Wednesday, July 15, 2009

What is Green Campus Computing?

Green Campus Computing is a practice of using computer resources efficiently. The growing use of computers on campus has caused a dramatic increase in energy consumption. Most personal desktop computers are not being used the majority of the time they are running and many personal computers nationwide are needlessly left on continuously. Every time we leave computers or lights on we waste electricity. Burning fossil fuels generates most of our electricity and it also emits pollutants, sulfur, and carbon dioxide into the air. These emissions can cause respiratory disease, smog, acid rain and global climate change.

Here are some ways to reduced energy consumption:


  • Eliminate Screen Savers
  • Turn off computers when not in use
  • Printers must be used only when needed
  • Avoid use laser printers because it consume more energy
  • Unplug Cellphone chargers when you're not charging
When you're not using your computer, you can save energy by putting it to "sleep." When your computer is in sleep, it's turned on but in a low power mode. It takes less time for a computer to wake up from sleep than it does for the computer to start up after being turned off. You can also choose to put the computer to sleep automatically when your computer has been inactive for a specified amount of time. You can also set only the display to sleep. If your computer is in the middle of a task that you want to let finish while you are away you should set only the display to sleep.

To implement this idea on my school, University of Southeastern Philppines, it would be much better if we are responsible enough to help in conserving energy. All the administrative staff as well as students must be aware of the environmental issues that computers bring unto us since we are the primary users of those devices. We have to be vigilant of the effects of those issues since we are responsible on it. The idea of turning off the computers when not in used is a big help. Avoid using screen savers since images that appear on monitor within 5 minutes means wasting of energy. We must understand the concepts of green campus computing, its advantages and effects in many aspects of life. If we students as well as the staff in our school is properly oriented with the purpose of green campus computing, then it would be very easy for us to get involved in conserving energy and protecting the environment. Cooperation is badly needed to achieve the goal of saving the environment. Likewise, it would be a lot better if the faculty will imposed strict implementation inside our computer laboratories so that students will definitely follow. It is also good if the school administration will have further study in using the technology efficient and effectively to fit the current computing lifestyle of our university. Moreover, we students must follow those simple implementation so that we can help in conserving and saving energy at the same time in protecting our environment. The benefit of having a good environment is not only for our own good but also to those in our future generation.

References:
http://ecenter.colorado.edu/energy/projects/green_computing.html
http://greencampus.winserve.org/greencampus/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=7&Itemid=39
http://www2.iath.virginia.edu/mgk3k/enwr/ccs.html

Monday, July 13, 2009

A COMDAPP experience..

Get to know COMDDAP..

COMDDAP is an association of the country's top information technolgy businesses. Its primary objective is to promote the sustainable development of the of the country's information technology industry through voluntary collaboration of its member companies. COMDDAP’s goal is to be able to provide its members general views and updates from different sectors - private and government, and highly regarded individuals to further uplift the morale and knowledge of its organization.

The vision of promoting and elevating the standards of Information technology (IT) in the Philippines fueled a group of prominent computer companies to form the Computer Distributors and Dealers Association of the Philippines or COMDDAP. Its initial member-companies represent the world's leading makers and providers of computer products, solutions and peripherals.

COMDDAP’s objective was to promote the use of information technology, make computers affordable, and supply the market with quality products at reasonable prices. With that, they held an annual event to encourage students, young professionals or even those interested in technology to take part on their event as they launch their products and services as well as hold seminars with a variety of topics in the areas of technology, trends, applications, and information management. The said event was held at the grand ballroom of the Apo View Hotel, Davao City.

Insights..

I was there around 1:00pm together with my classmates and friends. As we enter the ballroom portal, I was then stunned of those booth displayed. Latest technology was present. We get to know of the latest trend.The exhibit is really amazing. We had a chance to get closer to those latest technologies, which eventually can be a great help to all of us in terms of our studies. Actually the said event was a good activity especially to us students since the whole thing on the said event is informative. We learned something beneficial in our part as students at the same time were having fun. The seminar started late because the first session ended late that morning. At first its quite boring but as time goes by I already enjoyed it.

The first presenter is Mr. Celmer Santos from Jupiter Systems Inc. He discussed about DMS (Deale Management System). It is a system used in car dealership and sales transactions. It is a 24-year-old software company and is one of the pioneers of Enterprise Resource Planning Systems in the Philippines. They’re not jus operating here in the Philippines but also across the Asia Pacific. Dealer Management System is also a complete end-to-end solution for Auto Management. He discussed about Dealer Management System Coverage, which includes Customer Relationship Management, Vehicle Sales and Administration, Service Management and Parts Inventory.

