having friends and relatives who work for call centers have made me open to the idea of also working in such job. they say it offers good pay, nice facilities for the staff and, hey, you could do other worthwhile stuff during the day (talk about multi-tasking).
what kept me from really trying to jump on the call center bandwagon is the fact that I wanted to use what i learned in college. i mean, i always thought that the only down side in working in call centers is that the brilliant minds of Filipinos are not put to good use.
reading the article on how it also affects the workers in the US, my first reaction was that they are just bitter. now that we can compete, after the years they enjoyed being on top, they can't complain if companies find it better to outsource to the Philippines.
but, going back to the down side, aren't Filipinos being shortchanged?
Saturday, February 17, 2007
thumbmarks
new technology never ceases to amaze me. as much as one try to keep up with the developments, it simply cannot be done. for example, a person will spend a whole day sorting through whatever new information is posted on the net. and each new information is linked to other information. that's one person for every other person keeping him/her up to date. ironically, he will never be up to date because of the bulk every other people send him.
even the fastest way of transferring information cannot fully provide one with everything. take our country, we are already trying to keep up with everything changing globally yet it will never be enough.
let's start some few years back. i remember that as a child, i wondered why people get their fingers dirty with ink whenever they sign something. i immitated putting thumbmarks on paper while i play "opisopisan". that was about 20 years ago and yet we still don't have a database of thumbmarks in the country. the NBI still refers to the Courts criminal history of people who apply for clearances. we still do the matching type which means one needs two fingerprints to compare.
fast track to the present. criminals have become more imaginative and technology is harder to keep up with. whenever i watch episodes of crime investigation series, i get carried away by the technology they use. at the back of my mind though, i know i will never be able to see them used in our country--- well not in the near future anyway. that' why i remind myself that these shows are only fictional. yet the way they present their investigations are so logical and the technology they use really makes sense. so i blame the government for not funding our technology well.
the article of the canadian child rescued through a plea on the net was really simple. yet if that were to happen in the country, can we rescue the victim?
even the fastest way of transferring information cannot fully provide one with everything. take our country, we are already trying to keep up with everything changing globally yet it will never be enough.
let's start some few years back. i remember that as a child, i wondered why people get their fingers dirty with ink whenever they sign something. i immitated putting thumbmarks on paper while i play "opisopisan". that was about 20 years ago and yet we still don't have a database of thumbmarks in the country. the NBI still refers to the Courts criminal history of people who apply for clearances. we still do the matching type which means one needs two fingerprints to compare.
fast track to the present. criminals have become more imaginative and technology is harder to keep up with. whenever i watch episodes of crime investigation series, i get carried away by the technology they use. at the back of my mind though, i know i will never be able to see them used in our country--- well not in the near future anyway. that' why i remind myself that these shows are only fictional. yet the way they present their investigations are so logical and the technology they use really makes sense. so i blame the government for not funding our technology well.
the article of the canadian child rescued through a plea on the net was really simple. yet if that were to happen in the country, can we rescue the victim?
Maybe you have received an e-mail like this:
THIS TOOK TWO PAGES OF THE TUESDAY USA TODAY - IT IS FOR REAL
To all of my friends, I do not usually forward messages, But this is from my friend Pearlas Sandborn and she really is an attorney. If she says that this will work - It will work.
After all,What have you got to lose?
SORRY EVERYBODY.. JUST HAD TO TAKE THE CHANCE!!!
I'm an attorney, And I know the law. This thing is for real. Rest assured AOL and nbs Intel will follow through with their promises for fear of facing a multimillion-dollar class action suitsimilar to the one filed by PepsiCo against General Electric not too long ago.
>>>>> Dear Friends: Please do not take this for a junk letter
>>>>> Bill Gates sharing his fortune... If you ignore this, You will
>>>>> repent later.
>>>>>>>>>> Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet companies
>>>>> and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the
>>>>> most widely used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an e-mail
>>>>> beta test.
>>>>>>>>>> When you forward this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and will
>>>>> track it
>>>>> (If you are a Microsoft Windows user) For a two weeks time period.
>>>>>>>>>> For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will
>>>>> pay you $245.00
>>>>> For every person that you sent it to that forwards it on,
>>>>> Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every third person that
>>>>> receives it,
>>>>> You will be paid $241.00. Within two weeks, Microsoft will
>>>>> contact you for your address and then send you a check.
