LAtest

Sony VAIO X

The thinnest, lightest, and most expensive netbook also lasts nearly 10 hours on a charge.

MALACAÑANG

MANILA

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 269

CREATING THE COMMISSION ON INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

WHEREAS, Section 24, Article ll (Declaration of Principles and State Policies) of the 1987 Constitution states that, "The State shall recognize the vital role of communication and information in nation-building.""

WHEREAS, an enabling legal, policy and institutional environment to develop, promote and advance information and communications technology (ICT) is a prerequisite for the continued growth of the Philippine economy, the competitiveness of local industries and firms, and the achievement of national development goals;

WHEREAS, the government recognizes that the development of ICT will have a higher chance of success and sustainability it is private sector-led, market-based and government-enabled;

WHEREAS, the Information Technology and Electronic Commerce Council (ITECC), created pursuant to Executive Order No. 264 dated July 12, 2000 and amended planning and policy advisory body on development, promotion and application of national ICT and e-commerce initiatives;

WHEREAS, the creation of Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) which will more effectively coordinate and implement national ICT programs, projects and other related initiatives is a priority of government, endorsed by ITECC, supported by the private sector and presently under consideration in Congress;

WHEREAS, as a transitory measure, the formation of a national body that is not merely advisory in nature, and which will have a more active role in streamlining, managing, coordination, and implementing the various ICT-related plans and policies of government, will immediately address the urgent need to harmonize and make the country’s approach to ICT development more coherent and efficient;

WHEREAS, to be effective and efficient, such a national body, headed by a Cabinet ranked official, must be equipped with strong and clearly defined powers, appropriate manpower and resources;

WHEREAS, the creation of such an empowered national body is broadly supported by the private sector, which is keen to work closely with government to encourage ICT-related business and investment, enhance the skills of the country’s workforce, pursue, meaningful legal and regulatory reform, continue to enhance the nation’s information infrastructure, and promote e-governance, consistent with Philippine goals to compete in the global ICT market

WHEREAS, Section 31, Chapter 10, Title lll of the 1987 Administrative Code provides the President with continuing authority to reorganize the bureaucracy;

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the power vested upon me by law, do hereby order:

Section 1. Creation. A new body to be known as the Commission on Information and Communications Technology, hereinafter referred to as the Commission, is hereby created, and attached to the Office of the President

Section 2. Mandate. The Commission shall be the primary policy, planning, coordinating, implementing, regulating, and administrative entity of the executive branch of Government that will promote, develop, and regulate integrated and strategic ICT systems and reliable and cost-efficient communication facilities and services. In fulfilling its mandate, the Commission shall be guided by the following policies:

1. To ensure the provision of strategic, reliable and cost-efficient information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure, systems, and resources as instruments for nation-building and global competitiveness;

   "Information and Communications Technology" (ICT) is defined as the totality of electronic means to collect, store, process and present information to end-users in support of their activities. It consists, among others, of computer systems, office systems and consumer electronics, as well as networked information infrastructure, the components of which include the telephone system, the Internet, fax machines and computers.

2. To ensure a policy and legal environment that will promote a level playing field, partnerships between the public and the private sectors, strategic alliances with foreign investors, balanced investments between high-growth and economically-depressed areas, and broader private sector participation in ICT development.
3. To foster and accelerate convergence of ICT facilities such as but not limited to the development of networks;
4. To ensure universal access and high-speed connectivity at fair and reasonable cost;
5. To ensure the provision of information and communication services in areas not adequately served by the private sector;
6. To foster the widespread use and application of emerging ICT;
7. To establish a strong and effective regulatory system that will ensure consumer protection and welfare and foster a healthy competitive environment;
8. To promote the development of ICT expertise in the country’s human capital to enable Filipinos to compete in a fast-evolving information and communication age;
9. To ensure the growth of the ICT industries;
10. To preserve the rights of individuals to privacy and confidentiality of their personal information;
11. To encourage the use of ICT in support of efforts for the development and promotion of the country’s arts and culture, history, education, public health and safety, and other socio-civic purposes;

Section 3. Composition. The Commission shall be composed of the National Computer Center, Telecommunications Office (TELOF), and all other operating units currently existing in the Department of Transportation and Communications, which directly support Communications, including the Telecommunications Policy and Planning Office. The National Telecommunications Commission and the Philippine Postal Corporation shall be attached to the Commission.

The Commission shall be headed by a Chairman with a Cabinet Rank. He shall be assisted by the Director-General of the National Computer Center (NCC), and the Chief of the Telecommunications Office (TELOF) who, in addition to their current responsibilities, shall concurrency serve as Commissioners, and shall perform such functions as may be assigned by the Chairman. In addition, he shall be assisted by two additional Commissioners as may be provided in the structure and staffing plan to be determined pursuant to Section 6 hereof.

