Spanish Essay On Drinking And Free Time Essays - DraftQuarzo

Spanish Essay On Drinking And Free Time El mayoria de paises contienen muchos modas de pasando tiempo libre. Los Esatdos Unidos es uno de esos paises. Mucho de los jovenes usan el fin de semana para una excusa para beber alcohol en exceso. Pero para mi pais, es un mas grande de un problema. En los Estados Unidos, la edad para beber alcohol legalidad es 21, y en los otros paises, es una edad mas bajo, o no hay una. Porque de la razon que es ilegal, mucho de la juventud aqui piensa que es muy atreivido para hacer eso, pero no es verdad. Muchos chicos empiezan sus problemas con alcohol en su juventud. Por eso, hay un problema de la nacion. Si, bebiendo alcohol es un poco comun, pero no es el solo modo de divertirse. Porque de las riquezas de los Estados Unidos, hay muchas cosas diferentes para hacer por el fin de semana. En Virginia, es muy popular ir al cine, cenar en grupos, ir al centro, o tener y ir a fiestas (cual es donde un poco de beber alcohol ocuren). En el verano en Virginia, es un buen tiempo para tomar un viaje a la playa, y muchos personas viajar con sus familias o sus amigos. Durante el invierno, es mas comun para los jovenes a ir a las montanas para esquiar sobre nieva. En facto, hay un viaje el semana proximo en que mas de el mayor clase vayan. Y si Ud. piensa que es mucho a hacer en Virginia, image los modas para divertirse en los fin de semanas del todo de los Estados Unidos! Foreign Languages

Characterization of E

Characterization of E Introduction E-commerce involves trading through the Internet. This is as a result of great familiarity in the Internet use all over the world. The Internet is being used greatly in the market, a thing that has contributed to growth in the world economies. The Internet is being used as a tool in advertising products and services in the market. It is also used by sellers as a channel of providing information to the consumers on their products and services.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Characterization of E-Commerce Traffic specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More This ensures that the buyers are well informed about the products before they make decisions to buy them. The power of servers providing e-commerce has been increasing but these sites have not been able to improve the services provided to the users. This has been leading to loss of revenue due to slow connectivity and thus effort should be put in order to perfect these sites (Floyd, 1986). E-commerce Sites In 2000, e-commerce generated $132 billion more than twice the money generated in 1999. With this it is clear that e-commerce is generating enough revenue (Glushko et al, 2001). Thus, it is important that the availability and performance of the e-commerce sites be improved and their performance monitored closely to ensure their efficiency. There are two types of e-commerce sites, those are, business to business and business to consumers. Business to business provides services to corporations while business to consumers provide services to individuals. The main difference between these two sites is the user population. The business to business site is usually restricted to corporations for security purpose while business to consumers usually has high population of users. The configuration of the general server is similar in both sites (Kant, 1992). Agreements of the services between corporations and individuals must be honored in order to r etain and gain customers. Performance and availability of the servers are two important things that must be checked for effective e-commerce. E-commerce environment server consists of two parts, those are, front end and back end network. Front end consists of web and application services accessible by the users over Internet while back end consists of security fire walls and the data base servers (Glushko et al, 2001). Managerial Implications Work load implication of e-commerce servers affects its performance for it is usually high. Server overload affects the performance and availability of e-commerce services and in return it reduces the income that would have been gained. E-commerce traffic greatly affects the usage of Internet for business and thus it is important that the ways of controlling this traffic be put in place (Kant, 1992).Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Load balancing is a common method that is being used to improve the performance of e-commerce servers. Understanding the workload of these servers is significant in efforts to eliminate traffic in e-commerce. Understanding of the work load in a typical e-commerce server is important in order to be able to develop schemes of eliminating traffic (Glushko et al, 2001). Another managerial implication is performance implication. This is usually as a result of web traffic, which leads to on/off processes. The response rate is very slow in e-commerce. The response times in e-commerce is believed to be heavy-tailed in nature though the response files are always of the same size. This is due to inclusion of images and video files in the overall traffic. In e-commerce, response time is dependent on processing and transfer time (Floyd, 1986). Reference List Floyd, A. (1986). Short-Term File Reference Patterns in a UNIX Environment. Technical Report, Computer Science Department, Universit y of Rochester. Glushko et al, (2001). An XML Framework for Agent-Based E-Commerce. Communications of ACM. New York: Prentice Hall Kant, K. (1992). Introduction to Computer System Performance Evaluation. New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

