Unemployment Insurance: The Second Half-Century (La Follette Public Policy Series)

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Unemployment Insurance: The Second Half-Century (La Follette Public Policy Series)
W. Lee Hansen
Manufacturer: University of Wisconsin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0299123545

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Unemployment insurance : the second half century.
W. Lee & James F. Byers (eds.) Hansen
Manufacturer: University of Wisconsin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORM3J0

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Unemployment Insurance: The Second Half-Century (La Follette Public Policy Series)
W. Lee Hansen
Manufacturer: University of Wisconsin Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000ORJYAG

Customer Reviews:

A view from the inner circle : an insider's report........2003-12-19

It is the details in Janice MacKinnon's book that are spellbinding. How Saskatchewan could not meet is debt. obligations. How the previous government's Department of Social Services shredded all of its Departmental documents, so that nothing was left. The "discovery of cameras and other surveillance equipment used to spy on welfare recipients" (page 69). The financial problems with health care, and the massive firings in the civil service. We had heard the rumors, but MacKinnon's book gives us the details in black and white.

I was working for New Careers Corp. at the time the head office was moved to Kamsack. I remember how shocked everyone was. But it was only from reading MacKinnon's book that I found would that Minister Martin argued against the move. With expenses of a million for a building, and $200,000 telephone and transportation costs, it is no wonder that Janice MacKinnon moved the New Careers office back to Regina when She became Minister.

I highly recommend this book.

A fair and balanced look at her time in Government.......2003-08-10

This is a great book. Not only was Janice McKinnon a leader during some of the hardest days in Saskatchewan's history, she is a great historian and story teller.

I was impressed with her non-partisan look at the Blakeney and Devine governments. She protrayed their intentions and results fairly and balanced. Her look at her own political career was enjoyable as well as she documented the struggles and tensions within the Romanow government and the challenges that she had to make in her own department. If you are a fan of Canadian history, you will want to read this amazing and fun book to read.

Customer Reviews:

African american studies.......2006-01-17

This is a book talking to the African america community it just tells it like it is. Straight to the point no chaser!

The other reviewer is an idiot.......2005-11-18

How do you critique a book without reading it?

racist.......2000-12-12

This title I find to be to racist for me to even consider

How to Find and Keep a BMW(Black Man Working)

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How to Find and Keep a BMW(Black Man Working)
Julia Hare
Manufacturer: The Black Think Tank
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover
ASIN: B000KRV7GO

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Wyatt Overview and Undersight.......2000-10-24

An excellent portrait of one of progressive music's founding fathers. "Wrong Movements" is a bit by bit and piece meal anthology, if you will, put together to give the reader a firm background of Roberts history. Begining with the antics of Soft Machine and running through to 1988 or there about, "Wrong Moments" shares through newspaper reproductions and clippings, the view from press releases and reviewers of his recorded output. With a bit more commentary from the author, this could have been a bit more insightfull, but this reader is greatful for any information on Mr. Wyatt. Highly recommended for beginners and great for those already aware.

Customer Reviews:

Poor Analysis of and Important Subject.......2007-06-18

Maybe I shouldn't be reviewing this book. I only read the first 2 chapters. Then again, there's a valid reason I stopped reading; the book was so boring and simplistic that I originally stopped after the first chapter. Then I thought that would be REALLY unfair, so I pushed myself through the second one, after whichI could stomach no more.

I bought "Nation of Meddlers" because I was positively predisposed toward the authors' position that, while Government obviously has to intrude into the lives of its citizens to some degree, we've gone way over the line in our society.

I believe that people's consenting sexual practices should be nobody's business but their own, and that includes teenagers. I use seat belts because I consider it wise and I appreciate the government-funded studies that have uncovered scientific facts on which I based my decision. But I resent being forced to wear one. I resent even more, the Government's punitive approach. ("Click it or Ticket!") I know trans-fats are bad for me (thanks for the info, FDA) buy they also make food taste good. What right does NYC have to tell me I can't take the risks involved in eating them? And completely outlawing voluntary euthanasia and perfectly nice drugs like Marijuana and Heroin? Don't even get me started on THAT.

