Technology

Suzuki laptops, netbooks launched by NETCOM

by Sapumali GALAGODA

Suzuki laptops and netbooks were launched in Sri Lanka by Network Communications (Pvt) Ltd, (NETCOM), the IT arm of the Adam Group of companies.

Models display the features of laptops and netbooks Ruwan de Silva

The Suzuki laptop is a product that is positioned as a global 'value for money' brand with the new eco-friendly,slim laptop - Suzuki offers a no hassle warranty, reliable Japanese technology, high value for money,energy saving and no eye fatigue with HD LED monitors.

NETCOM has the sole agency rights for the laptops and netbooks from Suzuki Technology Private Limited, headquartered in Singapore. Suzuki Technology the proprietors of the brand are one of the most reputed technology companies in Asia with patents and proprietory rights that strengthen its competitive advantage in the global marketplace. Suzuki, named after its promoter Kazushige Suzuki San of Japan aims to differentiate its brand with continuous innovation and forward looking technological products.

"We wanted to market a brand which can offer utmost customer friendly-no hassle warranty service in Sri lanka which is currently not available (as other brands need lead time to address faculty issues) with other brands in the market said Chief Operating Officer NETCOM, Larry Adams. Under the agency contract NETCOM has the right to instantly trouble shoot laptop issues in the least possible time or replace machines in Sri Lanka without delays and hassle to the customer.Suzuki will offer a faster response to customer needs, added Adams.

The netbooks are priced at Rs. 37,000 up and use mercury free LED backlit panels saving 37.2kWh of electricity annually the equivalent of planting 1.9 trees. Suzuki was established in 1988.

The brand consists of high quality netbook computers,portable storage devices, optical disk drives, memory modules, flash based memory, and graphic accelerators. All products are made to international standards.

Suzuki laptops is a separate entity from Suzuki Automobiles.

Ten tips on using credit cards online

Purchasing services and goods online has become as common as walking in to a supermarket for some Sri Lankans. As Sri Lankan consumers use credit cards more often to purchase online they are exposed to a variety of criminals lurking in the Internet looking to steal their credit card information. However, you can minimize the risk and use your credit card safely to purchase goods and services online if you adhere to the tips listed below, said Sri Lanka CERT.

Tip 1: Only purchase goods and services from reputed companies When purchasing online always look for reputed known companies.

Companies such as Amazon are well known for online trade. You should not deal with a company which you have never heard of before or if their web site looks unprofessional and hastily designed.

If you are a first time buyer from an online merchant do some research on the organization. See if the contact details are available in the web site. Any reputed organization should have their contact details such as hot lines, fax, and email address listed . If you want to make sure that the merchant's company really exists you may call them to find out. You can also do a Google search for the company name and see if there are any adverse comments against them. Another possibility is to check in an online business directory or yellow pages for information about the organization.

Tip 2: Enter your credit card details only in secure web sites. Before you enter your credit card details on a web site check if the site is really secure. Remember that Internet is a public network. Whenever you enter your details only the online merchant and you should be able to read that information. This is achieved by encryption (scrambling) of information exchanged between you and the merchant. If the address of the web page starts with https:// (Notice that additional s at the end of http) that site uses encryption to make information you send unreadable to outsiders. Another sign to look for is a closed padlock icon at the bottom of the browser or next to the address bar. The closed padlock icon also indicates that the site is using encryption. Furthermore, if you click on the closed padlock your browser will reveal you the real identity of the web site.

Never enter your credit card details in a web site whose address does not start with https://, if it does not display a closed padlock or if the padlock is open.

Tip 3: Read the web site privacy policy. Privacy policy is one aspect that many people overlook during online purchases. Any organization collecting your sensitive information such as the credit card number should be obliged to protect that information.

Browse through the privacy policy of your merchant and see if they are sharing your information with third parties and what type of security controls are in place to protect your sensitive information.

Tip 4: Print and keep a receipt of your payment All online merchants issue a confirmation page with the purchase details once the payment is accepted. You should print a copy of this page and keep it for future reference. This may well be the only evidence you have regarding your online purchase.

Tip 5: Keep your computer secure. Many criminals obtain your credit card details straight from your computer. Internet is full of various types of malicious software (malware). Your computer can get infected with these malware when you visit certain web sites or by opening suspicious email attachments. Some of these malware will hide in your system and record your keystrokes (such malware are called keyloggers) and send them to a criminal. The keystrokes recorded will also include your credit card number and personal details.