German Battleship Bismarck in World War II

German Battleship Bismarck in World War II Bismarck was the first of two Bismarck-class battleships that were ordered for the Kriegsmarine in the years prior to World War II. Built by Blohm and Voss, the battleship mounted a main battery of eight 15 guns and was capable of a top speed of over 30 knots. Quickly identified as a threat by the Royal Navy, efforts to track Bismarck were underway after its commissioning in August 1940. Ordered on its first mission into the Atlantic the following year, Bismarck won a victory over HMS Hood at the Battle of the Denmark Strait, but soon came under a combined attack by British ships and aircraft. Damaged by an aerial torpedo, Bismarck was sunk by British surface ships on May 27, 1941. Design In 1932, German naval leaders requested a series of battleship designs intended to fit within the 35,000 ton limit imposed on leading maritime nations by the Washington Naval Treaty.  Initial work began on what became the Bismarck-class the following year and initially centered around an armament of eight 13 guns and a top speed of 30 knots. In 1935, the signing of the Anglo-German Naval Agreement accelerated German efforts as it allowed the Kriegsmarine to build up to 35% of the total tonnage of the Royal Navy. Additionally, it bound the Kriegsmarine to the Washington Naval Treaty tonnage restrictions. Increasingly concerned about Frances naval expansion, German designers sought to create a new type of battleship that would out-class the newer French vessels. Design work moved forward with debates ensuing over the caliber of the main battery, type of propulsion system, and thickness of the armor.  These were further complicated in 1937 with the departure of Japan from the treaty system and implementation of an escalator clause that increased the tonnage limit to 45,000 tons. When German designers learned that the new French Richelieu-class would mount 15 guns, the decision was made use similar weapons in four two-gun turrets. This battery was supplemented by a secondary battery of twelve 5.9 (150 mm) guns. Several means of propulsion were considered including turbo-electric, diesel geared, and steam drives. After assessing each, turbo-electric drive was initially favored as it had proven effective aboard the American Lexington-class aircraft carriers. Construction As construction moved forward, the new class propulsion came to be  geared turbine engines turning three propellers. For protection, the new class mounted an armor belt ranging in thickness from 8.7 to 12.6. This area of the ship was further protected by 8.7 armored, transverse bulkheads. Elsewhere, armor for the conning tower was 14 on the sides and 7.9 on the roof. The armor scheme reflected the German approach of maximizing protection while maintaining stability. Ordered under the name  Ersatz Hannover, the lead ship of the new class, Bismarck, was laid down at Blohm Voss in Hamburg on July 1, 1936. The first name served as an indication that the new vessel was replacing the old pre-dreadnought Hannover. Sliding down the ways on February 14, 1939, the new battleship was sponsored by  Dorothee von Là ¶wenfeld, granddaughter of Chancellor Otto von Bismarck. Bismarck would be followed a second battleship of its class, Tirpitz, in 1941. Fast Facts: Battleship Bismarck General Nation: Nazi GermanyType: BattleshipShipyard: Blohm Voss, HamburgLaid Down: July 1, 1936Launched: February 14, 1939Commissioned: August 24, 1940Fate: Sunk in action, May 27, 1941 Specifications Displacement: 45,451 tonnesLength: 450.5mBeam (Width): 36mDraft:: 9.3-10.2mPropulsion: 12 High-pressure Wagner boilers powering 3 Blohm Voss geared turbines at 150,170 horsepowerSpeed: 30.8 knotsRange: 8,525 nautical miles at 19 knots, 4,500 nautical miles at 28 knotsComplement: 2,092: 103 officers, 1,989 enlisted Armament Guns 8Ãâ€"380 mm/L48.5 SK-C/34 (4 turrets with 2 guns each)12Ãâ€"150 mm/L55 SK-C/2816Ãâ€"105 mm/L65 SK-C/37 / SK-C/3316Ãâ€"37 mm/L83 SK-C/3012Ãâ€"20 mm/L65 MG C/30 (Single)8Ãâ€"20 mm/L65 MG C/38 (Quadruple) Aircraft 4Ãâ€" Arado Ar 196 A-3 seaplanes, using 1 double-ended catapult Early Career Commissioned in August 1940, with Captain  Ernst Lindemann in command, Bismarck departed Hamburg to conduct sea trials in Kiel Bay.  Testing of the ships armament, power plant, and seakeeping abilities continued through the fall in the relative safety of the Baltic Sea. Arriving at Hamburg in December, the battleship entered the yard for repairs and alterations. Though scheduled to return to Kiel in January, a wreck in the Kiel Canal prevented this from occurring until March. Finally reaching the Baltic, Bismarck resumed training operations. With World War II underway, the German Kriegsmarine envisioned using Bismarck as a raider to attack British convoys in the North Atlantic. With its 15 guns, the battleship would be able to strike from a distance, inflicting maximum damage while placing itself at minimal risk. Bismarck, photographed from Prinz Eugen, in the Baltic at the outset of Operation Rheinà ¼bung, May 1941. Bundesarchiv, Bild 146-1989-012-03 / Lagemann / CC-BY-SA 3.0 The battleships first mission in this role was dubbed Operation Rheinà ¼bung (Exercise Rhine) and proceeded under the command of  Vice Admiral Gà ¼nter Là ¼tjens. Sailing in tandem with the cruiser Prinz Eugen, Bismarck departed Norway on May 22, 1941, and headed towards the shipping lanes. Aware of Bismarcks departure, the Royal Navy had begun moving ships to intercept. Steering north and west, Bismarck headed for the Denmark Strait between Greenland and Iceland. Battle of the Denmark Straight Entering the strait, Bismarck was detected by the cruisers HMS Norfolk and HMS Suffolk which called for reinforcements. Responding were the battleship HMS Prince of Wales and the battlecruiser HMS Hood. The two intercepted the Germans at the south end of the strait on the morning of May 24. Less than 10 minutes after the ships opened fire, Hood was struck in one of its magazines causing an explosion that blew the ship in half. Unable to take on both German ships alone, Prince of Wales broke off the fight. During the battle, Bismarck was hit in a fuel tank, causing a leak and forcing a reduction in speed (Map). Bismarck fires on HMS Prince of Wales during the Battle of the Denmark Strait. Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1984-055-13 Sink the Bismarck! Unable to continue with his mission, Là ¼tjens ordered Prinz Eugen to continue on while he turned the leaking Bismarck toward France. On the night of May 24, aircraft from the carrier HMS Victorious attacked with little effect. Two days later aircraft from HMS Ark Royal scored a hit, jamming Bismarcks rudder. Unable to maneuver, the ship was forced to steam in a slow circle while awaiting the arrival of the British battleships HMS King George V and HMS Rodney. They were sighted the following morning and Bismarcks final battle commenced. Bismarck burning in the distance as HMS Rodney (right) fires, May 27, 1941. Public Domain Assisted by the heavy cruisers HMS Dorsetshire and Norfolk, the two British battleships pummeled the stricken Bismarck, knocking its guns out of action and killing most of the senior officers on board. After 30 minutes, the cruisers attacked with torpedoes. Unable to resist further, Bismarcks crew scuttled the ship to prevent its capture. British ships raced in to pick up the survivors and rescued 110 before a U-boat alarm forced them to leave the area. Close to 2,000 German sailors were lost.

