Electronic E- commerce

CASE # 9

2010-10-23T04:00:00.000-07:00

During the relief phase, municipal authorities can take the lead in specialized activities such as treating serious casualties or debris management because they are especially equipped to do so (in these cases, with hospitals and waste management services).
To do so, municipal departments and services need to heighten their awareness of disaster risks and the ability to coordinate their responses.
The partial destruction of urban neighborhoods and infrastructure can be an opportunity to build back better with improved designs, facilities, and services
Enforcing building codes and ensuring that earthquake-resistant construction techniques are used in the recovery process are important mitigating measures against future disasters.
More generally, disaster mitigation and management should be elements of urban planning (master plans, spatial planning, city development strategies, etc.)
Cities may receive a disproportionate share of recovery resources simply because they may be more accessible and better-equipped than remoter rural areas.

ADDRESSING HEALTH INEQUITIES IN THE AFTERMATH

These more general lessons can now be brought down to the level of how public health is delivered following a disaster in a more equitable manner. The analysis here relies less on specific examples from the Indonesian context and more from decades of global experience by WHO and others. Four areas are emphasized in this article: (a) assessing health sector damages and needs; (b) clearly differentiating the roles of public health in the humanitarian and recovery phases; (c) incorporating disaster prevention and preparedness in the recovery; and (d) addressing the needs of vulnerable groups.

Assessing Health Sector Damages and Needs

Properly assessing the impact of a disaster on human health and the health care system is fundamental to:

establish health care priorities,
follow trends and reassess priorities,
detect and respond to epidemics,
evaluate program effectiveness,
ensure targeting of resources,
assess the quality of health care.⁹

During the relief phase, there is a need to gather basic loss data (number of dead and injured), assess the threats to human health (especially epidemics), determine what measures and investments need to be taken to respond to immediate threats, and provide emergency care. Moving to the recovery phase, the damage assessment needs to be converted into a concerted program to revive the health sector and system so that they can increasingly deliver needed services to reduce morbidity and mortality. There is also a need for post-disaster epidemiologic studies to understand and address changes in disease transmission, and posttraumatic stress disorder/mental health.

Differing Roles in the Relief and Recovery Phases

The focus of the public health effort will differ between the emergency and reconstruction phases of post-disaster response. For example, during the emergency response, environmental health efforts would concentrate on disease surveillance, water quality, safe food, sanitation, waste management, and related guidelines for relief work. During rehabilitation and reconstruction, the emphasis would be on developing an environmental health strategy, encouraging healthier settlements, strengthening emergency response systems, and building preparedness.¹⁰

More specifically, during the relief phase, the Centers for Disease Control have identified a set of myths to be avoided and realities to recognize in the health response.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1891651/

CASE # 8

2010-10-23T03:44:00.000-07:00

MACONACON, Isabela - Typhoon victims in areas isolated by Typhoon Juan (international name Megi) in Isabela province are crying for help as their supplies of food and water run low.

An ABS-CBN News team was able to talk to some of the typhoon victims in the isolated town of Maconacon, one of the 3 hardest-hit municipalities in Isabela province.

Residents are struggling with the loss of their homes and livelihood and are getting little help.

On board ABS-CBN's helicopter, an ABS-CBN News team was able to see the full extent of the devastation wrought by the typhoon in the coastal town of Maconacon. (Click to Images: Devastation in Maconacon)

Bea Villan, a resident, told ABS-CBN that the town of Maconacon wants the entire country to know that they survived the storm, and they need help. The town's medicine supplies also running low.

"Nandito kami, buhay kami. Noong bagyo, nag-aantay na lang kaming mamatay pero buhay kami, buhay," Villan told ABS-CBN News.

One resident was able to capture the wrath of the typhoon and provided ABS-CBN News with an amateur video that shows how the super typhoon battered the coastal town. Click on video

A local policeman, Police Officer 1 Reynald Castro, was among those who guarded the town while it was being battered by the typhoon.

He witnessed how the storm destroyed homes and schools, a local gymnasium and even the municipal hall.

"Natakot na rin kami [noon] kung ano 'yong mangyayari, parang katapusan na ng mundo," Castro said.

Lilibeth Saguisi, a municipal clerk, said their records at the municipal hall were all destroyed. She said they now have to start from scratch.

"Wala, back to zero kami lahat, 'yong mga record namin, sira-sira. Ito na siguro talaga 'yong pinakamalakas na bagyong naranasan namin," Saguisi said.

Maconacon Mayor Erlinda Domingo said it will take time before the town recovers. -- Reports from Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN News and ANC

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/10/23/10/typhoon-victims-maconacon-cry-help

2010-10-10T02:08:00.000-07:00

Pres Aquino Plays pontius Pilate On Hacienda Luisita
A comprehensive agreement between the Hacienda Luisita management and farmers has been reached said the representatives of both camps and the spokesperson of the Palace despite the petition of farmers still hanging on a balance at the Supreme Court.

The controversial agreement to settle the decades-old dispute on one of the largest agricultural estate in the Philippines included on the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP) is being assailed by other farmers and beneficiaries saying that it pre-empts the Supreme Court into resolving the issue of the stock distribution that the Hacienda Luisita management gave to farmers instead of giving the lands. More so, the present machinations of the management is seen as deceptive as they only opt to give more than 1,000 hectares of land plus cash instead of distributing to farmers the more than 4,000 hectares already designated by the Department of Agrarian Reform for distribution to farmer-beneficiaries.

In all these, Pres. Noynoy Aquino who owns more than 1% shares to the company owned by his relatives has been aversive into dealing the cause of the farmers head-on. His spokesperson Atty. Edwin Lacierda said that the President is not keen on involving himself to the issue in order not to be accused of using his power especially that the issue right now is already in the Supreme Court for resolution, but is happy that an agreement is reached and is underway between the two parties.

The issue of agrarian reform is one of strongest issues hurled against him during the campaign and promised that Hacienda Luisita will be distributed to beneficiaries in five years during his term if elected. That promise sounded lame and hallow yet people gave him the vote of confidence. Now that he is already the President, Noynoy Aquino is still washing his hands on the issue that should have been resolved decades ago during his mother’s term. Noynoy Aquino is surely playing the role of Pontius Pilate on this.

While he is resolved and uses all his powers as President of the country on his fight for graft and corruption and stopping the financial leakages in the government, he is on the one hand seen as very lame on advancing the welfare of the farmers that had basically fattened the pockets of his family.

It is unfortunate that Noynoy Aquino is hiding under the skirt of fear so as not to be accused of peddling his power as President into a case that from the very beginning has undermined the welfare of the farmers toiling Hacienda Luisita. I wonder why should the President be afraid of being accused of using the powers of his office on advancing the welfare and giving justice to the very people he should defend? Isn’t it primarily his work as President to use everything at his disposal to advance the welfare of the marginalized, particularly the farmers on the issue of Hacienda Luisita?

Noynoy Aquino is just washing his hands while his family is crucifying the farmers for decades now. The management of Hacienda Luisita trades Barabas with cash and 1,000-plus hectares on the agreement over the rights of farmers of owning the more than 4,000 hectares of the estate. Noynoy Aquino and his advisers know very well that the farmers do not deserve this ploy to short change the beneficiaries yet he opts to play the Pontius Pilate for his family.

Bishop Pabillo of the Archdiocese of Manila is right when he said that Pres. Aquino was voted on the platform and now is working of leading the country to the straight and right path. Such platform raises then the issue of Hacienda as his ultimate test: to choose the country and the people over his family’s welfare and influence.

Pres. Aquino still has the time choose: be the Pontius Pilate or the Simon of Cyrene of the farmers.

