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Workshop agenda and presentations
Workshop summary (pdf)
Following the OECD Innovation Strategy, the OECD Directorate for Science, Technology and Industry (DSTI) is embarking on a new project on the role of Knowledge Networks and Markets (KNMs) in fostering innovation. This workshop brought together subject experts and members of the OECD Working Party on Innovation and Technology Policy (TIP) to build a comprehensive picture of the use of knowledge exchange mechanisms by firms and organisations.
The objective of the workshop was to bring together subject experts and policy makers to consider the breadth of mechanisms used by firms and organisations to source and deploy knowledge in the pursuit of innovation. Priority issues raised by workshop participants included:
The discussions and findings from the workshop will contribute to implement strategies for better measurement and understanding of KNM which can in turn help inform consideration of the most appropriate governance measures for knowledge creation, transmission and assimilation.
8:30-9:00 Registration
9:00-9:15 Welcome and introduction
9:15-9:30 The OECD project on "Knowledge Networks and Markets"
9:30-10:40 Understanding knowledge networks and markets: Towards a new taxonomy
10:40-11:00 Coffee break
11:00-12:45 Markets for technology and the future of open innovation
This session will look at the increasingly prevalent role of intermediaries in shaping the growth and development of markets for technical knowledge, considering key trends and business models. The implications for the future of technology sourcing and business open innovation will be assessed in the context of intangible asset management strategies adopted by businesses across sectors.
12:45-14:15 Lunch
14:15-16:10 Public-Private markets for knowledge: Strategies for commercialising and disseminating research
This session looks at the complex and pivotal role played by publicly funded knowledge and its exploitation, commercialisation and wider diffusion in society through markets and networks. The various mechanisms that enable the diffusion of this knowledge and its further contribution to science and innovation will be considered, reflecting on the balance of proprietary and alternative models alongside other, less explicit, diffusion channels.
16:10-16:30 Coffee break
16:30 Final roundtable
Spearheaded by the roundtable of invited experts, this concluding session will allow workshop participants to identify priorities for the research agenda for the KNM project and policy questions to be addressed by the OECD project on Knowledge Networks and Markets and the TIP project on Financing, Transferring and Commercialising Knowledge. Key questions include:
Introduction by session moderator
Roundtable members
17.15-18:00 Open discussion
18.00 Workshop adjourns
Making the most of knowledge
Project partly funded under the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Commission
Related Documents


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Tarrant Rushton - The Secret Airfield
Once home to 3,000 people, TARRANT RUSHTON airfield in Dorset played a vital role during the second world war; Halifax bombers flying secret missions deep into Occupied Europe.
Home to the Royal Air Force and the Glider Pilot Regiment with its massive Hamilcar and Horsa gliders Tarrant Rushton landed the first troops in Normandy on D-Day, and played an important part in the Arnhem and Rhine Crossing operations.
Arduous flights of up to 12 hours saw Tarrant Rushtons air crews drop secret agents into Europe, supplies and arms to the Resistance, as well as SAS troops behind German lines.
In 1947, Tarrant Rushton became home to Flight Refuelling heavily involved in the Berlin Airlift, perfecting in-flight refuelling, refurbishing jets, building pilotless target drones and carrying out a wide range of internationally important aviation research programmes until the airfields closure. Now the base is just one large ploughed field.
You would never believe it had such a dramatic, important and poignant history but now you can, thanks to this programme!
The men from across the Commonwealth who flew and fought from Tarrant Rushton tell their stories. Hear about the airmen who died in the service of their country and those lucky enough to survive. Dramatic, moving and thought-provoking. Dont miss it.
Featured are:
* Memories of those at Tarrant Rushton in the RAF and FR days
* Rare photographs 1943 1980
* Breath-taking ground/air photography
* Archive aerial footage of Tarrant Rushton in its heyday
* Veterans attending the airfields 1994 remembrance service
Running Time 60 Minutes approx.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
A French boy dug up a glass jar and found a grisly surprise inside: four severed fingers.
The seven-year-old boy was playing behind the gym of his school in Chilly-Mazarin, a suburb south of Paris, when he saw the jar sticking out of the ground, according to Reuters. He dug it out of the earth and saw four partially decomposed fingers floating in alcohol.
"With time the jar must have risen to the surface and the fingers were found in well-preserved condition," the police spokeswoman said.
U.S. & World
Once the story got out, word came back that the missing digits had belonged to a local carpenter who had lost them in a woodworking accident. They couldn't be reattached, so the victim, who is still alive, buried them.


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Nutrition-friendly schools initiative (NFSI)
Nutrition-related health problems in children are increasingly significant causes of disability and premature death worldwide. While undernutrition continues to be a major problem in many developing countries, the problem of overweight and obesity have reached epidemic proportions globally, and both developed and developing countries are seriously affected. In some countries, the epidemic of obesity sits alongside continuing problems of undernutrition, creating a double-burden of nutrition-related ill health among the population, including children.
Based on the principle that effectively addressing the increasing global public health problem of the double-burden of nutrition-related ill-health requires common policy options, the Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI) was developed as follow-up to the WHO Expert Meeting on Childhood Obesity (Kobe, 20-24 June 2005).
The main aim of the NFSI is to provide a framework for ensuring integrated school-based programmes which address the double-burden of nutrition-related ill health, building on and inter-connecting the on-going work of various agencies and partners. These include the FRESH Initiative, Essential Package (UNICEF/WFP), Child-Friendly Schools (UNICEF), Health Promoting Schools (WHO), School Food and Nutrition Education programmes (FAO) to mention just a few. NFSI applies the concept and principles of the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), where schools that meet a set of essential criteria will be accredited as "Nutrition Friendly Schools".
Improving the nutritional status of school-age children is an effective investment for:
- improving educational outcomes of school children
- establishing healthy dietary and physical activity patterns among young people thereby promoting health and nutritional well-being and preventing obesity and various noncommunicable diseases , and
- improving nutrition among adolescent girls, which in a life course perspective, will benefit the health and nutrition of the future generation.
Pre-schools and schools offer many opportunities to promote healthy dietary and physical activity patterns for children and are also a potential access point for engaging parents and community members in preventing child malnutrition in all its forms (i.e. undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and obesity and nutrition-related noncommunicable disease). The universality of the school setting for gaining access to children makes it highly relevant to global efforts to combat the increasing public health problems of the double-burden of nutrition-related ill health.
Related information
Briefing presentation on the Nutrition Friendly Schools Initiative
pdf, 2.12Mb
- School-age children and adolescents list of publications
Contact address:
Department of Nutrition for Health and Development (NHD)
Nutrition-Friendly Schools Initiative (NFSI)
World Health Organization
20, Avenue Appia
CH - 1211 Geneva 27
Fax: + 41.22.791.4156


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Self-making and attaining to the highest level of perfection have ever been the final objectives of every human being, knowingly or unknowingly.
Never the less, this is not an easy task, as it requires, first of all , that one should recognize oneself, improves one's faculties and abilities, and then advance towards the said objectives.
Guiding people to achieve this great objective has been the obligation undertaken by the divine prophets and Godly reformers.
This book, presented by the Islamic Propagation Organization to you, dear reader, a helping hand along the road, to guide you, extends Self-Recognition for Self-Improvement, according to the heavenly teachings of Islam, presented by one of the most celebrated scholars and theologians.
It is our dearest hope that you may get the best benefit from this valuable book.
Islamic Propagation Organization
International Relations Department


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OILSEEDS: U.S. soybean exports for 2011/12 are increased 15 million bushels this month to 1.29 billion. The increase partly offsets reduced export prospects for South America resulting from drought-reduced soybean crops. The U.S. soybean crush is raised 15 million bushels to 1.63 billion due to stronger-than-expected domestic soybean meal disappearance. Soybean oil balance sheet adjustments include increased production, reduced food use, and increased use for methyl ester production reflecting the most recent data published by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Seed use is lowered to reflect plantings for 2012 reported in the March 30 Prospective Plantings report. Residual use is reduced based on indications from the March 30 Grain Stocks report. U.S. soybean ending stocks are projected at 250 million bushels, down 25 million from last month.
Soybean and soybean product prices are all projected higher this month. The U.S. season-average soybean price range is projected at $12.00 to $12.50 per bushel compared with $11.40 to $12.60 last month. The soybean meal price is projected at $335 to $355 dollars per short ton compared with the previous projection of $310 to $340. The soybean oil price is projected at 52.5 to 54.5 cents per pound compared with the previous projection of 50.5 to 54.5 cents per pound.
Global oilseed production for 2011/12 is projected at 440.6 million tons, down 5.2 million from last month. Foreign production accounts for all of the change. Brazil soybean production is forecast at 66 million tons, down 2.5 million from last month as warm temperatures and a lack of rainfall since late February in the southern state of Rio Grande do Sul further reduced yield and production prospects. Argentina and Paraguay soybean production estimates also are further reduced this month, reflecting the damaging effects of this year's drought. Other changes include higher peanut and sunflowerseed production for Burma, reduced peanut production for Argentina and China, reduced cottonseed production for Australia and India, and reduced palm kernel production for Indonesia.