The second part of the seminar is about Thin Client. I consider the topic as a good and exciting one since all of us can barely relate. Mr. Leonard then discussed it. What is HP Thin Clients? It is computing device without a hard drive, which displays data and applications from remotely located servers, blade PC’s or virtual desktop. It can be used independently, as a task specific computing
device with a minimal set of applications installed. Most ideal platform is also used.

The benefits of using HP Thin Clients:

  • Hardware Embedded OS
  • Free Management Tools
  • ¼ the Failure
  • 10x higher MTBF
  • Solid state, no noise
  • Longer life
  • ONSITE, whole unit replacement
  • Up to 80% lower power
  • Save savings (less than 1/15 vol)
  • Minimal heat generated
  • Lower initial hardware cost and overall TCO
Overall, I really enjoyed the experience on that event. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any freebies but still I have fun at the same time I learned something new. Good thing that theres a kind of event that will make each and every one of us aware of the latest technology. Thanks to COMDAPP. lol!



References:
http://www.comddap.org/aboutus.htm

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Automated Election..

2010 election is fast approaching. Newly elected officials both from the national and local levels will take charge in the next few years of their reign. Part of our tradition is having an election that will choose who among those qualified leaders can be the best ruler of our country. Throughout the history of Philippine elections, never-ending issues on disqualification appeals, cheating scandals and unjustified campaign schemes are always brought under the table.

From the local to the national level, from the lowest to the highest position, results on election returns are always questioned. Come to think of it, was there ever an election that passed where everyone was satisfied? There’s actually none. Political campaigns have always been colorfully dramatic. We always see in some advertisements in television those aspiring candidates seriously knocking every voter’s heart for them to be chosen.

Great caution must be observed upon examining those promises they had for our country. It’s saddening when people only see the immediate advantage but not the long-term improvement. The mentality of the people has been blinded by poverty. Poverty that is caused by long generations of conflict, lack of income resource and unwise governance. People always
blame the government. But it is the people who put them on top of the ladder in the first place. When the undeserving is one step ahead, there is no else to blame.

We are all aware about the automated election in 2010, which was then planned to be implemented. Advantages and disadvantages arise when this automated system for election is implemented. It provides efficient way for voting with less hassle. Voters cannot prolong the process of voting and lined up in a crowd. Its very convenient since we can get the tally immediately rather than to count it by hands. But then it could be the cause to worsen political situation. Possibilities for the candidates can hire computer experts to hack the system and manipulate the entire votes. Unless if the system is fully secured.

There comes an election automation contract to Smartmatic and TIM (Total Information Management). Smartmatic is a multinational company that designs and deploys technological solutions aimed at helping governments fulfill, in the most efficient way, their commitments with
their citizens. It is one of the largest cutting-edge technology suppliers, with a wide and proven experience in the United States, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. Smartmatic also aims to help societies become more efficient and transparent, through technological innovations and it is responsible for several top and advanced innovations available in the market around three business areas: electronic auditable voting systems, intelligent and integrated security platforms, and advanced solutions for people registration and authentication for a wide range of government applications. Likewise, it is one of the service providers of the more expensive direct recording electronic system, or touch-screen technology.

Lately, local information technology provider Total Information Management Corp. (TIM) had backed out of a joint venture for election automation, fearing the deal gave its foreign partner unbridled power that could lead to potential abuse, according to an industry source close to TIM. Under the contract between Smartmatic International Corporation and TIM, Commission on Elections would have paid the providers P7.19 billion for the lease of goods and purchase of services. TIM opposes several key provisions in the joint venture agreement as well as in the contract on the 2010 automated election system. Local partners were concerned that TIM had no say on the counting software development, despite being the technical partner, and would be a lame duck if electronic cheating were to occur. There’s a provision in the proposed contract with Comelec and Smartmatic-TIM joint venture which states that: “The providers shall be liable for all their obligations under this project and the performance of portions thereof by other persons or entities not parties to this contract shall not relieve the providers of said obligations and concomitant liabilities.” Since Smartmatic is the provider of great track record in automated elections, it was their responsibility to take charge of the technical aspects of the counting and canvassing, software and hardware, including transmission configuration and system integration.

In the senate hearing, the head of the Filipino partner in the consortium that won the bid for next year’s computerized elections conceded that Smartmatic International would do the bulk of the automation. According to Jose Mari Antuñez, head of local IT provider Total Information Management Corporation, in accordance with an agreement on Friday the joint venture company to be formed with Smartmatic was on a 60-40 basis in favor of TIM. Smartmatic and TIM officials told the Senate that that they had patched up their differences and that they had agreed to a “neutral arbiter”—a Singaporean arbitration court—that would help resolve their conflict should they have another conflict.

