I'm not sure how 'texting' is changing social norms in the Philippines. It would be bad if 'texting' turns a society into just one big virtual chatting society.
The media may be exaggerating this 'texting' phenomenon. I bet you that it's more of a fad than a social upheaval (unless a fad is a social upheaval).
Computers, used properly in the context of education, can enhance learning. There are many parameters to consider:
Excellent teachers
Good software
Managed time on computer use
There are basic stuff that need to be taught without technologies first. That way, the kids get a 'feel' of the process of doing things, albeit slowly. For example, arithmetic and general mathematics should be taught in such a way as to allow the student to be able to solve a number of problems 'by hand'. Learning to do basic math mentally is an advantage. Once these skills are mastered, then the student should be introduced to calculators and computers, showing them that more complex problems can be solved using these devices. With the basics they learned, they will at least know how the devices come up with an answer. That way, they can also identify bugs in the devices if they feel the result of the computation does not fit what they expect.
Teachers need to emphasize that computers (and calculators) are tools that can help learning and solving complex problems, but are just as prone to 'mistakes' as humans. Moreover, they should manage the time spent by their students on computers. For example, Internet use should be supervised so that students get to use the appropriate sites for their homework if needed. The Internet is distracting -- teachers must assist students to focus on the right stuff on-line. Parents should also get involved with their children's use of computers.
Once in college, computers are used to aid students in solving complex problems and doing routine stuff (like making graphs). Engineering and the Sciences definitely need computers as tools nowadays when doing complex experiments and designs. However, those basic skills (analytic thinking, solving problems mentally, intuitive thinking) are best learned the hard way first -- computers are used to verify analysis or to expand and visualize the problem better.
Let's just take advantage of computers, without giving up the 'hard way' of learning things.
The Philippines has a pretty active IT industry (it's probably the only tech sector there having a lot of activity). You must at least know English to get the most out of your stay. A lot of the major media companies (newspapers, TV networks) use English. You'll see a number of American and British shows on TV that are not dubbed at all.
Metropolitan Manila is a good place to start, though even the smallest towns have some form of Internet access. You'll find a lot of UNIX/Linux/xBSD techies around, especially in the big universities (e.g. University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University). There are a number of user groups (e.g. Linux users group, etc.) there as well.
Big foreign companies such as Intel, Motorola, IBM, and AMD hire a lot of IT people.
During the weekends, you can drive out of town for some fresh air and have fun at the beach or sail on a lake all year round. Check out Tagaytay where there is an active volcano in the middle of the lake --- good view too. If you like to play golf or go diving, there are a lot of places to go out of town.
You could also taste the night life, as there are many good restaurants, cafes, and bars in the city.
As for telco companies, there has been a lot more competition among telecom companies since they opened the market a few years back. There is also a lot of competition among ISPs there, though even the smaller ones are thriving. ECommerce is being pushed aggressively. Cell phone service is cheap, as you don't use up your minutes when someone calls you.
It isn't as bad as how it is shown in the media (though you still have to avoid the "hot" spots). You'll actually have fun there.
Well, if the X-Files continues, maybe they should get someone else to join Sculley:
1. Patrick Stewart (as the Bald Man) 2. Lance Henriksen (as Frank Black) 3. Jonathan Frakes 4. Brent Spiner 5. Jerry O'Connell 6. Peter Horton (as Ezekiel Stone) and John Glover (as the Devil) --- from Brimstone 7. Robert Beltran (as Chakotay Alienfellow) 8. Christopher Walken 9. George Clooney 10. Christopher Lambert (as Conner Macleod) 11. Julia Roberts ......
Hmmmm.....I need some coffee..... ------------------------------------- -----------------------
Choose the school that is strong in your field of interest. A first tier school may definitely be nice, but it is not necessary. -------------------------------------- ----------------------
>Obviously people need more science education not >less.
Unfortunately, those who decide on what must be taught seem to lack a mindset that is required to understand what scientific theories are really all about.
Perhaps the National Science Foundation or some leading science/engineering organization should be more vigilant if they are truly concerned for what scientific content (or the lack of it) is being taught in American schools. We can't afford another Dark Age.
"Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him, for he is the harbinger of death." -- The sacred scrolls (of the apes)
"Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape." -- George Taylor, astronaut
"G***damn you all to hell!!!!" --- George Taylor, astronaut
"Glory be to the bomb and to the holy fallout." --- human mutants' prayer
I just won bids for an Apple//e and an Atari 800XL. I just can't wait to program in 6502 assembly again. During the days when these computers were popular, you could really get a feel of the computer's architecture by programming it to the max.
One thing interesting about these 8-bit computers: they were in production for quite some time. The Apple ][ series (][ to//e) were in production for almost 20 years (1975-1993). Talk about staying power.
I just found a company that sells a SCSI card and an SVGA card for the Apple ][. They even bundle the SCSI card with a Zip drive. The URL is http://www.sequential.com/ramfast.html.
Slashdot Mirror
So, if you need to get or play with data on your nice and shining PDA phone on a plane, will they let you if it's a phone too?
I seem to recall that this was successfully done in the 70's by a researcher at Stanford. The project was cancelled due to protests.
Scott Bakula should sing the opening song like Chuck Norris does with Walker Texas Ranger.
Why don't they get Norris as a captain who'll kick some Andorian butt?
I'm not sure how 'texting' is changing social norms in the Philippines. It would be bad if 'texting' turns a society into just one big virtual chatting society.