Global oilseed trade for 2011/12 is projected at 106.4 million tons, down 2 million mainly reflecting reduced soybean trade. Lower soybean exports are forecast for Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Soybean imports are reduced for several countries including Vietnam, Iran, and Mexico. Global soybean ending stocks are projected at 55.5 million tons, down 1.8 million from last month, and down 13.6 million tons from last year.
WHEAT: U.S. wheat ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected 32 million bushels lower. Projected feed and residual use is raised 35 million bushels reflecting higher-than-expected disappearance during the December-February quarter as indicated by the March 1 stocks. Projected seed use is lowered 3 million bushels based on state level seedings as reported in the March 30 Prospective Plantings report. Projected exports for all wheat are unchanged as a 15-million-bushel increase for Soft Red Winter (SRW) wheat is offset by the same size reduction for Hard Red Winter wheat. By-class shifts reflect the pace of sales and shipments to date and the increasing competitiveness of U.S. SRW wheat into Europe, Egypt, and Mexico. The projected range for the 2011/12 season-average farm price is narrowed 5 cents on both ends to $7.20 to $7.40 per bushel.
Global wheat supplies for 2011/12 are lowered 0.5 million tons as reductions in beginning stocks for a number of countries more than offset a 0.3-million-ton increase in global production. Production for 2011/12 is raised for Syria, Pakistan, and South Africa, more than offsetting reductions for Egypt and Iran. Production changes this month have only a limited impact on global trade as world imports rise mostly on higher expected wheat feeding.
Global wheat imports for 2011/12 are projected 1.6 million tons higher. Imports are raised 0.5 million tons for China, 0.3 million tons each for Brazil and Mexico, 0.2 million tons each for Kenya, Morocco, the Philippines, South Africa, and Vietnam, and 0.1 million tons for Israel. Imports are lowered 0.3 million tons for Turkey, and 0.2 million tons each for Iran and Libya. Exports are raised 0.5 million tons each for Argentina and Brazil, 0.4 million tons for Uzbekistan, and 0.3 million tons each for Canada and Pakistan. A 1.0-million-ton reduction for Ukraine and a 0.2-million-reduction for Uruguay are partly offsetting.
Global wheat consumption for 2011/12 is raised 2.8 million tons on higher expected feed and residual usage. Wheat feeding is raised for China, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, the Philippines, and Vietnam. A revision to the India usage series, in order to better reflect residual losses, raises feed and residual use for the country by 2.9 million tons, but reduces food, seed, and industrial use by an offsetting amount. Global ending stocks for 2011/12 are projected 3.3 million tons lower. Stocks are lowered for a number of countries with the biggest reductions for China, Iran, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, Japan, Canada, and Egypt. Partly offsetting are increases for Ukraine, Syria, and Jordan with smaller increases made for several other countries.
COARSE GRAINS: U.S. feed grain balance sheets for 2011/12 are unchanged this month. The projected ranges for the season-average corn and sorghum farm prices are both narrowed 10 cents on each end to $6.00 to $6.40 per bushel and $5.90 to $6.30 per bushel, respectively. The barley and oats farm price ranges are both narrowed 5 cents on each end to $5.25 to $5.45 per bushel and $3.40 to $3.50 per bushel, respectively.
Corn used to produce ethanol in 2011/12 is projected at 5.0 billion bushels, unchanged again this month. The latest monthly data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) indicates that average daily ethanol disappearance fell to a 23-month low in January pushing ethanol stocks to a new record high. Weekly EIA ethanol production data suggest average daily ethanol production during February and March has continued to fall hitting its lowest level since early last fall.
Projected 2011/12 corn feed and residual use is unchanged at 4.6 billion bushels. March 1 stocks indicate a September-February feed and residual disappearance 238 million bushels lower than during the first 6 months of the 2010/11 marketing year. Prospects for feed and residual disappearance during the remainder of 2011/12 will be limited by an improving outlook for summer wheat feeding and the potential for 2012 new-crop corn use during August. Prospects remain favorable for a large year-to-year increase in winter wheat production with planted area up 1.1 million acres and crop condition ratings substantially improved from last spring at this time, particularly in the Hard Red Winter wheat states. Larger expected supplies and competitive prices for wheat relative to corn suggest an increase in summer wheat feeding compared with last year. The quick start to corn planting this spring and more intended acres across the South raise the potential for a substantial increase in new-crop corn use before the September 1 start of the new marketing year.
Global coarse grain supplies for 2011/12 are projected 4.3 million tons lower mostly on a 4.0-million-ton reduction in corn beginning stocks in China with higher 2010/11 corn feed and residual use. Global barley supplies for 2011/12 are also lowered 0.6 million tons mostly on lower 2010/11 and 2011/12 production for Iran. Partly offsetting is an increase in global sorghum supplies reflecting higher 2010/11 and 2011/12 production in China that more than offsets a 0.5-million-ton reduction in 2011/12 sorghum production for Mexico.
Global 2011/12 corn production is nearly unchanged with a number of notable, but offsetting changes made, many of which reflect the latest available updates to officially reported statistics. Corn production is raised 1.7 million tons for Egypt, 0.6 million tons for Indonesia, 0.4 million tons for Cambodia, and 0.2 million tons each for Colombia and Thailand. Production for Mexico is lowered 1.5 million tons based on lower harvested area as government harvest reports suggest last summer's crop suffered greater losses than previously thought from late planting, sporadic dryness, and an early frost in eastern areas of the south-central Corn Belt. Production for Argentina is reduced 0.5 million tons with lower yields reported for the early planted crop. South Africa production is lowered 0.5 million tons as dryness and late-season heat that persisted through mid-March reduced yield prospects in western areas of the Corn Belt. The resumption in rainfall in late March came too late for much of the crop. Venezuela production is lowered 0.4 million tons with lower reported area and yields and Laos production is lowered 0.3 million tons on lower reported area.
Global coarse grain imports and exports for 2011/12 are raised slightly with several countries adjusted based largely on the pace of trade to date. A 0.5-million-ton increase for Brazil corn exports is partly offset by a 0.1-million-ton decrease in corn exports for Mexico. Corn imports are lowered for Egypt, Thailand, and Colombia, but raised for Mexico, Indonesia, and Venezuela. Argentina sorghum exports are lowered 0.2 million tons. Sorghum imports are lowered for Japan. Kazakhstan barley exports are raised 0.2 million tons. Barley imports are raised for Morocco and Iran.
Global coarse grain consumption for 2011/12 is lowered 3.4 million tons mostly on a 3.0-million-ton reduction in corn feed and residual use in China. An increase in China wheat feeding is mostly offsetting. Mexico corn feeding is reduced 0.4 million tons, also with higher expected wheat feeding. Corn feeding is raised 0.5 million tons for Indonesia and 0.4 million tons for Egypt. A 0.5-million-ton reduction in Brazil corn feeding is offset by the same size increase in food, seed, and industrial use for the country. Sorghum consumption is raised for China, but lowered for Mexico and Japan. Barley feeding is lowered for Saudi Arabia. Global coarse grain ending stocks for 2011/12 are lowered 0.9 million tons, with a 1.8-million-ton decline for corn partly offset by increases for barley and sorghum.
SUGAR: Projected U.S. sugar supply for fiscal year 2011/12 is decreased 250,000 tons, raw value, from last month, due to lower imports more than offsetting higher production. Beet sugar production is raised 130,000 tons to reflect the higher sugarbeet area in the March 2012 Prospective Plantings report. Imports from Mexico are reduced 385,000 tons, while high-tier tariff imports are raised 5,000 tons. Mexico's sugar production is reduced and domestic consumption is raised, both in line with their respective pace. Mexico's ending stocks are raised to reflect Mexico's assumed stock needs relative to consumption.
LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, AND DAIRY: The 2012 forecast of total red meat and poultry production is raised from last month. Beef production is forecast slightly higher as higher midyear production is largely offset by lower-than-expected slaughter in the first quarter. The pork production forecast is raised as the March Quarterly Hogs and Pigs report pointed to a slightly higher-than-expected first-quarter pig crop. The broiler production forecast is raised for the first half of the year based on production data to date and stronger forecast first-half prices. Turkey production is forecast higher as turkey price forecasts are raised. The egg production forecast is raised slightly.
The beef export forecast for 2012 is lowered, reflecting the current pace of trade. Imports are raised on larger expected supplies in Oceania. Pork exports are raised. The broiler export forecast is reduced slightly from last month on higher prices.
The cattle price for 2012 is lowered from last month based on weaker forecast second-quarter prices. The 2012 hog price is lowered based on revised first-quarter prices and a slightly weaker forecast for prices over the middle quarters. Broiler and turkey price forecasts are raised as current prices remain strong. Egg price forecasts are raised on stronger expected midyear prices.
