Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society

Tag: trinidad, tobago

  • Trinidad and Tobago Software Freedom Day 2008

    The Software Freedom Day 2008 event at the Old Fire Station, Port of Spain on September 20th, 2008 was well attended with estimates between 200 and 300 persons attending. All 200 TTCS OSSWIN CDs and 150 Ubuntu CDs were given out. A detailed writeup is in the works but you can take a look at :

  • Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society celebrates Software Freedom Day on September 20th

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS), will be celebrating Software Freedom Day (SFD) 2008 on Saturday September 20th, 2008 from 9am to 5pm at the Old Fire Station Building, National Library, Port of Spain. Everyone is welcome to attend this Software Freedom Day event.

    We will be having scheduled presentations with giveaways and booths showing various aspects of free and open source software. Admission is free and while stocks last, attendees will receive free software CDs.

    View Scheduled Presentations at SFD 2008 :
    http://www.ttcsweb.org/articles/sfd/ttcs_sfd2008_presentation_schedule.pdf

    For more details, visit the SFD website at
    http://www.ttcsweb.org/sfd

    If you are attending SFD 2008, complete the TTCS SFD attendence form :
    http://www.ttcsweb.org/sfd2008attendence

    About Software Freedom Day

    Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a global, grassroots effort to educate the public about the importance of software freedom as well as the virtues and availability of Free and Open Source Software. The non-profit company Software Freedom International (http://www.softwarefreedomday.org/) coordinates SFD at a global level. Volunteer teams from all over the world organise the localised SFD events for the third Saturday in September.

    The Software Freedom Day event in 2007 hosted by the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society received a “highly commended” award out of 200 international teams from the Software Freedom Day organisation.

    Additional information about the Trinidad and Tobago Software Freedom Day event in Port of Spain can be found at http://ttcsweb.org/

  • Trinidad and Tobago Broadcast Code

    The Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago (TATT) has published a draft Broadcasting Code  containing rules for regulating the content of programmes and material transmitted by radio and TV broadcasters (specifically the free-to-air radio, free-to-air TV and the basic (or general audience) package of subscription TV broadcasters).

    According to the document :

    “the principles which inform the Code are respect for the right of adults to choose the programming they want, while protecting children and young persons from unsuitable
    material through appropriate scheduling and, the need to protect persons from harm or
    unnecessary offence.”

    The Code prescribes specific standards for the broadcast of free-to-air radio and television programmes in relation to a number of issues including the following :

    • Protection of children and young persons
    • Harm and offence
    • Crime
    • Race
    • Due Impartiality and due accuracy in the reporting of news
    • Election coverage
    • Fairness and privacy
    • Right of reply
    • Information and warnings
    • Advertising and sponsorship
    • Religion

    The Code also outlines procedures for receiving complaints and for redress.

    TATT will be holding public meetings (not announced as of August 10th, 2008 ) at locations throughout Trinidad and Tobago between 18th August 2008 and 29th August 2008. Persons may also submit comments in writing to the Telecommunications Authority of Trinidad and Tobago at 76 Boundary Road, San Juan, Trinidad or by email to [email protected].

    The deadline for the receipt of written comments on the Code and the Guidelines to TATT is
    August 29, 2008    .

    Download :

    Also, see Presentations from TATT’s seminar “Balance on the airwaves ; free speech and responsibility”

  • Software Freedom Day 2008 event planning for TTCS

    Software Freedom Day (SFD) 2008 will be on September 20th, 2008 and the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS ; http://ttcsweb.org/ ) needs your help.

    What is Software Freedom Day?

    Software Freedom Day (SFD) is a global, grassroots effort to educate the public about the availability and benefits of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). Local teams around the world organise and have events
    on the third Saturday in September.

    Software Freedom Day is on September 20th, 2008. We need to plan now and

    • decide what to do
    • locate a suitable venue
    • promote the meeting once the venue and format of SFD 2008 is confirmed

    The TTCS wiki page is available to assist with planning at https://files.ttcs.tt/ttcs-wiki-sfd2008-planning.pdf

    Local Linux users, Windows users, Mac users, fans of open source software, everyone is welcome to assist with this project.

