Published: Wednesday June 29, 2011 MYT 9:37:00 AM
Updated: Thursday June 30, 2011 MYT 9:26:12 AM

Google unveils latest social networking feat

NEW DIRECTION: A filecphoto of the Google headquarters in Mountain View. Google plans to take on Facebook with its social networking project call Google+. - AP

NEW YORK: Online search leader Google Inc is taking yet another stab at social networking, as it tries to go up against Facebook in this wildly popular and lucrative segment of the Internet.

This time the project is called Google+ and it aims to make online sharing more like real life.

"We think people communicate in very rich ways," said Vic Gundotra, senior vice-president of engineering at Google. "The online tools we have to choose from give us very rigid services."

Other social networking tools make selective sharing within small groups difficult. They don't allow for the nuances that people are used to in offline communication and because they call so many acquaintances "friends," said Gundotra in a blog post announcing the service.

Many Facebook users, for instance, find it difficult to limit their status updates to small groups of people so that their co-workers aren't exposed to party photos or their parents aren't privy to flirtatious posts on their "wall."

Though Facebook has tried to address this with a much-hyped "Groups" feature, it's not clear how many people use it.

Gundotra's criticism seems aimed squarely at Facebook, the world's largest online social network. Facebook has become synonymous with online sharing since its founding seven years ago.

In a prepared statement, Facebook said only that "we're in the early days of making the Web more social, and there are opportunities for innovation everywhere."

Google, which dominates Internet search with a firm hold on two-thirds of the US market, has been experimenting with different social tools since late 2009 with limited success.

"Buzz" was one major mishap. The product was a social network attached to Google's popular Gmail service, and it wound up exposing e-mail contacts that users did not want to share.

Google eventually agreed to submit to independent audits of its privacy controls every other year for the next two decades as part of a Federal Trade Commission settlement.

Google shut down another attempt at online sharing, Google Wave, last August after unveiling it with much fanfare in 2009. The service, which let users chat, share files and collaborate on documents in real time, didn't gain enough fans.

Circles and Sparks

More than a year in the works, the project Google unveiled on Tuesday lets users share things with smaller groups of people through a feature called "Circles." This means only college buddies, say, or your favourite co-workers can see the photos, links our updates that you post.

Another feature called "Sparks" aims to make it easier to find online content you care about, be it news about surfing or barbecue recipes. You can then share this with friends who might be interested in it. In an online video, Google calls it "nerding out" and exploring a subject together.

There's also a group messaging service called "Huddle" and a feature that lets users instantly upload photos that they take with mobile phones. The photos are stored in a private photo album on Google's remote servers, and users can access them and share them as they see fit.

Altimeter Group analyst Charlene Li has high hopes for the friend grouping feature. She said that her biggest pet peeve with Facebook is its existing friend management tools.

She noted that millions of people already use Google to share things with others via e-mail, and Google+ looks like a natural extension of this type of sharing, making it more functional and organised.

"I think Facebook is going to have to up its game," she said.

Oh, wait

Google+ is undergoing what the company calls a "field trial," so it's accessible by invitation only and not yet available to the public. The company declined to say when it'll be more widely available.

Lou Kerner, a social media analyst with Wedbush Securities, believes the game is over in the competition to become the world's global social network. With 700 million users, Facebook has won, he said.

There's a lot more to the social web than just creating a successful social network, though, and Kerner thinks that with Google+ the search leader is trying to make its existing product offerings more social.

"I don't think they're seeing this as a direct competitor to Facebook," he said.

Google+ does have its sceptics.

"People have their social circles on Facebook," said Debra Aho Williamson, principal analyst with research firm eMarketer. "Asking them to create another social circle is challenging."

And Google is still best known for its flagship service, online search.

"The whole idea of a Google social network ... they've been throwing stuff against the wall for several years and so forth nothing has stuck."

Going to Google to be social, she added, is like "going to Starbucks for the muffins. Or, for that matter, going to Facebook for search." - AP

Published: Wednesday June 29, 2011 MYT 9:37:00 AM
Updated: Thursday June 30, 2011 MYT 9:26:12 AM

Google unveils latest social networking feat

NEW DIRECTION: A filecphoto of the Google headquarters in Mountain View. Google plans to take on Facebook with its social networking project call Google+. - AP

NEW YORK: Online search leader Google Inc is taking yet another stab at social networking, as it tries to go up against Facebook in this wildly popular and lucrative segment of the Internet.

This time the project is called Google+ and it aims to make online sharing more like real life.

