OSS implementation in schools.!!

Before I read any articles regarding this topic, I asked myself on what really is an open source software and why is it now a famous topic on IT related forums, blogs and articles. In definition, Open Source Software (OSS) is a readable computer software that can be used under the provisions stated on its copyright license.It started as an idea when a campaign for free softwares was being protested by people worldwide. The main advantage of these softwares is that no payment is asked in exchange of the acquisition of the said softwares. The users can therefore utilize, alter or enhance and disseminate the software in the original or the revised form without getting into any trouble with the creator of the program.

Nowadays, a lot of softwares are popping out from all parts of the world, some are useful in terms of education while some are useful in business, architecture, animation, etc. You can name a work/business/education sector, and surely a software is created to make the work/learning of the said sector easier. Yet, long ago such softwares costs a lot. Now with OSS, a lot of advantages are at hand, namely no fees are required, easier access/download/installation of such OSS softwares and it can be shared or passed around friends and classmates.

Integrating open source softwares and schools, universities or other institutions is the major focus of this topic. But then how can we do this? For me, by doing the following we can adopt the idea of OSS in schools:
The school administration/staff should be...
be aware on what are the OSS softwares that can be used for educational purposes;
share/disseminate this idea to your friends, students and colleagues by use of discussions, seminars and make it as a
class lesson or by simply on your chit-chats;
tell them the advantages and disadvantages in using OSS
teach them how to use it and make them use it not only on school but also at home;

In using OSS, a lot of advantages can be gained by schools and universities even by individuals. The only thing that is needed is the awareness that such softwares exists and can be used by the public. God blesS.

http://www.opensource.org/docs/definition.php
http://www.openschoolsalliance.org/briefing-papers/oss_in_schools.pdf/view
http://www.groklaw.net/article.php?story=20031231092027900
http://www.opensourceconsortium.org/publicdocs/oss_in_schools.pdf
http://www.educationau.edu.au/jahia/webdav/site/myjahiasite/shared/papers/open_source.pdf

PLDT sacks 575 employees

Last September 17, 2007, the leading Telecom provider in the country, namely PLDT have sacked 575 employees from the fleet services, traffic operation, and network sector of the company.

Changes in technology and consumer demand are the main reasons for the phone firm’s decision to downsize its employees. Also with the decrease in operator-assisted national and international long distance telephone calls, they thought that manpower reduction at these times becomes inevitable. The company also decided that instead of paying these number of workers, they would just replace these people with fully automated machines that could increase their productivity while decreasing their operational costs.

“From 216 million calls in 2000, the number of operator-assisted international and domestic long distance calls fell to 153.8 million in 2001 and has continued to slide until it was down to 36.5 million in 2006. Customers have shifted massively to direct distance dialing and mobile phones because of convenience and lower cost,” PLDT spokesperson Ramon R. Isberto said.

The company has planned this massive lay-offs a few years before so to make this employee dismissal a benefit for both parties, they enrolled their employees to certain training courses for the past 3-4 to get them ready for the company downsizing and to prepare them for redeployment.

In a further note, PLDT offered generous compensation package plus a two-year medical program for the retrenched workers. According to the PLDT Press Release, "The package is the normal retirement benefit plus 100 percent premium while those with less than 15 years of service will receive 200 percent times the number of years or on the average, each employee will get P1.1 million compensation." All in all, it was almost a win-win situation between both parties.


References:
http://www.pldt.com.ph/media/news_img/PLDT_575.pdf

http://www.pldt.com.ph/media/monthNewsArchive.asp?monthToShow=9&yearToShow=2007

My Top 5 Online Job Services

5 different On-line Job Services

Web designer:
responsible for creating and maintaining websites; is knowledgeable in HTML/CSS and photo shop.

Call center agent:
interacts with customers using emails, through phone call or live feed. They cater to answering queries about certain topics such as financial services, technical support, education, customer care, on line business to customer support, online business to business support.

Medical Transcriptionist:
is an allied health profession. They deal in the transcripting, or converting voice-recorded reports as dictated by physicians and/or other medicine related professionals into text format.

Programmer:
knowledgeable in two or more computer languages, like Java, C++, Perl or .Net. Has a working email address where the problems can be sent by the customer and also does tutorials on his/her blog or forum.

Product Reviewer:
contacted by a certain enterprise or might be a member of a product reviewing site, with the purpose to use/ test new products/devices and send a useful review about its best features and its possible side-effects or defects.

Amongst the five jobs tackled above, the one I that I have an interest on is being a web designer/developer. Not only because its the job that I can really use what I am studying now but also because the pay is much better and you can do it at the comfort of home. Its also fun to develop, design and maintain websites, where people who view the site can appreciate my work and my passion.