Discuss whether Microsoft's monopoly position is in the public Essay

Discuss whether Microsoft's monopoly position is in the public interest - Essay Example From an economic point of view, the question that may be asked by many people is whether this kind of monopoly is good for the public or the consumers or not. Microsoft has achieved a number of monopolistic positions in the market due to its bundling activity. In its early years, Microsoft entered into a deal with the main hardware manufacturers to compel them to sell each of their PC with Microsoft operating system and other application software. This meant that even those who did not intend to use Microsoft’s software had to pay for it then buy other software. Bundling other products such as a web browser and a media player with its operating system software has led to the firm gaining unfair advantage over competitors. However, it is the bundling of the java Runtime Environment that has caused the greatest commotion. JRE was developed by the now defunct Sun’s Microsystems and was meant to deliver a platform free programming environment through java. When Microsoft bu ndled it in its OS, it corrupted it and this was seen to work against the very idea of having a platform free programming environment. Monopoly has never been seen as good for the end consumers. In a country like America, monopoly or monopoly-like business situations have been seen to be harmful to the consumers as they make the producers so powerful that they can abuse their power, much to the consumers’ disadvantage (Geisst, 2000). Every firm looks and dreams of a monopoly in the market. Even for those businesses which operate in highly competitive markets, they always seek to create monopolistic environments, for their own advantage and not to the advantage of the consumers (Lele, 2007). With regard to Microsoft’s monopoly, the effect can be seen as both good and bad. Microsoft’s monopoly position is bad for consumers Microsoft’s monopoly is not in the public interest because monopoly in itself means that the firm can control the prices as well as the quality of the products it sells to the consumers. Monopoly, as Clark (2011) argues, is the opposite of perfect competition. Perfect competition is what is seen to be the ideal situation for consumers because the firms in a perfect completion market environment engaged in perfect competition and have to continue reducing their prices in order to entice the consumers (Machovec, 1995). Above, diagram showing how completion affects prices of products. Source: http://www.revisionguru.co.uk/economics/perfcomp.htm As Klein (2007) says, in perfect competition also, the firm also seek to improve the quality of the products in order to have an advantage over the other firms. These two factors, that is, quality and prices, are very important for the consumer. Above, diagram showing perfect competition in the long run equilibrium, Source: http://www.bized.co.uk/reference/diagrams/Perfect-Competition---Long-Run-Equilibrium When competition is eliminated and one firm or a group of few numbers of firms have a monopolistic position in the market, the firms don’t have to reduce their prices or increase the quality of their product (Khan, 2007). In this regard, Microsoft’s monopoly is not good for the consumers because it means that the firm will not be motivated to revise the prices of its products and they will also not be motivated to increase the quality of their products. In the current situation, it means that Microsoft can decide how much to sell its software, especially its operating system and the office suite.

Report in Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Report in Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example But coming to the festival is not an easy task it involves a decision, fair bit of travel, standing in long queues and the determination to stay in a city of music and music loving people. Motivation plays a pivotal role and getting people to the festival (Motivation, Mood and Involvement, n.d). People have different acquired needs and in order to fulfil these needs they perform different actions. When a need is unfulfilled it creates tension and the drive towards the goal. Similarly, in our case, people who are fond of music have many unfulfilled needs such as somebody wanted to be a singer but could not likewise someone else might want to become a guitarist but cannot due to different reasons. Furthermore, others may have a need to listen to quality music, attend a concert, see a live performance and feel the excitement of dancing to music with thousands of other music lovers. Therefore, when these needs are not fulfilled people turn to social events such as the Glastonbury festival, to feel better, even if their ultimate goal cannot be reached. They will substitute their ultimate goal with a new goal and hence will feel relieved by accomplishing the newly set goal. As a result, a positive motivation is created towards the goal, i.e. the festival. Similarly, some people may have emotional motives to attend the festival yet others may be pulled towards it due environmental arousal (Schiffman & Kanuk, 2004). This can be explained using the Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, people have ego and social needs to cater to (Maslow, 1943). Attending the world’s biggest performing arts and music festival may fulfil the ego needs of some die hard music fans. Likewise, others may end up coming to the festival because of their social needs, such as peer pressure and affection (Maslow’s Hierarchy, 2009). On the other hand, when the needs of people are not fulfilled

