Why did some PCOS machine failed during election day?

Last May 10, 2010, the Philippines had its very first automated elections for both the National and Local positions. And 3 weeks since then, we see numerous comments on the said election.

And one of those comment is the sudden failure of some (if not many) Precinct Count Optical Scan (or PCOS) machine during the day of the election. From the computer technician's point of view, there is quite obvious explanation as to why some PCOS machine fails.

This machine has the similar components of a simple computer system. And we all know that an electronic components' enemy is heat. The election was held in various public schools in which majority (or almost all) of them does not have any ACUs. And in one classroom or voting precinct, it is comprised of several precinct clusters in which there are so many voters in that cluster. Not to mention, with all those people inside a voting precinct, and with the heat accumulated by the machine, it is no wonder that the chances for that machine to fail is more likely. Although during the machine testing, they've performed well, we all know that the ventilation inside that room is very much different compare to the actual election day.

This article only discuss that actual operation loophole of the PCOS machine during the election. And although it actually performs well, we should always consider that these electronic machines need proper ventilation to prevent shutdown and equipment failure. Therefore, in the next automated election, the officer who organize the precincts should ensure that the place is actually well-ventilated. And in the viewpoint of an I.T. hardware expert, we should keep in mind that excessive heat in an electronic component or equipment can greatly deteriorate its performance in the long run.

Net Send: A primitive instant messaging service?

Nowadays, we use programs such as Yahoo Messenger, MSN Live Messenger, or even Digsby to chat with others online. But what you may not know is that before even these became popular, there was an older utility program that its sole function is to send instant messages anyone inside the network; the NET SEND command. It's major difference to other instant messaging (IM) programs, the NET SEND is purely a text line interface when sending messages, and it has a pop - up window in which messages using this utility are received here.

When using it, you must open your command line prompt or the cmd shell in your Windows OS. There are different variations on how you use this command:

1.) NET SEND {user name} message
     - This command syntax is normally used to send instant message to another computer within the network using its user name.
2.) NET SEND {computer name} message
     - This command syntax is normally used to send instant message to another computer within the network using its computer or PC name.
3.) NET SEND {*} message
     - This command syntax is normally known as a broadcast message to the domain wherein a network is connected.
4.) NET SEND {/USERS} message
    - This command syntax is normally used to send instant message to all users that has a session within the server.
5.) NET SEND {/DOMAIN} message
    - This command syntax is normally used to send instant message to another computer into another domain.

Although majority users do not use this utility as a form of instant messaging service, network geeks are certainly knowledgable with this utility. And maybe once in a while, I think you should try to use this utility. Because this one utility that may be helpful to you, in case you want to become a network administrator someday.

Updating your anti - virus software

Basically, it is truly safe to say that your computer is protected if it has an anti - virus software installed on it. But how can I be sure with that statement? Regardless to which anti - virus software installed in your computer, in order to make them work efficiently, they must be updated as often as possible. And how will I do it? The most effective way on updating an anti - virus software is updating them over the internet.

As we all know, there are thousands (or even millions) of viruses that are created and generate everyday and is basically passed via internet. Our anti - virus software, if updated, downloads additional features in terms of virus protection in our computer. And they even update the so - called "virus signature database" of most anti - virus software in order for them to be updated on what kind of threats (in the form of a virus for example) that your PC is encountering in every day use. So my advice to all users is that, it is very essential to have an internet connection in order for your anti - virus software to work and perform well. Because if you don't, installing an anti - virus software in your PC is just like implanting a time bomb on it that you have no idea when and where threats will attack in your PC.