Exhaustive Search Strategy

When doing a literature review on a subject of interest it is better to do an exhaustive search in the library and other information sources outside of the library.An exhaustive search ensures maximum location of literature related to the subject. Make sure the search strategy is clearly set out in the begining. Simply, it means to make sure you know the search terms before you actually begin your search.

There are various ways to do a literature search. I offer two ways here and let us call them Strategy 1 and Strategy 2. This is illustrated with an example and an encounter in class with a student.

Strategy 1

Strategy 1 is to use Direct Search Terms. Direct Searh Terms are words and phrases directly taken from you topic of research. For example, your topic of research may be "Climate Change and Sustainable Development." The search words and phrases taken directly from this topic are:  Climate, Climate Change, Development, and Sustainable Development. Theses terms and phrases are then used to search the catalogue or entered one at a time on your search browser. This strategy may or may not yield all the results required for the topic, If it does not yield maximum results, move on to Strategy 2.

Strategy 2

Strategy 2 is to use Derived Search Terms. Derived Search Terms are terms and phrases related to the Direct Search Terms in Stategy 1. In other words, they are related terms and phrases to your topic of research "Climate Change and Sustainable Development." El Nino and drought are two related terms to the topic. Your identification of related terms depends on your general knowledge and how widely you read. Another way to identify related terms is to pick up other terms from the search results. You may also identify other terms through discussion with colleagues or fellow students. For example, a week ago i was having a discussion with a small group of students on using certain web2 applications for information gathering. I told the class that through the use of the social media i am able to learn new terms and one of these is the "sixth mass extinction". Immediately one of the students asked to see me after class about "the sixth mass extinction". After class it transpired during our discussion with this particular student that he is currently working on a topic similar to the example used here. He is working in collaboration with staff or students from ANU. We checked the ANU Library and sure enough there are three titles in its collection that treat the subject "the sixth mass extinction".  The student had never come across the phrase "the sixth mass extinction". Our discusion in class on another subject led to his discovery which helped him to broaden his search terms while conducting research. It also maximised his volume of literature on his subject of research.

In summary be organized and plan your search strategy in order to maximise you search results.

Regulating the use of an email service

A small committee had been looking into how email usage could be regulated in an institution. The committee has been concerned about the abuse of the institution's email service and decided to come up with a document. The document was drafted mostly by this blogger who sought assistance from other sources on the subject from the internet. It was drawn up using The IT Donut Template  Other sources on email policy or etiquette were consulted for help in writing to reflect the current situation and the future.The draft document is presented here and does not represent the views of the of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology. The name Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) is used as an example to try out the IT Donut Template.

Papua New Guinea University of Technology

Email Use Policy Proposal 

Introduction

In the absence of an email use policy and past and current experiences of intermittent, and at times flagrant, abuse of The Papua New Guinea University of Technology email service, the committee has decided to propose a policy to guide email usage, curb further abuse, and maintain professional and institutional integrity.

This policy shall be known as The Papua New Guinea University of Technology Email Use Policy. It describes the rules and behaviour governing email usage at Unitech. It was drawn up using The IT Donut Template and Unitech does not hold The IT Donut responsible for any errors or omissions in this policy. Other sources on email policy or etiquette were consulted for help in writing to reflect the current situation and the future.

The Papua New Guinea University of Technology (Unitech) provides email service to staff and students for work and study. In doing so it calls for responsible use of the email service.

This policy should be read and appropriately applied alongside other relevant rules, policies, and statutes of The Papua New Guinea University of Technology.

Purpose

The purpose of this Email Use Policy is to:

·         Ensure staff and students follow good email etiquette

·         Inform staff and students how they are permitted to use the email service

·         Minimize risks that may be faced by Unitech

Policy Scope

This policy applies to all staff and students at Unitech who use its email service within the campus and outside. It applies to any device (for example, laptop or mobile) owned by Unitech, staff or student.

Work Email Use

Unitech recognizes the importance of email as a communication tool and encourages staff and students to use it whenever appropriate. For example, staff and students may use email to:

·         Communicate work and study information to colleagues and students

·         Inform the public on Unitech’s services and activities relevant to the public

Personal Use of Email

Unitech allows staff and students to use its email service for personal use according to the following guidelines:

·         Personal email use should be of a reasonable level and restricted to non-work times, such as breaks and lunch hours

·         All rules described in this policy apply equally to personal email use. For example, inappropriate content is always inappropriate, no matter whether it is being sent or received for work or personal reasons.

