you're a mystery yourself

Sunday, August 30, 2009

12:40 AM

Topic 1 : Copyright

What is copyright?

Copyrighting is giving the person who created the work exclusive rights for a period of time in relation to the work. However, ideas, concepts, methods or any works that are not documented in a law firm are works that are not protected and thus no labeled as a copyrighted work.

So, exactly what type of works are copyrighted?

Literary or Dramatic works such as written books, poetry and drama respectively are examples of types these type of works. Musical works such as music, scores and recordings or Artistic works like paintings and sculptures are also works that can be copyrighted. Name or brands of products can also be copyrighted.

What is copyright infringement and the consequences when violated?

Using or copying more than 10% of a work, not seeking permission and using the work which are often in forums or through emails, sharing of music over the net in the form of MP3 format are simply some common types of copyright infringement. All software are also copyrighted. Doing any of these may result in a maximum fine of $100,000 or a jail term of up to five years.

Topic 2 : Danger with Cyber Contacts

Who are cyber contacts and what is the difference between real friends?

Cyber contacts are people you meet on the net and have not met them in real life before. Their true identity and information are unknown to you. These people are also known as Cyber Pals.

Cyber Pals VS Real Friends

How you got to know them?

CP :Know through the internet without meeting face to face
RF :Get to know them through the real world

True identity?

CP :Easy to hide real identity (name, gender, age etc)
RP :Know who they are and their identity

True feelings/ emotions?

CP :No verbal, physical clues to sense emotions and feelings leading to high chance of deception
RP :Not able to easily hide your identity and emotions

How does having Cyber pals affect some people…

POSITIVELY?

It can draw a person out of his/her shell as some people feel more comfortable opening up to others without meeting face to face. The cyberpal can then encourage the person to be braver and tell her true feelings and emotions or thoughts about something instead of keeping it all inside and might even affect her in the real world, making her more open to her own friends or family.

Conversing with cyber friends can also help to provide opportunities as other people might have different opinions or information about something and can widen your knowledge or understanding. It is also a good chance to interact with people from other countries and learn about their cultures and traditions. People are also able to meet with others of a similar interest and motivate them to pursue their dream.

NEGATIVELY?

You’ll be lucky if you met good and sincere cyber friends but some might mean harm. They are able to hide from you their identities, giving you false information in exchange for your own. Using this information they can hack into your accounts and having bad cyber friends can result in him/her to send you threatening mail or simply playing pranks on you.

What precautionary measures should you take when having Cyber Friendships?

Avoid sending or revealing anything personal, details about yourself or images
Try not to meet with the person without properly telling your family or friends about it and seeking permission
If you are not comfortable with what the other person is bringing up, leave the conversation or firmly decline any invitation to meet or give up information

Topic 3 : Computer Security

Why do we need to secure our computer?

It is important to protect our computer or any valuable data stored in it to be damaged or stolen for other people’s use. They can use the information, hacking into your accounts or hackers might simply plant malware into emails or breaking in through a weakness in any of your computer programmes.

What is Malware, types and effects of Security Threats?

Malware is a short form for Malicious Software and consist of Viruses, Trojan, Spyware and Worms.

1. Virus
- Attaches itself to attachments in emails, instant messages or through peer to peer sharing software

2. Trojan
- Attaches to programmes and pretend to be harmless
- Able to control your computer, sending messages to you or shutting it down when you go on the computer

3. Worms
- Slows down the computer be using its resources

4. Spyware
- Collects data from other computers

How to protect your computer/ personal information?

You could use a firewall, or regularly update your anti-virus programmes, have regular virus scans on your computer or simply using a strong password to guard your data.

&the beauty.

5:51 AM

In PL, we are inculcated values that are represented by "G.R.A.C.E", for the qualities that the school wants its students to learn and portray in their daily lives and attitude.