2010-10-10T01:59:00.000-07:00

Power and water crisis in summer 2011 . Are we ready
He is known to be a business genius enjoying the admiration from the sector he has dominated for years. But San Miguel Corporation president Ramon Ang is now proving himself as a sage too.

Ang shared during an interview with Inquirer last week that the Philippines is set to experience a power and water shortage by the summer of 2011 – that is already next year folks; only months from now.

“A power crisis is coming…We have to start preparing for it now if we are to avert it. And in Luzon, our buffer is very think, if one plant goes offline in Luzon, there’s not enough spare capacity to take its place.”

And regarding the water shortage he is seeing some gloomy scenario on his crystal ball too,

“We may run out of water in the near future. All it takes is for one earthquake to damage Angat Dam.”

This gloomy scenario has already been actually foreseen by many experts and all it takes indeed, as what Ang has also said is to prepare the nation and the people – first to make all necessary actions in order not to let this nation suffer from water and power shortage and second, if it could not be averted anymore, prepare the nation and the people on how to adopt to such a difficult condition.

Of course, all these fearless predictions of the king pin are not without any business interests. For one, San Miguel Corporation has been shifting its business machinery for the past years from food and beverage to more lucrative business sectors like utilities, power and energy. Second, the company is most recently been entangled to a business issue of operating the Laiban Dam to supply water to Metro Manila, but was scrapped due to criticisms from the public. Presently, Angat Dam is the sole water provider for the whole of Metro Manila and has proven to be insufficient in capacity to be water source of all the millions of thirsty souls down the urban jungle.

Minus all the business interest Ramon Ang has to all these things he is sharing, getting ready and preparing for a crisis is an imperative for the government.

During the time of the highly-criticized and ridiculed Angelo Reyes, power shortage has already been predicted….wait, even way back during the time of Fidel Ramos.

I hope that this time around, this very serious issue should already be addressed head on and without any sugar coating.

2010-10-10T01:55:00.001-07:00

Retired Archbishop Oscar Cruz is once again on the spotlight over his exposé of purported jueteng money delivered at the doorsteps of President Noynoy Aquino’s trusted aids. According to the Catholic bishop who has been at the forefront of anti-illegal numbers game campaign, two trusted aides of President Aquino himself are receiving monthly payolas amounting to P2 million pesos each. These two he said are not on cabinet level positions and played down the rumor that one of them is DILG Secretary Jess Robredo, but these are very close to the President.

Aside from this revelation, he added that the illegal numbers game is on the rise most recently despite having a new president whose campaign slogan is anti-corruption as some local government officials have shifted from being protectors to the one them running the whole illegal business themselves. Some of the regions he indicated are that of Regions 1, 3 and 4.

Prodded to name these people involved, Cruz declined to totally open the lid full of worms saying “secret” – playing like a showbiz starlet who has perfected the art of beating around the bush when confronted with serious questions.

Lawmakers are also asking the archbishop to give the names as they are planning to put up investigations on the said matter. The palace also is asking Cruz to come up with names in order for heads to roll. Again, Cruz so far resorted to silence and saying, “secret.”

To this, very serious allegations thrown by Cruz could slowly boil down to a showbiz talk show where blind items are regular menus but diners go home with empty stomachs.

I think, if the good archbishop is very serious to his allegations, he should not stop at resorting to funny faces and saying “secret” on matters of national importance that could eventually lead to solutions and hopefully eradication of an issue he has fought against ever since and not add to more speculations. If the good archbishop is serious to his crusade this time around to weed out all corrupt public officials receiving payola from illegal numbers game, he should speak out and let the people know of this people’s wicked ways for investigations to be made and hopefully justice be served.

If the good archbishop will not reveal the names of these government officials who are protectors and beneficiaries of jueteng, then his supposedly exposé will only end up like those write-ups we can read from the small corners of tabloids.

The point is, credibility is questioned when we live in a world of speculations on matters of national concern. Why be afraid of naming these people if they are indeed doing what is illegal and for him as catholic clergy immoral and if his security is his concern when he started to float the idea of his exposé receiving death threats, then there is more urgency for him to reveal all these people involved in this scandal.

The good archbishop should identify these people lest he wants to end up called as retired Archbishop Oscar Perez Hilton.

2010-10-10T01:44:00.000-07:00

The report made by the IIRC or the Incident Investigation and Review Committee regarding very much controversial Manila Bus Hostage crisis last August 23 where an erring dismissed police officer took a bus full with foreigners. The hostage crisis ended in a bloody situation with Captain Mendoza taking bullets and dying on the spot and some foreigners also dead. The crisis strained the relationship between Philippines and Hong Kong and mainland China.

Sec. de Lima of the Department of Justice, head of the IIRC, submitted the copy of 83-page report to President Noynoy Aquino over the weekend for the chief executive to read. But the report and stance of the Palace on not making the IIRC report public but had to give the Chinese government first a copy drew strong criticisms especially from lawmakers. They point out that the issue is an internal matter and giving the report first to the Chinese government is somewhat and surrendering of our sovereignty.

But the palace was quick to defend itself saying that the issue is not an ordinary one especially with the strained relationship between the two countries.

Of course, everyone is waiting to know what exactly the report contains as Sec. de Lima indicated that at least 10 people are recommended to be filed with criminal and administrative charges including some people from the media.

I just hope that the report be made public first before giving a copy to the Chinese government. And just like all the memorandum and EO that the government of Pres. Aquino, hopefully the full copy of the IIRC report would be posted on the official gazette and could be downloaded.

UPDATE: IIRC Report could be downloaded here.

CASE # 7

2010-09-18T00:25:00.000-07:00

1. Security Kernel In a Computer System

The Kernel maintains security by controlling the actions of the operating system, while the operating systems maintains a level of service by controlling the actions of the applications.

2. System Development Process for a Secure System.

The security relevant aspects of the system development process are shown in two parallel paths.
The informal path is conventional; the functional specifications and implementation are
shown to meet the security requirements through correspondence steps involving
demonstration and testing. The formal path, using mathematical techniques, is
employed for systems where an extremely high level of assurance regarding the
security controls is desired.

3. MINIMIZE AND ISOLATE SECURITY CONTROLS

To achieve a high degree of confidence in the security of a system, the designer should minimize
the size and complexity of the security-relevant parts of the internal design. A major reason why
operating systems are not secure is that their large size leads to overall incomprehensibility. Of
course, size is also the reason why operating systems are never totally free of bugs, and so will
always be liable to behave unpredictably. But given that complex functional needs outside your
control require you to have a big system, you still have the freedom to structure the system so
that at least some parts (those that have to do with security) are small and well-defined.

