Event design and experience

Event design and experience Introduction Before we can discuss what an event is we must understand what the definition of event design is, for the purpose of this report we shall be employing a definition taken from EMBOK which we feel is the clearest definition. Event management is the process by which an event is planned, prepared and produced. As with any other form of management, it encompasses the assessment, definition, acquisition, allocation, direction, control and analysis of time, finances, people, products, services and other resources to achieve objectives. An event a mangers job is to oversee and arrange every aspect of an event, including researching, planning, organizing, implementing, controlling and evaluation and events design, activities and production. Silver (2004a) Update EMBOK structure. Chicago the theatrical musical was performed at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow and was attended on the 10th October 2009. For the purpose of this report we shall be looking at the how the event was staged and the interaction of the performers, audience members and stakeholders which when put together would hopefully make the experience a positive one for all those involved. The first known record of theatre was noted by historians in the performance of the sacred plays of the myth of Osiris and Isis in 2500 BC in Egypt. This story of the god Osiris was performed by the Egyptians annually at festivals throughout its civilization and thus marking the beginning of a long relationship between theatre and religion. Theatre has also played a large part in society by interacting with the public as well as entertaining and educating them. Description of Event The main purpose of modern theatre is to entertain the customer and as such that is the main reason why people in 2010 attend productions. Kings Theatre, Glasgow was opened in 1904 at such a time when Glasgow was one of the leading industrial cities in the UK if not the world and as such the building retains a sense of history for customers who attend performances today. The performance on the night lasted 2 hours 30 minutes with one standard interval of 15 minutes after the 1st act which is common place for all theatre productions. Seating in the Kings Theatre is over 4 levels and includes Stalls, Grand Circle, Upper Circle and the Gallery and shall seat a maxim of 1,785. On the night of the 10th October the cast was performing to a Full House as it was the productions last Saturday night performance before leaving Glasgow, this factor was an added bonus when it came to the atmospheric conditions for the customers or another word for it would be an Eventscape Analysis of Elements of Interaction Interacting people At an event such as a musical not only is it the cast and audience who interact but a whole host of other people which could include the stakeholders, ticket sellers, ushers, merchanance sellers. Rossman states that to; Understand the role that relationships play in the interaction of a programme and anticipating how they may contribute to or detract from client satisfaction is an important element of place. Programmers cannot simply assume that the best course of action is always to foster or create a relationship between individuals who attend an event Rossman (2003, p.38) As such event designers do not have to provide a relationship for everyone or different groups that shall take part in the production and subsequently if they do they run the risk of over complicating the event. First contact that a customer would have had in regards to Chicago the Musical would either have been the advertisement of the event or the online or telephone booking of tickets. This is where the customer will start to make expected expectations and where the event designer and the customer can differ in their expectations, which could lead to a shortfall for the customer and disappointment for the event designer. What would be the purpose of an event if people were not going to participating in the event! The answer would be none. People are what make an event; they are what make an experience by interacting with the customers or participants. Since this report is going to be in reference to a theatrical event I shall try to include references which will refer to the theatre. Relationships Jackson argues that, not only are characters and story line likely to have the biggest impact upon audiences but the metatext (Harris et al., 2003) is an important task that needs to be undertaken for events if they are to reach their experiential goal (2005, p.8). Taking this into account and having the currant fashion of casting celebrities in leading roles in order to capitalise on multiple audience avenues, this will offer the event designer the possibility of increased numbers for the run of the production. This extra dimension could offer another market base of potential audience members who had never previously considered going to the theatre. Their first contact would have maybe been an article in a newspaper or online advertising the fact that their favourite soup star would be performing in Chicago. In this case the soup fan feels that they already have a