text:
Wikiversity talk:Motto contest

Comments?

Creative idea
My take? This is a very creative idea at helping us define what this project is all about. Great stuff! --HappyCamper 14:07, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Nature of contest
Is this a contest for a slogan that we put on our front page or on the front pages of sister projects - or both? Currently, on Wikipedia's front page, we are defined as: "Free learning materials and activities". (FWIW, this is already the longest slogan of all the projects). Cormaggio 14:22, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

 * why not both -- thx -- will work on explaining now... Reswik 14:28, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Instant Runoff for this contest
For some reason that I have not see earlier, there are many people involved with Wikimedia projects that have a huge aversion to an instant run-off election. See Instant-runoff voting for details about how this is done.

My experience is that many people are hesitant to try new ideas they havn't seen working before, as instant runoff voting tends to be. I also have seen typical voting for slogans and logos turn out to be instead of the best icon, merely the most mediocre that everybody can stomache.

Even if this is just an experiment, I would like to see preferential voting take place here. I would even be willing to do the vote tallies if that seems to be a bit overwhelming, and do a round-by-round analysis.

If there is to be a formal "final approval" here, we could also end the instant run-off process until we have a predetermined number of strong candidates, such as 2-3 candidates that would then be put into the final vote that perhaps would get a little more attention. The whole point about this is to avoid having to do constant revoting when there appear to be winners of such a vote that have only a very small plurality of support but end up being the winner simply because they have the most votes of support. And such a winner is strongly opposed to by the community. --Robert Horning 17:30, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

 * Thanks very much for the offer of counting tallies! If I understand your points: I was thinking along similar lines about using instant runoff/preferential voting, which i included in the process discussed at the end of the page. I emphasized that it is good to aim for a strong majority choice (greater than 70-80% or more approval). So, I agree, if there is no strong majority emerging: stop with perhaps 2, 3, 4 or 5 remaining top choices. Then, perhaps hold another type of selection. So far, many of the options will have only one person selecting them, as the majority of people are listing their names by one of the mottos/slogans they create.

 * I was thinking we could use these selection steps: 1) at end of first round (the creative listing process we are doing now), remove all options that are not selected and introduce selected items to a second round. 2) second round is preferential selection (instant runoff). 3) if there is not strong majority option in round two, third round is some sort of discussion and selection process (with selection switching) for the remaining 2 to 5 options. (One thing: We need to verify in round 2 and 3 that sock puppets are not being used.) (Oh, shall we use the term, "preferential selection"--especially since this is just narrowing the field in this context.) Reswik 17:45, 26 August 2006 (UTC)

 * Note: I think the simpler selection process suggested now for round 2 fits this context better -- lots of options with no support or 1 support sig and a handful with some support. Reswik 22:10, 7 September 2006 (UTC)

In vici veritas?
 'In vici veritas'  (from my very poor memory) actually means something more like 'In having conquered is the truth'. It's just that vici is pronounced 'wiki' (these days). It's not Hawaiian, it's the first person singular perfect tense form of vincere, 'to conquer, overcome; defeat; subdue; win; surmount; exceed, excel; prevail' (from the OED). --Sam 03:53, 12 September 2006 (UTC)

Ill support this. --NightDragon 11:22, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

Final decision process
(Moved from main contest page:)

Eventually, we may need to appeal to Wikiversity custodians for evaluation.

 * My suggestion would be to do a run-off between the top five most popular candidates with subsequent eliminations until one gets a decent majority (2/3 or such). -- sebmol ? 08:00, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

 * That is a good option. I think it may work for the slogans. There seems to be a possibility of a roughly two or three way tie for the motto options. It might be possible that discussions result in once choice.
 * Before reaching "finalists," my thought is to try a slower gradual process of reducing number of options next to those with three or more supporters and then, after that, with four or fiver or more supporters. There is a good reason for going slow: We don't have a many votes. I hope with several more months that we have a hundred to two hundred participating. It would also give more time for discussions. Now, it we have just around fifty participants. Reswik 13:39, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

Motto

 * How can I vote against a candidate for the motto?
 * Quote:A motto (from Italian) is a phrase or a short list of words meant formally to describe the general motivation or intention of an entity, social group or organization.
 * Which candidate for the motto motivates you? None motivates me.--Hillgentleman 09:26, 16 October 2006 (UTC)
 * To reply to your points:
 * 1. This process so far has not had negative voting as there have been multiple options and the openness to listing new alternatives. If we get tied versions, perhaps we will need negative voting/comments in the main comment list in the next round. Making criticisms in the discussion section is great, as you have done.
 * 2. The purpose of the mottos in the case of motto/logo combinations is rather specific. This is described in the Goals section of the motto contest page: "the purpose of this motto is to describe Wikiversity briefly." If the description can be inspiring, so much the better. But that is not the main characteristic of existing motto/logo pairs -- they are more clearly descriptive. It is interesting to consider if Wikiversity may wish to have 2 types of mottos: a descriptive version and a "mission/vision" version. If we get an approximate tie in this round for selecting mottos, that might be something to consider.
 * 3. I noticed that you supported "free learning community" in round 3 as a motto. It is fine to change ones vote. From the options in rounds 1, 2 and 3, do any of the alternatives appeal to you? Or, would you like to list new option(s) in round 2 or a new variation in round 3/4 and lobby for those in the discussion section of round 4?  With several people supporting, close variations on current options can be listed in the main groups. Reswik 14:59, 16 October 2006 (UTC)

Discussion of Round 4 contest revision
Several different ways to revise Round 4 of the contests are discussed in this string. A simple alternative suggested by Cormaggio, mentioned at the end of the string, was selected by the facilitator.

