BOIKOT US STUFFS?

PIC: www.microsoft.com

How to surf the net without using Windows? Use Linux instead? What a joke. Stop work for a month in Starbucks and etc? How to survive in this economic downturn? Perhaps there are other ways to stop the killing. Be rationale!

ACT OF HATRED

Is this your beloved school? Why are there broken glasses in the Physics and Chemistry Labrotary? What really makes you unhappy with the school? A police report is made on this unpleasant incident. The second picture from top shows the old basketball court where the ex-Georgians sponsored RM26 000 to refurnish it.

TOO HARSH PENALTY
From July next year, seatbelt offenders will be fined RM 2,000 and a year jail term served. Then the jail will be a tin of sardine in the end. Don't just talk about rear seatbelt ruling. The law enforcers did not even check or fined on driver and co-driver without buckle up. Until now, only in news reminded rear passengers to buckle up while no frequent reminder from the ministry of transport during normal tv slots, radio, local newspaper or even campaign in the rural areas.

DILEMMA FOR THE TEACHERS

PIC: www.cartoonstock.com/directory/s/seat_belt.asp

I don't think drivers should be blamed for kids or students not wearing seatbelt when told. Parents should take up the fine and not the driver especially teachers unless the parents give their trust, support and authority to manage their child. It's a state of shame to put the blame on the driver where the responsibilities lie on the parents to educate their child about the safety and also showing a good model role.

Source: www.malaysianbar.org.my

Drivers to bear fine for offenders below 17

KUALA LUMPUR: If rear-seat passengers under the age of 17 are not buckled up, the car driver will be fined for the offence.Offenders above age 17, on the other hand, will be individually fined when the new law requiring rear-seat passengers to belt up comes into effect on Jan 1.

The new rules, contained in the amendments to the Motor Vehicles (Safety Seat Belt) Rules 1977, under the Road Transport Act 1987, requires rear-seat passengers to fasten up or face a maximum fine of RM300.
Government sources told the New Straits Times that those above the age of 17 are of legal age to possess a car driving licence and should be aware of the law.
Acting Transport Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal signed the papers to enforce the ruling yesterday. Shafie, who is Culture, Arts and Heritage Minister, is standing in for Transport Minister Datuk Seri Ong Tee Keat who is overseas.
It is also learnt that no action would be taken against the fourth rear passenger.
"Studies have shown that in most car accidents, only three or fewer number of rear passengers were involved.
"Also the government does not want to burden the poor who normally have only one car to travel and would pack their family into the back seat," said the source.
The amendments took into consideration most of the proposals submitted by the Road Safety Department as well as views from the police and Road Transport Department (RTD).
The transport minister is empowered to make any amendments to the rules at any time without referring to Parliament.
The maximum fine of RM300 is aimed at making it a deterrent to offenders.
Road Safety Department director-general Datuk Suret Singh yesterday confirmed the new rules, saying he would be announcing the details at a press conference on Tuesday.
"A study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research shows that about 40 to 50 per cent of deaths, serious injuries and minor injuries involving rear passengers can be avoided through this initiative," he said.
Federal Traffic Police chief Datuk Abdul Aziz Yusof said they were ready to enforce the new law once it took effect.
He said while the police would issue the summonses in accordance with the rules, the public should not fret over the amount.

The traffic police's current "early-bird payment scheme" will also come into play.

"If you pay the fine within one month, there will be a 50 per cent discount. If it is within two months, there will be a 30 per cent discount.
"If it is still not paid in the third month, a notice will be issued to the offender to appear in the Traffic Court. Failure to do so will later result in a warrant of arrest being issued."
The compulsory wearing of rear seat safety belts, starting from Jan 1, is expected to reduce death and injuries of rear passengers by up to 50 per cent.
Transport Ministry secretary-general Datuk Zakaria Bahari gave the optimistic figure based on a study by the Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research.
He said 350 deaths involving rear passengers were reported last year.
"In the same year, 700 unbuckled rear passengers suffered serious injuries and 2,100 minor injuries.
"The study shows that up to 50 per cent of fatalities and injuries can be avoided by buckling up," he said yesterday.
In this respect, Zakaria said the RTD would make it compulsory for all new vehicles to be equipped with rear seat belts.
However, private vehicles registered before Jan 1, 1995 were exempted from the ruling.
He said owners of vehicles registered after Jan 1, 1995, which did not have rear seat belts, were given three years to install them.
Zakaria also advised car owners to make early appointments, especially since Proton, Perodua and Honda were conducting free installation of rear seat belts.

