By Sophia Lucero [http://qwerky.stellify.net]

The College of Engineering Library and the Department of Computer Science recently celebrated the future transfer to their new home by holding a “soft launch� and open house at the new building along Velasquez Street (in front of NIGS) last November 12, 2005.

Dubbed “A Walkthrough of the New Engineering Library and Computer Science Building,� the program was graced by luminaries in the College and the University, as well as faculty, staff, and students. Companies in attendance were Accenture, Canon, Hewlett-Packard, and Innove Communications.

The Dean of the College of Engineering, Dr. Rowena Cristina L. Guevara, gave the welcome address. This was followed by inspirational messages of UP President Dr. Emerlinda R. Roman and UP Diliman Chancellor Dr. Sergio S. Cao, who both expressed their continued support for the further development of science and engineering research through institutions such as the Engineering Library and the Department of Computer Science.

DCS Chair Dr. Cedric Angelo M. Festin officially launched the CS and Engineering Library Donors Program, led by the turnover of Php 207,000.00 from Ms. Ma. Christina Olpoc and Ms. Lourdes Macatulad, a sum gathered by CS alumni and friends from HP for the Department’s conference room.

Finally, Head College Librarian Mrs. Yolanda C. Granda closed the program with words of gratitude towards everyone who made the vision of the New Building a reality.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was then held for the Engineering Library Discussion Room, donated by the UP Engineering Radio Guild (UP ERG). Letters of intent to donate computers and equipment to the Department were also signed by Innove Communications and Accenture.

Around one hundred guests were treated to a “digital walkthrough� of the new building, courtesy of the UP Engineering Webteam (EWT). Afternoon snacks were also provided.

The National Anthem was led by UP staff chorale member Pelagio “Kuya Leng� Bengco. Master of Ceremonies for the day was Carlos Miguel Lasa, 4th year CS student.

The following speech was given by Dr. Cedric M. Festin during the Walkthrough of the New College of Engineering Library and Computer Science Building last November 12, 2005. In attendance were President Emerlinda Roman, Chancellor Sergio Cao, Dean Rowena Guevara, building sponsors, members of the COE Library Staff, DCS Faculty, alumni and students (see related article).

We would like to thank you all for taking the time to come here this afternoon, especially since this is not yet the official inauguration of this building. When we first started inviting people to this event it was hard to explain that we have not yet moved into the building and this afternoon is not yet the inauguration. Of course, we would have wanted that, but as you can see, we still have some ways to go.

We invited you all here this afternoon to show you what we have so far and let you know what we still plan and need to do. We wanted to show you where your contributions have gone. We would not have reached this stage without your help, and yet, we also need to tell you today that we still need your help.

We need your help financially, and you have already generously heard our call and have been instrumental in securing funding for this building’s construction. For some, you have given us money to sponsor rooms. For others, you have given us computing equipment that we are already using, even if the rooms here are not yet ready. Still for others, there are pledges, promises to still help and spread the word. Despite these contrinutions and pledges we will still need around 10 Million Pesos more to finish the building and another 45 Million to modestly equip and furnish the rooms you see today.

But more than financial help, we need your input. All this effort is for the purpose of keeping us one of the strongest Computer Science programs in the country, competitive with the best in the region. This is not easy. Our neighboring countries are investing a lot in their computing infrastructures and we need to keep up and overtake them.
To be the best, we need your suggestions on how to strengthen our program. We need world-class and up-to-date reference materials for the Library. We need fast access to the Internet. We need exposure to the latest software technologies. We will also sometimes need you to visit and teach, deliver lectures to our students. We need to go beyond basic knowledge and produce innovative products and services. We cannot accomplish this by ourselves. We need you to help us do this.

In short, we need you to stay with us, continue being a partner, communicating with us what is needed to bolster the graduates we are producing, and how to encourage more students to major in this field. In the end, these students will be part of the graduates from which most of you will be drawing from and we hope that they will work to surpass your expectations of them.

Today we are formally launching the Friends of the UP Computer Science and the Friends of the Engineering Library Programs. Through this, we are formalizing the means through which donors can extend assistance to us. Testament to this is the presence this afternoon of two CS graduates who, in behalf of alumni and friends from Hewlett-Packard Philippines, have heeded our calls for donations. Thus, I would like to end by calling President Roman, Chancellor Cao and Dean Gev to receive the check our alumni and friends from HP, who are sponsoring the Conference room of the Computer Science Department.

By Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://blog.corsarius.net]

UP Diliman bagged the championship of this academic year’s Clash of the Brains, a computer science quizbee held by the De La Salle University. The La Salle Computer Society paid host to the event, which was held last November 24, 2005 at DLSU’s William Shaw Little Theater.

Three of the triumphant students came from the Department of Computer Science, namely Ardee Aram, Michael Chua, and Linda Sarmiento II. The fourth member, Prem Vilas Fortran Rara, hailed from the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering. DCS faculty Ma’am Joyce Avestro coached the team.

The UPD team got off to the worst start, finishing dead last after the first round. The team managed to claw back into contention in the second canto, finishing third. It was in the difficult round where the UPD team bared its fangs, reeling one correct answer after another.

Other participating teams were the Ateneo de Manila University, Far Eastern University, University of Santo Tomas, and Mapua Institute of Technology. Ateneo, winners of the two previous contests, needed to win this year’s tilt in order to keep the roving cup.

Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://ccrux.corsarius.net]

After eight years, a CS student has again won the prestigious BPI-DOST Science award.

Geomar Lubaton, CS Representative and Managing Editor of The UP Parser, is one of the three awardees from UP Diliman, the other two being Maydeline Que of the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering and Christian Danve Castroverde of the National Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology.

Lubaton, a graduating student and member of UP’s fencing varsity, was selected based on three criteria: academic excellence, leadership/extra-curricular, and the research project. The project of Lubaton’s thesis group is entitled “iSay: An Online Essay Evaluator�.

The winners of the award, sponsored by the Bank of the Philippine Islands and the Department of Science and Technology, were announced November last year.

Around October, each department was asked to nominate at most three students for the award. Along with Lubaton, graduating students Carlos Miguel Lasa and Maybelle Sibayan were the Department of Computer Science’s nominees.

The awarding and presentation of the awardees will be held on March 10, with the College of Engineering Theatre as the tentative venue.

By Geomar C. Lubaton [gclubaton@gmail.com]

If you’re creative enough in reading the event name, you can have so many ways of saying it. It can be read as “Geeks!� for the stereotype computer science students; “GCs!� for those who are “grade conscious�; or just plainly “Gee! CS!�.

The event was held last September 14, 2005 and was a continuation of the freshman orientation, “WOW! ComSci!�, which was held in June. It served as an academic day for everyone, and in the morning, several events transpired in various parts of Melchor Hall.

The CS 11 Programming Competition was held at the new 5th floor MJEC where the CS freshmen displayed their programming skills.

The CS 21 Quiz Show was held at MH 209 where the CS sophomores tested their wit and knowledge on Computer Organization & Assembly Language.

Lastly, the ACM Turing Webcast was held at MH 215 for the juniors and the seniors. However, the webcast was moved to September 21 because of technical difficulties.

During the afternoon, the closing program for Gee!CS! was held at the Engineering Theatre. The event was started by an opening speech by CS Representative Geomar Lubaton.

He then presided over the launching of the “Be A Mentor, Be A Friend� program. The program aims to monitor the academic performance of CS freshmen. In the presentation, the mentors were introduced to their respective mentees (CS freshies).

It was then followed by a presentation about the CS Network by CS Representative Dino Paolo Lacdan. A dialogue between the students and CS Network representatives was conducted, where questions regarding the network were clarified.

Next was the much anticipated awarding ceremony. The participants of the CS 11 Programming Competition and the CS 21 Quiz Show were recognized, and of course, the winners were awarded. The event was formally ended by Ms. Rina Diane Caballar at around 2:30 in the afternoon.

CS 21 Quiz Show

Champions: Roger John Ragasa, Dan Christian Llaneta

CS 11 Programming Competition Winners

1st place: Carlos Eugenio de Villa, Hannah Maria Badaguas
2nd place: Jose Paolo Sy, Angelo Edward Paras
3rd place: Catherine Evangelista

By Dr. Susan Pancho-Festin

Last September 9, 2005, Prof. Markus Gross, Head of the Computer Graphics Laboratory (http://graphics.ethz.ch) at ETH Zurich, delivered a talk on “Realtime Physics-based Modeling for Computer Games and Digital Entertainment� at the NEC Audio Visual Room.

Presenting before more than a hundred undergraduate and graduate Computer Science students, Prof. Gross introduced the mathematics and physics behind computer graphics and provided demonstrations of the modeling of deformations, fractures, collisions and fluid simulations.