"We think people communicate in very rich ways," said Vic Gundotra, senior vice-president of engineering at Google. "The online tools we have to choose from give us very rigid services."

Other social networking tools make selective sharing within small groups difficult. They don't allow for the nuances that people are used to in offline communication and because they call so many acquaintances "friends," said Gundotra in a blog post announcing the service.

Many Facebook users, for instance, find it difficult to limit their status updates to small groups of people so that their co-workers aren't exposed to party photos or their parents aren't privy to flirtatious posts on their "wall."

Though Facebook has tried to address this with a much-hyped "Groups" feature, it's not clear how many people use it.

Gundotra's criticism seems aimed squarely at Facebook, the world's largest online social network. Facebook has become synonymous with online sharing since its founding seven years ago.

In a prepared statement, Facebook said only that "we're in the early days of making the Web more social, and there are opportunities for innovation everywhere."

Google, which dominates Internet search with a firm hold on two-thirds of the US market, has been experimenting with different social tools since late 2009 with limited success.

"Buzz" was one major mishap. The product was a social network attached to Google's popular Gmail service, and it wound up exposing e-mail contacts that users did not want to share.

Google eventually agreed to submit to independent audits of its privacy controls every other year for the next two decades as part of a Federal Trade Commission settlement.

Google shut down another attempt at online sharing, Google Wave, last August after unveiling it with much fanfare in 2009. The service, which let users chat, share files and collaborate on documents in real time, didn't gain enough fans.

Circles and Sparks

More than a year in the works, the project Google unveiled on Tuesday lets users share things with smaller groups of people through a feature called "Circles." This means only college buddies, say, or your favourite co-workers can see the photos, links our updates that you post.

Another feature called "Sparks" aims to make it easier to find online content you care about, be it news about surfing or barbecue recipes. You can then share this with friends who might be interested in it. In an online video, Google calls it "nerding out" and exploring a subject together.

There's also a group messaging service called "Huddle" and a feature that lets users instantly upload photos that they take with mobile phones. The photos are stored in a private photo album on Google's remote servers, and users can access them and share them as they see fit.

Altimeter Group analyst Charlene Li has high hopes for the friend grouping feature. She said that her biggest pet peeve with Facebook is its existing friend management tools.

She noted that millions of people already use Google to share things with others via e-mail, and Google+ looks like a natural extension of this type of sharing, making it more functional and organised.

"I think Facebook is going to have to up its game," she said.

Oh, wait

Google+ is undergoing what the company calls a "field trial," so it's accessible by invitation only and not yet available to the public. The company declined to say when it'll be more widely available.

Lou Kerner, a social media analyst with Wedbush Securities, believes the game is over in the competition to become the world's global social network. With 700 million users, Facebook has won, he said.

There's a lot more to the social web than just creating a successful social network, though, and Kerner thinks that with Google+ the search leader is trying to make its existing product offerings more social.

"I don't think they're seeing this as a direct competitor to Facebook," he said.

Google+ does have its sceptics.

"People have their social circles on Facebook," said Debra Aho Williamson, principal analyst with research firm eMarketer. "Asking them to create another social circle is challenging."

And Google is still best known for its flagship service, online search.

"The whole idea of a Google social network ... they've been throwing stuff against the wall for several years and so forth nothing has stuck."

Going to Google to be social, she added, is like "going to Starbucks for the muffins. Or, for that matter, going to Facebook for search." - AP

Wednesday July 6, 2011

DiGi and Sony Ericsson in tie-up

W8 Walkman phone

By SUBASHINI SELVARATNAM
bytz@thestar.com.my

KUALA LUMPUR: DiGi Telecommunications Sdn Bhd (DiGi) has joint forces with Sony Ericsson to offer the W8 Walkman phone in metallic red for DiGi customers.

DiGi postpaid customers can purchase the phone for RM99 when they subscribe to the DG Smart Plan 68 for 24 months. The retail price of the W8 Walkman phone is RM799.

As for prepaid customers, they will receive a free DiGi prepaid starter worth RM16.80 with RM8 pre-loaded talktime when they purchase the phone at RM799. They will also get a reload card of RM50 with the package.

For both postpaid and prepaid plans, the W8 Walkman comes pre-loaded with the DiGiMusic Play (music download application) with a one-year free subscription. Customers will also receive a limited edition MS450 portable stereo speakers, MP3 ringtones, wallpapers and CallerTunes vouchers.

The company said the W8 Walkman phone, which runs on Android, is designed for music lovers who enjoy multimedia entertainment in a sleek and compact design.

