Merry Christmas!

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Illustration courtesy of www.catholicgreetings.org

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Rotary: Interacting with the Interact Club of Taipei Castle (Dec. 14, 2008)

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Photo Caption: Dr. Rafael Saldaña is shown joining a group of Taiwanese youth, who are members of the Interact Club of Taipei Castle, in their Anti-Littering Campaign and Fund-Raising Drive infront of the Taipei Main Raiway Station on December 14, 2008 in Taipei, Taiwan.

Note: Last Sunday, December 14, 2008, I met a group of Taiwanese youth who are members of the the Interact Club of Taipei Castle infront of the Taipei Main Railway Station in Taipei, Taiwan. Members of the Interact Club of Taipei Castle were conducting an Anti-Littering Campaign and a Fund-Raising Drive by collecting receipts issued by stores; the receipts can be converted to cash rebates.

To see more photos, click on the link below:

http://raffysaldana.multiply.com/photos/album/18/Rotary_Interacting_with_the_Interact_Club_of_Taipei_Castle_Dec._14...

Sugestion: Choose 'Slideshow' Option.

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Video Links:

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http://raffysaldana.multiply.com/video/item/3/Interact_Club_of_Taipei_Castle_Part_1_Dec._14_2008

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http://raffysaldana.multiply.com/video/item/4/Interact_Club_of_Taipei_Castle_Part_2_Dec._14_2008_Taipei_Taiwan

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From,

Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña
Past President
Rotary Club of Agham, Quezon City
International District 3180
.

Photos: Philippine Grid Computing 2008

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PHILIPPINE GRID COMPUTING 2008
(Froum and Workshops)
16 December 2008
Advanced Science and Technology Bldg.
Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines

PHOTOS


The ASTI Bldg., venue of the Philippine Grid Computing 2008 (Forum and Workshops)

Dr. Rafael Saldaña is shown before the start of the Forum.

Engr. Denis Villorente, Director of the Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) gives the Welcome Remarks.

Ms. Jelina Tetangco of ASTI talks about the Philippine e-Science Grid Program (PSI-GRID)

Dr. Rafael Saldaña, Coordinator of the Ateneo Grid and High-Performance Computing Group, talks about the Grid Computing Projects in Ateneo de Manila University and about the EUAsiaGrid Project.

Dr. May Lim, Coordinator of the Computational Science Research Center (CSRC), talks about Grid Computing Initiatives in the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

OPEN FORUM: Participant from MSI (Marine Science Institute)-University of the Philippines-Diliman

OPEN FORUM: Participant from IRRI (International Rice Research Institute, Los Banos)

OPEN FORUM: Participant from De La Salle University-Manila

GUESTS: (L-R): Engr. Nelson Beniabon of PCASTRD (Philippine Council for Advanced Science and Technology Research and Development), Dr. Franco Teves of MSU-IIT (Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology) and Dr. Rafael Saldaña of Ateneo de Manila University.

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To view more photos, click on the link below:

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http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/227

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Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' Option

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Philippine Grid Computing 2008

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Website:

http://www.psigrid.gov.ph/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=76&Itemid=1


Philippine Grid Computing 2008

The Advanced Science and Technology Institute will hold the Philippine Grid Computing 2008 Forum and Workshop on December 16, 2008.


8:00-9:00
Registration

9:00-9:15
Opening Ceremonies

9:15-9:45
Plenary Session I (Introduction on Grid Computing and PSiGrid Initiative)

9:45-10:15
Plenary Session II (Applications by UP-CSRC and Ateneo)

Speakers:

9:45 - 10:00 Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña
Coordinator
Grid and High Performance Computing Group
School of Science and Engineering
Ateneo de Manila University

10:00 - 10:15 Dr. May Lim
Coordinator
Computational Science Research Center
University of the Philippines-Diliman

10:15-10:30
Coffee Break

10:30-11:00
Plenary Session III (International Collaborations: EUAsiaGrid and PRAGMA)

