Education, Linux and the BRIC

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year

Some interesting news this week from Russia, where a Linux pilot may 
see all Russian schools switching over to the open source by the end of the year.

The project will see three schools trying out Linux, in order to save cash and to limit the use of pirated software, and if the move is successful, reports claim that all schools in the country will switch to Linux and open source software by the end of the year.

Russia isn’t alone in developing economies in adopting Linux in the public sector – in fact it’s the last of the BRIC countries to give official support for Linux in the education sector. China, Brazil and India have all seen government support for Linux, particularly in education, since the middle of this decade.

Government support for Linux may not have made much of a dent in Microsoft’s share of the desktop space, with most counties still showing a continued preference for Windows. But by taking alternative operating systems into schools, a generation of students is being exposed to open source and is learning that there is an alternative to Windows.

There are lots of commercial reasons still to use Windows or Unix if needs be, but for the education sector, even with added incentives for schools and colleges that are offered by many of the big IT vendors to use their products, or include them in the curriculum, you have to go a long way to beat free software.

But of course, it raises the question, of why haven’t any governments in the Gulf shown the same level of support for open source as other emerging markets? There are quite a few projects at individual schools and colleges, but no initiative, that I know of, to favor open source. Perhaps with a tightening of belts and a growing focus on improving the standard of education in state institutions in the region, we might see a change in the situation. Aside from any consideration of 'vendor' preference, to ignore open source in education is to ignore computing skills for students, and takes up budget that could be spent elsewhere.

Nokia Asha 303 Price in India and Specifications Review

Till some time back only local Indian mobile companies were successfull in low cost mobile. Howeever now even Nokia has launched some of its low price smartphones in India. Nokia Asha 303 price in India at Rs. 7,800 has proven this point very rightly. Despite Nokia Asha 303 price being at low level, there is no compromise on features. In fact, Nokia Asha 303 features on certain applications are even better than its competitors in the market. Also to add more fun, Nokia Asha 303 features 3G as well 3.5G connectivity which will ensure its users have access to fast speed download from internet.

 Nokia Asha 303 price has been kept low keeping in mind demand for low cost smartphones in the market. Also this segment will bring highest growth rate in smartphones in coming period in Indian market. Usually people who have been using ultra cheap mobiles and also young professionals are main in this category.

Hence Nokia Asha 303 has both price and features matching the need of these people.

 Nokia Asha 303 features enables its customers to customise home screen by aligning location as well as style of icons. Also users can select icons which they want to keep and remove rest of them so as to maintain efficienct usage. For giving style to home screen of Nokia Asha 303, users can install screen savers and wall papers of their choice which can be from movies, games, celebrities. Another aspect which can be used to customise home screen is MP3 ringtones which can be either downloaded from net or songs from mobile can be set as ringtone.

Nokia Asha 303 price in India and specs are really attractive for its intended customers. Some of the important Nokia Asha 303 specifications are Nokia store which has huge collection of bollywood and other songs and games of different variety. All these will ensure enduring entertainment and fun to its customers anytime and anywhere without any high cost. Also users can install applications of their own choice to make it more personalised.

 In this way, Nokia Asha 303 price is highly justfied in Indian market. Also this smartphone is good buy for its target customers in the market.

Sony Launches SmartWatch: Android-Powered Wristwatch

Today, Sony launched SmartWatch MN2: a wristwatch-like device that allows owners to read text messages, social updates and emails, manage calls, as well as control music that is on an Android smartphone. It promotes easy access to those who prefer to keep their smartphones hidden in a pocket or bag.

The SmartWatch features a 1.3-inch OLED display. It has a selection of pre-loaded apps, including Facebook and Google Maps.In order to alert users for an event or an incoming call, the device simply vibrates.

The wristwatch is made out of aluminum and polished plastic and comes in a variety of colors such as blue, pink, and white. It also comes with a rubber wrist strap that comes in a standard black color.

In order to use the SmartWatch, it must first connect via Bluetooth to a device running Android 2.1 OS or higher.  According to Sony, the product's battery life last about 3 to 4 days under typical usage, and approximately 14 days under standby. In order to charge the device, a user can simply plug it in through a USB connection.

For $150, Android users can purchase the Sony SmartWatch on the company’s store and online marketplace. The wristwatch will be available through other retailers soon. Customers can purchase separate wrist band colors for $20 each.

Fire Hazard from Fire Filling Portable Gas Can In vehichle

• In incidents reported to NIOSH in the US, firesspontaneously ignited when workers or others attempted to fill portablegasoline containers (gas cans) in the backs of pickup trucks equipped withplastic bed liners or in cars with carpeted surfaces. Serious skin burns andother injuries resulted.

• These fires result from the buildup ofstatic electricity. The insulating effect of the bed liner or carpetprevents the static charged generated by gasoline flowing into the container orother sources from grounding. The discharge of this buildup to the groundedgasoline dispenser nozzle may cause a spark and ignite the gasoline.

• Both ungrounded metal (most hazardous) and plastic gascontainers have been involved in these incidents, a NIOSH Hazard ID said.

On Office Fire Prevention Strategies

Learn the location of fireescape routes and how to activate the fire alarm. Participate in practice firedrills on a regular basis. Become familiar with stairway exits - elevators maynot function during a fire, or may expose passengers to heat, gas and smoke.

Through a program of scheduled inspections, unsafe conditions can be recognizedand corrected before they lead to serious injuries. Take a few moments each dayto walk through your work area. Look for items previously pointed out, such asobjects protruding into walkways, file cabinets that are weighted toward thetop or frayed electrical cords. Advise personnel in the area of the hazards andset about correcting them.

Fire Understanding

The Phenomenon of Fire

Fire is the visible heat energy being released from rapid oxidation of afuel.  Something is
'on fire' when the exothermal release of heat from the oxidation reactionreaches visible light level.

Basically, combustion takes place within two modes-flaming andflameless. The flaming mode can be viewed as a tetrahedron, with each siderepresenting one of the four basic
components of flaming combusion: fuel, heat, oxygen and uninhibited chainreaction. Here the practical emphasis is on extinguishing an existingfire.

The classic fire triangle illustrates the flameless mode, the three legsrepresenting fuel, oxygen and heat. Air provides oxygen forcombustion. The heat required for ignition varies with the characteristicsof the fuel. Fuel is any substance that will sustain combusion after theinitial application of heat to start it. Here the practical emphasis is onpreventing a fire from starting by prohibiting the formation of thetriangle.