Do I Need a Netbook?

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Do I need a Netbook?

My answer is a resounding YES. But I already have a laptop – why would I need at netbook ? Well, here’s a simple guide to differentiate a netbook from the traditional laptop. It may clear the cobwebs for most people.

I need a netbook because it is so darn easy to lug it around. The fact that my computer activity outside the office is 90% internet browsing, a netbook perfectly fits the bill for my need. Put a G3 wireless stick on it and you’re wired to perfection, totally mobile and internet ready. But more importantly , I need a netbook that works – fast, no disconnects, no freezing, no stalling and you know where I’m getting at – retrofitting the netbook’s brain with something that really works and that means discarding the fickle and overrated and Windows for the leaner and meaner Ubuntu operating system. I just bought a Dell mini 10v netbook with Ubuntu OS in lieu of Windows XP and saved 70 bucks in the process. Shipping was free and yes, I saved more money by not requiring anti-virus software. Since Ubuntu runs on Linux , it isn’t susceptible to viruses and although not totally immune, it is much harder for hackers to infiltrate and gain control of the system and inflict serious damage. Therefore I don’t have an anti-virus system twiddling its thumb in the background depleting my memory resources causing the system to stall and freeze.

The End Times ?

Many years ago when the pastor of the church I was attending announced that he would be preaching about the apocalypse of St. John in the Book of Revelation , the congregation had mixed feelings of anticipation and perturbation.  People seem to get carried away with anything the deals with apocalyptic predictions, be it prophecies from our very own faith or astrological conjectures from soothsayers of old as well as self-professed seers of our generation. The end of the world – lights out, disintegration of all living things is the most horrifying thought to most people. When we  experience natural disaster, drastic climate change, terrorist attack, war and famine we treat them as tell-tale signs of the end times,  an impending apocalypse.  For thousands of years we envisioned these repetitious cycles of tribulations as doomsday in the horizon threatening to drop like rain from a heavy dark cloud but so far it hasn’t fallen. When will it happen ?

This present generation made a bold prediction of the actual date of doomsday – December 21, 2012. The date comes from the ancient Mayan prediction of galactic alignment, the day when the sun is at the center of the galaxy, perfectly aligned with our earth.  Scientists confirm that the Mayans, amazingly astute astrologers in their own right, were correct in their calculation.  Strangely, the Mayan calendar ceases at this date, an implicit suggestion that time will come to a full stop.  So what will happen on Dec 21, 2012 ? Some say that the solar maximum(sunstorm) event anticipated by scientists to happen in 2012 will occur during this day , causing the earth’s magnetic field to weaken thus accelerating the magnetic reversal of the earth resulting in severe climatic upheavals. The movie Knowing was one that dramatized the Dec 21, 2012 doomsday scenario. Except for the ET-like ending of aliens rescuing Nicholas Cage’s son and his friend before the fateful event, I thought the movie retrogressed from serious science fiction to fairly tale. Methinks the producers didn’t want the audience to take them seriously  Others predict that nothing of cataclysmic nature will occur but a severe financial crisis would wreck economic havoc to the world resulting in panic and chaos. Some say it will be the dawn of a spiritual rebirth for mankind- whatever it means I’ll not be seeking the answer.

THANKSGIVING TIME

It is Thanksgiving long weekend here (Canadian) and it is customary for people to celebrate Thanksgiving Day with roast turkey dinner amongst family and friends. It is always a two day celebration for us – one with family and a potluck dinner with our closest friends. It’s that time of the year when I’d be bringing turkey sandwiches for office lunch the entire week. Yep, I’m that lead vulture in charge of recycling left over scraps from the fat bird

It is also an opportune for me to be thankful for this blog being chosen as Best Pinoy Blog Abroad Award in the recently concluded PBA 2009 contest. I’ve always said before that I never won anything for free in my life. It seems that in anything I have won in the past, I had to break sweat. No raffle nor lottery wins for me. It always had to involve some decision making on my part. The fat lady never sings the blues nor smiles in my direction and I have admitted this to be my fate until the next 7,000 year polar reversal cycle completes and reboots our planet I have to greatly thank the blog friends who nominated me – yes, there’s more than one of them and I had to accept only once I also like to thank my blog friends who I rub elbows in cyberspace almost everyday, some of whom have been with me for many years, others since the inception of this blog. I greatly value your friendship.

The irony is, since I am blogging anonymously, a handful of people and I mean it literally – not more than a 5 finger count – know my true identity, name and face alike. Therefore I take this accolade and gloat literally under my hat coz I am not prepared to go gung-ho with bragadoccio and take the 5 people out to a Carribean cruise

I’ve always said before that this blog is never about me but my thoughts and I strive to endeavor to express them as they are and I hope, without getting obnoxious. The greatest thing about the virtual world of cyberspace is you can experience that seemingly limitless freedom of virtual existence and at the same time achieve virtual greatness. The last time I verified the definition of “gloat” in the dictionary I got this : gloat – to look at or think about with great or excessive, often smug or malicious, satisfaction… hahaha. I would be cautious to use this word in the real world next time. For now it’s fine. I’m ready to face the charges for virtual gloating

Thanksgiving is a time to recognize that God has put a smile upon our faces each passing day. We say ‘thanks’ for the most precious gifts in our lives – our family, friends and loved ones.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE !

A Different Kind of Help

The recent news of the Canadian government fast tracking immigrant applications of Pinoys who were affected by typhoon Ondoy wasn’t exactly received with accordant approval by the locals and various immigrant communities in this country.  Many doubt the sincerity of the humanitarian act, for more severe  natural calamities and conflicts of a global scale displaced  so many people in the past but Canada did not step up to the plate to make a similar announcement.  Some call the humanitarian gesture as contrived and nothing more than the Conservative Party’s posturing for  political points for the 2010 elections.   The news story comments at the bottom of the article gives a barometer of what people think about the announcement. For me, the comments in reaction to the news gives me a sense of perspective as how the Pinoy is viewed in this country.  As expected, plaudits and pundits alike aired their share of conciliatory and dissenting views on the issue.  Some are straight up to the point in their comment – why give such preferential treament to Pinoys ? Some were equally scathing with sarcasm with their remark ” I’d prefer 10,000 Pinoys to 1 terrorist. Let them come ” .   The ultimate kicker would be this question  “If the Filipinos are such hard workers and resourceful why is their country such a mess?”

What people don’t understand is with this announcement, Canada isn’t accepting refugees or displaced people in dire need of life support. These are legit and qualified applicants in the family reunion and independent immigrant classes who pay up to get here. In most cases, they are vouched for by their immediate relatives who sign an affidavit of support, a legal document that guarantees financial support for 10 years. This means that for 10 years, these new arrivals cannot apply for government welfare subsidy if for some reason the aren’t able to support themselves. An of course, all of them should be spring chicken healthy because health care is free in this country and the government is not eager too put too much stress on the health care system. It’s still the game of admitting an asset versus a liability. Moreover, the fast tracking is only for those applicants who can prove that typhoon Ondoy had damaged their homes and affected their lives.

How many applications does the government plan to fast track? 10,000? 5000? They haven’t given any figure. Say 5,000 for the sake of argument, about 2% of the annual immigrant quota of 250,000. How much will these people get charged to be processed ? Let’s assume that 40% are adults and 60% children below 22 years. Children are the more important demographic variable because they are expected to reproduce hence contribute more to the population growth rate of the country. We also know that these people will be valuable taxpayers of the future, who would be paying a third of their earnings to the government for the right to live here.

Adults = 2,000
Children = 3,000

Adult application processing fee = $550
Adult landing fee upon granting of immigrant visa = $490
Children application processing fee = $150
Children landing fee = $0

Total adult application fees = 2,000 x $550 = $1,100,000
Total adult landing fees = 2,000 x $490 = $ 980,000
Total children app fees = 3,000 x $150 = $ 450,000

Total fees = $ 2,530,000

To those people who think that the Canadian government is doing one heck of a favor to the victims of Ondoy better think twice. Collectively, these folks would fork the equivalent of about 101,000 million pesos in fees to get here. And if we were to talk about greatest good for the greatest number, that kind of money could have done much more if spent on rehabilitating the flood damaged areas. Canada donated $5M to the flood relief fund and looks like they might recoup half of it with the fast tracking announcement. All of a sudden the political posturing conspiracy theory might not be such a bad speculation after all because the announcement in my view lacks the merits of a true humanitarian proposition.

Reversal of Fortune

In my lifetime I’ve read and heard countless of rags to riches stories that gave me that pleasant feeling of joy and mild inspiration. After all, who wouldn’t be happy to hear about success stories of people who overcome overwhelmingly difficult challenges, especially those who come from the under privileged class. On the other hand, there are those born privileged, with a silver spoon in their mouth and by some twist of fate, lose their stature and wealth and fall from riches to rags. Just as the wind turns into a gale without warning, life is the same – utterly unpredictable. But I guess the worst kind reversal of fortune one could go through in this life is one that goes full circle – from rags to riches and back to rags. This is often the case where you hear of people blowing their brains out in total despondency and despair. One stint at the gutter is enough. A second trip is hell itself.

When I was a young lad growing up in the Visayas I remember a family that was a classic case of the rags to riches story. With hard work the enterprising couple who were barely making 3 square meals a day were able to acquire land and engaged in real estate. The success was gradual but steady and the couple were able to acquire haciendas, moved to a very large house and bought cars, sent their children to private schools. Money was a plenty and life was great. I remember the man of the house having a haircut lying sideways on the hammock, occasionally dozing off , keeping the poor barber on his toes all the time, unsure whether he cut both “patilyas” properly. He would switch sides to get the other side done. If I was the barber I would f-off in a jiffy but he was da man and a great tipper so you got to do it his way. When you were a kid you didn’t think much about it but remembering it now makes you realize what a moron the guy was and I would rather cut a baboon’s hair than doing guesswork on a head that’s filled with what looked like curly pubic hair. When you got lots of money you get things done your way and people won’t complain. To make the story short – the kids went to school but none of them finished college, the family was embroiled in a nasty and protracted court case that depleted their treasure chest, the sugar industry suffered a paralyzing recession. The family lost everything and went back to the gutter. They went full circle. Sad indeed.