Prof. Gross was accompanied by Prof. Jurg Nievergelt (also from ETH); both professors were part of a Swiss Summer School on Computing held at De La Salle University’s Manila and Canlubang campuses.

(See related article at the Tech Section.)
[Source: http://engg.upd.edu.ph/cs]

Savers Team Places 3rd, Sweeps Awards

By Tristan Jed Roque [tristanjed@gmail.com]

Three UP teams, all from the Department of Computer Science and dubbed as the UP Trinity, entered the national finals of the Trend Micro Tech Challenge (TMTC) 2005. From the 60 teams who submitted their entries out of 80 registered teams, only 10 competed in the three-day event last November 22-24, 2005 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Ortigas Center, Quezon City.

The UP Trinity was composed of the all-senior Team Vulcan and all-junior Team Savers, with Mr. TJ Vergel De Dios as coach. They developed the programs Spyder and SAVE (Spyware And Virus Exterminator) respectively. The other team was the all-senior Team UP Bibbo, who developed WASAVi (Windows Anti-Spyware Anti-Virus), with Prof. Susan Pancho-Festin and Mr. Sanjay Risbud as coaches. Team Savers did not fail in the Trinity’s quest to block the top three slots as they place 3rd over-all with P250,000 on hand. They also bested other teams as they became the runaway winner in Best Cheer-Presentation and Trend Micro’s first choice in exhibiting the Best Teamwork.

The TMTC is a nationwide competition open for the country’s college students of design, implementation and computer-based system testing. The TMTC 2005 competition consisted of solving different problems that simulate real-life activities and processes in setting up a network infrastructure protected from security threats along with this year’s theme “Network Protection Against Security Threats�.

The core challenge is to create an application that detects and cleans spyware using detection and cleanup information stored in an updatable pattern file package. It also includes a Web-based application that gathers logs from the installed client application and generates useful reports for a system administrator. A team must also create a standalone application that accepts detection and cleanup information for different spyware, and outputs a pattern file package.

The other seven finalists were sole teams from AMA Computer University, De La Salle University (Second Place), Mapua Institute of Technology, Mindanao State University – Iligan Institute of Technology (First Place), Rizal Technological University, University of San Jose – Recoletos and Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan. They received a Trend Micro Priority Application Certificate, which will highlight their application once they express their intention to join Trend Micro, the brainchild of PC-Cilin.

By Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://ccrux.corsarius.net]

Four teams based in UP Diliman’s Department of Computer Science made it to the semifinals of the 1st Philippine Emerging Startups Open (PESO) Challenge, held last September to December 2005. PESO is a technology and innovation business plan competition patterned after the Massachussetts Institute of Technology $50K Entrepreneurship Competition.

The DCS students, all in their thesis years, entered their undergraduate projects as potential startup businesses. Teams Clerc, Percom Kids, Rijndael, and Wi-G also had an additional member each with business management expertise.

Team Rijndael was also a finalist in the 1st UP Diliman COllege of Engineering Marketing Competition (see related article), while Team Wi-G made it to the Microsoft Imagine Cup 2005 World Finals.

The DCS students attended a free series of Participant Enhancement workshops, designed to educate them on business plan writing, legal issues and IP, team management, entrepreneurial finance and accounting, financing options, and marketing. These workshops were held on three consecutive Saturdays in October, in Ateneo de Manila University and the DEEE Building, UP Diliman.

Aside from the workshops, the students were also acquainted with various industry leaders, venture capitalists, and mentors. Despite not making to the finals, the students are assured of more benefits through PESO’s post-competition support system.

Among the 36 semifinalist teams, the DCS teams were among the youngest, having all-student rosters. Most teams had entrepreneurship veterans or members of the academe. Prior to the semis, 72 teams submitted their business proposals to the contest.

The PESO Challenge was organized by the Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship and the Ayala Foundation, and conceptualized by a group of Filipinos and Filipino-Americans at MIT. For more details, visit http://web.mit.edu/peso.

By Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://ccrux.corsarius.net] & Geomar Lubaton [gclubaton@gmail.com]

The Department of Computer Science and the UP Alliance of Computer Science Organizations (CS Network), in cooperation with PC Buyer’s Guide, held the UP Diliman ICT Roadshow 2005 at the 3rd Floor Lobby of Melchor Hall last August 9-11.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony kicked off the event, with Dr. Jaime Caro, UP System AVP for Development and former DCS Chair, giving the keynote speech. Dr. Caro, current DCS Chair Dr. Cedric Angelo Festin, and PC Buyer’s Guide Editor-in-Chief Marlon Magtira formally opened the Roadshow.

A symposium on the latest information and communications technology (ICT) trends and technologies was held on the event’s last day. CICT Commissioner Dondi Mapa discussed the government’s initiatives on the country’s ICT sector.

Other symposium topics include game development, jobs in the ICT sector, broadband Internet access, Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), and call centers.

Freebies and gift packs were given and raffled off, with 2nd year BS CS student David Louis Achacon Jr. winning the grand prize of an Apacer Audio Steno MP3 Player (128MB).

Exhibits featuring the latest gadgets and computer hardware from leading industry companies such as Canon, Epson, Samsung, and Redwood occupied the lobby during the three-day event.

The CS Network constituents behind the event were The UP Parser and UP CURSOR. They were also assisted by UP ACM, UnPLUG, and the CS Representatives.

By Carlos Miguel Lasa [http://carlooos.i.ph]

The UP Association of Computer Science Majors celebrated their 22nd Anniversary Week last August 26 to September 2, 2005. The celebration was dubbed “SEXY++: CURSOR WEEK 2005� and it was one action-packed week for the 22 year-old organization.

Film showing
The festivities kicked off on August 26 with a free film showing of the film “Revolution OS� at the Beta Epsilon AVR, which told the story of the Linux OS and the Open Source software revolution. The celebration was opened with a presentation, with Ms. Riza Batista delivering the opening remarks in behalf of the department. CS students were treated to snacks and drinks after the film showing.

Sports galore
The following day, August 27, the events continued at the Park 9 Covered Court along Katipunan Road, where the members of the organization battled against each other in the annual Sportsfest. Four teams composed of applicants, alumni and members faced off in various sports and games, including basketball, volleyball, tug-of-war, and the vice relay. The winner of the sportsfest was the team composed of the Activities, Finance and Information & Public Relations Committees of the organization.

Art and technology united
The next event for CURSOR unfolded on Monday at the NEC Seminar Room, where “The Arte Movement� was held. This event was a digital art awareness campaign aiming to educate people about this field of computer science. The seminars were spread over two days, tackling the various aspects of digital art, and were open to the public.

Along with the “@rte Movement�, the exhibit of “@rte Attack� was also launched. This event was a digital art and photography contest open to all university students in Metro Manila. Budding artists and photographers sent in their entries over a period of two months, and the artwork of the finalists were exhibited in the 2nd Floor Lobby of Melchor Hall for the duration of the week.

House building outreach
On August 31, CURSOR went to the slums along Congressional Avenue in Quezon City as part of an outreach project in partnership with UP Gawad Kalinga. Gawad Kalinga is a nationwide program which aims to develop communities for Filipinos who have less in life. Members and applicants of the organization were baked under the heat of the sun as they performed various tasks to be able to build homes for the poor. Some had to dig soil while others carried hollow blocks, and although it was tiring, at the end of the day it was all worth it.

Programming 101
The following day, CURSOR shifted its focus to high school students with the Junior Programming Conference, an event aiming to educate high school students about computer science while testing their programming capabilities as well. The day started at the NEC AVR, where students from across Metro Manila listened to various talks and watched presentations detailing the various aspects of computer science. One guest speaker was Mr. Reuben Ravago, and he explained a little bit of start-up and freelancing in the field.

In the afternoon, the students battled it out in the computer labs of Melchor Hall in the programming competition of the JPC. They were given several problems to solve, and they could use any programming language of their choice. In the end, the team from St. Stephen’s High School won.

Par-tay!
To end the festivities, CURSOR capped off it’s anniversary week with a party called “Double Vision� held at Gweilo’s in Eastwood City, Libis. Members, alumni and friends of the organization filled up the venue, and partied till the break of dawn. Aside from the usual dinner and dancing, the program featured a lot of other things.

The UP CURSOR Membership Card was launched, featuring a variety of promos and freebies from selected establishments across the metro. Winners of the “@rte Attack� were also awarded on that night, and they received cash prizes, scanners and printers. Aside from those, a concert was also held featuring several bands including Stonefree, Radioactive Sago Project, Giniling Festival, and Up Dharma Down.

By Sophia Lucero [http://sofimi.suprglu.com]

The Department of Computer Science (DCS) took part in the first-ever career fair of the Philippine Science High School (PSHS) – Diliman Campus last September 2, 2005.

