Thursday, August 8, 2019

Research Methods -Research Critique Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Research Methods -Research Critique - Term Paper Example The research is characterized by biases in different aspects. The biases are depicted through non-randomness problem stating and investigation. Also, the unbiasedness of the research contributed to an imbalanced nature in the sense that the buffer group had four areas, the control group three areas while the treatment group had only one area. The three areas used collective qualitative data type. This data type consisted of both the independent and independent variables. The reader of the data can be able to verify it thus proving that the data source was reliable. The reader can also be able to compare the data with others data’s enhancing it verification ability. The process used involved the choosing of buffer areas. The areas were used to estimate the extent of displacement benefit. The collected rates were later summed up to provide compounded measure of individual death rate inside the buffer area. Adequate samples were collected which gave enough and relevant data, this made the sampling procedure used the best for that study. Dependent variables that provided enough information included the BSI tracking system and the State and National vital registration. Sufficient statistical figures were obtained from these sources. The dependent variables were directly related to the research making the information they provided first hand. Two assessments were done to get essential research findings. The first assessment showed that the BSI program contributed to a significant reduction in immigrant’s death rate. The second evaluation also showed a reduction in immigrant’s death rate due to a fast response of bolster agent. Traditional research execution methods were adhered to making the data from available sources reliable. The greatest limitation is that the effort by all the parties in the border trying to save immigrants lives are not recognized. The research only focuses on the two primary assessment

Wednesday, August 7, 2019

The Power of Illumination in Poetry Essay Example for Free

The Power of Illumination in Poetry Essay The stunning power of illumination found in poetry is a luxury for readers who love to read verses. Compared to other genres in Literature such as short stories or plays, poems offer insight in just one sitting, in a matter of minutes. In as few as four lines, the reader is offered an illumination about life, invaluable insight that would make him understand the events in his life and the world in general.   Such illuminations are found in the following poems: â€Å"London,† by William Blake offers us a tour of the London’s gloomy streets. â€Å"Traveling through the Dark,† penned by William Stafford, gives the readers a poignant account of death. â€Å"Ozymandias,† written by Percy Bysshe Shelley, introduces the concept of kings and royalty in a new way. â€Å"We Wear the Mask,† written by Paul Laurence Dunbar emphasizes the need for human falsities in society. â€Å"The Man He Killed,† by Thomas Hardy offers an alternate reality in respect to war. â€Å"The History of War,† by Billy Collins reveals the folly of cushioning the children from the spikes of the real world, of accurate history. â€Å"My Papa’s Waltz,† by Theodore Roethke offers the readers an endearing account of a father and son relationship. â€Å"Daystar,† written by Rita Dove characterizes one aspect of motherhood. â€Å"Spring and Fall,† penned by Gerard Manley Hopkins, renders the theme of mortality through a child named Margaret. The popular Robert Frost poem, â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,† documents the pull between responsibility and abandon. The wonderful poem, â€Å"Rain,† by Naomi Shihab Nye, describes safety through the eyes of a child. The witty poem, â€Å"Latin Women Pray,† by Judith Ortiz Cofer gives a criticism on religion. And finally, the last poem in the list, â€Å"Buffalo Bills/ defunct,† by e.e. cummings, mourns the death of popular cowboy, William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody. In â€Å"London,† by William Blake, the persona characterizes London as a gloomy, oppressive place. The images portrayed in the poem are dark and disturbing. People’s faces are marked with woe and despair, and the only sound the reader ‘hears’ in the poem are cries. The tone of the persona is obviously dark and foreboding, warning the reader of despair and death.   William Stafford’s â€Å"Traveling through the Dark,† on the other hand, uses the issue of death to illustrate a lesson about life. The persona gives the reader an account of a dead deer, pregnant with a doe, lying on a narrow road. The persona is confronted with a dilemma of making a choice. To leave the deer and its doe on the road would cause accidents and therefore cause more deaths, so he decides to push the deer to fall onto the river. Rich in figurative language, the poem effectively uses the word, â€Å"swerve† to prove the point that big decisions in life might make a person radically change his convictions to get off the path he chose, so to speak. The popular poem, â€Å"Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening,† is rich with symbolism. The persona, who is making his way home, stops by the woods long enough to admire its beauty, but short enough to proceed to his destination. Here, the reader clearly sees the divide between the call of responsibility and the luxury of pure abandoned pleasure. The most unconventional style in poetry is revealed in the poem of e.e. cummings entitled, â€Å"Buffalo Bills/ defunct.† The verses are written in a different form and pattern, the lines are slashed to emphasize a point. The poem is an ode, or more appropriately, a eulogy for William Frederick Buffalo Bill Cody, a popular figure in America. These poems provide the reader a vicarious and enlightening experience about other places, about people, and about life’s big issues. The challenge for the reader is how to utilize this enlightenment, these points of illumination, for a better understanding of life.

