On Sat, 2004-06-26 at 12:20, Rowel Atienza wrote:
> Hi stderr,
>
> On Fri, 25 Jun 2004, stderr wrote:
> ..
> > > In cooperation with Advanced Research and Competency Developement
> > > Institute, we are organizing a seminar on embedded linux. Quick info:
> > >
> > > Course Name: Fundamentals of Embedded Linux
> > > Schedule: 22-24, 30-31 July 2004
> > > Course Fee: PHP 17,000
> >
> > ?? Ha! Mahal naman ??
> > I thought youd get Stallman to be your guest speaker :)
>
> In defense of the course and its fee:
>
> 1) Since early this year, many local companies have realized that there is
> an increasing demand for embedded linux development outsourcing from
> abroad. To take advantage of the present opportunities, they decided to
> hire a foreign speaker to conduct the training for the same set of modules
> for the cost of USD2,500/participant/module or
> PhP140,000/participant/module. Upon learning this, I said wait. This can
> be done by local experts. After which I started talking and convincing the
> organizers that we already have embedded linux knowhow here and we can
> offer the same or better set of training without losing valuable foreign
> exchange. If there is anything we have left out, that is the right time to
> pull someone from Silicon Valley. They were convinced. Now, even though my
> time is almost filled every week I reorganized my schedule to put time
> developing the course just to prove that "we can do it".
No offense intended from my post in the first place, .
I appreciated your intentions in getting the embedded area
of Linux in here, and really affordable too! (to some)
> Summary: Each participant saves PhP123K per module by putting this
> initiative.
>
> 2) Embedded Linux is a different world than the linux we are familiar
> with. Here you deal as close to hardware as possible and codes are as
> optimized as possible. You deal with different sets of open source
> software due to resource limitations (eg cpu, memory, etc) and
> hardware/architecture variations (mips,arm,i386,ppc). When I started out
> with embedded linux, an important lesson I learned is that things I do on
> PC can not be necessarily done on small systems. For example, you *cant*
> use X11 on your embedded system. You have to have a simpler X server
> demanding not less but very minimal resource. That is where you go for
> alternatives like microwindows. Furthermore, you *cant* use Qt nor Gtk/Gdk
> because they have big footprints. You have to use flnx or better yet X
> toolkit intrinsics in case you are stuck with X11.
>
> Summary: There is an invaluable experience in embedded linux development
> we are offering in this course.
I agree to that. Im in several Linux embedded NG's in usenet
for over a year now and I still havent a slightest idea on
what 'home brew' project ill try to aim, or like I know where
Im heading. But the program miniturization concept of embedded,
alone is quite intriguing, like how they manage to strip/speed
down xserver into a tiny 700KB!, like what they did in kdrive.
or how to fit a linux with plenty of tools into a floppy like
most floppy distributions do. Its really quite interesting
to browse over the toolkits that did these.
> 3) Embedded Linux developers are rare in this country. Many local
> software/electronics engineers simply dont have that kind of exposure. It
> is expected since Embedded Linux as a field that has been there for only
> around 2 or 3 years. Many embedded systems developers are still stuck with
> assembly language programming and In-Circuit-Emulators (ICE). The world
> has changed. Silicon prices of 32-bit architectures are dropping. It
> doesnt make sense to continue with 8-bit processors when you can make
> powerful systems out of linux for almost the same price. We must move
> forward and embrace new technologies fast. Else, we will miss the boat
> again. It reminds me about this cellphone supplied by Smart and
> manufactured in Taiwan with Windows CE which I believe can be done better
> if Linux was used. If only we have many Embedded Linux developers here,
> that cellphone would have a locally made embedded linux and applications.
>
> Summary: If there is any organization in the Philippines who can offer the
> same course for P5k-P10k with more qualified speakers, take it. It is a
> good offer.
>
> ..
> > No, thanks I'd rather stick to my docs.
>
> The speakers have no control on the fee. It is the organizers' job.
> Honestly speaking, speakers dont get much if that is your impression.
> However, we believe that by sharing our knowledge we can make embedded
> linux industry a big dollar earner for this country. That is going to
> benefit most of us and especially members of PLUG in terms of job
> opportunities or personal ventures. And what is 17K or $300 if a 4-month
> oursourcing project will generate income of USD300K? That is only 0.1%
> investment even if you multiply it with the number of engineers to
> finish the project!
While nobody could held me hostage not to do it, I would
also honestly say that Im not into this to gain profit,
or at least those figures did not form in my head in the
first place.
Ive always been, and am, volunteer in some areas or another
that you cant imagine :) I dont get rich for what I do. But
Im contented. Linux is just a hobby, and the embedded area
might be another source of one's owns fulfillment.
Well, profit is not a bad thing also, but I never dream
about the excess part of it. But thats just me.
> My analogy to your comment that the fees are high is like this. Suppose I
> am a high school graduate and I want to get a job that pays me well. My
> question is should I send my self to a good college and accept the
> consequences of paying tuition fees? Or, should I just believe in my self,
> buy or download some online documentations and teach my self. Of course
> there are people who can do good in the latter option. They are rare and
> should belong to the national treasure. For the average like me, I will
> send myself to a good college. I can earn my money back several times in
> the future.
No. really; The pricing is very "competitive", as what other
poster on this thread stated, and based on what youve made
clear that US $2,500 was made into a mere $304; and by the
basis on the people's credentials that would deliver this
course/training, including you, then I say its more than
invaluable.
But as frugal as I am, and with my hopes of getting more
of our Linux talented kababayans who's potentials are
stagnating, because the would-be resources only rely on
this shitty economics of ours, and they too are interested
on this area; then I still seek some considerations in here,
like example, what if we just turn the aircon off na lang,
then drop the prices :) after all were there to learn
embedded.
Or if the attendee is quite familiar with the the other
features, like some of the 'Linux routines', then why not
skip it and just attend the days in the 5-day exercise,
when the tutor delivers the secret/vital concoctions on
how to do the root thing.
In my part(){
Even if in the end of the course/seminar I dont recieve
any of those flashy lamenated id's or attendance nicely
crafted certificates or whatsoevah or any indication that
I attended an embedded seminar, that I could fancy to a
possible employer, then I would still go; Because I love
the area, I want to learn embedded because it is
intriguing to learn how to do it, with it I could test
myself. I would love to write codes about it or any of
the linux stuff because it gives me freedom, freedom to
content my appetite, my hobby.
I know a lot of things are not free, but luckily for us
there are still generous and open minded individuals out
there that, for one, made Open Source possible, now we can
read/write/share ideas through programs or ideas like what
we're doing now, and content ourselves, content with our
achivements, helping to deliver good programs to other
people, and not just for the sake of profiteering.
}
So If I were you, and you want to earn more, then this
is a nice oppurtunity in here. I woulnt miss it.
--
-stderr(Cagayan de Oro)
--
Philippine Linux Users' Group (PLUG) Mailing List
[EMAIL PROTECTED] (#PLUG @ irc.free.net.ph)
Official Website: http://plug.linux.org.ph
Searchable Archives: http://marc.free.net.ph
.
To leave, go to http://lists.q-linux.com/mailman/listinfo/plug
.
Are you a Linux newbie? To join the newbie list, go to
http://lists.q-linux.com/mailman/listinfo/ph-linux-newbie