·         Personal email use must not affect the email service available to other users. For example, sending exceptionally large files by email could slow access for others.

·         Users may access their own personal email accounts at work, if they can do so via Unitech’s internet connection. Staff and students may check their Google or Yahoo Mail during lunch break

Authorised Users

Only authorised staff and students may use Unitech’s email service.

Authorization is provided by Head of Department and IT Department. This is granted when a new staff or student joins Unitech and assigned login details for Unitech’s IT systems.

Unauthorised use of Unitech’s email service is prohibited.

Staff and students who use Unitech’s email service without authorization – or who provide access to unauthorised people – may face disciplinary action.

Email Security

Email, if used inappropriately, can be a source of security problem for Unitech. Therefore users of Unitech email service must not:

·         Open email attachments from unknown sources, in case they contain virus or other malware.

·         Disable security or email scanning software because these tools are essential to protecting the service from security problems

·         Send confidential Unitech data via email. The IT Department can advise on appropriate tools to be used instead.

·         Access another user’s email account. If they require access to a specific message (for example, while a staff is off sick) they should approach the Head of Department or the IT Department.

Staff and students must always consider the security of Unitech’s systems and data when using email. Staff and students who need help may seek advice or help from IT Department.

Users should note that email is not inherently secure. Most emails transmitted over the internet are sent in plain text. This means they are vulnerable to interception which may be rare, but it is wise to regard email as an open communication system.

Inappropriate Email Content and Use

It is not acceptable under any circumstances that Unitech’s email service be used to send or store inappropriate content or materials. Therefore users must not:

·         Write or send emails that might be defamatory or incur liability for Unitech

·         Create or distribute any inappropriate content via email

Inappropriate content includes pornography, racial or religious slurs, gender-specific comments, information encouraging criminal skills or terrorism, or materials relating to cults, gambling and illegal drugs.

This definition of inappropriate content or material also covers any text, images or other media that could reasonably offend someone on the basis of race, age, sex, religious or political beliefs, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law.  Therefore do not:

·         Use  email for any illegal or criminal activities.

·         Send offensive or harassing emails to others.

·         Send messages or material that could damage Unitech’s image and reputation.

Any user who receives an email they consider to be inappropriate should report this to their Head of Department and the IT Department.

Copyright

Unitech respects and operates within copyright laws. Users may not use Unitech email service to share any copyrighted software, media or materials owned by third parties, unless permitted by that third party.

Users should keep in mind that the copyright on letters, files and other documents attached to emails may be owned by the email sender, or by a third party. Forwarding such emails may breach this copyright.

Contracts and Liability

Staff and students must be careful about making commitments or agreeing to purchase via email.

An email message may form a legally-binding contract between Unitech and the recipient – even if the user has not obtained proper authorization from within Unitech.

Email Disclaimer

A standard Unitech email template should include an email disclaimer. Users must not remove or change this when they send messages.

Email Marketing and Bulk Email

Unitech may use email to market to existing and potential customers. All email campaigns must be authorized by the public relations office and implemented using Unitech’s marketing tool. Users must not send bulk emails using the standard business email system. All questions about email marketing should be directed to the public relations office

  

Email Etiquette.

Email is often used for communication in the workplace and other important contacts. Although a relatively informal medium, staff and students should be aware that each email they send does affect Unitech’s image and reputation.

Email etiquette ensures good working relationships between staff within Unitech and with others outside of Unitech. Therefore users must adhere to the following rules:

Don’t abuse the “Reply to All”

Rule – Don’t abuse the “Reply to All”.  Only use Reply to All if you really need your message to be seen by each person who received the original message. Sending off irrelevant or unnecessary replies to everyone on the list is just annoying and confusing. However, if communication is vital between all parties in an email thread, use the Reply to All to keep everyone in the loop. If you only use Reply in such a case, the recipient may have to forward your email to everyone else, which is frustrating and disjointed.

Read it before you send it.

Rule– Read your email before you send it Treat email like any other official document. Read it before you send it. Spelling and grammar errors are just as unfortunate in email as anywhere else in your corporate correspondence. Look out for potential misunderstandings, the tone, and inappropriate comments; we use email because it is quick and easy but precisely that quickness may cause more trouble than you bargained for!