In order to avoid such malware you need to have anti-virus and anti-spyware installed. Also, you need to update these regularly so that you are protected against the latest threats. Installing or enabling a personal firewall will also help to keep away the intruders.

Tip 6: Don't become a victim of Phishing Have you ever received emails pretending to be from a financial institute asking for your personal information such as credit card number or Internet banking password? These emails are scams called Phishing aimed at obtaining your credit card or other personal information. Never trust such emails and never click on links in such emails.

Your bank will never ask for your confidential information through emails. If you need to log on to a particular web site always type the web site address in the address bar by yourself. Also, check and see if the site is secure as mentioned in Tip 2.

Tip 7: Check the web site address If you ever click on a link to visit a web site of a merchant or a financial organization such as a bank always check the web address in the address bar. Don't be lazy! Take your time to type the correct web address by yourself rather than clicking on links.

Tip 8: Subscribe to alert services provided by banks Many banks provide SMS or telephone alert services which will inform you once an online payment is made using your credit card. Subscribe to these services so that any unauthorized use will not go unnoticed.

Tip 9: Don't store your credit card information on computer or paper. Never write down your credit card information on pieces of paper or store them in your computer. There is always a chance that this information may fall in to wrong hands! Destroy any receipts or statements once you don't need them. Don't throw these to garbage bins.

Tip 10: Be careful when using public computers Never use computers in cybercafes or Internet kiosks to purchase goods online. You never know if these computers are secure or not. Public computers may be infected with malware (Tip 5) or someone might be simply watching your actions through the network. Especially, be careful when you travel overseas since you might be compelled to use public computers. It is always a good idea to inform your bank about your travel in advance.

source : Internet

GTS best in South Asia for 'Colombo Ride 2.0'

The Digital Empowerment Foundation (www.DEFindia.net) along with the IT ministries of India and Sri Lanka hosted the first ever South Asian Mobile Content Awards (http://MBillionth.in) in new Delhi recently.

The jury in Colombo spent three days going through 165 nominations from across South Asia. Participating countries included Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

Awards were given to mobile applications and services in 10 categories: m-governance, m-inclusion, m-news and journalism, m-education, m-entertainment, m-tourism, m-business, m-health, m-environment and m-heritage. The awards were announced at a day-long seminar and evening ceremony drawing over 400 attendees.

GTS (http://gtslk.com) was able to bag the award in the 'm-entertainment' category for their revolutionary Sinhala mobile game 'Colombo Ride 2.0' (http://games.lk) which was released on Independence day 2009.

Managing Director, Gamos Technology Solutions (GTS) Gihan Fernando said, "It is a great honour in winning at the South Asian awards. We are thrilled to hear that our hard work has paid off and our game has received deserved recognition.

We look forward to launching our next version of the brand 'Colombo Ride' with new features included in the 3D version, scheduled to be launched (October 10.) 'Colombo Ride 2.0' a Sinhala multiplayer mobile game, revolves around a taxi driver who must find passenger to make a living.

The environment depicted in the game is an identical map of Colombo. It enables enterprises in and around Colombo to place their advertisements inside the game. It is an innovative way of educating those who are unaware of the roads and locations in Colombo. MD of GTS W. G. T. Fernando receiving mBillionth award and certificate from Chief Operating Officer of ICTA Reshan Dewapura (who accepted the award in India on behalf of GTS) Also pictured are Jayantha Fernando (Program Director, ICTA) and Chitranganie Mubarak (Senior Program Head-e-Society, ICTA).

The next killer applications for mobiles may come not from a corporate giant but a garage developer, predicted COO of Sri Lanka's ICTA Reshan Dewapura. ICTs will be key driver of economies in our region, he added.

Editor, 'The Asia-Pacific Internet Handbook Madanmohan Rao says 'Mobile phones across the world are surpassing penetration of other media. Worldwide penetration of mobile phones is estimated at 5 billion, as compared to cars (800 million), TV (1.5 billion), credit cards (1.4 billion), PCs (850 million), and internet (1.1 billion).

PCH ranked No.1 IT firm

PC House Ltd(PCH), provider of IT solutions was recently included among local giants in the LMD Most Respected Entities list for their outstanding contribution towards the betterment of the ICT industry. The company was the higher ranker of two IT companies to make it onto this year's list.

