There has been increased attention given in the tourism literature to experiential perspectives of tourism. This thesis addresses the lack of attention in previous experiential studies to the relationship between heritage buildings and tourism. Specifically, this thesis explores the influence of heritage buildings in shaping international tourists' experiences of a particular region of New Zealand: Hawke's Bay. This research sought insight into the specific attributes of heritage buildings that influenced the experiences of international tourists visiting the region, and examined the relative importance of heritage buildings for international tourism to Hawke's Bay, as perceived by international tourists visiting the region. In this way, results are assumed in the personal constructs of individual consumers (Beeho Prentice, 1997; Prentice, Witt Hamer, 1998; McIntosh Siggs, 2005). An increased understanding of the relationship between heritage buildings and tourism is essential in strengthening support for preservation, for product development and promotion. A mixed-methodology comprising of 50 semi-structured interviews, 66 photograph-supported interviews and 354 structured questionnaires was adopted. Hawke's Bay's heritage buildings were found to have an important influence on tourists' experiences of the region, visually and as part of the narratives of their reported experiences. Attributes of Hawke's Bay's heritage buildings that influenced tourists' experiences of the region included their architecture, exterior and interior design, colour, history and associated stories. Furthermore, the interviews elicited three key experiential themes that emerged from respondents' narratives of their experiences in Hawke's Bay. They are; 'visual appeal', 'personal reflections' and 'engaging experiences'. Specifically, it was found that a townscape is not a passive space. Heritage buildings render the townscape an experiential place filled with emotion, mindfulness, engagement, and imbued with personal meaning. Visitors in effect created their own experiences through their active interaction with the environment; rendering it relevant to a context they were personally interested in, or which held personal significance for them. Analysis of the questionnaires revealed that, as perceived by international tourists, heritage buildings are important to a region; a significant proportion of respondents indicated that they would theoretically be willing to pay some money to ensure the preservation of Hawke's Bay's heritage buildings. This thesis evidences the important relationship between heritage buildings and tourism, and future research is advocated to advance upon the conclusions made in this research.

<p>Abstract:</p><p>Title: The popular blog – on updating and its effects on vistor statistics</p><p>Number of pages: 35</p><p>Author: Wilhelm von Sydow</p><p>Tutor: Else Nygren</p><p>Course: Media and Communication Studies C</p><p>Period: Autumn 2006</p><p>University: Division of Media and Communication, Department of Information Science, Uppsala University</p><p>Purpose/Aim: To examine to which, if any, extent the update frequency of blogs affects their visitor statistics.</p><p>Material/Method: Quantitative method, Swedish blogs, visitor statistics and updating frequency.</p><p>Main results: No results could prove the causal effects of the relation between visitor statistics and updating frequency. A noticeable connection between the two variables could, however, be identified.</p><p>Keywords: Blog, update frequency, visitor statistics, quantitative, Habermas, public sphere, Else Nygren, intranet, Matt Haig, business websites</p>

Abstract: Title: The popular blog – on updating and its effects on vistor statistics Number of pages: 35 Author: Wilhelm von Sydow Tutor: Else Nygren Course: Media and Communication Studies C Period: Autumn 2006 University: Division of Media and Communication, Department of Information Science, Uppsala University Purpose/Aim: To examine to which, if any, extent the update frequency of blogs affects their visitor statistics. Material/Method: Quantitative method, Swedish blogs, visitor statistics and updating frequency. Main results: No results could prove the causal effects of the relation between visitor statistics and updating frequency. A noticeable connection between the two variables could, however, be identified. Keywords: Blog, update frequency, visitor statistics, quantitative, Habermas, public sphere, Else Nygren, intranet, Matt Haig, business websites