Smartboard

SUPPORT SMARTBOARDS FOR ALL SCHOOLS

PIC: www2.smarttech.com/st/en-us/products

SMARTBOARDS is a way to go for educations. To name a few products produce by Smartboards are SMART document camera and interactive whiteboards. Click here for more information on the products offered.

Source: star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2008/12/24/technology/20081224125332&sec=technology

Smartboard to make inroads

KUALA LUMPUR: PENCILS and books in some classrooms have been replaced with lightweight individual computers and thanks to a Canadian company, students and teachers can say goodbye to the dusty blackboards and chalks too.

Smartboard, developed by Smart Technologies is set to replace the old ­blackboard and chalk teaching method.

The Smartboard looks like an ordinary whiteboard but is equipped with a projector hook and allows direct interaction with a computer.

According to Christopher Chong, regional director and general manager of Smart Technologies Asia Pacific, the Smartboard is used in many education institutions around the world and is a hit with pre-schoolers and secondary students alike.

“Based on our latest statistics, the Smartboard is now used in 700,000 ­classrooms and about 18 million students enjoy its benefits,” he told In.Tech recently.

Teaching tool

The Smartboard can be a great teaching tools for teachers to present any subject from science to history, Chong said.

“With the right software and presentation skills teachers can make these subjects more fun and engaging,” he said.

Chong added that as digital technology becomes part of our modern lives, students nowadays also expect to see more digital interactivity during lessons.

“They are used to getting information instantly off the Internet, which also allows them to be interactive in learning and sharing of opinions, so they expect the same kind of interactivity in classrooms as well,” Chong explained.

He added that teachers can do more things on the Smartboard than they could with a conventional blackboard and chalk method.

Ep-Tec Solutions Sdn Bhd general manager Loh Kwai Nam said teachers teaching ­geography can easily use Internet tools to pull up a map. Ep-Tec is the local distributor for the Smartboard.

“Teachers will not be able to get the exact map using the chalk and board method,” he said.

Loh added that biology need not be a messy subject with the board, especially when it comes to dissecting frogs.

Using the board’s built-in software, teachers can demonstrate how to dissect a frog without having the whole class cramped up in front of the teacher’s desk.

Education market Chong claimed that Smart Technologies owns 53% of the global interactive whiteboard market share and expects an increased sale in the tool with the growing number of schools opting for e-learning.

“More and more schools are equipped with projectors and computers these days and we see that as a driver for the sale of the Smartboard,” he said.

Loh added that the step to transform local national schools to smart schools will also augur well for the Smartboard take-up.

“It is seen as the next step in teaching tools,” he said.

However, the Smartboard is only at the proof-of-concept level in the country with about 300 schools in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia using the tool.

“We see an adoption of the tool but not at a massive scale yet,” he said adding that it would take about five years before the Smartboard can make its way into every Malaysian school.

Other targets

Although it had gained a strong foothold in the education sector, Smart Technologies plans to expand into other sectors as well. Its Smartboard has already made its way into news studio set-ups in the United States and even at meeting rooms in businesses locally. It also plans to make a versatile table top version of the Smartboard, which is due to be available in January.

“This table top version can be used for group activities for pre-schoolers and lower primary school students and even at ­military academies where it can be used to teach combat strategies and languages,” Chong said.

There have also been requests for the Smartboard from home users but Loh said Smart Technologies has not made any plans to enter the home user market yet.

“We see a market opportunity in parents who prefer their children to be home-schooled but we would like to focus on the larger education market first,” he said.

Semakan Dalam Talian ini disediakan untuk para pelajar lepasan UPSR bagi mengetahui status tawaran ke Sekolah Berasrama Penuh

Click here or the image above.