The W8, which comes with 3in screen, allows quick and easy access to playlists through the Walkman widget on the home screen. The user interface can be customised for one-touch access to the user's favourite applications. Other features include a 3.2-megapixel camera, video recording functionality and Internet access via 3G and WiFi.

++++
www.digi.com.my
www.sonyericsson.com

Published: Monday July 4, 2011 MYT 10:24:00 AM
Updated: Tuesday July 5, 2011 MYT 9:58:45 AM

Google among firms looking to buy Hulu

STRATEGIC BUY: A scene from The Booth at the End, which will be shown exclusively in the US on Hulu.com and the Hulu Plus. Google is reportedly interested in buying Hulu. - Hulu and Vuguru

LOS ANGELES: Search giant Google Inc is one of about a dozen companies involved in talks to potentially buy online video site Hulu.

As the owner of YouTube, it would be a strategic buy for the Silicon Valley technology company, which has had a rocky relationship with Hulu's Hollywood owners.

Hulu has begun presenting its financial information to many prospective bidders, but it's too early to declare a front-runner, said a person who spoke on condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential.

The online video service began seeking bidders early last week after an unsolicited offer prompted Hulu's board to look for other interested parties.

Hulu streams movies and TV shows from broadcasters ABC, Fox and NBC to personal computers and, for a monthly fee, to a range of Internet-connected devices.

The company is owned by the broadcasters' parents, The Walt Disney Co, News Corp, and Comcast Corp, along with Providence Equity Partners.

In February, Hulu CEO Jason Kilar said Hulu will have one million paying customers by the end of the year and generate nearly US$500mil (RM1.5bil) in revenue, up from US$263mil (RM789mil) in 2010. He has said the company is profitable.

No guarantee

Google's own attempt last year at launching a service that streamed web content onto television sets, Google TV, was met with a blockade by broadcasters that continues to this day.

People using personal computers can see recent shows on Hulu for free with ads, but those trying to access them through Google TV aren't able to.

Hulu does not allow viewers to watch its shows on mobile devices or through TV sets unless users subscribe to Hulu Plus, a US$8-a-month (RM24-a-month) plan that offers access to a broader catalogue of material.

Even if Google were to buy Hulu, the right to continue to stream content from its current owners isn't guaranteed. The broadcasters insist Mountain View, California-based Google must reach a new agreement to license the content to be used in that way.

Google's YouTube also rents movies from studios such as Sony, Warner Bros, Universal and Lionsgate but not from Disney, Paramount and 20th Century Fox.

Paramount owner Viacom Inc is appealing a lower court's rejection of its US$1bil (RM3bil) lawsuit in which it accuses YouTube of showing tens of thousands of pirated video clips from its shows.

Google's interest in Hulu was earlier reported by the Los Angeles Times.

A Google spokesman said the company doesn't comment on rumour and speculation. A Hulu spokesman also declined to comment. - AP

Published: Tuesday July 12, 2011 MYT 9:40:00 AM
Updated: Wednesday July 13, 2011 MYT 9:39:53 AM

New allegations besiege Murdoch media empire

INVASION OF PRIVACY: Former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown. It is alleged that two of Murdoch's newspapers accessed Brown's bank account information and stole medical records of his seriously ill baby son. - AP

LONDON: Rupert Murdoch's media empire is being besieged by accusations that two more of his British newspapers engaged in hacking, deception and privacy violations.

This round of alleged violations include accessing former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown's bank account information and stealing the medical records of his seriously ill baby son.

His reporters are also being accused of paying Queen Elizabeth II's bodyguards for secret information about the monarch, potentially jeopardising her safety.

If proven, the charges by rival newspapers will dramatically increase the pressure on top Murdoch executives so far largely insulated from the scandal.

The public outrage began a week ago over wrongdoing at the Murdoch-owned best-selling tabloidNews of the World.

It has since disrupted the media titan's plans to take over highly profitable satellite broadcaster British Sky Broadcasting and slashed billions off the value of his global conglomerate News Corp.

In Britain, the scandal has cast a harsh light on the unparalleled political influence of Murdoch's collection of newspapers and is taking an increasing toll on Prime Minister David Cameron.

The conservative leader's former communications chief, Andy Coulson, was arrested last week in connection with alleged payoffs to police when he was editor of News of the World.

With political pressure rising, a final decision on the £7.5bil (RM37.5bil), BSKyB takeover was delayed after Murdoch withdrew a promise to spin off news channel Sky News.

It was seen as a tactical move that forced the British Government to refer the bid to authorities charged with enforcing anti-monopoly laws, delaying any decision for months.

