Sunday, April 26, 2009
Proposed Ammendment of Existing Ordinance Submitted
LA TRINIDAD NET CAFÉ’ ASSOCIATION, INC. (LTNCA, Inc)
#133 2nd Flr., 1993 Public Market Building
Km. 5 La Trinidad, Benguet
ORDINANCES COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
as Presented and Discussed during the Emergency Meeting
Held on March 27,2009 at the BSU- RSDC
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES
A. 2005 REVISED REVENUE CODE OF LTB
1. Article 4A. Mayor’s Permit Fee on Business. Sec. 4A.02 Imposition of Fees
Computer Shops:
a. Computer games/encoding/internet for first ten (10) sets or less 2,000.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 200.00
b. Computer services (encoding, internet) for first ten (10) sets or less 1,000.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 150.00
c. Computer services (encoding) for first ten (10) sets or less 500.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 50.00
Recommendation:
It is recommended for computer shops to have a single classification as “Computer Services”.
Mayor’s permit fee shall be BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL UNITS (units being rented out to clients) EXCEPT THE SERVER (unit used by owner/management to facilitate the business) with suggested rate as follows:
Mayor’s Permit First 10 operational units, except the server (11 units)P 1,000.00
For each set in excess of 11 units 50.00
Example: 14 operational units + 1 server = 15 units
Mayor’s Permit Fee P 1,200.00
For less than 10 operation units, Mayor’s Permit Fee
shall be computed at ………………………… 100/unit
Example: 6 operational units + 1 server = 7 units
Mayor’s Permit Fee P 600.00
It’s true that computer business have several possible services to offer. However, with the fast growing number of internet café’ and affordable internet connections, more and more now avail of residential connections and competition now came to a very tough situation wherein computer businesses struggle to survive. Moreover, having a single service to offer also is not an assurance of competitive livelihood in the industry, meaning no one would ever limit its services to a single or specific service such as encoding alone.
2. Article 6E. Charges for collection of garbage. A. Amusement Places
1. Amusement centers and establishments with coin-operated from every owner or operator of a business and other similar establishments with contrivances for the amusement. P 1,000.00
Recommendation:
It is recommended that computer shop shall be classified and separated from the #1 category, for the reason that computer operation actually offer more services than amusement, as Net/ Internet Café’
Garbage Fee Charge is based on the volume and kind/type of waste P 100.00
Computer operation indeed has waste generation which could be classified as follows:
Recyclables Papers, cartoons, plastic bottles, ink containers, busted computers
Residual Candy wrappers, Styrofoam, plastic bags, needles and the like
Biodegradable “Dust”, tissue papers, wet papers (if any)
From the above waste types, 90% of daily waste generations are recyclables and biodegradable. Residual waste accounts for only 10%. Actual volume, however, is very much less considering that most computer shops disallow eating in front of computers for safety, economic and sanitation reasons.
Further, any accredited association could be encouraged to have their Waste Management Program. Such that our association will be implementing an Operational Guidelines (Annex D: LTNCAI Proposed Guidelines: Article VI, Section A.4. Waste Management) that includes a Waste Management program in support to the Municipal Waste Management Program. Salient points include segregation of waste, precycling (reduction of waste), reuse, recycle and observance of appropriate date and time of waste disposal.
B. CODE OF ORDINANCES
1. DISTANCE OF COMPUTER SHOPS/NET CAFÉ’
Section 189. Billiard Halls (Annex A)
Article 1. No similar amusement center is to be constructed w/in 50 meters from any public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions.
Comment: Section 189 specifies for Billiards Hall
Recommendation:
With the present importance of internet access and anticipated bilateral connection/coordination of computer shops/net café’ with schools and all concerns, restricting distance of computer shops/ net café’ from public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions seems not realistic. It is recommended, however, to put more emphasis on how to regulate operation especially those within 50 meters adjacent to private or public educational institutions. On regulating operation within these 50 meters, an accredited association would be most helpful.
2. REGULATING CHILDREN EXPOSURE TO COMPUTER GAMES
Ordinance No.1 – 2003. La Trinidad Children’s Welfare Act
Sect 11. Control of Children’s exposure to commercial video and computer games
“NO PERSON BELOW EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE SHALL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY COMPUTER GAMES EXCEPT ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.”
Violation of this shall be penalized as follows:
1st Offense : P1,500 fine and suspension for a period of 30 days.
2nd Offense : P2,000 fine and suspension of operation for a period of 60 days
3rd Offense : P2,500 fine and revocation of business permit and subject for reconsideration
4th Offense : Permanent Closure
Recommendation:
With the uncontrolled growth of computer establishments, stiff competition is at hand and the need to give consideration of regulated gaming is justly recommended.
REGULATION
1. STUDENTS & OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH (OSY)
1.a. Student in uniform or person below 18 years old shall not be allowed in the computer shop during class hours unless the purpose for coming into the shop is to type or print or do research for their school requirements.
1.b. OSY ages 13 and above shall be allowed to play during school hours. OSY ages 12 and below shall only be allowed to play with parent or guardian consent.
2. GAMES:
2.a. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games on weekends, holidays, vacation/summer subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall be allowed to play until 5:30 PM only, unless with parents consent and/or accompanied by guardians.
Ø High school students are allowed to play until 7 pm only.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
2.b. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games during school days subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall not be allowed to play during lunch break but are allowed to play after class from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. However, playing shall be allowed if with parent or guardians’ consent.
Ø High school students are allowed to play during lunch break and after class from 4 to 7 pm.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
3. 24-HOUR OPERATION shall be limited to adult person (19 years old and above) only. Operator/owner shall be responsible and liable for the safety and conduct of his/her client during the period of operation. Further, shops or café’s operating 24 hours shall secure required permit from the LGU as it deems necessary.
4. MONITORING. The owner of the establishment/business or his/her staff shall regularly monitor the activities of the customer.
4.a. Logbook. Log book shall be provided for cafes’ and shops’ operating 24 hours. Such log book shall be used from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
5. CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION. The owner of the establishment/business shall strictly observe cleanliness and sanitation in his/her area.
Above recommended guidelines shall be carried in all Computer Associations’ Operational Guidelines if approved and considered. Further, the associations shall be mandated to help in the regulation and strict observance of above guidelines, if approved and considered, AMONG ITS MEMBERS.
It is also recommended that any accredited computer associations shall be given full authority and support to regulate their members. Further, associations be given authority to intercede and discipline their members in the implementation of penal provisions stipulated in the approved associations operational guidelines and to coordinate any violations, of any member that can no longer be handled by the association and of non-members to the concerned office (LGU) for appropriate action.
Example:
That our association shall be given authority intercede and support to implement the following penal provision to our members as initial action prior to implementation of existing penal provision stipulated in the existing ordinance as follows:
a) 1st Offense – Warning
b) 2nd Offense – Written Reprimand and a fine of 100.00. None payment of penalty means non-compliance and disrespect to existing association rules and regulation thus effect an automatic expulsion of membership.
c) 3rd Offense – Expulsion and Termination of Membership
d) 4th and Subsequent Offense – Further violation of Municipal Ordinance and other pertinent laws of expelled members shall be properly coordinated to the office concerned for their proper action. Close coordination shall be maintained to effect and ensure full implementation of penalty and/or appropriate action as stipulated in any applicable existing municipal ordinances.
Note: Violations by non-member shall be reported just the same by any member and/or the association to the office concerned for proper action.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION
CODE OF ORDINANCES: Section 188. Recreation Center (Annex A)
Article 1. Mayor’s Permit
No Mayor’s Permit, No Operation (For strict implementation)
Recommendation:
All associations and/or members shall report any violation of the above NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION.
