On www.photoblogs.org glance at the 'Hot Photoblogs' section and you will see Shazeen Samad Photography (at least at the time I am writing this post).

Shazeen, my friend, I believe you have been vindicated proper.

I tried www.wii.com and landed in a site which looked like a 12-year-old's class project - the reviews of the published games and the lack of upcoming ones were most disappointing. I tried www.playstation3.com and www.ps3.com ending up nowhere.

To get the low-down on the PS3 I finally decided to go to www.sony.com and navigate their menus, ending up at www.us.playstation.com/PS3/PS3Games (talk about long-winded). This site had all the content a PS3-seeker would want, albeit a dull template and colour scheme. Later on, I figured out that www.playstation.com did end up pointing me at www.us.playstation.com/PS3/PS3Games, again after some navigation.

In comparison, one just has to type www.xbox.com or www.xbox360.com on one's address bar and gets transported to all that needs to be learned about the Microsoft console. The Xbox site looks far less apprehensive than the PS3 site, and has better navigational aspects. Then again, everything finally boils down to the visual content of the games. Since I do not own either a PS3 or an Xbox360, the material I made comparisons on were from the respective sites. Here are some of the comparisons I made:

• Resistance: Fall of Man (PS3) vs. Gears of War (Xbox360)


• Call of Duty 3 (PS3) vs. Call of Duty 3 (Xbox360)


• Rainbow Six Vegas (PS3) vs. Rainbow Six Vegas (Xbox360)


• Tony Hawk's Project 8 (PS3) vs. Tony Hawk's Project 8 (Xbox360)

Feature analysis gives us these points to ponder over:

• Both the Blu-Ray and the HD-DVD are being touted as near-equals


• The online content for both consoles are similar


• The Xbox360 offers better content-management (especially music) than the PS3


• The PS3's picture-handling options, including the gallery, are more comprehensive


• Subscriptions to network/media options are almost at par with either console


• The PS3 has a myriad of memory card reading options (available on the more expensive version only)

I say the clear winner is the Xbox360, not only because it 'got there' a year ahead, but also since the PS3 has been nothing but a glorified piece of engineering prowess with very little enhancement in the accompanying content - both in terms of the promotional material as well as the games themselves - over the Xbox360.

He started off with an ace and ended the match with a point gifted from an unforced error by a flabbergasted Blake, who seemed to be there more to witness 'history written', as Etienne de Villiers put it, than to clinch a victory. In the end, the Shanghai Tennis Masters Cup championship of 2006 was concluded with a resounding victory for the number one player of the world, Roger Federer - the majestic 'lion king' from Switzerland.

Taking the first set 6-0, Federer established his superiority over the match from the very start. As was his intention throughout the championship, his gameplan consisted of playing Blake at his own game. The difference between the two players were the accuracy of the shots and the quickness off the line on the part of a much-empowered Federer.

That the media touted Federer as the player to eventually oust Bjorn Borg certainly would not have helped Blake's confidence. However, in the second set, the American looked to be putting up a fight before Federer stamped his authority on Blake's fourth service game to take the set 6-3.

Moments when the world number one looked relenting were those when his own mistakes played to Blake's advantage, allowing Blake to claw away 3 games in the second set and 4 in the third. However, at no point in the match did Federer look out of form, let alone vulnerable. The end of the match saw a frustrated Blake accepting the near-flawlessness of arguably the greatest tennis player - Federer had 41 winners to Blake's 18. Federer won 6-0, 6-3, 6-4.

During the ceremony following the match, both players showed much respect for each other, both in their off-stage interactions with each other as well as in their speeches. Blake accepting the outcome in gentlemanly grace and Federer with his renowned humbleness. Federer said his final farewells to this year's tennis season by thanking his girlfriend Mirka whom he credited for his continuing success.

The head-to-head statistics between the two players now stand at 6 wins for Federer and none for Blake. Next year promises both to be one filled with numerous battles between these two great tennis players as well as potentially the moment which sees the crowning of the greatest tennis player of all time: Roger Federer.

Once upon a time a father had a son
And the son and father had lots of fun
But loneliness in bed gave the father strife
So he grabbed himself a second wife
The wife was prepackaged with a son
Whom the father loved more than his real one
His true son was dismayed and went away
Got married and his own son came into the fray
The new father avoided his own one
For the sake of the future of his son
But lest he forget, the popular reflexion
Says 'like father, like son'

The Guidelines for Registration of Colleges, published by the Ministry of Higher Education, Employment and Social Security, is utterly hilarious. The document states all the requirements for registration in Dhivehi and specifies in English the content layout (no details whatsoever) of proposals made by parties interested. No wonder foreign institutes are dissuaded.

It is a fact that many Maldivians are concerned with the policies governing the tourism industry of the Maldives. Most concerns stem from the obvious polarity of the distribution of resources - tens of thousands receive a fraction when a handful enjoy magnitudes of the bounty. I reckon this disparity sprouts from ill-conceived policies - especially the Tourism Masterplan.

You're saying 'if you're so smart, why don't you make a policy yourself', aren't you? See if you like this proposition as a fundamental policy:

• Hotel - a hotel is defined as a property where accommodation can be rented, and services and facilities available (charged or otherwise).


• Resort - a resort is a self-sufficient hotel which patrons can opt to stay at as the only abode throughout the duration of their stay in the Maldives (wherein the resort provides all facilities and services needed by its patrons).


• Lease - hotel/resort properties shall be leased to individuals or legal entities under agreement. All such lease agreements shall expire on or before the 30th year from the date of signing.


• Assessment scheme - a scheme under which all bids will be assessed shall be published as part of the terms of the lease agreement. An integral part of this assessment scheme shall be a barometric scoring system which gives scores proportionate to the number of partners in the principle legal entity (implying that the lowest possible points shall be scored by bids of individual persons). If two or more parties attain the same scores, a winner shall be drawn from an open lottery.


• Partners - the partners of any legal entity, party to a lease agreement, may not sell, transfer or pledge their shares for a period of at least 15 years from the date of signing the lease agreement.