Mit Hilfe von Öffentlichkeitsarbeit wird die Gesellschaft über fachspezifische Themen informiert und Verständnis für Handlungsnotwendigkeiten, die Auswirkungen auf die Gesellschaft haben können, aufgebaut. Das Informieren der Gesellschaft über forsttechnische Handlungen im Wald ist ein wichtiger Teil forstlicher Öffentlichkeitsarbeit. Die Problematik forsttechnischer Öffentlichkeitsarbeit besteht darin, den richtigen Informationsinhalt zu identifizieren, um die gewünschte Zielgruppe anzusprechen. In der Forschungsarbeit „Forsttechnik kommunizieren“ wird dargestellt, inwiefern die Wahl des Kommunikationsinhaltes einen Einfluss auf die Wirksamkeit der forsttechnischen Öffentlichkeitsarbeit hat. Öffentlichkeitsarbeit ist ein Kommunikationsprozess, dessen Zustandekommen bestimmt ist durch den Inhalt der ausgesendeten Information und die Eigenschaften des potentiellen Empfängers, dem Waldbesucher. Bezüglich der emotionalen Einstellung und dem Grundwissen verschiedener Waldbesuchertypen gegenüber Holzerntetechnik sowie deren Interesse an unterschiedlichen forsttechnischen Informationsinhalten und der Wirksamkeit, zielorientierter Öffentlichkeitsarbeit werden sechs Arbeitshypothesen aufgestellt. Diese Hypothesen können durch die Auswertung einer speziell zu diesem Zweck entwickelten Waldbesucherbefragung, die in Form eines teilstrukturierten Interviews mit interaktivem Ansatz durchgeführt wurde, bestätigt werden. Für die Darstellung des Kommunikationsprozesses im Rahmen forsttechnischer Maßnahmen wird in der Arbeit ein Modell entwickelt, welches die für das Zustandekommen des Kommunikationsprozesses entscheidenden Einflussfaktoren, die Eigenschaften des Waldbesuchers, den Informationsinhalt und die Umgebungssituation im Wald, berücksichtigt und die Ergebnisse der Untersuchung nachvollziehbar visualisieren kann. Als wesentliches Ergebnis der Arbeit lässt sich das Interesse des Waldbesuchers an den sechs untersuchten Informationsinhalten Rohstoff Holz, Pfleglichkeit bei der Waldarbeit, Sicherheit der Waldarbeiter, Waldwege, Hightech-Arbeitsplatz und Kosten der Holzernte beschreiben. Das Thema Rohstoff Holz löst das stärkste Interesse der Waldbesucher aus. Die Themen Hightech-Arbeitsplatz und Kosten der Holzernte interessieren den Waldbesucher nicht und sind demzufolge für die forsttechnische Öffentlichkeitsarbeit ungeeignet. Es wird detailliert dargestellt, welche Eigenschaften Waldbesucher aufweisen, die Interesse an den untersuchten Informationsinhalten zeigen. Mit den Ergebnissen der Arbeit wird bestätigt, dass durch die Wahl des richtigen Informationsinhaltes zielgruppenorientierte Öffentlichkeitsarbeit durchgeführt und hierdurch die Wirksamkeit dieses Kommunikationsprozesses verbessert werden kann. / By public relations, the society is informed of expert topics and, therefore, the necessity of actions in the forest that may affect the society. Informing the public on technological activities in the forest is an important part of public relations in forestry. The problem of public relations in forest technology is to find the right topics that attract the addressed audience. The present research project "Communicating Forest Technology” discusses how the choice of communication topics impacts the effectiveness of public relations in forest technology. Public relations are seen as a communication process. The conclusion of this process is determined by the content of the transmitted information and the properties of the potential recipient, the forest visitor. In this paper six working hypotheses are set up. The hypotheses refer to a) the emotional state and b) the basic knowledge of different types of forest visitors to wood harvesting technology as well as c) their interest in various topics containing forest technological background and d) the effectiveness of target oriented public relations. The hypotheses are confirmed by the analysis of a forest visitor survey. This (especially for this purpose developed) survey is conducted as semi-structured interview with an interactive approach. A model to illustrate the communication process in forest technology was developed. The model visualizes crucial factors for the realization of the communication process. The factors are the characteristics of the visitor, the topic of the information and the situation in the forest. The main result of this study is the presentation of the interest of the forest visitor according to the six reviewed topics: resource wood, compatibility during forest management, safety of forest workers, conditions of forest roads, high-tech workplace in the forest and expenses of harvesting. The topic resource wood causes the strongest interest by forest visitors. The forest visitors show no interest in the issues of high-tech workplace and expenses of harvesting. Therefore, these issues are not suitable for public relations in forest technology. (The properties of forest visitors who show interest in the analyzed information contents are presented in detail.) The results of the research project confirm that choosing the right topic is necessary for target oriented public relations. The effectiveness of this communication process can be improved by target oriented public relations.