4.ENFORCE LEAST PRIVILEGE

Closely related to the concept of isolating the security mechanisms is the principle of least
privilege: subjects should be given no more privilege than is necessary to enable them to do their
jobs. In that way, the damage caused by erroneous or malicious software is limited. A strictly
enforced least-privilege mechanism is necessary if any reasonable degree of assurance in the
security of a system is to be attained.
The philosophy of least privilege has several dimensions. The usual meaning of privilege in a
computer system relates to the hardware mechanism that restricts use of special instructions
(such as input/output instructions) and access to certain areas of memory when the processor is

5.STRUCTURE THE SECURITY-RELEVANT FUNCTIONS

the need to
demonstrate that the functional specification of the system satisfies its security requirements. If
such a demonstration entails careful scrutiny of hundreds of functions in a large system, the
demonstration is not only difficult but of dubious value. It is essential that the architecture of the
system permit the security-relevant aspects of the system to be easily identified so that large
sections of the system can be examined quickly. With a good security architecture, this simply
requires good documentation: the security controls will be isolated and minimized, and there
should be a clean and easily specifiable interface to the security-relevant functions.
If we look at a description of system calls in an operating system, we usually find that many,
if not most, functions have to make some security-relevant decisions. It is not possible to isolate
all security-relevant activities in one place. Any function used to access an object has to
determine access rights, and many functions must check their arguments for validity.
Consequently, it is necessary to identify clearly which checks are security-relevant and which are
courtesy checks for the programmer. In particular, many important checks to prevent denial of
service are not relevant if the security requirements do not address denial of service

6.DO NOT DEPEND ON SECRECY FOR SECURITY

Except in the handling of passwords and encryption keys, a primary goal for the security
architecture of a system is to avoid depending on the secrecy of any part of the system’s security
mechanisms. In other words, it is unsafe to assume that users will not be able to break into a
system because they do not have the manuals or source listings of the software. Of course, a
penetration is certainly harder without the information, but you never know what information the
penetrator has obtained, and the safest assumption is that the penetrator knows everything.
Fortunately secrecy of design is not a requirement for even the most highly secure systems. If
you are building a system from the ground up, you have the opportunity to incorporate the
necessary mechanisms so that even a person who helped develop the system cannot break into it.
But if you are enhancing an existing system, you do not have that freedom, and you may have to
make a guess as to how clever the penetrator will be. In such a case, you might well avoid
publicly describing exactly what security enhancements you have made.

7. DISCRETIONARY ACCESS CONTROL

Early systems had no internal access controls; any user could access any file simply by knowing
its name. Access control consisted of an operator’s deciding whether to mount a tape or card
deck for reading or writing. This decision was rarely reliable. For example, the operator might
look at the user name punched on a special ID card at the head of a batch card deck to ensure that
the job requesting a tape to be mounted belonged to the owner of the tape. These ID cards might
contain colored stripes to make them more difficult to forge. Such systems worked despite their
flaws because the value of the information that could be gained by a penetration was rarely worth
the risk or effort.
Access control became a more serious issue with the emergence of disk storage, on which
files of many users could be stored online well before the days of networks or interactive
computing. Indeed, controlling access to disk files was probably the first widespread computer
security concern, because for the first time the system, rather than the operator, was required to
enforce access control.

8.Capability List

Another type of access control is the capability list or access list. A capability is a key to a
specific object, along with a mode of access (read, write, or execute). A subject possessing a
capability may access the object in the specified mode. At the highest levels in the system, where
we are concerned with users and files, the system maintains a list of capabilities for each user.
Users cannot add capabilities to this list except to cover new files they create. Users might,
however, be allowed to give access to files by passing copies of their own capabilities to other
users, and they might be able to revoke access to their own files by taking away capabilities from
others (although revocation can be difficult to implement).
This type of access control, while much better than passwords, suffers from a software
management problem. The system must maintain a list for each user that may contain hundreds
or thousands of entries. When a file is deleted, the system must purge capabilities for the file
from every user’s list. Answering a simple question such as “who has access to this file?”
requires the system to undergo a long search through every user’s capability list.

9.MANDATORY ACCESS CONTROL

Mandatory access controls prevent some types of Trojan horse attacks by imposing access
restrictions that cannot be bypassed, even indirectly. Under mandatory controls, the system
assigns both subjects and objects special security attributes that cannot be changed on request as
can discretionary access control attributes such as access control lists. The system decides
whether a subject can access an object by comparing their security attributes. A program
operating on behalf of a user cannot change the security attributes of itself or of any objectincluding
objects that the user owns. A program may therefore be unable to give away a file
simply by giving other users access to it. Mandatory controls can also prevent one process from
creating a shared file and passing information to another process through that file.
Many different mandatory access control schemes can be defined, but nearly all that have
been proposed are variants of the U.S. Department of Defense’s multilevel security policy
(section 6.4). Consequently, it is difficult to discuss mandatory controls apart from multilevel
security. A few general concepts, however, apply to all mandatory policies.

10.Turn off your computer or disconnect from the network when not in use.

This means that in order to keep your computer safe you should have to turn off or disconnect the network because it is the passage for the attackers to do malicious things within your system.

Reaction on Consumer Act of the Philippines

2010-09-03T23:35:00.000-07:00

This Consumer Act of the Philippines or R.A 7394 is helpful for every Filipino's its because this act is eventually protecting us in every harmness of a certain product because its stated there that, anyone or anyboby who is selling products in which hazardous content will be penalized and then face sanctions regarding on it.It is great because we can assure that product we buy is safe and good for our health.

Case # 5

2010-08-14T01:53:00.000-07:00

A pair of partially paralyzed monkeys regained the ability to move their wrists when researchers wired individual neurons directly to the monkey's arm muscles, according to a study published online in Nature on Wednesday.

Move a muscle: Paralyzed monkeys regained the ability to move their wrists when their nervous systems were rewired. By wiring brain cells directly to muscle cells via a computer that translates brain activity into an electrical jolt, researchers circumvented the faulty connection so that the monkeys could move their previously paralyzed wrists to manipulate a cursor into an onscreen box.
Credit: Chet Moritz et al, Nature

"This approach would be very relevant to spinal-cord injury patients," says Northwestern University neuroscientist Lee Miller, who was not involved in the work.

The researchers, led by Eberhard Fetz, a professor of physiology and biophysics at the University of Washington, temporarily paralyzed each monkey's arm. Then they rerouted brain signals around the blocked nerve pathway by running wires from a single neuron in the motor cortex--the brain area responsible for movement--through a computer and into a muscle in the arm. Whenever the neuron fired above a certain rate, the computer translated the signal into a jolt of electricity to the arm muscle, causing it to contract.

As a test of the rewiring, the researchers had each monkey play a simple video game. By moving its wrist, the monkey could manipulate a cursor on a computer screen. Moving the cursor into a box at the side of the screen earned the monkey a reward. Even though the rewired brain cell was chosen at random, the monkeys quickly learned to move their paralyzed wrists.

"We found, remarkably, that nearly every neuron that we tested in the brain could be used to control this type of stimulation," says Chet Moritz, a senior research fellow at the University of Washingtonand coauthor of the paper. "Even neurons which were unrelated to the movement of the wrist before the nerve block could be brought under control and co-opted."

Normally, arm movement--even the contraction of a single arm muscle--would not result from the firing of a single neuron but from the coordinated action of many neurons in the motor cortex. Those neurons would initiate an electrical signal that propagated down the spinal cord and through peripheral nerves to trigger arm movements tailored to the monkey's intention.

Example of New Technology that rewired our brains:

Case # 4

2010-08-13T23:44:00.000-07:00

Outsourcing refers to a company that contracts with another company to provide services that might otherwise be performed by in-house employees. Many large companies now outsource jobs such as call center services, e-mail services, and payroll. These jobs are handled by separate companies that specialize in each service, and are often located overseas.

There are many reasons that companies outsource various jobs, but the most prominent advantage seems to be the fact that it often saves money. Many of the companies that provide outsourcing services are able to do the work for considerably less money, as they don't have to provide benefits to their workers and have fewer overhead expenses to worry about.

Outsourcing also allows companies to focus on other business issues while having the details taken care of by outside experts. This means that a large amount of resources and attention, which might fall on the shoulders of management professionals, can be used for more important, broader issues within the company. The specialized company that handles the outsourced work is often streamlined, and often has world-class capabilities and access to new technology that a company couldn't afford to buy on their own. Plus, if a company is looking to expand, outsourcing is a cost-effective way to start building foundations in other countries.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-outsourcing.htm

Application of I.T Outsourcing

Managers of Information Technology departments, also known as IT managers, are responsible for the overall performance of the electronic networks that allow a business to function. The exact scope of these responsibilities varies from one setting to another. In some companies, an IT manager focuses strictly on computer networks. At other times, this technology professional may also be involved in the creation or upgrade of telephone systems and other electronic support systems connected with the operation.

