The answer to the question, “How important is it for us to know the english language?” depends on where we are from and what we are doing , etc. However, if the question was how important the English language is for an engineering student, I would say its very important.
In this highly globalized world, day by day more people have to converse in English since its the Global trading language. Even for an engineer, if we seek employment with international companies, a basic requirement is that you speak fluent English. It is not only important that we can speak the language, we also need to be able to express ourselves well on paper. That is, we should be able to write good reports as well. Even at a university level we are trained to write academic passages, this is to better help us ready for the outside world. In a competitive environment such as the job industry, a person who is poor in the English language is unlikely to get a job over a person who is better at English.
In the companies point of view, they trade internationally, and since English has become the basic platform of communication, they require their employees to speak good English as well. If proper communication is not established the company would lose its business to its competitor. Hence, the bottomline is that one should be able to communicate English if he is to secure a job without much problems. Some argue, not all jobs need English if its to be accomplished. However, a company would not want its employees to struggle to communicate with each other. If this happens, then employees would form smaller “groups” , which would not be in the best interest of the company to have internal conflicts.
We could now say that it is quite important for us to be able to communicate well in English if we were to secure employment. The university takes measures so that we all are quite proficient in English upon graduation. Hence it is important for us to have a satisfactory level for competency in the English language even in our university life.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Portfolio 4 -- The importance of English
As we know, English is the international language.We are living in the world of globalization. English language is a common language and is spoken in many countries. In this computer age, English is the only language that any one can understand. So to say, it has become as an ideal language for expressing our feelings. First, we have to learn the language and then we have to gain fluency in the language. Unless we have the fluency in English language, it would not be possible to work with the computer. If you do not know English, then you would be in need of a translator to do the job.
Language, so far as we know, is something specific to humans, that is to say it is the basic capacity that distinguishes humans from all other living beings. Language therefore remains potentially a communicative medium capable of expressing ideas and concepts as well as moods, feelings and attitudes. But why is English ? not Chinese or Spanish ? This must refer back to the history then.Therefore we are not going to discuss the history, just accept it.:)
After Mandarin, English is spoken by more people than any other language, and is the native language of more than 350 million people. More people speak English than those who speak the Arabic and French languages combined. Moreover, English is the international language of diplomacy, business, science, technology, banking, computing, medicine, aviation, engineering, tourism,etc.
While English may not have as large a quantity of speakers as Mandarin it is still more widespread and herein lays its importance. Mandarin Chinese is hardly spoken outside Chinese communities, however in many regions of the world where English is not the native language, it is still widely spoken and integrated in the curriculums of educational institutions. In many countries Malaysia, for example, where there various ethnic groups with their own unique language, English is used as a means of communications between all of them. So we see that the importance of English doesn't lie in the quantity of people that speak it but in way we use it.
Finally, spoken English is used in the best careers, the best universities, and is increasingly being used at job interviews. So like it or not, English is a very important language to learn how to speak.
Language, so far as we know, is something specific to humans, that is to say it is the basic capacity that distinguishes humans from all other living beings. Language therefore remains potentially a communicative medium capable of expressing ideas and concepts as well as moods, feelings and attitudes. But why is English ? not Chinese or Spanish ? This must refer back to the history then.Therefore we are not going to discuss the history, just accept it.:)
After Mandarin, English is spoken by more people than any other language, and is the native language of more than 350 million people. More people speak English than those who speak the Arabic and French languages combined. Moreover, English is the international language of diplomacy, business, science, technology, banking, computing, medicine, aviation, engineering, tourism,etc.
While English may not have as large a quantity of speakers as Mandarin it is still more widespread and herein lays its importance. Mandarin Chinese is hardly spoken outside Chinese communities, however in many regions of the world where English is not the native language, it is still widely spoken and integrated in the curriculums of educational institutions. In many countries Malaysia, for example, where there various ethnic groups with their own unique language, English is used as a means of communications between all of them. So we see that the importance of English doesn't lie in the quantity of people that speak it but in way we use it.
Finally, spoken English is used in the best careers, the best universities, and is increasingly being used at job interviews. So like it or not, English is a very important language to learn how to speak.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
E-Portfolio post 4
Do we really need to be competent in English language? In my opinion, yes! English is the most widely spoken language in the world. It is also the language of Internet and so studying, doing research, interacting with international companies is almost impossible without at least some English. To anyone who lives in an English speaking country, it is of vital importance.
