Education, Linux and the BRIC

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may 
see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year.

The project will see three schools trying out Linux, in order to save cash and to limit the use of pirated software, and if the move is successful, reports claim that all schools in the country will switch to Linux and open source software by the end of the year.

Russia isn’t alone in developing economies in adopting Linux in the public sector – in fact it’s the last of the BRIC countries to give official support for Linux in the education sector. China, Brazil and India have all seen government support for Linux, particularly in education, since the middle of this decade.

Government support for Linux may not have made much of a dent in Microsoft’s share of the desktop space, with most counties still showing a continued preference for Windows. But by taking alternative operating systems into schools, a generation of students is being exposed to open source and is learning that there is an alternative to Windows.

There are lots of commercial reasons still to use Windows or Unix if needs be, but for the education sector, even with added incentives for schools and colleges that are offered by many of the big IT vendors to use their products, or include them in the curriculum, you have to go a long way to beat free software.

But of course, it raises the question, of why haven’t any governments in the Gulf shown the same level of support for open source as other emerging markets? There are quite a few projects at individual schools and colleges, but no initiative, that I know of, to favor open source. Perhaps with a tightening of belts and a growing focus on improving the standard of education in state institutions in the region, we might see a change in the situation. Aside from any consideration of 'vendor' preference, to ignore open source in education is to ignore computing skills for students, and takes up budget that could be spent elsewhere.

Nokia Asha 303 Price in India and Specifications Review

Till some time back only local Indian mobile companies were successfull in low cost mobile. Howeever now even Nokia has launched some of its low price smartphones in India. Nokia Asha 303 price in India at Rs. 7,800 has proven this point very rightly. Despite Nokia Asha 303 price being at low level, there is no compromise on features. In fact, Nokia Asha 303 features on certain applications are even better than its competitors in the market. Also to add more fun, Nokia Asha 303 features 3G as well 3.5G connectivity which will ensure its users have access to fast speed download from internet.

 Nokia Asha 303 price has been kept low keeping in mind demand for low cost smartphones in the market. Also this segment will bring highest growth rate in smartphones in coming period in Indian market. Usually people who have been using ultra cheap mobiles and also young professionals are main in this category.

Hence Nokia Asha 303 has both price and features matching the need of these people.

 Nokia Asha 303 features enables its customers to customise home screen by aligning location as well as style of icons. Also users can select icons which they want to keep and remove rest of them so as to maintain efficienct usage. For giving style to home screen of Nokia Asha 303, users can install screen savers and wall papers of their choice which can be from movies, games, celebrities. Another aspect which can be used to customise home screen is MP3 ringtones which can be either downloaded from net or songs from mobile can be set as ringtone.

Nokia Asha 303 price in India and specs are really attractive for its intended customers. Some of the important Nokia Asha 303 specifications are Nokia store which has huge collection of bollywood and other songs and games of different variety. All these will ensure enduring entertainment and fun to its customers anytime and anywhere without any high cost. Also users can install applications of their own choice to make it more personalised.

 In this way, Nokia Asha 303 price is highly justfied in Indian market. Also this smartphone is good buy for its target customers in the market.

Electrical & Fire safety

Fire and Burn Prevention

• Fires and burns are the second leading cause of household injuries.  Each year nearly 4,000 people in the U.S. die in home fires.  Thousands of others are injured as a result of fires or accidental burns.  Most of these deaths involve children and elderly adults.  Kitchen accidents, space heaters, chimney fires, faulty electrical wiring, and cigarettes are common causes.  Check your home for fire hazards.  Install smoke detectors on every floor.

Tips on Fire Safety

• Dispose of cigarettes, cigars, and matches carefully.

• Install smoke detectors on each floor of your home and test them often.

• Plan two escape routes from each floor of your home and practice using them.  Be sure you can open doors and windows from the inside without a key.

• Never leave a burning candle or fireplace unattended.

• Don’t place anything that will burn near a furnace, water heater, space heater, or the stove top.

• Don’t use flammable chemicals near appliances with pilot lights.

• Have your furnace and chimney inspected each year.  Some utility companies provide free or low cost inspections.

