PETALING JAYA: THE Halal Industry Development Corporation (HDC) has launched the world’s first Halal Directory widget that can be embedded within web portals and blogs.
The directory (tinyurl.com/ktcomw) offers information on halal products and services certified by the Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) and HDC, said Miti Nurbaya Zainudin, HDC’s corporate services vice-president.
Currently, the directory lists the halal status of more than 15,000 products by 1,400 local and international companies registered with the two agencies.
Jakim manages the applications for halal certification, auditing process, monitoring and enforcement, while HDC has been tasked to further boost the halal agenda in terms of standards development, branding and commercialisation.
Previously, users could check out the information only through the HDC website, she said.
“Now, thanks to the widget more users will be able to access the directory directly from their favourite web portals and blogs,” she said.
HDC is also exploring the idea of enabling the widget to be installed and used in social networking sites such as Facebook and on mobile devices powered by Symbian and Windows Mobile operating systems as well as the iPhone, said Miti.
Monday, August 31, 2009
NEWS: Giants help drive broadband to rural folk
PETALING JAYA: Chipmaker Intel Malaysia and the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) have joined hands to push for higher broadband Internet adoption among local suburban and rural communities.
SKMM — which regulates the converging communications and multimedia industries in the country — and Intel are promoting the setup and use of community broadband centres (CBCs) in those areas.
As part of the initiative, both parties organised a blogging competition themed “Mengapa saya inginkan broadband? (Why do I need broadband?) at four CBCs in the Besut district in Terengganu on the east coast of the peninsula.
The competition, which ended last month, attracted a large number of first-time participants to the CBCs where they had to use the computers there to create blogs. Intel said more than 350 blogs were created during the three-week long contest.
Mohd Shafie Harun, director at SKMM’s eastern regional office, said activities such as the blogging competition are useful to create more awareness of PCs and broadband, as well as to encourage students to use the Internet facilities at the CBCs.
He said that aside from blogs, the Internet facilities at the CBCs can be a gateway to online-based services such as Internet banking and e-government facilities.
“These services will eventually encourage rural folk to buy their own computers and access the Internet from their homes,” Mohd Shafie said.
Spreading the word
Intel and SKMM hope to extend the blogging competition to other CBCs across the country.
“We are committed to collaborating with the Government and the private sector to bridge the digital divide and meet the country’s goal of achieving a 50% broadband penetration by 2010,” said Nazli Awang Had, business development manager at Intel Malaysia.
The digital divide refers to the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.
After the competition in Besut, the SKMM organised a CBC Open Day which included a series of free talks on subjects that ranged from cybersecurity to positive use of the Internet.
Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, the Terengganu state executive councillor for science technology, education and human resources, officiated at the event.
SKMM — which regulates the converging communications and multimedia industries in the country — and Intel are promoting the setup and use of community broadband centres (CBCs) in those areas.
As part of the initiative, both parties organised a blogging competition themed “Mengapa saya inginkan broadband? (Why do I need broadband?) at four CBCs in the Besut district in Terengganu on the east coast of the peninsula.
The competition, which ended last month, attracted a large number of first-time participants to the CBCs where they had to use the computers there to create blogs. Intel said more than 350 blogs were created during the three-week long contest.
Mohd Shafie Harun, director at SKMM’s eastern regional office, said activities such as the blogging competition are useful to create more awareness of PCs and broadband, as well as to encourage students to use the Internet facilities at the CBCs.
He said that aside from blogs, the Internet facilities at the CBCs can be a gateway to online-based services such as Internet banking and e-government facilities.
“These services will eventually encourage rural folk to buy their own computers and access the Internet from their homes,” Mohd Shafie said.
Spreading the word
Intel and SKMM hope to extend the blogging competition to other CBCs across the country.
“We are committed to collaborating with the Government and the private sector to bridge the digital divide and meet the country’s goal of achieving a 50% broadband penetration by 2010,” said Nazli Awang Had, business development manager at Intel Malaysia.
The digital divide refers to the gap between the technology haves and have-nots.
After the competition in Besut, the SKMM organised a CBC Open Day which included a series of free talks on subjects that ranged from cybersecurity to positive use of the Internet.
Ahmad Razif Abd Rahman, the Terengganu state executive councillor for science technology, education and human resources, officiated at the event.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
NEWS: How social media can hurt your career?
Editor's note: CNN.com has a business partnership with CareerBuilder.com, which serves as the exclusive provider of job listings and services to CNN.com.
As social media becomes the latest branding strategy, networking technique, job seeking tool and recruitment vehicle, it's also becoming the latest way for people to get job offers rescinded, reprimanded at work and even fired.
Everyone has "my-job-sucks" moments, but it's probably best for your career not to have them online.
Everyone has "my-job-sucks" moments, but it's probably best for your career not to have them online.
It's happened so many times -- publicized and not -- that one would think we could learn from others' mistakes. (But, if that were the case, I wouldn't have anything to write about, now would I?)
A recent Tweet by a potential Cisco employee, for example, turned ugly when he decided to tout a recent job offer:
"Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work."
Unfortunately for "theconnor" (the handle for the would-be employee), Tim Levad, a "channel partner advocate" for Cisco, saw the tweet and responded with this:
"Who is the hiring manger, I'm sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the Web."
Terrible tweets
Everyone has their "My-job-sucks," "I-hate-my-co-workers," or "Give-me-more-money" moments. But, they seem to forget that as employers increase their online presence using social networking sites as recruitment and branding strategies, it might be best for their career not to have these moments on the Internet.
Don't Miss
* Make sure your resume is in HD
* When you don't trust your boss
* Seven emerging jobs poised for growth
* More CareerBuilder.com stories
Paul Wilson, a freelance/corporate Web marketer and blogger, found several of such moments on Twitter, a social networking and micro-blogging site, and posted these "Top 10 Tweets to Get You Fired" [sic'd]:
1. "hate my job!! i want to tell my bosses how dumb they are and how meaningless this job is, then quit, and be happy!"
2. "So my job was to test all the food at the new resturant, can I just say, ughew. I'm going to taco bell then twistee treat."
3. "Workin... This job sucks worse then the economy!"
4. "I'm going to work! Walmart! Must find better job! I hate it when chicks there have a deeper voice than me and refer to me as foo!"
5. "Also I'm really bummed that I'm working today, i asked off so i could study but my boss is a ******* **** ***** ***** who can't read."
6. "Coworker smuggled out a chair for me. Currently being paid to SIT around and listen to John Barrowman on my iPod. I don't hate my job today!"
7. "having sex dreams of people you work with makes for an awkward day."
8. "smoking weed at work is so [EDITED] great :)"
9. "It's bad when you overhear the n00b programmer say "I used to work at McDonalds with him" and you wonder if he is talking about the CEO..."
10. "Huh, with my boss on twitter, maaaybe I should take down that sexy picture of her... but her reaction will be priceless!"
Facebook fired
Twitter is not the only culprit in career self-destruction. Facebook, a popular social networking site, has housed its fair share of user firings:
Kimberly Swann, a former employee for Ivell Marketing and Logistics of Clacton, U.K., thought her job was boring -- and she said so on her Facebook page, according to an article in The Daily Telegraph. Swann was called into her manager's office and handed a letter that cited her Facebook comments as the reason for dismissal:
"Following your comments made on Facebook about your job and the company we feel it is better that, as you are not happy and do not enjoy your work we end your employment with Ivell Marketing & Logistics with immediate effect."
An MSNBC article remembers Kevin Colvin, the legendary young intern who e-mailed his boss, claiming a "family emergency" would keep him out of the office around Halloween. His co-workers (and Facebook friends), however, saw a photo of Colvin dressed as a fairy at a Halloween party time-stamped on the same day of the "emergency." Colvin's boss responded to him with an e-mail CC'd to the entire company, firing him and including the incriminating fairy picture.
In March 2009, the same MSNBC article cites Dan Leone, a Philadelphia Eagles stadium employee, who was fired after slamming the football organization for trading a player in this status update:
"Dan is [expletive] devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver. . .Dam Eagles R Retarted!![Sic]"
Two days later, the head of event operations said they needed to talk about his Facebook status; instead, he got the boot.
Social networking don'ts
If you want to use your profile to get hired or -- or at least not get fired -- here are three basic rules to keep in mind:
1. Don't announce interviews, raises or new jobs
As exemplified by "theconnor," how you talk about any of these sensitive topics on your social networking site is key. If you're unemployed, writing "Interview today -- wish me luck!" would be OK, or if you got a job, something along the lines of "So excited about my new job!" is totally acceptable. If you're currently employed, however, I don't think your boss would be too happy to see something like, "Trying to con my boss into giving me a $5K raise. SUCKA!"
2. Don't badmouth your current or previous employer
Just like in an interview, keep your rants about your boss or company to yourself. If hiring managers see that you're willing to trash a colleague online they assume you'll do it to them, too. Plus, there's always the possibility of getting fired if someone sees your negative comments.
3. Don't mention your job search if you're still employed
If your boss knows you're on the lookout for a new job, feel free to advertise it in your status. If you're keeping your search below the radar, however, don't publish anything, anywhere. Even if you aren't connected to your boss online, somebody can get the information back to him or her.
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| Mixx it | Share
Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2009. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority
As social media becomes the latest branding strategy, networking technique, job seeking tool and recruitment vehicle, it's also becoming the latest way for people to get job offers rescinded, reprimanded at work and even fired.
Everyone has "my-job-sucks" moments, but it's probably best for your career not to have them online.
Everyone has "my-job-sucks" moments, but it's probably best for your career not to have them online.
It's happened so many times -- publicized and not -- that one would think we could learn from others' mistakes. (But, if that were the case, I wouldn't have anything to write about, now would I?)
A recent Tweet by a potential Cisco employee, for example, turned ugly when he decided to tout a recent job offer:
"Cisco just offered me a job! Now I have to weigh the utility of a fatty paycheck against the daily commute to San Jose and hating the work."
Unfortunately for "theconnor" (the handle for the would-be employee), Tim Levad, a "channel partner advocate" for Cisco, saw the tweet and responded with this:
"Who is the hiring manger, I'm sure they would love to know that you will hate the work. We here at Cisco are versed in the Web."
Terrible tweets
Everyone has their "My-job-sucks," "I-hate-my-co-workers," or "Give-me-more-money" moments. But, they seem to forget that as employers increase their online presence using social networking sites as recruitment and branding strategies, it might be best for their career not to have these moments on the Internet.
Don't Miss
* Make sure your resume is in HD
* When you don't trust your boss
* Seven emerging jobs poised for growth
* More CareerBuilder.com stories
Paul Wilson, a freelance/corporate Web marketer and blogger, found several of such moments on Twitter, a social networking and micro-blogging site, and posted these "Top 10 Tweets to Get You Fired" [sic'd]:
1. "hate my job!! i want to tell my bosses how dumb they are and how meaningless this job is, then quit, and be happy!"
2. "So my job was to test all the food at the new resturant, can I just say, ughew. I'm going to taco bell then twistee treat."
3. "Workin... This job sucks worse then the economy!"
4. "I'm going to work! Walmart! Must find better job! I hate it when chicks there have a deeper voice than me and refer to me as foo!"
5. "Also I'm really bummed that I'm working today, i asked off so i could study but my boss is a ******* **** ***** ***** who can't read."
6. "Coworker smuggled out a chair for me. Currently being paid to SIT around and listen to John Barrowman on my iPod. I don't hate my job today!"
7. "having sex dreams of people you work with makes for an awkward day."
8. "smoking weed at work is so [EDITED] great :)"
9. "It's bad when you overhear the n00b programmer say "I used to work at McDonalds with him" and you wonder if he is talking about the CEO..."
10. "Huh, with my boss on twitter, maaaybe I should take down that sexy picture of her... but her reaction will be priceless!"
Facebook fired
Twitter is not the only culprit in career self-destruction. Facebook, a popular social networking site, has housed its fair share of user firings:
Kimberly Swann, a former employee for Ivell Marketing and Logistics of Clacton, U.K., thought her job was boring -- and she said so on her Facebook page, according to an article in The Daily Telegraph. Swann was called into her manager's office and handed a letter that cited her Facebook comments as the reason for dismissal:
"Following your comments made on Facebook about your job and the company we feel it is better that, as you are not happy and do not enjoy your work we end your employment with Ivell Marketing & Logistics with immediate effect."
An MSNBC article remembers Kevin Colvin, the legendary young intern who e-mailed his boss, claiming a "family emergency" would keep him out of the office around Halloween. His co-workers (and Facebook friends), however, saw a photo of Colvin dressed as a fairy at a Halloween party time-stamped on the same day of the "emergency." Colvin's boss responded to him with an e-mail CC'd to the entire company, firing him and including the incriminating fairy picture.
In March 2009, the same MSNBC article cites Dan Leone, a Philadelphia Eagles stadium employee, who was fired after slamming the football organization for trading a player in this status update:
"Dan is [expletive] devastated about Dawkins signing with Denver. . .Dam Eagles R Retarted!![Sic]"
Two days later, the head of event operations said they needed to talk about his Facebook status; instead, he got the boot.
Social networking don'ts
If you want to use your profile to get hired or -- or at least not get fired -- here are three basic rules to keep in mind:
1. Don't announce interviews, raises or new jobs
As exemplified by "theconnor," how you talk about any of these sensitive topics on your social networking site is key. If you're unemployed, writing "Interview today -- wish me luck!" would be OK, or if you got a job, something along the lines of "So excited about my new job!" is totally acceptable. If you're currently employed, however, I don't think your boss would be too happy to see something like, "Trying to con my boss into giving me a $5K raise. SUCKA!"
2. Don't badmouth your current or previous employer
Just like in an interview, keep your rants about your boss or company to yourself. If hiring managers see that you're willing to trash a colleague online they assume you'll do it to them, too. Plus, there's always the possibility of getting fired if someone sees your negative comments.
3. Don't mention your job search if you're still employed
If your boss knows you're on the lookout for a new job, feel free to advertise it in your status. If you're keeping your search below the radar, however, don't publish anything, anywhere. Even if you aren't connected to your boss online, somebody can get the information back to him or her.
E-mail to a friend E-mail to a friend
Share this on:
Mixx Facebook Twitter Digg del.icio.us reddit MySpace StumbleUpon
| Mixx it | Share
Copyright CareerBuilder.com 2009. All rights reserved. The information contained in this article may not be published, broadcast or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority
NEWS: Outsourcing joins billion dollar club
PETALING JAYA: Outsourcing in Malaysia has just become a billion-dollar business as revenue for the sector has jumped 18% to hit the US$1.1bil (RM3.6bil) mark this year, according to a report by Indian research firm, ValueNotes Database.
The figure includes revenue from IT services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge services, and is expected to grow 15% annually for the next five years. This is due to Malaysia’s multilingual capability and infrastructure, said the report.
Still, the Malaysian outsourcing sector cannot afford to rest on its laurels as outsourcing remains at less than 1% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Rather than relying on plain-vanilla call-centres, the report said that there are niches that local outsourcing companies could strive to fill. Some of the these niches include legal, engineering, manufacturing design and animation services.
Arun Jethmalani, chief executive officer of ValueNotes said that the key concern for the outsourcing industry in Malaysia is to move up the value chain to offer high value services, as opposed to highly commoditised services in IT or BPO.
“There is a huge market for specialised engineering design talents. With Malaysia’s experience in manufacturing and oil and gas services, it could look at moving into this area, instead of just callcentres,” he said.
“The billing rates for specialist jobs like this are two to three times that of a callcentre,” he added.
Bobby Varanasi, an outsourcing consultant, said that an example of a Malaysian company moving up the value chain in outsourcing is Strand Aerospace Sdn Bhd. The company does computer-aided stress testing on the aeroplane engines of Boeing and Airbus.
Outsourcing Malaysia chairman David Wong said that the country could also find an outsourcing niche in Islamic banking.
“Islamic banking is complex and we have 30 years of experience in it. We could cooperate with a Middle Eastern player to advance Islamic banking,” he said.
The figure includes revenue from IT services, Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge services, and is expected to grow 15% annually for the next five years. This is due to Malaysia’s multilingual capability and infrastructure, said the report.
Still, the Malaysian outsourcing sector cannot afford to rest on its laurels as outsourcing remains at less than 1% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product.
Rather than relying on plain-vanilla call-centres, the report said that there are niches that local outsourcing companies could strive to fill. Some of the these niches include legal, engineering, manufacturing design and animation services.
Arun Jethmalani, chief executive officer of ValueNotes said that the key concern for the outsourcing industry in Malaysia is to move up the value chain to offer high value services, as opposed to highly commoditised services in IT or BPO.
“There is a huge market for specialised engineering design talents. With Malaysia’s experience in manufacturing and oil and gas services, it could look at moving into this area, instead of just callcentres,” he said.
“The billing rates for specialist jobs like this are two to three times that of a callcentre,” he added.
Bobby Varanasi, an outsourcing consultant, said that an example of a Malaysian company moving up the value chain in outsourcing is Strand Aerospace Sdn Bhd. The company does computer-aided stress testing on the aeroplane engines of Boeing and Airbus.
Outsourcing Malaysia chairman David Wong said that the country could also find an outsourcing niche in Islamic banking.
“Islamic banking is complex and we have 30 years of experience in it. We could cooperate with a Middle Eastern player to advance Islamic banking,” he said.
Sunday, August 23, 2009
NEWS: Chinese portals have a field day
THE Chinese newspapers have always been seen to be more vocal and sensational compared with their English, Tamil or Bahasa Malaysia counterparts.
Government leaders, especially former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, often cited the Chinese newspapers as an example of freedom of the media whenever foreign reporters asked about the muzzling of local media.
However, if the politicians think that the Chinese mainstream newspapers are “free”, then they should read the news portals and blogs in cyber space.
It is a relatively new phenomenon but the Chinese reading public has embraced these Internet writers and commentators in a way never seen before. Many of them, especially the bloggers, have attained cult status.
Some attribute the rise of the Chinese portals and bloggers to the time when the credibility of the Chinese newspapers was being questioned. This was in 2001 when Nanyang Siang Pau – then a conservative Chinese daily – was purchased by the MCA from Hong Leong Holdings Bhd.
Others believe that it was when almost all the mainstream Chinese newspapers headquartered in the Klang Valley came under the single ownership of Sarawak timber and publishing tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King. This was about three years ago.
But it is most probably the advent of Internet technology that led to it, with blogsites like www.blogspot.com and www.wordpress.com making it easier for anyone to set up their own personal sites over the past two years.
Much as we hate to admit it, the improved Internet service in the country has given rise to news portals like MalaysiaKini, which introduced a Chinese language site in July 2005.
