Podcasts and wikis are part of Web 2.0, which allows users of the web to create content. Prudent business use of Web 2.0 applications can help businesses build and maintain their reputations online. Understanding how to use Web 2.0 communication tools will be important when you are on the job. Businesses have embraced podcasting to broadcast information that doesn’t require interaction. For example, some companies use podcasts to broadcast HR policies that can be accessed on demand. What function can companies improve by using wikis for collaboration?

a. Communication with investors?
b. Project management?
c. Customer interaction?

In the fall, jay thompson decided to live in a university dormitory. he signed a dorm contract under which he was obligated to pay the room rent for the full college year. one clause stated that if he moved out during the year, he could sell his dorm contract to another student who would move into the dormitory as his replacement. the dorm cost was $5000 for the two semesters, which jay had already paid a month after he moved into the dorm, he decided he would prefer to live in an apartment. that week, after some searching for a replacement to fulfill his dorm contract, jay had two offers. one student offered to move in immediately and to pay jay $300 per month for the eight remaining months of the school year. a second student offered to move in the second semester and pay $2500 to jay. jay estimates his food cost per month is $500 if he lives in the dorm and $450 if he lives in an apartment with three other students. his share of the apartment rent and utilities will be $404 per month. assume each semester is 4.5 months long. disregard the small differences in the timing of the disbursements or receipts. what is the cost of the cheapest alternative?

Shrieves casting company is considering adding a new line to its product mix, and the capital budgeting analysis is being conducted by sidney johnson, a recently graduated mba. the production line would be set up in unused space in the main plant. the machinery’s invoice price would be approximately $200,000, another $10,000 in shipping charges would be required, and it would cost an additional $30,000 to install the equipment. the machinery has an economic life of 4 years, and shrieves has obtained a special tax ruling that places the equipment in the macrs 3-year class. the machinery is expected to have a salvage value of $25,000 after 4 years of use. the new line would generate incremental sales of 1,250 units per year for 4 years at an incremental cost of $100 per unit in the first year, excluding depreciation. each unit can be sold for $200 in the first year. the sales price and cost are both expected to increase by 3% per year due to inflation. further, to handle the new line, the firm’s net working capital would have to increase by an amount equal to 12% of sales revenues. the firm’s tax rate is 40%, and its overall weighted average cost of capital, which is the risk-adjusted cost of capital for an average project (r), is 10%. define “incremental cash flow.” (1) should you subtract interest expense or dividends when calculating project cash flow?

Mae jong corp. issues $1,000,000 of 10% bonds payable which may be converted into 10,000 shares of $2 par value ordinary shares. the market rate of interest on similar bonds is 12%. interest is payable annually on december 31, and the bonds were issued for total proceeds of $1,000,000. in accounting for these bonds, mae jong corp. will: (a) first assign a value to the equity component, then determine the liability component. (b) assign no value to the equity component since the conversion privilege is not separable from the bond.(c) first assign a value to the liability component based on the face amount of the bond.(d) use the “with-and-without” method to value the compound instrument.