Lim Vendiola Watanabe

Peace be with ICT: Battling Terrorism with technology

2007-03-22T06:02:00.000-07:00

One of the greatest disasters of all times that rocked the entire United States, nay, the entire world, was the 9/11 terrorist attack…. In the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attack, it became clear terrorism is a threat that could cripple even a giant like the US…

At this point, what we have are a lot of what-if scenarios---- the foremost on my mind is…what if they had better ICT which aimed mainly to prevent and fight terrorism? Would that have made a difference? In more succinct terms, is that even possible? Apparently, the US thinks so.

Over the past couple of years, the US has initiated an extensive overhaul of IT management. Part of its strategy entailed the development of the Sentinel, an ambitious electronic information-management system designed to help the FBI because they feel that (and I agree wholeheartedly) lag time in communication was not acceptable.

One day perhaps our ICT structure and know-how in the Philippines can match or at least be on at least a comparable level with that of the US… I’ll bet the Abu Sayyaf and NPAs and other would-be terrorists would be quaking in their combat boots…hurrah!!!

Harvesting ICT for our Filipino farmers

2007-03-22T05:27:00.000-07:00

ICT may prove to be the richest fertilizer to the country’s rich agricultural resources. Useful information and know-how may be deployed to farmers providing them with crucial weather updates, crop recommendations, “doctor” query for crop diseases and other relevant information.

This is not my original idea, mind you... I’ve recently read an article on how ICT was harnessed for farmers in India which got me to thinking that, yes, perhaps ICT is valuable to our down-to-earth farmers… THE AAQUA WEB SITE (aAqua stands for "Almost All Questions Answered", cool di ba?)--- this site contains several forums in Indian languages (Marathi and Hindi, currently) and in English. These forums deal with crops, animals, officials' recommendations, market information and schemes for farmers. aAqua has been configured to work with MySQL, with Unicode support and is built with mvnForum, a FLOSS-based discussion forum application.
(Go to http://www.linuxjournal.com/article/8938 for the complete article)

Personally, I think this innovation may lead to a better harvest for our Filipino farmers…. imagine having information when you need it… when is it best to plant kamote… or why do my rootcrops have spots… and so on and so forth… there is limitless possibilities to such a device…. But then again, the level of poverty in the country leaves so much to be desired and perhaps now is the right time to invest in “toys” so to speak…

in any case, what this shout-out really advocates is the need to at least take it into consideration,,, ICT development priorities for the country need to be carefully assessed. It cannot be gainsaid that, in view of the high-level recognition of the Digital Divide created by the rapid but uneven expansion of information and communication technologies (ICTs) in the country, perhaps setting out the road map for the next years to harness the power of ICT for development, especially in rural areas, may prove to be most fruitful...

typewriters and e-government

2007-03-22T01:58:00.000-07:00

With the changes in technology, our government has been making steps towards using these developments in everyday transactions. For example, there is now the e-government which aims to use the internet in not just providing for services but also in empowering people. This new information is a relief. The question is, will every department of the government be able to cope with the changes?
The Supreme Court, the highest court of the land, handles every imaginable case there is. With Filipinos having high regard for the judiciary, it is no wonder that people want their disputes settled by the courts. With e-government already at hand, several technologies must be updated before this new “people oriented” move can be fully utilized.
The Supreme Court spends billions each year on computers and gadgets. With more than a hundred branches of the Regional Trial Court and another hundred of Metropolitan Trial Courts under the Supreme Court, this is still insufficient. Not all stenographers have computers, a basic tool for their work. Some buy their own desktops and printers so that they need not line up to use the available computer. Although the courts are provided with Lex Libris, not all use it. In Metro Manila alone, it was only recently that internet connections are provided for some of the courts.
What is most frustrating is our courts’ lack of efficient docketing system. I am not a techie but I think a good enough program for the courts’ database is easy to understand and use. Like the OPAC of the libraries, these programs can replace the index cards and dockets that pile up every year. The present situation is frustrating because a computer can do the work in less time and effort with much more information to be stored than a 3x5 card. Plus, it will be easier to manage and share with other offices.
With the government’s move towards being technical and high-tech, the judiciary seems to be lagging behind. With docket books and index cabinets full of cases as far back as 1950, it is not a wonder that typewriters are still well-loved.

U.P. and Others?

