissions globally by giving each country specific goals and percentages of reduction by 2012 relative to 1990 GHG levels1. The need for a global policy stems from the systemic type of environmental problem being dealt with2. Although GHGs are createdRead MoreThe Kyoto Protocol: An Attempt to Manage Global Warming Essay1010 Words   |  5 PagesThe Kyoto protocol is one of the most important treaties signed in contemporary days. It has great limitations and is yet to evolve to another level, but it addresses an issue that affects not one, two or ten countries – it affects the entire world. That is why countries have to work and cooperate to create a binding legal document that sets specific standards to greenhouse gas emissions. In recent decades we have witnessed a gradual change in our environment. Our planet is heating up very quicklyRead More Global Warming: Climate Change is Happening Now Essay1098 Words   |  5 PagesI believe the world is being faced with a serious issue of global climate change due to the greenhouse effect. The greenhouse effect is a naturally occurring process in the Earths atmosphere that warms the planet. Without the greenhouse effect, on average, the Earths surface would be about 60oF colder. The greenhouse effect occurs when visible light from the sun passes through the atmosphere and is absorbed by the Earths surface. Some of that energy is then sent back to the atmosphere as heatRead MoreKyoto Protocol : A Global Problem917 Words   |  4 PagesKyoto Protocol: Introduction: 1. The problem of Global Warming has been one that has increased dramatically throughout the past 150 years. This is thought to be due to increased industrialisation throughout the world in this time and this is backed up by the fact that approximately 97%(NASA, n.d.) of scientists worldwide believe that it is strongly likely the increasing global climate is due to human activity. International cooperation is required in order to solve the problem of global warming

Deming Concept Free Essays

W. Edwards Deming was considered to be way ahead of his time. His philosophical ideas were also considered radical in the United States during the 1950’s, but were quickly adopted by Japan. We will write a custom essay sample on Deming Concept or any similar topic only for you Order Now He developed what later became known as Deming’s 14 points, that would later launch the Total Quality Management Movement in the United States, which were not actually accepted until the 1980’s. One of his philosophies that I found interesting was Point #5: â€Å"Improve constantly and forever the system of production and service, to improve quality and productivity, and thus constantly decrease costs. This philosophy was foreign in the 1950’s, where managers’ philosophy was focused more on power and control. Deming’s concept leaned more towards a teacher/student relationship, instead of the power and control focus of his time. Humans are very resistant to change however, and that is why I feel this is an important concept that some companies still struggle with today. My employer for example, Lowe’s Distribution Center, has some managers that don’t like to change processes because â€Å"it is the way they like it to be done†. Deming’s philosophy involved a new focus, which involved management to constantly be looking for improvements that can be made in both their processes, and technology that would reduce cost. Our computer system that controls every function in our facility is about 22 years old, and is outdated to the point where it has employees repeat steps to convince the computer system the task has been completed. Inefficient methods lead to higher cost. Higher costs in turn seem to add to our society’s need for power and control, resulting in increased pressure on team members to make up for the inefficiencies of the system. At this point, team members than reduce quality to meet increased expectations, resulting in decreased customer satisfaction. The long-term result involves lower profit margin and decreased sales, which all could have been avoided if Deming’s points were followed in the first place, by replacing or updating the equipment. Deming’s philosophy also referred to the service industry. If improvements were made to meet the expectations of customers, than overall costs would be decreased. This is commonly still seen today with new technology being put on the market, only to be recalled later when it is tested and announced to be â€Å"unsafe. For example, the recall of the Toyota model Prius, which was found to have quality issues with the clips that hold the floor mats in place. If the clips came loose, the mats could slide and hold down the accelerator, which risked causing an accident. This recall was estimated to cost Toyota around two billion dollars, as well as a loss o f $100,000 in sales in both the U. S. and Europe. Imagine if Toyota had invested more in the quality side of producing the clips, and the savings that would have came with it. Deming’s philosophies triggered the Total Quality Management movement in the 1980’s. Beforehand, factories focused solely on productions numbers, without even taking quality into consideration. I can see why Deming’s ideas weren’t accepted at first, if you think back to how things probably were in the 1950’s. Not to mention the increased costs that comes with higher quality. For example, a shoe factory probably only had two options for shoes, black or white. Now we have a large selection of brands to choose from, each representing a different level of quality. With the focus now being on quality, businesses can provide a higher level of customer satisfaction, bringing different levels of quality to meet their customer’s budget, as well as expectations. Having strict levels of quality guidelines in the service industry, especially in fast food, customers are more reassured that they are consuming food that is safe, and has met requirements set by health inspectors. Deming’s philosophies have also made our business processes more efficient. Businesses today focus on the future, and predict possible changes they would need to adopt to survive. Technology is constantly changing, and is also bringing a higher level of quality to both manufacturing and service industries. In conclusion, I think Deming’s philosophies are vital today to businesses survival. For a business to get ahead of the competition, they need to not only be efficient, but also possess a certain level of accepted quality by consumers. Quality continues to improve as new technology emerges on the market, and processes are continually evaluated. Any business would benefit by following Deming’s 14 points. How to cite Deming Concept, Papers

