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Bright future for telephony

Internet telephony with VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) hasn't yet reached critical mass, but it's poised to. VoIP promises huge cost savings, but its ability to move data, images, and voice traffic over the same connection will undoubtedly cement its place in the future of telecommunications.  That's why so many IT administrators and developers are exploring VoIP-based private telephone switching systems within the enterprise. The efficiency that network users can reach with it is almost mind-boggling. And cheap, if the system is built with open source software PBX like Asterisk.

There are commercial VoIP options out there, but many are expensive systems that run old, complicated code on obsolete hardware. Asterisk runs on Linux and can interoperate with almost all standards-based telephony equipment. Asterisk embraces the concept of standards-compliance, but also gives users the freedom to choose how to implement their systems.

With Asterisk, users are no longer dependent on expensive and inflexible systems that are tuned to the vendor's needs, rather than the end user's. Asterisk's flexibility comes at a price, however: it's not a simple system to learn, and the documentation has hitherto been lacking. Linux pros need to learn a bit about telephony; telecom pros need to learn a bit about Linux.

With "Asterisk: The Future of Telephony (O'Reilly)," the future is no longer unmapped. The book, written by Jim Van Meggelen, Jared Smith (blog), Leif Madsen, will help readers to truly understand the core concepts of Asterisk. This new book offers a complete roadmap for installing, configuring, and integrating Asterisk with existing phone systems. It walks readers through a basic dial plan step by step, and gives them enough working knowledge to set up a simple but complete system. The book outlines all the options, and shows how to set up voicemail services, call conferencing, interactive voice response, call waiting, caller ID, and more. Readers will also learn how Asterisk merges voice and data traffic seamlessly across disparate networks. And they won't need additional hardware: for interconnection with digital and analog telephone equipment, Asterisk supports a number of hardware devices.

The future of telephony is bright--and with "Asterisk: The Future of Telephony," you can be ready for it.

SQL will not go away

With only a handful of commands, SQL data statements can look deceptively simple. This, combined with the fact that many database developers discover they can get by with learning just the rudiments of the language, explains why so few SQL users tap into the full power of the language. Alan Beaulieu, author of "Learning SQL" (O'Reilly), wants to go beyond what most books have done.

Those who work with relational databases--whether writing applications, performing administrative tasks, or generating reports--need to understand how to interact with their data. Even those who use a tool that generates SQL for them, such as a reporting tool, may have occasions when they need to bypass the automatic generation feature and write their own SQL statements. SQL can also be fun: it can be exhilarating to take a tricky data manipulation or reporting problem and solve it with a single, well written statement.  "Learning SQL" provides a pain-free introduction that begins with a simple SELECT statement and gently guides readers well on their way to proficiency with the language.

Beaulieu's book is intended for anyone who needs to learn SQL to enhance his or her academic or professional career.  The book shows readers how to collect and return related information from many tables at once, take a set-oriented approach to working with data, embed conditional logic into SQL statements using CASE expressions, write queries within queries, and employ SQL's many built-in functions to transform and reinterpret data.

SQL may be an old language, but it's going to be around for a long time and has a bright future. With "Learning SQL," readers can master this important skill and know that the SQL statements they write are both powerful and correct.

To learn more:
SQL Functions (SQL in a Nutshell)
Introduction to SQL Tuning (SQL Tuning) 
Query Primer
Hierarchical Queries (SQL Pocket Guide)

Net Empowers Filipino Animator

Hey all, Mike here. I had the pleasure of meeting young Filipino animator Ramon del Prado cosplaying Tekken's Kazuya at a party yesterday. Turns out while I was on stage at AnimeXplosion 2005, his animated short Egg was competing at the festival.

Good to see he's on leading Flash animation portal Newgrounds. Hope to see more Internet-empowered freelance animators in the Philippines.

Philippine Online Game List Updated

Laibcoms updates his list of Philippine online games -- now up to 28. Check it out at its new location here.

The top earner on the list makes around US$ 1.7 million a month; imagine how much revenue all 28 of them generate. As a Korean game exec opines, the Philippine online game publishing industry is only two years behind Korea's.