If ever the automated election will take place, it is or responsibility to make sure that we used the technology properly. Likewise, it is very much important to have a good decision in terms of choosing a leader. We are definitely responsible for our own future. Our decisions affect the growth of our economy and our actions determine the fate of this country. There is hope for better tomorrow. We must begin by helping ourselves. Doing what is right will help us win this fight. The fight that determines who is going to lead this country to the shore of productivity.
Think. Evaluate. Vote wisely. Make a smart choice as 2010 elections knocks on every Filipino’s door.


References:

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/nation/view/20090707-214221/Smartmatic-TIM-assure-Senate-problem-settled
Philippine Daily Inquirer

Monday, July 6, 2009

IT/IS change..

Since globe telecom decline us as we visit to their company to conduct some interview, we decided to go to LDS (Latter Day Saint Employment Resource Services) to have an interview with regards to our second assignment which is to identify the risk associated with IT/IS change in a certain organization.

Nowadays, the use of technology is fast as easy. The common work environment today is totally
dependent on computers. All our work related applications are now completely automated, that is what the IT sector influenced us. IT professionals are people involved in essential management of sensitive data. In such ways, IT influenced the industry-level of the business as well as ruled the world in many aspects. With IT, some of the systems help those organizations to share information and end linguistic barriers across the continents. The use of technology has not only made communication cheaper, but also possible much quicker. Computerized, IT-based business processes have made many businesses turn to the Internet for increased productivity and greater profitability. Because of the IT industry, people from diverse cultures are able to personally communicate and exchange valuable ideas. This has greatly reduced prejudice and thus increased sensitivity. Information Technology made some influences with regards to business aspects. Specialist in this field like programmers, analyzers and developers, come up to an application that improve business processes simultaneously. For larger operations, IT provides number of low-cost
business options to tap higher productivity and a special category for the larger operations as well. Many businessmen have enabled updates in terms of the technology they are using to increase productivity and identify a market niche that would never have been possible without the connectivity. People do not only connect faster with the help of information technology, but they are also able to identify like-minded individuals and extend help, while strengthening ties. With the use of the so-called technologies in a certain organization, business transactions are automated and thus require little or no human intervention after all. With that, job levels in the workplace have minimized, repetitions of task are eliminated and there would be no loss due to human error. The development of information technology will surely help each organization to achieve their certain goals and become globally competitive.

As much as IT is concerned, there comes the Information System, which is then designed to help certain organizations to have system of people, data records, activities that is processed and some organization’s manual and automated processes. Through Information System and Technologies, an organization utilizes flexible, and efficient data solutions to gain immediate access to critical tracking, management, and systematic information modified to their industry-specific needs.

Company Visited: LDS Employment Resource Service

The LDS Employment Resource Service (ERS) is non-profit service supported by The Church Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. It has been in existence for over (10) years now in the Philippines. Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Thousands of job seekers and hundreds of companies have benefited from free services of the ERS worldwide. Their objective is to help people economically self-reliant through employment, education and self-employment. We had an interview with Mr. Philip Tan, Area Manager for Employment in LDS. He stated some advantage and disadvantage of Information System in their company. One of these advantage is that with IS, it is useful for them to serve their clients since they have computerized systems for financial track keeping expenses and real time recording of expenses. Moreover, the disadvantage he states is that when they are so IT/IS dependent, the time the Internet or the systems becomes down all those files saved will vanish if there would be no backup initiated.

LDS offers free services to those employees and job seekers as well. For employees, they do have free advertisements of manpower requirements, free access to their website and free use of the facility to conduct interviews or recruitment events such as job fairs. For job seekers they have business center that they can access facilities such as computers and the Internet. They also have training and resource center that will help clients build their business ideas and resources. The center maintained a computerized system of applicants and employers. This system allows the center to generate a list of qualified applicants for a given job vacancy. They use excel and database software to store some data.

Mr. Tan also states the best IT practices their company has. They make use of the technology to lessened men hours to produce reports. They use people soft in accounting purposes. They also try not to use company cards, which is connected in their accounting system. They do also have localized network that is beneficial on their part since they can access some data through file sharing over a shared network.

What are those risks in IT/IS change?

According to Mr. Tan, the risks that they will encounter when IT/IS change is that they will lose the data stored and with that they cannot keep in touch with the client. Their company IT structure already provides them with necessary benefits, with changes there would be negative and positive impact on their part. He also said that if there is a change in their information system, it also mean that they have to find more skilled persons to operate the new technology the company will had. If there were a need to improve the facilities they had, then it would mean more expenses for the company. On the positive side of view, having the IT/IS change will give best results when it is properly planned and organized. Having great IT/IS in the organization, it simply means that their work would be done simpler and not time consuming. bounce

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