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Religion in Ancient China Essay Example for Free

Religion in Ancient China Essay The earliest information found about religion in ancient China is during the Shang Dynasty and so religion in the Xia dynasty remains unknown. Religious beliefs and rituals were prominent during the Shang Dynasty. The most significant deity was Shang Ti, Ti meaning ‘Deity Above’ or the ‘Lord on High’. He ruled as a supreme god over all the other gods and spirits. The gods and spirits were believed to symbolize objects found in nature; the sun, the moon, the wind, the rain, everything from mountains and rivers to the stars in the night sky. Ti is believed to have punished those who disobeyed or offended him and rewarded those who pleased him. It is said that Ti formed a noble court in heaven consisting of all deceased worthy ancestors. The Chinese’s belief in family harmony was associated to belief in the afterlife. The ancestors who were considered commendable served Ti, helping him govern the world. Ancestors were also worshipped and were said to act a mediators between the gods and humankind. It was thought that if ancestors were appropriately honoured, respected, and provided for, they would promote the familys prosperity. A favour or grievance to a member of the family was considered a favour or grievance to the ancestors; consequently, people were reluctant to offense or harm descendants of a powerful family. It was believed that in the afterlife they would live in a celestial court in many ways similar to their earthly courts. Each Chinese family was expected to have an ancestral shrine in the centre of their home to honour and venerate their ancestors. Sacrifice to the gods and the ancestors were also a major part of the Shang religion. When a ruler died, slaves and officials were sacrificed with them in order to guarantee that their afterlife would be the same or similar as their life on earth. People were also sacrificed in smaller numbers when significant events, such as the founding of a palace or temple, took place. Along with their deceased ancestors, the Chinese had people on earth who acted as mediators between the celestials and the human race. Priests were among these intermediates and were responsible for a number of tasks including reading prayers and overseeing sacrifices and funerals. An augur is another type of mediator, responsible for asking gods questions on behalf of humans using various practices of foretelling to unearth the answers. The use of oracle bones was the most notable form of divination. The augur would ask the question, punching holes into the bone, usually the shoulder-bone from an ox, and in some cases the shell of a tortoise. The bone would then be held over a fire, until cracks appeared. These cracks would be made more evident by rubbing ink over the bone. The augur could now read the cracks and determine the answer of the god. Records of the questions and answers of readings were engraved on the bone. Questions on these oracle bones included issues of weather, warfare, agriculture, hunting, childbirth, and sacrifice. In reflection with their agricultural nature, the ancient Chinese use to honour the local deities of soil in order to increase the fertility of earth and to promote the growth of crops. Over time, this practice of earth worship began to dwindle and the veneration of Heaven increased. Divination was considered the only way to determine the requests and future actions of the ruler of Heaven who was also seen as a kind of ancestral figure. The Chinese were animistic and so believed that nature had many spirits. Good spirits, referred to as shen, and bad spirits, referred to as gui, were both thought to dwell in Heaven and Earth. The sun and the rooster were believed to have authority over the gui. This concept of shen and gui later influenced the formation of the yin and yang concept. The people of ancient China believed that there were two contrasting forces abiding in everything in nature; that is yin and yang. This concept was thought to be formed with the influence of the shen and gui concept from earlier ancient China. Yin is characterized as slow, soft, yielding, diffuse, cold, wet, or tranquil; and is associated with water, earth, the moon, femininity and nighttime. Yang, on the other hand, is fast, hard, solid, focused, hot, dry, or aggressive; and is associated with fire, sky, the sun, masculinity and daytime. During the time of the Eastern Zhou, religion in China underwent an evolution. The early gods were forgotten and replaced with ideologies that worked as both philosophies and religions. A phenomenon called the ‘Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought’ took place in ancient China. Schools and philosophers flourished around this time and it was dubbed an era of great cultural and intellectual expansion in China. The four most prominent schools of thought that evolved during this epoch were Confucianism, Taoism, Mohism, and Legalism. Confucius was born 551 BC and grew up to become one of the most influential philosophers in Chinese history. Confucianism is a composite philosophy of moral, social, political, philosophical, and quasi-religious thought. He built his philosophy around five virtues: compassion, morality, decorum, wisdom and honesty. Compassion was considered the cornerstone, symbolizing loyalty, filial piety, patience and benevolence. He also believed that everyone should be in harmony with one another and establish a society ruled by standard etiquette and conduct. A legendary philosopher by the name of Laozi is believed to have established the religious philosophy of Taoism. The ‘forces of nature’ is the central belief behind the concept of Tao, which is literally translated as the path or the way. Taoism is in many ways the contrary of Confucianism, focusing on the individual within the natural realm rather than the individual within society. It also focuses on the affiliation between humanity and the cosmos, vigour and long life, and wu wei, that is action through inaction, which is said to create harmony with the Universe. Mo Di or Mozi was another Chinese philosopher form the Eastern Zhou period. He was strongly opposed to the teachings of Confucianism and Taoism. Mohism was based on the idea of universal love, ‘everyone is equal before heaven’. Mozi believed that everyone should practice communal love in order to create a heaven on earth. He also believed that an individual’s perception should be the basis of human cognition and not imagination or logic. Mozi advocated abstinence, and therefore opposed music, regarding it as excessive and a waste of resources which could instead be used to help those in need of basic necessities such as food, water and shelter. He even opposed elaborate funerals also regarding it as a waste of money which could be used in more useful matters. He also advocated pacifism thus disapproving of offensive war, only accepting aggressive action to defend the weak. Legalism, while the term itself was invented in the Han dynasty, was one of the major doctrines followed during the Contention of a Hundred Schools of Thought. It was established by Han Feizi and Li Si and theorizes that the human race is evil and in order to prevent this evil causing chaos, laws need to be put in place. Legalism wasn’t concerned with the nature or purpose of life, not even the welfare of the public; rather it sought the states prosperity and military aptitude. Out of these four philosophies, only Confucianism and Taoism are considered religions by scholars, as only they contain spiritual elements. Confucianism and Taoism both became part of what is now known as The Three Doctrine. Buddhism is the third doctrine however it was imported from India and flourished during Imperial China.

