Isn’t it that we often grumble about having “no internet access but connected” situations these days and wish our Internet Service Providers would not deliver poor service regarding fast downloads. For instance, my career relies much on Internet access and the reason why I subscribed to an unlimited mobile internet access is to get backup connection in times when the ISP is down. Unluckily, with the bluetooth internet access connection I tested lately using my internet mobile account, the browsing was simply unsatisfactory.

UN: Access to the Internet is every person’s right

Have you ever thought of a world wherein access to the Internet is regarded as a basic right of every individual?

Presently, the United Nations is initiating a campaign to let countries regard Internet access as a right of every person. UN did this campaign when it began appealing for worldwide access to significant and basic information and communication services at the gathering of UN Administrative Committee on Coordination during the approach of the twenty-first century. It looks like the United Nations is very determined to give it a go. Aside from that preliminary act, in 2003, it likewise encouraged the same cause during the World Summit on Information Society.

Ever heard of nations that already took action on such a campaign? Various countries such as Estonia, France and Greece have presently enacted and implemented laws that enable Internet access as a privilege of every individual. This might come as unexpected for other countries, but for those who acknowledge how significant and valuable online media is, it is now the time. As numerous observers, experts, and supporters are ready and waiting for the time many other nations are presumed to join their footsteps. It is anticipated that in a shorter period of time, many other countries and regimes would do likewise.

Internet services and transactions

Several shoppers and web users are getting online daily to make use of and enjoy the services offered by the Internet. As the number of online users grows, so is the number of sites that are being developed and currently functioning. Approximately every hour, brand new internet sites are being built and brought out online. Most commercial enterprises today are setting up and highlighting their presence in the Internet.

What could buyers do while online? For example, essential online transactions could now be conducted and completed through cyberspace. You could easily shop and purchase clothing, shoes, antique stuff, grocery items, techie stuff and gadgets, appliances, wood furnishing, adornments, and just about anything through the world wide web. Some Web sites provide tickets for events, films, airplanes, luxury ships and other services. Other than doing online purchasing or electronic commerce transactions, users could also do fundamental online banking transactions, like balance inquiry, bank deposit and money transfer.

And the list of online ventures does not stop there. Fun and entertainment are a substantial part of on-line activity which can be readily acquired. E.g., a lot of appealing videos (that includes your papa’s best-loved 60’s songs), motion pictures, news streams, and amateurish clips (where some of today’s notable celebrities are known) could be accessed via the web. Of course, the Web is the coolest place to find valuable computer merchandise, such as application programs and software package that are sold by electronic means. These could be delivered and accessed online also. The travel industry profits a lot from the Web as well, with online booking and reservations for accommodations and hotel, car rental services or holiday packages in various destinations could also be possible. Any sort of transaction, it looks like the Internet could now make it possible for anyone to complete transactions and purchases online.

The World Wide Web offers many advantages

Cyberspace access is designed to make things easier. These days, people do not have to get out of their homes to buy stuff. On-line merchant sites could facilitate online buying and selling of commodities and services. This indicates larger savings for buyers in terms of time, money and effort. Thus, it is a little surprising that some folks still do not consider the Internet for their basic transactions.

Some folks may be technically challenged when it comes to Internet transactions, although this tendency is slowly decreasing as more are now appreciating the practicality and advantages online media delivers. Thus, If a good deal of folks are now taking advantage of the convenience of the World wide web, others should also have fun with the same advantages. If Internet access would successfully be made a right of every human, more people would definitely appreciate it and make use of it for many purposes.

There are days when I feel as light as a bubble…

So carefree…

As if I’m floating way up high…

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Heyyy…don’t try to burst the bubble!

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Thanks to rainydazeee for the pics.

To view more PhotoHunt BUBBLE entries, click here.

I bought Pavi last June 2007 at IT City in Thailand and it has been my trusty work companion since then. It has also been with me on my trips here and abroad, whether they’re work-related or not. It has undergone through countless airport checks and x-ray machines already, thus I’m quite used to bringing it with me during my travels, safely kept in my laptop stroller bag.

When I found out its LCD screen refused to light up, I had so many questions running through my mind that time as I really cannot pinpoint what caused the damage. Could it be because I placed the laptop bag under the seat in front of me and our plane had a rough landing? Yup, that Cebu Pacific Air pilot gave us a startling jolt when we hit the ground, we felt like the plane was being dropped from the sky! It could have made the laptop jump from the floor and damaged the LCD. Or could it be that something heavy dropped on the laptop during that trip? Ugh. I thought it was just a temporary LCD screen failure, but the more I tried to turn it on and reset its power button, the more I realized I’m just wasting my efforts in a futile attempt to recover it. My mind was in a denial stage as I keep telling myself, “Noooo, it just can’t be so lifeless and unresponsive like that!”