Dubbed Karera 2005, the career fair exposed the young science scholars to the diverse array of science courses and career opportunities offered by the country’s top universities. Admist talks from PSHS alumni on career tips, there were classrooms filled with exhibits by UP Diliman, Ateneo, La Salle, and Mapua.
Under the guidance of Mr. Mike Samson, a PSHS alumnus, the Department’s delegation to the Pisay career fair consisted mostly of PSHS alumni, and included volunteers from students of the CS Network and several teachers.

The DCS booth drew crowds with its animations from its CS 176 (Computer Graphics) classes, hands-on demonstrations of Huni, UP Diliman Voice-Enabled Guide & mobile game Bullet Day Chaos, and displays of the latest research projects.

By Tristan Jed Roque [tristanjed@gmail.com]

Bad News!
Many CS students claim that they couldn’t get an enlisted subject even though the demand was less than half of the total slots available. Also, many thought that the CS 130 MHV class was earlier cancelled.

Good News!
Aside from the three enlistment rounds, online grades viewing is recommended. In the absence of a class card, a student who is in his/her province can check out his/her grades as early as October 20 last year. Also, the unofficial assessment billing form serves as a guideline on how much the student’s tuition fee is.

Bad News!
Because of holidays set by the government, the start of the enrollment was moved from Nov. 4 to Nov. 7, confusing everyone for it was announced late during the semester break.

Good News!
The department coped with the dilemma, and set a new schedule last Nov. 7 where freshmen and graduating students processed their enrollment from 8am-12pm; other students enrolled at 1pm-5pm. Likewise, student assistants guided the freshmen on the course of pre-advising that contributed to the registration’s efficiency.

Bad News!
The new laboratory fee for this semester was finally approved by the UP administration. Along with the price increase of basic necessities, CS 11, CS 12, CS 21, CS 150 and CS 192 lab fees all swelled to 800 pesos each subject. The collection will be utilized for the improvement and maintenance of the laboratories.

Good News!
The lab fee increase was first tackled in the Student-Teacher Dialogue last Sept. 14 at the Engineering Theater. The event included the launching of “Be a Mentor, Be a Friend�, a CS Network Presentation, awarding ceremonies for the CS 11 Programming Competition and CS 21 Quiz Bee, and a testimony regarding the department’s stand on UP-CSN.

Bad News!
Three different teams mostly frohm CS department, Honda Sexy, Toyota Sexy, and Mitsubishi Sexy race around the metro in the Road Race 4: Urban Challenge held by the UP IE Club. Although there were reported incidents of vehicular accidents, these three teams were lucky enough as they safely journeyed from AS Parking Lot, transferred hollow blocks and sang the GK anthem at Gawad Kalinga Site, played darts at Festival Mall, answered a survey at Total Gas Station Eastwood Branch, paddled at Riverbanks, played Klotski at Informatics Ortigas, refilled the gas tanks at Total Gas Station Greenhills Station, and finally arrived at the Yero Bar at Greenhills, San Juan. Teams Honda Sexy and Mitsubishi Sexy finished sixth and seventh in that order.

Good News!
More than 6, 000 delegates nationwide participated in the National Youth Congress in Information Technology last September 14 to 16 at the Villamor Hall (UP Theatre), organized by UP ITTC and DOST. A student volcorps body was formed from various schools such as San Beda College, Roosevelt College, and UP Diliman. Jose Paolo Ferrer (representing UP CURSOR) headed the UP DILIMAN GROUP. In addition, mostly CS students from UP CompSoc and UP ACM completed the hometown group. A party for the student volunteers was held at the CSRC building last Sept. 24.

Bad News!
During the crunch week of the CS 150, CS 155 and CS 145 machine problem submissions, students who worked overnight at either MH 215 or MH 209 increased evidently. Alarmed, the department summoned brothers Jonas Roque and TJ Roque to remind their batch mates, the seniors and juniors respectively, about the guidelines regarding overnights. An example rule: if a certain class (such as CS 150) has lab fee and the teacher-in-charge feels that the students have not consumed the said fee, he or she may allow overnight sessions. Otherwise, like for CS 155 which does not impose a lab fee, students must pay a rental fee if the permission is granted.

Good News!
An increase in the passing rate among CS students in their CS subjects became apparent. For instance, according to Ms. Rebecca Ong (who handles two CS 11 sections), compared to other CS 11 classes from the previous years, this batch registered only two students who dropped and a few who failed. This is the same trend observed in other CS 11 classes handled by Ms. Rina Caballar and Mr. Kenneth Talamayan. CS Network’s “Be A Friend, Be A Mentor� might be a big factor (aside from easier machine problems, according to Ong). Other CS subjects in this line were CS 120, 150 and 155.

Bad News!
There is confusion about the curriculum to be followed by some of the students especially the juniors. Prof. Evangel Quiwa, the College Secretary, reminded everyone that students with student number starting with 2003 below MUST observe the recent curriculum (revised 2004), meaning these students are required to take CS 180(Artificial Intelligence) and may take CS 155 (Compiler Construction) if ever offered in the next semesters. On the other hand, 2002 students and earlier are required to take CS 155 for they are observing the 2002 curriculum. This semester may be the last time CS 155 will be offered so students concerned must take the necessary actions.

Good News!
Based on the curriculum, a CS student is required to take at least one CS elective. In line with the department’s vision for the students to excel in various fields, the department offers five CS electives this semester as follows: Java Technology, Enterprise Resource Planning, Network Programming and Security, Computer Graphics and Technology-based Entrepreneurship.

Bad News!
Although a new building means a new home, new rooms and new facilities, who wouldn’t miss the CS department at the left wing of Melchor Hall? From the cozy MH 219 down to BatCave, everything will soon be part of history, as the soft inauguration of the new COELACS (College of Engineering Library And Computer Science) building took place last Nov. 12. This structure is found along the Velasquez St. in front of the CS Library and beside NIGS.

Good News!
As we move out, others will come in. Also last Nov. 12, some College of Engineering alumni trooped back to the College for the Annual Homecoming with the theme, “ComENGG Home 2005: BuildENGG on Tradition, ServENGG the Nation�. The whole-day festivity started with a Fun Run/Fun Walk at the UP Acad Oval and ended with an awarding ceremony for the golden, ruby, and silver jubilarians.

By Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://ccrux.corsarius.net]

The Department of Computer Science (DCS) and the Association for Computing Machinery – UP Student Chapter (UP ACM) held the historic live webcast of the ACM A.M. Turing Award Lecture last August 23, 2005 at the College of Engineering Theater.

Vinton G. Cerf and Robert E. Kahn, recipients of the 2004 A.M. Turing Award and pioneers of the Internet, lectured on “Assessing the Internet: Lessons Learned, Strategies for Evolution, and Future Possibilities.� Cerf and Kahn developed TCP/IP (Transport Control Protocol/Internet Protocol), which enables computers in diverse environments to communicate with each other.

The Alan M. Turing award, considered to be the Nobel Prize in Computing, and named after the famous British mathematician and a founder of Computer Science, carries a $100,000 cash prize with financial support from Intel Corporation.

by Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://blog.corsarius.net]

DCS faculty member Kenneth Talamayan won several awards during his participation at the Mobile Engineer course held in the Hyundai Information Technology Center, South Korea from May 9 to July 29, 2005.
Sir Kenneth bagged the “Excellent Records Award�, having consistently garnered high marks during the course. He was also involved in two group projects which won distinction.

The first award, the “Best Mobile Project Contributor�, was for the design of a mobile game using the Wireless Internet Platform for Interoperability (WIPI) 2.0. Together with the other Filipino participants, Kenneth also bagged the “Most Distinguished Award�, for Team Philippines’ country report and presentation on the country’s current ICT status.

There were sixteen participants from different Asian countries in the event sponsored by the Korean Agency for Digital Opportunity and Promotion.
[Source: http://www.engg.upd.edu.ph/news/cs092705.html]

By Vanie Castro [http://frowningsmile.blogspot.com]

The Association for Computing Machinery – UP Student Chapter (UP ACM), together with the UP Linux Users Group (UnPLUG) held a Free PHP-Phython- Perl Tutorial last August 24 at the 1st Floor of the University Computer Center.

Marte Raphael Soliza, Ardee Aram, and Waldemar Amado Bautista, all members of both organizations served as tutors for PHP, Python and Perl respectively.

Most of the participants were Computer Science and Library Science students from UP Diliman although there were some from De La Salle University and the City College of Manila. Graduate students also attended the said tutorial.

The goal was to introduce students to new languages that would be used for web applications which are not included in the University’s Computer Science Curriculum. It was to give CS students an edge and also alternatives when it comes to software development.

“I have spoken with some of them (the graduated participants) and heard that what interests them is the PHP lesson, since the said language is necessary, or at least a plus, in the working environment they are currently in.�, says Ardee Aram, the incumbent UP ACM chair.