The delighted Chairman of PCH S.H.M. Rishan stated, "PCH is gratified to be ranked alongside some of the biggest and most successful local and international companies. The ranking carried out by LMD signifies that PCH continues to pioneer and fine tune the IT industry in Sri Lanka."

PCH aims to expand its services to all parts of the country with branches in Hambantota, Kilinochchi, Mannar and Mullaitivu.

PCH is about to become the first IT Company in Sri Lanka to be listed on the Colombo Stock Exchange, following an extremely successful offer to the public.

ICTA - HISSL sign MoU for e-Health Sri Lanka

The Information and Communication Technology Agency of Sri Lanka (ICTA) and the Health Informatics Society of Sri Lanka (HISSL) signed an MoU recently to hold the e-Health Sri Lanka 2010 Conference next month.

ICTA COO Reshan Dewapura and HISSL President Dr. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake after signing the MoU.

ICTA will be the principal partner of the e-Health Sri Lanka 2010 Conference that will be held from September 15-16 at the Water's Edge. The two-day conference will be inaugurated at 9 am by Health Minister Maithreepala Sirisena as the chief guest and Research and Technology Minister Prof. Tissa Vitharana as the guest of honour. Top personnel in the Sri Lankan Health and ICT sectors will deliver guest and keynote talks at the confab. There will be over 60 scientific presentations by researchers from Sri Lanka and abroad.

ICTA COO Reshan Dewapura and HISSL President Dr. Vajira H.W. Dissanayake signed the MoU at the ICTA premises. ICTA COO Reshan Dewapura said that ICTA recognised the need to create a greater awareness among all stakeholders in the healthcare sector on the potential of ICT in the delivery of services to the masses.

Explaining the aim of the conference HISSL President Dr. Vajira H. W. Dissanayake said that e-Health Sri Lanka 2010 was being organised by the HISSL to promote the use of ICT in the delivery of healthcare in Sri Lanka. The conference would be an ideal opportunity for those in the health and IT sectors in Sri Lanka to interact, forge alliances and contribute to development of e-Health in Sri Lanka, he said.

A high tech titan plagued by potholes

Despite this nation's rise as a technology titan with some of the world's best engineering minds, India's full economic potential is stifled by potholed roadways, collapsing bridges, rickety railroads and a power grid so unreliable that many modern office buildings run their own diesel generators to make sure the lights and computers stay on.

It is not for want of money. The Indian government aims to spend $500 billion on infrastructure by 2012 and twice that amount in the following five years. The problem is a dearth of engineers - or at least the civil engineers with the skill and expertise to make sure those ambitious projects are done on time and up to specifications.

Civil engineering was once an elite occupation in India, not only during the British colonial era of carving roads and laying train tracks, but also long after independence as part of the civil service. These days, though, India's best and brightest know there is more money and prestige in writing software for foreign customers than in building roadways for their nation. And so it is that 26-year-old Vishal Mandvekar, despite his bachelor's degree in civil engineering, now writes software code for a Japanese automaker. Mandvekar works in an air-conditioned building with Silicon Valley amenities here in Pune, a boomtown about 100 miles east of Mumbai. But getting to and from work requires him to spend a vexing hour on his motorcycle, navigating the crowded, cratered roads between home and his office a mere nine miles away.

During the monsoon season, the many potholes "are filled with water and you can't tell how deep they are until you hit one," he said. Fixing all that, though, will remain some other engineer's problem. Mandvekar earns a salary of about $765 a month. That is more than three times what he made during his short stint for a commercial contractor, supervising construction of lodging for a Sikh religious group, after he earned his degree in 2006.

"It was fun doing that," he said of the construction job. "My only dissatisfaction was the pay package." Young Indians' preference for software over steel and concrete poses an economic conundrum for India. Its much-envied information technology industry generates tens of thousands of relatively well-paying jobs every year.

But that lure also continues the exodus of people qualified to build the infrastructure it desperately needs to improve living conditions for the rest of its one billion people - and to bolster the sort of industries that require good highways and railroads more than high-speed Internet links to the West.

In 1990, civil engineering programs had the capacity to enrol 13,500 students, while computer science and information technology departments could accept but 12,100. Yet by 2007, after a period of incredible growth in India's software outsourcing business, computer science and other information technology programs ballooned to 193,500; civil engineering climbed to only 22,700.