Most of us tend to ignore English as a subject which is as important as Mathematics. We need to know English to communicate effectively. Using English effectively and making a good living have much in common. The study of English encompasses much more than the mechanics of grammar, punctuation and spelling. Through preparatory and advanced English courses in school, it allows for the opportunity to sharpen critical reading and writing skills. I believe it is this that is crucial to the success of an engineering student, in both academic life and a prospective career.
While at work, having the right English communication skills will surely equip you with a liberating confidence and ability to express. It will surely be an advantage in interviews, thus giving you more opportunities to widen your career prospects. Or if you are not looking for a new job, having the confidence and ability to speak good English is one way of enhancing your potential for earning by making you stand out for career advancement or promotions. Undoubtedly, English language is the global language and having a good command of it will definitely give one’s career a clear edge.
As such, English language is always very important because it is the means of communication. Proficiency in English is a mandatory requirement for any professional working in a business environment. If you cannot use the language, it will be very difficult to communicate with the people. Therefore, it is an absolute necessity.
Friday, November 6, 2009
E-Portfolio post 3
Nuclear power accounts to a reasonable percentage of electricity generation in the world today. Even though countries are benefiting from electricity generation via nuclear reactors, no new reactors have been built in almost 30 years. During my group’s roundtable discussion, we discussed the possible initiatives of fourth generation nuclear reactors. Of the selected six concepts developed in order to meet the technology goals for new nuclear systems, we narrowed our choices down to Very High Temperature Reactor (VHTR) and Sodium-Cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) in particular. Many of the two model’s pros and cons were discussed at the discussion. I would like to share a burning issue that was discussed.
Fuel fabrication is the process when enriched uranium is converted into fuel for nuclear reactors and is the last step in the nuclear cycle before the uranium fuel is ready to be used in a reactor. The type of nuclear fuel used depends on the type of nuclear reactors. Currently, there are several different types of nuclear fuels that are in use, and several more are being developed. Although uranium dioxide is the most common fuel, there are many other fuels that seem promising. Maximizing the efficiency and safety of nuclear fuel is essential to making nuclear fuel an acceptable energy alternative in society. Furthermore, it must be taken into consideration are that new nuclear fuel development is constrained by nuclear reactor technology and whether we should use plutonium as a nuclear fuel.
In conclusion, although many people fear using nuclear fuel for power, it is actually relatively safe. It is a shame that two accidents (Chernobyl and Three Mile Island) tarnished the reputation of nuclear energy forever. In addition, reprocessing is not popular currently, but I hope to see a more widespread in the future despite the high costs of reprocessing.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
E portfolio 3 - Rountable discussion
About two weeks of preparing and we were ready for the roundtable discussion. In our group there were two of us siding with the very high temperature reactor (VHTR), another two supporting the sodium cooled fast reactor (SFR) and a moderator. The roundtable discussion as basically a discussion on which Generation 4 nuclear reactor was the ideal solution for the energy crisis.
It was agreed that Nuclear energy was the cleanest way forward to solve the energy crisis. However the publics’ views that “Nuclear reactors” are not safe had to be changed, hence the Generation 4 reactors tackle safety, performance and cost to prove that it’s the best solution. For example the VHTR is far superior to the SFR in several ways. The VHTR has the best performance factor of all generation 4 reactors, having a thermal efficiency rate of higher than 50%, where other reactors are usually below 40%. The better the performance means cheaper the electricity, and therefore the VHTTR has a relatively lower operational cost, than most other reactors. But it is argues that the VHTR has too high an initial cost (R&D and Building cost), which ranges in the region of $1 Billion. However it was pointed out that several countries showed great interest in the VHTR and hence the cost can be distributed.
Another major issue was the safety, while the SFR boasts a closed fuel cycle with recycling capabilities, some say recycling brings back the plutonium and if the security is not tight then terrorist can steal it and manufacture nuclear weapons. Another safety issue is the use of sodium as the coolant, sodium is highly reactive and this could lead to other disasters if the coolant is not managed with care. The VHTR has Helium as its coolant, the inert property of this gas makes it highly safe to be used.
It was clear that the VHTR had every aspect covered well and is far more superior to the SFR. That is why several countries have shown interest in the VHTR and hopefully it would be the solution to our energy problems.
Roundtable discussion - Portfolio 3
In the roundtable discussion that we have gone through, it gained me to the knowledge of how the new generation nuclear reactor iv could play an very important role for tommorow's world, as we know nuclear reactors provide power to us. Therefore , this technology will lead us to finding new sources of power energy. the roundtable discussion for my group is rebutting againts two models of nuclear energy, which is SFR and VHTR, stands for Sodium Cooled Fast Reactor and Very High Temperature Ractor.
