Computer Mediated Communication

It is the "in-thing". I don't know of anyone that does not know of what computer is. Amazing it is to see younger generation be exposed to computers so much and yet, they are also exposed to what I call "Bad Elements" in the internet. In return, the ability for a human being to react to what is real is somehow not being applied to computer mediated communications.

My love for computers started with Lotus application. Then there's hangman. There's Mario Teaches Typing. Then Yahoo Mail is there. Bill Gates as a millionaire because of Microsoft. There's Hotmail and so many other sites. Chat rooms are available to talk to someone on any place on the planet (I guess only to those with computers). Then there are social networking sites for us on the Web 2.0. No doubt, every time there is a new site it either give us what we want or it gives us headache.

Almost all of us who spend more than 8 hours in front of the computer knows what a chat room can do for us and what a chat room can do against us. The benefits can be are the following.

1. Teaches me to type fast.
2. Learn English the easiest way.
3. Able to know what the culture of this and that country.
4. Able to exchange ideas about anything.
5. ( and more if you may want to add)

While this are the disadvantages.

1. Pedophiles take advantage of younger kids. (It's a fact!)
2. You could not determine emotions whether he or she was angry or not. As humans, we normally read what's between the line and it is where miscommunication started.
3. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. It is a medical condition where a nerve is compressed at the wrist leading to pain.
4. (Other things need not be mentioned)

In my case, I spend more than 12 hours in front of the computer. If there is a gym buff, I am a computer+internet buff. I am a very chatty person and indeed my speed in typing is quite fast. Since, social networking sites are available, I don't spend time in public chat rooms anymore. Normally, when I talk to this person for like 3-5 consecutive days, miscommunication begins. I don't blame the other to misunderstood me and no matter how many times I try to rephrase what I said to be understood the most humane way possible, I still get misinterpreted or vice versa. Still, it is a computer mediated communication and the more talk the more mistake. It is like, I am trying to explain and it is still not clear to the other end, and the more I try to explain the bigger the hole of misunderstanding.

Since I get to experience that first hand, I would like to advice a actual social gathering, meet person to person, and use the e-social gathering, meet cam to cam or mic to mic. It has to be balanced for if not, you might lose a friend that might be a lifetime to keep.

If it is not clear to you then ask and vice versa.

Microsoft wants Yahoo

Now here's another story for a possible billion purchase of one giant company, Microsoft.

Yahoo was the first search engine that I love. When Yahoo said that they have to spend $300 million this year just to revive the company, Microsoft wrote the board and offered 62% above Yahoo's closing share price. Microsoft's Kevin Johnson said that the combination will better compete Google.

At Yahoo, there had been a lot of executive quiting their position and there had been an announcement of the intention to lay-off 1,000 staff as part of the company's restructuring plan. With Yahoo shares going down, it will definitely have to study Microsoft's offer in a close door meeting.

If this happens, what can be its name?

Here's more of the story. Microsoft wants to purchase Yahoo.

Batang Yagit's First Vlog

He said he had a hard time. If you follow BatangYagit at Twitter you would know how hard he worked for this first vlog.

I wanted to post his first ever video blog into my blog.

Enjoy watching... :-)



More video blog to come for BatangYagit.

(I am pretty sure this kid will make it big.)

Spell the Word G-E-E-K

People say that I am a geek. I don't think I am because I don't even know what Leopard is and Boink and Jayvee Fernandez are so happy they got their new skin for their mac. They are the two people I know who use Mac for life.

Here's another friend, Chattee, who bought a cake for her iShuffle.
And another friend, Dom, talks about his love for Ubuntu.

I think being a geek means you love a thing more than anything else only because it brings some satisfaction to you and you don't care if you are labeled as a geek. It does not entirely mean that you're different. You simply care for it.

After the 1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit

It was the first blogger summit and I was there. That's history for me. First time blogger, started this year, and I was lucky to be part of the summit.

