Property and its Economic Explanation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Property and its Economic Explanation - Essay Example In the exercise of property rights, potential conflicts can be prevented as in striking a bargain (Muthoo 2000). Indeed, the common law is efficient, but the law generated by the institutions of private property can also be efficient, however with limitations (Friedman 1996). Creating a system of clear, workable property rights facilitates voluntary exchange and ensures that property rights will end up in the hands of those who value them most (Ayres and Talley 1995) Property is a "bundle of rights." The owner is free to exercise the rights over his or her property. Others, meaning private persons and the government, are forbidden to interfere with the owner's exercise of his or her rights. Traditionally, that bundle of rights includes: 1) control use of the property, 2) benefit from the property, for example rights and rent, 3) transfer or sell the property, and 4) exclude others from the property (Krauss 1999). The two major justifications of original property, or homesteading, are said to be effort and scarcity. John Locke emphasized effort, or "mixing your labour" with an object, while Benjamin Tucker preferred to look at the purpose of property in answer to solving the scarcity problem. Only when something is relatively scarce do they become property, he said. Economically scarce means necessarily having exclusivity property or that use by one person excludes others from using it (Ibid). III. Bargaining Theory Bargaining theory in property has to do with bargaining principles and their application to a significantly large variety of real-life situations, leading to efficiency and equitable distribution of gains (Muthoo 1999). In the former, the players may fail to reach an agreement, or they may do so but only after some costly delay. In the latter, gains from cooperation are divided between the players. A player's cost from bargaining is said to be derived from the time-consuming nature of bargaining and the importance of time to the player (Ibid). Some of the fundamental principles expounded in bargaining theory are the following (Muthoo 2000): Patience during the process of negotiations confers bargaining power, while risk aversion affects it adversely. Meanwhile, a player's outside option enhances her bargaining power if and only if it is attractive and therefore credible. Hence, bargaining power is higher the larger her inside option, provided that all negotiators' outside options are not attractive enough. If both negotiators' outside options are sufficiently attractive, then it is likely that gains from cooperation may not exist (Ibid). Further, when both the costs of negotiators' backing down from their initial demands are sufficiently large, then the negotiations may lead into a stalemate. A player's bargaining power is higher the larger her cost of backing down from her initial demand. In the absence of knowledge of relevant information on the ongoing negotiations which the other party does, there is risk of failure of negotiations or of costly delay until that uninformed party is communicated of the relevant information. Knowledge is veritable power in negotiations and enhances the bargaining strength of the better informed (Muthoo 1999). In bargaining, procedure and format of negotiations matter,

A Critical Analysis of the Advantages Essay Example for Free

A Critical Analysis of the Advantages Essay It is argued that urbanization causes changes in the livings conditions under which people live and work. Some of these changes are positive (advantages) while others are negative (disadvantages). The positive effects include; improving housing conditions and provision of enhanced amenities. The negative effects include; stress on amenities, congestion and urbanization of poverty (Kawonga, 1999). Therefore, this essay will briefly explain these using real and valid examples from Malawi. To begin with, provision of better amenities as an advantage of urbanization. It is said that increasing urbanization provides communities with social and cultural benefits as well as access to education and health services (Hammond, 1985). This is evident at Nkhorongo in Mzuzu near Luwinga Township. With the development of the area many services are now being located there. For example, Mzuzu Academy, Trust Academy, Good Samaritan Internet Cafe and some Tobacco grading Companies that provides jobs to the masses. Improving housing conditions is another advantage of urbanization. It is noted that urbanizations brings with it innovations in technology and modern ideas and ambitions in the people engulfed by what are said to be urban areas (UN Habitat report, 2010). To meet the demand for shelter by the ever increasing urban population, Habitat for Humanity and Malawi housing Corporation dedicates itself to building low cost but high standard houses for the less privileged urban population. For example, the Habitat for humanity houses in Luwinga Township and the Malawi Housing corporations houses in Katoto and Mchengautuba in Mzuzu. Lastly, the disadvantages of urbanization; stress on amenities is one of the disadvantages of urbanization. It is argued that in most areas the authority designs everything to serve the population of that time but due to increase in population as areas develop leads to people scramble over the few available facilities/services (UN Habitat report, 2010). The example is on power cuts and availability of tap water for few hours per day in the city of Lilongwe. The presence of large consumers of water and electricity at Kanengo put pressure on these two facilities as the providers try to regulate their quantity so as to sustain the production force of the manufacturing industries. This leaves areas around Kanengo with no electricity or water for many hours per day. Congestion of traffic and pedestrians is another disadvantage of urbanization. With the availability of valuable amenities in urban areas, people flock there to have access and benefit from them. This results in an increase in urban population which leads to congestion (Cohen, 2006). This is usually manifested during rush-hour commuting. There is an intense concentration of people in the center of urban areas during working hours. This strains transportation systems, because a large number of people and traffic must reach a small area at the same time in the morning and disperse at the same time at noon and in the evening (Rubenstein, 2005). This is more evident at Lilongwe old town, hyper junction near the game stores and Shoprite. There are longer queues of traffic and large number of pedestrians struggling to find their way out. Urbanization of poverty is another disadvantage of urbanization. It is argued that in Malawi, rapid urbanization is not associated with the commensurate of economic growth and effective redistributive measures required to alleviate poverty, but the result is increasing urban poverty whose manifestation is the slums which develop in and around the acclaimed urban areas (Kawonga, 1999). It is further argued that urbanization of poverty in Malawian urban areas is enhanced by the change in locus of poverty from rural to urban spheres. This means that as people run away from the hardships of rural areas to urban areas, they carry with them their economically challenged life and continue it in the urban areas. As a result they lead to an increase in the number of the poor living in urban areas (Gonndwe, Fang Ayenagbo, 2011). This is more evident in Lilongwe at a place known as â€Å"N’gona†. It is located in the midst of well developed areas but it is not developed itself and it harbors one of the less previliged population of Lilongwe. In conclusion, this paper has critically pointed out and briefly explained the advantages and disadvantages of urbanization in Malawi.

Cigarettes Should Be Made Illegal Essay -- Argumentative, Persuasive,

The sale of cigarettes and tobacco is a multi-billion dollar industry, but is it truly worth all the problems that stem from their use. Health care costs are extremely high due to all the health problems associated with cigarettes and tobacco. Even though research has proven time and time again the harmful effects of cigarettes, and the rising cost of health care caused by cigarettes our government will not take a stand and stop all manufacturing of the horrible toxins. Every year new medical reports are issued regarding the harmful effects of smoking cigarettes. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world die every year from diseases caused by smoking. Approximately one in two lifetime smokers will die from their habit. Half of these deaths will occur in middle age. The most common of the diseases caused by smoking is cancer, of course. Not only is it a cause of lung cancer, but cancer of the larynx, and the esophagus, and it contributes to the development of cancers of the bladder, pancreas, and kidney. Lung cancer comes from the tar in the cigarettes. The tar coats your lungs like soot in a chimney. It does not make a difference if a smoker changes to low-tar cigarettes because smokers will take a deeper puff to get the same affect as a regular cigarette. This causes them to draw the tar deeper into their lungs causing even more damage. The Surgeon General requires that every package of cigarettes has one of the following statemen ts: SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Smoking Causes Lung Cancer, Heart Disease, Emphysema, And May Complicate Pregnancy. SURGEON GENERAL’S WARNING: Cigarette Smoke Contains Carbon Monoxide. Despite these warnings most of the population is not aware of the other illnesses that can develop... ...is vicious cycle? They have taken a stand to control the nicotine in the cigarettes; why not take that stand even further? Do they not realize by making these wicked things illegal and shutting down manufacturers, not only will they save on health care, they will save lives? Works Cited http://www.quit-smoking-stop.com/smoking-diseases.html, http://harvardscience.harvard.edu/culture-society/articles/cigarette-manufacturers-developed-candy-flavored-brands-target-youth, Carrie Carpenter, Harvard School of Public Health, November, 2005 http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1889469,00.html, Fixing Health Care Cheaply, Haig, Scott, April, 2009 "FDA bans flavored cigarettes as part of new tobacco control act." Hem/Onc Today 25 Oct. 2009: 2. Academic Search Complete. EBSCO. Web. 23 Nov. 2009. Wilkes, Gwen, Personal Interview, 27 November 2009.

Madness and Insanity in Shakespeares Hamlet - The Pretended Madness of Hamlet :: Essays on Shakespeare Hamlet

The Pretended Madness of Hamlet Hamlet, knowing that he will get into difficulty, needs to feign madness for the purpose of carrying out his mission. He rehearses his pretended madnesss first with Ophelia, for even if he should fail there in his act of simulation, that failure will not cause him any real harm. The manifestations of insanity that Hamlet will show become predictable - a sure sign that it is a simulated and not a real insanity. When Hamlet is with a trustworthy friend, he is rational and symptom-free; as soon as those persons appear, however, whom he wants to convince that he is mad, he changes his behavior so as to implant different explanations in their minds for his noticeable irrational behavior. With Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, he makes believe that the reason for it is frustrated ambition; with the Queen and King, that it is their marriage that has upset him; and with Polonius and Ophelia, that it is frustrated love that has driven him mad. These rapid and clumsy changes from rational speech with those he trusts to irrational conversation with those whom he wishes to impress are strong evidence of fraud. In a character profile which I read by Max Huhner who has published several literary essays, Huhner reduces the problem of Hamlet to one factor, of the sort that Freud conceptualized as "secondary gain in mental disease." Hamlet, says Huhner, "could not hold his tongue or keep a secret, and was therefore entirely unfitted for diplomatic work. In a sense his feigning insanity was his sole avenue of safety." It is along these same lines that I have tried to prove the reasonableness of Hamlet's cruel dealings with Rosencrantz and Guildenstern, justifying on grounds of practical necessity and the desire to avoid risks the fact Hamlet arranged their execution without heir having had a chance to receive the assistance of the Church. I could summarize my own character analysis of Hamlet as essentially a picture of an impractical man, who has nevertheless proceeded with optimal effect under existing external and internal conditions.

