Working Online

As a continuation of the previous post, this article will give you hints on how to work online as a contractor. There are many ways you can work online. You can register to outsourcing websites, or to pay per click websites, or simply find direct clients in the Internet.

The best example of outsourcing websites are Odesk.com and Freelancer.com. This websites allows you to sign up as a person looking for a job (contractor). You could also register to post jobs for people to work for you. But what we will be concentrating on is being a contractor. 

In Odesk, after registering, they require you to take exams in order for them to evaluate your skills. They also let you download there software used for monitoring by your employers. Everyday, more than a hundred jobs is posted in Odesk. Jobs where you are asked to encode, collect Facebook likes, virtual assistant, programming and a lot more.

And for pay per click jobs, the best example would be Clixsence and NeoBux. By registering to this websites,they give you a list of links to certain websites. By clicking on it, they will show the website on a frame which most likely shows a timer when you can leave the page. Mostly, they give 0.001 USD to 0.05 USD per click.

Another way of working online is finding a direct client. Its hard to find direct client if you haven't built a good profile in the net. My advice is try to work on outsourcing websites then build your portfolio. The more experience you are, the more people would want you to work with them. 

In terms of compensation, no doubt working with a direct client will give you more income than working on an outsourceing website compony which takes percentage from your earnings. While pay per click is considered as the lowest income hence it only gives a few cents per click.

However, always remember that by finding work online, you have to be aware of scams. One example is the work at home scheme. This scheme is also a get-rich-quick scheme, where you are employed at home given light tasks with high income that exceed the market rate. This people may require you to invest on products which prices is misrepresented.

It actually depends on what you like. However, always remember to be vigilant and keep in gourd against online scams.

Earning in the Internet

There are many ways you can earn in the Internet. You could either be a contractor, an entrepreneur or a website owner.

When we say contractor, it's a person who accepts works from other people and is compensated on the work done. In the Employer-Employee relationship, the contractor is the employee which accepts jobs from an employer, which could be an entrepreneur, a website owner or simply another contractor. As a contractor, you could either be a web designer, web programmer, host maintenance manager, a tech support and a lot more.In terms of the requirements needed, It would depend on the skill you have. There are websites like odesk.com that allows you to register and accept jobs from employers of free registration.

On the other hand, an entrepreneur is a person who does business on the Internet. He could be a person who buys and sell products or creates and sells his own products. Being a Web Entrepreneur the same as being a business man on the market. The only difference is your market would be the Internet community.As for the requirements, you would probably need a capital just like any ordinary businesses.

The website owner is a person who owns a website. Either an auction site, a forum site or a blog site. This people earn through advertising and review writing. They could either sign up to advertising websites like Google Adsense or simply offer a space in the website where people can advertise there product. Some instances, there are people who asks a blog owner to right a review on their product and that blogger is compensated according to what is being agreed. On having a website, you could either buy your own domain and rent a web-host, or ride on to those who offer free domain and hosting. An example is blogspot.com.

Furthermore, a contractor could also be an entrepreneur and a website owner at the same time. It would actually depend on you on which your are comfortable with.

Internet vs internet

I met a friend of mine in an Internet Cafe just this morning. While I was drafting on an article about handling an internet then connecting it to the Internet. He asked me what is the difference between the word "Internet" (with the capital "I") and "internet" (with the small "i"). Most people thinks it meant the same, but technically, there's a difference between the two words.

Internet refers to the whole network which was started by ARPNet. Or rather the main or the whole internet. On the other hand, internet refers to a network either composed of multiple networks following the same TCP/IP protocol. Most basic is example of an internet is an intranet.

It might not look that much significant. However, misuse of this words could be technically misleading.

Popularity from Insensitivity

The Internet is a wide area connected through cables and wireless technology forming a community. It is where people from various parts of the world share interests and information vice versa. A week ago, a friend of mine asked me how to be popular on the Internet. I'm pretty sure what he was up to but he sure was curious about. So I told him to join a social network, mingle an make yourself interesting. Then He asked me, how long would it take? I told him a month or a year depending on how he handles him self on the Internet crowd. Then he asked me again, is there any faster way? I told him, be a showbiz icon or something then you could be popular in an instant.

A week later which was today, he sent me a personal message saying "I know how to be popular in the net in just one day!" I went online and chat with him right away. Then he gave me this various link about a certain Ahcee Flores. Not much in the world knows this young lady, I do wounder if she's young, but she surely did made a fuss in the Philippines. And in just more or less 24 hours she become one of the top trending person in Twitter and had become an interesting topic in Facebook.

Do you know how she did it? She made herself be hated. Yup a simple as that. Just make everyone hate you and let there frustration rang into all the social networks. What Ahcee did was offend a whole region in the Philippines. yesterday, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.9 hit the Visayas. Ahcee posted on yahoo to "pray for a tsunami on Cebu so people would die". She even mocked the Cebuanos prayerful culture which ofended the whole Bisaya community (those who speaks Visayan langauge/s). 