>>>>>>>>>> Regards. Charles S Bailey General Manager Field Operations
>>>>> 1-800-842-2332 Ext. 1085 or 904-1085 or RNX 292-1085
>>>>>>>>>> Thought this was a scam myself, But two weeks after receiving
>>>>> this e-mail and forwarding it on.
>>>>> Microsoft contacted me for my address and within days, I received
>>>>> a check for $24, 800.00.
>>>>> You need to respond before the beta testing is over. If anyone
>>>>> can affoard this, Bill gates is the man.
>>>>>>>>>> It's all marketing expense to him. Please forward this to as many
>>>>> people as possible.
>>>>> You are bound to get at least $10, 000.00
>>>>> We're not going to help them out with their e-mail beta test
>>>>> without getting a little something for our time.
>>>>> My brother's girlfriend got in on this a few months ago. When I
>>>>> went to visit him for the Baylor/UT game,
>>>>> she showed me her check. It was for the sum of $4, 324.44 and was
>>>>> stamped "Paid In Full".
I do not like chain letters. Nor do I believe them. For someone who has to juggle several things everyday, chain letters irritate me because they are mails that crowd my space and take my time. Most of the time, I instantly delete them without even reading the contents. Yet, I have come across some which piqued my interest. As a social worker, articles about children asking for help through forwarding letters are harder to delete than those curse-laden letters promising money, love and safety.
Still, I’m having doubts if these letters are worth my time. A part of me is saying that if a simple click will help these children, then why not just forward the letters. On the other hand, it keeps me wondering if these letters really work or are they only scams using the net. If they are scams, who are to gain and how?
Asking my computer science graduate brother, he answered that it is possible to track down each mail sent. Therefore, it is possible that for every mail forwarded, someone gets a cent. According to him, they can easily track down these letters. More cynical than I, my brother does not believe Bill Gates will pay a person for every mail the latter distribute. He thinks the advertisements that pop out are really the point of these chain mails. Also, a friend shared that there is no way forwarding the chain letters will give cents to the “children”.
If these were true, then why do people still conjure up these letters and take the time to forward them? My friend said these are people who have nothing else to do. I would like to believe otherwise. Maybe someone can enlighten me on this? Reply or a grand piano will fall on your car this week.
THIS TOOK TWO PAGES OF THE TUESDAY USA TODAY - IT IS FOR REAL
To all of my friends, I do not usually forward messages, But this is from my friend Pearlas Sandborn and she really is an attorney. If she says that this will work - It will work.
After all,What have you got to lose?
SORRY EVERYBODY.. JUST HAD TO TAKE THE CHANCE!!!
I'm an attorney, And I know the law. This thing is for real. Rest assured AOL and nbs Intel will follow through with their promises for fear of facing a multimillion-dollar class action suitsimilar to the one filed by PepsiCo against General Electric not too long ago.
>>>>> Dear Friends: Please do not take this for a junk letter
>>>>> Bill Gates sharing his fortune... If you ignore this, You will
>>>>> repent later.
>>>>>>>>>> Microsoft and AOL are now the largest Internet companies
>>>>> and in an effort to make sure that Internet Explorer remains the
>>>>> most widely used program, Microsoft and AOL are running an e-mail
>>>>> beta test.
>>>>>>>>>> When you forward this e-mail to friends, Microsoft can and will
>>>>> track it
>>>>> (If you are a Microsoft Windows user) For a two weeks time period.
>>>>>>>>>> For every person that you forward this e-mail to, Microsoft will
>>>>> pay you $245.00
>>>>> For every person that you sent it to that forwards it on,
>>>>> Microsoft will pay you $243.00 and for every third person that
>>>>> receives it,
>>>>> You will be paid $241.00. Within two weeks, Microsoft will
>>>>> contact you for your address and then send you a check.
>>>>>>>>>> Regards. Charles S Bailey General Manager Field Operations
>>>>> 1-800-842-2332 Ext. 1085 or 904-1085 or RNX 292-1085
>>>>>>>>>> Thought this was a scam myself, But two weeks after receiving
>>>>> this e-mail and forwarding it on.
>>>>> Microsoft contacted me for my address and within days, I received
>>>>> a check for $24, 800.00.
>>>>> You need to respond before the beta testing is over. If anyone
>>>>> can affoard this, Bill gates is the man.
