Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

Author: ttcsadmin

  • TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.80 released ; just in time for Software Freedom Day

    TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.80 released ; just in time for Software Freedom Day

    The TTCS OSSWIN CD v1.80, a collection of over 100 Free/Open Source software (108 to be exact) for Windows is available for download.

    • Date created : September 3rd, 2007
    • File name : ttcs_osswin_cd_v1.80.iso
    • File size : 699 MB (733,886,464 bytes)
    • MD5 checksum : d8e7e33ede82cb33d538068a6c06f816 / d8e7e33e de82cb33 d538068a 6c06f816
    • SHA-1 : 0e0ff287 a70bdbc1 ef4af877 6882055a f9d99fd6
    • SHA-256 : f354aaeb f1025743 4dbad26f bb644b5e 15751ca6 a4bdab39 885418b3 3c12c91f

    Changes from v1.77

    • added Sumatra PDF, Kompozer ; added link to the TTCS OSSWIN CD RSS feed on each page
    • removed Trigger, Nvu
    • updated Notepad2, Maxima, Portable Puzzle Collection, Sokoban YASC, Paint.NET, Mozilla Firefox, Mozilla Thunderbird, Wackget, XAMPP Lite, ClamWin Free Antivirus, Keepass, Autohotkey

    First download location is at Filefront ; other download locations and BitTorrent will follow in the next few days.

    The TTCS plans to use this CD for Software Freedom Day 2007 (SFD) on September 15th, 2007. More about Software Freedom Day and our activities in another blog post. If there are other groups planning to use the TTCS OSSWIN CD for SFD, let us know (ttcs…I might even do a more up to date CD on the 8th September if need be.

  • TTPS, TUCO websites defaced

    TTPS, TUCO websites defaced

    Recently, the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) website at http://ttps.gov.tt/ was defaced sometime last week (at least since August 19th, 2007 according to the Microsoft cache of the site). The main page contains several images and the title of the website reads “Welcome to Rum Bar Jamaica” and several links to a Jamaican social/portal site. The TTPS site is offline for now….here is the Google cache of ttps.gov.tt

    Also, the Trinbago Unified Calypsonians Organization (TUCO) website at http://www.tuco.co.tt/ was also discovered to be defaced apparently by persons from Turkey.

  • Answers from Flow (August 2007)

    Answers from Flow (August 2007)

    Introduction

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society met with Ian Serrao, Director of Network Services at Columbus Communications Trinidad

    (Columbus is the parent company of Flow) at a TTCS Meeting on: Wednesday 22nd August 2007

    These are some of the questions supplied by members (the title of this article was first  “Questions for Flow”) and the answers provided by Flow (hence the change in title).

    (more…)
  • IT related aspects of the 2008 National Budget of Trinidad and Tobago

    IT related aspects of the 2008 National Budget of Trinidad and Tobago

    The 2008 National Budget of Trinidad and Tobago (PDF ; 337K) was released today in Parliament.

    The IT related aspects contained in the 2008 budget of Trinidad and Tobago :

    Page 27-28 : under ‘Education’

    “…Mr. Speaker, one of the Government’s major focus is the infusion of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the curriculum of our schools. The main objective of this programme is to prepare students to live in a knowledge-based society.
    Under the Primary Schools Computerization Programme infrastructural work on computer laboratories has been completed at 340 primary schools and eleven special schools and before the end of this fiscal year the majority of these schools will boast modern, fully equipped computer labs.

    Mr. Speaker, Phase I of the ICT in Secondary Schools Programme commenced
    with the provision of computers and network and security systems. Free internet access is now available at one hundred and eighty primary and secondary schools.

    In the new fiscal year, we intend to complete the computerization of 193 primary schools, and 11 special schools. In addition computers and networking will be provided for 133 Secondary Schools throughout the country.

    Phase II of the Secondary Schools ICT Project, which includes purchase of teaching software and provision of classroom collaborative solutions, will also be completed during the coming fiscal period.

    Page 48 – ‘Telecommunications’

    “…Mr. Speaker, the Government is committed to the development of a modern and competitive Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Sector to ensure that all citizens have access to efficient and affordable telecommunications.