The milk production forecast for 2012 is raised on increased milk cow numbers and gains in milk per cow. The skim solids import forecast is raised. The fat-basis export forecast is reduced on lower butter exports, but skim solids exports are forecast higher on stronger nonfat dry milk (NDM) sales. Ending stock forecasts are raised on both a fat and skim-solids basis.
With higher forecast 2012 milk production and weaker than expected product demand, price forecasts for cheese, butter, NDM, and whey are lowered. As a result, both Class III and Class IV price forecasts are reduced from last month. The all milk price for 2012 is lowered to $17.25-$17.75 per cwt.
COTTON: This month's 2011/12 U.S. cotton supply and demand estimates include lower production and higher exports, resulting in a decrease of 500,000 bales in forecast ending stocks. Production is reduced 119,000 bales based on USDA's Cotton Ginnings report, released March 23, 2012, while exports are raised 400,000 bales, reflecting very strong shipments in recent weeks. Domestic mill use is unchanged. Ending stocks are now forecast at 3.4 million bales, equivalent to an ending stocks-to-use ratio of 23 percent. The forecast range for the average price received by producers of 89 to 93 cents per pound is raised 1 cent on the lower end.
The forecast for 2011/12 world cotton ending stocks is raised sharply this month, due partly to historical adjustments for India that increase beginning stocks by 3.25 million bales and ending stocks by 1.6 million bales. Analysis of India's reported exports for the months of August-December 2011 indicates that stocks were significantly higher on August 1, 2011, than estimated previously (see http://www.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/circulars/cotton.pdf for further details). In addition, the government of China's accumulation of cotton in the national reserve is constraining free supplies, thereby boosting its imports while limiting consumption. As a result, China's stocks are raised 3 million bales to 23.1 million, a level that assumes minimal release of reserve stocks before the end of the marketing year on July 31. China's forecast ending stocks now account for 35 percent of world stocks.
World production for 2011/12 is reduced about 500,000 bales, as reductions for India, the United States, and others are partially offset by increases for Pakistan and Sudan. World consumption is reduced 1.0 million bales, due to the reduction for China, and is now estimated at 6 percent below 2010/11. Adjustments to world trade reflect a 2.0-million-bale increase in China's imports to a record 20.5 million, combined with increases for Malaysia, Indonesia, and Vietnam, partially offset by a decrease for Pakistan. Exports are raised for India, the United States, Pakistan, and Brazil.
RICE: On the U.S. 2011/12 supply side, the all rice import projection is raised 0.5 million cwt to 20.5 million (in long-grain) based on the pace of imports as reported by the Census Bureau through January. Forecast beginning stocks and production are unchanged from a month ago. On the use side, all rice domestic and residual use is estimated at 123.0 million cwt, down 1.0 million (in long-grain) from last month, and a decrease of 11 percent from the previous year record. The decrease in the 2011/12 domestic and residual use is based in part on the March 1 Rice Stocks report released by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on March 30. NASS reported all rice stocks on a rough-equivalent basis at 112.9 million cwt (rough-equivalent basis), slightly higher than expected, and down 13 percent from a year earlier. Additionally, lower projected seed use of rice in 2012 and a downward trend in the brewers' use of rice also supported a decrease in the domestic and residual use of rice.
The all rice 2011/12 export projection is raised 3.0 million cwt to 92.0 million as net sales for March picked up significantly, and totaled over 325,000 tons (product-weight basis), compared to less than 200,000 tons in February. The long-grain export forecast is raised 1.0 million cwt to 58.0 million, largely due to increased sales to Venezuela. The combined medium- and short-grain export projection is raised 2.0 million to 34.0 million primarily due to increased sales to Turkey and South Korea. Rough rice exports are projected at 32.0 million cwt, up 1.0 million from a month ago, and combined milled- and brown-rice are increased 2.0 million (rough-equivalent basis) to 60.0 million. An increase in food-aid announcements mainly to Africa also contributed to the larger export projection. All rice ending stocks are projected at 39.0 million cwt, 1.5 million below last month, and 9.5 million below the previous year. Projected long-grain ending stocks are lowered 0.5 million cwt to 24.1 million, and combined medium- and short-grain rice stocks are lowered 2.0 million cwt to 12.2 million.
The all rice 2011/12 season average farm price is forecast at $13.80 to $14.20 per cwt, down 10 cents on the low end and a decrease of 30 cents on the high end. The midpoint at $14.20 per cwt is down 20 cents per cwt from last month, but up $1.30 from a year ago. The long-grain price range is projected at $13.10 to $13.50 per cwt, down 10 cents on the low end and a decrease of 30 cents on the high end from last month. The combined medium- and short-grain price range is projected at $15.50 to $15.90 per cwt, and is narrowed 10 cents per cwt on each end of the range from a month ago.
Global 2011/12 rice production and consumption are lowered from a month ago, while trade and ending stocks are increased. World rice production is reduced 1.7 million tons to 463.7 million tons, still a record, largely due to lower projections for Burma, Colombia, Egypt, and Indonesia, which are partially offset by increased projections for Bangladesh, Thailand, and Vietnam. Global consumption is reduced 4.1 million tons to 458.8 million, still a record, largely due to reductions for Burma, Egypt, India, Pakistan, and Thailand, partially offset by increases for China, EU-27, and Iran. Forecast global exports for 2011/12 are raised 0.8 million tons to 33.9 million tons, down nearly a million tons from record 2010/11. Projected imports are raised for China, Egypt, EU-27, and Indonesia. Forecast exports are raised for India, Vietnam, and the United States, and lowered for Burma, China, and EU-27. Global ending stocks are projected at 103.3 million tons, up nearly 3.0 million tons from last month, an increase of almost 5.0 million tons from 2010/11, and the largest since 2001/02. Burma, Indonesia, EU-27, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand account for the bulk of the upward revision in global ending stocks.
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text:
Outside In design
I spend time in several Business Process groups on LinkedIn and one of the terms I keep seeing is "Outside In". I keep seeing people using that phrase as if they just had an epiphany or that they just came over the ridge and have seen the promised land. What I don't understand, or what surprises me, is that it seems to be a new thing to experienced people. "top down, outside in" is how everything should be designed. How do you go about designing something where you have not established its purpose? How do you design something if you don't create specifications (performance requirements)? Outside In is common sense and I don't see why it is getting so much play.
So I responded to a discussion and wrote the following:
'Outside In' is about Context. Understanding Context is critical in every line of thought – not just BP design.
In order to understand the purpose of an activity you have to understand it in the context of the process in which it exists. Processes are a collection of activities. Evaluating an activity on its own has some merit but to fully understand the activity one must understand it within the context of the process in which it exists.
Seeing an activity on its own will not provide you with an understanding of how it fits into the whole. Every activity has a cost associated with it and should also have a value associated with it (non-value added activity?). The activity receives its performance requirements from the next level up – the process.
In order to understand the purpose of a process you have to understand it in the context of the system in which it exists. Systems are a collection of processes (Senge – Fifth Discipline). Every process has a cost associated with it and its corresponding value. The process receives its performance requirements from the next level up – the system.
Every business has a number of systems which support it and to understand the performance requirements of those systems you have to view them in the context of the overall business. The system receives its performance requirements from the next level up – the business.
And there is where some companies have stopped their thinking. They view their systems, processes and activities only in the context of the business itself. They are operating in a vacuum and use performance indicators focused within their four walls.
However those businesses need to go the next level up – the competitive environment. They need to add another layer of context. The business operates within the context of the competitive environment. If a business does not factor the competitive environment into their performance requirements it will be flying in the dark. And the likelihood it is going to hit the mark (from the competitive environment's perspective) is slim to none.
Hence the need for Outside In design. While one can look at performance from the ground up (activity to process to system to business) the requirements come in the opposite direction. One needs to understand the competitive environment first. One has to know what the outside (competitive environment) is requiring to know the minimum performance requirements for the business and then it cascades all the way down to activities and individual employees.
And the competitive environment is not defined solely by the expectations of the customer.
What happens if your company slightly exceeds customer expectations but there are competitors offering even more? In that situation you will most likely lose market share. Remember, your investors are not the only ones looking for a Return on Investment. So are the customers. Customers want to get the most for their money (the greatest return on their investment) and if your competitors are offering more than you then you need to adjust your performance requirements. You need to be offering a compelling Value Proposition to the market and if you don't understand what the customers want and what your competitors are offering then you will most likely fail.
Companies don't get to decide what the performance requirements are for products and services. Customers do.
That is one perspective on Outside In design. Where does your understanding differ from mine?