Analysts said Murdoch's move amounts to a favour for Cameron, sparing the Prime Minister the possibility of an embarrassing defeat in the House of Commons.

The takeover will be spared scrutiny during a period of once-unimaginable public criticism of Murdoch's British operation, News International, fuelled by a relentless stream of new allegations of wrongdoing at its properties.

London's Evening Standard newspaper reported that corrupt royal protection officers sold personal details about Queen Elizabeth II - including phone numbers and tips about her movements and staff - to journalists working for the Murdoch tabloid News of the World, raising questions over a breach in national security.

The scandal spread beyond the now-defunct tabloid, with British media reporting on Monday that Brown was one of thousands whose privacy was breached by News International papers, saying that his personal details - including his bank account and his son's medical records - had been stolen by people working for The Sun and The Sunday Times. None of the media cited sources.

Cystic fibrosis

The Guardian, which set off the scandal last week with a report that the News of the World had hacked the phone of a missing 13-year-old girl who was later found murdered, said on its website that The Sun had illegally obtained details from the medical records of Brown's four-year-old son Fraser, who has cystic fibrosis.

The Sun broke the story of Fraser's illness soon after he was born in 2006.

The Guardian reported that News International chief executive Rebekah Brooks, then editor ofThe Sun , contacted the Browns before publication to say that the paper had details from Fraser's medical file. The Browns were extremely distressed by the story, friends told The Guardian.

The Guardian said Brown was targeted over a more than 10-year period while he served as chancellor of the exchequer and Prime Minister, and that some of his financial information was obtained by hacking into his accountant's computers.

It said Scotland Yard contacted Brown and his wife, Sarah, to tell them their details had been found in evidence collected by the special inquiry into phone hacking at the News of the World.

Brooks, who also edited the News of the World in 2002 when journalists there allegedly hacked murder victim Milly Dowler's cellphone, has since been promoted to head of News International, News Corp's British newspaper division.

Murdoch has publicly stood by her even while closing down News of the World in response to the allegations. Brooks has denied knowledge of any wrongdoing.

Media watchers accuse Murdoch of offering up the more than 200 News of the World journalists as a sacrifice to save Brooks.

A spokesman for Brown has said that the former Prime Minister was shocked by the alleged "criminality and the unethical means by which personal details have been obtained" about his family.

His wife, Sarah, tweeted that the information was very personal and it was "really hurtful if all true."

News International spokesman Daisy Dunlop said the company had taken note of the accusations and that in order to investigate the company asks "that all information concerning these allegations is provided to us."

Other newspapers reported that Brown's bank account was broken into by a con man acting for Murdoch's The Sunday Times

The Evening Standard report said that News Corp executives discovered a series of e-mail messages indicating that Murdoch employees made payments to members of Scotland Yard's royal and diplomatic protection squad in return for details about Queen Elizabeth and her entourage.

The Evening Standard

"The events of last week shocked the nation," Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt told lawmakers on Monday. He said Britain's proud press tradition had been "shaken by the revelation of what we now know to have happened at the News of The World."

The 80-year-old Murdoch arrived in Britain on Sunday to take charge of the widening crisis.

Legal experts said on Monday that it is possible Murdoch's US companies might face legal actions because of the shady practices at the News of the World, his now defunct British tabloid. In the United States, Murdoch owns Fox News, The Wall Street Journal and the New York Post, among other holdings.

They said Murdoch's News Corp might be liable to criminal prosecution under the 1977 Corrupt Foreign Practices Act, a broad act designed to prosecute executives who bribe foreign officials in exchange for large contracts.

A group of News Corp shareholders already have sued the company over the phone-hacking scandal, accusing News Corp of large-scale governance failures.

The lawsuit was filed in Delaware Chancery Court by shareholders led by Amalgamated Bank, and several municipal and union pension funds joined in.

The shareholders own less than 1% of News Corp's stock combined. The lawsuit is part of an amended complaint.

The shareholders are also challenging News Corp's acquisition of Shine Group Ltd, founded by Murdoch's daughter.

News Corp didn't immediately return messages for comment on the lawsuit. - AP

ICT for education in rural Malaysia

ICT for education in rural Malaysia

Sekolah Menegah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tenom in a remote part of Sabah state boasts a wireless connection and computer-aided programmes for its students. This connection is meant to help these students keep pace with others in larger, more privileged districts in the state and across Malaysia.

Abdul Aziz Mohamed Zain Headmaster of SMK Tenom says having ICT in place has promoted excellence in teaching and enhanced students’ learning. “Students are excited about using computers in their lessons. Interest in learning and computer skills has improved.”
Under the 9th Malaysia Plan, the Education Ministry has allocated US$6.3 million for the replacement of ICT equipment and infrastructure.