• Know how to put out kitchen fires.  If a fire occurs, don’t panic.  For oven fires, close the door and turn off the oven.  Use a pot lid to smother a stovetop fire.  Keep a filled ABC-rated fire extinguisher near the kitchen.

• Pay attention when you are cooking.  If you must leave the kitchen turn off all burners.

• Prevent scalds by setting your water heater to 120 degrees or lower.  Anti-scald devices are available for bathtubs or showers.

• Know emergency phone numbers for your area.  In most places it is 911.  Post the number near each telephone.  Teach children the emergency number.

Tips to Protect Children from Fires andBurns

• Teach children not to play with matches or lighters.  Store them out of sight and reach.

• Teach your children what to do if they smell smoke or hear the smoke alarm.

• Have children practice escaping from a fire.

• Never leave young children alone.

• Place pots and pans on the rear burner of the stove and always turn handles inward so they are not accessible to toddlers.

• Keep the cords for crockpots, coffee makers, and deep fryers out of the reach of small children.

ElectricalSafety

• While enjoying electric TVs, radios and other appliances, we may forget they can cause shocks and fires.  In 1990, bad plugs, cords, switches, and outlets caused about 13,000 home fires and nearly 200 deaths.  Most electrical fires and injuries can be prevented.  People should take the time to have their electrical systems inspected and learn about electrical safety.

Tips on Electrical Safety

• People who live in homes that are more than 10 years old should consider having the wiring inspected.  If your home is more than 40 years old, an inspection is overdue.  Be sure to consult with your local building inspector before making repairs.

• Never place electric cords under rugs or bedding.  Heat or sparks from these cords could cause a fire.

• Follow the safety tips on new appliances.

• Check electrical cords for signs of wear.  Replace frayed or cracked cords to prevent shocks and fires.

• Check labels on lamps and use the right size bulb.  Check the label on your fuse box and be sure you use the right size fuses.

• Fix electrical problems right away.  If fuses blow often, circuit breakers trip often, switches get hot or people are shocked, something is wrong.

• Cover unused outlets with plastic plugs.

• If a cord has 3-prongs, use it properly.  Don’t remove the extra prong.  The third prong is there because the appliance must be grounded to prevent electrical shocks.

• Take cover during a thunder storm.  If you are indoors, stay away from open windows and doors and use the telephone only in an emergency.  If you are outdoors stay in your car and away from water, trees, and metal objects.  Avoid low areas that might flood in a heavy rain.

• Do not overhaul outlets.  Extension cords shouldn't be used as permanent fixtures in home rebuilding.

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters

• A ground fault circuit interrupter or GFCI is a special type of outlet that prevents shocks.  These outlets are recommended for areas where water is used.  Install GFCIs in bathrooms, kitchens (within 6 feet of the sink), laundry areas, garages, basements, outdoor outlets, and around pools, saunas, and hot tubs.  Test these outlets monthly.

For more information

• Fire Prevention: call your local fire department.

• Electrical Safety: call your local utility or an electrical contractor.

Drinking Water Safety

Know Your WaterSupply

• Whether for drinking, cooking, bathing, or doing laundry, a supply of clean water is important to a healthy home. Know where your water comes from.

Tips for AllWater Users

• Install devices to prevent garden hose water from flowing backwards into your drinking water.

• Consult your local building code office before making major repairs or changes to your plumbing system.

• Conserve water because clean water is precious. Don’t waste it, instead, use water-saving toilets, and showerheads. Repair plumbing leaks right away.

Water SupplyProblems

Bacteria andViruses

• The most common problem in private well water is bacteria. If bacteria are found, it means that human or animal wastes may be entering your water. Some bacteria can cause stomach upset or diarrhea.

Chemicals

• Harmful chemicals such as gasoline, solvents, and pesticides can get into drinking water. Natural chemicals like arsenic, manganese, iron, and radon can also get into your drinking water.

Water QualityTesting

• Public water supplies are tested for more than 100 chemicals. If you use public water you can call the water utility for information about your drinking water.

• All private wells and many public water supplies use groundwater. Groundwater is water held in underground soils and rock.  Several communities use water from nearby lakes, like Lake Winnebago, Lake Michigan, and Lake Superior.