This event reminded me of the Earthquake and Tsunami that hit Japan March last year. It was a disaster yet there are some people who wished same as Ahcee did. That person also become very popular that time. But only for that time. Same as Ahcee, sooner or later she would be forgoten. When another calamity is again to come, theres a big chance another person same as Ahcee sprouts once again. Another person to be hated. I do wish its not my friend shared me the idea of being popular by being hated.

But what does this indicate? As the Internet changes to a higher level, our sensitivity lowers as well? We might think apart from others, or feel different from others but shouldn't we be considerate? The world sure is changing in a fast pace. But let us not let our feelings be drifted away. Cause this feelings is what makes us human. 

You can customize Facebook Fan Page using JQuery

Everyone is familiar of Fan Pages. Before, I posted an article about customizing your page using Static HTML application on Facebook. Now we'll be customizing our page using JQuery. In order to do this, we need both the Static HTML application and an online JQuery plugin repository. You can use the following link.

http://ajax.googleapis.com/ajax/libs/jquery/1.7.1/jquery.min.js

Now lets start if putting it into our page.

Now add as much JQuery plugins you like next to the script. As easy as that, you'll be able to use JQuery plugins like datepickers and modals on the page. As long as you know how to code traditional HTML-CSS-Javascript coding, it wont be that hard to test on this.However, it is only limited on the content frame of the page. I doubt if Facebook would allow us editing its main frames.

Copyright

What is Copyright?

Copyright is one's legal rights of exclusive use of materials given to its author. So once a material is copyrighted, it means, you cannot claim such material to be yours nor reproduce or distribute without prior permission from its author. It somehow gives you a protection from stealing your ideas and works.

How does Copyright works?

Every country have their own way of protecting a persons legal rights. And copyright is protected through each country's version of Copyright Law. Copyright Law's may vary from country to country but represent close to similar terms on protecting and defining an authors right on its creation.

Who is given Copyrights?

 First person given with this right, is the author itself. As for employer to contractor relation, The one with the copyright is the employer rather than its contractor.

How long will I have my rights?

For most countries, copyright starts from the day of the development until such time it is stated in the Copyright Law. Mostly its 70 years after the author is deceased.

How will I know if its Copyrighted? 

In every work that is copyrighted, there will be a copyright symbol © followed by the year it had started its development.

Copyright Infringement

There are several types of copyright infringement. It starts with unauthorized copying, distributing of audio videos like song albums and movies. Using trademark of well know dignitaries without prior permission. Patent Infringement or using of an invention that is prohibited to be used. So on and so forth.

Through the years, lots of copyright infringement had been filed. Most recent and popular was when Apple sued Psystar last 2008. Pystar that time was selling computers, or most call it "Open Computers" that allows Mac  OS Leopard which was developed by Apple to be installed to a personal computer. Also, they began to sell Mac OS that can be installed on a non Mac hardware home computer. Apple then sued Psystar for violating the end-user license agreement for Mac OS prohibiting third party installation. By then, Psystar counter-sued Apple for anti-competitive and copyright misuse. After several trials, Apple won and Psystar was forced to pay for damages.

Why should I be aware of this?

For you to know your rights and claim what is yours. Also, for you to know that copying from others intellectual that is copyrighted is strictly prohibited by law. By knowing our rights and other peoples rights, we can minimize the unfairness of rights in the world. We can avoid people or legislators to create laws that could endanger our rights. Just like what happen recently, the SOPA and PIPA issue. I believe it wouldn't have happened if we weren't ignorant enough of others rights.

A Simple Facebook Page Customization:Using Static HTML App

Good day folks! Are you guys familiar with Facebook pages? It's a feature of Facebook wherein you could make your own business page, fan page and other types of pages. On this post, We'll be showing you guys how to simply customize your page a bit using Static HTML App.

First things first, we have to use a Facebook application called Static HTML

1. Search for Static HTML
   
   
2. Like the application
   
   

At this juncture, we need to create a page.

1. Click Create Page
   
   
2. Select Page Type and input any necessary information.
   
   
3. Add a photo or Skip and do it later.
   
   
4. Get Fans or Skip and do it later.
   
   
5. Input the sites Basic info, then click Continue.
   
   

Now we are done with our page. Next is do a little customization using Static HTML App.

1. Go to Static HTML App. If you don't know how to find it, search it again on the search box. Once you are on the page, click Go to App.
   
   
2. Click Add Static HTML to Page.
   
   
3. Choose a page where you wish to add the application then click Add Static HTML:iframe tabs.
   
   

At this juncture, we already have a page and a Static HTML app. You will notice a new tab named Welcome is added under your photo.

 There is our app now. Next thing we do is set the app we made as the default page. 

1. Click the Edit Page button at the upper right side of the page.
   
   
2. Set the Default Landing Tab: option to our app which is Welcome.
   
   

Now when a person views your page, it will go straight to your Static HTML App. 

Now, view your page and select the Static HTML App. You will notice 2 text boxes. The boxes is where you put your static html codes.

The upper box is the page where persons who haven't like your page will see while the lower box is where your fans or those who only liked your page can see.

As an example, lets add an image to the first box. lets add an image tag on the first box.

Note that you can put an image of with the width of 520px. However, you can decide on the height image.