 * Today, seeing the "finalists" for this contest, a growing concern (of mine) has crystalized. Action seems merited now. Given the goals of the contest, the options in this group would seem to work better as possible slogans for Wikiversity. They do not work as a short descriptive phrase, which is the meaning of motto in this context. Hence, I moved this group from the motto contest to the slogan selection process. What do you think? Reswik 17:38, 16 October 2006 (UTC)
 * You confuse me. Where is that "growing concern" you describe? In what pages was it discussed? I did not have that concern at all. I'm also very surprised that the whole section was moved with no distinction between the proposals! Awolf002
 * Sorry for the confusion. The "growing concern" is my concern -- and noted now above as mine. I'll explain at more length: As voluntary facilitator of this motto/slogan contest, I have been observing the selection process closely and regularly since August. It has been increasingly of concern to me that "knowledge is free" sorts of phrases (and some other types) are statements of principle and are not descriptions of the project. They do not serve the contest goals. The "mottos" that appear in Wikimedia logo-name-motto project descriptions (that appear at the bottom of most Wikimedia projects) are short descriptions of the nature of a project. The goals of this contest and the nature of the needed mottos has been stated clearly for quite some time. It has been a latent unresolved (and unstated) issue to deal with non-descriptive motto alternatives. The term "motto" in this contest refers to a very specific kind of role for a phrase. The slogan(s) can be much more broad in nature. The Wikiversity community could depart from the Wikimedia practice in what it wishes to adopt for a suggested motto for motto-logo use. If there is a strong sense in the community to change the goals of this contest -- that would be fine. However, there has been no objection to the stated goals of this process to this point. Indeed, I think the goals are on target for what the project needs. So, when it became clear (to me) how to simply deal with this, it seemed best to fix this problem at the fortuitous moment of approximately (within a day or so) when support statements have been re-initiated - rather than have to untagle this situation later when it could be much more messy. Please re-consider the goal statements and examples at the top of the page. Do you wish to change those? If not, I think the step of moving this group to the slogan contest should remain. Thanks for considering, --Reswik 03:56, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I greatly appreciate your effort in managing this vote, yet in this point I strongly disagree. I think the distinction between a statement and a description (i.e. a motto and a slogan) is highly artificial. I for my part simply suggested and voted for what I though would look best under the logo and what best represents my feelings towards the Wikiversity project. This can be a statement of intent or just simply a bold statement that kind of summs-up what Wikiveristy is all about. Tho goal of the motto/slogan is to give newcommers a feel of what Wikiveristy is all about, right? In what way does form (statement vs. description) matter? Does it matter if "I'm loving it" or "connecting people" or "be all you can be" are statements or descriptions? They just give you a feel for what the product is about... --Pedro.Gonnet 08:33, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * The distinction between descriptions and statements of principle is not artificial at all, not in this context anyway. At the top of this page (and at the bottom of wikimedia project main pages), you will see various instances of motto-logo sets for wikimedia projects. There is a strong family resemblance in what is a "motto" in those contexts: It is most definitely a short description of what the project provides. You seem to be talking about a traditional sense or an expanded sense of what is a "motto." This interpretation seems to me to introduce a lot of complications. In an expanded sense of a "motto", a wide variety of short statements could work with a logo to give some sort of feel of the project. In this contest, the "motto" has been defined as and, I believe, aims to be a contest for a short description. It could be called a "short description" contest (and perhaps should be renamed that). In the last month or so, to provide a home and function to the mottos that are not short descriptions, I had been thinking of suggesting to sub-divide the motto contest into two parts: 1. a "short description" contest, and 2. a motto contest (that speaks to principles and whatever). (I had been waiting to see how the logo contest unfolds and how this contest unfolds, before suggesting a resolution. The one I offered is the simplest, I think, and it serves well the needs of the project and community.) Anyway, one problem with mottos as principles is that you need more than one or a few principles to sum up wikiversity. The three principles mottos (in the motto contest above) are one way to start to address the multi-dimensionality of wikiversity (but i think you may need more than just three principles -- maybe 6 or 12 or more principles -- to do that). Another problem is that to present up front something like "knowledge is freedom" is to overgeneralize and provide something that applies also to wikipedia, wikibooks, etc -- much more so than some of the short descriptions we had as motto front runners in round three of the contest. (I actually think we can come up with better and simpler short descriptions than those getting more support now -- for instance, "free/open learning" or "free/open education" or even "free/open online university (though I don't think we should use that one). These seem to hit the nail of what is wikiversity on the head.) At any rate, since I have been mulling over the idea for the last month of subdividing the motto contest, I did not suggest the simpler solution of moving a non-descriptive "motto" statement group into the more wide ranging possibilities of the slogan contest. If others feel strongly about this, I think we can consider subdividing the motto contest. We definitely need to do something. And, this stage in the process is a good time. If we go this direction, both types of "mottos" (a short description and a principle motto) would have uses. The use of the traditional motto could be on a mission page, a vision page, a main page and various pages about Wikiversity. But, I think perhaps we should further develop our mission and vision before undertaking/completing a more expansive extra motto contest. A big part of the issue here is the interpretation of the word motto and how logos work in various contexts. Can we just work with a narrow interpreation for the given context of the contest definition? I hope so. If we stay with the contest goals as stated above and with creating a descriptive phrase that is like the other Wikimedia projects, then I think contest adjustment that has been made works quite well. The solution tried (simply moving some options to the slogan contest) is simple and inclusive; the option of subdividing the contest would likely get much more complicated. Another concern: I'm not sure our new and relatively inactive community will generate discussions of mission and vision in a timely way (see the stalled process on the current mission page) to help advance a more expansive approach to mottos. That is, ideally, more mission/vision ground work would be completed before doing a principle-creating motto contest. [Note: If this discussion continues to grow, I think it is best to move it to the talk page and link from here.] I hope with further talk we can agree to go with the simple solution offered above: perhaps renaming the motto contest to a "short description" contest. Part of that could be deferring a principle-based or more expansively defined motto contest to another page and timeframe. I must say that I might not have time to facilitate that more expansive contest. Facilitating this process is a time commitment involving a lot of types of support work. In short, I think going with a simple workable solution is in the interests of the community and contest at this time. --Reswik 14:00, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Ps. Here is a third option to resolve the above issue: 1. Rename the "motto" contest to the "short description" contest -- keep to a narrow definition in this contest (as stated currently in goals at the top of page). 2. Rename the "slogan" contest as the "motto" contest -- and have a broad, open definition of what could be a motto (just as there is implicitly a broad defintion of what is a slogan--basically, whatever people want at top of main page--and this broad "motto" could be used on various "what is wikiversity" and "about wikiversity" types of pages). What do you think? --Reswik 17:06, 17 October 2006 (UTC).
 * I think this is changing the rules of the vote too close to the final decision. If the framework of what is defined as a "valid motto" or "valid slogan" is being redrawn, I fear the whole process up to this point was for naught. You seem to assume, that most or all voters in this process need still to be educated about what is the goal of this contest. If that is true, *STOP THE PRESSES, NOW* and redo this! I really hope this is not the problem at all, and thus we can re-instate the original 'Phase 3' classification of candidates. Awolf002 20:37, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * As I described at length above, the change above is to apply the goals of the contest to the content of proposals. There is not a change to the goals. Yes, I think some of the contest participants have misunderstood the purpose of the motto contest and used a more broad definition of "motto" in that part of the contest - though there has been rather clear definition of goals for the motto part of this at the top of the page. This needs to be corrected. As facilitator, I was unsure of which way to go about this (having been contemplating a more complicated process than the step I took yesterday) If I had been more sure of what to do, I would have raised the issue sooner. At any rate, I do not think we are loosing information or options in the approach I took. It is simply that some of the options do not fit the purpose of the part of contest to create a short description of what the project is for linking at the bottom of wikimedia project main pages. But those options do fit the current "slogan" contest. Whatever we do, a change is needed. At this time, either we can stop the process and figure out how to go forward. Or, we can resolve this issue through some more discussion now (hopefully by others) and perhaps make further adjustments. To stop the process would probably involve a more major change to the existing process than the current adjustment. Hopefully discussion will work, but perhaps not. Before taking further action in the contest organization, I'm going to wait for a day or two to see if there are any more comments on this. And, in a day or two, I am going to raise this issue in the colloquium. I am going to raise the issue now on the custodian request page just in case those experienced users have any insights to offer on how to discuss and approach this process. --Reswik 21:25, 17 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I think I begin to see your point. However, why is "World Wide Wisdom" not also a problem? It seems even less descriptive of the project than "Set Learning Free", don't you think? Basically, we only have the choice to select something very similar to the existing "motive", like "Free Learning Community", if I follow your agument correctly. Awolf002 20:20, 18 October 2006 (UTC)
 * The general issue of what is the purpose of the motto contest may be resolved by the following that I plan to implement and propose as a process modification for review for 2 weeks starting tomorrow, re-initiating (and stepping back to) round 3: To deal with different purposes being served currently by the motto contest, a helpful approach seems (to me) to be to subdivide (or fork) the motto contest in this way: 1. a broad motto contest: keep all of the motto contest suggestions and re-define this contest (more broadly in the way it is partly functioning now through the kinds of alternatives that people are proposing) as seeking a motto which expresses the mission of wikiversity (possibly in an inspiring way); and, 2. a short description contest (the intended original purpose of the contest): select a subset of the motto contest options which briefly describe wikiversity in a way similar to other short wikimedia descriptions that go with wikimedia project logos. We would then have 3 contests: the motto contest (with a broad purpose of an inspiring motto proper); a short description contest (the original motto contest purpose but with fewer alternatives carried over); the slogan contest (for the main page subtitle). These would be created as a modification to the final stage 3 of this process (which has the very low bar of including options with two supporting votes from stage 2). I plan to implement the above tomorrow with a description also posted the colloquium. Then, I'll suggest at least a two week review period (allowing continuing support listing in stage 3) before moving onto stage 4 again (perhaps also preserving the votes and format already made in stage 4). Comments? --Reswik 22:50, 18 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I think that's a good idea. I agree with Awolf that this is a bad moment to interfere in the voting, so we should best roll back to stage 3. --Pedro.Gonnet 07:54, 19 October 2006 (UTC)
 * Hmm, I think it was going pretty much ok as it was. May I suggest that instead of having to decide whether a phrase is either a slogan or a motto, we simply add the phrases in contention as both mottos and slogans, and let people vote on whichever ones they prefer in whichever category? Cormaggio 08:54, 19 October 2006 (UTC)
 * I like the idea of including all options that were approved (4 or more supporters) in the motto & slogan contests in both contests. This is an idea I had considered, but was unsure about adding it at this time. But, it will work probably - it is inclusive. It could work to have just two contests but clarify that two purposes are being served. So, I noted that in the goal section at the top. The two contests only remain now (serving different purposes), but with more and identical options in both. --Reswik 13:32, 19 October 2006 (UTC)

Extending Round 4
I think this is a bad idea! Nothing focusses the mind more than to see ones options diminish. I think we should cut out 50% of the current candidates (I just picked a number) or so, but still allow for new additions if they gain enough support in a given time frame (say 5 votes in 3 days) and let that round go until December 15. We can easily add rounds, but should not let a large list of options linger. It gives the impression we will never succeed. Awolf002 01:38, 17 November 2006 (UTC)

 * I agree with narrowing the field. Some of the options have only 1 or 2 supporters -- those options also had less support in earlier rounds.  A few weeks ago, I was thinking now (Nov 15) would be a good time for that.  But with only 25 or so participants at present in this round, I think that it is OK to wait until Dec 1 or Dec 15 to narrow the field.  But, if others think that reducing the field is best now, we can do that. For more points, see current discussion also in the colloquium: Motto_contest -extending. Reswik 02:49, 17 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Suggestion for the future: Round X closes two days after the fiftieth vote.--Hillgentleman|User talk:hillgentleman 03:02, 17 November 2006 (UTC)
 * Awolf002's comment above and Cormaggio's points in the colloquium (Motto_contest -extending) have been gnawing at me the last few days. It seems possible that simplifying the field to the clear front runners in a round 5 now may encourage participation. So, let's try it. Reswik 08:31, 18 November 2006 (UTC)

None of the above
I don't like any of the entries — they are all outlandish and pretentious in my opinion. I'd rather see a down-to-earth Wikiversity:The Free University in the tradition of Wikipedia:The Free Encyclopedia. CQ 06:27, 28 November 2006 (UTC)

 * The finalists were supported by a strong majority of participants in round 4. Thanks for your suggestion. I personally like the brevity, clarity and focus of this but using university in a Wikiversity motto/slogan might not fit with the scope for Wikiversity project approved by the Wikimedia foundation board (see ). I've added your suggestion to round 2 list of options. --Reswik 16:10, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

What the hell?
They needed to allow WAAAAY more time for these elections, as well as been more vocal about wikiversity on wikipedia. i just learned about it, and i cant contribute to a slogan? What crap.

But to hell with it. My idea is:

Free Your Mind.

--NightDragon 11:21, 3 December 2006 (UTC)

 * Nominations began August 23 and new suggestions were added through October 15. That was a long enough time frame for many suggestions to be made and was approximately the same time frame used for the Wikiversity/logo contest. Thanks for the new suggestion. I've added it to round 2 where all suggestions are still being noted. Reswik 16:01, 6 December 2006 (UTC)

How about "Open-Source Education"?
(Richard2me 05:57, 7 December 2006 (UTC))

What motto contest?
First time I encountered this contest was today (10 Dec 2006), despite using Wikipedia quite regularly. I agree with some that the contest should be kept open for longer. I also think that it should be announced a bit louder on the Wikipedia main page so that more like myself can have some input.

In thinking about the motto for Wikiversity, the use of the word "knowledge" is redundant, Wikipedia is the store of knowledge, Wikiversity is (or will become) the house of learning.

