Mirror Magazine

 

Techno Page - By Harendra Alwis

Computer law
Computer law is a relatively new and fast developing area in law. It is becoming increasingly important that both professionals as well as amateurs engaged in IT related activities are made aware of these laws and regulations that cover their actions. For example, can you scan any image you wish and post it on your website?

The short answer is "no". While it is quite easy to scan images out of books and magazines, and to place computer-readable (GIF and JPG) copies in one's web site, the fact that it is easy does not make it legal (or moral).

The safest course of action is to obtain permission from the copyright owner before posting a scanned image into your web site. Suppose you take a photograph yourself... can you freely scan it and put it on your web site? Even this sort of photograph can cause trouble. If it is a photograph of someone else, it is safest if you obtain a 'model release' from that person releasing you from liability for use of the photograph. The aim of the above discussion is not to provide legal counsel. For clarification, you should seek advice of competent counsel. Feel free to share your views on computer law with us at technopage_lk@yahoo.com

Starting a career in IT?
Where do I start? That's an obvious question when you're considering a technology career. Should you get a technical certification? Learn a programming language? You'll hear a seemingly endless variety of answers, largely because the technology field is so vast, with numerous paths for jobs ranging from database administrator to information architect.

For those just starting to consider technology as a career, it is best to avoid the temptation to jump into a potentially expensive, time-intensive training programme, unless you know it's the right programme and career path for you. Instead, explore the field on-line and pick and choose from the 10 mix-and-match steps below to get a sense of the technology job world and what you're likely to find fulfilling.

1) Learn HTML
Knowledge of the Web is quickly becoming a key skill for technology professionals, whether they work in tech support or as database architects. Learning HTML, the language used to display Web pages, is a first step in becoming Web savvy. Look to Builder.com and Webmonkey for tutorials or buy a book like Teach Yourself Web Publishing with HTML 4 in 21 Days by Laura Lemay and Denise Tyler.

2) Read computer books
Visit your local bookstore and head to the shelves with computer books.
If it's a megastore, you'll find hundreds of books, many with obscure titles and topics. Simply perusing books about the industry and specific topics (like programming and networking) will help you explore the variety of jobs in the technology field. Depending on your interests, consider High-Tech Careers for Low-Tech People by William A. Schaffer, UNIX For Dummies by John R. Levine and Margaret Levine Young and Learn to Program with Visual Basic 6 by John Smiley.

3) Write a programme
Programming is an essential task for technology pros. Scores of languages exist: C++, Java, Visual Basic and lots more. Learning to programme with JavaScript is a relatively quick way to get started with programming, as you're able to programme with nothing more than a Web browser, a word processing programme and the help of a tutorial like the one at Webmonkey.

4) Take an on-line course
A Web-based course can be a fast, cost-effective way to gain an understanding of a particular technology.

5) Talk to technology professionals
People working in the industry's trenches can provide lots of guidance to people getting started. Ask friends and colleagues for contacts in the industry. Schedule short phone conversations or meetings geared toward asking questions about technology careers. What do they do in a typical day? What skills do they need to know? What advice do they have for beginners like you?

6) Install Linux
If you install the Linux operating system, you'll accomplish a number of things at once. You'll learn about the open source software movement and you'll also have a crash course in an OS that's considered a threat to Windows NT and Windows 2000. The book, Running Linux, will help you get started, as will the company's Web site.

7) Attend an industry organisation's meeting
Making contacts is essential, both for your job search and for finding mentors who are willing to assist you as you embark on a tech career.

On Google, you will find a directory of groups for technology professionals.

8) Volunteer your services
You say you're a newbie? Not anymore. At the least, you'll be able to find someone - an older relative, maybe - who needs computer assistance. This will test your ability to communicate clearly about technology, an essential and often overlooked skill for tech professionals. Nonprofit, religious organisations and other community groups may also be in need of individuals with computer expertise, however newly acquired.

9) Enrol in a workshop
Community colleges, universities and technology training centres often offer weekend or evening workshops with entry-level instruction in programming, Web development and networking.

10) Build a Web site
Forget about those automated homepage builders. Instead, use your knowledge of HTML and JavaScript as a way to display your prowess with Web technologies. Experiment, have fun and focus on useful tools, rather than glitzy graphics.
Sent in by
Nishanthan Kailainathan

Improve your computer literacy
VRML: Which is pronounced either 'vee-are-em-ell' or 'VER-mul' is an abbreviation for Virtual Reality Modelling Language. You might see some references to Virtual Reality Markup Language, which is what VRML was called at the very beginning, taking its cue from HTML: Hypertext Markup Language, but it's been several years since people realised that VRML could be and ought to be a good deal bigger than simply marking up text to add on 3D capabilities.

VRML is, in the words of the VRML Consortium, "an open standard for 3D multi-media and shared virtual worlds on the Internet."

* An open standard: VRML was recognised as an international standard (ISO/IEC-14772-1: 1997) by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) in December 1997.

* 3D multi-media: Long before its official standardisation, VRML became the de facto standard for sharing and publishing data between CAD, animation, and 3D modelling programmes; virtually every one of those programmes now exports VRML or has a utility or plug-in to convert its native file format to VRML. VRML is included or referenced in the upcoming MPEG-4 standard, Java3D, and in other developing standards.

* Shared virtual worlds: Being able to talk and work in a 3D shared virtual space was one of the earliest motivations of the VRML pioneers. Still, a substantial amount of work on VRML is being done to realise this vision.