At the core of the IT manager job description is the care of the in-house network. This often means that the manager is involved in the selection of hardware and software used in the network. For example, an IT manager would likely be involved in any discussions about updating the internal servers and computer work stations. There is a good chance that the manager would also work with other personnel in the selection of software, such as accounting programs or some type of sales and customer database.

Along with helping to establish the overall structure of the network, an IT manager would also oversee the routine maintenance of the system. This would mean regular testing of the various components to ensure they are functioning at maximum efficiency. The manager would also establish and oversee processes that would seek to identify any potential glitches in any programming that could cause some sort of system failure. There is a good chance that the manager would also put in place an ongoing process that would monitor employee usage of company resources, such as the Internet, internal email, and other electronic tools.

It is often the responsibility of the IT manager to create training materials that help new employees understand how to make the best use of the technology currently utilized in the company. This can include everything from helping to design in-house training manuals to walking new employees through the process of accessing key programs, establishing login credentials, and other essentials. Depending on the structure of the company, the IT manager may be called upon to hold regular training sessions that help remind all employees of the most effective ways to make use of the electronic tools available.

In small companies, the IT manager may constitute the entire Information Technology department. When this is the case, there is a good chance he or she will personally handle many of the functions that are dispersed over an IT team at larger businesses. Still, most managers are fully trained and capable of handling any IT task, from evaluating new hardware to assisting to running cables for the creation of new work areas.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-does-an-it-manager-do.htm

Advatages, Disadvantages, & Implementation of I.T Outsourcing

Advatages
Choosing to outsource various functions is a common business strategy. In some cases, the action may be made out of necessity, while at other times the reasons behind the outsourcing lean more toward convenience. In any event, there are number of outsourcing advantages that just about any company will realize.

One of the more common outsourcing advantages is the reduction in expenses related to core functions. Businesses of any type or size can outsource such basic functions as accounting, payroll, or public relations and eliminate a great deal of expense. Along with minimizing the amount of resources devoted to salary and wages, the company also saves on the cost of benefits like health coverage and pension plans, since they can operate with a smaller employee force.

The ability to focus on the core business is also one of the more important outsourcing advantages. With less time and resources devoted to essential but ancillary aspects of running a business, it is possible to concentrate on the production process. This increases the chances of producing goods and services that are of the highest quality, which will only serve to enhance the reputation and attractiveness of the company.

Management of capital costs are also among the several outsourcing advantages. When some area of the production process can be outsourced to an outside entity, the company will save on the costs associated with the acquisition of machinery and supplies required to produce the goods or services sold by the business. With the right outsource partners, the actual cost per unit produced may be lower, allowing the company to be more competitive in the marketplace.

The reduced costs of labor and general operating may lead to another example of outsourcing advantages. When potential investors see how efficiently the company is operating, they are more likely to make a commitment and sink resources into the future of the company. This can lead to opportunities to develop new products and services, or expand the company in some other fashion that further increases the stability of the whole operation.

In order to decide if outsourcing is right for your business, take some time to identify specific benefits associated with outsourcing particular functions. If you see that this type of business strategy will make your company more competitive, keep expenses within reason, and allow you to produce a higher quality product, there is a good chance you should move forward with finding the right outsource partners. Compare the savings and benefits closely with the way you do business today, then decide which functions you can outsource in order to become even more successful.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-are-some-outsourcing-advantages.htm

Disadvantages

1. Loss Of Managerial Control
(c) Getty ImagesWhether you sign a contract to have another company perform the function of an entire department or single task, you are turning the management and control of that function over to another company. True, you will have a contract, but the managerial control will belong to another company. Your outsourcing company will not be driven by the same standards and mission that drives your company. They will be driven to make a profit from the services that they are providing to you and other businesses like yours.
2. Hidden Costs
You will sign a contract with the outsourcing company that will cover the details of the service that they will be providing. Any thing not covered in the contract will be the basis for you to pay additional charges. Additionally, you will experience legal fees to retain a lawyer to review the contacts you will sign. Remember, this is the outsourcing company's business. They have done this before and they are the ones that write the contract. Therefore, you will be at a disadvantage when negotiations start.
3. Threat to Security and Confidentiality
The life-blood of any business is the information that keeps it running. If you have payroll, medical records or any other confidential information that will be transmitted to the outsourcing company, there is a risk that the confidentiality may be compromised. If the outsourced function involves sharing proprietary company data or knowledge (e.g. product drawings, formulas, etc.), this must be taken into account. Evaluate the outsourcing company carefully to make sure your data is protected and the contract has a penalty clause if an incident occurs.
4. Quality Problems
The outsourcing company will be motivated by profit. Since the contract will fix the price, the only way for them to increase profit will be to decrease expenses. As long as they meet the conditions of the contract, you will pay. In addition, you will lose the ability to rapidly respond to changes in the business environment. The contract will be very specific and you will pay extra for changes.
5. Tied to the Financial Well-Being of Another Company
Since you will be turning over part of the operations of your business to another company, you will now be tied to the financial well-being of that company. It wouldn't be the first time that an outsourcing company could go bankrupt and leave you holding-the-bag.
6. Bad Publicity and Ill-Will
The word "outsourcing" brings to mind different things to different people. If you live in a community that has an outsourcing company and they employ your friends and neighbors, outsourcing is good. If your friends and neighbors lost their jobs because they were shipped across the state, across the country or across the world, outsourcing will bring bad publicity. If you outsource part of your operations, morale may suffer in the remaining work force.

http://operationstech.about.com/od/outsourcing/tp/OutSrcDisadv.htm

Implementation

Successful implementation of outsourcing requires a close, results-based relationship between a company and the outsource vendor, otherwise the company could very easily end up terminating the contract too soon or incur costs due to poorly performed work.

http://www.willitfly.com/wif/module_info.jsp?testId=188&orgId=47&dId=24&catId=Cat_28&subNm=Outsourcing&catNm=Human%20Resources

Case #2

2010-07-25T23:34:00.001-07:00

Global Warming

Global warming is the increase in the average temperature of Earth's near-surface air and oceans since the mid-20th century and its projected continuation. According to the 2007 Fourth Assessment Report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), global surface temperature increased 0.74 ± 0.18 °C (1.33 ± 0.32 °F) during the 20th century.[2][A] Most of the observed temperature increase since the middle of the 20th century was caused by increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases, which results from human activity such as fossil fuel burning and deforestation.[3] Global dimming, a result of increasing concentrations of atmospheric aerosols that block sunlight from reaching the surface, has partially countered the effects of greenhouse gas induced warming.

Climate model projections summarized in the latest IPCC report indicate that the global surface temperature is likely to rise a further 1.1 to 6.4 °C (2.0 to 11.5 °F) during the 21st century.[2] The uncertainty in this estimate arises from the use of models with differing sensitivity to greenhouse gas concentrations and the use of differing estimates of future greenhouse gas emissions. An increase in global temperature will cause sea levels to rise and will change the amount and pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical deserts.[4] Warming is expected to be strongest in the Arctic and would be associated with continuing retreat of glaciers, permafrost and sea ice. Other likely effects include changes in the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, species extinctions, and changes in agricultural yields. Warming and related changes will vary from region to region around the globe, though the nature of these regional variations is uncertain.[5]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_warming

The Advantage of Green

CASE #3

2010-07-23T23:12:00.000-07:00

1. What is facebook ?

Facebook is a social networking website intended to connect friends, family, and business associates. It is the largest of the networking sites, with the runner up being MySpace. It began as a college networking website and has expanded to include anyone and everyone.

