Thursday, March 4, 2010

Computer Viruses

By Kevin Chua

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Computer viruses have become more and more malicious. In fact, nowadays, with programming tools available off the net and in the stores, anyone could write a small computer program to create a virus. Originally, viruses were written to test loopholes in computer systems. As time went on, some smart hackers discovered that it could also be used to snoop into home users' personal computers and cause massive destruction to computers.It appears that there is no way anyone could stop viruses from being created. There are thousands of viruses (including varients) out there, and each day, someone somewhere is creating a virus.

As computer sers, we need to know how to avoid viruses from getting into our precious data.Invest in a good virus scanning and cleaning software. There are many brands in the market; some even offer free yearly updates, while others need annual subscriptions for updates. Get either one, and do ensure that the virus database is updated regularly (once a month, at least). Trying to save some cash by not updating could be the most foolish thing to do.The most important lesson to learn in this century is that viruses spread even more quickly through the internet. As such, it is vital that prior installing programs into our hard disks, we should have the program scanned by a virus scanner.

Also, be careful of the source of the download. Do not download from a website that you're suspicious of, or from an unknown website. Our e-mails are very vulnerable to attacks by Trojans. The trojans reveal themselves as e-mails from friends whom you know, but contain attachments that could wipe out your entire hard disk if you open the attachment. The safest bet is, if you see an attachment from your friend, check out the name of the attachment. If it ends in *.exe, or *.pif, or *.vbs, there's a high possibility that a virus is present in the attachment. Delete them immediately. The virus scanner will not be able to detect the virus if the database has not been updated.You need to borrow a disk from your friend? Be extra careful. Don't take things for granted; just because your best friend is trustworthy, it doesn't mean the disk is free from virus. Your friend might not even know that his own computer has been infected by virus. So, please scan your disks before you open the document.What happens if your computer has been infected, and your virus scanner has failed to detect it? Well, some viruses are more forgiving.

You might surf the website of the antivirus software vendor and try to see if there are ways to clean that virus. If there are, then you're lucky. Otherwise, you'll have no choice but to format the entire hard disk while losing all your data.How do we know if our computer has been infected by viruses? In most cases, you don't...until it's too late. Some viruses will give you symptoms of an infection. For example, if your computer slows down suddenly, or if you keep getting error messages, or if your screen displays some weird messages, then there's a possibility that you have a virus in there. You might want to take your computer to the shop to identify the problem. Not all these symptoms are caused solely by viruses. Some are probably due to hardware failure. Owning a computer is like owning a car. You've to be able to know the difference in performance.
9 Benefits of Multi-Media Learning Technology

By EP-Tec Solutions Sdn Bhd


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What is Multi-media?Multi-media training uses computer technology to immerse learners into training content. Text, graphics, illustrations, photographic images, animation, full-motion video, narration, music and sound effects are used to create an engaging learning environment that can train employees consistently, economically and with better learning and retention.How will Multi-media learning benefit your organization?

1. Reduced Learning TimeMulti-media courseware is an efficient way to deliver training content. Training content equivalent to a two-day traditional lecture can be delivered in as little as two hours using multi-media. More than 30 studies have found that multi-media training reduces learning time by 40 to 60 percent over traditional training methods. A major cost of training is the time employees are away from their work. Reduced training time means less time away from the job and lower training costs.

2. Instructional ConsistencyMulti-media training programs instruct learners with the same material, presented in the same manner, from learner to learner. Each learner will receive the same consistent, technically correct message. Computer-based courseware does not have bad days or tire out at the end of a long day. Training content is delivered in a consistent, reliable manner that does not change in quality from class to class, instructor to instructor, or one company location to another.