Both organizations promise that the tutorial won’t be the last one.

Tristan Jed Roque [tristanjed@gmail.com]

Six teams composed of students from the CS and EEE departments of the UP Diliman College of Engineering represented their alma mater in this year’s ACM International Computer Programming Competition – East Asia Finals held last October 28-29, 2005 at the Ateneo de Manila University.

The contest proper is composed of a five-hour programming challenge using a chosen language, either C/C++, JAVA or Pascal, to solve eight problems in any particular order in the least time possible. The students, coached by Mr. Michael Daniel Samson and Ms. Riza Batista, enrolled in the CS 175 class.
In the end, Team Fate from the University of Hong Kong and the University of Tokyo’s Team eXtreme bagged the gold and the silver respectively with 8 correct solutions, while Ateneo de Manila’s The Linden BoyZ landed in third with 7 correct solutions.

Best Local Team Awards were given to The Linden BoyZ in first place and De La Salle University’s K-Cube (rank 11 over-all, 3 problems solved) in second place.

On the other hand, the iAcademy’s XOR (2 problems solved) was disqualified before the awarding ceremonies because they violated the grounds for age limit. iAcademy however insisted that the screening committee should have disqualified the team prior to the competition.

It is noted that the said team could have been the third best local team. Because of the untoward incident, Team Persistence from AdMU (rank 25 over-all, 2 problems solved) sheltered the bronze.

UP Wet and UP BisDak, followed in fourth and fifth with ranks 27 and 28 respectively. They led the UP Diliman teams, solving 2 problems each. All of the UP teams were enrolled in the CS 175 class during the first semester, where they trained under Mr. Michael Daniel Samson and Ms. Riza Batista.

By Dino Paolo Lacdan [razerz_14@yahoo.com]

CS students always have something to ask to their beloved department. And as the freedom board reveals, it can be…well anything that pops out of a student’s mind. A CS student’s stay in the college is not without issues, problems or concerns. There’s always something to ask because there’s always something that happens.

Most of these questions are of course academic related. Issues such as laboratory fees or the problem of seasonal subjects never failed to bother students. Yes, some issues just refuse to die. Maybe part of the reason why is because some student’s never had the chance to ask them to any of our department’s faculty members in the first place. They were either too shy or too afraid to ask them. That could be the reason or maybe, it could only be just because they haven’t attended a Student-Teacher Dialogue yet.

Last September 7, it was proven that CS students were not shy and afraid at all, as they asked away with their questions during the Student-Teacher Dialogue (STD) that was held at the NEC AVR. Students from all levels listened as issues such as the usual – public-access laboratory, were raised and questions such as “When will we learn how to develop a game?� were asked which could have only come from a freshmen student.

The emcees for the event were Dino Paolo Lacdan and Kristine Marie Dario. Dr. Cedric Festin took over the first half of the program. He gave out an informative talk which was focused primarily on learning. On the other hand, the second half of the program was dedicated entirely for the open forum. In this part of the program, students were given the chance to ask anyone in the DCS faculty about some issue that concerns them. The STD is a perfect venue for such discussions. At the end, the discussion proved to be fruitful for students were rather satisfied with the answers they got.

Given the academic load that students and teachers have to put up with during the semester and the seemingly invisible solid wall that exists between students and teachers, it has become a common notion that the STD is the only venue wherein students can ask questions concerning the department. It is important for students to realize that this is not true. The DCS faculty’s show of support in the STD proved this.

By Jael Teehankee [jael.kontra@gmail.com]

It was the perfect way to end the week.

The UP Association of Computer Science Majors, better know as UP CURSOR, has always been known for the holistic values it espouses, as well as its excellence not only academically but in promoting other socio-cultural and civic activities. Thus enters Double Vision: The CURSOR Party, held last September 2, 2005, at Gweilo’s Eastwood.

This event served as the last of many different activities held during CURSOR Week 2005, which was from August 26 to September 2. CURSOR Week is held every year in order to celebrate the anniversary of the organization’s founding, and this year was CURSOR’s 22nd birthday.

It was a night of celebration, music, and fun as CURSOR members and non-members alike were treated to creative presentations, freebies, a fantastic lineup of bands, and even dancing which lasted until the wee hours of the morning.

Although the official start of the band performances was supposed to be at 9 PM, a program dedicated to CURSOR and the events during CURSOR Week was held. After people had claimed the free meal and two drinks that went with the PhP 250 ticket, everyone watched specially-prepared presentations and reminisced about the past days and years of the organization.

Awarding ceremonies for a competition held during CURSOR Week, as well as the CURSOR Membership Excellence Awards, were also included in the program. Another first for the organization, which was launched during the program, was the CURSOR Membership Card.

As mentioned, the the band performances were scheduled to start at 9 PM; however, since the program started later than planned, the bands only started performing at 10 PM in the evening. CURSOR’s very own Activities Committee Head, Anthonie Sioco, got the crowd all fired up by playing four songs with his friends. The up-and-rising band Up Dharma Down wowed the crowd next with the lead singer’s amazing vocals and the band’s unique music. By this time the second floor of Gweilo’s Eastwood was bursting from the number of people, and the excitement was only heightened by the fact that Stonefree was the next to perform. And to think that the night was only halfway through.

The next half consisted of a performance by a guest band, Blazing Bulalakaw. Giniling Festival, which performed afterwards, was a definite crowd pleaser with their hilarious antics. The amazing night was capped off by a remarkable performance from Radioactive Sago Project. In between bands, freebies from CURSOR Week sponsors were given away.

CURSOR members weren’t through yet, however; even if the bands ended at 2 AM in the morning, the floor was cleared of band equipment in order to make way for dancing. In the end, the people packed up at almost four in the morning. Even so, everyone was still alive and kicking.

The party’s theme of Double Vision, which implied a dual vision of excellence in both academic and extracurricular aspects as well as getting in touch with both the organization’s past and future, was certainly achieved. It was truly a memorable night for everyone involved, and a fitting celebration for the organization’s 22nd year of existence.

By Phillip Y. Kimpo Jr.

The next academic year will find the Department of Computer Science in its new home – the palatial College of Engineering Library and Computer Science Building, at the borders of the University’s Science and Engineering Complex.

Moving out of the historic Melchor Hall will mean a multitude of farewells. The DCS shall bid goodbye to its neighboring departments, its family for 25 years; the faculty to the College staff, with which they shared corridors and conferences; and the student organizations to their allies and rivals, worthy opponents in academic and extra-curricular competitions.

However, moving into the new building will mean a multitude of salutations as well – we shall welcome the new hardships, the adjustments, the change in the way of life, the early uneasiness (or pleasure) at isolation. Most importantly, we shall welcome a stronger Department, one which is better equipped to fulfill its mission and vision.

With the DCS’ transfer to its own building, the Department will have its “coming of age�, a time to be free and explore its full potential. Nestled in its own home, the DCS will expand the intelligence and creativity it is famous for. Students and faculty alike will gaze at the vista of UP Diliman from the expansive windows of their “Mount Olympus�, and there will be an unmistakable feeling of pride in their chests, pride that allows them to breathlessly declare, “This is my Department.�

We admit that these visions and aspirations come with a slew of questions. How will the Department fare so far away from the College’s administrators? How will CS organizations partake in College events? Will there be new policies? Is the security of students guaranteed at night? Will the building become the hub of computer science this side of the metro?

We cannot answer these questions—the Department itself will do, slowly but surely as it evolves in new surroundings. Predictions can be made, but they will be uncertain predictions. After all, when the Department finally relocates to the citadel at Velasquez Street, only one thing is certain—

The DCS Firefoxes will be carrying their proven brand of excellence into new heights.

1) Alam mo ba na ang DCS ay lilipat na sa bagong building?

Oo – 24

“Opkorz!�
“Xurly!�
“Yes, like duh…â€?

Hinde – 0

Di Sumagot at Nag-Iwan Lamang ng Komento – 20

2) Ano naman ang gusto mong pangalan ng gusaling ito? [e.g. COELACS (College of Engineering Library and Computer Science Building), pronounced “kwela-C-S�; Quiwa Hall; House of the CS Firefoxes; etc.]