But I feel differently about mandatory car seats for kids. Why shouldn't the community force parents to give their children a reasonable amount of protection? Many lethal childhood diseases have been all but eliminated by mandatory vaccination programs, many children now go to schools instead of sweatshops thanks to compulsory education laws and my life is ever-so-much more pleasant thanks to California forbidding tobacco smokers from imposing their stink on me inside public buildings. Unlike the authors, I thank MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) for their contribution to making the highways safer. And efforts to protect wildlife, wetlands, air and water quality? I give those a big "YES" as well.

Unfortunately in a representative democracy composed of people with diverse backgrounds, not every one shares my eminently sensible opinions about what is "good meddling" and what isn't. It is in the nature of democracy to live with constant compromise, so we end up with meddling that some people approve of and some don't. "Good" and "bad" meddling are in the eye of the beholder and while most of us would probably agree that our government generally meddles too much, we don't and never will agree about what that "too much" consists of and where more is needed. Democracy is a structure and a process, not a result.

Judging by those first 2 chapters, these authors seem to miss just how complicated the democratic process is and value it has, even when we don't like an outcome. (Damned marijuana laws!!!) To make matters worse, they miss this crucial with a pedantic writing style that might have put me to sleep even if their analysis had been more astute. And perhaps worst of all, they are not always above misstating facts to bolster their case.

the rot is deeper than you thought.......2001-09-02

Why does everything in America face its greatest challenge from the moralizers and the moral crusades that tilt in all directions here? This book will not answer exactly that question, but it will open your eyes to the incredible extent to which Americans have lost all sense for when it is appropriate and when it is inappropriate to meddle into the affairs of others. We have weather meddlers announcing every little storm to us on the evening news and reminding us to button up when the cold snaps start. We have a meddlesome health and nutrition racket that is official information on the evening news every day and an emotional testament in the mail every week. There is almost nothing to eat if you are too weak willed to resist the food moralizing industry. We have education moralizers in greater number than we have teachers. We have so many meddlers in the education game that education has become all but impossible. Then there are the meddling attorneys who see every misfortunate experience as the violation of some kind of right to pleasant times, or at any rate as an opportunity to meddle with the laws by testing and straining at them and the sanity of juries together.

This book is welcome relief. The subject matter is of extreme importance. Plato and Aristotle are in agreement that a portion of the state must meddle into the affairs of its citizens. There is no doubt, as the authors point out, that there is virtuous meddling. But there is also a point at which meddling is a vice. There can be no doubt about that either.
In one chapter, the authors look at the ideologies of meddling. I found this valuable. They show that the so called right and left in politics is a terribly specious distinction in the understanding of cultural affairs. Meddling ideologies are shared by most sides in all affairs of state in America today. Even the libertarians are not above meddlesome intent. The work is well done. It deserves five stars for its subject matter and writing alone. But it is a book on the right topic at the right time. For that it deserves an extra award for timeliness and pertinence. The chapters outlining the types of meddlers and their means of self-promotion and self-justification are simply engrossing.

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A Nation of Meddlers.(pressuring people into social conformity)(Brief Article): An article from: The Futurist
Cynthia G. Wagner
Manufacturer: World Future Society
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Digital

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ASIN: B0009903VS
Release Date: 2005-07-28

Book Description

This digital document is an article from The Futurist, published by World Future Society on October 1, 1999. The length of the article is 882 words. The page length shown above is based on a typical 300-word page. The article is delivered in HTML format and is available in your Amazon.com Digital Locker immediately after purchase. You can view it with any web browser.

Citation Details
Title: A Nation of Meddlers.(pressuring people into social conformity)(Brief Article)
Author: Cynthia G. Wagner
Publication: The Futurist (Magazine/Journal)
Date: October 1, 1999
Publisher: World Future Society
Volume: 33 Issue: 8 Page: 6

Article Type: Brief Article

Distributed by Thomson Gale

Book Description

The beloved hit television series Touched by an Angel has touched millions of lives with its warmth, wisdom, and humor. But unlike other hit series, the show attracts a group of viewers who are looking for more than entertainment and who feel that the show's endearing topics, its wonderfully warm cast of characters, and the wisdom conveyed in its dialogues genuinely "touch" their hearts and influence their lives.

