5 Great Christmas Gift Ideas For Computer Programmers

Software programmers are unique organisms; they spend the whole of their lives scrambling letters and numbers just to make your computers and PDAs work. No wonder, they earned the reputation of being the most stressed professionals in the world; extremely busy, no time for themselves - to the point that they forget to notice that Christmas is here! So if you have a programmer friend and you wish to remind him the season of giving, you may want to wrap him a present with the following great Christmas gift items for software programmers:

1 – Tumbler

Your programmer friend, being the only organism that can turn coffee beans into codes, definitely needs a tumbler. A programmer cannot talk to a computer without caffeine, so a coffee in his side (with your tumbler) must be an indispensable gizmo to keep him up and wide awake round the clock. Tumblers will not cost you a leg and you can even customize it making your Christmas present unique and more personal.

2 – Coffee Maker

Just in case you’ve got a bunch of cash, a coffee maker is another great Christmas gift for your programmer friend. Let your friend experience the flavour of Italy by giving him the opportunity to make his own espresso coffee right at the comfort of his home. Just because it’s a coffee-making device doesn’t mean it is expensive. You can get a manual coffee maker for about $20.00 and it’s going to be a perfect gift for your computer programmer friend this Christmas. Go to the nearest department store and look for a coffee maker that fits your budget. Your programmer friend would even be glad if you could hand him premium or well-graded coffee beans.

3 - Satirical Tee-Shirt

There are a handful of humorous t-shirts out there that describe how cool it is to be a geek. If you have a nerd computer programmer friend, help him tell the world his mind by giving him a t-shirt with cool caption that, for instance, says “No, I will not help with your computer”. There are many other geek-inspired t-shirts out there that say “HTML: How To Make Love” or “You are the CSS of my HTML”. Your programmer friend would be so happy if you could present him techie shirts this Christmas.

4 - Night Out/Parties

Your computer programmer friend generally spends a lot of time in front of the monitor working, with no one to talk and argue with. So, one brilliant idea is to get him out of his lab and bring him to the crowd of people. Pubs or coffee shops might be a good idea but a simple conversation with other guys with buckets of beers will do. Surely, this would be a great Christmas gift for your programmer friend that should remind him that he’s still a human who deserves beers (and chicks)!

5 – Books/Book Gift Card

Your friend might like to get some reference books (like I do) so a computer book would be another great present for your programmer friend this Christmas. There are always new things coming out about designing, scripting, and web programming so a computer programming book should be useful. Just in case you didn’t know what specific book to give that your programmer friend might find helpful, just give him a book gift card.

There are many other great Christmas gift ideas for computer programmers. If you want to complete this list with your Christmas present ideas for programmers, kindly leave a comment below.

Oro Starters To Launch ‘Something Awesome’ Facebook App

Going local, two programming buffs in Cagayan de Oro City is currently working on a new web app that seeks to make Facebook even more fun and engaging.

The new app, dubbed as CDOMostPopular, is an experimental app founded by Roland ‘Bangs’ Banguiran and DjaneRey ‘Zen’ Dela Riarte Mabelin. “The whole idea was conceived by Bangs. With him being particularly good at turning idea into gold, we decided to merge together and turn his idea into a real web app”, says Zen, the lead developer.

At its core, CDOMostPopular is a game of fame; whoever gets the most number of “likes” or “votes” will be declared as winner. "Every Kagayanon here and abroad can freely join, so long as they have an active Facebook account they can start voting and sending invites right away", added Zen.

CDOMostPopular is backed by Facebook Graph API, so no registration and profile updates needed back to the site. The site also promised ‘exciting’ features which can potentially take a serious bite out of Facebook traffic.

While it is unclear as yet just as how people should choose their bets, people are encouraged to choose and nominate those people who’ve done something extraordinary, those who have made us proud as Kagayanon – be it about in the field of music, fashion, sports, medicine, and community service, among others. And since it’s sort of like a contest, winners will receive ‘cool’ prizes from its sponsors.

The app is not yet ready for primetime, but it will be launched very soon. If realized, CDOMostPopular will be the first-of-its-kind app in the Philippines, if not to the whole world.

Sir Bangs is the man behind mycdojobs.com and mycdosale.com, two of the most visited websites in the Philippines while Zen seeks to help local businesses reach their customers by putting up cdobiz.com, the premier web business directory in Cagayan de Oro City.

Want to get notified when the site is up and ready? Be an alpha tester by signing up here.

Google Search Trick You're Restricted To Use

You might have already used some of the advanced search techniques to get more refined, custom results on Google. By combining your search keys with few more search functions like inurl, filetype, site:url, related:url, language:lang_name, etc., you'll surely get the most relevant pages, contents out of Google.

