You can browse TTCS OSSWIN online at http://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/ which features the web interface to learn about Free and Open Source programs in various categories, including screenshots or videos of the programs and a link to the program’s website where you can download the program. The web based UI is responsive, meaning it should be usable on non-Windows small screen mobile phones and tablets.
Download TTCS OSSWIN
You can download the entire collection of TTCS OSSWIN as a 7GB file for extracting to your harddrive or USB storage device (or burn on a DVD). The TTCS OSSWIN collection provides a link to install the software directly and in the case of a program providing 32 bit and 64 bit versions installers, TTCS OSSWIN attempts to autodetect whether you are running 64 bit Windows and presents that installer first. The web interface and all screenshots and videos are included in the collection so that you can browse and install software on a Windows computer without internet access.
Developing a a card like UI (similiar to the current theme of the TTCS website) for the selection of programs in the various categories using best practices in HTML5 and CSS. Still some tweaks to do, but this was a key change
Updating the text descriptions of programs. The goal is to strive to describe in the simplest of terms possible what the programs does and to answer “why should I try the program”
Replacing static photos with videos of the programs in action.
Find Free and Open Source Software for Windows that is useful and easy to use. The curated list of software in TTCS OSSWIN is an attempt to list what is considered the “best” in ease of use and functionality and not to include dozens of programs that do the same thing.
If you’re interested in assisting with this work or want to give comments and feedback, then send a email to osswin@ttcs.tt .
In a tweet on March 14 2020, Prime Minister of Jamaica Andrew Holness announced that all Jamaican government websites were zero-rated (meaning that such websites can be accessed without a data plan) due to the COVID-19 situation in Jamaica.
In response to TATT’s question #5 : “Should ISPs be permitted to employ marketing strategies (such as zero-rated pricing) through partnerships with content providers?”
“No. This is a violation of net neutrality principles and provides advantages to large, well funded corporations (at the expense of smaller, innovative startups). For example, by Digicel zero rating Loop TT (http://www.looptt.com/), Digicel gives Loop TT an advantage over other local news media (newspapers, radios) as Digicel users do not pay to access Loop TT but are charged to access other news media sites.
Zero rating negatively impacts on the likelihood that future innovations can survive to grow into useful services. Imagine if Altavista has approached ISPs in the mid 1990s to zero rate their search platform ; Google would have unlikely to been able to get acceptance. Or if Myspace has approached ISPs in the mid-2000s to zero rate their Myspace social network, Facebook might not have been able to survive. Zero rating of commercial traffic should be prohibited.
However, perhaps we can have a discussion on zero rating on nonpolitical public services – such as government websites (Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education for example).
Perhaps we need a zero rating tribunal where applications by ISPs to zero rate certain content are decided by a panel convened and managed by the regulator who use a clear rubric and transparent process to determine on a case by case basis what should be zero rated based on guidelines such as that from the Body of European Regulators for Electronic Communications (BEREC) at https://berec.europa.eu/eng/netneutrality/zero_rating/. Such applications for zero rating should allow for public disclosure and public comment.In this model, ISPs should not be allowed to zero rate traffic unilaterally until such applications are submitted and approved.”
The video mentions that you can clean Apple iPhone with 70% isopropyl alcohol wipes – you can read more on Apple’s “Cleaning your iPhone” page at https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT207123
The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) will be having its 67th online meeting from Saturday March 7 to Thursday March 12 2020.
Originally ICANN67 was to be hosted in Cancun, Mexico, but due to concerns regarding COVID-19, it was turned into a virtual community forum.
So…..what’s this ICANN?
As the name implies, ICANN helps coordinate the assignment and
management of Internet numbering resources (such as IP addresses) and
domain names (forming a system called the Domain Name System or DNS).
The DNS maps domain names to IP addresses.
ICANN also defines and implements policies for how the “Names and Numbers” of
the Internet are assigned. ICANN coordinates policy development related
to the DNS by bringing a variety of stakeholders (ranging from
governments, technical, business, civil society) organised in various
groups to develop and advise on such DNS policies. This volunteer-based
group of diverse stakeholders is called the ICANN multi-stakeholder
community.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) is an member of the ICANN At-Large Community since 2006, which represents the interests of Internet end users in ICANN policies and activities. Currently, as the TTCS’ At-Large representative (Dev Anand Teelucksingh), I have continued to be involved in various At-Large activities. I do want to encourage anyone with a interest and a desire to learn more about ICANN policy issues and how to get involved, email me at admin@ttcs.tt and I’ll try my best to help.
Important links to learn and follow #ICANN67
ICANN67 Full Meeting Schedule – this table (you will have to scroll down a lot) shows the various online meetings happening at the same time. All times listed are local to Cancun. Mexico (GMT -5) so when looking at the ICANN67 schedule, you will need to add 1 hour to get the time of the meeting in Trinidad and Tobago.