PERMIT FEES: It is recommended that Permit Fees shall be computed prorated, specifically for those new businesses applying for business permit in the middle of the year. Penalties of late application for business permit shall only take effect if proven that a business has been operating for months prior to application of business permit.
2. CONDUCT OF RAIDS
Observations:
Ø Most raids conducted employ drastic moves that disadvantageous to both clients and shop owner.
Ø Raids conducted are not consistent among computer shops and for the whole La Trinidad.
Recommendation:
An SOP should be created involving the Local Police, Barangays, PTA, Computer Associations, DSWD, concerned NGO’s (if any) and the Municipal Gov’t of La Trinidad and shall be religiously observed during raid.
Example:
a. No costumers, regardless of age, shall be coerced or harassed during the raid.
b. Only the owner/employee shall be reprimanded during raids.
c. Civil rights should always be respected especially that any violation (if there would be) would not be regarded as brutal or murderous act.
d. Shops with ASSOCIATION STICKER (accredited) will just be noted of any violation and will be addressed to the association.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT DURING FILING OF BUSINESS PERMITS
Ø Accreditation by LTNCAI or any accredited computer association in La Trinidad prior to Business Permit application.
Basis: City of Marikina Ordinance No. 044 S. 2006 (Annex B)
4. HEALTH / MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT
Article 5G. Section 5G.01 item #2 dictates that employees and workers of business establishment who are required to secure the annual Health Certificate are food handlers, waitresses, hostesses, entertainers, etc.
Recommendation:
Based from above identified line of work required to secure Health Certificates, it is more on jobs or works involve in food preparation and with close contact to clients/costumers.
In computer operation, it’s very rare to have contact with clients because the business is self service. Possible close contact only happens during assistance, but rare, only to new net users.
It therefore strongly recommended that acquirement of Health/Medical Certificate be waved from the requirements for business permit for computer net café’ operators.
Other References:
Provincial Ordinance No. 08 – 130: An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines and Regulations of the Operation and Service of Internet Café’ and other Similar Establishments for the Protection of Children. (Annex C)
#133 2nd Flr., 1993 Public Market Building
Km. 5 La Trinidad, Benguet
ORDINANCES COMMENTS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
as Presented and Discussed during the Emergency Meeting
Held on March 27,2009 at the BSU- RSDC
MUNICIPAL ORDINANCES
A. 2005 REVISED REVENUE CODE OF LTB
1. Article 4A. Mayor’s Permit Fee on Business. Sec. 4A.02 Imposition of Fees
Computer Shops:
a. Computer games/encoding/internet for first ten (10) sets or less 2,000.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 200.00
b. Computer services (encoding, internet) for first ten (10) sets or less 1,000.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 150.00
c. Computer services (encoding) for first ten (10) sets or less 500.00
For each set in excess of 10 sets 50.00
Recommendation:
It is recommended for computer shops to have a single classification as “Computer Services”.
Mayor’s permit fee shall be BASED ON THE NUMBER OF OPERATIONAL UNITS (units being rented out to clients) EXCEPT THE SERVER (unit used by owner/management to facilitate the business) with suggested rate as follows:
Mayor’s Permit First 10 operational units, except the server (11 units)P 1,000.00
For each set in excess of 11 units 50.00
Example: 14 operational units + 1 server = 15 units
Mayor’s Permit Fee P 1,200.00
For less than 10 operation units, Mayor’s Permit Fee
shall be computed at ………………………… 100/unit
Example: 6 operational units + 1 server = 7 units
Mayor’s Permit Fee P 600.00
It’s true that computer business have several possible services to offer. However, with the fast growing number of internet café’ and affordable internet connections, more and more now avail of residential connections and competition now came to a very tough situation wherein computer businesses struggle to survive. Moreover, having a single service to offer also is not an assurance of competitive livelihood in the industry, meaning no one would ever limit its services to a single or specific service such as encoding alone.
2. Article 6E. Charges for collection of garbage. A. Amusement Places
1. Amusement centers and establishments with coin-operated from every owner or operator of a business and other similar establishments with contrivances for the amusement. P 1,000.00
Recommendation:
It is recommended that computer shop shall be classified and separated from the #1 category, for the reason that computer operation actually offer more services than amusement, as Net/ Internet Café’
Garbage Fee Charge is based on the volume and kind/type of waste P 100.00
Computer operation indeed has waste generation which could be classified as follows:
Recyclables Papers, cartoons, plastic bottles, ink containers, busted computers
Residual Candy wrappers, Styrofoam, plastic bags, needles and the like
Biodegradable “Dust”, tissue papers, wet papers (if any)
From the above waste types, 90% of daily waste generations are recyclables and biodegradable. Residual waste accounts for only 10%. Actual volume, however, is very much less considering that most computer shops disallow eating in front of computers for safety, economic and sanitation reasons.
Further, any accredited association could be encouraged to have their Waste Management Program. Such that our association will be implementing an Operational Guidelines (Annex D: LTNCAI Proposed Guidelines: Article VI, Section A.4. Waste Management) that includes a Waste Management program in support to the Municipal Waste Management Program. Salient points include segregation of waste, precycling (reduction of waste), reuse, recycle and observance of appropriate date and time of waste disposal.
B. CODE OF ORDINANCES
1. DISTANCE OF COMPUTER SHOPS/NET CAFÉ’
Section 189. Billiard Halls (Annex A)
Article 1. No similar amusement center is to be constructed w/in 50 meters from any public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions.
Comment: Section 189 specifies for Billiards Hall
Recommendation:
With the present importance of internet access and anticipated bilateral connection/coordination of computer shops/net café’ with schools and all concerns, restricting distance of computer shops/ net café’ from public office, building, plaza park or private or public educational institutions seems not realistic. It is recommended, however, to put more emphasis on how to regulate operation especially those within 50 meters adjacent to private or public educational institutions. On regulating operation within these 50 meters, an accredited association would be most helpful.
2. REGULATING CHILDREN EXPOSURE TO COMPUTER GAMES
Ordinance No.1 – 2003. La Trinidad Children’s Welfare Act
Sect 11. Control of Children’s exposure to commercial video and computer games
“NO PERSON BELOW EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE SHALL BE ALLOWED TO PLAY COMPUTER GAMES EXCEPT ON SATURDAYS AND SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS.”
Violation of this shall be penalized as follows:
1st Offense : P1,500 fine and suspension for a period of 30 days.
2nd Offense : P2,000 fine and suspension of operation for a period of 60 days
3rd Offense : P2,500 fine and revocation of business permit and subject for reconsideration
4th Offense : Permanent Closure
Recommendation:
With the uncontrolled growth of computer establishments, stiff competition is at hand and the need to give consideration of regulated gaming is justly recommended.
REGULATION
1. STUDENTS & OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH (OSY)
1.a. Student in uniform or person below 18 years old shall not be allowed in the computer shop during class hours unless the purpose for coming into the shop is to type or print or do research for their school requirements.
1.b. OSY ages 13 and above shall be allowed to play during school hours. OSY ages 12 and below shall only be allowed to play with parent or guardian consent.
2. GAMES:
2.a. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games on weekends, holidays, vacation/summer subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall be allowed to play until 5:30 PM only, unless with parents consent and/or accompanied by guardians.
Ø High school students are allowed to play until 7 pm only.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
2.b. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games during school days subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall not be allowed to play during lunch break but are allowed to play after class from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. However, playing shall be allowed if with parent or guardians’ consent.