2007-03-18T05:55:00.000-07:00

“Digital divide” was a term I was not acquainted with until it was discussed in class. For someone who dreams to be an advocate of the less fortunate, it was a shame to be in the dark about this new rich-versus-poor paradigm. Now that I think about it, digital divide is really not only between rural and urban or between high-income and low-income classes. It is also about technology priority and those with less priority for technology.
A not-so-young lawyer once commented that present law students are quite lucky. We have laptops so that we need not read the cases from the voluminous books and worry about calluses from taking down notes. We have the Lex Libris so that all we need to do is search for the case with a click of a button. And we have the Internet so that we need not travel high and low for researching.
Sadly though, not all law schools are equipped with what we have in Malcolm Hall. Some libraries do not even have enough books for the students to use as references much more a high-tech one to provide access to data.
With the addition of the wi-fi (although still at a limited coverage), the UP College of Law is really something one would be proud of.
Looking at the bigger picture, with only a hundred or so applicants admitted in the college, the remaining aspiring lawyers-to-be are left with no choice but to enter other schools. Luckily, some schools provide adequate resources for the students. But most, especially those in the provinces, do not. Even some known schools in Metro Manila do not provide for enough research materials for the students.
The Internet, although a big help, is also not that accessible for some law students. For the rich law schools, this is not a problem. Most of these students have connections in their own homes or use their laptops to connect while sipping their favorite espresso. A big number still have to rent computers and print or save what they need.
Among the sixty or so law schools in the country, only less than 1/3 have their own websites. Some schools do not have Lex Libris; even some do not have complete volumes of SCRA. For a prestigious course that is known to have high tuition fees, law is really not that far from what is happening in the real world. Digital divide is not just a phenomenon in urban and rural places but among law students as well.
I refuse to blame lack of funds for this lack of technology in these schools. For tuition fees as high as twenty thousand pesos a semester, law schools should give priority to providing their students materials in studying. Like some things in this country, priorities are screwed.

hook, line and sinker

2007-03-07T12:47:00.000-08:00

We’ve previously posted an entry on chain letters, hexes and whatnots proliferating over the net. As if by some divine intervention, our Lotus Notes Administrator at the office issued out a memorandum warning us of this scam over the internet.

Have you ever heard of "phishing"? A lot of techy- computer savvy people might be saying "huli ka na sa balita", but I find it too alarming not to pass on for people less techy than, or more or less on the same footing as, me.

Phishing is one of the fastest growing online scams. The perpetrator sends out legitimate-looking emails appearing to be coming some big sites including such as Citibank, eBay, Yahoo, etc. What happens is, the phisher’s mail directs you to a Web page which appears to be legitimate, but actually just elicit sensitive information from you, such as passwords and other personal information.

Let’s take for example an email that tells you that your account has been deactivated due to some problem and informs you to reactivate your account by clicking on a link. This technique works quite well, because, appearing legitimate, you can’t help but be alarmed… According to my friend, it helps to remember though that legitimate companies don’t ask for personal or financial information via email…

So, let’s all be smart…. Or at least pretend to be…. THINK BEFORE YOU CLICK!

**********

getting aboard the call center express

2007-02-17T16:26:00.000-08:00

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?

thumbmarks

2007-02-17T16:14:00.000-08:00

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?

2007-02-17T03:23:00.001-08:00

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.

pornography

2007-02-16T23:59:00.000-08:00

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.

Meralco's Distribution Automation System (DAS)

2007-02-06T15:03:00.000-08:00

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

Keeping secrets

2007-01-11T01:16:00.000-08:00

With the emergence of the Information Age in the 80’s, information has become a valuable asset to almost all business organizations--- in the areas of sales, operations and even finance. Information serves as the backbone of industry leaders, empowering businesses and ensuring that it maintains its competitive advantage over other companies in the industry.

In the course of its operations, a company uses and generates information. With the evolution and increasing sophistication of information technology, immediate availability and connectivity of necessary information is ensured. The same technology, however, makes the company vulnerable to information threats. In the wrong hands (unauthorized entities such as competitors), a company’s confidential information could cause harm not only to the company but also to its stakeholders. The protection and preservation of confidentiality, integrity and availability of information assets is crucial.

As such, information security has become the new buzzword. Information assets should be protected from unauthorized access or disclosure---- data, computer systems, network infrastructure and other company information need to be protected from threats of theft, alteration and unauthorized access. Policies and guidelines need to be established to help companies secure company information. Preventive security by means of giving employees access IDs that they are held accountable for, using passwords and anti-virus programs, may limit access to company information. More so in this day and age, companies have become more vigilant in closely monitoring user access prevent malicious disclosure or, worse, tampering.

I’m sure each of us, at some point in our daily lives, whether it be in our jobs or in our personal affairs, have been given the privilege of handling confidential information. How often have we ever said something to another person and ask them to swear they’d never tell another soul? How often have we trusted that the person we shared our secret with will keep that piece of information confidential? As one would want his personal secrets kept confidential by the people he entrusted them to, companies likewise expect people, whom he had disclosed information to or those whom it has allowed access to its vast information assets, to ensure that confidentiality of such information are protected and preserved. In short, companies trust that their employees can keep secrets.

Information is POWER

2007-01-10T16:06:00.000-08:00

Have you ever experienced needing something badly and not get it that critical moment? It’s like when you are strapped for cash and the ATM machine is unable to dispense money. Don’t you just find it frustrating when that happens?

Information is POWER. It is the backbone of industry leaders--- it’s their ace card in gaining competitive advantage in the cutthroat arena of business. This is precisely why companies invest resources in sophisticated technology so that it can deliver the best value in product and services. Most of the information needed to aid in decision-making is available within few keystrokes.