If you visit the schedule on your iOS or Android device, you can install the ICANN Meeting App to follow the ICANN meeting schedule on your mobile / tablet device and to personalize the schedule of sessions you are interested in. Search for “ICANN Meeting” in your app stores.
There will be a Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society online conference call on Sunday March 8 2020 at 9pm to review the comments on the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill 2020 and immediate next steps.
The Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill 2020 was passed in the Senate on March 3 2020 with amendments and introduced in the House of Representatives on March 6 2020.
The TTCS OSSWIN v2.71, a collection of the latest version of Free and Open Source Software for Microsoft Windows 10/8/7 is available for download. The latest release features many software updates including the latest LibreOffice 6.4 released earlier this week.
You can browse TTCS OSSWIN online at http://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/ which features the web interface to learn about Free and Open Source programs in various categories, including screenshots or videos of the programs and a link to the program’s website where you can download the program. The web based UI is responsive, meaning it should be usable on non-Windows small screen mobile phones and tablets.
Download TTCS OSSWIN
You can download the entire collection of TTCS OSSWIN as a 7GB file for extracting to your harddrive or USB storage device (or burn on a DVD). The TTCS OSSWIN collection provides a link to install the software directly and in the case of a program providing 32 bit and 64 bit versions installers, TTCS OSSWIN attempts to autodetect whether you are running 64 bit Windows and presents that installer first. The web interface and all screenshots and videos are included in the collection so that you can browse and install software on a Windows computer without internet access.
Developing a a card like UI (similiar to the current theme of the TTCS website) for the selection of programs in the various categories using best practices in HTML5 and CSS.
Updating the text descriptions of programs. The goal is to strive to describe in the simplest of terms possible what the programs does and to answer “why should I try the program”
Replacing static photos with videos of the programs in action.
Find Free and Open Source Software for Windows that is useful and easy to use. The curated list of software in TTCS OSSWIN is an attempt to list what is considered the “best” in ease of use and functionality and not to include dozens of programs that do the same thing.
If you’re interested in assisting with this work or want to give comments and feedback, then send a email to osswin@ttcs.tt .
20 years ago, there was deep concern of what would happen when the year 2000 began due to the Year 2000 (Y2K) problem.
The Y2K problem was the issue of computer hardware (and any devices that used microprocessors like industrial controllers) and software applications that is unable to deal correctly with the change from the year 1999 to 2000.
Most computer hardware and software stored only the last two digits of the year. So the year “1999” is treated as “99”. When the year 2000 occurs, these hardware and software will see the year as “00”, causing malfunctions as some will treat the year as “1900” and give incorrect results. Applications that require calculations involving future dates (for example, mortgages, insurance rates) were already having challenges dealing with the storage of dates as two digits even before the transition from 1999 to 2000.
The Y2K problem was also called the “millennium bug” but this is inaccurate as the occurrence of the millennium itself has nothing to do with the problem. If we were living in 1899 instead of 1999, we would still have a problem when the year changed from 1899 to 1900.
The challenges with the Y2K problem was that solving it was time-consuming (not to mention expensive) since all ICT equipment (hardware and software) had to be tested and debugged and there was no “magic bullet” purchase which could have solved it. You had to take the responsibility by
compiling a list of the hardware (computers and embedded systems) and software (operating systems, applications and data)
Determine which of these systems are critical to you and your business so they can receive priority attention.
Test these systems for Y2K compliance.
If there are problems with compliance, determine which affected systems should be fixed or replaced first.
Actually fix or replace the non-compliant system.
Test to see if the upgrades and/or fixes worked.
Evaluate whether any outside suppliers critical to business operations were Y2K compliant and develop contingencies.
Various companies in the ICT/telecommunications, financial, oil and gas, utilities and transportation sectors began working on the Y2K issue within their organisations.
As an example, TSTT began to address Y2K in 1996 with a Year 2000 Project Team to coordinate and manage TSTT’s Year 2000 compliance Plan to ensure Year 2000 compliance by October 1999. As TSTT’s Y2K page in 1999 notes, “TSTT is expected to spend an estimated US $7 million to resolve the (Y2K) problem”
The Trinidad and Tobago National Year 2000 Taskforce logo
The Trinidad and Tobago Government established a National Year 2000 Taskforce under the then Ministry of Trade and Industry and Consumer Affairs.
The role of the National Year 2000 Compliance Secretariat was to :
Co-ordinate Year 2000 Compliance activities of the entities involved in the Year 2000 Challenge.