Confidential information

Rule – Confidential information Email is just too risky a place to include confidential information. Ask yourself if you would want the content of your email displayed on a bulletin board. Never make libelous, sexist or racially discriminating comments in emails, even as a joke. Consider implementing a Disclaimer on the bottom of all corporate emails with statements on Breach of Confidentiality, Virus Liability, etc. (Yes, you can be sued for sending an email that contains a virus!)

File Attachments

Rule – Don’t attach unnecessary files. Wherever possible try to compress attachments and only send attachments when they are productive. Make sure you have good virus software in place to scan your outgoing emails – a customer would not be happy if you send them documents riddled with viruses!

Don’t forward junk

Rule – Don’t forward junk. Don't forward chain letters, virus hoaxes, chain email solicitations for charitable causes even if they sound bona fide, funny pictures and jokes. Would you put these things on your corporate letterhead? The committee does not think so. Don't ever send or forward emails containing  defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene remarks. Just one offensive remark can result in a multi-million kina court case for you and your institution.

Be concise

Rule – Be concise. Do not make an email longer than it needs to be. Email is harder to read than printed communications. A long email can be very discouraging and can be abandoned before the recipient gets to your final point all the way down at the bottom. If it has to be long, consider including a synopsis at the top of the email.

In regards to upsetting or provocative email, the committee advises that staff maintain professional email communication by taking this approach.  If the subject of the email is provocative, upsetting or depressing, write your response and leave in the “draft” to let it simmer down for some time. This gives you some distance in time between you and your written response. Then review your response to make sure that it is not hectoring, disrespectful, angry or intimidating. Dr Marianne Di Piero of Western Michigan University gives two very good examples here to illustrate the above advice.

Example 1: Unprofessional Communication

Jane, I’ve sent email and also called you 2 times and you still haven’t answered. Is something wrong with your phone? Maybe you are on vacation. Anyway, I’m sick and tired of waiting for you to do your job. I need that examination information NOW so that I can take care of my business. You promised it days ago. Send it ASAP! You are not a student and you don’t know what we go through.

Example 2:  Professional Communication

Hello Jane.

I hope that all is well there. I’ve tried to contact you several times regarding the information that you were going to send so that I could prepare for my examinations next month, but I haven’t heard from you. I know how busy it is at this time of year.  If you could prepare that information for me, I will make a special trip over to your office and pick up the materials myself so that you don’t have to email them to me.  I’m a bit nervous about the upcoming exams and access to those study guides would really help me a lot.

Please send me an email or call me and let me know a good time to stop by and if you need me to assist you in compiling the guides, I can do that easily. Professor Smith gave me acomplete list of all the titles and so it should take only a few minutes.

Thank you

Sincerely

John Smith

Internal Email

 Email is a valid way to communicate in the workplace however it tends to be overused for internal communication.

Users should bear in mind the following points when they need to communicate with colleagues:

·         If the issue or subject can be better addressed by face-to-face or telephone discussion, do not use email.

·         Is email the best way to send a document out for discussion? Often, it becomes very hard to keep track of feedback and versions.

·         It is rarely necessary to ‘reply to all’. Usually, it is better to reply and then manually add other people who need to see a message.

Policy Enforcement

1. Monitoring Email Use

Unitech email service is provided for legitimate business use and therefore reserves the right to monitor staff and students use of email. Monitoring will only be carried out by authorised staff.

In addition, all emails communication through Unitech’s email service are part of Unitech’s records. Unitech can be legally compelled to show information to law enforcement agencies or other parties.

Staff and students should always ensure information sent via email is accurate, appropriate, ethical, and legal.

2. Potential Sanctions

Knowingly breaching The Papua New Guinea University of Technology Email Use Policy is a serious matter. Staff and students who do so will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including suspension or termination of study or employment.

Where appropriate, Unitech will involve the police or other law enforcement agencies in relation to breaches of this policy.