Recently, the internet service speed has been upgraded by the ministry from 2MB to 4MBand this infrastructure is shared by primary and boarding school students. Currently, there are 80 personal computers located in the computer labs, a kiosk, offices and classrooms. On average, one personal computer is allocated to every 13 students.
Other than using ICT in school subjects, students are exposed to applications such as Microsoft Word, Excel, Flash and downloadable online software.

SOURCE : http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2008/nov/19/ict-education-rural-malaysia-school/
AUTHOR : Alice kok

Education technology in Australia

Education technology in Australia

In Australia, ICT played and continues to play a significant role in ensuring access to education by remote and rural communities, said Elodie Journet, Trade Commissioner, Singapore & Asean Industry Team Leader (ICT, Health and Medical), Australian Trade Commission (Austrade).

Journet’s role in Austrade demands that Australian education and training is marketed and promoted internationally and it certainly helps the agency’s case when “Australia has become a leader in e-learning content and educational technology systems”.
“Since assuming this role, we have developed a strategy and delivered a number of initiatives to further promote Australia as one of the high quality education providers and to encourage deeper engagement with regional stakeholders,” said Journet to FutureGov Asia Pacific.
One project Journet highlighted to FutureGov Asia Pacific was the US$71.58 million Le@rning Federation initiative. The Le@rning Federation, managed by Education Services Australia on behalf of the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Development and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA), has since created more than 7000 online curriculum materials.
“This gives classrooms an enhanced learning experience,” said Journet.
Also, Australia completed the US$121 million Clever Networks programme in June 2010, enabling the rollout of broadband infrastructure and services to regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. This project has since given students in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia easy access to “online learning tools, at home and within their communities”, benefitting more than 1330 schools and education institutions.
Together with the Digital Education Revolution initiative, Austrade has been well positioned to perform its role—“continue to position Australia as a high quality education partner worldwide and support Australian education providers by providing access to global networks, business and investment opportunities as well as strategic regional and global partnerships”.

SOURCE :http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2011/mar/25/education-technology-australia/
AUTHOR : XINGHUI GUO

Singapore gives ICT retraining to civil servants

Singapore gives ICT retraining to civil servants

While Singapore’s Infocomm Manpower Development Roadmap V2.0 (MDEV 2.0) looks to develop infocomm experts and leaders for the country, the government itself has been giving its workforce continual learning and skills upgrading for an effective, productive and efficient ICT workforce.


Under the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), provides regular ICT training programmes are given to internal infocomm personnel and the end-users in the public sector. IDA told FutureGov Asia Pacific that the courses for the infocomm workforce are compliant with the National Infocomm Competency Framework (NICF) which articulates the competencies needed for key infocomm job roles, aims to widen and deepen the infocomm capabilities of infocomm professionals and guide their career development against standards agreed by the industry and companies.
As for non-IT public sector officers, training and courses are aligned with IDA’s Public Sector Infocomm Competency framework with the key objective of expanding the infocomm capabilities and capacities and also to raise the levels of infocomm standards in the public service.
Andrew Khaw, Senior Director, Industry Development Group, IDA, said that infocomm has been the key strategy to deliver better quality and efficient public services.
“Infocomm professionals with up-to-date and relevant skills, expertise and good sector knowledge are required to develop relevant infocomm solutions. For example, the healthcare sector leverages on infocomm to cut down waiting time for new beds. Having an infocomm workforce has also allowed the government to deploy a total of about 1,600 online services and over 300 mobile services which have allowed users to search for information on the move, transact on the go, and obtain information in the context of the users’ location,” Khaw explained.
IDA is keen to develop “emerging skills like those in area of business analytics and cloud computing”. Khaw said that business analytics gives the ability to organise and manage data so as to be able to extract valuable insights and analysis and “such insights and findings can then be used to make better informed business decisions”.
“With the use of cloud computing by both private and public sector organisations, CIOs must be able to address the related security, compliance and privacy issues. Hence, having a team of infocomm professionals skilled in these areas will be important,” Khaw said.