Hey, Dondi, when the CICT develops something like the KGDI, you should hire Laibcoms. My recorded gaming hours can't hold a candle to his. ;)

Palm and Treo Hacks

As one of the first and most popular handheld systems, the Palm OS has come a long way.  From the newest Tungstens and Treos all the way down the family tree, Palms are everywhere, and there's much more to these systems than meets the eye, promises Scott MacHaffie (blog), author of "Palm and Treo Hacks" (O'Reilly).

"Palm and Treo Hacks" gives you tips and tools that show you how to make the most of your Palm. A few minutes spent reading some of the hacks in this book will save you hours of research. You'll learn how to:

• Get the Most Out of the To Do List

• Turn your PDA into a Flashlight

• Get some rest and relaxation with your Palm, whether it's listening to music, playing classic games, or watch videos

• Use Your Treo as a Modem

• Find a Better Stylus

• Find great applications for your Palm and make the most of the ones you're using now

• Add photos of friends and family to your address book

• Get super-organized, getting more from the built-in Personal Information Manager and learning how to manage complex projects, from weight loss diaries to big presentations with your Palm

• Extend the Palm with must-have software and hardware add-ons

• Run Linux on your Palm

• Take your Palm online, reading email, surfing the web, and sending instant messages

Written for beginning to expert Palm users, "Palm and Treo Hacks" is full of practical, ingenious tips and tricks you can apply immediately. Whether you're looking to master the built-in applications or you want to trick out your Palm to its fullest extent, this book will show you how to do it.

Lisa DeBenedictis Remix Contest Winners!

Creative Commons and Magnatune announced the winners of the Lisa DeBenedictis Remix Contest hosted on ccMixter (www.ccmixter.org) from June 15, 2005 to July 31, 2005. Due to the high-quality remixes received, Magnatune increased the number of winning entries from 10, as originally planned, to 15. There were thirteen winners.

Creative Commons offers free licenses and tools to enable creators to publish their works on more flexible terms. It promotes the creative re-use of intellectual and artistic works—whether owned or in the public domain—by empowering authors and audiences. Magnatune is an independent, online record label that hand selects its own artists, sells its catalog of music through online downloads and print-on-demand CDs and licenses music for commercial and non-commercial use.

All winners are signed to a Magnatune standard recording contract and will be included on a forthcoming Lisa DeBenedictis remix album to be sold commercially. The artists' share (50% from the first sale) will be split between the winners and (of course) the artists they sample.

The 15 winning entries, and winning artists, are (in no particular order):

1. Sergio Gomez (Love Bird)
2. Rudiger Lippert (Cuckoo Remix)
3. Thomas Walter (Below Acappella)
4. Richard Ashcroft (BELLOW)
5. Tim Holt (Cuckoo passive-aggressive)
6. Marc Kowalski (below-DU-first-mix)
7. Richard Ashcroft (BELOW Linda Barker Mix)
8. James Margetts (Structured Emotions)
9. Brian Trifon (Stranger from Below)
10. Gabor Valasek (The Cuckoo, bittersweet)
11. Marc Kowalski (below-DU-mix)
12. David Sims (Below and Beyond)
13. Eric Ohara (Below Lambourgino)
14. Thom O'Connor (Unaffected)
15. Sharp Hall (Cuckoo- Liquid Ambient)

Contest winners used Magnatune music, including DeBenedictis' music, to create their own remix compositions and posted their winning tracks up on ccMixter. ccMixter is a site made available by Creative Commons to
encourage legal media collaboration and remixing. The site shows the genealogy of creativity by displaying both the tracks that a particular remix has sampled and the subsequent tracks that remix that remix. The software that runs the site has been released to the public to enable anyone to create a similar site for music or any other format.

Lisa DeBenedictis is one of Magnatune’s more than 175 artists who enjoys 50-50 profit splitting and full rights to her music. A "one-woman operation," she plays a variety of instruments including piano, guitar, keyboard, violin, oboe and mandolin. DeBenedictis is the sole writer, performer and producer of all her music. Her songs have been described as ethereal, fresh and original, earning her the comparisons of other well-known female soloists including Tori Amos and Sarah McLachlan. Prior to going solo, DeBenedictis performed in a rock duo called “Ring
of Nine” and California Avant Rock duo “DirtyDirtyRockStar.” In addition to writing songs, Lisa composes instrumental music for film.