>>>>>>>>>> It's all marketing expense to him. Please forward this to as many
>>>>> people as possible.
>>>>> You are bound to get at least $10, 000.00
>>>>> We're not going to help them out with their e-mail beta test
>>>>> without getting a little something for our time.
>>>>> My brother's girlfriend got in on this a few months ago. When I
>>>>> went to visit him for the Baylor/UT game,
>>>>> she showed me her check. It was for the sum of $4, 324.44 and was
>>>>> stamped "Paid In Full".
I do not like chain letters. Nor do I believe them. For someone who has to juggle several things everyday, chain letters irritate me because they are mails that crowd my space and take my time. Most of the time, I instantly delete them without even reading the contents. Yet, I have come across some which piqued my interest. As a social worker, articles about children asking for help through forwarding letters are harder to delete than those curse-laden letters promising money, love and safety.
Still, I’m having doubts if these letters are worth my time. A part of me is saying that if a simple click will help these children, then why not just forward the letters. On the other hand, it keeps me wondering if these letters really work or are they only scams using the net. If they are scams, who are to gain and how?
Asking my computer science graduate brother, he answered that it is possible to track down each mail sent. Therefore, it is possible that for every mail forwarded, someone gets a cent. According to him, they can easily track down these letters. More cynical than I, my brother does not believe Bill Gates will pay a person for every mail the latter distribute. He thinks the advertisements that pop out are really the point of these chain mails. Also, a friend shared that there is no way forwarding the chain letters will give cents to the “children”.
If these were true, then why do people still conjure up these letters and take the time to forward them? My friend said these are people who have nothing else to do. I would like to believe otherwise. Maybe someone can enlighten me on this? Reply or a grand piano will fall on your car this week.
Friday, February 16, 2007
pornography
Imagine a girl about eight years old performing a sexual act for a boy about the same age. And I don't mean kissing or petting. As repulsive as that is, it is happening not just in other countries but in the Philippines. One would have many questions on this. Do they know what they are doing? Why did they do it? Where did they learn to do that?!
It has been a week since I learned about an incident like that happen to two children I am acquainted with. I am not really close to these children, but now that I think about it, I ask myself if I could have done something to prevent such. These two children are regulars in my office. Everyday they visit each room in our building and ask for food. I sometimes asked them about their parents but their answers are the standards. Father works ar the port or a "padyak" while mother is at home looking after the younger children.
So do they know what they are doing? I think not. Eight-year olds don't have any idea about sex. yes, to have sex is a basic drive but not until one's teens. Why did they do it? They answered that they were playing. Where did they learn to do it? From watching porn.
Pornography is as old as the printing press. Almost as soon as photography was invented, it was being used to produce pornographic images. Indeed some claim that pornography has been a driving force in the development of technologies from the printing press, through photography (still and motion) to video, satellite TV, VCD, and the Internet.
Technology is good. But as everything in the world, it should be regulated. There should be a law to prohibit these and it should be implemented strictly. Is this possible? It is but it will need effort by all people. As easy as information can be transferred, it is harder to find the sources of these. Like everything else, regulation will only be successful with the help of everyone.
It has been a week since I learned about an incident like that happen to two children I am acquainted with. I am not really close to these children, but now that I think about it, I ask myself if I could have done something to prevent such. These two children are regulars in my office. Everyday they visit each room in our building and ask for food. I sometimes asked them about their parents but their answers are the standards. Father works ar the port or a "padyak" while mother is at home looking after the younger children.
So do they know what they are doing? I think not. Eight-year olds don't have any idea about sex. yes, to have sex is a basic drive but not until one's teens. Why did they do it? They answered that they were playing. Where did they learn to do it? From watching porn.
Pornography is as old as the printing press. Almost as soon as photography was invented, it was being used to produce pornographic images. Indeed some claim that pornography has been a driving force in the development of technologies from the printing press, through photography (still and motion) to video, satellite TV, VCD, and the Internet.
Technology is good. But as everything in the world, it should be regulated. There should be a law to prohibit these and it should be implemented strictly. Is this possible? It is but it will need effort by all people. As easy as information can be transferred, it is harder to find the sources of these. Like everything else, regulation will only be successful with the help of everyone.
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
Meralco's Distribution Automation System (DAS)
The Distribution Automation System (DAS)is the nerve center of Meralco’s electric distribution system. It is a computer system used as a tool to manage the entire electric distribution system efficiently. It evolved from the smaller supervisory control and data acquisition system (SCADA) into a much larger, multi-functional, and state-of-the-art system.