Ø High school students are allowed to play during lunch break and after class from 4 to 7 pm.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
3. 24-HOUR OPERATION shall be limited to adult person (19 years old and above) only. Operator/owner shall be responsible and liable for the safety and conduct of his/her client during the period of operation. Further, shops or café’s operating 24 hours shall secure required permit from the LGU as it deems necessary.
4. MONITORING. The owner of the establishment/business or his/her staff shall regularly monitor the activities of the customer.
4.a. Logbook. Log book shall be provided for cafes’ and shops’ operating 24 hours. Such log book shall be used from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
5. CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION. The owner of the establishment/business shall strictly observe cleanliness and sanitation in his/her area.
Above recommended guidelines shall be carried in all Computer Associations’ Operational Guidelines if approved and considered. Further, the associations shall be mandated to help in the regulation and strict observance of above guidelines, if approved and considered, AMONG ITS MEMBERS.
It is also recommended that any accredited computer associations shall be given full authority and support to regulate their members. Further, associations be given authority to intercede and discipline their members in the implementation of penal provisions stipulated in the approved associations operational guidelines and to coordinate any violations, of any member that can no longer be handled by the association and of non-members to the concerned office (LGU) for appropriate action.
Example:
That our association shall be given authority intercede and support to implement the following penal provision to our members as initial action prior to implementation of existing penal provision stipulated in the existing ordinance as follows:
a) 1st Offense – Warning
b) 2nd Offense – Written Reprimand and a fine of 100.00. None payment of penalty means non-compliance and disrespect to existing association rules and regulation thus effect an automatic expulsion of membership.
c) 3rd Offense – Expulsion and Termination of Membership
d) 4th and Subsequent Offense – Further violation of Municipal Ordinance and other pertinent laws of expelled members shall be properly coordinated to the office concerned for their proper action. Close coordination shall be maintained to effect and ensure full implementation of penalty and/or appropriate action as stipulated in any applicable existing municipal ordinances.
Note: Violations by non-member shall be reported just the same by any member and/or the association to the office concerned for proper action.
B. RECOMMENDATIONS
1. NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION
CODE OF ORDINANCES: Section 188. Recreation Center (Annex A)
Article 1. Mayor’s Permit
No Mayor’s Permit, No Operation (For strict implementation)
Recommendation:
All associations and/or members shall report any violation of the above NO PERMIT, NO OPERATION.
PERMIT FEES: It is recommended that Permit Fees shall be computed prorated, specifically for those new businesses applying for business permit in the middle of the year. Penalties of late application for business permit shall only take effect if proven that a business has been operating for months prior to application of business permit.
2. CONDUCT OF RAIDS
Observations:
Ø Most raids conducted employ drastic moves that disadvantageous to both clients and shop owner.
Ø Raids conducted are not consistent among computer shops and for the whole La Trinidad.
Recommendation:
An SOP should be created involving the Local Police, Barangays, PTA, Computer Associations, DSWD, concerned NGO’s (if any) and the Municipal Gov’t of La Trinidad and shall be religiously observed during raid.
Example:
a. No costumers, regardless of age, shall be coerced or harassed during the raid.
b. Only the owner/employee shall be reprimanded during raids.
c. Civil rights should always be respected especially that any violation (if there would be) would not be regarded as brutal or murderous act.
d. Shops with ASSOCIATION STICKER (accredited) will just be noted of any violation and will be addressed to the association.
3. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENT DURING FILING OF BUSINESS PERMITS
Ø Accreditation by LTNCAI or any accredited computer association in La Trinidad prior to Business Permit application.
Basis: City of Marikina Ordinance No. 044 S. 2006 (Annex B)
4. HEALTH / MEDICAL CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENT
Article 5G. Section 5G.01 item #2 dictates that employees and workers of business establishment who are required to secure the annual Health Certificate are food handlers, waitresses, hostesses, entertainers, etc.
Recommendation:
Based from above identified line of work required to secure Health Certificates, it is more on jobs or works involve in food preparation and with close contact to clients/costumers.
In computer operation, it’s very rare to have contact with clients because the business is self service. Possible close contact only happens during assistance, but rare, only to new net users.
It therefore strongly recommended that acquirement of Health/Medical Certificate be waved from the requirements for business permit for computer net café’ operators.
Other References:
Provincial Ordinance No. 08 – 130: An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines and Regulations of the Operation and Service of Internet Café’ and other Similar Establishments for the Protection of Children. (Annex C)
Annex A. Refer to LTB Code of Ordinance
Annex B: City Ordinance of Marikina. Please refer to site below^^
http://mis.marikina.gov.ph/ordinancefiles/0442006.pdf
Annex C: Refer to Provincial Ordinance
Annex D
LA TRINIDAD NET CAFÉ’ ASSOCIATION, INC. (LTNCA, Inc)
#133 2nd Flr., 1993 Public Market Building
Km. 5 La Trinidad, Benguet
GENERAL OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
(Proposed)
ARTICLE I
Policy Declaration
LTNCA, Inc. shall implement a General Operational Guidelines to regulate operation of its registered members (Computer Rental Shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s, Computer Gaming Shops/Centers) in consonance with the Municipality of La Trinidad’s pertinent ordinances towards promotion of cleanliness, health and safety, improvement of public morals, recognition of children’s welfare, maintenance of peace and order, and preservation of comfort and convenience of stakeholders/community as well as promotion of healthy, competitive and stable computer business industry.
Article II
LEGAL BASIS
Ø Provincial Ordinance No. 08 – 130: An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines and Regulations of the Operation and Service of Internet Café’ and other Similar Establishments for the Protection of Children.
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. 1-2003 otherwise known as the La Trinidad Children’s Welfare Code.
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. C-001-96 (Chapter XIII, Section 188)
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. 53-98 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Article III
COVERAGE
The policy shall apply to all Computer Rental Shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s, Computer Gaming Shops/Centers operating within the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet who are member of the association as follows:
a) Any business establishment with more than one (1) computer unit, offering for a fee, services including but not limited to e-mail, game, chatting, surfing, research and other services which requires the use of computers and access to the internet.
b) Business establishments which offer a combination of services such as food and internet, recreation and other similar business fusions requiring the use of computers and access to the internet, such as cyber café, arcades, lounges and other similar establishments.
Article IV
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of these operational guidelines are the following:
a) Help the local government in the regulation of its members’ establishment, operation and maintenance computer shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s in the Municipality of La Trinidad.
b) To promote business operation of its members with recognition of children’s welfare and maintenance of peace and order.
c) To preserve the comfort and convenience of stakeholders and/or the community.
d) To promote a healthy, competitive and stable business industry maintaining stable local government revenue and livelihood.
e) To uphold, support and supplement existing laws related to computer, internet/net café’ operation.
Article V
DEFINITION OF TERMS
a) Person – refers to any natural or judicial entity.
b) Minor – refers to a person below 18 years old.
c) Adult – refers to any person with ages 19 and above.
d) Internet – refers to the worldwide system of computer networks in which a use at any one computer can directly get information from any other computer in the network.
e) Internet pornography – refers to the visual representation or images showing prohibited acts mentioned in Article VI Section C.
f) Webcam – refers to a video or digital camera, usually attached directly to a computer, designed to take photographs or images and transmit them over the internet.
g) LAN (Local Area Network) – refers to a group of computers with associated devices that share a common communication line and typically share resources and data within a small geographic area.
h) Pornographic site – refers to a website with display of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement.
i) Satanic site – refers to the sinister, devilish, wicked, evil and fiendish website on the internet.
j) Violent site – refers to a web site on the internet which downloads brutal, furious, vicious and forceful materials.
k) Surfing – refers to the act of exploring a sequence of web sites in a random or unplanned manner.
l) Closed cubicle – a small separate place with partition and door
Article VI
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
A) OPERATION
A.1. Computer Rental: Price rate per hour shall be at P20.00/ hour MINIMUM and P30.00/ hour MAXIMUM
A.2. Printing: Minimum charge for regular printing shall be P3.00 per page. Just and keen price discretion for small printouts, however, is encouraged.