    The Government’s goal is to promote ICT acculturation among all citizens through: expanding the use of ICT to modernize the operations of the public sector; increasing the availability of online government information and services; promoting the development of competitive ICT-based businesses; encouraging greater use of ICT in business operations and market transactions; and expanding high speed Internet connectivity to all schools, libraries and community centres.

    In this context Mr. Speaker, the National Broadband Action Plan includes: facilitating the establishment of International Carrier Shared Landing Stations; implementing a public sensitization programme for Broadband in Trinidad and Tobago; facilitating the implementation of a National Internet Exchange Point (IXP); and facilitating the development of a domestic hosting industry.

    These initiatives will help to ensure a sound ICT infrastructure in Trinidad and Tobago thereby facilitating our transition towards a knowledge-based society, using the technology to improve our economic, social and cultural development.

    Pages 63-64 “Legislation to ban the use of Cellular phones while driving.”

    “..Mr. Speaker, in light of the need to reduce the quantum of road accidents and the overall carnage on our roadways, it is proposed to introduce legislation to make it an offence to use cellular phones and other similar electronic devices while driving. It is also proposed to introduce legislation to ban the use of television type monitors in the front seat of vehicles. These measures will involve amendments to the Motor Vehicles and Road Traffic Act.”

  • MPAI announces Computer Refurbishment Project

    MPAI announces Computer Refurbishment Project

    There is a press release at the Ministry of Public Administration and  Information (MPAI) about the computer refurbishment project which doesn’t reveal much details that hasn’t been publicised abroad.

    View MPAI press release about Computer Refurbishment Project.

    Text of MPAI press release :

    Computer Refurbishment Project

    The National Information and Communication (ICT) Strategy, fastforward, recognizes the need to maximize the potential within all citizens. This aligns with Vision 2020’s definition of “innovative people” as one of the five (5) pillars in the National Strategic Plan for Development. As Trinidad and Tobago moves towards becoming a knowledge-based society, affordable and convenient access to computers and the Internet by all citizens will play an increasing role in the success of both fastforward and Vision 2020.

    One guiding principle posits that equitable social and economic development is largely a derivative of access to quality education and the capacity to leverage existing knowledge.  However, the prohibitive costs and limited access to technology and connectivity, especially among those in low-income areas, constrain the development of skills required to actively participate in the knowledge society.

    One of the ways in which Government is addressing this “digital divide” is through a regional Computer Refurbishment Project. This initiative aligns with key activities defined in the Commonwealth Action Programme for the Digital Divide (CAPDD). To this end, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is partnering with the Commonwealth Secretariat to pilot the first such refurbishment facility. Coordinated by the Ministry of Public Administration and Information, this refurbishment project undertakes to develop a national and sustainable system for collecting, upgrading, repairing and replacing computers for use in schools and communities across Trinidad and Tobago, and eventually within the region. Donations from governments, corporate citizens, and the Diaspora are expected to be the main sources for stocking the refurbishments centres.

    The Computer Refurbishment Project is under the broader Computers for Communities programme, and falls within the backdrop of several complementary initiatives aimed at increasing national levels of computer usage and Internet access. These include the National Broadband Strategy to provide nationwide, high-speed Internet access at internationally competitive rates, and the outfitting of Community Access Centres with computers, Internet access, and relevant training programmes.

     

  • TTCS representive to attend 3rd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum – 15 – 17 August 2007 in Curacao

    TTCS representive to attend 3rd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum – 15 – 17 August 2007 in Curacao

    Barring any futher delays at Piarco Airport, I’ll be in Curacao attending the 3rd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum from the 15th – 17th August 2007 which seeks to engage stakeholders in the development of policy and structure for Caribbean Internet Governance. 

    View/download the final Overview and Agenda of the Third Caribbean Internet Governance Forum (PDF ; 204K)

    The forum will be webcast and judging from the 4th Caribbean Spectrum Management Policy Development Meeting which is concluding today, there will be several forum documents will be available soon after the sessions conclude.

    Also see the previous post about the 3rd Caribbean Internet Governance Forum.