RFERENCES

1. Pierro , Marianne Di. Professional Email Etiquette in 11 Easy Steps. http://linkis.com/ucLGy (19/08/2015)

2. www.itdonut.co.uk/it/staff-and-it...it-policies/sample-email-use-policy (2/08/2015)

3. http://www.advantage-positioning.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/23_Rules_of_Corporate_Email_Etiquette.pdf (19/08/2015)
4. Raman, Meenakshi and Sharma, Sangeeta. 2004. Technical Communication:Principles and Practices. India, Oxford University Press.

Web2.0 Textbooks

A textbook is a necessary item in formal learning because that is where we get information in order to learn a subject of interest. Our learning becomes more profound if we learn from authors who are themselves expert or experienced in the field. I have found two textbooks, discussed here, as relevant and helpful  to learning, understanding, and using Web2.0. The first of the textbooks is "Web2.0 and Beyond: Principles and Technologies" by Paul Anderson and the second is "Weblogs and Libraries" by Laurel A. Clyde. First Textbook Anderson, Paul. 2012. Web2.0 and Beyond: Principles and Technologies. Boca Raton, CRC Press.  Anderson Paul is a British writer in the field of computor science and technology. He has experience and recognition in this field and it is the reason i find his book helpful. It is also easy to follow because it is well structured. I do not intend to do a comprehensive review of this book here because a detailed review of the book may be found in http://firstmonday.or/ojs/fm/article/view/4227/3314 However, according to the review, by Yijun Gao, in part reads: The author, Paul Anderson, is a writer and technology forecaster for Intelligent Content Ltd. and has worked in academia and industry for more than two decades. His works draws the wide implications of computing as well as how other areas interpret the Web 2.0. Summaries of important research from various disciplines are also mentioned as themes in the book. Web 2.0 and beyond: Principles and technologies introduces the necessary background knowledge of today’s Web services and studies. Mr. Anderson’s book not only covers technology standards but also the processes of standardization, which shows how the inter–relatedness among them is important to understanding Web 2.0, as well as relevant key research findings. This book is well structured and divided into three sections following an introductory chapter reviewing the evolution of the Web in recent years, such as the emergence and controversy of Web 2.0, the definition of Web 2.0 by O’Reilly, and the author’s iceberg model. This chapter gives the readers an opportunity to understand the concept of Web 2.0 as a whole. Indeed the book is well structured for organized reading and learning and if you want to understand Web2.0, read chapter 1. Based on practice and readings I find that Web2.0 is now a reality taking into consideration the fact that more and more people are using Web2.0 applications such as blogs, wikis, podcasts, and RSS that connect and allow people to exchange information. In the process of exchanging information people comment or add on facts and ideas to a discussion locally or globally. It is a reality. My blogging here is part of this reality. This book was published about the time I began blogging however, reading it now makes things to fall into place. I understand a lot better now than when i began. Subsequently, i am now better able to help colleagues and others use Web2.0 applications.
Second Textbook Clyde, Laurel A. 2004. Weblogs and Libraries. Oxford, Chandos Publishing. I remember in 2004 I was trying to learn CDS/ISIS that later was developed to WIN/ISIS. I wanted to learn to create a bibliographic database.That was the year Weblogs and Libraries was published. I did not get the chance to read this book until eleven years later.  The book contains eight (8) chapters and an index at the end. Overall, the author discusses Weblogs and Libraries from two main perspectives. Firstly, it treats libraries Weblogs as sources of information for libraries and librarians. Secondly, it treats Weblogs as tools for libraries to use in order to publicise their services as well as providing a means of communication with users. It gives various examples of weblogs from the Internet. The author Dr Laurel Anne Clyde was Professor and Chair of the Library and Information Science Department at the University of Iceland, where she taught courses related to information technology in libraries and information agencies. She is the author of numerous books, including Weblogs and Libraries. The word blog is used previously and now comes weblogs. Let us take blog as a truncation of weblog. In summary, these are two relevant books to read particularly for the untrained in order to understand Web2.0.

Web2 Short Courses

The next Web2.0 short course that was scheduled for the 24th to the 28th August 2015 at Matheson Library, PNG University of Technology, has been deferred until further notice. A change of date will be advised on this blog soon. However, those interested please register your interest by submitting your name to:

                                       Ismael K. Isikel on email ikisikel@lib.unitech.ac.pg
                                       Phone 4734360

Course Details and Content

Theme: Web2.0 for Teaching and Learning.