A.3. Promotions: The use of OTHER PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES aside from the following is STRICTLY PROHIBITED:
a. 1ST 5 HOURS REGULAR RATE AT 20/HOUR (100), SUCCEEDING HOUR RATE COULD BE AS LOW AS 10/HOUR
b. PROMO IN KIND (hardcore/loyal costumers could be served with food, coffee, etc or could even be gifted with a PC depending on owners choice)
c. 50 PESOS FOR 3 STRAIGHT HOURS, less than 3 hours shall be charged with regular rate. Regular rate shall be charged for less than 3 hours after the first 3 hours. The rate of 50/3 hours could be used for 2 or more consecutive 3 straight hours.
d. “HAPPY HOURS” – a rate as low as 10/hour is allowed from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
e. MEMBERSHIP with IN-KIND BENEFIT – similar to promo in kind, the only difference is that promo is only given to registered members.
f. CARD: A promo of 1 hour max free is given to clients/members for every 10 hours consumed in a day, week, in a month, etc.
Note: DIRECT PROMOTION OF 15/HOUR is STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED. Any or all of the above promotional activities can be implemented, individually or simultaneously, provided such promo is appropriately posted for clients’ proper information. Promotional activities are not allowed to be posted outside the shop. Any new promotional ideas shall first be recommended for study, verification and approval prior to implementation.
A.4. Waste Management:
All members are enjoined to participate and observe the existing Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet, whereby everyone is to observe importantly but not limited the following:
a. Precycle (Reduce waste before it occur)) - to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging in all supplies, materials and equipment purchased
b. Reuse - The use of items and products that are re-usable as against those that are disposable is encouraged. Re-usable products and containers will result in less waste, help reduce the cost of managing solid wastes, and conserve materials and resources.
c. Recycle – operator may have their own storage area for their recyclables or bring their recyclables to the nearest junk shops or buy back outlets, preferably sorted.
d. Segregation of Waste – proper segregation of waste into recyclable, biodegradable and residual waste should be observed
e. Observance of appropriate schedule of biodegradable and residual waste disposal.
B) REGULATION
6. STUDENTS & OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH (OSY)
1.a. Student in uniform or person below 18 years old shall not be allowed in the computer shop during class hours unless the purpose for coming into the shop is to type or print or do research for their school requirements.
1.b. OSY ages 13 and above shall be allowed to play during school hours. OSY ages 12 and below shall only be allowed to play with parent or guardian consent.
7. GAMES:
2.a. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games on weekends, holidays, vacation/summer subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall be allowed to play until 5:30 PM only, unless with parents consent and/or accompanied by guardians.
Ø High school students are allowed to play until 7 pm only.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
2.b. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games during school days subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall not be allowed to play during lunch break but are allowed to play after class from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. However, playing shall be allowed if with parent or guardians’ consent.
Ø High school students are allowed to play during lunch break and after class from 4 to 7 pm.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
8. 24-HOUR OPERATION shall be limited to adult person (19 years old and above) only. Operator/owner shall be responsible and liable for the safety and conduct of his/her client during the period of operation. Further, shops or café’s operating 24 hours shall secure required permit from the LGU as it deems necessary.
9. MONITORING. The owner of the establishment/business or his/her staff shall regularly monitor the activities of the customer.
4.a. Logbook. Log book shall be provided for cafes’ and shops’ operating 24 hours. Such log book shall be used from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
10. CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION. The owner of the establishment/business shall strictly observe cleanliness and sanitation in his/her area.
C) PROHIBITIONS
The following acts are hereby prohibited among costumers inside internet cafes or computer gaming shops or centers.
1) Perform or exhibit in front of a digital camera, computer video camera, camera equipped mobile phones, webcam and the like, any of the following acts either for free or for consideration of promise or reward.
a. Actual or simulated sexual intercourse including genital-to-genital, oral – genital, or oral – anal whether between same or opposite sex.
b. Bestiality (sexual relations with an animal)
c. Masturbation
d. Sadistic or masochistic abuse
e. Use of vibrator or any instrument where genital, breast or pubic area of a person is exhibited.
f. Watching somebody performing activities from (a to e), or other activities which are of similar nature.
2) Surfing and viewing at websites which contain pornographic or lewd materials, satanic/violent materials is strictly prohibited.
3) Use, consume or trade prohibited drugs, intoxicating, liquor/beverages, cigarettes within the premises is prohibited.
4) Gamble on – line and/or between among costumers inside the premises is prohibited.
5) Closed cubicle with door are strictly prohibited
6) Entrance doors and windows should be transparent and must not be tinted or covered blinds.
7) In the case of students or minor age; the following acts are likewise prohibited:
a. Enter the premises wearing school uniform (except students who will be doing research work/school work during vacant/free school hours).
b. Enter the premises during school hours (except students who will be doing research work/school work in internet cafes or computer rental shops during vacant/free school hours).
8) Computer gaming shops or centers are strictly prohibited from allowing the entry of students during school hours except when accompanied by parents or guardians.
9) For both students and out-of-school of minor age, entry to the premises during curfew hours (from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM of the following day) is likewise pro9hibited except when accompanied by a parent or guardians.
D) PENAL PROVISIONS
Any member and/or operator/owner found violating this guideline shall be penalized as follows:
a) 1st Offense – Warning/Reprimand
b) 2nd Offense – Written Reprimand and a fine of 100.00. None payment of penalty means non-compliance and disrespect to existing association rules and regulation thus effect an automatic expulsion of membership.
c) 3rd Offense – Expulsion and Termination of Membership
Further violation of Municipal Ordinance and other pertinent laws of expelled members and non-members shall be properly coordinated to the Local Government Unit concerned for their proper action.
Article XII
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
If any clause, sentence, provision or section of these rules, including any appendices thereto, shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts thereof shall not be affected thereby.
AMENDMENTS & IMPLEMENTATION
This General Operational Guidelines maybe amended and/or modified from time to time by La Trinidad Net Café’ Association, Inc. (LTNCA, Inc.) and approval by the Local Government of La Trinidad for implementation.
Annex B: City Ordinance of Marikina. Please refer to site below^^
http://mis.marikina.gov.ph/ordinancefiles/0442006.pdf
Annex C: Refer to Provincial Ordinance
Annex D
LA TRINIDAD NET CAFÉ’ ASSOCIATION, INC. (LTNCA, Inc)
#133 2nd Flr., 1993 Public Market Building
Km. 5 La Trinidad, Benguet
GENERAL OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
(Proposed)
ARTICLE I
Policy Declaration
LTNCA, Inc. shall implement a General Operational Guidelines to regulate operation of its registered members (Computer Rental Shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s, Computer Gaming Shops/Centers) in consonance with the Municipality of La Trinidad’s pertinent ordinances towards promotion of cleanliness, health and safety, improvement of public morals, recognition of children’s welfare, maintenance of peace and order, and preservation of comfort and convenience of stakeholders/community as well as promotion of healthy, competitive and stable computer business industry.