The SFR uses Sodium as the coolant, from the discussion, we know that sodium is a kind of high reactivity material, because it can reacts with water, water vapor and air, which is consider unsafe, therefore the concern of safety has alerted. where the coolant of VHTR is helium, and helium is subjected to high temperature thus it is more efficient in transferring thermal energy. Another benefit by using helium is that it will not react with the VHTR materials nor become radioactive itself and does not affect the neutron economy in the reactor core. Besides heated helium can drive the turbine as well. This is one of the major reason that we believe VHTR is better than SFR.
From another hand, we realised that since sodium is so high reactivity with other materials, therefore it has to be taken more careful during dealing with the leakage of sodium, cos' once the sodium leaks..it might be a horrible disaster. Extra cost has to be considered to resolve this issue.
In terms of performances, VHTR produces nearly 50% more electricity engery than other conventional plants.Moreover, in VHTR system, it is dealing with a very high heat resistant,and because it uses grapthie as the moderator and graphite is inertia and it doesn't easily react with helium.
Therefore we claimed that VHTR performs a better high temp and higher energy conversion compares to other model.
As my own personel view, since there are so many advantageous we could see by selecting VHTR than other models, why they dont jst concentrate on investigating and exploring in one model? but come out another 5 models ? pls enlighten me:)
The SFR uses Sodium as the coolant, from the discussion, we know that sodium is a kind of high reactivity material, because it can reacts with water, water vapor and air, which is consider unsafe, therefore the concern of safety has alerted. where the coolant of VHTR is helium, and helium is subjected to high temperature thus it is more efficient in transferring thermal energy. Another benefit by using helium is that it will not react with the VHTR materials nor become radioactive itself and does not affect the neutron economy in the reactor core. Besides heated helium can drive the turbine as well. This is one of the major reason that we believe VHTR is better than SFR.
From another hand, we realised that since sodium is so high reactivity with other materials, therefore it has to be taken more careful during dealing with the leakage of sodium, cos' once the sodium leaks..it might be a horrible disaster. Extra cost has to be considered to resolve this issue.
In terms of performances, VHTR produces nearly 50% more electricity engery than other conventional plants.Moreover, in VHTR system, it is dealing with a very high heat resistant,and because it uses grapthie as the moderator and graphite is inertia and it doesn't easily react with helium.
Therefore we claimed that VHTR performs a better high temp and higher energy conversion compares to other model.
As my own personel view, since there are so many advantageous we could see by selecting VHTR than other models, why they dont jst concentrate on investigating and exploring in one model? but come out another 5 models ? pls enlighten me:)
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
ENGlish 4 life
English is a language with West Germanic origins. It used back in the Anglo-Saxon era and has since developed to today’s modern English. The use of English language is wide and extensive, dominating the world as the most popular international language. Indeed, English language is so significant that it plays an important role in an engineering student’s academic life and prospective career. An engineering student has to be competent in the use of English language in order to be successful.
In an engineering student’s academic life, he or she has to utilize English as a tool to understand keys concepts and ideologies. A good command of the language would ensure effective communication between people, thus allowing for better expression of thoughts. This is especially important in an engineering student prospective career. Competent use of English language in career would ensure a smoother working process with better end results.
A poor command of English language would not only subject one to ridicule, but also condemnation from others. A recent case in Singapore context would be the de-crowned former Miss Singapore, Ris Low. Her poor use of English in an interview results in the start of her downfall. For engineers, incorrect usage of the language would potentially lead to more disastrous results as their work involves people directly.
Controversial as it may seem, one could not deny that English has become an irreplaceable part of our lives. Thus as we progress, we must also continuously improve our usage of the English language.
-Weilong
Sunday, October 25, 2009
Posting3: Roundtable Discussion
The round table discussion touched on different concepts of nuclear IV reactors. For our group, we discussed the viability of two of the more popular concepts, the Very High Temperature (VHTR) and the Sodium cooled fast reactor (SFR). At the end of our discussion, the VHTR concept seems to be the best concept to implement to meet our future energy needs.
We have discussed the criteria to decide which of the two the better nuclear IV reactor concept is. The main priorities to decide are safety issues, costs factors and performance level of the nuclear reactors.
In terms of safety issues, the SFR boasts a passive cooling system which would be more superior if not for the lack of critical intervention control. In comparison, the VHTR concept of human control would allow for a faster response time in emergency situations.
The start up costs of the VHTR concept would be higher due to the scale of the nuclear plants. To maintain stable operations, the reactor core has to be made up of numerous graphite reflectors to withstand operating temperature of more than 1000 degree Celsius. Furthermore, these reflectors have to be replaced every four years, adding on to maintenance costs.