But the most popular local Chinese news portal is without doubt MerdekaReview, which was started by a former Sin Chew reporter a month after MalaysiaKini’s Chinese venture. These two portals are still run by journalists who maintain a certain level of journalistic standards.
However, there are other sites which are more forum-like in nature (www.malaysiafreenews.com and thefreemedia.com) where everyone and anyone is welcome to put in comments, gossip, rumours and a fair number of accurately-sourced stories. These sites have the tagline “everyone is editor-in-chief, reporter and writer”.
However, quite a number of the entries are planted; they are spiteful if not defamatory, but those who see through the ruse will go on the attack.
The March 8 general election not only brought forth a political tsunami but it also created a tidal wave of new Chinese news portals and bloggers who concentrate 100% on political news.
Sensing that more and more Chinese readers are turning to cyberspace, politicians from both sides of the political divide have also set up their own blogs and websites. Some of them, including MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, are now even releasing statements exclusively through their blogs or websites.
‘Professional gunfighters’
Besides Ong, other MCA politicians who have their own sites are his estranged deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, youth wing secretary-general Datuk Chai Kim Sen, Federal Territory youth chief Chew Lian Kheng and youth vocational training bureau head Lau Chin Kok.
Also blogging in Chinese are DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong and Kampung Tunku Assemblyman Lau Weng San.
Politicians are also known to have employed “professional gunfighters” who come out with blogs and websites to attack their enemies but their bias is pretty obvious and readers often see through it.
However, the websites and blogs of politicians are not as popular as those helmed by serving and former journalists.
Among them is Oriental Daily deputy news editor and political writer Lum Chih Feng who blogs on www.oceanlum.wordpress.com. His site has become so popular that he is often invited to give his views on various political issues at Chinese language forums.
It helps that he works for a newspaper that is perceived to be more independent as it does not belong to Tiong.
Other well-known bloggers are former China Press reporter Lim V Kiong, former editor-in-chief of Sin Bin Daily Cheah See Kian and former editor-in-chief of Nanyang Siang Pau Teo Bak Kim.
Chinese political bloggers are unique compared to their English and Malay counterparts because their writings are published elsewhere, including portals like MalaysiaKini as well as the Chinese newspapers.
Their articles are very current and usually on a topic of concern to the Chinese community. In the past month, they have been writing about the A(H1N1) flu outbreak, the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, the soured relationship between Ong and Dr Chua and the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).
These writers pull no punches and say it as they see fit.
However, in the past three days, these blogs have all been about the war of words between Ong and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is the CEO of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd – the turnkey developer of the PKFZ project.
Datuk Seri Tiong’s sensational claim that he had given RM10mil to Ong for party activities are stuff political commentators dream of, especially since they are both from the Barisan Nasional. Kuala Dimensi deputy CEO Datuk Faisal Abdullah also accused Ong of using the company’s private jet on five occasions without paying.
They have also given equal treatment to Ong’s reply and threat to sue the Bintulu MP and Barisan Backbenchers Club chairman.
These writers make full use of their command of Mandarin to give flowery descriptions of what they see as a “war between two giants”. Some do not even hide their bias and openly express their opinions as to who they think is telling the truth.
They are also openly rubbing their hands in glee and writing that they “could not wait for the next instalment of the quarrel between the two community leaders”.
Blogger Ng Sway Hua (www.ngswayhua.blogspot) posted a picture of Pinocchio with a long nose and the caption “who is telling lies?” on the main page of his blog.
“Do high ranking people tell lies? At this moment, is Dr Chua laughing? Can he laugh till the end?” wrote Ng, who is a UUM graduate from Penang.
Dr Chua has been dragged into the spat between Ong and Tiong because he is seen by these commentators as a beneficiary if the issue continues.
A visitor to the www.polibug.blog spot.com wrote: “You seem to be in a very good mood today.’’
The comment was made right after Datuk Seri Tiong made his accusations against Ong, and it is not surprising that the owner of polibug is none other than Howard Lim who is the MCA Batu Pahat youth deputy secretary and that Batu Pahat is the fortress of Dr Chua.
Lim had posted the flight schedules of Kuala Dimensi’s private jet even as the accusations were thrown at Ong. He seemed to know what was coming.
It has been non-stop politicking in the country since March 8 last year and without doubt, the Chinese blogsphere will have plenty of articles to keep their readers coming back for more.
Government leaders, especially former Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, often cited the Chinese newspapers as an example of freedom of the media whenever foreign reporters asked about the muzzling of local media.
However, if the politicians think that the Chinese mainstream newspapers are “free”, then they should read the news portals and blogs in cyber space.
It is a relatively new phenomenon but the Chinese reading public has embraced these Internet writers and commentators in a way never seen before. Many of them, especially the bloggers, have attained cult status.
Some attribute the rise of the Chinese portals and bloggers to the time when the credibility of the Chinese newspapers was being questioned. This was in 2001 when Nanyang Siang Pau – then a conservative Chinese daily – was purchased by the MCA from Hong Leong Holdings Bhd.
Others believe that it was when almost all the mainstream Chinese newspapers headquartered in the Klang Valley came under the single ownership of Sarawak timber and publishing tycoon Tan Sri Tiong Hiew King. This was about three years ago.
But it is most probably the advent of Internet technology that led to it, with blogsites like www.blogspot.com and www.wordpress.com making it easier for anyone to set up their own personal sites over the past two years.
Much as we hate to admit it, the improved Internet service in the country has given rise to news portals like MalaysiaKini, which introduced a Chinese language site in July 2005.
But the most popular local Chinese news portal is without doubt MerdekaReview, which was started by a former Sin Chew reporter a month after MalaysiaKini’s Chinese venture. These two portals are still run by journalists who maintain a certain level of journalistic standards.
However, there are other sites which are more forum-like in nature (www.malaysiafreenews.com and thefreemedia.com) where everyone and anyone is welcome to put in comments, gossip, rumours and a fair number of accurately-sourced stories. These sites have the tagline “everyone is editor-in-chief, reporter and writer”.
However, quite a number of the entries are planted; they are spiteful if not defamatory, but those who see through the ruse will go on the attack.
The March 8 general election not only brought forth a political tsunami but it also created a tidal wave of new Chinese news portals and bloggers who concentrate 100% on political news.
Sensing that more and more Chinese readers are turning to cyberspace, politicians from both sides of the political divide have also set up their own blogs and websites. Some of them, including MCA president Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat, are now even releasing statements exclusively through their blogs or websites.
‘Professional gunfighters’
Besides Ong, other MCA politicians who have their own sites are his estranged deputy Datuk Seri Dr Chua Soi Lek, youth wing secretary-general Datuk Chai Kim Sen, Federal Territory youth chief Chew Lian Kheng and youth vocational training bureau head Lau Chin Kok.
Also blogging in Chinese are DAP’s Bukit Bendera MP Liew Chin Tong and Kampung Tunku Assemblyman Lau Weng San.
Politicians are also known to have employed “professional gunfighters” who come out with blogs and websites to attack their enemies but their bias is pretty obvious and readers often see through it.
However, the websites and blogs of politicians are not as popular as those helmed by serving and former journalists.
Among them is Oriental Daily deputy news editor and political writer Lum Chih Feng who blogs on www.oceanlum.wordpress.com. His site has become so popular that he is often invited to give his views on various political issues at Chinese language forums.
It helps that he works for a newspaper that is perceived to be more independent as it does not belong to Tiong.
Other well-known bloggers are former China Press reporter Lim V Kiong, former editor-in-chief of Sin Bin Daily Cheah See Kian and former editor-in-chief of Nanyang Siang Pau Teo Bak Kim.
Chinese political bloggers are unique compared to their English and Malay counterparts because their writings are published elsewhere, including portals like MalaysiaKini as well as the Chinese newspapers.
Their articles are very current and usually on a topic of concern to the Chinese community. In the past month, they have been writing about the A(H1N1) flu outbreak, the Teoh Beng Hock inquest, the soured relationship between Ong and Dr Chua and the Port Klang Free Zone (PKFZ).
These writers pull no punches and say it as they see fit.
However, in the past three days, these blogs have all been about the war of words between Ong and Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing, who is the CEO of Kuala Dimensi Sdn Bhd – the turnkey developer of the PKFZ project.
Datuk Seri Tiong’s sensational claim that he had given RM10mil to Ong for party activities are stuff political commentators dream of, especially since they are both from the Barisan Nasional. Kuala Dimensi deputy CEO Datuk Faisal Abdullah also accused Ong of using the company’s private jet on five occasions without paying.
They have also given equal treatment to Ong’s reply and threat to sue the Bintulu MP and Barisan Backbenchers Club chairman.
These writers make full use of their command of Mandarin to give flowery descriptions of what they see as a “war between two giants”. Some do not even hide their bias and openly express their opinions as to who they think is telling the truth.
They are also openly rubbing their hands in glee and writing that they “could not wait for the next instalment of the quarrel between the two community leaders”.
Blogger Ng Sway Hua (www.ngswayhua.blogspot) posted a picture of Pinocchio with a long nose and the caption “who is telling lies?” on the main page of his blog.
“Do high ranking people tell lies? At this moment, is Dr Chua laughing? Can he laugh till the end?” wrote Ng, who is a UUM graduate from Penang.
Dr Chua has been dragged into the spat between Ong and Tiong because he is seen by these commentators as a beneficiary if the issue continues.
A visitor to the www.polibug.blog spot.com wrote: “You seem to be in a very good mood today.’’
The comment was made right after Datuk Seri Tiong made his accusations against Ong, and it is not surprising that the owner of polibug is none other than Howard Lim who is the MCA Batu Pahat youth deputy secretary and that Batu Pahat is the fortress of Dr Chua.
Lim had posted the flight schedules of Kuala Dimensi’s private jet even as the accusations were thrown at Ong. He seemed to know what was coming.
It has been non-stop politicking in the country since March 8 last year and without doubt, the Chinese blogsphere will have plenty of articles to keep their readers coming back for more.
NEWS: Cool connectivity
Trust the Scandinavians to design IT equipment that looks great and is easy to use.
I SHIVERED at the thought of an interview with an IT product designer, seeing that the extent of my IT savvy was e-mailing and looking for information on Google!
But how long could I remain a dinosaur? So, with a deep breath, I take the plunge and agree to a teleconference with Eskild Hansen, head of Cisco Consumer Business Group’s European Design Center.
Eskild Hansen believes that IT is changing the way humans live.
“IT is changing the way humans work, live, learn and play,” says Hansen.
He looks uncannily life-like although he is speaking through a television screen; webcams ensure we both get to see and hear each other perfectly. The latest gadgets and gizmos certainly do amazingly well to close the distance between Copenhagen and Kuala Lumpur – and I am sold!
This, Hansen says, is the future of how meetings will be conducted. The networking equipment is no longer impossible even for dummies like me to operate, nor are they ugly, bulky or difficult to use.
He claims the key to it all is design, and fortunately, Scandinavians – known for their clean and chic designs – are involved in revamping the image of these products.
“We started off with awkward-looking products that have evolved into what we term as the human network,” explains Hansen.
“We’ve seen changes in our society and how our lives evolve around the Internet. We believe technology can be used to bring us closer to each other in ways we’ve never done before!”
He presents a slide show which encapsulates how IT equipment used to be clumsy-looking and associated only with geeks. And then came the ugly home office sets with huge monitors and a tangle of wires, which then evolved into portable items that reflect our modern-day lifestyles.
“Today, when we see a picture of a young woman lounging on a sofa at home with her laptop, we can no longer tell if she is working, playing a game, watching a video, listening to music, or having a chat with someone from a different part of the world,” says Hansen.
“The digital culture is evolving to a point where we are connected wherever we are. You don’t even have to physically go to work to ‘be at work’ anymore. You can communicate, send or retrieve information, and even attend meetings using today’s new technology.
We might not know what a wireless router is but we would be proud to own these sleek things!
“This sort of integrated lifestyle is really the future, especially if you are in the information or media fields. We’d be left behind if we ignore these massive lifestyle changes and remain old fashioned!” he quips.
Research group, the Wireless Foundation, expects that wireless usage in Malaysia will increase to 96.8% in 2010 due to the rapidly growing usage of mobile devices.
Technology for the future
Cisco has always been a well-known networking solutions provider among enterprises, service providers and governments.
In May, it launched several user-friendly products for the Malaysian market designed to cater to a Media-Enabled Home.
“The earlier range of products was visually painful, according to the focus groups we put together to gauge feedback,” says Hansen.
“Many reported that the products were boxy, unattractive and downright weird with antennas sticking out. One customer said they looked like accessories from Star Trek!”
Design is about integrating technology with the creative process, Hansen explains. There are countless little details that go into the design, from the way it works to aesthetics, and consumers’ feelings when opening a package.
“Design is vital because, ultimately, the products revolve around how people use them and how they feel while using them,” says Hansen.
“That’s why we term it ‘The Human Network’. IT is not about a bunch of wires or incomprehensible equipment, but something humans use daily.”
Welcome to your shiny future. The more welldesigned hightech gadgets are, the more unintimidating and easy to use they will be. – Photos from Cisco
For example, Cisco’s new wireless router has evolved into a sleek, stylish black box that any user would be proud to place on his or her desk or mount on the wall. And every part has a specific purpose, says Hansen.
“The ‘wings’ wrapping around the router appears as though they are spreading like a wave, which is symbolic of sending out messages. People are concerned about speed, so we try to symbolise that through a sleek, shiny casing.”
He explains that Scandinavian design has such a wide appeal because it simplifies something that is complicated or cumbersome.
“Scandinavian design has a tradition of being functional, minimal and affordable. We always try to get the most out of the material we are working with and come up with the simplest possible solution to any challenge.”
Hansen believes that while IT can never replace human contact, it can bring people closer together.
“I believe that through IT, we can solve global issues and enable us to truly feel like we belong in one global village!”
I SHIVERED at the thought of an interview with an IT product designer, seeing that the extent of my IT savvy was e-mailing and looking for information on Google!
But how long could I remain a dinosaur? So, with a deep breath, I take the plunge and agree to a teleconference with Eskild Hansen, head of Cisco Consumer Business Group’s European Design Center.
Eskild Hansen believes that IT is changing the way humans live.
“IT is changing the way humans work, live, learn and play,” says Hansen.
He looks uncannily life-like although he is speaking through a television screen; webcams ensure we both get to see and hear each other perfectly. The latest gadgets and gizmos certainly do amazingly well to close the distance between Copenhagen and Kuala Lumpur – and I am sold!
This, Hansen says, is the future of how meetings will be conducted. The networking equipment is no longer impossible even for dummies like me to operate, nor are they ugly, bulky or difficult to use.
He claims the key to it all is design, and fortunately, Scandinavians – known for their clean and chic designs – are involved in revamping the image of these products.
“We started off with awkward-looking products that have evolved into what we term as the human network,” explains Hansen.
“We’ve seen changes in our society and how our lives evolve around the Internet. We believe technology can be used to bring us closer to each other in ways we’ve never done before!”
He presents a slide show which encapsulates how IT equipment used to be clumsy-looking and associated only with geeks. And then came the ugly home office sets with huge monitors and a tangle of wires, which then evolved into portable items that reflect our modern-day lifestyles.
“Today, when we see a picture of a young woman lounging on a sofa at home with her laptop, we can no longer tell if she is working, playing a game, watching a video, listening to music, or having a chat with someone from a different part of the world,” says Hansen.
“The digital culture is evolving to a point where we are connected wherever we are. You don’t even have to physically go to work to ‘be at work’ anymore. You can communicate, send or retrieve information, and even attend meetings using today’s new technology.
We might not know what a wireless router is but we would be proud to own these sleek things!
“This sort of integrated lifestyle is really the future, especially if you are in the information or media fields. We’d be left behind if we ignore these massive lifestyle changes and remain old fashioned!” he quips.
Research group, the Wireless Foundation, expects that wireless usage in Malaysia will increase to 96.8% in 2010 due to the rapidly growing usage of mobile devices.
Technology for the future
Cisco has always been a well-known networking solutions provider among enterprises, service providers and governments.
In May, it launched several user-friendly products for the Malaysian market designed to cater to a Media-Enabled Home.
“The earlier range of products was visually painful, according to the focus groups we put together to gauge feedback,” says Hansen.
“Many reported that the products were boxy, unattractive and downright weird with antennas sticking out. One customer said they looked like accessories from Star Trek!”
Design is about integrating technology with the creative process, Hansen explains. There are countless little details that go into the design, from the way it works to aesthetics, and consumers’ feelings when opening a package.
“Design is vital because, ultimately, the products revolve around how people use them and how they feel while using them,” says Hansen.
“That’s why we term it ‘The Human Network’. IT is not about a bunch of wires or incomprehensible equipment, but something humans use daily.”
Welcome to your shiny future. The more welldesigned hightech gadgets are, the more unintimidating and easy to use they will be. – Photos from Cisco
For example, Cisco’s new wireless router has evolved into a sleek, stylish black box that any user would be proud to place on his or her desk or mount on the wall. And every part has a specific purpose, says Hansen.
“The ‘wings’ wrapping around the router appears as though they are spreading like a wave, which is symbolic of sending out messages. People are concerned about speed, so we try to symbolise that through a sleek, shiny casing.”
He explains that Scandinavian design has such a wide appeal because it simplifies something that is complicated or cumbersome.
“Scandinavian design has a tradition of being functional, minimal and affordable. We always try to get the most out of the material we are working with and come up with the simplest possible solution to any challenge.”
Hansen believes that while IT can never replace human contact, it can bring people closer together.
“I believe that through IT, we can solve global issues and enable us to truly feel like we belong in one global village!”
NEWS: Creative release
Meet a physicist who helped shape today’s high-tech world.
TECHNOLOGICAL breakthroughs seem to be a dime a dozen in the last 20 years. Unlike the inventions of old, few of us know the folklore behind the machines and electronics we use every day.
Modern inventors, it seems, do not become household names like (Isaac) Newton or the Wright brothers, even if their inventions touch more lives than those of their illustrious predecessors.
Dr Curtis Carlson: Innovation is a discipline that can be taught and learned.
So, who invented the computer mouse? (At least two billion mice have been manufactured so far.) Who came up with high-definition television (HDTV), and how?
Enter Dr Curtis Carlson, president and chief executive officer of Stanford Research Institute (SRI) International, who was in Malaysia recently to host seminars and give talks about innovation and creativity.
The computer mouse, HDTV, Internet domain tags (.com and .gov, etc) and advanced robotic surgery are all landmark innovations credited to SRI, a non-profit research company.