relationship with the character but this relationship runs the risk of failing due to pre-conceived ideas and expectatio ns when the soup character is confused with the theatre character or falls short of delivery. Rules Rules play a large part in everyday life and are a guide as to how we can interact with others or situations. Rossman, 2003 states that Rules through are also codified and ceremonial and there are also rules of everyday discourse that require understanding. Looking at the example of the theatrical performance of Chicago which was performed at the Kings Theatre Glasgow, this event ran to a widely accepted template of rules and rituals. Although there are rules which are in place for the purpose of legal or for behaviour reasons, there are also polite-ceremonial rules which are also in force throughout the performance. An example of this would be that it would be deemed inappropriate for an audience member to talk or leave their seats while the performance is still taking place. Another polite-ceremonial rule would be that it would be considered rude for any audience members to eat anything which would make a noise and distract other audience members from enjoying the performance. By having rules which govern the audiences interaction of the performance this would influence the experience that the audience would have. Common place for theatrical performances is to have everyone seated at least 5 minutes before the performance is due to start this is done by the means of a tannoy annoyisment of Ladies and Gentlemen, 5 minute to curtain call. There are also rituals which take place before, during and after a performance and would be expected by the audience, if they did not take place and audience could possibly feel disappointment or even that the performance was incomplete. Audience member through past experiences and expectations now assume that the all the cast should take to the stage for one last bow and then clear the stage to be left with the leading actors for a final bow and show of appreciation . If this was not to happen I feel that the audience would continue to sit in their seats with a feeling of confusion and disappointment. Objects There are three different types of objects as stated by and they are represented by social, symbolic and physical meaning. For the purpose of the Chicago performance the object which has become symbolic for the performance would be the score which was composed by Fred Ebb according to the Internet Broadway Database (www.ibdb.com). Without this particular music the performance for Chicago would not be Chicago, it would become something else completely. Looking at the physical objects of the musical this would include the Kings Theatre building in which the performance took place. Also the characters themselves in the musical would be a physical aspect for the objects as the characters are specific to this musical and could not be transferred to another. For the Social object for the performance the audience had come together for a shared experience with most having an appreatation for musicals. They would have had to have paid for their tickets and as such would have either purchased them online or direct at the ticket office at the Kings Theatre. Physical Setting Chicago the Musical was staged as discussed earlier at the Kings Theatre, Glasgow. Possible locations for a world renowned musical to be staged in Glasgow would only include the Kings and Theatre Royal, bookings for both theatres would have been made at least 1 year in advance. Venues for theatre or musicals can vary according to many factors which could influence the choice for the event designer. Physical Setting for the event designer would also look at catchment area for customers the reason why Glasgow was chosen would include the fact that it is Scotlands largest city and that the musical had already performed at the Edinburgh Playhouse. Fortunately the performance of the musical is not synonymous with the venue and this allows the act to travel to new locations. Although the venue does change, the set in regards to the performance shall stay the same no matter where the musical is performed. This means that there is no limit to where the event can perform but also that there is continuity for the customers who do attend the event at the different locations. According to Allen el al., 2005 The relationship between event and location is often fundamental to the experience, and one useful categorisation is that given to hallmark events where the event has become linked and identified with the spirit of a particular place. Also to be included in the Physical setting of the performance would be the temperature for the audience members, whether that to be too cold, too hot or it was an outdoor event if it was raining. On the night of the 10th October the Kings Theatre, Glasgow was a capacity sell out performance and the outside temperature was pleasant for the time of year. Unfortunately for the whole of both the first and second half of the performance the inside temperature of the theatre was unbearably hot which resulted in the side emergency exists being opened to although cooler air for the cast and audience members. This aspect