• Investment - once an individual or legal entity has been awarded a resort, they shall incorporate an investment firm (or a VC) of which the principle owner of the lease agreement shall attain no less than 20% of all shares. These shares shall not be relinquished, sold or pledged for a period of at least 15 years. The share structure of the investment firm may not be revised for a period of at least 15 years.


• Tax - a revenue tax of 3% of the gross revenue or a fixed sum of USD500,000.00, whichever is greater, shall be levied from the investing firm annually. Hotel/resort properties which have been leased before the ratification of this policy shall adhere to this new policy, and the taxation clause herein, from whence the existing agreements of such properties are terminated/expired.

Dear reader,

• Do you lack job security?


• Are you harbouring fears over the consequences of being fired?


• Are you afraid that you may not find proper employment if you get laid off?

If your answers are 'yes' to the above questions, I would appreciate your replies to the following ones:

• 1. Are your contributions to your organisation considered essential or valuable?


• 2. If the answer to the above question is 'no', are you working towards seeking positions in which you can make such contributions?


• 3. If the answer to question 2. is 'no', what is stopping you in the quest to gain promotions, and thereby attain positions of authority in your organisation?


• 4. Do these apprehensions over the security of your job stem from a) your lack of knowledge or experience in your area of expertise, b) your inability to maintain your professional consistency or c) your concern for loved ones?


• 5. If your answer to part c) of question 4. is 'yes', are you attaining the skills and proficiency required to become competitive in your line of work, and if not, are you training yourself in other areas of expertise in the hopes of become multi-talented?

You wonder why I ask you these questions? So many people tout fears over job security as the main reason for their reluctance to voice out their needs and concerns. I see this as a major deterrent in the quest for 'reform', and wish to understand the reasons behind these fears and apprehensions. I also wish to know what your views are with regards to rectifying this issue.

I thank you in advance for your comments and considerations.

I say the best way to tackle the political conundrums facing the Maldives is through education. Did I hear you scoff? Yes, everyone knows education is the key, but (again) no one's doing anything about it. Still, you are wondering how I could help break the deadlock, eh dear reader?

Here is a thought: what if a pressure group was formed to force the relevant education departments to enact a subject that covers Maldivian politics. We could call that subject Maldivian Citizenship. Still wondering about how this will help, are you not?

One of the many reasons why political parties cannot exert enough pressure on the government is because of their precarious existence due to the belay of the bill of the political party system. Since opposition activities are being (deliberately?) kept in limbo, creating a subject for teaching the political system of the Maldives (including the rights of citizenship) is the perfect workaround. The present regulations pertaining to the establishment and running of educational institutions do not prevent the teaching of politics or subject-matter related to politics. Even if there were regulations which prevent teaching subjects which present political distention, one can always stick to educating students about the constitution and the Law (including the implications/insinuations of all articles and clauses therein).

What say thee?

The Mandate of ZBP

• What is ZBP? - the Zero Barrier Party (ZBP) shall be a political party which shall criticize the Government of Maldives towards constantly improving its governance.


• Pacifism - ZBP shall inherently exercise pacifism, opting only the use of non-violent means in undertaking its activities. Members failing to do so shall have their memberships revoked and their crimes, if any, tried in a court of law.


• Goals? - ZBP will have three quintessential tasks: 1) enforcing transparent governance on the Government of Maldives such that all inquisitions of any citizen or legal entity should be answered, 2) making all policies open and fair such that all citizens/legal entities have equal rights to attain resources and opportunities governed by policies, and 3) implementing the legal infrastructure necessary to sustain the transparent governance and open policies.


• Elections - the party shall require at least half of its members to vote for any decisions it makes in an open ballot, unless otherwise stated in The Mandate of ZBP or other documentation ratified by the members of the party. The party shall not make any decision unless ratified by such an electoral process.


• Finances - all acquisition, dispersion and investment of finances for and of ZBP are subject to acceptance by at least 50% of the members of the party.


• Amendment of the mandate of ZBP - any additions, amendments and deletions made to The Mandate of ZBP can occur only upon acceptance by at least 50% of the members of the party.


• Implementation and enhancement - implementations and enhancements brought to the party's processes, organization structure, departments, committees, pressure groups and all relevant rules and regulations can only be carried out by committees comprising members elected by the members of the party. In this regard, the task of constituting the initial administrative department shall rest upon a committee elected by the members of the party.


• Law - ZBP shall be governed by the articles of 'this bill of law' upon its ratification.


• General assembly - ZBP shall hold a general assembly within the course of 30 days from receiving necessary 'licenses'/permissions from the relevant authorities. General assemblies shall be held once every year. At every general assembly a date shall be fixed for the following year's general assembly. The chair for the first general assembly shall be Mr. X of Clan Y. General assemblies shall hear all motions made by the members of the party.

Think that's alright for the initial mandate of ZBP (not including the rules and regulations of course), eh?

Maldives is in transition. It is hoping to move to a more modern democracy from its
present near-aristocratic mode of governance. It is hoping to usher in an era where individual rights are respected to the extent of facilitating any prudent choice in the walk of life. Yes, the nation's best minds have come together and formed political parties to do just this. They even have a solution: topple the current government and hope the next one will instigate positive change. Consider that for a solution and see if it infers a real one. I do not need a PhD in political science to figure out that something is wrong here. The lack of a detailed proposition as to HOW the changes can be brought about befuddles me.

The nation's 'top' political minds are constantly bickering about the lack of reform and progress. What exactly is the reform you are speaking of? Human rights is certainly not the most immediate of impediments. What progress are you speaking of? We seem to be on the ascension in the updrafts of progress. The nation has been progressively doing better over the years as far as its economy is concerned, and 
is not a good economy the foundation for all other progressions of a nation? What about education? Do you think laymen like myself could critically assess the goings-on of Maldivian politics if not for freedom to seek, assimilate and use knowledge?

