Digital Explorer

Technology indeed works and breaks the barriers of communities, which includes teachers and students, and help enhance learning opportunities for young students.
Last May 20, 2010, British explorer, Ed Stafford, conducted a live classroom session from the heart of the Amazon Rainforest to students who were at the new Rainforest Exhibit at London Zoo. It was an actual learning session from the Amazon Rain Forest to the rain forest in at the London Zoo. Ed is currently undertaking the first ever attempt to walk the entire length of the Amazon River. He has been walking since 02 April 2008. Photo of Ed Stafford by Keith Ducatel

This zoo is run by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) is an international scientific, conservation and educational charity founded in 1826. You can visit www.zsl.org The zoo opened to the public in 1847 and is the oldest scientific zoo. The zoo used to be the home to Chi Chi, a giant panda who inspired Peter Scott's design for the World Wildlife Fund logo. Chi Chi died in 1972.

Using latest satellite and digital computer technologies, Ed spoke life with a group of young students from Swiss Cottage School at the Rainforest Exhibit at London Zoo.

Through Digital Explorer’s pioneering virtual Academy of Exploration, the connectivity between teachers and students has been enhanced. The Academy uses the latest communication technologies to bring real-life experiences in exploration and science into the many young minds. This totally different learning experience is made possible by modern day explorers like Ed Stafford.

In a press statement, Jamie Buchanan-Dunlop, Director of Digital Explorer says, “Having Ed speak live from the Amazon to a group of pupils at London Zoo just shows what is possible in education now. The Digital Explorer Academy of Exploration makes this kind of opportunity open to schools across the UK.”

And this learning opportunity is free. Teachers can register for free access to multi-media, educational resources and LIVE lessons direct from expeditions across the planet www.digitalexplorer.com

New Wave Cities Recognized

It is deniably true that the growth of the country's BPO sector has contributed to keep the country afloat specially during the global financial crisis.


Thus, industry leaders from government, led by officials from CICT led by Secretary Chua and BPA/P CEO Oscar Sanez paid tribute to the hard-working men and women from ten cities around the country, whose productivity have become engines of economic growth for the country.

Known as the next wave cities, from Dumaguete to Baguio, BPO companies in these cities have effectively used technology to contribute to economic productivity.

Need a bigger screen? Try a projector

Yes, our Samsung flat-screen TV is a delight, specially, if one is watching a “big-screen” type of movie like “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” But sometimes, you would always want something bigger or larger than life. A bigger TV screen could provide a solution but that would be tough on one’s pocket. And besides, this Samsung TV still works.

Another option would be to get an LCD projector. Yes, those box-type gadgets we use at work for client presentations. One’s brilliant or lousy ideas can suddenly become a “big” idea when it is communicated in a large way through a projector. Whether it be in a classroom or corporate boardroom, projectors get the job done and 99% proves that technology work. I always make it a rule to come early for any client presentation to test a projector as sometimes, there are compatibility issues.



Recently, Infocus, the industry pioneer and global leader in the digital projection market showed their media friends why Infocus is still no. 1 projector worldwide.

“Customers have come to expect quality, value for money and innovation from InFocus. Innovation comes in many forms: design, cutting edge technology and differentiated features.” said Jeremy Farren, InFocus Vice President for International Sales. “Our Zoom 2010 line up of commercial and consumer projectors bring a fresh new industrial look and unique features that sets the standard for digital projection

Basic Business Ethics

The IT Journalists Association of the Philippines (CyberPress) denounces in the strongest terms, what the group sees as an unfair and arbitrary treatment of two CyberPress members who were penalized for doing their work -- reporting IT industry news.

Last March 1, 2010, CyberPress members had reported the resignation of a country manager of a multinational IT company – a development actually confirmed by the company. The report also stated that the executive had thrice been bypassed for promotion to the top post, an issue denied by the company.

The company objected vehemently that the report was “wrong,” though it announced the official’s resignation later on. We believe that the report, in its totality, is true and correct.

We believe that the proper course of action that the IT company and/or the PR agency could have taken, was to raise the concern/issue directly with the publications’ section editor responsible for the page and/or the reporter who wrote the story. They failed to do so on both accounts. The veteran IT journalists involved have always kept an open line of communication to both IT company and PR agency but were never approached.

However, what the IT company chose to do and allegedly upon the persistent counsel of its PR agency, is highly anomalous if not downright dubious. In other words, a breakdown in basic business ethics and public relations practice.

In the eyes of CyberPress, the manner of how this ‘issue’ was handled is categorically unacceptable.

We believe that our members, if they did violate any protocol in the pursuit of their story, due process should have been followed. They deserve to be treated like any professional with respect and fairness.

Information Technology Journalists Association of the Philippines (CyberPress)
March 12, 2010

iPad: Today's Tricorder

The iPad is here. Well, not yet really here in Manila but in North America. It was recently introduced by Apple to Apple enthusiasts and brand ambassadors during an event held at an Apple press conference at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

This tablet computer, which can probably could be have inspired by the tricorder used in the Starship Enterprise by Spock and Dr. McCoy (sorry, am a Trekkie), can be used for reading e-books and email, browsing the Internet, watching videos, playing games and listening to music. Like the iPhone, its high-resolution multi-touch display would simply be amazing and it is just 0.5 inches thick. How light is it? Just around 700 grams. How much is it? Well, in the States, it will sell around US$500 bucks for for the 16GB model. The 32GB will sell nearly $600 while one will spare US$700 for the 64GB model. Sorry, one can't expand storage capacity.