The one week short course is adapted from Web2.0 for Development (Web2.0forDeve) to suit the learning and related environments. It is part of the University Library's ongoing efforts in promoting the effective use of Web2.0 Applications in teaching and learning, information orgainization and management, and other related professions.

Objectives

Participant will:

• Be introduced to relevant Web2.0 Applications
• Blogger
• DropBox
• My Drive
• Use Web2.0 Applications in information and management services
• Information gathering, orgainization, and distribution
• Create and exchange content with colleagues and clients using Web2.0 Applications
• Blogging for teaching and learning activities
• Sharing information
• Collaborating in real time in compiling information
• Create professional networks through the social media

Topics

• Web2.0 and Social Media Concepts
• Mass Communication and Social Media
• Web2.0 Applications
• Cloud Computing
• Collaborative work
• Selective Access to Information
• Social Networking

Reading Inspires

NATIONL BOOK WEEK 2015 (Erap Primary School)

                                    Ismael K. Isikel 7/8/2015

My National Book Week speech delivered on 7th August 2015 at Erap Primary School.

 Principle, teachers, students, and parents on behalf of the University Library I thank you for the invitation to officiate here at Erap Primary School to mark National Book Week 2015. It is an important occasion in the Education calendar in PNG and the world. It is celebrated worldwide.

The theme for this year’s book week is Reading is Power. Every book week is celebrated with a theme that carries the message of book week or book day as known in other countries.

National Book Week is about:

·         Celebrating Books, Reading, and Libraries

·         The love of books and reading for education, information, and personal interests

·         In doing so we are also promoting literacy (the ability to read and write) and literature (the love of stories, poems, and plays)

·         I acknowledge authors of both fiction and nonfiction for creating stories and knowledge that we enjoy and learn from.

Books record events, stories, knowledge, people and places, to name a few.

Books give us inspiration. They inspire us to do something; even something creative. Let me illustrate the term inspiration. In PNG there are recorded myths about the moon and going to the moon. One of the myths tells us that the moon stayed underground until one day someone plucked it out. He held it in his hands and it grew and grew and finally floated off into the sky where it has remained giving light to the world.  In one Native American legend, the gods struck the moon in the face with a rabbit, and it stayed there lighting the world every night. Besides those legends, you have been singing "Hey, diddle, diddle,"

Hey, diddle, diddle,

The cat and the fiddle,

The cow jumped over the moon;

The little dog laughed

To see such sport,

And the dish ran away with the spoon.

Note the third line: The Cow Jumped Over the Moon. That is another reference to the moon. Isn’t that another of those inspirations?

That song was composed centuries before Niel Armstrong landed on the moon in July 1969. In fact it was already popular around the 16^th century. The power of inspiration from stories gives people ideas to device ways and strategies; to achieve something, even something greater such as landing on the moon.

Libraries help preserve and distribute information. They help us not to reinvent the wheel. They help us improve on previous knowledge. They are traditional places for study and self-learning. The Internet should not be taken as replacement for the traditional library because when there is no electricity or internet connections, I can always read a book on hand.

As far as civilisation is concerned nations have prospered because of libraries. They stored information where later generations retrieved them and improved on various fields of knowledge such as mathematics, astronomy, engineering, and law.

Reading helps in acquiring information to improve our knowledge and wisdom. Reading helps us to improve and succeed at school, at work, and at home. It helps us to decide what is best for us and what is not good. It has the greatest potential to influence success in life. It keeps us well connected with the community we live in and the world.

Reading influences positive behaviour in our relationships with others and our surroundings as illustrated in this short poem simply titled “Mirror Image”

                                                      Dogs are their masters

Children are their parents

Students are their teachers

And Books are their readers

                                                Ismael K. Isikel

READING IS POWER!! ASA SUMBA!!

Social Media Helps Solve Social Problem

Social Media & Academia shares a case of Facebook discussion on law and order to illustrate that indeed Facebook helps in solving law and order problems. This is one case that was recently reported on Facebook and quickly generated discussion by members of a group. It provides good educational information for students in legal studies, police college, social sciences, researchers, professionals in the field, and the public at large. The event took place in the Baining area of East New Britain Province and appeared to be a case of police using unnecessary force. All began by condeming the actions of police while others called on the MP for Gazelle and the Provincial Police Commander, who are both on Facebook, to help in solving this problem. Both leaders joined in the discussion and responded to help solve the matter.