Facebook was founded by 2004 by Harvard student Mark Zuckerberg and originally called thefacebook. It was quickly successful on campus and expanded beyond Harvard into other Ivy League schools. With the phenomenon growing in popularity, Zuckerberg enlisted two other students, Duston Moskovitz and Chris Hughes, to assist. Within months, thefacebook became a nationwide college networking website.

Zuckerberg and Moskovitz left Harvard to run thefacebook full time shortly after taking the site national. In August of 2005, thefacebook was renamed Facebook, and the domain was purchased for a reported $200,000 US Dollars (USD). At that time, it was only available to schools, universities, organizations, and companies within English speaking countries, but has since expanded to include anyone.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-facebook.htm

2. What are the disadvantages and advantages of facebook?

Yet there are some people who wonder if the time spent on Facebook is worthwhile, its Advantages and Disadvantages have many thinking. As with every system there are the positives and the negatives, if you are going to evaluate the Facebook Advantages and Disadvantages lets take a look at some facts:

Disadvantages:

Facebook is becoming a place for long distance relationships with many people you will never meet, this takes some of the intimacy away from relationships
Facebook addiction is becoming something that is a real problem; if you have any life at all you have other things to do besides sit on Facebook all day.
Because of open and public nature of Facebook there is the possibility for being stalked online or offline, this can be highly aggravating!
Terrible for worker productivity. If you are self employed Facebook can consume much of your time if you are not careful. If you run a business your employees may waste valuable and expensive time using Facebook.

Advantages:

· Facebook makes it easy to find and join groups with similar interest and dislikes

· It is easier to find old friends or new friends as almost everyone is on Facebook.

· Facebook makes it easy to approach and meet new people

· Facebook can be used to meet business contacts and for networking purposes

With this information you can make your own personal decision on Facebook Advantages and Disadvantages. If you can avoid the negative aspects and build on the positives then Facebook will be a constructive social networking site in you
http://ezinearticles.com/?Facebook-Advantages-and-Disadvantages&id=4030959r life.

3. What are the characteristics of Facebook?

Facebook users create a profile page that shows their friends and networks information about themselves. The choice to include a profile in a network means that everyone withing that network can view the profile. The profile typically includes the following: Information, Status, Friends, Friends in Other Networks, Photos, Notes, Groups, and The Wall.

Users are able to search for friends and acquaintances by e-mail address, school, university, or just by typing in a name or location for search. When people become friends, they are able to see all of each others' profiles including contact information. E-mail notifications let users know when new friends have chosen to add them to their list or when someone has sent a message to them within the system.

Users of Facebook can share news stories, video, and other files with friends. Most news and video websites have buttons that can be clicked to automatically share the story or video on a feed. The person sharing can make comments about the shared item that their friends will see.

Personal notes can also be written and shared with friends. When sharing an item, users can attach the item to their Wall for all to see, or can tag individual people that they think would be most interested in seeing the item. When a user is tagged, they receive an e-mail notification.

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-facebook.htm

4.Can you use facebook in e-commerce?

We can use Facebook in e-commerce because.

Payvment’s Facebook App lets anyone create a retail store on Facebook. The app lets you set up products, categories of products (i.e. shoes, T-shirts, sweaters), import photos, list terms of service and shipping options and more. Once you set up your online shop on Facebook, it will show up in a separate tab on your profile or page under “storefront”.

Called the Facebook Fan Incentive Pricing feature, the new functionality essentially bridges the gap between social interactions on the site and retail behavior using coupons and discounts. With the new feature, sellers can provide an electronic coupon or instant discount to potential and current fans by simply enabling the feature via Payvment’s storefront application for Facebook.

The pricing feature allows users to choose the discount amount to be provided to anyone that becomes a Fan of their Facebook page and current Fans are automatically provided the discount. And when visitors that are not Fans come to a storefront, Payvment automatically prompts them to become a Fan to receive special Fan pricing.

http://techcrunch.com/2010/04/18/facebook-e-commerce-app-payvment-allows-retailers-to-use-coupons-to-attract-fans/

5.How important facebook today?

Facebook Pages

With more than 300 million active users, Facebook is nearly the population size of USA. In fact, odds are that you’re a Facebook user, perhaps using it to keep in touch with family and friends, with a dash of business thrown in for good measure. Maybe you look at some of the 2 billion photos uploaded each month, or contribute a few of the 40 million daily status updates.
But what about your business? If you’re a business owner, you really need to set up a Fan Page, or else you risk being left behind as more businesses shift to social networks like Facebook. This post is a beginner’s guide to setting up and getting the most out of a Page on Facebook for your business.

These are so useful because you can include everything that relates to your business in one place with a built-in potential audience:
- Overview of company
- Website and contact info
- Press releases
- Videos
- Blog RSS
- Twitter () updates
- Company news and status
- Customer interaction

http://www.googlecommunity.com/forum/social-networking/77544-importance-facebook-fanpage.html

2010-07-17T00:44:00.000-07:00

Google
is a highly successful internet business. Presently they had broaden their scope with a multitude of new tools.

1. Who are there competitors?

Microsoft: The software giant considers Google a top rival and a threat. Google already challenges Microsoft (MSFT) by creating free online software applications that compete with Microsoft's spreadsheet software and other products. Microsoft's MSN site competes with Google in search, advertising, video, and online media, and Microsoft reportedly had an interest in buying YouTube.

Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, meeting with BusinessWeek editors Oct. 9, said Google could emerge from the YouTube deal an even stronger rival. If Google can work out a good advertising model with YouTube, he said, it makes Google a stronger competitor to Microsoft. It will have a larger share of the growing online ad market, and can use the cash to create more products like the free online spreadsheet software, calendars, and word processors it already offers. But Ballmer says Microsoft has a long-term strategy, not to mention a history of coming from behind to overtake rivals such as Netscape (TWX), the early leader in the browser market. "We're very long-term. We've got a stick-to-it-iveness, a tenaciousness that I would argue is unmatched," he said.

Microsoft has several options. It can continue to try to build MSN as a rival to popular sites such as YouTube. It could also borrow a play from Google and combine its technological prowess in a deal with a content company. While Microsoft's employees can match Google in terms of technical brain power, it will be tough to find a company that can match YouTube's cultural appeal and power on the Web. One possible target could be Yahoo!, which is suddenly looking like a laggard in the world of online media. But Yahoo retains a vast base of users and remains a powerful force on the Web.

Yahoo: The Google-YouTube deal could put more pressure on Yahoo (YHOO) to complete an acquisition of social networking powerhouse FaceBook. The companies have been at odds over price. Earlier thisyear, FaceBook's founders wanted as much as $2 billion for their startup. While the asking price may have appeared absurd at the time, a price north of $1 billion might be more achievable now that Google and YouTube have settled at $1.65 billion, bankers say. If Yahoo can build up its social networking capabilities by acquiring a company such as FaceBook, it might boost its own chances of a deal with a partner like Microsoft.

Time Warner: The media empire's AOL unit appeared to have an early lead in online video last year, when its Webcast of the Live 8 benefit concerts was a major success. It hasn't been able to land an encore, though (see BusinessWeek.com, 8/14/06, "Carl Icahn Increases Time Warner Stake"). It could boost its share of online video by acquiring a startup. It already has a stake in Veoh, a peer-to-peer online video destination that uses members' computing power instead of central servers. "People approach us periodically. We could be acquired," Veoh CEO Dmitry Shapiro said.

