The Wall has fallen: Smart Telecoms opens up its 3G network

Taste of freedom is sweet, after years of battling between control and the demand of its subscribers for more quality of service.

Smart has announced that it has opened all its ports allowing unrestricted access to the Internet.

What does this mean for Smart? Uptake on 3G usage and more cashing of course. We'll its not bad since an hour worth of 3G access cost 40 Pesos which cost a little bit higher that the fee on Mall based Internet Cafe. Still, the flexibility to actually go online anytime is what matter's most especially for those last minute twitting before going to bed ^_^

Original message below:

Hi ho listers,

I have it on very good authority that SMART 3G has begun a process of opening up those previously blocked ports this week :-) This should allow more mobile apps and standard Internet applications (on laptops and PCs tapped into the 3G/HSDPA network) that utilize certain protocols or ports to run.In the event that there are some apps that still don't run, I'd appreciate hearing about them. Just send me a private email tojimayson@gmail. com. These will be routed directly to Smart's network group.It would be good if you can list the application name and a short description of the problem.cheers,

jim ayson,
listowner, d' pilipin isayberspeys rebyu

Explosion in Glorietta 3 Mall in Makati , PH

Initial reports says the explosion at 1:30 PM PH time was strong enough to shake the entire building and made the roof collapse. 3 people was instantly killed on what seemed to be caused by an LPG blast, authorities refuse to confirm if this is related to terrorism.

Update:

Glorietta Mall Blast most likely caused by a bomb as victims were killed by snarpnails: http://tinyurl.com/2fqpsh


For the latest Philippine news stories and videos, visit GMANews.TV

Makati Pacific Star Shootout

I was on a jeepney along Kalayaan Avenue when this happened.

Mobile Video Of Saddam's Execution

Google Video has one of the execution videos takes using a mobile phone. It shows Saddam hanging with rope around his neck (creepy). I advise all viewers with faint heart and children not to view the video but for all you sick puppies out there, enjoy the show :P



For sickier puppies out there, you can download the the video into you phone in 3gp format (created using YouTube Mobile Downloader).

You may also watch the video at Liveleak.com or read the story about how the execution of Saddam video was smuggled (digg).

Taiwan Quake Cripples Philippine Internet

December 27, 2006: Taiwan was hit by an earthquake which killed and injured a lot of people and destroyed billions worth of infrastructure including the underwater fiber optics cables that serves as the Internet backbone for Asia. This only reminds us that even if we struggle to design a secure computer systems, its still based on the flawed physical systems which makes it forever vulnerable.

Here's a snapshot of the chaos the earthquake caused in the cyberworld:

Samsung caught playing underhanded poker

Research in Motion (RIM) filed a lawsuit against Korean cellphone maker Samsung for naming its recent product "BlackJack". The lawsuit was filed at Lost Angeles Federal Court banning Samsung from using the name.

Story via Telecoms Korea.

Oil Spill

The striken oil tanker Solar-I which sank Friday off Guimaras with 2 million liters of bunker fuel on board is leaking and threatens nearby coastal areas. The ship is on the sea bed some 3,000 feet (900 meters) deep. Philippine salvage teams only have the capability to dive to around 120 feet making any retrieval difficult. The black sludge had already reached Negros, the country's fourth largest island, and contaminated the beaches of Bago City and two adjacent towns.

Without sophisticated equipment, local residents are using indigenous materials like bamboo, straw, coconut husks, wood and other materials like oil drums, rubber tires, fishing nets and wire mesh for the booms. Macario Macariola, safety officer of Sunshine Maritime Development Corp. and team leader of the operations, said the company will hire a member of each affected household to help in the cleanup while it is still unknown how much this will affect the local wild-life.

It's apparent that these oil companies lacks the proper competency to address such disasters; I after this incident a more strict compliance should be required before oil companies are permitted to operate on the country. However, in the way i see it, since supplying the country with enough oil while maintaining the prices to barely affordable level is vital to the economy; the government has no choice but to turn blind-eye in imposing such regulations.

PacMan is still the best!

Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao retains his WBC Internation Super-Featherweight belt after a 12 bout with Mexican challenger Oscar Larios held at Araneta Coliseum QC, Manila, Philippines.



Persons like Manny makes being a Filipino a reason to be proud of... Mabuhay Pilipinas!

Gospel of Judas

The most significant find of the century is about to be unveiled on TV, will the Gospel of Judas provides us the missing link about Jesus Christ and will this eventually change our views about the Church.

Nationalgeographic.com

Direct Link: Video of Israeli Made "Forcefield"

Developed by Israeli company Rafael, it creates a sort of protective bubble defending ground vehicles against RPGs (rocket-propelled grenades) and tank rounds. Video in swf form.

read more | digg story

'Gospel of Judas' Surfaces After 1,700 Years

Apparently Jesus made him do it!

read more | digg story

U.S. Rolls Out Plan to Build 125 Nukes per Year.

The Bush administration Wednesday unveiled a blueprint for rebuilding the nation's decrepit nuclear weapons complex, including restoration of a large-scale bomb manufacturing capacity.

read more | digg story

Child porn investigators raid NASA

The Register has an interesting story about a NASA manager who has (not only) passion for peeping into stars and also on naked children.

There is a God: Alcohol cloud spotted in Deep Space

Astronomers say they have spotted a cloud of alcohol in deep space that measures 463 billion kilometres across, a finding that could shed light on how giant stars are formed from primordial gas. Mmmm Beer...

read more | digg story

Philippines in a State of Emergency

First of all, the following does not reflect the opinion of the company or companies I work for. The sole basis of these opinions is my experience and is neither financially nor politically motivated.

Early morning of February 24, 2006 the entire law enforcement and the military was place on "double red alert", blockades were place on routes in and out the metropolitan due to the Proclamation 1017 of the president to place the Philippines in a State of Emergency. You may read the full story at INQ7.net.

A little spoiler to those reading this hoping for a deep and hard hitting political opinion, this post is not about which side is right or what principles are better than yours and mine. I'm here to ask the questions that most people will neglect to ask during this time.

Who profits by keeping us in mediocre political state? You may notice the Philippines is regularly being plagued by political turmoil since the 1986 EDSA revolution.

Let me first tell you about my fascination in magic. Magic is a term we use to describe something we don't truly understand, but for me I use this term to describe something I couldn't entirely see. Magicians' biggest secret is distraction, the ability to manipulate the audience to see only what the performer wants them to see and since we didn't see the entire trick it baffles our sense and logic thus we only ask the questions that the magicians wanted us to ask. Like when a magician makes a coin disappear on his right hand, we usually ask "How did he do that" or where did it go; but we didn't bother to ask what other things happened like what was the left hand doing during the act.

Now let's get back to our original topic and use magic as an analogy. Let's ask what was the intention of the magician why he need to create a trick so big that it would distract the president, the law enforcement, the politicians, the media, and the entire Filipino people? What past event's will be forgotten and over-shadowed by the current political crisis. What did the magician's left hand do? Who profitted?

Just my two cents worth.