SHUFFLE DANCE LEAD TO SOCIAL ILLS AMONG YOUNGSTERS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN

PIC: www.onebrick.org/blog/uploaded_images/Cupid_Shuffle_photo_by_Mark-717480.jpg

Check out what is shuffle dance from YouTube . Shuffle dance is a popular dance among youngsters and school children nowadays. It's a worldwide phenomenon. But the shuffle dance spread to schools and being practiced by most of the students in the classes with or without the teacher's present. Students begin dancing in classes and not shy about their movement even though the teacher is in the class. They express themselves through dancing more than doing school work and pursuing education for better future. So I support the protest not only for Muslims but also to youngsters and school children.

Source: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/20/nation/2858736&sec=nation
No Muslims for I-Dance contest
GEORGE TOWN: The I-Dance street dancing competition starting today can go on, but without Muslim participants.
State PAS Youth chief Mohamed Hafiz Mohamed Nordin said the movement remained firm in its stand that the competition should be cancelled.
“We do not raise objections blindly. We had surfed I-Dance related websites and found elements like shuffle dancing that can lead to social ills among youngsters,” he said.
Mohamed Hafiz said this after leading more than 500 PAS members and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) representatives in a peaceful protest in front of Masjid Jamek Kampung Rawa in Sungai Pinang here yesterday.
Saying ‘no’ to dance: PAS members and NGO representatives holding up placards during a peaceful protest over the I-Dance street dancing competition in front of Masjid Jamek Kampung Rawa in Sungai Pinang Friday.
The event, supported by the state youth and sports committee, will be held at the New World Park today and Queensbay Mall on Dec 27.
Mohamed Hafiz assured that there will be no protest while the competition is being held, adding that they would “wait and see” before deciding on the next course of action.
He said they had sent two letters, dated Dec 4, to Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng and state Youth and Sports Committee chairman Lydia Ong Kok Fooi but there had been no response.
Ong, when contacted, said the matter was a non-issue since she had already given her explanation to the state PAS top leaders in a recent meeting.
“We have agreed to the condition that Muslim male and female participants are not allowed to mingle with each other during the competition,” she said.

NOISY NEIGHBOUR

Any laws available to discourage neighbours who make loud noises in the middle of the night? What should you do if your neighbours’ disturb your sleep at night? In America, children are pushed to bed at 9 o'clock at night. In Malaysia only selected parenting encourages their child to go to bed early. If your neighbours’ make some loud noises at midnight you can call the police if they are making it outside the house. If not, well endure.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TAUKE MEANT?

Pelanggan: Tauke ah... kasi taruh kuah rojak banyak banyak ah...

Tauke:Haiya.... ini macam taruh banyak banyak lu gila......

Malaysia's Proton sued by former Chinese partner

PIC: paultan.org/topics/proton-mpv-2009

Malaysia's Proton is being sued for 146 million dollars by China's Goldstar Heavy Industrial over the collapse of their joint venture plan to build vehicles in China, a report said Wednesday.
The Star daily said Goldstar had started legal action in Guangdong province, seeking about 1.0 billion yuan in compensation over the failed venture.
The two companies were to have produced vehicles in a plant in Dongguan province, but Proton reportedly said Goldstar failed to obtain a licence for the joint venture.
Goldstar's legal action contravenes "the agreed arbitration process", the Malaysian firm told the daily, adding that arbitration had been due to be held in Singapore in March.
The Star said Proton had instead signed an agreement to partner with another Chinese firm, Jinhua Youngman Automobile Manufacturing, with a goal of selling 30,000 units of its GEN-2 model in China.
Proton has been trying to develop export markets as it suffers a steep decline in market share in Malaysia, where it has been outgunned by imports in a newly deregulated environment.
The automaker was formed 25 years ago as part of an ambitious national industrialisation plan, but it has suffered from a reputation for poor quality and unimaginative models.

Source: news.my.msn.com/regional/article.aspx?cp-documentid=1841464

SAY NO TO INTERNET EXPLORER?

