On North Korea’s Presence in Twitter and Youtube

I just read from BBC.com that North Korea already has its presence in Twitter and in Youtube. It has @uriminzok for its Twitter account and hosts close to 80 videos in Youtube. I think that this is a very big step, not only for North Korea, but also for the world.

First, I think that this is a big step for North Korea because it shows that it is abreast with the trends in cyberworld. It tells me that despite its backward economic performance, it still is able to enjoy internet services and even manages to utilize it for its propaganda. At least I can not now say that its communist image is fraught with illiteracy of the internet, at the very least.

Second and last, I think that this is also a big step for the world because it gives a glimpse of the thoughts and opinions of the secretive North Korean government. By following it on Twitter and watching its videos on Youtube, the world can somehow get an idea of what it is up to, or what agenda or propaganda it is currently promoting.

I know that I am not very familiar with the history and politics surrounding North Korea. However, I have this general impression that North Korea has its own set of formidable and unyielding mindset and agenda, wrapped in a cloak of secrecy. This is the reason why I truly welcome its presence in popular internet sites because it tells me that somewhere, somehow, underneath that cloak, there is that human aspect.

-Michelle P. M. Sabitsana

Dry Run Woes

Logistical problems can run any brilliant plan aground even before any part of it is executed.

Until now we haven't been able to confirm a final schedule for the dry run at the venue for the Saturday night lectures livestream (props to Gino Uy for all his efforts coordinating with Banquet!). I'm almost afraid that this project won't push through because of the time constraints.

The days to September are dwindling. There's so much more to do, and so little time to do it all.

I still hope there will be enough time to get things set up in time for the Bar Exam Weekends.

MAC, Urban Decay, and eBay scams

I wanted to buy that Alice in wonderland limited edition make up from Urban Decay on eBay, ladies you know how I feel, it was sold out seconds after its release (hu-hu) now back to the subject, eBay is the largest online market with more than twelve (12) million items on sale at any given time and with more than five (5) million transactions per week, after our class session wherein we discussed internet frauds, I did some research for our blog assignment and when I found these articles about eBay scams I stopped drooling over the make-up! And to think that I’ll actually be using my supplemental credit card..


In the case of US v Teresa Smith, Smith was selling hundreds of computers to individual buyers through eBay, she’ll require her customers to pay first then she will not deliver the product and refuse any refund request, she was also using multiple eBay identities and whenever eBay would suspend one of her accounts, she’ll just open a new one. She had more than 300 victims and was able to defraud for more than $800,000! And she was only sentenced to 4 years and 9 months in prison! :o Anyways, you just type eBay fraud and you’ll see tons of complainants’ posts on how they were defrauded and some of them are without any recourse because the value of their loss amounts to less than $5000 and the federal agents aren’t interested in pursuing their case. The bulk of complaints pertaining to internet fraud is really that on online auction frauds (3/4 according to a report by the FBI’s internet crime report center)so realistically speaking, the chance that these people would get their money back is slim to none. And there are also tons of complaints about fake MACs (the make-up not something techy) so I'm not sure if there are fake Urban Decay products as well and although other buyers are saying that a fake cosmetic can be seen by the naked eye, fraud can also be perpetuated by using an image of the same make-up being sold but was not actually taken by the seller hence does not really represent the actual product he or she would be shipping to you and you might end up getting a cheap knock-off. It all seems shady and all these frauds are being committed despite all the safeguards being implemented by eBay..

My dream vacation: Rent MY OWN island

As much as I love time off with family and friends, I also place a premium on spending quality time with myself. May it be reading a book I’ve bought years ago (a product of “stress buying”, considering that I haven’t even scanned a single page of it) with a warm cup of cappuccino on a typical Friday night, or driving all the way to an isolated dessert place and taste-testing their bestseller for myself, or walking around a historical park and taking pictures of pretty things with a phone camera (ehem) at hand, I find happiness in these moments since I have no one and nothing to consider but myself. Here, I have the luxury of enjoying my own company.

Believe it or not, I have made a list of 10 places to see or activities to do -- alone -- before I turn into a senior citizen. Mind you, the items in it are very doable. In fact, I’ve already placed checks beside two items and another coming (if I really put my mind into it) next year. But with a CNN.com feature article I’ve recently bumped into, it appears that I have to put some space for another: renting my own island.

Check out www.privateislandsonline.com. :)

Protecting yourself against credit card scams

As credit cards become more accessible to everyone these days (even my 11-year old sister has one), so has the occurrence of credit card scams. But we aren’t left entirely helpless. I came across a certain website giving out tips to protect people from identity theft and credit card fraud.

1. When applying for credit cards, do it personally at the bank. While it may be more convenient when the companies approach you in the malls or call you at home, it is more secure to go to the bank itself.

2. Avoid giving out personal information in public carelessly. We may not be aware that we do this, but filling up raffle coupons, promotions, filling out surveys allow others access to them instantly. Give out the least information as possible. Banks do not require that you give all of those information; oftentimes, they only need a couple of them for security.