However, the performance output of the VHTR concept is far greater than the SFR. In addition to electricity, VHTR would also produce hydrogen fuel. Moreover`, the estimated net plant thermal efficiency of 50% is higher than that of SFR.
In conclusion, VHTR would be a more viable concept. The higher costs would be relieved by funding from major countries, and thus would not be much of an issue.
-weilong
Portfolio entry 4
There are more than 1.8 billion people in the world speaking the English language, of which almost 400 million are using it as their first language. English is also the official language in 53 countries and has become the lingua franca in many parts of the world. Based on these statistics and information, it would be safe to say that English is most widely spoken language among the people on Earth.
English is important not only because it is widely used, but also because it helps to connect people who speak different first languages and use English as their lingua franca. In an engineering student’s academic life, it is inevitable that we encounter large scale projects requiring the expertise of students from other engineering fields. For example, a bio-mechanical project, knowledge from the fields of bio-engineering and mechanical engineering would be required. For students among different fields to communicate well, a common language is required. More often than not, this language is the English language. Engineering students need to be proficient in the English language in order to effectively share their knowledge as well as comprehend concepts from the other engineering fields.
This is even more important when engineering students graduate and become engineers. Projects will be on an even larger scale and engineers would need to be able to connect verbally as well as literally with various departments and organizations. Speaking and writing good English would not only improve understanding, but also speed up processes and increase the overall efficiency.
The English language allows engineers to communicate effectively with one another and is an important tool for communication. It will definitely play an important role for people who work in engineering sectors.
Portfolio entry 3
The roundtable discussion brought to my attention the depleting supplies of the world’s fuel as well as the capabilities of the various Generation IV nuclear reactors. Each nuclear reactor has its own advantages and disadvantages, but they are generally much better and more efficient than the Generation III reactors. However, I am unsure about the safety factors of the Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor (SFR) because of the coolant that it employs. The SFR uses Sodium, a very reactive alkali metal, as its coolant.
The main concern about using Sodium is its high reactivity. Elemental Sodium does not exist naturally on Earth because it is so reactive it always reacts and forms different compounds. The danger of its high reactivity can be seen from the fact that it combusts in air and even explodes when in contact with water. Surely, such a reactive coolant can only pose further danger to the nuclear core and yet, the SFR is designed to use Sodium as its coolant.
To prevent any coolant related accidents, the SFR must be designed such that the system transporting and holding the Sodium coolant is very stable and strong to prevent any leakage of the coolant. Any small exposure of the Sodium coolant would most probably cause a fire or worse, an explosion. Of course, there is no need to explain the severity of an explosion within the nuclear reactor.
When an explosion within a nuclear plant is so dreadful, I am surprised that the SFR is designed to be cooled with a highly reactive metal. Are there no other safer alternatives to replace Sodium as a coolant in the SFR?
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
The first Laptop-- Toshiba
Nowadays, we all aware that a laptop has gradually becoming an essential stuff to anyone who wishes to communicate to the outside world instantly and directly. As we born in this technological world, we should have known that a computer isn’t only allows us to communicate with friends, but it helps to accomplish your work in more convenient way, but human always not satisfy on what is existing, they always looking for a better option. Therefore the birth of laptop has appeared in 1986, by a gang of hardworking, innovative engineers!
We should thank to this man- Tetsuya Mizuguchi, an ingenious, brilliant engineer he is the one who first brought this idea to the world. The elicitation of “portable computer” idea from Tetsuya Mizuguchi is due to the limited of office space, and the willingness of the Japanese to work at home. The most estimable part should mention here is that such innovative idea had actually banned by the top executives of his company Toshiba twice, due to the recent huge losses in the marketplace with its personal computer, and had decided to get out of the computer business. In such circumstances, he still managed to persevere his own faith. He then went "underground" with the laptop project with his group of 10 engineers which are also working in Toshiba Company. After day and night of twenty-fourth months’ working, a prototype was created after a dozen of difficulties were eliminated.
Finally, in 1985, Mizoguchi triumphantly presented his laptop at Toshiba. But they were facing another issue on the challenge in selling of the new product. He was able to resolve the problem once again by the supporting of Atsutoshi Nishida, senior vice president of Toshiba Europe, who was enthusiastic about the new product. In a very short fourteen months, the first ten thousand laptop had been sold! In is a very impressive result in the market of that time, since the company just had huge losses on their personal computer.