SOURCE :http://www.futuregov.asia/articles/2011/mar/16/singapore-gives-ict-retraining-civil-servants/
AUTHOR : Xinghui GUO

The importance of research for ICT teachers

The importance of research for ICT teachers

How important is research for teachers in general, and ICT teachers in particular? One might be tempted to say that people learn in the same way now as they did thousands of years ago, so research, apart from keeping abreast of the latest developments in technology, is pretty redundant.
I think there are problems with that attitude.
First, we don’t know what we don’t know. Research can shed light on issues we didn’t even know existed, and can raise questions we hadn’t realised even needed asking. Second, I’m not convinced that people do learn in the same way as they did thousands of years ago. Technology has meant that we can make mistakes that would have been fatal in the past, through the use of simulations and modelling. Social media has meant that we can canvass, or be exposed to, views from a much wider range of people than would have been possible hitherto. This happens by accident almost. For example, I recently wrote an article about how school districts in the USA are spending their money on computer hardware. This led to comments by John McLear, Michael Pickett and someone called Hamish. All their views are interesting, especially as two of them (John and Michael) seem to feel the same way as I do about tablets vs netbooks (article on that subject is already in the works). Moreover, Michael has provided a couple of links to articles on his website which I am looking forward to reading, and provided a further reference in Twitter this morning. Perhaps in a sense the actual mechanisms by which stuff enters our brains, stays there and then becomes useful in a practical way really hasn’t changed for millennia – which may or may not be true, but in a sense that is irrelevant.
I’d also say that, if you discovered that your doctor hasn’t read a medical journal article since he or she qualified, you might consider changing your doctor! Hopefully, research is not a life or death issue in education, but I do believe that what makes a professional a professional is keeping up-to-date with the issues and thinking that are pertinent to that subject. That’s why it’s quite right that the powers-that-be believe teachers should continue to do research, although I agree with Christina Preston (see below) that such research doesn’t have to be at Masters level.
What is research? On the one hand you have the highly academic stuff that universities and other institutions engage in. On the other hand you have Freda Bloggs keeping a note of what happens in her classroom when she introduces a new application into her teaching. And somewhere in the middle are people like myself, who carry out research via online surveys or in Twitter. The methodology may not be scientific in the true sense of the term, but I like to think that at the very least it can act as a catalyst for discussion and flag up issues for further exploration.
But enough of this persiflage! Take part in a free online discussion, which takes place at 7pm UK time on Tuesday 8th February, under the auspices of Vital. Christina Preston, founder of the teacher-centred research organisation Mirandanet, and its seminar programme of Mirandamods, discusses the importance of research for ICT co-ordinators. This is important because we don’t have to rely on anecdotes to show people how important technology can be in the learning process. Join Drew Buddie and me for an online discussion here. Please note that the discussion and chat will be recorded.

SOURCE :http://www.ictineducation.org
AUTHOR :Terry Freedman

7 Outlandish Idea For ICT

7 Outlandish Idea For ICT

Yesterday I was faced with a grim journey into central London. Now, we Brits like nothing better than to complain about the weather, but this time our moaning was justified. The dreadful heat made it difficult not only for us to work, but also the signals on a part of the rail service into London. The part that I use. Rather than face delays of up to 40 minutes (nearly 50% of the normal journey time), I “asked” Transport for London to find an alternative route for me, one which didn’t involve going by rail.
I'm glad I did.
Go on, be daring!The new route was delightful. Instead of being squashed standing up for most of the journey, I had a seat on the bus and then on the tube. Instead of being cooped up with lots of tired-looking adults, I shared part of my journey with schoolchildren. I daresay I wouldn’t like that much if I were a bus driver having to put up with them every day, but I found their exuberance quite uplifting. They were also quieter than a lot of commuters, because instead of bellowing into their cell phones they were listening to their mp3 players and texting people. More of the trip was spent in daylight as well. Because of these differences, I actually took notice of the journey instead of concerning myself with the report I’d taken with me to read.
And here’s an unexpected bonus: the journey took 15 minutes less time than it usually does, despite TFL’s assuring me that using rail was the fastest route.
So what has all this to do with educational technology? Well, nothing in itself, except that it made me think. We often get into a particular way of doing things, not least because we’re assured that that is the best way. Once you start doing certain things in certain ways, it becomes easy to forget that there might be a completely different approach.
So what if you were to do something totally different, outlandish even? What unexpected benefits might come out of it? What if…

• You decreed that next Friday everyone had to use a visualiser in a meaningful way at least once in each lesson?
• You decreed that nobody in your team should use the interactive whiteboard one day next week?
• You stipulated that the pupils in each ICT class had to be responsible for one lesson each term?
• You abandoned the scheme of work for one lesson and instead asked the pupils to come up with a way of using technology to make supermarket shopping more pleasant?
• Taught ICT in a room with no technology in it at all, for one lesson a week for a month?
• You asked your pupils to extend this list, weeded out the dangerous or really impossible suggestions, and then selected one to do at random?
• Used this list as a starting point for your next team meeting?

