The broadband cap is a human rights issue. Capping it stunts progress.
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 8th, 2011
Here you go:
1. The best way to look at the broadband cap issue is not from a technology perspective but from the perspective of human rights. Before the printing press was invented, the struggle between English and the French / Latin languages was tipped when most of the learned clergy died during the bubonic plague. Since Latin and French were the languages spoken by the few and the learned, only people of the Church were allowed to speak it. The clergy was put in charge of tending to plague victims and hence, also succumbed to it and perished. It was the same with whatever written manuscripts there were — only read and understood by the enlightened, until Wycliffe decided to translate the bible into English. Because of this tip, English prevailed as the new language of the western world since everyone that mattered was dead from the plague. The spoken word, the printing press, and today, the Internet are examples of prime movers – of mediums of communication. Capping it would similar to cutting off your tongue or denying the right to free speech. Very dark ages. If you hamper the medium, you stunt culture. I thought we were all about nation building.
The broadband cap is a last stand effort to cry out, giving existing telcos a chance to compete using sub-par products with attractive marketing lures. I’d go as far as saying that this happens in other industries that eventually translate to policy: the open skies program of the DOT which was heavily criticized by the “old guard” in an effort to save Philippine Airlines from competition. Hr hr hr.
2. On the subject of “illegal downloads” this is a faulty argument. I for one spend money to legally download torrents from legitimate online stores such as Steam and Games for Windows and Battle.net. Sure, people do download illegally. But so do government institutions. Dicks. Implement a policy that rewards people who download legally. Today, downloading 1GB updates is common. Imagine a 5GB / day cap. With crappy Internet, you probably need to download the same file more than 5x without a download manager. Before you know it, you’ve used up your limit because of Internet that doesn’t deliver. So many local businesses need more than 5GB / day. What year are we in? 2001? I don’t know about you — but netizens who are all for the broadband cap live really boring lives online.
3. Am I willing to pay more for better Internet? Of course. But in a country where the “best Internet” is laughable, it is very justified to have providers man up first. You know what? Maybe it should happen. So that new players can come in to offer something much better than the BS we have to cope with.
Hands on with the Leapfrog Tag Reading System
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 8th, 2011
Walk into a toy store today and you’ll be gladly pleased with how geeky some companies have taken toy making. Especially the educational ones. As Ananya (3 1/3 yrs) seemed to be getting good results with a Vtec learning tool that helps you identify numbers and letters, I wanted to take it a step further with a new investment: the Leapfrog Tag Reading System.
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Book Recommendations: Metatropolis / Metatropolis Cascadia
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 7th, 2011
In 2008, a handful of science fiction writers released a collaborative project in audio format, read by the cast of Battlestar Galactica. The product was a shared fiction series called Metatropolis where each author wrote a story based on a future world which they brought to life. The print version was released in 2009. In 2010, a second series was released, called Metatropolis Cascadia, now exclusive to audio. The entire series is read by the cast of Star Trek.
Audible: Metatropolis Cascadia
My Mac App Store First Impression
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 6th, 2011
And this is why I am against the broadband cap.
It’s out on Travelbook.PH: A “Zero to Deco” Guide to Diving in the Philippines
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 4th, 2011
Over the vacation I compiled a 3 page guide to diving in the Philippines. This primer is geared towards Filipinos who have always been curious about diving and launch into the deep (duc in altum!) with this new endeavor. It addresses questions such as rates, how to choose a dive instructor, where to begin, and even addresses concerns about knowing how to swim and if sharks will eat you. They also linked to some of the videos I took.
The article, as well as a series of trip files are all located in Summit Media’s new destination guide and directory, Travelbook.ph. It is managed by a fellow blogger, Betty Tianco, who I really respect for building Southbound.ph and making it THE authority for south-based (i.e. Las Pinas, Alabang, Bicutan, Sucat) cravings.
Hope you pick up something from it. This is a “living article” so it is bound to be improved through time based on the comments from people who want to learn to dive and from actual divers and dive masters / instructors. To fellow divers, if you have things to add, please hop on to the site and leave a comment.
Photos for the article were taken by Wowie Wong.