Save the changes then try to view your page. If you liked your page, you can unlike it to see the changes. You can like it back when your done. You can do the same with the second box as well.

Now, what if I want those who liked the page directly go to another site? You can add a little javascript code to make this possible:

How about to a new window? Simple use the default syntax for opening a new window in javascript.

Above is an example of how to implement the said scenario. However, since Javascript is browser dependent, it will always depend on the user's browsers. If the browser strictly blocks any pop up window, then this is not possible.

I hope this article would help you guys. Any corrections or suggestions will be gladly accepted if you guys have any.

Change is Constant

Ever since the computer was invented, it went a long way of improvement as years passed by. I remember when I was in High School, I was tasked to report on the evolution of computers. My report was done in a chronological manner. 

I started with ENIAC 1, developed on the mid 1940's which was labeled as the first generation computers. It made use of multiple vacuum tubes, crystal diodes, relays, resistors and capacitors. It was so huge and it could occupy a whole room. On the late 1950's, the second generation computers was introduced. Transistors replaced the vacuum tubes  and the computer a lot smaller. And so, in the dawn of the third generation computers, Integrated Circuits was invented in the early 1960's. User interface was then introduced and programming languages like COBOL and Basic was developed. And in the late 1960's, ARPANET was developed by the US Department of Defense, which is now know as the world wide web or the Internet. On the early 1970's a composition of many integrated circuits on a silicon chips made up the microprocessors, the advent of the fourth generation computers which is widely used until now.

As time goes by, improvements on data handling is harnessed. Although our computers haven't evolved to the next phase, still great innovations are born. If we compare the first generation to our smart phones, a lot sure have improved. It's size, its memory, process time, so on and so forth. It makes its use a lot more convenient as it evolves. It makes living more convenient.Up until now, every week you hear innovations that amazes us. Everyday, How we handle information, how technology is developed, changes for the better. What I'm more curious is, what would it be like when once again, our technology evolves again. I really hope I could still live that day.

In Trials there comes Unity, In Unity there comes Victory

These past days, the whole Internet community was troubled with the SOPA and PIPA bills being passed to the US legislation. A lot of people in freaked out, (including myself) when we heard it was progressing well. Then there came oppositions from various people and groups in the Internet united on a cause. And as of yesterday, the bill has been pulled by its chief sponsor. Now the bill is believe to be far from becoming a law to be abused.

In my life, this was the first time I encountered a possible drastic change in the Internet. But this encounter sure did resulted to a great event in the history of the Internet. The time where big and small companies which ones competed, was united for a cause. A cause to not let the essence of the Internet die. After all that has happened, the Internet will sure be back as it was. The way it should always be.

Still a Few Steps Ahead

Just earlier today, the US Legislation decided to postpone the voting for the house bills SOPA and PIPA. Aside from that, some supporters of the bills, including the US President, came out against the legislation current form. SOPA and PIPA sure did made a drawback because of this decision, but for the opposing community, the battle haven't ended yet. Still, the supporters of the bill have time to stand back again and push the bill to be passed. As long as the bill is alive, the battle against SOPA and PIPA is not over.

As for now, we must remain vigilant on the days to come. We haven't won against our foe yet. Though almost to our victory, supporters of the bills are still steadfast on their ideals to pass the bill on the upcoming days. Thanks to the unending camaraderie of the Internet community and we have come in to this phase. We still have a few steps ahead until we could totally win against the adversary. Let us continue to be united and how to them the the Internet is not just for some, neither a privilege to few but a right for all.

SOPA and PIPA

Lately, a lot of major websites such as Wikipedia, has been posting appeals on not supporting SOPA and PIPA bills be passed as laws in the US Congress and Senate. Even Google itself is appealing to the public not to support the bills.


What is SOPA and PIPA?
SOPA or Stop Online Piracy Act and PIPA or Protect IP Act ("IP" stands for Intelectual Property) are bills passed by American legislators to topple Piracy and protect Intellectual Property from infringement committed by foreign websites. 


How will this bills be able to do what they say so?
If the bills pass as laws, the US government will be able to require web providers to filter any information that could give them power to require web providers to block any of their subscribers that they think is violating the said laws. 


How will this affect the IT World?
The bills states that any media wherein is using other people's intellectual property, like simply posting a video singing a pop song will allow the owner of the said intellectual property able to sue the said media uploader for copyright infringement that could end to imprisonment. And as for web providers such as Youtube and social network websites, where they also claim liable to their subscribers actions could have a posibility of being shutdown. 


I don't live in the US, why should I care?
The effect is world wide. One reason is most web providers are stationed in the US. Second, this could be a start of a world wide revolution. Other countries may follow what the US have started. Imagine the web being controlled by people that could have their own goals. Freedom of expression through the web being neglected. 


The bottom line is...
SOPA and PIPA have good goals, however, it affects so much to the whole IT world, either to the business or social network communities. Affects that must not just be taken lightly. Right now, the bill is seemed to be progressing well. If you don't like the impact of this soon to be laws, then express yourself. Either you live in American soil or not, you may share it to other people for them to know. Think of it, a life without freedom of expression. Is that what you want?