resulted in audiences members having a negative experience throughout the performance which could have jeopardised the whole enjoyment of the event for the audience. Animation Graham Berridge states that animation in regards to events is the most difficult of the 6 elements which we have covered in this report. Some of the most successful events are the ones that appear to be spontaneous in their design for the audience, although this is rarely the case from the event designers point of view. In regards to a theatrical performance in the terms of animation all plays, operas, musicals and theatre productions must from both the audience and the actors perceptive have structure throughout the performances although for different reasons. For the purpose of theatre the performance must have structure in order for the event to run smoothly and on schedule, this must be planned in advance. Movement, dance and choreography must be planned and rehearsed and actors must learn their lines. All this once put together would allow the audience members to feel that the performance, although staged the overlapping elements will have a flow to the design. If an audience member were to purchase a Programme Guide on the night of Chicago they would have had clear written view of the structure of the performance and the actors as well as when they could anticipate the break in the show. Conclusion In order to fully understand an event the customer or audience member must be able to analyse what has happened at that event to completely experience the full effect from the event. For people in the events industry to try and understand an event, Solomon (1983) provides the industry with a definition which will allow us to break down the process of analyse; Symbolic interactionism focuses on the processes by which individuals understand their world. It assumes that people interpret the actions of others rather than simply react to them Solomon (1983) Audience members throughout the theatrical performance shall interpret different symbols and react to them in their own way which shall result in the event designer having to anticipate every possible reaction, which is extremely difficult. Was the event a success? This question shall be answered differently for each and every audience member as each person will interpret the event in their own way. Each of Rossmans six elements will go into their event analysis and will result in understanding the event better. The theartrcal performance of Chicago runs to a well oiled plan which is easily transferred from one venue to another and has run since 1975. This allows the cast and crew to have an easy tranison between locations and would show up any potential problems to the event designers. References Allen, Judy, The Business of Event Planning. 2004 edition. John Wiley Sons Canada Ltd Anglia Ruskin University, Harvard System of Referencing Guide, Available at http://libweb.anglia.ac.uk/referencing/harvard.htm [Accessed 25/11/09] Berridge, Graham, Events Design and Experience. 2009 edition. Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann Blowdin Glenn, Allen Johny, OToole William, Harris Rob, McDonnell Ian, Events Management. 2nd Edition. Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann Internet Broadway Database, Available at http://www.ibdb.com/person.php?id=5654, [Accessed 20/12/09]

Real World Distributed Applications

Real World Distributed Applications Topic 1: Give two examples of real world distributed applications that were not discussed in the class slides (Hospital Management system, Airline reservation system, Banking system). You should not only specify what the application does, but also provide at least 3 features of the system (hardware technology, software technology, integration features, number of nodes, network characteristics, etc.) Answer: Example 1: Immigrant VISA information System (IVIS)   Ã‚   This is a computerized Management information system. It is used by the National VISA Center (NVC) to manage the processing of immigrant visa petitions received from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regional service centers and district offices. The information shared by IVIS is used for processing; auditing and tracking of individual immigration visa applications as well as tracking the number of immigrant visas assigned that are subject to numerical limitations based upon the visa classification and country of chargeability. Only internal organization that has access to IVIS data is the Bureau of Consular Affairs (CA). IVIS System is used by CA for issuing visas to foreign nationals and passports to U.S. citizens. IVIS results are used as a data source for this assessment at Posts abroad and domestic passport agencies. Specifically, data is shared among the following CA applications: DataShare/Interagency Data Exchange Application (IDEA) This provides application case data from the petition. This data arrives daily and is manually loaded into IVIS. This data is automatically populated in IVIS when creating a new case. Consular Consolidated Database (CCD) Conduit for data exchange between IVIS and DataShare / IDEA. Immigrant Visa Allocation Management System (IVAMS) The Case