My recomendation, late as it may be, for the motto is "Learning unbound".

 * Note this is not Wikipedia, but Wikiversity. I agree that this isn't the most well-advertised place, but it is linked to from the Main Page and Community portal last time I checked, so interested parties will have found it I hope. Michael Billington (talk • contribs) 06:00, 10 December 2006 (UTC)

 * Michael, sorry if it came accross that I was meaning one Wiki site was the same as the other. I meant it quite the reverse as support for my comment that the word "knowledge" was redundant in reference to Wikiversity. It's essence is a source of learning.

 * Wikiversity is (or will become) the community of teaching and learning that it aims to be, whereas Wikipedia is a store of knowledge that is but one of the tools of Wikiversity can use. - best regards, Hector G. 03:05, 11 December 2006 (UTC)

Contest?
Wikiversity should not really hold any contests, since Wikimedia isn't really going to give the user that wins any prize, except his or her username on the image page on Commons. I propose changing the name of this page to "Wikiversity:Motto collaboration" or something else. Thunderhead

mm
"knowledge makes you free"

"There is no wealth like knowledge; no poverty like ignorance."

More Motto
I known this is late but I want to add some of my motto for wikiversity.
 * Collective Self-Learning
 * Collaborative Self-Learning

I propose this because learning in wikiversity is practically Self-Learning in group level. Srinivasasha 11:56, 10 January 2007 (UTC)

INITIAL logo and motto
If the misssion statement is still open to discussion, it's far too early to defibitively decide on the motto and logo, surely !

It's more than correct to elect an INITIAL motto and logo, but pleaseItalic text, shouldn't be made clear that this should not be "written in stone" and should be open to change as the project evolves/matures. wikityke 22:59, 23 February 2007 (UTC)

 * Thanks for your comment. The mission statement seems to have reached a plateau, having not changed much for last few months (i think). Ideally, there would be reciprocal development of the motto/slogan/logo and mission statement. I think that, indeed, we can now revisit the mission and polish that in light of the motto/slogan/logo. It should be noted that everything about Wikiversity is in a beta stage and I'm not sure but the main principles developed now might be subject to the approval of the Wikimedia foundation. Perhaps the outcomes of the motto & logo contests will lead to more discussion of the mission and vision for the university. Or, perhaps not. Various basic policies are currently being developed. If the project changes direction significantly for whatever reason, then yes, I think it would make sense to revisit the motto & slogan. At this time, I guess I think that if Wikiversity maintains and develops on the foundation of its current structure and goals, then probably no change in motto/slogan is needed, barring future basic problems with such. So, time will tell -- it is early in the life of Wikiversity -- i don't know if we know if things will be maintained or change. --Reswik 00:57, 25 February 2007 (UTC)

Did "Where Learning is Free" even enter in competition?
I thought it was a good one. -- "College Student" 18:30, 2 May 2007

 * The contest lasted 8 months, starting in August. This last round, round 6, was to consider the finalists that were chosen in round 5, which ended in January. Minor variations on the finalists were welcome. Your suggestion, which came in a day or two before this whole process closed, is actually not far from the slogan finalists.  But, it came in very late. It has been past time to end this for awhile -- I was just waiting for the count of support statements to hit 30 for the winning slogan.
 * It might make sense to offer your suggestion again in a few months (in the colloquium), or sooner if you wish, as an amendment/change to the current slogan. And, note that this was offered a day before the contest closed. I would support considering that minor revision.
 * Btw, I agreed with your comment about it being nice to have the contrast of open & free in the motto & slogan sections. Thanks very much for your input. --Reswik 00:15, 3 May 2007 (UTC)
 * Reswik, Is not the purpose of the slogan "contest" to choose the one that is the best for wikiversity? If there is new point of view, why couldn't we include it?  Why must it be a "contest", and not a discussion, anyway? Hillgentleman|Talk 14:18, 4 May 2007 (UTC)
 * It was past time for this particular process to end. I think it is fine to discuss this minor variation -- perhaps in the colloquim. --Reswik 19:30, 4 May 2007 (UTC)

Please see further discussion of this suggestion here:  Motto and slogan contests: discussion of outcomes. --Reswik 16:36, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

set
The wrong part of the verb is used. Set on its own is an imperative yet a motto is descriptive.

 * Thanks for raising this. My thoughts at one time about this were to use these variations for the final slogan:
 * (a punctuation adjustment) "- set learning free" (with "help us" implied and explained in a link somewhere sometime)
 * (the gerund) "setting learning free"
 * This revision hasn't been discussed much yet and I'll probably raise it in the colloquium in a few days as part of wrapping this process up (along with raising the issue of a last minute variation of using "where learning is free").
 * --Reswik 00:53, 11 May 2007 (UTC)

Thanks for your kind reply. "Help us" isn't implied by an imperative, even if it's preceded by a dash. If one must have mission-statements like these (cf. Dogbert's mission-statement generator), the gerund-version would make more sense.
 * Likewise, thanks for your input. By implied, I meant that a mission statement that includes the phrase "help us set learning free" or some such would imply the meaning at top of page, with that being abbreviated. This issue is now receiving more discussion in the colloquium in post dated today. Note: It could be that a format adjustment to indicate separation of two sentences is simplest solution. --Reswik 15:41, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Please see further discussion of this suggestion here:  Motto and slogan contests: discussion of outcomes. --Reswik 16:37, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

How did the spacing on the pro template get messy?
Template:Pro --Remi 07:02, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

 * It seems someone fixed the template. Thx -- Reswik 15:41, 12 May 2007 (UTC)

Logo
I'm submitting an idea for a logo. (An idea because I'm no artist)

Think of the dove & the olive branch...

How about an owl (old symbol for learning etc) WITH the olive branch (to symbolise learning and peace in partnership.

Thank you,

Alan David

'Open University' already exists
'Open University' already exists! Australia, Britain, South Africa, Etc. -- unsigned comment from main contest page, 5/29/07.

 * Yes, the term has been used by a number of institutions. Here we are talking about an "open learning" community as a community that uses the wiki format (and other online media) as a primary forum and associated collaborative wiki/free software movement related values. If one considers an open university to be an open learning community (and is it, in the sense we are using here?), then using "the" with open learning community might not be appropriate. This question needs to be raised. Thanks, --Reswik 23:59, 29 May 2007 (UTC)

Other suggestions
I'm creating this section for other motto and slogan suggestions that people have. Cormaggio talk 09:54, 7 June 2007 (UTC)

 * "A community for openness of information, knowledge and understanding." (Bcameron54 - diff)

 * This is just an arbitrary idea, but what are thoughts on having the winning motto be in Latin (the basis of so much learning and language)? Open learning community would be something along the lines of Sodalitas Publicus Eruditio (forgive me if it is a poor translation).Strothatynhe 07:07, 21 June 2007 (UTC)

Moved from main contest page:
 * Maybe a bit late for this but what about something along the lines of:
 * a. Virtual Learning for the Real World
 * b. Virtual Learning, Virtually Anywhere, Virtually Free
 * c. Open Minds, Open Courses, Open Worlds --70.201.94.221 20:05, 5 August 2007 (UTC)

 * I Like to have the motto THE INTERNET AS IT IS SUPPOSED TO BE -- (unsigned)

 * Pity I just joined; a great motto would have been "Welcome to the Universe" (pun intended). Good Luck. -- (unsigned 8/14/07)

title: Wikiversity talk:Motto contest


text:
Free Body Diagrams

It is easy to make a mistake drawing a freebody diagram. It is the preliminary analysis of the statics problem and the basis for writing down your balancing equations. Take care to get the diagram correct and if your results are not making sense, review the diagram to be sure it is not misleading you.

Notice that while the force on the rope is correctly propagated as the same on both sides of the pulley the forces as provided are not possible. After the force on the left is decomposed into an X and Y Cartesian component to add to the other forces, they do not balance. This weight must be swinging to the left as shown until there is a restoring force to the right. The Weight straight down is not balanced by the vertical component of the rope on the right. So the weight must be sinking. This diagram is not in static equilibrium so it cannot be analyzed for useful information using static methods which assume the system shown by the free body diagram is in static equilibrium (motionless).

Example problem:
Given that the shown rope tension is incorrect, find the correct tension in the rope for the Weight and Pulley Configuration shown.

COMMENT:

Not enough information given. The bottom pulley will have to move sideways to establish equal angles in the two legs of the line wrapping the bottom pulley. The tension to define equilibrium will depend on these angles, which must be given, or, alternatively, the diameters of the pulleys and the distance between them must be given.

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Free Body Diagrams


text:
Topology

Topology is the natural evolution of analysis to a more general level. Whereas analysis was concerned with the implications of continuity on the familiar spaces of Rn and Cn, topology seeks to explore all the types of mathematical structures where analytical concepts can be applied in some form. From the loose structure of point-set topology to the requirement that objects admit some type of smooth structure in differential topology, this division studies the implications of applying analysis to all the types of objects where it makes sense to define some sort of analytical structure. Note that while topology originally evolved from the study of partial differential equations by Poincaré, the modern student need only bring a knowledge of limits and continuity from a good calculus course with them, as well as a basic understanding of what a group is.

Course Goal
The goal of this course is to introduce and build proficiency with the basic machinery of modern topology using examples from an area of topology that is well understood, such as the topology of surfaces. The student will then be well-prepared to encounter the strangeness and pitfalls of more abstract and higher-dimensional topology.