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/* Learn more on SAP Cloud Platform Mobile
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text:
Finite Conjugate Objectives are used in a variety of simple microscopy setups or for OEM integration. Finite Conjugate Objectives are microscope objectives that do not require a secondary lens to focus onto a specimen. Finite Conjugate Objectives are typically optimized for use in the visible spectrum. Focusing objectives typically contain about three lens elements, decreasing size and weight. These microscope objectives are less expensive alternatives to Infinite Conjugate Objectives for a wide range of commercial applications.
Edmund Optics offers a variety of Finite Conjugate Objectives in achromatic, planar, or semi-planar designs. Achromatic focusing objectives have a flat field in about the center 65% of the image. Semi-planar focusing objectives have a flat field in about 80% of the image. Many of these focusing objectives can be used interchangeably with standard microscope objectives. These microscope objectives are a single objective solution for focusing applications, removing the need to purchase additional focusing components.


text:
14-sai no Koi Chapter 34.7 Page 1
You are reading 14-sai no Koi Chapter 34.7 Page 1 on MangaSee. To see more information about this Manga, please visit the Chapter List. 14-sai no Koi is a Manga that was published in 2010by MIZUTANI Fuka. 14-sai no Koi Manga is Ongoing. Its scanslation status is Ongoing. 14-sai no Koi Chapter 34.7 was added on . Genres: Comedy, Josei, Romance, School Life
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Explore Our Hotel
Our Well Appointed Spacious Guest Rooms are the Perfect Choice for your Gateway to Yosemite Stay!
Business and leisure guests love the Holiday Inn Express® Lathrop hotel conveniently located off I-5 and just minutes from I-205, CA-99 and I-580. We are within a short distance of golf, boating and wineries.
Nestled in the Central Valley, our hotel is located between Sacramento, Oakland, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Stockton, Modesto and Tracy. Our opportune location places you minutes from Big League Dreams, Stockton Ports Baseball, Haggin Museum, Old Town Sacramento, University of the Pacific and a variety of local restaurants, shopping and entertainment. Popular area attractions include Del'Osso Family Farm, Micke Grove Park and Zoo, Manteca Golf Course and Mossdale Crossing Regional Park.
Business travelers appreciate that we proudly offer a well-equipped business center and complimentary WiFi. We're located near Ghirardeli Chocolate Company, Ford, Daimler Chrysler, Monier Lifetile, Tesla, Amazon, UPS, Honda, Doctors Hospital of Manteca, San Joaquin General Hospital in the Central Valley.
Enjoy our extensive list of amenities that make your stay unforgettable, like a complimentary, hot Express Start breakfast bar and on-site convenience store. Enjoy a dip in the indoor, heated pool and whirlpool after you burn off those extra calories in the fitness center.
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- Phone with Voicemail
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- Connecting Rooms Available
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Complimentary Fitness Center
Stair stepper, treadmill, elliptical machine, and stationary bicycle
Hours of Operation: 12:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Fitness Center Type: LIMITED
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United States
Check In: 3:00 PM
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Parking + -
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- Number of Accessible Meeting Rooms: 1
Accessible Hotel Areas
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Hotel Areas with Accessible Routes from Accessible Public Entrance
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- Total Number of Rooms: 81
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text:
Freedom on the Net
You are here
2012 Scores
Freedom on the Net Status
Freedom on the Net Total(0 = best, 100 = worst)
(0 = Best, 100 = Worst)
Obstacles to Access(0 = best, 25 = worst)
(0 = Best, 25 = Worst)
Limits on Content(0 = best, 35 = worst)
(0 = Best, 35 = Worst)
Violations of User Rights(0 = best, 40 = worst)
(0 = Best, 40 = Worst)
While the military junta that ruled Burma for decades was interested in expanding information and communication technologies (ICTs) for business and propaganda purposes, it also made aggressive attempts to restrict access to digital media and control online content. Elections in November 2010 changed this dynamic. Though widely condemned as flawed, the polls brought into office a nominally civilian government, led by former general Thein Sein and supported by a military-backed party, in March 2011. Since then, the political landscape has opened somewhat, with positive implications for internet freedom. Previously censored news websites have been unblocked, citizens imprisoned for their online activities have been released, and opposition political parties have been able to use online tools to mobilize supporters.
Nevertheless, significant obstacles to greater internet freedom persist. Harsh media laws remain in effect and could be used at any time to punish a wide range of online expression, the technical censorship system appears intact, and some opposition blogs continue to be blocked. Consumer prices for ICTs are still among the highest in the world. Meanwhile, even as some members of the government and private sector begin to explore reforms to the telecommunications sector, new challenges have emerged, including weak coordination between different agencies and resistance from the military and government cronies who have lucrative vested interests in retaining the status quo.
As such, the state continues to dominate the telecommunication sector, with few signs of upcoming fundamental reform. Although mobile phone use and the presence of cybercafes expanded in 2011, the quality of service for phones and internet connectivity is at times excruciatingly poor and only a small percentage of the population has regular access to ICTs, particularly in rural areas.[1] Where network infrastructure has improved, it has been biased towards the business sector or preparation for international events Burma is scheduled to host, such as the summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2014.
The state-owned Myanmar Post and Telecommunications (MPT) company launched the first official email service in November 1997. The 2002 establishment of the first private internet service provider (ISP), Bagan Cybertech, helped to increase the number of users in the country, though the company was later taken over by the junta. The government's first attempt to restrict internet freedom was through the 1996 Myanmar Computer Science Development Law,[2] which made possession of an unregistered computer modem and connection to unauthorized computer networks punishable by up to 15 years in prison.[3] Other laws passed later have reinforced a climate of fear and self-censorship surrounding online interactions, though in 2011, internet users pushed the boundaries of permissible speech and mobilized successful campaigns for political or social change.
Poor infrastructure, the economic interests of state-owned companies, and widespread poverty are among the key factors that continue to limit Burmese citizens' internet access and usage. Over the past two years, the number of internet users has notably increased, though it remains only a small fraction of Burma's population of 54 million people. The precise scale of usage is difficult to ascertain, as independent surveys are not available and government statistics lack credibility. Nevertheless, according to government sources and a Burmese telecommunications expert, there were an estimated 500,000 internet users as of early 2012, amounting to almost 1 percent of the population;[4] this was an increase from 110,000 (or 0.2) percent in 2009.[5]
The price of a private internet connection is prohibitively expensive in a country where an estimated 26 percent of the population lives below the poverty line,[6] though there is significant regional variation.[7] According to the International Monetary Fund, the gross domestic product per capita was US$821 for 2011.[8] By comparison, the installation cost and fees for broadband access range from US$625 to US$1,500 depending on the speed and connection method.[9] For example, the monthly fee for ADSL service from the two main internet service providers (ISPs) ranges from US$35 for speeds of 128 Kbps to US$250 for 2 Mbps.[10] This is in addition to installation costs of US$625 and the requirement to have a landline, a rare commodity in Burma.[11] As a result of these barriers, according to the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), the fixed broadband subscription rate was only 0.06 percent in 2011, a figure that did not significantly change from the previous year.[12] In the process of registering an internet connection, consumers must present their national ID, as well proof of police clearance and a personal affidavit affirming they are not involved in political activities.
