"How sour, sweet music is if time is broke and proportion kept" - William Shakespeare

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Tale of Two Brains

Saturday, August 22, 2009

Let’s have a short break, setting aside technos and music.  This time … the realm of psychology! After watching this, what can you say?

Can you still breathe?

Posted by gcd at 12:11 pm | permalink | Add comment

Smart Plug N’Talk

Thursday, August 20, 2009

Plug N’Talk, the latest service of  Smart Communications ,  uses a USB device that contains the ff components:

  • sound chip - that connects to the earphone-mic as a calling device
  • data storage - contains the software (sofphone) that is automatically installed to the PC. The phone number is also stored here. The user dials when the softphone is run.
  • SIM - stores the prepaid amount

The target market is - OFWs abroad  especially in Middle East where the phone rates is one of the highest in the world (over US$0.20/minute).

Plug N’Talk is much cheaper - at PHP 6.50 (approx US$0.12) per minute for PLDT/Smart phones up to P8.50/min for non-PLDT/Smart. It’s similar to MagicJack, Vonage, or LanVox generic SIP phones where it’s has a VPN (Virtual Phone Number) assigned in USA or Canada. However, Plug N’Talk  is linked to a Philippine-assigned VPN so it can dial (and be called) as long as Plug N’Talk is ONLINE.

Plug N’Talk is the best option if  Philippines (not the country but the contact person) has no broadband Internet connection.  Otherwise, other options like Magic Jack, generic SIP IP phones or high-end Nokia phones like E51/52, E63 or N70 will come out cheaper since the per-minute charge will be practically ZERO. In fact, 2 of my readers, one in KSA and the other in NZ, called my SIP phone adapter using their Nokia E51 phone. Using mobile phones is more convenient because they can call the Philippines anytime - even from their office.

Posted by gcd at 10:12 pm | permalink | comments[2]

Tita Cory is dead … remembering Ninoy.

Saturday, August 1, 2009

The nation is mourning for the passing away of former President Cory Aquino. She has done her part in uniting the Filipinos that eventually led to the depose of Ferdinand Marcos.This struggle started with Ninoy in the 60’s. I was still a kid then. At my tender age, I am aware of Ninoy and the national issues from the discussions of my father, a regular reader of the The Philippine Free Press magazine, with our barrio (barangay) folks . The first half of my life was mostly under the regime of Marcos and I witnessed how the Philippines, very prominent among Asian countries in the 60’s,  economically and morally declined over the decades.

In remembering Tita Cory, I watched the documentaries of Ninoy in YouTube instead to refresh my history. People easily forget the lessons of history. Let’s not  forget Ninoy’s struggles and his noble dream for country. Let’s be vigilant. For sure, this is one wish of our beloved Tita Cory. She may rest in peace. Amen.

Posted by gcd at 4:45 pm | permalink | Add comment