11:00-11:30
Plenary Session IV (PCASTRD Funding)

11:30-12:00
Open Forum

12:00-1:00

Lunch Break

1:00-1:30
Rocks Cluster Installation Workshop
Bioinformatics Workshop (BioSLAX)

1:30-2:00
Rocks Cluster Installation Workshop
Bioinformatics Workshop (Bio Roll)

2:00-2:30
Rocks Cluster Installation Workshop
Bioinformatics Workshop (BioBoost)

2:30-3:00
Rocks Cluster Installation Workshop
Bioinformatics Workshop (Bioinformatics Services)

3:00-3:15
Coffe Break

3:15-3:45
gLite Users Echo Training (GILDA and Security)
Reconfigurable Computing Demo/Seminar

3:45-4:15
gLite Users Echo Training (IS and WMS)
Reconfigurable Computing Demo/Seminar

4:15-5:00
gLite Users Echo Training (Job and Data Management)
Reconfigurable Computing Demo/Seminar

5:00-5:15

Closing Remarks

Legend:
ASTI Training Room

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Invitation: National Convention of the Philippine Society of Information Technology Educators (PSITE) 2009

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Note: Click on the image above to see a larger view.

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Invitation: Photo Exhibit (Cainta, Rizal, Philippines)

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Samahang Litratista ng Rizal (SLR) cordially invites you to “SLR Winners Gallery 2008” which runs from December 14, 2008 to January 2, 2009 at the Sta Lucia East Grand Mall, Cainta.


“SLR Winners Gallery 2008” presents over 70 award winning photos of SLR members, garnered from various international and national photo contests of 2008.

Presented by Sta Lucia East Grand Mall, the Photo Exhibit also commemorates the Club’s 15th year anniversary.

Major sponsors of the Exhibit are Tronix Imaging Center, Gemini Photo, Veco Paper Corporation, Epson, Aperture Trading, JR Multi Business Resources, and Bernabest Food Products.

See you there!

SLR Camera Club

* * * SLR Winners Gallery 2008 photos on exhibit:

Winners of International Photo Contests

1. PETER OBLIGACION 2nd Place Photoshare International Photo Contest
2. NIKKI VICTORIANO 1st Place Black & White Categry World Health Organization (WHO) - Daily Life of a Health Worker
3. DANNY VICTORIANO 2nd place Color Category WHO- Daily Life of a Health Worker
4. LLOYD JUMPAY 3rd place Color catgry WHO - Daily Life of a Health Worker
5. ROBERT REYES Finalist People and Planet Photo Contest
6. JOEL FORTE Finalist Urbanscapes : Singapore Sun Festival Photo Contest
7. RAMON CASTILLO Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
8. PEPE FRIAS Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
9. JOEL FORTE Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
10. DON CLAVO DE COMER Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
11. NIKKI VICTORIANO Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
12. DANNY VICTORIANO Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
13. CATALINA JUMPAY Finalist Snowden Mining Photo Contest
14. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA – People’s Choice, Snowden Mining Photo Contest
15. RAMON CASTILLO – Finalist – Epson Photo Contest
16. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA - Finalist – Epson Photo Contest
17. RAMON CASTILLO – 1st Place, Southeast Asian Center for Agriculture (SEARCA) Photo Contest: “Coping with Climate Change, Finding Solutions”
18. GINA MENESES – 2nd Place, SEARCA Photo Contest: “Coping with Climate Change, Finding Solutions”
19. RAMON CASTILLO – 3rd Place, SEARCA Photo Contest: “Coping with Climate Change, Finding Solutions”

