8layer Technologies Inc http://www.8layertech.com We have embraced Open Source; hence we are geared to open minds to liberate enterprises and operate the way they should be. en-us <![CDATA[ Software Freedom Day, (www.sfd.ph) goes Future Perfect at ANC ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=55 Wed, 31 Aug 2011 22:04:00 -0600 Tonight at ANC's Future Perfect, Our Ms. Deng Silorio and POSNet President Lawrence Libo-on joined TJ Manotoc to feature and discuss the upcoming Software Freedom Day which will be held on September 17, 2011 at St. Paul University Philippines, Tuguegarao, Cagayan.

Deng and Lawrz was accompanied by Meric and Lariz to document the fact in behalf of the sfd.ph team. This stint is truly a mark that the collaborative efforts of the Team SFD.PH exposes our advocacy to be heard, to be seen and to be shared in more venues and media.

Lawrz was able to expound the impact of Open Source and the implications as well of Open Source as concrete manifestations in the tech gadgets and computer applications that we use day by day. He also encouraged students and IT Practitioners to take a look at Open Source, reinvent and share with the community. Thus, having a wider perspective of technology.

Deng in turn was able to plug KahelOS which is an Open Source innovation,free for all to use. But more importantly she did emphasize the reason why we do celebrate Software Freedom Day; 1. As an advocacy to spread the benefit of free open source software as an alternative to commercial ones. 2. A venue for F/OSS Enthusiasts and Practitioners to give back to the community 3. To instill and imbibe innovation and nationalism.

']]> <![CDATA[ Linux Celebrating ITs 20th year. ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=52 Sat, 09 Apr 2011 12:31:00 -0600 In life, time flies... In IT life, time swiftly flies... We can't believe that Linux is already on its 20th year and going formidably strong and bigger. We at 8layertech are one with the world and the whole Linux Community in commemorating that simple, crazy, without expectation, idea of a free software. Thank you Linus Torvalds for that leap of faith, for taking that step and thank you to all who did heed his email and continue to make thing revolutionary idea evolve and be great.

Happy Birthday Linux!!!

']]> <![CDATA[ With Fresh Evolving Ideas, The Web is a Better Place Everyday ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=51 Tue, 22 Mar 2011 23:37:00 -0600 Concurrently today, as Mozilla announces the release of Firefox 4 http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/, the Philippine Webby Awards http://www.philippinewebawards.com/ posts its web finalists for this year’s competition.

KahelOS wishes to congratulate Mozilla, its community and developers for making web a better place for users.  Likewise, KahelOS takes pride and delight to be part of the shorlisted Website Finalists of the 12th Philippine Webby Awards.

Yes, the KahelOS website made it to the finals with a lot of help from those who unwaveringly support its cause and for the initiators, developers who never stopped believing.

KahelOS extends its appreciation to the members of the Philippine Webby Awards for acknowledging our website’s concept and craftmanship and further we wish all the other finalists, congratulations and best of luck.

Together, let us make the world wide web a friendlier, collaborative and better place each day.

']]> <![CDATA[ Click Ye! Click Ye All! ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=50 Sat, 12 Mar 2011 02:35:00 -0600 In the previous article posted on March 05, 2011 “Enhanced KahelOS Website gets a spot at the 12th Philippine Webbys Semis”, we attempted to share with you why the KahelOS is the Philippine Webby Awards’ Community and Portal Site to be reckined with.

This time, all collaborators, supporters and those who love fresh and evolving innovation can now express their support and admiration by being counted.

At this link http://peopleschoice.philippinewebawards.com , Click and Vote for “KahelOS” this finely crafted website under “COMMUNITY AND PORTAL” category.

Yes, just one click to signify that you like simple yet meaningful projects and websites.
One Click to profess your belief in pure passion and innovation.
One Click because you simply want this website to win!

']]> <![CDATA[ Congratulations to KahelOS Website! ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=49 Sat, 05 Mar 2011 22:54:00 -0600 A few weeks after launching our enhanced KahelOS Website pops in the fresh announcement that this simply magnificent crafted portal is among the semi-finalists for the 12th Philippine Webby Awards under the Community and Portal Category.

Congratulations to the lads and lasses of KahelOS Linux.

Aside from the look, feel and the lesser use of the obvious orange, what makes the new KahelOS website tagged as enhanced?

The goal of the creative team to bring about the website is not to underestimate the context of being simple.

  • Simple should mean basic yet meaty and comprehensive.
  • Simple should still be fantastic but friendly to the viewer and doesn't hurt the browsers' eye.
  • Simple should naturally imply realistic unfolding from a surreal beauty. 