Then what are all these political parties fighting for one might wonder. Why are they not peeling back the layers of political grit and exposing the true failures of our nation, as 
they are purportedly doing? Why is it that no Maldivian has seen a logarithmic reform agenda which does not 
require drastic departure from present politics (as is being suggested by 
the enthusiasts of 'procession politics') but presents a gradually culminating plan to reform the institution, 
which is designed to start at an agreeable compromise between the right and left wings?

I am sure, dear reader, that by now you are wondering whether I truly believe this government is perfect as it were. The short answer to that is NO by all means. So, what is exactly wrong? I believe the immediate need of the reformists should be the enforcement of transparency in all aspects of governance (especially with regards to the budget) and the abolishing of all closed policies, facilitating only open and fair ones. Transparency? Policies? By transparency I mean the ability for all Maldivians to make inquisitons of the government. There is nothing a government should keep from its people, and even if that something were material vital for the survival of the nation the institution should release it under the binding pressures of an NDA. By policies I mean those which govern the regulatory impositions over the various resources of the nation, such as its air, real estate, sea, etc (covering such crucial business opportunities as communications). Making policies open and fair means that everyone and anyone should be able to attain benefits from the nation's resources provided they are eligible by fulfilling prerequisites which are common to all individuals or entities (regardless of financial, political or social capacities).

Why are the opposition parties of the Maldives Government failing to make clear their intents with regards to these crucial aspects of governance? I say it has to be one of two reasons: 1) fear of prematurely unveiling scintillating plans which could help the opposition win over the public, or 2) wont of veiling the matters of finance and opportunities so that the successors to the present government 
can enjoy the benefits the latter's proponents may have had.

Two concerns have been nagging me after a drama that unfolded a little earlier this evening. I was sitting at a cafe' called 'Galanga' in Male' (that's the capital of Maldives) when some twenty or so policemen shuffled in and apprehended half-a-dozen foreigners, citing that they had entered the country by illegal means (the citation was proffered by a uniformed immigrations officer).

My concerns? 1) Does Maldives honour due process? If not, 2) am I in breach of my rights as a Maldivian by discussing my concerns?

Let me clarify. Due process is the treatment of all individuals based on the same rights (correct me if I'm wrong in my brief definitions). According to the Department of Immigration and Emigration any foreigner can attain a thirty-day visa on arrival to the Maldives subject only to three conditions stated on their website. As such how does one decide that any given foreigner has malice in mind (even if he/she were wearing a shirt that says 'I am Charles Manson reborn!' let alone one emblazoned 'Reuters') and others do not? Is there not a service policy which sanctifies due process? Consequentially, should not due process be considered and the government let suspicious individuals be monitored rather than immediately apprehended? Upon apprehension how does one get a confession from a would-be criminal (by bribing him with a box of Godiva?)?

If the government reserves the right to pass verdicts based on suspicion then they have every right to apprehend me for fear that my articles may inflame the public. Don't they?

(PS. Am off to have a coffee while I'm still free [Godiva beckons!].)

(PPS. On behalf of the people of Maldives I apologize for our government's failure to honour due process [unless the government can prove otherwise, in which case I would apologize to them for writing this article]. If we could help [hint hint], we would.)

so we will get SUSE Genuine Advantage soon?

The US State Department thinks Maldives has both historically and by present standards one of the most stable political climates in the world. That the nation has not seen much blood shed in the pursuit of political agendas is true, despite recent departure from this relative prosperity. However, the nation's politics has never been its Achilles' heal. Its undoing will be the teetering economy which is presently at the brink of toppling over under the burden of burgeoning misadministration.

As I mentioned in a previous post the increase in the financial needs of the Government of Maldives from 2002 through 2006 has been nearly geometric, constituting an annual increment of about 100%. The approximate budgetary needs for these years were (in millions of USD):

• Year 2002 - 60


• Year 2003 - 110


• Year 2004 - 150


• Year 2005 - 300


• Year 2006 - 620

What are these figures, you might ask. The annual budget acquired by the Government of Maldives is needed to cover all financial overheads incurred in any given year's business of governance. These overheads include the payroll, cost of procurement, transportation, utilities, rents, consultancy, sundries, and so on.

What financial model does the government of a country simulate best? Governance can be regarded as a service 'industry', and hence its business model best simulates that of a resort. The payroll of a resort generally constitutes about 30% of the total overheads. The Government of Maldives has an approximate total payroll for the year 2006 valued at about 85 million USD (assuming there are 30,000 souls working in the government with an average monthly salary of USD 230.00). Extrapolating on the model of a resort, thrice the amount of the payroll gives us a total budgetary requirement of about 250 million USD, which I (no one else has to buy into my rantings, of course) presume is enough to govern the Maldives.

I have mentioned previously that there has been very little enhancement in the business processes of the governance despite the consecutive near-doubling of the annual budgets over the past five years. This is not to say that we are not seeing visible changes in the various assets of the Maldives, such as Hulhumale', Velaanaage, the President's Office, etc. However, the process of innovation of the methods of governance remains slackened: methods such as the process of integrating populaces, developing education programs, and most importantly (but by no means the end of the list) developing industries.

Tourism is touted as Maldives' primary industry, which purpotedly brings in the biggest revenue. The resorts of the Maldives constitute a total capacity of approximately 17,000 beds with an industry-average occupancy of 80%. Given that the overall industry's average room rate is USD 150.00 per night, the industry's total income from room sales is just over 350 million USD. Along with extras, the total industrial revenue accrued from all 88 (or so) resorts should be approximately 600 million USD. From this figure, the government enjoys a revenue of about 40 million USD (average bed rent per bed per annum is USD 2,500.00), which is about 7% of the total revenue. Even if this percentage taxation were to increase to 20%, the government will only earn 120 million USD.