Now, the words of Monica, Tess, and Andrew can be with you every day, everywhere.

Customer Reviews:

It had touched a lot of lives and up until now it works!.......2006-06-22

I'm a guidance counselor in the Philippines and i bought this book before i started working in a high school. Most of the kids who seem to have difficulty telling me their thoughts about faith, about losing hope about family would resort to openning the book (book cut) and for some reason, getting the right answer to their problems.Most kids feel that God is just around through this book.It made them feel that God has his ways of showing them that "God Loves Me" is real. I believe that's all they need to feel... they are loved by GOD.

Inspiration at its best.......2001-04-30

I thought this book was fantastic. It's very inspirational and perfect to read again and again at any time. And because its quotes are from the fantastic t.v show its even better.

Very inspiring!.......1997-10-25

This is a very inspiring book! I've read it many, many times myself and still find a quote or two that makes a difference in one small way or another! It's a great way to lift of your spirits on a bad day, or brighten an already great day!

Great for any situation.......1997-04-26

So far I have read through the entire book twice, and each time I have found a different quote that strikes me in some way. Whatever type of day you are having...whether it be good or bad, this book is an inspiration. It has a little something for everyone. And it's small enough to carry along with you in a backpack or briefcase so you have it with you whenever you need it!! :-

When Angels Speak.......1997-03-29

This book is the second from the hit drama Touched By An Angel, and is as good as the first one. It features alot of the "simple", yet truthful messages of God and His love for mankind that are spoken each week by the angels on the show. No matter what trial or situation a person may be in, they will find healing messages from the quotes in this book. My all time favorite is: "God created us all in His image. There are no second-class citizens, no minorities, no human being greater or lessor than any other. We are all the same in His eyes."

Customer Reviews:

Sound background and concepts for CM.......2006-10-13

If you are going to be working in the field of build and release management, then you will need a good background and working knowledge of Software Configuration Management. This book is the one that I believe will most readily enable you to achieve this. It doesn't look at specific techniques or tools, just what SCM is and why we need to do it.

A Useful Survey Of Present-Day CM But Needs Supplementation.......2006-06-28

In what hopefully will not be an over-repetition of other's comments, I found this book generically descriptive, theoretical, and quite dense. One of the reviewers said it would be a book best suited for university, and I agree wholeheartedly -- it would make a decent textbook for those MIS programs brave enough to tackle CM. While in the minds of many that translates to "unsuitable for the real world", I would prefer to offer the following analogy, at the risk of sounding too self-referential.

As of this writing, I've reviewed three CM titles. If they were about cooking instead of CM, here's how they would map:

Hass's CM Principles and Practice --> A Survey of Current Cooking Methods and Techniques (e.g. Frying, Basting, Folding, Mixing, etc.)

Moreira's SCM Implementation Roadmap --> Betty Crocker Cookbook

Kenefick's Real World SCM --> Screenplay to "Hell's Kitchen" or maybe "The Galloping Gourmet" (for those who remember the '70s)

General commentary aside, I'd like to offer the following suggestions for the next edition:

1) Clarify the term "event registration" on pp. 20-1. I'd also like to say I disagree with the author's view that event registration and change requests be kept as separate entities. A CM program will become hopelessly bogged down in maintaining separate event and change logs.

2) Change the term "person responsible" on pp. 146-7 to "configuration manager" -- it's easy to want to use a generic term to avoid confusion, but it's not warranted in this context.

3) Switch Chapters 12 and 13, to maintain progression of scale.

4) On page 225, what is the meaning of the word "louse"? Does the author mean "bug"?

5) Clarify the term "balance point" on pp. 302-3.

To sum, the book has a broad reach, with a useful bibliography, but by itself will not suffice for implementing CM at your company.

Room for improvement.......2006-03-17

First, I must agree with other reviewer that it is odd that this book is in "The Agile Software development series". It reads more like an "old-school" book, that may well be used at university for an "encompassing" "fool-proof" view into CM.

I bought this book on reading the other reviews and since it was an "agile" book (almost all other agile books I have read are concise and worthwhile, packed with useful thoughts). This was, from that perspective, a great dissapointment.