Because of such economic and regulatory barriers, most users rely on cybercafes, where access typically costs about 200 to 400 kyats (US$0.25 to US$0.50) per hour in major cities and about 500 to 600 kyats (US$0.60 to US$0.80) per hour in provincial towns, slightly less than two years ago.[13] From mid-October 2011 until January 2012, internet connection speeds slowed dramatically to the point that in provincial towns, it took 45 to 90 minutes to open a single webpage.[14] The government attributed the slowdown to a disruption in the SEA-ME-WE-3 fiber-optic cable that is the country's main source of internet bandwidth, an assessment that independent observers confirmed.[15] As a result, many cybercafe users shifted to playing games rather than using the internet.[16] Periodic power outages also continued, reflecting Burma's general lack of electricity and poor infrastructure. Officials from the state-owned MPT have pledged to increase internet connection speeds in time for the Southeast Asia Games in 2013 that Burma is scheduled to host. Chinese firms will reportedly provide technical support for this upgrade and broader ICT security efforts.[17] In November 2011, Chinese state-run media reported that an agreement had been signed for Beijing Xinwei Telecom Technology to supply wireless broadband technology across Burma within five years.[18]
Mobile phone penetration is higher than internet use and has grown dramatically since early 2011, though it remains concentrated in large cities like Rangoon and Mandalay. Figures vary as to the precise number of subscribers. According to the ITU, there were 1.2 million mobile phone subscriptions at the end of 2011 (2.5 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants),[19] double the figure from 2010.[20] By comparison, the government reported that 2.8 million mobile phones were in use as of February 2012, which would be a penetration rate of about 5 percent.[21] In April 2011, the government announced a project to expand the number of mobile phone lines to 30 million over the next five years, with the aim of adding four million new connections within the first year.[22] In an effort to realize these goals, in March 2012, the Ministry of Communications, Posts and Telegraphs (MCPT) announced that the cost of a SIM card would be halved, dropping from 500,000 kyats (US$625) to between 200,000 and 250,000 kyats (US$250-US$312), though even this reduced price remains beyond the reach of most Burmese.[23]
Internet access from mobile devices remains extremely limited. In early 2011, some mobile phone providers obtained permission to offer mobile internet access via prepaid cards, but the authorities interrupted this service for GSM users in July and December 2011.[24] In practice, mobile internet connectivity barely functions even in Rangoon.[25]
The government retains control over the country's international connection to the internet. There are two main ISPs: the government-owned MPT and the military-owned Yatanarpon Teleport (YTP).[26] In December 2007, the government opened the Yatanarpon Cyber City, where YTP is based.[27] According to several reports, the authorities restructured the ISP system in October 2010, dividing it into two main networks: the state-owned MPT ISP and a newly-created Ministry of Defense (MoD) ISP.[28] Under the new arrangement, the YTP (serving civilian users) and a newly-established Naypyitaw ISP (serving most government ministries) connect to the international internet via MPT. Meanwhile, the MoD ISP solely serves users from the Ministry of Defense. Such architecture would enable the government to cut off access for civilians, including government employees, at times of political turmoil while keeping the military's connection intact. According to Reporters Without Borders, the arrangement may also facilitate monitoring and hacking of civilian users without risking security breaches for military accounts.[29]
The MPT retains control over the mobile phone market, but grants distribution rights to a select set of trusted companies, either military-linked like Yantanarpon, or privately owned but closely linked to the government, like ELite, a subsidiary of Htoo Trading Company owned by tycoon Tay Za.[30] Smaller firms seeking retail vending rights must purchase equipment from these larger distributors. In an example of the difficulties facing those wishing to offer lower prices, in January 2012, the private company Shwe Pyi Ta Khun announced it was seeking permission from the President's Office to sell a SIM card for 5,000 kyat (US$6) as part of the president's poverty reduction initiative. The news that phones would soon be affordable to average citizens was greeted with enthusiasm. Within a week, however, MCPT officials rejected the proposal, stating that the plan was not possible under existing regulations and without MCPT approval, and that more time would be needed to upgrade the country's mobile phone networks.[31] Some observers suspected the actual reason was reluctance to allow a private mobile phone operator.[32] The rejection sparked a small leaflet campaign calling for cheaper SIM cards; 11 people who took part in the protest were briefly detained for questioning.[33] The incident illustrated the MCPT's reluctance to allow meaningful liberalization, as well as the lack of coordination between government agencies and the influence that those with a vested financial interest in retaining the status quo have on ICT policy.[34]
Despite the government's control and the above-mentioned slowdown, there have been no credible reports of politically motivated disruptions to internet connectivity in 2011 and early 2012, unlike in previous years. Rather, the disruptions that occurred appeared due to technical problems.[35] In addition, the Yatanarpon Teleport ISP was more transparent than in the past in explaining the cause of the slowdown to customers.[36]
Alongside the unblocking of international and exile news outlets in September 2011 (see "Limits on Content"), the government also unblocked access to the video-sharing website YouTube for the first time in several years.[37] Burmese users thus have access to most Web 2.0 applications. At the same time, the government restricts mobile phones from receiving text messages from outside the country. This creates an obstacle for those wishing to set up a Gmail account or recover a lost password, as Google typically sends such information via text message. A number of small businesses opened to resolve this problem for users in exchange for a small fee.[38]
In a negative development, in March 2011, the MCPT issued a directive banning the use of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services for making international calls, including applications such as Skype, Gtalk, Pfingo, VBuzzer, and VZO.[39] Those violating the regulation may face penalties ranging from fines to confiscation of property to five years imprisonment.[40] In April 2011, cybercafe owners reported visits by government bureaucrats to check if they were still providing VoIP services, which many were, but no arrests were reported.[41] The measure is apparently aimed at protecting revenue earned from international phone calls made via the network of the state-owned telecom[42] or via a new government-sponsored VoIP program called Ytalk launched in late 2011.[43] In recent years, VoIP has become a vital channel for both business and personal communication, particularly families with a member working overseas. As of May 2012, the ban remained in effect, with the MCPT issuing an additional warning in its April newsletter.[44] Two months after passage of the VoIP restrictions, the ministry also banned the use of USB sticks, CDs, floppy disks and other external data storage devices in cybercafes, and threatened heavy penalties if the prohibitions are ignored.[45]
There are a number of state institutions tasked with ICT development and management, including the Myanmar Computer Science Development Council, the e-National Task Force (e-NTF), the Myanmar Computer Federation (MCF), and three associations—the Myanmar Computer Professionals' Association (MCPA), the Myanmar Computer Industry Association (MCIA), and the Myanmar Computer Enthusiasts' Association (MCEA). These entities are not particularly active or exist only on paper. During the junta's rule, the authorities used intelligence agencies and the Information Ministry to implement arbitrary and ad hoc censorship decisions. Under the civilian government, the MCPT has demonstrated more authority on telecommunications issues. Nevertheless, there were various incidents in 2011 that point to a lack of coordination between different government agencies in terms of policy formulation, implementation, and enforcement.
For years, the Burmese government systematically restricted access to political websites and online media outlets run by the Burmese exile community. This changed in September 2011 when the government lifted the blocks not only on foreign news sources such as Reuters, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC), Radio Free Asia, and the Bangkok Post, but also on major exile media sites such as the Irrawaddy, Mizzima, and Democratic Voice of Burma; the latter had long been on the regime's blacklist for their critical reporting.[46] The websites of international human rights groups were also unblocked.
This opening was followed by other steps that indicated a decline in the government's hostility towards independent media, online and offline, a change that seemed unimaginable a few years ago. A long-standing propaganda campaign in state-run media was discontinued in August 2011, visas were granted to exile journalists to visit, and a range of news outlets participated in government press conferences and media-related policy discussions in early 2012.[47] Despite these notable positive developments, the impact of the new opening has been tempered by the still low penetration rate and an atmosphere of uncertainty. In particular, harsh laws used to sentence bloggers and online journalists to long prison terms remain in effect and could be employed at any time to punish those accessing, disseminating, or providing information to the unblocked news outlets (see "Violations of User Rights"). As a result, self-censorship remains common among internet users, though less so than in the past.
The Burmese government retains the technological capability to reinstitute strict censorship at any time and some blogs of regime critics reportedly remain inaccessible. In November 2011, Citizen Lab, a research center at the University of Toronto, published evidence indicating that the technology used to filter and monitor online communications in Burma includes devices produced by the U.S.-based firm Blue Coat Systems, in possible violation of U.S.-imposed sanctions.[48] Citizen Lab's initial testing was conducted in August 2011, prior to the above-mentioned unblocking of websites. As expected, researchers found that the Yatanarpon ISP blocked numerous websites, including independent news outlets and content categorized by Blue Coat as pertaining to pornography, LGBT issues, and nudity. An update to the report indicated that as of October 2011, after the news websites were unblocked, some Blue Coat technology remained in place. Specifically, during the severe connectivity problems encountered that month (see "Obstacles to Access"), the error notification message that users in Burma received was clearly generated by a Blue Coat device.[49]
In another indication that the government has not entirely abandoned internet censorship, a small number of politically sensitive blogs, including that of Moethee Zun, one of the 1988 protest leaders living in exile, remained blocked as of May 2012.[50] The reason for their continued blocking remained unclear, but some observers believed it was because they tend to post embarrassing revelations of government corruption and complaint letters from civil servants about their superiors.
For websites that are not blocked, the Press Scrutiny Board has been known to order news outlets to delete articles that have been barred from publication in hard copy versions. When the weekly journal Popular News reported that five ministers had been fired in January 2012, the authorities called the journal within one hour of the information being posted and requested its removal.
In 2010, blogging appeared to be the fasted growing aspect of Burmese internet use.[51] Throughout 2011, however, social media tools gained prominence, including Facebook, Twitter, Friendfinder, Netlog, and the recently launched Google+. Facebook is the most popular of these tools, thanks to the ease with which users can share information, initiate collective action on social and political issues, and obtain news updates from exile media outlets (when their websites were blocked). Although no precise statistics are available on the number of Facebook users in Burma, one expert estimated that 80 percent of the country's internet users had a Facebook account, amounting to hundreds of thousands of people.[52]
A turning point in the volume, intensity, and impact of public expression via Facebook was the controversy surrounding the Myitsone Dam. Under construction by China's state-owned China Power Investment Corporation (CPI), it was part of a multi-billion dollar project to build dams at eight locations along the Irrawaddy River, a crucial resource for Burmese people's livelihood and a national cultural symbol. The Myitsone Dam, intended to be the largest of the eight, was being constructed less than 100 kilometers (about 60 miles) from a major tectonic fault line. Experts warned that an earthquake could cause the dam to collapse, with devastating consequences. This sparked intense public outcry. When local media outlets and public figures, including National League for Democracy (NLD) leader Aung San Suu Kyi, criticized the project in August 2011, Facebook users shared news links, circulated video files, and posted comments. This information was then republished on popular blogs. Local private weeklies also adopted a practice of posting politically sensitive news online rather than submitting it to the censorship board for prior approval, as is required for print publication. This not only enabled readers to access uncensored breaking news, but also allowed them to post comments in response. These mutually reinforcing interactions created an emboldened online community and collective "Save the Irrawaddy" campaign. Subsequently, at the end of September 2011, President Thein Sein conceded to public demands by announcing a temporary suspension of the project. Despite this vibrancy, however, using Facebook for mobilization remains risky, and could potentially draw a prison term.