Monday, August 5, 2019

Network Project Proposal Project Justification

Network Project Proposal Project Justification Network Project ProposalProject Justification: The home network has potential. It adds growth and knowledge. The home network is important to use and access internet connection easily in home wireless network. This network also provide many other benefits as well like as, sharing a file between your computers in your home network, sharing a media file, sharing a folders between your computers in your home wireless network.iStock This wireless network does not cost much and it has many benefits to provide to connect wireless and non wireless devices across the network. The current network is connected via cables so its wired network. A cable goes from study room to lounge and from bed room to main hall. Its not feasible to connect many devices together in home via cable network because its require cabling through out the home and many times just because of loose cabling you have to connection loss. To overcome this hurdles in home network and to connect additional devices easily to home network wireless networking is very beneficial, so I am approaching to upgrade this wired network to wireless network. So the vast benefit of wireless networking like as I can share my files and folders more easily with my laptop and desktop computers. I can access my pictures from desktop computer to mobile device via wireless home networking. To share a printer in your home network wireless networking is more feasible option to choose because, in wireless network we dont need to run a long cable from router to printer. We can adjust the printer anywhere in home and still it will be connected to your computer via wireless connection. Network up gradation provide the benefit of using more wireless clients easily. Project Goals: Next-generation home networking environments will contain a variety of Internet-ready devices or embedded systems, which will result in increased complexity for the end user. New methods are therefore required to build autonomic networking infrastructures that enable auto-configuration and self-management of the networked elements. In future Internet-based home environments a variety of devices such as PCs, smart phones, networked appliances and embedded systems will be organized into infrastructures and will act together to form a new type of service provisioning platform. Todays typical home environments often contain a few of these Internet-ready devices; in the future there will be even more, including embedded systems like sensors and actuators that are also accessible via Internet technology (e.g. TCP/IP, HTTP, Web services etc). While on the one hand this gives users the freedom to access a rich variety of devices in the vicinity of their homes, on the other it increases the depth of knowledge required to understand what is happening in such a complex networking environment. Novel methods for autonomous networking as well as self-configuration, self-management, self-organization, self-protection and self-healing (self-x) of the networking elements can take responsibility for observing and controlling the home network without directly involving end users. Technology will revolutionize the tools that are used in the home of the near future. Embedded computing, sensing and actuation technologies-coupled with new infrastructure in the built environment itself-will combine to enable new opportunities to support the work of the home. The wireless home networking goal is to successfully connect wireless devices such as laptops, desktop computers, VoIP phone, wireless printer, and network storage drive and wifi cell phone. The other goal is to configure the wireless devices so they can share network folders and print wirelessly in home network and to successfully achieve that we need to install wireless router and cable modem in home wireless network. Cost: The cost to build wireless network is illustrate bellow, Linksys E3000 wireless router $180 Cable modem $50 Wireless printer (HP C310a) $150 VoIP Phone $45 Network storage drive (Netgear) $180 The cost for internet connection which is provided by ISP is not included in the proposed network cost. The devices which are used in home wireless network are under warranty by the manufacturer for 3years and the technical support is also provided. Advantages Disadvantages of wireless network: Wireless network have advantages and disadvantages when compared with wired LANs. A WLAN will make it simple to add or move workstations and to install access points to provide connectivity in areas where it is difficult to lay cable. Temporary or semi permanent buildings that are in range of an access point can be wirelessly connected to a LAN to give these buildings connectivity. Where computer labs are used in schools, the computers (laptops) could be put on a mobile cart and wheeled from classroom to classroom, provided they are in range of access points. Wired network points would be needed for each of the access points. A WLAN has some specific advantages: It is easier to add or move workstations. It is easier to provide connectivity in areas where it is difficult to lay