http://dinosaurspen.tumblr.com/
Author: ttcsadmin
-
#Trinidad & #Tobago Government sought information about Twitter account in January-June 2014
Twitter has posted its latest Twitter Transparency Report for the period of January 1 to June 30 2014. The Transparency Report documents three types of requests to Twitter:
- Information Requests – government requests for account information of a Twitter account
- Removal Requests – government requests to remove content from Twitter
- Copyright notices – copyright notices alleging copyright infringement as per the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (“DMCA”)
The Twitter Transparency Report also documents how Twitter handled these requests.
The Government of Trinidad and Tobago filed an emergency disclosure request for a Twitter user’s account information during the January-June 2014 period. Twitter didn’t produce the information requested, according to https://transparency.twitter.com/country/tt
screenshot of Twitter transparency report for Trinidad and Tobago -
LibreOffice 4.3 Office Suite available for download
The Document Foundation has announced the availability of LibreOffice 4.3, the latest version of the Free and Open Source Office Suite for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux.
From the Document Foundation Announcement:
LibreOffice 4.3 offers a large number of improvements and new features, including:
– Document interoperability: support of OOXML Strict, OOXML graphics improvements (DrawingML, theme fonts, preservation of drawing styles and attributes), embedding OOXML files inside another OOXML file, support of 30 new Excel formulas, support of MS Works spreadsheets and databases, and Mac legacy file formats such as ClarisWorks, ClarisResolve, MacWorks, SuperPaint, and more.
– Comment management: comments can now be printed in the document margin, formatted in a better way, and imported and exported – including nested comments – in ODF, DOC, OOXML and RTF documents, for improved productivity and better collaboration.
– Intuitive spreadsheet handling: Calc now allows the performing of several tasks more intuitively, thanks to the smarter highlighting of formulas in cells, the display of the number of selected rows and columns in the status bar, the ability to start editing a cell with the content of the cell above it, and being able to fully select text conversion models by the user.
– 3D models in Impress: support of animated 3D models in the new open glTF format, plus initial support for Collada and kmz files that are found in Google Warehouse, in order to add a fresh new look and animations to keynotes (support of this feature is currently on Windows and Linux versions only).”
You can download LibreOffice at http://www.libreoffice.org/download/
Looks like a new version of the TTCS OSSWIN DVD needs to ready soon! 😉
-
U.K. Cabinet Office Adopts ODF and PDF/A or HTML for sharing and viewing government documents
Via the UK Government’s press release :
“The open standards selected for sharing and viewing government documents have been announced by the Minister for the Cabinet Office, Francis Maude.
The standards set out the document file formats that are expected to be used across all government bodies. Government will begin using open formats that will ensure that citizens and people working in government can use the applications that best meet their needs when they are viewing or working on documents together.
When departments have adopted these open standards:
- citizens, businesses and voluntary organisations will no longer need specialist software to open or work with government documents
- people working in government will be able to share and work with documents in the same format, reducing problems when they move between formats
- government organisations will be able to choose the most suitable and cost effective applications, knowing their documents will work for people inside and outside of government
The selected standards, which are compatible with commonly used document applications, are:
- PDF/A or HTML for viewing government documents
- Open Document Format (ODF) for sharing or collaborating on government documents
-
Raspberry launches Raspberry Pi Model B+
Raspberry has launched a Raspberry Pi Model B+, a “improved and enhanced and made better version of the Model B”, according to Raspberry Pi Founder, Eden Upton.
From the announcement
“The Model B+ uses the same BCM2835 application processor as the Model B. It runs the same software, and still has 512MB RAM; but James and the team have made the following key improvements:
- More GPIO. The GPIO header has grown to 40 pins, while retaining the same pinout for the first 26 pins as the Model B.
- More USB. We now have 4 USB 2.0 ports, compared to 2 on the Model B, and better hotplug and overcurrent behaviour.
- Micro SD. The old friction-fit SD card socket has been replaced with a much nicer push-push micro SD version.
- Lower power consumption. By replacing linear regulators with switching ones we’ve reduced power consumption by between 0.5W and 1W.