The discussion began when a member of a Facebook group -  East New Britain Today and Tomorrow -  spotted the post in another Facebook group - PNG News -  and shared the post in East New Britain Today and Tomorrow on July 18th 2015. The post and subsequent discussion (comments) appear here in italics with very minor editions for consistency in presentation. I have also omitted some names in respect for others' privacy regardless.

ELDERLY WOMAN ALLEGEDLY SLAPPED AND KICKED BY TOP COP IN EAST NEW BRITAIN PROVINCE

Another case of police brutality is believed to have occurred, this time, in Manapki Ward, Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle Distric, ENBP where a total of 6 houses are believed to have been burnt down and cash crops destroyed on Thursday the 9th July.

The reported allegation has it that 'on Thursday the 9th of July Kerevat Police Station Commander with one of his officers under the influence of alcohol went on a rampage at Manapki Ward, Inland Baining LLG, Gazelle District, ENB where 6 houses were burnt down and the victims were even prevented from removing their properties'.

"An elderly woman was slapped and kicked by the top cop", a source alleged.

The 'top cop' who allegedly 'slapped and kicked' the elderly women, and who also allegedly "even hit her with the butt of the gun" during the incident, has been identified as Rookie Moore (not his real name) the Kerevat Police Station Commander. Another police officer allegedly present  at the scene at the time  has been identified as Poke Spam (not his real name).

The incident on Thursday is believed to have started over from an argument on Wednesday evening by two youths.

More than a week later the affected families are believed to be still without proper shelter and are suffering whilst it is understood that  the 'top cop' ... aided by his officer ... 'and others' have not yet been detained for questioning by other police personnel over the alleged incident.

"The pictures show the scene of destruction which was done by the two policemen and others who accompanied them. Th families are now literally empty and without hope. "the source also said.

A total of 28 pictures - such as pictures of blackened burnt house stumps, fire warped corrugated iron, chopped and also fire damaged cocoa trees, chopped down bananas and betel nut trees at the site of the incident in Manapki Ward - has been received by PNG News.

It is hoped that the member of parliament for Gazelle Open, Hon. Malakai Tabar can personally investigate the incident in order to help the families in need and ensure that the police officers and others allegedly involved in the incident are immediately detained for questioning; and based on evidence including statements by the victims are immediately charged.

Meanwhile, a mediation was held today which was attended by an estimated 60 to 70 people whereby the victims reportedly were publicly advised not to talk about the burnt down houses.

The report continues with an interview but it is not stated whether it was done face to face or over telephone.

Interview

Me: Who advised them not to talk about it?

Source: The advice not to talk about the burnt down houses were given by the top cop himself Mr Rookie Moore.

Me: What actually happened at the mediation? Did this top cop offer to pay for damages? How many people were present during the mediation?

Source: At the scene during the burning down of the houses the ward member was also giving directives..... Today's mediation the charge was one sided which was aided by the PSC's public statement as i have informed you. The crowd estimated was between 60/70 people and there was no talk of compensation for the burnt down houses and charge was one sided.  The victims were beaten, unlawfully detained without charge and detained for 10 days, their houses burnt and now through this mediation today were charged 6 thousand kina.

The source went on to describe the environment in East New Britain as very frightening.

Me: So the police were not present when the houses were burnt down?

Source: It was done under police full presence who were drunk and barking out orders. Yes, police were present.

Me: Thank you.

That is the report of the incident and soon after it was shared  comments began appearing. The comments are listed in sequence as they were written. I have not made any corrections in spelling or grammar.  I have ommited names of people alleged to be perpertrators as well as the names of the people who commented. The comments are both in English and Tok Pisin
Comments.

1. Action time.

2. Mr llg president,.? action please brother

3. ???? Sorry l ol baining blood blo yumi...

4. ????

5. This can't be happening. Action please.

6. J.S

7. J.S is drunk half the time.

8. sori stret! mi ting senisim pasin pinis taim yumi makim ol people...oiyo!

9. How can this be happening in ENB, to an already deprived person, very old and defenceless old folk...

10. Investigations need to be carried out asap. How can you take away someones shelter and his/her only form of income. Sori ya.

11. Sori stret...name of top cop?

12. ...the name of the top cop in the top paragraphs.

