biz n buzz

This coming Sep. 2-5, 2008 a big event will be happening in Thailand.  This year’s ITU Telecom Asia 2008 will be held in Challenger 1-3 of Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok.

Other infos.:
Trade days : September 2-4, Entrance fee 800 baht
Trade&Public day: September 5 Entrance fee 200 baht

The leading ICT Exhibition and Forum and major networking platform for players from across the Asia Pacific region is here to inspire Thai innovators and business investors.  ITU Telecom Asia 2008 will showcase the region’s latest ICT innovations while a high-level Forum will explore and debate key areas central to the growth of the Asia Pacific telecommunication industry.

A Youth Forum will be featured to bring together young people from across the region for a packed programme of discussion and debate.  The TDS (Telecommunication Development Symposium) hosts  these networking opportunities for meeting and conducting business.

Contact Organizer :

International Telecommunication Union
Place des Nations
CH-1211 Geneva 20, Switzerland
Tel.+41 22 730 56 81
Fax.+41 22 730 64 44
URL : www.itu.int/itutelecom

The Official website : http://www.itu.int/ASIA2008/

If you are thinking of ways to  invite more customers and encourage them to patronize your products and services.  You could do this by placing some talking avatars on your website.   This brings life to your website just like somebody is speaking to them in person.

There are commercial software that allows businesses to create speaking characters without programming skills needed.  One of the famous Speaking Avatar service provider is SitePal.

Website developers can use SitePal’s programming API and Flash features to create unique dialogues delivered by talking avatars.  This is not only useful for business at the same time for classroom instructions.  You can find more information and examples from www.SitePal.com.  Give it a try.

Technology is hard to master. Everyday new developments arises. The challenge on adapting the latest softwares is overwhelming. Normally, if I find things complicated what I do is ask help from Uncle Google. At an instant you can see instructions posted by helpful people on the net. Otherwise I will resort to sending it to software experts like Blaze Media.

For me this kind of business is really helpful to non techno-savvy individuals. Not all people have to patience to deal with technology. For instance, during a workshop I am asked to convert WMV to AVI, since I am not knowledgeable about conversions, so it’s better to ask other people to save my time. It’s really important to establish connections with IT people as they normally comes in handy.

Here’s another technology buzz on Asia’s hottest computer notebook– Acer Aspire One. This trendy laptop comes in Seashell White and Sapphire Blue colors.

The specifications are as follows:

For a $450 Aspire One A110-A (sapphire blue, seashell white)

-Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60 GHz, 512 KB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
- Linpus Linux Lite
- Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
- Acer InviLink 802.11b/g Wi-Fi
- 512MB DDR2, Weight 0.98Kg
- 8GB SSD, 5-in-1 card reader
- SD Card reader, 10/100Mbps LAN
- 8.9″ WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD (1024 x 600 pixel)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelator (GMA) 950
- Acer CrystalEyes Webcam
- Stereo Speakers
- 1 year local warranty (international)
free: 1 year insurance, acer bag, acer powerpac

For a $603 package of Aspire one A150-B
(seashell white, sapphire blue, diamond black, and golden brown)

- Intel Atom Processor N270 (1.60 GHz, 512KB L2 cache, 533 MHz FSB)
- Genuine Windows XP Home
- Mobile Intel 945GSE Express Chipset
- Acer InviLink 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi
- 1024MB DDR2, Weight 1.26 Kg
- 120GB HDD, 5-in-1 card reader
- SD Card reader, 10/100 Mbps LAN
- 8.9 WSVGA Acer CrystalBrite TFT LCD (1024 x 600 pixel)
- Intel Graphics Media Accelator (GMA) 950
- Acer CrystalEyes Webcam
- Stereo Speakers
- 1 year warranty (international)

free: 1 year insurance, acer bag, acer powerpac

Are online savings safe? This question might have swept in your mind as well upon reading my title. Personally I have converted my account into one for accessibility purposes. Having an online  Savings Account is very helpful.  As I used to do payment transactions monthly without any risk of losing cash along the way.

Banks are catching up with technology for better marketability with clients.  That is why they offer online savings which actually works as similar in the old fashioned way.  Only then you don’t have anybody to ask for personal assistance.  Oftentimes these are only temporary, once you get familiarized with the keys, it would only be like starting your engine before traveling several miles.

Business wise, online savings can be a good thing for young investors. People who have never really experienced saving and they are now looking to start thinking to the future might want to give it a try. The advantages of an online savings account are limitless. People can start an account with a lesser amount of money and they can do much of the management of that account using online features.

