Author: ttcsadmin

  • Microsoft officially releases Windows XP Service Pack 3

    Microsoft officially releases Windows XP Service Pack 3

    For those who preferred to wait until Microsoft officially announced Windows XP Service Pack 3 on its Download Center and Windows Update, the wait is over.

    However, if you’re are just updating one PC, visit Windows Update which should be a much smaller download.

  • Copyright Amendment Act 2008

    Copyright Amendment Act 2008

    The Copyright Amendment Bill 2008 was passed in both houses of the Trinidad and Tobago Parliament and is now known as the Copyright Amendment Act 2008.

    There were several alterations made to the Copyright Amendment Bill 2008 (PDF ; 64K) in the Senate in February 2008. The House of Representatives approved these alternations in April 18th, 2008 and the final bill was assented on May 1st, 2008.

    View/Download :

  • future of TTCS OSSWIN CD

    future of TTCS OSSWIN CD

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) is looking at what to do for a TTCS OSSWIN CD 2.0 release.

    Does anything need to change?

    One of the big problems encountered with the TTCS OSSWIN CD is the space for programs. Updated versions of programs unfortunately are larger in filesize than their predecessors. Recently, more and more programs had to be removed (see the TTCS OSSWIN CD changelog). So, YES, something needs to change.

    Here are several options the TTCS has considered. Ideally, it will be good to have a version 2.0 of the TTCS OSSWIN CD done in time for Software Freedom Day 2008.

    Develop a DVD version of the TTCS OSSWIN CD.

    A DVD would solve (for now at least) the file size problem and allows for many more programs to be put on a DVD and more material about each program (such as larger screenshots, or short videos, even. There are several concerns, however :

    • whether to maintain the TTCS OSSWIN CD concurrently with a DVD version. This relates to the difficulty of maintaining two software collections – it could be done separately but then this introduces more maintainence headaches and I’ve learned that the more hassle something is, the less likely it will be done (data backups anyone?). So IMO, a system has be developed/designed to allow for updates to the CD and DVD versions to be done in one location (ie : updates to the information text and the program is done at one location).
    • hosting a DVD might be too much for the third party mirrors for TTCS OSSWIN CD (to whom we cannot thank enough!).
    • the interface for a DVD version : the current interface for the CD will probably not work well with more software items in its menu. Already the Utilities section scrolls off the page on lower resolution displays (see screenshot below – there are three more items below Drempels yet on a 1280×1024 display, they are not seen). So a new webpage design needs to be also designed to cater for the many programs on such a DVD.
    screenshort of TTCS OSSWIN CD interface showing the Utilities category

    Drop the games from TTCS OSSWIN CD

    With regards to the CD version, a possible option being explored is to drop the games section from the TTCS OSSWIN CD. This will allow space for more programs in the other categories in the short term. Also the easiest option to implement.

    It has been suggested by some that the presence of the games might be turning off persons such as business users who may not take the OSS seriously for use in businesses, so the removal may make the CD more “friendly” to its use in businesses.

    The downside of this option : no games! Life is no fun without games :-). A TTCS OSSWIN CD Games edition could be done…which leads to the third option :

    Develop multiple editions of TTCS OSSWIN CD

    It has been suggested that specific editions of OSSWIN CD be done to target different persons. Two examples : a TTCS OSSWIN CD (Business Edition) which takes out the games and a TTCS OSSWIN CD (Education Edition) which takes out games and adds a programming software category.

    The idea would be that the targeting of different editions of the CD to the different users would result in increased usage among such targeted users. Similar to the ideas expressed in this TED Talk : “What we can learn from spaghetti sauce”.

    Downsides?

    • The difficulty of maintaining multiple editions as mentioned earlier.
    • Microsoft Vista has multiple editions. Does that make it easier for users to decide which one is right for them?

    However, it is possible that a single DVD version could do this type of end user targeting by having different menus for different users. So on startup (say), the screen could have menu options or ask the question :

    • Are you a Business User?
    • Are you a home user?
    • Are you a Teacher?

    then a different software selection on the DVD would be given.