Quiwa Hall – 17
“Sir Quiwa the best!�
“Kasi andito na sya since we started �
“According to Rhea, COELACS sounds like E. coli (bacteria) — Krissyâ€?
“Para maikli at unique.�
“COELACS sounds like boplax ambaho!! parang epidemia!�
“Para cool! Di kasya sa Form 5 ung COELACS�
“He deserves the legacy�

COELACS – 9
“Mas cool ang COELACS… â€?
“COELACS na lang, la akong maisip eh.�
“Para may motivation mag-graduate ang mga tao! Ayoko talaga ng pangalan!�

Wag COELACS – 2
“Parang pampurga�
“Pagtatawanan tayo ng ibang college!!!�

Florence Hall – 1
“Because we (heart) Ma’am Florence! Para gumanda din yung bldg!!!�

Talamayan Hall – 1
“Panalo! We (heart) you sir!�

UP NIS-Large – 1
“May UP NISMED na e�

OTHERS
“Cursor Hall�
“House of Brewed Coffee�
“House of the Dead IV�
“House of the Firefoxes�
“House of the Nontokens�
“M.D.V. Samson Hall�
“Melchor Jr.�
“Mini Melchor�
“Munting Melchor�
“Pegasus�
“Quiwa Convention Center�
“QI (Quiwa Institute)“

By Jose Paolo M. Sy

The first half of my first year in this University has been one of the greatest and most memorable experiences in my life. I have never worked so hard, been pressured, and been strangled by my Math professor all in four months’ time. I have faced different challenges academically, emotionally and socially, and surpassed them fair enough, in sorta-kinda-lika flying colors.

Honestly speaking, UP’s not on top of my list of preferred schools. It’s actually the third, next to MAPUA and DLSU. So, when I saw my name in the list of UP examinees who passed, I didn’t react a darn thing. I even kept it a secret from my parents for three days and, boy, were they more excited than I am. My parents were making phone calls and sending text messages to relatives and friends, saying I passed. Owwwkeiii…

‘Twas just soon enough that I realized how lucky I was to pass this school. Yes, I did need a little more convincing. What DID make me appreciate being an isko?
1. I get to be independent. This is a well-known fact in UP, without a doubt.
2. The freshman orientation (the one before school started) was so great, I laughed my lungs out. I think I laughed more than what I was supposed to be learning about. Loved the tour, too.
3. The welcome orientation was the best. I got to see different talents of scholars, I heard speeches from the most respected people in the University, and, I was laughing, too. XD
4. Walking from building to building. Knowing I’m gonna be late for my next subject gives me that rush inside. Last sem, for instance, I had to walk from CAL to Math building.
5. I get to meet lots of new friends from different areas of the country, even the continent. Like, I have this classmate in English 1 who’s Japanese and is studying Filipino in the University, something like that.
6. People don’t care what I wear. My body, my clothes, my life. Now it’s your turn. XD
7. Computer Science in UP happened to be so great. When I browsed through the CS subjects in the department, I saw Artificial Intellgence, Computer Graphics, and about assembly language which are some of the things I want to learn.

And a whole lot more. It was then I realized why students would find ways, doing every single thing they can just to pass this school. Looks like I’m one of the lucky ones.

Adjusting was quite easy for me, too. I liked the atmosphere around me. Without the best block facilitators from CompSoc, my beloved blockmates, classmates and friends, who help me face different challenges of college or just to talk to or laugh around, and a great CURSOR family around me, I wouldn’t be happy as I am right now.

Speaking of academics (just imagine we’re speaking of it XD), it’s typical, too, for a normal student to have experienced professors who have higher standards than the usual. Translation: I had a somewhat terror prof.

Normally, I would be excited when it’s time for Math ‘cause it’s my fave subject and all. However, under my Math 17 professor, all that’s changed. If in high school I was the boy who slacks off before an exam, now I’m a stressed person (see Tuesday Vargas in Stresstabs commercial) who stays up until midnight just to finish a simple work problem. I experienced exams as if they were final ones and I got stuck in a very quiet classroom which I couldn’t stand. Every moment of total silence, I would react, “Come on, make some noise naman, people. It’s not like the professor’s gonna eat you up or something. Oh, wait, he will.� LOL. In the last half of the sem, he was getting kind to us na, giving considerations, bonuses, stuff like that. Well, without having experienced that, I wouldn’t have realized to be tough every time I get to have a terror prof.

So far, my first semester went WAY COOLER than what my parents said college would be. Well, of course, that’s just the start. I expect worse, but more exciting, experiences in the future – being under times of extreme pressure, having to be handled by professors with two and a half horns poking out of their heads, not being able to sleep to reach the deadliest deadlines, and having to set aside a machine problem to check updates on my Friendster account (Hey, it’s very tempting. Imagine the pain of not having to check it when you’re working while you’re online.).

Well, here’s cheers to a better college life ahead!

By Karl Diaz

In a certain RPG, there was an event called the Sorceress Parade, where citizens of a certain country rejoice at a sorceress’ accession into power. A sticker on a jeepney traversing the route between UP Campus and Philcoa reads “The Silent Majority Prayer Movement�. Elsewhere, some delusional kid is having a swell time flicking a stick at “muggles� All these three phenomenon have at least one thing in common: the ebb and flow of power.

Power, as we know it, is quite unevenly distributed about humanity. For every person in the government, there exists more than fifty people under them. However, we are also quite aware of the injustice of the system. We have often seen incompetent people rise into power due to the heavy influence of financial abundance or a popular stature. A living testament of this imbalance is the atmosphere of dissatisfaction amongst the citizens of our good country.

However, have we ever considered the notion that the distribution of power may be imbalanced, not in that it is too concentrated amongst too few people but that it is spread too widely amongst everyone else? Simply put, isn’t democracy actually worse than monarchy? Wouldn’t it be better if power is guarded among a few select persons?

The idea may seem repulsive to most people. After all, one who once had the least taste of power will be most unwilling to let it go. Other people against the notion would remind us of the times when people gave up their powers of inquisition and clung hopelessly to the Church, even as the Black Plague claimed their lives one by one. A handful who have lived through the era of Martial Law would recount their stories as proof that too high a concentration of power is bad.

True, a very powerful entity, when misled, could yield disastrous results. However, with proper training, this power could be harnessed into more beneficial results. Massive changes can be implemented, drastically uplifting several aspects of our country.

It is quite sad that too many people fear this situation. They take to the streets, distribute fliers and generally do anything to stop this from happening. This is the downside of democracy: when power is spread too widely, changes, for good or bad, are quite hard to implement.

Our country probably still isn’t ready for a sudden aggregation of power. We have too many dissatisfied citizens who protest at every minuscule change, sometimes, without even knowing the nature of the factors that necessitate such change. We still have quite a handful of untrustworthy politicians who still see power as something personal. Nonetheless, the idea is still there and not that we lack action; it’s that we simply have too much of it.

We may not be taking to the streets, getting sun-roasted in the process, but that does not mean we don’t oppose. We may keep our lips pursed but that does not mean we’re silent. We may not physically be in the way but that does not mean we don’t impede.

By Vanie Castro [http://frowningsmile.blogspot.com]

ang sugat na dinulot mo’y
di pa rin naghihilom

ang hiwa ay sing haba ng maitim mong buhok
sing lalim ng biloy sa iyong pisngi
kumikirot sa bawat mong pagngiti
nagdurugo sa bawat mong pagtawa

o tapparo todawa wap

ang sugat na dinulot mo’y
di pa rin naghihilom

By Teejay Roque [tristanjed@gmail.com]

Convened as the single-decker bus kisses the filth

Here I am gawking at the bloody mood of the sun
From afar as ocean of sorrow at a snail’s pace devours
The blazing hope which whimpers in pain
I closed my eyes in disbelief yet you held my hand
And murmurs as your cheeks became creek of tears,
Don’t worry, tomorrow the sun will mount again.

-drench

By Joebet Isaac V. del Rosario

When the going gets tough
and the road gets rough
and everything gets awful,
you decide to stop
and think
if all this
is worth the trouble.

Are you doing the right thing?
Or are you just wasting time
walking down the wrong track?
Should you now go back
before you get trapped?

But then you look back
and see the distance you’ve made
and you realize that it’s a shame
to let your dreams fade away.

True, life is tough
and the best things
need to be earned.
So the tough guy should now get going
because the best things are still up for grabs.

By Mikael Francisco

Justifying what I see in you could never really work
One of a kind you truly are, of immeasurable worth
No one can possibly deny, you’re quite a sight to see
A simple gesture from you just completes the day for me.

My life has become brighter with the shine of your smile
All of your words and actions have made my days worthwhile
Relishing all the happiness and joy in you I find,
I thank Him for each day that I keep you in my mind.

Even if we don’t know each other well, you have my empathy
Coming from my heart for you is care and sympathy
As problems come into your life, just always bear in mind
Look around, you’ll see me; I’ll always be right behind.

Most of the people in our lives are merely passing by
A moment’s rest they take with us, and then they say goodbye
Realizing this, I make today, with sincerity and pride,
A promise to you, princess: I’ll never leave your side.

Maybe it’s too early to tell where fate would take us both
Or maybe it’s just coincidence that we met on the same road
Somehow, He let our paths cross, through all the bumps and bends…
I’ll never let you down… and I’ll fight for you till the end.