Marketing and Department

Project title: MUJI Introduction The head office of MUJI is from Japanese company, RTOHIN KEIKAU CO. , LTD. , and it is a new life style store and advocate simple, nature, texture life philosophy. Also, provide high quality and reasonable price product that related with life, and not waste the material to care about the product’s eco. Flowchart * Human resource department * Distribution department * Quality check department * Marketing department * Finance/ Accounting department * Information technology department * Administration department Japan head office * Engineering department Purchasing department * Productive department * Research & Development department * Creative department * * Human resource department * Distribution department * Quality check department * Marketing department * Finance/ Accounting department * Information technology department * Administration department Japan head office * Engineering department * Purchasing department * Productive departmen t * Research & Development department * Creative department * Front- stage Front- stage Back- stage Back- stage Service delivery system Service delivery system Other contact points Other contact pointsCashier center, Warehouse, Fitting room, Display area (window display), delivery team Cashier center, Warehouse, Fitting room, Display area (window display), delivery team Service operations system Service operations system Cabinet, Burglar alarm, Clothes chest & stand, Refrigerator, Showcase, Display rack, Spot light, Leaflet tray, Telephone, Computer system, Barcode, etc. Cabinet, Burglar alarm, Clothes chest & stand, Refrigerator, Showcase, Display rack, Spot light, Leaflet tray, Telephone, Computer system, Barcode, etc. Other customers Other customers The Customer The Customer Other customersOther customers Advertising Promotion sale MUJI card Miscellaneous e-mail, mamil, phone calls, etc. Websites Exposure product of seasons Advertising Promotion sale MUJI card Miscell aneous e-mail, mamil, phone calls, etc. Websites Exposure product of seasons Customer service associate, Cashier, Supervisor, Storekeeper, Security, Customer service hotline Customer service associate, Cashier, Supervisor, Storekeeper, Security, Customer service hotline Front stage Backstage Customer action Employee action Phone/ internet contact Make recommendation Arrived store Pay Delivery Recorded & follow upCustomer service CS associate, Security Cashier Enter data Register data Distribution Sent out Front stage Backstage Customer action Employee action Phone/ internet contact Make recommendation Arrived store Pay Delivery Recorded & follow up Customer service CS associate, Security Cashier Enter data Register data Distribution Sent out Most of the customer are having connect with company is they come to the store. But MUJI also provide a delivery ordering service to customers. When the total price over $3001 that the delivery charge will be free but if below $3000, it will take $120 for the charge.And have other three types of charge, like bridge/tunnel toll, labor charge, assembly charge, that will charge when different situation happened. And must remember that does the large packing furniture can be moved to the designated location or not so need to careful of this. Also, MUJI have cooperation with Hang Seng Bank that created a MUJI card that to attract consumers. Using MUJI card at MUJI can earn $5 MUJI dollars for every spending of $100 and can use the MUJI dollars when you use the MUJI card to buy at MUJI next time to enjoy double benefits.The responsibility range of each department Back stage department Human resource Staff is very importance of a company because if you don’t have any staff or they didn’t like the company, will make company’s quality down and nothing can do without staff. So that the most importance thing of human resource department has to do is how company keeps outstanding staff in company and recru it some outstanding people outside to join the company. And the mainly job of the department are including, compensation & benefits, staffing & selection, and training & development.Distribution Distribution department need to help picking and packing goods, delivery goods, physical storage planning, physical storage planning, may facilitate the movement of materials. And the department is being an important charter in the company because the company sales are directly related to the speed of delivery goods. Quality check When product finishes production and delivery to Hong Kong, will have a check in lab for testing its different kind of quality, like safety, health, practicability, etc.And they not only do the checking in lab, they also need to go to stores to have a random check to make sure the products have the high quality provide to customers. Marketing When the product start the production process, marketing department also need to start thinking about the compan y marketing strategy to defined the target market of the product, then find out the most suitable way for sell. Also, the marketing strategy must including promotion plan, like new product exhibition, advertising, sale, distribute leaflets to potential consumer, etc. AdministrationAdministration department is a department that sundry duties in a company. They need to arrange the appliances, like stationery, and buy the appliances, like water dispenser, keep in good repair of office, for example, clean the windows or rug, contact with the security of building, response company pantry and the document sending. Finance/ Accounting The mainly job of the department would be properly to help company manage the affair of finance, handle and calculate each department of company, defined the future development plan from the account, make sure the money enough to un the business and have great management system to manage and protect company’s asset. Information Technology Help to desig n and create company website, then need to manage the website, provide technology of computer science that to maintain or upgrade office computers or company system. Back-stage department (Japan head office) Purchasing Purchasing department is searching manufactory, material suppler, then inquire about price, negotiated price, makes contract with suppler, tracking warehousing, manage the inventory, processing the defective products, etc.They have to help the company to find out the cheapest price and have good quality company to be the suppler because the material cost may increase when contract higher price with supplier then the selling price will also follow to increase so it is very important to the production. Productive The job of the deportment is to manage, control the time to finish the product on time, control the cost of the production. They will subscribe guide line about the standard of product to let manufactory to follow, include following: quality, specifications, qu antity, deadline, method of using science.Creative Creative department’s staffs must have many creative ideas to help company design a new, useful and special product that can have good selling number. But their design still need keep company style and control the quality. Research & Development This department’s mainly job is collect data for research, basic research and applied research, then by the result to think about how to develop the products and fits to market. Front-stage department Sales The mainly job of sales department is make marketing department creates marketing strategy plan to operate.Also, the department staffs are selling products at retail store and answer customers inquire. They need to know all detail of the product that which in their response area. And they must have good communication and selling skills. Public relationship A good business image is rely on good public relationship department because it is a department that response to pro vide positive image to public, like send out declare when having any bad in that country or update the positive news to consumers, etc. Customer ServiceThe mainly work of the department is handle daily running of customer service, like receive customer order and follow up the order, and provide good service to customer, answer customer’s inquire or complaint. Security It’s a most important deportment of a company because it is related to safety problem. Their job is make sure all the staff and company’s safety, have temporary problem solving sills, for example, something have been stolen or company on fire, so they response to follow the timetable to make one’s rounds of inspection and general security’s job.Conclusion MUJI is one of the company that provide high quality service, and they are not only focus this way, they also focus on resource of Earth, environment, recycle problems and it’s store image of ‘sample style’ can at tract many different age group people to visit. But one of thing that MUJI need to improve is their Hong Kong MUJI website is too simple that not enough information to show consumers.

MacbethS Supernatural Scenes Explained Essays - Free Essays

MacbethS Supernatural Scenes Explained Essays - Free Essays MacbethS Supernatural Scenes Explained Macbeths supernatural scenes explained In todays rational and scientifically explainable world, it would be hard for us to believe in supernatural intervention in our every day lives unlike during the times of the Shakespearean plays. In Shakespeares Macbeth, there are three examples of this kind of thing: one with the witches, one with a ghost of a best friend, and one with the a few apparitions. In the first nonrational scene three old dirty hags (witches) are discussing where they should meet Macbeth to persuade him into thinking he should be the nest king. When Macbeth finally meets the three witches on the heath like they had planed, him and his best friend Banquo are there. The witches know form years of experience that people that are Thanes always want to be king some day no matter what it takes. With the witches knowing this, they make Macbeth think that he is to be king or made king by saying All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!(I, iii, 50) Therefor most of what the witches say they know because the have many years of experience and wisdom under their sleeves. Banquo, knowing what the witches had said, has to be dealt with by Macbeth. So Macbeth hires a hit man to take care of Banquo, and at Macbeths dinner party all the seats are filled except for Banquos. Macbeth, feeling guilty about his best friend, starts to hallucinate and thinks he is seeing Banquos ghost in his seat. So Macbeth says to everyone The table is full(III,iv,46) and everyone thinks he is physco. Macbeth starts talking to the so called ghost that he thinks is sitting there saying Thou canst say I did it.(III,iv,50) With Macbeth saying this it lets everyone know about the guilt that Macbeth feels and some of the other people know the crime he has committed as well. In the last witch scene Macbeth wants to see some things or people that he should beware of in the future. So the witches give Macbeth the descriptive physique of three apparitions: one of a solider in battle, one of a king that is a kid, and one of a bleeding child. While the witches call the apparitions out Macbeth sees them, and again it could be a figment of his imagination or it could be because it is at night and he cant see very well. So maybe there are some things in the Elizabethan era that then could not be explained and they were considered supernatural. But now as we look back into that era we can most likely find a rational explanation for most of the things called supernatural in that day, like the witches, Banquos ghost and the apparitions. In todays society most things are scientifically explainable. In todays rational and scientifically explainable world, it would be hard for us to believe in supernatural intervention in our every day lives unlike during the times of the Shakespearean plays. In Shakespeares Macbeth, there are three examples of this kind of thing: one with the witches, one with a ghost of a best friend, and one with the a few apparitions. In the first nonrational scene three old dirty hags (witches) are discussing where they should meet Macbeth to persuade him into thinking he should be the nest king. When Macbeth finally meets the three witches on the heath like they had planed, him and his best friend Banquo are there. The witches know form years of experience that people that are Thanes always want to be king some day no matter what it takes. With the witches knowing this, they make Macbeth think that he is to be king or made king by saying All hail, Macbeth, thou shalt be king hereafter!(I, iii, 50) Therefor most of what the witches say they know because the have many years of experience and wisdom under their sleeves. Banquo, knowing what the witches had said, has to be dealt with by Macbeth. So Macbeth hires a hit man to take care of Banquo, and at Macbeths dinner party all the seats are filled except for Banquos. Macbeth, feeling guilty about his best friend, starts to hallucinate and thinks he