Winners of National Photo Contests

1. NIKKI VICTORIANO Finalist Swatch Photo Contest 2008
2. LEO SABANGAN Finalist Swatch Photo Contest 2008
3. MANNY ROSARIO Finalist Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation (FPPF) On-The-Spot (OTS) Photo Contest -"Balete Falls"
4. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA Finalist FPPF-"Balete Falls" OTS
5. MANNY ROSARIO 2nd place Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) - Aninaw: Water for life Photo Contest
6. DANNY VICTORIANO Consolation Prize, CCP - Aninaw: Water for life Photo Contest
7. RAMON CASTILLO 2nd place Beyond the Stick Photo Contest
8. REGGIE PRIAS Finalist Beyond the Stick Photo Contest
9. DANNY VICTORIANO Finalist Beyond the Stick Photo Contest
10. ROMY TRINIDAD 2nd place Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect - Theme: Filipino Portrait
11. JOEL FORTE 1st place Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect - Theme: Nature
12. BENJIE JACINTO 1st Place Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect - Theme: Still Life
13. ANDREW MAGTURO 4th Aliwan Festival OTS 2008
14. PEPE FRIAS 1st Place GTZ Photo Contest - Water is life
15. NIKKI VICTORIANO 3rd Place - GTZ Photo Contest - Water is life
16. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA Special Award - GTZ Photo Contest - Water is life - Water for agriculture Category
17. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA Finalist, GTZ Photo Contest Water is life
18. RAMON CASTILLO Finalist. GTZ Photo Contest Water is life
19. DANNY VICTORIANO Finalist, GTZ Photo Contest Water is life
20. ANDREW MAGTURO Special award - GTZ Photo Contest - Water is life - Water for people Category
21. JOEL FORTE – Finalist, GTZ Photo Contest Water is Life
22. BABY ANGTUACO – Finalist, GTZ Photo Contest Water is Life
23. REGGIE FRIAS - Finalist, GTZ Photo Contest Water is Life
24. LEMUEL RAGASA 12th Place Business Mirror Photo Contest - Cameradere: Life at Work
25. LEMUEL RAGASA 11th Place Business Mirror - Photo Contest - Cameradere: Life at Work
26. RAMON CASTILLO 10th Place Business Mirror - Photo Contest - Cameradere: Life at Work
27. RAMON CASTILLO 8th Place Business Mirror Photo Contest- Cameradere: Life at Work
28. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA Finalist Business Mirror Photo Contest- Cameraderie
29. MARY CHRISTINE VILLANUEVA Finalist Business Mirror Photo Contest– Cameraderie
30. LEMUEL RAGASA TOP 5 winner Chowking- Congee: Shoot a Laptop Photo Contest
31. DANNY VICTORIANO Top 5 finalist PCSO -Isang Pitik sa Charity Photo Contest
32. LLOYD JUMPAY 2nd Place Over-all/ Canon Photo Marathon 08
33. LLOYD JUMPAY 1st Place Canon Photo Marathon 08 -wonders of nature
34. RAMON CASTILLO 2nd Place Canon Photo Marathon 08- wonders of nature
35. RAMON CASTILLO Finalist Canon Photo Marathon 08 -up-close and personal
36. LEMUEL RAGASA Finalist Canon Photo Marathon 08- wonders of nature
37. DANNY VICTORIANO Finalist Canon Photo Marathon 08 -up-close and personal
38. MANNY ZACARIAS 9th Place FPPF April Photo Contest – “Mahal na Araw”
39. ANDREW MAGTURO 10th Place FPPF April Photo Contest – “Mahal na Araw”
40. CORREX BELLEZA 6th Place FPPF May Photo Contest – “Skin”
41. LLOYD JUMPAY 10th Place FPPF August Photo Contest – “Rain”
42. LLOYD JUMPAY 6th Place FPPF September Photo Contest – “Black and White”
43. ARNEL GARCIA 3rd Place FPPF October Photo Contest – “Nature”
44. LITO VIZMONTE – 1st Place, We Found our Pasions @ Toby’s Youth Badminton
45. LITO VIZMONTE – 2nd Place, We Found our Pasions @ Toby’s Youth Badminton
46. DON CLAVO DE COMER – Finalist, Immunizers Photo Contest
47. PEPE FRIAS – 4th Place, European Commission to the Philippines Photo Contest on Climate Change
48. RAMON CASTILLO – Finalist, European Commission to the Philippines Photo Contest on Climate Change
49. DANNY VICTORIANO – 2nd Place, Professional Division, Imation Photo Contest
50. KARLO VICTORIANO – 3rd Place, Amateur Division, Imation Photo Contest
51. DANNY VICTORIANO – 1st Place, Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect - Theme: City Life
52. LLOYD JUMPAY - – 2nd Place, Manila Bulletin Picture Perfect - Theme: City Life __._,_.___