Few days later, I brought Pavi to a computer repair shop. The technician attached the laptop to another LCD monitor and we saw the Windows Vista login prompt showing up. So my first guess was right, the hard disk was not damaged, and my precious files are still intact. The computer store manager suggested that I take Pavi to an authorized service center for HP, and I did. Too bad my laptop was not under warranty anymore, I shuddered at the thought of costly parts replacement.

I was hoping for a positive finding from the HP technician after leaving the unit for weeks as he ran some tests. Unfortunately, I was met with more disappointment as the technician gave his verdict – display controller is damaged, mainboard needs to be replaced. The cost of replacement was almost half the price of brand new laptops, clearly it was not a practical option for me. So I had no choice but to give up my laptop. Sigh.

Few hours later, I found myself surfing the web for a new laptop, as I sadly let go of Pavi.

Our planned project will be dealing more with household junk, specifically old appliances, used clothes, knick-knacks and other items that are not needed anymore. We aim to recycle them or sell them to interested groups and the proceeds will be used to fund the needs of underprivileged kids. It may be just a simple project but it will be our own small way of helping others and helping the environment as well.

For most industrial and information technology companies, there’s a need to do more than just comply with standard environmental safety policies. It would be even better to come up with innovations related to green technology e.g. those related to renewable energy, efficient use of energy resources, or reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Thus to encourage more green technology inventions, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) revised their application process, loosening up rules, for their Green Technology Pilot program. Less limitation on the categories will allow more applicants to qualify for the pilot program.

In a CNET Green Tech news article U.S. Patent Office loosens rules for green tech, the USPTO eliminated the need for patent applications to comply with its previously specified green technology classifications.

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office is trying to cast a wider net to catch more green-technology inventions.

The patent office announced Friday that it has changed the application process to attract more green technologies into an accelerated patent-review program.

The Green Technology Pilot program was created in December to encourage more inventors to apply for patents relating to green technology. If accepted, those patent petitions will get priority screening under the one-year trial program.

On Friday, the patent office eliminated the need for green technology patent applications to comply with its previously specified classifications. The requirements had narrowed the definition of green technology more than is necessary, the patent office said.

“This will permit more applications to qualify for the pilot program, thereby allowing more inventions related to green technologies to be advanced out of turn for examination and reviewed earlier,” David Kappos, director of the patent office, said in a filing in the Federal Register.

The initial target was to have 3,000 patent petitions examined in the first year, with a goal of dramatically cutting down on the average review time of 30 months.

So far, there have been a total of 950 requests for accelerated review, with only 342 requests granted.

The green technology program is designed to encourage development of businesses with products that reduce use of fossil fuels and protect the environment. It’s not yet clear how much commercial impact the expedited review process will have, experts told Scientific American earlier this month.
Read more…

While this is considered a positive move from the USPTO, not everybody thinks highly about it if you read the article’s comments section. According to reader doubtthat, “Patents don’t speed up innovation, they slow it down and make it more expensive for everyone.” Another reader who calls himself jlees wrote, “Possibly one reason to loosen up on the patent process is that the way it is stifles innovation and discourages innovators from bothering with trying to get a patent. They tend to decide it’s not worth the hassle. What should be a service of the government is an impediment instead.” Well, we’re keeping our fingers crossed that the revised USPTO Green Technology Pilot program would greatly benefit the environment by encouraging more green technology inventions without giving too much hassle to patent applicants.

With so many natural disasters happening lately, such as the eruption of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in Iceland which caused worldwide air travel crisis recently, the effect of global warming can already be felt. I believe that caring for Mother Earth shouldn’t be as complicated as adhering to environmental safety standards, we can also do our part in our own homes by conserving electricity and in our communities by taking part in environmental-conservation projects.

There were times when I wondered if I would make it to today; but I did! And because I did I’m going to celebrate!

Today, I’m going to celebrate what an unbelievable life I have had so far: the accomplishments, the many blessings, and, yes, even the hardships because they have served to make me stronger.

I will go through this day with my head held high, and a happy heart. I will marvel at God’s seemingly simple gifts: the morning dew, the sun, the clouds, the trees, the flowers, the birds. Today, none of these miraculous creations will escape my notice.

Today, I will share my excitement for life with other people. I’ll make someone smile. I’ll go out of my way to perform an unexpected act of kindness for someone I don’t even know. Today, I’ll give a sincere compliment to someone who seems down. I’ll tell a child how special he is, and I’ll tell someone I love just how deeply I care for her and how much she means to me.

Today is the day I quit worrying about what I don’t have and start being grateful for all the wonderful things God has already given me. I’ll remember that to worry is just a waste of time because my faith in God and his Divine Plan ensures everything will be just fine.

And tonight, before I go to bed, I’ll go outside and raise my eyes to the heavens. I will stand in awe at the beauty of the stars and the moon, and I will praise God for these magnificent treasures.