Carlson, from Rhode Island, the United States, hails from a modest, middle-class family. His mother was a secretary and his father, a designer of industrial equipment such as pumps and valves. Following in his father’s footsteps, Carlson led the team that created the US HDTV standard, for which he won an Emmy award. He also co-wrote a book about the innovative process, titled Innovation: The Five Disciplines for Creating What Customers Want.
“Unlike the industrial era, we now live in a world of abundance, where improvements in knowledge-based products and services have no limits,” said Carlson, 64.
“Innovation, we believe, is the process of creating and delivering new customer value in the marketplace. It is a discipline, that can be taught and learnt. Without these principles our company would not have been able to conceive and create innovations that are at the cutting edge of science and technology.”
Carlson co-authored Innovation with William Wilmot, director and senior associate of The Collaboration Institute, which specialises in workplace communication and collaboration. In the book, they stress the importance of working on ideas that are needed in the relevant market, not just ideas that are interesting. Value creation and forming innovation teams are also crucial to achieving a marketable technological breakthrough, invention, business model or creative design.
“Having a good idea is not enough if you do not know what to do with it” Carlson adds. “James Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz did not realise the huge importance of the radio wave. Hertz’s experiments were expounded upon by others and that led to the birth of the wireless.”
Like many people, Carlson was not sure about his true calling as he was interested in many fields. At the age of 15, he was studying to be a professional violinist and was the youngest ever member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
However, Carlson stopped music to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He went on to obtain a master’s degree and his PhD in atmospheric physics from Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“I do think that my background as a musician and subsequently a physicist inspired my theory of the innovative process,” said Carlson. “My time as a violinist taught me that the right kind of discipline liberates creativity; the wrong kind suppresses it.
“As a physicist, I’m always looking for the fundamental aspects of things. What I have striven for my whole life is how to find the right kind of discipline and process to teach people how to liberate their creativity. This (innovative) process is certainly an artistic science.”
Thomas Edison believed that he had never failed in any experiment; he merely found 10,000 ways that did not work. In the same way, Carlson believes that one can only create and perfect an idea through “iteration”. Constant repetition, rethinking and adjusting are keys to creating a groundbreaking and, ultimately, marketable innovation.
“The idea is to iterate really fast so that you can fail fast to allow you to succeed quickly. Failing is part of the process,” he says.
Given the numerous award-winning inventions that have come from SRI, why is it that he and the company are not household names?
“Usually when we embark on a project, we form a new company. Therefore, SRI is not credited,” he explains. “We do not mind. I have always maintained that to achieve anything of true value in this industry, you need a little humility. I am reasonably well-known and I am more than happy with that.”
Although he is no longer part of any particular project since taking over the reins at SRI, Carlson enjoys teaching others what he knows.
“My research focus now is how to create the most productive and innovative organisation,” he says.
TECHNOLOGICAL breakthroughs seem to be a dime a dozen in the last 20 years. Unlike the inventions of old, few of us know the folklore behind the machines and electronics we use every day.
Modern inventors, it seems, do not become household names like (Isaac) Newton or the Wright brothers, even if their inventions touch more lives than those of their illustrious predecessors.
Dr Curtis Carlson: Innovation is a discipline that can be taught and learned.
So, who invented the computer mouse? (At least two billion mice have been manufactured so far.) Who came up with high-definition television (HDTV), and how?
Enter Dr Curtis Carlson, president and chief executive officer of Stanford Research Institute (SRI) International, who was in Malaysia recently to host seminars and give talks about innovation and creativity.
The computer mouse, HDTV, Internet domain tags (.com and .gov, etc) and advanced robotic surgery are all landmark innovations credited to SRI, a non-profit research company.
Carlson, from Rhode Island, the United States, hails from a modest, middle-class family. His mother was a secretary and his father, a designer of industrial equipment such as pumps and valves. Following in his father’s footsteps, Carlson led the team that created the US HDTV standard, for which he won an Emmy award. He also co-wrote a book about the innovative process, titled Innovation: The Five Disciplines for Creating What Customers Want.
“Unlike the industrial era, we now live in a world of abundance, where improvements in knowledge-based products and services have no limits,” said Carlson, 64.
“Innovation, we believe, is the process of creating and delivering new customer value in the marketplace. It is a discipline, that can be taught and learnt. Without these principles our company would not have been able to conceive and create innovations that are at the cutting edge of science and technology.”
Carlson co-authored Innovation with William Wilmot, director and senior associate of The Collaboration Institute, which specialises in workplace communication and collaboration. In the book, they stress the importance of working on ideas that are needed in the relevant market, not just ideas that are interesting. Value creation and forming innovation teams are also crucial to achieving a marketable technological breakthrough, invention, business model or creative design.
“Having a good idea is not enough if you do not know what to do with it” Carlson adds. “James Maxwell and Heinrich Hertz did not realise the huge importance of the radio wave. Hertz’s experiments were expounded upon by others and that led to the birth of the wireless.”
Like many people, Carlson was not sure about his true calling as he was interested in many fields. At the age of 15, he was studying to be a professional violinist and was the youngest ever member of the Rhode Island Philharmonic Orchestra.
However, Carlson stopped music to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Massachusetts. He went on to obtain a master’s degree and his PhD in atmospheric physics from Rutgers University in New Jersey.
“I do think that my background as a musician and subsequently a physicist inspired my theory of the innovative process,” said Carlson. “My time as a violinist taught me that the right kind of discipline liberates creativity; the wrong kind suppresses it.
“As a physicist, I’m always looking for the fundamental aspects of things. What I have striven for my whole life is how to find the right kind of discipline and process to teach people how to liberate their creativity. This (innovative) process is certainly an artistic science.”
Thomas Edison believed that he had never failed in any experiment; he merely found 10,000 ways that did not work. In the same way, Carlson believes that one can only create and perfect an idea through “iteration”. Constant repetition, rethinking and adjusting are keys to creating a groundbreaking and, ultimately, marketable innovation.
“The idea is to iterate really fast so that you can fail fast to allow you to succeed quickly. Failing is part of the process,” he says.
Given the numerous award-winning inventions that have come from SRI, why is it that he and the company are not household names?
“Usually when we embark on a project, we form a new company. Therefore, SRI is not credited,” he explains. “We do not mind. I have always maintained that to achieve anything of true value in this industry, you need a little humility. I am reasonably well-known and I am more than happy with that.”
Although he is no longer part of any particular project since taking over the reins at SRI, Carlson enjoys teaching others what he knows.
“My research focus now is how to create the most productive and innovative organisation,” he says.
NEWS: Microsoft, Yahoo, Amazon to fight Google book deal
SAN FRANCISCO: The fight against a legal settlement that would give Google Inc. the digital rights to millions of copyrighted books is starting to resemble a heavyweight brawl in the library.
Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. are joining a coalition that hopes to rally opposition to Google's digital book ambitions and ultimately persuade a federal judge to block or revise the Internet search leader's plans.
The group, to be called the Open Book Alliance, is being put together by the Internet Archive, a longtime critic of Google's crusade to make digital copies of as many printed books as possible. A growing number of critics already have filed objections to Google's book settlement, but none have the clout that the Open Book Alliance figures to wield with three of the world's best-known technology companies on board.
Peter Brantley, the Internet Archive's director of access, provided some of the details about the alliance's members and objectives in a Thursday interview. Both Microsoft and Yahoo have confirmed their intention to join the alliance.
Amazon declined to comment because the group hasn't been formally announced yet.
The Open Book Alliance also will include an assortment of nonprofit groups.
Among other things, the alliance will try to persuade the U.S. Justice Department that Google's broad settlement with authors and publishers could undermine competition in the digital book market just as more consumers are gravitating toward electronic readers like Amazon.com's Kindle.
In a bit of irony, the alliance is working closely with Gary Reback, a Silicon Valley lawyer who helped convince the Justice Department to file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft that tormented the software maker during the late 1990s.
Reback didn't respond to a message left late Thursday.
The Justice Department already is assessing the possible fallout from Google's book settlement, which is scheduled to be reviewed by U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in an Oct. 7 court hearing in New York.
Microsoft, Yahoo and Amazon all have financial reasons for objecting to the class-action lawsuit settlement that Google reached with authors and publishers 10 months ago. Amazon may have the most at stake, given that it's a major book seller and is mining the Kindle for even more sales.
Google plans to offer free access to some books through its search engine and sell others as part of a registry that will share revenue with authors and publishers if the class-action settlement is approved.
Opponents of the deal believe it will give Google too much pricing power, and have raised concerns about the company's ability to stockpile more personal data about the users of its search engines by tracking what they're reading.
"We see many disadvantages in this settlement," the Internet Archive's Brantley said.
Others see tremendous benefits. A wide cross-section of libraries, colleges and authors have endorsed Google's book settlement.
Mountain View-based Google argues that the settlement will be a boon for consumers, who will have easier access to potentially valuable information now gathering dust in remote library shelves. And, Google says, authors and publishers will be able to make more money from out-of-print books.
"The Google Books settlement is injecting more competition into the digital books space, so it's understandable why our competitors might fight hard to prevent more competition," Google spokesman Gabriel Stricker said. "That said, it's ironic that some of these complaints are coming from a company that abandoned its book digitization effort because it lacked 'commercial intent'."
Stricker was taking a stab at Microsoft, which abandoned its efforts to make digital book copies to focus on more profitable online opportunities.
Microsoft and Yahoo could be hurt if Google's expanded index of digital books propels even more traffic to its search engine. If that were to happen, Google might process even more search requests than it already does, allowing the company to show more of the text ads alongside search results that generate most of its revenue.
Hoping to siphon advertising away from Google, Microsoft and Yahoo last month announced a planned partnership in search.
The proposal, which still must be approved by the Justice Department, calls for Microsoft to run the search engine on Yahoo's web site in return for 12 percent of the revenue generated by accompanying ad sales. - AP
Microsoft Corp., Yahoo Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. are joining a coalition that hopes to rally opposition to Google's digital book ambitions and ultimately persuade a federal judge to block or revise the Internet search leader's plans.
The group, to be called the Open Book Alliance, is being put together by the Internet Archive, a longtime critic of Google's crusade to make digital copies of as many printed books as possible. A growing number of critics already have filed objections to Google's book settlement, but none have the clout that the Open Book Alliance figures to wield with three of the world's best-known technology companies on board.
Peter Brantley, the Internet Archive's director of access, provided some of the details about the alliance's members and objectives in a Thursday interview. Both Microsoft and Yahoo have confirmed their intention to join the alliance.
Amazon declined to comment because the group hasn't been formally announced yet.
The Open Book Alliance also will include an assortment of nonprofit groups.
Among other things, the alliance will try to persuade the U.S. Justice Department that Google's broad settlement with authors and publishers could undermine competition in the digital book market just as more consumers are gravitating toward electronic readers like Amazon.com's Kindle.
In a bit of irony, the alliance is working closely with Gary Reback, a Silicon Valley lawyer who helped convince the Justice Department to file an antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft that tormented the software maker during the late 1990s.
Reback didn't respond to a message left late Thursday.
The Justice Department already is assessing the possible fallout from Google's book settlement, which is scheduled to be reviewed by U.S. District Judge Denny Chin in an Oct. 7 court hearing in New York.
Microsoft, Yahoo and Amazon all have financial reasons for objecting to the class-action lawsuit settlement that Google reached with authors and publishers 10 months ago. Amazon may have the most at stake, given that it's a major book seller and is mining the Kindle for even more sales.
Google plans to offer free access to some books through its search engine and sell others as part of a registry that will share revenue with authors and publishers if the class-action settlement is approved.
Opponents of the deal believe it will give Google too much pricing power, and have raised concerns about the company's ability to stockpile more personal data about the users of its search engines by tracking what they're reading.
"We see many disadvantages in this settlement," the Internet Archive's Brantley said.
Others see tremendous benefits. A wide cross-section of libraries, colleges and authors have endorsed Google's book settlement.
Mountain View-based Google argues that the settlement will be a boon for consumers, who will have easier access to potentially valuable information now gathering dust in remote library shelves. And, Google says, authors and publishers will be able to make more money from out-of-print books.
"The Google Books settlement is injecting more competition into the digital books space, so it's understandable why our competitors might fight hard to prevent more competition," Google spokesman Gabriel Stricker said. "That said, it's ironic that some of these complaints are coming from a company that abandoned its book digitization effort because it lacked 'commercial intent'."
Stricker was taking a stab at Microsoft, which abandoned its efforts to make digital book copies to focus on more profitable online opportunities.
Microsoft and Yahoo could be hurt if Google's expanded index of digital books propels even more traffic to its search engine. If that were to happen, Google might process even more search requests than it already does, allowing the company to show more of the text ads alongside search results that generate most of its revenue.
Hoping to siphon advertising away from Google, Microsoft and Yahoo last month announced a planned partnership in search.
The proposal, which still must be approved by the Justice Department, calls for Microsoft to run the search engine on Yahoo's web site in return for 12 percent of the revenue generated by accompanying ad sales. - AP
NEWS: Touching base
From Facebook chats to student movements, a deputy minister goes all out to connect with the next generation.
KNOWN for his unconventional ways, it’s hardly suprising that Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is conducting his interview at a mamak restaurant.
It does make for a surreal experience however, when he pulls out an opposition newspaper column and sparks a discussion about local politics.
Saifuddin having an informal meeting with youth entrepreneurs to discuss his latest innitiative.- By AZMAN GHANI/The STAR
Holding court with the young people seated around him in such candour, it’s tough to be cynical about Saifuddin’s mission of reaching out to young Malaysians.
The phenomenon of politicians capitalising on new media platforms such as blogs and social networking websites may not be new, but having a minister chatting with you online is still novel enough.
“I started with a blog, which I still update, but it was too restrictive,” says Saifuddin.
“Facebook provides a casual setting for exchanges of ideas, and if I want to connect with young people I need to speak in their language. Naturally, this lead to my Facebook hour.”
Facebook feedback
Since April 1, Saifuddin’s Facebook hour has him live online every first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Due to its popularity, the “hour” has now been extended from 10pm to 12midnight.
Saifuddin’s Facebook foray is part of his “connecting young minds” project, or 3M (menyelami minda muda).
He admits that many were disbelieving about his online presence at first.
“We even uploaded a video of myself chatting on Facebook to convince everyone that I was for real.”
While not in the strastosphere of president Barack Obama’s millions, Saifuddin has garnered a respectable figure of about 3,500 Facebook friends so far.
“It’s not just filled with young people you know;there are quite a few young-at-heart professors as well,” he quips.
It is all very well to give students a soapbox, but is any topic taboo?
“Well, politics is a very hot topic, along with the price of food on campus,” says Saifuddin.
“A good deal of the discussions revolve around heavy issues, questions that any Malaysian citizen would ask; how serious is Umno about reform, is 1Malaysia just another propaganda tool, and of course, calls for the complete abolishment of the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku).”
He speculates that students feel comfortable approaching him with any inquiry because of the sense of trust established between both parties.
“They are confident that I will not “expose” them if they approach me personally.
“I always believe that if you give young people a chance to speak up, they will.”
He relates an incident at a forum organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with around 3,800 students in attendance.
“A first-year undergraduate stood up to passionately criticise the mainstream press.
“I can’t comment on his opinions, but judging from the claps he received, the majority of the hall was in agreement,” Saifuddin said with a smile.
The moral of the story is thus: “Whether or not we agree with each other is irrelevant - the point is that we are able to be direct and open about the issues at hand.”
Student empowerment is Saifuddin’s all-encompassing catchphrase.
“Rather than focusing on how to make graduates more marketable, I think it makes more sense to enrich their attributes and facilitate their personal development.
“Won’t this automatically lead to higher employability?”
The theme of student empowerment is well chronicled in the minister’s first e-book, Kalau Saya Mahasiswa, which provides an overview of the student movement in Malaysia since the 1960s.
A former student activist himself, Saifuddin’s view of student empowerment is rooted in the fact that authorities need to believe in the concept in order to put into practice.
In this vein, his first plan of action is to restructure the mission statements of every IPTA’s student affairs department.
“We want student affairs officers to be more pro-student, and this needs to be outlined in an official format.
“If there’s only talk about ‘building world-class universities’, the need to build a student’s potential is not addressed.”
Arguably, fine-tuning rhetoric is pointless if not translated on a practical level - a notion that Saifuddin concedes with.
“It is ironic that we continously stress that students need to think for themselves, yet they can’t even run their own elections on campus,” he sighs.
“But we’re moving in the right direction, especially after the Auku amendments. Change never happens overnight.”
Doing it for themselves
Another element of the 3M series is that of youth entrepreneurship, which Saifuddin plans to mobilise through the newly proposed Entrepreneurship Development Consultative Council.
The difference between this new body and its host of predecessors aimed at producing business-savvy youth is the framework of support provided.
“Before this, there was no ‘incubator’ for students outside their campuses and many had a hard time obtaining loans from banks because they lacked practical experience,” Saifuddin elaborates.
“Now, we not only want to help students manage their own start-ups while they’re studying, but also bring in young entrepreneurs to act as mentors.”
One such potential mentor is Micheal Teoh, the co-founder of Youth Entrepreneurs Malaysia (YEM).
“YEM has already done quite a few public talks and programmes at IPTAs,” says Teoh.
“The youth entrepreneurs who conduct these activities are all volunteers who want to inspire others to go down the path that they have.”
Saifuddin adds that students will be able to relate to entrepreneurs who were still charting their way to success.
“This way, you can actually see the process and work-ethics needed to be a successful entrepreneur.”
Although this pet project seems less controversial that others, Saifuddin is determined to boil down all his ventures to one core idea.
“Entrepreneurship is all about acting on your initiative - that’s empowerment right there.”
KNOWN for his unconventional ways, it’s hardly suprising that Deputy Higher Education Minister Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah is conducting his interview at a mamak restaurant.
It does make for a surreal experience however, when he pulls out an opposition newspaper column and sparks a discussion about local politics.
Saifuddin having an informal meeting with youth entrepreneurs to discuss his latest innitiative.- By AZMAN GHANI/The STAR
Holding court with the young people seated around him in such candour, it’s tough to be cynical about Saifuddin’s mission of reaching out to young Malaysians.
The phenomenon of politicians capitalising on new media platforms such as blogs and social networking websites may not be new, but having a minister chatting with you online is still novel enough.
“I started with a blog, which I still update, but it was too restrictive,” says Saifuddin.
“Facebook provides a casual setting for exchanges of ideas, and if I want to connect with young people I need to speak in their language. Naturally, this lead to my Facebook hour.”
Facebook feedback
Since April 1, Saifuddin’s Facebook hour has him live online every first and third Wednesdays of the month.
Due to its popularity, the “hour” has now been extended from 10pm to 12midnight.
