Six Years Back: My Tsunami Experience

Six years back: It was a regular day for me at Kanuhura. I was fast asleep and my colleague Moosa came and started shouting, 'It's a earthquake and something bad is happening'. I got up in disbelief as he usually makes this kind of pranks. When I opened the door it's real, water is coming to my doorstep. At first I thought this must be tidal waves, but this is something I have never seen before. To believe it myself I ran near the jetty and realized this is not normal and something wrong is happening. I can see people running everywhere. All of a sudden I can see water getting so shallow and can see the sandbanks coming up. Within few minutes there comes the big waves and all of a sudden wave swept across the island. Water was everywhere and people were terrified. It was something we have never seen before and never wanted to see again. Luckily nobody got injured from our island but there were some major damages to the property.

After this all we wanted to see was what's happening around and found electricity and phone network was not working. We never knew what's happening around until late afternoon when we found from TV what's happening...

Your social media and blogs are Hyperpublic!

You might want to think that your online activity on Facebook is somewhat private as most of us may want to think. If you buy into the kind of privacy policy that says that by participating on social networking sites you have given up on privacy, then maybe you would say that your online activity is public.

Both of these characterizations are wrong. Your online activity is hyperpublic, it’s entirely novel, and right now you are the only one who can manage it effectively. But that will involve rethinking privacy and the nature of online spaces.

A recent article I read outlines a few of the ways that our privacy is being eroded online. The gist of the article is that even when you try to post anonymously, or try to remain silent about certain aspects of your life, say on Facebook or Twitter, you might be “outed” anyway. That’s because those freaks that use the tiny tidbits of information in your tweets, or on your friends’ blogs or Facebook pages, to predict things about you using their techniques. And they’re pretty good at it.

According to this they are pretty good at it predicting you and your lifestyle with 78% accuracy.

The idea that a person’s online activity is public carries a certain credibility. You post something on Facebook or tweet about something and many people see it. At first it might seem like shouting something out in a room filled with friends, or like joking about the politics in the country in a cafe', shouting about the state of the world.

At the same time you might think that your actions, despite being accessible to many people, are essentially private. You have selected your friends, and so have chosen to give that information only to particular individuals. Random computer scientists pointing their algorithms at your profile are violating your privacy, you might say.

It need not be this way, and ought not to be. Unless we start to understand exactly how public spaces differ from hyperpublic ones, we can expect to see more and more of the hyperpublic, and less of the public in our lives.

We would be wise to start thinking about how best to behave ourselves in a hyperpublic space, since it seems clear that though we may have misunderstood privacy, we have not yet given up on it.

Maldives Welcomes 750,000th visitor

Today Maldives welcomed 750,000th visitor to the country. This is the first time ever so much visitors have visited the country. This shows the country's tourism is growing after a year of negative growth with the effect of global economic crisis. Well I'm not sure about this as European markets are not fully recovered and huge chunk of the arrival represents growth of Chinese tourists to the country.

This milestone visitor to the country is Daniela Ruth, a British tourist who is visiting the country with her family for the second time. MTPB have awarded her with a free holiday for her next holiday. Congratulations Mrs. Ruth!

Intellectual Property Questions and Answers

Intellectual property (IP) refers to the legal rights that protect creative works and ideas. It includes patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets. For many people, navigating the world of IP can be confusing and overwhelming. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most common intellectual property questions and provide answers to help you better understand this complex area of law.

What is a patent, and how does it work?

A patent is a legal document that gives an inventor the exclusive right to make, use, and sell their invention for a certain period of time. This allows the inventor to profit from their creation and prevents others from using or selling the same invention without permission. In order to obtain a patent, the invention must be new, useful, and non-obvious. The patent application process can be lengthy and complicated, but the protection provided by a patent can be extremely valuable.

What is a trademark, and why is it important?

A trademark is a symbol, word, or phrase that identifies and distinguishes a particular product or service from those of others. A trademark can be a name, logo, or slogan. Registering a trademark gives the owner exclusive rights to use that mark in connection with their goods or services. This helps to prevent others from using a similar mark and confusing consumers. A strong trademark can be a valuable asset for a business, as it can help to build brand recognition and loyalty.

What is copyright, and what does it protect?

Copyright is a legal right that protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, art, and software. Copyright gives the owner the exclusive right to reproduce, distribute, and display their work, as well as to create derivative works. Copyright protection is automatic and begins as soon as a work is created. However, registering a copyright can provide additional protection and benefits, such as the ability to sue for infringement and the presumption of ownership.

What is a trade secret, and how is it protected?

A trade secret is confidential information that provides a business with a competitive advantage, such as a secret formula or customer list. Trade secrets are protected by law as long as they are kept confidential. This means that a business must take steps to ensure that the information is kept secret, such as by using non-disclosure agreements and limiting access to the information. If a trade secret is disclosed or misappropriated, the business can take legal action to protect their rights.

How can I protect my intellectual property?

The best way to protect your intellectual property is to obtain legal protection through patents, trademarks, copyrights, or trade secrets. This requires careful planning and strategy, as well as an understanding of the legal requirements and procedures. It is also important to monitor your intellectual property for infringement and take action to enforce your rights if necessary.

Conclusion

Intellectual property is a complex area of law, but it is essential for protecting creative works and ideas. Whether you are an inventor, business owner, or creative professional, understanding the basics of IP can help you to protect your rights and maximize the value of your intellectual property. By knowing the answers to these common intellectual property questions, you can take the first step towards securing your rights and protecting your assets.