Learned about Abe who is not good in writing English and he has been into blogging for 7 years. Also learned that Jayvee is in B5 Media and they are looking for bloggers who would want to earn extra. Marc giving tips on how to earn in dollars. Bob Martin is loving Davao. Councilor Peter Laviña's different blogs.

The very thing about blogging that I have learned just recently, after listening to Donald Lim and then Kim, Jayvee, Bob, and the rest of the speakers, is that you got to write with passion. That you were able to write what is in your heart and mind and express that in a way that it will get connection to readers. Primarily, you were the one who get to experience first hand, and write that so that readers will experience the same way and maybe have the same reactions.

I guess, these people earn in blogging because they only not love what they are doing but because they know what to write. So, blogging is writing what you know not just you've heard about it. They've done their own research before they actually blog about it.

I guess that's about it. I still got to learn a lot though.

Facebook on Blackberry US Phones...Hmm... Want Like That For My Nokia Phone in the Philippines

Dustin Moskovitz, co-founder of Facebook, announces that RIM launched Facebook for Blackberry smart phones.

Can I have something like that too for my Nokia phone here in the Philippines?

I know Mark Zuckerberg or even Dustin Moskovitz will not read my blog but anyway I do hope it will reach them. That would be so great for Facebook users here in the Philippines. I can fight with vampires 24/7 and feed my pet and poke some of my friends or throw MardiGra. I can update my profile using my phone.

I know it is too soon to ask but guys you've got to, most of the Filipino users are yuppies and they are internet savvy people.

What do you think? Should Facebook deal with Globe or Smart?

Sign up for Facebook H-E-R-E.

Google-Microsoft War Over Facebook: And The Winner is?

A drop of jaw when I first read the article from Infoworld;

Update: Facebook chooses Microsoft over Google

Microsoft will purchase a $240 million minority stake in Facebook as well as become its exclusive third-party ad platform

$240 million for Mark Zuckerberg! From a hacker, to a drop out, to a CEO. So that's why Mark said; "We are both happy."

In the article:

The size of the ownership stake Microsoft will take during Facebook's next round of financing puts Facebook's valuation at a whopping $15 billion. Google had reportedly been courting Facebook as well.

In addition to the ownership piece, Microsoft will also extend its existing agreement to provide banner ads to Facebook in the U.S. With this deal, Microsoft will become Facebook's exclusive third-party ad platform as well as provide Facebook ads internationally.

Facebook was founded in 2004, it currently has about 49 million active users today. Over half of its active members are daily users. Some 59 percent of its users are outside the territory of United States.

Read more of the article H-E-R-E.

Light Bulb Head: Online Ideas

Do you ever had that time when you were too inspired to do something in the future and you keep on thinking about it and you noticed it is 3 am and your eyes are tired but your mind wants to keep on moving?

Last night wasn't terrible at all but I just can't control my mind anymore! My head is like a bulb all light up.

A shout out to Donald Lim of Yehey! Philippines. Dude! You were the only speaker I know that would share to your listeners what you are currently doing at your company.

Learnings from Donald Lim of Yehey Philippines

I listened to Aileen Apollo talking about blogging last May 2007 at the Department of Trade and Industry conference room here in Davao. I know blogging since 2004 but I haven't tried it since we don't have internet connection at home. Aileen made it clear to me that this is free and you can absolutely write anything.

October 24, 2007, my boss told me to attend the session 2 track 3 at cinema 3 of NCCC Mall, I know it is about new media and she wants me to listen to it because the company might venture into it someday. It was Donald Lim of Yehey! Philippines was the speaker. The title of the track is Innovation: New Media for Information Exchange, and it was the most informative. He even presented the whole thing Yehey! Philippines is doing. If you are a businessman attending that session you could say, "Hey! He's giving me an idea."

At the end of his presentation I was inspired to do something for my own, in order for me to earn extra and then give something to the company I am working with so that it can earn extra too.

I am a blogger and I have earned some from my blogging, although I have not reached that $100 quota of Adsense, still I can use that to post advertisements of other companies at a minimum price. And I have to stick to the goal of not making my site for flogs.