    If you :

    • can help us with these tasks
    • have ideas and suggestions
    • would like to volunteer to help with planning SFD 2008 in Trinidad
    • would like to volunteer to help on the actual day(s)

    please go to the planning page for further information and/or to add your contribution : the TTCS SFD 2008 wiki page at https://files.ttcs.tt/ttcs-wiki-sfd2008-planning.pdf and email admin at ttcsweb.org. Notes of meetings will be posted to the planning page with the first virtual one scheduled for July 27, 2008.

    Further details will be posted to the SFD2008-planning page as well as via email to those persons interested in helping with SFD2008.

    In 2007, the Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society’s entry for SFD 2007 received a “highly commended” award from the Software Freedom Day organisation! Information about that event can be found here:

  • MPA releases Draft National Policy on Electronic Business For Trinidad and Tobago

    The Ministry of Public Admin (MPA) has released a “Draft National Policy on Electronic Business for Trinidad and Tobago” (PDF ; 648K). According to this 23 page document, the aim of the policy is :

    To develop a vibrant and sustainable e-Business industry that will contribute to the
    transformation of Trinidad and Tobago’s economic paradigm towards one that has a
    significant knowledge base, through:

    • Strengthening the Nation’s infrastructure;
    • Clarifying market place rules;
    • Developing networks;
    • Increasing participation;
    • Developing the Nation’s human resources; and
    • Developing the Nation’s R&D and Innovation Capacity.

    The objectives :

    This policy paper intends to identify actions that the Government of the Republic of
    Trinidad and Tobago (GoRTT) will need to take in collaboration with the private
    sector and academia, in order to create an economic, infrastructural and human
    resource environment in which e-Business opportunities are relatively easy to take
    advantage of by businesses and individuals.
    In this regard, the proposals herein are structured to minimize the direct intervention
    of Government in taking these proposals forward; this is to encourage increased
    competitiveness of the ICT sector in Trinidad and Tobago.

    The document also gives a glimpse of planned government policies :

    • Fastforward II Trinidad and Tobago’s National ICT Plan, 2008–2013
    • Government of Trinidad and Tobago e-Legislative agenda
    • Hosting policy (presumably related to the Internet Bandwidth Management policy)
    • e-Payments position paper
    • National Broadband Action Plan

    The deadline for comments has not been announced as yet but the TTCS will update this entry along with a link to where we can co-ordinate our response to this policy.

    Download :

  • Google MapMaker enabled for Trinidad and Tobago

    Wow :

    Google Map Maker is a Google Maps service that allows you add or edit features, such as roads, businesses, parks, schools and more. Using Google Map Maker tools, you can visually mark locations and add detailed information about these locations. Once you have submitted content, this information may be edited by other users or moderators. At a later time, this content may be published in Google Maps for others to see and use.”

    Google Map Maker is enabled for Trinidad and Tobago (and several other Caribbean islands). Read the Google MapMaker Getting Started Guide and begin adding content to Google MapMaker Trinidad and Tobago

    screenshot of GoogleMapMaker showing Trinidad and Tobago

    (Hat Tip : Digital Inspiration)

  • TTCS meeting on Saturday 28th June 2008 – IPv6

    The Trinidad and Tobago Computer Society (TTCS ; http://ttcsweb.org/) will be having a meeting on Saturday 28th June 2008 at Engineering Consultants at 112A Edward Street, Port of Spain (corner of Oxford and Edward Streets) from 2PM (Doors open from 1PM).

    The topic of the meeting will be IPv6 – What is it? Why do we need it? How do we use it?

    At this meeting, we will be having a presentation from Mr Andre Thompson
    who attended a recent ARIN (American Registry for Internet Numbers) meeting. See our http://www.ttcsweb.org/ipv6 page for more information on IPv6.

    Contribution of $20 towards refreshments is expected. Please CONFIRM if you are ATTENDING OR NOT at http://mobaganda.com/ttcsmeetingonipv6. Thanks!

  • Trinidadian charged for turning off computer

    Spotted in the Trinidad Guardian Thursday June 12th, 2008, pg A3 :

    Charged for turning off computer

    Could turning off a computer be a criminal offence? It was for Ministry of Legal affairs cashier Avinash Bahadoor who appeared in the Port of Spain Magistrate’s Court, yesterday.

