allow for the interception and recording of communications from prisons and vehicles used to transport prisoners;
authorise officers to apply for a warrant to obtain stored communication and stored data from a telecommunications service provider;
permit officers to disclose the stored communication and the stored data;
establish the procedure for the disclosure of sensitive information; and
allow for intercepted information to be admissible as evidence in any proceedings.
From the Bill Essentials of the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2020
Because The Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill, 2020 is modifying the Interception of Communications Act 2010, the Bill reads about changing/removing words in this particular section of the Act, it is very hard to understand what the final Interception of Communication Act will become if the Bill is passed.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society has therefore attempted to more clearly identify what the Interception of Communications (Amendment) Bill 2020 introduced in Trinidad and Tobago Parliament in February 2020 will do to the Interception of Communications Act 2010 by creating a Google doc showing the proposed specific changes to the 2010 Interception of Communications Act and what the proposed final Act will look like. The Google doc has comments enabled so that a decision can be taken whether we should attempt to submit a formal comment.
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 .
At a ceremony launching the availability of LED lighting and free Wifi at Woodford Square, Port of Spain, Minister of Public Utilities Robert Le Hunte indicated that with the help of TSTT and T&TEC, more “smart spaces” with free, public WiFi and LED lighting will be done in other places such as San Fernando, Chaguanas, Point Fortin and Arima with San Fernando promised before the end of February 2020. Watch the report from TTT Live
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society will be having a meeting on Wednesday January 22nd, 2020 from 7pm to 9:30 pm at MammaMia, Grand Bazaar (click for map).
Our key topics for this meeting are the end of extended support for Windows 7, Security on Windows 10, an update on the TTIGF 2020 coming up this month, the Cybercrime Bill and our upcoming AGM. Please come prepared with your comments and contributions to the discussion.
Anyone interested in computing and ICT are welcome to attend, however please RSVP to info@ttcs.tt. See you there!
Youth-led Collaborative Exchange: The Future of the Internet
TTIGF 2020 will also have an open forum session where all participants (including online) can share comments, questions, solutions and best practices on internet governance locally, regionally and globally.
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.
The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society will be having a meeting on Thursday November 21st, 2019 from 7pm to 9:30 pm at Joe’s Pizza, Heartland Plaza, Chaguanas (click for map).
Our key topics for this meeting are MPAI’s Consultation on the Data Protection Bill, Cambridge Analytica and an update on the IGF and the TTIGF. Please come prepared with your comments and contributions to the discussion.
Anyone interested in computing and ICT are welcome to attend, however please RSVP to info@ttcs.tt. See you there!
N.B. Please note the atypical day (Thursday) and location (Joe’s Pizza, Heartland Plaza, Chaguanas).
“….RBL said 1500 cricket fans attending the match between Barbados Tridents and Guyana Amazon Warriors will receive a wristband pre-loaded with $50 to be spent at the dedicated Contactless Carib Bar…..Each wristband is PIN-protected and will connect wirelessly to allow instant cash-free purchase with the flick of the wrist.
…To make a purchase, patrons will be required to place their wrist near a contactless terminal to activate payment. Patrons will also have the option of re-loading the wristband with additional funds via LINX or Credit Card; or donating any unused funds to the Bank’s ‘6 for 6’ campaign in support of relief efforts in the Bahamas…
..The bank’s technology partner, WiPay Payment Solutions Limited, will provide the technical support for the redemption terminal, programming, wearables and communication infrastructure.”
![Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society Meeting [Win7 EoL, Win10 Security, TTIGF 2020, Cybercrime Bill, TTCS AGM] on Wednesday January 22nd 2020 from 7 to 9:30 pm; MammaMia Pizzeria & Cucina Italiana, Grand Bazaar](https://www.ttcs.tt/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/f2f-tech-meeting-restaurant.webp)