Wikipedia Takes the City: Manila
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at January 3rd, 2011Found this today sitting on r/Philippines:
January 15, 2011
In celebration of Wikipedia’s tenth anniversary, Wikimedia Philippines (WMPH) is proud to organize the first Philippine Wikipedia Takes the City photo scavenger hunt, Wikipedia Takes Manila.
What is it? Wikipedia Takes Manila is a Wikipedia Takes the City-style photo scavenger hunt, with coverage of the City of Manila. Teams will take pictures of various buildings, monuments and structures in Manila throughout the day. Following the event will be a party for contest participants and guests.
Where is it? The central meeting place for this event will be at Paco Park, San Marcelino St., Paco, Manila. The mass uploading of pictures obtained, awards ceremony and party for participants and guests meanwhile will be held at Shakey’s Pizza, Maria Orosa Ave. cor. United Nations Ave., Ermita, Manila.
When is it? Wikipedia Takes Manila will be held on Wikipedia Day, January 15, from 9:00 am PST onwards.
Who can join? Anyone can join Wikipedia Takes Manila. If you can form a team of 2-3 people and have your own cameras, come sign up! You can register using this form.
How much? Wikipedia Takes Manila is free! However, teams are responsible for paying for fares and entrance fees incurred in the course of the competition.
The event is also on Facebook.
Starcraft II prepaid cards are now available
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 29th, 2010
Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty is one of the most expensive retail box games to ever be sold. It costs PHP 3,500.00 and that’s already considerable cheaper than the regional pricing in other countries. The price is a barrier for students who want to enjoy Starcraft II as a platform for the new DoTA. So Blizzard SEA has issued prepaid cards allowing you to enjoy a legit copy of SCII from your home. More info here.
3 Day Pass — PHP 50.00
7 Day Pass — PHP 100.00
30 Day Pass — PHP 350.00
You can buy these in Datablitz and in these other establishments.
Remembering 2010: Marking 102 Dives with video
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 28th, 2010Probably the best investment I made this year was for a decent underwater video camera. I accumulated over 42GB worth of raw underwater footage and I must say that documenting my dives is easily the most rewarding experience this year, perhaps ever! As a volunteer for WWF Philippines I also donate all my videos to their coral triangle efforts.
So here they are, my top diving vids for 2010:
*Viewing advice*
Watching all of these videos could take a while. If you have time to spare, do grab a bag of chips and a drink. Enjoy!
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And thus I greet you all …
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 25th, 2010
Christmas Tree Worm
Spirobranchus giganteus
Taken in Dari Laut Wreck
Anilao, Batangas
The worms’s most distinct features are the two “crowns” that are shaped like Christmas-trees. These “crowns” are actually highly modified prostomial palps which are specialized mouth appendages of the worm. Each spiral is actually composed of feather-like tentacles called radioles, which are heavily ciliated which allows any prey that are trapped in them to be transported straight towards the worm’s mouth. While they are primarily feeding structures, S. giganteus also uses its radioles for respiration. It is because of this that the structures are commonly called “gills”. [Wikipedia]
Finally, it’s complete: Sea & Sea DSLR housing with single YS-110 strobe
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 22nd, 2010
Procured from parts found all over, I finally completed my first professional housing set up. I’d like to send out thanks to Wowie Wong, Jan Acosta and Jovic Santos for giving really good buying advice (and in Wowie and Jovic’s case … parts!).
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Congratulations to Jerico Macatangay! You win a Galaxy 5 Android phone from Samsung
Posted by Jayvee Fernandez at December 21st, 2010EDIT: Also I updated the final result of the Shark notebook. We’re donating it to the CSR arm as per my last SMS with Samsung.
I’d like to congratulate Jerico Macatangay who submitted a LONG blog entry on how the Korean culture influenced his life. It was a choice between this and 2 Youtube videos — but in the end, I found Jericho’s entry more moving despite being words and photos (compared to video).
Jerico, I agree with you — and might add that I do enjoy Korean grocery stores for their ice cream! I’ll email you details on how you can claim the Samsung Galaxy 5 from their office. I will endorse you to Odette. Better hurry though, as the holidays approach, lest you get it next year pa!
Trivia: To those who submitted entries with Sandara Park (now with 2NE1), our magazine was mostly responsible in making her famous before she left.