Section 4. Composition. Powers and Functions. To carry out its mandate, the Commission shall exercise the following powers and functions:

1. Formulate and recommend national policies and guidelines that will promote ICT and the wider use of the internet and other cyberspace infrastructures and exchanges of universal application, in consultation with the private business sector, relevant civil society institutions, and other private and public entities, such as educational and training sectors;
2. Initiate, harmonize and coordinate all ICT plans to ensure their consistency with national objectives and goals;
3. Establish and administer comprehensive and integrated programs for ICT at the national, regional and local levels with due consideration to advances n convergence and other emerging technologies; and for this purpose, may call on any agency, corporation or organization, whether public or private, whose development programs in ICT are an integral part thereof, to participate and assist in the preparation and implementation of such programs;
4. Design, implement, and ensure the protection of an integrated government information and communications infrastructure development program that will coordinate all existing plans, programs, proposals, software and hardware inventory, and the installed systems and programs;
5. Provide an integrating framework and oversee the identification and prioritization of all e-government systems and applications as provided for in the Government Information Systems Plan; manage and/or administer the e-Government Fund, which shall be institutionalized and included in the proposed annual national budget;
6. Coordinate with concerned agencies, the generation of resources, both governmental and non-governmental, local, national and international, as may be appropriate in and for the development, marketing, growth and competitiveness of the Philippine ICT Industry;
7. Develop and implement, in coordination with concerned government agencies, a comprehensive ICT application capability in the national government and determine the personnel qualification and other standards essential to the integrated and effective development and operation of government information and communication infrastructure;
8. Encourage and establish guidelines for private sector funding of ICT projects for government agencies in order to fast-track said projects which provide reasonable cost-recovery mechanisms for the private sector, including but not limited to Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) mechanisms;
9. In coordination with the Department of Science and Technology, provide strategic direction to government research and development programs in ICT;
10. Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of ICT facilities in areas not adequately served by the private sector, in consultation with private business sector, civil society, and other private and public entities, such as educational and training sectors;
11. Establish and prescribe rules and regulations for the operation and maintenance of a nationwide postal system that shall include mail processing, delivery services, and money order services;
12. Administer and enforce all laws, standards, rules, and regulations governing ICT, and in coordination with the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) ensure the protection of ICT-related intellectual property rights;
13. In coordination with concerned agencies, ensure consumer protection and welfare, and protect the rights of consumer and business users to privacy, security and confidentiality;
14. Harmonize, synchronize and coordinate with appropriate agencies all ICT and e-commerce policies, plans and programs;
15. Assist the Department of Trade and Industry in carrying out its functions related to the promotion of trade and investment opportunities in ICT Services;
16. In coordination with concerned agencies, promote strategic partnership and alliances among between local and international ICT firms and institutions; R&D, educational and training institutions; and technology providers, developers and manufacturers, to speed up industry growth.
17. In coordination with concerned agencies, plan and/or implement such activities as maybe appropriate and/or necessary to enhance the competitiveness of Philippine workers, firms, and small to medium enterprises in the global ICT market.
18. In coordination with Department of Education, formulate policies and initiatives with respect to IT education and the development, promotion and application of ICT in education.
19. Perform such other powers and functions as may be prescribed by laws or as may be necessary, incidental or proper to its mandate or as may be assigned from time to time by the President.

Section 5. Agency Responsibilities. To carry out its mandate and objectives, the Commission shall be complemented by the appropriate agencies and/or offices of government. The Chairman is hereby given direct supervision and control over the following agencies and offices:

1. The National Computer Center (NCC) shall coordinate all-e-government initiatives and the implementation of government IT plans to facilitate better, more efficient, and more transparent service.
2. The Telecommunications Office (TELOF) shall support the development of an information infrastructure with the strategy and direction set by ITECC.
3. Other operating units currently existing in the Department of Transportation and Communications, which directly support Communications, including the Telecommunications Policy and Planning Office, shall be consolidated under the Office of the Chairman.

The Commission shall align its structure to be consistent with the strategic directions established by ITECC, specifically e-government, information infrastructure, legal and regulatory environment, human resource and business development.

The Commission shall also be supported by and coordinate with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), and the Philippine Postal Corporation (PPC), as may be appropriate for and consistent with this Order. The NTC shall not exercise any power, which will tend to influence or effect a review or an modification of the NTC’s quasi-judicial functions.