This thesis studies the non-verbal communication such as the body language in the context of a trade show. The non-verbal communication is one of the primary conveyors of messages and trade shows are one of the major channels were firms attract new customers. However the combination of trade shows and non-verbal communication is overlooked. The method consists of interviews with visitors and observations of the booths and the visitors. The setting was chosen as the annual Hannover Messe were five booths of Swedish firms were studied. The result indicates that firms can further improve their body language. Suggested improvements involve to not having the sales representative work in the booth. This is remarked as a taboo by authors within the area; still this action commonly occurs.  The booth design plays a prominent role in the visitor interactions so does the staffing. The way to approach a visitor is not differing much between the booths in the study however there are three possible ways to physically approach visitors as a sales representative. The best way has not been established and the visitor interviews gave a mixed result regarding this matter. Although the best way is not found all observed booths missed out on dialogs with prospective customers much due to that full attention was not directed towards the visitors. The authors want to emphasis on the adaptation towards visitor as an important pawn in the exhibiting, some sales representatives automatically does this.

Syfte: Syftet med uppsatsen var att undersöka och jämföra förväntningar och faktiska upplevelser på Birka, dels från arrangörernas sida och dels från besökarnas sida. Genom att ta reda på vilken upplevelse Riksantikvarieämbetet och Strömma Turism och Sjöfart vill ge sina besökare så kunde vi sedan mäta förväntningar och upplevelser bland besökarna och således jämföra dessa. Metod: Vi genomförde denna undersökning genom att hålla två kvalitativa intervjuer med dels Lena Johansson på Riksantikvarieämbetet och dels Andreas Forsgren på Strömma Turism och Sjöfart. Vidare så delade vi ut en enkätundersökning vid två olika tillfällen till besökare på Birka. Slutsats: Både Riksantikvarieämbetet och Strömma Turism och Sjöfarts mål är att ge sina besökare en genuin och lärorik upplevelse i vikingatida miljö. Resultatet visar att besökarnas förväntningar överrensstämmer med deras mål, medan den faktiska upplevelsen varierade. För många av besökarna överträffade upplevelsen förväntningarna, men för de allra flesta motsvarade upplevelsen bara deras förväntningar. Endast två personer upplevde att besöket inte motsvarade förväntningarna. Nyckelord: Birka, Strömma Turism och Sjöfart, Riksantikvarieämbetet, förväntningar, upplevelser, besökare, kundnöjdhet. / Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to investigate and compare the expectations and actual experiences at Birka, partly from the organizers and from the visitor´s side. By finding out what kind of experience the Swedish National Heritage Board and Strömma Turism och Sjöfart want to give their visitors, we could then measure the expectations and experiences with the visitors and thus compare them. Methodology: We conducted this study by holding two interviews, one with Lena Johansson of the Swedish National Heritage Board and one with Andreas Forsgren at Strömma Turism och Sjöfart. Furthermore we distributed a survey on two separate occasions for visitors to Birka. Conclusions: Both the Swedish National Heritage Board and Strömma Turism och Sjöfart aims to give its visitors a genuine and educational experience in a Viking Age setting. The result showed that visitor´s expectations are in accordance with the organizations objectives, while the actual experience varied. For many of the visitors the experience surpassed their expectations, but for most of the visitor´s the experience corresponded to their expectations. Only two people felt that the visit did not meet their expectations.

The current paper presents a study conducted at At-Bristol Science Centre, UK. It is a front-end evaluation for the “Live Science Zone” at At-Bristol, which will be built during the autumn of 2004. It will provide a facility for programmed events and shows, non-programmed investigative activities and the choice of passive or active exploration of current scientific topics. The main aim of the study is to determine characteristics of what kind of techniques to use in the Live Science Zone. The objectives are to explore what has already been done at At-Bristol, and what has been done at other science centres, and to identify successful devices. The secondary aim is mapping what sorts of topics that visitors are actually interested in debating. The methods used in the study are deep qualitative interviews with professionals working within the field of science communication in Europe and North America, and questionnaires answered by visitors to At-Bristol. The results show that there are some gaps between the intentions of the professionals and the opinions of the visitors, in terms of opportunities and willingness for dialogue in science centre activities. The most popular issue was Future and the most popular device was Film.