Tips for Peoplewho use Public Water Supplies

• Find out where your water comes from. Contact your water utility if you have questions about your water supply.

• Protect your water supply. Follow any water-use warnings. Dispose of pesticides, motor oil, and other chemicals properly. Reduce your use of lawn and garden chemicals since these chemicals may seep into drinking water.

• Call your water utility if you have questions or if you notice a change in the taste, odor, smell or color of your water.

• If you own a private well, be sure your water supply is safe. Yearly testing and maintenance will help protect your water supply. Call your local Department of Natural Resources (DNR) office for more information.

Tips for Peoplewho use Private Wells

• Find out the age and depth of your well and the length of its casing (the pipe inside the drilled hole). Learn about the types of soil, bedrock and water supply problems in your area.

• Find out when your drinking water was last tested. Know what tests were run, and the results. Keep records of any tests or repairs that you make.

• Test at least once a year for bacteria. Several labs in Wisconsin can do these tests. Check the yellow pages in your phone book for a lab near you.

• Test for nitrate. This is especially important if there is a pregnant woman or infant in your home. Nitrates come from fertilizer use, barnyard runoff, and septic systems. A high nitrate level may mean that your water also has bacteria or farm chemicals.

• You may want to do other tests. Talk to a regional water supply expert at your local DNR office to find out if arsenic or radon are common in your area. If your well is near an old landfill, gas station, or buried fuel tank you might want to test for volatile organic chemicals (VOCs). If your well is near an orchard or farm field, a test for pesticides might be advised.

• Have your water tested if you notice a change in its taste, odor, or color. Some tests are expensive and may be hard to do. Contact your well driller, local DNR office, or your local health department for help.

• If your water contains bacteria or chemicals find out the source of the problem. Fix it and test the water again to be sure it is safe.

• Keep chemicals, septic tanks, and animal waste away from your well. Dispose of chemicals and motor oil properly. Don’t put waste chemicals in your septic system. Limit your use of lawn and garden chemicals. Keep the area around your well clean.

Foreign photographers take part in underwater photo competition

Atleast two foreign photographers were among some 50 colleagues from Indonesia inunderwater photo-taking competition in Banda islands from April 25-30, 2010.

"Christian Hinckley and Hendri Tjhang of Singapore are the foreignparticipants in the undersea photo-taking competition in Banda," SailBanda local committee spokesman Cak Saimima said here on Sunday.

He said the foreign photographers and their Indonesian colleagues left Ambonfor Banda Neira on Sunday morning by MV Siwalima.

Earlier on Friday they enjoyed the undersea panoramic view at Laha village inTeluk Ambon subdistrict, while some of them explored undersea cave off thecoast of Hukurila village at Leitimur Selatan sub-district in Ambon beforeleaving for Banda on Saturday.

"The two diving sites were introduced by former Pattimura MilitaryCommander Maj Gen M Noer Muis who is currently Bukit Barisan militarycommander," Saimima said.
Saimima added that Noer Muis was the initiators of underwater photo-takingcompetition in Banda islands and would also act with Christoffel Simanjuntakand Edy Purnomo as the juries.

"The former Pattimura Military commander has promised to promote underseanatural beauty of Maluku, found nowhere else in the world," Saimima said,adding that the underwater photo competition was part of Sail Banda which wasscheduled to last from June 17 to August 17, 2010.

Meanwhile, Noer Muis said the participants of the photo competition took theirleisure time to go diving at the two separate locations in Laha and Hukurila onFriday and Saturday before leaving for Banda.

"The best pictures in the undersea photo-taking competition in Banda willbe published in the book on "Exploring Banda Islands" which is beingarranged," Nore Muis said.

Toba 'orchid paradise' yields 200 new species

Scientistssay they have found almost 200 new species of orchids in the Eden Park touristforest in Sionggang village in Toba Samosir, North Sumatra.

A group led by botanists and orchid experts Ria Telambanua and Michele Siraithas been exploring the area for years.

