Abstract
This paper explores Astrolabe, one of the leading technologies in information management systems, for corporations. It is scalable through hierarchy, flexible through mobile code, robust through peer-to-peer architecture, and secure through digital certificates. The paper further discusses how as such, it becomes an effective and efficient tool for organizations that wish to stay competitive in a hyper-competitive, globalized economy.

From the Paper
"As the business world becomes increasingly globalized and increasingly competitive, the management of information becomes evermore important. Without effective and efficient information management systems in place, organizations lose competitiveness. Without these systems, they are not able to effectively access and manipulate perhaps one of their most valuable resources, information, at their command. The increased use of large-scale, highly dynamic, distributed applications, thanks to the increasing availability of low-cost computers and omnipresent network connectivity, calls for scalable management and self-organizational capabilities in a system. Astrolabe, a distributed information management system, was developed to fulfill these requirements."

Tags:information, management, systems

Abstract
The paper looks at how the concept of America as Enlightenment era ideology and the birth of republican government can be found in these engravings by Paul Revere and the scientific symbolism of Johannes Stradanus. The paper discusses how the scientific themes of the astrolabe in Vespucci's hand represent the growing idea of science being the symbolic birth of new ideas, as American awakens at his arrival in the New World.

From the Paper
"This study will examine the two engravings: "Amerigo Vespucci and Awakens a Sleeping America from Nova Reperta" by Johannes Stradanus and "The Able Doctor, or American Swallowing the Bitter Draught" in their conceptuality as American images of freedom and new discoveries in the Enlightenment Era. For Revere's engraving, the idea of America being born out of the tyranny of English taxation without representation is a similar concept to the discovery of the idea of America that evolved out of Amerigo..."

Tags:revere, stradanus, engraving

Abstract
The focus of this paper is on Portuguese explorer, Prince Henry the Navigator, and the tools and techniques he introduced to his sailors, which revolutionized sailing and furthered exploration more than anyone else had up to that point.

From the Paper
The Portuguese are an adventurous people, and Henry knew that if he could just capitalize on this, he could drive his sailors to go farther and do more than anyone else had up to that point. From the Muslims, "[the Portuguese] had learned better ship design, cartography, sailing, and navigation and math skills (European Age of Exploration)." To that end, Henry established an observatory and the first school for navigators in Sagres, Portugal, where he lived. Before the sailors could be taught anything new, however, Henry had to work to convince them that their fears would not come to pass. "Expeditions moved slowly due to the [sailors'] belief that waters at the equator were at the boiling point, that human skin turned black, and that sea monsters would engulf ships (Mariner's Museum)."

Tags:seas, dangers, faster, route, far, east, measuring, course, distance, visibility, magnetic, compass, astrolabe, caravel