Another revenue source for the government from the tourism industry is import tax. Extrapolating from the annual procurement budget for a 5-star resort, I have estimated that for each room a total of USD 40,000.00 is spent on procurement through the period of a year. This means the total annual procurements of the tourism industry of Maldives amount to roughly 700 million USD. Assuming the average import tax is 20%, the revenue the government accrues from this is about 140 million USD. The final source of revenue from the tourism industry is through bed taxes which totals roughly 40 million USD. Now let us take a look at the cash inflow for the Government of Maldives from tourism (in millions of USD):

• Bed rent: 40


• Import duty: 140


• Bed tax: 40


• Total revenue: 220

220 million dollars is approximately 35% of the total budgetary requirements of the Maldives for year 2006, and is about 3.5 times that of the total budget of 2002. What has changed in tourism from 2001 till 2004? Almost nothing - the 11 resorts that followed the invitation for bids for Villivaru and Biyadhoo happened only in 2004. What has changed in the business processes of the Government of Maldives? Again, barely anything. For years 2002, 2003 and 2004, my questions are:

• Where did the net profit of 160 million USD go in 2002?


• Where did the net profit of 110 million USD go in 2003?


• Where did the net profit of 70 million USD go in 2004?


• How come the Maldives had a debt of 316 million USD in 2004?

Dear reader, I have only taken into consideration the revenue accrued from the tourism industry. I have not touched upon fisheries or the rest of imports other than that procured within the cornucopia of tourism. Let us assume that the average consumer's expenses would amount to USD 1,500 a year, and that 70% of this constitutes imported goods. Further assumptions that all imported goods are sold with a 100% margin and that the general import tax is 15% for consumer goods, then the total revenue from taxation on consumer goods amounts to just over 20 million USD. This is just (a marginally pessimistic estimation of) the revenue from consumer goods. What about taxation on raw material imported for productions in various industries, such as construction? Furthermore, there is the revenue from Dhiraagu, Stelco, Airports Authority, and so on.

Yet, we still show a deficit? Consider this for now: 85 million USD (the total payroll of the government) is only one-third of 220 million USD (the revenue accrued from the tourism industry alone).

http://shaafiee.pakaas.com

It's just getting its final touches. From 1st October 2006, I will reside there permanently.

The United States and Maldives are both countries which stamped out the British to gain their respective independences. Since then, what have either acheived?

• According to the CIA Factbook, the Maldives has nurtured 11 industries.
• The North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) lists some 1170 industries in the United States.

Given that:

• The Maldives has been independent for 41 years and,
• The US has been independent for 230 years

It is surprising that:

• The Maldives versus US industries ratio is 1:106, while
• The ratio of the period of Independence enjoyed between Maldives versus US is 1:5

Does the phrase 'blown out of proportion' come to mind? In this case it's literal, don't you think?

An acquaintance asked me, 'Why are people so flustered over the government of Maldives? What is the government doing wrong?"

The government of Maldives is responsible for running a country. As such, I believe the most abstract highlights of its responsibilities are the following:

• Investing the domestic earnings in the country's best interests (in areas of researching, developing and running the nation) and achieving the maximum yield from these investments.
• Developing, optimizing and maintaining the country's law with intentions of delivering maximum benefit to the country and its people.
• Enforcing law.

In my belief, the government of Maldives is not putting enough of an effort (one that I would deem ambitious) into their responsibilities. If the government pushed the 'pedal to the metal' the Maldives will achieve more milestones in a single year than was achieved in the past ten.

In the area of investment the Maldives has the capacity to undertake all of the following:

• Open at least one university in the span of a year
• Develop at least one additional industry (how about IC fabrication?) in the span of two years
• Open the leading hospital in the SAARC region within one and a half years
• Win the gold medal in the Olympic 100-meter freestyle swimming within ten years
• Win the world cup within 15 years
• Increase the GDP to compete with the likes of Malaysia, within five years
• Within one and a half years, decrease corruption to below 0.5% loss of gross earnings, thereby facilitating the above

The above are milestones that have come to my mind at the spur of the moment. I am sure there are many more that you can think of (were you Maldivian), dear reader...

1983-1989:
Aspired to become a policeman or a doctor when i grew up.
1990-1995:
Had dreams of getting drafted to the NBA and at the same time become a software enigneer.
1996-2005:
Just another IT slob.
2006:
No clue...

Simon mentions in his comment to my last post that Qasim has built a 'vast empire' and that he is a 'tycoon', whereas I am blowing a horn for vanity's sake. Why don't we ask ourselves the paramount question then? (before you throw in your comments, dear reader, I would like you to go through this.)

Here's the question which truly beckons answers:

• What does Qasim have that we don't which has propelled him to his present-day stature as a successful businessman (was it his intellect, his ethics, his exuberant personality, his philanthropy or something else)?

And Simon, I have known you to be one of the most learned intellects in IT in the Maldives (and that's something that I have never failed to give you credit for). Given that, why were you not able to bring any of your IT business ventures to fruition?

A fellow asked me:

• "After reading The Chronicles of Qasim, I gather you are campaigning against Qasim's potential chances for presidency of Maldives, right?"

I did not answer quite as thoroughly as would have liked to. Here is what my answer would have been had I had time to think about the question:

• "The Chronicles of Qasim is about the dealings between Qasim and myself, and does not by any means implicate policitics of any nature and/or magnitude. However, in retrospect, Qasim did not retaliate against me when I published the chronicles. Perhaps that means he finally understands the true meaning of accountability (in the very least it shows a certain amount of tolerance). In that respect he should be regarded as an inspiration to all those in the running. Perhaps in the future everyone with political power will be as willing to accept their faults without rebuttal as Qasim is turning out to be."

That the institution of governance of the Maldives is undergoing a considerable metamorphosis at this time is undeniable. That the awareness of the nation's people is ever-increasing is evident. However, should we believe that our awareness has reached the epitome of understanding our choices without question? This question dawned upon me while pondering over the promise of an open referendum to be enacted in order to ascertain Maldivians' choice of governance: whether parliamentary or presidential.

I thought I would try and squeeze a bit of sense out of my dilapidated brain to scrutinize this unprecedented task. As is the norm for me nowadays, I also thought I would let my pondering be read by everyone interested enough – that's you, dear reader, and it's a beck for you to rebuff my rantings.