Positive Government Security Life Assuranceâ€Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Positive Government Security Life Assurance? Answer: Introducation Issue: on the basis of the facts that have been provided in this question, the issues that have to be resolved include the question if the contract created by Mary with Canberra Van Rentals Sales Pty Ltd. regarding the purchase of three armored vans. Similarly, Heritage Pty Ltd also wants to know if it can recover the value of the diamonds that No Worries Storage Pty Ltd. have given to Mary before she left the company and disappeared. Rule: it is important for the directors of corporations that they should be aware of the risk that in some cases, the company may incur liability even without the knowledge or consent of these directors. There are certain provisions present in the Corporations Act, 2001 (Cth) in this regard. These provisions allow the persons having dealings with a corporation to rely on a particular document in such government appears to be executed duly even if in reality, it was not. In this regard, the decision given in Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Frenmast Pty Ltd (2013) by the Court of Appeal is very significant. In this case, the court had considered the relevant provisions of the Corporations Act and arrived at the conclusion that the bank can be allowed to rely on a guarantee even when the signatures of one of the director's on the guarantee document had been forged. In practice, a company generally enters into a contract with outsiders through an agent who is acting on behalf of of the corporation. A contract can be described as being binding on the corporation gave such a contract has been created by an agent who has the authority provided by the company. But such a situation sometimes results in problems for the outsiders who want to enter into a contract with the corporation through the agent of audit company. In many cases, the company tries to deny the authority of the agent as it wants to stay, contract later on. As a result, it is important that the outsiders feel certain that the agent creating the contract has actual or ostensible authority to bind the company regarding the transaction. It is said that actual authority has been provided to the agent when a consensual agreement or a contract is present. The actual authority of the agent may arise as a result of the internal governance rule present in the Corporations Act, the internal go vernance rule that may be mentioned in the Constitution of the company or any authority that is the result of the consent given on behalf of the company, for example by the board of directors, that has the actual authority to give such consent. Details may be provided express or implied, actual authority to act on behalf of the company. At the same time, the law also protects the outsiders. In order to balance competing policy issues. In this regard is that of competing issues that need to be balanced. First is the promotion of business convenience that would otherwise be endangered if the persons, who are dealing with the corporation, were required to investigate the internal proceedings of the corporation in order to satisfy themselves that the agent has the actual authority and regarding the validity of instruments. The second interest is related, protecting the innocent shareholders of the company as well as its creditors. The common law, indoor management rule needs to be explained at this point. Under the common law, when an outsider enters into a contract with an agent who is purported to be acting on behalf of the company, but whose lacks the relevant authority, the contract was voidable at the option of the company. However it was felt to be a very hard outcome for the outsiders (particularly the creditors) , who were dealing with the corporation in good faith and that they had no means to certify if all internal approvals have been taken and the requirements satisfied. In order to deal with this,, latte mugs with the Indoor Management Rule. This rule was provided in Royal British bank v Turquand (1856). This rule provides that when a board of directors offer corporations wants to provide actual authority to an agent, there are certain procedural conditions that need to be satisfied. In case these conditions are strictly applied, they may require that (i) the directors should be appointed properly; (ii) there should be a properly convened meeting of the board; (iii) the members of the board should be informed properly; and (iv) : should be present before anything has been decided by the directors. However, the issue arises how a bona fide outsider can be expected to establish all these requirements and any other conditions. Therefore the indoor management rule provides that when an outsider is dealing with a company in good faith, and when the outsider does not have any notice or reasonable grounds to suspect the presence of any impropriety or irregularity, is not impacted by the presence of any such actual impropriety or irregularity regarding the internal management of the company. This means that the outsiders are not with what to check if all necessary internal action was taken and they can assume that all the necessary internal steps have been taken. In the present case, Mary was a director of Heritage. It was mentioned in the constitution of the company that before entering into a contract for more than $50,000, the prior approval of the board will be required. However, going against these instructions, Mary decides to enter into a contract with Canberra Van Rentals Sales Pty Ltd. for purchasing three armored vans at a price of $100,000 each. Now Mary had disappeared and Heritage wants to know if it is bound by the contract, particularly in view of the fact that any contract over $50,000 required the approval of the board. Although the Indoor Management Rule that has been incorporated in section 129, Corporations Act allows the outsiders to assume that all the internal regulations are fulfilled. If properly appointed agent is going to enter into transaction on behalf of the company. But in the present case, the manager of Canberra Van Rentals Sales Pty Ltd., Mike has a suspicion