As the day ends and I lay my head down on my pillow, I will thank the Almighty for the best day of my life. And I will sleep the sleep of a contented child, excited with expectation because I know tomorrow is going to be the best day of my life, ever!

By Gregory M. Lousig-Nont, Ph.D.
from Chicken Soup for the Surviving Soul
Copyright 1996 by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen,
Patty Aubery & Nancy Mitchell, R.N.

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A message every adult should read because children are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make my favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn’t feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it’s all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I saw that you cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I learned most of life’s lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn’t looking I looked at you and wanted to say, ‘Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn’t looking.’

Each of us (parent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, teacher, friend) influences the life of a child.

The date is not definite yet, but I will be traveling again for another home design project. That would make me a busier bee then. It will involve interior design for a condo and I hope it won’t be as difficult as the previous one since we had no contacts yet that time and just relied on one contractor. Hopefully, we’ll make a deal with a new contractor for the carpentry works, window screen installation and other furnishing jobs or we might even hire again the previous one. Oh well, I’m praying things will turn out better this time. The previous project was not easy for me considering I had less time spent with my online ventures. Anyway, God is good and He always provides.

Photo credits: aileenguirnela.com

These days, most companies strictly discourage sending personal emails during working hours. And how about sending online instant messages via Yahoo Messenger or ICQ or Skype? Some companies allow these chat programs as means of communication for business-related matters but some employees still sneak in few messages to their loved ones.

As one of my friends declared, the work results are more important than these limiting company rules. IMO, it really depends on the job description and one should adhere to company rules as a responsible employee. What is your opinion about this?

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I want to share with you a personal experience that happened during our vacation. My husband and I had a car snow accident few days ago. Before the accident happened I was already praying the Psalm 91 as we were already anxious about a sudden snow storm. On our way to our hotel, our car hit the snow slope. In my panic state, I thought God didn’t hear my prayer.

But believe it or not, in less than a minute, and if you can just imagine the timing, there was a sudden knock on our car window asking us if we were okay. They said they would help us. What a relief to know that they were rangers from the national park. It seemed as if they were heaven sent as they suddenly appeared from nowhere. We really thought we would be stuck in the snow that night. I was already thinking of the worst but we got help immediately.

Despite what happened, I’m still thankful that we got home safe. Now I realized that God listened to my prayers. I was asking for safety, He gave it to me and my husband. I remember that we have to be specific in our prayers. I forgot to pray for safety for our car too. At least the damage was not that bad. It’s just the front bumper that got a dent.

According to the ranger, if my husband was overspeeding that time, our car could have overturned. Another thing that I’m thankful was that our car hit the snow slope side, otherwise we could have fallen over the cliff.

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I hope you’ll be blessed as I had been after reading this simple testimony about God’s presence and protection whenever we need Him. Thanks to Odeth for letting me publish her story here.

Have a safe and relaxing day ahead!

Early last year, I had an interior design project for a condo which was quite tough considering the work location was in another province and I was not familiar with the stores around. Mom was my partner as we shopped around, going over the smallest décor and detail to major appliances and furnishings. We made sure that the overall concept of comfortable living was embodied in the final design while staying on budget. Thankfully, our client was happy and satisfied with the modern and comfy look of his condo unit.
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I’m just thankful that technology offers us many ways to learn more, not just with tech-related stuff but with life in general as well. This is why I am fond of browsing a lot of technology sites even if I am not a geek. I just read to get ideas and I don’t really oblige myself to comprehend some concepts and terminologies that I find are too techie.
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Anyway, our family just spent the Holy Week here in the city and we supported most of the parish Lenten activities. Beside our home is a beach resort, so instead of going to farther venues to celebrate Easter, we just opted to stay nearby and it was indeed a good decision. Lunch was yummy with Rellenong Bangus or stuffed milkfish as our main dish. Thanks to Auntie for being the expert cook! She deboned the milkfish without cutting it in half and sewing it back as most cooks do. It was a budget celebration but a very enjoyable one.

Have you ever watched a sunset in its entirety, from the moment the sky changes to its orange hues, you see the sun coming down slowly until it touches the horizon giving that beautiful spread of colorful rays until darkness shrouds the earth?

As a child of the sea, I love watching sunsets. This photo is taken at the Pacific Shores subdivision, Talisay City, Negros Occidental

What do sunsets tell me?

The vibrant display of hues at dusk is never the same every day and every minute, and such are the daily challenges life hands us over with. Just like sunsets, some days are wonderfully colorful, or lightly hued or dark and overcast but they’re all beautiful and meaningful just the same.

And just as these spectacular sunsets prepare the earth for darkness, we can anchor on our life’s successful and wonderful moments to get us ready and courageous for the challenging days ahead.

Sunset at Praha 4, Prague, Czech Republic

Sunsets always have a simple message for those who seek life’s meaning.