By Joelle Ortiz

Move over, iPod, the new face of portable audio and video players has arrived.

Yet to be available in the market, the new mp4 player has a wide range of features partnered with a very affordable price.

So what exactly is an mp4 player? Is it any different than a regular mp3 player? Yes, the mp4 player is very much different than a regular mp3 player. It supports a wide range of file formats and has a plethora of features – definitely much more than your regular mp3 player. How come?

An mp4 (MPEG-4), I borrow the definition from wikipedia, is a file format owned by the Moving Pictures Expert Group (MPEG) which allows multiplexing of multiple video and audio streams in one file, variable frame and bit rates, subtitles and still images. Although not as widely used as mp3s (MPEG Audio Layer 3), mp4s are of higher quality and can store media types defined by MPEG and other media types as well. Simply put, compared to an mp3 file, which is only an audio file, an mp4 file can be a video file with subtitles, an audio file, or a picture file. It is like adding another layer to the mp3 file – that layer, being the so-called “video layerâ€?. Therefore, to have an mp4 file is to have a DVD quality movie compressed to fit in a CD-R or a CD quality song streamed into your mobile phone while traveling. Sounds too good to be true? Well, kinda.

That’s why we now have the mp4 player. To revolutionize the media playing industry. Who says you can’t watch a DVD movie while waiting in line for enrollment?

Not bigger than your palm, the mp4 player has a full color LCD where you can watch your videos, select your music files, view your pictures, or read your Harry Potter 6 eBook. Put side by side to an iPod shuffle which does not have an LCD, plays only audio files, and costs about Php6,000 (512Mb), hey, the mp4 player which only costs Php4,000 for a 512 is definitely a better buy, if not the best. The mp4 player also has a touch screen to navigate easily and pleasantly through the menu and through your files. It has an FM radio player, a voice recorder, and a phonebook; it comes in silver, black, blue and red and with capacities of 128Mb, 256Mb, 512Mb, and 1G – all with dual audio output. It can be connected to your PC through a USB cable connector for file transfer and for charging; and it also comes with an adaptor (also for charging), earphones, a CD containing software which may be used to convert files to .mp4, and a user manual just in case you get lost in playing your files.

Very small and lightweight, who would’ve guessed these players could do so much?

By Phillip Kimpo Jr. [http://ccrux.corsarius.net]

Rome: Total War Barbarian Invasion is the fitting follow-up to one of the best games of all time.

The original game found you building the Roman Empire; now, you have the chance to destroy it! Lead barbarian hordes to the gates of Rome and Constantinople, sacking cities along the way and plundering to your heart’s empty content. Or become the protector of the civilized world, and take the helm of either the Western or Eastern Roman Empires.

Barbarian Invasion adds 10 new factions (such as the Huns, Goths, and Celts), 100 new units, and the concept of hordes – factions plundering the world in search for new homelands. Night battles and new unit capabilities (such as swimming) have been introduced. Also, religion now plays a vital role in your empire – pledge loyalty to the tenets of Christianity, Zoroastrianism, or Paganism.

Being an expansion pack, Barbarian Invasion is basically the same dish served with added spice. Result: a delicious meal which leaves you hungry for more. For people who haven’t tried the original Rome, you’ll need to get acquainted with two gameplay screens, the campaign map and battlefield.

The Campaign Map

Let it be said that it was Rome’s campaign map which made me buy the game.

I first noticed the original Rome being played on a net café, with the campaign map onscreen, and I was instantly enamored. I found out about the impressive battlefield maps only later, when I took the game home.

Rome’s campaign map was a piece of art, with the terrain beautifully rendered and the world simply bustling with activity. Trade routes were animated with caravans and ships, wonders of the world dotted the map, and a Sicilian volcano eruption was even put in, adding panache to the game.

Barbarian Invasion continues the tradition and improves upon it. The expansion’s campaign map now scrolls and zooms more smoothly, erasing one of my pet peeves in the original.

The game revolves around the campaign map, and you’ll spend a lot of time here improving your cities, spying on your rivals, assassinating their generals, and ordering your armies around. Think of basic turn-based strategy game stuff.

One can actually finish Barbarian Invasion through the campaign map only, but then you’d be missing half the fun by not commanding your armies on the battlefield.

The Battlefield

My jaw dropped when I played my first Rome battle.

Watched the blockbuster movie Gladiator? Felt the thrill (or bloodlust) when watching the battle between Maximus’ legions and the barbarian Gauls? If yes, then there’s a Rome gamer tucked within you.

The whole Total War franchise is famed for its battles, played out in real-time with thousands of 3D warriors battling for supremacy. It goes without saying that you need a good-performance gaming machine, what with added effects such as weather and sandstorms.

Fight the battlhe as Attila, Hannibal, and the Caesars would’ve fought it. Be advised — the battle can be overwhelming at times. A good scene from a Barbarian Invasion battle would be like this: fireballs streaking down from the skies crash down to your city, incinerating your legions, while the Huns scale your walls with siege towers, impervious to fiery arrows let loose by your archers.

The Nitpicking

I’m a picky gamer who’s quick to find fault in the games I play, but oddly enough, I noticed only a few with Barbarian Invasion. These ‘flaws’ don’t really subtract anything from the game’s goodness.

The expansion is billed as having improved battle A.I., but I still saw some A.I. quirkiness from time to time – for example, individual units that are part of a legion sometimes go astray of the main pack and end up at the enemy’s area. (To console myself when this happens, I’d just whisper, So long, sucker. I don’t need idiots in my army!)

If your PC barely meets the game requirements (see next section), you’ll be able to play the game alright, but the fun factor will be decidedly limited. At worst you can only “enjoy� the campaign map, as the real-time battles (especially the ones fought at “night�) will put a strain on your machine.

And let’s not forget one fact – the original Rome: Total War was very challenging and complex, and Barbarian Invasion even more so. If you’re a Rome veteran, then by all means jump into the expansion, but newbies better master Rome first before trying to lead the hordes!

The Wrap-Up

Requirements. MS Windows 98SE/Me/2000/XP, Pentium III 1.0 GHz or Athlon 1.0 GHz, 256 RAM, 8X CD-ROM, 2.9GB hard drive space, 64 MB 3D Accelerator Card, Full Version of Rome: Total War

Gameplay. Barbarian Invasion, like the original game, appeals both to turn-based and real-time strategy gamers, to pure strategists and the action-oriented, to gameplay-first and graphics-first players. The game is addictive, the battles furious, and the campaigns engrossing. Everything you wanted in a strategy game can be found in this game.

Barbarian Invasion sticks true to the formula of the Total War franchise – historically accurate but exciting games. In fact, Rome: Total War and Barbarian Invasion have been used by The History Channel to portray massive battles of antiquity.

Sound. Every sound in Barbarian Invasion is either enchanting or adrenaline-pumping. The music fits the mood of the game – sometimes dark, sometimes brooding, sometimes charming, but consistently reminding us of the classical and mysterious past.

But you’ve never truly heard the game’s music until you get into the real-time battles. Every sound is realistic – the screams of men incinerated, the crackle of burning buildings, the thunderous hooves of the cavalry, the whizzing sound of arrows, the creaking of catapults, the taunts of soldiers (“Stinking rats! Stinking rats!�), the whistling of snow-laden wind, the general’s booming battle speeches – all in all, the true sound of war. And that’s not counting the background music a la Gladiator.

Graphics. As mentioned, both the campaign and battlefield maps are delectable pieces of eye candy. What’s more impressive is how the game renders hundreds upon hundreds of warriors on the battlefield, and have them all slug it to death. Want elephants stampeding upon the enemy legion, tusks throwing the infidels into the air? Or perhaps a cavalry charge slicing through the peasants’ ranks? Or better still, fireballs hurtling through the skies? The game delivers ‘em all.

Replayability. The original Rome posited you as anyone from the Romans to the Carthaginians, from the Greeks to the Gauls; conquering the world was a unique sumptuous experience for each one. Barbarian Invasion features new factions and dimensions to the game. What more can you ask for?
Assuming Creative Assembly won’t supersede themselves in their next installment of Total War, you can actually waste away your entire life with this game.

Overall. As an avid PC gamer for years, and having explored more or less every existing genre, I dare say that the original Rome: Total War ranks up there with the greats. Its expansion, Barbarian Invasion, is essential to continue that gaming goodness.

There are many must-haves in the gaming world, but this one is a must-have of the must-haves.