The concept of "open source" file-sharing originated in the computer software world, and has moved into music. Individual tracks, a drum or bass line within a recording, can be taken and remixed with other tracks to create a completely new composition. Other musicians can then modify, improve or add to the “source” without worrying about obtaining permission from the original artists. Unlike other illegal music remix contests where an artist’s work has been taken and sold without the artist’s permission, Magnatune and Creative Commons partnered with Lisa DeBenedictis for this effort. Contest participants were invited to freely copy selected Magnatune music to produce their winning works.

Producers often work for months to build their multi-layered remix compositions. Remix tracks can be highly sophisticated with limitless musical sound samples and layers.

Magnatune music is available for download and streaming under Creative Commons licensing. The Creative Commons license gives artists the ability to signal that others may freely share and build upon their existing works, be it musical, written, or images. Unusual in the music industry, Magnatune splits profits from
album sales with the artists and allows them to keep ownership of the rights to their music.

We Make IT Fun

"If you're not having fun in IT, you're not in the Philippines." -- Doc Searls

October 25: One Internet Day Cebu: Empowering Citizens Through Technology!

From Oct. 21 to 27, Sun.Star will have the 11th anniversary celebration of Sun.Star SuperBalita Cebu.

As part of the celebration, on October 25 from 1 pm to 5 pm, we will be having a FREE One Internet Day event with the theme, "Empowering Citizens Through Technology"

Event agenda as follows:

1:00 - 1:30 Registration

1:30 - 2:30 Empowering Citizens Through Technology (Sun.Star SMS, Sun.Star Blog Chronicles, Citizen Journalist Project)

2:30 - 3:00 A look at 11 Years of the Philippine Internet and Lessons Learned: Generating Income with your Blog/Website through Selling, Affiliate Marketing, and Internet Advertising (by Janette Toral, DigitalFilipino.com)

3:00 - 3:30 Using Online Remittance Services to Accept Payments Online (by YesPinoy.com)

3:30 - 4:00 Personalized Marketing Using Online Social Networks (by Vincent Rallon, SalvEON.net)

4:00 - 4:30 Lessons Learned: High-Tech Start-Up in Cebu City (by Lawrence Hughes, InfoWeapons)

4:30 - 5:00 Raffle

Venue will be the Atrium of the SM City Cebu (in front of Krua Thai Restaurant) from 1 pm to 5 pm. Students are more than welcome to attend this event too. Please email me at [email protected] to confirm your attendance for snack count purposes.

Our sponsor for this event is Salveon.net. Should your company be interested to sponsor this FREE public event, please email me privately. (P5000 only that entitles you to flyer distribution at the Atrium)

Cheers to Sun.Star SuperBalita Cebu for its 11th Anniversary!

For the growth of the Philippine Internet and Empowerment of Individuals Online!

Learning Internet Forensics

As we use Internet email, the more we realized that it has partly become a hotbed of fraud, spammers, and identity theft. But, undaunted, we spend more and more of our time (and money) on it.

Few of us consider the "threats" it proffers to be more than a nuisance, forgetting that there's real criminal intent behind them targeting some of the most vulnerable members of our society. We overlook the content in spam messages because we already know them to be scams.  But, while we would never click on a link in an email to update our password and social security number for a bank account, many people do.

As Robert Jones points out in his book "Internet Forensics" (O'Reilly), we continue to get spam because there are people making money doing it. Conventional wisdom says that you can't track these people down because the Internet is so large and it's so easy to hide one's identity. But Jones says otherwise, and shows readers how to follow the clues the bad guys leave behind.

There are several factors behind this seemingly unstoppable growth: Internet scams don't cost much to set up, the potential audience is huge, and the chance of being caught is low. Even if a scammer is caught, the likelihood of being prosecuted is minimal. But the main motivation, as Jones repeatedly points out, is that people can and do make money with these schemes.

Out of curiosity, Jones began looking into various scams that arrived in his inbox.  Being fairly adept at using Unix commands, he started to apply these to find out where certain web sites were located and was surprised at how much information could be uncovered using a few basic techniques. Anyone can do this, he says; you don't need to work for the FBI or an ISP.