Marketing of Nivea Products Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Marketing of Nivea Products - Assignment Example Nivea products identify themselves through distinct packaging and clear labeling of the products. Nivea products are convenient products for shopping as they already sought out products packed in convenient amount, and well labeled that makes it easy for customers efficiently select their desired preferences. Again, the products are packed in small packages, which make the products portable and convenient for consumers to carry around. The products are available everywhere from supermarkets, pharmacies and convenient grocery stores. The uniqueness of the product identified through the satisfaction it has on the consumers. The products have refined scent, dry, smooth skin, in fact, most women say they products makes their lips kissable has a sensational, romantic touch. This response explicitly makes the product unique over other closely related products. In addition, the brand is extremely popular for skin care and beauty. Besides, the products are not only useful to women but also to men and a range of diverse men’s products are available. Nivea brand is owned by a German company Beiersdorf named after the owner Carl Paul Beiersdorf who was a pharmacist. The product is developed from water in oil emulsion with eucerit and used as a skin cream. The company produced products such as shampoo, tanning oils, facial toners and shaving cream which lead to development of Nivea products. The products also contain cellulite that help reduce cellulite and makes the skin firm, Nivea cellulite gel-cream is used to serve this purpose. Lotus extract obtain from flowering water plant is able to tighten the pores of the skin. It also has an anti-inflammatory features that help skin purification and cleansing. In addition, Nivea products have the following mix:

The Power of a Magnifying Glass Essay Example for Free

The Power of a Magnifying Glass Essay The magnification of a magnifying glass depends upon where it is placed between the users eye and the object being viewed, and the total distance between them. The magnifying power is equivalent to angular magnification (this should not be confused with optical power, which is a different quantity). The magnifying power is the ratio of the sizes of the images formed on the users retina with and without the lens.[3] For the without case, it is typically assumed that the user would bring the object as close to the eye as possible without it becoming blurry. This point, known as the near point, varies with age. In a young child it can be as close as 5 cm, while in an elderly person it may be as far as one or two metres. Magnifiers are typically characterized using a standard value of 0.25 m. The highest magnifying power is obtained by putting the lens very close to the eye and moving the eye and the lens together to obtain the best focus. The object will then typically also be close to the lens. The magnifying power obtained in this condition is MP0 =  ¼ÃŽ ¦ + 1, where ÃŽ ¦ is the optical power in dioptres, and the factor of  ¼ comes from the assumed distance to the near point ( ¼ m from the eye). This value of the magnifying power is the one normally used to characterize magnifiers. It is typically denoted mÃâ€", where m = MP0. This is sometimes called the total power of the magnifier (again, not to be confused with optical power). Magnifiers are not always used as described above, however. It is much more comfortable to put the magnifier close to the object (one focal length away). The eye can then be a larger distance away, and a good image can be obtained very easily; the focus is not very sensitive to the eyes exact position. The magnifying power in this case is roughly MP =  ¼ÃŽ ¦. A typical magnifying glass might have a focal length of 25 cm, corresponding to an optical power of 4 dioptres. Such a magnifier would be sold as a 2Ãâ€" magnifier. In actual use, an observer with typical eyes would obtain a magnifying power between 1 and 2, depending on where lens is held. Using this principle, a magnifying glass can also be used to focus light, such as to concentrate the suns radiation to create a hot spot at the focus.