Also, as part of the larger linux and open source community, KahelOS website wants to share a statement to all that linux and/or open source is never boring.

This website per se is an ingenious concoction of images and commands a fresh flair for choice of technology use and blend of scripts, making the KahelOS website, a community website to be reckoned with.

Going back to the 12th Philippine Webby Awards, unlike other community and portal web nominees, the KahelOS Website redefines and asserts our frame of mind of what a community website is.

The KahelOS is not a product or service for a particular community.  Rather, KahelOS is a by-product of an open source community collaboration with diverse cultures and beliefs not only in the Philippines but around the world. Each single contributive effort regardless of quantity and relevance is a part of the community, is KahelOS.

']]> <![CDATA[ Report| Software Freedom Day 2010,Baguio City Philippines ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=48 Sun, 31 Oct 2010 14:29:00 -0600

Planning

Planning and Preparation over Food and Drinks!
The 8liens (what we call the members of 8Layer Technologies Inc.) registered as early as July 20th to commit ourselves to the annual event that celebrates the freedom from proprietary software through free open-source software, usually held every 3rd Saturday of the month of September. This time, 8Layer decided to formally organize the group SFD.PH (http://www.sfd.ph/) to focus on the celebration and organization of software freedom day as among the groups in the Philippines. SFD.PH2010 team comprised of 8layer, POSNet, iSchools of CiCT, and the University of Baguio to live up the collaborative spirit of Open Source. Preparing for the event means looking for a venue, getting sponsors, inviting guests, and marketing the event. Early August, the team discussed about the preparations and how we can make the event much better than last year.

Deng: Nel, create a Google group for this so that we'll be able to collaborate about SFD anywhere.

Nel: Making group... inviting members... done!

Deng: Hmm... Let's get the sfd.ph domain as soon as we can!

(Iyen runs to the phone and makes call to get the domain)

Deng: Let's Get Generous Sponsors!

Nel: We'll get a list and force them to provide giveaways (grins devilishly)

 

 

We were also able to make a Facebook page and a Twitter account for SFD within minutes, the website layout and marketing collaterals were pronounced, the tentative programme was listed and the venue was decided, this year, it's going to be at Baguio City (about 300+ kilometers away from our office in Manila).




Meanwhile...




 

 

A few days just before the event, a final meeting at Pasig City with a conference call to Baguio was set to further polish the preparations and at a nearby restaurant.




Macoy: I thought this is an SFD meeting? What's the beer for?

Henyo: We'll need something to quench our thirst, we'll have a long talk big daddy :D (winks at Macoy)




 

 

A few days after we made calls for sponsorship, boxes of CDs of Ubuntu arrived and so did jackets, shirts, pens, and even Speedo watches!

 

With too little time, we were able to have everything ready for the coming event. Prizes, giveaways, posters, button pins, SFD shirts, and our presentations. Software Freedom Day 2010 at Baguio City, here we come!