Article II
LEGAL BASIS
Ø Provincial Ordinance No. 08 – 130: An Ordinance Prescribing Guidelines and Regulations of the Operation and Service of Internet Café’ and other Similar Establishments for the Protection of Children.
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. 1-2003 otherwise known as the La Trinidad Children’s Welfare Code.
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. C-001-96 (Chapter XIII, Section 188)
Ø Municipal Ordinance No. 53-98 otherwise known as the Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet.
Article III
COVERAGE
The policy shall apply to all Computer Rental Shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s, Computer Gaming Shops/Centers operating within the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet who are member of the association as follows:
a) Any business establishment with more than one (1) computer unit, offering for a fee, services including but not limited to e-mail, game, chatting, surfing, research and other services which requires the use of computers and access to the internet.
b) Business establishments which offer a combination of services such as food and internet, recreation and other similar business fusions requiring the use of computers and access to the internet, such as cyber café, arcades, lounges and other similar establishments.
Article IV
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of these operational guidelines are the following:
a) Help the local government in the regulation of its members’ establishment, operation and maintenance computer shops, Internet and/or Net Café’s in the Municipality of La Trinidad.
b) To promote business operation of its members with recognition of children’s welfare and maintenance of peace and order.
c) To preserve the comfort and convenience of stakeholders and/or the community.
d) To promote a healthy, competitive and stable business industry maintaining stable local government revenue and livelihood.
e) To uphold, support and supplement existing laws related to computer, internet/net café’ operation.
Article V
DEFINITION OF TERMS
a) Person – refers to any natural or judicial entity.
b) Minor – refers to a person below 18 years old.
c) Adult – refers to any person with ages 19 and above.
d) Internet – refers to the worldwide system of computer networks in which a use at any one computer can directly get information from any other computer in the network.
e) Internet pornography – refers to the visual representation or images showing prohibited acts mentioned in Article VI Section C.
f) Webcam – refers to a video or digital camera, usually attached directly to a computer, designed to take photographs or images and transmit them over the internet.
g) LAN (Local Area Network) – refers to a group of computers with associated devices that share a common communication line and typically share resources and data within a small geographic area.
h) Pornographic site – refers to a website with display of erotic behavior intended to cause sexual excitement.
i) Satanic site – refers to the sinister, devilish, wicked, evil and fiendish website on the internet.
j) Violent site – refers to a web site on the internet which downloads brutal, furious, vicious and forceful materials.
k) Surfing – refers to the act of exploring a sequence of web sites in a random or unplanned manner.
l) Closed cubicle – a small separate place with partition and door
Article VI
OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES
A) OPERATION
A.1. Computer Rental: Price rate per hour shall be at P20.00/ hour MINIMUM and P30.00/ hour MAXIMUM
A.2. Printing: Minimum charge for regular printing shall be P3.00 per page. Just and keen price discretion for small printouts, however, is encouraged.
A.3. Promotions: The use of OTHER PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES aside from the following is STRICTLY PROHIBITED:
a. 1ST 5 HOURS REGULAR RATE AT 20/HOUR (100), SUCCEEDING HOUR RATE COULD BE AS LOW AS 10/HOUR
b. PROMO IN KIND (hardcore/loyal costumers could be served with food, coffee, etc or could even be gifted with a PC depending on owners choice)
c. 50 PESOS FOR 3 STRAIGHT HOURS, less than 3 hours shall be charged with regular rate. Regular rate shall be charged for less than 3 hours after the first 3 hours. The rate of 50/3 hours could be used for 2 or more consecutive 3 straight hours.
d. “HAPPY HOURS” – a rate as low as 10/hour is allowed from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
e. MEMBERSHIP with IN-KIND BENEFIT – similar to promo in kind, the only difference is that promo is only given to registered members.
f. CARD: A promo of 1 hour max free is given to clients/members for every 10 hours consumed in a day, week, in a month, etc.
Note: DIRECT PROMOTION OF 15/HOUR is STRICTLY NOT ALLOWED. Any or all of the above promotional activities can be implemented, individually or simultaneously, provided such promo is appropriately posted for clients’ proper information. Promotional activities are not allowed to be posted outside the shop. Any new promotional ideas shall first be recommended for study, verification and approval prior to implementation.
A.4. Waste Management:
All members are enjoined to participate and observe the existing Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Ordinance of the Municipality of La Trinidad, Benguet, whereby everyone is to observe importantly but not limited the following:
a. Precycle (Reduce waste before it occur)) - to reduce the amount of unnecessary packaging in all supplies, materials and equipment purchased
b. Reuse - The use of items and products that are re-usable as against those that are disposable is encouraged. Re-usable products and containers will result in less waste, help reduce the cost of managing solid wastes, and conserve materials and resources.
c. Recycle – operator may have their own storage area for their recyclables or bring their recyclables to the nearest junk shops or buy back outlets, preferably sorted.
d. Segregation of Waste – proper segregation of waste into recyclable, biodegradable and residual waste should be observed
e. Observance of appropriate schedule of biodegradable and residual waste disposal.
B) REGULATION
6. STUDENTS & OUT OF SCHOOL YOUTH (OSY)
1.a. Student in uniform or person below 18 years old shall not be allowed in the computer shop during class hours unless the purpose for coming into the shop is to type or print or do research for their school requirements.
1.b. OSY ages 13 and above shall be allowed to play during school hours. OSY ages 12 and below shall only be allowed to play with parent or guardian consent.
7. GAMES:
2.a. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games on weekends, holidays, vacation/summer subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall be allowed to play until 5:30 PM only, unless with parents consent and/or accompanied by guardians.
Ø High school students are allowed to play until 7 pm only.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
2.b. Person below eighteen years of age shall be allowed to play computer games during school days subject to the following guidelines:
Ø Children below ten (10) years old shall not be allowed to play without prior consent from parent or guardian.
Ø Elementary pupils (ages 11 – 12) shall not be allowed to play during lunch break but are allowed to play after class from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm. However, playing shall be allowed if with parent or guardians’ consent.
Ø High school students are allowed to play during lunch break and after class from 4 to 7 pm.
Ø College students are allowed to play until 9 PM in the evening.
8. 24-HOUR OPERATION shall be limited to adult person (19 years old and above) only. Operator/owner shall be responsible and liable for the safety and conduct of his/her client during the period of operation. Further, shops or café’s operating 24 hours shall secure required permit from the LGU as it deems necessary.
9. MONITORING. The owner of the establishment/business or his/her staff shall regularly monitor the activities of the customer.
4.a. Logbook. Log book shall be provided for cafes’ and shops’ operating 24 hours. Such log book shall be used from 9:00 PM to 6:00 in the morning.
10. CLEANLINESS AND SANITATION. The owner of the establishment/business shall strictly observe cleanliness and sanitation in his/her area.
C) PROHIBITIONS
The following acts are hereby prohibited among costumers inside internet cafes or computer gaming shops or centers.
1) Perform or exhibit in front of a digital camera, computer video camera, camera equipped mobile phones, webcam and the like, any of the following acts either for free or for consideration of promise or reward.
a. Actual or simulated sexual intercourse including genital-to-genital, oral – genital, or oral – anal whether between same or opposite sex.
b. Bestiality (sexual relations with an animal)
c. Masturbation
d. Sadistic or masochistic abuse
e. Use of vibrator or any instrument where genital, breast or pubic area of a person is exhibited.
f. Watching somebody performing activities from (a to e), or other activities which are of similar nature.
2) Surfing and viewing at websites which contain pornographic or lewd materials, satanic/violent materials is strictly prohibited.
3) Use, consume or trade prohibited drugs, intoxicating, liquor/beverages, cigarettes within the premises is prohibited.