Saifuddin’s Facebook foray is part of his “connecting young minds” project, or 3M (menyelami minda muda).
He admits that many were disbelieving about his online presence at first.
“We even uploaded a video of myself chatting on Facebook to convince everyone that I was for real.”
While not in the strastosphere of president Barack Obama’s millions, Saifuddin has garnered a respectable figure of about 3,500 Facebook friends so far.
“It’s not just filled with young people you know;there are quite a few young-at-heart professors as well,” he quips.
It is all very well to give students a soapbox, but is any topic taboo?
“Well, politics is a very hot topic, along with the price of food on campus,” says Saifuddin.
“A good deal of the discussions revolve around heavy issues, questions that any Malaysian citizen would ask; how serious is Umno about reform, is 1Malaysia just another propaganda tool, and of course, calls for the complete abolishment of the Universities and University Colleges Act (Auku).”
He speculates that students feel comfortable approaching him with any inquiry because of the sense of trust established between both parties.
“They are confident that I will not “expose” them if they approach me personally.
“I always believe that if you give young people a chance to speak up, they will.”
He relates an incident at a forum organised by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) with around 3,800 students in attendance.
“A first-year undergraduate stood up to passionately criticise the mainstream press.
“I can’t comment on his opinions, but judging from the claps he received, the majority of the hall was in agreement,” Saifuddin said with a smile.
The moral of the story is thus: “Whether or not we agree with each other is irrelevant - the point is that we are able to be direct and open about the issues at hand.”
Student empowerment is Saifuddin’s all-encompassing catchphrase.
“Rather than focusing on how to make graduates more marketable, I think it makes more sense to enrich their attributes and facilitate their personal development.
“Won’t this automatically lead to higher employability?”
The theme of student empowerment is well chronicled in the minister’s first e-book, Kalau Saya Mahasiswa, which provides an overview of the student movement in Malaysia since the 1960s.
A former student activist himself, Saifuddin’s view of student empowerment is rooted in the fact that authorities need to believe in the concept in order to put into practice.
In this vein, his first plan of action is to restructure the mission statements of every IPTA’s student affairs department.
“We want student affairs officers to be more pro-student, and this needs to be outlined in an official format.
“If there’s only talk about ‘building world-class universities’, the need to build a student’s potential is not addressed.”
Arguably, fine-tuning rhetoric is pointless if not translated on a practical level - a notion that Saifuddin concedes with.
“It is ironic that we continously stress that students need to think for themselves, yet they can’t even run their own elections on campus,” he sighs.
“But we’re moving in the right direction, especially after the Auku amendments. Change never happens overnight.”
Doing it for themselves
Another element of the 3M series is that of youth entrepreneurship, which Saifuddin plans to mobilise through the newly proposed Entrepreneurship Development Consultative Council.
The difference between this new body and its host of predecessors aimed at producing business-savvy youth is the framework of support provided.
“Before this, there was no ‘incubator’ for students outside their campuses and many had a hard time obtaining loans from banks because they lacked practical experience,” Saifuddin elaborates.
“Now, we not only want to help students manage their own start-ups while they’re studying, but also bring in young entrepreneurs to act as mentors.”
One such potential mentor is Micheal Teoh, the co-founder of Youth Entrepreneurs Malaysia (YEM).
“YEM has already done quite a few public talks and programmes at IPTAs,” says Teoh.
“The youth entrepreneurs who conduct these activities are all volunteers who want to inspire others to go down the path that they have.”
Saifuddin adds that students will be able to relate to entrepreneurs who were still charting their way to success.
“This way, you can actually see the process and work-ethics needed to be a successful entrepreneur.”
Although this pet project seems less controversial that others, Saifuddin is determined to boil down all his ventures to one core idea.
“Entrepreneurship is all about acting on your initiative - that’s empowerment right there.”
NEWS: Venture to sharpen tourism-focused ideas
PETALING JAYA: Cradle Fund Sdn Bhd has partnered with tourism technologies expert Creative Advances Technology (Cat) to develop and commercialise tourism-focused technologies.
They will collaborate on the Cat-Cradle Sota Technopreneur Programme, which will help technopreneurs come up with better ideas to suit the tourism sector, based on Cat’s Standard Online Tourism Architecture Platform (Sota).
According to the Malaysia Tourism report, about 22 million tourists arrived in the country last year and contributed about RM48bil to the local economy.
The Sota platform covers technology components for travel packages, hotel and flight bookings, as well as other technologies integral to the entire supply chain of the tourism industry.
Rohizam Mohd Yusoff, Cat chief executive officer, said the programme is aimed at increasing the number of tourism-focused applications built by Malaysian technopreneurs.
“We’ve used Sota to build applications and solutions for the tourism industry but I believe the industry will benefit from the development of even newer, more focused applications,” he said at a press conference after launching the programme here.
Sota, he said, is being used by about 750 major players in the tourism industry, such as airlines, travel agents, hotel chains, and state tourism authorities.
“Technopreneurs in this programme can be assured that there are ready customers for their products,” Rohizam said.
He said it will also present technopreneurs with a chance to tap into a lucrative market, estimated to be worth about US$200bil (RM720bil).
Know the needs
Cradle CEO Nazrin Hassan said about 4% of the ideas submitted to the pre-seed funding organisation are tourism focused.
Also, he said, “many technopreneurs fail because they don’t know enough about a particular industry’s needs.
“By encouraging them to work with domain experts, we believe we can help them mitigate the risk of such failures.”
Technopreneurs, Nazrin said, can always benefit from the ideas and feedback submitted by domain experts such as Cat.
In essence, domain experts can be mentors to those technopreneurs with industry-specific ideas, he said.
Cat will provide the budding technopreneurs with a platform on which to build their applications while Cradle will vet through and fund the viable ideas.
For more information on the programme and the Cradle innovation fund, head to
www.cradle.com.my.
They will collaborate on the Cat-Cradle Sota Technopreneur Programme, which will help technopreneurs come up with better ideas to suit the tourism sector, based on Cat’s Standard Online Tourism Architecture Platform (Sota).
According to the Malaysia Tourism report, about 22 million tourists arrived in the country last year and contributed about RM48bil to the local economy.
The Sota platform covers technology components for travel packages, hotel and flight bookings, as well as other technologies integral to the entire supply chain of the tourism industry.
Rohizam Mohd Yusoff, Cat chief executive officer, said the programme is aimed at increasing the number of tourism-focused applications built by Malaysian technopreneurs.
“We’ve used Sota to build applications and solutions for the tourism industry but I believe the industry will benefit from the development of even newer, more focused applications,” he said at a press conference after launching the programme here.
Sota, he said, is being used by about 750 major players in the tourism industry, such as airlines, travel agents, hotel chains, and state tourism authorities.
“Technopreneurs in this programme can be assured that there are ready customers for their products,” Rohizam said.
He said it will also present technopreneurs with a chance to tap into a lucrative market, estimated to be worth about US$200bil (RM720bil).
Know the needs
Cradle CEO Nazrin Hassan said about 4% of the ideas submitted to the pre-seed funding organisation are tourism focused.
Also, he said, “many technopreneurs fail because they don’t know enough about a particular industry’s needs.
“By encouraging them to work with domain experts, we believe we can help them mitigate the risk of such failures.”
Technopreneurs, Nazrin said, can always benefit from the ideas and feedback submitted by domain experts such as Cat.
In essence, domain experts can be mentors to those technopreneurs with industry-specific ideas, he said.
Cat will provide the budding technopreneurs with a platform on which to build their applications while Cradle will vet through and fund the viable ideas.
For more information on the programme and the Cradle innovation fund, head to
www.cradle.com.my.
NEWS: Building a bridge with lines of code
KUALA LUMPUR: The open-source community is abuzz over news that software giant Microsoft Corp has released 20,000 lines of its Windows Server operating system code to programmers using Linux, a rival open-source product.
Such an act was once thought to be near impossible because Microsoft, a proponent of proprietary software, has been a persistent critic of open-source software, i.e. software developed by volunteers who share their codes.
Still, several critics of Microsoft who are firmly on the open-source end of the field, are scoffing at the software giant’s decision to share its code. They said that 20,000 lines of code is just a drop of water in the ocean, since a program typically has millions of lines of code.
But other champions of open-source software see it as the first step to more co-operation between long-time rivals that will eventually benefit the users of both types of software.
Microsoft shares that view. “This is the first time Microsoft has released code to the open-source community,” said Akmal Jaafar, director of platform strategy at Microsoft Malaysia.
“We want to create better interoperability (between proprietary and open-source software),” he said. “Although it is a relatively small amount of code, it is a significant step in the right direction and enables more choice for software users.”
Helpful bits
The codes released by Microsoft, which include three Linux device drivers, have been submitted to the Linux kernel community.
It said the codes will help enhance the performance of the Linux operating system when it is virtualised on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V systems.
Among those cheering the move is recognised open-source guru Redhuan Oon, who is head of the ADempiere project — an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution developed and maintained by an international open-source community (see In.Tech, June 9).
“The open-source movement is akin to a dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant,” he said. “We are pleased that Microsoft is contributing to our cause and this is a win-win situation for our 30-nation ADempiere community.
“This (sharing of code) has never happened before and I believe this to be a landmark occasion and a conciliatory move by Microsoft.”
According to Oon, 80% of ADempiere ERP users are on systems that are Microsoft based. “We welcome any contribution, however small, to our cause,” he said.
Such an act was once thought to be near impossible because Microsoft, a proponent of proprietary software, has been a persistent critic of open-source software, i.e. software developed by volunteers who share their codes.
Still, several critics of Microsoft who are firmly on the open-source end of the field, are scoffing at the software giant’s decision to share its code. They said that 20,000 lines of code is just a drop of water in the ocean, since a program typically has millions of lines of code.
But other champions of open-source software see it as the first step to more co-operation between long-time rivals that will eventually benefit the users of both types of software.
Microsoft shares that view. “This is the first time Microsoft has released code to the open-source community,” said Akmal Jaafar, director of platform strategy at Microsoft Malaysia.
“We want to create better interoperability (between proprietary and open-source software),” he said. “Although it is a relatively small amount of code, it is a significant step in the right direction and enables more choice for software users.”
Helpful bits
The codes released by Microsoft, which include three Linux device drivers, have been submitted to the Linux kernel community.
It said the codes will help enhance the performance of the Linux operating system when it is virtualised on Windows Server 2008 Hyper-V or Windows Server 2008 R2 Hyper-V systems.
Among those cheering the move is recognised open-source guru Redhuan Oon, who is head of the ADempiere project — an enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution developed and maintained by an international open-source community (see In.Tech, June 9).
“The open-source movement is akin to a dwarf standing on the shoulders of a giant,” he said. “We are pleased that Microsoft is contributing to our cause and this is a win-win situation for our 30-nation ADempiere community.
“This (sharing of code) has never happened before and I believe this to be a landmark occasion and a conciliatory move by Microsoft.”
According to Oon, 80% of ADempiere ERP users are on systems that are Microsoft based. “We welcome any contribution, however small, to our cause,” he said.
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
NEWS: Pursuing e-education
IN a move towards improving online and distance learning in Asia, Asia e University (AeU) jointly organised a seminar with the Indian High Commission Malaysia and Indira Ghandhi National Open University (Ignou).
The seminar titled ‘Open and Distance Learning: Bridging the Knowledge Divide’ was held recently.
“We must pursue e-education proactively to bridge the gap between communities,” said AeU president and chief operating officer, Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed at the seminar launch.
AeU is a dual mode multinational university set up under the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
It collaborates with Higher Education Institutions and training centres in the 30 ACD countries to offer academic programmes and training.
From left: Pillai, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K Kantha, Sibal and Prof Ansary.
Prof Ansary added that the university has entered into many agreements with other institutions in countries such as Iran, Singapore, Cambodia, Kuwait, India and various European countries for the benefit of students.
“We will also tap on partners throughout the ACD countries to provide Asian-centric courses like Asian history and business,” he said.
Indian Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, who launched the seminar, believed distance learning is the future of international cooperation between universities.
“The cooperation between Ignou and AeU is a focused enterprise in expanding the wealth of knowledge both possess in different parts of the world,” he said.
“This is the future of dissemination of information.” he added.
He pointed out that like the health system, distance learning can bring education to the people as opposed to waiting for people to come to the institutions.
The problem, he said, would be how to attract the public with the products offered and maintaining quality and standards.
Ignou vice-chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai and pro vice-chancellor Dr K R Srivathsan and Wawasan Open University deputy vice-chancellor (strategy, planning and continuing education) Unni Kumaran Menon also spoke at the seminar.
They spoke on topics ranging from the use of ICT and e-Learning frameworks to distance learning resources.
The seminar titled ‘Open and Distance Learning: Bridging the Knowledge Divide’ was held recently.
“We must pursue e-education proactively to bridge the gap between communities,” said AeU president and chief operating officer, Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed at the seminar launch.
AeU is a dual mode multinational university set up under the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
It collaborates with Higher Education Institutions and training centres in the 30 ACD countries to offer academic programmes and training.
From left: Pillai, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K Kantha, Sibal and Prof Ansary.
Prof Ansary added that the university has entered into many agreements with other institutions in countries such as Iran, Singapore, Cambodia, Kuwait, India and various European countries for the benefit of students.
“We will also tap on partners throughout the ACD countries to provide Asian-centric courses like Asian history and business,” he said.
Indian Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, who launched the seminar, believed distance learning is the future of international cooperation between universities.
“The cooperation between Ignou and AeU is a focused enterprise in expanding the wealth of knowledge both possess in different parts of the world,” he said.
“This is the future of dissemination of information.” he added.
He pointed out that like the health system, distance learning can bring education to the people as opposed to waiting for people to come to the institutions.
The problem, he said, would be how to attract the public with the products offered and maintaining quality and standards.
Ignou vice-chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai and pro vice-chancellor Dr K R Srivathsan and Wawasan Open University deputy vice-chancellor (strategy, planning and continuing education) Unni Kumaran Menon also spoke at the seminar.
They spoke on topics ranging from the use of ICT and e-Learning frameworks to distance learning resources.
COMMENTS: Encourage learning English online
WE are now rolling up our sleeves to brainstorm together on how to improve English. Besides calling for a review of the English curriculum, Education Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and his team have also visited Edith Cowan University in Australia, and the university agreed to help Malaysian teachers and students to improve their English proficiency. Other than these efforts, I think we should also encourage students to learn English online.
In the pre-Internet era, people had to spend money to obtain English learning materials like books, magazines, dictionaries, newspapers, movies and documentaries.
Students from poor families who did not have access to good libraries were usually lagging behind their peers who could afford all the above-mentioned English learning materials.
Today, the discrepancy between the haves and have-nots in terms of English learning has indeed been narrowed by the Internet as long as one has a computer and broadband.
For news, English readers can simply log on to news sites such as BBC, CNN, Asia Sentinel, Time and The Guardian to get a glimpse of what is going on around the world. For expanding vocabulary, we have options like dictionary.com, Longman dictionary online version and idioms.thefreedictionary.com. For listening, we have youtube.com and we can listen to great English speakers like David Cameron and Obama. And for improving one’s knowledge, we have wikipedia and wikihow; and for further learning, youtube.com/edu and scitable.com.
These websites are our treasures in English learning and it’s all for free. All these learning materials are indeed just a click away when we have computers and broadband. English teachers and lecturers should encourage students to fully utilise these free resources so that everyone could learn by themselves through the Internet.
Perhaps with stronger self-learning ability among students, the burden of educators would be relieved a bit.
YEOW BOON KIAT,
Petaling Jaya.
In the pre-Internet era, people had to spend money to obtain English learning materials like books, magazines, dictionaries, newspapers, movies and documentaries.
Students from poor families who did not have access to good libraries were usually lagging behind their peers who could afford all the above-mentioned English learning materials.
Today, the discrepancy between the haves and have-nots in terms of English learning has indeed been narrowed by the Internet as long as one has a computer and broadband.
For news, English readers can simply log on to news sites such as BBC, CNN, Asia Sentinel, Time and The Guardian to get a glimpse of what is going on around the world. For expanding vocabulary, we have options like dictionary.com, Longman dictionary online version and idioms.thefreedictionary.com. For listening, we have youtube.com and we can listen to great English speakers like David Cameron and Obama. And for improving one’s knowledge, we have wikipedia and wikihow; and for further learning, youtube.com/edu and scitable.com.
These websites are our treasures in English learning and it’s all for free. All these learning materials are indeed just a click away when we have computers and broadband. English teachers and lecturers should encourage students to fully utilise these free resources so that everyone could learn by themselves through the Internet.
Perhaps with stronger self-learning ability among students, the burden of educators would be relieved a bit.
YEOW BOON KIAT,
Petaling Jaya.
NEWS: Intel route to surviving hard times
KUALA LUMPUR: It is normal for businesses to cut budgets during tough economic times but they should not stop investing in information technology, said chipmaker Intel Corp.
Instead, companies should look at how IT can help make their business operations more efficient and leaner so that they can weather the economic storm.
“IT is the central nervous system of any organisation today,” said John Johnson, vice-president and chief executive officer of Intel. “Even a short breakdown in IT can disrupt company productivity.”
The reality, he said, is that no matter how limited the funds a company has, it will still need to spend on technology.
That said, it would do any business good to understand its goals and to get its IT team working with the other company departments to reach those goals.
“They need to meet and agree on how spending a part of the company’s limited funds on technology can help push the business forward despite the difficult times,” Johnson said.
He said chief information officers (CIOs) and heads of the IT departments at companies should be mixing with those running the business, so that they can better understand what kind of technologies are needed to drive operations.
“This way, organisations can be more focused on reaching the goals they have set for themselves,” Johnson said. “Gone are the days when IT personnel were only called upon to solve computer problems.”
An IT department cannot work in isolation. “It needs connections to the business side of things so that it understands the business conditions and goals, and can orient its resources to achieve these,” said Johnson.
Learn from us
According to him, IT departments need to be trustworthy and prove that their suggestions can be beneficial to their companies.
“The more you’re able to suggest and if you execute the technologies that result in success, the more the company heads will listen to you,” he said, adding that it is also vital to have clear goals and priorities for boosting business productivity.
Companies, whether big or small, can take a leaf out of Intel’s book on how it coped with the current global economic crisis, he said.
The decisions Intel made in the face the recession, Johnson said, required funds but it was the clear direction and highlighted priorities that made the expenses worthwhile.
Like most companies, he said, Intel drew up a budget plan for various verticals in the organisation before the crisis.
However, it did not throw away this plan when the global recession hit and budgets were cut. Instead, it prioritised its goals and invested in technology that could help lessen the blow of a drawn out recession.
