BitTorrent power is now a add on in Firefox - Fire Torrent

It seems that BitTorrent has now leaped a huge gap in how it can be used. This was achieved by Firefox extension Fire Torrent. Basically what this extension does is let anyone using Firefox 3.0 or greater start downloading torrents from any source.Just like you would download a normal file, with out the use of separate BitTorrent software like FrostWire etc.

This Firefox add on is still in its alpha stage but I predict it will become one of the most popular Firefox extensions ever if it lives up to expectations. At the moment in Alpha testing it is invites only. But when it is released to the general public BitTorrent is going to take off in a big way. Thanks mainly to the global market pentration of Firefox.

If I was a big movie studio or music lable I would be very worried about the potential of such an Add On like Fire Torrent. The potential for it to be used to download copyrighted material is huge and big movie studios and music lables will stand to lose heaps. On the local scene record labels like CHM should be worried about this Firefox extension because of its ability to be used to trade copyright material. You may think in the sceme of things this is not something for CHM to worry about. But when you think about how easy it is going to be to trade copyright music etc, you will change your mind. For example now people won't need to have thrid party software to share files e.g. LimeWire, FrostWire, etc (except Fire Torrent). It is going to make file sharing a hell of a lot easier.

Look out Papua New Guinean music labels this is a sleeping Giant.

Kina Facility Rate up from 7% to 8%

According to the NBC website The Bank of Papua New Guinea (BPNG) has increased its Kina Facility Rate from 7% to 8% for December 2008. Which means that the BPNG is trying to tighten its monetary policy stance. NBC also reports that domestic fuel prices has fallen like international trends, but the costs of food hasn't followed.

I am no economist but I was thinking if the BPNG wants to increase the amount of savings may be they should try from a different angle like giving people a tax incentive to contribute more money to their Superannuation funds. For example in other countries like Australia you are not taxed for contributing to Superannuation. Here in PNG you are taxed for contributing to Superannuation. Then you are taxed again when you withdraw your super so as normal in PNG you are in a lose lose situation where the only person that wins in the tax lady.

I put in the lady bit because the current CEO of the PNG IRC is a lady. Even though if you were to go to the IRC website you would find that it describes the IRC sturcture: 

"CEO of IRC is the Commissioner General. Below him"

It seems that Betty has forgottern to tell her IT Department that she is a female.

Laptops out sell desktops

According to The Australian the third quarter of 2008 marked the first time ever where there was more Laptops shipped then desktop computers. It stated that PC shipments increase by nearly 40 per cent then compared with the same period in 2007. This also marks the start of a new era for the Laptop because the laptop is no longer seen only as a tool for the business market, or a computer for the well off people in our society. The laptop is now a computer for everyone.

In the local Papua New Guinea computer market in recent times the amount of people purchasing laptops instead of desktop seems to be on a rise. This I think can be mainly attributed to the fact that the price of laptops has decreased with a stronger PNG Kina in recent months. The is also the added vibe that it is cool to have a laptop that also leads to consumers in Papua New Guinea wanting purchase a laptop instead of a desktop.

For example looking at the Daltron website you will see that the standard entery level Niulogic Discovery - XPH K1,790 (does not included the monitor) which is about the same price as HP Laptop that Daltron is advertising as well. The thing is the you don't have to buy a monitor for the laptop and the laptop comes with more hard disk space then the entery level Niulogic. So you can see why consumers are choosing to go for a more mobile computer a larger disk space then desktop. Why wouldn't you go for a laptop instead of a desktop? Taking into consideration that you just a normal computer user and not some IT Geek that wants to build their on box.

NBC website is being updated again

Great to see that The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) is updating its website again. After not updating it for over 3 months. It is great site to provide short up to date news stories of what is taking place in Papua New Guinea. Technology wise 2008 marks an important year for NBC with it officially launching both its website and the National Television Service. Keep up the good work NBC and please continue to update the website on a regular basis instead of leaving it for months.

National Television Service arrives in Madang

According to the National Broadcasting Corporation of PNG's website Madang is now connected to the National Television Service. Madang was the 8th province in Papua New Guinea to receive the television signal from NBC. The next stop on the National Television roll out plan will be Vanimo. NBC has indicated that the broadcast time for next year will increase. Great news to hear that there will be more air time next year and more competition for EMTV. I believe that competition is good for consumers in Papua New Guinea and competition for EMTV is a step in the right direction.

As seen in the PNG airline industry prices have gone down since Airlines PNG has joined with Vrigin Pacific Blue to provide oversea services to Brisbane and the quality of service has improved, since now there in no longer a monopoly on the airline industry in PNG. But in order for it to be a truly level playing field the PNG government will need to stop providing government grants to Air Nuigini and let Air Nuigini stand on its on feet.

Competition in Papua New Guinea is good for all Wantoks.

A photo of Change

This photo sums up how times are changing: