1st FOSS CONFERENCE IN REGION IX a SUCCESS!!!

STI College Zamboanga, together with the Mindanao Open Source Society (MOSS), recently concluded it's first ever two-day conference dubbed as "1st FOSS CONFERENCE in REGION IX"... and it was a complete success, even though there were some obstacles in the way...

This conference is in connection with the celebration of the international Software Freedom Day, which was celebrated last September 18, 2010. The main objective of the celebration is to spread information about Free and Open Source Software and to let people know that there is a wide range of alternative software out there. Or, it is one way of advocating the use of Free and Open Source Software as an alternative to proprietary software.

Just a brief overview of what transpired during the two-day affair:

DAY 1:

We were expecting participants from other colleges and universities to attend, unfortunately, the CHED Endorsement came late, hence, no participants from other schools.

However, considering the small number of participants, the show must go on!

Our first speaker was Ms. Yolynne Medina. Ma'am Yolynne talked about "Open Source Software in an Open World". The main focus of her talk was actually about "BLOGGING". What is blogging? According to our speaker, it is an outlet for the blogger to express his feelings, and share it with the whole world. It is also a place for sharing ideas, and collaboration. It is also a place where one can be recognized in other parts of the world. Why? How can one be recognized in other parts of the world? The answer... Simple... Once you post your "blog" in the web and indicate specific tags for this specific post, someone on the other side of the world might look it up one day, and find your post as one of the entries returned to him by the search module. When this user is satisfied with what you have posted, he might reply and thank you on your post, and then share your post with other people. This is how you will get recognized. Who knows, you might become a very sought-after speaker one day.

The next speaker was our very own, Mr. RJ Ian Sevilla. Sir Rj showed us clips about the "10 Tactics to turn Information into Action". It basically contained short interviews with renowned activist around the world, specifically in Asia, who used the advantages of Information technology, especially the Internet, in exposing the wrong-doings of public officials,schools and their organizations, and other personalities of higher authority. Some of the tools used in exposing these "truths" include; Facebook, Youtube, Plurk, Twitter, and other social networking sites. On the other hand, it is not just a tool for exposing these negative things. It can also be used as a way to help others. For example, conducting "Fund Raising Campaign" through social networking sites which will benefit the poor, the needy, and the sick. Just make sure you will not be taking advantage of other people's generosity. Spreading world-wide awareness of significant events, plans, and anything under the sun.

Sir RJ also talked about FrontlineSMS. It is an online, centralized texting software which will enable users to collaborate, and share ideas by using special keywords in sending messages through text.

We gave away prizes in the form books which were sponsored by Tactical and 8-layer technology. We asked the participants specific questions, and whoever would answer them correctly will get the book together with an installer of the specific book title.

Day 1 ended early, giving the committees enough time to redecorate, and prepare for the next day.

DAY 2:

With the atmosphere almost similar to the first day, and the number of participants unchanged, we still had to move on and continue our advocacy.

Our first speaker was Mr. Al-Hamis. Network Administrator of Ateneo de Zamboanga. He talked about Linux OS, and the Linux Server. It was a long 2-hour talk which covered almost all of the basics about Linux, how it is virus-free, and up to setting up a server using Linux. It was actually a hustle, 'cause the brownouts kept interrupting his talk. Anyway, the participants were fulfilled and satisfied after his talk.

Our second speaker was Ms. Jet Butchan, also from the Ateneo de Zamboanga University. Ms. Jet talked about the Netbeans IDE and discussed how it is better than all the other IDE's in the market today. She also showed us how to use Java in Netbeans, and how it is very different from all the other Java programming interfaces. She also gave out prizes.

The last speaker was Leonor Ycaza, also an Atenean. She talked about PHP, and how to develop effective static and dynamic pages using PHP. It was a short talk, but the content of the talk was pretty broad. She showed us sample template of some the works she did with PHP. I bet it stirred up our student's curiosity after that.

Then it was actually time to close the 1st FOSS Conference, but before that, a short City Tour took place. The participants, organizing committees, instructors and some of the heads joined the tour. It was just a short tour, but it was actually one way of de-stressing. It was a time to relax! Everyone enjoyed the tour! (Eventhough there was not enough tetra juice for everyone.)

After the tour, a short de-briefing commenced at the third floor with all the Organizing Committee, together with Sir RJ, Sir JM, and ME (ofcourse!) It was just a way of thanking everyone for the success of the 1st FOSS Conference. Everyone shared their experiences from the planning days, to execution, and up to the end. Everybody was happy!

But it didn't end there. As a tradition, which Sir RJ and I experienced during the last FOSS celebration, we decided to give ourselves a treat! This is our way of thanking everyone for a job well done.

A short walk to the Paseo del Mar, a few picture taking, next thing we knew, we were munching on bbq chicken with unlimited rice and bottomless iced-tea... what a way to celebrate!!!

Let us all join together in promoting the use of Free and Open Source Software as an alternative for Proprietary Software! Let us continue the advocacy! Together, let us be advocates for a good cause!

Long live FOSS!

long live STI College Zamboanga!!!

'til next year!!! enjoy the pictures...

Let's Eat...

Sir JM, busug ya? Nuay pa gane kome???

it's time to reap what we have sowed... chow time!!!

so many cameras!!!

a pose with Mr. RJ Sevilla...

sunset view at the Paseo del Mar...

The sunset view...

don't you just love being young?

pictures here... there... everywhere!

just goofing off...

Posing at the Paseo del Mar

woohoo!

don't you just love cameras with auto-timers?

We just kept posing!

a pose with the Organizers... after all has been said and done!

With Sir Carmelo on the wheel, everything is going to be fine...

Ma'am Feng and Ma'am Kaye exposing their ear-rings!

the pose of the century...

"we are having fun!"

never-ending gestures...

Never-ending pose...

having Fun!

the guys with Sir JM in the bus for the City Tour

The Organizers and participants with Sir RJ in the bus for the City Tour

ME! in the bus for the City Tour...

Ms. Leonor Ycaza talks about PHP

Ms. Leonor Ycaza

Ms. Jet Butchan talks about the Netbeans IDE

Ms. Jet Butchan

Mr. Al Hamis talks about the Linux OS and Linux Server

Mr. Al Hamis

The secretariat... 2nd day!

more participants...

Participants with their photogenic pose

Mr. RJ Ian S. Sevilla

Sir RJ giving his talk about 10 Tactical ways to turn Information into Action

Mr. Timhar also gets a prize for answering a question...

Mr. Phoebus also answers a question and got a prize...

Mr. Sergil Manlucu answers a question and received a prize!

Ms. Yolynne Medina

Ma'am Yolynne giving her talk about Open Source in an Open World

Sir Mike sits with the organizers

Sir RJ introduces the first speaker

The participants listening attentively

Ma'am Feng giving her opening remarks and welcome address

The streamer!

The secretariats pose with Sir RJ

The Secretariat in action

Jonathan Paul C. Solis

FOSS Advocate

STI College Zamboanga

Y4IT Congress 2010

There was still time for malling after the JPCS Workshop... So me and the guys spent the entire Monday visiting 168 at Divisoria, and the prestigious SM Mall of Asia!!! (Note to self: Never visit Manila without bringing extra cash. This is something I learned, since I spent most of the time window-shopping and drooling...) And we all went back to our hotel after a day of shopping (window-shopping) and eating...

The next day came. It was the 1st day of the annual Y4IT Convention, which was always held at UP Diliman campus. It was a short 5-minute ride from the Hotel to UP. We were welcomed by a "swarm" of participants coming from different parts of the Philippines. The parking lot was loaded with buses and vans all coming from their respective schools.

It came as a surprise to me when I was informed by the secretariat that our names were not included in the list. Accordingly, our registration forms and deposit slips were not faxed to their office. Frustrating as it may seem, I had to verify from our very own dean about the situation. Fortunately, after countless attempts of contacting the school, the secretariat accepted our registration. It was so late!!! We were not able to go inside the UP Theater 'cause it was already full. The Film Institute was also already full. The Bahay ng Alumni, although full, gave us the access to look at booths and sales. We spent the whole day roaming around around the UP campus and taking pictures of anything, and everything that moved.

We were able to enter the Theater on the 2nd day. Dr. Randy Gamboa gave the welcome remarks, which was followed by the talk of Mr. Efren Penyaflorida, who was CNN's Hero of the Year recipient for 2009. He talked about how ONE person can do so much to reach out and help his fellow men. The second speaker was none other than the honorable Richard "Dick" Gordon. He talked about how technology became a very big help especially when it came to responding to emergency situations. He also talked about how fast technology is changing. He showed us his i-Pad and boasted about its features and talked about how it was not present last year. Last year there was the i-Pod and the i-Pod Nano. Sir Dick also asked for volunteers who could be part of the National Red Cross. More speakers came and talked about Curves and Cryptography (Computer Security using Math, by Fidel Nemenzo), How to Open Source Your Career (Johan Janssens), and Microsoft Technology Updates (Tim Vergel de Dios).

