Mark Dowe's 'Alternative Journals' (Scotland) ...

The Actus Reus

2007-08-31T13:03:00.000+01:00

Introduction and preface to the article:This topic, difficult at times in terms of identifying causation, requires looking at various issues related to the legal tenet.For example, closely related issues such as the requirement to have a voluntary act, what categories include a non-voluntary action – such as reflex actions, automatism and somnambulism – and, pertinently, liability for omissions

Nature and Administration of Scots Criminal Law:

2007-08-23T19:12:00.000+01:00

Part 1:All areas of law can be classified under broad descriptive headings. These headings include 'European', 'International', 'Jurisprudential', but the greatest divide is between public and private law. Private law is the classification under which come all areas of law which regulate an individual's rights and claims against others. Thus, it includes property law, family and contract law, to

Scots Law: The Modern Period

2007-08-16T22:42:00.000+01:00

The two most outstanding features in the development of Scots law since 1800 have been:the influence of English law; andthe increase in statutory law.The entry of the United Kingdom to the European Communities has, since 1973, opened up the way for a further important feature and, in particular, how it has affected the development of the law in Scotland.English law has been the principle foreign

Ideology & Politics:

2007-07-26T20:48:00.000+01:00

PART 1:As a nationalist, I believe that the core of nationalism as an ideology is reducible to four propositions. Nationalists tend to believe in a given set of principles, namely: . That the world is 'naturally' divided into nations;. Each nation has its own unique character resulting from its history and culture including, especially, its language;. Each nation should be independent or, at

‘Expert systems’ architecture:

2007-07-03T19:47:00.000+01:00

Introduction:In recent years, the systems design process has been witness to a tremendous leap within advanced system design and, in the next few years, certain professionals will be introduced to the enormous potential that ‘artificial intelligence’ (AI) in business can offer. This will be particularly true, as projects under development come to fruition.One of the greatest limitations of

Freedom of Information (Scotland)

2007-06-28T09:44:00.000+01:00

Introduction:The aim of this article, expected to be fairly lengthy, is to provide guidance relating to the rights afforded under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. In addition, and in relating FOI to environmental concerns, Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 also exist. Provisions under the Act and the 2004 Regulations allow individuals legal rights of access to

The Force of Environmental Science:

2007-06-19T11:23:00.000+01:00

Environmental science embraces now virtually all disciplines which are concerned with the physical, chemical, and biological surroundings in which organisms live.Earth and Life sciences are also concerned with process and change, but environmental science is especially concerned with changes wrought by human activities, and their immediate and long-term implications for the welfare of living

The Environment & Techno-Fixes?

2007-06-14T12:52:00.000+01:00

I have been asked to write publicly concerning whether "techno-fixes" holds the solution in answering a climate in crisis? The question posed is an interesting one because, at its heart, lies real-core issues of science and how climatic problems can be tackled.Ladies and gentlemen, it doesn't matter where one looks - right, left, sideways, up or down - it is common now to hear and feel the

International markets and the global economy (1):

2007-06-01T17:38:00.000+01:00

One of the most extraordinary aspects of economic life in the last few decades has been the way in which all nations, including the UK, have increasingly found themselves part of a 'global economy'. To an ever increasing extent, the goods which we see on shelves and in shops are either produced abroad, or domestically in firms owned by foreign nationals. This profound change in everyday life

Cybernetic control models:

2007-05-29T10:25:00.000+01:00

Ladies and gentlemen, the concept of ‘cybernetic control’ is simple in essence but highly complex in execution.Cybernetics is the study of evolution, adaptation and control of systems. In principle, the cybernetic control model is a model that can provide a framework for the study of the control of any system. This encompasses the design and implementation of systems such as Geographical

Acid Rain:

2007-05-28T14:26:00.000+01:00

Acid rain, first described in 1872 by an English Chemist, remains one of the industrialised worlds most intractable problems. What has taken humankind centuries to build, and nature millennia to evolve, is being degraded and destroyed in a matter of a few years.Acid deposition is caused mainly be sulphur and nitrogen emissions from the burning of fossil fuels such as coal and oil in power plants,

Deforestation:

2007-05-22T15:59:00.000+01:00

The issue of deforestation is a complex geographical and scientific issue. However, in recent years it has become equally, an important economic and political issue as the effects of deforestation compound the efforts being made in combating global warming. The concern of the author is with the environmental costs associated with land and forest disruption, and with poor stewardship of global