4) Gamble on – line and/or between among costumers inside the premises is prohibited.
5) Closed cubicle with door are strictly prohibited
6) Entrance doors and windows should be transparent and must not be tinted or covered blinds.
7) In the case of students or minor age; the following acts are likewise prohibited:
a. Enter the premises wearing school uniform (except students who will be doing research work/school work during vacant/free school hours).
b. Enter the premises during school hours (except students who will be doing research work/school work in internet cafes or computer rental shops during vacant/free school hours).
8) Computer gaming shops or centers are strictly prohibited from allowing the entry of students during school hours except when accompanied by parents or guardians.
9) For both students and out-of-school of minor age, entry to the premises during curfew hours (from 9:00 PM to 6:00 AM of the following day) is likewise pro9hibited except when accompanied by a parent or guardians.
D) PENAL PROVISIONS
Any member and/or operator/owner found violating this guideline shall be penalized as follows:
a) 1st Offense – Warning/Reprimand
b) 2nd Offense – Written Reprimand and a fine of 100.00. None payment of penalty means non-compliance and disrespect to existing association rules and regulation thus effect an automatic expulsion of membership.
c) 3rd Offense – Expulsion and Termination of Membership
Further violation of Municipal Ordinance and other pertinent laws of expelled members and non-members shall be properly coordinated to the Local Government Unit concerned for their proper action.
Article XII
SEPARABILITY CLAUSE
If any clause, sentence, provision or section of these rules, including any appendices thereto, shall be held invalid or unconstitutional, the remaining parts thereof shall not be affected thereby.
AMENDMENTS & IMPLEMENTATION
This General Operational Guidelines maybe amended and/or modified from time to time by La Trinidad Net Café’ Association, Inc. (LTNCA, Inc.) and approval by the Local Government of La Trinidad for implementation.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Autorun & New Folder.exe Virus Removal Tool
Virus Infections
This virus affects your system by
Disabling Task Manager
Disabling Registry Editor
Creates a startup entry to start upon system start and
Creates its own exe files in Shared Documents folder which appear like ordinary folders.
Disables Folder Options
Uses your 50% or more processor
You can see that the folders in Shared Documents have an exe extension If you have unchecked Hide extensions for known file types in Folder Options
Monday, April 20, 2009
Windows 7 Security Enhanced
Windows 7 makes remote connectivity to corporate networks seamless, protects data on thumb drives, and offers fewer user account control prompts to bug users compared to Vista, Microsoft said on Monday.
The software giant began an education blitz about the security features of the newest version of its operating system at the start of the RSA 2009 security conference.
Windows 7, which was released in public beta in January, will have 29 percent fewer user account control (UAC) prompts than Windows Vista has, and fewer prompts in general, according to Paul Cooke, director of Windows Client Enterprise Security.
"We've put users in control and allowed them the ability to tune the level of prompting" using a slider bar, he said in an interview.
Other new security features in Windows 7 are DirectAccess and BitLocker To Go.
DirectAccess offers remote workers the same level of seamless and secure connectivity as they have in the office. The system automatically creates a secure tunnel to the corporate network and workers don't have to manually substantiate a connection, Cooke said.
DirectAccess also allows IT administrators to patch systems whenever a remote worker is on the network, he said.
BitLocker To Go extends the data encryption features introduced in Vista to removable storage devices like USB thumb drives and flash drives. A password or a smart card with a digital certificate stored on it can be used to unlock the data. The devices can be used on any other Windows 7-based machine with the correct password. On XP and Vista machines the data on the drives can be read but not modified, Cooke said.
Smart-card provider Gemalto is offering multifactor authentication for Windows 7 for even more secure access to machines accessing the network, said Ray Wizbowski, director of marketing and communications at Gemalto. Now, a user can insert a card into a smart-card reader built into a laptop and either enter a personal identification number or use a fingerprint to access the data, he said.
Windows 7 also includes AppLocker technology that allows administrators to control the software that runs in the corporate network to ensure that only authorized scripts, installers, and dynamic load libraries are accessed. It also can be used to keep unlicensed software off machines, according to Cooke.
More information about Windows 7 security features are in posts on the Windows Security Blog and the Windows Blog.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
7 Reasons Why You Should Never Buy The Newest Computer Hardware
Having the fastest, newest computer is a wonderful feeling. Even coming home with the fastest, newest computer you can possibly afford is a great feeling too. A lot of times, its also a pretty stupid thing to do.
You see when you buy the newest in computer technology, it costs big bucks to be one of the first people using it. But before you go out and pay $4,100 for a 64GB USB drive, take a look at what some other people have paid in the past for the newest technology which is basically worthless today.
- $159,000 for a 1000 Word Memory of 12 Alphanumeric Characters
The Remington Univac - $9,995 for a 5MHZ Processor, 512KB of RAM and a 5MB Hard Drive
The Apple Lisa - $3,398 for 10MB of Storage and 70MS seek time
The X Comp Hard Disk - $3,300 for an 8 Color 13″ Display and 51KB Mini Disk Drive
The ISC Color Terminal - $46,500 for a 20MB Hard Drive and the RTE-IV Operating System
The HP 1000 Model 45 - $8,499 for a 20MHZ Processor and 2MB of RAM
The Tandy PC - $666 for 4Kb of RAM, a Built in Keyboard and 28 Amp Power Supplies
The Apple Micro Computer
Although these were all at the cutting edge of computer technology when they were released, they were all worth drastically less just a short while after they came out.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Trouble Free Windows
Written by Bien
So many threads about solving this and that in ULOP, caused by viruses and malwares, some people think operating a lanshop means you are normally going to have to contend with these problems daily.
here are a few simple steps to be "almost" problem free:
Before doing anything, unplug your LAN cable!!!
1. Install Windows, setting up your 2nd partition larger than the Priimary. (most of your programs will be installed on the 2nd).I seldom have a need to allot more than 15gig for my drive C.
2. After setting up Windows, make sure all shared folders are disabled or read only.
3. Disable Autoplay. How to do this...
5. On the taskbar tab, uncheck "Group similay icons", check "show quicklaunch"
6. Open My Computer, click Tools, click View tab, check show hidden files and uncheck the two hide options below it. Apply.
7. Right click My Computer, select Properties. Click the Advanced tab. under the Performance section, click Settings. In the Visual effects tab, check Adjust for Best Performance. Leave a check on "Use drop shadows..." (in case you want to use wall papers, and you don't want to have a nasty blue backgound for your icon labels). Apply
8. On the same page, change your virtual memory to a definite value (depending on physical memory and hdd free space, i personally set mine either to 1000 or 2000mb)
9. Install motherboard drivers
10. Install your applications that's constantly needing patches like games, antivirus (disable autoscan schedules), even your timer on the 2nd partition. Office apps may be installed on the C drive.
11. Update all applications and games
12. Now you can disable Windows autoupdate, and all notifications. disable firewall too for trouble free gaming. (all in the the control panel security)
13. Create a My Documents folder in the 2nd partition. change the path of your My Document folder on the desktop to this folder.
14. Change the autosave features paths of your office apps to the D:/My Documents folder.
15. Plug in your LAN cable. Setup your network, test it. Activate Windows (don't bother registering again).
16. Disable java updates through msconfig startup. it can be irritating. update only when truly necessary. (anyone knows how to install this on D drive?)
17. Lock your system files by using Steadystate, Deepfreeze, Returnil, or other softwares.
Now that your Windows is safe from any changes, when infected, a simple restart will get rid of any running virus in your system. any virus residing in your unprotected partition can easily be deleted manually, or be scanned by your antivirus after rebooting.