Provide a resource facility and information base for all matters relating to the Year 2000 challenge
Enhance national awareness and promote education on the nature and scope of the Year 2000 Challenge
Provide information on the best practices required to become Year 2000 compliant
The National Year 2000 Taskforce comprised of:
National Steering Committee:
Minister of Training & Distance Learning – Dr. Rupert Griffith
Minister of Trade & Industry – Mr. Mervyn Assam
Minister of Finance – Mr. Brian Kuei Tung
National Y2K Coordinator Mr. Krishendath Kuarsingh
National Y2K Coordinating Committee:
National Y2K Coordinator – Mr. Krishendath Kuarsingh
Director, National Y2K Compliance Secretariat – Ms. Myrna Thompson
Chairman, Regional Technical Committee – Dr. Finbar Fletcher
Sector Representatives:
Public Sector – Mr. Krishendath Kuarsingh
Small Business – Mr. Richard Joseph
Energy – Mr. Andre Edwards
Financial, Banking, Insurance, Credit Union – Mr. Richard Young
Legal – Mr. Christopher Hamel-Smith
Trade Services and Information Technology – Mr. Raoul John
Health – Dr. Rawle Edwards
National Contingency Planning Group (NEMA, Defence Force, Protective Services, Utilities, Media) – Colonel David Williams
National Y2K Compliance Secretariat:
Director – Ms. Myrna Thompson
Small Business Sector Specialist – Mr. Arnold Babwah
Sector Specialist – Mrs. Dianne Pierre-McGuire
Manager, Administrative Services – Miss Marjorie Small
Despite the concerns here (and worldwide) over what would happen, thanks to the preparations made to deal with the Year 2000 issue, there were no disruptions in Trinidad and Tobago on January 1 2000.
Does anyone have any experiences or materials to share regarding the Year 2000 problem? Let us know at info@ttcs.tt!
The TTCS OSSWIN v2.70, a collection of the latest version of Free and Open Source Software for Microsoft Windows 10/8/7 is available for download. The latest release features many software updates and adds one new program:
Rambox CE 0.7.3 combine common messaging and email web applications into one.
Short screencast of the TTCS OSSWIN online website at http://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/
You can browse TTCS OSSWIN online at http://ttcsosswin.ttcs.tt/ which features the web interface to learn about Free and Open Source programs in various categories, including screenshots or videos of the programs and a link to the program’s website where you can download the program. The web based UI is responsive, meaning it should be usable on non-Windows small screen mobile phones and tablets.
Download TTCS OSSWIN
Short screencast of TTCS OSSWIN (https://www.ttcs.tt/osswin) showing how you can install Free and Open Source Software for Windows
You can download the entire collection of TTCS OSSWIN as a 7GB file for extracting to your harddrive or USB storage device (or burn on a DVD). The TTCS OSSWIN collection provides a link to install the software directly and in the case of a program providing 32 bit and 64 bit versions installers, TTCS OSSWIN attempts to autodetect whether you are running 64 bit Windows and presents that installer first. The web interface and all screenshots and videos are included in the collection so that you can browse and install software on a Windows computer without internet access.
Visit the TTCS OSSWIN page to find full details including the full list of software included and checksums to verify the integrity of the download.
Future work of TTCS OSSWIN
Developing a a card like UI (similiar to the current theme of the TTCS website) for the selection of programs in the various categories using best practices in HTML5 and CSS.
Updating the text descriptions of programs. The goal is to strive to describe in the simplest of terms possible what the programs does and to answer “why should I try the program”
Replacing static photos with videos of the programs in action.
Find Free and Open Source Software for Windows that is useful and easy to use. The curated list of software in TTCS OSSWIN is an attempt to list what is considered the “best” in ease of use and functionality and not to include dozens of programs that do the same thing.
If you’re interested in assisting with this work or want to give comments and feedback, then send a email to osswin@ttcs.tt .
TheFourteenth Annual Meeting of the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) will be hosted by the Government of Germanyin Berlin from 25 to 29 November 2019 under the overarching theme: One World. One Net. One Vision. The IGF is an opportunity for multi-stakeholder dialogue on public policy issues related to key elements of Internet governance. The 3 priority themes for #IGF2019 are (1) Data Governance; (2) Digital Inclusion; and (3) Security, Safety, Stability & Resilience.
Submit comments and questions during the IGF sessions
Hold discussions on internet governance issues.
Please review the IGF 2019 schedule to identify sessions of interest (on some days there are 10+ simultaneous sessions happening at the same time!). Note that the times on the IGF 2019 schedule are local to Berlin, Germany which is 5 hours ahead of Trinidad and Tobago.
Attendance to the Trinidad and Tobago’s IGF 2019 Remote Hub is free!
Please RSVP using this Form in order to confirm seating and to confirm which days you will be attending. Light refreshments will be available for participants.