What we did
Among the steps taken by Intel was the consolidation of its datacentre to save on energy costs and to replace old, inefficient PCs to help drive productivity.
It also looked at newer ways to interact between colleagues and customers when the business travel budget was chopped.
Intel invested in a videoconferencing network, placed in strategic locations, to enable employees and clients to interact.
“We saw high utilisation of this in the company and it helped employees get their work done without having to attend face-to-face meetings,” Johnson said.
The vendor also considered social networking facilities, like chat clients and sites like Facebook and MySpace, to improve communication with its customers.
“Some companies may think such tools are merely for fun but they have to consider that that is how younger employees communicate today,” he said.
For Intel, Johnson said, such options helped create a collaborative platform for its people to communicate and work.
In what ever way companies decide to take to stay afloat in tough times, Johnson said, it is best for companies to take a step back and look at the value of those decisions.
This is especially critical when considering new technologies, especially those more popular with the younger generation, he said.
“Our chief executive officer, Paul Otellini, was shocked that I suggested Instant Messaging among company employees but now, Intel employees feel that they can’t be productive if that network is down,” he said.
Johnson said technology keeps marching forward and CIOs need to constantly evaluate how it can fit in with and benefit an organisation.
“Sometimes these technologies may not seem beneficial on a corporate level, but many times they really are,” he added.
Instead, companies should look at how IT can help make their business operations more efficient and leaner so that they can weather the economic storm.
“IT is the central nervous system of any organisation today,” said John Johnson, vice-president and chief executive officer of Intel. “Even a short breakdown in IT can disrupt company productivity.”
The reality, he said, is that no matter how limited the funds a company has, it will still need to spend on technology.
That said, it would do any business good to understand its goals and to get its IT team working with the other company departments to reach those goals.
“They need to meet and agree on how spending a part of the company’s limited funds on technology can help push the business forward despite the difficult times,” Johnson said.
He said chief information officers (CIOs) and heads of the IT departments at companies should be mixing with those running the business, so that they can better understand what kind of technologies are needed to drive operations.
“This way, organisations can be more focused on reaching the goals they have set for themselves,” Johnson said. “Gone are the days when IT personnel were only called upon to solve computer problems.”
An IT department cannot work in isolation. “It needs connections to the business side of things so that it understands the business conditions and goals, and can orient its resources to achieve these,” said Johnson.
Learn from us
According to him, IT departments need to be trustworthy and prove that their suggestions can be beneficial to their companies.
“The more you’re able to suggest and if you execute the technologies that result in success, the more the company heads will listen to you,” he said, adding that it is also vital to have clear goals and priorities for boosting business productivity.
Companies, whether big or small, can take a leaf out of Intel’s book on how it coped with the current global economic crisis, he said.
The decisions Intel made in the face the recession, Johnson said, required funds but it was the clear direction and highlighted priorities that made the expenses worthwhile.
Like most companies, he said, Intel drew up a budget plan for various verticals in the organisation before the crisis.
However, it did not throw away this plan when the global recession hit and budgets were cut. Instead, it prioritised its goals and invested in technology that could help lessen the blow of a drawn out recession.
What we did
Among the steps taken by Intel was the consolidation of its datacentre to save on energy costs and to replace old, inefficient PCs to help drive productivity.
It also looked at newer ways to interact between colleagues and customers when the business travel budget was chopped.
Intel invested in a videoconferencing network, placed in strategic locations, to enable employees and clients to interact.
“We saw high utilisation of this in the company and it helped employees get their work done without having to attend face-to-face meetings,” Johnson said.
The vendor also considered social networking facilities, like chat clients and sites like Facebook and MySpace, to improve communication with its customers.
“Some companies may think such tools are merely for fun but they have to consider that that is how younger employees communicate today,” he said.
For Intel, Johnson said, such options helped create a collaborative platform for its people to communicate and work.
In what ever way companies decide to take to stay afloat in tough times, Johnson said, it is best for companies to take a step back and look at the value of those decisions.
This is especially critical when considering new technologies, especially those more popular with the younger generation, he said.
“Our chief executive officer, Paul Otellini, was shocked that I suggested Instant Messaging among company employees but now, Intel employees feel that they can’t be productive if that network is down,” he said.
Johnson said technology keeps marching forward and CIOs need to constantly evaluate how it can fit in with and benefit an organisation.
“Sometimes these technologies may not seem beneficial on a corporate level, but many times they really are,” he added.
Monday, August 17, 2009
NEWS: Socialising sites are hacker heaven
PETALING JAYA: Social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter have become targets for phishing and scamming attacks as online criminals follow the latest Internet trends that attract the most users.
These criminals recognise the fact that communication through Facebook is all about personal connections and communities of friends, which involve a high level of trust.
When you receive a message on your Wall from one of your Facebook friends, it’s very different from receiving an anonymous e-mail or spam message, said F-Secure Corp, a maker of antivirus software and Internet security tools.
It is precisely this trusted environment — and its 250 million users worldwide — that makes Facebook such a tempting target for criminals.
Phishing and financial scams are based on creating a false sense of trust for the target of the attack, enabling the criminals to gain access to valuable information or direct financial gain.
There have been a series of bogus messages on Facebook from “friends” recently, asking for financial help, according to F-Secure.
Facebook users, it advised, should always treat such requests with caution and make a thorough identity check before sending any money, even when the messages appear to come from a family member or other trusted person.
Be safe
Sean Sullivan, a security advisor at F-Secure, said weak passwords provide a common way for criminals to hack into social networking sites.
“Their aim is to harvest contact lists, phone numbers and other information which they can sell to spammers or use in targeted attacks to make money,” he said.
The damage caused by a hacked Facebook account is all the greater if the same password is also used for the user’s e-mail account.
This means the criminals can easily reset all the user’s online passwords, get information about banking details and find answers to security challenge questions.
Sometimes the answers to personal security questions, for example middle names, house addresses and pets’ names, can even be found directly on Facebook.
“As the Facebook username consists of an e-mail address, it is essential that different passwords are used for logging into personal e-mail accounts and for logging into Facebook and other social networking sites,” Sullivan said.
“It is also a good idea to have different primary e-mail, business e-mail, and social-networking e-mail accounts.”
These criminals recognise the fact that communication through Facebook is all about personal connections and communities of friends, which involve a high level of trust.
When you receive a message on your Wall from one of your Facebook friends, it’s very different from receiving an anonymous e-mail or spam message, said F-Secure Corp, a maker of antivirus software and Internet security tools.
It is precisely this trusted environment — and its 250 million users worldwide — that makes Facebook such a tempting target for criminals.
Phishing and financial scams are based on creating a false sense of trust for the target of the attack, enabling the criminals to gain access to valuable information or direct financial gain.
There have been a series of bogus messages on Facebook from “friends” recently, asking for financial help, according to F-Secure.
Facebook users, it advised, should always treat such requests with caution and make a thorough identity check before sending any money, even when the messages appear to come from a family member or other trusted person.
Be safe
Sean Sullivan, a security advisor at F-Secure, said weak passwords provide a common way for criminals to hack into social networking sites.
“Their aim is to harvest contact lists, phone numbers and other information which they can sell to spammers or use in targeted attacks to make money,” he said.
The damage caused by a hacked Facebook account is all the greater if the same password is also used for the user’s e-mail account.
This means the criminals can easily reset all the user’s online passwords, get information about banking details and find answers to security challenge questions.
Sometimes the answers to personal security questions, for example middle names, house addresses and pets’ names, can even be found directly on Facebook.
“As the Facebook username consists of an e-mail address, it is essential that different passwords are used for logging into personal e-mail accounts and for logging into Facebook and other social networking sites,” Sullivan said.
“It is also a good idea to have different primary e-mail, business e-mail, and social-networking e-mail accounts.”
Sunday, August 16, 2009
NEWS: Putting an end to the write stuff
KUALA LUMPUR: The huge crowds that are attracted to automobile shows makes it difficult at times to even think, let alone try to get the contact details of people looking for a new car.
This was a problem faced by Sigma International Group Sdn Bhd, an event organiser for Honda cars in the country.
Its employees used to depend on pen and paper at such shows, having to fight the jostling crowd and make themselves heard above the din. Mistakes in the records were common place.
Then Sigma International discovered a more convenient and easier-to-use device that was the answer to their prayers.
It was the Axia A306, a PDA cellphone that can capture contact information on a MyKad, the chip-based national identity card.
With it, Sigma International employees at car shows can now get the information they want accurately and in seconds, just by scanning the MyKads.
The device is marketed by Fifth Media Sdn Bhd which was participating at the recent MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale. It was there that Sigma International happened on the A306.
Fifth Media is the global marketing arm of ENT Quest — the local R&D company with MSC Malaysia-status that developed the device — and ENT Broadband, the holding company.
“The A306 is reliable and easy to use. I took only five minutes to learn how to work it,” said Ken Chock, managing director of Sigma International.
“It also gets the job done fast so we can attend to more potential customers quickly.”
Technology push
Sigma International bought five units of the A306 and plan to use the product extensively during projects next year.
It is also planning to introduce the A306 in Honda showrooms nationwide, as well as to showrooms run by other carmakers, such as Proton.
Fifth Media, meanwhile, is partnering with software developers to have more applications running on the A306.
“We want to make our product even more attractive to companies,” said Kialee Phua, chief executive officer of Fifth Media.
“We already have a customer in Indonesia and one in Belgium. We have also been getting enquiries from businesses in Cambodia.”
Good response
The Great ICT Sale, held in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor, has been such a hit that its organiser, the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), wants to make it an annual event.
“It generated book sales totalling RM3.1mil (for Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and this is very encouraging,” said Rizatuddin Ramli, MDeC director. The Johor-leg of the event ended Aug 16.
Due to popular demand, MDeC is extending the event to KL Sentral here on Aug 20-21.
The Great ICT Sale was also held inconjunction with the National ICT Month (July 20 to Aug 20) organised by the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom).
MDeC, which is custodian of the country’s MSC Malaysia initiative, put together The Great ICT Sale to give local small- and medium-scale enterprises a boost, as well as to further develop the nation’s software development industry.
This was a problem faced by Sigma International Group Sdn Bhd, an event organiser for Honda cars in the country.
Its employees used to depend on pen and paper at such shows, having to fight the jostling crowd and make themselves heard above the din. Mistakes in the records were common place.
Then Sigma International discovered a more convenient and easier-to-use device that was the answer to their prayers.
It was the Axia A306, a PDA cellphone that can capture contact information on a MyKad, the chip-based national identity card.
With it, Sigma International employees at car shows can now get the information they want accurately and in seconds, just by scanning the MyKads.
The device is marketed by Fifth Media Sdn Bhd which was participating at the recent MSC Malaysia Great ICT Sale. It was there that Sigma International happened on the A306.
Fifth Media is the global marketing arm of ENT Quest — the local R&D company with MSC Malaysia-status that developed the device — and ENT Broadband, the holding company.
“The A306 is reliable and easy to use. I took only five minutes to learn how to work it,” said Ken Chock, managing director of Sigma International.
“It also gets the job done fast so we can attend to more potential customers quickly.”
Technology push
Sigma International bought five units of the A306 and plan to use the product extensively during projects next year.
It is also planning to introduce the A306 in Honda showrooms nationwide, as well as to showrooms run by other carmakers, such as Proton.
Fifth Media, meanwhile, is partnering with software developers to have more applications running on the A306.
“We want to make our product even more attractive to companies,” said Kialee Phua, chief executive officer of Fifth Media.
“We already have a customer in Indonesia and one in Belgium. We have also been getting enquiries from businesses in Cambodia.”
Good response
The Great ICT Sale, held in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor, has been such a hit that its organiser, the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC), wants to make it an annual event.
“It generated book sales totalling RM3.1mil (for Kuala Lumpur and Penang) and this is very encouraging,” said Rizatuddin Ramli, MDeC director. The Johor-leg of the event ended Aug 16.
Due to popular demand, MDeC is extending the event to KL Sentral here on Aug 20-21.
The Great ICT Sale was also held inconjunction with the National ICT Month (July 20 to Aug 20) organised by the Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom).
MDeC, which is custodian of the country’s MSC Malaysia initiative, put together The Great ICT Sale to give local small- and medium-scale enterprises a boost, as well as to further develop the nation’s software development industry.
NEWS: Taking governments from ‘e’ to ‘i’
KUALA LUMPUR: Oracle Corp is helping the public sector — which it regards as its biggest customer — improve on the efficiency and responsiveness of its services through its iGovernment roadmap.
The Oracle vision, which was first uncovered last year during the company’s annual conference and exhibition known as Oracle OpenWorld, is a roadmap that government agencies can use to make their services and policies better and more targeted.
According to Lalit Gupta — vice-president of the public sector and education industry business unit at Oracle Asia Pacific and Japan — iGovernment is about being innovative, integrated and intelligent.
“In our iGovernment vision, public sector services are more flexible and agile, and are able to interoperate between the different sectors while undergoing constant improvements based on user feedback,” he said at a media briefing recently.
The ultimate goal of the roadmap is to transform government service delivery, he said.
Mapping it out
As the first step to attaining iGovernment nirvana, Gupta said, public sector organisations need to be modernising their IT infrastructure.
This means transforming current silo-based legacy systems into open standards and adopting service oriented architecture (SOA) to put together services that can work across sectors in the organisation, he said.
“SOA is at the heart of the iGovernment strategy,” he said. It enables organisations to take components in their legacy systems and offer these as a service which can be added to as and when the organisation sees fit.
This approach, Gupta said, will allow organisations to take advantage of new technology while still utilising the content of existing systems.
“It does not make sense to just throw away years of data and policies in a legacy system and to immediately run new technology,” he said.
The public sector organisations should also be looking to move towards grid computing and virtualisation, which can that offer high computing power at lower cost.
“This is to enable the organisations to easily assign server resources to different service applications,” he said.
A consistent security policy that runs across all sectors completes this first step in achieving the iGovernment goal, Gupta said.
“Traditionally, security is silo-based. We are proposing enterprise-wide security policies that apply to all sectors,” he added.
Efficient and transparent
Another step in the transformation is to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the services or applications offered.
This, Gupta said, can be done by using shared services across every sector in the organisation.
Normally, shared services are limited to backoffice processes but Oracle is bringing it to the front office space so that organisations can leverage investments across a larger number of users.
He said such shared services offerings will also allow organisations to streamline their business processes and enable cross-agency processes.
“This also enables organisations to deliver more innovative services,” Gupta said.
Taking steps to increase efficiency and transparency also assures the integrity of operations.
As governance, risk and compliance become a big issue, public sector agencies need to apply the correct applications that deliver real-time visibility into the risks while at the same time allow organisations to implement controls for operational integrity, said Gupta.
Once these two steps have been completed, the organisations can then focus on transforming the service delivery platform.
The ideal service delivery platform in an iGovernment environment is a common platform that combines both frontend and backend applications.
This platform facilitates the use of master data in cross-agency deals and the embedding of business intelligence and analytics systems to monitor and improve the services offered.
Mass appeal
Oracle has been pitching its iGovernment vision to many countries and it claims the vision has been well received worldwide.
It claims the roadmap gives governments a better understanding of what they need to put in place in order to improve service delivery to their citizens.
“It’s also about improving the current eGovernment offerings that many nations have already rolled out,” Gupta said.
To learn more about Oracle’s iGovernment vision, go to
http://tinyurl.com/pxcsk8.
The Oracle vision, which was first uncovered last year during the company’s annual conference and exhibition known as Oracle OpenWorld, is a roadmap that government agencies can use to make their services and policies better and more targeted.
According to Lalit Gupta — vice-president of the public sector and education industry business unit at Oracle Asia Pacific and Japan — iGovernment is about being innovative, integrated and intelligent.
“In our iGovernment vision, public sector services are more flexible and agile, and are able to interoperate between the different sectors while undergoing constant improvements based on user feedback,” he said at a media briefing recently.
The ultimate goal of the roadmap is to transform government service delivery, he said.
Mapping it out
As the first step to attaining iGovernment nirvana, Gupta said, public sector organisations need to be modernising their IT infrastructure.
This means transforming current silo-based legacy systems into open standards and adopting service oriented architecture (SOA) to put together services that can work across sectors in the organisation, he said.
“SOA is at the heart of the iGovernment strategy,” he said. It enables organisations to take components in their legacy systems and offer these as a service which can be added to as and when the organisation sees fit.
This approach, Gupta said, will allow organisations to take advantage of new technology while still utilising the content of existing systems.
“It does not make sense to just throw away years of data and policies in a legacy system and to immediately run new technology,” he said.
The public sector organisations should also be looking to move towards grid computing and virtualisation, which can that offer high computing power at lower cost.
“This is to enable the organisations to easily assign server resources to different service applications,” he said.
A consistent security policy that runs across all sectors completes this first step in achieving the iGovernment goal, Gupta said.
“Traditionally, security is silo-based. We are proposing enterprise-wide security policies that apply to all sectors,” he added.
Efficient and transparent
Another step in the transformation is to ensure the efficiency and transparency of the services or applications offered.
This, Gupta said, can be done by using shared services across every sector in the organisation.
Normally, shared services are limited to backoffice processes but Oracle is bringing it to the front office space so that organisations can leverage investments across a larger number of users.
He said such shared services offerings will also allow organisations to streamline their business processes and enable cross-agency processes.
“This also enables organisations to deliver more innovative services,” Gupta said.
Taking steps to increase efficiency and transparency also assures the integrity of operations.
As governance, risk and compliance become a big issue, public sector agencies need to apply the correct applications that deliver real-time visibility into the risks while at the same time allow organisations to implement controls for operational integrity, said Gupta.
Once these two steps have been completed, the organisations can then focus on transforming the service delivery platform.
The ideal service delivery platform in an iGovernment environment is a common platform that combines both frontend and backend applications.
This platform facilitates the use of master data in cross-agency deals and the embedding of business intelligence and analytics systems to monitor and improve the services offered.
Mass appeal
Oracle has been pitching its iGovernment vision to many countries and it claims the vision has been well received worldwide.
It claims the roadmap gives governments a better understanding of what they need to put in place in order to improve service delivery to their citizens.
“It’s also about improving the current eGovernment offerings that many nations have already rolled out,” Gupta said.
To learn more about Oracle’s iGovernment vision, go to
http://tinyurl.com/pxcsk8.
