Ilegal downloading

I am reviewing 1 of the post in http://ecommerze.blogspot.com/search/label/Legal which is the UK to get tough with illegal downloader.

Downloading is no doubt one of the main activities that people use internet. Most people download musics, movies, softwares and etc through the internet legally or illegally. Ilegally means that the users didn't pay to get the dowloaded files which are copyrighted by the original owners. There are many ways how one can download files where one of the more popular way is through p2p file sharing. In p2p, one of the favourite program that currently many people are using is bittorrent and it has many different types of clients where one of the popular one is Bitcomet.

Bitcomet

For more information check this websites:
1)P2P - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/P2P
2)bittorrent - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.torrent
3)Bitcomet - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bitcomet

In Malaysia too, there are many internet users who download alot from the internet and many of them are illegal due to the copyright but it seems that the Malaysia government is not doing much to stop this illegal downloading unlike UK. Given that Malaysia is one of countries where privacy is rampant. These users who download illegally are also a nuisance to other internet users do not download as download use alot of the internet bandwidth allocated by the ISP.

Who doesn't download from the internet? Everyone i believe have done it once before. In Malaysia original items are relatively expensive, some are hard to get and many factors deter us from getting the items legally. So most resort to the best way which the internet, free and easily obtainable. Thus the onus cannot be put on the government alone but also the users as well. But the government have the bigger to play as they are the ones who implement and enforced the laws. Unless any actions are taken, a bad image will be projected to potential investors on Malaysia as it is already a haven for piracy in Malaysia.

One of the steps which Malaysia had taken to counter illegal downloading is to fine those who are caught downloading illegaly. The fine propose is RM250k *jaw drops* but it has yet to be enforced. Huh? See what the Malaysian government is doing nothing but it is not for me to judge them. Here for more information: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/12/4/nation/20071204151805&sec=nation

Here are some response from the organizations that are losing out due to illegal downloading to the government. Check here: http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/9/21/nation/18915404&sec=nation

From those users who are downloading illegal here a website which tells how you could avoid illegal downloading. Online Tech Tips : http://www.online-tech-tips.com/computer-tips/how-not-to-get-caught-downloading-illegal-mp3s-and-music/

Overall, Malaysia is not getting tough enough compare to the UK on illegal downloading. I guess it would be awhile before any actions are taken against illegal downloaders. So for now, happy downloading to those who are at it.

E-Government in Malaysia: Its implementation and Citizen's Adoption Strategies

E - Government

E-Government is the use of information and communication technologies in public administration. It is combine with organizational change and new skills to improve public services, democratic processes and to strengthen support to public policies. In fact, it is a way for public administration to become more open and transparent, and to reinforce democratic participation; more service-oriented, providing personalized and inclusive services to each citizen.

Citizen Adoption Strategies:

E-Services form an emerging field which is rapidly gaining attention and importance. Citizens expect and demand governmental services with a high degree of quality, quantity, and availability in a 24-hour, seven-days-a-week, and year-round fashion. Governments all over the world are developing information systems and electronic services. Both services have the capacity to meet these emerging service needs and demands of citizens. The success in delivering electronic services depends upon the capability and self-confidence of citizens in performing e-transactions, as well as their trust and confidence in the protection of their personal data within an open and accountable government. However, few studies have explored the core factors that influence citizens’ adoption of e-Services. This is an important issue, because the success and acceptance of e-Government initiatives are dependent on citizens’ willingness to adopt and utilize these services

In addition, E-government provided seven flagship application introduce in Multimedia Super Corridor ( MSC ). These flagship application start to jump and accelerate the growth of MSC as well as enhance national competitiveness. In fact, it is to create high value job and export growth to help reduce digital divide. There are seven main projects identified in the e-government applications and it is list out as follows:

Implementation of E-Government Malaysia:

1) Generic office Environment ( GOE )

The objectives of GOE is to introduce a fully integrated, distributed and scalable office environment that leverages use of multimedia information technology. This will enable efficient communication and allow collaboration among all workers. It leads to right information reaching the right people in a timely manner. Pilot phase is one of the system developed and implemented in Prime Minister's Office, Deputy Prime Minister's Office, Chief Secretary to the Government's Office.



2) Electronic Procurement ( eP ) Project


The eP project reengineer, automate and transform current procurement system. The project would cover central contract, tender and direct purchase. It will increase transparency, saves time and money thus encourages suppliers to go electronic. The project taken off with the introduction of ePerolehan which is government initiative to take its procurement exercises online. All suppliers can get tender documents and submit bids on the internet. They have smartcards to help them make transactions through ePerolehan system. For detail information please log on to http://www.eperolehan.com.my/.



3) Human Resource Management Information System ( HRMIS )


It will provide single interface for government employees to perform human resource efficiently and effectively in a intergrated environment. It help to standardize human resource processes for federal, state, statutory body and local authority services. HRMIS also provide transactional function such as leave application, loan processing, competency management, recruitment and selection of employees.



