A 400JD Laptops or a 75JD Laptops per child?

A 70 JD Laptop Per Child

I read in the news today about the Jordan Post Company initiative offering affordable desktops and laptops computers for a JD300 - JD500. Applications to purchase the laptops starts today and it needs Bank approval for funding. Not sure what's the specifications of the laptop, but it looks that there are some guildlines. Good news, but 300 JD in not that cheap.

Alas, we can get a better deal at A $100 laptop per child initiative, thats if you need an educational laptop.

" $100 laptop per child, is an education project, not a laptop project. To
provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment
and express themselves.”

How to give a laptop to a child?

You can donate through the website. However, dont we need this laptop in our Schools too?

JPC begins receiving applications for computer
purchases

AMMAN (JT) _ Jordan Post Company (JPC) offices across the Kingdom today
will start receiving applications for purchasing affordable desktop and laptop
computers under an initiative launched by the JPC. Under the initiative,
citizens can fill out an application to purchase a desktop or a laptop. Once
approval is received from the bank, the applicant immediately will be provided
with a computer. The monthly installment for the desktop stands at JD6.75, while
the monthly payment for the laptop is JD12. The payback period ranges from 48-55
months. The price of laptops and desktops ranges from JD300 to JD508, depending
on the specifications of the device. There are no downpayments required.

Annaouncements Banners ...

The GAM is planning to install a dedicated locations for the citizens to post directions of locations for private announcements (weddings, funeral) on the traffic light posts instead of the current irregular postings.

This might sounds an interesting idea. However, we need to understand first why we have this problem?

It's because we lack a Location Based Services in the city to give us directions for different points of interests.

I've seen this in many developed cities. We need to promote for using technology and Maps in the growing city of Amman.

But one day we will have it, maybe soon :)


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Automobile Factory in Jordan

A JD200 million Chinese auto factory planned to be set up in Jordan will create around 500 job opportunities for Jordanians and this figure is expected to reach 2,000 upon the completion of the plant’s four phases. Moreover, a new academy will be established to produce a skilled labour force in the fields of electronics and mechanics.



Mohammad Qalam, director general of Chery Jordan Company Ltd., told The Jordan Times on Monday that the construction of the factory will start early 2008 and production is expected to start by the end of the year.

Other stakeholders include Al Hokair Holding Company and the Dallah Al Baraka Group.

Qalam added that the company will sign a memorandum of understanding with the Jordan Armed Forces (JAF) under which the military will become a partner in the plant, to be implemented in four phases.

The agreement was signed in October on the sidelines of a visit to China by His Majesty King Abdullah.

“The first stage of the project will be manufacturing around 700 medium- and large-size commuters,” said Qalam, adding the second phase will extend the plant’s capacity to produce commercial vehicles such as pickup and dump trucks.

A new academy will be established within the project’s third phase aiming to produce a skilled labour force in the fields of electronics and mechanics.

“This academy will represent a nucleus to provide regional markets, especially Gulf countries, with skilled Jordanian workforce in the fields of manufacturing and maintaining vehicles,” Qalam said.

The top executive pointed out that the last phase of the project will target the manufacture of fancy cars which will be marketed in local and regional markets.

“Our initial target is to hit the 1,000 mark during the first two years of production as we expect a continuous increase in demand for our product,” he added.

“Our product will effectively compete with other types in terms of price and quality. Besides, the product will focus on lowering fuel consumption through introducing an advanced technique of fuel combustion called Compressed Natural Gas,” he said.

According to Qalam, the plant will create around 500 job opportunities for Jordanians who will constitute 95 per cent of the plant’s manpower, adding that this figure is expected to reach 2,000 upon the completion of the plant’s four phases.

Chery Jordan Company Ltd. was established in 2004, in partnership with the Chinese SAIC Chery Automobile Company, as the exclusive supplier of automobile parts and their accessories for Chery vehicles.

WiFi and Free at Wakalat Street....but Why?

GAM with collaboration from Omniah launched a free WIFI service at the Wakalat street. So you can now access the internet and for free....Cool right? We do need this service in all over Amman, but, do we really need it at the Wakalat Street. So now we know there is a free WiFi but who will use it and how?

We know also that Wakalat street is a shopping or a Mall-ish street. So if you want to use your laptop, you need first a place to sit down and second, you need electricity to hook your laptop too. This might be provided at either Starbucks or maybe one of those few coffee shops, but, don't they already offer an internet service there too.

I don't wanna discourage having a FREE service like this one, but I am afraid it's only an accessory or a marketing tool to be provided in the wakalat street.

Don't we need this free service at our universities, schools, and libraries?

Related Posts:

GAM to launch private radio station

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Going backward - Government to Monitor the freedom of Electronic Media

AMMAN -Jordan Times
A government decision to scrutinize contents of web-based news services has drawn angry reaction from press groups, with the Jordan Press Association (JPA) describing the move as “a step backward” in the Kingdom’s stride towards a free press.
The association called on the government to reconsider its decision, which it said would have devastating impact on freedom of expression, according to Tareq Momani, head of the JPA.
“We strongly reject monitoring electronic media,” he told The Jordan Times on Monday, adding the measure contradicts His Majesty King Abdullah’s vision for a free press.
“Electronic media has become a driving force among media organisations as far as freedom of expression and objective reporting are concerned. We must encourage them to continue their honourable work, instead of impeding their progress.”
Officials at the Press and Publications Department (PPD) confirmed they have begun monitoring materials published on local news websites.
According to Mohammad Quteishat, head of the PPD, the legal definition of “publication” places electronic journalism in the print media category.
Citing Article II of the Press and Publications Law, endorsed by Parliament earlier this year, Quteishat said a publication is defined as “every publishing outlet that portrays ideas or thoughts in any form”.
“This definition clearly indicates that electronic media is under our jurisdiction… What applies to print media applies to electronic media in terms of legal responsibility,” Quteishat told The Jordan Times, noting that his department’s job is limited to referring cases of electronic media violations for prosecution.
“We are not going to censor contents of websites. But if there was a breach of law, we will take necessary measures,” said Quteishat.
He stressed the department has no right to shut down or revoke the licence of any publication in case of violation.

According to one leading journalist, who runs a news website, there is no need, so far, to obtain a licence for such sites from authorities.
The PPD said the decision was based on an interpretation of the Press and Publications Law by the Legislative Bureau at the Prime Ministry, which tags electronic media as part of the other forms of media such as print media.
The Centre for Defending Freedom of Journalists issued a statement on Monday lambasting the government for the step, seen as a way to “muzzle press freedoms”.
The centre said its legal department concluded that subjecting electronic media to censorship is against the law.

The first thing that came to my mind was:

Why they want to control the electronic media instead of blocking Pornographic web sites? Or anti-religion websites, anti-Arab, racist websites, etc. Or we just want to keep our citizens ignorant, shut their minds, cut the resources for expression and communication?

This is a clear contradiction to the principle of the freedom of expression as "sky is the limit" as our King advocates. Why don't the decision makers in this country don't understand or know how to follow the leadership of our King?

Electronic journalism is part of alternative media, which has opened way to a higher degree of press freedom and mainstream media. This is a step backward, to the development of our country, and the future of democracy in Jordan. Sending us to the dark ages again!

However, I am not sure how this can be implemented?

Will they block "some" websites or "Blogs"? or can they control the comments? What about the forums: local, regional, and global forums. Or the Web2.0 user based websites ...

No no no no ...whoever thought of this decision doesn't really understand the electronic press, or what is the Alternative Media and doesn't respect the freedom of speech that our king advocates.