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Can cyber contacts replace personal relationships?

by M. S. Jayaraman

A software outfit in Europe claims it employs housewives who work out of homes and operate entirely through the Web.

The World Wide Web is a marvel. It integrates people separated by large physical distances. Using www you can form a community of interested Netizens - coins - which is what every .com is trying to achieve. But what did the Philippine youth do with the marvel? He injected the "I Love You" virus and infected millions of PCs. Prior to releasing the bug, he had closeted himself in his cyberworld-cum-physical-cell for weeks. Unleashing the virus was his way of telling the world, I love you.

True, through technology you interact with people without actually meeting them. While the cyber world complements the real world, could cyber contacts replace personal relationships?

In a global software firm based in South India, two executives were engaged in an E-mail war until they learnt that they were seated in two cubicles on the same floor 75 feet apart. The Dilbert cartoons seem close to reality!

The World Wide Web emerges as a major paradox by creating a large virtual community of Netizens, not necessarily citizens.

In a television chat programme with youngsters, an anchor person asked if the Web helps to build relationships. One of the 'born-on-the Web kid' said it enabled him to build useful business contacts. He added, perhaps rather unwittingly, that in a Web link, since the person is not physically present we can avoid unwanted things like 'feelings and emotions' creeping up during a business transaction.

"Digital technologies encourage us to abandon whatever vestiges of community are left to us", says Stephen Talbott, a former software programmer who has developed a small but devoted following for his NetFuture online newsletter. "This is a disastrous loss, since our encounters with others and with the world are the primary matrix of all human growth and development". For the same reasons David Noble of York University dubs the distance education programs through the Web as "digital diploma pills".

The Alliance for Childhood, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) for children, is concerned that the Internet prevents even preschool children from interacting with each other.

Many schools have cut back on teachers, library books, music and arts programme and field trips to parks, while spending millions on computers.

Forget the world of commerce. Let the schools take a serious look at the issue. Before the proliferation of Web-based education in schools, can we make sure that we continue to have adequate teachers in the human form available to touch the children, sing and dance with them, and narrate stories that inculcate values, love and leadership qualities?

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Frequently asked questions on ISA server

1. How my organisation can benefit from both Internet security and bandwidth speed?

With the Internet taking centre stage in most organizations, IT decision-makers must weight priorities regarding connectivity. For example, what's more important - security or speed? With Microsoft ISA Server 2000, your organization can stop choosing between security and speed, and start benefiting from both.

2. How does this compare to the leading competitive firewalls?

ISA Server competes with the top tier firewalls with key security features such as application-layer filtering, stateful inspection, dynamic packet filtering, and integrated VPN. Advantages over other products include the best Windows 2000 integration, robust central management, smart content inspection, integrated caching, and an extensible architecture.

3. How secure is ISA Server? Can I really trust it to be my primary firewall to protect my network?

ISA Server has tested and certified by ICSA, an industry leading security auditing organization. www.icsalabs.com/html/comunities/firewalls/certification/ rxvendors/microsof tisas2000/index.shtml  

4. Is this the next version of MS Proxy Server?

With the release of ISA Server 2000, Microsoft has completely reinvented its Proxy Server, initially released in 1997. The Microsoft Proxy Server was a fine product for its time, but business requirements have changed. Indeed, today's organizations - whether small and local or huge and international - demand higher security, faster performance, and better management from their Internet connectivity solutions. ISA Server 2000 will be a very exciting product for existing Microsoft Proxy Server users. Performance is 11 times faster right out of the box. ISA Server also delivers the granular management - the ability for administrators to control who can go where and when - that the Proxy Server didn't provide. Not only is management far easier with ISA Server 2000, but it also provides solid firewall protection.

5. Do you need Windows 2000 servers deployed? Will this work in NT4 environments?

ISA Server must run on Windows 2000 Server or Advanced Server, but can be run in a Windows 2000 domain, an NT4 domain, a mixed Windows Server domain, or heterogeneous OS environment.

6. How does ISA Server compare to the leading competitive caching appliances?

ISA Server provides faster performance, better scalability, built-in security, and granular access control where other caching products are "dump" black boxes.

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Comex expands partnership with DMS

In a bid to provide enhanced world class card payment solutions to Sri Lanka Comex Frontier, a leading Supply Chain Execution Software Provider in Asia recently expanded and renewed its partnership with DMS Software Technologies (DMSSWT). The broaden partnership is expected to offer enhanced customer satisfaction and reduced operating costs thus facilitating the growing demand for Credit, Debit and Loyalty cards.

Palitha Rodrigo General Manager of DMS Software said that Sri Lanka need the regional experiences and best practices to benefit from their geographical advantage as a regional transshipment hub.

Comex Frontier will be able to contribute to the success of Sri Lanka' market providing world class payment and other business solutions, he said. Comex under its partnership agreement with Sampath Bank will also implement a new card processing system soon. The new card system is expected to make Sampath Bank stay ahead of the continuing global shift towards alternative payment methods.

We have the ability to lead in the Sri Lankan marketplace with new products and capabilities for our customers, said Ranjith Narangoda, Assistant General Manager Card Centre and Systems Development, Sampath Bank .The flexibility of the system is a real differentiator which will help the bank in its future endeavours, he said.

Michael Yap, Chief Executive Officer of Comex said that Comex GeneSys is totally focussed on delivering our commitments and true value to our customers.

We are committed to providing Sampath Bank with a most powerful and flexible system to help its goal of being among the best, he said.

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Drupex donates plates and chemicals to Ingrin

Drupex Pte Ltd the authorised agent for Lastra Niraj Plates and Chemicals of Mumbai, India recently donated Lastra Niraj plates and chemicals to the Ingrin Institute of Printing Graphics, a statement by the Drupex said.

Drupex is keen to support printing and packaging in Sri Lanka. A. N. Idroos, the Chairman and Managing Director of Drupex said that without any meaningful contribution by the companies in this industry towards improving skills of personnel, transfer of technology, transfer of pertinent technical information and knowledge and a determination to see all round excellence it is unlikely that this industry will transform itself like the vibrant IT or garment industry of Sri Lanka which is well-directed, well-managed and with excellent leadership.

Idroos also emphasised the importance of the top printing and packaging companies of the country getting together along with institutions like the Sri Lanka Institute of Printing, Sri Lanka Institute of Packaging, Sri Lanka Association of Printers, The Ingrin Institute of Printing Graphics coupled with all those companies servicing the industry to come to a common and cohesive objective to take Sri Lankan printing to the next stage of excellence.

It is vital that the best people in the industry in terms of knowledge and performance are invited to a common forum and the best person afforded the opportunity to give leadership.

This effort should be farsighted and should necessarily get the active participation of all printers and packaging companies in the island, he said.

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