Reflection :)

 Last, July 2, 2009 a seminar was conducted by the COMDAPP held at the Apo Bayview Hotel. There are a lot of topics that has been discussed during that time. The topics are about the hp thin client, open source and many others. I just attended the two mentioned topics. HP thin client is just like any other desktop computers. But according to the speaker, it is more reliable than the desktop. It is cheaper, and more power saving than the latter. There are no moving components in its hard drive. It is not heavy and very space saving since it is small. Aside from the hardware aspects, the price of hp thin client is cheaper than the deskstop. I don’t know how much cheaper the thin client is but according to the graphs of the speaker, it leads to that thin client is really cheaper than the desktop. Thin client is not just good in hardware but also in its software. It has built-in operating software that can restore the documents when it’s crashed or corrupted. It can also eliminate a virus thru restarting the pc. If I remember right they configure something on the pc for the virus to disappear whenever it restarts. The concept is like a RAM does in the pc. If I’m not mistaken a RAM is a temporary storage which when restarts all the files being put in there will be gone. I think that concept is what applies in HP thin client. It has also less percentage in hardware failure which the companies who buy this will get a lot of benefits and can save a lot of money. Aside from the companies like call centers, airports, and etc.; even schools use HP thin client and usually they put it in the library. According to the speaker, it is necessary that a HP thin client has a server. But actually, I forgot to ask if it can be used as a personal computer. Well, maybe it can be used since the speaker said that it can be used with or without server. 
 Aside from the HP thin client, I also attended the open source seminar. It has been discussed what open source is and what softwares or programs that can be categorized as an open source environment. VLC is an example of open source where it can be a subtitute for a windows media player or winamp. It can also be used as a downloader. Mozilla firefox is an internet which can be substitute to internet explorer. Php is a programming language for web developing. Other examples for open source are, jumla, drupal, apache, thunderbird, moodle, and may others. 
 There are many companies that now use the open source softwares and even Hollywood celebrities used this for their websites. The discussion runs smoothly until someone asked about what is the most reliable to use when it comes to a system that will be use in election say automated election, proprietary or open source? Each of them had different point of views. But what really catches my attention was the man from a company which produces proprietary products.
 Well, I don’t know his name but he said that he has nothing against open source. When it comes to making a system like an automated election any of those can be used. Its either open source or proprietary, it doesn’t really matter. The first thing that should be considered is the one who will make the system to really test that there will be no leakage. It is because other officials might influence the programmer then same thing happens during election. Second to consider is the familes of the programmer. It is because they may receive a death threat just to put a leakage on the system. Third is where to develop the system is it inside the country or outside. It is to avoid the influences of the officials. Lastly, what software should be used? Is it open source or proprietary? 
 He said that if someone uses open source, then it is good since you don’t have to buy the software because fortunately it’s free. But if something goes wrong in the software or some components of it that will create a problem because you don’t have someone to turn to ask about it. You have to pay some experts to debug it. If the programmer choosed to use proprietary product then they have to pay for the product. And if there’something happened in the product you can always go back to the company where you brought it with free of charge as long as you have the warranty. He said that sometimes the product you buy is lesser than the service of a person. But either of the two doesn’t matter for they both produce satisfaction for the client.
 Aside from the seminars that the COMDAPP conducted, there are also different stalls or booths for different companies that sell different technologies. It is like Mini Park for technologies where some booths offers or gives freebies to all the expectators who registers in their stall. I think the proper term is technology exhibitions. The companies exhibit their products. There are some technologies there that I never expected that it is currently used or currently available in the Philippines especially here in Davao. Actually, I know that there are already existing surveillance cameras but I never expected it to be as high tech as I have seen in the exhibitions. Aside from the surveillance cameras, there are also high tech pc monitors which you can flip in any way you want and aside from that it also has components which helps the environment. Maybe it produces less carbon that is why there is some sticker on it saying it’s good for the environment. Aside from monitors, there’s also motherboard which is also good for the environment. It has a cooling component that keeps it to warmth. There are also printers, anti-virus, cleaner for car, pc, and etc; laptops, servers, cameras, and many more in the exhibitions.