I got to do some more research and what kind of platform to use. Should I have to make my own website or should I stick to a blogger platform? Should I use Wordpress or Blogger? Hmmm....

Thanks Donald Lim!

Transcribing for MICT

On the second day of the Mindanao ICT Congress, there were different talks at the different cinemas at NCCC Mall where the congress was held. I was tasked to listen to the session 2 track 3 which is Innovation: New Media for Information Exchange because I was one of those who volunteered to transcribe it later.

At the end of the day, 6:30pm, the recorded voice file was pass on to me for transcription. I found out I am not going to transcribe for the session that I was in to. I am going to transcribe for the session 1 track 3 which is Innovation: Knowledge Innovation. It was Mr. James Velasquez, Country Director of IBM. I was not able to listen to his whole speech so I am having difficulty transcribing. There were a couple of times when he was told to say it louder. It was recorded through a tape recorder and once it gets here at MTC Academy we have to record it again using digital recording. In the second recording, there were already other noises added to the first recording. Once you are listening to it with the earphones you are like listening to someone in the airport.

Oh well, I don't have the choice either. Anyway, I was able to finish 75 lines after 30 minutes. Truth is, that's not a good line count for a transcriptionist.

Linux Will Soon Overrule Windows?

This one is for free, the other one you have to pay for it. Only few are users of this desktop application, the other one I think there are a billion of users. This one is Linux the other one is Windows.

Scared to do the switch? I am. Ever since I was introduced to Windows, I fell in love with it. Although I have to admit it was not that friendly (that is in my own opinion). Maybe the reason why I love using Windows is because I've grown to using Windows the entire 8 years of being an addict to computer. Then again, this is what we mostly use in offices, in the university before, and this is what we use when we are at the cafe and even on laptops.

The very first person who introduces me to Linux was Jerry Dunn. But I was able to see Linux Desktop Application when Cayce Marston, my cousin's special person, brought it with him from Canada to Davao. I don't want to browse it because I would like to stick to one application where I am most acquainted to.

Reading other articles of Ubuntu or Linux, it is quiet a surprise that this application was just as easy to use as the Windows Desktop Application. Hmmm......no wonder why computer shops are giving it for free because you can download Linux for free in the internet. Besides, when you buy a computer set you need to buy the Windows installer and it cost pretty much. You might be glued to spending only Php 20,000 but it does not come with the desktop application installer.

I haven't use Linux yet but definitely I will. Maybe when I have time to download it from the net. I wonder how easy would it be to set it up? Hakuna matata! (I hope.)

CEO at 17

She's not like Mark Zuckerberg of Facebook or Keith Rupert Murdoch of Myspace. She's not done yet with High School. She's 17 and smart and will soon be like Mark and Rupert. She's only 17 and she's the founder of Whateverlife.com. She's Ashley Qualls, and she owns an influential and lucrative website.

In two years she earned a total of $1 million dollars. Monthly income in advertisements around $70,000. Again, she's 17 years old.

I wish I was like her but it's never too late to try. A hobby turned into a business.

What Friendster Founder, Jonathan Abrams' Learned From His Mistakes

Friendster started from a brilliant idea of Jonathan Abrams, founder and CEO of Friendster.com. He was the talk of the town of the year 2003 when Friendster was finally open to the public.

Friendster was offered $30 million by Google but Abrams declined and rather go for the venture route, taking $13 million from Kleiner Perkins Caulfield & Byers and Benchmark Capital--and that, he says, is where his troubles began.

"I had basically made a prototype which worked fine for a couple of million users," he says. "But we needed to really rebuild things if we were going to scale." He says his board and investors "didn't get Friendster and wouldn't focus on something boring like fixing the technology." He was replaced as CEO and watched as a succession of marketing deals failed and a parade of CEOs followed--three in one 12-month period. By fall of 2005, Abrams was gone. "I'm never going to make a ton of money off of Friendster like Mark [Zuckerberg] will probably make from Facebook," he says. "But I've learned a lot." (from www.fastcompany.com)

I do hope Abrams new networking site, Socializr, will get him to the top again.

