Who's Who in Philippine Internet History

As I mentioned in our class today, your next online assignment would be something about the beginnings of the internet in the Philippines. Name at least three Filipinos who were key to getting the country wired to cyberspace and give a 3-5 sentence background information on them as well as their role in RP's internet development . For bonus point/s, include their current whereabouts (where are they connected now, what position, doing what, etc.).

Don't forget to cite your sources, both online and print materials. You can also provide links related to the people you will name.

Deadline is Friday, August 3, 6:00 pm.

This time, I do hope to see 28 comments posted.

Have fun reading about the local internet history!

Tips from Jermaine

Jermaine just sent this comment to the HSA 2007 post. I'm publishing it as a separate entry because then it would have a better chance of being read...

I just want to give some tips when using blogger in light of the problems that has stricken some of our classmates...
When submitting or publishing comments, please wait for the window to refresh and make sure that there is a message above saying that your comment has been saved etc...(don't know the message in verbatim but it should say that you have posted successfully).
There is a tendency that the message could be lost when you close the comment window while it is still saving while refreshing the page.
In addition, preview your work so that you would know if the window is working... it could be a good indicator if the site is working or bogged down. Be sure that you type the right word verification code.
It would be good if you post two comments of the same message just to be sure (hehe, i hope Ma'm wont be overwhelmed and be angered... hehe. :)).
I know it is quite simple but the simplest things are often forgranted.
Anyway, I hope this would help.

Thank you, Jermaine. Your concern and effort is very much appreciated (and don't worry, I might take that into consideration when computing your final grade :-) But I don't know about your suggestion to post the same comment twice! I certainly hope the class will refrain from doing that.

Now, don't miss your group assignment below.

Responsible blogging

Let's try the group comment system one more time. Please remember that the main purpose for doing this, aside from the lesson of course, is to make sure that everyone in class is properly initiated on the comment posting process. Please make sure this time that each member of your group is present when you post your comment. Let's save ourselves from the dilemna and the stress.

On to the lesson...

We ended our classroom lecture on being responsible online journalists. The US-based Society of Professional Journalists is proposing a Code of Ethics for Bloggers containing the following in general:

1. Be Honest and Fair - Bloggers should be honest and fair in gathering, reporting and interpreting information.

2. Minimize Harm - Ethical bloggers treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect.

3. Be Accountable - Bloggers should admit mistakes and correct them promptly; Explain each Web log's mission and invite dialogue with the public over its content and the bloggers's conduct.

QUESTION: What can your group add to this as a fourth item in the Code of Ethics?

Limit your answer to 100 words. Deadline: Friday, July 27, 7 pm.

HSA 2007

This week, we'll zero in on the "power of blogging" by tackling a specific issue that is of national interest.

As Filipino citizens and junior/senior students of the University of the Philippines Baguio, what are your thoughts on the Human Security Act of 2007 which took effect last Sunday, 15 July 2007?

If you are not familiar with this issue, please read about it and discuss it even with other people so you can have an informed opinion. A copy of the law is available at www.senate.gov.ph/republic_acts/ra%209372.pdf

Limit your comment to a maximum of 50 words . Deadline is Friday, 20 July 2007, 3:00 pm.

And don't forget to get your reading about bloggers in Zimbabwe at the photocopy center of the library.

See you in class on Tuesday!

RA 8792

I hope you enjoyed watching The Net yesterday. The movie depicts the extreme dangers and risks that the online revolution poses alongside the advantages and conveniences it offers. To address and minimize the negative impact of technological innovations, laws have been made to protect people and institutions. There are international laws as well as national ones that apply within country borders. Here in the Philippines, we have Republic Act 8792 (See http://www.dti.gov.ph/Laws.php?contentID=9 for a copy). And if you are seriously interested in this and want to know more, the IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) of the law can be found here: http://www.neda.gov.ph/references/RAs/IRR_RA8792.htm

I want you to (at least) browse through these. This is all I am asking you for this week's online assignment. I still owe you a classroom lecture/discussion on blogging and so I think you deserve a break from further writing assignments for now.

We won't meet on Tuesday, July 10. But I want you to meet your respective groups to discuss your blog proposal. Use the following as your guide:

1. Project: Group blog
2. The Concept: Title/theme; state the concept; What makes it unique? What will it cover? Why do readers need this blog?
3. Editorial Content: General topic/s; specific topics; sections; editorial objective and guidelines; Are there existing similar blogs?
4. Target Readers: Have clear demographics
5. Any advertising potential?

Have a rough draft ready when we meet again in class on the 17th. I'll make your proposals part of our discussion.

You all have a productive time away from the classroom ;-)