3. Flexible Training SchedulesMulti-media training allows the presentation of quality training to an entire workforce, including shift, temporary and part-time workers. This training is especially suited to companies with a high staff turnover or those growing at a rapid pace. Multi-media training is available in the workplace 24 hours a day, seven days a week and can be delivered at a time that benefits both the learner and the company.Multi-media training can be scheduled to fit employee or production schedules, eliminating production down-time. Flexible training delivery allows new employees to start training immediately, and existing employees to refresh their skills at any time. Employees will often take training courses before or after their normal shifts and management can make good use of unexpected quiet periods.Hundreds of thousands of training dollars are saved by organizations that invest in the development of on demand multi-media courseware.

4. Increased Retention Levels and MotivationMulti-media training allows the learner to be actively involved in the learning process. This interactivity reinforces the training content and helps the learner to retain the training message. Multi-media training enables the user to continually go back to it in order to reinforce messages rather than doing the training just once. The training itself can also be used as an ongoing reference tool.Multi-media training provides a level of responsive feedback and individual involvement that has proven to be highly motivating. Courseware allows learners to focus their attention on the training content, reducing the potential for distraction.Studies have shown that learners who listen to information will only recall 25% of that material. If they hear and see the material, they will remember 50%. However, learners who hear, see and interact with the material during the learning process will remember 75% of the material. Multi-media training allows learners to take greater control of their own learning process. Learners can move through courseware content at a comfortable pace.

5. Cater to Individual Learning StylesMulti-media training allows learners, who typically have different abilities and knowledge levels, to control the pace and direction of their training. As learners discover new areas of interest and accomplishment, they become seekers of knowledge, not just recipients of instruction. It is not practical to provide that level of customization in traditional classroom training.Traditional learning methods typically focus on one learning style at a time. By using graphics, audio, and interactive activities, multi-media training can fit a range of learning styles including visual, auditory and experiential. Multi-media training adapts itself to each student, provides realistic content and increases knowledge retention rates.

6. Testing of Learning ProficiencyMulti-media training programs use pre and post assessments as well as mastery and graded quizzes to demonstrate to the learner their level of proficiency in the training content. Quizzes help learners to know which areas they need to review. Tests can measure competency of the subject matter; computer-based testing allows for instant results to the learner; and data can be statistically analyzed as needed. Testing large numbers of employees can be done efficiently and cost effectively.

7. Low Cost Per StudentThe upfront investment in multi-media courseware development will give your organization substantial reduction in employee training costs and employee training time. Multi-media training has a low cost per learner with lower delivery costs because the primary costs are in courseware design and production. The costs of replication, distribution and course delivery, which are recurring costs in traditional training, are reduced or eliminated with multi-media training. The ongoing costs of training are substantially reduced, and the cost per learner goes down with each additional learner.

8. On-the-job Safety and HealthMulti-media training allows learners to study potentially dangerous topics without risk. Interactive content lets learners see the results of their actions and become skilled at proper methods and procedures while learning how to work safely at their job. Training your employees to do the job right reduces waste, increases productivity and prevents incidents.

9. Training RecordsA benefit of multi-media training is its ability to test and track the progress of the learner. Data such as the learner�s progress, time spent in the courseware, and test results can be tracked and monitored.Overcoming the challenges of efficiency and productivity in the office is easy and rewarding through multi-media learning. By implementing an on-demand learning program, everyone benefits from flexible learning schedules, increased morale and lower training costs. And the peace of mind you�ll gain by having a record of accountability is a bonus you won�t want to do without. Guide your organization in the right direction, and commit to learning something new every day!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010


