Open Source Standard - Phillipines & 3rd World

As I was talking with a good friend of mine, that I have known for so many years, she reminded me even if indirectly of the idea that to many still use Windows in Philippines, and other third world countries, partly because Microsoft was so  happy to offer them a free version because they were third world, and at first it seemed a great act of charity. Once I started thinking about it though, really what Microsoft was doing is setting in place, the idea that Microsoft is the only Operating System. Which of course we who are in the states, are aware is not at all true though that is the truth Microsoft presents to the seeing eye of the public. The monopoly that was supposed to be long ago broken up, had already put a solid foothold in the market. The difference is that in time, Microsoft became to comfortable in fact they started becoming lackadaisical in updating there Operating System, as they thought theres was the only Operating System in the market so why not just update every now and again, once in awhile. In that decision, one of the worst ever made, hackers started realizing that this Operating System that has ended up on far to many systems, stopped putting focus on security, and since every was using Windows at the time became the perfect target, and so begin the spread of viruses, simple ones at first that over time became far more advanced. It took awhile for the Microsoft folks to catch up and in that time there system was compromised many times over, as a result once it became clear that these viruses, the kiddy coding things were quite able to do more destruction then imagined, a new industry was born, the Anti-Virus/Anti-Spyware folks, like Norton and others who suddenly realized hey we have all these people with thes insecure systems let us step it up and turn a profit on the futility of Microsoft lackluster interest. And that was the start of this insane industry today. So what was Microsoft going to do, after people started realizing they stopped caring and put the end user at risk?

First they started putting updates out a bit more often, though still far behind the needs of the times, as new viruses and spyware were being created and put out onto this worldwide web who used Internet Explorer on a windows pc every single day. They still did not put the level of focus on security but instead kept lining there pockets with more green paper at least until people started realizing, this Microsoft is a monopoly, they do not care about the end user as much as they should and it is about time to put competition back into the mix and so begin the first case of this Monolith Monopoly that was Microsoft that over the years and processions finally came to a point of change, in the sense that instead of being the monopoly it was Microsoft had to stop limiting competing programs and operating systems by integrating their browser with windows. Also it was made clear that more of the money being made also needed to be used to help third world countries, via the Gates Foundation. Seemed like a good idea at the time but there was a problem, as any third world countrie had no idea there were other options and as a result went full bore with Microsoft, closing off even that after market to competitors. Giving laptops and desktops away with the windows operating system, the same operating system people in the states had been forced to use to long, the same operating system that was still a primary target for viruses, spyware and many things malicious. At first they were happy and thankful, then it started again, viruses, spyware, blue screens all the regular microsoft issues that far to many already know well enough, but there was no other education to the end user of the other options to be explored so computers went down and people had no idea how to fix it, and instead just went without a computer casting it aside thinking there was not way to recover from a virus when there actually was.

Certainly you would guess it should not matter so much, unless you consider that many of those in third world countries, have relatives, friends who are abroad and the computer was the one way they could keep in touch. Such as my friend whom I mentioned earlier, her pc that was still in the Phillipines had gone down because of a virus and her mother had no idea how to fix it or solve it. It is sad simply because of the fact that without that she could not keep in touch with her daughter or friends/family who were abroad at the time, making her life a lonely one. With her granddaughter in the states and her other grand child elsewhere empty nesting became clear and frustrating, and the end result I don't know. There are possibilities of course and one of the reasons I decided to fund the 3rd World Country Fund as found on Facebook, was to try and to something about that. To bring more people to the open source world, where things are more secure and updates a constant with a graphical interface that rivals even Microsofts best, without the security flaws and absolute disregard for the situations of an insecure system. To bring open source to these places seems to make sense to me, to give people back their way to communicate, to experience to keep in touch with family and relatives even at distance while also supporting an ever increasing community initiative.

So whether what Microsoft offered because of court decision, it seems really they did not help the situation of those in 3rd World, instead brought this countries problems of a failed Operating System to a great mass of less educated people, in the sense that in offering these systems to those in the third world they actually only extended the issues we have dealt with for so long. So what I propose is that we come together and make a difference, join the cause on Facebook and bring the vision to fruition while reconnecting family and friends with those who would of otherwise been lost simply because they were offered an inferior operating system, unpatched without the awareness of understanding of what is best done to make sure the computer, the connection to the world at large does the job without the issue of being shutdown because of a windows virus that found it's way in through any of the many security flaws of Windows.

Why not take the steps now to join the Cause Bringing technology to the third world on facebook uniting together in a common idea and common vision to help those who may not be aware to join the movement to bring Open Source to the World At Large, everyone person who joins in thsi journey will see what a difference each one can make in helping those who may otherwise be lost to keep in touch with those they care about even at distance.