Number, FSC, Post Code, and Visa Class were loaded into IVAMS for the purpose of immigrant visa tracking and reporting. Diversity Visa Information System (DVIS) Alien Numbers generated in IVIS are transferred to DVIS and the DV post systems. Immigrant Visa Overseas (IVO) data on immigrant visas, petitions, and allocations is sent to a post location and loaded into their IVO systems. SharePoint data and images on immigrant visas, petitions, and appointment information is shared with a post through a secure site. Worldwide Refugee Admission Program System (WRAPS) data on immigrant visa petitions is sent to the Refugee Processing Centers WRAPS system. Features of the VISA Information System (VIS): Hardware: Mainframe systems. Government-operated computing platforms not shared by other business applications or technologies. Finger print recognition, biometrics technology and , intrusion detection systems. Software: DataShare is used to move the data from the Consular Consolidated Database (CCD). That allows text files to be converted into Interagency Data Exchange Application (IDEA) format and transferred to USCIS. Encryption technology is used during all communications shared with external agencies. Finger print reader / recognition. Firewalls. eDP (Electronic Data Processing) Web Data Replication technology Networking : This mainframe system has Networking z/OS network capability which includes a fully -featured communications server with integration of SNA (System Network Architecture) and TCP/IP protocols, making it a large server capable of serving a large number of worldwide clients simultaneously Example 2: Retail Management Information System at GS-Retail, South Korea. GS-Retail is a largest retailer in South Korea. They are using Retail management information system (RMIS) to support their distributed stores by linking them together using distributed applications. Below are the features of this GS-Retails RMIS: Information is exchanged instantly; store managers stays in contact to more effectively control profits for the whole company. This system supports product management and also enabled ability to do CRM (Customer Relationship Management) analysis. Allowed managers to set prices for variable time periods based on the store location and to meet the needs of sales and inventory managers. , Provided flexibility to make use of a mobile user interface. Its an integrated platform end-to-end solution (Appliance), which has below components Application Module, IBM Smart Analytic Solution (Admin nodes, and Data Nodes with Standby nodes). Hardware Stack: with IBM System x3650 M3 servers, Storage servers (DS3400) with SSDs (Solid State Drives), SAN Switches. This integrated platform (hardware, software with functional procedures) which provides an ability to replace superannuated servers and have a single Implementation of the integrated Enterprise Data Warehouse Environment Software Stack: DB2 Enterprise server edition, IBM Tivoli System Automation for multi-platforms (TSA) with RSCT (Reliable Scalable Cluster Technology), IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence, IBM Cognos 8 Business Intelligence, IBM Systems Director, DS Storage Manager, IBM Remote Support Manager (RSM) for Linux Integration features: Easily scalable and expandable solution where data nodes can be added to the existing cluster solution to expand the capacity of the system. Number of nodes: 2 Application Nodes, 1 Management node, 1 Administration node, 4 Data Nodes and 1 Standby node Network characteristics: Network is fault- tolerant and resilient. This system has two networks Public (for external client communication) and Private FCM Network which is used by the system for internal communication between the data nodes. For public network, two HBA adapters were provided which were bonded together. Network and switch failures are protected by H/W redundancy. For example: Single Network port failures using Bonded networks. Dual HBAs adapters to take care of HBA failures and Stacked switch configuration for FCM (Fiber Optic Communication Management network) Network to take care of FCM network switch failure. Topic 2: Describe two similarities between road/highway networks and packet switching networks Packet switching network is a network which routes digital data in small pieces called packets, each of which proceeds through the network independently. This digital data is nothing but a bit stream with encoded information. Packet is not really a physical thing. Thus, packets switched networks transport packets. This network is in many ways similar to the transportation network of roads, highways and intersections which transports vehicles that carries people and goods. For Example when a factory needs to move a large amount of cargo to some destination warehouse located thousands of miles away. At factory, first the cargo is segmented and loaded into a fleet of trucks. Each of trucks then independently travels through the network of intersections, roads and highways and to the destination warehouse. At destination warehouse, the cargo is unloaded and grouped with the rest of cargo arriving from same shipment. Below are some similarities between packet switching network and