13. Yeah sorry just read through it again and realised the name was there thx

14. ...good morning , inbox me please.

15. Good morning Minister Tabar. Right away Sir.

16. I am going to check myself and see the families affected. Total abuse of human rights. I am calling on leaders to work with usto end this nonsense.

17.  True, right away.Mi bel sore stret.

18.  Sorry tru long ol laen blong yumi long Baining.

19. Im going there now travelling Toma out. Need some help from you the Human rights defenders now. Action.

20. ....Justice please.

21. Thanks Mr Malakai Tabar for getting on board.

22. Is the PPC aware of this? If so,he should take drastic action now.

23. Em tasol now. Action.

24. This is yet another sad news for ENB. Anyway, it happened and we pray and hope that justice will prevaileventually.

25. So sorry for the families who lost their houses and valuables. I live and grew up with Baining people and i know they are not that bad. These culprits should be investigated and let justice prevail. They dont deserve such treatment. I am currently working with a doctor who is from Baining and he is Paediatrician from Raunsepna.  So noken ting ol bai stap olsem tasol.

26. PPC Wagambie and MP Tabar please get together and peacefully sort this out. Those that have acted outside of the law must answer for their actions.

27. How can a top cop do this? He must be held responsible and be charged accordingly after facts have been established. Hope he does not get away with his actions. Bainings are the original landowners and should be accorded high respect.

28. PPC do something please. In your hands.

29. Is this the role and function of PNG police? What happened?  ENB is more like what takes place in a Police State or Dictatorship regimes. Please sortthistype of brutality.

30. Anthony Wagambie please confirm and verify.

31. Good night everyone. Just got this. Let me find out the facts. Thank you.

32. Thank you PPC. Into your good hands.

33. Sad news. How come the news is from an ouside source?It seems we do not know what goes on in our society. Thanks Bapi Patrick for sharing this.

34. This is serious as shown in the photographs.My question is, how did the argument between the two youths relate to the burning of houses and slapping of an elderly woman by the police? Who's side were the Policemen on? Why was the ward member...giving direction and assisting with the raid? Why were these houses burnt down? What made the policemen to do what they did? Kindly shed some light on the root cause of this situation. 

35. Correction, these are not Bainings. This area is in the Bainings but is vested with illegal settlers who have in their possesions illegal firearms which they use to threaten the Bainings.They cultivate large amounts of marijuana and sell in Kerevat, Kokopo and Rabaul.It hasbeen a safe haven for escapees and criminals from WNB. The Bainings have been negatively impacted by thesesetllements and no longer enjoy hunting in their bushes and rivers for fear of their lives. They are the reasons why the Bainings have registered their land and are asking government to ship them back to their place of originto giveway for theBainings to add economic value to their land. Above serious report has to be properly varified because police was at the scene and apprehended a...who is believed to have come in from Kimbe with the culprits who have been terrorising our province recently with as tring of holdups.

36. Thanks EK for the clarification...but should there be a proper approach by police cos what was reported they were under liqour.

37. Thanks bro. I understand where you are coming from. My issue is innocent victims like mothers and children who get caught up in situations like these. I respect the laws and the good of society but we have a responsibility as well to protect the vulnerable.

38. Thank you....for the clarification. I am now compelled to remark ruthlessly that let us help the police to quickly get rid of these illegal settlers who engage in illegal activities.

39. East New Britain people are peaceful people. Its alarming to hear of such rouge behaviour and even more of aconcern now that the law enforces are causing destruction and instilling dictative authority on our people.

ENBTT please investigate and bring back peace into the village.

40. I feel for those affected, but did PNG News bother to contact police here to confirm reports prior to publishing this story? This report should be fair. It does not actually investigate how the event unfolded and intentionally avoids the story of how the police were there in the first place.

41. I am starting to think that there is a big conspiracy by sinister entities to spoil the good name of this province.

42. I woudnt be surprised if that were true....

43. If there is a conspiracy, then it is important to establish links between these illegal settlers and the sinister entities and find ways to deter their activities. That is if there is any substance in the "conspiracy theory".