Background

 * Topology
 * Topology

Lessons

 * 1) Lesson 1 What is a topology?
 * 2) Lesson 2 Continuous maps
 * 3) Lesson 3 Metric spaces
 * 4) Lesson 4 Limits
 * 5) Lesson 5 Directed Sets & Nets

Resources

 * /Universal property of topological sum in slightly sharper form/

Offsite Learning Materials

 * The Geometry Junkyard's Geometric (Surface) Topology Collection
 * Topology Atlas
 * Topology Without Tears an accessible introduction to the basics of topology.
 * Journal of Geometry and Topology - By the end of this course, the student should be able to at the least read the simplest of these papers without their head exploding. ;-)

Courses

 * An Introduction to Functional Analysis, by John Cagnol, Anna Rozanova-Pierrat, École Centrale Paris
 * Introduction to Functional Analysis, Richard Melrose, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Spring 2009.
 * Math 109a: Introduction to Geometry and Topology, Alexander Gorodnik, IIT Guwahati, 2014 – 2015.
 * Metric and Topological Spaces, John O'Connor, University of St Andrews, Scotland, 2004.
 * MATH 4530 : Introduction to Topology, Tomoo Matsumura, Cornell University, Fall 2010.
 * MATH 4181: Introduction to Topology, David C. Royster, University of Kentucky, Fall 1999.
 * Math 429: Introduction to Topology, Aissa Wade, Penn State University, Fall 2005.

Ebooks

 * Topology, Tai-Danae Bradley, Tyler Bryson, and John Terilla, MIT Press 2020. A graduate-level textbook that presents basic topology from the perspective of category theory.

Recommended Reading
Like all other mathematics, topology can only be learned by doing it. While this site provides a supportive community of peers and teachers, you also need a well-organized and well-written text that you can study anywhere to learn from those actively participating in field.
 * Kinsey, L. Christine. (2004). Topology of Surfaces Springer. ISBN 0387941029
 * Munkres, James. (1999). Topology Prentice Hall. ISBN 0131816292

title: Topology


text:
User:Trevor MacInnis/sandbox

Timestamp:

Current minute to the second:

Random number

Purge page

title: User:Trevor MacInnis/sandbox


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User:Rayc/Rand

http://cnx.org/

title: User:Rayc/Rand


text:
Portal:Graph theory

Part of the Division of Computer Science and the Division of Pure Mathematics

Since there is already a separate division for combinatorics, the pre-requisite combinatorics necessary to study this subject can be introduced as necessary or shared with that division. Graph theory is one of the largest areas of modern mathematics, and also has interesting applications in the physical, life, and computing sciences. The area is so broad that learning materials may vary from the level of a high-school student (the introduction below) to that of a mathematics graduate.

Department news

 * Wednesday, August 23, 2006 - Department founded!

Learning materials and learning projects
Wikiversity has adopted the "learning by doing" model for education. Lessons should center on learning activities for Wikiversity participants. Learning materials and learning projects can be used by multiple departments. Cooperate with other departments that use the same learning resource.

Learning materials and learning projects are located in the main Wikiversity namespace. Simply make a link to the name of the lesson (lessons are independent pages in the main namespace) and start writing!

 * Introduction to Graph Theory
 * Spectral Graph Theory

With video lectures

 * 1) Graph Theory (notes), L. Sunil Chandran, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore
 * 2) Mathematics for Computer Science (lectures 6 to 10), Tom Leighton and Marten van Dijk, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Fall 2010.
 * 3) Math107 Graph Theory, Open Course Library

Without video lectures

 * 1) Graph and Network Theory, Ilesanmi Adeboye, University of California Santa Barbara, Winter 2011.
 * 2) Graph Theory I (Math 345),  Luis Goddyn, Simon Fraser University, Fall 2011.
 * 3) Graph Theory II (Math 445), Luis Goddyn, Simon Fraser University, Fall 2013. (Earlier versions: Fall 2006)
 * 4) Graph Theory (Math 820), Luis Goddyn, Simon Fraser University, Spring 2010. (Earlier versions: Spring 2004)
 * 5) Introduction to Graph Theory, Douglas West and Stephen Hartke, University of Illinois, Spring 2005
 * 6) Graph Theory, S.A. Choudum, IIT Madras.
 * 7) Graph Theory, Oliver Riordan, University of Oxford, Spring 2014
 * 8) Introduction to Graph Theory, Mike Zabrocki, York University, Spring 2003
 * 9) Graph Theory, Mia Minnes, UC San Diego, Fall 2012.
 * 10) Combinatorics and Graph Theory, David E Speyer, University of Michigan, Fall 2013
 * 11) Graph Theory, John Mackey, Carnegie Mellon University, Spring 2013
 * 12) Graph Theory & Combinatorics, D. L. White, Kent State University, Fall 2009
 * 13) Graph Theory, Taje Ramsamujh, Florida International University, Spring 2015.
 * 14) Graph Theory, Jim Nastos, University of Alberta, Summer 2008.
 * 15) Graph Theory, Terry Loring, University of New Mexico, Spring 2009. (Earlier versions: Spring 2007, Spring 2005, Spring 2002)

Discrete math courses containing graph theory

 * 1) Discrete Math, Michael Damron, New York University, Fall 2008. (Earlier versions: Spring 2007)
 * 2) Introduction to Contemporary Mathematics, Larry Bowen, University of Alabama.
 * 3) Discrete Structures, Margaret Fleck and Eric Shaffer, Spring 2009

Offsite Learning Materials

 * Graph Theory Tutorials
 * Douglas B. West's Home Page
 * Links to open problems - West, Goddyn
 * Category:Graph theory on Wikipedia
 * Information System on Graph Classes and their Inclusions
 * Twenty Proofs of Euler's Formula: V-E+F=2

Recommended Reading Material
If you want to learn graph theory, you will need to read and complete the exercises in at least one of the following books. While this site provides a supportive community of peers and teachers, nothing beats having a well-organized and well-written text that you can study anywhere to learn. Mathematics is not a spectator-sport. You must do mathematics to learn it.

 * Bollobas, Bela. (2002). Modern Graph Theory Springer. ISBN 0387984887

te who the active participants are. If you are an active participant in this department, you can list your name here (this can help small departments grow and the participants communicate better; for large departments a list of active participants is not needed).

Curso de Ampliación de Grafos Théorie des graphes

title: Portal:Graph theory


text:
User:Guillom/Sandbox

Wikiversity Beta is now 10 days old and I think the time has come to give some news. I have decided to organize it as a list of FAQ. Feel free to ask questions I have not thought about.

--- Wikiversity is a new Wikimedia project[1] exploring ways to use the power of wiki to support online learning. This new project will be in beta phase during the first six months [2].
 * What is Wikiversity?

 * What is Wikiversity Beta?

--- Wikiversity Beta is a global platform aiming at coordinating Wikiversity projects in several languages [3]. This multilingual coordination intends to deal with Wikiversity's mission and general guidelines of the project's scope (for example, about original research). Wikiversity Beta is also a place where Wikiversity projects which don't have a subdomain yet can develop. --- In a nutshell, Wikiversity is both a meta-wiki and an incubator for Wikiversity projects.

 * How is it possible to have so many languages coexisting on Beta without it becoming a mess?

--- Wikiversity Beta intends to take advantage of the input of its many members (not only English-speakers). Multilingual discussions should not only coexist, but live in symbiosis. A multilingual discussion system has been proposed to manage them [4] so non-English speakers can take part in discussions. Moreover, Beta is using the Language select feature [5] developped on Meta, which allows users to hide foreign languages on multilingual pages.

 * What about separate Wikiversity projects which already have their own subdomain?

--- Those separate projects [6] are growing their way. However, their participants are strongly encouraged to take part into discussions about general guidelines that will apply to all Wikiversity projects. Moreover, they are encouraged to post reports [7] about their projects to let everybody know about how it grows.

 * What's next?

--- Now we need people to take part in the discussions on Wikiversity Beta. People from existing separate projects and people willing to contribute to a future separate project should join the discussions and work together. People who do not speak English are encouraged to take part in discussions but we also need volunteer translators to translate the talk summaries [4].

 * Your multilingual system will never work. It requires too many translators.

--- If people really sum up their discussions, not only this will help them to focus on important things but it will not take much time to translate them. Ten days after Beta opening, its main page is already available in five languages.

--- By the way, it is just a proposal. Hey, if everybody speaks english, very well, we won't have anything to translate. If the system does not work, at least we can say we tried.

 * For a coordination project, it would be much more practical if a single language of discussion is chosen.

--- Of course it would be more practical; the question is: should we manage Beta the way that is easier for us English speakers or should we manage it the way everybody can take part in discussions about guidelines that will apply to all projects?

 * Wikiversity Beta Motto?

--- The shorter, the better. If you want your ideas to reach people speaking other languages, write short and understandable summaries.

[1] Board resolution: http://wikimediafoundation.org/wiki/Resolution_Wikiversity

[2] Anthere's mail about Wikiversity: http://mail.wikimedia.org/pipermail/foundation-l/2006-August/009074.html

[3] Wikiversity Beta URL: http://beta.wikiversity.org

[4] Multilingual discussion proposal: http://beta.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Multilingualism

[5] Language selection system: http://beta.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Language_select

[6] List of separate Wikiversity projects: http://beta.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Separate_projects

[7] Reports from separate projects: http://beta.wikiversity.org/wiki/Wikiversity:Reports

title: User:Guillom/Sandbox


text:
User:Nach0king

Basic info here: w:User:Nach0king

I aim to assist with the Political science school, eventually.

title: User:Nach0king


text:
Knot theory

Welcome to the Wild World of Knots!

The goal of this page is to provide a place to collaborate in creating new learning materials for this new and burgeoning area of mathematics with applications as diverse as biochemistry and string theory. Formally, knot theory is the study of isotopies of closed curves in space. As with all mathematical fields of interest, however, it has grown beyond that strict definition. If you know knots, feel free to write up some lessons or materials!