road/highway transportation network: Packets are similar to trucks Communication links are similar to highways and roads Packet switches are similar to intersections End systems are similar to buildings Trucks take path through transportation network, packets takes path through computer network Retail management means running a store where merchandise is sold and Retail Management Information Systems include using hardware, software and procedures to manage activities like planning, inventory control, financial management, logistics and point of sale transactions. Distributed application Name: CLAIMS 3 i.e Computer Linked Application Information Management System and Associated Systems. CLAIMS 3 is the case management system used by USCIS that supports and maintains officer casework documentation and tracking for most benefit requests. USCIS oversees lawful immigration to the United States. It receives and adjudicates petitions, applications, and other requests for immigration benefits. ICMS is a web based front-end to CLAIMS 3. ICMS can be used to review, modify, and track the adjudication performed by USCIS personnel of benefit request forms. CLAIMS 3 functionalities include tracking the adjudication performed by USCIS personnel, archiving, card production, case history, case transfer, on-demand reports, electronic file tracking, image capture, production statistics, and status update and electronic ingestion of benefit request form data captured through the Lockbox. USCIS uses the Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS 3) and associated systems to manage the adjudication process for most domestically filed, paper-based, immigration benefit filings with the exception of naturalization, intercountry adoption, and certain requests for asylum and refugee status. USCIS uses different data systems to capture and store information provided by benefit requestors, including the Computer Linked Application Information Management System (CLAIMS 3), the Interim Case Management System (ICMS), and Marriagee Fraud Amendment System (MFAS), collectively referred to as CLAIMS 3 and associated systems. 3 features of the system (hardware technology, software technology, integration features, number of nodes, network characteristics, etc.) :CLAIMS 3 and associated systems are old, legacy, mainframe systems that do not have the capability to interface in real-time with other systems or to generate reports, metrics, or aggregated statistics. CLAIMS 3, includes the Mainframe, Local Application Network (LAN), ICMS, and MFAS. But CLAIMS 3 still serves as the authoritative source case management system for certain benefit requests because so many other tools and systems point to it. Software technology : Data Replication technology is used to replicate data from CLAIMS 3 across many systems and tools within USCIS due to the technical limitations of CLAIMS 3 itself. Integration features : This system stores the information related to: Petitioner and Beneficiary data Processing of cases based on priority and the cut-off dates, Creation and recording of correspondence with the beneficiary, petitioner and/or agent and the transmittal of data to the Immigrant Visa Overseas (IVO) system at post for final processing. IVIS applications assists NVC in tracking and processing immigration visa petitions based on local necessities and requirements established by the State Department. The immigrant visa issuance process begins with the submission of a petition for immigration to the USCIS. USCIS reviews and adjudicates the petition and forwards approved petitions to the State Department for visa processing. The NVC performs several visa processing activities that track petitions requesting immigration services from initial NVC receipt from USCIS through transfer to the posts. NVC processing includes: Telecom Industry fraud management Reference : http://searchitoperations.techtarget.com/definition/distributed-applications-distributed-apps Distributed apps can communicate with multiple servers or devices on the same network from any geographical location. The distributed nature of the applications refers to data being spread out over more than one computer in a network. Distributed applications are broken up into two separate programs: the client software and the server software. The client software or computer accesses the data from the server or cloud environment, while the server or cloud processes the data. Cloud computing can be used instead of servers or hardware to process a distributed applications data or programs. If a distributed application component goes down, it can failover to another component to continue running. Distributed applications allow multiple users to access the apps at once. Many developers, IT professionals or enterprises choose to store distributed apps in the cloud because ofclouds elasticity and scalability, as well as its ability to handle large applications or workloads. Enterprises can choose to use container technology, such as Docker, to package and deploy distributed applications. The containers can build and run distributed applications, as well as separate distributed apps from other applications in a cloud or shared infrastructure.