The launch of a new ice cream dessert Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

The launch of a new ice cream dessert - Essay Example Consumers have great amount of information access power. As the demographics has been continuously changing worldwide, needs and preferences has been changing. In any part of the globe it’s the consumers demographics and culture plays an all-important role in shaping any marketing strategy. For the product like Ice cream consumers’ age as well as eating culture always plays a major role to decide preference and needs. In general, today’s youth particularly interested in technology and gathering information in emerging economy, is more aware of its environment and changes that is taking place globally. Young are more technology friendly and connected through Internet, TV and other communication gadgets. They are more information oriented. Today’s youth is more assertive and they have specific preference and needs as well as they are more influential in shaping others buying behaviours to buy almost anything. Children age 2 to 14 indirectly influence as esti mated $300 billion in annual household purchase (Mc Neal, 1998, pp 37-41). Reaching and influencing the young segment is ever more challenging. Consumption patterns are shifting from mass media towards micro media for the masses. Savvy media empowered consumers often under age of 25, are being influence by trends from all over the globe. So children and youth represent an important demographic market because they are potential customers, they influence purchases made by parents and households and they constitute the future adult market (Mc Neal, 1998). Marketers segment target audiences by age to build brand awareness and brand loyalty early in life that will be sustained into adulthood. Child and young consumer role in one of the important aspects to be studied before marketing for the products like Ice cream. Children’s consumers’ socialization and