Production of laptops is then tremendously increased from 5,000 units per month in 1986 to 100,000 in 1989 (Abetti, 1997). Tetsuya Mizoguchi was promoted to the Toshiba board of directors in 1996, and Nishida was moved into a top corporate position.
In the conclusion, what we can learn from this article is the “3B” main keys of being a successful engineer : be more innovative, be more alertly on the current need of human, be more daring to dream of your dreams!!
by Eric Tan
We should thank to this man- Tetsuya Mizuguchi, an ingenious, brilliant engineer he is the one who first brought this idea to the world. The elicitation of “portable computer” idea from Tetsuya Mizuguchi is due to the limited of office space, and the willingness of the Japanese to work at home. The most estimable part should mention here is that such innovative idea had actually banned by the top executives of his company Toshiba twice, due to the recent huge losses in the marketplace with its personal computer, and had decided to get out of the computer business. In such circumstances, he still managed to persevere his own faith. He then went "underground" with the laptop project with his group of 10 engineers which are also working in Toshiba Company. After day and night of twenty-fourth months’ working, a prototype was created after a dozen of difficulties were eliminated.
Finally, in 1985, Mizoguchi triumphantly presented his laptop at Toshiba. But they were facing another issue on the challenge in selling of the new product. He was able to resolve the problem once again by the supporting of Atsutoshi Nishida, senior vice president of Toshiba Europe, who was enthusiastic about the new product. In a very short fourteen months, the first ten thousand laptop had been sold! In is a very impressive result in the market of that time, since the company just had huge losses on their personal computer.
Production of laptops is then tremendously increased from 5,000 units per month in 1986 to 100,000 in 1989 (Abetti, 1997). Tetsuya Mizoguchi was promoted to the Toshiba board of directors in 1996, and Nishida was moved into a top corporate position.
In the conclusion, what we can learn from this article is the “3B” main keys of being a successful engineer : be more innovative, be more alertly on the current need of human, be more daring to dream of your dreams!!
by Eric Tan
Sunday, September 27, 2009
E-Portfolio 2
Today, wherever we go we could see the use of a laptop. However, two decades ago a laptop computer would not have made it to the marketplace if not for the perseverance of a Japanese engineer, Tetsuya Mizoguchi.The birth of the Toshiba laptop was never approved by the corporate leaders at Toshiba, instead Mr. Mizoguchi had to go “underground” to further research and make the laptop a reality.
In Japan, the lack of office space made it difficult to have desktop computer to be assigned to each workstation. In addition, the willingness of the Japanese to work at home gave Mr Mizoguchi the idea of a portable personal computer. At first, the engineer approached the heads at Toshiba corporation with his fabulous idea, however, the company just having suffered huge losses in the computer industry had decided to get out of the computer business and hence Mr. Mizoguchi was denied the request for funds to research and develop. This however did not stop him from conquering his goal, instead he diverted funds and shifted engineers from a military project to design the laptop computer secretly. It took the team two years to complete a prototype and they managed to present the laptop to corporate executives only to be denied a second time. The executives argued that “the new product was just a fad that would fill only a small market niche”, and hence Mr. Mizoguchi was ordered not to sell it.
All the frustrating and difficulties periods the team underwent was not put to waste. Mr. Mizoguchi friend, Mr. Nishida , the senior vice president of Toshiba Europe was interested in the product and was enthusiastic on marketing it. Hence, the laptop was sold in the market and it was soon clear that the innovation had a positive reception by the consumers. Toshiba soon had a commanding market share and the laptop went into mass production.
Mr. Mizoguchi determination saw him risk his job and career to make his idea a reality. The continuous disapproval from the corporate leaders made him and his team go “underground” and saw them succeeding in developing the laptop computer.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
E-Portfolio post 2 - Yijie
This reading talks about how a project is created in a “skunk works” environment and then become a successful product that can be found worldwide. “Skunk works” environment usually consists of a small team taken out of their normal working environment and given exceptional freedom from their organisation’s standard management constraints.
This is about the case study that presents the birth, growth, and ultimate success of the major technological and market innovations - the Toshiba laptop computer. It follows the evolution of this corporate venture from initial failures in 1978 to the success of the laptop computer, first in Europe (1986), then in the United States, and finally in Japan. This project was initiated as the market requires a computer that can fit into a small working environment. It was an unexpected success as this project was vetoed twice by the corporate headquarters of Toshiba and driven underground. It took the team two years to come up with the final product.
