When I visited Google’s main page to make use of their extensive search engine, I was greeted with a different UI (User Interface). Google censored its logo (just like what they do on TV) by putting a black box over the website’s logo. It was so surprising to find out that there is an issue stirring the web and knowing about it already means how widespread its nature is.

Before we proceed on discussing this issue, it is better to know some of the few details about these House Bills.

What is PIPA (Protect IP Act)?

PIPA gives US corporations and the government the right to seek legal action against any website that they see as committing copyright infringement whether US in origin or not. It was originally introduced in the US Senate on May 12, 2011. This bill will work in conjunction with SOPA.

What is SOPA (Stop Online Piracy Act)?

House Bill 3261 or H.R. 3261, is a bill that was introduced in the United States House of Representatives on October 26, 2011, that would expand the ability of U.S. law enforcement and copyright holders to fight online trafficking in copyrighted intellectual property and counterfeit goods.

The bill would authorize the U.S. Department of Justice to seek court orders against websites outside U.S. jurisdiction accused of infringing on copyrights, or of enabling or facilitating copyright infringement.

These two bills are similar in its goals and the enactment of these two into a law will possibly affect majority of US Internet users and even the rest of the world in sharing online information as we presently enjoy.

Truly, piracy and intellectual property infringement has always been a problem since the dawn of digital computing machines yet limiting and monitoring the flow of data is against several issues like privacy, liberty to information and freedom of expression.

I can’t imagine that with the existence of these laws, it is possible that one of my blog sites will be shut down due to an illegal sharing of digital information as seen by its proponents. Featuring logos, products or even information (doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad) can be grounds for a possible closure of my own website.

Definitely, there will be a huge drop in Internet traffic when these bills are passed. No one would ever be able to enjoy the same privileges while they go and surf the web. Tech giants will in the end be affected by the presence of these bills. Filtering the flow of information will not only slow down the way we receive information but also inhibit anyone the access to a certain website.

I hope people around the globe will support in preventing the approval of these bills. Enactment of these bills despite the disapproving audience would mean there’s something that the people from the US government and its supporting agencies wouldn’t like to tell or be found out.

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The live stream of Archbishop Luis “Chito” Tagle’s installation ceremony surprised his online followers after being forwarded to an adult porn (transvestitism) site.

Transvestites are people who are straight men and women who wear clothes of the opposite sex. Also referred to as “cross-dressing.”

At first, they regarded it as an attack made by proponent hackers but after a while the church’s communications office admitted it was an honest mistake from their side.

Peachy Yamsuan, head of the Archdiocese of Manila’s office of communications, conceded that she committed a mistake in providing the link to the Archbishop’s live installation ceremony.

“Please be informed that I was the one who committed the mistake of putting in our website the wrong TV Maria website for live streaming and I’m sorry for the confusion it has caused,” Yamsuan said

The right link should have been “tvmaria.net” instead of “tvmaria.com.”

Distinctively, the confusion has caused the social media community to take advantage of it clouding the image of the new Archbishop and the catholic organization.

The site link was finally corrected by 3 in the afternoon. Well, that was disappointing for those who were not able to witness the Archbishop’s momentous event. Nevertheless, I am sure we can still catch the replay of that ceremony now with the right link to its viewing channel.

Archbishop Luis Antonio Tagle is now the 32nd Metropolitan Archbishop of Manila.

One thing I would advise Yamsuan is to test the link before making it publicly available and the same goes to anyone else who is making use of online resources in sharing delicate information.

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No. This is not a review on one of the latest movie with the same title which is a story about the existence of a mirror Earth but rather an article about the latest news in the space research program for the search of a potential habitable planet in our universe.

Kepler mission has yet again discovered another candidate for an Earth-like exoplanet some 600 light years away. A more probable one and promises a great find for our
astronomers.

Based on the report, the planet designated as “Kepler-22b”, the first-ever planet in a habitable zone was spotted by the Kepler Space telescope outside of our solar system.

Classifying it as one of the “super-Earths” because of its enormous size – 2.4 times bigger than our own and revolves around its sun in 270 days (195 days shorter than we have).

Kepler-22b’s distance from its sun suggests an optimal temperature of 22 degrees centigrade which is enough for water to exist on the planet’s surface – something which is vital for planetary life to propagate.

Kepler-22b is one of the three planets that were confirmed globally by Astronomers as a candidate for human habitation yet the other two have smaller and cooler suns while K-22b has a solar source similar to our Helios.

Though the space telescope has unlocked more than 2,326 possible planets with 48 among them identified as having life sustaining capabilities, NASA may have to do additional monitoring of this recent planetary discovery. They still haven’t identified the surface properties of this one so as to validate the research data.

So then, are we looking at an interplanetary mission right now, or a proof for the
existence of extra terrestrial life?