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If There is Web 2.0, IBM Make Its Own Info 2.0

Web 2.0 refers to the second generation of web-based communities and hosted services, such as social networking, wikis, and other stuff, which aim to facilitate collaboration and sharing between users. It is like the world wide web is changing not physically but the changes are from the web-developers and the end-users that uses the web.

From the article:

"Info 2.0 is going to bring together a variety of information sources," Picciano said. As part of its Info 2.0 push, IBM on Tuesday introduced a preview of IBM Mashup Starter Kit, for building mashup applications and bearing Info 2.0 characteristics.

"We're putting Web 2.0 to work with Info 2.0," Picciano said.

It doesn't make sense at all. Looks like they both function the same. But when it comes to the terms used, Info 2.0 is better because it says it all. Information is what we get from the world wide web, no offense to those who made the term Web 2.0.

As long as the Info 2.0 will help us all, why not. Maybe it'll be another web revolution.

If you want to read the short article, clich H-E-R-E.

And Then Yahoo Loves Mybloglog Too

I don't know who bought first but I have seen Mybloglog changed. It is now part of the Yahoo family.

There are a lot of things that you can do with the internet and earn while you are doing it. I am sure the maker of these sites did not start that big. It just turned out that they all love to do one thing. Make new websites wherein people will love it, adore that site, recommend that site, and when you got a lot of users SELL it.

There is another thing that I've noticed in between; If Yahoo will buy one, Google will buy another. The heat continue to rise up as to who is the king of the World Wide Web. Who's also trying to beat Ebay? In the local seen, is it DavaoSale? Maybe.

Jaiku Becomes Google's New Aquired Asset

Should I say asset? Would it bring Google additional income?

Either or, Jaiku users does not care. I think Jaiku is the same with Twitter. It is like blogging as well wherein you just post one single line or sentence of what you are doing currently. Like others would call it, micro-blogging.

Jaiku is an activity stream and presence sharing service that works from the Web and mobile phones. Jaiku, Ltd. was founded in February, 2006 by Jyri Engeström and Petteri Koponen from Finland. The service was released on the Web in July 2006. Jaiku is based in Helsinki.

In comparison, Twitter is crowed-favorite, but since Google owns Jaiku then maybe Jaiku will beat Twitter.

Anyway, it shows us that that's another way to earn in the internet. So for those who knows how to make one like these geek guys then do it and then make it big then sell it, you'll be millionaires in the future.

I am Joining the Mindanao Blogger Summit

I am a first time blogger, although I have posted more than a hundred in my own blog. I want to join the summit because I would like to know more about blogging and meet bloggers of course.

I am a resident of Davao and I am supporting the summit.

I wanna join the Mindanao Blogger Summit.

1st Mindanao Bloggers Summit Sponsors:

• Councilor Peter Laviña


• Join the DigitalFilipino.com Club!


• BisayaBloggers.com


• Davao's Food Huntress


• NoKiAHOST.COM P5/day webhosting


• Web Design Philippines


• Orange County Real Estate


• Web Developer Philippines

6th Mindanao ICT Congress

The 6th Mindanao Information, Communication and Technology (MICT) Congress will be timed during the 1sr BIMP-EAGA ICT Conference. The congress will be on October 23 to 24 at NCCC Mall Corporate Center.

On an article posted by Jason Banico:

After 5 years of conducting the MICT Congress, why is it that the people behind it are especially noisier this year? Monchito Ibrahim, of the Commission on ICT, answers this succinctly: Mindanao, aside from being the food basket of the nation, is now recognized as a viable source of skilled I.T. workers. However, there are serious challenges that are hampering the island economy from realizing its full potential. The conduct of the 6th MICT Congress is based upon addressing these challenges.

