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ManuScript is a simple, music-based programming language developed to write plug-ins for the Sibelius music processor. It is based on Simkin, an embedded scripting language developed by Simon Whiteside (www.larts.co.uk/simkin.html), and has been extended by him and Graham Westlake. (Simkin is a spooky pet name for Simon sometimes found in Victorian novels.) Rationale In adding a plug-in language to Sibelius we were trying to address several different issues: Music notation is complex and infinitely extensible, so some users will sometimes want to add to a music notation program to make it cope with these new extensions. It is useful to allow frequently repeated operations (e.g. opening a MIDI file and saving it as a score) to be automated, using a system of scripts or macros. Certain more complex techniques used in composing or arranging music can be partly automated, but there are too many to include as standard features in Sibelius. There were several conditions that we wanted to meet in deciding what language to use: The language had to be simple, as we want normal users (not just seasoned programmers) to be able to use it. We wanted plug-ins to be usable on any computer, as the use of PC?s, Macs and other platforms is widespread in the music world. We wanted the tools to program in the language to be supplied with Sibelius. We wanted musical concepts (pitch, notes, bars) to be easily expressed in the language. We wanted programs to be able to talk to Sibelius easily (to insert and retrieve information from scores). We wanted simple dialog boxes and other user interface elements to be easily programmed. C/C++, the world?s ?standard? programming language(s), were unsuitable as they are not easy for the non-specialist to use, they would need a separate compiler, and you would have to recompile for each different platform you wanted to support (and thus create multiple versions of each plug-in). The language Java was more promising as it is relatively simple and can run on any platform without recompilation. However, we would still need to supply a compiler for people to use, and we could not express musical concepts in Java as directly as we could with a new language. So we decided to create our own language which is interpreted so it can run on different platforms; is integrated into Sibelius without any need for separate tools, and can be extended with new musical concepts at any time. The ManuScript language that resulted is very simple.

The Growing Dependence On Computers

Computers have been very helpful to society over the last few decades. Nowadays laptop and desktop computers are used in almost any place, at home, at work, at school, in a car and even in the kitchen. Computers help us in our everyday tasks; they let us socialize with friends from around the world, work from home and even allow us to relax watching a movie or playing a game. However the reliance on them has grown greatly in the last couple of years, as statistics show that the percentage of households with internet and desktops or laptops has increased almost 80% over the last twelve years, which begs the question: is dependence on computers a good habit or should we be more serious about its consequences? Computers make our lives easier and give us the possibility to connect to the Internet and learn new things. They make it possible for us to keep in touch with our friends, shop online or even receive classes online. Machines nowadays make it simpler than ever to organize digital media with only one click, instead of organizing physical discs, which is more time consuming and frequently get damaged. This gives us more time to do more creative or productive things in our life. Additionally, the modern communication system is fully based on computers; we cannot imagine any of this electronic communication without them, for example cell phone networks. This is essential to most of us, since we are always online in chat rooms interacting with our friends or downloading music on the go. So, as computers get better and better, communication and download speeds will increase to enhance our lives. In addition, science and medical research is fully dependent on computers, which help process mathematical calculations quicker and more precisely, for instance cures for HIV and cancer are now being calculated by hundreds of computer so one day there exists a successful treatment for these diseases. Moreover, science experiments like the building of spaceships will be improved because computers will be able, in the future, to compute better ways of building space rockets, which can go farther and quicker to planet like mars which therefore can be tested by astronauts to see if life can continue on that planet. Science and medical research will be more developed as computers become more intelligent and faster. However, on the other hand, there are several arguments against computers. For example, when someone has become addicted or obsessed with a computer. If a person spends too much time in the cyber-world they can become lazy, develop anti-social tendencies and sometimes experience a negative change in behavior, and in severe cases the person will no longer be able to function properly without it. It is common to see the side effects of someone who has spent a long time in front of a screen; they might develop weight gain, strained eyes and headaches, along with other unpleasant effects. Although, it can be argued that it is the fault of the person, rather than of the computer. Nevertheless, most importantly is the safety issue. Social communities like Facebook that allow people to post personal information and photos to the internet can be really dangerous, since anyone with a basic knowledge of computers can see your photos and information. However, probably the most important issue is that our comfort level with computers grows, so everyday we do more things like buying online with a credit card, which again can be accessed by a smart hacker and then use all your money. Yet, these are just a few common examples of issues with computers, which are not harmful or threatening to our own life. In a few decades, however, cars will be driven by themselves, obviously controlled by computers, and what if something goes wrong inside the chip of our car at a high speed? This would be a deadly mistake caused by a computer. Thus, why do we rely so much on computers, which still after many years in the market have still got errors in programming, bugs and threats to new viruses? In my opinion, computers do indeed make our lives easier more often than making it harder, but as we depend more on them it puts ourselves at risk because of the evilness of others. Nowadays, we should only rely on computers when our life is not in danger, since both computers and malicious people can be a threat for any human being, now and probably in the future as well.

