Facebook banned in Pakistan

Facebook has been recently banned in Pakistan. Most of us would have heard of this piece of startling news; and many of us would have reacted differently. Some of us would have been taken aback while others would remain nonchalant about this as it doesn't affect us in any way. However, this prohibition could affect us in the future. Firstly, lets see the reason as to why this social network was censored in the first place

Facebook being a widely used network, connects people from around the world . Relationships are established here and information is obtained faster here due to the publicity. Groups and fanpages are created for members of facebook with common interests. Almost anything can be posted on Facebook.However, this could be dangerous when haters and extremists rear their ugly heads. To publicise their thoughts and views, they use Facebook as a platform to create derogatory groups or fanpages.

In this case, Muslims were the target, and the target group were the minority in Denmark. A fanpage called 'Draw Muhammed day' was created for those who are against the religion Islam. The creators of this highlighted the doings of Muslim bigots and terrorists. On top of that, they drew caricatures and cartoons disgracing prophet Muhammed. In my opinion, I think that this shows a very biased thinking as they judge the whole of Muslims by just looking at what certain extremists have done. According to me, those Islamic terrorrists were certainly psychologically affected by their parochial religious views, hence steering them towards violence and to take lives. Just because of what they did, the Danish majority did something similar.

To bully the Danish muslims, being the minority in the population,this insulting page was set up, even after fully knowing the turmoil it would cause. This caused an uproar amongst the Muslims there and later spread to other countries such as Pakistan and India. This leads to protests and violence as it aggravated the Muslims. However, this controversy was deepened when a Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten published this racist cartoons. There were riots in Muslim populated countries such as Iran, India, Pakistan. Other places such as Lebanon, Syria and Ghaza also had violent reactions such as setting fire to the Danish Embassies. This galvanised the Goverment of the affected countries to ban Facebook.

In Pakistan, besides Facebook, Twitter and Youtube was banned too. Why? Was it just because of that fanpage which was meant for the Danish muslims? If it was so, why wasn't action taken against those who were involved in that scam and instead a helpful social network was prohibited? This blasphemous page was also not taken down no matter the countless times it was reported. The reason for this is believed to be the works of Facebook creator Mark Zuckerbug who is a Jew. Just because of one page many people are affected and other religions are being pulled in too.

I also think that the legal action taken by Pakistan towards it's people is not right. Instead of depriving them of Facebook which could actually do good, they could actually come together to take actions against the bigots. The one who started this did it accidentally and did not mean to trigger it. Miss Molly Norris, an American cartoonist wanted freedom of speech and started ' Everybody draw Muhammed day' with no intentions of putting down Islam. However, the people responded differently and made the page show Islam in a negative light. Miss Norris apologised for what she had caused. In this case, maybe the upset Muslims could if not forget, at least forgive.

Hence,I think that Facebook should be used more carefully and those who use it should watch what they post. They should not slight others by their views. Another important thing people should do is to report any pages or groups they come across as insulting and disgraceful.


Yours truly
Pavitra S

Facebook~~

Facebook is a social networking website that was originally designed for college students, but is now open to anyone 13 years of age or older. Facebook users can create and customize their own profiles with photos, videos, and information about themselves. Friends can browse the profiles of other friends and write messages on their pages.

Actually, facebook is one of my favourite website

and i set it as my home page too....

I also find all my primary school classmates after graduation for about a few years!!!

Recently, there is a news showed that Facebook has been temporary banned in Pakistan.

They set up a page like "Draw Mohummad Day" which slights other's religion.

I thinkFacebook cannot be used for political or religious purposes

because it is a very sensitive topic which can lead to a conflict.

There are advantages and disadvantages of using Facebook.

In my mind,

i always feel that facebook has more advantages than disadvantages...

Let's talk about advanatges first...

It allows user search for new and old friends.

It should not be used to form a group of discussing some sensitive topic like religion...

We can find the people who have the same interest with us

because it is easier to join groups having similar likes and dislikes but we should not use it to create something which disrespect to the other religion.

It also allows members to check students who are taking the same class, living within the same area, or coming from the same academy.

I also find the people who study the same course and class with me

via facebook before orientation!

Disadvantges....

ermm...

let me think....

All the people addicted to the Facebook...

Students always addicted to Facebook

and forgot to do their homework,just like us...

Mothers forgot their children...

Teachers always forgot teaching???

Sounds good!!!

haaha...

Viruses,

is also another problem.

Facebook has actually turned into Virusbook.

Therefore,

you must be careful to use it...

Lastly,

i want to say that

''please use facebook properly''.

Avoiding to discuss some religious and political topic

and respect others' religion.

~~ivy lim pei ling~~

Social Etiquette of smartphones

Smartphone is more that just a basis 'feature phone'. It has abilities that surpass what a normal phone can do. A smartphone allows you to read and reply your email while you're away from your computer or laptop. Anywhere you go, as long as you're are carrying a smartphone and there is internet connection, you are able to reply emails and surf the internet too.

Whenever I am travelling on the train, I see people busying japping on their Blackberry or iPhone. More than just business personnel , non working youths and students are also using them. This scene can be seen during family meetings,class gatherings and even outings with friends. Instead of giving attention to the other party, people are so engaged with their smartphones that they may have neglacted their friends and family. Smartphone user use their phones even in situations that are inappropriate, such as meetings, dinners. This is disturbing to see. So, I believe we should respect the ocassion and the people around us and know when to use our phones. The convenience of smartphone have caused people to lack social etiqutte.

Though smartphones may be good and convenient, we should still practice social etiqutte and be wise while using them. I strongly believe that society should never neglate social etitutte no matter what they do.

Written by: Chan Jia Yi

Smartphones, boon or a bane??

