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
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