Background

 * Knot theory

Offsite Learning Materials

 * KnotPlot Topological Visualization Software
 * The Geometry Junkyard's Knot Theory collection
 * The Knot Atlas

Recommended Reading Material
If you want to learn knot theory, you have to do some knot theory! While this site provides a supportive community of peers and teachers, you also need a well-organized and well-written text that you can study anywhere to learn from those actively participating in the field.

 * Adams, Colin. (2004). The Knot Book American Mathematical Society. ISBN 0821836781

title: Knot theory


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User talk:Nach0king

Great to see you here! HappyCamper 16:10, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Spanish course refreshed
Hi, if you are still interested in studying Spanish language, let me invite you to this refreshed course Spanish One. It uses Wikibookian textbook "Spanish" and includes an oportunity of live discussio with teacher via Skype. The course understood the importance of live speech and understanding, when letter is understood like a code of explanations.--Juan 14:19, 5 January 2008 (UTC)

Your account will be renamed
Hello,

The developer team at Wikimedia is making some changes to how accounts work, as part of our on-going efforts to provide new and better tools for our users like cross-wiki notifications. These changes will mean you have the same account name everywhere. This will let us give you new features that will help you edit and discuss better, and allow more flexible user permissions for tools. One of the side-effects of this is that user accounts will now have to be unique across all 900 Wikimedia wikis. See the announcement for more information.

Unfortunately, your account clashes with another account also called Nach0king. To make sure that both of you can use all Wikimedia projects in future, we have reserved the name Nach0king~enwikiversity that only you will have. If you like it, you don't have to do anything. If you do not like it, you can pick out a different name.

Your account will still work as before, and you will be credited for all your edits made so far, but you will have to use the new account name when you log in.

Sorry for the inconvenience.

Yours, Keegan Peterzell Community Liaison, Wikimedia Foundation 23:39, 17 March 2015 (UTC)

title: User talk:Nach0king


text:
Topic talk:Politics of the European Union

I made this page then found this:

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Wikiversity:School_of_Political_Science

I assume this is going to be moved over here? If so, that would be great. Nach0king 16:23, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

How distinct is this supposed to be from the Wikibooks project? The PolySci books I've looked at there aren't that bad at all. It'd be a shame if we had to replicate all that work. PanzerKardinal

School of Political Science
This page was made a specific subunit of the School of Political Science. --JWSchmidt 17:06, 3 September 2006 (UTC)


text:
Basic computer network components

Computer networks share common devices, functions, and features including servers, clients, transmission media, shared data, shared printers and other hardware and software resources, network interface card(NIC), local operating system(LOS), and the network operating system (NOS).

Servers - Servers are computers that hold shared files, programs, and the network operating system. Servers provide access to network resources to all the users of the network. There are many different kinds of servers, and one server can provide several functions. For example, there are file servers, print servers, mail servers, communication servers, database servers, fax servers and web servers, to name a few. Sometimes it is also called host computer, servers are powerful computer that store data or application and connect to resources that are shared by the user of a network.

Clients - Clients are computers that access and use the network and shared network resources. Client computers are basically the customers(users) of the network, as they request and receive services from the servers. These days, it is typical for a client to be a personal computer that the users also use for their own non-network applications.

Transmission Media - Transmission media are the facilities used to interconnect computers in a network, such as twisted-pair wire, coaxial cable, and optical fiber cable. Transmission media are sometimes called transmission medium channels, links or lines.

Shared data - Shared data are data that file servers provide to clients such as data files, printer access programs and e-mail.

Shared printers and other peripherals - Shared printers and peripherals are hardware resources provided to the users of the network by servers. Resources provided include data files, printers, software, or any other items used by clients on the network.

Network Interface Card - Each computer in a network has a special expansion card called a network interface card (NIC). The NIC prepares(formats) and sends data, receives data, and controls data flow between the computer and the network. On the transmit side, the NIC passes frames of data on to the physical layer, which transmits the data to the physical link. On the receiver's side, the NIC processes bits received from the physical layer and processes the message based on its contents.

Local Operating System - A local operating system allows personal computers to access files, print to a local printer, and have and use one or more disk and CD drives that are located on the computer. Examples are MS-DOS, Unix, Linux, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows XP etc. The network operating system is the software of the network. It serves a similar purpose that the OS serves in a stand-alone computer

Network Operating System - The network operating system is a program that runs on computers and servers that allows the computers to communicate over the network.

Hub - Hub is a device that splits a network connection into multiple computers. It is like a distribution center. When a computer requests information from a network or a specific computer, it sends the request to the hub through a cable. The hub will receive the request and transmit it to the entire network. Each computer in the network should then figure out whether the broadcast data is for them or not.

Switch - Switch is a telecommunication device grouped as one of computer network components. Switch is like a Hub but built in with advanced features. It uses physical device addresses in each incoming messages so that it can deliver the message to the right destination or port.

Unlike a hub, switch doesn't broadcast the received message to entire network, rather before sending it checks to which system or port should the message be sent. In other words, switch connects the source and destination directly which increases the speed of the network. Both switch and hub have common features: Multiple RJ-45 ports, power supply and connection lights.

Router - When we talk about computer network components, the other device that used to connect a LAN with an internet connection is called Router. When you have two distinct networks (LANs) or want to share a single internet connection to multiple computers, we use a Router. In most cases, recent routers also include a switch which in other words can be used as a switch. You don’t need to buy both switch and router, particularly if you are installing small business and home networks. There are two types of Router: wired and wireless. The choice depends on your physical office/home setting, speed and cost.

LAN Cable A local area Network cable is also known as data cable or Ethernet cable which is a wired cable used to connect a device to the internet or to other devices like computer, printers, etc.

title: Basic computer network components


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User talk:3739

Hey there, and welcome aboard! If you have questions, feel free to come by my talk page! --HappyCamper 17:29, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Hello
Just saying "hello" and welcome. --JWSchmidt 17:36, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

Computer network
I moved your stuff over to computer network. Generally speaking, what I just did (cut-and-paste copying) is frowned upon on Wikis because it breaks the page history up. When I performed the move, I provided permanent links to the versions that were moved, so generally this is a compromise that is done, especially when one is moving content across namespaces. --HappyCamper 17:50, 23 August 2006 (UTC)

title: User talk:3739


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Network+/Architecture/Media/Introduction

Ethernet Overview
Ethernet has been with us since 1980. Early Ethernet was carried over stiff coax and later more malleable thin coax. Coax Ethernet installations require that the cable be snaked past each network device and that the device tap into the cable as it goes past. Although this wiring scheme reflects the way Ethernet uses a shared media to allow network communications, the station to station coax has serious real-world reliability problems. 10BASE-T was introduced in 1990 to address these problems. 10BASE-T uses durable and inexpensive twisted pair cable. Two pairs are required for each station: one pair for incoming traffic and one for outgoing. Home runs from each station to a central concentrator carry data to and from each station. With 10BASE-T, the vulnerable shared media portion of the network is now safely hidden in the closet and is not strewn all across the office. In a 10BASE-T system, a wiring fault typically takes out network service only to a single station.

10BASE-T includes diagnostic indicators that allow wiring faults to be easily identified. Because 10BASE-T offers both reliability and cost advantages over the original coax, most new Ethernet installations are of the twisted pair variety.

The newer Fast Ethernet used by CobraNet is wired just like 10BASE-T except that it has ten times the bandwidth, requires a slightly higher grade cable and has some distance limitations not found in 10BASE-T.

For more information on Ethernet, check out these network and Ethernet

Ethernet is a family of frame-based computer networking technologies for local area networks (LANs). The name comes from the physical concept of the ether. It defines a number of wiring and signaling standards for the physical layer, through means of network access at the Media Access Control (MAC)/Data Link Layer, and a common addressing format.

Ethernet is standardized as IEEE 802.3. The combination of the twisted pair versions of Ethernet for connecting end systems to the network, along with the fiber optic versions for site backbones, is the most widespread wired LAN technology. It has been in use from the 1990s to the present, largely replacing competing LAN standards such as token ring, FDDI, and ARCNET. In recent years, Wi-Fi, the wireless LAN standardized by IEEE 802.11, is prevalent in home and small office networks and augmenting Ethernet in larger installations.

Ethernet is used in most, but not all, computer networking situations. It is a standard which defines rules that all computers follow to allow successful and efficient communication.

Common Network Cabling
Cable is a medium which provides physical path for data transmission. Several types exist. Some networks use the same type, other use multiple types. A common early cable was the RS-232 D Serial cable. It transmitted one bit at a time, very slow connection. Parallel cables can talk at one bit per line at a time - an 8 pin cable can have 8 bits at once assuming one bit is one line and software handles all handshaking.

RJ-11 is the terminator typically used on plugin phone cables. This cable type has been used for many years by TELCOs all over the world - six pin cable schmatics to follow at a later date. RJ-45 connectors now terminate most common cables used for hub based or star style TCP/IP networks. RJ-45 terminated cable ends are shown to right. Schematics to follow at a later date. Now that we understand what cables are used the next step is to learn signal processing.

Early TCP/IP networks functioned with looped coax cables or very thick D connector style cables running from one computer to the next rather than via centralized star style hub components.

Twisted-Pair Cable
Twisted-pair cabling is a copper wire that comes in two forms, shielded and unshielded. It is the most common form of wiring used in a network. It uses 8 wires twisted into pairs to cancel the effect of crosstalk (Noise from the adjacent wires). It is a relatively inexpensive form of LAN cabling. It can accommodate different topologies, but is mostly implemented in a star topology.

Unshielded Twisted-Pair Cable
UTP relies on the cancellation effect of twisting the wires to reduce Electromagnetic Interference (EMI). It is required to have a certain amount of twists per meter and it is connected using a Registered Jack 45 Connecter (RJ-45). UTP can run for 100 meters before the signal needs to be refreshed. UTP has advantages that make it ideal in some networks. UTP has 6 Categories.
 * Easy to Install
 * Small, it does not take up much space in wiring ducts.
 * Cheapest type of cable.