Saturday, August 15, 2009
NEWS: 放寬媒體言論自由 張曉卿：免網絡謠言滋事
（古晉15日訊）世華媒體集團執行主席丹斯里拿督張曉卿爵士強調，既然抵制與遏阻網絡訊息流傳，已是不可能的任務，不妨廣開言路，讓傳統媒體擁有更大的言論自由，提升傳媒的公信力及放寬和擴大傳媒發布訊息的空間。
他說，只有這樣，社會才可能免除傳言的傷害，也讓人民對謠言產生抗體，善于判斷，也理智應對。不然，謠言就像一個氣球，越抓越跑，越飛越高。
他說，面對這樣局面，如果當政者不能與時併進，依然封閉自守，甚至在處理不同背景及源流的媒體上，採取多重標準，一手緊抓言論空間不放，一手又完全放鬆，無視或縱容某些媒體帶著政治議程來渲染種族矛盾和製造對立。這種一緊一松的手法，令人擔憂，也可能付出昂貴的代價。
張曉卿是昨晚在對面江砂拉越團結室內體育館舉行的《星洲日報》情義人間80年報慶文藝大匯演上致詞時，如是指出。
網絡技術迅速普及
他說，由于網絡技術的迅速普及，互聯網的涵蓋面越來越大，影響力也日益深遠，所以對網絡的態度，既不能長期困在懷疑、恐懼和排斥的維谷中，也不能毫無選擇的照單全收。
他說，隨著虛擬世界中危言聳聽的輿論及傳言四起，我們有絕對的理由擔憂，也相信網絡上的各類謠言，將不斷流竄，也借機滋事。
他說，一旦網絡上的傳聞流言，有人信以為真，也有人藉此隱匿自己的身分，故意做出各種惡意的攻擊和歪曲，就會創造社會的恐慌。這個時候，媒體的公信力，媒體人的專業和道德情操，就更顯得珍貴，而民智的提升和判斷力，也就更加刻不容緩。
冀速實現“一個大馬”
張曉卿說，結合大馬當下的政局與國情，儘管考驗嚴峻，卻是一個歷史的契機。 他說，但願在首相拿督斯里納吉具魄力、有遠見、有智慧領導之下，理想中的“一個馬來西亞”，能夠早日實現。
“我們對理想中的‘一個馬來西亞’，嚮往很久，對種族課題的喧鬧和爭論，已感到煩厭，對各項因為種族考量而設定的制度與束縛，也承受了太多的委屈和痛苦。”
他說，大家可看到，網絡謠言，是如何的在不久前中國新疆暴力的慘劇中，製造種族的矛盾與衝突，而且毫無公德的危言聳聽，如何的鼓動仇恨和情緒，最后演變成暴力流血事件。
他說，只有這樣，社會才可能免除傳言的傷害，也讓人民對謠言產生抗體，善于判斷，也理智應對。不然，謠言就像一個氣球，越抓越跑，越飛越高。
他說，面對這樣局面，如果當政者不能與時併進，依然封閉自守，甚至在處理不同背景及源流的媒體上，採取多重標準，一手緊抓言論空間不放，一手又完全放鬆，無視或縱容某些媒體帶著政治議程來渲染種族矛盾和製造對立。這種一緊一松的手法，令人擔憂，也可能付出昂貴的代價。
張曉卿是昨晚在對面江砂拉越團結室內體育館舉行的《星洲日報》情義人間80年報慶文藝大匯演上致詞時，如是指出。
網絡技術迅速普及
他說，由于網絡技術的迅速普及，互聯網的涵蓋面越來越大，影響力也日益深遠，所以對網絡的態度，既不能長期困在懷疑、恐懼和排斥的維谷中，也不能毫無選擇的照單全收。
他說，隨著虛擬世界中危言聳聽的輿論及傳言四起，我們有絕對的理由擔憂，也相信網絡上的各類謠言，將不斷流竄，也借機滋事。
他說，一旦網絡上的傳聞流言，有人信以為真，也有人藉此隱匿自己的身分，故意做出各種惡意的攻擊和歪曲，就會創造社會的恐慌。這個時候，媒體的公信力，媒體人的專業和道德情操，就更顯得珍貴，而民智的提升和判斷力，也就更加刻不容緩。
冀速實現“一個大馬”
張曉卿說，結合大馬當下的政局與國情，儘管考驗嚴峻，卻是一個歷史的契機。 他說，但願在首相拿督斯里納吉具魄力、有遠見、有智慧領導之下，理想中的“一個馬來西亞”，能夠早日實現。
“我們對理想中的‘一個馬來西亞’，嚮往很久，對種族課題的喧鬧和爭論，已感到煩厭，對各項因為種族考量而設定的制度與束縛，也承受了太多的委屈和痛苦。”
他說，大家可看到，網絡謠言，是如何的在不久前中國新疆暴力的慘劇中，製造種族的矛盾與衝突，而且毫無公德的危言聳聽，如何的鼓動仇恨和情緒，最后演變成暴力流血事件。
Friday, August 14, 2009
NEWS: 快捷通延长免费上网试验期 改善网络不足
槟城叶晓崧13日讯）基于技术问题，槟城快捷通将延长免费上网巴士试验期！
槟城快捷通原本于5月13日推介的2辆免费无线上网巴士，会在3个月试跑后，一旦反映理想就进一步扩展至所有巴士。如今3个月试跑期届满，快捷通决定延长实验期，进一步提升上网技术后，才扩展至其它巴士。
叶丽云：讯号不稳定
槟城快捷通创意及公关部经理叶丽云接受《光华日报》访问时表示，槟城快通目前拥有5辆免费上网巴士，而目前正等待网络公司提呈建议书，改善网络存有不足之处。
她提及，在这3个月实验期内，发现巴士驶至部份地点时，讯号出现不稳定状况，因此该公司要求负责装置上网设备公司提呈新建议书，改善上述问题。
她说，有关公司近期内将提呈建议书，提出解决问题的对策。她表示，快捷通接获改善建议书后，将在另外6辆巴士上安装上网设备，再进行测试。
换句话说，不久的将来，共有11辆巴士进行实验，一旦技术问题克服，才扩展至其它巴士。
她表示，即将安装上网设备，进行测试的巴士主要川行的路线为巴央巴鲁及亚依淡一带。她补充说，快捷通5辆免费上网巴士川行路线为光大往返直落巴巷、光大往返巴六拜国际机场。
槟城快捷通原本于5月13日推介的2辆免费无线上网巴士，会在3个月试跑后，一旦反映理想就进一步扩展至所有巴士。如今3个月试跑期届满，快捷通决定延长实验期，进一步提升上网技术后，才扩展至其它巴士。
叶丽云：讯号不稳定
槟城快捷通创意及公关部经理叶丽云接受《光华日报》访问时表示，槟城快通目前拥有5辆免费上网巴士，而目前正等待网络公司提呈建议书，改善网络存有不足之处。
她提及，在这3个月实验期内，发现巴士驶至部份地点时，讯号出现不稳定状况，因此该公司要求负责装置上网设备公司提呈新建议书，改善上述问题。
她说，有关公司近期内将提呈建议书，提出解决问题的对策。她表示，快捷通接获改善建议书后，将在另外6辆巴士上安装上网设备，再进行测试。
换句话说，不久的将来，共有11辆巴士进行实验，一旦技术问题克服，才扩展至其它巴士。
她表示，即将安装上网设备，进行测试的巴士主要川行的路线为巴央巴鲁及亚依淡一带。她补充说，快捷通5辆免费上网巴士川行路线为光大往返直落巴巷、光大往返巴六拜国际机场。
Thursday, August 13, 2009
NEWS: Dell eyes slice of SMB pie
KUALA LUMPUR: When it comes to adopting ICT (information and communications technology) solutions, small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) demand products that are simple and easy to manage, said PC maker Dell Asia Pacific.
“The solutions must also be reliable, scalable and secure,” said Khoo Teng Guan, Dell’s general manager (South Asia) for SMBs. “Also, the technologies should offer clear return-on-investment potential.”
He said these are some of the many concerns of SMBs when looking for ICT solutions that can help their businesses.
Another is that they prefer open standards-based technologies instead of proprietary-based products because SMBs do not want to be locked into a single vendor, Khoo said.
“They are also looking for IT vendors that can offer services such as next-business-day support or help via phone or the Internet,” he said.
With all these challenges, Dell believes that it has the ability to meet these demands. It said that it has a broad range of products designed for SMB needs.
“We have specific products, solutions, services and support tailored for them,” Khoo said.
Last year, SMBs contributed about 32% of the nation’s gross domestic product, making them a lucrative market for hardware and software vendors.
“The solutions must also be reliable, scalable and secure,” said Khoo Teng Guan, Dell’s general manager (South Asia) for SMBs. “Also, the technologies should offer clear return-on-investment potential.”
He said these are some of the many concerns of SMBs when looking for ICT solutions that can help their businesses.
Another is that they prefer open standards-based technologies instead of proprietary-based products because SMBs do not want to be locked into a single vendor, Khoo said.
“They are also looking for IT vendors that can offer services such as next-business-day support or help via phone or the Internet,” he said.
With all these challenges, Dell believes that it has the ability to meet these demands. It said that it has a broad range of products designed for SMB needs.
“We have specific products, solutions, services and support tailored for them,” Khoo said.
Last year, SMBs contributed about 32% of the nation’s gross domestic product, making them a lucrative market for hardware and software vendors.
NEWS: WiWi answer to last-mile headaches
PETALING JAYA: Three WiMAX licensees are deploying “WiWi” — a hybrid of WiMAX and WiFi wireless broadband technologies — developed by applied-research institute Mimos Bhd.
The licensees are Redtone International Bhd, Packet One Networks (P1) Sdn Bhd and Asiaspace Sdn Bhd. They are three of the four WiMAX licensees in the country.
Datuk Abdul Wahab, Mimos president and chief executive, said WiWi is a more feasible and cheaper alternative for last-mile connectivity. “It enables the users of WiFi to connect to the Internet at WiMAX broadband speeds,” he added.
“Last mile” refers to the final segment between an Internet or communications service provider’s infrastructure and a subscriber’s premises. The gap is traditonally bridged by a wired connection, such as copper phone lines.
In recent years, service providers have turned to wireless technologies to bridge the gap, since copper lines are more expensive to lay and sometimes aren’t feasible, such as in the case of isolated communities.
Mimos’ WiWi technology takes the wider coverage of a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) setup and links it to the cheaper WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) system to make the last-mile connection.
Using WiMAX technology exclusively would be very expensive at this point in time, while WiFi just doesn’t have the broadcast reach for such an expansive application.
Also, most computers and other Internet-enabled gadgets now are set up for WiFi connections instead of WiMAX, the specifications of which are still being standardised.
Boost the gain
“WiWi provides plug-and-play broadband hotspots and can enable multiple PCs to access the Internet via a single WiFi connection,” said Abdul Wahab.
He said it will also be easier, cheaper and faster to connect hotels, universities, schools, convention centres and rural communities to wireless broadband with WiWi.
Mimos also claimed that WiWi’s multicasting capability enables the technology to support high-quality Internet Protocol TV services.
Michael Lai, chief executive officer of P1, said the company sees much merit in using the hybrid technology to help bridge the “digital divide,” that gap between the technology haves and have-nots in the country.
“We will try it at the P1 Community Broadband Centre (CBC) in Chini Timur, Pahang,” he said. P1’s CBC was developed as a proof-of-concept telecentre for underserved areas.
On the other hand, Asiaspace and Redtone are looking at deploying WiWi in urban centres and will only take it to the rural areas later.
The licensees are Redtone International Bhd, Packet One Networks (P1) Sdn Bhd and Asiaspace Sdn Bhd. They are three of the four WiMAX licensees in the country.
Datuk Abdul Wahab, Mimos president and chief executive, said WiWi is a more feasible and cheaper alternative for last-mile connectivity. “It enables the users of WiFi to connect to the Internet at WiMAX broadband speeds,” he added.
“Last mile” refers to the final segment between an Internet or communications service provider’s infrastructure and a subscriber’s premises. The gap is traditonally bridged by a wired connection, such as copper phone lines.
In recent years, service providers have turned to wireless technologies to bridge the gap, since copper lines are more expensive to lay and sometimes aren’t feasible, such as in the case of isolated communities.
Mimos’ WiWi technology takes the wider coverage of a WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) setup and links it to the cheaper WiFi (Wireless Fidelity) system to make the last-mile connection.
Using WiMAX technology exclusively would be very expensive at this point in time, while WiFi just doesn’t have the broadcast reach for such an expansive application.
Also, most computers and other Internet-enabled gadgets now are set up for WiFi connections instead of WiMAX, the specifications of which are still being standardised.
Boost the gain
“WiWi provides plug-and-play broadband hotspots and can enable multiple PCs to access the Internet via a single WiFi connection,” said Abdul Wahab.
He said it will also be easier, cheaper and faster to connect hotels, universities, schools, convention centres and rural communities to wireless broadband with WiWi.
Mimos also claimed that WiWi’s multicasting capability enables the technology to support high-quality Internet Protocol TV services.
Michael Lai, chief executive officer of P1, said the company sees much merit in using the hybrid technology to help bridge the “digital divide,” that gap between the technology haves and have-nots in the country.
“We will try it at the P1 Community Broadband Centre (CBC) in Chini Timur, Pahang,” he said. P1’s CBC was developed as a proof-of-concept telecentre for underserved areas.
On the other hand, Asiaspace and Redtone are looking at deploying WiWi in urban centres and will only take it to the rural areas later.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
NEWS: Expert: Net filter can curb child porn
PETALING JAYA: An expert on East Asian affairs has argued for the use of mechanisms to check unlimited freedom of speech over the Internet as well as to curb child pornography and children’s access into inappropriate websites.
National University of Singapore’s East Asian Institute senior research fellow Dr Bo Zhiyue said the use of such mechanisms was healthy as it would filter out any communication which might harm the interests of others.
“Freedom of speech has its limitations. You cannot have unlimited freedom and impinge on the freedom of others. There should be boundaries,” he said after presenting a talk on “China’s Model of Democracy” in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
Dr Bo, who was commenting on the Government’s preventive measures against the Internet, said moves to implement a filter were also justified in an effort to curb child pornography and children’s access into inappropriate websites.
Asked whether the Government’s plan to censor the Internet would be an impediment to freedom of speech, he said the move would be able to block out negative behaviour but cautioned that this must be done in moderation and not be completely restrictive.
The talk is the first of a series of public lectures jointly organised by the Asian Centre for Media Studies, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) and Universiti Malaya’s Institute of China Studies.
The following talk, titled “The Xinjiang Riots: Challenges to China’s Leadership”, will be held at 10am today at Menara Star, Section 16, Petaling Jaya.
To register, send an e-mail to events@asianmediastudies.net with contact details.
The third talk, “Obama’s China Policy”, will be at 10am tomorrow.
For details, visit the website at http://ics.um.edu.my or call Susie Ling at 03-7956 5663 or e-mail chinastudies@um.edu.my.
National University of Singapore’s East Asian Institute senior research fellow Dr Bo Zhiyue said the use of such mechanisms was healthy as it would filter out any communication which might harm the interests of others.
“Freedom of speech has its limitations. You cannot have unlimited freedom and impinge on the freedom of others. There should be boundaries,” he said after presenting a talk on “China’s Model of Democracy” in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman here yesterday.
Dr Bo, who was commenting on the Government’s preventive measures against the Internet, said moves to implement a filter were also justified in an effort to curb child pornography and children’s access into inappropriate websites.
Asked whether the Government’s plan to censor the Internet would be an impediment to freedom of speech, he said the move would be able to block out negative behaviour but cautioned that this must be done in moderation and not be completely restrictive.
The talk is the first of a series of public lectures jointly organised by the Asian Centre for Media Studies, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (Utar) and Universiti Malaya’s Institute of China Studies.
The following talk, titled “The Xinjiang Riots: Challenges to China’s Leadership”, will be held at 10am today at Menara Star, Section 16, Petaling Jaya.
To register, send an e-mail to events@asianmediastudies.net with contact details.
The third talk, “Obama’s China Policy”, will be at 10am tomorrow.
For details, visit the website at http://ics.um.edu.my or call Susie Ling at 03-7956 5663 or e-mail chinastudies@um.edu.my.
NEWS: Plan to filter Internet scrapped, says Rais
PUTRAJAYA: Malaysia will use existing laws to tackle Internet abuse instead of putting in place a special filter to limit web use.
Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said there were sufficient laws to nab those responsible for negative practices.
“We will not filter the Internet but Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein), (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz) and I have been tasked to look at instances of sedition, fraud and child pornography.
“We will provide the relevant law and enforcement agencies with the necessary particulars for action to be taken.
“We have laws in this country, including those involving the Internet and everyone must abide by them. Perpetrators will have to answer if they break the law,” he told reporters after the launch of the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.
Rais also dismissed a foreign wire report that the Government was designing a software to block websites.
The report said that Malaysia was to cancel an Internet filter tender that drew comparisons with China’s ‘Green Dam’ project, which was aimed at halting the spread of pornography.
The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government would not impose any censorship of the Internet as such a move would be ineffective and cause dissatisfaction among the people.
Asked how immediate the crackdown on Internet abusers would be, Rais said: “You cannot imagine, maybe I can summarise by saying the task is ahead of us and we have to keep up.”
The minister said the National Security Council would also have to look at possible preventive measures in respect of negative practices on the Internet, but stressed that it would not involve “any sort of application”.
Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim said there were sufficient laws to nab those responsible for negative practices.
“We will not filter the Internet but Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein), (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz) and I have been tasked to look at instances of sedition, fraud and child pornography.
“We will provide the relevant law and enforcement agencies with the necessary particulars for action to be taken.
“We have laws in this country, including those involving the Internet and everyone must abide by them. Perpetrators will have to answer if they break the law,” he told reporters after the launch of the Fly the Jalur Gemilang campaign by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak yesterday.
Rais also dismissed a foreign wire report that the Government was designing a software to block websites.
The report said that Malaysia was to cancel an Internet filter tender that drew comparisons with China’s ‘Green Dam’ project, which was aimed at halting the spread of pornography.
The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government would not impose any censorship of the Internet as such a move would be ineffective and cause dissatisfaction among the people.
Asked how immediate the crackdown on Internet abusers would be, Rais said: “You cannot imagine, maybe I can summarise by saying the task is ahead of us and we have to keep up.”
The minister said the National Security Council would also have to look at possible preventive measures in respect of negative practices on the Internet, but stressed that it would not involve “any sort of application”.
NEWS: Govt cancels Net filter plan
PUTRAJAYA: The Government has cancelled its controversial plan to install filters at the country’s Internet gateways after a public hue and cry.
Malaysia will use existing laws to prevent Internet abuse instead of putting in place the special filter to limit web use, confirmed Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said there were sufficient laws to nab those responsible for “negative practices.”
“We will not filter the Internet but Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein), (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz) and I have been tasked to look for instances of sedition, fraud and child pornography.