PIC: www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/ie/default.mspx

Internet Explorer 7 widely used than others explorer or vice-versa? Does Internet explorer vulnerable to viruses? Do you think Internet explorer 7 are user friendly? Any comment? What web browser do you use? Which browser would you recommend everyone to use?

Source: mt.m2day.org/2008/content/view/16089/84

Stop using Internet Explorer

In what is potentially the most widespread and serious threat in recent years to Internet security, users of all current versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer (IE) browser are vulnerable to having their computers hijacked because of a major flaw in the software.
Until the flaw is fixed, security experts are advising IE users to switch to another browser.As many as 10,000 sites have been compromised since last week to exploit the flaw, according to anti-virus software-maker Trend Micro.While Microsoft has detected attacks only against version 7 of IE, which is the most widely used edition, the company warned that other versions were also vulnerable.The flaw lets criminals commandeer victims' computers by tricking them into visiting websites tainted with malicious programming code. These sites serve up programmes that steal passwords for computer games, which can be sold for money on the black market.However, the security flaw is such that it could be "adopted by more financially-motivated criminals for more serious mayhem — that's a big fear right now," said Trend Micro security researcher Paul Ferguson yesterday.These so-called "zero-day" vulnerabilities are security holes that haven't been repaired by the software-makers.They are a gold mine for criminals because users have few ways to fight off attacks.Microsoft said that it was investigating the flaw and would consider fixing it through an emergency software patch outside of its normal monthly updates. - AP

I DON'T AGREE WITH YOU!

If Mathematics and Science are to teach in mother tongue in primary schools, continue the effort also in secondary schools. Do not switch from mother tongue then later to English! The students are going to suffer later on. MCA you will regret later. If you see the analysis and results from the national schools, a lot of students unable to cope up with lessons since the weak students were the only thrown from primary schools being taught in mother tongue and continue their secondary education in English. Do not destroy their future MCA!

Source: thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/12/14/nation/2805914&sec=nation

MCA wants Science, Maths to be taught in mother tongue in primary schools

KUALA LUMPUR: MCA is agreeable to English being used to teach Science and Mathematics — but only at secondary level. It wants the two subjects taught in the pupils’ mother tongues at primary level.
MCA vice-president Datuk Liow Tiong Lai said the party would, however, wait for the coming round-table discussion on the issue with the Education Ministry before commenting further.
“I hope all parties can come to an amicable solution and clear all doubts over the whole episode,” he told a press conference after witnessing Sony EMCS (M) Sdn Bhd handing over 38 LCD television sets to 19 government hospitals at Serdang Hospital near here yesterday.
He was asked to comment on MCA’s stand on the teaching of Science and Mathematics in English.
Liow declined to comment on the threat by Chinese educationist groups to protest against the use of English as a medium of instruction for the two subjects.
Recently, it was reported that Chinese educationist group Dong Jiao Zong was going to protest over the issue.
Of the 38 televisions donated by Sony, 17 were sent to 10 hospitals in Selangor, 11 to six hospitals in Penang, seven to two hospitals in the Federal Territory and three to a hospital in Kedah.
He commended Sony for sponsoring the television sets.

TAIPING PANORAMIC VIEW @ PANORAMA HOTEL

PIC: www.panoramataiping.com

The receipt above shows that I went to Panorama Hotel yesterday. The last time I went there was a few years ago when I am still studying. Good food especially the desert. Remember to try the ice-cream offered. If possible order only one for two persons to enjoy. You will definitly feeling full after the main course. Get hold of panorama view in Taiping Town. Panorama Hotel is situated at the town. Situated next to Panorama Hotel is TheStore. Enjoy shopping and staying. To get info about taiping there is an information centre just across the street (Taiping clock tower). If you hope to be a hotspot area, drive to Kamunting (about 2 km) where currently Taiping Sentral is a place where a lot of people hang out with friends and families. Taiping Lake Garden is not far away from Panorama Hotel. Before Tesco and Giant were built, TheStore along Cinema Road (Jalan Panggung Wayang) is where everyone shops. Don't be confused. There are 4 TheStore in Taiping. The oldest is next to Panorama Hotel (formerly known as Berkat and Fajar) before TheStore took over. Two are situated at Cinema Road while the newest is in Kamunting.