G for Godliness
R for Respect
A for All-round Excellence
C for Commitment
E for Enthusiasm

What do these values mean to me?
1. Godliness
It means learning how to help people like your classmates, teachers, staff and fellow students or even strangers. Even though we might not know them, we will try to aid those that need help and forgive those that hurt you even though it may be hard. Godliness means living a life that is pleasing in God's eyes and striving to be "god-like". It might seem difficult and impossible but we can take the Lord as an example and try to express his love through your actions and words. We might never have such a forgiving and wonderful love like Him but we can still try to instill joy and care for everyone that is around you, without any conditions or expectations, living with a sense of virtue.

2. Respect
Respect is something that I deem is important to have as it helps you to improve yourself. Respecting another's achievements, personality and good attributes can help you reflect and respect that person. Respecting yourself and your elders is also important as you must love yourself to be able to do the same to another, and then will people respect you in turn. Respect another's view points and beliefs, never criticizing and have a broad and flexible mindset in life. Lack of respect for others will result in them being hurt, whether physically or verbally. You must also try to conduct yourself with dignity as your actions will affect the entire school as well as yourself.

3. All-round excellence
To excel in everything you do might be tough but trying your best is good enough. Be dedicated in whatever task you are given and do it well with all your strength. This value can also teach you how to manage and handle your time well, to be able to balance your lifestyle and achieve many goals or tasks. It also requires you to be resilient and creative, perservering even under pressure and having faith in the Lord. You might not be able to do everything, you are a human after all, but you can try to have a teachable personality to cope with your work and also try to find time when you have "no time".

4. Commitment
To me, commitment is something is very much needed and it represents the responsibility to finish and complete your task or role that you participated in, whether you were forced to or if you are reluctant and tired. Commitment means doing it will all your heart, and try to think of ways to improve or help when doing an activity or joining a club. No matter how stressful or fatigue you are, you try to make time for what you have committed yourself to and be responsible for your actions. You must be dedicated and love what you do even though you might not like it at first.

5. Enthusiasm
It might seem as the easiest value out of all the rest but it is just as important. You must be excited and hyped up about what you are doing even if you are feeling low by something bad that happened during the day. You must stay happy and forget about your worries and troubles and just enjoy yourself. It would deeply affect the people around you if you are moping around, feeling sad and the task might not be done efficiently and no one would enjoy doing it either. It also closely ties in with "commitment" as you need to like what you are doing to be able to be commited to it and do it well, full of passion and purpose.

How can we show....
Godliness?
- help those in need whenever you can (even strangers)
- try forgiving your peers and understand why they did what they did
- do the right things even though it might seem difficult

Respect?
- accept one anothers differences, point of view and thinking as everyone is different
- do not critisize or make snide remarks about another
- act and behave appropriately at the right time
- being courteous and act with grace and clear thinking

All-round Excellence?
- stand up and volunteer yourself when the need arises
- strive for your goals and do YOUR best (not comparing with others)
- always try to improve and learn from others
- challenge yourself to do better (and not others)

Commitment?
- never skip CCAs or meetings even if you are tired or down
- be responsible for the task given to you and do it well
- love what you are doing and do not give yourself excuses for not doing what your are required to do

Enthusiasm?
- have a positive attitude and mindset
- look at things in another point of view and it might not look as bad
- be happy and enjoy yourself, be supportive of the programmme
- do not look bored or like you want to take a nap (you're still young and alive!)

How does it affect us in life?

These values can allow us to become better people in society that will gian respect from others. Whether in school, work or at home, we should have these values kept in our minds and try to express them through our actions instead of words. You will be more likable and would definetely do well in whatever task is given and can gain trust from those around you. Touch others in your life and the joy from helping others and hearing a "thank you" would be very gratifying.

How does the school help to cultivate these values?

In school, there are many camps and activities that allows us to cultivate commitment and enthusiasm like in CCAs and programmes. Respect is also shown in little gestures like keeping still when someone is talking or just greeting the teachers and fellow schoolmates. Godliness and other values are taught in assembly and morning devotion where the school shares how to be a person that God would be proud of, quoting from the Bible verses. Even though I am a free-thinker, I feel that these sharings are meaningful and really apply to our lives whether as a student or in our whole lives. We are also taught to always compete with ourselves, setting targets and trying our best to excel and reach our goals.

&the beauty.