Dorothea dix crusader for the mentally ill Term Paper

Dorothea dix crusader for the mentally ill - Term Paper Example While there, at the age of only 14, she organized her own school and taught neighborhood children. At the age of 19, she moved back to her Grandmothers home in Boston and started a second formal school for older children she named "The Hope," which catered primarily to poor children of the area. As a creative and caring thinker, she wrote a book for children entitled Conversations on Common Things (Brown, 1998). The school was forced to close when Dorothy became seriously ill and during her convalescence over the next two years, she continued with her writing including Hymns for Children and American Moral Tales for Young Persons (Gollaher, 1995). In 1830, Dorothea was engaged by Reverend William Ellery Channing and his wife to be a tutor and governess for their children. She traveled with the family to the Virgin Islands and stayed for nearly a year. Upon returning to Boston, she opened another school in the same location as "The Hope" school. However, within a few years, she became seriously ill with tuberculosis and was forced to retire from teaching in order to rest and recover. She spent the next 18 months recovering from her illness in England with close friends of Reverend Channing, William and Elizabeth Rathbone III. As she recovered from her illness and began to feel well enough to travel, she took advantage of an opportunity to tour York Retreat, a well known insane asylum in England. It was here that she observed patients being treated with dignity and respect, and it is thought that she formed many of her beliefs associated with compassionate care and proper treatment for the mentally ill (Herstek, 2001). In 1837, both her mother and grandmother passed away. Her grandmother left a fairly substantial inheritance to her and her brothers, which was instrumental in supporting her life's work. In 1841, she was invited by a friend to teach inmates Sunday school at the East Cambridge institution. It was there that she observed inmates that were mentally ill and housed in the general population with criminal inmates without regard to age, sex, or their ability to cope in any social environment. She was appalled that men and women were housed together in squalor with little food, heat or sanitary options (Brown, 1998). It was at this point that she embraced the concept of the pressing need for society to provide assistance to the mentally disadvantaged, and embraced the role of crusader for the mentally ill. For the next two years, she visited nearly all the institutions in the State of Massachusetts and documented the treatment of inmates and their living conditions. One example of the horrib le conditions was when she found that it was a common belief by prison and institution management that mentally ill patents couldn't feel extreme hot or cold temperatures, so there was no need to make provisions to protect them from extreme temperatures. She found this incomprehensible, and began documenting finding and thoughts she compiled

Inherit the wind (Scopes trial) Essay -- essays research papers

The play Inherit the Wind, was written by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee to inform its readers about the injustice of a law that limited the freedom of an ordinary citizen. This play is based upon actual events that happened to an individual, John Scopes, in Dayton, Tennessee during the 1920’s. This famous â€Å"Monkey Trial† not only allowed people to begin to accept new theories about the origin of man, but also showed that they did not have to limit themselves in other areas of life. In the beginning of the play, the authors try to lead us into the topic of Darwinism versus Creationism. One instance was when the character Howard actually told Melinda â€Å"Your old man’s a monkey!†(5) The audience also learns that the accused lawbreaker, Bert Cates, and the reverend’s daughter, Rachel Brown, are in love and are set to be married. Rachel becomes a pertinent part of the trial when Brady starts to question her, against the will of Bert. The theme of Inherit the Wind is, "don't be afraid of new ideas, and you have to let people make up their own minds about things." That theme fits the story really well, because that is the exact opposite of what the people of Hillsboro did, and look what happened there. One man spoke his mind, and a trial that made history was held. No one should be afraid to speak their mind, and people should not automatically reject a new idea because it is not what they are used to. The characters in Inherit the Wind heard Bert Cates's idea, didn't l...

