The invention of personal computers (PCs) brings a lot of convenience for many people¡¦s life. For a PC, its essential core is the operation system (OS) which is the most basic as well as important information system (IS). Because operation system is a requisite for each PC, many software companies have striven to develop and promote their own OSs. As well known, Microsoft is the most powerful company of OS and it dominated the market in the world. Microsoft is keeping designing new PC¡¦s OSs and promoting them with all its strength. It develops new version OS to fit the trade of information technology standard and users¡¦ requirements in specific product life cycle. In past, when Microsoft announced new OS version, they are quickly accepted and replaced to old ones. However, there is a strange situation for its latest OS Win 7 recently. Win 7 isn¡¦t quickly accepted to replace old version OS Win XP. The number of PC users whose platform is Win XP is still very large, and most of them have little willing to upgrade. It is a big problem for an OS company. However, this is also an interesting phenomenon and worth studying in academic. The issue is: why users would not like to upgrade a newer and more effective OS? This study focuses on the issue and tries to discover factors affecting upgrading intention and behavior. According to related research and actual observation, several critical constructs are applied such as switching costs, product qualities of relative advantages and over performance, and compatibilities. Moreover, environment factors like social influence and after-sales services expectations, and fashion effects. Demographic variables are included into the research model at the same time. Hypotheses are proposed after reviewing related studies and empirical survey. To verify this model and prove these hypotheses, PLS is applied to analyze and explain the result. On the other hand, discriminant analysis is also used to view the Win XP group and Win 7 group. The key discriminant function is made to distinguish and forecast these two kinds of groups. This study empirically validated and confirmed our research model by PLS and discriminant analysis. Furthermore, the relationships of factors those affecting upgrading intentions and behavior are verified and integrated. The findings are able to support OS suppliers to actually implement their product design. In academic, this study complement the field of IS switching about vertical upgrade to certain IS.

The need for social integration of South African residents has been and continues to be a topic that is at the forefront of social development in the country. Durban is one of South Africa’s most diverse urban centres due to its heritage and historical background. This dissertation aims to explore the notion of cross cultural integration through a common medium that all kinds of people engage with on a daily basis, fashion (or clothing). Thus, this dissertation deals with the integration of cultures, fashion and architecture towards the creation of a proposed multi-purpose fashion centre for Durban. People represent themselves, their heritage, religion and personal attributes through clothing. From a politician or business man to a musician or a priest; clothing is a means of identifying the type of person one is. Clothing is therefore a representation of cultures. Similarities can be drawn with architecture in the way that it represents the period of a buildings creation or the aesthetical values and technological advancement of culturally contemporary societies. The fashion industry is also one that carries a large commercial weight in all economical sectors making it a relevant and practically sound industry to support. From the design to the manufacturing and distribution of clothing, fashion is a powerful global entity that extends beyond countries and cultures. The research undertaken will comprise of primary and secondary data. Primary research will formulated through the analysis of precedent and case studies together with interviews conducted with relevant people. Secondary research will be expressed in the form of a literature review containing theoretically applicable data. The conclusions and careful combination of these research methods will result in the establishment of recommendations that will dictate a suitable and relevant architectural response to the creation of a fashion centre. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2010.

The choices that we make daily, whether consciously or subconsciously, fosters an impression of our personality, mood, and lifestyle but more importantly what we transcend. Similarly our choice of wardrobe, our place of work, play or livelihood, is all fragments of our personality or the image we reflect. The perceived image acts as a visual communicator or a reflection of an identity. This dissertation explored the bridge between fashion and architecture as a visual communicator with the intention of creating a place of identity and expression for the society while understanding its symbiotic relationship. The research set out a framework to establish a platform for South African fashion designers by looking at architecture and its influences on fashion trends and the profound affect vogue has in architecture. The specific reference to case and precedent studies, while gathering information from users in the building, aided in informing the research and its application to the Institute and drawing a cognisant conclusion. The analysis of the case studies and literature review supported the evaluation of the purpose and necessity of a fashion design institute and its place of belonging in society. The architecture in cohesion with the theoretical framework had set up relevant principles which informed an appropriate response to establishing the identity of the city of Durban. The document outlined the relationship between architecture and fashion, while the design proposal augmented the response to its specific requirements. / Thesis (M.Arch.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2011.