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Back in the Philippines

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Notes:

1. I arrived last night in Metro Manila from a two week conferences/meetings/visits in Taiwan (SEAP 2008, PRAGMA Institute, EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, NCHC visit, Academia Sinica Visit) aboard Philippine Airlines Flight PR 899.

2. Notable experiences:

a. I almost panicked at the Taoyuan International Airport when I misplaced my passport and boarding pass after checking-in my luggages. Luckily, I found my passport and boarding pass in one of my hand-carry bags.

b. I passed by the duty free shop beside gate B4 before boarding the plane PR 899. When I was inside the plane I realized that my wallet was missing. The wallet contains my credit cards, university ID, and some cash... Again, luckily, the my wallet was found by the duty free free personnel and was returned to me personally inside the airplane.

To the duty free people and PAL staff in Taoyuan airport, THANK YOU VERY MUCH!!!

Raffy Saldaña
in Quezon City, Philippines
15 December 2008
.

Summary: Blog Entries on the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting (Taipei, Taiwan)

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EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting
12 -13 December 2008
Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan


Below is a summary of my blog entries on the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting:
1. Program of Activities:

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/euasiagrid-meeting-taipei-taiwan.html

2. Day 1, December 12, 2008

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/euasiagrid-project-meeting-day-1.html

3. Talk on GILDA (Grid INFN Laboratory for Dissemination Activities)

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/talk-on-gilda-grid-infn-laboratory-for.html

4. Photos: Day 1, December 12, 2008

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/photos-euasiagrid-project-meeting-12.html

5. Photos: Day 2, December 13, 2008

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/photos-euasiagrid-project-meeting-12.html

6. Visit to the Genomics Research Center, December 13, 2008

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/visit-to-genomics-research-center.html

7. Closing Dinner, December 13, 2008

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/closing-dinner-euasiagrid-all-hands.html
.

Travel Notes: Taking a Bus from Taipei Main Station to the Airport

.
Direction Map from Taipei Main Station to Taoyuan International Airport.

Source: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/91/Taipei_Main_Sta_Ground.gif

Excerpt:

City to Airport

Bus (客運)

" Kuo-Kuang provides bus services from the Taipei Main Station and the Songshan Domestic Airport (松山機場) to TTIA.

Kuo-Kuang buses that depart from the Taipei Main Station make a brief stop at the neighboring city of Sanchong (三重) before entering the freeway.

The cost is NT$125.

To find the dedicated airport-bound Kuo-Kuang bus terminal among the three separate Kuo-Kuang terminals at the Taipei Main Station, first head to the tallest building at the Taipei Main Station area, which is the Shin-Kong Tower (新光摩天大樓).

At the Shin-Kong Tower, face northwest towards Zhongxiao West Road (忠孝西路) and look for a large sign which says "To Taoyuan Airport."
"

Closing Dinner, EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, 13 - 14 December 2008, Taipei, Taiwan

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Dr. Simon Lin (Center), Director of Academia Sinica Grid Computing, welcomes EUAsiaGrid participants to the dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Taipei.

(L-R): Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña of Ateneo de Manila University, Mr. Peter Banzon and Mr. Rey Vincent Babilonia of Advanced Science and Technology Institute (ASTI) -- three Filipino participants in the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting in Taipei, Taiwan.

EUAsiaGrid All Hands Meeting
12 - 13 December 2008
Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

CLOSING DINNER

After the last session of the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, we were invited by Dr. Simon Lin, Director of the Academia Sinica Grid Computing Center, and his staff to a wonderful dinner at the Grand Hyatt Hotel near the famous Taipei 101 building -- currently the tallest building in the world.