As per my self-afflicted habit of oversimplifying, the proponents of a governing institution comprises two components: the executive and the legislative. Some might demand the inclusion of the defensive component, but I believe defense is a tool for survival. Does that not make it an important component for comprehensive governance? That question is only partially true given the need for the autonomy of the defensive component in order to ensure that, 1) the executive or the legislative components do not hold sway upon it and 2) to ensure unwavering reaction to all threats against the nation. Command of the defensive component should be retained by non-government personnel while only the control (the check and balance mechanisms) of it should be exercised by the government.

So, my government of choice shall comprise of the following:

• the executive component, which is responsible for the daily operations of the government and its governance

• the legislative component, which makes the law

You might ask, 'what about policing the people?' To answer that question one has to scrutinize the parties responsible for curbing the crimes of the society. Crimes are a result of weak ethics and morals, thus it is a social factor. Managing social factors should be the responsibility of the respective departments within the executive component. These departments are often referred to as law-enforcement bodies, and are sometimes categorized into specialties and/or levels of responsibilities in order to manage various types/levels of crimes. That law-enforcement bodies often mandate special uniforms is inconsequential (it holds no more significance than the jerseys of the referees of a football match, worn in order to signify their purpose in the game). These bodies should be no more important than customs, planning, human resource development, financial, etc bodies of a nation.

The poignant question at hand is 'do I choose a parliamentary system or a presidential system?' To answer this I will now have to use the above reflections to define the two systems, thus enabling the differentiation between them which will hopefully lead to a coherent choice.

In a parliamentary system, the parliament holds sway over various/all aspects of the empowerments endorsed upon the executive component. You might ask why this is a case for concern if the parliament comprises representatives of the people. The answer to that would be that when the representatives of the people are responsible for the composition of a governing coalition there are two degrees of separation between the executive component and the people. In such a case, the executive component becomes irreproachable by the people.

An additional cause for quandary that a parliamentary system provides is that in most institutions the parliament, or a portion/portions of it, is also responsible for or part of the legislative component. One might wonder that the intermingling of the executive and legislative components will provide for a more efficient government. That possibility can hold true, but no more truer the possibilities of corruption.

Given my unfavourable definition of parliamentary systems, why is there still a debate to promote it? That is because there are ways of implementing such a system with the people's interests in mind. The two prerequisites for a benevolent parliamentary system are, 1) empowering the people for the direct ratification (through elections) of the final coalition which shall comprise the executive component and 2) electing a separate body of representatives of the people which will become the legislative body.

With a presidential system, the executive component and the legislative component is segregated as either body is elected by independent elections. Once certain key offices of the executive body are elected, either these electorates select the coalition members, the parliament/parties nominate coalition members, or the people predetermine the number of representatives each party or the various constituencies represented in the parliament shall contribute to the coalition (through means of confidence/popularity votes).

The issues to be faced with regards to a presidential system are, 1) the executive component and the legislative component will need clear segregation between them especially in the case of smaller countries where constituencies are easily misled and 2) the executive component (and indeed the other two components too) may take advantage of its executive powers if powers beyond law are bestowed.

Now I can finally answer the question of which system would be best suited for my nation (only my reckonings here, mind you). The short answer is, ANY system! The long-winded descriptive conditions upon which that answer titillates on are:

• The defensive component of the nation should be an autonomous body under a command uninfluenced either by the executive component (except in enforcing adherence to law) or the legislative component, but held in check by law and prohibited from partaking in civil affairs

• Lack of any relationships between the executive component and the legislative component, unless under the direct scrutiny of all the people of the nation

• Only one degree of separation between the people and either the executive component or the legislative component

• No individual of the nation, whether a part of the executive, legislative or defensive component shall be exempt from the law

Someone ('you' know who you are) asked me today:

• 'What does it mean to be Maldivian?'

I replied (per my narrow-minded reckoning):

• 'To be responsible for the future of the people of Maldives... That is to be responsible for every aspect of their lives: the environment they live in, the economy they thrive in, their health, their beliefs, their offspring, their culture, etc'

What does it mean to be a Maldivian to you, dear reader?

Dear reader,

I have recently been accused of certain 'indiscretions' by one of the most powerful (and popular, esp. in Ari Atoll) ministers and, despite lack of proof to the effect, is out to publicly crucify my integrity. Since disovering this, without the slightest hesitation I gave the fellow two days to settle accounts with me. Should this not happen I have vowed to go public with his own indiscretions.

War!
Huh-yeah!
What is it good for?
Absolutely nothing (yeah right!)

I write this to hold you as a witness should the worst befall upon me.

Am I not born to your nation?
Are we not brethren?
Is mine not your constitution?
Do you live beyond repercussion?
Are we not judged even?
Or wield you contracts from heaven?
Be you minister or minor, friend or foe
You're still Maldivian
Your contract surpasses not mine
Read beyond the headline

• Total number of students in Malaysia: 5.7 million.
• Total number of students in Maldives: ~50,000.

• Malaysia spends 17.5% of their annual budget on education resulting in an annual per capita (students only) budget of about 450 dollars for 2006.
• If the Maldives were to spend 17.5% of their annual budget on education, the per capita budget amongst students will be well over 2,000 dollars for 2006.

• Why then does Malaysia have more than 60 colleges (of which 6 are state universities)?
• Why does Malaysia have their own primary, secondary and higher-secondary level accredition systems?
• Wait! Why do Maldivians go to Malaysia at all for their studies?

Were Maldives spending 17.5% of their budget on education, the problem with the education system of the country should be surmised as one of lackadaisical engineering and limitation of experience on the part of the people in charge. However, the discretional funds budgeted for education through 2006 is only 5% of the annual budget, which amounts to about 33 million dollars. Is this enough?

5% of the annual budget results in more than 650 dollars per capita amongst the students of the Maldives. This is still 200 dollars more than the per capita budget apportioned for the students of Malaysia. Why then are the Maldivian schools suffering from the lack of budgets and mismanagement? Why is the education system deteriorating year by year?