The Cost of Convenience Of A Connected World

In the last few days, the internet has been down, without internet available I realized some things, one of the most clear ideas was without the convenience of internet at home it was necessary to go out to reconnect, not so bad I know. What really had me thinking was while it is available days would pass, hours would fly by and life pretty much flied by also. In that I begin to wonder how high is the cost for the convenience, in this connected world? When all you need to do is sit down at the computer, open up the browser (Firefox I would hope) and be online, only getting up for an occasional drink or snack, very little or no activity, no exercise except for the occasional walk up the stairs only to make something and back down and sit at the computer again.

As I thought about this I realized that though it was nice to have an always on connection, the consequence of this convenience we have become used to, is not ever getting outside, forgetting about exercise and just living your life online and in front of a computer. Forgetting so quickly how important exercise truly is to live a long life, preventing maladies, and early aging. With the convenience nothing ever gets done as far as getting outside, experiencing the day, with it's sun or wind, clouds, or the perfect sunset that would of otherwise not been seen or shared. A photo doesn't quite see it as the eyes of a person who even if they work on the computer for the day never forgets that the day is to be experienced.

Instead to be content with self happiness, from looking at a screen, moving a mouse, typing a phrase, and pressing enter. All the while a day becomes the night, as the hours pass. To finally get up tired, irritated not knowing why. Not taking the time to understand what it is, and the why that exists that you may be trying to not see. To just sleep, to awake to another day of very much the same, losing days off your life simply because you did not go outside and enjoy the world as it is presented. The same story, selective ignorance in it's purest form. Understand I am not trying to insult you, instead trying to help people and society to remember there is a whole other world outside of the computer screen that really should be experienced even if you work from home online, to not forget the natural beauty and health benefits of something as simple as a walk or a bike ride.

Why not stop the cycle, realize that there is a message your body is sharing with you, when you are feeling tired, irritated after a day of computing. That we as humans should enjoy the sun, the wind in your face, the sunset you see with your own eyes. The natural sounds that are often forgotten as a simple as a bird who sings, the sounds of the leaves as the winds blows them to and fro. Such simple sounds, such basic pleasures that are lost if you just spend the day in front of a computer, there is so much more to life when it is experienced. It cannot be experienced if you only spend the day and nights in front of a computer. The consequence of a world connected is really through each person awareness or lack of beyond the connected world.

Yet in today's society, there is a want for that same convenience,whether it is as a result of focused media attention, that attempts to control the public's view or simply a selective ignorance something must be done, there needs to be change. As at this time this habit of living life conveniently  becomes a downward spiral that in it's eventual descent will result in many of the generations to come forgetting about the wonders of the world outside.

As we as a society, are dealing with obesity due to the lack of exercise due to the unwillingness to work more instead of just following the path of convenience. To speak to that as the only way, when really there is much more to it then that. When others have it, it is not so clearly the only way yet still many choose the path of least resistance. To jump on the bandwagon, to keep up with the Joneses to keep with pace with whomever they think is the way they want to be, even if it is based on false ideas and old traditions that are due for an update. Why not realize you can set your own pace, and that it is not so necessary to keep up with anyone except the person in the mirror? To use the mind we each have and the free will that is part of the package to make their own choices ... for the best of you and your family, to be healthy and live a long life.

A world connected does not mean that exercise, experience passes you by, instead being connected is only a tool to improve who you are. Not so much as a way of life but only a small part of the life that should be lived fully. The internet is surely a wealth of information, the beauty of the internet is also that the information will still be there even if you don't spend whole days and nights exploring it. Better to get outside, take a walk, ride a bike as every little bit you do for your health is an investment in a better future, through a healthy existence. Each person needs to take the steps, remove the blinders, to see the world in it's natural beauty, a place to be experienced that is only a choice and a consensus of you and the person in the mirror to take those steps to live life fully.

When the sun has gone to sleep, when the day is finally coming to a close go online and see for yourself that the information is still there, the internet went on even if you were not there for every second of it. In this simple visual reminder, that it is better to experience the day then to just let it pass you by, getting out there. In that action in those steps to breathe fresh air to see the sun, then to share it as a very practical possibility, with your neighbors, friends and any one person who sees you out there and experiencing the day will realize it is really not that difficult at all. We all should live a happy fulfilled life, through the extension of time as you get out there and breathe the fresh air and takes those steps or rotate those pedals. We are each worth that consideration that results in a bit of extra effort, to live this life happy, healthy, and fulfilled don't you think?