Often, those admitted to civil engineering programs were applicants passed over for highly competitive computer science tracks. There are various other reasons that India has struggled to build a modern infrastructure, including poor planning, political meddling and outright corruption. But the shortage of civil engineers is an important factor. In 2008, the World Bank estimated that India would need to train three times as many civil engineers as it does now to meet its infrastructure needs.

The government has "kick-started a massive infrastructure development program without checking on the manpower supply," said Atul Bhobe, managing director of S. N. Bhobe & Associates, a civil engineering design company.

"The government is willing to spend $1 trillion," he said, "but you don't have the wherewithal to spend that kind of money."

Sujay Kalele, an executive with Kolte-Patil, a Pune-based developer of residential and commercial buildings, said the company's projects could be completed as much as three months faster if it could find enough skilled engineers. "If we need 10 good-quality civil engineers, we may get four or five Kalele said. source : Internet

Cracks in computer defenses abound: IBM

IBM on Wednesday reported that the number of discovered cracks that hackers could exploit in computer software surged in the first half of the year.

The number of new "vulnerabilities" documented by an X-Force Research and Development team at IBM increased 36 percent to 4,396 from the same period last year and more than half lacked patches to fix the flaws.

"This year's X-Force report reveals that although threats are on the rise, the industry as a whole is getting much more vigilant about reporting vulnerabilities," said IBM Security Solutions general manager Steve Robinson.

"Threat dynamics continue to multiply and evolve at a furious pace, making it more crucial than ever to look at unfolding trends so we can better prepare our clients for the future." Software weaknesses were most abundant in Web applications, programs accessed in browsers on the Internet, according to the team. Web application vulnerabilities accounted for 55 percent of the disclosures.

"These figures may only represent the tip of the iceberg of total Web application vulnerabilities that exist, as they do not include custom-developed Web applications," X-Force said in a report of the findings.

Covert cyber attack tactics on business computers grew in frequency and complexity, according to X-Force.

Hacker attacks using booby-trapped document files "continue to soar" as cyber crooks find new ways to trick users, the report warned.

In a bit of encouraging news, the number of "phishing" attacks in which hackers use email messages to try to dupe people into visiting bogus websites or opening tainted files plunged 82 percent, according to X-Force.

"Despite this drastic decline, financial institutions are still the number one phishing target," the team concluded.

"Credit cards, governmental organizations, online payment institutions and auctions represent the majority of other targets." (AFP)

Mahindra & Mahindra signs MoU with Ssangyong Motor Company

Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (M&M), India's leading manufacturer of utility vehicles, signed an MoU with Ssangyong Motor Company (SYMC) to acquire a majority stake in the South Korean SUV maker. This will be followed by a detailed due diligence process and finalisation of definitive agreements.

SYMC is a significant player in the SUV segment in Korea, having recorded 1.3 million SUV sales from 1990 to 2009. Mahindra, a US $7.1 billion Indian multinational, employs over 100,000 people across the globe. Mahindra enjoys a leadership position in utility vehicles, tractors and information technology, with a significant and growing presence in financial services, tourism, infrastructure development, trade and logistics.

The Mahindra Group is an embodiment of global excellence and enjoys a strong corporate brand image. Korea is one of the world's leading centres of automotive excellence and Ssangyong brings with it a rich legacy of R&D and innovation.

India is a rapidly growing SUV market and will create new growth avenues for Ssangyong. The synergies between both the brands, which share a similar heritage, will make us a combined force to reckon with in the global UV space, said Vice Chairman and Managing Director, Mahindra Group Anand Mahindra. "We are committed to leveraging Ssangyong's strong competencies in R&D and technology by investing in a new SYMC product portfolio which will help us gain momentum in global markets. Mahindra's focus on alternative fuels and electric vehicles with the acquisition of REVA, will further strengthen SYMC's brand value and take it to new geographies," said President, Automotive and Farm Sector, Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd Dr. Pawan Goenka. Mahindra & Mahindra is committed to nurturing the SYMC brand in global markets while preserving its Korean heritage. It is intended that SYMC will continue to function as an independent entity with Korean management. The acquisition will offer financial stability to SYMC while making Mahindra & Mahindra the largest Indian employer in Korea.

Rothschild and Samsung Securities are advisors to Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. on this transaction.