    So, those are some of the considerations. Your thoughts about the current version of TTCS OSSWIN CD?

  • TATT – Refarming Plan for Broadband Wireless Access Services in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Bands.

    TATT – Refarming Plan for Broadband Wireless Access Services in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Bands.

    Spotted on the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago’s website :

    The Authority has prepared, and made available for public comment, a document titled Refarming Plan for Broadband Wireless Access Services in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Bands.

    The Plan was produced as a result of an investigation into the availability of spectrum for new spectrum users in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz bands for the provision of BWA services. In addition, the plan assesses the current uses of these bands by existing spectrum users with the intention of aligning the current uses to the goal and objectives of the Spectrum Plan.

    Interested parties are invited to submit comments on this document to the Authority, on or before Friday 9th May 2008

    View/Download the Refarming Plan for Broadband Wireless Access Services in the 2.3 GHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz Bands (PDF ; 141K)

  • Windows XP Service Pack 3

    Windows XP Service Pack 3

    Windows XP Service Pack 3 (XP SP3) is available for download from Microsoft’s servers (although not from Windows Update or the Download Center due to a compatibility problem with Microsoft Dynamics Retail Management System). This service pack for all 32 bit versions of Windows XP includes all previously released updates and a small number of features backported from Windows Vista.

    Download Windows XP Service Pack 3 (English ; size approximately 317MB )

    For more details, see the Microsoft whitepaper “Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3”. For other useful articles about Windows Service Pack 3, see Ars Technica , PCMag.com and Lifehacker.

  • Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron released

    Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron released

    Ubuntu v8.04 Long Term Support Edition (aka Hardy Heron) has been released. You can download it at http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu/download. Hopefully we’ll get all the versions before our Ubuntu Launch party this Saturday!

    There is also a desktop tour of the features in Ubuntu 8.04.

  • TTCS tech meeting on Saturday April 26th, 2008 – Ubuntu Launch Party

    TTCS tech meeting on Saturday April 26th, 2008 – Ubuntu Launch Party

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) will be having a tech meeting on SATURDAY April 26th, 2008 from 1-5pm at Engineering Consultants at 112A Edward Street, Port of Spain (corner of Oxford and Edward Streets).At this meeting, we will be demonstrating the latest release of Ubuntu v8.04 LTS, a community developed operating system for desktops, laptops and servers.

    Persons interested in computers and related technology are welcome to attend. While stocks last, attendees will receive a Ubuntu CD free of charge.

    Contribution of $20 towards refreshments is expected. Copies of TTCS OSSWIN CD are available for $20TT.

    See you there!

  • TTCS tech meeting on Sunday April 20th, 2008 : hacks using the Nintendo Wii

    TTCS tech meeting on Sunday April 20th, 2008 : hacks using the Nintendo Wii

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) will be having a tech meeting on SUNDAY April 20th, 2008 from 1pm to 5pm at Hand Arnold (Trinidad) Limited, El Socorro Road Extension, El Socorro, San Juan (see map at http://ttcsweb.org/handarnold-map)At this tech meeting, we will be looking at several interesting hacks using a Nintendo Wii remote and play several Nintendo Wii games!

    The meeting is open to anyone interested in computing. A $20 contribution towards refreshments is expected. See you there!

  • TTCS pizzalime on THURSDAY April 17th, 2008 from 7-9pm

    TTCS pizzalime on THURSDAY April 17th, 2008 from 7-9pm

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS) will be having a pizzalime on THURSDAY April 17th, 2008 from 7-9pm at Pizza Hut, VALSAYN.

    Come join us as we eat and chat about various computer related topics including :

    Contribution of $30 towards refreshments is expected. Copies of TTCS OSSWIN CD are available for $40TT.

    See you there!

  • TSTT’s email @tstt.net.tt is powered by Google

    TSTT’s email @tstt.net.tt is powered by Google

    Paul has spotted that TSTT‘s email (@tstt.net.tt) is now powered by Google meaning they get the same features like Google’s Gmail . This is what you see when you visit http://mail.tstt.net.tt/ :

    //mail.tstt.net.tt/