Hari Kemerdekaan ke-51 disambut sederhana

MENARIK... Shafie Apdal (kanan) dan Ng Yen Yen (dua dari kanan) melihat logo Hari Kemerdekaan ke-51 yang dilancarkan di Kuala Lumpur, semalam.
KUALA LUMPUR 8 Ogos - Sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan yang ke-51 pada 31 Ogos ini akan diadakan secara sederhana selaras dengan langkah-langkah penjimatan oleh kerajaan yang melibatkan pemotongan peruntukan sebanyak RM20 juta.
Menteri Perpaduan, Kebudayaan, Kesenian dan Warisan, Datuk Seri Mohd. Shafie Apdal berkata, kerajaan memperuntukkan sebanyak RM20 juta untuk sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan pada tahun ini yang bertemakan Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan berbanding RM40 juta sebelum ini.
''Bagaimanapun semangat dan martabat sambutan ulang tahun kemerdekaan negara itu tetap dikekalkan,'' katanya pada sidang akhbar selepas menyempurnakan majlis pelancaran tema, logo dan lagu Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan di sini hari ini.
Antara aktiviti yang tidak adakan pada tahun ini ialah pertunjukan bunga api yang menjadi acara kemuncak pada setiap kali sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan.
Beliau memberitahu, sebanyak RM150,000 akan diperuntukkan kepada setiap negeri untuk menyambut Hari Kemerdekaan.
Turut hadir pada majlis itu ialah Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, Datuk Dr. Ng Yen Yen.
Dalam pada itu, Shafie memberitahu, acara kemuncak Hari Kemerdekaan 2008 akan berlangsung di Dataran Merdeka di sini yang melibatkan perbarisan dan perarakan kontinjen.
Katanya, selaras dengan tema Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan, pihaknya telah mengatur program supaya masjid di seluruh negara mengadakan khutbah bertemakan perpaduan ketika solat Jumaat manakala rumah ibadat agama lain mengadakan sembahyang khas ke arah perpaduan.
Menurut beliau, majlis bacaan yasin, tahlil dan doa selamat juga akan diadakan di Masjid Negara menjelang 31 Ogos dengan dihadiri Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abidin dan Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Nur Zahirah.
Perayaan Ambang Merdeka pula katanya, akan diadakan pada 30 Ogos di Dataran Merdeka dengan dihadiri oleh Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi sementara Timbalan Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak akan berada di Menara Berkembar Petronas (KLCC) dan di Bukit Bintang pula oleh Menteri Perumahan dan Kerajaan Tempatan, Datuk Seri Ong Ka Chuan.
''Upacara penutup sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan yang sepatutnya diadakan di Kota Kinabalu, Sabah pada 16 September ini telah ditunda kepada 18 Oktober disebabkan umat Islam masih menjalani ibadah puasa ketika itu,'' katanya.
Shafie berkata, Perdana Menteri juga akan melancarkan Larian Perpaduan di Dataran Merdeka pada 17 Ogos ini yang melibatkan kira-kira 15,000 peserta.
Sementara itu, pencipta lagu, Datuk Suhaimi Mohd. Zain (Pak Ngah) yang mencipta lagu Perpaduan Teras Kejayaan berjaya memenangi hadiah wang tunai RM10,000 manakala penulis lirik, Lokgha atau Lokman Ghani menerima RM5,000 manakala pertandingan mencipta logo dimenangi oleh Anuar Dan.
Multimedia

Multimedia is the newest way of communicating ideas by means of digital interface. With the purpose of communication, various technologies let visual and audio media to get combined in innovative ways.
Since every PC comprises CD-ROM or DVD drive, a good sound and a video card, it is therefore competent of multimedia. It is more than one simultaneous presentation medium, on CD-ROM or a Web site.
It is employed characteristically to denote the combination of text, sound, and motion video, art and animation with links and tools that allow the professor/novice to find the way, correlate, and to be in touch with the computer.
When you allow the user to manage and whilst these elements are delivered, it is interactive multimedia. When you give a structure of associated elements through which the learner can navigate, interactive multimedia turns out to be hypermedia.
In addition to traditional media—text and graphics, computer information can also be exemplified through audio, graphics, image, video and animation.
Multimedia represents a number of dedicated media appliances, such as-- digital video recorders, interactive television, MP3 players, advanced wireless devices and public video displays. Multimedia also refers to operate the electronic media on the way to stockpile and experience the content of multimedia.
In India this Technology is in the initial stage of the development. It is used for educative purpose—• In advertising media for creating the effective animations• In creating marketing aids for the promotional purposes and also for Kiosk presentation • And for CBT (Computer Based Training) Presentations.
The major applications of Multimedia are --• To produce the Computer Based Training• With sound and movie files, build interactive web contents.• For marketing and promotional aids, create Multimedia presentation.• To craft informative Kiosk and so on.
Non-linear content (also known as hypermedia content) presents customer interactivity to manage the progress as used with a computer game or used in self-paced computer based training.
Today, Multimedia educational computing is one of the highest growing markets in the world. Instead of restricting you to the linear arrangement of text, Multimedia, by conferring words with a new facet, formulates the reading dynamic.
Multimedia is largely divided into linear and non-linear categories. Without any navigation control for the viewer, linear active content make the headway. For example-- Cinema presentation.media
Using correct and helpful vocabulary in multimedia