    The charge said Bahadoor intentionally turned off a computer in the Register General Department, knowing full well it was unauthorised. Bahadoor of Tableland, was also charged with intentionally stopping the lawful operation of the computer.

    The incident allegedly occurred at the ministry’s South Quay, Port of Spain, office on August 21, 2006. Bahadoor pleased not guilty to the charges.

    I assume this was under the Computer Misuse Act, which would make this case the third time someone was charged under this act.

  • Business Software Alliance Trinidad ads

    The Business Software Alliance (BSA) recently began an ad campaign in the local Trinidad and Tobago newspapers. The text from the two ads are below :

    Do not put your business at risk by using PIRATED SOFTWARE

    Would you trust the information technology security and and quality provided by pirated software?

    Pirated software is not secure. Apart from technical mishaps, it can allow viruses and malware to infiltrate, which could damage your PC or even your business’ entire network

    Do you know that using pirated software reduces your employees’ productivity and efficiency?

    Your employees will spend time and effort in solving technical problems deriving from the use of pirated software, which will impact their productivity and efficiency; increasing your costs and decreasing your profitability

    Do you know the legal risks you and the company you represent face by installing pirated software?

    Pursuant to the law (In Trinidad and Tobago unauthorized copying of software is considered a violation of the law that could lead to civil and criminal penalties of up to $100,000.00 [T.T] for each computer program copied and imprisonment for up to 10 years), if a company uses software unlawfully, it may be liable for violating copyrights. This is so, even when management is not aware of the unlawful use at their facilities.

    Don’t hesitate to contact us
    Telephone : 1-868-623-1272        Fax : 1-868-624-9877    email [email protected]

    The second ad :

    Do not put your business at risk by using PIRATED SOFTWARE

    Effective 10th May to 30th June 2008, companies interested in participating in the campaign “Don’t put your business at risk by using pirated software” should, together with the BSA, coordinate their efforts in order to review and if necessary regularize the software
    installed on their equipment.

    In order to participate, these are the required steps :

    1. Register with the campaign, by sending the registration form by fax or E-mail (the form may be obtained upon request from the BSA).
    2. Develop an inventory of all programs installed on your computers and of the licenses you have, then send this information to the BSA. A compliance analyst will check it and provide feedback on the differences found, as well as assist you in normalizing your situation if necessary.

    This is the best time to get some adviceDon’t hesitate to contact us
    Telephone : 1-868-623-1272       Fax : 1-868-624-9877

    email [email protected] or visit website at  http://www.softwarelegal.net

  • Help Firefox get a world record on Tuesday 17th June 2008

    Version 3 of the multi-platform web browser Mozilla Firefox will be released on Tuesday 17th June 2008. The non-profit Mozilla Foundation is attempting to set a Guinness World Record for the most software downloads in 24 hours on Tuesday 17th June 2008.

    (Update : June 17th – after some initial hiccups, you can download Mozilla Firefox 3 . For live interviews with the Mozilla team, updates on the download count so far (and earlier, the problems with website updates), visit http://air.mozilla.com/ )

    Firefox v3 has several improvements, not just in features but in the speed of loading webpages. Check out this screencast of some of the features in Firefox 3. There is also a Field Guide to Firefox 3 with many screenshots. To help with the record, visit http://www.spreadfirefox.com/worldrecord and click on the red “Pledge Now” button. You will be asked to select what country you are from (and yes, Trinidad and Tobago is listed as one of the countries) and optionally your email address (for the Mozilla Foundation to keep you informed on Tuesday) and click the Pledge Now button. By doing so, you are pledging to download Firefox 3 on Tuesday.

    The http://www.spreadfirefox.com/worldrecord page has an interactive map where you can see the number of pledged downloads. As of 2:00am Monday 16th June 2008, the number of pledged downloads from Trinidad and Tobago is 573. So head over to the http://www.spreadfirefox.com/worldrecord page if you haven’t pledged to download Firefox 3 (and of course do so on Tuesday!)