Violence in the Media ESL Classroom Debate

Violence in the Media ESL Classroom Debate This debate can easily turn into a debate about what Free Speech really means, and can therefore be extremely interesting to students who are living in countries where the right to Free Speech is considered a fundamental right. You can choose groups based on the students opinions. However, you can also have students support opinions that are not necessarily their own to help improve fluency. In this manner, students pragmatically focus on correct production skills in conversation rather than striving to win the argument. For more information on this approach please see the following feature: Teaching Conversational Skills: Tips and Strategies Aim: Improve conversational skills when supporting a point of view Activity: Debate about the question of whether violence in the media (Television, newspapers, magazines, internet, etc.) needs to be more tightly regulated. Level: Upper-intermediate to advanced Outline Review language used when expressing opinions, disagreeing, making comments on other persons point of view, etc. (See work sheet)Ask students for examples of violence in various media forms and ask them how much violence they experience second hand through the media every day. This guide to media related vocabulary can help provide students with terminology used to discuss the media.  Have students consider which positive or negative effects this amount of violence in the media has on society.Based on students responses, divide groups up into two groups. One group arguing that government needs to more strictly regulate the media and one arguing that there is no need for government intervention or regulation. Idea: Put students into the group with the opposite opinion of what they seemed to believe in the warm-up conversation.Give students worksheets including ideas pro and con. Have students develop arguments using the ideas on the worksheet as a springboard for further ideas and d iscussion. Once students have prepared their opening arguments, begin with the debate. Each team has 5 minutes to present their principal ideas.Have students prepare notes and make rebuttal to the expressed opinions.While the debate is in progress, take notes on common errors made by the students.At the end of debate, take time for a short focus on common mistakes. This is important, as students should not be too involved emotionally and therefore will be quite capable of recognizing language problems - as opposed to problems in beliefs! Violence In The Media Needs To Be Regulated You are going to debate whether the government should take regulatory steps to control the amount of violence in the media. Use the clues and ideas below to help you create an argument for your appointed point of view with your team members. Below you will find phrases and language helpful in expressing opinions, offering explanations and disagreeing. Phrases to Express Your Opinion I think..., In my opinion..., Id like to..., Id rather..., Id prefer..., The way I see it..., As far as Im concerned..., If it were up to me..., I suppose..., I suspect that..., Im pretty sure that..., It is fairly certain that..., Im convinced that..., I honestly feel that, I strongly believe that..., Without a doubt,..., Phrases to Express Disagreement I dont think that..., Dont you think it would be better..., I dont agree, Id prefer..., Shouldnt we consider..., But what about..., Im afraid I dont agree..., Frankly, I doubt if..., Lets face it, The truth of the matter is..., The problem with your point of view is that... Phrases to Provide Reasons and Offer Explanations To start with, The reason why..., Thats why..., For this reason..., Thats the reason why..., Many people think...., Considering..., Allowing for the fact that..., When you consider that... Position: Yes, The Government Needs to Regulate the Media Violence begets violence.Children copy the violence seen on TV and in films.It is the responsibility of the government to take corrective measures when a situation becomes dangerous.It seems like there are only violent TV shows anymore.Media glorifies violence and sends the wrong message.By giving so much importance to violence, the media encourages crazy people to be violent in order to get a lot of attention.What is more important to the growth of our society: A murder or a good school teacher? Who gets more coverage in the media?Media is cynical and only worried about making money. The only way things will change is if the government intervenes.Does all this violence improve your life in any way? Position: No, The Government Should Leave the Media Deregulated Have you ever heard of the right to Free Speech?The Media only reflects what society as a whole does.It is quite obvious that these films are made for entertainment purposes and anyone can tell the difference between a film and reality.Governments only make matters worse by introducing bureaucracy - they dont really improve a situation.True change needs to come from within and not be imposed from without.We need to be kept informed about the true nature of the society that we live in.Parents do quite a good job of regulating their own childrens behavior.There are already rating systems in place.Wake up. Humanity has always been violent and government regulation is not going to change that. Back to lessons resource page