"Internet Forensics" presents that tools that the community of Internet users and developers can use to tackle the problem. Jones uses the analogy of a Neighborhood Watch: people in a neighborhood walk their dogs, chat with each other, and generally keep an eye out for anything that looks unusual. They're not organized in any way, but the simple fact that they're out there is a serious disincentive to dodgy characters looking to cause trouble.

Over and above these noble goals, "Internet Forensics" is a whole lot of fun. It is a practical and accessible guide to this fascinating field. Learn how the bad guys try to cover their tracks and the tricks we can use to see through their disguises. The book is packed with real-world examples explained in detail that show how much you can find out with ingenuity and a little work--and have fun doing it.

Call for support: Philippine Schools CyberFair 2006

We are currently inviting companies to sponsor or support the Philippine Schools CyberFair 2006 as we kicked off our Regional Competition last August and will be launching the National Competition this November.

Just buy 100 copies of the Philippine Internet Review: 10 Years of Internet History (1994-2004) for thirty-four thousand pesos (P34,000) and you are automatically a sponsor for the Philippine Schools Cyberfair 2006 regional and national competition. (Please make all checks payable to Posh Marketing Services.)

As a sponsor, you shall be entitled to the following:

• Recognize your company as a donor in one of the Cyberfair categories and levels (8 categories and 3 levels).
• Present or deliver a talk or topic during the Cyberfair student convention or teacher training.
• Have your streamer posted and flyers given out during the Cyberfair student convention and 5-days teacher training. (December for regional level and April for national level)
• Have your company listed as sponsor in the Philippine Schools CyberFair website.
• Have your banner ad (468x60) posted at DigitalFilipino.com

We hope this request will merit the interest of companies.

For the growth of relevant Internet use and e-commerce in the Philippines! 

See you at e-Business Week 2005 and 4th Mindanao ICT Congress in General Santos City

General Santos City shall host the biggest gathering of Information & Communications Technology stakeholders in Mindanao come October this year. This is for the conduct of the 4th Mindanao ICT Congress scheduled on October 27 – 28, which will be one of the highlights of the 2nd e-Business Week slated on October 24 – 29, 2005.

General Santos City is one of the locations in the country proclaimed as an I.T. hub by the government. This is in addition to current locations such as Metro Manila, Metro Cebu, Pangasinan, Camarines Sur, Leyte, Baguio City, Iloilo City, Cagayan de Oro City, Zamboanga City, and Davao City.

The aim of the 4th MICT Congress' is to make Mindanao in particular and the Philippines in general, become the "Knowledge Center in the Asia-Pacific" by 2010. Through the national information infrastructure government, businesses, libraries and homemakers will have to become Internet literate for them to carry out the demands in the workplace.

The Plenary Sessions will focus on e-enabling Mindanao for digital opportunities; BIMP-EAGA: potentials for ICT collaboration in Mindanao; developing Mindanao's ICT human resources; opportunities and challenges in the ICT outsourcing services; e-governance solutions that work; next generation technologies and their impact; and presentation on the 4th MICT Congress Output/Resolutions.

Gensan City government partnered with the Mindanao Business Council, Gensan Chamber of Commerce and Industry and DTI 12. Globe Telecom and Innove are the major corporate sponsors.

Trade  & Industry 12 Director Ibrahim K. Guiamadel said that all the activities during the e-Business Week are intended to keep the public abreast on the latest in ICT, train the local human resources to meet the basic requirements and qualify for jobs in the ICT field, generate employment opportunities for graduates, among others. These activities in the city shall further strengthen General Santos City’s claim as a competitive IT hub in the country.

The e-Business Week is organized by the Department of Trade and Industry 12 and the ICT Solutions Association of Region 12 (ISA12) in cooperation with other line agencies and the local government of General Santos City.

Among the activities are:

ICTex  (October 24-29 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City) , a display of an array of equipment and gadgets in ICT

Government-on-Line, (October 24-29 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City),  where government agencies whose services are on-line shall be gathered to provide their services to the public. Included here are NEDA, DLR, NSO, DTI, GSIS, TESDA, BIR, NFA.