Section 6. Structure and Pattern. The Commission shall submit for approval to the Office of the President the organizational structure and staffing pattern of the Commission within sixty (60) days from the issuance of this Executive Order.

Section 7. Periodic Performance Evaluation. The Chairman is hereby required to formulate and enforce a system of measuring and evaluating periodically and objectively the performance of the Commission and to submit the same annually to the President.

Section 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. The Chairman shall promulgate and issue such rules, regulations and other issuances within 60 days from the approval of this Executive Order as may be necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the provisions of this Executive Order.

Section 9. Funding. To carry out the provisions of this Order, funds for the necessary expenses for the operations of the Commission, subject to existing accounting and auditing laws, and procedures.

Section 10. Transitory Provisions. In accomplishing the provisions herein prescribed, the following transitory provisions shall be complied with:

1. The NCC, TELOF and other units currently existing in DOTC, which directly support Communications, are hereby transferred to the Commission to ensure an effective and coordinated implementation of ICT policies, programs and projects.
2. All regular or permanent employees who shall be affected by this executive order shall not suffer my loss of seniority or rank or decrease in emoluments.

Section 11. Repealing Clause. All presidential acts, letters of instruction, executive orders, rules and regulations, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Executive Order, are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

Section 12. Effectivity. This Order shall take effect immediately.

DONE in the City of Manila, this 12th day of January, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand and Four.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) ALBERTO G. ROMULO

Executive Secretary

-L-A-P-T-O-P

"a laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use small enough to sit on one's lap"



History of Laptop Computers - History

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Left - Modern Laptop Today

It is a little hard to determine what was the first portable or laptop computer, the first portable computers did not look like the book-sized and folding laptops that we are familiar with today, however, they were both portable and lapable, and lead to the development of notebook style laptops. I have outlined several potential firsts below and how each qualifies, many of the off-site links provide good photos of the computers that will let you see the progression in design.

The First Laptop? Maybe
Designed in 1979 by a Briton, William Moggridge, for Grid Systems Corporation, the Grid Compass was one fifth the weight of any model equivalent in performance and was used by NASA on the space shuttle program in the early 1980's. A 340K byte bubble memory lap-top computer with die-cast magnesium case and folding electroluminescent graphics display screen.

Gavilan Computer As The First Laptop?

Manny Fernandez had the idea for a well-designed laptop for executives who were starting to use computer. Fernandez, who started Gavilan Computer, promoted his machines as the first "laptop" computers in May 1983. Many historians consider the Gavilan as the first fully functional laptop computer.

The First Laptop Computer - Osborne 1
The computer considered by most historians to be the first true portable computer was the Osborne 1. Adam Osborne, an ex-book publisher founded Osborne Computer and produced the Osborne 1 in 1981, a portable computer that weighed 24 pounds and cost $1795. The Osborne 1 came with a five-inch screen, modem port, two 5 1/4 floppy drives, a large collection of bundled software programs, and a battery pack. The short-lived computer company was never successful.

More History of Laptop Firsts

• Also released in 1981, was the Epson HX-20, a battery powered portable computer, with a 20-character by 4 line LCD display and a built-in printer.
• In January of 1982, Microsoft's Kazuhiko Nishi and Bill Gates begin discussions on designing a portable computer, based on using a new liquid crystal display or LCD screen. Kazuhiko Nishi later showed the prototype to Radio Shack who agree to manufacture the computer.
• In 1983, Radio Shack released the TRS-80 Model 100, a 4 lb. battery operated portable computer with a flat and more of a laptop design.
• In February 1984, IBM announced the IBM 5155 Portable Personal Computer.
• Three years later in 1986, Radio Shack released the improved and smaller TRS Model 200.
• In 1988, Compaq Computer introduces its first laptop PC with VGA graphics - the Compaq SLT/286.
• In 1989, NEC UltraLite was released, considered by some to be the first "notebook style" computer. It was a laptop size computer which weighed under 5 lbs. (second photo)
• In September 1989, Apple Computer released the first Macintosh Portable that later evolved into the Powerbook. (second photo)
• In 1989, Zenith Data Systems released the Zenith MinisPort, a 6-pound laptop computer. (more Zenith laptops)
• In October 1989, Compaq Computer released its first notebook PC, the Compaq LTE.
• In March 1991, Microsoft released the Microsoft BallPoint Mouse that used both mouse and trackball technology in a pointing device designed for laptop computers.
• In October 1991, Apple Computers released the Macintosh PowerBook 100, 140, and 170 - all notebook style laptops. (more on Powerbooks)
• In October 1992, IBM released its ThinkPad 700 laptop computer.
• In 1992, Intel and Microsoft release APM or the Advanced Power Management specification for laptop computers.
• In 1993, the first PDAs or Personal Digital Assistants are released. PDAs are pen-based hand-held computers.