From Jazz to Jambalaya 11 Fun Things to Do in New Orleans

From Jazz to Jambalaya Fun Things to Do in New Orleans SAT / ACT Prep Online Guides and Tips Lively jazz, extravagant costumes, 19th-century steamboats, spicy Creole food, and cold cocktails are a few key ingredients that go into the unique mix of New Orleans, Louisiana. This eclectic southern city goes by many names- NOLA, Crescent City, the Big Easy- and its culture has many faces, including French, Creole, Caribbean, African-American, Irish, German, and Vietnamese. No wonder the specialty food of this melting pot is gumbo stew, and the music it invented is an improvisational jumble of mixed musical heritage. Read on for the top things to do in New Orleans, the vibrant, multicultural city on the banks of the Mississippi. Top Things to Do in New Orleans: Table of Contents There’s a lot to see and do in New Orleans, so this list of New Orleans attractions gets pretty long. Use this table of contents to go directly to a point of interest, or simply scroll down to read my full list of the best things to do in New Orleans! Stroll through Historic Neighborhoods Listen to Live Jazz Celebrate Mardis Gras and other Festivals Enjoy Creole Food Sip on Crescent City Cocktails Explore the Museum District Dance the Night Away Let a Guide Teach You About Voodoo, Creole Food, or Plantations Ride a Steamboat Down the Mississippi See Elephants, Komodo Dragons, and Tigers at the Audubon Zoo Glide Past Alligators in the Louisiana Swamps Let’s start this New Orleans travel guide with an exploration of the city’s historic neighborhoods. Get ready to step back in time to NOLA’s beginnings as a colony of France. #1: Stroll Through Historic Neighborhoods New Orleans is one of the oldest cities in the United States, making it also one of the prettiest and most atmospheric. It was first settled by the French in 1718, later came under Spanish rule, and was finally bought by the U.S. as part of Thomas Jefferson’s Louisiana Purchase in 1803. You can still see French and Spanish influences in the architecture today. New Orleans’ French Quarter, in particular, retains its historic charm and dates back to the city’s colonial beginnings. We’ll start in the French Quarter, and then look at some of the other districts that you should visit on your trip to New Orleans. French Quarter The French Quarter is the oldest and most visited section of New Orleans. Its colorful buildings boast French and Spanish-style balconies, pretty long windows, and tumbling flowers. The French Quarter is about six blocks wide and 13 blocks long. It’s filled with shops, restaurants, cafes, bars, music venues, clubs, and antique stores, so there’s plenty to do, see, buy, and eat. As the French Quarter is a heavily visited area, it has a lot of places to visit. Below are some of the French Quarter’s most important streets and historic sights. Where to Go in the French Quarter The French Quarter is a great place to start your visit in New Orleans and get a sense of its colonial beginnings. You can walk the oak-shaded streets, admire the colorful architecture, look at historical statues and churches, shop, eat at exciting new restaurants, and see live jazz at night. Here are some of the top places to walk during the day and go out at night. Bourbon Street: If you couldn’t tell from the name, Bourbon Street is bar central. It’s relatively quiet during the day, but turns into a raucous party at night. Bourbon Street is one of the more touristy areas, but there are a few nice restaurants and authentic music venues mixed in. This street can get pretty sleazy at night, but it can also be a lot of fun, depending on what kind of experience you’re looking for. Royal Street: This street is more upscale than Bourbon Street, with specialty shops, art galleries, and restaurants. It’s a pretty place to walk and window shop, even if you’re not planning to buy anything. Jackson Square: This old town square gets filled with performers, live music, food vendors, portrait artists, and tarot card readers. You can see St. Louis Cathedral here, the oldest Roman Catholic church in the U.S. Lower Decatur Street: This street has a lot of restaurants, bars, and music. It’s a more authentic spot for live music than Bourbon Street. Chartres Street: Here you can find the best preserved colonial architecture in the French Quarter, along with a bunch of shops, cafes, and restaurants. Old French Market: This 250-year-old market sells foods, crafts, and souvenirs. St. Louis Cemetery: Come here to see a spooky Southern Gothic cemetery with marble tombs and moss-covered statues. Visit the burial site of legendary "voodoo queen" Marie Laveau, and you might see pilgrims making offerings at her grave. St. Louis Cemetery is a popular stop on New Orleans ghost tours. Uptown The Uptown area of New Orleans is largely residential, but visitors enjoy it for its beautiful 19th century architecture. It’s also a good spot to walk around for a break from the tourist crowds that can fill the French Quarter. The most visited street is Magazine Street, six miles of antique stores, clothing stores, specialty shops, art galleries, restaurants, and cafes. You can also come here for the expansive Audubon Park and Audubon Zoo and see the campuses of Tulane University and Loyola University. A unique way to get around Uptown is to take the St. Charles Avenue streetcar, one of the oldest trollies in New Orleans that runs through this neighborhood. Downriver If you head down the Mississippi from the French Quarter, you’ll get to this bohemian, relaxed area of New Orleans. Its main attraction is Frenchmen Street, which is probably the best place to come for nightlife and live music. On any given night, you’ll find live jazz, rockabilly, Latin American, and other types of music. The Downriver district also contains the 7th, 8th, and 9th wards of New Orleans, the areas most affected by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Many of these areas are still working on rebuilding after the devastation. Central City Come to the Central City district on your New Orleans vacation if you want to see a game at the Superdome or visit art museums. This area contains the business district of New Orleans, with its skyscrapers and high-rises. On one edge sprawls the Superdome, one of the world’s largest sports venues. The Superdome hosted the 2013 Superbowl. It also provided shelter for people who hadn’t evacuated the city during Katrina. The other main attraction of Central City is its revitalized Warehouse District. It contains the experimental Contemporary Arts Center, as well as the Ogden Museum of Southern Art, the National WWII Museum, and the Louisiana Children’s Museum. Come here to see interactive modern art exhibits, learn about NOLA’s role in WWII technology, or let kids play and learn at the children’s museum. Mid-City and Treme Mid-City area and Treme neighborhood are best known for three New Orleans attractions: historical architecture, City Park, and the annual Jazz Fest. Jazz Fest, a celebration of music that attracts thousands of visitors each year, is held at the New Orleans Fairgrounds. Other attractions in this area are the Botanical Garden and the New Orleans Museum of Art, a traditional art museum with a respectable collection of 18th and 19th century European and American paintings and sculptures. Fans of the HBO show Treme may be excited to visit the historic Creole neighborhood in real life. You’ll find Louis Armstrong Park (fun fact: Louis Armstrong was born in New Orleans in 1901), as well as great restaurants and venues with live jazz. How to Get Around New Orleans MisterDavidC/Flickr There are several options for navigating your way from place to place as you experience all the fun things to do in New Orleans. You can drive, although you’ll find that parking can be tough along the narrow streets of the historic quarter. Plus, a lot of the streets here are one-way or pedestrian-only. There are some parking lots, but the prices can get outrageous during festivals like Mardis Gras. New Orleans also has lots of taxis, as well as Uber and Lyft. If you're making your New Orleans visit during Mardis Gras or Jazz Fest, then you might have to deal with long waits and those annoying Uber surge prices. You could also give the New Orleans bus system a try. The buses run regularly, usually every ten minutes at central stops. It’s $1.25 for a single ride, or you could buy a one day, three day, or 31 day â€Å"Jazzy Pass† for unlimited rides. A fun way to get around to see New Orleans attractions is to hop on the historic, above-ground trolleys. These picturesque trolleys date back to 1835 and are as much of a tourist attraction as they are a convenient way to get around. The trolleys cost $1.25 to ride and 25 cents to transfer. Finally, you can take river cruise boats and ferries to make your way down or across the Mississippi River. You might take a ferry to visit the Algiers neighborhood, or join a river boat tour for an afternoon of live jazz. Speaking of jazz, let’s take a look at some of the top spots for live jazz as you plan out what to do in New Orleans, the birthplace of this uniquely American music form. #2: Listen to Live Jazz New Orleans was the birthplace of jazz in the early 20th century. New Orleans-born musician Wynton Marsalis describes the elements that came together to form this uniquely American music form: "New Orleans had a great tradition of celebration. Opera, military marching bands, folk music, the blues, different types of church music, ragtime, echoes of traditional African drumming, and all of the dance styles that went with this music could be heard and seen throughout the city. When all of these kinds of music blended into one, jazz was born." Fans of jazz can find some of the world’s best live music on a nightly basis in New Orleans. You might also come across a â€Å"jazz funeral,† a procession held following a funeral during which the music gradually shifts from somber to more upbeat. Below are some of the best venues for live jazz on a regular basis, but you might also just walk down Frenchmen Street after dark and listen for music that you like! Where to Find the Best Live Music in New Orleans Here are some of the top spots for live music within New Orleans’ vibrant nightlife scene. The Spotted Cat: This is a popular spot on Frenchmen Street. Besides traditional jazz, they also host bands that play gypsy swing, blues, and Latin music. Whatever the genre, the music is usually upbeat and great for dancing. Another nice perk: The Spotted Cat doesn’t charge a cover. Address: 623 Frenchmen St. Snug Harbor Jazz Bistro: Close to the Spotted Cat is this small, intimate jazz club attached to a larger restaurant. You have to pay a cover charge of $10 or more to get into the jazz club, depending on the performer. Alternatively, you could eat at the restaurant and watch the performance live on TV screens. Address: 626 Frenchmen St. Preservation Hall: This well-known music hall hosts a lot of local talent. Because the music is so good, the lines can get long and there’s often only standing room. Address: 726 St. Peter St. Irvin Mayfield’s Jazz Playhouse: This place belongs to Irvin Mayfield, a Grammy-winning trumpeter. It's an upscale but comfortable playhouse that features local jazz musicians every night of the week. Address: 300 Bourbon St. Fritzel’s: This spot is a German beer hall on Bourbon St with nightly music. It often has a big international crowd. Address: 133 Bourbon St. Candlelight Lounge: Come here to see Treme Brass Band perform every Wednesday or The Treme Tet Funk Band on Sundays. Address: 925 N Robertson St. The Davenport Lounge: This elegant, upscale lounge hosts four performances a week by the well-known jazz trumpeter and singer, Jeremy Davenport. Dress up a bit. Address: 921 Canal St. It almost feels sacrilegious to narrow down the list of excellent music venues in New Orleans, because there might actually be no limit to them. So as not to anger the jazz gods, here are a few more great options: Palm Court Jazz Cafe, The Maison, Sweet Lorraine’s, Bacchanal, Monteleone Hotel Carousel Bar, Vaughan’s Lounge, Maple Leaf, Blue Nile, and Polo Club Lounge. #3: Celebrate Mardi Gras and Other Festivals Where can you find the ultimate expression of New Orleans' lively music, bright colors, and general celebration of excess? That would be in its yearly celebration of Mardis Gras in late February and early March! Beyond this famous party, New Orleans also hosts several other annual festivals celebrating music, fun, and life in general. Since some of these festivals attracts hundreds of thousands of people, you’ll need to make reservations well in advance if you plan to attend. Here are some of the top festivals and things to see in New Orleans! Madris Gras: Fat Tuesday! No one celebrates the weeks leading up to Ash Wednesday like New Orleans. The streets fill with celebrations and parades for weeks. People don elaborate costumes and ride on top of extravagant floats, throwing out treats and bead necklaces to the crowds. You can actually see some of the sculptures, floats, props, and costumes year-round in an exhibit at Mardis Gras World. Many of the parades follow the same route every year. Some of the most popular ones are Endymion, Bacchus, Zulu, and Rex. Jazz Fest: This huge music heritage festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people to New Orleans on the last weekend of April and first weekend of May every year. Held at the New Orleans Fairgrounds, Jazz Fest hosts jazz, Cajun, blues, RB, gospel, folk, Latin, rock, rap, country, and bluegrass music. You’ll also find lots of delicious Creole food and crafts for sale at this top attraction in New Orleans. San Fermin en Nueva Orleans: Running of the Bulls in New Orleans? Why not! This July festival was started by a group of friends to mimic the Pamplona tradition. One small difference- the â€Å"bulls† are women on roller skates with plastic baseball bats. Southern Decadence: This LGBTQ pride festival is held every year on Labor Day weekend. It involves big parades and dance parties that follow a new theme every year. The 2016 theme is Decadence Takes the World, and the official colors are ruby, pearl, sapphire, and amethyst. Halloween and the Voodoo Experience: New Orleans residents take Halloween seriously, wearing elaborate costumes and marching in parades on the days leading up to Halloween. The Voodoo Experience festival takes place in late October too, and it brings in lots of pop, alternative, and contemporary musicians. #4: Enjoy Creole Food Nowhere is New Orleans’ multicultural heritage clearer than in its native Creole cuisine. Creole food combines elements from French, Spanish, West African, Native American, and European cooking. A lot of it incorporates the so-called Creole trinity: celery, bell peppers, and onions. You can also find some good Cajun food in New Orleans, but it’s not actually from here. Cajun food developed in other areas in Louisiana. Foods You Should Try Gumbo: gumbo is a thick, flavorful stew. It usually contains meat or shellfish, has the â€Å"trinity† of celery, bell peppers, and onions, and is sometimes served over rice. Jambalaya: This tasty rice dish has meat or seafood, spices, the trinity, tomatoes, and chili. It can be made with chicken, pork, crayfish, seafood, and/or Andouille sausage. Crawfish: aka, crayfish. They’re usually boiled in spicy water and served with corn and potatoes. Oysters: usually served raw or battered and fried. Dirty rice: rice fried with chicken liver, celery, pepper, and onion and spiced with cayenne and black pepper. Po’ Boys: sandwiches on French bread. The exact fillings differ by restaurant, but are most commonly roast beef with a gravy, oysters, and fried shrimp. If you ask for the sandwich to be â€Å"dressed,† then it will have lettuce, tomato, pickles, and mayo. Beignets: delicious square donuts with powdered sugar. Bananas foster: warm bananas with cinnamon, sugar, and butter, usually served over vanilla ice cream. Snowballs: shaved ice flavored with condensed milk or syrup. Some places just have one or two syrups, while others give you over 