if Mary would have been allowed by the company t o place such a big order. In his hurry to get a bonus for the sale, Roger decides to enter into the contract anyway, without making further inquiries regarding the authority of Mary. As a result, the protection provided to the outsiders by section 129 is not available in this case. As a result, Heritage can avoid this contract on the basis of the fact that Canberra Van Rentals Sales Pty Ltd. had entered into the contract under suspicious circumstances in which it may further inquiries regarding the authority of Mary. Regarding the contract created with No Worries Storage Pty Ltd, when Mary had watched the signatures of Peter and withdrawn the stock of diamonds, the law provides that the outsider may rely on forged signatures even if the signatures of one of the director have been forged (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Frenmast Pty Ltd., 2013). Therefore, Heritage Pty Ltd may not be able to recover the value of diamonds from No Worries Storage Pty Ltd. Issue: The facts that have been presented in this question result in two issues. According to the first issue, it needs to be seen if Peter Jones can enforce a particular provision of the Constitution of sparkles limited period has been mentioned that a contract for three years of supply of stationary has been given for the company. But Peter finds that the company has decided later on to purchase all its stationery from Office Pax Ltd. The next issue that is present in this question is related with the rights and remedies that may be provided Peter as a minority shareholder of Sparkles Ltd. The director of the Corporation is going to sell a rare sapphire to his nephew for a price of $5000 when its real value is around $100,000. The company is not willing to take any action against the director. Rule: in context of the first issue mentioned above, it has been provided by s140(1)(c), Corporations Act that effect of the Constitution of the Corporation can be described as contract formed between the corporation and its members. Hence, the provisions that have been mentioned in the Constitution are binding for the company and for its members to the same extent as if they were the covenants. Therefore, it can be said that the company's Constitution amounts to a contract that is formed between the corporation and its members as well as members inter-se. The facts of Eley v Positive Government Security Life Assurance Co Ltd (1876) can be used to give an example of this situation. In this case, the articles of the company provided that Mr. Eley will continue to act as the solicitor of the company throughout his life. After some time, he also became a member of the company. Then the other directors decided that some other person needs to be appointed as the solicitor. As a result, El ey initiated action against the company for breach of contract, claiming the terms of the article. But while deciding the case, the court was of the opinion that these provisions cannot be imposed by Eley. The reasoning of the court was that he wanted to enforce its rights in his position as the solicitor of the Corporation and not as its member. The court had reiterated this position in Browne v La Trinidad (1887) also. In case of deciding issue mentioned above, Peter Jones can be said to be facing minority oppression. He has only 5% shares in the company. The majority members of the company have decided to sell a rare sapphire for $5000 when the real price of the stone was around $100,000. The company is not ready to take any action against the director. Hence, it is clear that Peter Jones is a victim of minority oppression. Several remedies have been provided by the law to minority shareholders when the majority is misusing its position in the company or uninvolved in breach of their duties. The oppression remedy has been mentioned in Part 2 F, Corporations Act. It provides considerable safeguards regarding the rights of minority shareholders. According to section 234, the persons who can apply for an order under s232 have been mentioned. These persons include a shareholder of the Corporation. S232 provides that make grant relief to the applications it. It is of the opinion that the affairs of the company are being conducted in such a way or there is any proposed the formation of the resolution that can be considered the contrary to the shareholders interests as a whole are then it can be described as oppressive, discriminatory or prejudicial against a particular shareholder or shareholders. Application: in this case, it cannot be claimed by Peter Jones that the decisions of directors that sparkles Ltd. will purchase all its stationery from Office Pax Ltd can be treated as oppressive conduct. Similarly, Peter cannot enforce a term of the Constitution of the company got into which it has been mentioned that a three-year contract regarding the supply of stationery will be given Peter. This contract cannot be enforced by Peter. On the other hand, the issue related with the decision to sell a rare sapphire to the nephew of the director for $5000 only when the real value of the stone was nearly $100,000, the conduct can be described as oppressive. Moreover, the director is also thinking of selling a Ruby to his niece for $8000 when the real price of the Ruby was nearly $40,000. This director has 65,000 shares in Sparkles Ltd.. The company secretary of partners Ltd. also refuses to take any action in this regard. Hence, this decision can be considered as against the interests of the shareholders of the Corporation. Similarly the conduct can also be described as oppressive, discriminatory and, prejudicial. Consequently, the remedies that have been provided to the minority shareholders who have the face minority oppression are also available to Peter Jones. Conclusion: In this case, Peter Jones can see the remedies for minority oppression provided by the Corporations Act, but he cannot enforce the terms of the Constitution of Sparkles Ltd. according to which a three years contract should be given to him. References Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Ltd v Frenmast Pty Ltd [2013] NSWCA 459 Browne v. La Trinidad, Management 37 Ch D 1 (CA) Eley v Positive Government Security Life Assurance Co Ltd (1876) 1 Ex D 88 Royal British Bank v Turquand (1856) 6 EB 327 Legislation Corporations Act, Business-law Section 140(1)(c), Corporations Act, 2001 (Cth) Section 129 Corporations Act, 2001 (Cth)