News Corp.: Thanks to its acquisition of social networking leader MySpace last year for $580 million, News Corp. (NWS) is well positioned in the market for online video. MySpace has a thriving share of the online video market and is serving as a distribution vehicle for video entertainment from News Corp.'s Fox unit (see BusinessWeek.com, 9/18/06, "Murdoch to Bid Satellite Goodbye").

But there is one aspect of the Google-YouTube deal that could raise questions for News Corp. MySpace has a search deal with Google that will bring in at least $900 million. The YouTube deal could be a sign that Google is interested in competing more seriously with MySpace. Google management said on a conference call Monday that it was particularly drawn to the social networking aspects of YouTube's video platform.

Viacom: Having recently dismissed former CEO Tom Freston, in part for having failed to acquire MySpace, the owner of the MTV franchise is now under more pressure than ever to hold onto its core demographic of younger users. So far, Viacom (VIA.B) has resisted the idea of doing a large me-too acquisition in the social networking arena, focusing its efforts instead on smaller deals such as its acquisition of IFILM. That strategy could still end up looking smart if Viacom can quietly build a profitable business. And if its rivals end up running into trouble with their headline-grabbing deals, it could end up looking very smart indeed.

Rosenbush is a senior writer for BusinessWeek.com in New York

http://www.businessweek.com/technology/content/oct2006/tc20061010_510877.htm

2. How had they use information technology to there advantage?

HEADNOTE
Google CIO Ben Fried shares his thoughts on how IT leaders can influence corporate culture and differentiation via innovative technology choices.

When people talk about Google as a corporate entity, they often talk-jealously, at times- about the

company's innovative culture, with its sprawling campus, free meals and endless amenities.

One of the people at the forefront of that culture is Google's CIO. Ben Fried believes that IT plays a pivotal role in building a great culture-and subsequently a great company-and he puts it into practice in a number of ways.

One part of that is making technology accessible and open. By giving users what they want-instead of what the company believes is best-Fried believes CIOs can empower employees to do more. "It's almost insulting to people when they hear, 'We know better than you how it's best for you to work,'" he says. And the company benefits not only from the increased productivity and morale, but also when recruiting talented support professionals.

But it also puts a good face on IT. In an era in which business users believe their IT organizations take too long and spend too much for products and services that don't meet their needs, CIOs and their teams need to make smarter decisions, he says.

Fried has gleaned these and other lessons from his time at Google, and from his previous work as an infrastructure architect at Morgan Stanley. Fried spoke recently about his IT leadership philosophy with CIO Insight Editor in Chief Brian P. Watson. What follows is an edited, condensed version of their discussion.

cio insight: You've worked in two industries-finance and technology-where IT is often a competitive advantage. What have you learned?

fried: A lot of CIOs say their only job is to create competitive advantage for their company. I shade it a little differently. Creating competitive advantage is incredibly important, but I think you need to be aware that differentiation doesn't necessarily have to limit itself to competitive advantage. Competitive advantage is one important way in which a company can differentiate itself.

But more and more, people need to understand the way IT becomes part of corporate culture. Part of establishing a great company is establishing a unique culture. It's critical to find what defines your company and makes it different. It might not necessarily be making the product better or cheaper that creates competitive advantage. Technology has a unique opportunity to make your company different, and that's what CIOs need to focus on

http://www.allbusiness.com/company-activities-management/management-corporate-culture/13706502-1.html

3. How competitive are they in the market?
Competitive Position® Salary Survey Reports

Salary Data for Information Technology Professionals
Select an Information Technology Job Title, a Location and the Number of Years and/or Months of Experience and receive a Salary Survey Report with: the Expected Salary Offer, the specific Inflation Rate (if applicable), the Raise with one more year of experience, the highs and lows in the marketplace and complete statistical documentation. The Salary Survey Reports are updated quarterly.

Fill in the online form choosing from the very precise IT Job Titles and Locations for any Number of Years and/or Months of experience. Then view the 15 to 25 page Salary Survey Report on your web browser and print or save to your computer.

The Salary Survey Reports are precise and useful:

IT Job Titles specified by real work positions and actual hardware/software skills
Locations where the jobs are
Experience by the exact number of years and months
Updated Quarterly.

The Salary Survey Reports are thorough and informative:

The average and its high/low range for salary offer, inflation rate (if applicable) and yearly raise
Two sets of Extreme high/low limits of salary offers
Details about experience requirements and qualification keywords
Complete statistical documentation for result verification.

http://www.wholeroot.com/

4. what services they offered?

IT Services Offered

DPRA offers the following information technology services:
System Design and Development

Scientific Applications and Modeling

Electronic Storage and Retrieval

Internet and E-Business Technologies

Geographic Information Systems

System Documentation

Network Solutions

IT SIN Numbers

CD301 - IT Facility Operation and Maintenance Services
CD302 - IT Systems Development Services
CD306 - IT Systems Analysis Services
CD307 - Automated Information Systems Design and Integration Services
CD308 - Programming Services
CD310 - IT Backup and Security Services
CD311 - IT Data Conversion Services
CD313 - Computer Aided Design/Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) Services
CD316 - Telecommunications Network Services
CD317 - Automated News Services, Data Services, or Other Information Services
CD399 - Other ADP and Telecommunications Services
Electronic Storage and Retrieval Systems
Geographic Information Systems
Internet Technologies
Transportation Management Systems

http://www.dpra.com/index.cfm/m/191

5.what make them unique?

Modern Information Technology Departments:

In order to perform the complex functions required of information technology departments today, the modern Information Technology Department would use computers, servers, database management systems, and cryptography. The department would be made up of several System Administrators, Database Administrators and at least one Information Technology Manager. The group usually reports to the Chief Information Officer (CIO).

http://jobsearchtech.about.com/od/careersintechnology/p/ITDefinition.htm

6. how competitive are they in an international market?
In the recent past, trading activities have become increasingly global in some way because of the need to gather and increase the companys financial bases. This has been attributed to increased growth and sophisticated approaches that organizations are using nowadays to conquer markets. (Hollensen, 2004) Due to modernization and advancement in technology, most businesses are beginning to explore international markets for better profits and opportunities. Advancement in technology including communication efficiency and better international relations has contributed to the promotion of the international trade. Competition has however become a great challenge to the success of international trade but most companies are rising to the challenge. To achieve greater investments and better market opportunities in the international market, it is necessary that primary and secondary market research is done to ensure that information regarding the market of a foreign ountry is achieved.

http://www.articlesnatch.com/Article/International-Marketing/999137

2010-03-03T18:04:00.001-08:00

Major Types of Software

Programming Software: This is one of the most commonly known and popularly used forms of computer software. These software come in forms of tools that assist a programmer in writing computer programs. Computer programs are sets of logical instructions that make a computer system perform certain tasks. The tools that help the programmers in instructing a computer system include text editors, compilers and interpreters.

System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer system. System software is a collection of operating systems; devise drivers, servers, windowing systems and utilities. System software helps an application programmer in abstracting away from hardware, memory and other internal complexities of a computer.

Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific tasks. Business software, databases and educational software are some forms of application software. Different word processors, which are dedicated for specialized tasks to be performed by the user, are other examples of application software.

Apart from these three basic types of software, there are some other well-known forms of computer software like inventory management software, ERP, utility software, accounting software and others. Take a look at some of them.

Inventory Management Software: This type of software helps an organization in tracking its goods and materials on the basis of quality as well as quantity. Warehouse inventory management functions encompass the internal warehouse movements and storage. Inventory software helps a company in organizing inventory and optimizing the flow of goods in the organization, thus leading to an improved customer service.

Utility Software: Also known as service routine, utility software helps in the management of computer hardware and application software. It performs a small range of tasks. Disk defragmenters, systems utilities and virus scanners are some of the typical examples of utility software.