Tattoos and Body Piercing in the Workforce - 1414 Words

Tattoos and Body Piercing in the Workforce What canvas holds some of the most creative artwork today? If you guessed the human skin, you would be right. However, about three decades ago, one would only find these types of markings and insignias on what would be considered the â€Å"rough† crowd: bikers, sailors, gang members, and prison inmates. Today; however, tattoos and piercings can be seen on nearly anyone from the age of 15 and up. Not to mention, these body modifications can be found on all types of workers, male or female, white and blue-collar. Even though times have changed and opinions along with it, the workforce is still making a firm stand to some older thoughts. Although, body art has become a more accepted form of†¦show more content†¦Then find out what the company’s dress policy consists of; that company may be kosher with tattoos and piercings. However, as stated by John, Challenger of Challenger, Gray Christmas Inc., â€Å"We may never see tattoos on bankers, lawyers, accountan ts and the clergy may be resistant to body art. As a job seeker, you have to judge whether the employer you are interviewing with is going to be accepting of your body art (Boyd, 2007).† Employers must make decisions based on what is best for his or her company. Even though the acceptance of body modification is on the rise, negative connotations still surround and stereotype this form of expression for many people in our society, specifically customers and clients. A whopping number of the public still feel negatively about seeing body art in the workplace. In fact, studies reveal, â€Å"Among the general public, perceptions about those who choose to adorn their bodies run the gamut, although the most frequently mentioned adjective are â€Å"rebellious† and â€Å"experimental,† suggested by 67% of Americans, respectively (American Demographics, 2001).† Even more amazingly, 56% simply find tattoos and body art distasteful. In 65 year-olds and older, 57% d escribe body art as â€Å"freakish and 29% of 18-24 year-olds (American Demographics, 2001). So, do not expect to see any executives showing off their tattoos in the boardroom anytime soon. Which choiceShow MoreRelatedEssay on Tattoos in the Workplace1404 Words   |  6 Pages Tattoos have been around for quite some time now, and they have always been a symbol of belonging, cultural expression or for religion. These days, individuals choose to tattoo themselves because it is part of their lifestyle or personal image. While continuing to grow in popularity and becoming a lifestyle, people are facing issues with having visible tattoos in the workforce. Although it is a form of free expression, employers have a right to enforce certain rules about tattoos in their companyRead MoreDeviance : Tattoos, Piercings, And Body Modifications1049 Words   |  5 PagesDeviance: Tattoos, Piercings, and Body Modifications Towan Cook Georgia Gwinnett College Deviant acts cannot be discussed without taking into account culture, perspective, and religion. Every culture is known for their types of expressions though tattooing, piercings, and body modification. Asian gangs such as the Yakuza are known for their full body tattoos, while African tribes can be associated with wearing rings that stretch their necks. Often, these types of tattooing and body modificationsRead MoreSociety s Opinion On The People Who Is Not Like The Rest?2663 Words   |  11 Pagesthat either has piercings unnatural hair color, tattoos or has each of them? Now what might their personalities be like; are they outgoing, rebellious, shy? Does their appearance affect the personality, or the person in general, of those people that they may know; what about society s opinion on the people who is not like the rest does that include their decision on how they think of their friend? How are the ones, who do not go by societal standards, affected by having piercings, unnat ural hairRead MoreThe World On Body Arts1223 Words   |  5 Pages The World on Body Arts Tattoos and the workforce do not get along together. Not within the topics themselves, but on the rules, that follow them. As body arts gets bigger, so does the conflict on where it belongs. There is a fine, but undefined line within body art and the work force. But it is has never been clearly stated anywhere. Both sides; such as the Debate over acceptability vs explicit free speech., always come up in the debate of the topic. There is no set law or regulations for the massRead MoreTattoos Have Been Popular Throughout Time All Over The World Essay1425 Words   |  6 PagesTattoos have been popular throughout time all over the world. Yet, rumors have it that tattoos are a modern day trend that originated in prison. Tattooing actually dates back to five thousand years ago. They have not just become some new pop culture fad. Prehistoric clans, ancient Egyptians, Native Americans, sailors, circus people, royalty, celebrities, and plenty of young adults today have all participated in s ome form of body art. 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First, to understand why others are uncomfortable with body modification, one should try to understand the process. Tattoos, as they vary in size and complexity