Job Fiesta, (October 24-27 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City), Head hunters from the ICT world shall come to screen entrants for backroom operations, content development, animation, medical transcription and other core IT services. They will be recruiting workers from the fields of Information Technology, engineering, communications, business, natural sciences. (Please read related news.)

MT: Transcribing Your Way to the US, (October 26 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City), a forum that would help prepare those with background in medical courses to a work in a medical transcription firm, now a considered a lucrative job.

Academe Trainers’ Training (October 24-25 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City), training for mentors who are interested include in their course offerings Advanced English Communication preparing graduates for Contact (Call) Center Agents.

TechTalks (October 25-29 @  Mezanine Floor, Port Café, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City), a series of short courses on the use and application of various soft ware in engineering and design, animation,  website services, network consulting and management, desktop publishing,. This is open to anyone in whatever fields they are in but are interested to improve their skills in the use of computers.

E-Competition (October 24-29 @ Atrium, Gaisano Mall, Gen. Santos City), an ICT-related or electronic-generated competition showcasing the skills and abilities of the contestants while selling their services to interested companies. Participants can join in categories such as SMS Content Craze (Content-Concept Development Competition); Animazing Talent (Animation Competition); Original Character Design Competition; Digital Graphic Design Competition; Digital Fine Art Competition; Web Design Competition; and Global Minds (ICT Quiz Bowl: Inter Mindanao Universities-Colleges).

Get the full details by visiting the website at http://www.sme12.ph

See you in General Santos City!

System Specialist needed

Hello everyone. One of our club members has this opening.

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Avanza is one of the few loyalty and relationship marketing agencies that have successfully established ways to engage customers and means to maximize the profitability of customers through highly advanced technology systems and data analytics tool.  Avanza has a proven track record of developing and implementing relationship programs for consumers, trade and employees for multinational companies for 12 years now.

To expand its business, the company is now seeking for individuals who can provide the IT expertise for program development, database management and performance tracking.

The Position:  System Specialist

The Responsibilities:
• Performs product research and development in the field of Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
• Design and develop application system as per user specifications and systems design requirements.
• Act as application system support for the end-users.
• Responsible for the systems operation.
• Create and maintain system documentation.

The Experience Avanza is Looking For:
• Graduate of B.S. Computer Science or equivalent.
• Minimum of 3 years experience as a Systems Analyst and Computer Programmer.
• Required skill(s) : Microsoft Visual Basic.Net, ASP.Net, Microsoft SQL Server 7/2000, Crystal Reports.
• Must have experience with VB.Net and ASP.Net (Windows application, Windows service, Web application, Web service).
• Must have at least 1 year experience with MS SQL Server v7/2000 database design, administration, SQL programming (DTS, stored procedures, triggers, etc.).
• Preferably with PowerBuilder experience.
• Must possess good communication skills.
• Must be proactive and be able to work with minimum supervision.

Please email your resumes to [email protected] or fax to 02-8123030 and address to the HRD Manager, Avanza, Inc.

Technorati Profile

JRE to Bundle Google Toolbar

Hey all, Mike here. Just watched the Sun/Google presscon 31 minutes ago, where Sun CEO Scott McNealy, Sun President Jonathan Schwartz, and Google CEO Eric Schmidt went on stage to announce a bundling of the Google Toolbar and the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Scott says that bundling will be available for download at java.sun.com "in a matter of weeks, if not days".

Scott claims that "what Netscape did for JRE, JRE will do for the Google Toolbar". Considering that JRE gets 21 million downloads a month, that may not be an empty boast. When Scott points out that he espects that number to grow from this deal -- after all, Google gets 80 million unique visitors a month -- ex-Sun employee Eric jokingly quips: "You didn't tell me that in the negotiations."

The executives gave visionary-yet-vague-and-anti-Microsoft responses to reporters' pointed questions -- mostly about teaming up against Microsoft, creating a new OS, and putting Google web services in OpenOffice. Jonathan expects both sides of the new alliance to surprise each other.

So when you put Google and Java together, do you get "Joogle" or "Gooava"?