Data Backup and Recovery Software: An ideal data backup and recovery software provides functionalities beyond simple copying of data files. This software often supports user needs of specifying what is to be backed up and when. Backup and recovery software preserve the original organization of files and allow an easy retrieval of the backed up data.

This was an overview of the major types of software. Computer software are widely popular today and hence we cannot imagine a world of computers without them. We would not have been able to use computers if not for the software. What is fascinating about the world of computers is that it has its own languages, its ways of communication with our human world and human interaction with the computers is possible, thanks to computer software. I wonder, if the word 'soft' in ‘software’ implies ‘soft-spokenness’, which is an important quality of a pleasant communication.
By Manali Oak
Published: 9/11/2008

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/major-types-of-software.html

2010-03-03T17:59:00.000-08:00

Importance of Operating System in Computer System

The operating system of your computer is an important factor to be considered when you install any software. The operating system is the program that is contrived to run the computer software on your computer. The operating system is responsible for managing the computer software and hardware. Before you install a computer software, the first important step is to check the configuration of your computer. Also, check the hardware and software requirement of the software you are installing. The configuration of your computer must match the requirements of the software to be installed. Sometimes, the software to be installed is compressed in a .RAR or .ZIP file. In these cases, before you install the software you have to uncompress all the installation files and folders. To uncompress the files and folders, ensure that you have a decompression software application installed on your computer.

Every computer software comes with a 'Read me' file. This 'Read me' file contains all the instructions that are required to install the software on your computer. Sometimes, when you install a software, the software may ask you to install another program that is required for the proper execution of the software to be installed. The computer may even prompt you to install the supporting software after you complete the installation. When you install any software program on the computer, it is advisable to close all other programs and utilities. Some antivirus software applications may require you to turn off the firewall and disable the antivirus in order to install the software. When installing software applications related to computer networking or web browsing, it is recommended to disable the antivirus and the firewall. Finally, to complete the installation, restart your computer system.

By Aarti R
Published: 7/10/2009

http://www.buzzle.com/articles/computer-software-and-hardware-installation.html

Executive No.269

2009-10-15T22:52:00.000-07:00

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 269

CREATING THE COMMISSION ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS, Section 24, Article ll (Declaration of Principles and State Policies) of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State shall recognize the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.""

WHEREAS, an enabling legal, policy and institutional environment to develop, promote and advance information and communications technology (ICT) is a prerequisite for the continued growth of the Philippine economy, the competitiveness of local industries and firms, and the achievement of national development goals;

WHEREAS, the government recognizes that the development of ICT will have a higher chance of success and sustainability it is private sector-led, market-based and government-enabled;

WHEREAS, the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC), created pursuant to Executive Order No. 264 dated July 12, 2000 and amended planning and policy advisory body on development, promotion and application of national ICT and e-commerce initiatives;

WHEREAS, the creation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which will more effectively coordinate and implement national ICT programs, projects and other related initiatives is a priority of government, endorsed by ITECC, supported by the private sector and presently under consideration in Congress;

WHEREAS, as a transitory measure, the formation of a national body that is not merely advisory in nature, and which will have a more active role in streamlining, managing, coordination, and implementing the various ICT-related plans and policies of government, will immediately address the urgent need to harmonize and make the country’s approach to ICT development more coherent and efficient;

WHEREAS, to be effective and efficient, such a national body, headed by a Cabinet ranked official, must be equipped with strong and clearly defined powers, appropriate manpower and resources;

WHEREAS, the creation of such an empowered national body is broadly supported by the private sector, which is keen to work closely with government to encourage ICT-related business and investment, enhance the skills of the country’s workforce, pursue, meaningful legal and regulatory reform, continue to enhance the nation’s information infrastructure, and promote e-governance, consistent with Philippine goals to compete in the global ICT market

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title lll of the 1987 Administrative Code provides the President with continuing authority to reorganize the bureaucracy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested upon me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation. A new body to be known as the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is hereby created, and attached to the Office of the President

Section 2. Mandate. The Commission shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, regulating, and administrative entity of the executive branch of Government that will promote, develop, and regulate integrated and strategic ICT systems and reliable and cost-efficient communication facilities and services. In fulfilling its mandate, the Commission shall be guided by the following policies:

To ensure the provision of strategic, reliable and cost-efficient information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, systems, and resources as instruments for nation-building and global competitiveness;

"Information and Communications Technology" (ICT) is defined as the totality of electronic means to collect, store, process and present information to end-users in support of their activities. It consists, among others, of computer systems, office systems and consumer electronics, as well as networked information infrastructure, the components of which include the telephone system, the Internet, fax machines and computers.

To ensure a policy and legal environment that will promote a level playing field, partnerships between the public and the private sectors, strategic alliances with foreign investors, balanced investments between high-growth and economically-depressed areas, and broader private sector participation in ICT development.
To foster and accelerate convergence of ICT facilities such as but not limited to the development of networks;
To ensure universal access and high-speed connectivity at fair and reasonable cost;
To ensure the provision of information and communication services in areas not adequately served by the private sector;
To foster the widespread use and application of emerging ICT;
To establish a strong and effective regulatory system that will ensure consumer protection and welfare and foster a healthy competitive environment;
To promote the development of ICT expertise in the country’s human capital to enable Filipinos to compete in a fast-evolving information and communication age;
To ensure the growth of the ICT industries;
To preserve the rights of individuals to privacy and confidentiality of their personal information;
To encourage the use of ICT in support of efforts for the development and promotion of the country’s arts and culture, history, education, public health and safety, and other socio-civic purposes;

Section 3. Composition. The Commission shall be composed of the National Computer Center, Telecommunications Office (TELOF), and all other operating units currently existing in the Department of Transportation and Communications, which directly support Communications, including the Telecommunications Policy and Planning Office. The National Telecommunications Commission and the Philippine Postal Corporation shall be attached to the Commission.

The Commission shall be headed by a Chairman with a Cabinet Rank. He shall be assisted by the Director-General of the National Computer Center (NCC), and the Chief of the Telecommunications Office (TELOF) who, in addition to their current responsibilities, shall concurrency serve as Commissioners, and shall perform such functions as may be assigned by the Chairman. In addition, he shall be assisted by two additional Commissioners as may be provided in the structure and staffing plan to be determined pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

Section 4. Composition. Powers and Functions. To carry out its mandate, the Commission shall exercise the following powers and functions:

Formulate and recommend national policies and guidelines that will promote ICT and the wider use of the internet and other cyberspace infrastructures and exchanges of universal application, in consultation with the private business sector, relevant civil society institutions, and other private and public entities, such as educational and training sectors;
Initiate, harmonize and coordinate all ICT plans to ensure their consistency with national objectives and goals;
Establish and administer comprehensive and integrated programs for ICT at the national, regional and local levels with due consideration to advances n convergence and other emerging technologies; and for this purpose, may call on any agency, corporation or organization, whether public or private, whose development programs in ICT are an integral part thereof, to participate and assist in the preparation and implementation of such programs;
Design, implement, and ensure the protection of an integrated government information and communications infrastructure development program that will coordinate all existing plans, programs, proposals, software and hardware inventory, and the installed systems and programs;
Provide an integrating framework and oversee the identification and prioritization of all e-government systems and applications as provided for in the Government Information Systems Plan; manage and/or administer the e-Government Fund, which shall be institutionalized and included in the proposed annual national budget;
Coordinate with concerned agencies, the generation of resources, both governmental and non-governmental, local, national and international, as may be appropriate in and for the development, marketing, growth and competitiveness of the Philippine ICT Industry;
Develop and implement, in coordination with concerned government agencies, a comprehensive ICT application capability in the national government and determine the personnel qualification and other standards essential to the integrated and effective development and operation of government information and communication infrastructure;
Encourage and establish guidelines for private sector funding of ICT projects for government agencies in order to fast-track said projects which provide reasonable cost-recovery mechanisms for the private sector, including but not limited to Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mechanisms;
In coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, provide strategic direction to government research and development programs in ICT;
Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of ICT facilities in areas not adequately served by the private sector, in consultation with private business sector, civil society, and other private and public entities, such as educational and training sectors;
Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of a nationwide postal system that shall include mail processing, delivery services, and money order services;
Administer and enforce all laws, standards, rules, and regulations governing ICT, and in coordination with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) ensure the protection of ICT-related intellectual property rights;
In coordination with concerned agencies, ensure consumer protection and welfare, and protect the rights of consumer and business users to privacy, security and confidentiality;
Harmonize, synchronize and coordinate with appropriate agencies all ICT and e-commerce policies, plans and programs;
Assist the Department of Trade and Industry in carrying out its functions related to the promotion of trade and investment opportunities in ICT Services;
In coordination with concerned agencies, promote strategic partnership and alliances among between local and international ICT firms and institutions; R&D, educational and training institutions; and technology providers, developers and manufacturers, to speed up industry growth.
In coordination with concerned agencies, plan and/or implement such activities as maybe appropriate and/or necessary to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine workers, firms, and small to medium enterprises in the global ICT market.
In coordination with Department of Education, formulate policies and initiatives with respect to IT education and the development, promotion and application of ICT in education.
Perform such other powers and functions as may be prescribed by laws or as may be necessary, incidental or proper to its mandate or as may be assigned from time to time by the President.

Section 5. Agency Responsibilities. To carry out its mandate and objectives, the Commission shall be complemented by the appropriate agencies and/or offices of government. The Chairman is hereby given direct supervision and control over the following agencies and offices:

The National Computer Center (NCC) shall coordinate all-e-government initiatives and the implementation of government IT plans to facilitate better, more efficient, and more transparent service.
The Telecommunications Office (TELOF) shall support the development of an information infrastructure with the strategy and direction set by ITECC.
Other operating units currently existing in the Department of Transportation and Communications, which directly support Communications, including the Telecommunications Policy and Planning Office, shall be consolidated under the Office of the Chairman.

The Commission shall align its structure to be consistent with the strategic directions established by ITECC, specifically e-government, information infrastructure, legal and regulatory environment, human resource and business development.

The Commission shall also be supported by and coordinate with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), as may be appropriate for and consistent with this Order. The NTC shall not exercise any power, which will tend to influence or effect a review or an modification of the NTC’s quasi-judicial functions.

Section 6. Structure and Pattern. The Commission shall submit for approval to the Office of the President the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Commission within sixty (60) days from the issuance of this Executive Order.

Section 7. Periodic Performance Evaluation. The Chairman is hereby required to formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and objectively the performance of the Commission and to submit the same annually to the President.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Chairman shall promulgate and issue such rules, regulations and other issuances within 60 days from the approval of this Executive Order as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.

Section 9. Funding. To carry out the provisions of this Order, funds for the necessary expenses for the operations of the Commission, subject to existing accounting and auditing laws, and procedures.

Section 10. Transitory Provisions. In accomplishing the provisions herein prescribed, the following transitory provisions shall be complied with:

The NCC, TELOF and other units currently existing in DOTC, which directly support Communications, are hereby transferred to the Commission to ensure an effective and coordinated implementation of ICT policies, programs and projects.
All regular or permanent employees who shall be affected by this executive order shall not suffer my loss of seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. All presidential acts, letters of instruction, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of January, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Four.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary

http://www.ops.gov.ph/records/eo_no269.htm

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2009-09-03T02:25:00.000-07:00

God created man in His own image
__Genesis 1:27

So try to look at this one ,God create us in His own way! So everyone its our obligation to served Him

2009-08-27T21:54:00.000-07:00

Booster Words

Booster shots-think of the benefits! They are part of a complete program of vaccinations that protect us against threatening diseases.
Booster words- ever heard of them? They are words we say to help others in the fight against discouragement and despair.
In his book "Secrets From the Mountain" Pat Williams tells an experiment with a group of students. They were told that scientists had proven that brown-eyed children were smarter than blue-eyed ones. Immediately, the brown -eyed students begun doing better in school. A few days later, though, the students were told that they had been misinformed, and it was the blue-eyed youngsters who were actually smarter. Quickly, the scores of the blue-eyed children rose above those of their brown-eyed classmates.
Lying to children is never right, but the study demonstrates that words have the power to influence behavior. Paul recognized this, so he sent Timothy to the Thessalonica to encourage the believers in their faith- and His words did just that(1 Thessalonians 3:2-3,6).
Do we"exhort one another daily"?(Hebrews 3:13).Do we bring comfort and encouragement to the people we know? Try using some booster words today.-Dave Branon

PUTTING IT INTO PRCTICE
Think of someone who needs encouragement.
How can you help that person today?
Make a phone call, send an e-mail, or pay a visit.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
HOPE CAN BE IGNITED
BY A SPARK OF ENCOURAGEMENT

2009-08-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Life Having its master piece

When we said life its corresponding is its pieces behind of it.
But we should mind all the time that in every pieces of our life God is always there.

2009-08-19T00:56:00.000-07:00

A New Job

Whatever you do ,
do it heartily, as to
the Lord and not
to men .
__Colossians 3:23

Thinking It over

What is your dream job? What makes it hard to do your
work w/ a good attitude? How will doing your work
"as to the Lord" change your attitude and work habits?

DAILY WORK TAKES ON ETERNAL VALUE
WHEN IT'S DONE FOR GOD.

God in this world

2009-07-30T02:28:00.000-07:00

God So Loved the World

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.John 3:16

This verse means that God sacrifice His only Son for our salvation.

Happy Verse

2009-07-30T01:52:00.000-07:00

Let not your heart be troubled. Ye believe in God, believe also in me.
-----John 14:1 (King James Version)(answer.yahoo.com)

This verse only tell us that our strong faith will be the deliverance of Gods miracle in our life

2009-07-27T21:40:00.000-07:00

Verse of The Day

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.

Ephesians 6:14-16

This verse only emphasize that the truth is the only thing we hold to be strong in life.

2009-07-27T01:34:00.000-07:00

Inspirational Pictures Creates Calming Feeling's

Calming verses that relaxes your stressful heart

Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5: 7)

We should not be too much problematic in our problems because God is always have a shoulder for you to cry on.

Trust in the Lord … Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will do this. Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently for him. (Psalm 37:3-5, 7a)

This verse tells that we should give our 100% trust into Him, for He the Lord make thing in His own way.

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

If we know in our selves that, we have God ,so why fell fear at all?

2009-07-16T03:11:00.000-07:00

Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew,
like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.
Deuteronomy 32:2

2009-07-16T02:40:00.000-07:00

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you;
he will never let the righteous fall.

Psalm 55:22

2009-07-16T00:19:00.001-07:00

Bible Verse for

Faith in Times of Stress

My presence will go with you, and I will give you rest. (Exodus 33:14)

These verse is always reminds us that God is always there to guide us and comfort us in times of great miseries and tragedy that happening in our lives.

Angel's

2009-07-14T02:51:00.000-07:00

2009-07-14T01:55:00.000-07:00

Comfort

John 14:1-3
"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me. In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.

Inspirational Verse

2009-07-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you."
Deuteronomy 31:6

This verse simply say's that God is the last one when everyone is
leaving you.