My recommendation: Read the table of contents of this book. It is quite telling. In short: 1 chapter definition, 2 on standards/maturity models, 4 on what fields go into a CM system (phew), 5 on roles in CM (yup, you read that right). Then we get to the "practice" (part 4): 3 chapters that again list suggestions for id's of items, storing them, tracing them, etc. Heads up, here is the agile chapter (18). Or rather, its a section. Then there are some chapters that seem interesting but fail to be.

Lastly we get 5 more chapters on maturity models, this time on how to achieve them.

My biggest issues with the book are the constant repetition and the lack of form. Every chapter is a listing of things, the train of thought seems to be derived from a powerpoint slidedeck. I am impressed that the author managed to actually write a book that is as boring as this, constantly listing and reiterating points already touched upon. I would have wanted the maturity model coverage in a separate book and any knowledge left after that condensed in a useful format.

I am sorry to say that I cannot find this book that useful today. Were I charged with implementing a very formal SCM project at a fairly large shop, then... I would have looked into it seeing as it sits in the shelf, but I probably wouldnt use it then either. Sorry.

Very disappointing - just theory, not agile.......2005-07-20

This book is the most disappointing book I read for years. The book is published as part of the "Agile Software Development Series".
If you know agile software processes you know they are very hands on. They are for team up to 10 maybe 20 people. Agile processes focus on delivering working software, not on documentation and too much formalism. The focus of this book is the complete oposite. For me, it targets projects with at least 50 or more team members in very large organisations. Far away from agile.
The second thing I don't like is that it's all just theory in this book. But no practice how I really implement configuration management in my company. Which tools do I need for what (ok, there is one page about that) and so on.
All in all, very disappointing and definitly far away from agile processes.

A good insight into Configuration Management.......2004-11-22

This volume should be prescribed reading for all IT professionals. Everybody but everybody has an opinion on the merits or otherwise of Configuration Management, but a better understanding would help us all. People not actively part of Configuration Management [CM] will then say, "Yes, it is both more important and more involved that I had thought hitherto".

There are five parts to the book; what is CM, the data required for CM, roles within CM, CM in practice and improving CM. The last three are probably the more interesting, but without the first two, it is talking into a vacuum. Throughout, there is emphasis that CM is a tool to be used, and should not become a priority in its own right. Good CM should provide benefits; unfortunately, those who receive the benefits are not always those who have paid the cost (in terms of extra effort and/or information that is required of them).

In the first two sections, there is a lot of material that seems repetitive. An example of this is material regarding the naming of configuration items, deliveries, etc. However, this is also an advantage, as chapters or parts of chapters can be read in isolation. I particularly like the use of the same examples in various parts of the text. When referred to, there is usually a diagram, and this is in text, rather than referring to another page in another chapter. Table 15-1 is the same as table 6-1. In books where the diagram is NOT repeated, but the reader referred back to re-read the other section, they never do!

Fundamental questions about what to include under the control of CM are addressed (although not always prescriptively answered). What should be included in the CM system? Do you include program source and object code, just source code, or source and the compiler? If the compiler is not included, it may not be possible to amend code for old platforms. Similarly, all tools should be potentially under CM control. Otherwise, a document written is an obscure word processor format may be available in the future, but not the means to even read it easily?

There is discussion about the need to capture both physical objects (PC's, memory boards) AND electronic objects. In this case, CM can partly overlap with asset management; it is other ways very different from the latter. However, the author stresses the need to know the boundaries of CM; the defining of a software delivery is not the responsibility of the CM team. Similarly, the use of variants is a design decision, not decided or dictated by those in CM. The latter is essentially an administrative task, concentrating on the four cornerstones; identification, storage, change control and status reporting.

The challenges of these four categories are brought out in the latter parts. Most people would agree that documents need to come under CM control at some point. The storage of documents can present challenges, particularly if a master document has many composite parts. There are also needs to take account of cross-references (which may be different to the formal linkages that are reported by the CM tool). Much information can be gathered from the information available through CM. A well-made point is that there is no point in gathering information if no one is going to use it.