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Nevertheless, we will still experience some Christmas shopping since everyone else will be receiving their 13th month (or 14th month) bonuses. The products of hard work! (And lots of overtime). It is the time of the year when many home appliances are on sale, which includes the TV.

I am thinking of getting that 32-inch LED TV that I saw a few months ago. But I have doubts that it will be the best buy in terms of size. Will it be enough to fit my living room? Or should I get a bigger one instead?

These are some of the questions you and I are commonly asked when we buy our new TVs. But is there a way to figure out which screen size is the right one for us?

I came across one article on the web that provides a way as a guide for people like me who are planning to purchase their next boob tube.

THX has provided us with a guide to determine the right size of TV for us to purchase thus to avoid regretting the purchase later.

According to the article, we need to acquire the best “seat-to-screen distance” to where you will be placing your TV. THX recommends dividing the diagonal size of the screen to 0.84. So, a 32” screen divided by 0.84 will result to 38 inches (roughly 1 meter) minimum viewing distance. Using this formula, it will provide you with a 40 degree viewing angle that is enough to fill your line of sight and deliver the best visual experience.

Here is the list as provided by THX:

• 32 inch class TV = 3.5-5 feet away
• 42 inch class TV = 4-6 feet away
• 50 inch class TV = 5-7.5 feet away
• 60 inch class TV = 6-9 feet away

Before, you buy that dream TV of yours, better check out this guide. I’ll see you guys later. I’ll have to make measurements of my own. I hope my 32-inch TV is enough though. Or else I won’t have enough cash to purchase a 42-inch one – maybe next Christmas?

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I do watch one every early Sunday morning (if circumstances allows me) just to get ahead of the liturgical context for that day. Yup! I am one devout Catholic! I’ve been serving the Church since I was a kid (12 years old, almost a teenager) as a choir member. Honestly, some priests do not deliver their sermons as clearly as we would like them to.

The Church has preferred to make use of the media (TV broadcasting) to gain more followers and further make Catholics acquainted with their church’s spiritual activities like any other religious sects are currently doing on TV.

The social media network in the online community as we know can span more areas and bring about more people faster than the telly which is the reason for the church to utilize it.

Bishop ‘Chito’ (Luis Antonio) Tagle’s “The Word Exposed” was one worth mentioning. The show’s unique way of tackling the contents of the Sunday scriptures makes it easier for us Catholics to fully understand the message in between these biblical passages. Though it was originally released on National TV, the video archives that were shared on different online channels (YouTube and Facebook) made it a great way for the congregation to uplift their religious beliefs anytime and anywhere around the globe.

The Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene (also known as the Quiapo church) has introduced the online streaming of its regular Masses which was officially announced on November 13, 2011. This step was taken by the parish after receiving several requests from Quiapo faithful (who wants to hear but were not able to do so because of their current predicament).

“Catholics still have to go to Mass in their churches,” said Msgr. Jose Clemente Ignacio. “We are just offering this for those who can’t go to Mass due to their condition,” he added. (Source: inquirer.net)

As for me, these resources can be used to nourish our faith but not as a substitute to the obligation of attending a live Mass every Sunday in our churches.

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My eldest is still in pre-school and I had no idea that even pre-schoolers have the chance to play during the intramurals like all other students do. I can’t remember if I had the same privilege back then.

One thing that caught my attention was the prizes that were given for the winners of every game that they play. All of the rewards have something to do with this very iconic game we as we all know as the “Angry Birds.”

What is in this game that made a lot of people become addicted to it? Is it their moody yet colorful and cuddly look or is it the challenge and excitement it presents while playing the game?

I don’t think these kids have any knowledge about the game itself. Even my son hasn’t played this game on our PC or even on the a hand-held console. All I know is that their cuteness have sparked worldwide admiration.

The game that was initially released for Apple’s iPhone became viral that it was made available by its developers to different platforms, devices and consoles.

The game is fairly simple. You need to topple down the defenses built by the pigs (who was according to the story has stolen these birds’ eggs), killing them in the process in order to finish a certain level. You are to use these furious birds of varying sizes and features from each level which are placed in a slingshot to break the bad pigs defenses.

Aside from the game reaching to different digital equipments, it has become an icon that even retail merchandise has adopted these furry little creatures for advertising purposes. Bags, clothing, school items, cakes and pastries and everything that you can think of can be seen having pictures of this gaming icon.

I do wish that pac-man was also fully advertised when I was at a young age.

So, have you also been inflicted with this bird’s flu?

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Several protective measures against malaria have been assimilated yet these are not enough.

Insecticide treated bed nets and fumigation may have decreased the chances of contracting the disease yet people are waiting for a specific cure.

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a British drug-making company, comes close to diminishing malaria- infected cases with their recent research on the Malaria vaccine. The experimental vaccine was given to children ages 5 -17 months old so they can have protection against clinical and severe malaria. The vaccine reduced the risk of children catching malaria by 56 percent (clinical) and 47 percent (severe) after three doses made to 6,000 test subjects.