All this would not have been possible if not for an ingenious champion, Tetsuya Mizoguchi and his team of engineers. It was because of the vision, persistence and efforts of this team of passionate Japanese engineers led by Tetsuya Mizoguchi that a new business was created and is now part of Toshiba's mainstream operations. He led a team of ten engineers, to design, implement and improve the product. It was created after repeated failures from the conventional process - the “skunk works” model of innovation. As of now, the laptop computer has become a significant contributor to the growth and profitability of the corporation.
The three characters mentioned in the reading are Mizoguchi, the product champion and Nishida the marketing champion in Europe. As for general manager Koga, he protected Mizoguchi from interference by the company headquarters. All three employees were promoted after the laptop computer became a success.
This is about the case study that presents the birth, growth, and ultimate success of the major technological and market innovations - the Toshiba laptop computer. It follows the evolution of this corporate venture from initial failures in 1978 to the success of the laptop computer, first in Europe (1986), then in the United States, and finally in Japan. This project was initiated as the market requires a computer that can fit into a small working environment. It was an unexpected success as this project was vetoed twice by the corporate headquarters of Toshiba and driven underground. It took the team two years to come up with the final product.
All this would not have been possible if not for an ingenious champion, Tetsuya Mizoguchi and his team of engineers. It was because of the vision, persistence and efforts of this team of passionate Japanese engineers led by Tetsuya Mizoguchi that a new business was created and is now part of Toshiba's mainstream operations. He led a team of ten engineers, to design, implement and improve the product. It was created after repeated failures from the conventional process - the “skunk works” model of innovation. As of now, the laptop computer has become a significant contributor to the growth and profitability of the corporation.
The three characters mentioned in the reading are Mizoguchi, the product champion and Nishida the marketing champion in Europe. As for general manager Koga, he protected Mizoguchi from interference by the company headquarters. All three employees were promoted after the laptop computer became a success.
Thursday, September 24, 2009
Portfolio entry 2
More often than not, people associate inventors with intelligence, vision and determination. However, courage is also important for the birth of new technology or inventions. The article written by E.M. Rogers, “The birth of the laptop computer at Toshiba”, clearly explains how courage and the willingness to take risks can propel advancements in technology.
More than twenty years ago, laptops were radically different from desktops. Nobody knew if laptops were going to be popular or if it was even possible to create computers of a portable size. Tetsuya Mizoguchi, the founder of laptops, had to take high risks when he decided to push on with the laptop project. These risks included losing his career and being charged with the misuse of company funds. Even if he did manage to create a suitable laptop, the market sale of the laptop was another major consideration.
Despite facing all these risks, Mizoguchi had the courage to go against the odds and against his own company. By working in a “skunk works” environment and hiding from corporate view, he finally managed to build a laptop which sold well internationally, thereby helping Toshiba gain a huge market share in the marketplace. However, his main contribution was more important than this. He had paved the way for the introduction of the portable computer which is so useful today. Without laptops, there would be inconvenience for people who need to be on the move often, thus hindering work processes and slowing down the economy.
It was not only intelligence and vision, but also courage which led to one of the most important and useful technology of the millennium.
More than twenty years ago, laptops were radically different from desktops. Nobody knew if laptops were going to be popular or if it was even possible to create computers of a portable size. Tetsuya Mizoguchi, the founder of laptops, had to take high risks when he decided to push on with the laptop project. These risks included losing his career and being charged with the misuse of company funds. Even if he did manage to create a suitable laptop, the market sale of the laptop was another major consideration.
Despite facing all these risks, Mizoguchi had the courage to go against the odds and against his own company. By working in a “skunk works” environment and hiding from corporate view, he finally managed to build a laptop which sold well internationally, thereby helping Toshiba gain a huge market share in the marketplace. However, his main contribution was more important than this. He had paved the way for the introduction of the portable computer which is so useful today. Without laptops, there would be inconvenience for people who need to be on the move often, thus hindering work processes and slowing down the economy.
It was not only intelligence and vision, but also courage which led to one of the most important and useful technology of the millennium.
Sunday, September 20, 2009
Eminent Success of Toshiba
Toshiba is a brand name that most people are familiar with. Whether it is regarding personal computers, laptops or household electronics, Toshiba Corporation has made its presence known. In fact, Toshiba Corporation’s standing in the electronics industry is something not to make light of. Even among its strong competitors, Toshiba still holds a strong influence in the ever-evolving industry, leading its peers in the frontier of electronics innovation. The reasons for Toshiba’s success in the immensely competitive market would be its ability to foresee future demands and its flexibility to adapt to unpredictable market changes.