Several ministries, including the Ministry of Information, have their own websites and blogs.[53] Several other blogs have also emerged—such as Myanmar Express[54]—that have launched malicious attacks against the opposition and Aung San Suu Kyi, including spreading damaging falsehoods. Many observers believe military hardliners may be behind the blog, as it has also criticized reformist President Thein Sein.
Besides employing online tools for social and political mobilization, users have organized gatherings, with government permission, to share general ICT-related knowledge. In February 2012, the third BarCamp in Burma was held. In a notable development, Aung San Suu Kyi attended as a guest of honor and spoke at the gathering, without encountering any interference from the authorities.[55] Many cybercafe owners provide assistance to their customers on how to open an email account, circumvent censorship, or use VoIP sites, though the authorities have banned them.
Although the new civilian-led government of President Thein Sien, who took office in March 2011, has introduced unprecedented improvements to the internet freedom landscape, the reforms lack a firm legal foundation. As a result, users remain at risk of prosecution and imprisonment under the repressive laws enacted by the previous military junta, and a small number of individuals imprisoned for online activities remain in custody.
The current constitution, drafted by the military-led government and approved in a flawed 2008 referendum, does not guarantee internet freedom. It simply states that every citizen may exercise the rights "to express and publish their convictions and opinions," but only if they are "not contrary to the laws, enacted for Union security, prevalence of law and order, community peace and tranquility or public order and morality."[56] In addition, three laws have been promulgated regarding ICTs: the Computer Science Development Law (1996), the Wide Area Network Order (2002), and the Electronic Transactions Law (2004).[57] The Printers and Publishers Registration Act (1962) is used to censor traditional media. These regulations are broadly worded and open to arbitrary or selective enforcement, generating a climate of fear. In February 2012, the government postponed introduction to parliament of a new media law, which has reportedly been drafted by the Ministry of Information but not yet been made public. According to one ministry official, it is expected to pass in 2012, but does not include changes to legislation related to electronic media.[58]
The most notorious and frequently used criminal law is the Electronic Transactions Law (ETL). Under Section 33 of the law, internet users face prison terms of 7 to 15 years and possible fines for "any act detrimental to" state security, law and order, community peace and tranquility, national solidarity, the national economy, or national culture.[59] This may include any act of "receiving or sending and distributing any information relating to" the above broadly defined proscribed areas. In August 2011, state-run media explicitly warned that the ETL could also apply to those who defame individuals and organizations on Facebook, and draw sentences of up to five years in prison.[60]
Throughout 2011, several internet users were sentenced under the ETL, though all were subsequently freed as part of a large-scale prisoner release in January 2012. Sithu Zeya, who was sentenced to eight years in prison in 2010 for taking pictures in the aftermath of a bomb blast in Rangoon and for his affiliation with an exiled media outlet, was brought before a judge again in August 2011. He was handed an additional 10-year prison sentence for violating Article 33 of the ETL for the same act.[61] According to his mother, Zeya was beaten during interrogations.[62] Nay Myo Zin, a former military officer and volunteer for an NLD-affiliated blood donation group, was arrested in April 2011. In August 2011, he was charged with violating the ETL and sentenced to 10 years in prison for allegedly writing articles online that were critical of the military, though under a pseudonym.[63]
Both Sithu Zeya and Nay Myo Zin were released in January 2012, along with hundreds of other political prisoners including bloggers Nay Phone Latt, Win Zaw Naing, and Hla Hla Win, whose cases were reported in Freedom on the Net 2011. Though celebrated, the releases were bittersweet. Human rights groups report that hundreds of other political prisoners continue to remain in custody. Moreover, for those freed, their release is conditional, as it was based on article 401(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which grants the president the power to suspend or decrease a prisoner's punishment.[64] As the sentences have been suspended, rather than overturned, the current or successive governments could arrest former political prisoners and return them to jail at any time, particularly if they participate in political activities. As of May 2012, no new arrests of internet users had been made. However, at least three former military or government officials remain imprisoned after they were sentenced in early 2010 for leaking sensitive information about junta activities to overseas groups via the internet.[65]
Despite the changes initiated by the new government, reforms have yet to reach the judiciary. Most judges were appointed by the previous junta and the government still interferes with judicial decisions. Trials for bloggers and other online activists that took place in 2011 were grossly unfair, lacking due process and typically held in special closed courts. Most defendants were denied access to legal counsel or adequate time to prepare a defense. Like other political prisoners in Burma, individuals detained on internet-related charges are at risk of torture and medical neglect in custody. The above cases of Sithu Zeya and Nay Myo Zin illustrated the continued presence of these legal flaws even under the reformist government, though the pair was later released.[66]
The record of harsh punishments against critical internet users has fostered self-censorship and an impression of pervasive surveillance. In reality, however, surveillance is generally spotty due to the limited competence of the authorities, and corruption on the part of local officials. In many criminal cases, including the trials of bloggers and activists, materials such as online chat records and email messages have been used as evidence in court. The authorities either monitor internet activity before arrest, or abuse detainees during interrogation to obtain their passwords and electronic documents.
Cybercafe owners are required to keep records of the personal information and browsing history of their customers, be they Burmese or foreigners, and submit them once a month to the authorities.[67] They are also obliged to grant free access to the records to police, service providers, or ministerial representatives upon request. Many owners do not systematically carry out such monitoring, however, and the authorities' enforcement of their surveillance responsibilities is similarly inconsistent.
In addition to registering their identity when purchasing a mobile phone, individuals are required to register their computers with the state-owned MPT and obtain the company's permission to create a webpage.[68] Traditionally, these measures have been selectively enforced and implemented more rigorously for those suspected of engaging in political activism or transmitting information to overseas media outlets.
The previous junta was believed to engage in cyberattacks against opposition websites based abroad. This phenomenon persisted in 2011, and in some instances increased in sophistication, but it was difficult to determine whether the attacks were directed by the government as a whole or orchestrated by a hardline faction within the regime.[69] In September 2011, at the height of fighting between government forces and the ethnic minority resistance group the Kachin Independence Organization, the website of the Kachin News Group (KNG), which provided exclusive updates about the conflict and fleeing refugees, was temporarily shut down by a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack.[70]
Prior to its unblocking in late 2011, the English-language edition of the exile Burmese news group, the Irrawaddy, was attacked by hackers in March 2011. In a more sophisticated attack than previous ones, the hackers penetrated Irrawaddy's content management system and planted two pieces of highly sensitive false news on the website's front page, with the apparent aim of damaging the agency's reputation.[71] Irrawaddy staff said that the attacks had also potentially jeopardized the identity of confidential in-country sources and contributors. According to an expert investigation, the same IP addresses from which the hacking attack originated (located in London and using proxy servers in China) had also amended several sections on the Burmese military's Wikipedia page with impressive detail, indicating a current or previous connection to the military.[72] In 2011, several cases were reported of unidentified attackers hacking the email and Facebook accounts of Burmese exile dissidents, and in one case, the account of a defector from the Burmese army.[73]
[1] "Internet cafés must reapply for a business license," Mizzima, May 27, 2011, http://www.mizzima.com/business/5333-internet-cafes-must-reapply-for-a-business-license.html.
[2] In June 1989, the military junta changed the English rendering of the country's name from Burma to Myanmar. Democracy activists and their foreign supporters, including the U.S. government, have continued using Burma.
[3] Computer Science Development Law, September 20, 1996, Chapter X, https://www.myanmarisp.com/ICTnews/law10-96.
[4] In February 2012, MCPT Minister Thein Tun reported to the Third Regular Session of Parliament that internet users increased to 500,000 in 2011-2012. "Third regular session of First Pyidaungsu Hluttaw continues," The New Light of Myanmar XIX, no. 287 (February 2, 2012), http://www.burmalibrary.org/docs13/NLM2012-02-02.pdf. Kyaw Soe, head of the Burmese Telecom Training school also said at the Burmese Economic conference held on May 19, 2012 that there were 500,000 internet users in Burma. Author's interview with conference attendee, June 25, 2012. The International Telecommunications Union cites a similar estimate in its 2011 statistics, likely drawn from government sources: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), "Percentage of individuals using the Internet, fixed (wired) Internet subscriptions, fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions," 2011, accessed July 13, 2012, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ICTEYE/Indicators/Indicators.aspx#.