20 options, including various kinds of fruit, coffee, chocolate, vanilla, ginger, and more. Restaurant and Cafe Recommendations Here are a few suggestions for where to find great Creole food and desserts. I also included one of the more gourmet snowball stands, though if you’re visiting New Orleans in the summer, the best snowballs are usually located at whichever stand is the closest! Dryade’s Public Market: This big market has lots of affordable options for brunch, lunch, or dinner. The space includes sandwich, oyster, pasta, and salad bars and other prepared foods. Address: 1307 Oretha Castle Haley Blvd. Cavan: This modern restaurant has rave reviews for its seafood and raw bar. Make a reservation or sit at the bar or upstairs cocktail lounge. Address: 3607 Magazine St. Killer Po’ Boys: This sandwich shop in the French Quarter serves up a variety of po’ boys, including vegetarian ones. Address: 219 Dauphine St. Copper Monkey: I can’t speak to most of the food on the menu, but I had jambalaya so good here I went back the second day to get it again. They also apparently have homemade beignets stuffed with bananas, cinnamon, and sugar. I’m hoping that this dessert is a new addition to the menu; otherwise, I’m kicking myself for missing out on it while I was there! Address: 725 Conti St. Bennachin: This restaurant serves up New Orleans-influenced West African cuisine, including lots of vegetarian dishes. Address: 1212 Royal St. Brigtsen’s: You can find modern Creole food in this quaint Victorian cottage. Entrees range between $20 and $30. Address: 723 Dante St. Cafe du Monde: This is the most famous spot in New Orleans for beignets. It opened by the Mississippi River in 1862. Today, the lines can get very long. I actually felt let down by Cafe du Monde. It was a big, super touristy cafe, and I prefer cafes to have a smaller, more intimate atmosphere. The beignets and cafe au lait are really good, though. Address: 800 Decatur St. Cafe Beignet: I prefer Cafe Beignet for tasty Southern donuts. It’s a cozy indoor cafe with amazing beignets and coffee. Address: 334 Royal St. Hansen’s Sno-Bliz: This place has been serving the shaved ice treats since 1939! It has lots of homemade syrups in a variety of flavors, including various fruits, cream of chocolate, cream of coconut, anise, cardamom, ginger-cayenne, and honey lavender. Address: 4801 Tchoupitoulas St. #5: Sip on Crescent City Cocktails New Orleans only has one law about public drinking: keep your cocktail in a plastic cup. You can easily find these plastic cups at most bars, where bartenders let you take your drink to go if you’re not finished with it before you’re ready to move on to the next stop. Coming from regulation-happy Boston, New Orleans’ attitude toward closing times (basically a quarter to never) and public drinking felt totally foreign and free-spirited. I remember especially being struck by the upscale art galleries that had â€Å"drink tables† by the entrance for you to place your cocktail while you browsed. While you can find any kind of cocktail in New Orleans, which ones are native to the city? Cocktails and Other Drinks From New Orleans New Orleans is known for bourbon, sazeracs, Ramos gin fizzes, grasshoppers, and Abita beer. Sazerac is a cocktail containing rye whiskey, bitters, a sugar cube, and sometimes absinthe. The Ramos gin fizz is a bit more complicated, with a mix of gin, simple syrup, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, heavy cream, orange blossom water, and club soda, all shaken together vigorously. New Orleans is also home to the grasshopper, a mint-flavored after dinner drink containing creme de menthe, creme de cacao, and cream. It’s usually shaken with ice, strained, and served chilled. Another popular drink, mostly among partying tourists, is the hurricane, a fruit punch and rum concoction. You can also try the local beer, Abita, or the brews of NOLA Brewery (NOLA stands for New Orleans Lager and Ale). As a city that loves to celebrate, New Orleans holds an annual festival around its drinks. Every July is the Tales of the Cocktails celebration for people to sample cocktails and bartenders and mixologists to attend seminars. So where can you find some of the best sazeracs and Ramos gin fizzes in the country? Below are some recommendations for the best bars in New Orleans. Best Bars in New Orleans Narrowing down a list of bars in New Orleans is as hard as narrowing down its music venues. I made the attempt, though, with this list of places ranging from dive bars to fancy hotel bars. You might also find a favorite walking along Frenchmen, Lower Decatur, or Bourbon Street after dark. Read on for the best places to imbibe on your New Orleans visit. Tujague’s: Birthplace of the grasshopper. This atmospheric bar has great cocktails, and the structure of the bar itself dates back to 1856. Address: 823 Decatur St. Jean Lafitte’s Old Absinthe House: This 200-year-old bar is famous for its absinthe drinks, plus it serves lots of other traditional New Orleans cocktails. Because of its history and location in the French Quarter, it’s a popular spot with tourists. Address: 240 Bourbon St. Arnaud’s French 75 Bar: This upscale bar serves up classy cocktails inside its warm wooden interior. Address: 813 Bienville St. Pat O’Brien’s: This rum bar invented the hurricane. You’ll find big, inexpensive drinks, a touristy crowd, and dueling pianos. Address: 718 St Peter St. Carousel Bar and Lounge: Sit around a charming old merry-go-round in this upscale bar and enjoy one of the best Ramos gin fizzes in New Orleans. The seats, you might be relieved or disappointed to hear, aren’t moving. Address: Hotel Monteleone, 214 Royal St. Sazerac Bar: As the name suggests, this fancy bar serves great sazeracs, as well as other cocktails in the Roosevelt Hotel. Address: The Roosevelt New Orleans, 130 Roosevelt Way. Napoleon House Bar and Cafe: This atmospheric, 200-year-old bar was once home to a New Orleans mayor who offered it as refuge to Napoleon. For one reason or another, Napoleon never managed to get himself to Louisiana. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself shouting, â€Å"Vive l'empereur!† over high-quality cocktails and food. Address: 500 Chartres St. Twelve Mile Limit: This large indoor and outdoor place has inexpensive drinks and a young crowd. You can get cheap beer or carefully crafted cocktails. Address: 500 S Telemachus St. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop: This bar dates back to the early 1700s, when it was used as a base for smuggling operations. In addition to the well-priced drinks, you might spot the apparitions of long-dead pirates floating in the eaves. Address: 941 Bourbon St. #6: Explore the Museum District Silver Wiesel1/Flickr While it’s easy to lose yourself in the non-stop parties and concerts of New Orleans, you should also check out its thriving traditional and contemporary art scene. Below are some of the best art and history museums in the city. New Orleans Museum of Art: This huge museum has 46 galleries housing 16th to 20th century European paintings and sculptures and 18th to 19th century American paintings and sculptures. It also has collections of Asian, African, and Native American art, photography, and decorative arts and treasures. Contemporary Arts Center: New Orleans’ modern art museum was established in a 30,000-foot warehouse. In addition to the exhibits of bold contemporary art, the center hosts performing arts, events, and educational programs. Ogden Museum of Southern Art: This museum has the largest collection of American Southern art in the world. It also holds a music series on Thursdays in the atrium. National WWII Museum: This history museum, affiliated with the Smithsonian, focuses on the US role in the war. It also features the New Orleans-based Higgins Industries, which developed Higgins boats, amphibious crafts that played an important role during the war. Louisiana Children's Museum: This museum’s great for kids with its playful, educational, and interactive exhibits on art, music, science, math, health, and New Orleans. One exhibit has a model for kids to â€Å"pilot a towboat down the Mississippi.† 1850 House: This house is furnished in its original 1850 style. You can see domestic goods and decorate arts of the 1850s, which was a prosperous time in New Orleans. #7: Dance the Night Away Now that we've taken a look at museums in New Orleans, let’s get back to the party! Along with all the festivals and live music, NOLA also has a big nightlife and dancing scene. You’ll find everything from big nightclubs to casual dancing on outdoor patios. Here are a few suggestions for where to dance the night away in New Orleans. Beach on Bourbon: You can find this big club on Bourbon St. It has an outdoor and indoor area, nightly DJs, a big dance floor, and last but certainly not least, a mechanical whale. Address: 227 Bourbon St. Cafe Negril: Come to this Frenchmen Street club for funky live music and a busy dance floor. Address: 606 Frenchmen St. Mojitos: This bar has live music and salsa dancing every Sunday night on its outdoor patio. Address: 37 Esplanade Ave. One Eyed Jack’s: If you were hoping for a place to break out your shoulder pads and hairspray, this is it. One Eyed Jack’s holds an 80s themed dance party every Thursday night, and a lot of people dress up in their 80s finest. Address: 615 Toulouse St. Metropolitan Nightclub: This two-story warehouse club has bar stations, a light show, smoke machines, and top DJs. Address: 310 Andrew Higgins Dr. #8: Let a Guide Teach You About Voodoo, Creole Food, or Plantations Guided tours may sound like one of those boring activities you’re forced to do with your parents or on a school field trip, but New Orleans actually makes them lots of fun. You can see all sorts of strange corners of the city on these themed tours, whether you’re hunting for ghosts on a voodoo tour or driving out to the massive, oak-shaded plantations that sit just outside the city. Here are some of the top tours that you can enjoy on your vacation to New Orleans. Ghost tour: New Orleans ghost tours bring you around the old cemeteries and haunted houses of the city, filling your ear with eerie legends about the dark and mysterious events in the city’s past. The original group to give these nighttime walks is Haunted History Tour. The two-hour jaunt is $25 for adults ($18 reduced). Horse and carriage tour: If you’d rather opt for romantic over macabre, then hop in one of the horse-drawn carriages waiting around Jackson Square. The driver will tell you anecdotes and history as you travel around the French Quarter the way people did a hundred years ago. The carriages cost about $12 for half an hour. Culinary tour: These walking tours stop at restaurants and bars throughout the city for yummy samples. Check out Bon Moment Culinary Tours (about $45) or Doctor Gumbo Tours (about $55). Plantation tour: Visit extravagant homes from the antebellum south and the surrounding slaves quarters. Some good tours are Gray Line New Orleans, Cajun Pride Plantation Tours, and Plantation Tours by Isabelle. They cost about $80 for a full day tour with transportation. If you have a car, you could also visit the plantations yourself. Some of the best ones to see are Laura, Whitney, Oak Alley, San Fransisco, and Destrehan. #9: Ride a Steamboat Down the Mississippi A hundred years ago, the main way to get to New Orleans was by boat along the Mississippi. Today, you can travel on a 19th century riverboat down the wide river while enjoying Creole food and live jazz. The most popular boats to show you all the things to see in New Orleans along its shore are the Steamboat Natchez and the Creole Queen. You can go in the daytime or later on for dinner and a night-time cruise. The cost is about $30 to $40 a person. #10: See Elephants, Komodo Dragons, and Tigers at the Audubon Zoo Elephants, komodo dragons, and tigers, oh my! Another fun thing to do in New Orleans is to visit the 58-acre Audubon Zoo, home to over 2,000 animals. You can visit gorillas, orangutans, anacondas, giraffes, flamingos, jaguars, and rare white tigers, to name a few animals who call the zoo home, and make your way over to see fish and insects at the aquarium and insectarium. One of the zoo's most unique exhibits is the Swamp Exhibit, an area designed to look like a Louisiana swamp. The area contains a floating Cajun houseboat, as well as taxidermied animals native to Louisiana, including black bears, raccoons, otters, and alligators. Zoo tickets are $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. It's open everyday from 10 AM to 5 PM. #: Glide Past Alligators in the Louisiana Swamps The Louisiana swamps evoke a sense of timelessness. You float through the still waters beneath curtains of Spanish moss hanging from gnarled cyprus trees. You’ll see sunbathing turtles, sneaky raccoons, delicate white herons, and the watchful eyes of alligators lurking beneath the surface. Along the shore squat old, single-room cabins where people used to live in the swamp. The closest swamp to New Orleans is now protected as part of the Jean Lafitte Nature Preserve. I went on a New Orleans swamp tour and loved the beautiful surroundings and unique chance for nature photography. Prices range depending on whether or not you need transportation. A boat ride is just about $20 without transportation from and to the city, but it goes up to $50 or so with a ride. You can also go on two or three hour kayaking and canoeing tours, which cost somewhere between $50 and $60. The top rated New Orleans swamp tours outside New Orleans are Cajun Encounters Tour Company, Ultimate Swamp Adventures, and Honey Swamp Tours. Some of the best kayaking groups are Wild Louisiana Tours and New Orleans Kayak Swamp Tours. While New Orleans is a highly popular tourist destination and bursting with festivals and celebrations, it’s also still dealing with the aftershock of Hurricane Katrina. Many areas, particularly those of lower-income that aren’t prime tourist spots, are still struggling to rebuild years later. New Orleans and Hurricane Katrina Over 80% of New Orleans flooded when the levees broke during Hurricane Katrina, one of the deadliest and most destructive hurricanes to ever hit the U.S. Over 1,400 people died, many of them still unaccounted for, and thousands lost their homes during the flooding. The 7th, 8th, and 9th ward of New Orleans suffered the most damage, with the lower 9th ward being the worst hit. There are New Orleans tourism groups that take visitors on â€Å"disaster tours,† showing them the restored and still struggling areas. These tours are controversial, with some people considering them to be voyeuristic and exploitative. In 2006, the tours were so intrusive that the New Orleans City Council banned them in the lower 9th ward. These areas are still in need of resources and rebuilding, and there are opportunities to volunteer for those interested. Two volunteer groups are New Orleans Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together New Orleans. Visiting New Orleans: Final Tips Sorting through my impressions from my trip to New Orleans, a few images rise to the surface. I think about listening to live jazz in a dark, hundred-year-old bar. I remember jambalaya beside a cold gin cocktail with fresh mint. There were purple flowers tumbling off of Spanish balconies, old riverboats on the Mississippi, and silent, spooky swamplands full of alligators. As one of the oldest cities in the U.S., New Orleans bursts with historic charm and a lively atmosphere. Over the last few hundred years, New Orleans became home to people from all over the world. From its blend of global cultures grew distinct new forms of music and food. Each and every night, you’ll find great live music of all genres, from traditional or contemporary jazz to blues to rockabilly. New Orleans is a city that wakes up all of your senses. Go see the Big Easy for yourself and learn what New Orleans writer Chris Rose means when he says, â€Å"We dance even if there’s no radio. We drink at funerals. We talk too much and laugh too loud and live too large and, frankly, we’re suspicious of others who don’t.†