Disparities in Education of Minorities in the United States Essays

The problem of educational disparities among various ethno-racial groups that make up the United States has been a long studied topic. Theories have ranged widely in what they consider as the primary factors for these disparities. Biological and individualist perspectives have cited inherent genetic inferiorities as the cause of these disparities. Others have taken into account social forces but have maintained that the cause is due to the creation of a culture of subordination and poverty that does not allow social advancement. Still others have tended to focus on systemic inequalities and on the roles of prejudice and discrimination (Sidanius et al, 1998). This paper will attempt to frame the issue of educational disparities among marginalized minorities through the idea of â€Å"social dominance theory,† which states that social systems and structures are arranged hierarchically to benefit the dominant group and in turn create low-status among others (Sindanius et al, 1998). I will then more specifically look into the role of cultural mismatch between a student’s home culture and the cultural ideals that are embedded in the educational system. These cultural discontinuities affect minority students’ identities during this crucial period of development. From there, I will turn the focus to highlighting some possible solutions and alternatives to this problem of cultural mismatch and oppositional identity. These solutions will focus on the role of reclaiming education as a part of student’s home culture as well as the educational system’s role in recognizing and accommodating to these differences . In order to understand the relationship between marginalized minorities and the educational system, it is importan... ...d motivation. Psychological Review 98:224-53 Moll LC. 1992. Literacy research in community and classrooms: a sociocultural approach. In Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Literacy Research, ed. R Beach, JL Green, ML Kamil, T Shanahan, pp. 211-44. Urbana, IL: Natl. Counc. Teach. Engl. Oyserman, D., Grant, L., and Ager, J. (1995). A socially contextualized model of African American identity: Possible selves and school persistence. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 69 (6), 1216-1232 Sidanius, J., Levin, S., & Pratto, F. Hierarchical group relations, institutional terror and the dynamics of the criminal justice system. Racism: The Problem and the Response, Sage Publications, 1998, 136-165. Tatum, B.D. (1997). â€Å"Why are all the Black kids sitting together at the cafeteria? And other conversations about race.† (pp. 52-90). New York: Basic Books

The Evolution of the American Television Family Essay examples -- essa

The Evolution of the American Television Family Television is not just a form of entertainment, but it is an excellent form of study of society’s view concerning its families. This study focuses on the history of television beginning in the early 1950s and will run through present day. It examines the use of racial, ethnic and sexual stereotypes to characterize the players of these shows. The examples assist in tracing what has happened to the depiction of the American family on prime time television. It reveals the change of the standards employed by network television as disclosed to the American public. Finally, I will propose the question of which is the influential entity, television or the viewing audience. The Goldbergs, which was originally a radio show, became the first popular family series. It became a weekly TV series in 1949, revealing to Americans a working class Jewish family who resided in a small apartment in the Bronx. The show, while warm and humorous, confronted delicate social issues, such as sensitivity due to the Second World War. It is an excellent example of an ethnic family’s status in society. A classic among classics, I Love Lucy appeared on television on October 15, 1951, (http://www.nick-at-nite.com/tvretro/shows/ilovelucy/index.tin). The series’ premise focused on the antics of a nonsensical wife who beguiles her easily angered husband. The series created the men-versus-women standard on television, (such as what we see between Dan and Roseanne on Roseanne today), that still predominates today. One circumstance that led TV executives to seriously challenge the show’s impending success was the use of Lucille Ball’s real-life Cuban husband, Desi Arnaz. The â€Å"mixed-marriage† status was a questionable concept that worried the administrators. The situation prevailed; its episodes routinely attracted over two-thirds of the television audience. Leave it to Beaver, the definitive 1950’s household comedy, focused on life through the eyes of an adolescent boy, Beaver. Beaver was a typically disorderly youngster. His brother Wally, just entering his teens, was beginning to discover the opposite sex. The relationship that existed between the boys and their parents, Ward and June, was impeccable. A situation never developed that damaged the kinship beyond restoration. The parents exhibited perfect attributes that no ... ..., the idea of the American family is much more realistic than that of those shows from the 1950s. The family’s obnoxious mother is the most dynamic member of the family. Married with Children was an overly exaggerated example of a problematic family. While it was a far cry from reality, the show expressed the society’s opinion of its own culture in a satirical fashion. Television’s portrayal of the American family has undergone a significant transformation in the fifty years of its existence, as stated by this essay. The families seen on television today are the diametric opposite of those seen in the early 1950s. The relationship between the parents and the children has gone from perfect to dysfunctional. But, it is the dysfunctional relationships that are better examples of American families. Racial and ethnic lines have been crossed in the fifty years of television’s existence. If anything, television families have been teachers, showing the viewing audiences how to act and how things truly are. Blind folds, previously worn by the American people, have been taken off and thrown away. It is society’s greater appreciation for honesty that has greatly influenced television.