**** documents may be retrieved even during power interruptions since they are in the 2nd partition.
**** practice viewing flash drives by right clicking Start, then select Explore. double clicking a folder will activate any autorun virus (even with autoplay disabled). Make it your shop's policy to have your customers surrender all flash drives for virus checking. With practice, it will only take you a few seconds.
Note: will edit this post later if i left anything out. suggestions are welcome.^^
Can an Evaporative Air Cooler Be Used in a Café?
The hot days of summer are coming and many are thinking on how to save on electric bills especially those kilowatt-hours that an owner spends in cooling his cafe. During these days of stiff competition and rising cost of energy it is just proper to economize on power usage in order to bring a few more pesos to the bottom line of a cafe’s financial statement.
During the cooler rainy days, using electric to drive the heat away may do. But how about this coming summer, will low-wattage evaporative air coolers do the trick? Above are the pictures of some similar models of evaporative air coolers that are available in the local market but do not take your pick yet. Take time to read what has been written about the product especially about its applicability to Philippine weather conditions.
According to Wikipedia, evaporative coolers (also called swamp, desert, or air coolers) are devices that cool air through the simple evaporation of water. They differ from refrigeration or absorption air conditioning, which use vapor-compression or absorption refrigeration cycles. Evaporative cooling is especially well suited for climates where the air is hot and humidity is low. The installation and operating cost of an evaporative air cooler can be much lower than refrigerative air conditioning, often by as much eighty (80%) or so. With the apparent ease of installation (simply by plugging into an electrical outlet), lower first cost than air-conditioning unit and smaller power consumption, a café owner can be easily tempted to buy this equipment; however, the simple truth is that evaporative are coolers are not usable in the Philippines. Specifications by the manufacturers say that evaporative air coolers work best in hot and dry low-humidity areas (around 30% humidity or less), but they also work fairly well in moderate humidity (around 40–50%). Sad to say the Philippine weather during summer months is hot and humid with an average 80% humidity anywhere in the country.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Bandwidth Requirement of a Café
The bandwidth (expressed in kilobits per second or kbps) requirement of a café is always a favorite topic in forums of café owners. Questions like “How many PC units can I run if I subscribe to a regular Smart BRO account?” or “What kind of PLDT Business Plan should I subscribe to if I want to have 16 units in a café that I will open?” The specifications of the different DSL subscriptions cannot help because our Internet Service Providers (ISPs) always specify very high bandwidth per unit to be connected to them because they definitely want to earn more from their subscribers.
Many of the posted replies in different forums are also of little help because bandwidth usage varies from a café to another café. While opinions really vary according to one’s choice of internet speed that he wants to give to his customers, prudence dictates that a café owner must follow an industry standard that is neither cheap nor expensive. A hard and fast rule can be established based on experiences and current practices of the players in the industry. This should be especially useful for those who will open a café for the first time.At present, if you will ask the ISP representatives or look at their websites about the subject of this article, more often than not, you will be told that a residential of 384 kbps is good for one (1) computer unit only, the lowest bandwidth for a business plan of 1,500 kbps (1.5Mbps) is good for 3 to 5 units, and so on and so forth. If a café owner will follow these figures, he will definitely find his business losing on bandwidth expense alone.
But how much bandwidth should you really allocate per PC? Let me cite our experience from wayback when ISPs had only dial-up and ISDN connections to offer. Back then (about year 2000), we connect four (4) PCs to a 28.8 kbps dial-up internet service and eight (8) units to a 64 kbps ISDN connection. We did not yet have the bandwidth hungry YouTube and the music downloads that we have today so the 8 kbps per PC was sufficient.
Today when bandwidth is a bit cheaper and online games, audio and video downloading are happening all at the same time in cafés, the 8 kbps/PC will definitely not do anymore on the same showed that 64 kbps per PC unit should suffice. There’s a rider though, bandwidth manager should be in place.
Written by xicowner
Free Net Cafe Timer
Here's a free Cafe Timer made by a filipino and it is absolutely free for download...
http://www.4shared.com/file/88288668/55f04684/ULOP_Timer.html
client username= admin
password= ulop
server username= admin
password= admin
Test nyu mga bro.
5th Philippine Blogging Summit
The 5th Philippine Blogging Summit (iBlog5) will be on 09 May 2009 at the Malcolm Theater, UP College of Law, UP Diliman, from 8 am to 5 pm. Registration will still be FREE. Register NOW!
Also, help us spread the word about iBlog5 by linking to us in your blog or website.
This is the schedule for the day but it is still subject to revisions. Will update as soon as we finalize this.
Morning session: (some can be sponsored talk)
* 9:00 - 9:20 Blogging 101 (Micaela Rodriguez & sponsor slot)
* 9:30 - 9:50 Photo Blogging 101 (Faith Salazar and Fritz Tentativa)
* 10:00 - 10:15 Break
* 10:15 to 10:35 Video Blogging 101 (Azrael Coladilla)
* 10:45 - 11:05 Mobile Blogging 101 (sponsor slot)
* 11:15 - 11:35 Do’s and Don’ts of Blogging 101 (Benj Espina and Juned Sonido)
* 11:45 - 12:05 Blog Promotion & Traffic Generation Strategies 101 (Winston Almendras and Coy Caballes)
* 12:05 - 1:00 Lunch break
Afternoon session:
* 1:00 - 1:20 Legal issues in Blogging
* 1:30 - 2:30 Preparing Bloggers for the 2010 Elections
- COMELEC on Blogging & Bloggers (Dir. James Jimenez, COMELEC-EID Director)
- Citizen Journalism for the 2010 Elections (Oliver Robillo, NAMFREL Chairman - Davao City)
- The Bloggers Election Handbook project release (Janette Toral)
* 2:40 - 3:30 Blog Advertising Situation in the Philippines (Yehey and 2 sponsors)
* 3:30 - 3:45 Break
* 3:45 - 4:45 Blogging to the Next Level (Fitz Villafuerte
and Anton Diaz)
* 4:45 - 5:00 Raffle & Group picture taking
7:00 pm onwards After-Event Party (sponsored)
Also, help us spread the word about iBlog5 by linking to us in your blog or website.
This is the schedule for the day but it is still subject to revisions. Will update as soon as we finalize this.
Morning session: (some can be sponsored talk)
* 9:00 - 9:20 Blogging 101 (Micaela Rodriguez & sponsor slot)
* 9:30 - 9:50 Photo Blogging 101 (Faith Salazar and Fritz Tentativa)
* 10:00 - 10:15 Break
* 10:15 to 10:35 Video Blogging 101 (Azrael Coladilla)
* 10:45 - 11:05 Mobile Blogging 101 (sponsor slot)
* 11:15 - 11:35 Do’s and Don’ts of Blogging 101 (Benj Espina and Juned Sonido)
* 11:45 - 12:05 Blog Promotion & Traffic Generation Strategies 101 (Winston Almendras and Coy Caballes)
* 12:05 - 1:00 Lunch break
Afternoon session:
* 1:00 - 1:20 Legal issues in Blogging
* 1:30 - 2:30 Preparing Bloggers for the 2010 Elections
- COMELEC on Blogging & Bloggers (Dir. James Jimenez, COMELEC-EID Director)
- Citizen Journalism for the 2010 Elections (Oliver Robillo, NAMFREL Chairman - Davao City)
- The Bloggers Election Handbook project release (Janette Toral)
* 2:40 - 3:30 Blog Advertising Situation in the Philippines (Yehey and 2 sponsors)
* 3:30 - 3:45 Break
* 3:45 - 4:45 Blogging to the Next Level (Fitz Villafuerte
and Anton Diaz)
* 4:45 - 5:00 Raffle & Group picture taking
7:00 pm onwards After-Event Party (sponsored)
Congratulations!