Researchers and global health experts still state that the vaccine is still less effective compared to other common vaccines against polio and measles.

RTS,S or Mosquirix is not yet a total cure for eradicating the mosquito-bourne infection, rather it serves as a prevention tool but much more effective than other control measures available.

RTS,S works by enhancing the body’s immune response to prevent infection caused by a parasite that is injected through the blood stream via the mosquito’s saliva. It targets the liver, matures and travels back to the host’s bloodstream to attack the red blood cells thereby causing fever, body pains and death.

Side effects like fever and swelling of injection site that are common to vaccines are still present.

The company and its researches are still waiting for data regarding their experiment with 6-12 week-old babies. The vaccine may be available in the market by 2015 if things go well.

The vaccine may be available soon but the challenge is to make it cheaper for the public thus having a cost-effective measure according to health experts.

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My mom used to watch Korea-novelas on TV. She hated it when TV commercials eat up more of the air time of her favorite show. But when an alternate viewing channel made it possible for her to watch her favorite show, never did she watch TV again but instead turn-on her laptop and browse to Youtube’s website.

 
You-tube did not only create a medium for us to watch our favorite videos from, but it also provided access for people like me to share personal videos to my friends and relatives abroad. Establishing lightning fast information across borders thus making everyone updated to the current events.

 
Google has yet made another leap as they launched a localized version of their Youtube channel in our country. The online video service aims to aid us in viewing relevant video sources from the local community.

 
This is the first localized version of the multimedia service ever to be launched in Southeast Asia. Subsequent incorporation of the said endeavor may follow and be offered to other parts of the world.

 
Along with the launch were two presidential channels to serve as a quick link for the Pinoy viewers and to keep them updated via this new form of mass media – a brave move for our government to be able to keep up with technological development.

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Initially, everyone would think it is a display problem. So replacing your monitor will resolve the issue. But since replacing your display device would incur you so much cost, you’d rather end up setting it all aside and go out and rent a PC on one of these internet cafes.

 
Before you walk out of your room and buy a replacement for your supposedly dead monitor why not test it further and see the real problem? Replacing it will not assure a resolution whereas isolating the problem may reduce your repair costs.

 
The following are steps you can do on your own:

1. Check your cables. Make sure that all the cables connecting your monitor to the power source and to your computer are properly connected or working in perfect condition. If you have a spare cable, have it replaced and see if it works out.
2. Test your monitor. Verify that all indicator Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lights turn on. Almost all computer monitors have their own led lights for you to check if it does switch on.
3. Have your system unit (CPU) checked for any loose hardware. Most of the time a loose hardware may cause your PC to halt as it starts. It is likely a feature installed in motherboards to prevent further damage to the rest of the system.
4. Failing hardware. Sometimes a defective hardware (computer part) may be at fault. Have it checked by a qualified computer technician and have it replaced at the soonest possible time. At this point your memory card (RAM) or video card (graphics card) may already be failing. Take note to also check all cooling fans if they are still working smoothly.

 
Always remember, when in doubt, have a qualified person assess the problem so proper advice can be relayed to you.

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Jobs is the co-founder of Apple Inc. and one of the greatest minds in the introduction and development of various computer products, particularly the creation and selling of the first line of personal computers. His contribution to Apple has led to the creation of Macintosh along with its new line of products which we still find up to this date. The “Mac” is the closest rival of Bill Gates’ “Microsoft” products when it comes to computer technologies and applications (particularly operating systems and personal computers).

 
Aside from co-founding Apple, Jobs also acquired Lucasfilm Ltd which eventually named as Disney Pixar in 1986. This is responsible for the conception of top grossing computer animated films like Finding Nemo and the Toy Story trilogy. Jobs had Disney’s largest individual share holder and at the same time, a member of the board of directors.

 
Jobs left Apple in 1985 and founded NeXT, a computer platform development company specializing in the higher-education and business markets. Apple’s purchase on NeXT has brought him back to the company he co-founded.

 
In his return to Apple, he marked certain achievements in the development of digital devices – the development of Mac OS (operating system) and introduction of the iMac (desktop PC). His governance as the company’s CEO has led to the forging of the iPod (multimedia device) and finally the iPhone which boasts the first ever mobile device to have a multi-touch screen feature.

 
His recent death in October 5, 2011 was due to his pancreatic cancer which he tried to keep a private matter even though the public has longed for the truth about Jobs’ health during the course of his keynote address on the Wordwide Developers Conference.

 
Jobs’ death has reflected so much of his work as an innovator and inventor of our time. His work has exceptionally changed our lives. His contributions to digital technology will forever be reminisced.

 
Let his life’s work be a challenge for all of us in enriching each others’ lives even in the simplest way possible.

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