In our world today, we have put behind good old-fashioned reading habits and books to keep up with fast-paced technological evolutions. Forget books and printed materials, most people have even ditched bulky computers for a more convenient tool, also known as the Smartphone

The word itself reflects magnitudinous of its own. This device is deemed invincible due to its many advantages and benefits that the consumers of today's world receive. Like its name, Smartphones are not just any other ordinary feature phones. It boasts countless features and applications and all in just a slim plastic receptacle. From wireless web browsing to an advanced computing ability, the Smartphone has it all.The simple communication tool has fledged into a much advanced technology that is advantageous to work-oriented people.

These babies enable easier access to information and services. They also work together with social networks. This is helpful when it comes to important appointments and building fundamental business relationships. With faster speed comes along faster connectivity and when certain information is required instantly, all you need to do is whip out your i-phone or Blackberry.

With larger screens and higher resolutions, Smartphones also run more sophisticated applications ranging from voice and text communication, music stores and other entertainment factor. It even enables the use of Smartbook, which implies that a whole thick novel could be the read in the palm of your hand. This is undoubtedly why these wireless handhelds are the fastest growing sector in mobile phone market. Its growth in demands is not only seen in countries like America but in Sinagpore as well. The year 2008 reportedly seen over 320,000 of these phones being sold locally. Since these lightweight devices can be integrated into a sleek wearable handheld too, it is not surprising that it was sold out quickly.

However, with the advantages come the disadvantages; the ones which make the consumer think twice before purchasing it. Buying a Smartphone is one thing, purchasing the plan for the wireless networks and services are another factor.

Without plans to support your i-touch or palmtop, what is the use of even purchasing one? Smartphones are also generally more costly than other normal phones which might suit your needs better. They are aslo bigger in size even if they are slim.The battery life of Smartphones runs out faster.

Peripherals are required to support these devices once again, without it the Samrtphones would be quite useless. This increasing obsesseion of money, technologies, speed and wanting to make things more convenient only results in bad side-effects. Are we attempting to make our life more organised or only making it more disarrayed? The attempts to adapt to these technologies and undersatnding technological jargon makes it even inconvenient for us.

Too much of dependence on these high-tech devices would also result in the users being lazy which leads to unwanted health problems such as obesity. On top of that, the quality and standard of life would also decrease drastically due to the nonchalance of our people towards quality time with our loved ones. This therefore extends to a highly stressful and oppressed society.

However, the main reason why I strongly discourage the use of these phones would be the tolls they take on health. It is a known fact that cellphones emit electromagnetic radiation when we are engaged in a call. Smartphoes however, uses a higher amount of radiation. This is absorbed by the human head and hence disrupts the blood flow to the brain. In return, the brain cells are affected and hence accelerates psychological problems and increases risks of brain cancer and tumour! Do we need all of these just for convenience?

In a nutshell, I think that Smartphone is more of a bane than a boon as increased use of these communication devices will result in disturbances in sleep patterns. This then leads to fatigue, insomnia, slow reaction timings, loss of mental attention and decrease in memory span.
BY YOURS TRULY PAVITRA S:)

Social Etiquette of Smart Phone Users.

With the invention of internet-accessible smart phones, millions of people are starting to rely on their Blackberry, iPhone to check their emails and surf the internet on-the-go. However, people do not know when is the appropriate time and place to use their smartphones.

These are scenes we see everywhere nowadays. A dinner with friends/families, while everyone are starting to get engaged in a conversation, smartphones starts to buzz with incoming messages. Just as people are starting to get engrossed in the conversation, someone starts to laugh. It wasn't anyone who said anything funny, it was the email/text messages that was funny.

It is upsetting to see many people who lack social etiquette, who talk loudly on their phones at public places such as restaurants, mrt and buses. I hope singaporeans should know when and where to use their smartphones. If you are with a friend, and you start to text others, the person might feel that you are not interested in going out with him/her. It will be very rude towards the friend.

In an important meeting, you should ignore messages or calls. It should also be in silent or meeting mode, so as to not affect the meeting. If it is a really important text or call, do excuse yourself and go out of the meeting room to receive it.

By having such social etiquette, you can become a wise user of smartphones and not become an irritant of the public.

By Tang Ming Wei.

Social etiquette of smartphones.Where to draw the line?

Millions of people rely on their Blackberry, iPhone or other e-mail and internet-accessible Smartphone. But when it is okay and not okay to whip it out and answer e-mails in public???

It’s a scene we’ve seen all too often. You have a gathering with your friends in a restaurant, and just as you begin to chat with your friends, you hear Smartphone buzzing with incoming messages. Worse, as you utter your first few words, people start checking their e-mails, some furiously tap the keyboard, and others giggle at the screen. Was it something funny you said?

Many people is upset by the lack of etiquette shown by people talking on cell phones in restaurants, theaters and even in public restrooms.

Hence,what situation should you NOT use a smartphone or use it properly???

Please always put your phone on vibrate or silent and make sure that you must apologize if your message disrupts a meeting.

Ignore the message if you are in a important meeting or gathering.It is really impolite if you keep texting in front of your friends.They will start thinking what are you doing?What are you really texting? Perhaps This guy is so boring. Or maybe She don't want to chat with us.......

If you must text, head to the bathroom.If you just have to text someone while you're attending a holiday party, go ahead and type it while in the bathroom. It's okay. Really.And you'd certainly be wise to keep smartphones activity in the bathroom to silent toilet texting.

If you really want to answer a call, exit quietly and take the call outside.It is impolite to take a call and keep chatting and laughing in front of the people.Don't ever make anyone feel insignificant and uninspiring by always checking your smartphone.

When you understand the DO and DON'T of using smartphones clearly,you will become a wise user of smartphones.

by Ivy Lim Pei Ling~~~