4) Project Monitoring System ( PMS )


It is one of the e-government projects that create mechanism to monitor project implementation throughout government agencies. It would provided platform to exchange ideas and demonstrate best practices in information management and communication services. It consists of Application Services, Data Services and Communication Services.



5) Electronic Services Directory ( eServices )


It is a pilot project that allows Malaysian to engage in transaction and utility payment such as telephone and electricity bill, police summons, Road and Transport Department ( RTD ) services. The eService is accessed via multi channel service delivery like the internet and kiosk machines. For example, Rilek services. It allows public members to access general information on outstanding summons via touch sreen infokiosk. Please log on to http://www.rilek.com.my/ for more information. Driver licensing and summons services is one of the deliverably phase for the eServices project.



6) Electronic Labor Exchange ( ELX )


This projects help to improve mobilisation of human resource optimize work force utilisation via syatematic matching of job seekers to job vacancies. So, Ministry of Human Resource is to be a one-stop centre that contains labor market information accessible to the public.



7) E - Syariah


The aim of this project is to improves service quality under Syariah court. It enhance Islamic Affairs Department's effectiveness for better monitoring and coordinating of its agencies, and improve the management of its Syariah courts.

Things to take note to prevent e-auction fraud when a consumer participating in e-auction

An auction is a market mechanism by which buyers make bids and sellers place offers. Auctions, an established method of commerce for generations, deal with products and services for which conventional marketing channels are ineffective or inefficient.

The Internet provides an infrastructure for executing auctions at lower cost with many more sellers and buyers. Auctions conducted online, have been in existence for several years on local area networks and were started on the Internet in 1995. Host sites on the Internet serve as brokers, offering services that enable sellers to post their goods for sale and allow buyers to bid on those items. Although the majority of consumer goods are not suitable for auctions and are best sold through conventional sales techniques (i.e., posted-price retailing), the flexibility offered by online auction trading may offer innovative market processes.

Auction items are in many cases unique, used, or antique. E-auctions have several limitations Because buyers cannot see the item, they may get a defective product. Buyers can also commit fraud. Thus, the fraud rate in e-auctions is very high. For instend, some of the C2C auctions conducted on the Internet are not secure, and some possible participants are scared away by the lack of security. On the other hand, some B2B auctions are conducted on highly secure private lines. There are several types of auctions, each with its own motives and procedures. It is customary to classify dynamic pricing into four major categories depending on how many buyers and sellers are involved

PROTECTING AGAINST E-AUCTION FRAUD

The largest Internet auctioneer, eBay, has introduced several measures in an effort to reduce fraud. Some are free, some are not. The following are some of eBay’s antifraud measures:

User identity verification
E-Bay uses the services of Equifax to verify user identities for a $5 fee. Verified eBay User, a voluntary program, encourages users to supply eBay with information for online verification. By offering their Social Security number, driver’s license number, and date of birth, users can qualify for the highest level of verification on eBay.

Authentication service
Product authentication is a way of determining whether an item is genuine and described appropriately. Authentication is very difficult to perform because it relies on the expertise of the authenticators because of their training and experience, experts can often detect counterfeits based on subtle details. However, two expert authenticators may have different opinions about the authenticity of the same item.

Grading services
Grading is a way of determining the physical condition of an item, such as “poor quality” or “mint condition.” The actual grading system depends on the type of item being graded. Different items have different grading systems—for example, trading cards are graded from A1 to F1, whereas coins are graded from poor to perfect uncirculated.

Feedback Forum
The eBay Feedback Forum allows registered buyers and sellers to build up their online trading reputations. It provides users with the ability to comment on their experiences with other individuals.

Insurance policy
E-Bay offers insurance underwritten by Lloyd’s of London. Users are covered up to $200, with a $25 deductible. The program is provided at no cost to eBay users.

Escrow services
For items valued at more than $200 or when either a buyer or seller feels the need for additional security, eBay recommends escrow services (for a fee). With an easy-to-access link to a third-party escrow service, both partners in a deal are protected. The buyer mails the payment to the escrow service, which verifies the payment and alerts the seller when everything checks out. At that point, the seller ships the goods to the buyer. After an agreed-upon inspection period, the buyer notifies the service, which then sends a check to the seller. (An example of a provider of online escrow services is tradenable.com.)

Nonpayment punishment
E-Bay implemented a policy against those who do not honor their winning bids. Protection toward seller’s base on a first-time nonpayment results in a friendly warning. A sterner warning is issued for a second-time offense, a 30-day suspension for a third offense, and indefinite suspension for a fourth offense.

Appraisal services
Appraisers use a variety of methods to appraise items, including expert assessment of authenticity and condition and reviewing what comparable items have sold for in the marketplace in recent months. An appraised value is usually accurate at the time of appraisal but may change over time as an item becomes more or less popular in the marketplace.

Verification
One way of confirming the identity and evaluating the condition of an item is through verification. Neutral third parties also will evaluate and identify an item through a variety of means with verification. For example, some collectors have their item “DNA tagged” for identification purposes. This provides a way of tracking an item if it changes ownership in the future.