MISNet Education - 10th anniversary

Congratulations to MISNet-Education as they celebrate their 10th anniversary last September 22. The company sponsored a bowling activity at the Superbowl, Makati City Square, participated by its clients.

MISNet Education, Inc. started delivering training in 1995 as MISNet, Inc. and became the Philippines' first Microsoft Certified Technical Education Center (then called Authorised Technical Education Center). In November 2002, MISNet Education, Inc. was established as a separate entity from MISNet, Inc. to focus on the training and certification business and to open the doors for partnership with other Microsoft partners.

Congratulations to MISNet!

2 Must-have books!

Here are some books that caught our fancy lately. It may interest you too.

1. Ambient Findability by Peter Morville (blog)
Intelligence is moving to the edges, flowing through wireless devices, empowered individuals, and distributed teams. Ideas are spreading like wildfire, and information is in the air, literally. And yet, with the profusion of instantly accessible information, we still experience disorientation. We still wander off the map. How do we make decisions in the information age? How do we know enough to ask the right questions? How do we find the best product, the right person, the data that makes a difference?

In the book "Ambient Findability," Peter Morville searches for the answers in the strange connections between social software, semantic webs, evolutionary psychology, and interaction design.  And, he explains how the journey from push to pull is changing not only the rules of marketing and design, but also the nature of authority and the destination of our culture.

Thought-provoking and insightful, "Ambient Findability" will be of interest to any "user experience professionals" who design, build, and manage web sites and interactive products. But the book will also hold appeal for anyone interested in the future of architecture, business, communication, education, design, literacy, marketing, and other areas of work touched by the information age.

2. Practical Development Environments by Matthew B. Doar
You can have great coders, a terrific idea,top-of-the-line technology, even deep funding, but a project can still fail without a toolsmith. Every project has a toolsmith--some are pre-defined full-time positions, but often the de facto (and usually unspoken role) of toolsmith falls to the person who happens to have the skill set, the interest, or who just didn't duck the onerous task quickly enough. Either way, making the choices about tools, installing them, and then maintaining the tools that everyone else depends upon can prove vital to the project.

Building a development environment may not be a sexy topic to most people, but it's an essential one. Developers want to write code, not maintain makefiles. Writers want to write content instead of managing templates. IT provides machines, but doesn't have time to maintain all the different tools. And managers, of course, want the product to move smoothly from development to release.  Ergo, the onus of creating and maintaining a productive technical environment rests with the individual who ends up being a toolsmith for his or her group.

But building an effective development environment is not only not sexy; it's not easy either. How do you decide which tools to use for any given project? What do you look for in a tool--and what do you avoid? Which can you rely on? Which will help automate your processes? How do you discover the pitfalls or annoyances of any given tool--before you're in knee deep?

Practical advice is hard to come by, and trial and error on the fly is not only time consuming and frustrating, but potentially hazardous to the health of a project.

Unlike most tech books, "Practical Development Environments" doesn't tell you how to write faster code, or how to write code with fewer memory leaks, or even how to debug code at all. It's a practical approach to the challenges that confront toolsmiths every day: how to build the product in better ways, how to keep track of the code that's written, and how to track the bugs in code.

Another book that my be of interest also:

1. The Cult of iPod by Leander Kahney (blog)
Since its first iPod model hit the market in 2001, Apple has sold more than 21 million iPods, from the no-frills Shuffle up to the flagship 60GB iPod. "The Cult of iPod," like its predecessor "The Cult of Mac," takes readers on a tour of everything iPod with gorgeous four-color photos, stylish layout and design, and tales of users who devote considerable time, energy, and imagination to their gadgets.

Meet the little-known practice of iPod-jacking (strangers plugging into each other's iPods to find new music); discover the growing legions of MP3Js (regular folks who use their iPods to become DJs); and meet average joes who create their own professional quality iPod commercials just for fun. "The Cult of iPod" looks at the cottage industries that have sprung up to capitalize on the iPod's popularity, too, from both fun and functional accessories to services that build customized playlists or will convert your entire CD library into the iTunes format. "The Cult of iPod" also covers the trend of celebrities and fashion mavens who've customized their iPods and made high-end limited edition carrying cases, as well as gadget freaks who've modded their iPods into one-of-a-kind designs that make techies drool.