Anne Kellerman

One thing we try to teach in our multimedia classes is a consistent and correct set of vocabulary to use when talking about or describing multimedia. Although our set may not be a set others accept as standard or even defacto standard, at least we try to be both useful and consistent. For example, we first define multimedia as using multiple media and adding interactivity. If you just have a couple of media like audio and text without interactivity, then you have multiple media but not multimedia. As another example we recently had a student who answered a question with, "The media allows you to view different graphics of the objects and click on hot spots to see more pictures and read information." While we could possibly guess what the student meant, the answer was not acceptable. The student used media incorrectly when, in this case, he meant multimedia. While many people call pictures graphics, we distinguish between graphics, which are lines and circles and stored as equations, and images, which are stored as pixels. We do allow students to call both, pictures, but not call images graphics when they mean images and not call both generically graphics. The use of 'hot spots" is ok. However, the reader is to be warned that there is no acceptable de facto definition that relates to multimedia. If you go to Wise Geek, a hot spot is, "any public are where computers have been fitted with wireless network technology can gain access to the Internet." A geologist would tell you that it relates to mantle plumes and a tourist agent would tell you that it refers to great places to be sure and visit. There is even confusion in whether hot spot is two words or one word. Intolerable vocabulary in multimedia is random use of lower case,b, and upper case B with numbers. Our convention, which is widely accepted although unfortunately not widely used especially by students and copy editors, is lower case b means bits and upper case B means Bytes. The difference is a factor of 8. Illustrious magazines such as EE Times, Videomaker, and even Science News are guilty of occasionally making grievous errors using the wrong case of this letter. We routinely bring these examples to our students' attention with hopes of inspiring them to not do the same. Even more potential vocabulary mis-use is using Kilo, Mega, Giga, Tera, and Peta words in conjunction with numbers. A common multimedia question could be to determine the number of seconds needed to transmit 8 Terabits over a 2 Gigabit/second link. Unfortunately, not even the teacher remembers that Tera over Giga is Kilo. The answer to this dilemma which we encourage our students to do is to not use these vocabulary words but instead to write numbers using the E notation.
The copyright of the article Using correct and helpful vocabulary in multimedia in Multimedia Education is owned by Anne Kellerman. Permission to republish Using correct and helpful vocabulary in multimedia in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.Read more at Suite101: Using correct and helpful vocabulary in multimedia http://www.suite101.com/article.cfm/multimedia_education/118790#ixzz0hARaOvkK
Okay, Do Chelsea Want To Win The League At All?