No doubt there would be many unworkable and ludicrous ideas – but there might, just might, be a fantastic idea that reinvigorates everyone, staff and pupils alike, and leads to your doing things in a completely different, and actually better, way.

SOURCE :http://www.ictineducation.org
AUTHOR :Terry Freedman

Germany warns of Apple software security hole

Germany warns of Apple software security hole

POTENTIAL PROBLEM: The software running Apple's iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch has "critical weaknesses," warns German IT security agency. - AP

BERLIN: The software running Apple's iPhones, iPads and the iPod touch has "critical weaknesses" that could be used by criminals to gain access to confidential data on the devices, Germany's IT security agency warned.
Clicking on an infected PDF file "is sufficient to infect the mobile device with malware without the user's knowledge" on several versions of Apple's iOS operating system, the Federal Office for Information Security said.
The same could occur when opening a website that carries an infected PDF file, possibly opening the device to criminals spying on passwords, planners, photos, text messages, e-mail messages and even listen in on phone conversations.
"The weak points allow possible attackers to gain administrator rights and get access to the entire system," it said.
The problem may occur on all devices - iPhone 3GS, iPhone 4, iPad, iPad 2 and the iPod touch - with software versions including iOS 4.3.3, and it "cannot be excluded" that other iOS versions have the same weakness, it said.
Apple Inc has yet to offer a patch to fix the problem, the agency added.
Apple Germany spokesman Georg Albrecht told The Associated Press he was aware of the warning, adding that Apple would not comment on it.
The agency said it was in contact with the firm regarding the security hole.
No attacks taking advantage of it have been reported so far, "but it must be expected that attackers will soon exploit the weak points," it said.
The agency urges the devices' users to refrain from opening PDF files of unknown origin, be it as an e-mail attachment or those opening through websites.
"Possible scenarios for attacks by cybercriminals include the extraction of confidential information (passwords, online banking data, calendars, e-mail messages, SMS or contacts), accessing the device's cameras, the user's GPS data as well as listening in on phone conversations," the statement said.
The Bonn-based institution reported a similar security hole last year, for which Apple soon afterward presented a software upgrade fixing it. - AP

SOURCE : techcentral.my/news/

Baidu and Microsoft tie-up for English search in China

Baidu and Microsoft tie-up for English search in China

Baidu, the biggest web company in China, will partner with Microsoft to provide English-language search results.

English search queries will be directed from Baidu to Microsoft's Bing search engine, the Chinese company said in a statement late on Monday.
Baidu dominates search in China with more than 75% of the market.
The move is aimed at increasing Microsoft's small web presence in the biggest internet market in the world.
Baidu said that it expected the service to start later this year.
The two firms have already co-operated on mobile platforms and page results.
Some analysts say this partnership is aimed at taking market share from Google, which has already retreated from the Chinese market because of a censorship spat with the government.
Despite that Google is still the second biggest search engine in China.
"The co-operation between Baidu and Microsoft will further strengthen Baidu's dominance in China's search engine market, and will also make Google's business in China more difficult," said Dong Xu, an analyst with Analysys International.

Baidu receives about 10 million search queries in English a day, according to the company

SOURCE : http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/

Mah: Set up ICT centre at Super Kinta

IPOH: Instead of being left vacant, the 29-year-old Super Kinta Shopping Complex could be turned into the city's first digital mall.

State executive councillor Datuk Dr Mah Hang Soon made this suggestion at the launch of an information technology fair at Stadium Indera Mulia, here, recently.

He said two floors could be used to set up an information and communications technology (ICT) centre with dealers and traders at the complex, akin to Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur.

He said businesses in the area stood to benefit if the vacant lots were occupied once again.

Mah, who is also state Local Government Committee chairman, said the city council might consider offering a minimal rental rate to dealers interested in setting up business there.

Perak Computer and Digital Association chairman Kevin Chang, who is also organising chairman of the IT fair, said he was ready to discuss the idea with the state government.

"We have been mulling the idea to set up a digital mall where at least 80 per cent of the wares are ICT accessories and gadgets.

"Now that we have a location to consider, we may conduct talks with other trade associations, such as telecommunications, for example, and see if they are keen to collaborate," he said.

The second floor of the four-storey complex used to be tenanted by the Super Kinta Departmental Store.

The building had been vacant eight years ago.

Efforts to revive it as a trade centre came to naught as many people had complained about the dirty condition of the Ipoh Central market downstairs.