cable. Installation is fast and easy, and it can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings. Access to the network can be from anywhere within range of an access point. Portable or semi permanent buildings can be connected using a WLAN. Although the initial investment required for WLAN hardware can be similar to the cost of wired LAN hardware, installation expenses can be significantly lower. When a facility is located on more than one site (such as on two sides of a road), a directional antenna can be used to avoid digging trenches under roads to connect the sites. In historic buildings where traditional cabling would compromise the faà §ade, a WLAN can avoid the need to drill holes in walls. Long-term cost benefits can be found in dynamic environments requiring frequent moves and changes. Wireless network also have some disadvantages: As the number of computers using the network increases, the data transfer rate to each computer will decrease accordingly. As standards change, it may be necessary to replace wireless cards and/or access points. Lower wireless bandwidth means some applications such as video streaming will be more effective on a wired LAN. Security is more difficult to guarantee and requires configuration. Devices will only operate at a limited distance from an access point, with the distance determined by the standard used and buildings and other obstacles between the access point and the user. Proposed Solution: find-ip-address To overcome the technical issues take necessary steps to build wireless home network. To solve the wireless range problem with the 802.11b/g, in this network 802.11n wireless standard is chosen. So it will provide wide range of wireless network and it will be enough for small to medium size home. The wireless security is configured so the home wireless network can be protected. To protect wireless security WPA2 personal security encryption is configured and MAC address allocation is also configured so the wireless router will not provide access to any other device and the home wireless clients devices will be secured. The firewall is also enabled on Linksys wireless router so it will provide security from outside. From outside no one can hack your home network and harm the computer systems. The ultimate in wireless security measures, shutting down your network will most certainly prevent outside hackers from breaking in! While impractical to turn off and on the devices frequently, at least consider doing so during travel or extended periods offline. Computer disk drives have been known to suffer from power cycle wear-and-tear, but this is a secondary concern for broadband modems and routers. Summary: To build wireless home network, using this simple three-step approach: 1. Identify the WLAN design thats best for your situation 2. Choose good wireless gear 3. Install gear and test the configured WLAN Wireless offers tangible benefits over traditional wired networking. Each computer you wish to connect to a WLAN must possess a wireless network adapter. Wireless adapters are sometimes also called NICs, short for Network Interface Cards. Wireless adapters for desktop computers are often small PCI cards or sometimes card-like USB adapters. Try to install your wireless router in a central location within the home. The way Wi-Fi networking works, computers closer to the router (generally in the same room or in line of sight) realize better network speed than computers further away. In densely populated areas, its not uncommon for wireless signals from one persons home network to penetrate a neighboring home and interfere with their WLAN. This happens when both households set conflicting communication channels. Fortunately, when configuring an 802.11n router, you can change the channel number employed. For example, you may choose any WLAN channel number between 1 and 11. If you encounter interference from neighbors, you should coordinate channel settings with them. Simply using different channel numbers wont always solve the problem. However, if both parties use a different one of the channel numbers 1, 6 or 11 that will guarantee elimination of cross-WLAN interference. Wireless LANs suffer a few more reliability problems than wired LANs, though perhaps not enough to be a significant concern. 802.11n wireless signals are subject to interference from other home appliances including microwave ovens, cordless telephones, and garage door openers. With careful installation, the likelihood of interference can be minimized. Wireless networking products, particularly those that implement 802.11n are comparatively new. As with any new technology, expect it will take time for these products to mature. Wireless LANs using 802.11n support a maximum theoretical bandwidth of 300 Mbps. Furthermore, Wi-Fi performance is distance sensitive, meaning that maximum performance will degrade on computers farther away from the access point or other communication endpoint. As more wireless devices utilize the WLAN more heavily, performance degrades even further. Overall, the performance of 802.11n is sufficient for home Internet connection sharing and file sharing, but generally not sufficient for home LAN gaming.