Click on the link below to view photos taken during the closing dinner:

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/226

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.

I would like to thank Dr. Simon Lin and the members of his ASGC staff (Vick, Stella, Jill, and others) for their great hospitality during our stay in Taipei.

Best Regards,

Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña
Project Leader for Ateneo de Manila University
EUAsia Grid Project
.

Visit to the Genomics Research Center, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

.

Photo Caption: Dr. Suhaimi Napis of Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) and Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña of Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU, Philippines) together with a robot used in genomics research.

Photo Caption: The Genomics Research Center Building in Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. (Source: http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/)

Notes:

After the last session of the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, I together with other EUAsiaGrid partners visited the Genomics Research Center in Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan. Our host is Dr. Ying-Ta Wu.

Below is the link to photos taken during our visit to the Genomics Research Center in Academia Sinica:

.

Genomics Research Center Website: http://www.genomics.sinica.edu.tw/index.php?v=2

Excerpts from the Website:

"The Genomics Research Center (GRC) of Academia Sinica was founded in January 2003, with major emphasis on the discovery and functional study of certain genes of biological significance and development of innovative technologies and therapeutic strategies. Dr. Winston Chen is currently the Director. Dr.Chi-Huey Wong, currently the President of Academia Sinica, was the first Center Director.

Research in the life science has entered a new era after identification of the human genome and the genome sequences of other species. The challenge that lies ahead is to understand the functions of certain genes and apply that knowledge to development of new technologies and medicines. Academia Sinica is making great efforts to integrate domestic and international resources to foster innovative scientific research in areas related to genomics and proteomics. The GRC is expected to become a center of excellence for genomic research and education. Through the process of using breakthrough discoveries and inventions in the commercial realm, the Center has established a biotechnology incubator to advance the development of biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in Taiwan.

The GRC’s research programs consist of five major areas: Functional Genomics, Chemical Biology, Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bioinformatics, and Key Technology. There is also an Incubation Center for pursuing technology transfer and collaboration with peer institutions. In addition, Academia Sinica has established several national genomic core facilities (e.g. mouse mutagenesis and disease models, genotyping, microarrays, mass spectrometry and proteomics, X-ray and NMR for structural genomics, MRI, and bioinformatics) to support these research programs."

.

Photos, Day 2, December 13, 2008, EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, Taipei, Taiwan

. L-R: Prof. Marco Paganoni of INFN (Italy) and Prof. Ludek Matyska of Masaryk University (Czech Republic)

Mr. Eric Yen of Academia Sinica Grid Computing Center (ASGC, Taiwan)

Mr. Jason Shih of Academia Sinica Grid Computing Center (ASGC, Taiwan)

Dr. Yannick Legre of HEALTHGRID (France)

Dr. Jan Kmunicek of CESNET (Czech Republic)

Dr. Alex Voss of NCeSS (Manchester, United Kingdom)

.

Ｃｌｉｃｋ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｏｌｌｏｗｉｎｇ　ｌｉｎｋ　ｔｏ　ｖｉｅｗ　ｍｏｒｅ　ｐｈｏｔｏｓ：

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/224

Ｓｕｇｇｅｓｔｉｏｎ：　Ｃｈｏｏｓｅ　’Ｓｌｉｄｅｓｈｏｗ’　ｏｐｔｉｏｎ．

PROGRAMME

Saturday, 13 December 2008

09:00 - 10:30 WP3 - I

10:30 - 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 - 12:30 WP3 - II

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch

14:00 - 15:30 WP1

15:30 - 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 - 17:30 Wrap-Up Session
．

Photos: EUAsiaGrid Project Meeting, 12 December 2008, Taipei, Taiwan

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Click on the link below to view photos taken during the first day of the EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting held on 12 December 2008 at the Activity Room Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.

http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/photos/album/221/Day_1_EUAsiaGrid_Project_Meeting_Academia_Sinica_Taipei_Taiwan_1...