The above are the 43 comments so far, however discussion continues and will update this post later as to the outcome of the Minister's invovement and police investigation. Comments number 34 and 35 raise important questions and shed light to the issue respectively. Comment number 34 raised the following questions:

• How did the argument between the two youths relate to the burning of houses and slapping of an elderly woman by the police? 
• Who's side were the Policemen on? 
• Why was the ward member giving direction and assisting with the raid?
• Why were these houses burnt down? 
• What made the policemen to do what they did?
• Kindly shed some light on the root cause of this situation. 

Comment number 35 is in response to the above questions:

• Correction, these are not Bainings. This area is in the Bainings but is vested with illegal settlers who have in their possesions illegal firearms which they use to threaten the Bainings.They cultivate large amounts of marijuana and sell in Kerevat, Kokopo and Rabaul.It has been a safe haven for escapees and criminals from WNB. The Bainings have been negatively impacted by these setllements and no longer enjoy hunting in their bushes and rivers for fear of their lives. They (illegal settlers) are the reasons why the Bainings have registered their land and are asking government to ship them back to their place of origin to give way for the Bainings to add economic value to their land. Above serious report has to be properly varified because police was at the scene and apprehended a man who is believed to have come in from Kimbe with the culprits who have been terrorising our province recently with a string of holdups.

Some Results of Police Intervention
What eventuated immediately after the destruction of the illegal settlement is worth noting here. Soon after this incident the police in ENB set up a special operation covering a wider area including Kokopo and Rabaul resulting in a number of arrests and identification of gangs operating in Rabaul and Kokopo. Most of those  harboring the criminals have also been identified.
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Educational Benefits of the Social Media

Facebook

A lot has been said and written about the negative side of Facebook in Papua New Guinea and in other countries. I will not dwell too much on the negative side but on the positive side especially sharing thoughts for learning in higher education.

My experience
Before i share my thoughts on learning with Facebook in higher education let me share my experience as a user and friend of over a hundred young people. There is no doubt that informal learning and peer learning is now taking place on Facebook on the hour. More and more young people are joining Facebook for various reasons. One of them is to keep in touch with their friends or classmates. They share how they are feeling, telling each other that they are sick or angry over this or that. They even share experiences with perverts and laugh it off or curse the perpetrator. They capture events in photographs and share and discuss the situation with each. For example, a police arrest, a tribal fight, a building on fire and many more. Most of these are first hand information that reaches the public before it gets out through the traditional media. These information come from an engaged audience - the young people actively involved in interaction with each other in real time.

Informal/Peer Learning
Informal learning or peer learning takes place regularly on Facebook. From observation it is more frequent in groups where someone does not know how to solve a problem he/she asks a question. Members in the group then offer solutions and the problem is usually solved. In some cases the problem is referred to outside of the group by another member who knows where the problem may be solved. To illustrate this i share me experience next.

 I am a member of a number of groups including PNG ICT Community, PNG BOOKCLUB and  New Guinea Islands Historical Society (NGIHS). As of one hour ago from this writing a member of  PNG ICT Community posted this seeking help from members:

I tried to reset a CMOS password from an Acer Aspier 4738 model by removing its CMOS battery from MB but i still cannot solve. Any other alternatives? Please need help!

So far four comments have been posted thus:

1. There used to be a jumper on the main board but it has been a few years since i opened an Acer.

2. I couldnt locate a jumper on its MB. Maybe its MB should be replaced with a new one?

3. This blog may help http//:akidammdyusup.blogspot.com/2013/12/laptop-acer-bios-password-cleaner.html

4. Bro is it the BIOS password you are trying to remove? If so, Restart and see if it hasbeen cleared.

Members in PNG BOOKCLUB exchange ideas on reading and books, book reviews, and seek help where to locate a particular title. Members share information on favourite authors.

Students studyng Social Science, or specifically History learn a lot from NGIHS. They ask questions and their questions are answered by members in the group. They also learn facts about the New Guinea Islands region from reading posts in the group's timeline.

What can be done with Facebook for learning?

Some lecturers may have learnt from this and are using Facebook for formal learning. I have no proof of this. However, i think most have yet to consider this option and apply in their academic work.  There may be one or two exceptions, for security reasons, that may not be safe on Facebook and that includes essssment which can be done off Facebook. Google Classroom can take care of assessment and other learning activities.

Facebook Page can be used to post lecture notes and other instructions as well as additional notes and links to readings on the web. Even tutorial questions can be posted and discussions may take place there also besides the physical classroom. The lecturer may let the students drive discussions.