D' Day

FOSS Education and iSchools
The SFD.PH Team and Speakers arrived at Baguio City a day before the event. Our call time was supposed to be 6:00am. It wasn't cold feet that prevented us from getting up early, but cold water despite the availability of the heater. At day time, Baguio City streets are crowded and traffic was really terrible so it took us more than an hour to get to the venue. Excitement was all over the place, smiles and cheers from both familiar and unfamiliar faces .... The speakers had their own room for them to prepare their stuff, be acquainted with one another, sharing jokes and other experiences. Most of these guys are really busy, have tight schedules but made a great deal of effort, with their own resources to come up to Baguio commitment to share the beauty of F/OSS. Every year, we make it a point that we celebrate this sharing-filled activity with the strategy of adopting a new community, which aims to spread the F/OSS objectives for a stronger institutional and academic support for the use and benefits of freeware to spark and instill the value of F/OSS and for the new community to adapt it. Our event theme on "Change NOW For FREE" is in line with our New Administration in the Philippines and their Call for Change and Hope. After the Invocation and the Philippine National Anthem, the crowd were surprised to hear a loud audio music playing the chorus part of "We are the Champions" by Queen. It was the cue to congratulate 8layertech on their win for Best SFD2009 Event Competition. Ms. Deng Silorio of 8layer welcomed the attendees and participants in behalf of the organizers and summed up the participation and support of all the event partners for the celebration. She also briefly expressed the rationale behind Software Freedom Day and urge everyone to use and benefit from F/OSS while also spreading the word like a "virus", a good one at that. A lot can be said on the D' Day of the Celebration and one day to Celebrate Software Freedom is truly not enough. Thus,we had to crunch the bunch of knowledge and speakers for the whole day. University of Baguio School of Information Technology Dean Ellen Halover welcomed SFDPH Team and the Participants to Baguio. Since UB was the host school she also discussed the relevance of FOSS in Education and the University of Baguio F/OSS Initiatives. They do have an Open Source Laboratory and have Open Source Electives/Courses in their IT Curriculum. Mr. Dean Eduardson Tacuba of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, a representative of iSchools presented the CICT-Human Capital Development Group (HCDG) iSchools, an ongoing project equipping the country's high schools with technology literacy and abreast with the latest equipment. Mr. Macoy Mejia of MDS (McDonald's Delivery Service) Call Solutions, Inc shared to everyone the success story and implementation of F/OSS Technologies throughout the IT System and operation of their company serving the 24/7 Hotline Delivery of McDonalds. His talk was a concrete manifestation that F/OSS played a big role in their company's IT Efficiency and Productivity, Cost Savings, Learning and most of all the Teamwork and Camaraderie that F/OSS brought and motivated their IT Team. Filipinos are known all over the world to be musically gifted and so in between the speakers, the University of Baguio Voices Chorale graced the occasion with their magnificent and powerful voices. An original composition/arrangement of a song entitled "Bowan Bowan" (Moon, Moon) and their own rendition of a Filipino Pop Song "Pinoy Ako" (I am Pinoy) impressed the crowd. The very talented Chorale also opened the program for the Invocation and Philippine National Anthem.
This video plays at the background before the event and during breaks.
The second half of the day continued with the plenary on Mr. Rystraum Fabe Gamonez expounding on the F/OSS Philosophy for a better understanding especially for those who hears F/OSS for the first time. Simultaneously, five rooms were filled for the business track, tech talks as well as the install fest, programming, gimpscape and blog writing competitions on that rainy but lively afternoon. The speakers and their topics were as follows: Nel Patricio, Freemind; Erwin Galang,OpenERP; Mr. Glammoco C. Camora; OpenOffice, Meric Mara, Embedded Asterisk; Agi Rivera, GIT-Fast Version Control, LAMP; Allan Caeg, Gnome 3.0; Rey Portugal, PHP Framework; Allan De Guzman, Content Management System using WordPress, Lariz Santos, GIMP 101, Leandre Dacanay & Lawrz Libo-on, Moodle-Open-Source Community-Based tools for Learning, Iyen Magallanes, GNUCash, Renan Mara, Open Source NAS/SAN. Ms. Tracy Villanueva, the big winner that day, bagged two competitions, the Blog of the Day and Gimscape Competition while Mr. Sony Valdez won the PHP Programming Contest. Overall, apart from the learning and fun at SFD2010, prizes were given randomly during the event by hosts and speakers. Finally, SFD2010 participants placed their mark on the freedom wall and all of them got CD installers from KahelOS and UBUNTU, freebies from event partners and major sponsors; ACER, IBM Phils., Intel Phils., MSI-ECS, PLDT, and Imperium Technologies, Inc.

Highlights

SFD Highlights
SFDPH2010 was very fortunate to have Dr. Emmanuel Lallana, President of IdeaCorp, a former CICT Commissioner and Champion of various IT Developmental programs, as the keynote speaker for this year's Celebration. Even though he had a difficulty to talk at that time due to a terrible sore throat he did not fail us and all those who wish to learn from him. He did emphasize on the wise alternative of freeware to maximize choice and communication. "Our goal should be to achieve democracy through ICT— to actively participate in public life to determine our future..," Lallana said, pointing to the Web 2.0 platform of today's free social media such as Facebook and Twitter, which he said has changed the way people communicate and share information. That eGov 2.0 through Web 2.0 like F/OSS is all about the community.
Though Congressman Teddy Casino did not physically make it to the event, he was able to send a video recording of his message that was played as he shared updates on the F/OSS Bill.
Frederic Muller, President of the SFI and Pockey Lam,SFI Secretary, while they were also celebrating SFD, sent a video of congratulations and greetings to the organizers and attendees of the SFDPH2010.
A blog competition was also introduced at SFDPH2010, the winning entry came from tracyvillanueva.blogspot.com.
Just before the whole day event culminated, the hosts called in students to represent their schools for a challenge. Each school pushed their best student for the still unknown contest and everyone was ready to put their best feet forward. The winner of the challenge was from UB. If you're curious of what the challenge was all about, watch the video.
After the day event, the SFD Celebration went on for the SFDPH2010 host, organizers, sponsors and speakers at the Jamming Night with more food, drinks and music and enjoy the festive cool night at Baguio City.