First, Toshiba good foresight of future market is justified by the countless ‘world first’ products the company released. There is the radar (1942), microwave oven (1959), laptop personal computer (1985) and DVD (1995).These are just a few examples of the technology breakthroughs the company has made in the past. Most noteworthy would be the laptop computers, where it gained much market shares for Toshiba Corporation, propelling it to further heights of electronics production.
Second, Toshiba adapts to competition readily without hesitation, making swift decisive actions. For example, the case of format war with Sony Corporation between years 2005 to 2008. There was a fierce competition between the two companies over providing discs formats for greater storage space. Toshiba launched out their High Definition Digital Video Discs (HD DVD), yet only to lose out to Sony’s Blu-Ray Discs’ higher storage capacity. Even so, Toshiba foresee the lost early on and announced the drop of format war on February 19, 2008. Toshiba’s flexibility ensures minimal losses and provides greater grounds for its other expansion.
Moreover, Toshiba diversifies its ranges of products, with specialization in household electronics, cutting-edge technology gadgets and semi-conductors, creating its great economic stability to thrive in the turbulent market. Without a doubt, Toshiba has become Japan leading innovative electronics company with great history and track records years since 1978. Toshiba proudly promoted themselves as the leading innovators, churning out innovative inventions one after another. There is no stopping to Toshiba’s innovative spirit.
BY LOH WEI LONG
Sunday, September 6, 2009
NUS FSAE race car project
On the Friday lecture, there were 3 speakers present, two from the faculty of engineering and one from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. I would comment on the last speaker, A/P Seah Kar Heng , who’s presentation on the NUS FSAE race car project was by far the most interesting and appealing to me.
The NUS FSAE race car project started in 2001 and it took the team two years to complete the race car. The team was not able to compete in the races due to lack of funds. According to the professor this project was not given much publicity and hence they did not have enough funds to ship the race car to Michigan, where the events were held. This intervarsity event has about 140 teams and around 3000-4000 spectators are present. The race cars are checked on four different events. A drag race, Skid track, auto cross and finally a 22 kilometer endurance. Each event has 2 drivers and a reserve driver, which brings the total number of drivers to 12 for the event.
Every year the team looks to improve the race car’s design and components one by one. With the car having over 1500 components the engineers do through a tedious task of assembling the vehicle. The car is engineered by students in different year of studies in NUS and the car is assembled on campus. The cycle starts from January where the team conceptualizes the previous year’s car and between May and July the car is designed. In august they begin the fabrication of the parts and in November they stop due to exams. In December they assemble the car and from January they test drive the vehicle and continue to make minor modifications to the vehicle. In April they take a break because of examinations and the vehicle is shipped to the venue of the event.
At first the FSAE race car project seemed to have come to an end. However a batch of students approached the professor and a self funded second car was designed. Though the team came in 120th position the project gained publicity and the following years was funded by the university and sponsors. Since then the NUS FSAE race car project has gained momentum and has been improving throughout the competition that they recorded their first top 20 position last year, coming in 19th overall.
The NUS FSAE race car project had one of the most volatile starts however the determination of the team saw them through the difficult periods of time and every year they enjoy better success.
what drives u ----> dreamSsss...
I would like to pick up prof Marcelo's speach as my topic. In his speech, he was talking about what a basic requirement that become an engineer should equip themself, which is every engineers should have their own dreams, dare to dream, dare to show your "ideas" even a very stupid one. And i totally agree with him!!
A person without a dream or dreams, is considered living without meaning, living is just because of living. Moreover we are the future engineers!!
What is the purpose of life?Do you clear about yours? Many of people live their lives without second thought about what they actually want, and what reflecting on life itself or its meaning for them. They just live blindly,one day follow by another, without ever obtaining any degree of understanding of why they do these things. Their lives have no overall purpose to give meaning to separate events, and they may have no clear idea of their own nature or identity, of who they really are. As an future engineer, do u think about it ever?please start now if you haven't.
Evey engineer should have dreams. Dreams that driving him/her to seek for the real success in the life.
Only dreams can motivate people, for solving difficulties--" Out of difficulties, Makes miracle"!!Engineers are the one leading the world to a place better to live, to a better communication among people, to create innovative stuffs for the need of rapidly changing world.
Be an engineer, you are required to be creative, you are also demanded to be a good "designer". in the sense that, become an engineer now, you have to think more advanced. As prof Marcelo has showed us some slides about some creativity "products" among the world, some are really rediculous ideas, but think throughly, there are quite effective also.Example:A cap that can holds your head when your sleeping inside the MRT, without touching others' shoulder.A speacially designed "altra Mini car", that allows you to park easily with a limited parking space.An umbrella that can covers your whole body when there is a heavy rain "attacking" you, etc..