- Better audio. The audio circuit incorporates a dedicated low-noise power supply.
- Neater form factor. We’ve aligned the USB connectors with the board edge, moved composite video onto the 3.5mm jack, and added four squarely-placed mounting holes.
See http://www.raspberrypi.org/introducing-raspberry-pi-model-b-plus/ for the full announcement and videos
Raspberry Pi Model B+ (source: http://www.raspberrypi.org/) -
Adobe releases critical security updates for Adobe Flash for Windows, Mac and Linux
According to the Adobe Security Bulletin dated July 8 2014 :
Adobe has released security updates for Adobe Flash Player 14.0.0.125 and earlier versions for Windows and Macintosh and Adobe Flash Player 11.2.202.378 and earlier versions for Linux. These updates address vulnerabilities that could potentially allow an attacker to take control of the affected system. Adobe recommends users update their product installations to the latest versions…
Adobe AIR for Android is also vulnerable
So, update ASAP!
To determine what version of the Adobe Flash player you have on your Windows, Macintosh or Linux system, visit http://www.adobe.com/software/flash/about/
To download the latest version of Adobe Flash Player without any adware or bundled third party offers, visit
http://www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer/distribution3.htmlWindows users should note that the Flash Player in Microsoft Internet Explorer v9 and earlier versions of Internet Explorer and the Flash player in web browsers like Opera, Mozilla Firefox and Safari are separate installs.
You should install and update both versions of Adobe Flash.For Internet Explorer v10 and Internet Explorer v11 (for users for Windows 7 Service Pack 1 and Windows 8), these browsers have Adobe Flash Player built-in and users should update their Internet Explorer browser versions.
Google Chrome browser users has Adobe Flash Player built-in and users should update the Google Chrome browser to the latest version. See http://www.google.com/support/chrome/bin/answer.py?answer=95414 on how to do so.
-
TTCS, ISOC-TT and IEEE-TT Joint Statement on Digicel Trinidad and Tobago’s ban on VOIP Services
The following is a press release of the joint statement from
the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society,
the Internet Society Trinidad and Tobago Chapter and
the IEEE Trinidad and Tobago Section on
Digicel’s Trinidad and Tobago’s ban on Voice over IP services.PDF version of press release:
A longer version of the statement can be viewed at TTCS-ISOC-TT-IEEE-TT-response-to-Digicels-ban-on-VOIP-services or at https://docs.google.com/a/ttcsweb.org/document/d/13pfWE4S6Rr3IwSntEFRdawpxdbnHXrSgpzQ2wcfp3YU/edit
Joint Statement from the
Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society,
Internet Society Trinidad and Tobago Chapter &
IEEE Trinidad and Tobago Section
on Digicel Trinidad and Tobago’s ban on VOIP ServicesSummary of Issue
On the 5th July, 2014, Digicel (Trinidad and Tobago) announced that it will be blocking access to Voice over IP (VoIP) applications it considers to be ‘unlicensed’ or “unauthorized” on its “4G” service. The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS),
the Internet Society Trinidad and Tobago Chapter (ISOC-TT) and the IEEE Trinidad and Tobago Section (IEEE-TT) consider this to be a grave error, and wish to make a public statement on this matter, both from a technical perspective and a social one.Our position
It is the position of the TTCS, ISOC-TT and IEEE-TT that this move is a violation of the concept of “Network Neutrality” as defined by Wu. We are of the firm belief that this move puts us, as Internet users, on a slippery slope, as it may well pave the way for the banning of other important Internet services for learning, innovation and productivity which use much more bandwidth.
Given that customers are paying for Internet data service, it is not accurate for Digicel to state that VoIP services amount to “illegal bypass activity”. Digicel is effectively asking that both consumers and suppliers pay for the same service.
While we understand the need to ensure the integrity of their service, from a technical perspective, there is no reason to single out VoIP connections as a large consumer of bandwidth that can reduce the Quality of Service enjoyed by other customers as the throughput for a VoIP connection is very small (on the order of 20kbps). Compared to services such as YouTube, Netflix or even browsing media-rich web pages (on the order of hundreds of kbps), throughput required by VoIP applications is negligible. Therefore, the argument that services such as VoIP has a significant impact on other data services is inaccurate (unless the number of VoIP users is very very much greater than the number of non-VoIP users).