Sunday, August 4, 2019

Cultural Dicersity/ With References Essay -- essays research papers

Cultural Diversity in the Work Place In today’s work environment, it has become more evident and vital than ever to foster cultural diversity. Business organizations that want to stay in business are integrating their global and local business efforts along with cultural diversification. However, the path that leads to cultural diversity is not an easy one. Issues and conflicts may slow down, and even restrain, efforts to integrate cultural diversity in the workforce, but the need to embrace and make cultural diversity work is a sensible and attainable prospect. Diversity refers to all those differences that can mark human beings such as age, nationality, language; color of skin and the way people behave due to different cultural background. Prejudice is an unreasonable attitude or bias regarding those differences. Awareness of workforce diversity has been growing since the late 1980's, when the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the Hudson Institute published "Workforce 2000." The report predicted major shortages of labor due to a drop in the nation's birth rate during the 1960's and 70's. Because the drop in birth rate was most profound among native-born Caucasian Americans, the report predicts a major shift in the demographics of the U.S. work force. White females, minorities and immigrants will comprise 85% of those entering the work force in the year 2000. This shift will change not just employment, but also benefits, advancement and other aspects of working in America. As the workplace and marketplace continue to change, more and more companies are educating their employees on cultural diversity awareness. An understanding of the issues that arise due to the differences between gender, age, religion, lifestyles, beliefs, physical capabilities and cultures is needed to bring out the best in all of us. The creativity, flexibility and commitment gained from our interactions with other cultures and peoples will empower us all. Barbara Stern who is vice president of Boston-based Harvard Pilgrim Health Care (HPHC) argues that what has traditionally been a â€Å"soft† issue is now becoming a business necessity in terms of better serving customers, understanding markets, and obtaining full benefit from staff talents (Schmerhorn, pp.77). The issues and conflicts that affect the effectiveness of cultural dive... ...m feeling disregarded or left out, time wasted when conflicts and misunderstandings arise, and capital resources allocated on legal fees and settlements. Fortunately, today’s business organizations are increasingly recognizing the importance of a more inclusive and equitable work environment as their bottom line. When describing the need and path that business organizations require to stay competitive and successful in their local and global markets, cultural diversity will always require attention. Business organizations will not only understand and respond to the needs of its customers, but it will also ensure its survival and productive workforce. References Chen, Christine Y., Hickman, Jonathan. (2000, July 07) America's 50 Best Companies For Minorities [Online]. Reuters: fortune.com/ fortune/ diversity/ company4.html Gardenswartz, Lee Ph. D., Rowe, Anita. Human resource focus, July 1998. V. 75 N7. PS1 (3) Why diversity matters. Newstrom, J.W., Davis, Keith. (1993). Organizational behavior human behavior at work. NewYork: McGraw-Hill, Inc. Schermerhorn, JR. jr., Hunt, J. G., Osborn, R.N. (2000). Organizational behavior. NewYork: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Saturday, August 3, 2019