 * Category 1:
 * Only reliable for transmitting telephone communications, not regular data transmissions.
 * Category 2:
 * Previously used in token rings. Speeds only up to 4kbit
 * Category 3:
 * Works in 10BASE-T networks.. Transfer rate of 10mbit
 * Category 4:
 * Used on 16mbit token ring networks.
 * Category 5:
 * Transfer rate of 100mbit. Unreliable for 1000BASE-T networks.
 * Category 5e:
 * Transfer rate of 1000mbit. Used in Gigabit Ethernet networks.
 * Category 6:
 * Same as Cat 5e but made to a higher standard

Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable
Shielded Twisted-Pair Cable uses twisted pairs along with a metallic foil shielding to reduce the crosstalk and EMI. It is usually connected using an STP connecter but can also be connected with an RJ-45. Although it reduces the interference better than UTP, STP has many drawbacks that keep it from having a mainstream use. Because of these drawbacks it is rarely implemented in Ethernet networks. It is more common in Europe.
 * More Expensive
 * Must be grounded at both ends
 * Harder to install

Coaxial Cable
Coaxial Cable uses a copper wire for the conductor, on top of this is insulation for the wire. The third layer consists of a metallic foil or woven copper braid as a shielding, followed by a rubber jacket on the top. It is often referred to as Thicknet or Thinnet, depending on the specification. Coaxial cable was found in early Ethernet networks (~1980).

Benefits:
 * It costs less to buy than Fiber Optic
 * It has speeds of 10mb/s to 100mb/s.
 * It costs more to install Coaxial cable.

Fiber Optic
Installation of fiber optic cabling is not the rocket science it once was. Great strides have been made in the durability cost and ease of termination of this media. Fiber optic cable offers two main advantages over twisted pair cable. First, data may be carried much further over fiber. Second, fiber is immune to electromagnetic interference.

There are two basic types of fiber in use today: Multimode and Single Mode. Multimode fiber is used extensively in the data communications industry. Fast Ethernet carried over multimode fiber is known as 100BASE-FX. Ethernet may be carried up to 2 kilometers on this fiber. Single mode fiber is used extensively in the telecom industry. Single mode fiber allows much greater run lengths than multimode fiber. Although there is no official standard for carrying Ethernet over single mode fiber, numerous datacom products offer this capability.

Two strands are required for each Ethernet link; one for transmit and one for receive. Both multimode and single mode fiber cables are available with varying numbers of strands. 4-strand cable costs about $0.80/meter.

Transfer rates of up to 10GB/s and a distance of up to 1000 meters. This is an expensive type of medium and takes a special connector to terminate the signal. It has higher bandwidth possibilities and is best suited for backbone installations. It has 3 parts to the cable: Core, Cladding and Buffer.
 * Core:
 * This is where the light is transmitted
 * Cladding:
 * Just outside the core it traps the light inside the core and helps guide it around corners.
 * Buffer:
 * The hard plastic coating on the outside of the cable that protects the core from moisture and physical damage.

Fiber optic uses include grounding and bonding for:
 * LIghting protection systems
 * Grounding electrode systems
 * electrical bonding and grounding
 * Power protection
 * telecom bonding and grounding
 * Telecom circuit protector


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Template:Moved page

This page was created with a bad page name and its content has been moved. Please do not edit this page and find a more specific name for the page you wished to create. If you need help learning how to add content to Wikiversity, see the editing tutorial. This template is for use on redirect pages, after page content has been moved to a new page with a more specific name. see: Welcome templates

title: Template:Moved page


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Principles of marketing

Welcome to Principles of Marketing, made up of many business majors.

Marketing is defined as "the total of activities involved in the transfer of goods from the producer or seller to the consumer or buyer, including advertising, shipping, storing, and selling."

An alternate definition is paraphrased from memory of an introductory business text is: Marketing is all activities conducted to prepare for sales. Sales is all activities required to close the deal. Shipping and customer satisfaction would be included in sales to avoid the customer from reversing or unclosing the deal.

Thus Marketing can be categorized as a branch of business as well as a social science. We buy goods (thus becoming the buyer/consumer) from a vendor (or producer/seller), creating a transaction. In the past, marketing involved traveling salesmen, while in modern times, marketing is more likely to involve television, the internet, and other forms of media bombardment.

As we progress in this age of technology it is vital for us to understand marketing and its place in the world. Understanding and applying the principles will be beneficial to the businessperson and the layperson.

What is Marketing?
Marketing refers to channeling the gap between service and product providers to service and product seekers. Also known as a way of satisfying needs. The Marketing Mix or the "4 Ps" are: The concept of the "4 Ps" has been replaced by the concept of the "7 Ps" they are These are employed to satisfy a target market or target demographic (the pool of potential customers).
 * product
 * place
 * promotion
 * price
 * product
 * price
 * place
 * promotion
 * people
 * positioning
 * packaging

Example:

 * Product: Procter and Gamble introduces a new toothpaste designed to taste good and fight cavities. Logo and packaging designed in bright colors to appeal to kids of elementary school age to encourage more tooth brushing.
 * Price: $2.00, and discounted by means of coupons
 * Promotion: television and radio commercials, magazine and newspaper ads, and a website; these use bright colors and happy music, perhaps an animated cartoon character for a fun and family-friendly attitude
 * Place (or distribution): Supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores such as Wal-Mart, the Internet has become an increasingly important place to conduct online shopping.

Target demographic:

 * Mothers with kids who make toothpaste buying decisions for the family (advertising could be shown on children's programming, promoting kids to ask parents to buy the toothpaste)

Creating utility
The American Heritage Dictionary defines utility as "the quality or condition of being useful". Utility is further defined as any quality and/or status that provides a product with the capability to satisfy the consumer's wants and needs. Marketing is responsible for creating most of a product's inherent utility.

There are four basic types of utility:

 * Form utility: production of the good or service, driven by the marketing function. For example, Procter and Gamble turns raw ingredients and chemicals into toothpaste.

 * Place utility: making the product available where customers will buy the product. Procter and Gamble secures shelf space for the toothpaste at a wide variety of retailers including supermarkets and drugstores.

 * Time utility: making the product available when customers want to buy the product. The U.S. drugstore chain Walgreens has many locations open 24 hours a day, and since the 1990's has placed most of their newer stores at major intersections.

 * Possession utility: once you have purchased the product, you have rights to use the product as intended, or (in theory) for any use you would like.

The fifth type of utility is often defined along with the above four types:

 * Image utility: the satisfaction acquired from the emotional or psychological meaning attached to products. Some people pay more for a toothpaste perceived to be more effective at fighting cavities and whitening teeth.

The exchange process
The exchange process is the process by which two or more parties give something of value to each other to satisfy the perceived needs. The marketer (a company like Procter and Gamble) offers goods and services desired by the market (the pool of potential customers). In return, the market (the customer) gives back something of value to the marketer, generally money. Both ends receive something of value in the exchange process. The marketer makes money and the customer receives goods, services, or ideas that satisfy their needs. The exchange process is the origin of marketing. The process creates utility.

For an exchange to occur:

 * Both parties must have something of value to exchange.
 * Both parties need to be able to communicate. Procter and Gamble (P&G), for example, must have money to purchase advertising space.
 * Both parties must be able to exchange. The toothpaste, in some cases, must be approved by the FDA in order for it to be sold.  The customer must be able to buy the product with his or her money and have access to a retail store where the product is sold to be able to buy it.
 * Both parties must want to exchange.
 * At least two parties are needed for an exchange to occur.

Marketing Management Process
This consists of:
 * analyzing market opportunities,
 * selecting target markets,
 * designing marketing strategies,
 * planning marketing programs,
 * organizing, implementing and controlling the marketing effort.

 * 1) Analyzing marketing opportunities
 * 2) *Defining the market
 * 3) *Consumer assessment
 * 4) *Environmental assessment
 * 5) *Company resource assessment
 * 6) *Demand analysis and sales forecast
 * 7) Identifying Market Segments and Selecting Target Markets
 * 8) *Marketers set priorities for business opportunities, concentrating on market segments within which they expect to achieve the best overall economic return from their product or service. Market segmentation and target marketing are the processes used to isolate these opportunities. Market segmentation is the process of grouping customers based on their similarities
 * 9) *Market segmentation allows a company to:
 * 10) **Understand the different behavioral patterns and decision-making processes of different groups of consumers
 * 11) **Select the most attractive segments or customers the company should target
 * 12) **Develop a strategy to target the selected segments based on their behavior
 * 13) Developing marketing strategies
 * 14) *Positioning
 * 15) *Develop new product, test, and launch
 * 16) *Modification in the stages of product life cycle
 * 17) *Strategy choice depends on the strategy pursued by the firm
 * 18) *Consider changing global opportunities and challenges
 * 19) Planning marketing programs
 * 20) *Transforming strategy into programs
 * 21) *Managing Product Lines, Brands, and Packaging
 * 22) *Managing Service Businesses and Ancillary Services
 * 23) *Designing Pricing Strategies and Programs
 * 24) *Selecting and Managing Marketing Channels
 * 25) *Managing Retailing, Wholesaling, and Physical-Distribution Systems
 * 26) *Designing Communication and Promotion Mix Strategies
 * 27) *Designing Effective Advertising Programs
 * 28) *Designing Direct-Marketing, Sales-Promotion, and Public-Relations Programs
 * 29) *Managing the Salesforce
 * 30) Managing marketing efforts
 * 31) *Organizing resources
 * 32) *Implementation
 * 33) *Control - Annual control, Profitability control, Strategic control

Product Management
Product development means offering new or improved products for the present market. By knowing what the present market's needs are, a firm may see ways to add or modify product features, create several quality levels, or add more types or sizes to better satisfy customers while seeking, also, to expand.

