If you’ve haven’t updated your Adobe Flash player since April 8th, 2008 to version 9.0.124.0, please do so as there are several exploits targeting older versions of Flash.
To verify the Adobe Flash Player version number, access the About Flash Player page, or right-click on Flash content and select “About Adobe (or Macromedia) Flash Player” from the menu. Customers using multiple browsers are advised to perform the check for each browser installed on their system.
At the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society’s (TTCS) tech meeting on April 20th, 2008, we looked at Johnny Chung Lee‘s project “Low-Cost Multi-point Interactive Whiteboards Using the [Nintendo Wii] Wiimote” to create a interactive whiteboard on any computer screen (projected or on the monitor itself) using just a infrared light pen, and a Nintendo Wii Remote connected to a PC via Bluetooth.
Mike Tikasingh and Paul Worswick did a splendid job in researching, building and testing for this meeting and the end result was very impressive. Kudos to Mike Tikasingh for editing the video footage taken that day.
Windows XP Service Pack 3 – ISO-9660 CD Image File – This file is a CD image file for users who wish to create an update CD for Windows XP Service Pack 3, for example for offline installation by administrators. The file name is xpsp3_5512.080413-2113_usa_x86fre_spcd.iso and is 544.9 MB in size.
Windows XP Service Pack 3, Checked Build – This installation package is intended for developers downloading to a machine intending to debug or develop software on Windows XP Service Pack 3.
However, if you’re are just updating one PC, visit Windows Update which should be a much smaller download.
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.
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).
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.
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?
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
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.
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.