I remembered when we looked through all the slides about the creativity of the products i've mentioned above, we are all yocking on the spot. It totally reflected that how rediculous we think the examples are: P
But in fact, there are effective!!As mentioned by prof Marcelo, " why did people think it is funny, rediculous?", "it is because human is just like monkey, monkey sees, monkey do"!! People only accept thing or phenomena that in conventional way. if your the only one who doing that, you will be laughed by others. But if every one is doing that, that's different story. So the second responsible for engineer is " how to make a creative product accepted by the people?" In the design? In the specifications? or other else..? that's be an engineers' should think of it.
Besides, being an enginner has to be constantly irritated. What it mean? We shouldn't accept things so easily and without having a second thought for improvement on the things. "Wouldn't it be nice if we could change something?" This is a very important thought required for being an successful engineer. We need to constantly thinking of what else we could improve from the products. In deed he has given us an example about how does a toothbrush come from to elaborate how important for consistently improvement for engineers.
Furthermore, people are just too easy to accept things especially the simple one. In fact, if we could pause ourself and ponder, we could make a better life!!So how can we start to begin a dream? Like the example showed by prof Marcelo, how does a train can moves? it moves because of the heat generated by burning the firewood.How people could think of buring firewood to generate heat? It is because of all the discovery,
is just easily be found by looking around your daily life!!
As a conclusion, be a successful engineer, we should be two sides/ two views of looking things. in other words, we should have different prospective, to accept and to input ideas. A challenging is it a problem to us?or an opportunity to us? All started from your dreams!!
By Eric Tan
A person without a dream or dreams, is considered living without meaning, living is just because of living. Moreover we are the future engineers!!
What is the purpose of life?Do you clear about yours? Many of people live their lives without second thought about what they actually want, and what reflecting on life itself or its meaning for them. They just live blindly,one day follow by another, without ever obtaining any degree of understanding of why they do these things. Their lives have no overall purpose to give meaning to separate events, and they may have no clear idea of their own nature or identity, of who they really are. As an future engineer, do u think about it ever?please start now if you haven't.
Evey engineer should have dreams. Dreams that driving him/her to seek for the real success in the life.
Only dreams can motivate people, for solving difficulties--" Out of difficulties, Makes miracle"!!Engineers are the one leading the world to a place better to live, to a better communication among people, to create innovative stuffs for the need of rapidly changing world.
Be an engineer, you are required to be creative, you are also demanded to be a good "designer". in the sense that, become an engineer now, you have to think more advanced. As prof Marcelo has showed us some slides about some creativity "products" among the world, some are really rediculous ideas, but think throughly, there are quite effective also.Example:A cap that can holds your head when your sleeping inside the MRT, without touching others' shoulder.A speacially designed "altra Mini car", that allows you to park easily with a limited parking space.An umbrella that can covers your whole body when there is a heavy rain "attacking" you, etc..
I remembered when we looked through all the slides about the creativity of the products i've mentioned above, we are all yocking on the spot. It totally reflected that how rediculous we think the examples are: P
But in fact, there are effective!!As mentioned by prof Marcelo, " why did people think it is funny, rediculous?", "it is because human is just like monkey, monkey sees, monkey do"!! People only accept thing or phenomena that in conventional way. if your the only one who doing that, you will be laughed by others. But if every one is doing that, that's different story. So the second responsible for engineer is " how to make a creative product accepted by the people?" In the design? In the specifications? or other else..? that's be an engineers' should think of it.
Besides, being an enginner has to be constantly irritated. What it mean? We shouldn't accept things so easily and without having a second thought for improvement on the things. "Wouldn't it be nice if we could change something?" This is a very important thought required for being an successful engineer. We need to constantly thinking of what else we could improve from the products. In deed he has given us an example about how does a toothbrush come from to elaborate how important for consistently improvement for engineers.
Furthermore, people are just too easy to accept things especially the simple one. In fact, if we could pause ourself and ponder, we could make a better life!!So how can we start to begin a dream? Like the example showed by prof Marcelo, how does a train can moves? it moves because of the heat generated by burning the firewood.How people could think of buring firewood to generate heat? It is because of all the discovery,
is just easily be found by looking around your daily life!!
As a conclusion, be a successful engineer, we should be two sides/ two views of looking things. in other words, we should have different prospective, to accept and to input ideas. A challenging is it a problem to us?or an opportunity to us? All started from your dreams!!
By Eric Tan
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