“We will then provide the relevant law enforcement agencies with the necessary particulars for them to take action.
“This is what we will do. We have laws in this country, including those involving the Internet, and everyone must abide by them. Perpetrators will have to answer if they break the law,” he told reporters after the launch of the “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” campaign by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday.
Rais was commenting on a foreign wire report that Malaysia was to cancel the tender for an Internet filter system, saying he was not aware of the “existence” of the tender.
He stressed that the Government would not censor Internet use.
The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government would not impose any censorship of the Internet as such a move would be ineffective and could cause dissatisfaction among the people.
Asked how immediate the crackdown on Internet abusers would be, Rais said, “You cannot imagine, maybe I can summarise by saying the task is ahead of us and we have to keep up.”
The minister said the National Security Council would also have to look at possible preventive measures with respect to negative practices on the Internet, but added that it would not involved “any sort of application.”
Last week, The Star Online and other news portals reported that the Government had called for a tender for the system that has been compared with China’s “Green Dam” project.
Quoting a source with “direct knowledge of the tender,” Reuters on Wednesday reported that the tender has been cancelled after the idea was blocked by the prime minister.
Rais had earlier denied the proposed system would censor the Internet, and said the proposed system was to block pornography from being accessed by Malaysian children.
Reuters said it has a copy of the tender documents for the system which would:
* Evaluate the readiness and feasibility of the implementation of the Internet filter at (the) Internet gateway level; and
* Study gateway filters in countries that had implemented such measures and “find out (their) suitability for the Malaysian environment”;
China’s Green Dam project sought to install software filters on all computers sold in the country to block pornography and “other harmful content,” but has been put on the backburner because of technical issues and a rising tide of protest from civil society in and outside China.
Malaysia will use existing laws to prevent Internet abuse instead of putting in place the special filter to limit web use, confirmed Information, Communications, Culture and Arts Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim.
He said there were sufficient laws to nab those responsible for “negative practices.”
“We will not filter the Internet but Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin (Tun Hussein), (Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department) Datuk Seri Nazri (Aziz) and I have been tasked to look for instances of sedition, fraud and child pornography.
“We will then provide the relevant law enforcement agencies with the necessary particulars for them to take action.
“This is what we will do. We have laws in this country, including those involving the Internet, and everyone must abide by them. Perpetrators will have to answer if they break the law,” he told reporters after the launch of the “Fly the Jalur Gemilang” campaign by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak on Wednesday.
Rais was commenting on a foreign wire report that Malaysia was to cancel the tender for an Internet filter system, saying he was not aware of the “existence” of the tender.
He stressed that the Government would not censor Internet use.
The Prime Minister had earlier said that the Government would not impose any censorship of the Internet as such a move would be ineffective and could cause dissatisfaction among the people.
Asked how immediate the crackdown on Internet abusers would be, Rais said, “You cannot imagine, maybe I can summarise by saying the task is ahead of us and we have to keep up.”
The minister said the National Security Council would also have to look at possible preventive measures with respect to negative practices on the Internet, but added that it would not involved “any sort of application.”
Last week, The Star Online and other news portals reported that the Government had called for a tender for the system that has been compared with China’s “Green Dam” project.
Quoting a source with “direct knowledge of the tender,” Reuters on Wednesday reported that the tender has been cancelled after the idea was blocked by the prime minister.
Rais had earlier denied the proposed system would censor the Internet, and said the proposed system was to block pornography from being accessed by Malaysian children.
Reuters said it has a copy of the tender documents for the system which would:
* Evaluate the readiness and feasibility of the implementation of the Internet filter at (the) Internet gateway level; and
* Study gateway filters in countries that had implemented such measures and “find out (their) suitability for the Malaysian environment”;
China’s Green Dam project sought to install software filters on all computers sold in the country to block pornography and “other harmful content,” but has been put on the backburner because of technical issues and a rising tide of protest from civil society in and outside China.
NEWS: Need for online records to prove authenticity of Datukships
PETALING JAYA: Records of state titles such as Datukships should be made accessible online so that the public can verify the authenticity of the holders’ claims.
This can help reduce the number of bogus Datuks who erode the integrity of the holders of genuine titles.
National Council of Justices of Peace secretary-general Datuk M. Ramalin-gam said the recipients must be fully documented with their full names, IC numbers, current profession and the states the awards were from.
“There will be less instances of fake title-holders. Bogus Datuks must be brought to book or the integrity of the titles will be diluted,” he said.
Currently, individual state secretariats keep their own records of the titles awarded by the respective state palaces, with Selangor being the only state that allows the public to check the list of recipients online.
Selangor State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said a list made public would reduce the likelihood of impersonation taking place.
“We cannot tell other states what to do. But we have taken the lead by having a website to list the recipients of the titles in Selangor,” he said.
Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said the selection criteria should be made tighter so that the awards remain meaningful and noteworthy.
“These titles should not be awarded to people simply for doing their jobs. Only those who have sacrificed their time and resources to society should be considered,” he said.
Low said that while an official website with a list was a good idea, it would be better to tackle the selection process of candidates.
Malacca Council of Datuks vice-president Datuk Tan Cheng Swee said any national online directory would have to follow the protocols of the various state palaces because not all Datukships were the same and some were no longer in use.
However, its chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Nordin Md Amin said an individual’s title was a personal matter and should be kept confidential.
“But if we receive a report that a person has falsely claimed that he is a Datuk, then I can refer to the list and report the matter to police for action,” he said.
This can help reduce the number of bogus Datuks who erode the integrity of the holders of genuine titles.
National Council of Justices of Peace secretary-general Datuk M. Ramalin-gam said the recipients must be fully documented with their full names, IC numbers, current profession and the states the awards were from.
“There will be less instances of fake title-holders. Bogus Datuks must be brought to book or the integrity of the titles will be diluted,” he said.
Currently, individual state secretariats keep their own records of the titles awarded by the respective state palaces, with Selangor being the only state that allows the public to check the list of recipients online.
Selangor State Secretary Datuk Ramli Mahmud said a list made public would reduce the likelihood of impersonation taking place.
“We cannot tell other states what to do. But we have taken the lead by having a website to list the recipients of the titles in Selangor,” he said.
Transparency International Malaysia president Datuk Paul Low said the selection criteria should be made tighter so that the awards remain meaningful and noteworthy.
“These titles should not be awarded to people simply for doing their jobs. Only those who have sacrificed their time and resources to society should be considered,” he said.
Low said that while an official website with a list was a good idea, it would be better to tackle the selection process of candidates.
Malacca Council of Datuks vice-president Datuk Tan Cheng Swee said any national online directory would have to follow the protocols of the various state palaces because not all Datukships were the same and some were no longer in use.
However, its chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Nordin Md Amin said an individual’s title was a personal matter and should be kept confidential.
“But if we receive a report that a person has falsely claimed that he is a Datuk, then I can refer to the list and report the matter to police for action,” he said.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
NEWS: 慕尤丁：2012年起逐步轉換‧英語教數理2016全面廢除
（布城）副首相兼教育部長丹斯里慕尤丁今日（週二，8月11日）更正，英語教數理政策是從2012年開始逐步廢除，一直到2016年時才會全面在中小學廢除。
在政府推出的新“軟著陸”機制下，在2016年舉行的小六評估考試，以及2015年舉行的大馬教育文憑考試（SPM）的數理科將繼續以雙語進行。
慕尤丁在副首相辦公室召開新聞發佈會上針對他早前在訪問澳洲柏斯期間發表的廢除英語教數理政策課題做出更正。
這意味著只有到2016年後，大馬中小學才會全面廢除英語教數理政策，並以“鞏固國語加強英語政策”全面取而代之。
慕尤丁重申，政府是從2012年在一年級、四年級、中一和中四開始逐步廢除英語教數理政策，而中六及預科班則不受影響。
他說，政府將準備一個軟著陸機制，以減輕學生在轉換新政策時所面對的衝擊。
教育部“國語／母語教數理政策”軟著陸機制採取的步驟：
1.從2010年起，小學的數理科將繼續以雙語（國英、華英或淡英）教學，而中學的數理科也是繼續以雙語（國英語）教學。
2.2012年、2013年和2014年的四年級學生、2013年、2014年和2015年的五年級學生，以及2014年、2015年和2016年的六年級學生的數理科是以雙語教學，因此到2016年為止的小六評估考試中的數理科將會繼續以雙語進行。
3.2012年、2013年和2014年的中四學生、2013年、2014年和2015年的中五學生的數理科是以雙語教學，因此到2015年為止的大馬教育文憑考試中的數理科將會繼續以雙語進行。
歡迎家長查詢軟著陸機制
慕尤丁表示，很多家長看來對政府這項軟著陸機制不甚瞭解，因此他歡迎家長向教育部查詢。
慕尤丁也透露，他已在上週告知內閣有關這項軟著陸機制。
針對反對英語教數理政策聯盟要求政府立刻廢除政策而不是等到2012年，慕尤丁解釋，政府在做出決定前必須考慮很多方面，如是否有足夠的師資、教學設備和課本等，不能一夜之間說改就改。
擬定應對流感方案
另一方面，針對A（H1N1）型流感日愈嚴重是否影響學校考試的課題，慕尤丁重申，該部已擬定了應對方案，屆時該部將做出公佈。
在政府推出的新“軟著陸”機制下，在2016年舉行的小六評估考試，以及2015年舉行的大馬教育文憑考試（SPM）的數理科將繼續以雙語進行。
慕尤丁在副首相辦公室召開新聞發佈會上針對他早前在訪問澳洲柏斯期間發表的廢除英語教數理政策課題做出更正。
這意味著只有到2016年後，大馬中小學才會全面廢除英語教數理政策，並以“鞏固國語加強英語政策”全面取而代之。
慕尤丁重申，政府是從2012年在一年級、四年級、中一和中四開始逐步廢除英語教數理政策，而中六及預科班則不受影響。
他說，政府將準備一個軟著陸機制，以減輕學生在轉換新政策時所面對的衝擊。
教育部“國語／母語教數理政策”軟著陸機制採取的步驟：
1.從2010年起，小學的數理科將繼續以雙語（國英、華英或淡英）教學，而中學的數理科也是繼續以雙語（國英語）教學。
2.2012年、2013年和2014年的四年級學生、2013年、2014年和2015年的五年級學生，以及2014年、2015年和2016年的六年級學生的數理科是以雙語教學，因此到2016年為止的小六評估考試中的數理科將會繼續以雙語進行。
3.2012年、2013年和2014年的中四學生、2013年、2014年和2015年的中五學生的數理科是以雙語教學，因此到2015年為止的大馬教育文憑考試中的數理科將會繼續以雙語進行。
歡迎家長查詢軟著陸機制
慕尤丁表示，很多家長看來對政府這項軟著陸機制不甚瞭解，因此他歡迎家長向教育部查詢。
慕尤丁也透露，他已在上週告知內閣有關這項軟著陸機制。
針對反對英語教數理政策聯盟要求政府立刻廢除政策而不是等到2012年，慕尤丁解釋，政府在做出決定前必須考慮很多方面，如是否有足夠的師資、教學設備和課本等，不能一夜之間說改就改。
擬定應對流感方案
另一方面，針對A（H1N1）型流感日愈嚴重是否影響學校考試的課題，慕尤丁重申，該部已擬定了應對方案，屆時該部將做出公佈。
Sunday, August 9, 2009
NEWS: Cloud computing set to shine
UALA LUMPUR: Many businesses look at cloud computing as a platform for software-as-a-service, or SaaS. But enterprise software vendor Citrix Systems also sees it as a platform for infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS).
Michael Harries, director strategy and communications at Citrix Systems, said that in an IaaS setting, cloud computing enables companies to outsource activities in datacentres to external cloud providers.
Software architects, he said, can also take advantage of the technology in a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) environment and run the backend of their applications in the cloud, with the ability to deliver the programs to any device that connects to the Web.
Such is the flexibility of cloud computing that he believes it will change the way users — businesses and others — consume technology.
Through the SaaS model, users are able to access software from the Internet and run it as if the programs are stored on a computer’s hard disk. Web-based e-mail, such as Microsoft’s Hotmail and online wordprocessing software Google Docs, are examples of SaaS.
According to Harries, users need only connect to the Internet to access the software and because these applications are not stored on a PC hard disk, they can worry less about losing their data whenever the computer fails or is lost.
“All they would need to do is get a new machine, connect to the Web, and they’re back on track again,” he said.
Not for everyone
However, this does not spell the end for “on-premises software.” Harries said that such applications will continue to be relevant to users who are not well versed in Internet use.
“These help new users familiarise themselves with the computer and teach them how to use the software before they engage in Internet use,” he said. “Think of these as training wheels.”
Harries cautioned that cloud computing also presents several issues that need to be addressed before full-fledged convenience can be enjoyed.
Vendor lock-in is one such issue. Critics of cloud computing have warned that consumers are in danger of losing control over their data because they in effect hand over the maintenance and management of the information to cloud providers.
It will also be more difficult to switch between service providers. As an example, imagine the effort needed to merely shift personal information between social networking sites Facebook and MySpace, let alone corporate data between cloud providers.
Harries said the threat of vendor lock-in exists in these early days of cloud computing, which is why standardisation of the cloud is important.
Standardising the platform, he said, will enable vendors to offer their services more easily because different systems will be able to interoperate with each other but standardisation will also make it easy for users to swap service providers.
But make no mistake, he said. “Cloud computing is here to stay. Businesses that put this platform on the backburner will fall behind once the kinks are worked out.”
Given the flexibility that cloud computing offers, Harries added, its future prospects are bright as sunny skies.
Michael Harries, director strategy and communications at Citrix Systems, said that in an IaaS setting, cloud computing enables companies to outsource activities in datacentres to external cloud providers.
Software architects, he said, can also take advantage of the technology in a platform-as-a-service (PaaS) environment and run the backend of their applications in the cloud, with the ability to deliver the programs to any device that connects to the Web.
Such is the flexibility of cloud computing that he believes it will change the way users — businesses and others — consume technology.
Through the SaaS model, users are able to access software from the Internet and run it as if the programs are stored on a computer’s hard disk. Web-based e-mail, such as Microsoft’s Hotmail and online wordprocessing software Google Docs, are examples of SaaS.
According to Harries, users need only connect to the Internet to access the software and because these applications are not stored on a PC hard disk, they can worry less about losing their data whenever the computer fails or is lost.
“All they would need to do is get a new machine, connect to the Web, and they’re back on track again,” he said.
Not for everyone
However, this does not spell the end for “on-premises software.” Harries said that such applications will continue to be relevant to users who are not well versed in Internet use.
“These help new users familiarise themselves with the computer and teach them how to use the software before they engage in Internet use,” he said. “Think of these as training wheels.”
Harries cautioned that cloud computing also presents several issues that need to be addressed before full-fledged convenience can be enjoyed.
Vendor lock-in is one such issue. Critics of cloud computing have warned that consumers are in danger of losing control over their data because they in effect hand over the maintenance and management of the information to cloud providers.
It will also be more difficult to switch between service providers. As an example, imagine the effort needed to merely shift personal information between social networking sites Facebook and MySpace, let alone corporate data between cloud providers.
Harries said the threat of vendor lock-in exists in these early days of cloud computing, which is why standardisation of the cloud is important.
Standardising the platform, he said, will enable vendors to offer their services more easily because different systems will be able to interoperate with each other but standardisation will also make it easy for users to swap service providers.
But make no mistake, he said. “Cloud computing is here to stay. Businesses that put this platform on the backburner will fall behind once the kinks are worked out.”
Given the flexibility that cloud computing offers, Harries added, its future prospects are bright as sunny skies.
NEWS: Internet users upset over Govt’s filter attempt
PETALING JAYA: Online and wire agency reports that the Government is mulling an Internet filtering system similar to China’s controversial “Green Dam” project has got the local online community in a huff, while technology experts questioned the viability of the project.
Online portals and wire agencies reported earlier Thursday that the Government has called for a tender for a system that could block “undesirable websites.”
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim, whose ministry issued the tender, also plans to secure direct control over the content and monitoring division of Malaysia’s Internet regulator, Reuters quoted a source as saying.
Rais himself said last month that he would introduce measures to “control the bad” elements on the Internet.
Neither Rais, nor any of the government bodies related to technology, were available for comment at press time.
China’s Green Dam project sought to install software filters on all computers sold in the country to block pornography and “other harmful content,” but has been put on the backburner because of technical issues and a rising tide of protest from civil society in and outside China.
The Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom) was disappointed with what it said was the Malaysian Government’s attempt to censor the Internet.
“It has gone against its word to ensure the medium remains open and uncensored,” Pikom chairman David Wong said.
The MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees specifies that the Internet will not be censored to ensure the success of the MSC Malaysia initiative, he noted.
“It will also be difficult to filter ‘harmful content,’ especially that found in blogs, on the Internet as it knows no boundaries,” he said.
Wong said Internet users did not share their thoughts only on blogs, but also through social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, as well as chatrooms and forums.
He said a better and more viable measure would be to educate the public on the consquences of spreading harmful or irresponsible content.
Technology advocate Dinesh Nair said the Government’s efforts might just be in vain.
“They can try to filter the Internet but it won’t work,” he said.
He also believed that if the main reason was to block “undesirable content,” the Government would be better off using the educational approach.
If the Government were to block one “harmful site,” another would just pop up in its place, he added.
Internet users, he said, view online censorship as damaging and will always find ways to circumvent any such barrier.
“It’s better to educate the rakyat (people) to be proactive and identify these sites and exercise good Internet surfing habits, rather than censoring the Internet,” he said.
Artist and new media advocate Muid Latif said Internet censorship would only contribute to the negative growth of the Malaysian information and communications technology sector, especially in the area of creative content.
“This ridiculous restriction will reflect badly on Malaysia and potential investors will think twice about making an investment here,” he said.
Many in the Government have blamed the vibrant and critical Internet culture for Barisan Nasional’s losses in the 12th General Election in March last year, and there has been pressure from some quarters to muzzle the medium.
The Government had previously considered registering bloggers, many of whom are critical of the ruling coalition.
What our Citizen Bloggers say:
Malaysia considers China-style Internet censor
Online portals and wire agencies reported earlier Thursday that the Government has called for a tender for a system that could block “undesirable websites.”
Information, Communication and Culture Minister Rais Yatim, whose ministry issued the tender, also plans to secure direct control over the content and monitoring division of Malaysia’s Internet regulator, Reuters quoted a source as saying.
Rais himself said last month that he would introduce measures to “control the bad” elements on the Internet.
Neither Rais, nor any of the government bodies related to technology, were available for comment at press time.