Y2K: The Millenium Bug

The year 2000 problem has resulted from the common practice of using two digits to designate the calendar year instead of using four. When the year 2000 arrives, 2 digit year dates may be interpreted incorrectly causing many problems. Computer hardware and software may not recognize â€Å"00† as an actual date and will not run properly or not at all. Credit Card systems may not recognize â€Å"00† as a valid year for the expiration date, making transactions for those cards with â€Å"00† as the expiration date impossible. Day of the week calculations will be off. Computers may interpret 1/1/00 as Jan. 1, 1900. 1/1/1900 was a Monday but 1/1200 is a Saturday so all day of the week calculations will be two days off. The scope of this problem is world wide. All products using the two digit technology are potentially at risk. The â€Å"Millennium Bug† could be bring failure to everything from personal computers, home security systems, mainframes, and telecommunications equipment. The effects of the Year 2000 problem will be felt in homes, business, and government. Year 2000 conformity shall mean that neither performance nor functionality is affected by dates prior to, during, and after the year 2000.† According to the British Standards Institution Committee there are four general rules for Y2K compliance: 1. No value for current dates will cause any interruption in operation. 2. Date-based functionality must behave consistently for dates prior to, during and after the year 2000. 3. In all interfaces and data storage, the century in any date must be specified either explicitly or by unambiguous algorithms or inferencing rules. 4. The year 2000 must be recognized as a leap year. Every body that deals with this problem must be ready. To avoid the Y2K problems your computer must first be checked for compliance. Software is available that can check your computer for compliance and even make your computer Y2k compliant. Desktop computers can be checked with a simple utility but larger systems and networks may require more expertise to avoid the potential dangers. Many resources are available for checking your computer and to take the appropriate measures to correct any problems. This problem is huge. Business and government stand to lose billions of dollars if the problem is not corrected. Businesses are either already in compliance or in the process of dodging the possible disaster of the Y2k crash. II. Examples of Business Sectors: Y2K Applied in the Mexican Public Sector Computing systems and information technologies have become fundamental in production activities and everyday life. In order to prevent the Year 2000 effects on the information systems, the last June 3rd 1998, was installed the Year 2000 National Conversion Commission (Y2K National Commission). This Commission has the responsibility of coordinating the efforts of both the social and economic sectors to make sure of the adequate year handling, and therefore, the correct operation in information systems during the year 2000 and beyond. On July 9th 1998 it was published a presidential agreement which established the creation of the Y2K National Commission. Banco de Mexico was invited to participate in this Commission in order to coordinate the efforts of the financial sector regarding to the transition of information systems. The purpose of this page is to offer access to different sources of information that allow users to be familiar with the Year 2000 problem, and to get on time finan cial sector documents issued under the coordination of this central bank with the purpose of solving the Y2K problems. In January 1997 the â€Å"Project for Systems Compatibility Verification with the Year 2000† was established. Accordingly, the Board of Governors instructed the Systems Department to carry out the coordination and supervision of the necessary changes. The Systems Department elaborated an initial inventory of its own systems, asking the immediate revision of the end user applications systems in the rest of the areas. In addition, the Systems Department established a bimonthly control and progress report. In March 1998, the Board of Governors of Banco de Mexico created the Transition Year 2000 office at the Deputy Manager level, whose goal is accelerating and consolidating the progress of the global program denominated â€Å"Transition 2000†. In September 1998, the financial sector adopted a 5 phase self-evaluation methodology proposed by the National Commission for the Year 2000 Information Technology Conversion (Y2K National Commission). Banco the Mexico in his role of financial authority, took this standard of self-evaluation as a way to give a general view of the status its internal project. In December 1998, the Institution finished the correction and internal test phases. During the first half of 1999, the external testing will take place (Industry test), as well as the elaboration Since early 1997 the Year 2000 Problem has become a top priority issue in PEMEX and its subsidiary firms. This is due to the fact that for several decades PEMEX has been considered one of the most important users of information technology in our country, as a means of permanently counting on timely and accurate data to support the wide range of its business transactions. In spite of having a huge array of information systems implemented throughout the Mexican Republic, there is a strong sense of awareness in PEMEX regarding the possible implications of Y2K. Therefore, vast efforts are being carried out both in terms of information systems and automatic industrial controls in order to assess the scope of the problem and implement the necessary corrective measures, taking into consideration that the dateline is immovable. Regarding to industrial systems PEMEX has adopted a six stage strategy: Due to the technology reliance of PEMEX's production processes, there is also a conversion plan for industrial systems, which are critical for oil business. This plan comprises