Suggestion: Choose the 'Slideshow' option.

Related Links:

EUAsiaGrid Project Website: http://www.euasiagrid.org/

Other blog entries:

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/euasiagrid-project-meeting-day-1.html

http://raffysaldana.blogspot.com/2008/12/talk-on-gilda-grid-infn-laboratory-for.html

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Talk on GILDA (Grid Infn Laboratory for Dissemination Activities )

. Speaker: Dott. Diego Scardaci of the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN or the Italian National Institute of Nuclear and Particle Physics)

Curriculum vitae: http://grid.ct.infn.it/modules/xt_conteudo/content/scardaci.html

Video clip: http://booleanlogic.multiply.com/video/item/48

EUAsiaGrid Project All-Hands Meeting

12 -13 December 2008

Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan

Day 1. December 12, 2008

TALK ON GILDA
Grid INFN Laboratory for Dissemination Activities)

Website: https://gilda.ct.infn.it/

List of Tutorials: https://gilda.ct.infn.it/tutorials.html

Posters: https://gilda.ct.infn.it/Posters.html

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EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting, Day 1. December 12, 2008 (Taipei, Taiwan)

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Mr. Dao Van Tuyet of VAST-HCM (Vietnam) reports on dissemination activities related to the EUAsiaGrid Project in Vietnam.

Dr. Rafael P. Saldaña, Project Leader for Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU, Philippines) reports on dissemination activities and plans related to the EUAsiaGrid Project in the Philippines.


EUAsiaGrid All-Hands Meeting
12 – 13 December 2008
Activity Center, Academia Sinica
Taipei, Taiwan

PROGRAMME

Day 1.　Friday, 12 December

09:00 – 10:30 WP2 – I (Dr. Alexander Voss, NCeSS)

10:30 – 11:00 Coffee Break

11:00 – 12:30 WP2 – II (Dr. Alexander Voss, NCeSS)

12:30 – 14:00 Lunch

14:00 – 15:30 WP4 (Ms. Vicky Huang, ASGC)

15:30 – 16:00 Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:30 WP5 (Dott. Diego Scardaci, INFN)

18:30 – 20:30 Welcome Dinner (Venue: Peng's Agora Garden)

．

EUAsiaGrid Meeting, Taipei, Taiwan (December 12-13, 2008)

.

Related Link: http://www.euasiagrid.org/

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Getting to Academia Sinica by Local Transport

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Click on link below to get instructions on how to arrive in Academia Sinica using local public transport:

http://www.phys.sinica.edu.tw/TIGP-NANO/GettingToAS.htm


Excerpt:

Getting to Academia Sinica from Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport:

By Taxi:
Taxis queue outside the Arrival Halls of both Terminal Ι and Terminal II of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport. Airport taxis charge according to the meter plus a 50% surcharge (highway tolls not included). Typical fare to Taipei downtown is around NT$1,100. From the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, you may take a taxi directly to Academia Sinica for around NT$ 1,700.

By Bus:
Where to buy tickets/board the bus:Ticket counters are located in the Arrival Passenger Reception Areas of both Terminals.Terminal I Bus Platform: On the southwest side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area. Terminal II Bus Platform: On the northeast side of the Arrival Passenger Reception Area on the first floor of the terminal.

Adult single fares vary from NT$ 110 to $140.

The journey time is about 1 hour in moderate traffic.

Four bus companies now provide frequent services between Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport and downtown Taipei: Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport
Taiwan Bus Corp. (Kuogong Line): to Taipei Railway Station and Taipei Sung Shan Airport. You may get off at either stop and then take a taxi to Academia Sinica for approximately NT$300.

Evergreen: to ZhongXiao-FuXing MRT Station. If you only have light packages, this is a good way to save money. You can get off at ZhongXiao-FuXing MRT Station, take MRT “Blue Line” and get off at the terminal stop “Kunyang”. Walk out the station and take a taxi to Academia Sinica for about NT$120.