We would like to congratulate Ms. Harriet N. Abyadang (LTNCAI Asst. Secretary) for passing the BAR exam.
from your LTNCAI Family
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Yahoo! Philippines kicks off 2009
Yesterday, the Yahoo! Philippines team presented some of their strategy and plans for 2009 in the country. In a cook-off style, General Manager Jojo Anonuevo outlined updates of Yahoo! Philippines’ progress:
- Yahoo! is committed to being the essential online starting point for consumers through its products Yahoo! Search, Mail, Messenger, Front Page, Mobile, and News, as consumer internet growth in the Philippines is growing; from one in five users today, to one in three users by 2010, according to IDC 2008. The Yahoo! network has captured 85% of all online consumers, and 95% of mobile web consumers in the country.
- In line with Yahoo!’s open strategy of opening up its assets to third party publishers, developers, and advertisers, the company yesterday launched SearchMonkey (developer.yahoo.com/searchmonkey), a product the allows sites’ search results to become more useful, engaging, and vibrant. To see samples of how SearchMonkey changes the online search experience for consumers, check out search results from Wikipedia, LinkedIn, Facebook, NBA, and others on www.yahoo.com.ph.
- Last year, Yahoo! Philippines and Level Up! Games announced the Yahoo! Advantage Program for Internet Cafes (yahoo.com.ph/icafe) to help grow their businesses. This year, Yahoo! has announced that they’ve acquired a network of over 5000 icafes in the Philippines, around 50% of the total number in the country, and are announcing Yahoo! Advantage 2.0. The second phase explores ways for icafe owners to develop consumer outreach and engagement, while continuing to introduce new incentives of the program.
- As search advertising is growing with an estimated online ad spend of $22 million dollars — $15 million on display advertising, and $7 million on search advertising, Yahoo! Philippines has announced a new, direct sales model to make it easier for advertisers and marketers to launch ad campaigns on Yahoo!. The sales team is led by Cris Concepcion, and has committed to creating more creative and effective advertising opportunities for marketers and advertisers in the current economic downturn. “Now is not the time to hold back,” Concepcion said about companies’ advertising efforts. “Now is the time to spend more, don’t spend less.”
Netcraft Jan 2009 survey shows a drop of 1M sites
According to Netcraft, their January 2009 survey showed an uncharacteristic drop of 1.23 Million active web sites. Could this be an indicator of the sad state of the world economy? Maybe. Considering that in better times Netcraft’s previous surveys always showed a healthy increase of 1M sites added per month.
Then again, it could just be Google cleaning up spam sites in its Blogger platform as they dropped 600,000 sites from their domain. That’s half of the 1.23 Million reported to be inactive already. Nice to see that Google is starting to clean up spam in their own backyard. I don’t know if they’ll allow people to re-register those blogspot subdomains again, but if they do, it would be a great opportunity for some SEO folks to snap up some sites with High Page Ranks.
Then again, it could just be Google cleaning up spam sites in its Blogger platform as they dropped 600,000 sites from their domain. That’s half of the 1.23 Million reported to be inactive already. Nice to see that Google is starting to clean up spam in their own backyard. I don’t know if they’ll allow people to re-register those blogspot subdomains again, but if they do, it would be a great opportunity for some SEO folks to snap up some sites with High Page Ranks.
What’s interesting to note is that Microsoft’s Internet Information Server has been losing market share previously earned from the Open Source Apache Web Server’s. Apache meanwhile gained a 1% or roughly 1.27 Million sites. That could be a more solid indicator of the performance of the dismal economy as companies switch to the free and open sourced Apache webserver over the paid IIS in order to save on cost.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Windows 7 Beta ready for Download
Microsoft made the beta version of Windows 7 available for download over the week-end. However, the deluge of people grabbing a copy overloaded the MS servers. Only 2.5 million activation keys were initially made available.
The download page are now back online and running normal. Here are the direct links to the downloadable ISO files.
These will work until the August 1, 2009 expiration.
Intel Core i7 is out, should you upgrade?
Intel launched what it claims to be the fastest processor in the planet, the Intel Core i7. It is first their new line of processors which are based on the Nehalem architecture (45nm).
Many hardware critics can only say nothing but praises for the Core i7 which is a breakthrough in computing technology. Intel showed that their Core i7 is at least 40% faster than their top of the line Core 2 Extreme processor (QX9770).
Hyper-Threading Technology is back
The Core i7 can utilize their own HT Technology which can be a great advantage for highly threaded applications and games. Multi-tasking would be a breeze as computing threads can be done in parallel. With its 4 cores, it can deliver 8-threaded performance.
Unfortunately, there’s not a whole lot of games that can optimize those 8 threads but they’re in talks with game developers to make use of the technology. However, games that utilize HT Technology (FarCry 2 was demoed) can give you a totally realistic experience when playing just as what the developers intended the game to be played.
Turbo Boost Technology
This technology automatically increases or decreases the processor’s frequency as needed. It can disable the 3 cores if not needed to save energy and can easily maximize their capability for CPU-intensive processes. No need to tweak the frequency on the BIOS settings just to get more juice out of your processors.
So should you upgrade your current machine?
Well do you need 4 cores or is your dual core good enough? I think changing the name to Core i7 is a marketing ploy so that buyers who would be asking for the most latest processor can be caught unaware that they’re already buying a quad core that they probably won’t need. Removing the word "Quad" on their branding can do that.
If you do a lot of 3D or video rendering then the Core i7 can really save you a LOT of time. If you think your current quad core is fast, the Core i7 is way much faster.
If you’re an extreme gamer and overclocker then you would probably want to get your hands on the fastest processor around. They removed the overspeed protection and has a native support for DDR3 1066MHz. *whistle*
Be prepared to pay top dollar for the Core i7 which is already available in the market:
Intel Core i7 920 2.66GHz - $284
Intel Core i7 940 2.93GHz - $562
Intel Core i7 965 3.2GHz Extreme Edition - $999
And pay some more for the select few of high-end motherboards that supports the Core i7. Not to mention the still-expensive DDR3 RAM chips and a PCI-E 2.0 graphics card.
Microsoft retires Encarta Encyclopedia
Looks like Wikipedia has finally killed the encyclopedia. Microsoft has just announced that their are discontinuing the Encarta service. On October 31, 2009, MSN Encarta Web sites worldwide will be discontinued, with the exception of Encarta Japan, which will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. Additionally, Microsoft will cease to sell Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products worldwide by June 2009.
The Encarta FAQ page points to more details:
Why are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?
Encarta has been a popular product around the world for many years. However, the category of traditional encyclopedias and reference material has changed. People today seek and consume information in considerably different ways than in years past. As part of Microsoft’s goal to deliver the most effective and engaging resources for today’s consumer, it has made the decision to exit the Encarta business.
Microsoft’s vision is that everyone around the world needs to have access to quality education, and we believe that we can use what we’ve learned and assets we’ve accrued with offerings like Encarta to develop future technology solutions. In doing so, we feel strongly that we are making the right investments that will help make our vision a reality.
When are these Encarta Web sites and software products being discontinued?
MSN Encarta worldwide (except Japan) will be discontinued on October 31, 2009. MSN Encarta Japan will be discontinued on December 31, 2009. After these specified dates, the Web sites will no longer be available.
Microsoft Student and Encarta Premium software products are also being discontinued. Microsoft will stop making them available for sale by June 2009.
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