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Key Account Management - Case Study Example But these are strategies effective only during the initial stage. Once positioning is established, all efforts must then be centered at maintaining a course whereby profitability is promising, incidental to an effective reason to improve. This is where Key Account Management or KAM is most useful. Key Accounts are those that provide high revenue and critical asset, requiring strong leadership and excellent management skills. KAM is the most practical means of survival in this highly competitive market amidst increasing demand in current economic condition, a way to achieve longevity and create future growth, a way of preserving a good customer relationship. This essay emphasizes the Role of Key Account Management, as a tool and process that equips a company in acquiring and retaining large customer revenue fosters symbiotic mutually profitable and sustainable business relations resulting to a "win-win" situation. In a business that engages i... As such, the goals, missions, value, principles as well as the skills and capabilities inherent among sales personnel should be conveyed properly to every member of the organization. This should be initialized by the company head who takes responsibility relaying imperative matters to all levels of sales director who receives compensation dependent upon the generated sales profit. In his article Key Account Management Strategy, Jay Dwivedi said that "Salespeople learn only the hard way that many big companies really give them the business that they deserve based on the effort that they put in. Therefore, it is important to clearly identify what customers are "key" to your business and then serving them using a well thought out plan" (Dwivedi, n.d.). A good key account management entails constant check and update in terms of performance at least on a quarterly basis, taking into account the total revenue; percentage profits; growth rate of sales in existing product line; value of new products/services; order size distribution and average and price comparison with other customers in the same category. In his web article, the author furthered the importance of understanding, that while support from the corporate office is imperative, the actual development of key account management program is the effort originating from the local executives who know the overall whereabouts of the market. Since this program is constantly evolving in a manner similar to the rate of improvement of the product, continuous feedback from the customers is thus crucial to the alignment of the goals.