It’s important to take advantage of the fantastic interest rates that an online savings account can yield. Up to about 5% is now available using many online savings accounts. These accounts give people the chance to make CD rates with their liquid money. There is no waiting of one year in order for the investment for mature. It matures every minute with an online savings account.

Digital Cameras users have escalated in great number these days. I myself is a photography enthusiast and I have been researching several digital camera accessories that could fit my D40x. Even though at this point I am considering to upgrade it to D80 rather than buying the Nikkor VR lenses.

DSLR Body are getting cheaper and cheaper but not the lenses. For the sake of comparison Canon’s EOS 450D Kit 2 Lens 18-55, 55-250 IS costs around $967 while Nikon D60 2 Lens 18-55 VR, DX 55-200 VR is $764. If budget hinders you from getting your dream cam, there are two choices to make. Either you wait till the gadget depreciates or loan from somebody and don’t let the moments pass undocumented. Idle time is time wasted.

Basic accessories for Digital cameras are tripod, memory card, battery, charger, screen cleaning kit, camera bag, flash and more. You can find affordable prices of these items in sfplanet.com.

I found this device very cute and techno savvy way to keep an eye on your baby, that I chose to feature it here on my blog. I feel that this is best for SAHM (Stay At Home Moms) who maintains regular blogs.

I recall how my sis-in-law use to tell me that she has to stop chatting with me or blogging as she needs to check her baby wailing in the other room. Well if it’s the least that I could do, I’d be happy to recommend you this Wireless camera 819-E. It is a Baby Monitor Kit designed for new mums. The device allows mothers to be able to easily monitor their baby’s activity even if they from a distance. It’s available in www.twz.co.th.  The price of this gadget is around 6,900 Baht = $ 209.

Outsourcing had become the latest trend on today’s business setting. In my current workplace, though not known to everybody, the administration is trying to consider outsourcing of the IT services. The IT department is substantial to the organization as it holds all the electronic records in the database. Not to mention the intellectual property that has been put to the system by well trusted staffs to generate speedy online processing for a faster communication. It is then of greater weight that decisions be made advantageous to everybody both the administration and the members if a new system will be implemented or not.

If money is not a problem they could have made their decision for a long time. I guess a few more consultation from NY IT Consulting will save them from committing any mistake. For my personal opinion, it would be a great savings to maintain the same system and better hire new competitive employees to increase manpower or better send existing employees to professional training centers abroad. Still the difference in cost will not be over the yearly budget compared to outsourcing expenses.  This I suggest is the best solution of not considering sub-contracts. When employees are not cared for that would definitely compromise the growth of the organization.

Samsung recently launched the Omnia also known as SGH i900, an HSDPA (High-Speed Download Packet Access) device with Office Mobile 6.1 and featuring quad-band support, MS Office document viewer, TV out, Wi-Fi module, USB, FM tuner, Bluetooth,8 GB/ 16 GB flash + external memory slot, 3.2 in. 400 by 240 display and a 5 MP camera. This unit is intended to challenge Apple’s iPhone.

Omnia means ‘everything’ in Latin and ‘wish’ in Arabic. Even though the OMNIA is 100% touch screen, Samsung included an optical mouse for ease of navigation - the optical mouse is similar to what you’d find on laptops. Thankfully, there are hard keys for answering and hanging up on a call.

I got the recent price quotation for Canon DLSR camera from Pix-One Camera shop in Future Park Mall, Rangsit, Thailand. Pix One is located at the 3rd floor, Techno/Electronic Park. Might as well share it as I have noticed that photography enthusiasts are growing every single day.

RoE (Rate of Exchange as of July 2008 for USD to Thai Baht= 33 baht)

Model and Price
EOS 1000 D Kit EF-S 18-55 IS 10.3 MP LiveView Mode- 21,500 Baht / $652
EOS 450 D Body 12.4 MP LiveView Mode- 21,300 Baht / $645
EOS 450 D Kit EF-S 18-55 IS 3.0″ LiveView Mode- 23,990 Baht / $727
EOS 450 D Kit SD 2 GB -26,900 Baht/ $815
EOS 450 D 2 Lens 18-55 IS, 55-250 IS- 31,990 Baht / $969
EOS 40 D Kit EF-S 17-85 IS USM 3.0″ -39,990 Baht /$1,212
EOS 40 D Body 10.5 MP LiveView Mode- 28,900 Baht / $876
EOS 400 D Body 10.0 MP- 15,900 Baht /$482
EOS 400 D Kit EF-S 18-55 II USM - 17,900 Baht / $542

Extra
S 5 IS, SD 2 GB, 8.0 MP -10,900 Baht / $330
G 9, SD 2 GB, 12.1 MP 3.0″ -14,200 Baht / $430