Here I'm going to share another 'trick' you may want to explore when looking for something "awesome" on the internet. Those who live by the idea that software should be given for free (and not sold) may find this trick useful.

By entering 94FBR before software's name right on Google Search box, you'll get a list of webpages that host serials, keys or illegal copies of software specified. Put simply, you can instantly obtain serials or keys for a specific software using the "94FBR" trick. Just type 94FBR + name of software (e.g. 94FBR Xxxx XXX).

Access Live Surveillance Cameras in the World with Google

Clearly this is not anymore a wholesome trick and you're not supposed to do it. Thought of it as a "nice" share to demonstrate just as how easy it is for some unscrupulous individuals to obtain serials and keys of particular software for free using Google.

But what's with 94FBR? What is it?

According to Yahoo, "94FBR was part of a Microsoft Office 2000 product key that was released on the internet that bypassed Microsofts activation system. Because it is a relatively uncommon term, when you add it to your search queries, it will generally return results of pages listing illegal serial numbers". That's how '94FBR trick' works and why it works!

Get Notified When Someone Talks About You on the Internet with Google

Again, you may want to try it to see it for yourself but please support the developers -- get legal copy of software straight from vendor's site or other trusted site.

Top 5 Reasons Why I Did Not Use Friendster

Friendster recently announced its total closure with their social networking services by the end of May this year, following the palpable defeat over networking giant Facebook. The US-based social networking site however promised to roll out "new and exciting" services to complement Facebook. They found out that 50 percent of Facebook users logged on to Facebook for games, music and entertainment.

What to expect for new Friendster is pretty obvious and I don't think Friendster users who've just turned to Facebook would buy the idea. The new Friendster would be sure a combination of YouTube, Last.fm, Flash Games or anything that can guarantee the word "entertainment".



Before the team Friendster drops its social networking services and brings its total entertainment platform, I'd like to lay out my own version of why Friendster sucks and why I didn't use the service even before Facebook becomes the world-ruling empire.

Here's top 5 reasons why I did not use Friendster and why I deleted my account shortly after I created my own personal account. (I already forgot the many features on Friendster, but I'll try to recall some):

I do not use Friendster because of the CSS layouts & clutters

I might just be little too old to appreciate colors but seriously, one off-putting part about Friendster is the functionality that lets its users to change its profile background. A combination of five or more colors as background is not anymore pleasant to the eye. But in fairness, they've attracted grade schoolers who dearly love colors or the group picture of F4 as their background.

I do not use Friendster because of Profile Views feature

Stalking is sometimes my business. And as stalker, I hate being traced! And so why would I turn to social networking site that monitors my stalking activity?

I stopped using Friendster because of the annoying Ads

I understand why Friendster placed some ads on any profile page but those should've been placed properly. I browse through my friend's page for an update, not for Viagra or slimming pills!

I stopped using Friendster because it doesn't notify me for my friend's updates

Friendster is socially less interactive. I turn to social networking sites for social interactions, friends and connections. Unfortunately, neither can you get instant or real-time notifications on Friendster when someone leaves a profile comment nor someone sends a message. Neither in emails.

And ultimately, I do not use Friendster because of Facebook

Facebook made a grand entrance, and I was one of those who'd witnessed that. They introduced the site with full social interactivity in a plain design, less ads, no clutters, extraordinarily simple. That's why I moved to Facebook,which, at that time, is backed by advanced scripts making it a socially interactive portal.

Friendster is vaguely unique social networking service. It has attracted thousands to millions of users throughout Asia. The site for me, however, fall short of providing full interactivity to people who appreciate social interactions in much simpler way.

How do you like this post? Sure you have your own version of why Friendster sucks too. If you can think of other reasons why some people stopped using Friendster, leave them as comments below.

IT Schools, Colleges & Universities in Cagayan de Oro City

Alright, before you even think of going into IT school this semester let me remind you this: behind every great "computer system" comes a maker who didn't even have a college degree.

The point is: you don't need to spend four years in college just to obtain the necessary skillsets to tame your computer or conquer the web. The World Wide Web is flooded with many web resources, tutorials which should help you appreciate the subject. But, it's a big plus though to spend some time in college to facilitate the learning process.



There has been growing number of IT school in Cagayan de Oro City Northern Mindanao. If you just moved to Cagayan de Oro City and serious about Information Technology, but particularly no idea what's the best IT school in Cagayan de Oro to start, here's a partial list of computer institutes, colleges, and universities in Cagayan de Oro, together with their concentrations and affiliations:

Informatics Computer Institute (ICI)

I've been hearing good feedbacks in Informatics Computer Institute CDO (ICI-CDO) -- which will soon become a full-pledged IT College in CDO; they've got modular IT programs which is quite awesome for starters who wish to appreciate the subject fast. Concentrations include Java, Oracle and Net programming, web design and development, animation and digital arts, and many other networking tools and programs.