Product Management deals with bringing together all the strings that transform an idea into a product. "Product" does not refer to tangible goods only, intangible products like software also come under the category. A Product Manager (PdM) usually works with a number of teams and co-ordinates with various channels throughout the product development lifecycle. It all begins with an idea of a product. Now, this idea can either be a market/customer requirement or something completely new. There are usually three channels from where an idea can come from: Once an idea is decided to be taken up for development, the PdM then elaborates on the feature requirements and develops documents like Product Requirements Document (PRD), Functional Specification Document (FSD), etc. These documents are shared with all the stakeholders who are required to sign-off the requirements/specifications. Once that is done, the lifecycle moves to the development stage. The PdM works very closely with the development and quality assurance teams and ensures that the teams are completely aware of what is to be developed and how users would interact with the product. After development is complete and quality checked, the product is ready to be released. Usually, this release does not go to the customers directly, it goes to the sales teams who, in turn, provide demonstrations to the potential customers. After sufficient validations and demonstrations of the features in "Sandbox", the enhanced/new product is released to market.
 * 1) Market / Customer - Sales teams talk to the customers and try to get their requirements. Product experts envision requirements that might be required in the future or that give the product a competitive edge.
 * 2) Product Roadmap - Product Roadmap is a prioritized list of features that need to be built for a specific product. The priority of features keep on changing and it is the sole responsibility of a PdM to make the decision which features should be taken up for development.
 * 3) Innovation - Innovation cells in firms deal with coming up with new ideas to make their product more exciting and competitive.

The Product Life Cycle
Understanding the product life cycle is key to understanding how to market a product. Many marketing campaigns are won and lost because of knowledge of the product lifecycle. If understood, the product lifecycle will tell you how to market a product and how much money to spend.

The product life cycle is divided into four parts:
 * 1) Introduction phase
 * 2) Growth phase
 * 3) Maturity phase and
 * 4) Decline phase

These parts of the cycle follow the curve you would normally expect, a long slow initial acceptance, a period of rapid growth, a long length of time where the product has fully saturated the market, and its eventual decline in obsolescence.

The introduction phase of the product lifecycle is the easiest to market, but the most resource and cost intensive. The target market is the early adopter. The problem in the early adopter is the most difficult consumer to convince. The early adopter seeks status. They crave new products, not because of usefulness, but sexiness. They want to feel this product they are buying into will bring them some amount of prestige among their constituents.

The question then is, how do you market to them? Ad and event intensive sales are probably the most useful. Ads should focus less on the feature-benefits and more on the emotional aspect of the product. One company that makes this distinction very clear in their advertisements is Apple Computers. When advertising for their personal computing products, they use the PC vs. Mac ads. These ads are entertaining and grab your attention, but focus mainly on the feature-benefit aspects of a product. The iPhone ads are very low on feature-benefits and high on the coolness factor.

Growth is the period when everyone knows your product, but they aren't sure if they want to use it or not. Here it is important to stop focusing on the coolness of a product and start focusing on the features and benefits of a product. At this point, the early adopters have shown the world how cool the product is and how cool they are for having one. The rest of your market wants to know why it is they should get one. If they don't see a real benefit, then they will move on to the next product.

Maturity is the least expensive segment of a product's lifecycle. When a product has generally been accepted, and the market has reached its final penetration, it has reached this point. Your marketing techniques should focus on maintaining customers and customer satisfaction. Your advertisements can focus on what you can do for them while they keep using your product.

Decline is the most difficult segment for most companies. Decline requires a lot of soul-searching. If a company continues in the status quo, the product will decline and the company will continue to spend money on it. This is the recipe for disaster. A company has one of two paths it can take. Either, you can rebuild the product, or you must discontinue the product.

If the company wishes to revitalize a product, it usually does so in one of two ways. The first is nostalgia marketing. You remind the consumer about the product and that it was always there. The second is to refresh the product. You can create new promotional material, new packaging, new advertising or new features.

The process of rebuilding a product's market is often not feasible because of obsolescence. If this is the case, the company shouldn't just discontinue the product and leave the customer without replacement options. A well-designed marketing plan should inform customers of the end of the products life cycle, and move them onto another of the companies replacement products.

New Product Development
Every company must develop new products. New product development shapes the company’s future. A company can add new products through acquisition or development.

The acquisition route can take three forms:
 * 1) The company can buy other companies.
 * 2) It can acquire patents from other companies.
 * 3) It can buy a license or franchise from another company.

The development route can take two forms:
 * 1) The company can develop new products in its own laboratories; or
 * 2) It can contract with independent researchers or new-product development firms to develop specific new products.

Competition is strong and dynamic in most markets. So it essential for a firm to keep developing new products as well as modifying its current products-to meet changing customer needs and competitors’ actions.

Booz, Allen, and Hamilton have identified six categories of new products:
 * 1) New-to-the-world products
 * 2) New-product lines. New products that allow a company to enter an established market for the first time.
 * 3) Additional to existing product lines: New products that supplement a company’s established product lines (package sizes, flavor and so on.)
 * 4) Improvements and revisions to existing products: New products that provide improved performance or greater perceived value and replace existing products.
 * 5) Repositioning existing products that are targeted to new markets or market segmentation.
 * 6) Cost reduction: new products that provide similar performance at lower cost

An Organized New-Product Development Process is Critical Identifying and developing new-product ideas and effective strategies to go with them is often the key to a firm’s success and survival. New-product development demands effort, time and talent-and still the risks and costs of failure are high.

A new product may fail for many reasons. Most often, companies fail to offer a unique benefit or underestimate the competition. Specific reasons are: A high-level executive pushes a favorite idea thru’ in spite of negative market research findings.
 * The idea is good but the market size is over-estimated.
 * The product is not well designed.
 * The product is incorrectly positioned in the market, not advertised effectively or over-priced.
 * Development costs are higher than expected.
 * Competitors fight back harder than expected.

Several other factors hinder new-product development:
 * Shortage of important ideas in certain areas
 * Fragmented markets
 * Social and governmental constraints
 * Costliness of the development process
 * Capital shortages
 * Faster required development time
 * Shorter product life cycle

New Product Development Process
Idea Generation

Is the idea worth considering?

Ideas might come from:

Internal sources:
 * R & D
 * Top management employees

External sources:
 * Customers
 * Competitors
 * Distributors
 * Suppliers
 * Research institutes

Idea Screening

Is the product idea compatible with company objectives and strategies? Is the product idea compatible with company: Ideas are evaluated against criteria; most are eliminated. Errors:
 * Strengths
 * Weaknesses
 * Objectives
 * Market trends
 * Rough ROI (Return on Investment) estimate
 * A GO-Error
 * A DROP-Error

Concept Development and Testing

Can the company find a good concept for the product that consumers say they would try? Concept: Who will use the product? What primary benefit should the product provide? When will people consume? Concept testing is the way of testing new product concepts with a group of target consumers to find out if the concepts have strong consumer appeal. Concept testing can be presented symbolically or physically. New ideas are computer designed and developed. The company wants to obtain:
 * Reactions from customers
 * Rough estimates of cost
 * Sales and profits

Marketing Strategy Development

Can we find a cost-effective, affordable marketing strategy? Preliminary market strategy plan describe: •	The target market, product positioning, and sales, share, and profit goals for the first few years. •	Product price, distribution, and marketing budget for the first year. •	Long-run sales and profit goals and the marketing mix strategy.

Business Analysis

Evaluating proposal’s business attractiveness - Will this product meet the profit goal of the company? Management prepares sales, cost, and profit projections. As new information comes in, the analysis will undergo revision and expansion.

Product development

R&D or reengineering – developing physical product Prototype development and testing

Market testing

Not all companies undertake market testing. New-to-the-market products, high risk, high investment cost influence market testing.

Questions:
 * Have product sales met expectations?
 * Should the company send the idea back for product development (stage 6)?
 * How much market testing should be done?
 * What kind(s) of market testing?
 * How many test cities? Which cities?
 * Length of test?
 * What information?
 * What action to take?

Commercialization

Are product sales meeting expectations? Contracting to manufacture or build or rent a full-scale manufacturing facility. The company launching a new product must first decide on introduction timing, geographic strategy, target market prospects and introductory market strategy. When? (introduction timing) –	First entry –	Parallel entry –	Late entry (due to the many problems) - Where? (geographic strategy) –	single location, –	a region, –	the national market or –	the international market To Whom? (target market prospects) –	Determining initial distribution and promotion –	Early adopters, heavy users, and opinion leaders How? (introductory market strategy) –	Developing action plan for introducing the product –	Critical path scheduling (CPS) can be used

MANAGING PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE Stages of Product Life Cycle •	Introduction •	Growth •	Maturity •	Decline

Introduction •	Price: High •	Quality: Low •	Number of versions: Few •	Number of competitors: Few •	Intensity of Competition: Little •	Advertising: High to introduce •	Distribution: Little

Growth •	Price: High and dropping •	Quality: Low and growing •	Number of versions: Few and increasing •	Number of competitors: Few and growing •	Intensity of Competition: Growing •	Advertising: Still high to expand •	Distribution: Growing

Maturity •	Price: Dropping and stabilizing •	Quality: High •	Number of versions: Many •	Number of competitors: Many/dropping •	Intensity of Competition: High •	Advertising: Stable •	Distribution: Maximum

Decline •	Price: Dropping •	Quality: High •	Number of versions: Dropping •	Number of competitors: Dropping •	Intensity of Competition: Depends •	Advertising: Dropping •	Distribution: Losing

Product and Product Mix
Product Planning refers to the systematic decision making related to all aspects of the development and management of a firms products including branding and packaging. A product is anything that can be offered to a market to satisfy a want or need. Each product includes a bundle of attributes capable of exchange and use. Products that are marketed include physical goods, services, experiences, events, persons, places, organizations, properties, information, and ideas. The marketing manager needs to understand how markets develop over time, in order better to plan and manage products, their life-cycles, and their marketing strategies.