Sicyos deppei G. Don (Cucurbitaceae) is an invasive monoic annual tendril-bearing vine; it is endemic to Mexico, adapted to the rainfall cycle (June through the end of September) and produces spiny, single seeded fruits. Under serious infestation conditions, S. deppei grows extensively, covering native plants, crops and tree trunks. This study determined the breeding system and pollinators of S. deppei growing in three study sites at urban gardens and disturbed sites at the Campus of the Universidad de las Américas, Puebla in the city of San Andrés Cholula, Puebla (Mexico). Each female inflorescence had an average of 17 flowers at the three study sites. As a step prior to experiments, the timing for stigma receptiveness and pollen viability was determined with the Peroxtesmo KO test (PKO) and Diaminobenzidine test (DAB),respectively. Stigmas of female flowers reach maximum receptivity when flowers are at anthesis; receptivity decreases as the flower reaches the succeeding floral stages. Viability of pollen grains increases with flower development; viabilitypercentages at early stages of floral development are very low, as opposed to the higher percentages of pollen viability found in flowers at anthesis and following developmental stages. Breeding systems were tested for xenogamy and geitonogamy by hand pollinating female flowers. Breeding systems results demonstrated that S. i deppei has a mixed-mating system, being able to set fruit and seed when pollinated with pollen from different plants and from pollen of the same plants. The pollinators were determined with the single-visit method. The diversity of floral visitors in this study was low; the most effective pollinator for S. deppei in this study was Apis mellifera. Throughout the rainy season, this study also described the phenology of S. deppei at the plant and flower level, as well as total plant length. Each stage of development in male and female flowers lasts one day. At the end of the rainy season (N2010) individual plants measured between 947 and 270 cm. / CONACYT, NSERC-CANPOLIN

Based on our experience of working with different C++ front ends, this thesis identifies numerous problems that complicate the analysis of C++ programs along the entire spectrum of analysis applications. We utilize library, language, and tool extensions to address these problems and offer solutions to many of them. In particular, we present efficient, expressive and non-intrusive means of dealing with abstract syntax trees of a program, which together render the visitor design pattern obsolete. We further extend C++ with open multi-methods to deal with the broader expression problem. Finally, we offer two techniques, one based on refining the type system of a language and the other on abstract interpretation, both of which allow developers to statically ensure or verify various run-time properties of their programs without having to deal with the full language semantics or even the abstract syntax tree of a program. Together, the solutions presented in this thesis make ensuring properties of interest about C++ programs available to average language users.

Viele Kirchenbauten erweisen sich als beliebte touristische Stätten. Dazu gehören Wallfahrtskirchen ebenso wie Kirchen, die als kulturtouristische Attraktionen bestechen und/oder an gut frequentierten touristischen Wegen liegen. Wissenschaftliche Untersuchungen zum kirchentouristischen Angebot fokussieren auf bestimmte touristische bzw. tourismusrelevante Angebotsleistungen (z.B. Kirchenführungen), lassen jedoch umfassende angebotstheoretische Ansätze vermissen. Auf der touristischen Nachfrageseite liegt eine Vielzahl von Publikationen zu Besuchsmotiven und Erlebnissen von Kirchentouristen vor. Hingegen ist nur wenig über Werteinstellungen touristischer Kirchenbesucher gegenüber den von ihnen besuchten Stätten bekannt. Die vorliegende Dissertation kategorisiert aus tourismusökonomischer Perspektive heraus die typischen Leistungsbestandteile einer Kirche in ihrer Funktion als touristische Attraktion, identifiziert die von touristischen Kirchenbesuchern zugeschriebenen Werteattribute und entwickelt ein Modell von Kirchenbauten als touristischen Leistungs- und Wertebündeln (bzw. wertebasierten Tourismusprodukten). Auch beleuchtet die Arbeit individuelle Zahlungsbereitschaften im Kirchentourismus, die sowohl als monetäre Bewertungsinstrumente für Werteattribute von Kirchenbauten fungieren als auch die Akzeptanz besucherbezogener Finanzierungsinstrumente (z.B. Eintrittsgelder, Besucherspenden) zum (Unt)Erhalt von Kirchenbauten widerspiegeln. Im Rahmen einer empirischen Fallstudie zu drei ausgewählten Kirchenbauten in Sachsen erfolgt eine Analyse monetärer wie nicht-monetärer Wertekategorien hinsichtlich ihrer Ausprägungen bei touristischen Besuchern. Im Zuge einer Clusterzentrenanalyse ergeben sich mehrere Besuchertypen mit charakteristischen Wertemustern. Die Fallstudie zeigt auf, dass für die überwiegende Anzahl der Kirchentouristen nicht nur unmittelbare nutzungsbezogene Nutzenwerte von Kirchenbauten von Belang sind, sondern auch Werteattribute, die über die punktuelle touristische Nutzung hinausgehen und auf den Erhalt der betreffenden Kirchenbauten abzielen („Erhaltungswerte“). Die vorliegende Arbeit plädiert für den Einbezug von Nutzungs- als auch Erhaltungswerten in die touristische Angebots- und Kommunikationspolitik. Damit liefert sie einen Ansatz für ein wertebasiertes Attraktionsmanagement von Kirchenbauten und anderen (religiös-)kulturellen Tourismusattraktionen.