GREAT PROMOTIONS

PIC: www.eog.com.my/home.swf

The commercial from England Optical Group shows 90% discount on selected items. It is very worthy if buyers only fork out 10% of the original price. From my own assumption, buyers only have to pay RM 100 out of RM 1000 item. That is really great bargain!

MALAYSIA MEGA SALE CARNIVAL

PIC: www.malaysiamegasale.com.my/Malaysia%20Savings%20Sale%202008/Home.html

I wonder when is the Malaysia Year-End Sale? I expect an advertisement from the Tourism Board. For your information, Malaysia Savings Sale 2008 (previously known as Malaysia Year-End Sale) starts from 29 November 2008 to 4 January 2009. Malaysia Savings Sale? You can't save if you want to shop! The interest rates made low to encourage Malaysians to shop without knowing when Malaysia Savings Sale 2008. On the other hand, the low interest rates will not push me to spend, instead more work and less spending.

SKILLS OF WORD GAME

DORMITORY:When you rearrange the letters:DIRTY ROOM

PRESBYTERIAN:When you rearrange the letters:BEST IN PRAYER

ASTRONOMER:When you rearrange the letters:MOON STARER

DESPERATION: When you rearrange the letters:A ROPE ENDS IT

THE EYES:When you rearrange the letters:THEY SEE

GEORGE BUSH:When you rearrange the letters:HE BUGS GORE

THE MORSE CODE :When you rearrange the letters:HERE COME DOTS

SLOT MACHINES:When you rearrange the letters:CASH LOST IN ME

ELECTION RESULTS:When you rearrange the letters:LIES - LET'S RECOUNT

A DECIMAL POINT:When you rearrange the letters:IM A DOT IN PLACE

THE EARTHQUAKES:When you rearrange the letters:THAT QUEER SHAKE

ELEVEN PLUS TWO:When you rearrange the letters:TWELVE PLUS ONE

AND FOR THE GRAND FINALE:

MOTHER-IN-LAW:When you rearrange the letters:WOMAN HITLER

Source: Cikgu Zulkarnain
SMK Sacred Heart Sibu

EXTREME PRINCIPAL

A secondary school in Teluk Intan lay a principal who is tough. He starts the staff meeting on 1st December (usually other school will starts at the end of December) where some of the teachers were back at their hometown while others were invigilating and the rest meeting for marking SPM and STPM papers. All the ‘so called’ excuses of invigilating and marking papers are not accepted. If the principal receive any letter with 'mohon jasa baik ketua jabatan' from the Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia that means everything must get a final nod from the principal. In the end, all are no-no except going for staff meeting on 1st December. Those who did not turn up have to show their 'show cause letter'. This is not the way a leader should show. Only a great leader can create good teacher and student.

LOW WAGES

PIC: Guard House

Do you know how much a 'pengawal keselamatan' earns a month minus the uniform bought? How long do they work in a day? How many days off they will get? Most of them are retired soldiers. It is inadequate to feed themselves and their family if without the support of their pension. Who will take the blame if any break in happens? They sacrifice their time (at night without sleeping) and money (fuel to stroll the school which has a big compound and telephone bill to contact certain teacher or school administrator). Will you become a security guard in a school? I salute the work they are doing and I hope they will get better wages than now and their welfare well taken care of.

PROMOTING ROAD SAFETY THROUGH-OUT THE YEAR

Media should continue to play their role in promoting and educating motorist to practice safety via on the road not only during festive season where many road users will be on the road 'Balik Kampung' or buying festive goodies. Click here to view seatbelt rule.

RENEWABLE ENERGY

PIC: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cow_dung

I don't mean to spoil your appetite. All I wanted to highlight here is any animal dung especially animal farmers produced quite a number should obtained to make renewable energy. I am looking forward the help from government to subsidise converter to animal farmers so that they could convert the produced gas from animal dung to generate the electricity.

Source: www.iscowp.org/Nuggets/101%20Uses%20for%20Cow%20Dung.htm

and en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biofuel.