On the 3rd day, we were seated at the balcony area (the bleachers were full). We had a good view of the entire participants below. We can see the 3-wide screens, but we could barely see the speakers. The Opening remarks was given by Dr. Melinda Bandarias. I was excited about the next speaker, Mayor Herbert Bautista, but unfortunately, he was caught up with his work at the Quezon City Hall. A representative, in the person of Mr. Gabby Lopez, took his place (not the Gabby Lopez of ABS-CBN). He talked about how IT has renovated the image of Quezon city, Metro Manila, and the entire Philippines as well. He talked about how technology could bring people together, even people who are abroad, in a single click. And we dozed off after that. (hehehe...) We were startled with the sound of banging drums and guitars. It was break time already. And an intermission number was being presented by a two-man band (forgot the band's name...) Then other speakers also came out and talked about Harnessing ideas in the community through social networks, and Research objectives in the Gaming industry.

4th day... we were seated outside the balcony area, presented with two wide screens, the sound was poor, the crowd was bad, and the heat was... HOT! Anyway... welcome remarks was given by Ms. Lyshiel Valencia, GDAP President. The next speaker was CICT Chairman, Atty. Ivan Uy. Atty. Uy talked about the advantages of online gaming, and how it will benefit students. I actually asked Mr. Uy's opinion about students who would much rather waste their time playing online games, instead of focusing on their studies. His response was simply "Too much gaming is an addiction. Stay away from being addicted. Learn to manage your time between playing and studying."

Later, Mr. Allan Simonsen, came out and talked about The Life of a game Developer. It was kinda weird and funny at the same time, 'cause he would talk about how to get fired from work in your 1st week. How NOT to get promoted, and basically, all of the don'ts of being an employee in a positive perspective. He also talked about how to earn "big-dough" by simply sitting and testing all of their newly developed games. Playing 8 to 12 hours straight, trying to look for bugs and glitches. That's actually exciting!

Perhaps the most memorable thing during the Y4IT were the snacks and lunch breaks! I was actually relieved because the lunch being sold was cheap! For only P50 you get a meal complete with rice, choice of viands, and drinks... snacks was free ofcourse (but it was part of the registration fee...).

Anyway, we learned a lot during the entire 9-days in Manila. The JPCS LTW was fun and exciting, and the Y4IT (although boring) was still filled with very significant and relevant information about what's up and coming in the Information Technology field.

Enjoy some of the pictures below...

The Session Hall at the "Bahay ng Alumni"

Ang Bahay ng Alumni

The guys (and gal) at the entrance of the UP Theater

The Mascots of this year's Y4IT Congress...

The emcees in their mini's...

Efren Penyaflorida or Kuya F giving his speech... He was the recipient of CNN's Hero of the Year award, 2009...

The Honorable Richard "Dick" Gordon giving his speech about Technology and the Red Cross

A closer shot of Dick Gordon...

Taking a break...

el subay! onde onde tan su-ut!!!

The statue of the Women who knitted the 1st Philippine Flag...

A walk in the park...

The UP Oblation

Taking another break...

The Terminator? Mr. Burns? NO!!!

It's Supre SUBAY!!!

The triple wide screen, flashed from behind by 3 powerful projectors...

Mr. Fidel Nemenzo talks about Cryptography and Mathematical Curves... It's interesting, because it can actually be used for computer security...

This speaker talks about Cryptography and Mathematical Curves... It's interesting, because it can actually be used for computer security...

Mr. Johan Janssens, co-founder of Joomla, talks about how to Open Source Your Career...

Mr. De Dios talks about Microsoft Updates and Cloud Computing using SkyDrive, and other Microsoft Free Online Service...

getting ready for another break...

at the balcony...

the view from the balcony...

This speaker talks about Kine-Spell 2, an educational game for kids which will help them in their vocabulary, spelling, and hand-and-eye coordination... they also modified the original Kine-Spell to allow the use of a Wii Controller...

Darwin and Genesis

This is me...

Atty. Uy talks about the advantages and benefits of online gaming...

Mr. Allan Simonsen talks about the life of a Game Developer... it was funny, because he also talked about how to get fired from your work...

BITIN!!!

'til Next Year!!!

Jonathan Paul C. Solis

JPCS Adviser

STI College Zamboanga