Ronaldo gone. Vidic and Ferdinand barely played. Van der Sar missed months. Even our second string defenders missed several weeks. Hargreaves still not back. Foster proved to be mentally weak for this level. Nani's not improving, Anderson got involved in a disciplinary issue with Fergie and now he'll miss the rest of the season due to injury. We could hardly have had more problems and in all honesty, a supposedly resurgent Chelsea team which had little injury problems compared to ours, should be over the hill and far away now. Yet they are, with 10 games to go, only one point clear at the top after losing 4-2 to a very average Manchester City side today.Does anyone want this Premier League trophy? At times we seemed disinterested but then again, the very fact we're hanging in there despite all the crippling troubles is an evidence in itself that we desire that fourth successive title. What's wrong with Chelsea, then? How come they just can't put any daylight between us (and Arsenal who always batter the league's lesser lights).I would suggest that they are just simply not as good as they are supposed to be, they're not all they're cracked up to be. True, though, that even the most optimistic United fan would have expected them to be more consistent than this... long may their wobbles continue! They might be bad enough to allow us to sneak back in.
Six Of The Best United Games Of The Decade
Yes, I know fully well that as the first decade started with the year 1, 2010 is actually the last year of the current decade. However, that's only maths: in practical usage we always talk about the sixties, seventies etc. - and 1970 is not the last year of the sixties.So, this is the last day of the decade and before I would find my way to a party tonight I'll put up my favourite United games of the period between 2000-2009, in strictly chronological order. Remember, it's not a definitive list: these are my favourite games, I do not claim that these were the best United performances of the decade.
1.Manchester United 6-1 Arsenal, 25 February 2001
What a weird game this was. Arsenal, 13 points adrift of the Manchester United machine, fielded a back four which looked quite bizarre for a team that was supposed to be title contender: Grimandi, Luzhny, Stepanovs, Cole. And they were cut to shreds by a ruthless United side. But what is often forgotten is that though Yorke put us ahead in the 2nd minute, Arsenal actually responded well and deserved to equalise at the end of the first 15 minutes. They did not play badly up to that point.But the goal woke up the beast and Yorke sprang to life again: within 7 minutes he completed his hat-trick, cruelly exposing the extreme gaps in Arsenal's makeshift back four. It was clear that United would not let the gooners back into the game again: Roy Keane, not for the first nor the last time, totally dominated Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour looked every bit the crude butcher he was and not at all a footballer. It was 5-1 at the break and only United's contentment spared them from the embarassment of losing by double figures. The gulf in class was way too obvious and we as good as won the league that day.
2.Newcastle United 2-6 Manchester United, 12 April, 2003
In the light of Newcastle's recent ordeals it is somewhat difficult to recall them being serious contenders. But they were: with a win on this April Saturday they would have been only three points behind ourselves and Arsenal, with an Arsenal v Manchester United game coming up. As United were given a harsh lesson in Madrid in midweek Newcastle had plenty of reasons for confidence and their optimism seemed justified when Jenas' thunderbolt put them ahead after only 20 minutes.However, United were not to be thwarted that day. Those last few weeks of 2002/03 represented the last hurrah of the Treble side: Nicky Butt, Ole Solskjaer, Paul Scholes, Roy Keane and Ryan Giggs all excelled and even the increasingly marginalised David Beckham played his part though he sat out this game on the bench. But we were deadly without him: Solskjaer equalised with half an hour gone, turning in a Giggs cross and five minutes later we were two goals ahead, thanks to the majestic Paul Scholes who enjoyed the best season of his life. In the second half he completed his hat-trick and though Forlan missed about five glorious chances after coming on as a substitute, we could afford to chuckle indulgently. This afternoon was perfect and the message to Arsenal was clear: we want our trophy back.
3.Manchester United 4-3 Real Madrid, 23 April 2003