* On the Internet: Unlike previous 3D applications, using the Internet to share 3D objects and scenes was built into VRML from the very beginning. The standard is even published in HTML.

VRML isn't a general purpose programming language like C++, a script language like JavaScript or a page specification language like HTML. It's a scene description language that describes the geometry and behaviour of a 3D scene or "world".

Have you got anything to say? Write in to technopage_lk@yahoo.com


A girl accused of crying out loud
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl Tweedy has been accused of being racist following a brawl at a nightclub.

The incident took place on January 10 in London in the toilet of the nightclub.

Toilet attendant Sophie Amogbokpa claims Cheryl Tweedy insulted her after allegedly refusing to pay for sweets in the bathroom counter.

Reports claim Amogb-okpa is going to press charges against the Girls Aloud singer as the toilet attendant suffered a swollen eye in the fight.

As claims and counter claims got maximum press exposure, Cheryl Tweedy is reported to be "shocked and horrified" by the club worker's allegations.

The 19-year-old singer denied claims that she is racist. Tweedy had to spend a night in a police cell after the club management called in the law enforcers as the brawl was getting out of hand.

As Tweedy was taken to the local police station for a recording of a statement, there was no mention of racism in the document.

Meanwhile, the record label Polydor to which Tweedy is signed on says they are taking the matter up with their lawyers.

On the chart scene, the news is better for Girls Aloud. The group managed to stay clear ahead in the race and retain the No:1 position with the song 'Sound of the Underground'.

The song has managed to be on top despite the drop in the ratings for Popstars groups. Perhaps the song 'Sound of the Underground' is an exception.

This is the fourth consecutive week Girls Aloud has spent at the top of the UK singles chart. The last song to spend four consecutive weeks at the top of the chart was 'A Little Less Conversation' by Elvis Vs JXL back in June 2002.

The big new hit for 2003 entered the UK Singles chart at No: 2. 'Danger High Voltage' by Electric Six added a fresh outlook to the music scene with a mix of garage rock and disco beats.

The Electric Six is an US act formed in 1996 in Detroit as The Wild Bunch.

The house track 'The Way (Put your hand in My Hand)' by Divine Inspiration checked into the chart at No: 5. The female vocalist on the song is Sarah-Jane Scott.

Solsbury Hill brings an old chart act, Erasure, back into the top 20 after nearly nine years. The duo, Andy Bell and Vince Clarke cover Peter Gabriel's first solo hit which reached No: 13 for the one-time Genesis member in 1977.

Erasure were exponents of synthesisers and quite big in the 80s. Their biggest hit was the 'Abba-Esque EP' which topped the chart in 1992. Since then, the group has released awful tracks. But 'Solsbury Hill' is a good track deserving recognition.

An old Whitney Houston song, 'I Wanna Dance With Somebody' takes the air by storm via Flip & Flap at No: 13. The vocalist on the song is Jo James.

Also, former Verve leader Richard Ashcroft checked in at 14 with 'Science of Silence' a follow up to his previous chart hit 'Check the Meaning' from October last year. It's described as a good track.

Chart debutants this week are the Audiobullys with 'We Don't Care' at No: 15. The group consists of Simon Franks and Tom Dinsdale. They are certain to keep dance music alive this year.

The surviving brothers of BeeGee Maurice Gibb - Barry and Robin said on January 13, the group will continue, despite the death of the 53-year-old.

Meanwhile, one of the Bee Gees songs featured on their 2001 album is covered by One True Voice. The song 'Sacred Trust' appeared on their album This Is Where I came In.

Tommy Motola resigned on January 9 as chairman of Sony Records after a 14 year association.

The move came after a difficult year for Sony resulting in financial losses of over $100 million. Motola plans to launch a new label in partnership with Sony Music Entertainment.

He signed on and made stars of Hall+Oates, John Mellancamp, Carly Simon, Michael Jackson, Celine Dion and Jennifer Lopez. He was also responsible for signing on Mariah Carey whom he later married.

Pete Townsend of the rock group The Who was arrested on Monday, January 13. He was questioned for an hour at the Richmond Police station in England and released on bail without charge. He will be called back to the police later this month. Townsend was questioned at his home earlier in the day for nearly four hours.

The Who guitarist admitted he had accessed a 'pay to view' paedophile porn website. He issued a statement saying he was not a paedophile and offered to co-operate fully with police to clear his name.

UK top 20
TW LW
1 1 Sound Of The Underground - Girls Aloud
2 - Danger High Voltage - Electric Six
3 3 Lose Yourself - Eminem
4 4 If You're Not The One - Daniel Bedingfield
5 - The Way (Put Your Hand In My Hand) - Divine Inspiration
6 2 Cheeky Song (Touch My Bum) - Cheeky Girls
7 7 You're A Superstar - Love Inc.
8 6 Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - Blue Feat: Elton John
9 5 Sacred Trust/After You're Gone - One True Voice
10 - Solsbury Hill - Erasure
11 8 Sk8er Boi - Avril Lavigne
12 - Times Like These - FooFighters
13 - I Wanna Dance With Somebody - Flip+Fill
14 - Science Of Silence - Richard Ashcroft
15 - We Don't Care - Audiobullys
16 - Born Again - Badly Drawn Boy
17 9 The Ketchup Song (Asereje) - Las Ketchup
18 10 Dilemma - Nelly Feat: Kelly Rowland
19 11 Feel - Robbie Williams
20 12 Family Portrait - Pink


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