six stages, the first two stages, inventory and discrimination, are already completed and the other ones has been processing in 1999. Because of the nature of embedded systems, PEMEX is outsourcing their Y2K conversion to manufacturers and solution integrators, and has also identified the main vendors, which represent 70% of the inventory that have to be converted. Conversion of industrial systems is PEMEX's top priority. PEMEX's Board of Directors and Senior Management of Subsidiaries are totally aware of Y2k implications and therefore have undertaken a comprehensive plan to fully implement and effectively prioritize the solution concerning industrial systems and information systems. The company has assigned dedicated human resources to the Y2K project and a budget has been established. On July 31, a successfull Y2K readiness test was conducted in the Mexican aviation sector. The experience involved air aviation services, 6 airports and six Mexican commercial airlines. This event was unique because of the number of airlines, airports and systems tested that were involved in this experience. It has been one of the more complex that have taken place so far in the commercial aviation sector. The test was observed by some of the main hardware and software providers in the aviation industry in Mexico. Also present were representatives from ICAO, IATA, FAA and Transport Canada. Equipment on board the airplanes and airport aeronautical services simulated the rollover to the Year 2000 during flight. The experience involved the following airlines and routes: -Aeromexico MD-88 Guadalajara-Mexico City -Aeromexpress B-727 Mexico City-Hermosillo -Aerolitoral M3 Leon-Mexico City Aviacion A-320 Puerto Vallarta-Mexico City -TAESA B-727-300 Mexico City-Mexico City -AEROCARIBE J32 Minatitlà ¡n-Mexico City The tests involved the following areas: Different systems ere tested in different routes. For example, on the Guadalajara-Mexico City route, the following systems were tested:  · Data processing systems, radar and flight plan  · Digital communications processing system  · Aeronautical communications systems  · Tests of airline operational systems The Ministry of Public Education has an informatic platform relatively modern of outfitting and application programs of Institutional use, that allows them to foresee in a general way, that the impact of the initiation of the Y2K that the Institutional information systems will be manageable and relatively easy to resolve. The technological characteristics allows them to make such a statement are:  · Major computer equipment platform, where the actual systems run of Institutional use that consist of RISC architectural computers under UNIX operative system; which reduces the possibilities to obtain process errors caused by ancient computer architectures, that present risks when using ingoing/outgoing basic systems (BIOS) with the watch information, that do not support the Y2K impact, as it does in some platforms with other characteristics (architectural CISC Intel).  · The software for the handling of basis of Institutional data (Informix, Sybase), include dynamic date types of data, that support the Y2K impact while storing years using digital technology. Likewise, the organization of the information in relational tables of content, facilitate the eventual modification of the information fields in contrast to more ancient mechanisms of organization of information (sequential index files). The development tools and the methodology of analysis and design use in the construction of the most reason information systems as well as those that are in the process of development assure robustness of the systems to resist the Y2K impact. On account of its nature, the most delicate institutional system, the Integral System for the Administration of Personnel of the Ministry of Public Education (SIAPSEP), in operation since 1994, was designed in such a manner that the date fields and the calculations that involve the same, tolerate the impact mentioned when redesign in fields of four digits for the information stored for years. Nevertheless, its necessary to observe that a great amount of application programs exist in several areas of the Ministry that are not of generalized Institutional use and can present process problems during the change of the century. In particular, information systems exist that store RFC type fields, in which two digits exist and additional reference exists over the birth year. Such cases are not critical because the date does not form part of any logical or arithmetic operation, nevertheless, its necessary to have a date reference for the correct interpretation of the information for which an activities program must be integrated so as to able to detect and correct those informatic cases. III. Mexican Company's Preparation: Y2K in Mexico's Private Sector To achieve this, Grupo Vitro created in 1997 the Vitro Y2K Office, in charge of all matters related to the problem of the turn of the century. The main role of Vitro Y2K Office is: 1. To keep the organization focused, so that the Y2K issue is permanently included in the agendas of the entire Grupo Vitro. 