USEP IS facilities: Outsourced OR Insourced

For those who are not familiar with the terms outsource and in-source, here is a brief definition or explanation of the two: to Outsource something would mean to sub-contract it to a third-party company. The third-party would be the one to handle the processes involved and the equipment needed to produced the desired outcome for their client. In-source is the opposite of outsource, the processes and equipment would be done and produced locally or internally. For any given company, outsourcing would mean that some other party other than the company would do the job, while in-source would mean the company would handle it.

Both have its advantages and disadvantages and there is no one solution to every problem. In-sourcing and outsourcing are not moral issues where your stand could be held whatever the situation is. At a given time outsourcing could be more beneficial than in-sourcing and on another situation it could be the reverse.

In my university, USEP, taking a stand on whether to outsource or in-source the IS functions of the school would first require a thorough study on the matter. Define the pros and cons of the the two situations and weigh the two against each other. The one that out-weighs the other should be the action the school takes.

With my limited understanding of the situation (IS functions in the University) I would say that it would be better to outsource the facilities. It would free the professors to teach students instead of trying to manage the systems inside the school. The professors would be given more time to spend with their students instead of trying to improve the IS. The first priority of professors should be to teach and not to create or to manage the IS facilities. It would also lessen the worries involved. All the University has to do is to find a party that offers the services needed for the school including the maintenance, check-ups of the equipment to be used and to allot the appropriate budget for it. Troubleshooting and problems that arise would be the problem of the provider and not of the school. Of course the school will be affected if problems will arise but the solution for the problems should be given by the provider and not by the school.

A new Browser in Town: Google's CHROME

When i was first introduced to the internet, the only browser i new then was the Internet Explorer. Then i was introduced to NetScape Navigator then to Mozilla Firefox. Today, I encountered another browser that boasts features that have never been seen in other browsers before. Google has launched its beta version of Chrome five days ago!!!

The features that are unique to Chrome are the "Omnibox", an address box and a search box built into one. Chrome offers a new Incognito Window, all pages viewed using the Incognito Window won't appear in the browser history and cookies won't be left behind after closing the window. The most important feature of Chrome for me is that it offers additional security for all internet users out there. Due to the added features of Chrome like the "multiprocessor" architecture, and the "sandbox" approach as termed by Linus Upson, Google's software engineering director that headed the Chrome project, internet threats like malware would have little to no effect at all. Malware that enters the browser won't be able to read and write into your hard drive hence once the browser is closed the malware would also be gone. 

Aside from these added features, Google's Chrome is also an Open Source platformso any developer who is interested in developing the code for Chrome is free to do so. ^_^

I have installed Chrome in my computer now, and I am trying to explore its features. Join me. Download your Chrome browser now. CLICKHERE

Baking

It’s been a long time since I baked , the last time I baked something was more than 9 years ago, but last week I was able to bake not only one but two recipes of different cookies. Yummy! ^_^ Baking could be a good hobby or a small source of income for the millions of mothers out there who devote their time inside the home.

Fortunately for me, my mother is more than a decent cook ^_^, and she is into baking as well. I still could remember that when we were still living in Manila, my mother made a small business of selling cookies, and that’s how I was able to learn, by helping her in what she was doing.

Not more than a month ago, I suggested to her to start baking again for the purpose of fund-raising for the LCDC (Leadership Camp and Discipleship Camp) of IVCF (Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship) which would be held this coming October 22-28. We started baking this last week.

I’m not really that good but I do know the basics and of course in able to bake something you do need to have an oven. A microwave oven would not do, aside from having a different outcome it would also greatly increase your electric bill. ^_^

To those who are interested in baking, here is a recipe for chocolate crinkles… have fun….

Ingredients:

¾ Cup granulated Sugar

¼ Cup Vegetable Oil

1 teaspoon Vanilla

1/3 Cup Cocoa Powder

2 pieces eggs

1 Cup all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

¼ teaspoon salt

¼ Cup powdered sugar

Procedure:

Mix granulated sugar, oil, vanilla and cocoa powder in a bowl. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in flour, baking powder and salt. Cover and refrigerate for an hour.

Heat oven to 350° F. Grease cookie sheet. Shape dough by rounded teaspoon into balls. Roll in powdered sugar. Place about 2 inches apart on cookie sheet. Bake until almost no indentation remains when touched lightly in the center 10-12 minutes.

(recipe is from Gold Medal)