Differences between Goods and Services o	Goods are tangible. You can see them, feel them, touch them etc. o	Services are intangible. The result of human or mechanical efforts to people or objects o	Sales of goods and services are frequently connected, i.e. a product will usually incorporate a tangible component (good) and an intangible component.

Product Levels A product has five levels.
 * 1) Core benefits - The essential service or benefit that the buyer is buying. E.g. getting clean, rest and sleep, etc.
 * 2) Basic (generic) products - The basic product recognized as such. E.g. soap; room components – bed, bathroom, etc.
 * 3) Expected products - The set of attributes and conditions that the buyer normally expects in buying the product. E.g. smell, shape; clean bed, towel, quietness, etc.
 * 4) Augmented products - Additional services and benefits that the seller adds to distinguish the offer from competitors. E.g. anti-bacterial, moisturizing; fresh flowers, rapid services, etc.
 * 5) Potential product - The set of possible new features and service that might eventually be added to the offer that exceeds customer expectations. E.g.  Vitamins; candy on the pillow, etc.

Product Classifications

 * 1) Durability and tangibility
 * 2) *Non-durable goods
 * 3) *Durable goods
 * 4) *Services
 * 5) Consumer goods classification - classified according to shopping habits:
 * 6) *Convenience goods
 * 7) *Shopping goods
 * 8) *Specialty goods
 * 9) *Unsought goods
 * 10) Industrial goods classification
 * 11) *Material and parts:
 * 12) **Raw material
 * 13) **Manufactured materials and parts
 * 14) *Capital items:
 * 15) **Installations
 * 16) **Equipment
 * 17) *Supplies and business services

Managing the Product Mix
If an organization is marketing more than one product it has a product mix. o	Product item -- A single product o	Product line -- All items of the same type o	Product mix -- Total group of products that an organization markets

In a dynamic marketing environment, the product mix is not static. The effects of changing technology, evolving competition and changes in customer needs mean that is most important for an organization to find ways of keeping its product ranges fresh and interesting. This opens up a number of management problems, requiring planned procedures and strategies in order to: o	Retain and maintain existing products so that they continue to meet their objectives o	Modify and adapt existing products to take advantage of new technology, emerging opportunities or changing market conditions. o	Delete old products that are close to the end of their working lives and no longer serve their purpose o	Introduce a flow of new products to maintain or improve sales and profit levels and to form a firm foundation for tomorrow’s market. Too many products could put an organization at risk, as a product launch is resource intensive with no guarantee of success. At the other extreme, too many declining products could threaten the future of the business as sales and profits start to fall.

Elements of a Product Mix Depth measures the # of products that are offered within each product line. Width measures the # of product lines a company offers.

Product decisions Marketers make product decisions at three levels: o	Individual product decisions o	Product line decisions o	Product mix decisions

1. Individual product decisions are focused on the development and marketing of: o	Product attributes o	Branding o	Packaging o	Labelling o	Product support services. 2. The product line is comprised of a group of products that are closely related because: o	They function in a similar manner o	Are sold to the same groups o	Are marketed through the same types of outlet o	Fall within given price ranges The product line length involves the number of items in the product line. It is greatly influenced by the company objectives and the resources. Product line growth needs to be planned carefully and is extended in two ways: ‘stretching’ and ‘filling’.

Product line stretching Downward stretch: Company initially located at the top end of the market and then ‘stretches’ downwards to pre-empt a competitor or respond to an attack. Example: The launch of C-Class by Mercedes-Benz. Upward stretch: Companies stretching upwards to add prestige to their existing range of products. Toyota with the Lexus. Can be risky due to customer perception and the inability of salespeople to trade up and negotiate to the new level. Two-way stretch: Extending product lines upwards and downwards to address different segments of the market.

Product line filling: Increasing the product line by adding more items within the present range of the line. Reasons for product filling: Care needs to be taken that the line filling does not lead to cannibalization and customer confusion.
 * Extra profits
 * Satisfying dealers
 * Using excess capacity
 * Being the leading full-line company
 * Plugging holes to keep out the opposition

3. Product mix decisions Product mix or product assortment consists of all the product lines and items that a particular seller offers for sale to buyers. Dimensions of the product mix Breadth or width - Wide product mix containing many different product lines. E.g Unilever producing cooking oil, toilet soap, cosmetics etc. Length - Total number of products in the product lines Depth - Different versions, such as the size of packaging and different formulations. Consistency - How closely related the various product lines are in end use, production requirements, distribution channels etc

Product mix strategies •	A company can add new product lines, thus widening the product mix. •	A company can lengthen the existing product lines to become more of a full line company. •	It can add more product versions of each product and deepen its product mix. •	The company can pursue more product line consistency, or less, depending on whether it wants to have a strong reputation in a single field or in several fields.

Branding
Branding is an important element of the tangible product and, particularly in consumer markets. It is a means of linking items within a product line or emphasizing what they stand for e.g. Coca-Cola. Brand mark: is specifically the element of the visual brand identity that does not consist of words, but of design and symbols eg, McDonalds symbol (M)

The benefits of branding

 * 1) 	The consumer
 * 2) 	Easier product identification
 * 3) 	Communicates features and benefits
 * 4) 	Helps products evaluation
 * 5) 	Establishes product’s position in the market
 * 6) 	Reduces risk in purchasing

 * 1) 	The manufacturer
 * 2) 	Helps creates loyalty
 * 3) 	Defends against competition
 * 4) 	Creates differential advantage
 * 5) 	Allows premium pricing
 * 6) 	Helps targeting/positioning
 * 7) 	Increases power over retailer

 * 1) 	The retailer
 * 2) 	Benefits from brand marketing support
 * 3) 	Attracts customer
 * 4) 	Helps differentiate the product from competitors

Types of brands: -

There are many forms of branding but primarily there are manufacturer, distributor, price and generic brands

Brand Equity: - a) is an asset b) a degree of brand-name recognition perceived brand quality, strong mental and emotional associations, and other assets such as patents, trademarks, and channel relationship. c) is a measure of a number of different components, including the beliefs, images and core associations consumer have about a particular brand.Brand equity is the positive differential effect that knowing the brand by the buyer has on the seller.

Packaging
Packaging includes the activities of designing and producing the container for a product. The package may include up to three levels of materials. E.g. Old Spice aftershave Packaging is any container or wrapping in which the product is offered for sale and can consist of a variety of materials such as glass, paper, metal or plastic depending on what is to be contained. Packaging is an important part of the product that not only serves a functional purpose but also acts as a means of communicating product information and brand character. The packaging is often the consumer’s first point of contact with the actual product and so it is essential to make it attractive and appropriate for both the products and the customers need. Due to the growth of mass merchants and self-service, manufacturers have come to realize the value of packaging as a marketing tool. Today it is a vital part of a firm’s product-development strategy; a package may even be an integral part of the product itself. Packaging has become a potent marketing tool. Well-designed packages can create convenience and promotional value.
 * 1) Bottle - primary package
 * 2) Cardboard box - secondary package
 * 3) Corrugated box - shipping package

Developing an effective package for a new product requires several decisions. The first task is to establish the packaging concept: defining what the package should basically be or do for the particular product. Decisions must include the following elements: size, shape, materials, color, text and brand mix.

The packaging elements must also be harmonized with decisions on pricing and other marketing elements. Once the packaging is designed, it must be tested.

Factors that have contributed to packaging growing use as a marketing tool:- •	Self-service: An increasing number of products are sold on a self-service basis. The package attract attention, describe the product's features, create consumer confidence and make a favorable overall impression •	Consumer affluence: Rising consumer affluence means consumers are willing to pay a little more for the convenience, appearance dependability and prestige of better packages. •	Company and brand image: Packages contribute to the instant recognition of the company or brand. It differentiates a product from competitors by its design, color, shapes, and methods. •	 Innovation opportunity: Innovative packaging can bring large benefits to consumers and profits to producers. Packaging can be a major element of new-product planning. •	Promotional tool: It serves as a promotional tool and is the final form of promotion the consumer sees prior to making a purchase decision. •	Reminder: A package also serves as a reminder after a purchase is made. Although packaging is expensive, developing effective packaging may cost several hundred thousand dollars and take several months to complete. Companies must pay attention to growing environmental and safety concerns about packaging. Shortages of paper, aluminum, and other materials suggest that marketers should try to reduce packaging.

Labeling
Labeling is a particular area within the packing field that represents the outermost layer of the product. Labels have a strong functional dimension, in that they include warnings and instructions, as well as information required by law on best industry practice. Labels state, at the very least, the weight or volume of the product. A barcode and the name and contact address of the producer. Consumer demand has also led to the inclusion of far more product information, such as ingredients, nutritional information and the environmental friendliness of the product. Information about the extent to which the packing is made of recycled materials is also much more common now. Sellers must label products. The label may be a simple tag attached to the product or an elaborately designed graphic that is part of the package. The label might carry only the brand name or a great deal of information. Even if the seller prefers a simple label, the law may require extra information. Label feels that it can be most trusted and loyal to the customer end (Example a baby girl photo on the Parle-G biscuit is printed in the minds of customer and on the product pack).

Free Audio Learning Resources

 * Chief Marketing Officers from many of the world's largest brands explain the latest changes in their approaches to marketing, Series began March 2007

title: Principles of marketing


text:
Category:Practical Arts and Sciences

ja:Category:応用芸術と応用科学

title: Category:Practical Arts and Sciences