The DAS will improve operating reliability and efficiency and will enhance product quality and service through the following:
1. Reduction of unwanted power outages or brownouts, if not eliminating it
The DAS prevents network overload and performs contingency evaluation by constantly assessing the current state of the electric distribution system in real-time mode – it prevents potential problems that cause forced outages
2. Reduction of the duration of unwanted power outages or brownouts
If power outages do occur, the DAS will provide key information for faster diagnosis of the problem and gives the operator multiple options how to solve the problem – it speeds up restoration of power
3. Reduction of the extent of unwanted power outages or brownouts
In tandem with remote devices throughout the distribution lines, the DAS detects the fault that caused the brownout, isolates it, and restores power to unaffected portions of the lines – it localizes power outages
4. More selective planned outages or brownouts due to maintenance
The DAS allows Meralco to shift its preventive maintenance program from time-based to condition-based maintenance plan, a proactive and economic approach towards enhancing equipment performance and extending their life – it improves maintenance planning for lesser disruption of service
5. Improvement of power quality
Fluctuations in voltages hurt sensitive loads and the DAS prevents this by optimizing the system voltage profile and power factor through the use of correction devices in the substations and distribution lines – it provides correction of over-voltages or under-voltages
6. Increasing operating efficiency and reduction of system losses
The real-time assessment of the electric distribution system performance allows the DAS to maximize the loading of the distribution network, optimizes distribution line and transformer capacities, and prevents adverse operating conditions – it offers improvement of operating reliability, optimization of resources, and enhancement of economic network management
7. Continuity of service under abnormal conditions
The DAS can thrive in adverse operating conditions through the use of an intelligent alarm system for decision support, and, in extreme conditions, a back-up control center – it supports distribution system contingencies
#################################
The DAS is the core of the company’s continuing distribution automation (DA) program, a program that addresses the stiffer demands of the deregulated electricity industry. Designed to grow with the times, the DAS will integrate with other specialized functions from new technologies available for substation and feeder automation in the future. The DAS is currently in the final stages of acceptance testing.
#################################
Lifted from http://www.meralco.com.ph/Business/services/scada.htm
The DAS will improve operating reliability and efficiency and will enhance product quality and service through the following:
1. Reduction of unwanted power outages or brownouts, if not eliminating it
The DAS prevents network overload and performs contingency evaluation by constantly assessing the current state of the electric distribution system in real-time mode – it prevents potential problems that cause forced outages
2. Reduction of the duration of unwanted power outages or brownouts
If power outages do occur, the DAS will provide key information for faster diagnosis of the problem and gives the operator multiple options how to solve the problem – it speeds up restoration of power
3. Reduction of the extent of unwanted power outages or brownouts
In tandem with remote devices throughout the distribution lines, the DAS detects the fault that caused the brownout, isolates it, and restores power to unaffected portions of the lines – it localizes power outages
4. More selective planned outages or brownouts due to maintenance
The DAS allows Meralco to shift its preventive maintenance program from time-based to condition-based maintenance plan, a proactive and economic approach towards enhancing equipment performance and extending their life – it improves maintenance planning for lesser disruption of service
5. Improvement of power quality
Fluctuations in voltages hurt sensitive loads and the DAS prevents this by optimizing the system voltage profile and power factor through the use of correction devices in the substations and distribution lines – it provides correction of over-voltages or under-voltages
6. Increasing operating efficiency and reduction of system losses
The real-time assessment of the electric distribution system performance allows the DAS to maximize the loading of the distribution network, optimizes distribution line and transformer capacities, and prevents adverse operating conditions – it offers improvement of operating reliability, optimization of resources, and enhancement of economic network management
7. Continuity of service under abnormal conditions
The DAS can thrive in adverse operating conditions through the use of an intelligent alarm system for decision support, and, in extreme conditions, a back-up control center – it supports distribution system contingencies
#################################
The DAS is the core of the company’s continuing distribution automation (DA) program, a program that addresses the stiffer demands of the deregulated electricity industry. Designed to grow with the times, the DAS will integrate with other specialized functions from new technologies available for substation and feeder automation in the future. The DAS is currently in the final stages of acceptance testing.
#################################
Lifted from http://www.meralco.com.ph/Business/services/scada.htm
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