A Celtic Christian prayer, from Scotland

2007-05-20T08:36:00.000+01:00

The tempest howl, the storms dismay,But manly strength can win the day.Heave, and let the echoes ring.For clouds and squalls will soon pass on,And victory lie with work well done,Heave, and let the echoes ring.The king of virtues vowed a prizeFor him who wins, for him who tries.Think, of Christ, and echo him.A-men.(From Columbanus In His Own Words)

Green Economics (2):

2007-05-17T10:45:00.001+01:00

Continuing the theme from my last article on ‘Green Economics’ (click labels for full display of subject matter written previously) I would like to conclude this topic by addressing what can be said about the causes of the environmental problems I mentioned in the previous journal.Environmental Science, Accounting, Law and Management Sciences will, in the future, converge more closely in how a

A Celtic Christian prayer, from Scotland:

2007-05-13T09:12:00.000+01:00

BE THOU MY VISIONBe Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart:Naught is all else to me, save that Thou art,Thou my best thought, by day and by night,Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.Be Thou my wisdom, Thou my true Word,I ever with Thee, Thou with me Lord.Thou my great Father, I Thy dear sonThou in me dwelling, I with Thee one.A-men.Ancient Irish

Green Economics (1):

2007-05-12T08:38:00.000+01:00

Taking account of environmental costs:Industry and business are required to take account more readily of the impacts that pollution is having on the environment. A number of accounting protocols and strict audit tests now exist for company compliance. This is an interesting area for writing, one which will combine the knowledge of Science and Accounting. The blog author holds an M.Sc in Geography

Celtic Christian prayer, from Scotland:

2007-05-06T12:21:00.000+01:00

Christ with usMy dearest Lord,Be Thou a bright flame before me,Be Thou a guiding star above me,Be Thou a smooth path beneath me,Be Thou a kindly shepherd behind me,Today and evermore. Amen.St Columba

Police powers and individual liberty (1)

2007-04-13T15:31:00.000+01:00

Given the state of public concern over civil liberties the writer is concerned with the law’s futile attempt at reconciling two contradictory aims – firstly, the need to catch criminals and, secondly, the desire to allow citizens to go about their business without interference by the police. The law, ladies and gentlemen,

The existing environment –

2007-04-10T18:47:00.000+01:00

One of the least thought-about factors in the systems development process is often the existing production environment. In other words, some relatively easy questions are commonly left aside, such as:What computers do we have?What software do we have?What PRODUCTION MIX do we have?In this article, continuing on the theme of systems development, the author will address the first two questions in

The User, Which one?

2007-03-29T15:43:00.000+01:00

During recent posts on systems implementation and delivery over the last few days, I have mentioned frequently the various users that inevitably access and use an organisation systems for various purposes. On today's journal I would like to consider who those users are and what there requirements are: . The political User -Because of the various elements that a system comprises, and the ever

Systems Development (3)

2007-03-25T19:54:00.000+01:00

"Perhaps the reason for most of our problems lies within the nature of systems development itself, since we find ourselves today building a system that was defined yesterday but will be implemented tomorrow" ... [Legal & Financial Guardian, 19 March 2007] Systems Development (2).--------------------Someone might argue that every building effort in the world exhibits the same kind of pattern, but

The value of information –

2007-03-25T13:18:00.000+01:00

Accountants should aim to provide the right information to the right people in the right quantity at the right time, and at minimum cost. This raises the question as to what is optimal quantity, content, accuracy and speed of transmitting information. These alternatives have different costs and values, and it is clear that accountants should bear this in mind when collecting and presenting

Employment case law database:

2007-03-24T15:51:00.000Z

Legal advice and case law provided on:DiscriminationVictimisationVicarious liabilityRange of contractsRemediesProceduresThe above database provides information on relevant case law within the areas mentioned. Readers will find throughout the database that legal summaries provide the points of law being addressed, background to the cases and summary of the court's decision.Note:Click-on, above: "

What is Systems Development (2)

2007-03-19T20:26:00.000Z

If we were to somehow define our typical attitudes, requirements, etc while developing systems, we would probably mention some of the following:. answers for every query or doubt that may arise;. quick answers and solutions;. if we do not have a particular query, "we have already considered it";. if we have not even considered a particular problem, "it is scheduled for the next plan";. impressive

Human factors in systems development (1)

2007-03-18T11:26:00.000Z

The Company and its People - There are various things we should consider before any attempt is made in developing systems. One of the most important tasks is to understand the components of a company (in other words, its people). Strange as it may seem, the typical systems analyst is unaware of what his business counterparts looks like. 99% of analysts underestimate the capabilities of user’s and