Side Trip

Some photos taken while driving around Baguio, Philippines' Summer Capital, after Software Freedom Day.
This time our report did not just cover on the highlights and on the event proper celebration. It is for the simple reason that we do not only wish to spread and advocate Free Software but rather wish to help out some groups on how to start their own Software Freedom Day Celebration. Bottomline, the key to a good and successful celebration is just having fun while committing oneself to sharing the benefits of your F/OSS experiences. Reaching out also meant for 8layer to share by sending out CD's of KahelOS and UBUNTU, and some cash to Mindanao Open Source Society who celebrated their Software Freedom Day days after our event. "I experienced and learned a lot from SFD 2010 in Baguio. It was a great opportunity to meet people who are fighting for the same cause. We're lucky to be with 8layer, one of the world's best SFD organizers. I'm looking forward to more endeavors with the new friends I met. We'll surely do much more for FOSS." - Allan Caeg, UBUNTU Philippines More photos below or visit our SFDPH2010 Picasa Album ']]> <![CDATA[ Thank you for making Software Freedom Day 2010 possible! ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=47 Sat, 25 Sep 2010 22:24:00 -0600 Congratulations to SFDPH2010 Team for a much fun-filled learning last Saturday, September 18, 2010 at the University of Baguio. Thank you so much to all who made it possible. To the students, practitioners, teachers and professionals who came to celebrate with us.

Thank you very much to Emmanuel C. Lallana, Phd  (Our Dear Doc Boying), former CICT Commissioner and President of IdeaCorp who despite his loss of voice inspired and enlightened each one, may it be organizers and attendees that eGov 2.0, Web 2.0 and F/OSS is all about community and towards Nation Building and Solidarity.

To University of Baguio, our host venue for this year's SFDPH2010, for generously letting us use their facilities for FREE. To Mr. Jopoy Solano (you're the man), Ms. Ellen Halover,UB-Dean of ICT, Ms. Lorie Layugan and to all the IT Faculty and Staff for their enthusiasm and assistance in the preparations and programme proper.

To the University of Baguio Voices Chorale, your "Ala-Glee" rendition of "Pinoy Ako" was awesome and of course the other songs. It's one of those moments you want to say, "I'm proud to be Pinoy". Thank you to the technicians, to Rainer Jasper, Deng's Co-host. And to all at UB. Mabuhay Kayo at Maraming Maraming Maraming salamat!

Thank you to our Dear Sponsors and Event Partners. IBM Phils, PLDT CBG, MSI-ECS, Intel Philippines , Imperium Technology Inc., Acer Phils for your continuous support towards progressive learning and motivating innovation and in your belief that the Filipino IT Ingenuity and Talent CAN!

Thank you to Dean Eduardson Tacuba of Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, a representative of iSchools who discussed the CICT-Human Capital Development Group (HCDG) iSchools, a project equipping the Country’s high schools with technology literacy and abreast with the latest equipment.

Thank you to Mr.Macoy Mejia of MDS (McDonalds Delivery Service) Call Solutions, Inc. who shared to everyone the success story and implementation of F/OSS Technologies throughout the IT System and operation of their company serving the 24/7 Hotline Delivery of McDonalds. The cost savings, the learning and most of all teamwork and camaraderie that F/OSS brought to their IT Team.

Thank you Cong. Teddy Casino that though you were not physically present at SFDPH2010 at Baguio, you managed to send us a video message on your views and updates on the F/OSS Bill and a live call to address the students and attendees.

Thank you very much Frederic Muller of the Software Freedom International for that video message on the spot during half of the day to Congratulate our Team and also laud the students and attendees for their time and eagerness to learn more and be more. Thank you Allan Caeg of Gnome Asia for linking us to Frederic and for wonderful presentation and what to expect from GNOME 3.0

Simultaneously, the business and tech tracks happened as well as the install fest, programming, gimpscape and blog writing competitions on that rainy but lively afternoon. Thank you for the selfless speakers with their topics as follows:
Mr. Rystraum Fabe Gamonez expounded on the F/OSS Philosophy, Nel Patricio, Freemind; Erwin Galang,OpenERP; Mr. Glammoco C. Camora; OpenOffice, Meric Mara, Embedded Asterisk; Agi Rivera, GIT-Fast Version Control, LAMP; Allan Caeg, Gnome 3.0; Rey  Portugal, PHP Framework; Allan De Guzman, Content Management System using WordPress, Lariz Santos, GIMP 101, Leandre Dacanay & Lawrz Libo-on, Moodle-Open-Source Community-Based tools for Learning, Iyen Magallanes, GNUCash,  Renan Mara, Open Source NAS/SAN, Roz Vargas, Tin Batitay and Fe Arteza for manning the Ubuntu / KahelOS Install Fest