China’s Green Dam project sought to install software filters on all computers sold in the country to block pornography and “other harmful content,” but has been put on the backburner because of technical issues and a rising tide of protest from civil society in and outside China.
The Association of the Computer and Multimedia Industry of Malaysia (Pikom) was disappointed with what it said was the Malaysian Government’s attempt to censor the Internet.
“It has gone against its word to ensure the medium remains open and uncensored,” Pikom chairman David Wong said.
The MSC Malaysia Bill of Guarantees specifies that the Internet will not be censored to ensure the success of the MSC Malaysia initiative, he noted.
“It will also be difficult to filter ‘harmful content,’ especially that found in blogs, on the Internet as it knows no boundaries,” he said.
Wong said Internet users did not share their thoughts only on blogs, but also through social network sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace, as well as chatrooms and forums.
He said a better and more viable measure would be to educate the public on the consquences of spreading harmful or irresponsible content.
Technology advocate Dinesh Nair said the Government’s efforts might just be in vain.
“They can try to filter the Internet but it won’t work,” he said.
He also believed that if the main reason was to block “undesirable content,” the Government would be better off using the educational approach.
If the Government were to block one “harmful site,” another would just pop up in its place, he added.
Internet users, he said, view online censorship as damaging and will always find ways to circumvent any such barrier.
“It’s better to educate the rakyat (people) to be proactive and identify these sites and exercise good Internet surfing habits, rather than censoring the Internet,” he said.
Artist and new media advocate Muid Latif said Internet censorship would only contribute to the negative growth of the Malaysian information and communications technology sector, especially in the area of creative content.
“This ridiculous restriction will reflect badly on Malaysia and potential investors will think twice about making an investment here,” he said.
Many in the Government have blamed the vibrant and critical Internet culture for Barisan Nasional’s losses in the 12th General Election in March last year, and there has been pressure from some quarters to muzzle the medium.
The Government had previously considered registering bloggers, many of whom are critical of the ruling coalition.
What our Citizen Bloggers say:
Malaysia considers China-style Internet censor
NEWS: Pursuing e-education
IN a move towards improving online and distance learning in Asia, Asia e University (AeU) jointly organised a seminar with the Indian High Commission Malaysia and Indira Ghandhi National Open University (Ignou).
The seminar titled ‘Open and Distance Learning: Bridging the Knowledge Divide’ was held recently.
“We must pursue e-education proactively to bridge the gap between communities,” said AeU president and chief operating officer, Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed at the seminar launch.
AeU is a dual mode multinational university set up under the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
It collaborates with Higher Education Institutions and training centres in the 30 ACD countries to offer academic programmes and training.
From left: Pillai, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K Kantha, Sibal and Prof Ansary.
Prof Ansary added that the university has entered into many agreements with other institutions in countries such as Iran, Singapore, Cambodia, Kuwait, India and various European countries for the benefit of students.
“We will also tap on partners throughout the ACD countries to provide Asian-centric courses like Asian history and business,” he said.
Indian Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, who launched the seminar, believed distance learning is the future of international cooperation between universities.
“The cooperation between Ignou and AeU is a focused enterprise in expanding the wealth of knowledge both possess in different parts of the world,” he said.
“This is the future of dissemination of information.” he added.
He pointed out that like the health system, distance learning can bring education to the people as opposed to waiting for people to come to the institutions.
The problem, he said, would be how to attract the public with the products offered and maintaining quality and standards.
Ignou vice-chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai and pro vice-chancellor Dr K R Srivathsan and Wawasan Open University deputy vice-chancellor (strategy, planning and continuing education) Unni Kumaran Menon also spoke at the seminar.
They spoke on topics ranging from the use of ICT and e-Learning frameworks to distance learning resources.
The seminar titled ‘Open and Distance Learning: Bridging the Knowledge Divide’ was held recently.
“We must pursue e-education proactively to bridge the gap between communities,” said AeU president and chief operating officer, Prof Datuk Dr Ansary Ahmed at the seminar launch.
AeU is a dual mode multinational university set up under the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).
It collaborates with Higher Education Institutions and training centres in the 30 ACD countries to offer academic programmes and training.
From left: Pillai, Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia Ashok K Kantha, Sibal and Prof Ansary.
Prof Ansary added that the university has entered into many agreements with other institutions in countries such as Iran, Singapore, Cambodia, Kuwait, India and various European countries for the benefit of students.
“We will also tap on partners throughout the ACD countries to provide Asian-centric courses like Asian history and business,” he said.
Indian Minister of Human Resource Development Kapil Sibal, who launched the seminar, believed distance learning is the future of international cooperation between universities.
“The cooperation between Ignou and AeU is a focused enterprise in expanding the wealth of knowledge both possess in different parts of the world,” he said.
“This is the future of dissemination of information.” he added.
He pointed out that like the health system, distance learning can bring education to the people as opposed to waiting for people to come to the institutions.
The problem, he said, would be how to attract the public with the products offered and maintaining quality and standards.
Ignou vice-chancellor Prof V N Rajasekharan Pillai and pro vice-chancellor Dr K R Srivathsan and Wawasan Open University deputy vice-chancellor (strategy, planning and continuing education) Unni Kumaran Menon also spoke at the seminar.
They spoke on topics ranging from the use of ICT and e-Learning frameworks to distance learning resources.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
NEWS: Human wave headed for telcos
KUALA LUMPUR: To accommodate the coming influx of mobile broadband users and stay competitive, telcos must take proactive steps now to upgrade the current infrastructure, said Mike Adams, head of sales for Nokia-Siemens Networks.
“We expect that by 2015, five billion people will be online (globally),” he said. “Most will get connected through mobile cellular broadband and the capacity we have now was not built to handle mobile connectivity on such a large scale.”
According to Nokia-Siemens, the mobile network infrastructure was built mainly for voice communication. Although Malaysia uses a combination of time-division multiplexing (TDM - built for voice) and Ethernet transport (built for packet data transfer), Adams believes there must be a swift paradigm shift to a full Ethernet system.
“There is no way TDM will be able to cope with the huge load in the future and increasing its capacity is a cumbersome exercise of adding more outdated equipment,” he said.
“The full Ethernet network is the future. This will run on ‘full packet’ backhaul — meaning that everything, including voice, gets transferred as data packets — and this increases the speed and effectiveness of the system exponentially.”
Potholes on the path
Nokia-Siemens admits that there are at this time several drawbacks to operating an Ethernet system.
“Right now, getting qualified individuals to manage an Ethernet system is difficult,” Adams said. “Training existing staff for the transformation is tedious and time consuming.”
It believes that cost of new equipment is not a major factor. “Of course, cost is (always) a factor but it is not the most pressing concern by any means,” said Adams.
The company offers a newer and more long-term solution for telcos, known as the FlexiPacket Microwave Radio, which combines carrier Ethernet transport with microwaves.
It said that, unlike the existing infrastructure, FlexiPacket requires no base-station shelter. It is also relatively small and can be installed atop buildings.
“This system has a highly sophisticated management system that eliminates the need for complicated configurations,” said Adams. “It is scalable up to 900Mbps (megabits per second) and what we call ‘zero footprint’ because you do not need to build anything to house it.”
“We expect that by 2015, five billion people will be online (globally),” he said. “Most will get connected through mobile cellular broadband and the capacity we have now was not built to handle mobile connectivity on such a large scale.”
According to Nokia-Siemens, the mobile network infrastructure was built mainly for voice communication. Although Malaysia uses a combination of time-division multiplexing (TDM - built for voice) and Ethernet transport (built for packet data transfer), Adams believes there must be a swift paradigm shift to a full Ethernet system.
“There is no way TDM will be able to cope with the huge load in the future and increasing its capacity is a cumbersome exercise of adding more outdated equipment,” he said.
“The full Ethernet network is the future. This will run on ‘full packet’ backhaul — meaning that everything, including voice, gets transferred as data packets — and this increases the speed and effectiveness of the system exponentially.”
Potholes on the path
Nokia-Siemens admits that there are at this time several drawbacks to operating an Ethernet system.
“Right now, getting qualified individuals to manage an Ethernet system is difficult,” Adams said. “Training existing staff for the transformation is tedious and time consuming.”
It believes that cost of new equipment is not a major factor. “Of course, cost is (always) a factor but it is not the most pressing concern by any means,” said Adams.
The company offers a newer and more long-term solution for telcos, known as the FlexiPacket Microwave Radio, which combines carrier Ethernet transport with microwaves.
It said that, unlike the existing infrastructure, FlexiPacket requires no base-station shelter. It is also relatively small and can be installed atop buildings.
“This system has a highly sophisticated management system that eliminates the need for complicated configurations,” said Adams. “It is scalable up to 900Mbps (megabits per second) and what we call ‘zero footprint’ because you do not need to build anything to house it.”
NEWS: Be smart with your smartphone
KUALA LUMPUR: Most smartphone owners are more concerned about losing their devices rather than that their phones may be compromised by hackers, said Russia-based computer security company Kaspersky Lab.
Sergey Nevstruev, director of mobile solutions at Kaspersky Lab, said it is certainly inconvenient when you lose your smartphone, along with all the information — confidential or not — that is stored on it.
However, he said, smartphone users would be smart to also be concerned about hackers getting to the data on these devices, especially those used by captains of industry or high-ranking government employees.
Nevstruev believes that the number of mobile malware (malicious software, such as viruses and trojans, that target portable devices) infections will spike in the next two years.
“Just one-and-a-half years ago, we were recording two to three malware signatures a week. Nowadays, we get two to three signatures a day,” he said.
He said cybercriminals are targeting smartphones because more and more these devices are being used to store confidential data, and are more frequently also being used as “mobile wallets” for electronic payments.
Also, smartphones are easier to hack into, compared to personal computers and computer networks. In addition, many computer users are wary of clicking on an unusual link these days, but most mobile phone owners are less wary of such risks.
“There are trojans that can get onto a phone by presenting themselves as dating, chatting or websurfing programs for users to download,” said Nevstruev.
Once it gets in, he said, the trojan program could steal by hijacking a user’s mobile account to send out premium SMSes. Or worse, copy out sensitive files for misuse or ransom.
Pain in the ... SMS
Less threatening but still a nuisance is mobile spam. Like spam on the PC, it is the bane of all phones, not just smartphones.
Nevstruev said that in China, the average cellular service subscriber receives six to 10 spam messages everyday.
The problem for now, he said, seems to be worse in some countries than in others. But the situation could escalate in the near future, as it did for PC users these past years.
He offered a few words of advice. Don’t be careless with your phone, especially if it’s a smartphone containing confidential data. Always keep your number as private as possible.
When downloading programs, double check the reliability of the source. And, always scan the phone’s memory regularly for malware with a reputable antivirus product.
Sergey Nevstruev, director of mobile solutions at Kaspersky Lab, said it is certainly inconvenient when you lose your smartphone, along with all the information — confidential or not — that is stored on it.
However, he said, smartphone users would be smart to also be concerned about hackers getting to the data on these devices, especially those used by captains of industry or high-ranking government employees.
Nevstruev believes that the number of mobile malware (malicious software, such as viruses and trojans, that target portable devices) infections will spike in the next two years.
“Just one-and-a-half years ago, we were recording two to three malware signatures a week. Nowadays, we get two to three signatures a day,” he said.
He said cybercriminals are targeting smartphones because more and more these devices are being used to store confidential data, and are more frequently also being used as “mobile wallets” for electronic payments.
Also, smartphones are easier to hack into, compared to personal computers and computer networks. In addition, many computer users are wary of clicking on an unusual link these days, but most mobile phone owners are less wary of such risks.
“There are trojans that can get onto a phone by presenting themselves as dating, chatting or websurfing programs for users to download,” said Nevstruev.
Once it gets in, he said, the trojan program could steal by hijacking a user’s mobile account to send out premium SMSes. Or worse, copy out sensitive files for misuse or ransom.
Pain in the ... SMS
Less threatening but still a nuisance is mobile spam. Like spam on the PC, it is the bane of all phones, not just smartphones.
Nevstruev said that in China, the average cellular service subscriber receives six to 10 spam messages everyday.
The problem for now, he said, seems to be worse in some countries than in others. But the situation could escalate in the near future, as it did for PC users these past years.
He offered a few words of advice. Don’t be careless with your phone, especially if it’s a smartphone containing confidential data. Always keep your number as private as possible.
When downloading programs, double check the reliability of the source. And, always scan the phone’s memory regularly for malware with a reputable antivirus product.
Monday, August 3, 2009
NEWS: Push for government spending
KUALA LUMPUR: The time is right for governments to invest heavily in information technology, said Springboard, a Singapore-based research company.
“Many think the recession is the worst since World War II but it is also the best time since then to invest in technology,” said Dane Anderson, Springboard CEO.
He said massive stimulus spending, citizens and businesses turning to governments for leadership, and new technology breakthroughs and innovations are the three factors that justify government decisions for new transformation initiatives.
According to Springboard’s research, there are several trends that governments can take advantage of to improve the delivery of services to the people.
One of these is new social media that can be used to reach out to the younger generation.
Anderson said today’s youth communicate differently compared to those of the previous generation and if governments want to get their messages across, they will need to take advantage of social media.
“There is already evidence of this taking place,” he said.
In Malaysia, the Prime Minister and several other government leaders have hopped onto microblogging service Twitter while Singapore is using Facebook, a popular social networking tool, to enable its youths to better express their views.
These new online platforms of communication have spawned a concept called e-democracy, which government leaders can use to gauge public sentiments on the various issues.
Such tools are already widely used in business as ways for companies to receive feedback from their customers so that they can constantly improve their products and services.
However, said Anderson, some governments are unwilling still to adopt such media due to the fear that it may lead to chaos or unrest among the people.
“Leaders can thwart these services or pull them into their spheres of influence, but it would be more logical to make use of these communications tools,” he said.
Site maintenance
Another trend is the injection of Web 2.0 capabilities into e-government websites to make them more user friendly.
Web 2.0 refers to the next-generation of the Internet that, among other design features, places more emphasis on communication, information sharing, and the forming of web communities.
Springboard’s research shows that some governments need to pull up their socks in this area. “Although there was an explosion of e-government websites between 1999 and 2005, many of these lack usability and have not been kept up-to-date,” Anderson said.
Also, amidst global pandemic risks, governments have turned to technology to help keep disease at bay and to administer proper and timely care to their citizens.
Technology solutions, such as thermal-imaging scanners and networks that aid in early detection and response, are a boon.
Eye on the pie
Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) is expecting a boost in revenue as governments increasingly use information technology to deliver services to the public.
The company has identified several opportunities in the public sector market, said Gerry Lim, director of sales for the government and civilian agencies, public sector, health and life sciences technology solutions group at HP Asia Pacific.
One is the introduction of an e-voting system. Although the introduction of such machines may take time because government policies need to be in place first, HP said the system could be introduced in a non-political setting, such as a company’s annual general meeting.
Once security, transparency and any other issues have been settled, Lim said, e-voting could initially replace postal votes during a general election. “It will take time but it is do-able,” he added.
Another opportunity that HP sees lies in the healthcare sector where high-performance computing can improve the quality of care given to patients.
Such technology can be the basis of a digital hospital where caregivers prioritise the needs of the patients in order to be more efficient.
“This enables caregivers to separate the patients that most need medical care from those who just want a glass of water,” Lim said.
HP also sees hospitals and clinics embracing cloud computing, allowing these facilities to access and maintain a central repository of virtual records so that doctors and other caregivers can have up-to-date patient information at their fingtertips.
Additionally, cloud computing reduces a user’s hardware and software costs because the applications or data is stored on the Web instead of on individual computers or servers maintained by each organisation.
“Many think the recession is the worst since World War II but it is also the best time since then to invest in technology,” said Dane Anderson, Springboard CEO.
He said massive stimulus spending, citizens and businesses turning to governments for leadership, and new technology breakthroughs and innovations are the three factors that justify government decisions for new transformation initiatives.
According to Springboard’s research, there are several trends that governments can take advantage of to improve the delivery of services to the people.
One of these is new social media that can be used to reach out to the younger generation.
Anderson said today’s youth communicate differently compared to those of the previous generation and if governments want to get their messages across, they will need to take advantage of social media.
“There is already evidence of this taking place,” he said.
In Malaysia, the Prime Minister and several other government leaders have hopped onto microblogging service Twitter while Singapore is using Facebook, a popular social networking tool, to enable its youths to better express their views.
These new online platforms of communication have spawned a concept called e-democracy, which government leaders can use to gauge public sentiments on the various issues.
Such tools are already widely used in business as ways for companies to receive feedback from their customers so that they can constantly improve their products and services.
However, said Anderson, some governments are unwilling still to adopt such media due to the fear that it may lead to chaos or unrest among the people.
“Leaders can thwart these services or pull them into their spheres of influence, but it would be more logical to make use of these communications tools,” he said.
Site maintenance
Another trend is the injection of Web 2.0 capabilities into e-government websites to make them more user friendly.
Web 2.0 refers to the next-generation of the Internet that, among other design features, places more emphasis on communication, information sharing, and the forming of web communities.
Springboard’s research shows that some governments need to pull up their socks in this area. “Although there was an explosion of e-government websites between 1999 and 2005, many of these lack usability and have not been kept up-to-date,” Anderson said.
Also, amidst global pandemic risks, governments have turned to technology to help keep disease at bay and to administer proper and timely care to their citizens.
Technology solutions, such as thermal-imaging scanners and networks that aid in early detection and response, are a boon.
Eye on the pie
Computer maker Hewlett-Packard Co (HP) is expecting a boost in revenue as governments increasingly use information technology to deliver services to the public.
The company has identified several opportunities in the public sector market, said Gerry Lim, director of sales for the government and civilian agencies, public sector, health and life sciences technology solutions group at HP Asia Pacific.
One is the introduction of an e-voting system. Although the introduction of such machines may take time because government policies need to be in place first, HP said the system could be introduced in a non-political setting, such as a company’s annual general meeting.
Once security, transparency and any other issues have been settled, Lim said, e-voting could initially replace postal votes during a general election. “It will take time but it is do-able,” he added.
Another opportunity that HP sees lies in the healthcare sector where high-performance computing can improve the quality of care given to patients.
Such technology can be the basis of a digital hospital where caregivers prioritise the needs of the patients in order to be more efficient.
“This enables caregivers to separate the patients that most need medical care from those who just want a glass of water,” Lim said.
HP also sees hospitals and clinics embracing cloud computing, allowing these facilities to access and maintain a central repository of virtual records so that doctors and other caregivers can have up-to-date patient information at their fingtertips.
Additionally, cloud computing reduces a user’s hardware and software costs because the applications or data is stored on the Web instead of on individual computers or servers maintained by each organisation.
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