It is therefore important for companies to be able to utilize their information assets at the time they need them. Immediate access and availability makes that work is unhampered, thereby helping companies realize their goals.

Because of the value of company information assets, there is then a crucial need to protect and preserve them. As such, employees need to become more responsible users of information assets. Policies and guidelines that would help companies prevent malicious access has now become a necessity.

The New Microsoft Accountant

2006-12-12T20:23:00.000-08:00

Accounting has often been viewed as a complex and number heavy profession understandable only by those who earned an accounting degree or had spent years running financial matters. However, now Accounting methods are now more understandable to the layman non-accountant. Last October 30, 2006, Microsft launched Microsoft Office Accounting Express 2007 which is especially for businesspeople on start-ups or homebound businesses. It's basically a financial management software designed for early startups and home-based businesses that currently use pen and calculator or spreadsheets to run their operations. Office Accounting Express 2007 consists of desktop software available as a free download and seven integrated online services.

“If you run a newly formed business, are an eBay seller, or still do your books in spreadsheets like Excel or on paper, you should download and use Office Accounting Express 2007,” said Rajat Taneja, general manager of Microsoft Small Business Applications and Services. “The familiar look and feel of the Microsoft Office interface will help small-business owners more easily navigate their everyday financial tasks.”

In the Philippine context, this software which harnesses internet services at the same time as the software program itself will help our local entrepreneurs in their business endeavors from selling balut to selling homemade shirts...! So check it out. :-)

Shoppers on the Internet: Today's E-commerce

2006-12-01T18:16:00.000-08:00

in the US and also increasingly here in the Philippines, when a person needs to buy something or compare the prices of goods, he or she checks them up on the internet's e-commerce sites. For instance one of my most favorite sites: E-bay. it's too easy: you look for the desired object to buy and bid for it, if you win the bid, the object or product is shipped to you. shipping costs are either yours or the seller's, depends on agreement.
The variety of goods one can purchase in e-bay is tremendous. All sorts like collectibles, old magazines, review materials, car parts, pets, airline tickets, movie tickets and much much more.

E-commerce is one of the most important aspects of the internet ever. It enables people to exchange goods and services immediately and with no barriers of time or distance. Any time of the day or night, you can go online and buy almost anything you want! beat that.

*****************************************************************************************

When people surf for a product or service they are increasingly doing research or completing purchases on the Web. According to Nielsen/CommerceNet here are the top products people are shopping for online, but not necessarily buying online.

Item
Shoppers in Millions

Cars and car parts 18.2

Books 12.6

Computers 12.4

Clothing 11.6

CDs and Videos 11.4

Web Site Journal, Copyright 1999 by Netscape

Nearly one out of every three (31 percent) Internet users are making online purchases, and they are sticking to familiar, inexpensive items, according to a study by CDB Research & Consulting Inc. Items such as books (purchased by 33 percent of respondents), CDs (26 percent), and small gifts (20 percent) remain the most popular online purchases, CDB found. The study also found that certain big ticket items, such as airline tickets and computer hardware, are being accepted by online consumers. Airline tickets were purchased online by 21 percent of the survey respondents , and 13 percent purchased computer hardware online. "When it comes to ecommerce, consumers clearly prefer well-defined items, those with which they are already familiar," said Ann Middleman, vice president of CDB. "Online shoppers tend to stick to known quantities. A John Grisham book is a John Grisham book and a ticket to Chicago is a ticket to Chicago."
Cyberatlas (99.08.11)

Consumers spent $7 billion online during the holiday season, according to the research firm that conducted the survey, Jupiter Communications Inc. (http://www.jup.com). Only 4% of survey respondents said they would decrease their online spending in 2000 based on their holiday shopping experience. Consumer dissatisfaction with online shopping stemmed from inventory shortfalls, high shipping and handling costs and slow site performance, the same problems cited last year. Still, 35% said the experience would encourage them to buy more than they had
previously anticipated, according to Jupiter.

(from http://www.mgmtguru.com/ECommerc.htm)

InfoTech is everywhere!

2006-11-22T06:04:00.001-08:00

Technology has been a significant player in the current Filipino culture. A lot of new technologies unfold before us everyday. It has virtually left no area untouched. Currently, however, one facet of culture which to date has not been affected by technology is our current election procedures--- sadly, one area where we can say technology is badly needed.

Perhaps in the advent of the twenty first century, we might see an influential and noteworthy technological change that will propel the way we elect our officials to new heights and standards. An online election registration perhaps? One day you might see politicians vying for your votes via internet ads. Hey, who knows, maybe we'll even venture into online election one day. Goodbye to long lines and bureaucratic red tape.... this probably would open election results to more risks to election frauds. Tsk. Tsk. I guess that’s the ups and downs of Filipino ingenuity.

Welcome

2006-11-20T03:32:00.000-08:00

Olah!
Hi. This is Isee, Belle, and Ayako's blog.

Feel free to post any comments, violent reactions and whatnots here...