If more money is needed the Maldives can contribute another 12.5% from its budget before it exceeds the education budget of Malaysia in proporation.

I say there is enough money! I say the government apportioned more than enough of a budget for education in 2006! I say the Ministry of Education (is that what it's called now? - I can never tell) is sleeping on the job!

When it comes to commodities Maldivians have very little restraint as to how much they are willing to spend - regardless of the quality of the merchandise. Businesses know this all too well, and they are ready to exploit the hottest commodity coming to town: the FIFA World Cup.

I have learned that the World Cup is so hot that the nation's only TV channel is able to sell the advertising rights to each game at a price of nearly USD 7000. That's almost a total of half a million dollars for the whole tournament. The only return for enterprises investing this money is the potential growth of their respective businesses. Yes, my eager reader; USD 500,000 blown on a football competition for no monetary benefits whatsoever.

What can half a million dollars do, you ask?

• Half a million dollars can set up a decent school for teaching a (single) bachelor's programme in computing with the capacity of 20 classes of 10 students each, AND cover all overheads incurred through a period of one year
• It can cover the current overheads of any secondary school in Male' (Maldives) through a period of 2 years
• It can account for a month's payroll for all government staff of the Maldives along with a 50% increase in all salaries
• It can buy two Porsche Carrera GTs (one of the fastest, most expensive cars in the world)
• It can buy two 3-bedroom suburban properties in Australia

I just wonder what percentage of people of the World buy Porsche Carrera GTs. From when two (or was it three?) Jaguar R Types (what about the Corvette, BMWs, Mercedes, etc?) were brought into this country, the indigenous buying-power ratios went topsy turvy.

When will Maldivians learn to prioritise (ie. education before Porsches)?

From what little I know of my country, it has implemented the following approximate annual budgets over a five-year term starting 2002:

• Year 1 - 800 mil
• Year 2 - 1.5 bil
• Year 3 - 2 bil
• Year 4 - 4 bil
• Year 5 - 8 bil

Thankfully the figures are in the local currency. The trend is an average annual increment of about 100%. Consequently, the following questions come to mind:

• Has the economic welfare improved doubly?
• Has the destructive political distention decreased doubly?
• Is health care doubly effective?
• Has education been fortified doubly?
• Is social welfare faring doubly as well?

I am only asking these questions in general. What if we put to scrutiny every two consecutive years with regards to these questions?

Everyone wants to have their piece of the pie
Everyone's obsessed about how they'll survive
But do you pause to wonder
'Bout people grieving
Do you pause to think
You can have a piece of heaven

I believed that I could never tell a lie
But I deceive no one else when I deny
There are people in need
Crying, hurting, starving
Do you have to feel
Superhuman to help the dying?

If I were a leader
If I could be stronger
If I only were a li'l bit wiser
But I am not
And all I've got
Is this song and a drying clot

You chose to hide the people who've been deprived
They're cursed by God's will let them subside
The world will see no lepper
Nor retarded weaklings
This nation's blessed
God's bestowed gladdest tidings

Their pain I had never let it inside
I'd never dwelled upon the causes the why
I will give no quarter
To myself or others
Till I find myself
Helped make a better future

If I were a winner
And my dreams were richer
If I only glowed a li'l bit brighter
But I'm not
Still I've got
This will o' mine and an anecdote

Smart people of the world, you're cursed
Hey, people in the know, your lives only get worse
You know more than you were meant to
And you wish for dreams beyond you

You do your very best, for people you love
You weave your sad tale, of all that hurt
The world turned it's back on you
They only took what they wanted to

Smart people, you're cursed
Smart people, mercy on your souls
Smart people, you're cursed
You're cursed
Cursed

Smart people of the world you're chosen
You're the soulful seeds, the inspiration
But they drained your souls dry
Watched you break down and die

What you left unspoken will be revived
The legacies you left, they will survive
The old will feel your loss
And the young will remember 'cos

Smart people, you inspire
Smart people, you left the world afire
Smart people, you're cursed
You're cursed
Cursed

It is a subject that everyone fears breaching, and yet a lot of us quietly acknowledge. I have been wondering who would speak of it, or when. My hope was for those staking their careers on psychology and childcare to come forth and breach the subject, but it never happened. So, I am going to say something about it, to the extent of my limited knowledge.

Maldives has an inherent history of incest! Of the total number of Maldivian girls I know, more than half have been sexually abused by a family member. How many legal prosecutions have I heard of concerning incest? Not a single one.

I ask you welfare associations, childcare institutes and other relevant bodies, 'What have you done about it?'

I ask you readers, 'Do you have anything to say?'

This is the Internet, this is where anonymity will be assured and expositions are safe. Please voice out your concerns.

I have but a lowly blog to write this memo in and so it shall be posted here. This memo is about how Linux can be promoted and why it is prudent to take on such an endeavour.

To date, Linux has been one of two things for the Maldivian community: 1. an alternative to expensive proprietary options and 2. an amusement tool which is often used to boister one's ego. What our community has failed to grasp are the possibilities Linux - and various other open source software - offers beyond implementation cost cutdowns and bemusement. Two of the most important purposes that Linux fulfills in the general world of information technology are, long-term cost optimization and education.

Why promote Linux?

Long-term cost optimization

The difference between implementation cost cutdowns and long-term cost optimization is the former provides a temporary cashflow benefit while the latter provides a continuous one. Cost optimization is the process of streamlining the business processes and reducing the various cost-of-productions to generate higher periodic returns.

Linux helps in long-term cost optimization mainly due to the following reasons:

• Being a product of the community for the community, the knowledge-base for Linux is widely distributed and readily available.
• Software products for Linux are plentiful and mostly open-sourced.
• Linux, and its components, are almost always developed based on open and readily-available industry standards, which provides for an attractive learning curve.
• Today, there exist numerous support groups which can be contracted for reasonable prices, eliminating the need for in-house specialists and thus ensuring lower costs of ownership.
• SCO's case proves to the world that whilst Linux has infringed virtually no license whatsoever, their unthreatened open licenses will cater to the most customization-oriented of businesses.