Congratulations to Ms. Tracy Villanueva, the big winner that day, bagging two competitions, the Blog of the Day and Gimscape Competition while Mr. Sony Valdez won the PHP Programming Contest. Overall, apart from the learning and fun at SFD2010, prizes were given randomly during the event by hosts and speakers. Prizes were all provided by our Event Sponsors and Partners.

Imagine a day when everyone is generous and shared their talents, their resources, their time, their passion to encourage and motivate learning, innovation and community building.

Thank you everyone for making change possible.

']]> <![CDATA[ 8layer with the rest of the SFD.ph Team Celebrates Software Freedom Day 2010 At the University of Baguio. ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=46 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:41:00 -0600 This year, 8layer Technologies is more than excited to have joined by POSNET, iSchools of CICT and the University of Baguio to be the organizers and core members of the SFD.ph Team.  We also would like to extend our huge and heartfelt gratitude to our friends and event partners who untiringly support our advocacy on Free Software Education and Awareness.

Come and Celebrate the essence of FREEDOM. FREEDOM from Cost, Liberation from Ignorance and FREEDOM to Innovate.  That though FOSS and Using FOSS is FREE; Learning and Being Learned is PRICELESS.

Have fun while learning on September 18, 2010 and be one with us to "Change NOW, for FREE!"

']]> <![CDATA[ SFD 2010: Show off what you’ve got ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=44 Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:25:00 -0600 Show off what you’ve got

At the Software Freedom Day 2010 Celebration, You are FREE to show off what you’ve got. There are three simple fun ways:

  1. Join the Gimpscape Graphic Design Contest if you have the knack for artistic expression and creativity.
  2. Come out of your shell, WOW! your schoolmates and make your school proud to bag the PHP Programming Champ.
  3. Tell it all by writing a blog about your personal Software Freedom Day 2010 Experience and bring home a special prize from IBM Phils. when your entry is chosen to be the Best Blog of the Day. Submit your entry during the event at myblog-at-sfd-dot-ph – deadline of submission of entries is at 3:30PM.

All those who sign-up for these contests is already a winner. So, what are you waiting for? Register NOW!

']]> <![CDATA[ Power Up: The Acer Servers Launch ]]> http://www.8layertech.com/blogdetails.php?id=43 Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:51:00 -0600

Deng, Meric, and I went to Acer’s newly renovated office last Friday, 20th of August for the launch of their new line of servers. An array of their products were displayed at their reception area ranged from laptops to desktops, monitors to projectors.

Acer started with the best part of events… FOOD! Guests served themselves with food most people will only find during wedding receptions and big time parties and returned to the room where about 4 tables of 8 seats were placed, an intimate event.

Only a chosen few were invited to the event as the event is just the spark of a big bang event Acer is planning to create. Most of the people present are media personnel and Acer’s business partners including Intel and 8Layer! Yes, 8Layer and Acer has partnered to offer top of the line service!

General Manager Mr. Manuel Wong with Acer Android Phone

General Manager Mr. Manuel Wong with Acer Android Phone

Mr. Manuel Wong, General Manager of Acer Philippines Inc. welcomed the attendees as he also introduced one of the new products that Acer will be delving into… android mobile phones! As he waved his own Acer Android Phone with the Ferrari look, the people dropped their jaws while taking a photo of the said phone, but the phone was not the star of the night (or day).

Then came Toti, the specialist for the Acer servers. Toti showcased the different servers that Acer currently holds and also showed their unique server setup called the Acer Gemini Server which became the focus of the event.

The Acer Gemini Server’s main advantage to other blade, tower, or rack servers is its high performance computing capabilities that cater to the high computing needs of banks and most insurance companies.

8Layer did not go to this event for no reason. 8Layer’s COO, Deng Silorio, was given time

Deng talking about 8Layer

Deng talking about 8Layer

to present who 8Layer is and how it can help the partnership as well as most small and medium business enterprises. Media got interested with our products and services that some approached our CEO, Mr. Meric Mara, for some questions and a quick exchange of business cards.

When the event ended, the people were in high spirits as if they’ve witnessed technologies at it’s best… and also received free chocolates! YUM!

']]>