Toward You Air Bus: to ZhongXiao-FuXing MRT Station, Hyatt Hotel & Far Eastern Hotel. Get off at one of the above stops and take a taxi from there to Academia Sinica for around NT$220.

Fe Go Express: to Taipei Sung Shan Airport. Take a taxi from Sung Shan Airport to Academia Sinica for around NT$300.

Getting to Academia Sinica from Taipei City:

By City Bus:
205, 212, 212-Straight Line, 270, 270 (Shuttle), 276, 306, 306 (Shuttle), 620, 645, 645(Extended), S1, S12, S12 (Shuttle), S5, BL25 , get off at Academia Sinica stop.

By MRT:
Take Blue Line (Banqiao-Nangang Line) to Kunyang Station; get out from Exit No 4, cross the street for bus 212-Straight Line, 270, 270 (Shuttle), BL25, get off at Academia Sinica Stop.

By Train:
Take train to Nankang train station, front door exit and take bus ,306 (Shuttle) , 205, 212-Straight Line, 276; back door exit and take bus 212, 270, BL25 , get off at Academia Sinica Stop

.

PCSC 2009: Updated Call for Papers and Participation

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PCSC 2009: Updated Call for Papers and Participation

PCSC 2009
9th Philippine Computing Science Congress
March 2 - 3, 2009
Silliman University
Dumaguete City, Philippines

Conference Website: http://ccs.su.edu.ph/pcsc2009/theconference.html

Call for Papers and Participation

The Computing Society of the Philippines (CSP) invites you to participate in the 9th Philippine Computing Science Congress (PCSC 2009).

The CSP organizes this conference to enable local and neighboring computing educators, researchers, and ICT professionals and students to interact and to share their work in computing, computer science, computer engineering, computational science, and information and communications technology (ICT).

The conference features special lectures by prominent researchers and educators in the field of information and communications technology (including computing, computer science, computer engineering, computational science, and related disciplines).

It also features contributed research papers on computing and ICT.

DATES and VENUE:

PCSC 2009 will be held on March 2-3, 2009 at Silliman University, Dumaguete City, Philippines.

CONFERENCE TOPICS (but not limited to the following):

Cellular Automata
Genetic Algorithms
Computational Science
Computational Modeling and Simulation
Computer Architecture
Computer Applications
Computer Engineering
Computer Science Education
Computer Simulation
Database and Information Systems
E-CommerceE-Learning
E-Based Communities
High Performance Computing
Mathematical Modeling
NetworkingNeural Networks
Software Engineering
Theoretical Computer Science

Other relevant topics in computer science, computational science, and ICTPaper

Submission and Proceedings

Contributed papers for PCSC 2009 should follow the formatting guidelines based on the ACM Word Template (http://www.math.admu.edu.ph/~raf/pcsc07/cspformat.doc).

These papers will be peer-reviewed, and if accepted, they will be published in the Electronic Proceedings of the 9th Philippine Computing Science Congress (PCSC 2009). Qualified papers will be considered for publication in the Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ), the official journal of the Computing Society of the Philippines.

GUIDELINES FOR PAPER SUBMISSION:

Visit the Philippine Computing Journal (PCJ) website:http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PCJRead the information for authors/contributors:http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PCJ/information/authorsAuthors need to register with the journal prior to submitting:http://www.philjol.info/index.php/PCJ/user/registerIf authors are already registered they can proceed with paper submission:http://www.philjol.info/index.php/index/user

Important Dates:

Submissions of Full Paper: January 10, 2009
Notice of Acceptance: February 10, 2009
Submission of Revised Papers: February 24, 2009
Submission of Slides for Presentation: February 27, 2009
Deadline of Submission of Pre-Registration Forms: February 24, 2009
Conference: March 2-3, 2009

Registration Fees

PhP 2,500 (regular, non-student, walk-in)
PhP 2,000 (regular, non-student, pre-registered)
PhP 1,500 (non-student author of accepted paper)
PhP 1,500 (non-author currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate students, walk-in)
PhP 1,250 (non-author currently enrolled students, pre-registered)
PhP 1,000 (student author, currently enrolled)

Notes:

The registration fee includes free membership to CSP for the year 2009.
It does not include transportation and accommodation expenses.
It includes a conference kit, PCSC 2009 CD Proceedings, snacks, lunch, conference welcome drinks, and a certificate of participation.