Linux as an education tool

It is sad to see that computer science is being replaced with the more hyped-about 'information technology' in the world of academia. Operating systems and the software which run on them are becoming more and more end-user friendly and less challenging to use, which, in concurrently increasing general computing awareness, has greatly reduced the opportunities for the specialization in their development and implementation. The fact that these operating systems are immensely closed and often proprietary has further detrimental effects.

Linux has a solution for the potential computer scientist: an open platform which readily shows the operating system anatomy to the curious. It is a platform that you can take apart and put together in any way you like, without consideration for any licensing. For the professionals concerned about their apprentices, or even the society in general, Linux holds the key to a more hands-on education in computer systems.

On top of being an educational platform, Linux can also become the tool for changing the society's outlook on matters of intellectual property rights. I believe Maldivians' insane lack of regard for intellectual property rights stems from their abuse of licenses. The prolonged practice of pirating software, movies, music and so many other intellectual properties has virtually eliminated the knowledge of the very meaning of 'intellectual property' - could even be a new Teletubbies sidekick as far as the typical Maldivian is concerned. Developing the habit of using Linux - and open source software - may eventually provide our community with their own sense of proprietorship.

How to promote Linux

The Maldivian Linux User Group (MLUG) has tried to introduce the novelty of Linux to the Maldivian community for some time, and they held a rather successful Linux Demo Day in the February of 2000. The highlight of the project was the introduction of clustering technology which, in my point of view, is too extravagant when it comes to the introduction of an already misunderstood and feared solution that was Linux. Then again, I do recognize that it did generate a lot of hype which in turn yielded a few die-hard fans who have persevered even till today. However, at the end of the day, Linux was not here to stay; not as an integral part of the Maldivian computing community.

What has to change?

What needs to change within the MLUG leadership is quite simply their perception of Linux, its uses and its promotion. MLUG has to understand that their success lies in the ultimate goal of the massive adoption of Linux within the Maldivian community. To this end, MLUG needs to fully appreciate the possibilities Linux offers and work on implementing these possibilities from the very basics.

Firstly, MLUG should define its mandate as far as Linux is concerned. My suggestion would be the following:

• Continuing documentation of Linux, its development, its implementations and various news it generates, and provide these documentations to the Maldivian community
• Implement a perpetual marketing campaign which actually reaches the Maldivian community with the tidings of Linux on a daily basis
• Document the possible adoptions of Linux with regards to the various compartmentalizations found within the Maldivian community - in terms of societies and businesses
• Approach the potential adopters with solutions
• Monitor the Linux users and adopters, gather their feedback and provide them with contiuning support and optimizations

If the above mandate is too expansive to be fulfilled by the limited amount of Linux enthusiasts, then opt to reduce it by eliminating certain apects, but not streamlining them. For instance, MLUG can opt to undertake only the documentation and marketing aspects of Linux within Maldives.

Once a mandate has been ratified, the next step is to ensure the comprehensive division of labour. The only way MLUG will successfully accomplish any aspect of its mandate is by ensuring that enough people are involved in that particular venture. At the same time, there has to be uncompromising leadership spearheading these efforts.

What advice can I offer MLUG?

• Do away with preconceptions
• Start with the basics
• Create a mandate before the scope of possibilities overwhelms MLUG
• Follow the trends, especially those of the various Linux communities out their
• Linux is just another operating system, it is not a revelation

We have said it a million times
And regressed more often
We made a million promises
But only noticed unkept ones
And I am sorry for those
For not being the one
I long for you to find
Someone who makes you smile
I hope that you will smile someday
And this I say with a smile
Lets set ourselves free
Give each other freedom
I hope you will understand
I hope I am forgiven
For now I will pray
Wishing your ascension
And when you will find
Someone who makes you smile
I will be the first to say
'I'm glad to see you smile'

package THE_ANGER;

if ($they = <>) {
$misbehave = 'consult them';
$they =~ /(need guidance)/s;
my $opinion = 'they are human';
$in_their = $opinion.", you need to ".$misbehave;
$in_the_end = join ($1, "they will ", " and");
}

print "your message: ".$in_their.": ".times."\n";
print $in_the_end." your love\n";

You're the one who knew me
The one who truly knew
You saw me for who I am
With undeniable tolerance
You gave me your reckoning
Got me over self-doubt
You refused to accept weakness
Even though I was weak
You gave me back confidence
Slapped me back to life
You were kind to praise me
Praise I barely deserved
You've my undying gratitude
And my prayers go with
you, no matter where you are
I miss the dialogues
You and I had ages back
I will miss you

Simon and I have had a chat about instating a programming competition amongst Maldivian developers. We are thinking of holding an open competition amongst all types of coders, involved in scripting to firmware development (if there are any of those in this country).

The current intention is to make entrants compete in developing the most optimal solution for a problem (not restricting the tools for developing the solution). It is the type of problem that has to as yet be scoped.

What we would like from you is to leave a comment here indicating your interest, should you like to participate or offer your expertise. Also, we would like feedback from you about what sort of problem you'd like to ponder over.

After-thought: we should use the same hardware and software platform for all test-runs. Thus, I think we should get an idea of what the generally desired platforms are (processor, memory, OS, etc) from all you interested parties. From these reflections we will decide on the most aggregate platform combo.

After-after-thought: as Simon mentioned in one of the comments to this post, Simon, Shiyaz, Sofwath and myself (did I leave anyone out?) did hold a competition of this sort some years back on a smaller scale. The problem then was sorting a million random numbers. The outcome was that, by the official deadline, Simon won by a hairline with his Delphi-based solution. His was sub-.20 seconds, Shiyaz's and mine were sub-.40 seconds and Sofwath's VB-based solution was way over 1 second (all tests being done on two 600 MHz platforms, one with Windows and the other Linux). Shiyaz is the one who's been bugging us (Simon mostly) to get another contest organized.