[5] In Soo Kang, "Strategies for Operating National CERT of Myanmar," ITU-ASEAN Subregional CSIRT/CIRT/CERT Workshop for CLMV, November 29 to December 1, 2011, Yangon, (Myanmar Korea Information Society Development Institute - KISDI) http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/asp/CMS/Events/2011/CIRTWkshp/S8_Dr_Insoo_Kang.pdf; "Myanmar introduces 1st telecommunication service call center," Xinhua, December 21, 2011, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2011-12/21/c_131320009.htm.
[6] "Cooperative societies will be formed with bottom up initiative, not with top down policy," The New Light of Myanmar, June 20, 2011, http://www.myanmargeneva.org/11nlm/jun/n110621.htm. "Myanmar:
Country Profile: Human Development Indicators," United Nations' Human Development Index, accessed January 2, 2011, http://hdrstats.undp.org/en/countries/profiles/MMR.html.
[7] For example, Chin State has the highest poverty level, at more than 70 percent. These figures are likely to be conservative, as they are based on data collected before significant increases in fuel prices in October 2005 and August 2007, and an inflationary public sector salary hike in April 2006. Charles Petrie, End of Mission Report: UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative for Myanmar, 2003–2007, April 1, 2008, http://www.pyinnya.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/end-of-mission-report-by-charles-petrie-april-2008.pdf.
[8] International Monetary Fund, "World Economic Outlook Database," International Monetary Fund, April 2011, http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/weo/2011/01/weodata/weorept.aspx?sy=2009&ey=2016&scsm=1&ssd=1&sort=country&ds=.&br=1&pr1.x=88&pr1.y=5&c=518&s=NGDPDPC%2CPPPPC&grp=0&a=#cs1.
[9] Interviews with local journalists who cover the IT sector, December 12, 2011. See also "WiMax Installation Charges Change from FEC to Kyat," Popular Journal [in Burmese],accessed January 2, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/28610
[10] The exchange rate fluctuated throughout 2011, varying from 750 to 860 kyats per US dollar. This paper uses an average of 800 kyats per dollar for consistency.
[11] "Internet Cafes Expect Lower Monthly Fee as the Number of Users Dwindles," Popular Journal [in Burmese], accessed January 4, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/29866.; "Initial Installation Cost Reduced for Wimax Internet Service," Popular Journal [in Burmese], http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/32988.
[12] International Telecommunication Union, "Fixed Broadband Subscriptions, 2000-2010 Data," ITU, Updated in December 2011, http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/index.html.
[13] "Declines in Cyber Cafe Users and Hourly Fee due to Slow Connection Speed," Popular Journal [in Burmese], accessed January 7, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/29371.
[14] Interviews with local internet users in Hinthada township, Irrawaddy Region, and in Prome, Pegu Division, January 7 and 8, 2012.
[15] "Internet Fiber Disruption be Repaired within this Month," [in Burmese] Popular Journal, November 11, 2011, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/31653.; Sai Zom Hseng, "Burma's Internet, Newly Opened, Slows to a Crawl," The Irrawaddy, November 3, 2011, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22379&Submit=Submit.
[16] "Internet Cafes have to Rely on the uses of Pfingo and Games," [in Burmese] Popular Journal, accessed January 7, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/30157.
[17] "China Supports Burmese Internet Security," [in Burmese] Popular Journal, accessed January 8, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/33163.
[18] "Sino-Myanmar companies cooperate in telecom technology," The People's Daily Online English, November 13, 2011, http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90778/7643265.html.
[19] International Telecommunications Union, "Mobile-cellular telephone subscriptions 2006-2011," http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/icteye/Reporting/ShowReportFrame.aspx?ReportName=/WTI/CellularSubscribersPublic&ReportFormat=HTML4.0&RP_intYear=2011&RP_intLanguageID=1&RP_bitLiveData=False; "Myanmar (Burma) Telecoms Mobile and Internet," BuddeComm, accessed January 2, 2012, http://www.budde.com.au/Research/Myanmar-Burma-Telecoms-Mobile-and-Internet.html.
[20] International Telecommunications Union, "ICT Statistics 2009—Fixed Telephone Lines," http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/icteye/Indicators/Indicators.aspx#.
[21] "Myanmar Introduces 1st Telecommunication Service Call Center," Xinhua, December 12, 2012, http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/sci/2011-12/21/c_131320009.htm; As of February 2012, the MCPT newsletter reported that there were 2.8 million mobile phone users in Burma. MCPT Newsletter [in Burmese], February 29, 2012, http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/sites/default/files/pdf/1-1%20Smart-News-Journal%20.pdf.
[22] "Myanmar to install more mobile phone lines within 5 years," The Financial Express, April 23, 2011, http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/more.php?news_id=11101&date=2011-04-24.
[23] "Burmese SIM Card Price Slashed by Half," The Irrawaddy, March 6, 2012, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=23158.
[24] "CDMA 450MHz Not Allowed Internet Uses," [in Burmese] Popular Journal, accessed January 8, 2012, http://popularmyanmar.com/mpaper/archives/32811 .
[25] Interview with Rangoon phone users, January 2, 2012.
[26] Nilar Aye, "Current Status of PKI Development in Myanmar," The Workshop on CA-CA Interoperability Framework in ASEAN August 5-6, 2010, http://www.gits.net.th/Documents/CACA_Interoperability_ASEAN/CA_Workshop_2_8_10_Myanmar_updated.pdf (site discontinued). Xinhua News, "Myanmar Internet link continues to meet with interruption," People's Daily Online English, November 3, 2010, http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90781/90877/7187341.html.
[27] Ye Kaung Myint Maung, "Nation's First Cyber City Takes Shape," The Myanmar Times, December 24–30, 2007, http://mmtimes.com/no398/n001.htm.
[28] Author's interview with an official at the Information Ministry who asked to remain anonymous, July 27 and December 30, 2010.; Reporters Without Borders, National Web Portal Development or Repression?, November 2010, http://en.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/rap_birmanie-2.pdf.
[29] Author's interview with an official at the Information Ministry who asked to remain anonymous, July 27 and December 30, 2010.; Reporters Without Borders, National Web Portal Development or Repression?, November 2010, http://en.rsf.org/IMG/pdf/rap_birmanie-2.pdf.
[30] "30 Million New GSM Mobile Phone Lines," Myanmar Business Network, http://www.myanmar-business.org/2011/05/30-million-new-gsm-mobile-phone-lines.htm (site discontinued).
[31] Shwe Aung, "Not Possible for 5,000 kyats per Sim Card, says the MPT official," [in Burmese] Democratic Voice of Burma, January 10, 2012, http://burmese.dvb.no/archives/19809.
[32] Ba Kaung, "Burmese SIM Card Provider Challenges Monopolistic State Interests," The Irrawaddy, February 15, 2012, http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/77.
[33] Hpyo Wai Tha, "Burmese SIM Card Price Slashed by Half," The Irrawaddy, February 15, 2012, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=23158; Zarni Mann, "11 'SIM Card' Campaigners Detained for Questioning in Rangoon," The Irrawaddy, February 29, 2012, http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/464.
[34] Ba Kaung, "Burmese SIM Card Provider Challenges Monopolistic State Interests," The Irrawaddy, February 15, 2012, http://www.irrawaddy.org/archives/77.
[35] Sai Zom Hseng, "Burma's Internet, Newly Opened, Slows to a Crawl," The Irrawaddy, November 3, 2011, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=22379&Submit=Submit.
[36] Interview with two cybercafe owners and three household subscribers in Rangoon, December 28-29, 2011.
[37] Qichen Zhang, "Burma's Government Unblocks Foreign Websites Including YouTube," OpenNet Initiative, September 20, 2011, http://opennet.net/blog/2011/09/burmas-government-unblocks-foreign-websites-including-youtube.
[38] Tun Tun, "Gmail for Sale," Mizzima, September 12, 2011, http://www.mizzima.com/business/5915-gmail-for-sale.html.
[39] Htet Aung, "Junta Make Internet Phones Illegal," The Irrawaddy, March 16, 2011, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20949&Submit=Submit; Aung Myat Soe, "Government bans Internet overseas calls," Mizzima, March 16, 2011, http://mizzimaenglish.blogspot.com/2011/03/government-bans-internet-overseas-calls.html.
[40] "Action can be Taken against VoIP calls," Internet Journal Vol 12, Number 12, March 24, 2011.
[41] Nayee Lin Latt, "Burmese Authorities Crack Down on VoIP Calls," The Irrawaddy, April 7, 2011, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=21092&Submit=Submit.
[42] Aung Myat Soe, "Government bans Internet overseas calls," Mizzima, March 16, 2011, http://mizzimaenglish.blogspot.com/2011/03/government-bans-internet-overseas-calls.html.
[43] Interviews with two Burmese IT experts and four journalists, June 20- 25, 2012.
