China - Straight to 4G, instead of 3G

Instead of 3G, China launched the 1st world 4th generation mobile communication systems (4G) in Shanghai's Changning district on 28th Jan 2007.

Currently, there is no 3G services offered in China. The 4G offered in China can provides up to 100Mbps in wireless data communication. (The current 3G can only offer up to 2Mbps).

Another wonderful technology advancement achieved by the Chinese to showcase their supremacy in all areas.

For more reading, click here -China Skips 3G, Goes Straight to 4G (www.ecommercetimes.com)

IDC Prediction for Malaysian IT Market 2007

IDC has a few predictions in their crystal ball for us this year: (TheStar InTech, 16 January 2007, IT22)

• IT spending will grow 2%. (from 10% to 12%)
• Hardware will grow 2%. (from 8% to 10%)
• Packaged software will also grow 2%. (from 9% to 11%)
• Next generation network services and convergence between landline and mobile will evolving the telecommunication markets.
• Digitalisation of TV boardcasting services.
• Software vendors will focus on SME customers.
• Demand for notebook will grow about 14%.
• WIMAX wireless broadband adoption will be swift.
• Home users and businesses will focus on digital cameras and high-speed scanners.

BabiesConsult.com - Useful Website for new mothers

(Screen captured from http://www.babiesconsult.com/)

This is a very useful website for new mothers on baby care as well as post-natal tips. Established by a former nurse and midwife, Cecilia Koh, its also provide discussion forums where mothers can exchange information and sharing experiences. Worth a visit for all especially new parents!

Latest:
Hey, I received a comment from the author of this website, Ms Cecilia Koh today.

Hi Kai Wah
Thank you so much for your kind words. I sincerely hope that my site will be a good place for new, 'old' and prospective parents to find all the information to make parenting a joyful event.

Cecilia Koh
Babiesconsult.com

Thanks Cecilia.

My dear students,
Let's introduce this website to more people, be it your brothers & sisters, uncles & aunts, friends, etc.

InPictures - Online Tutorial using Pictures

(Screen Captured from http://inpics.net/)

Introducing a new website that enable users to learn new software based on pictures for free. Worth visiting if you want to learn more but without reading text, pictures can be a good substitute. Just visit http://inpics.net/

2 Malaysian Bloggers sued by NSTP (New Straits Times Press)

A landmark case in Malaysia where for the 1st time, 2 bloggers who specialise on socio-politic topics were sued by New Straits Times Press (NSTP) over postings in their blogs that were deemed defamatory.

Who are these tow bloggers?
1. Jeff Ooi (Screenshot) - The 1st blog that I encountered and I'm still reading his blog on a daily basis.
2. Ahirudin bin Attan (rocky's bru) - a retired journalist from Malay Mail.

Our Prime Minister responsed:
"Bloggers must be responsible for what they write on the Internet as there are laws on defamation and sedition. These laws were enforceable and bloggers must bear in mind that they could not hide or take advantage of the Internet to do something that was against the law.

They cannot hope to cover themselves or hide from the laws.

Bloggers, just like newspaper journalists, must be responsible for what they wrote or risk facing legal action from others." (TheStar, 24 Jan 2007)


The bloggers' community responses:

• Setting up a blogger legal fund to provide financial assistance for bloggers who face legal action
• Setting up WalkWithUs blog which provide more news and updates on this issue.

Let's view the issue from both sides - the bloggers and NSTP before we make our own judgement.

e-Filling = No Form B

Previously, all taxpayers in Malaysia need to fill up the Form B and submit it to Lembaga Hasil Dalam Negara (LHDN).

Now, only a protion of it will have to do that. Why?

Reason:
Taxpayers who used the e-Filing system last year to file their tax returns will not receive the B and BE forms in the post this year. They will have to continue using the e-filling systems for this year tax submission. This is to encourage the existing users to continue with the e-filling systems.

Form B will be only sent to those non-user of e-filling now.

E-Judiciary launched in Malaysia

An online system of Malaysian Judiciary (e-Judiciary) was launched today as to facilitate Internet registration of cases and easy access to court records and past cases.

Among the applications are Case Management System (CMS), Court Recording and Transcription System (CRT), and Common IT Infrastructure (CIT) to be implemented in 11 courts involved in a pilot project in Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya.

This will help to ease some backlog of cases in the current situation. A total of RM27 million was spent on this project so far.

RFID in Malaysia - Coming soon: ePlate

What is ePlate? It is one of the latest IT application of e-government in Malaysia - electronic registration system for new cars. Yes, it means that in the future all new cars in Malaysia will bear the e-plate, which uses a microchip equiped with RFID technology.

Transport Minister Datuk Seri Chan Kong Choy:
“The number plates will contain a microchip with the car chassis and engine numbers and the design will be standardised." (TheStar, 10 Jan 2007)

“Use of the e-plate is expected to significantly reduce the number of stolen cars being smuggled across our border points into neighbouring countries as well as help the Government to better enforce road rules under our camera surveillance system." (TheStar, 10 Jan 2007)

For more information, read TheStar, 10 Jan 2007.

Welcome and Happy New Year 2007

The teaching team would like to take this opportunity to welcome new batch of students for this semester.

We would also like to wish all of you Happy New Year 2007.

Thank you.