Informatics equip students with the right skills to feed the growing IT needs of banks, government agencies, the police and the entertainment industry. ICI has this mission: to equip students with much-needed IT skills to help you get a job...FAST. Visit Informatics Official Website for more information.

Mindanao University of Science and Technology (MUST)

Formerly known as MPSC, Mindanao University of Science Technology (MUST) has historic years of excellent IT education in Northern Mindanao. They're the ultimate destination for youngsters looking for affordable and quality IT education in Northern Mindanao. MUST is affiliated to CISCO and many other key players and industry-setters today. Visit MUST Official Website for more information.

Liceo de Cagayan University (LDCU)

Liceo de Cagayan University also is a place to go; they've got excellent partnership with Microsoft, Adobe, among others. Networking also is their cup of tea; they're top producer of CISCO Certified Network Associates (CCNA) in the region. Needless to say, Opensource doesn't seemed to matter at Liceo; they've got scarce collections of Linux/Unix resources in their labs, which is a big "turn-off" for Opensource evangelists. Visit their official website here.

Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan University

Xavier University also is an excellent choice for IT education in Northern Mindanao. Though IT is relatively new at XU, they're equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and technically-equipped mentors. XU-IT is ideally right for people who wish to concentrate more on server/network administration and programming, for they're great appreciator of Opensource products/services (that's according to my CS friends there). So, if you're someone with "open source matters" sense, go to Xavier. Visit their website here.

Cagayan de Oro College (COC), Capitol University (CU), AMA Computer College, STI and Southern Philippines College (SPC) also are excellent choice for IT education in Cagayan de Oro, Northern Mindanao. They also have good partnership with CISCO and many other industry leaders here and abroad.

As a final point, go and invest into a university/college with ladderized IT education, top-notched facilities and affiliations, peppered with technically-equipped teaching workforce! But then again, no matter how good the effort of IT school you're in if you're not doing your part as a learner, it's all useless.

Photo by: LatestTechWorld.com.

Technopreneurship: The Missing Dimension in IT Education

The increasing demand of web and database applications nowadays has prompted Ms. Jocel Garrido, co-founder of i-Link Business Solutions, to draw together all IT professionals in Northern Mindanao who must have been missing the opportunity to venture more on technopreneurship.

Ma’am Jocel Garrido, a certified Cisco instructor who used to be an instructor in major colleges and universities in Northern Mindanao, has recognized the de facto that ”being a programmer or a web developer alone nowadays will not anymore give every IT professional the financial rewards they’ve been looking for”. The newly-built i-Link Business Solutions in Cagayan de Oro City, Northern Mindanao is inspired to deliver cutting-edge business solutions at minimal cost with education sect as their focal point.

Ma’am Jocelyn L. Garrido, along with the co-founders of i-Link Business Solutions, has felt the obligation to endorse the importance of technopreneurship – a subject that is missing in almost all IT curriculum in key universities in Cagayan de Oro City namely: Mindanao University of Science and Technology, Xavier University, Liceo de Cagayan University, and Capitol University.

During our over an hour conversation with this incredible woman at her 30s, I was like reading the whole chapters of book about how to make the best use about your programming skills. Computer savvy professionals or people who’re in the field of Information Technology have to admit that “selling your programs” is a whole lot a headache especially if you don’t have the marketing prowess. No matter how good are you when it comes to programming, you’ll never get the most out of it if you do not know how to sell yourself!

Of course, technopreneurship does not end all there. Technopreneurship is not all about how to make a program and sell it then to your prospect clients. Technopreneurship basically takes every IT professional in the starting point of maze way to a point where you as a developer will enjoy the rewards you deserve being in the IT field!

Incorporating technopreneurship with the current IT offerings will do a lot of wonders, and I hope colleges and universities in Northern Mindanao will be able to see it. The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) either has to encourage higher education institutions (HEIs) to integrate this most important subject – technopreneurship – with the current IT curricular offerings in Northern Mindanao, if not with the entire Philippines.

Internet Marketing - The Basics

There is money in the internet, you have to recognize that. A number of individual who successfully made it to the top can best attest that. These people now have lives like an executives, like a king. They are making bucks in an instant right at the comfort of their homes. Yes, I can name a few, and they are doing pretty well. Internet grows at blazing fast, more so to the earning opportunities. But all these chances of getting gold in the web are seemingly missed for some unforgivable reasons.