“We’ve successfully identified almost 200 species of forest orchids afteralmost four years of research. We intentionally haven’t published any of themfor the sake of preservation,” Ria said on Sunday in Toba Samosir.

The discovery of new orchid species was typically followed by large-scaleexploitation, she said.

The researchers identified the new species by identifying morphologicaldifferences, using orchid catalogues and by consulting with experts.

“This area is an orchid paradise. It has extraordinary natural riches. Thereare thousands more orchid species that have yet to be identified here,” shesaid as quoted by Antara.

Ria and Michele will launch a book on the new species late next month, Riasaid, adding that a portion of the profits would be donated to orchid experts.

Kalimantan is one of the world`s flora center

KalimantanIsland (Borneo) is one of the world`s flora center because the diversity oftrees in a small plot of land in the island`s forest equals to those in thewhole Papua or South America, according to the forestry ministry`s a pressstatement.

The Island has the richest flora on the Sunda Islands because it has 10,000 to15,000 special of floral plants.
The flora diversity on the Borneo island is as rich as those in the wholeAfrica, which is 40 times bigger than Borneo.
The diversity of Borneo Island`s flora covers the Asian and Australian elementswith more than 3,000 trees, including 267 species of Dipterocarpaceae (58percent of them are endemic Dipterocarpaceae species) and belongs to the mostimportant commercial wood in Asia.

It has also over 2,000 orchid species, 1,000 fern species and various speciesof "kantong semar" (Nepenthes sp.).

The endemic plant rate is also very high, namely 34 percent of plant speciesand 59 plant families are only found on the island.

Kalimantan has the high biodiversity and flora rates thanks to its geographicalcondition. The majority of the island`s geography is in coastal abd river areasand the height of almost half of its land is below 150 meters of the sea level.

These conditions have made Kalimantan an ideal place for various floral plantsto grow.

Its tropical climate. constant temperature and high rainfall rate with evendistribution make the Borneo forests always green all the years.

Kalimantan is the world`s third largest island after Greenland and Irianisland. The island is located in three countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia(Serawak, Sabah), and Brunai Darusalam.

The island is part of the Sunda Island chain consisting of two parts, namelyBig Sunda Islands: Kalimantan, Java, and Sumatra; and Little Sunda Islands:Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa, Flores, Sumba, Timor, Barat Daya Islands, and TanimbarIslands

Deep-sea images reveal colorful life off Indonesia

Scientistsusing cutting-edge technology to explore waters off Indonesia were wowed bycolorful and diverse images of marine life on the ocean floor - includingplate-sized sea spiders and flower-like sponges that appear to be carnivorous.

They predicted Thursday that as many as 40 new plant and animal species mayhave been discovered during the three-week expedition that ended Aug. 14.

More than 100 hours of video and 100,000 photographs, captured using a roboticvehicle with high-definition cameras, were piped to shore in real-time bysatellite and high-speed Internet.

Verena Tunnicliffe, a professor at the University of Victoria in Canada, saidthe images provided an extraordinary glimpse into one of the globe's mostcomplex and little-known marine ecosystems.

"Stalked sea lilies once covered the ocean, shallow and deep, but now arerare," she said in a written statement. "I've only seen a few in mycareer. But on this expedition, I was amazed to see them in greatdiversity."

Likewise, Tunnicliffe has also seen sea spiders before, but those were tiny incomparison, all around one-inch (2.5 centimeters) long: "The sea spiders... on this mission were huge. Eight-inches (20-centimeters) or moreacross."

One animal captured on video looks like a flower, covered with glasslikeneedles, but scientists think it is probably a carnivorous sponge. The spikes,covered with sticky tissue, appear to capture food as it passes by.

Scientists used powerful sonar mapping system and the robotic vehicle toexplore nearly 21,000 square miles (54,000 sq. kilometers) of sea floor offnorthern Indonesia, at depths ranging from 800 feet (240 meters) to over twomiles (1.6 kilometers).

The mission was carried out by the U.S. National Oceanic and AtmosphericAdministration's ship, the Okeanos Explorer. An Indonesian vessel, the BarunaJaya IV, also took part, collecting specimens that, together with all rightsfor future use, will remain in the country.