[44] Smart News [in Burmese], Vol 1, no. 4, April 25, 2012, http://www.mcpt.gov.mm/sites/default/files/pdf/1-6-smart-news.pdf.
[45] Shwe Aung and Francis Wade, "Internet cafes ban CDs, USB drives," Democratic Voice of Burma, May 16, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/internet-cafes-ban-cds-usb-drives/15659.
[46] AP, "Myanmar authorities unblock some banned websites," Yahoo! News, September 16, 2011, http://news.yahoo.com/myanmar-authorities-unblock-banned-websites-050311492.html; Qichen Zhang, "Burma's Government Unblocks Foreign Websites Including YouTube," OpenNet Initiative, September 20, 2011, http://opennet.net/blog/2011/09/burmas-government-unblocks-foreign-websites-including-youtube.
[47] Joseph Allchin, "Govt drops DVB 'killer media' slogan," Democratic Voice of Burma, August 17, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/govt-drops-dvb-%E2%80%98killer-media%E2%80%99-slogan/17085.
[48] "Behind Blue Coat: Investigations of commercial filtering in Syria and Burma," The Citizen Lab, November 9, 2011, http://citizenlab.org/2011/11/behind-blue-coat/?utm_source=Media+Mailing+List&utm_campaign=3881bed4a1-Citizen_Lab_research_report_Behind_Blue_Coat_&utm_medium=email.; Andy Greenberg, "Researchers Spot Blue Coat Web Control Gear In Another Repressive Regime: Burma," Forbes, November 9, 2011, http://www.forbes.com/sites/andygreenberg/2011/11/09/researchers-spot-blue-coat-web-control-gear-in-another-bad-regime-burma/.
[49] "Behind Blue Coat: An update from Burma," The Citizen Lab, November 29, 2011, https://citizenlab.org/2011/11/behind-blue-coat-an-update-from-burma/.
[50] Users seeking to access his blog received a message of: "Access to the requested URL has been denied... To have the rating of this webpage reevaluated, please contact your web moderator." Interviews with six Internet users in Rangoon, two users from Mandalay, and one user from Prome Township, January 10-12, 2012.
[51] See Freedom on the Net 2011.
[52] Based on an estimated 500,000 internet users in Burma. Tun Tun, "Facebook's mini-revolution in Burma," Mizzima, August 17, 2011, http://www.mizzima.com/edop/features/5786-facebooks-mini-revolution-in-burma.html.
[53] See for example: Kyee Saytaman's Blog, http://kyeesaytaman.blogspot.com/.
[54] Myannmar Express, http://www.myanmarexpress.net/.
[55] Info.NLD, "Daw Aung San Suu Kyi Opened BarCamp Yangon 2012," National League for Democracy, February 14, 2012, http://www.nldburma.org/social-activity/education/477-daw-aung-san-suu-kyi-opened-barcamp-yangon-2012.html.; Jeremy Wagstaff, "Slow Connection: Myanmar faces an IT logjam," Firstpost Business, March 3, 2012, http://www.firstpost.com/business/slow-connection-myanmar-faces-an-it-logjam-232895.html.
[56] Burma Constitution (English version), accessed December 20, 2011, http://burmadigest.info/wp-content/uploads/2008/11/myanmar_constitution-2008-en.pdf.
[57] Burma Lawyers' Council, Myanmar Law (1988–2004), accessed December 20, 2011, http://www.blc-burma.org/html/Myanmar%20Law/Indexs/lr_law_ml_index.html.
[58] "New Burmese media law postponed," Mizzima News, February 6, 2012, http://www.mizzima.com/gallery/media-alert/6541-new-burmese-media-law-postponed.html.
[59] Electronic Transactions Law, State Peace and Development Council Law No. 5/2004, accessed December 20, 2011, http://www.blc-burma.org/html/myanmar%20law/lr_e_ml04_05.htm.
[60] Francis Wade, "Prison threat for Facebook 'defamers'," Democratic Voice of Burma, August 3, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/prison-threat-for-facebook-'defamers'/16865.
[61] Joseph Allchin, "DVB VJ given additional 10 yrs in jail," Democratic Voice of Burma, September 14, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/dvb-vj-given-additional-10-yrs-in-jail/17646.
[62] Francis Wade, "Jailing of DVB reporters 'arbitrary': UN," Democratic Voice of Burma, November 24, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/jailing-of-dvb-reporters-'arbitrary'-un/18889.
[63] Aye Nai, "Ex-army captain sentenced to 10 years," Democratic Voice of Burma, August 29, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/ex-army-captain-sentenced-to-10-years/17316.
[64] Burma Lawyer Council, The Code of Criminal Procedure in Burma, accessed January 14, 2012, http://www.blc-burma.org/html/Criminal%20Procedure%20Code/cpc_16-30.html#401.
[65] In January 2010, a former military officer and a foreign affairs official were sentenced to death, and another foreign affairs official was sentenced to 15 years in prison, for the leak of information and photographs about military tunnels and a general's trip to North Korea. As of May 2012, the executions had not been carried out. Interview with Bo Kyi, cofounder of the Association for Assisting Political Prisoners (Burma), July 1, 2012.
[66] Aye Nai, "Ex-army captain sentenced to 10 years," Democratic Voice of Burma, August 29, 2011, http://www.dvb.no/news/ex-army-captain-sentenced-to-10-years/17316.
[67] "Surveillance of Media and Internet Stepped up under New Civilian President," Reporters Without Borders, May 17, 2011, http://en.rsf.org/burma-surveillance-of-media-and-internet-17-05-2011,40296.html.
[68] OpenNet Initiative, "Country Profiles: Burma (Myanmar)," May 10, 2007, http://opennet.net/research/profiles/burma.
[69] According to an IT expert and company owner, top leaders no longer show an interest in procuring high tech devices that enable filtering, intercepting communications, or deploying cyberattacks, either because of the changing political environment or because of the high cost of these tools. Other IT experts and journalists noted that those who previously received ICT trainings in Russia and other countries, as well as the information minister, known as a hardliner, could still be playing a role in launching cyberattacks against opposition websites. Author's interviews with two journalists and two IT experts, December 28-30, 2011 and January 3, 2012.
[70] "KNG -Kachin News website attacked by cyber hacker since today 14.09," Kachin News Group, September 14, 2011, http://democracyforburma.wordpress.com/2011/09/14/kng-kachin-news-website-attacked-by-cyber-hacker-since-today-14-09/ (site discontinued).
[71] Ko Htwe, "The Irrawaddy Hacked," The Irrawaddy, March 14, 2011, http://www2.irrawaddy.org/article.php?art_id=20931.
[72] Shawn W. Crispin, "Burmese exile news site endures hacking, DDoS attacks," Committee to Protect Journalists, May 2, 2011, http://www.cpj.org/blog/2011/05/burmese-exile-news-site-endures-hacking-ddos-attac.php.
[73] Aye Lae, "Is Burma Really No. 1 in Internet attack traffic?," Mizzima, August 2, 2011, http://www.mizzima.com/news/inside-burma/5708-is-burma-really-no-1-in-internet-attack-traffic.html. According to exile sources, the e-mail account of a female journalist was also hacked. Author's interview with two Burmese exile journalists in Washington DC, December 20, 2011.


text:
Not too long ago, I blogged about a Book called Daemon. Freedom is the sequel to Daemon.
I enjoyed reading this book. The story continues from Daemon, but in a largely different direction. I like the direction the book took, for the most part. I was hoping that there would be more tech talk and not so much of the sci-fi tek. I liked the sci-fi tek, I just thought it would have been more down to earth to keep it closer to reality.
Daemon was scarily real. The exploits were real, the danger seemed real. In Freedom, I felt it made a big reach. When looking at both books together though, it seems like a natural progression.
I like the plot. The story culminates with a confrontation at a compound in Texas. I really thought that the confrontation was a huge let-down. I really expected more conflict at that point. Everything was mounting to that, but the ultimate goal was to demonstrate that the group of people from the darknet still could think for themselves.
In the end, it was a good story. I would like to have some of the technology. I must also admit that Freedom was harder to put down than Daemon for me. I found myself rooting in favor of the Daemon. I started rooting for the Daemon at the end of the first book.


text:
Different football (Australian), different rules (as far as we can tell from watching this televised Calvinball that airs on the wee hours on ESPN2, there are no rules). But we're still awestruck by this move that Carlton's Andrew Walker pulled on Saturday night.
"That's the biggest mark I've ever seen," Carlton coach Brett Ratten said. "I said to him at half-time to stay on the ground a bit more because I thought he was flying at everything.
"He looked at me when he came off and said 'Is that OK?' - I said that's OK when you do that."
They're calling it the mark of the year, though Walker has some stiff competition from Collingwood's Andrew Krakouer. Either way, Walker's unintended boost from poor rookie Jake Carlisle has taught Australia a new word: posterized.