By Jason Erick Masipiqueña

It was not surprising that a number of students attended the talk by Prof. Markus Gross on “Real-time Physics-based Modeling for Computer Games and Digital Entertainment� last September 9, 2005. I know the reasons why these people wanted to attend this interesting event so much that even the alleys were packed. I believe I was there for the same intentions. First, a few extra points from a reaction paper for some CS subjects would be worth the time. However, I do not think it was just the desperate need for precious points that gravitated most of the students towards a remarkable talk. The words “Computer Games� in the title of the talk itself would have drawn a crowd of non-CS students. Trust me; it was not “Physics.�

Prof. Gross presented the mathematics and physics behind computer graphics animation, which are widely applied in video games and reality simulators. Mathematical modeling of rigid bodies, fluids, and deformable objects has long been embedded in mechanical engineering and materials science and is intended to accurately model the physical world. On the other hand, real-time graphics disciplines such as 3D computer games’ main objective is to generate reasonable behaviors simulating the real world in the most efficient way possible to achieve real-time rendering. Prof. Gross’ research aims to develop new real-time physics based animation techniques and develop physics engines for game developers.

He showed us fascinating demonstrations of the application of physics in 3D models. Unfortunately, cows were brutally hurt during the presentation of deformations, elasticity, plasticity, and fractures. They were stretched, ripped apart, and dragged around, much to the delight of the audience. Stress and anger management could be a noble application of this project.

The talk was fun and served as a mind-opener. It reminds me of my intention on why I wrote Computer Science in my UPCAT application form; I want to create games. I assume many other CS students also share the same intention. There is a huge pool of potential graphics and games developers here in UP CS. Such people are exceptional because they are capable of maximizing the use of their left and right parts of the brain. The closest CS course associated with games and graphics is CS 176 – a computer science elective course, which is offered last 1st semester and this 2nd semester AY 2005 – 2006.

Sir Jose Timoteo Vergel de Dios (our very own Sir TJ), the previous and current instructor of the said course, is doing an amazing job in teaching computer graphics. Some of his students are really proving themselves and are delivering outstanding results in their machine problems and exercises. I recommend this course for everyone aspiring to learn many things about 3D computer graphics, animation, and game development.

Some say the 02’s are the web-app batch. Will there be a CG batch in the future of UP CS?

By Joelle Ortiz

Krrrrrrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiiiiiiiing!!! Click. Hay, isang araw na naman.

Araw-araw nalang ganito, tunog ang alarm clock, tingin sa orasan – alas-singko y media ng umaga, patay ang alarm clock, tulog ulit – hanggang sa marinig na ang boses ni nanay na tinatawag ako para kumain ng agahan. Sa totoo lang, alas diyes pa ang pasok ko, wala pang labinlimang minuto ang biyahe mula dito papunta sa eskuwelahan pero nagmamadali akong ganito araw-araw, lingo-linggo, para lang makita ka. Oo, ikaw. Alas siete kasi ang pasok mo, ‘di ba? Eh siyempre kailangan kitang makita, baka ‘di pa kita maabutan niyan. Siguro nagtataka ka na kung sino ako, hindi mo siguro ako kakilala, sa totoo lang. Paano mo nga naman ako makikilala, ‘di ba? Isa lang naman akong alikabok sa madumi mong mundo. Ni hindi mo nga siguro ako napapansin kapag nagkakasalubong tayo, ang dami mo kasing kakilala eh, sikat ka kasi; may itsura, matalino, at tiyak napakabait pa. Naaalala mo ba yung isang araw may nakabangga ka at natapon yung mga gamit niya? At yung araw na may nakita kang papel na nakaipit sa notebook mo? Yung papel na hindi mo matandaan kung saan mo nakita noon pero alam mong nakita mo na… Naaalala mo na ba? Teka nga, uminom ka na ba ng gamot mo? Ikaw kasi, bakit hindi ka nagdala ng payong nung isang araw, naulanan ka tuloy, wala ka pang kasama noon. O, anong problema? ‘Wag kang kabahan, hindi naman kita aanuhin eh, gusto ko lang malaman mo na matagal na kitang pinagmamasdan mula sa malayo, tinitignan ang bawat kilos at galaw mo, ikinatutuwa ang bawat pagdalaw ng ngiti sa iyong mga labi, at alam ko kung anong mga gusto’t ayaw mo… Hindi ka na mahal nun, pinapangako ko sa’yo, nandito lang ako, nagmamahal sa’yo, kahit malayo. Hindi mo man ako kilala, lagi mong tatandaang may isang taong nagmamalasakit sa’yo. O, tama na muna yan, baka mahuli ka pa sa klase mo sa English ng 8:30.

By Karl Diaz [http://salamangkero.blogspot.com]

Once there was a land beyond mortal sight, ruled by seas both day and night. Everywhere people looked, they could see nothing but the horizon, where the waters rose up to meet the diving sky. The people knew no sorrow; they knew not what fear is. The people took care of nature as nature took care of them. No typhoon could blow down their huts, no tides could swallow their boats and no disease decayed their bodies. Magic was practiced openly, as apothecaries brewed soothing draughts and conjurers entertained at the town square. It was a time of bliss, a time when the crickets chirped.

One particular day, the wife of the tribal chief bore him a daughter. There was much feasting and dancing as wine flowed freely and food was brought out in seemingly endless quantities. Three diviners were invited, each to prophesy a gift for the newborn princess, Mana.

The first diviner looked deep into the child’s mind and said, “Mana will be a child of great wisdom. She will know far more than any seer before and any seer hereafter.� There was a great applause and drums were sounded as people cheered for the first gift. The second diviner looked deep into the child’s heart. She said, “Just as her heart brings life to her body, so shall she bring life to nature. Flowers shall grow on her footsteps and beasts shall abandon their wild nature to serve her.� Hearing the gift of life and thinking of bountiful harvests, the people cheered more loudly than before. As the wine began to work its magic, they surged forward, each eager to offer a gift or two to the blessed child, perhaps expecting a small favor or two in return.

The two elder diviners took off their amulets and laid them before Mana. Eager to imitate them, the crowd
seized and tugged at the amulet of the third and youngest diviner. In their drunken haze, they could see no more how doing so had injured her. In anger, she looked deep into the child’s eyes and spoke thus, “The child will know more than any seer yet this knowledge shall haunt her for life. She will give life to nature but bring ill luck to men. What favors you expect to take part in are what hexes Mana will impart.� Everyone stilled when they heard diviner’s voice, yet no one saw where went. The next morning, they awoke with a vague recollection of the chaotic festivities.

The changes began 16 years later. As the first diviner had prophesied, Mana had surpassed even the wisdom of the village sages. As the second diviner soothsaid, her mere presence brought forth bountiful harvests. She led the annual hunts and always returned with the largest game. It was not long, though, before the curse of the third diviner awoke from its slumber. Shortly after, the nightmares begun.
Mana soon became afraid of sleep. In her dreams, she saw how the serene Blackfish turned berserk and swallowed her father’s canoe. She witnessed how her mother died, trapped in their burning hut. She saw how the crops flourished yet she also saw how poisonous weeds grew amidst the crops. She heard the forests fill with the growl of strange new creatures, wild and fearsome to even the most skilled hunters. She witnessed the death of all the huntsmen while she alone was spared. Her eyes could not forget how the seas began to stir erratically, undertows pulling men and mast alike down into a watery grave. It was exactly such events in her dreams that came to pass in that faraway land.

People began to shy away from Mana. Where before, they laid gifts before her, asking for favors and blessings, they now turned their backs on her orphan pleas. They began to resent her for dreaming such dreadful omens. They began to push, if not stone, her away, lest more ill luck befall them. She pleaded that she did not choose to dream of those horrors but they turned a deaf ear on her. They were more than content with their prejudice. Remembering her blessed past, she realized that their friendship and goodwill was nothing more than a facade for personal gain. She reciprocated the resentment doubly back and stalked away from the tribe. No longer the princess she once was, Mana left the island.

They knew not how she left the island or where she went. People did not notice her departure but they did notice the poisonous weeds withering away. Their crops followed soon after. Their livestock, which once had no problems feeding on the venomous plants, now began to weaken and die. The predators of the forest grew silent and even the crickets could not find the will within themselves to sing. One by one, the streams and rivers dried up as even birds fell from the sky every now and then. It was not long before the people felt their bodies petrifying.

In desperation, they searched for Mana; she who forewarned them of events that, in their shortsightedness, they ignored; she who assured them of a bountiful hunt and harvest, and she whose foretelling nightmares could have saved them from great anguish. They sent sentries out to the shores and scoured the hilltops, scouting the horizons for any sign of Mana but she was gone.

To this day, they still stand there, petrified, looking ever outwards waiting for her return.

editor-in-chief, humawak ng burger: ba’t basa to? (pinagmamasdan) moisture lang siguro ‘to.

eic: masagwa ba ‘tong ginagawa ko?
assoc ed: hinde. masagwa ka.

eic: akala ko talaga general elective ang GE!!!
(general education yun! kahit freshie alam yan!)