The media may be exaggerating this 'texting' phenomenon. I bet you that it's more of a fad than a social upheaval (unless a fad is a social upheaval).
Who coined the term 'texting' anyway?
Computers, used properly in the context of education, can enhance learning. There are many parameters to consider:
There are basic stuff that need to be taught without technologies first. That way, the kids get a 'feel' of the process of doing things, albeit slowly. For example, arithmetic and general mathematics should be taught in such a way as to allow the student to be able to solve a number of problems 'by hand'. Learning to do basic math mentally is an advantage. Once these skills are mastered, then the student should be introduced to calculators and computers, showing them that more complex problems can be solved using these devices. With the basics they learned, they will at least know how the devices come up with an answer. That way, they can also identify bugs in the devices if they feel the result of the computation does not fit what they expect.
Teachers need to emphasize that computers (and calculators) are tools that can help learning and solving complex problems, but are just as prone to 'mistakes' as humans. Moreover, they should manage the time spent by their students on computers. For example, Internet use should be supervised so that students get to use the appropriate sites for their homework if needed. The Internet is distracting -- teachers must assist students to focus on the right stuff on-line. Parents should also get involved with their children's use of computers.
Once in college, computers are used to aid students in solving complex problems and doing routine stuff (like making graphs). Engineering and the Sciences definitely need computers as tools nowadays when doing complex experiments and designs. However, those basic skills (analytic thinking, solving problems mentally, intuitive thinking) are best learned the hard way first -- computers are used to verify analysis or to expand and visualize the problem better.
Let's just take advantage of computers, without giving up the 'hard way' of learning things.
The Philippines has a pretty active IT industry (it's probably the only tech sector there having a lot of activity). You must at least know English to get the most out of your stay. A lot of the major media companies (newspapers, TV networks) use English. You'll see a number of American and British shows on TV that are not dubbed at all.
Metropolitan Manila is a good place to start, though even the smallest towns have some form of Internet access. You'll find a lot of UNIX/Linux/xBSD techies around, especially in the big universities (e.g. University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila, De La Salle University). There are a number of user groups (e.g. Linux users group, etc.) there as well.
Big foreign companies such as Intel, Motorola, IBM, and AMD hire a lot of IT people.
During the weekends, you can drive out of town for some fresh air and have fun at the beach or sail on a lake all year round. Check out Tagaytay where there is an active volcano in the middle of the lake --- good view too. If you like to play golf or go diving, there are a lot of places to go out of town.
You could also taste the night life, as there are many good restaurants, cafes, and bars in the city.
As for telco companies, there has been a lot more competition among telecom companies since they opened the market a few years back. There is also a lot of competition among ISPs there, though even the smaller ones are thriving. ECommerce is being pushed aggressively. Cell phone service is cheap, as you don't use up your minutes when someone calls you.
It isn't as bad as how it is shown in the media (though you still have to avoid the "hot" spots). You'll actually have fun there.
Perhaps Canada might be a good alternative to go to. They don't have strange laws against encryption products either (OpenBSD is developed in Canada).
- ------------
-----------------------------------------------
Well, if the X-Files continues, maybe they should get someone else to join Sculley:
- -----------------------
1. Patrick Stewart (as the Bald Man)
2. Lance Henriksen (as Frank Black)
3. Jonathan Frakes
4. Brent Spiner
5. Jerry O'Connell
6. Peter Horton (as Ezekiel Stone) and
John Glover (as the Devil) --- from Brimstone
7. Robert Beltran (as Chakotay Alienfellow)
8. Christopher Walken
9. George Clooney
10. Christopher Lambert (as Conner Macleod)
11. Julia Roberts
......
Hmmmm.....I need some coffee.....
------------------------------------
Choose the school that is strong in your field of- ----------------------
interest. A first tier school may definitely be
nice, but it is not necessary.
-------------------------------------
Let us pause for a moment and reflect on life during the days of the Atari 2600.- -----------------
------------------------------------------
>Obviously people need more science education not >less.
Unfortunately, those who decide on what must be taught seem to lack a mindset that is required to
understand what scientific theories are really all about.
Perhaps the National Science Foundation or some leading science/engineering organization should be more vigilant if they are truly concerned for what
scientific content (or the lack of it) is being
taught in American schools. We can't afford another Dark Age.
"Beware the beast man, for he is the Devil's pawn. Alone among God's primates, he kills for sport or lust or greed. Yea, he will murder his brother to possess his brother's land. Let him not breed in great numbers, for he will make a desert of his home and yours. Shun him, for he is the harbinger of death."
-- The sacred scrolls (of the apes)
"Get your stinking paws off me, you damned dirty ape."
-- George Taylor, astronaut
"G***damn you all to hell!!!!"
--- George Taylor, astronaut
"Glory be to the bomb and to the holy fallout."
--- human mutants' prayer
$ 33,000 is pretty low for your level of experience. I say $ 50,000 should be your pay.
However, consider the fact that ISPs don't have the money to pay this much, compared to "normal" enterprise companies.
I just won bids for an Apple //e and an Atari 800XL. I just can't wait to program in 6502
//e) were in production for almost 20 years (1975-1993). Talk about staying power.
assembly again. During the days when these computers were popular, you could really get a feel of the computer's architecture by programming it to the max.
One thing interesting about these 8-bit computers: they were in production for quite some time. The Apple ][ series (][ to
I just found a company that sells a SCSI card and an SVGA card for the Apple ][. They even bundle the SCSI card with a Zip drive. The URL is
http://www.sequential.com/ramfast.html.
Kazuo