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Background for cgeesecack factory restaurant - Essay Example In 1975, Evelyn started to make a variety of delicious cheesecakes and some fantastic desserts that were sold by thousands of wholesale accounts. Just after thirty years, with one hundred and seventy locations, the success of the cheesecake factory has made it a great success story for the American. The restaurant looked impressive. There were many apartments to be seated in. There was an oval bar off to the right of the entrance. There were two levels of seating and some were in open areas while others were in off to the side areas for quiet or even romantic dining. The people were dressed in a variety of ways. Some folks had on shorts and others were dressed up in beautiful special evening clothing. As we looked around we noticed the servers were smiling, happy and courteous with everyone – no matter what they were ordering. People ordered pizza, snacks, sandwiches, appetizers and meals or any combination of those items. We wanted to stay at the restaurant for a while so we could watch people for this paper, so we ate a very small lunch and saved our appetite for this evening out. This assignment is a combination of our observations. The Cheesecake Factory Restaurant was our choice for this assignment because everyone tells us how great the food is and how much fun it is to eat there. We have been told they have good and friendly service, sports on the televisions around the whole restaurant, and good food. We are international students and know that there are many thoughts that go through our minds as we spend time in a restaurant. People of all nationalities, races, colors, and cultural backgrounds appeared at the restaurant during our time there. It does not cater to one specific group of people. As we consider the people we see we try to guess as many details about them as possible by their dress, mannerisms, skin color, and language. We believe people’s culture is an asset to our goal of international business

Key Account Management Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Key Account Management - Case Study Example But these are strategies effective only during the initial stage. Once positioning is established, all efforts must then be centered at maintaining a course whereby profitability is promising, incidental to an effective reason to improve. This is where Key Account Management or KAM is most useful. Key Accounts are those that provide high revenue and critical asset, requiring strong leadership and excellent management skills. KAM is the most practical means of survival in this highly competitive market amidst increasing demand in current economic condition, a way to achieve longevity and create future growth, a way of preserving a good customer relationship. This essay emphasizes the Role of Key Account Management, as a tool and process that equips a company in acquiring and retaining large customer revenue fosters symbiotic mutually profitable and sustainable business relations resulting to a "win-win" situation. In a business that engages i... As such, the goals, missions, value, principles as well as the skills and capabilities inherent among sales personnel should be conveyed properly to every member of the organization. This should be initialized by the company head who takes responsibility relaying imperative matters to all levels of sales director who receives compensation dependent upon the generated sales profit. In his article Key Account Management Strategy, Jay Dwivedi said that "Salespeople learn only the hard way that many big companies really give them the business that they deserve based on the effort that they put in. Therefore, it is important to clearly identify what customers are "key" to your business and then serving them using a well thought out plan" (Dwivedi, n.d.). A good key account management entails constant check and update in terms of performance at least on a quarterly basis, taking into account the total revenue; percentage profits; growth rate of sales in existing product line; value of new products/services; order size distribution and average and price comparison with other customers in the same category. In his web article, the author furthered the importance of understanding, that while support from the corporate office is imperative, the actual development of key account management program is the effort originating from the local executives who know the overall whereabouts of the market. Since this program is constantly evolving in a manner similar to the rate of improvement of the product, continuous feedback from the customers is thus crucial to the alignment of the goals.

Critically appraise the extent to which an understanding of cultural Essay

Critically appraise the extent to which an understanding of cultural differences can assist in managing people in the workplace - Essay Example This paper will critically appraise the extent to which an understanding of cultural differences can assist in managing people in the workplace. There has been a good definition of culture in the above first chapter. It is important to note that culture is either generic culture or local culture (Alatas, 2009). Generic culture consists of shared culture among people in the world, whereas local culture entails schemas that are shared by the only specific social group in this world (Alatas, 2009). Globalization has made this world a global village. In broader terms, globalization has brought people in this world closer. That said, people from different parts of the world have found themselves working together in the same corporations. This is very interesting because it seems hard to deal with people from different cultures. It requires deeper understanding of cultural diversities such as things not to say to people from different cultures, and the ways of communication (Calveley, 2015). A good understanding of cultural diversities by managers will make it easy for them to motivate employees, structuring strategies, and implementing important strategies. As noted in a study by Connaughton (2007), there are many levels where culture works. The first level is national level. Here, the unconscious values of people bring the difference in national culture. These values are taught when people are young. National culture is normally stable but changes afterward in the practices, but the unconscious values do not change (Connaughton, 2007). The second level is organizational level. Here, the level of practices is the one that brings the difference and are often manageable. Organizational cultures usually differ from one company to another, but the firms need to be operating in the same country (Connaughton, 2007). The third is occupational level. This lies between organizational and national cultures. For example, entering an occupation such as service in the

The New Deal & The Great Society Essay Example for Free

The New Deal The Great Society Essay As we look back in modern American history, there are three sizable reform periods from 1890 through the 1960s. These three periods were The Progressive Period, 1890 to 1914, The New Deal, 1933 to 1938, and The Great Society, 1964 to 1968. The ultimate goal of these reform periods was to improve the United States Economically, Socially, and Politically. The Progressive Period helped the nation economically by dislodging the monopolies that provided utilities to the urban areas. This formulated more affordable utilities to the everyday citizen. The New Deals prospective of helping with economics was by closing down all of the banks. Then FDR pushed the Emergency Banking Act through Congress, which gave the government to inspect the financial health of the banks. They also founded the FDIC, which insured all deposits $5,000 and under. The Great Society brought about a tax-cut to help stimulate business. Many people thought that this tax-cut would increase the deficit, surprisingly the deficit shrunk, and the GNP increased steadily year after year. This was due to the tax-cut in the 60s. The Progressive Period coined the welfare programs to help reform the nation socially. Welfare programs helped ensure a basic standard of living for Americans. Socially, The New Deal provided relief programs such as the CWA, which gave jobs to the unemployed to help with roads, parks, airports, and other facilities to benefit the future. Lyndon B. Johnson and his Great Society fabricated Medicare, which would provide health care to the elderly for the 1st time in history. Politically, The Progressive Period had the most significant reform of the three durations. During this period women finally gained suffrage, this is still making a large effect on America today. The New Deal helped safeguard the Constitution after the Great Crash by not going with a left or right wing dictatorship. Along with the Great Society came civil rights movements which banned discrimination in the public and gave blacks the right to vote. All three of these reform programs were flourishing until their begetter relinquished their control. The Progressive Period was thriving until 1914 when the Great War was approaching. The New Deal was ceased in 1938 when  many critics considered the deal to be too socialistic. Thirty years later The Great Society came to an abrupt end when Lyndon B. Johnson failed in his attempt of re-election as the president.