At this point, I know you're requiring me for some details. Or perhaps you have in your mind now why would I spend this minutes discussing all these if I don't get any cents. I'm not an expert actually, I hate to hear that - an expert who could give you the best shot to earn online. I could however help you to be as such. With my little experience, I would give you how to have a good start.

It's for everyone

The good thing about internet marketing is that it's open for everyone. Whether you are a college student or a full-time dad, you have the potential to be among those who retire early in their corporate jobs. It's no good idea to deem like "...no, this is not my field...I can't do this..". Common mistakes you might have think is that you are not fit to be in this competition. As I've said, this is for everyone. A good slot awaits you there. You just have to understand how these things work.

Be Determined

Everything you learned would make no sense if you don't have the desire to realize it. Doing something requires time and effort - this is how exactly determination works. If you think you can't do this, better stop fooling yourself now...go ahead with your boring business!

Make use of your resources

Everything requires investments. But at this point, I wan't to set aside the word financial aspect. We have to admit that we don't want to spend a single cent for our income to roll in. Fortunately, we can start earning online even at zero capital. The only resources you'll be investing is your time, your creativity, and a whole lot common-sense. Remember that making money is an art. So you have to blend them well to attract income. Don't ever waste the resources within your borders. For instance, if you do well in writing then start uploading your articles for a pay!


Be updated always..

Google is your friend. He can give you what you need to know. A vast money-making tips and articles are freely accessible in today's journals and blogs, written by ordinary people with extraordinary success stories. But be careful, some sites may just provide you whole lot absurd information.

Expand your network of friends

I now appreciate the art of making friends, online and offline. So I think no need for me to discuss everything about it. What I want to remind is that always look for good buddies, who also see your interests.

Love is like programming...

• Love is like a programming. It could have plenty of languages, yet all machines of varied platforms can communicate and understand...
• Love is like a programming. You'll surely lost in the middle if you've got no good start in your codes...
• Love is like a programming. We could have plenty of algorithms, small or big, just to implement one self to another...
• Love is like a programming. You've to employ looping or repetitive way of winning one's heart...
• Love is like programming. You've to undergo breaks and continue the execution of your feelings at the right time...
• Love is like programming. You can do it in any language as you like as long as it can be best interpreted at the other end...
• Love is like a programming. Everything has to be planned first before you code it out...
• Love is like a programming. Not all are made to serve the purpose of comforting one's need, sometimes just to make fun..
• Love is like a programming. You'll really have a rewarding end especially if you know what you're doing...
• Love is like a programming. There're plenty of ifs that has to realize to help you sort out what's best for you and your loved one...
• Love is like programming. If these and that won't work, there are always available else-ifs...but if these all don't work, there's always executable option called else...
• Love is like programming. If the process takes so long to win her, then its time for you to end and kill the process.
• Love is like programming. There are always available optimum solutions to every glitches or buggy relations...
• Love is like programming. It is healthy to honor some comments as these serve as a guide along the way...
• Love is like programming. Sometimes we do extra effort while the other end acknowledges it not...
• Love is like programming. You've got to be patient in debugging erroneous relationships...
• Love is like programming. You've got to save what you've just started...
• Love is like programming. You've got to expect errors upon compiling what you feel...
• Love is like programming. it takes many sleepless nights just to make it perfect...
• Love is like programming. It's kinda boring sometimes..
• Love is like programming. You've to handle probable errors properly and employ some exceptions..
• Love is like programming. You don't have to be in haste to complete everything...
• Love is like programming. You've to clear all unnecessary codes for your relationship to run efficiently...
• Love is like programming. There are times you've to declare everything in public or it's safe to stay private...
• Love is like programming. There's a need to increment one's feeling to work it out...or decrement if necessary.
• Love is like programming. Sometimes there's a need to color the interface of one's feeling.
• Love is like programming. There're a lot of things you shouln't say coz they're reserved for someone else.
• Love is like programming. It takes a lot of analysis to come up with a better relationship...
• Love is like programming. Sometimes it takes much of your time to meet the needs of your client...
• Love is like programming. You really got to spend most of the time..
• Love is like programming. You've to be very cautious with your codes or else you're just creating a mess..
• Love is like programming. It has so many decision-points...if certain criteria meets, then go for it..
• Love like programming. It has so be issued with delimeters to limit the execution of your love-in-action.
• Love is like programming. You've to validate all inputs coming out from two of you...
• Love is like programming. You've to nullify everything in your possession or control just to make it work if that's necessary...

And ultimately, love is like programming.You don't have to expect the other end would applause or recognize what you've just made.