2. To conclude successfully the Year 2000 Business Processes Program (Y2K). The Office is formed by a team of professionals devoting 100% of their time to the solution of the problem of the year 2000, and a Y2K Guide Committee, integrated by the Corporate Directors who provide services and/or define guidelines for operative areas, and are involved in any aspect of the Y2K problem, and whose main role is to provide direct support to all Y2K leaders to ensure success for the program. The Y2K Program has a wide span, since it considers our transactions with suppliers, customers, banks, business partners and institutions. In Grupo Vitro we are aware of the magnitude and complexity of this problem, since we are just one link in the supply chain and we are conscious of the fact that no company, by itself, can guarantee success in this enormous task. The year 2000 transition will challenge the expertise and capability of organizations to cope with complex technical problems with several levels of operative interactions. TELMEX is aware and ready to face this challenge. In January of 1999, TELMEX will be finished with solution implementation phase of its Y2K project, at which point TELMEX's systems related to the continuity and quality of service will be fully compliant and operational. Commitments and responsibilities for TELMEX in sight of the year 2000 transition are governed by the proper terms of its commercial relationships and contracts with its customers, as a supplier of telecommunications services, to carry out its regular activities. The Y2K project is based around a 4 phase model designed for bringing a multi-faceted and technologically complex company into compliance on time. These phases include identification, solution development, joint operations testing, and formulation of contingency plans. Both IT and Non-IT systems have been included in this process. A more detailed description of each of these phases follows. The Y2K project is based around a 4 phase model designed for bringing a multi-faceted and technologically complex company into compliance on time. These phases include identification, solution development, joint operations testing, and formulation of contingency plans. Both IT and Non-IT systems have been included in this process. A more detailed description of each of these phases follows. On the threshold of the new millennium, CEMEX is committed to undertaking every effort necessary to conduct business as usual through the year 2000 and beyond. Although the Year 2000 bug originated as a technology- related problem, we recognize that its effects extend into multiple business areas, both within and outside our company. That is why we are approaching the Year 2000 problem as a critical company-wide business issue; not just a technological one. In January 1997 we launched CEMEX 2000, a company-wide program to become Year 2000 compliant, not only for information technology, but also for our extended business network. As part of the program, CEMEX has implemented a continuous follow-up plan to monitor the progress of the significant vendors, customers and business partners. This program aims to overcome and even capitalize on the technology issues that the year 2000 presents. By upgrading and replacing our information technology worldwide, we are not only making efforts to ensure that we will be doing business through the new millennium, but that we will be doing business better. Since technology is an integral business component of CEMEX, the CEMEX 2000 Program is a global, company-wide effort. It is succeeding through the combined efforts of every business unit of the company, from top level executives to plant managers to technical, engineering and corporate support services departments. 1. Planning; In this phase the following are defined: the program's management structure, the scheduling of activities, the work team, resource and budget allocation, quality assurance strategy and the overall goals of the program. 2. Analysis; In this phase the scope of the problem is defined and the elements where CEMEX could be affected by the Year 2000 issue are identified. Dynamic business impact analyses are carried-out through and inventory of Year 2000 sensitive elements 3. Solution Design; In this phase the strategy for achieving Year 2000 compliance is defined, and a state of-the-art testing facility named SITE 200 is created. 4. Conversion; This phase includes the correction or replacement of those elements that might affect CEMEX's business operations, giving priority to those that represent a higher impact on operations. 5. Certification; The Year 2000 compliance process takes place on the SITE 2000, where an exhaustive integral acceptance testing procedure is conducted. The process of certification is completed once all revision points are passed. 6. Implementation; This phase includes the end user acceptance testing and implementation of the Y2K compliant system in every CEMEX business unit, office and plant around the world. 7. Quality Assurance and Follow-up; This phase includes the revision of the critical elements which represent business risk by the Year 2000, the documentation of the corresponding contingency plans and the preparation of immediate response work teams who will be monitoring the functioning of the business processes during the transition period and on critical dates. Mexico has been working on Y2K in most of its public sectors, and is to an extent actualized and ready to face the millenium bug. We could probably attribute this to political pressures, specially coming from the United States. In the other hand, I was only able to cover a few of the big powerful companies in Mexico, but in general most of them have a specialized department dedicated specifically to deal with the year 2000 problem. For them it's really important to work on the present problem due to the complexity and size of this companies, and also because this are global companies that can not take a chance in ruining their well developed image and systems. The problem basically remains in the small and medium businesses, as well as in personal computers. Mexico's government has established a department to help the population update their own hardware and software, but still these people has to actively participate in updating their equipment. Finally, I'd like to conclude saying that the technical problem is already fixed; but the real problem relays in the people's attitude towards the problem. If people feel insecure and start removing their money from bank accounts or doing things like that, then a real crisis will occur worldwide. So the only thing left to do is updating our own businesses and personal computers, and rest still trusting that what ever procedures were taken to face the millenium bug problem will work out.