MODE OF PAYMENT

If paying via cheque, make cheque payable to:

COMPUTING SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.

Registration payments may be made through the CSP's bank account in BANCO DE ORO.

Below are the details:Name: COMPUTING SOCIETY OF THE PHILIPPINES, INC.

Bank: BANCO DE ORO

Branch: Loyola Heights - Katipunan, Quezon City

Savings Account Number: 003578001070

Notes: Any bank charges should be charged to the payor and not to CSP.

Keep a copy of your bank transaction as proof of payment.

Notify Engr. Chuchi Montenegro (Email: chuchi.montenegro@gmail.com,
Fax: (035) 422-6033) about the details of your payment (total amount, for how many persons, date and time payment was deposited, and name of Banco de Oro branch).
CC to computingsoc@gmail.com.

PCSC 2009 Executive Committee

Jaime Caro, Ph.D.
CSP President
University of the Philippines-Dilliman
Tel./Fax.: (02) 920-2636
Email: jdlcaro@gmail.com

Caslon Chua, Ph.D.
CSP Vice President
Overall Chair, PCSC 2009
De La Salle University
Tel./Fax.: (02) 536-0276
Email: chuacl@dlsu.edu.ph

Henry N. Adorna, Ph.D.
Chair, Scientific Program Committee
Department of Computer Science
University of the Philippines
Email: ha@dcs.upd.edu.ph

Rafael Saldaña, Ph.D.
Co-Chair, Scientific Program Committee
Ateneo de Manila University
Tel./Fax.: (02) 709-0907
E-mail: raffysaldana@gmail.com

Gregg Victor Gabison, Ph.D.
Local Organizing Committee
University of San Jose Recoletos - Cebu City
Tel./Fax.: (02) 536-0276
Cherry Lyn Sta. Romana, MSCS
President, CSP-Visayas
Cebu Institute of Technology
Email: cstaromana@gmail.com

Dave E. Marcial, MSCS
Vice President, CSP-Visayas
Secretariat, PSCS 2009
Silliman University
Tel./Fax.: (035) 422-6033
Email: demarcial@su.edu.ph
demarcial02@yahoo.com
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Free Wireless Internet Access at the Taroko National Park (Taiwan)

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Yehey!

There is free wireless Internet access at the Taroko National Park in Taiwan.

Too bad, I did not bring my laptop charger :=(


Contact Details:

TAROKO NATIONAL PARK
291 Fushin Village, Sioulin Township
Hualien County 97253
Taiwan
Tel. (03) 862-1100 to 6
Fax. (03) 862-1263
Wesite: http://www.taroko.gov.tw
E-mail: taroko@taroko.gov.tw

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A Visit to the Taroko National Park, Taiwan

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Note:

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Losing my digital camera in Hualien City did not deter me from visiting the famous Taroko National Park. Luckily, I still have my cellphone camera and my EEE PC webcam which I used in documenting my visit to the Taroko National Park.

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The Taroko National Park is one of Taiwan's national parks.

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Here is an excerpt from a guide book on Taroko:

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"Visiting the Taroko National Park is like is like stepping into ancient scrolls of natural beauty depicted in calligraphic paintings. Lofty mountains, flowing rivers and lush forests conjure up majestic pictures. Be it misty forest grounds, breathtaking cliffs or magnificent waterfalls. Taroko National Park offers the visitor a variety of unforgettable experience."

Related Link: http://www.taroko.gov.tw/TarokoPortalEng/0_0_0/default.aspx

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