Increasingly we are faced with the specter of globalization. The playing field is at a much higher level now, and if we remain reluctant to forge ahead, we are in danger of losing out to more aggressive and single-minded competitors. One of which is China. This nominally Communist nation has apparently embraced capitalism, seemingly without much reservation. We see now that their sheer population size alone poses a threat to our ability to excel in the global arena. For example, some parts of China receive a hundredfold more I.T. outsourcing projects from Japan than we do.

Mindanao, led by Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City, stands a fighting chance. We do have highly-skilled and I.T. professionals, as well as a supply of trainable personnel. A good number of whom, unfortunately, are no longer within our borders. That’s one problem: brain drain. Another is this: How steady will this manpower supply be 5, 10 years hence? Is our educational infrastructure coping with the changing technologies? Are our schools adapting their curricula to meet the stringent requirements of I.T. companies?

This issue is involved, to say the least, but it is not yet moot. There will be no quick fixes for this industry-academe situation, but working towards the solution must be begun immediately. Fortunately, we have a working model upon which to build and improve: the MICT itself, and the synergies that have successfully sprung up only this year.

Join the fun this year. Click here to see the fast facts about the congress.

NOKIA Battery BL-5C; At Risk to Explode??

Nokia issued a product advisory on its BL-5C battery. The problem is: the battery could explode.

On the advisory given by Nokia, the battery was manufactured in Japan by Matsushita Battery Industrial Co. between December 2005 and November 2006. The BL-5C is one of the batteries used by Nokia.


Nokia said:

Nokia has identified that in very rare cases the Nokia-branded BL-5C batteries subject to the product advisory could potentially experience overheating initiated by a short circuit while charging, causing the battery to dislodge. Nokia is working closely with Matsushita and will be cooperating with relevant authorities to investigate this situation.

Nokia has several suppliers for BL-5C batteries who have collectively produced more than 300 million BL-5C batteries. This advisory applies only to the 46 million batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006, from which there have been approximately 100 incidents of overheating reported globally. No serious injuries or property damage have been reported.

Consumers with a BL-5C battery subject to this advisory should note that all of the approximately 100 incidents have occurred while charging the battery. According to Nokia's knowledge this issue does not affect any other use of the mobile device.

While the occurrences in the BL-5C batteries produced by Matsushita in the time-period specified are very rare, concerned consumers can request a replacement for any BL-5C battery subject to this product advisory.

Nevertheless, a bevy of Nokia devices are affected. Here’s the list.

Nokia 1100, Nokia 1100c, Nokia 1101, Nokia 1108, Nokia 1110, Nokia 1112, Nokia 1255, Nokia 1315, Nokia 1600, Nokia 2112, Nokia 2118, Nokia 2255, Nokia 2272, Nokia 2275, Nokia 2300, Nokia 2300c, Nokia 2310, Nokia 2355, Nokia 2600, Nokia 2610, Nokia 2610b, Nokia 2626, Nokia 3100, Nokia 3105, Nokia 3120, Nokia 3125, Nokia 6030, Nokia 6085, Nokia 6086, Nokia 6108, Nokia 6175i, Nokia 6178i, Nokia 6230, Nokia 6230i, Nokia 6270, Nokia 6600, Nokia 6620, Nokia 6630, Nokia 6631, Nokia 6670, Nokia 6680, Nokia 6681, Nokia 6682, Nokia 6820, Nokia 6822, Nokia 7610, Nokia N70, Nokia N71, Nokia N72, Nokia N91, Nokia E50, Nokia E60

How to identify if your battery is among the batteries produced by Matsushita, Nokia said:

In order to determine if a battery is subject to this advisory, it is necessary to remove the battery from the device. A Nokia battery will have "Nokia" and "BL-5C" printed on the front of the battery. On the reverse, the Nokia mark appears at the top and the battery identification number (consisting of 26 characters) is found at the bottom. Consumers should refer to this identification number to determine if their battery is among the batteries manufactured by Matsushita between December 2005 and November 2006. A comparison of that number with those subject to this advisory will determine a consumer's ability to obtain a replacement free of charge.