3. Dispose of your old receipts and financial records properly. Shred them first or at least mark out your credit card numbers and other information before throwing them out. It might take a bit more effort and seem OA, but taking these types of precautions when it comes to your finances can never hurt.

4. Check your statement of accounts regularly as well as keep the receipts of your credit card purchases. This allows you to verify the purchases made on your credit card.

5. Avoid using your credit card in stores where you cannot see the person who is processing your card. This may be a way for them to steal data, allowing them access to your credit card.

6. Try allotting a separate credit card for online purchases, particularly one that has a lower credit limit. This helps track your purchases online.

7. If you received an email that asks you to update your account by logging on to a website, it’s a phishing email and you should never click it or log on to the website. Banks never ask for these types of information via email.

While all of these may be cumbersome that what one we are used to doing, making them your habit can help save you in the long run.

http://www.pinoypress.net/2008/05/24/credit-card-scam-in-malls-9-ways-to-protect-yourself/

Moot, Zuckerberg, et. al. v. The World

Once upon a time, youthful fame came with military conquest. Indeed, history is replete with the now familiar names of Alexander, Augustus Caesar, and Napoleon, among many others. The world, however, has changed. New names have taken the field and military conquest has, by and large, been replaced with technological innovation. Today’s great young minds are considered great not because of their mastery of the sword but because of their ability to cater to the whims of a global audience, because of their ability to shape culture. Thus, in order to be great by today’s standards, one’s campaign can’t be limited to conquering the Mediterranean. That’s too World War II-ish. Today, one needs to conquer the world.

For purposes of this article, I’d like to briefly describe the ‘inventions’ of two young men who, by and large, have created and shaped their respective global spheres of influence.

The first is the rather obscure 'moot', also known in the real world as Christopher Poole. In 2009, at the age of 21, 'moot' was Time Magazine's "most influential person of the world" - not because he deserved it but because the online community which he founded (4chan.org) decided that it’d be fun if Time’s voting system was hacked. The 4chan community is the complete opposite of today’s social networks. Anonymity here is a premise. Unhampered and unfiltered free speech is the norm. There is no exception. Since 2003, this site has become home to porn, internet memes (see LOLcats and Rick-rollin YouTube videos), and everything else under the sun. Never mind the fact that it seems to be a throwback to the days where the internet was governed by usernames rather than by real world identities; or the fact that, since the site is a virtual free-for-all that’s designed to be unmoderated, it doesn’t make any money. In the vast universe of the interwebs, 4chan is still a definitive institution where anonymity reigns supreme. All this created by a teenager who’s now just about to enter College.

The second is Mark Zuckerberg who, in following the footsteps of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs, has created his own technological marvel which seems to be on a collision course with unshakeable Google. With true online identities and activities at stake, privacy in Facebook seems to be the governing norm. Despite this relatively limiting design issue, the social network now has 500 million users and still doesn’t seem satisfied with it’s current share of the internet pie. Just a few hours ago, it struck a blow against popular location-based start-ups Gowalla and Foursquare by providing its own “collaborating” location features. The move is striking and intimates this private company’s policy of not being content with being the definitive social media juggernaut. Not bad for a company that started in a college dormitory in 2004.

Can the Philippines have it’s own ‘moot’? It’s own Zuckerberg? I like to think so. The world is constantly changing. We might have lacked our share of military conquistadors... but maybe, with the right ICT plan for the country, we can churn out more tech-oriented Manny Pacquaios: Juan de la Cruzes who are driven, capable, and technologically-armed with ideas that are simply aimed at conquering the world.

Hurray for Food Blogs

I am a big foodie, which is funny since I never liked eating when I was younger. Now, I love trying out all sorts of dishes—in restaurants, food stalls, fairs, whatever. What lead me to become more adventurous with food, you ask? I surmise it’s because of the advent of food and restaurant blogs made by the average Joe.

Ordinary food bloggers are making an impact on restaurant-goers because the web is so influential on our everyday life. It used to be that magazine reviews were the only way to find out about new restaurants—not very realistic considering they have a bigger budget and are probably treated like royalty knowing that the restaurant is being covered. But now, hesitant or frugal customers can easily search for a particular restaurant and see other people’s experience of it. With the wide array of food reviews out in the web, both discussing the good and bad, one can form a pretty good idea of a potential dining experience.

Before, I would go in a restaurant and blindly choose something based on its fancy name or pretty picture. The difference between then and now is when I walk in, I more or less have an idea of what’s good and what’s awful and what to excpect from a certain venue. Also, being a typical student, I have to work with a limited budget. I’d hate to waste money on a dish that would potentially not taste right to me. Food blogs help out in the budgeting area too.

The power of food blogging is influencing the restaurant scene in a really big way because of the way the internet spreads around information. I love how it helps people choose where to go and what to eat and also on the flipside, how it keeps restaurants on its toes with respect to the quality of the dining experience of all its customers.