LAptOp???

A laptop is a personal computer designed for mobile use small enough to sit on one's lap. A laptop integrates most of the typical components of a desktop computer, including a display, a keyboard, a pointing device (a touchpad, also known as a trackpad, and/or a pointing stick), speakers, and often including a battery, into a single small and light unit. The rechargeable batteryAC adapter and typically stores enough energy to run the laptop for two to three hours in its initial state, depending on the configuration and power management of the computer. (if present) is charged from an

Laptops are usually shaped like a large notebook with thicknesses between 0.7–1.5 inches (18–38 mm) and dimensions ranging from 10x8 inches (27x22cm, 13" display) to 15x11 inches (39x28cm, 17" display) and up. Modern laptops weigh 3 to 12 pounds (1.4 to 5.4 kg); older laptops were usually heavier. Most laptops are designed in the flip form factor to protect the screen and the keyboard when closed. Modern 'tablet' laptops have a complex joint between the keyboard housing and the display, permitting the display panel to twist and then lay flat on the keyboard housing. They usually have a touchscreen display and some include handwriting recognition or graphics drawing capability.

Laptops were originally considered to be "a small niche market" and were thought suitable mostly for "specialized field applications" such as "the military, the Internal Revenue Service, accountants and sales representatives". But today, there are already more laptops than desktops in businesses, and laptops are becoming obligatory for student use and more popular for general use. In 2008 more laptops than desktops were sold in the US and it has been predicted that the same milestone will be reached in the worldwide market as soon as late 2009.

Advantages

Laptop computers are portable and can be used in many locations. Shown here is former Mexican president Vicente Fox.
Portability is usually the first feature mentioned in any comparison of laptops versus desktop PCs.Portability means that a laptop can be used in many places—not only at home and at the office, but also during commuting and flights, in coffee shops, in lecture halls and libraries, at clients' location or at a meeting room, etc. The portability feature offers several distinct advantages:
Getting more done – Using a laptop in places where a desktop PC can't be used, and at times that would otherwise be wasted. For example, an office worker managing his e-mails during an hour-long commute by train, or a student doing her homework at the university coffee shop during a break between lectures.
Immediacy – Carrying a laptop means having instant access to various information, personal and work files. Immediacy allows better collaboration between coworkers or students, as a laptop can be flipped open to present a problem or a solution anytime, anywhere.
Up-to-date information – If a person has more than one desktop PC, a problem of synchronization arises: changes made on one computer are not automatically propagated to the others. There are ways to resolve this problem, including physical transfer of updated files (using a USB stick or CDs) or using synchronization software over the Internet. However, using a single laptop at both locations avoids the problem entirely, as the files exist in a single location and are always up-to-date.
Connectivity – A proliferation of Wi-Fi wireless networks and cellular broadband data services (HSDPA, EVDO and others) combined with a near-ubiquitous support by laptops means that a laptop can have easy Internet and local network connectivity while remaining mobile. Wi-Fi networks and laptop programs are especially widespread at university campuses.
Other advantages of laptops include:
Size – Laptops are smaller than standard PCs. This is beneficial when space is at a premium, for example in small apartments and student dorms. When not in use, a laptop can be closed and put away.
Ease of Access - Most laptops have doors on the underside that allow the user to access the memory, hard drive and other components, by simply fliping the laptop to access the doors. For desktops the user must usually access the backside of the computer, which is harder if it's in an area with little space.
Low power consumption – Laptops are several times more power-efficient than desktops. A typical laptop uses 20-90 W, compared to 100-800 W for desktops. This could be particularly beneficial for businesses (which run hundreds of personal computers, multiplying the potential savings) and homes where there is a computer running 24/7 (such as a home media server, print server, etc.)
Quiet – Laptops are often quieter than desktops, due both to the components (quieter, slower 2.5-inch hard drives) and to less heat production leading to use of fewer and slower cooling fans.
Battery – a charged laptop can run several hours in case of a power outage and is not affected by short power interruptions and brownouts. A desktop PC needs a UPS to handle short interruptions, brownouts and spikes; achieving on-battery time of more than 20–30 minutes for a desktop PC requires a large and expensive UPS.
All-in-One - designed to be portable, laptops have everything integrated in to the chassis. For desktops (excluding all-in-ones) this is divided into the desktop, keyboard, mouse, display, and optional peripherals such as speakers, and a webcam. This leads to lots of wiring. It can also lead to massive power consumption.