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One of the things that I committed to do this year at work is to participate in surveys sent by the organization. To be honest, answering surveys is one of the most boring things I could agree to do. No offense, but really. Surveys that have definite answers (i.e. Yes/No, Agree/Disagree, etc), but those which required me to give a comment — like what I think of Outer Banks – gives me a headache. :| I remember back in college, I always hated it when some people interrupt our class to ask us to fill out a survey about our prof’s performance, and I hated it more when I feel no special kinship with the prof. :|But I do recognize how important surveys are to groups especially to a big organization that I belong to. If taken and filled out seriously, these surveys could really provide valuable information that the survey givers are looking for. :)
And now I segue to the point of this post…A List Apart just launched their 2008 Survey for People Who Make Websites. And I quote:
Calling all designers, developers, information architects, project managers, writers, editors, marketers, and everyone else who makes websites. It is time once again to pool our information so as to begin sketching a true picture of the way our profession is practiced worldwide.
Possibly the most important invention of the past century, the web is undeniably one of the most robust engines of knowledge transfer, political and social change, artistic endeavor, and economic growth the world has seen.
Remove the web, and billions in trade disappear. Websites enable people who can’t walk to run to the store. They bring knowledge and freedom of thought to places where such things are scarce; make every person with a connection a citizen of the world; and allow every citizen to be heard.
[source]
So if you’re a designer, a developer or you just play around with the web, take the survey now! I just finished answering it a few minutes ago, and it’s really quick and easy to answer, and would not take more than 10 minutes of your time. :D
After taking the survey, tell all your friends (and strangers :p) about it, just like what I did now. ;)
When my teammate, Mike, arrived, I immediately ambushed him with this question: Would it be an ultimate geekery if I say I want to attend WordCamp Philippines 2008?
The answer was yes, but then again, I’m a self-confessed geek, so why would this matter?
Anyway, I heard about this from Kyameel, and I decided to register if only to revive my blogging life and to fully understand Wordpress more, since I’ve been using it for years now (which reminds me…I have to upgrade!), and I don’t see myself using another content management system and I’ve been missing programming and developing, AND admission is free…so I thought, why not? :)
WordCamp Philippines 2008 will be on September 6, 2008, at College of Saint Benilde, Taft Avenue, Manila (hello, Taft, I missed you!). This event is organized by the Mindanao Bloggers (thank you!), and is made possible by the following sponsors:
Who else is going? This will be my first second blogging event for the year (I remember, 2008 Philippine Blog Awards on August!), and I think it’s just time to “revive” my offline blogging life. :P
To compensate for me postponing my Australia trip, I’ve decided to treat myself to something that I’ve been thinking of getting for the past months: a new digital camera.
I’ve mentioned before that I wanted to buy a new digicam because our old digicam is already breaking down. It can still shoot good photos, I think, but the LCD’s really annoying me already, and the model is already obsolete. I was thinking of buying my own dSLR just so I won’t grab my brother’s anymore, but I realized that as much as I liked photography, I don’t love it. I don’t think I’ll be willing to invest on a complicated and bulky camera that I’d hardly really use (when I graduated, I stopped “covering” events), and I don’t think I’d be willing to invest in buying lenses and whatnot. But I still want to document whatever escapades I go into, and I miss having to upload photos on my Multiply especially after I go on a gimmick with people. So…a digicam is my answer.
I’m usually the choose one and stick to it person with regards to gadgets, so the moment I saw the pink Canon Ixus 80 IS, I knew it was the camera I’m going to buy:
Okay, I may be biased because it’s Canon and it’s pink. But then again, I know photos from Canon cameras come out nice (did I say it right? Haha). Plus, this camera is small, and I like how handy it is. I could buy a pink Sony Cybershot, but I’ve gone through two Cybershot cameras, and I’d like to try something new. Features wise, I’m fine with this one because I only plan to use this to take photos of everyday events. I just want to have a camera that I can bring around easily, take relatively nice photos (and probably make even photos of bathroom faucets look pretty) and…well, girly looking. Haha.
The price isn’t so bad — Php17,950. It’s cheaper if I buy it in cash, which I am planning to do (with some of my blogging money! Yay!), but I’m kind of wary to buy it too soon, mostly because I’m concerned that the price would be lowered anytime soon. I don’t know; I’m not into the camera crowd, so I don’t know when Canon lowers the price of their cameras. I’m thinking of waiting it out until August or September (after I pay my insurance and earn a bit more through blogging and finish paying for Aslan) before buying it. But I do want to get this before October, since there are a lot of events coming up for us.