Anne Mette's first language is not English, and sometimes this shows. It is difficult to define how this is the case, but sometimes the use of language can be an advantage. Some things are described as being `an inspiration', not an expression that many would necessarily have chosen. That comes across well. However, do not confuse the style with the substance. The latter is the most important, and it is a very good standard.

How do fill a book of 350 pages on CM? Several items are covered that are not exactly mainstream CM, but are very relevant and appropriate to the discussion. The section on `people roles' comes over well, and is part of the selling of CM as a discipline. This section draws on the work of Dr Meredith Belbin, and his nine team roles, applying this specifically to CM.

The last comments are reserved for the final part, allowing the CM process to be part of the overall Process Improvement drive within an organisation. If there is no CM process in place (not to be confused with there being no CM tool in place), it can be difficult to know where to start. An apt comparison is about a centipede thinking about how to walk - too much thought makes for a tangled heap in a ditch, instead of just doing it. The author says go for quick cheap wins, and if possible base any initial procedures on existing practices. This will significantly enhance the chances of success.

CM is a big topic. This volume brings out many of the issues that are involved, and gives guidelines on overcoming some specific challenges. There are practical examples, but these are more in the line of serving suggestions, rather than a fixed menu.

Peter Morgan, Bath, UK (morganp@supanet.com)

System Analysis, Design, and Development: Concepts, Principles, and Practices (Wiley Series in Systems Engineering and Management)

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great practical book on SE - not systems analysis

System Analysis, Design, and Development: Concepts, Principles, and Practices (Wiley Series in Systems Engineering and Management)
Charles S. Wasson
Manufacturer: Wiley-Interscience
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0471393339

Book Description

Written in a practical, easy to understand style, this text provides a step-by-step guide to System Analysis and Engineering by introducing concepts, principles, and practices via a progression of topical, lesson oriented chapters.
Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of system analysis, design, and development, and includes definitions of key terms, examples, author's notes, key principles, and challenging exercises that teach readers to apply their knowledge to real world systems.
Concepts and methodologies presented can be applied by organizations in business sectors such as transportation, construction, medical, financial, education, aerospace and defense, utilities, government, and others, regardless of size.
An excellent undergraduate or graduate-level textbook in systems analysis and engineering, this book is written for both new and experienced professionals who acquire, design, develop, deploy, operate, or support systems, products, or services.

Download Description

Written in a practical, easy to understand style, this text provides a step-by-step guide to System Analysis and Engineering by introducing concepts, principles, and practices via a progression of topical, lesson oriented chapters. Each chapter focuses on specific aspects of system analysis, design, and development, and includes definitions of key terms, examples, author's notes, key principles, and challenging exercises that teach readers to apply their knowledge to real world systems. Concepts and methodologies presented can be applied by organizations in business sectors such as transportation, construction, medical, financial, education, aerospace and defense, utilities, government, and others, regardless of size. An excellent undergraduate or graduate-level textbook in systems analysis and engineering, this book is written for both new and experienced professionals who acquire, design, develop, deploy, operate, or support systems, products, or services.

Customer Reviews:

great practical book on SE - not systems analysis .......2005-12-08

.
.
.
The author wrote this beook because he was concerned that many of the SE textbooks on the market were too philosophical, and decided to channel his energies into creating a text
that reflected his realities as an SE practitioner and program
manager.

The book includes
1) conceptual foundations in SE,
2) HOW TOs,
and
3) practitioner-based knowledge.

Since SE applies to any type of system from Space Shuttles to PDAs, organizations, services etc., Wasson built on the basic SE foundations from aerospace and defense in formulating a fresh new approach that canbe applied to any business domain - construction, communications, financial, medical, educational, transportation, etc.

The 57 chapters are "lesson oriented", developed for upper-undergraduate to graduate level students, focus on specific SE topics, and include two types of exercises: development of general systems, products, and services and organizational centric.

Instructors can take the topics to any level of detail they desire, depending on their audience.

Configuration Management Principles and Practice (Agile Software Development Series)

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Configuration Management Principles and Practice (Agile Software Development Series)
Anne Mette Jonassen Hass
Manufacturer: Addison-Wesley Professional
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback
ASIN: B000OUD4Z4

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