The reasoning given by Digicel TT for the move that “VOIP services (are) putting enormous pressures on bandwidth – and customers’ data usage experience (is) being negatively impacted” is also misleading since it is not technically possible for Digicel to give priority to VoIP traffic on their current data network. In their current system, VoIP traffic is treated just as any other data service.
We can only conclude, therefore, that the reason for the proposed ban is to stop the loss of revenue from traditional circuit switched voice services rather than any move to protect the integrity of its data service to customers.
It is important that Internet service providers are committed to the concept of Network Neutrality in Trinidad and Tobago so as to encourage innovation and avoid the potential of censorship. Digicel should certainly backtrack on this move, in the interest of national development. The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) should engage all stakeholders in a broader discussion with respect to how we should move forward on the issue of Network Neutrality. TATT should also strive towards making a more competitive environment by accelerating the introduction of a 3rd service provider as well as accelerate the long promised implementation of Number Portability to promote the competitiveness in the telecommunications space that would prevent similar anti-consumer, anti-innovation and anti-economic growth policies.
-
#ICANN Policy Update Webinar on Thursday 12 June at 1900 UTC (3pm in #Trinidad & #Tobago)
The Internet Corporation of Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will have a Policy Update Webinar on Thursday 12 June at 19:00 UTC (3pm in Trinidad and Tobago), summarizing policy activities across ICANN’s policy development community and updates on topics from ICANN’s Supporting Organisations and Advisory Committees.
You can listen to the webinar via Adobe Connect at http://icann.na3.acrobat.com/update
About ICANN
ICANN (http://www.icann.org/) is an international and not-for profit organization that brings together individuals, industry, non-commercial and government representatives to discuss, debate and develop policies about the technical coordination of the Internet’s Domain Name System (DNS).
About ICANN At-Large Community
The At-Large Advisory Committee (ALAC) is the primary organizational home for individual Internet users within the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).
The role of the ALAC is to consider and provide advice on the activities of ICANN, insofar as they relate to the interests of individual Internet users.
The At-Large Community within ICANN is primarily made up accredited organizations referred to as At-Large Structures (ALSes) representing the interests of individual Internet users.
Once such an organization is accredited through the ALAC, it becomes a member of the appropriate ICANN Regional At-Large Organization (RALO). There are five RALOs, one corresponding to each of the five geographic regions defined by ICANN.
Each of the Regions is represented on the ALAC with three members of whom two are appointed by the RALO and one by the ICANN Nominating Committee.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society is an accredited ALS and a founding member of the Latin American and Caribbean Regional At-Large Organisation (LACRALO). Its representative, Dev Anand Teelucksingh, is currently serving on the ALAC.
-
University of #Trinidad & #Tobago partners with Apple to become the first Apple Authorized Training Center for Education in the Caribbean
University of Trinidad and Tobago Logo (source : http://u.tt) Via the University of Trinidad and Tobago’s (UTT) press release:
“The University of Trinidad & Tobago (UTT) has partnered with Apple Computer of Cupertino, California to become the first official Apple Authorized Training Center for Education (AATCE) in the Caribbean.
Apple Authorized Training Center logo (Credit: http://training.apple.com/aatc/education) The Apple Authorized Training Center for Education (AATCE) programme provides unique benefits to schools that use Apple professional applications in their academic curriculum. The AATCE programme provides the opportunity for schools to offer students not only a proven curriculum, but also the additional benefit of Apple Certification. UTT now joins a network of over 700 Apple Authorized Training Centers worldwide.
…..In the first course to be offered by UTT, students will test their mastery of Logic Pro X – Apple’s leading music production software suite…The course will be delivered by Martin Raymond – Programme Leader for Music Technology and the only Apple Certified Trainer in Logic Pro in the Caribbean region. UTT hopes to expand the programme to include training in all of Apple’s professional applications including Final Cut Pro, Motion and DVD Studio Pro while delivering short courses especially designed for teachers and other educators in the fields of Information Technology and the Creative Arts”