  • Flow’s broadband pricing for businesses/corporations

    Flow’s broadband pricing for businesses/corporations

    Last week, I posted Flow’s broadband pricing for residental users. I received a scanned image of Flow’s brochure which lists the following broadband pricing for businesses/corporations :

    Broadband Internet packages from Flow for businesses/corporations :

    All prices in TT dollars per month and are VAT inclusive

    • Flow Business Lite
      • 512kbps download / 256 kbps upload
      • $632.49
    • Flow Business 1
      • 1Mbps download / 512kbps upload
      • $1,149.99
    • Flow Business 2
      • 1.5Mbps download / 768kbps upload
      • $1,724.99
    • Flow Business 3
      • 2Mbps download / 1Mbps upload
      • $2,2,99.99
    • Flow Business 4
      • 3Mbps download / 1.5Mbps upload
      • $2,874.99
    • Flow Business 5
      • 4Mbps download / 2Mbps upload
      • $5,174.99
    • Installation Fee :
      • Existing Corporate Cable Customer : $574.99
      • Corporate Broadband only Customer : $848.69

    Impressive pricing when considering TSTT’s pricing for ADSL.

  • T&TEC seeks to be a broadband Internet provider

    T&TEC seeks to be a broadband Internet provider

    The Trinidad and Tobago Electricity Commission (T&TEC) will be applying for a concession from the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) to provide broadband internet services with its own fibre optic network. This announcement was made by T&TEC’s CEO at the Trinidad and Tobago Energy Conference at the Trinidad Hilton on August 13, 2007 according to an article in today’s (August 14th, 2007) Newsday.

  • TTCS wiki page on TSTT’s Single National Rate

    TTCS wiki page on TSTT’s Single National Rate

    There is a wiki page (which you can contribute to by editing it!) on TSTT’s announced Single National Rate (SNR) for fixed line calls at http://ttcsweb.pbwiki.com/SingleNationalRate
    So far, it contains the texts of TSTT announcements and the text from the newspaper ads which adds more details about SNR.

  • MPAI RFC on “Draft Policy on the Universality of telecommunications service provision in Trinidad and Tobago”

    MPAI RFC on “Draft Policy on the Universality of telecommunications service provision in Trinidad and Tobago”

    The Ministry of Public Administration and Information (MPAI) is inviting comments from interested parties for a second round of consultation on the draft policy on the Universality of Telecommunications Service provision in Trinidad and Tobago. A discussion of the decisions made subsequent to the comments and recommendations received is also available. The public is invited to submit comments to further aid the development of a methodology for ubiquitous access to telecommunications services by August 31st, 2007.

    Excerpts from the Draft Policy :

    The aim of this policy is to promote universal access to telecommunications services for all persons in Trinidad and Tobago by facilitating the orderly, systematic, dispersed development and provision of telecommunications services at affordable rates in Trinidad and Tobago in a manner that facilitates access by all citizens while encouraging innovation and incentive for investment in the ICT sector.

    The major objectives of facilitating access to telecommunications and wider Information and Communication Technologies to all communities and thus all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are:

    • to encourage full participation in Twenty-first Century society by members of Trinidad and Tobago’s society;
    • to promote political, economic and cultural cohesion;
    • to bridge the digital divide in the country;
    • to encourage a more balanced distribution of access to digital technology among all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago
    • to promote economic development; and
    • to enhance the competitiveness of Trinidad and Tobago

    Under the summary of Policy Prescriptions, which is interesting given the recent TSTT/TATT spat over TSTT proposed introduction of a Single Rate for fixed lines :

    4. The [Telecommunications] Authority [of Trinidad and Tobago] shall determine the public telecommunications services to which universality shall apply to provide the requisite benefits to society. Such services shall include at a minimum:

    • affordable Domestic call origination and termination;
    • affordable narrowband public data services of throughput no less than fifty six kilo bits per second (56 kbps);
    • access to international call origination and termination services; and
    • free 24-hour access to emergency call service

    Such determinations shall be subject to periodic review as defined by the Authority.

    8.2 Affordability

    5. The Authority shall ensure price for basic telecommunications access must be so structured as to meet recognised affordability criteria, individually or cumulatively.

    View/download :