Tech: When feng shui meets ICT

Lee Cheng Hoe abandoned a promising career in the fast lane to follow his calling in oriental astrology. He is zealously pursuing his passion in feng shui with some tech help, writes ROZANA SANI

ARMED with a First Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering after graduating from University of Strathcycle in United Kingdom in 1993, Penangite Lee Cheng Hoe seemed destined to make engineering his career for life.

The offspring of hawker parents, the Chung Ling High School alumnus made all the right moves — gaining employment in a multinational high technology company upon graduation and rising up in the various MNCs he worked for as he progressed.

Although he enjoyed it, his heart was elsewhere: specifically in the area of oriental astrology, which he had already developed a strong interest in since he first started working As he studied and did research on the subject, Lee was intrigued by the relevance of feng shui and metaphysics to daily life and felt compelled to share the ancestral knowledge with others.

So he went on to master feng shui, Bazi (an ancient fortune-reading method) and Chinese Name studies.

Lee has practised oriental astrology part-time for more than 10 years and full-time for the past three.

For Lee, feng shui is the combined study of geography, environment, history and magnetic energy (qi). “Basically, feng shui is divided into the hardware, Luan Tou, and the software, Li Qi.

“Luan Tou (space and location) is the physical influence of the surrounding environment while Li Qi (flow of Qi) is the influence of the magnetic energy which changes regularly.

“Just as we require the hardware and software in order to operate a computer, both concepts are applied in feng shui when it comes to human beings,” he explains.

“The hardware is our physical body and the software is our mind and soul. Missing either one and we will not be able to function properly.

“In ruling a country, a government needs to focus on both hardware and software. The hardware of a country is its infrastructure and the software is the heart of the people,” he allegorises.

Leveraging ICT Now based in Air Hitam, Penang, Lee believes feng shui can be practised by everyone. “Feng shui has become rather commercialised. My purpose in practising feng shui is to help ordinary people to improve their life, career, health and relationships.

“These people may not be able to afford the exorbitant rates charged by many feng shui masters.

“I feel a sense of satisfaction if my clients are indeed able to improve the bad situation they are in prior to consulting me,” he shares.

To be able to realise the vision, Lee leverages on ICT. “I charge a reasonable consultation fee as I do not need to pay expensive rental or hire staff to assist me.” Lee has a blog, a website and a presence on Facebook. The blog (http://penangfengshui.blogspot.com/) is a platform for Lee to share information on astrology and his views on current issues that can be explained through metaphysics. The website, http://www.penangfengshui.com/ , is where his role as an author, speaker and trainer in oriental astrology is showcased.

Here, readers can download electronics books (e-book) and videos that feature topics he covers.

The Facebook account is for interaction with clients and those who are curious or keen to know more about oriental astrology.

“The Internet is an amazing medium. Being borderless, someone from overseas can actually find you via the search engines. “Readers will assess you by first going through what you have done. You have to prove that you are the right person for them. Pictures, video, testimonials and informative articles are the keys to success. Readers from Italy, Australia, Singapore, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Switzerland, and Dubai and Philippines have approached me.” “I am m glad to see many highly educated people beginning to realise that there is no link between feng shui and religion,” he says.

There are also many sophisticated tools such as the digital compass, hardware and software which ease his work. With all the tech gadgets, Lee is delighted that he no longer needs to conform to the 8 to 5 work schedule.

“I can work anytime, which is convenient to me. I can email my clients in the middle of the night and they can access their Bazi (a fortune reading method) reports when they switch on their computers the next day. Thus, there is more flexibility in time management.” The most memorable incident for him is helping a woman whose marriage had failed. She was contemplating suicide but Lee helped her begin a new chapter in life. “My clients often say: “This is my secret, how can you possibly know?” But it is nothing mysterious. Our ancestors gave us this science thousands of years ago. Predictions LEE has been invited by companies to hold seminars in oriental astrology and metaphysics especially those in housing development and managing finances. Lee believes the Year of the Rabbit will be similar to last year where businesses are concerned.

“2010 was a good year for the gold, fire and plant industries. We anticipate the Year of the Rabbit to be of golden and wood elements again. You can find out more on my free e-book http://www.penangfengshui.com/index.php?pages>book_enjoyyourlife_ebook for the industries of the related elements,” he says As for Lee’s own future, he dreams of learning and sharing more knowledge. “There are requests to write more books. Currently, I have started on my fourth book. This time, I’m going to write it in Mandarin. It is a book about Bazi reading, a fortune-telling book. It is my first Chinese book. I will market it as an e-book once completed.” Lee also wishes to have more classes. “After all, the more you share, the more you will gain.”