Q: nasaan si pio?
A: umuwi ng kaunti
(umuwi lang ng sandali!)

dalawang lalakeng naglalakad:
kung hindi ngayon, bukas?
(hindi ba dapat “kung hindi ngayon, kailan? kung hindi tayo, sino?�)

dj: (kinakausap si jael) parser ka?
(check the staffbox, ang literary editors ng parser ay si dj saracin at si jael teehankee!)

aimee v. talking to sir tj on the phone after trend micro anti-worm programming competition*:
aimee: Sir, late raw iyung registry.
(registration!!)
* see related article

“it is not a question of size, but rather a question of behavior�
- sir mike samson, about graeffe’s root squaring method (CS 131)

“it will be twice as long… or as hardâ€?
- sir mike samson, about the final exam (CS 131)

ia, on html tags: tama iyan, para mas maikli ang buhay.
(di ba dapat para mas madali ang buhay?)

overheard at a fishball stand in front of Eng’g
customer: bakit ganito ang lasa ng pepsi dito?
tindera: don’t wori, der’s no sugar!

By Karl Diaz [http://salamangkero.blogspot.com]

Anong program ang tumatakbo sa PC mo kapag AFK ka?

a. Benevolent Cleanup Apps
Maintenance tasks like the occassional defrag or viruscan. Ha! Kelangan pa ba ‘yan? ‘di ba kung may problema, backup, reformat, reinstall lang? XD

b. Download Manager (DAP)
Downloading porn, movies, porn, games, porn, music, porn and more porn, tsaka kung ano mang kailangan mong file sa UVLE na most probably, for CS subjects dahil ang mga GE teachers mo ay pulos ignorante at Yahoo!Groups lang ang kayang gamitin. (Yikes, no offense meant, Ma’am Chris, Sir Feria and other CS teachers! Oh well, di naman sila GE teachers e!)

c. Torrent Manager (Bittorrent)
Same as the download manager, pero dito, tina-tyaga mo ang 360 to 480 hours ng download ng latest Naruto or Bleach episode, o ‘yung latest release ng Silver Chaos dahil every minute counts for every byte leeched, lalo na kapag naka-dialup ka lang at every now and then ay inaangat ng nanay mo ‘yung phone tapos busy naman pala ‘yung tinatawagan nya na malamang naka-dialup din at nagtatawagan ang mga nanay ‘nyo in vain.

d. Music App (Winamp, Musicmatch, Windows Media Player)
At max volume, para naririnig mo wherever in the house you are. Tapos sinasabayan mo rin ng kanta ung kantista at ng sipol o hum ‘yung instrumental para rinig din ng neighbors ang talent mo, wherever in the neighhborhood they are. Kung very talented ka, i-multifrequency mo na rin ang vocal chords mo para makanta mo na rin ang second at third voice, all at the same time.

e. Program Updates
Updating Windows, your Antivirus, your PC Games, patches and more patches. For some odd reason, you find the word “patchesâ€? extremely arousing… your interest and believe that having the latest patch makes you look sexier when flirting with that strange stranger sa GE class mo. You know? ‘yung black-masked, light-sabre wielding back-caped guy na mukhang may respiratory problems.

f. Bot/Clicker
Naglelevelup ang character mo sa Ragna o ‘yung base mo sa KoC. O naghahanap ka ng 100 Dokaebi horns. O feel mo lang maki-sawsaw sa GH.

g. Movies/Screensavers
Meron kang asteeg na Flash o Movie File at gusto mong tumigil at mapanganga lahat ng dadaan sa harap ng PC mo. O kaya ‘yung fish tank mo sa Insaniquarium. Or the latest Happy tree Friends episode, kung meron man. O ‘yung asteeg na program na tuwing may gagalaw ng mouse o keyboard mo ay sisigaw thru the speakers ng, “Help! Rape! Heeelp!� unless i-input mo ‘yung password. Yes, dearie, meron nito.

h. Spoof Programs
Meron sa Linux nito, ‘yung kunyari may ginagawa pero wala naman. May sunud-sunod na progres bars na umaabot ng 100% pero wala naman talagang kinukumpleto. I’m not sure pero Capuccino ‘ata ung prog name. Or something to do with coffee. Java perhaps? XD

i. Nero
Nagbubura ng RW disk na ginawa mo munang “floppy� disk dahil kulang pa pambili mo ng flash drive.

j. ‘Yung Thesis Mo
Ang simpleng gcc na nagco-compile ng modified kernel ay inaabot ng walong basong tubig, tatlong tasang kape, limang basong juice, dalawang cans ng Sprite Ice, isang Happy Meal, isang Sad Meal, 3 large packs ng Tostillas o Taquitos, isang large tube ng pringles, isang quickie, isang spank-me-quickie, isang not-so-quickie, at kalahating cheese turon. ‘yun ay kung walang error na lumabas the moment na iniwan mo ang PC mo.

k. “Spyware� (sndrec32? No, Audacity, MusicMatch, etc.)
Paranoid ka at gusto mong malaman kung paano ka pinag-uusapan ng mga tao sa likod mo na nagkataong nasa harap ng mic ng PC mo. O kaya stalker ka at gusto mong ma-confirm na may mga bloke nga ng tawas sa kilikili ng crush mo, isang major asset para sa ‘yo. Isama mo na rin dito kung ano mang webcam program meron ka, lalo na kung gusto mong hulihin ‘yung kumag na nagpapahid ng kulangot nya sa spacebar ng keyboard mo.

l. Wala
Mayaman ka at wala kang paki kahit walang ginagawa PC mo kung AFK ka.

Email nyo na lang ang Parser kung meron pa kayong ibang progs tuwing AFK kayo. (For the uninitiated, AFK means Away From Keyboard). Share nyo rin kung alin ung pinatatakbo nyong progs at bakit. Sumulat sa upparser@yahoo.com!

Thread (n)
Nakalimot ng birthday 1: Uy nagtampo yata sa atin.
Nakalimot ng birthday 2: O nga, nalimutan kasi ang birthday.
Nakalimot ng birthday 3: Kelan ba?
NNB1: Ang alam ko something may?
NNB2 and NNB3: Baka naman dapat may sometime?

Thread (n+1)
Chikka Uploader: Kanina nga nabatukan niya siya knowing the latter.
Chikka Downloader: So ano reaction nung isa.
CU: Wala. Nakatalikod kasi eh.
CD: (pumunta sa likod at binatukan din)
CU: Ba’t ka nag-react?

Thread (n+2)
Taong gutom sa Kenny’s: Miss, update ko yung order namin
(Dapat follow up)

Thread (n+3)
Highest-rated joke in a logbook:
Q: Ano ang bibingka?
A: Ano?
Q: Kapag namatay ka, bibingka.

Thread (n+4)
In a general assembly kung saan nandoon ang dept. chair
Host: … JP Festin
Audience: Huh? JP Festin?
Host: Oo. Si Sir JP Festin.
Audience: Huy! Dr. Cedric Festin iyon.

Thread (n+5)
Host: Meron tayong JavaSIG, MacSIG…
Dept. Chair: Meron ba tayong C-SIG?
Audience: (tawa ang lahat)

Thread (n+6)
Delivery Orderer: (nag-take ng order)
87000 Operator: Sir, meron po ba kaung alternate na cellphone number
DO: Jonas, pwede ba yung number mo bigay ko wala kasi akong load
Jonas: Sige, wait lang.

Thread (n+7)
KFC Operator: Ma’m anong variant po ng rice bowl nila?
Female OrderTaker : (Schezuan, pero murmur lang)

Thread (n+8)
Male KFC OrderTaker: Anong variant ng rice bowl mo?
Classmate ni MKO: Schezuan.
MKO: (nahihirapan sa pag-take down ng order)
CNM: S-c-h-..
MKO: S. Rice Bowl.

Thread (n+9)
Midget-size na 2002 SN: Kanina hindi nga ako pinapansin ni Ma’m habang nag-ro-roll call?
Older batchmate na 2001 SN: Itsura mo kasi.
Teacher: Baka kasi akala niya apparition lang. Hindi na kasi late.
Older batchmate na 2001 SN: May ihihirit ako. Baka kasi nakakakita siya ng duwende.
Midget-size na 2002 SN: Pwede tapos pag tumingin sa katabi niya, baka namatanda naman.

Thread (n+10)
J1: J2, alam ko na kung bakit ang tawagan natin ay ‘bro’?
J2: Baket?
J1: Kasi alangan naman kung tawagin kitang utol kasi ‘tol’ eh hindi ka naman tall.
J2: [nag-isip ng hihirit]. Nang-gugulang ka na naman eh!
J1: Ma’m oh si J2 inaaway ako!
W: Ok lang yun. Ano ba ang mas gusto mo? Magulangan o maliitin!