If you own this camera, do you like it? Do you think I should wait for a while, in case the prices would go down? Or is there no chance that the price would go down soon (cheapskate alert)? Or should I just forget this model and go for another one? Suggestions? :)
Because everyone’s blogging about it (sort of), let me join the bandwagon. Here’s the official news from the Globe Corporate website:
Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus to bring iPhone to the region
Manila, 12 May 2008 – Globe, SingTel, Bharti Airtel and Optus today announced that they have signed an agreement with Apple to bring the iPhone to the Philippines, Singapore, India, and Australia later this year.
More information will be released at a later date.
And all the while I thought it was Smart who’s going to carry the much sought-after iPhone. I can’t remember where I heard it, but turns out it’s not true anyway.
Interestingly, a friend and I had a discussion about how the iPhone totally changed how telecommunications companies get the handsets they package with their plans. Being an ex-employee of a mobile telecommunications company made me agree with what my friend told me. Usually, the handset providers (Nokia, Ericsson, etc) give their handsets to the company, and the company chooses which handsets they’d be including in their plans. But when it comes to the iPhone, Apple was suddenly the one who’d be choosing among the mobile providers. Talk about 180-degree turn, yes?
And now they’ve chosen.
Not that it really matters…for me, anyway. Even if I really love being a MacBook user, and I love my iPod, I’m not much of a fan of the iPhone. I know I’m a techie and all, but for some reason, I really don’t like extravagant phones. Maybe I was psychologically brainwashed witha ll the cellphone thefts I’ve seen and heard all my life, which is why I prefer nice yet not so eye-candy phone so I can text outside in peace. I’d be more concerned with my fancy cellphone than my luggage if that’s the case. See why I love Captain Tal (my Nokia 6233) so much?
Plus I really don’t like anything touch screen. I’d be OC to the maximum level and I wouldn’t enjoy the gadget if I don’t use it the way it should. :D
As for Apple’s choice…I kind of wish they chose Smart, only because I’m a Smart subscriber, but I don’t really care that much at all. It’s not like I’m going to get the iPhone anyway.
But…who knows. Maybe I’d change my mind. Heh. Let’s see if Apple can make me fall in love with the iPhone just like most of the people I know too. :P
I’ve already heard about this around two to three weeks ago, but I only got to blog about this now (see how self-centered I can be? Ack):
IBM creates its own Peace Corps
By Lawrence Casiraya
INQUIRER.net
First Posted 08:34:00 05/03/2008
MANILA, Philippines — IBM is sending 600 of its employees to emerging countries over the next three years to do volunteer work involving IT.
IBM said the first 100 employees will be sent this year to six countries — Romania, Turkey, Vietnam, Ghana, Tanzania and the Philippines — to work on projects “that intersect economic development and IT.”
“It’s a corporate version of the Peace Corps,” said James Velasquez, country general manager for IBM Philippines, referring to the tech giant’s Corporate Service Corps initiative.
Thomas Veloso from the local IBM office was selected and will join nine more IBMers from the United States, Japan, China, India and the United Kindom as a team assigned to go to Tanzania in Africa.
More than 5,000 IBM employees worldwide applied for the program but only 100 were selected for this year.
In the Philippines, the IBM team will be based in Cagayan de Oro and Davao City in the South.
The team will create management information systems to track progress of loan and grant beneficiaries from the Philippine Development Assistance Program, according to IBM.
IBM is working with three non-governmental organizations from the US, Canada and Australia. These NGOs identify projects and local organizations the IBM teams can work with.
This is one of the coolest things I’ve heard at work ever. :) I love how the company is getting their people involved in helping. That’s why we were encouraged at work to go and volunteer for corporate social responsibility events, because it really has an effect. Thomas (Tom) Veloso used to be the GK-IBM head, and all his efforts are paying off with this amazing opportunity presented to him. :)
I’d love to have the same opportunity. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and I’d love if I would be granted one too, plus size clothing and all (um…right. What did I just write?). Maybe someday, I hope? :) Granted, I’d have to work doubly harder to get this, but it’s a good goal, right? :)
Maybe someday. In the meantime, let me finish all my deliverables. Heh.
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