Conformity and Convenience in Friedrich Durrenmatt’s The Visit Essays

Friedrich Durrenmatt’s epic tragicomedy The Visit is a haunting commentary on the nature of mankind and morality. Bringing to the surface many questions about the difference between justice and revenge, the play is constructed in a way that leaves the reader at once perplexed and conflicted. The difference between right and wrong is often overlooked and even contorted in order to conform with convenience as the citizens of the town become more desperate. The Visit is both a philosophical masterpiece and a harrowing tale of conditional morality. From the very first mention of the millionairess Claire Zachanassian, the reader is barraged with philosophical questions about the difference between right and wrong. Ill shares stories about Claire’s past which immediately foreshadow her perverted sense of morality and justice. For instance, he tells the mayor that: †Clara loved justice. Most decidedly. Once when they took a beggar away she flung stones at the police. . .She stole potatoes once for an old widow (Durrenmatt 15).† The town exalts her for her generosity and self-less behavior. Already, you begin to see the citizens of Guellen overlooking her immorality because it is convenient for them to do so, as she has the ability to help them recover from their state of financial distress. Upon hearing the proposition made by Claire Zachanassian, a million dollars in exchange for the murder of Alfred Ill, the town immediately reacts with disgust. The Mayor argues: †You forget, we are not savages. In the name of all citizens of Guellen, I reject your offer; and I reject it in the name of humanity. We would rather have poverty than blood on our hands (Durrenmatt 39).† The Mayor refuses to accept the offer made by Madame ... ...ty, good living, and luxury: we are moved by this matter of justice, and the problem of how to apply it.† Finally, we see the town conclusively turning their back on Ill, reversing their initial decision for one more suited to settle their problem; though, in order to grapple with what they’ve done, the town convinces themselves that they have done it for reasons of altruism so that their contorted sense of morality is justified. While the town had every intention of remaining humane originally, the escalation of poverty in the town, coupled with people’s willingness to overlook this, resulted in the inevitable murder of Alfred Ill. As the play ends, the viewer is left with a haunting picture of the members of Guellen standing together in a chorus, making one last justification for what they have done, conforming their morals to the mold of their convenience.

Optical Storage Mediums :: essays research papers

Optical Storage Mediums The most common way of storing data in a computer is magnetic. We have hard drives and floppy disks (soon making way to the CD-ROM), both of which can store some amount of data. In a disk drive, a read/write head (usually a coil of wire) passes over a spinning disk, generating an electrical current, which defines a bit as either a 1 or a 0. There are limitations to this though, and that is that we can only make the head so small, and the tracks and sectors so close, before the drive starts to suffer from interference from nearby tracks and sectors. What other option do we have to store massive amount of data? We can use light.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Light has its advantages. It is of a short wavelength, so we can place tracks very close together, and the size of the track we use is dependent only on one thing - the color of the light we use. An optical medium typically involves some sort of laser, for laser light does not diverge, so we can pinpoint it to a specific place on the disk. By moving the laser a little bit, we can change tracks on a disk, and this movement is very small, usually less than a hairÕs width. This allows one to store an immense amount of data on one disk. The light does not touch the disk surface, thereby not creating friction, which leads to wear, so the life of an average optical disk is far longer than that of a magnetic medium. Also, it is impossible to Ã’crashÓ an optical disk (in the same sense as crashing a hard drive), since there is a protective layer covering the data areas, and that the Ã’headÓ of the drive can be quite far away from the disk surface (a few millimeters compared to micrometers for a hard drive). If this medium is so superior, then why is it not standard equipment? It is. Most of the new computers have a CD-ROM drive that comes with it. Also, it is only recently that prices have come low enough to actually make them affordable. However, as the acronym states, one cannot write to a CD-ROM disk (unless one gets a CD-Recordable disk and drive). There are products however, that allows one to store and retrieve data on a optical medium. Some of those products are shown in table 1. However, the cost of this is quite high, so it doesnÕt usually make much sense for consumer use yet, unless one loves to transfers 20 megabyte pictures between friends.