The iPad comes in two versions—one with Wi-Fi and the other with both Wi-Fi and 3G.

Here? My guess is that it will be between the 30k and 40k range. Hopefully, not beyond 50k, because that would mean it would be near the range of a Macbook already!

In a press statement, Steve Jobs said, “iPad creates and defines an entirely new category of devices that will connect users with their apps and content in a much more intimate, intuitive and fun way than ever before.” Steve Jobs founded Apple in 1976 and has since revolutionized the way we live using laptops and get connected with each other. He usually wears a black long-sleeved mock turtleneck, Levi's 501 blue jeans and sneakers when he meets stakeholders and media. Photo of Steve Jobs with the new iPad from Flickr (Apple iPad Event)

And just like the iPhone and iPod touch, it also syncs with iTunes using the standard Apple 30-pin to USB cable. All this syncing can sometimes be annoying if you are using different iPods or iPhones to sync to one MacBook. If there is a way to “unsync” or selective sync, please tell me.

How long is the battery life? Reports say that it will last up to 10 hours of video. Hmmm. That is more than a one way trip from Manila to Baguio. And 140 hours of audio!

Will I get an iPad? Maybe?

Growth of digital information

Like me, you probably also have too much information on your laptop. Which is one reason why am looking for an iOmega EGO external hard drive. Anyone know where I can find one?

According to the latest IDC Digital Universe White Paper, sponsored by EMC, there has been a five-fold growth in four years of digital information. Yup, that includes digital pictures we upload on Facebook or Friendster or music we buy and download from iTunes. And the more affordable costs of digital gadgets and equipments have contributed to the increase of digital information.

The study reveals that next year, individuals like you and me will create 70% of information in the digital universe. This study examined how IT departments were coping with the growth (or rather the boom) of information and how money was being allocated to manage corporate data. From the 405 respondents, 92 were from the financial, manufacturing, telco and energy sectors in the Philippines.

“Within the Philippines’ telecoms industry, the challenge is now about which telco can offer the most value-added and creative content in order to expand consumer offering that provide end to end solutions on the go,” says Ronnie Latinazo, Country Manager, EMC Philippines. I am sure both Globe and Smart are fighting toe to toe to get these value-added and creative content to their subscribers. Unless, you see a network out of coverage reach message.

For companies, there would be an increasing need for security, compliance and preservation of digital information. A key element in the IDC study showed that data security is still a missing key element in information management strategies. From the total 405 respondents, some companies still don’t have data security policies in place.

“Companies are under tremendous pressures to achieve higher levels of efficiency with existing technology that have now because IT budgets are often reduced or unchanged despite an increase in demand for constant upgrades,” says Latinazo. Yup, we have heard of “doing more, with less.” Given the tough economic times, IT budgets are really being affected.

Sometimes, with reduced IT budgets, companies face a continuing challenge on the customer front. Respondents from the five countries who were part of the IDC survey (Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand and India) say “they need to deploy technological products and services in more innovative and strategic ways.”

My IT budget? Around 5,000 pesos for a portable 500 GB iOmega EGO. Anyone know where I can get one? Preferably colored red.

SNS under attack

Just the other day, Chief and I were watching “Eagle Eye” on HBO. Many of us remember this 2008 film with Shia LaBeouf (Jerry Shaw) and Michelle Monaghan (Rachel Holloman), as a pair who are brought together and coerced to an anonymous female (ARRIA). The plots revolves around a possible terrorist attack but this time, it is a super computer who through cyberspace coordinates action that leads Jerry and Rachel into the halls of the Capitol Bldg. Billy Bob Thornton plays FBI agent Thomas Morgan who towards the end believes Jerry. He charges into a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) to help Jerry escape.

Today, realities of cyberattacks are happening around the world. Last year, news media, financial and government websites in South Korea felt coordinated attacks through cyberspace. The BBC News reported at least a 3rd wave of attacks last 09 July 2009. The report says, it was a "denial of service" attack” wherein virus-infected computers are hijacked and simultaneously directed to a particular site, overwhelming it with the sheer volume of traffic. Last October 30, 2009, the National Intelligence Service, South Korea's spy agency, pointed to North Korea's telecommunications ministry as the origin of the attacks. Someone like John McClane can be part of this unit? Remember in Die Hard 4.0 McClane fought off cyber terrorists. Photo from http://www.deseretnews.com

Even the website of DOH was hacked into last December. Hackers changed the photo of Secretary Duque. The TESDA site was also traffic was redirected to Smartmatic, who is supplying the poll machines for the May elections. A hacker also posted Arabic messages on the DOLE website. Also last year, hackers targeted three government websites namely: Department of Justice, the Philippine National Police Criminal Investigation and Detection Group, and Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council. Their traffic was redirected to another website.

According the latest study by Sophos, there also has been a rise of cyberattacks in social networks like Twitter and Facebook. The study revealed that 57 percent of online social network users reported getting spam in their virtual communities. This was a 70.6 percent jump from last year.

"Computer users are spending more time on social networks, sharing sensitive and valuable personal information, and hackers have sniffed out where the money is to be made," said Sophos senior technology consultant Graham Cluley.

Already Facebook is working with McAfee increase protection for its members, who now number around 350 million. That won’t be an easy task for the security team at Facebook. According to a news report, Facebook members are also “being offered free six-month subscriptions to McAfee security software and then discounted prices for continued service.”

Better safe than sorry. Thus, it always best to use security software, whether it be McAfee Virus Scan or Symantec's Norton Anti-Virus. Or get an external hard drive to back up your data. If you are a Mac use, get an iOmega EGO!




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