Last night, a couple of mates and I were in a dialogue, the subject of which was 'how does one start tackling a programming problem?' This is a question plenty of beginners start off with and never really get a good answer for.

So what does bring about the great inspiration for solving problems? Why, preparation of course. The best solution to fixing unsureness is to 'train' the mind to get used to thinking about the most awkward and flabbergasting of problems - fantastic ones at that. If you ask me, some such problems could be:

• How would a conversation with your mate's flip-flops go?
• How would you live life as a fish?
• What would a journey through your cat's alimentary canal reveal?
• What would life be like as a hair follicle on Jenna Jameson's thigh?
• What would aliens look like, or say when we meet them?

Once you come up with that earth-shatteringly bothersome problem, go about solving it in the most creative way you can think of. The trick is to make up as many projections as possible. In fact, you can even make this a game between a bunch of fellow-accomplices - coming up with the most number of creative solutions in a given period of time for instance.

Once one gets acquainted with using plain english to describe solutions, one should start using the tools of the trade. Start off with a pseudo-language, such as a heavily mutilated english dialect which is just sufficient to convey the bare logic of one's musings. For instance, in the case of Jenna's hair follicle:

• Light creeps in
• Bright light hits
• Black hair greeting
• Is Jenna blond?
• If yes, barf!

The next step is the gradual use of standardized designing tools such as flowcharts, booch notations, UML, etc. The trick in using the tools is to break up the problem/scenario into as many basic components as possible and fitting together these components with the fewest interconnections. Once one gets familiar with solving unearthly problems using these modeling tools, one will find dealing with more realistic ones less taxing.

The real purpose of teaching yourself to be creative is to increase the ability of approaching a problem with more conviction. It is confidence that will really trigger those creative fluids, not just knowledge alone.

Sweet dishes
Creamy sweet dishes
Be with me
Oh caress me
Kind kisses
Send me all ye misses
Soothe me
Gently soothe me
I need your warmth
Gentle kind angels
Silent wise angels

Away riches
Doth not buy wishes
Buy not me
Nor buy it thee
Pray oh wishes
Thou art ferocious
Hold thee course
Lend her thy force
Be you with warmth
Gentle kind angel
Silent sweet angel

Pressure, run away from me
Pressure, you have to let me be
Pressure, I applied on me
That pressure, was drowning me

Pressure, I cursed you so
Pressure, walked out the door
Pressure, ain't here no more
That pressure, I was groomed for

Pressure, you were so right
Pressure, that held me tight
Pressure, unblocked the light
That pressure, that fled at night

Hear ye, hear ye, all ye Maldivians! The baddest cybercafe' has sprouted in town: Reload. It's 'destined' to be the first thorough-bred gaming spot in the country and boasts a plethora of high-tech gadgetry. From now on my budget is going to forego those coffees and buy me some real fun. If you want to bash me up in Counterstrike, Unreal Tournament or Battlefield2 (no FEAR!!!), call me (and leave some dough for side-bets).

~24 hours between 07/01/2006 (04:00pm) through 08/01/2006 (04:00pm)

Sleep: 38%
Cafe hopping: 19%
Girly time: 15%
Play: 16%
Work: 8%
Sick: 4%

Thus far hopeless! Gotta make amends soon.

This evening I had a conversation with a friend about how some people can appear to be more knowledgeable than they truly are. Often these appearances are not just incidental but rather carefully engineered.

What is it about some Maldivians which make them so arrogant and so self-important? That self-imposed question sent the sparks flying and I have come home to work on my first sociological theorem: the DDos Spectrum (no implied meanings whatsoever!). The following is the initial draft of a theorem meant to graphically summarize the megalomaniac's gameplan.

Suppose you have person A and person B: person B being somewhat smarter than person A. If you plot a bar graph which depicts the 'smartness' of both people in a horizontal knowledge spectrum (idiots ending on the left and the smart ones on the right), then we get the following graph for persons A and B.


Now let us superimpose onto this base spectrum a specialization: mathematics in this case. Also if we assume that person B is more knowledgeable in this specialization than A, we get the following graph:


Let us test the superimposition of one more specialization. This time we will take Sociology, at which person B again excels over person A.


Finally, if we superimpose the specialization that megalomaniacs excel at - deceit and cunningness - and if person A were a megalomaniac whilst person B was not, then we get the following - distinctly Maldivian - graph:



Conclusions

• Megalomaniacs will lie and cheat to appear socially and intellectually superior
• Megalomaniacs are inherently jealous folk
• If you are not a megalomaniac, and if you do away with deceit and cunningness, you are by default smarter than the megalomaniacs (just less cunning and deceitful)

I have decided that from tonight onwards I am going to put together a mechanism to log my utilization of my time. The purpose is not to make any dramatic changes, but rather to get prepped for those (as per Louis Gerstner change requires a great amount of 'theoretical data'). I'm hoping to prove to myself that it's time I got worried about how I live (which is 99% of the time the way I 'want' to, and not the way I 'choose' to).

I have regained happiness
Away dispair and loneliness
Mingling with hope and joy
Feeling life's mischievous ploy
Take away my uneasiness
My saviour a bonny lass
With an intellect to make envious
The likes of Sigmund Freud
Or any fictitious android
Or the morally challenged or pious
She brings hope to us
That people are boundless
When it comes to providence
Not all will say 'good riddance'
That some choose to be gracious
To thee I pledge allegiance
And know that I am anxious
To support all your ventures
Monolithic to trivial ones
I'm enthused beyond regress
Ere I ached with grievance
'Bout humanity's dying conscience
You prove there exists honesty
And perhaps even loyalty
That people still cherish in essense

I am sad
I am lonely
I feel a weight
Bearing on me
I wish changes
Were so easy
As years transition
To now from would-be
I feel for others
I feel for the sad
I am no less
But I fake this glee
Why hath self-pity
Found me?
Why not joy
Or constant ecstacy?
If this is how
My year begins
Why bother
I ask thee?