Computer Generated 3D Animation Computer Science Essay

Computer Generated 3D Animation Computer Science Essay Computer animation (or CGI animation) is the art of creating moving images with the use of computers. Increasingly it is created by means of 3D computer graphics, though 2D computer graphics are still widely used for stylistic, low bandwidth, and faster real-time rendering needs. It is also referred to as CGI (computer-generated imagery or computer-generated imaging), especially when used in films. 2. PRINCIPLES OF ANIMATION Computer animation is essentially a digital successor to the art of stop motion animation of 3D models and frame-by-frame animation of 2D illustrations. For 3D animations, objects (models) are built on the computer monitor (modeled) and 3D figures are rigged with a virtual skeleton. Then the limbs, eyes, mouth, clothes, etc. of the figure are moved by the animator on key frames. The differences in appearance between key frames are automatically calculated by the computer in a process known as tweening or morphing. Finally, the animation is rendered. For 3D animations, all frames must be rendered after modeling is complete. For 2D vector animations, the rendering process is the key frame illustration process, while tweened frames are rendered as needed. To create the illusion of movement, an image is displayed on the computer screen and repeatedly replaced by a new image that is similar to the previous image, but advanced slightly in the time domain, usually at a rate of 24 or 30 frames/second. This technique is identical to how the illusion of movement is achieved with television and motion pictures. To trick the eye and brain into thinking they are seeing a smoothly moving object, the pictures should be drawn at around 12 frames per second (frame/s) or faster (a frame is one complete image). With rates above 70 frames/s no improvement in realism or smoothness is perceivable due to the way the eye and brain process images. At rates below 12 frame/s most people can detect jerkiness associated with the drawing of new images which detracts from the illusion of realistic movement. Conventional hand-drawn cartoon animation often uses 15 frames/s in order to save on the number of drawings needed, but this is usually accepted because of the stylized nature of cartoons. Because it produces more realistic imagery computer animation demands higher frame rates to reinforce this realism. The reason no jerkiness is seen at higher speeds is due to persistence of vision. From moment to moment, the eye and brain working together actually store whatever one looks at for a fraction of a second, and automatically smooth out minor jumps. Movie film seen in theaters in the United States runs at 24 frames per second, which is sufficient to create this illusion of continuous movement. 3. HOW DOES IT WORK The process of creating 3D animations can be sequentially divided into three basic phases: 3D modeling which describes the process of forming the shape of an object, layout and animation which describes the motion and placement of objects within a scene, and 3D rendering which produces an image of an object. a)The 3D model describes the process of forming the shape of an object. The two most common sources of 3D models are those originated on the computer by an artist or engineer using some kind of 3D modeling tool, and those scanned into a computer from real-world objects. Models can also be produced procedurally or via physical simulation. 3D computer graphics are often referred to as 3D models. Apart from the rendered graphic, the model is contained within the graphical data file. However, there are differences. A 3D model is the mathematical representation of any three-dimensional object. A model is not technically a graphic until it is displayed. Due to 3D printing, 3D models are not confined to virtual space. A model can be displayed visually as a two-dimensional image through a process called 3D rendering, or used in non-graphical computer simulations and calculations. 3D computer animation combines 3D models of objects and programmed movement. Models are constructed out of geometrical vertices, faces, and edges in a 3D coordinate system. Objects are sculpted much like real clay or plaster, working from general forms to specific details with various sculpting tools. A bone/joint system is set up to deform the 3D mesh (e.g., to make a humanoid model walk). In a process called rigging, the virtual marionette is given various controllers and handles for controlling movement. b)Before objects are rendered, they must be placed (laid out) within a scene. This is what defines the spatial relationships between objects in a scene including location and size. Animation refers to the temporal description of an object, how it moves and deforms over time. Popular methods include keyframing, inverse kinematics, and motion capture, though many of these techniques are used in conjunction with each other. As with modeling, physical simulation is another way of specifying motion. In most 3D computer animation systems, an animator creates a simplified representation of a characters anatomy, analogous to a skeleton or stick figure. The position of each segment of the skeletal model is defined by animation variables, or Avars. In human and animal characters, many parts of the skeletal model correspond to actual bones, but skeletal animation is also used to animate other things, such as facial features (though other methods for facial animation exist). The character Woody in Toy Story, for example, uses 700 Avars, including 100 Avars in the face. The computer does not usually render the skeletal model directly (it is invisible), but uses the skeletal model to compute the exact position and orientation of the character, which is eventually rendered into an image. Thus by changing the values of Avars over time, the animator creates motion by making the character move from frame to frame. There are several methods for generating the Avar values to obtain realistic motion. Traditionally, animators manipulate the Avars directly. Rather than set Avars for every frame, they usually set Avars at strategic points (frames) in time and let the computer interpolate or tween between them by keyframing. Keyframing puts control in the hands of the animator, and has roots in hand-drawn traditional animation. In contrast, a newer method called motion capture makes use of live action. When computer animation is driven by motion capture, a real performer acts out the scene as if they were the character to be animated. His or her motion is recorded to a computer using video cameras and markers, and that performance is then applied to the animated character. Each method has their advantages, and as of 2007, games and films are using either or both of these methods in productions. Keyframe animation can produce motions that would be difficult or impossible to act out, while motion capture can reproduce the subtleties of a particular actor. For example, in the 2006 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Mans Chest, actor Bill Nighy provided the performance for the character Davy Jones. Even though Nighy himself doesnt appear in the film, the movie benefited from his performance by recording the nuances of his body language, posture, facial expressions, etc. Thus motion capture is appropriate in situations where believable, realistic behavior and action is required, but the types of characters required exceed what can be done through conventional costuming. c)Rendering converts a model into an image either by simulating light transport to get photorealistic images, or by applying some kind of style as in non-photorealistic rendering. The two basic operations in realistic rendering are transport (how much light gets from one place to another) and scattering (how surfaces interact with light). This step is usually performed using 3D computer graphics software or a 3D graphics API. The process of altering the scene into a suitable form for rendering also involves 3D projection which allows a three-dimensional image to be viewed in two dimensions. Lets step through the rendering of a simple image of a room with flat wood walls with a grey pyramid in the center of the room. The pyramid will have a spotlight shining on it. Each wall, the floor and the ceiling is a simple polygon, in this case, a rectangle. Each corner of the rectangles is defined by three values referred to as X, Y and Z. X is how far left and right the point is. Y is how far up and down the point is, and Z is far in and out of the screen the point is. The wall nearest us would be defined by four points: (in the order x, y, z). Below is a representation of how the wall is defined (0, 10, 0) (10, 10, 0) (0,0,0) (10, 0, 0) The far wall would be: (0, 10, 20) (10, 10, 20) (0, 0, 20) (10, 0, 20) The pyramid is made up of five polygons: the rectangular base, and four triangular sides. To draw this image the computer uses math to calculate how to project this image, defined by three dimensional data, onto a two dimensional computer screen. First we must also define where our view point is, that is, from what vantage point will the scene be drawn. Our view point is inside the room a bit above the floor, directly in front of the pyramid. First the computer will calculate which polygons are visible. The near wall will not be displayed at all, as it is behind our view point. The far side of the pyramid will also not be drawn as it is hidden by the front of the pyramid. Next each point is perspective projected onto the screen. The portions of the walls furthest from the view point will appear to be shorter than the nearer areas due to perspective. To make the walls look like wood, a wood pattern, called a texture, will be drawn on them. To accomplish this, a technique called texture mapping is often used. A small drawing of wood that can be repeatedly drawn in a matching tiled pattern (like wallpaper) is stretched and drawn onto the walls final shape. The pyramid is solid grey so its surfaces can just be rendered as grey. But we also have a spotlight. Where its light falls we lighten colors, where objects blocks the light we darken colors. Next we render the complete scene on the computer screen. If the numbers describing the position of the pyramid were changed and this process repeated, the pyramid would appear to move. 4. 3D COMPUTER GRAFICS SOFTWARE 3D computer graphics software refers to programs used to create 3D computer-generated imagery. 3D modelers are used in a wide variety of industries. The medical industry uses them to create detailed models of organs. The movie industry uses them to create and manipulate characters and objects for animated and real-life motion pictures. The video game industry uses them to create assets for video games. The science sector uses them to create highly detailed models of chemical compounds. The architecture industry uses them to create models of proposed buildings and landscapes. The engineering community uses them to design new devices, vehicles and structures as well as a host of other uses. There are typically many stages in the pipeline that studios and manufacturers use to create 3D objects for film, games, and production of hard goods and structures. Many 3D modelers are general-purpose and can be used to produce models of various real-world entities, from plants to automobiles to people. Some are specially designed to model certain objects, such as chemical compounds or internal organs. 3D modelers allow users to create and alter models via their 3D mesh. Users can add, subtract, stretch and otherwise change the mesh to their desire. Models can be viewed from a variety of angles, usually simultaneously. Models can be rotated and the view can be zoomed in and out. 3D modelers can export their models to files, which can then be imported into other applications as long as the metadata is compatible. Many modelers allow importers and exporters to be plugged-in, so they can read and write data in the native formats of other applications. Most 3D modelers contain a number of related features, such as ray tracers and other rendering alternatives and texture mapping facilities. Some also contain features that support or allow animation of models. Some may be able to generate full-motion video of a series of rendered scenes . Computer animation development equipment Computer animation can be created with a computer and animation software. Some impressive animation can be achieved even with basic programs; however the rendering can take a lot of time on an ordinary home computer. Because of this, video game animators tend to use low resolution, low polygon count renders, such that the graphics can be rendered in real time on a home computer. Photorealistic animation would be impractical in this context. Professional animators of movies, television, and video sequences on computer games make photorealistic animation with high detail. This level of quality for movie animation would take tens to hundreds of years to create on a home computer. Many powerful workstation computers are used instead. Graphics workstation computers use two to four processors, and thus are a lot more powerful than a home computer, and are specialized for rendering. A large number of workstations (known as a render farm) are networked together to effectively act as a giant computer. The result is a computer-animated movie that can be completed in about one to five years . A workstation typically costs $2,000 to $16,000, with the more expensive stations being able to render much faster, due to the more technologically advanced hardware that they contain. Pixars Renderman is rendering software which is widely used as the movie animation industry standard, in competition with Mental Ray. It can be bought at the o fficial Pixar website for about $3,500. It will work on Linux, Mac OS X, and Microsoft Windows based graphics workstations along with an animation program such as Maya and Softimage XSI. Professionals also use digital movie cameras, motion capture or performance capture, bluescreens, film editing software, props, and other tools for movie animation. Major software packages 3ds Max (Autodesk), originally called 3D Studio MAX, is a comprehensive and versatile 3D application used in film, television, video games and architecture for Windows. It can be extended and customized through its SDK or scripting using a Maxscript. It can use third party rendering options such as Brazil R/S, finalRender and V-Ray. Maya (Autodesk) is currently used in the film and television industry. Maya has developed over the years into an application platform in and of itself through extendability via its MEL programming language. It is available for Windows, Linux and Mac OS X. Softimage (Autodesk) Softimage (formerly Softimage|XSI) is a 3D modeling and animation package that integrates with mental ray rendering. It is feature-similar to Maya and 3DS Max and is used in the production of professional films, commercials, video games, and other media. LightWave 3D (NewTek), first developed for the Amiga, was originally bundled as part of the Video Toaster package and entered the market as a low cost way for TV production companies to create quality CGI for their programming. It first gained public attention with its use in the TV series Babylon 5 and is used in several contemporary TV series. Lightwave is also used in film production. It is available for both Windows and Mac OS X. ZBrush (Pixologic) is a digital sculpting tool that combines 3D/2.5D modeling, texturing and painting tool available for Mac OS X and Windows. It is used to create normal maps for low resolution models to make them look more detailed. Cinema 4D (MAXON) is a light package in its basic configuration. The software is for lay users. It has a lower initial entry cost due to a modular a-la-carte design for purchasing additional functions as users need them. Originally developed for the Amiga, it is also available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux. 4. ANIMATION ALONG TIME CGI was first used in movies in 1973s Westworld, a science-fiction film about a society in which robots live and work among humans, though the first use of 3D Wireframe imagery was in its sequel, Futureworld (1976), which featured a computer-generated hand and face created by then University of Southern California graduate students Edwin Catmull and Fred Parke. The third movie to use this technology was Star Wars (1977) for the scenes with the wireframe Death Star plans and the targeting computers in the X-wings and the Millennium Falcon. The Black Hole (1979) used raster wire-frame model rendering to depict a black hole. The science fiction-horror film Alien of that same year also used a raster wire-frame model, in this case to render the image of navigation monitors in the sequence where a spaceship follows a beacon to a land on an unfamiliar planet. In 1978, graduate students at the New York Institute of Technology Computer Graphics Lab began work on what would have been the first full-length CGI film, The Works, and a trailer for it was shown at SIGGRAPH 1982, but the film was never completed. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan premiered a short CGI sequence called The Genesis Wave in June 1982. The first two films to make heavy investments in Solid 3D CGI, Tron (1982) and The Last Starfighter (1984), were commercial failures, causing most directors to relegate CGI to images that were supposed to look like they were created by a computer. It was the 1993 film Jurassic Park, however, in which dinosaurs created with CGI were seamlessly integrated into live action scenes, that revolutionized the movie industry. It marked Hollywoods transition from stop-motion animation and conventional optical effects to digital techniques. The following year, CGI was used to create the special effects for Forrest Gump. The most noteworthy effects shots were those that featured the digital removal of actor Gary Sinises legs. Other effects included a napalm strike, the fast-moving Ping-Pong balls, and the digital insertion of Tom Hanks into several scenes of historical footage. Two-dimensional CGI increasingly appeared in traditionally animated films, where it supplemented the use of hand-illustrated cels. Its uses ranged from digital tweening motion between frames, to eye-catching quasi-3D effects, such as the ballroom scene in Beauty and the Beast. In 1993, Babylon 5 became the first television series to use CGI as the primary method for its visual effects (rather than using hand-built models). It also marked the first TV use of virtual sets. That same year, Insektors became the first full-length completely computer animated TV series. Soon after, in 1994, the hit Canadian CGI show ReBoot aired. Toy Story(1995) was the first fully computer-generated feature film. In 1995, the first fully computer-generated feature film, Disney-Pixars Toy Story, was a resounding commercial success. Additional digital animation studios such as Blue Sky Studios (20th Century Fox), DNA Productions (Paramount Pictures and Warner Bros.), Omation Studios (Paramount Pictures), Sony Pictures Animation (Columbia Pictures), Vanguard Animation (Walt Disney Pictures, Lions Gate Entertainment and 20th Century Fox), Big Idea Productions (Universal Pictures and FHE Pictures), Animal Logic (Warner Bros.) and Pacific Data Images (Dreamworks SKG) went into production, and existing animation companies, such as The Walt Disney Company, began to make a transition from traditional animation to CGI. Between 1995 and 2005 the average effects budget for a wide-release feature film skyrocketed from $5 million to $40 million. According to one studio executive, as of 2005[update], more than half of feature films have significant effects. However, CGI has made up for the expenditures by g rossing over 20% more than their real-life counterparts. In the early 2000s, computer-generated imagery became the dominant form of special effects. The technology progressed to the point that it became possible to include virtual stunt doubles. Camera tracking software was refined to allow increasingly complex visual effects developments that were previously impossible. Computer-generated extras also became used extensively in crowd scenes with advanced flocking and crowd simulation software. Virtual sets, in which part or all of the background of a shot is digitally generated, also became commonplace. The timeline of CGI in film and television shows a detailed list of pioneering uses of computer-generated imagery in film and television. CGI for films is usually rendered at about 1.4-6 megapixels. Toy Story, for example, was rendered at 1536  ÃƒÆ'-  922 (1.42MP). The time to render one frame is typically around 2-3 hours, with ten times that for the most complex scenes. This time hasnt changed much in the last decade, as image quality has progressed at the same rate as improvements in hardware, since with faster machines, more and more complexity becomes feasible. Exponential increases in GPUs processing power, as well as massive increases in parallel CPU power, storage and memory speed and size have greatly increased CGIs potential. In 2001, Square Pictures created the CGI film Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within, which made headlines for attempting to create photo-realistic human actors. The film was not a box-office success. Some commentators have suggested this may be partly because the lead CGI characters had facial features which fell into the uncanny valley. Square Pictures produced only two more films using a similar visual style Final Flight of the Osiris, a short film which served as a prologue to The Matrix Reloaded and Final Fantasy VII: Advent Children, based on their extremely popular video game series. Developments in CGI technologies are reported each year at SIGGRAPH, an annual conference on computer graphics and interactive techniques, attended each year by tens of thousands of computer professionals. Developers of computer games and 3D video cards strive to achieve the same visual quality on personal computers in real-time as is possible for CGI films and animation. With the rapid advancement of real-time rendering quality, artists began to use game engines to render non-interactive movies. This art form is called machinima. This is a chronological list of films and television programs that have been recognised as being pioneering in their use of computer-generated imagery. 5. THE FUTURE OF ANIMATION One open challenge in computer animation is a photorealistic animation of humans. Currently, most computer-animated movies show animal characters, fantasy characters, anthropomorphic machines or cartoon-like humans. The movie Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within is often cited as the first computer-generated movie to attempt to show realistic-looking humans. However, due to the enormous complexity of the human body, human motion, and human biomechanics, realistic simulation of humans remains largely an open problem. Another problem is the distasteful psychological response to viewing nearly perfect animation of humans, known as the uncanny valley. It is one of the holy grails of computer animation. Eventually, the goal is to create software where the animator can generate a movie sequence showing a photorealistic human character, undergoing physically-plausible motion, together with clothes, photorealistic hair, a complicated natural background, and possibly interacting with other simul ated human characters. This could be done in a way that the viewer is no longer able to tell if a particular movie sequence is computer-generated, or created using real actors in front of movie cameras. Complete human realism is not likely to happen very soon, and when it does it may have major repercussions for the film industry. For the moment it looks like three dimensional computer animation can be divided into two main directions; photorealistic and non-photorealistic rendering. Photorealistic computer animation can itself be divided into two subcategories; real photorealism (where performance capture is used in the creation of the virtual human characters) and stylized photorealism. Real photorealism is what Final Fantasy tried to achieve and will in the future most likely have the ability to give us live action fantasy features as The Dark Crystal without having to use advanced puppetry and animatronics, while Antz is an example on stylistic photorealism . None of them mentioned are perfected as of yet, but the progress continues. The non-photorealistic/cartoonish direction is more like an extension of traditional animation, an attempt to make the animation look like a three dimensional version of a cartoon, still using and perfecting the main principles of animation articulated by the Nine Old Men, such as squash and stretch. While a single frame from a photorealistic computer-animated feature will look like a photo if done right, a single frame vector from a cartoonish computer-animated feature will look like a painting (not to be confused with cel shading, which produces an even simpler look).