Yes, we were eliminated; yes, we could not cope with Ronaldo; yes, there were better United performances in the Champions League (like the 2-0 dismantling of a very good Deportivo side in their own backyard in 2002) - but what a wonderful game of football this was, one of the best ever played at Old Trafford. We were coming into this game on the back of excellent league form but carrying a 3-1 defeat from the first leg and our hopes of going through were dealt a savage blow when, with barely 10 minutes gone, Ronaldo left Ferdinand trailing in his wake and beat Fabien Barthez with a shot at his near post. But United's response was tremendous and though Madrid played refined, easy-on-the-eye passing game, our high tempo and constant movement did make them very uncomfortable. We played excellent attacking football and though all our goals were scrappy, apart from Beckham's equaliser (our third leveller of the night) which was one of his best free-kicks in a United shirt. Ronaldo stole the show with his hat-trick and we went behind three times and barely had a realistic chance of going through but I'll always remember this night with fondness: this was football at its very best, with two excellent attacking teams playing at a very high standard. It's a shame it wasn't the final, especially as the actual final, staged at Old Trafford, was such a soul-destroyingly dull event.
4.Arsenal 2-4 Manchester United, 1 February 2005
The height of our rivalry with Arsenal, the most intense and hate-filled game against them - and one of the most brilliant, too. One of the first occasions when the 4-3-3 formation worked flawlessly for United: in the absence of the injured Van Nistelrooy we had an extremely mobile front three of Ronaldo, Rooney and Giggs and they were unstoppable. United did not flinch even when Vieira gave Arsenal the lead but kept on playing attacking football and Giggs soon equalised and Rooney hit the post before Bergkamp put Arsenal ahead again in the second half.What came after can now be seen as an ominous warning to the rest of the world: for the first time ever, we got to see the full potential of Cristiano Ronaldo who scored a brilliant goal then an easy tap-in to turn the game on its head. Our defence kept the season's best attacking team at bay for the rest of the game without serious trouble, even when Silvestre was sent off for a headbutt on Ljungberg (though by that time Arsenal also should have been down to 10 men, for Pires' nasty lunge at Fletcher who was magnificent that day, along with Roy Keane who played his last great game for United) and in stoppage time the game reached its climax: Saha put through John O'Shea who, with the deftest of touches, chipped the ball over Almunia and turned away with a disbelieving smile on his face. It was a goal we'll never forget.
5.Manchester United 7-1 AS Roma, 10 April, 2007
This was, quite clearly, the peak of Fergie's latest great team, just as the destruction of Juventus in Turin was the peak of the Treble side. The squad was down to the bare bones that night, Scholes the biggest absentee through suspension and there were concerns that we might lack the creativity to break them down (don't forget that Roma won the first leg 2-1). But the 11 players on the pitch refused to let such trivial matters as a lengthy injury list distract them: led by the utterly magnificent Michael Carrick we destroyed the Italians, playing the kind of football which you usually see only in movies.Afterwards the focus was on Cristiano Ronaldo who scored twice but even though he enjoyed a fantastic season he wasn't that brilliant that night: he scored the fourth and the fifth but somehow he was placed in the centre of attention again. But this night the performance was orchestrated by Carrick and Giggs; the season's best player was merely the executor of their plans. And Carrick wasn't too shabby in executing, either... Unforgettable night with wonderful goals and relentless attacking football.
6.Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea, 21 May 2008
The rain pouring down on Moscow; Ronaldo giving United the lead with a firmly struck header; Tevez (twice) and Carrick coming very, very close to add another; Lampard's freak goal; Drogba hitting the post; Lampard hitting the bar; Terry clearing Giggs' shot off the line; Drogba getting sent off in extra time; the world's best player and the season's best player missing the penalty in the shootout; the Chelsea captain slipping in the rain, thus sending the otherwise decisive penalty wide of the post; Ryan Giggs, beating Bobby Charlton's appearance record, slotting home United's last penalty; Anelka shooting and Van der Sar diving to his right to save it - Shakespeare would have been hard pushed to write a more compelling drama as everything about this night was memorable and unforgettable.What I have forgotten since is what happened immediately after Edwin saved Anelka's penalty. Everything went totally black for a few minutes and it took a long time for all of us watching together to regain normal consciousness. But who could blame us? After all, the nine years that have passed since 1999 seemed like an eternity. We almost forgot what it feels like to celebrate victory in a Champions League final.