Building the American Dream :: Personal Narrative Writing

Building the American Dream Well for my parents, the American Dream was to come to America and make a new life for themselves. Back in China things weren't so easy. Earning a living was difficult. My parents heard of America and its great opportunities and high standards of living and so they prepared to come to the United States. As children, my parents lived in a old area of Fukein, China. Their lives were not easy. They woke up early in the morning to go to school then came back home to do their chores like cleaning, washing, cooking, watching over their brothers and sisters and working on their small farm. It was quite difficult and backbreaking but they needed to do all that to provide for the family in any way they could. For my mother is was even more difficult after the death of her father, my grandfather. She had to work extra hard to keep her household in order. As my parents became more independent, they knew that they wanted more for their children. When my parents got married, they planned immediately to start to save up money to go to America. They wanted a better life for themselves and their children. My father worked hard for the opportunity to come here and the hard work paid off. He spent some years in Hong Kong working in his family's herbal shop trying to save up enough money to come to America. The first to arrive in America was my mother. She was the one that was to start our lives here. When she arrived to America. She was pregnant and so working to make a living was kind of hard but had the support of my father and uncle. In 1979, my father took his first glimpse of his baby son and then went out to look for a job. It was difficult but it was a lot easier here then back at home. He soon established himself as a well known chef but his first job was as a busboy. After which he set up 3 restaurants for himself and became an entr eprenuer, a dream like that many people had when they came to America. He was quite successful in his business and enjoyed his life here. However he faced much cruelty such as racism and inequality but he ignored that because those were only obstacles that he could like many other obstacles he had overcome.

Humorous Wedding Speech by the Groom :: Wedding Toasts Roasts Speeches

Humorous Wedding Speech by the Groom The groom has used the wedding date as a source for funny lines, comparing their marriage with celebrity couples for comic effect. While preparing this speech I thought it would be interesting to see if any celebrity couples had been married on the same day as us. Paul Simon and Carrie Fisher wed in 1983...and split up after 9 months. Oh dear. Also, Madonna married Sean Penn on this day in 1985; and we all know the outcome of that. Unlike the latter, while Lisa is "Like A Virgin," I plan to "Cherish" her forever and I am not afraid to 'Justify My Love." There's always the "Hanky Panky" to look forward to. There are children present, so the less said about "Get into the Groove" the better. We have been together for nearly ten years, and it's been the happiest decade of my life. We first got together at a Halloween party, where she was dressed up as a witch's cat and I was dressed as a crazy axe murderer, I was instantly smitten with that kitten I can tell you. She stuck with me through my scabby student days, and she's even managed to suffer living with me for five years. At home, we’re the perfect team - I mess up the house and she tidies. I affectionately call her my Mrs. Mop. In 1998 I popped the question, so like Elvis's toilet door Twenty-five years ago, we've been engaged for a long time. Today she's made me the happiest man on earth, she's my bride and joy. And I think you'll all agree she's done a superb job organizing today almost single-handed. (Toast) Please join me and raise a glass to my beautiful bride. To the bride! We'd like to thank the bridesmaids for all their help in the preparation for today, and I think you'll agree they look fantastic. We have some gifts for you. (Hand gifts to them and toasts) To the bridesmaids. We’d like to say a big thank you to our moms for all their love and support over the years. You've both been really good to us. So please join us in a toast. To the moms. Big thanks to the best man, my dear brother. I’m not sure I should give you the gift now with your speech pending. This man had the easiest job on the day, or perhaps he just made it look easy.

How to Succeed in (or Flunk Out of) College Essay

How to Succeed in (or flunk out of) College Everyone has hopes and dreams to succeed in college, but things don’t go as plan all the time. As a result it can cause you not reach your highest potential. It’s hard for some to make the transition from High School to College because having complete freedom to do whatever you like can be a task within itself. For example deciding when and how long you stay in a particular class and things of that nature. So there is much more to explain and guide you along how to make the best of your college experience and also succeed in the classroom. So let’s begin. Being successful in college is harder than you think; first you have to figure out which school best suit you as a person and the career of your choice. Then you must set up certain classes that are in respectful time frame that’s suitable for you and will help you attain your degree. Also you must learn where each class location around the college campus. Once you have achieved those tasks this is where the real work begins. Meaning preparing yourself for the long hours of studying and writing ten page term papers. In addition there are ways that you can fail in college also. For example, not being prepared for class and not being on time. Also not having your work done in the correct time frame it has to be done within. Also letting other things affect you meaning if you having problems with your roommates or partying too much and not making sure your studies are not taking care of before you do whatever that you want to do. In closing, there are plenty of ways to fail in college and plenty of ways to succeed also. Yes, you might be excited that you are able to come and go as you please but you also need to know when to have fun and when it’s time to hit those books and study. There is no step by step process because everyone is different and is able to do things that others may not be able to do. All things considered you can learn from people that been there and have been in your shoes and take the information that is giving you and used it in your own way.