Laptops will be provided for the DPR. The cost of each laptop is 21,000,000 rupiah. I read the former Miss Indonesia Angelina Sondakh agree with this.

It is important to have the representatives up to date with technology.

more or less, she said. PDI-P, on the contrary, told their members to not accept the laptop. By refusing, they can save the country 2.3 billion rupiah. Some other parties also object to this laptop idea.

Let’s think about it. Theoretically, if the representatives have laptops, they can work more efficiently. The consequences of having a free laptop, like other people, is that they are expected to work more. To write and send reports in a timely manner. Less time wasted.

The access to the internet will permit them to do comparative studies from all around the country so there will be some travelling budget cost saved. Unfortunately, most of the sites on the web are in English. What is their English like? As an extension of Angelina Sondakh’s comment, having laptop may also make their English skill better.

Having a laptop means more work. And more chance to have teleconferences. I don’t know how effective it will be, but there will be a cut on the budget for ‘uang rapat’ (meeting money). Hook them up with skype and they are all set for meeting. Cut the budget for coffee and cookies. I don’t know how effective it would be, but there is an option.

Having a laptop means that they have to be computer literate. Again, extending Ms. Sondakh’s comment, it will educate the representatives. More budget for training (and the older you get, the slower your brain is).

Having a free laptop means that you have access to the internet, including porn sites and non work related sites. The laptop should be ‘audited’ to know who is abusing the use of laptop. Of course, you can delete the history, but it means more manpower for the laptop auditor. As we already know, some DPR members are non professional pornstars already (see Yahya Zaini Sex Scandal) so the abuse of laptop will not be something new.

Having a laptop means more IT work. It opens up work of the IT people, which will be paid by tax payers. Imagine 500 laptops to be taken care of, serviced if they get corrupted, caught virus, etc. More maintenance. And of course you want to install the original antivirus, original software, instead of those pirated ones. More money for software.

What will they use the laptop mostly for? Word processing. Excel. Powerpoint. Checking emails (that will be another thing: they should be set up with their own DPR email address). Maybe some advanced program to calculate economics, balances, etc.

On the other hand, where did the amount of 21 million rupiah for a laptop come from? I read in newspapers that a decent laptop can be bought “only” for 15 million. And, “it is owned by the country, so the next person in DPR can use it”. As you all know, technology moves fast, and what will happen is that in the next 4 years there will be a new product and the present free laptops will be out of date.

The argument, “It has been budgeted so might as well use it” is lame. How will the country benefit from the representatives having laptops? If there will be no more travelling allowance, meeting allowance, coffee and cookies expenditure for every meeting, and the cost for that is equal to what the expenditure for the laptop cost, that should be no problem. If problems will be solved faster by them having laptops, as a tax payer, I won’t complain.

But if it is meant for their education in technology and a tool to improve their English, I am not responsible for that. Why not elect somebody smarter in the DPR at the first place?

Thinking negatively, who will benefit from this huge mass supply for laptop? There must be a sneaky lucky guy(s) in DPR that get(s) percentage for entering all this laptop to the DPR.

Why not use PDA instead? It is cheaper, you can get a sophisticated one for 8 million rupiah. Dopod, HP, O2, name it. It is handy, you can still browse with it, there is Windows Mobile attached to it, so even if it is a bit small, it may still serve the purpose.

Now, what is the real purpose of them having free laptops in the first place? I haven’t seen any argument, a real urgent need for laptops, voiced from the House of Representatives that justifies that laptops are crucial for their work. And do all of them need a laptop? In my company, only those required to work like dogs are provided with laptops and PDAs. For snobs, having a laptop and PDA means 24 hours of work, no life, not luxury. I sometimes want to throw away my PDA. It means work on the long flights, hotel rooms, home.

So, as Tukul Arwana says, “Kembali ke Laptop”, what was the purpose of them having laptops again?

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Known issues :- After going through your comments,I'm posting about issues which are common

Son Of Moto Template
The bug's fixed and template updated, it should be green now.

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Minima White



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Scholarships are tricky things. Everyone wants one. Few people get them. Apparently, there are millions out there that go unused on an annual basis. Because scholarships differ from loans in that they are free money, they are coveted beautiful things. They are also brilliant resume boosters and look fantastic on any resume.

Now, there are so many types of scholarships, it helps to be abreast of the types, time ranges, amounts, and places to find them. Some high schools give away scholarships prior to attending college. Some scholarships are merit based, others need based, others interest based, other cultural based. The list goes on.

The best way to begin seeking scholarships is to do your research. Every college and university will have a dowry with various scholarships. Usually they will be listed on the school's website; however, you can always inquire as to their prevalence. When you learn about them, you can find out how much, many, and reasons behind them. Essentially, scholarships don't usually just get handed to you (although some lucky people do find this fortuitous world). You must do your research.

Here are some types of scholarships.

1. Merit Scholarships

Scholarships typically revolve around this type of award. People who excel in academics are awarded a scholarship on the basis of their overall academic achievement. This may come in the form of top GPA, excellent SAT scores, and so on. These are highly competitive and may come in various forms.

2. Need-Based Scholarships

This type of scholarship is given purely on financial means. They are designed to fund the less-fortunate students in their academic pursuits. Scholarship committees look at various reasons for this hardship: Parents' income, number of siblings in school simultaneously, expenses, cost of living, etc.

3. Athletic Scholarships

Scholarships are popularly given to star athletes by universities to recruit them for the athletic teams. Many athletes complete their education free of charge, but also pay the price of overworked team sports. Usually full-scholarship athletes are recruited by "scouts" while in high school. You don't usually pursue this type of scholarship; it is given to you.

4. School-Based Individual Scholarships

Every school offers specific scholarships relevant to specifics from the university: donors, individual name scholarships, personal scholarships, and so on. Sometimes you have to apply directly to the scholarship, and other times, just by being accepted, you are placed in the bowl for possible scholarship awards.

5. Full/Partial Scholarship

Many people look at scholarships as a whole and think that they sometimes cover everything. If you are lucky enough to receive a full scholarship, then yes, they cover living, books, and tuition. However, many scholarships are partial, meaning they may cover simply living, simply books, or part of the tuition. If you are awarded any type of scholarship, take it and run! They are prized, wonderful gifts, and you should feel honored to receive one.

While several scholarships are school based, others are based on almost every other personal element that can exists. Several websites and books are designed purely for the existence of finding scholarships. Here are some websites and books that serve as search agents and listings of all the scholarships that exist. If you try hard enough, you are likely to find at least one or two that match your interests and qualifications. It takes much patience and time, but you are bound to find a scholarship for you.

Websites:

• www.scholarships.com
• www.fastweb.com
• www.college-scholarships.com
• www.guaranteed-scholarships.com
• www.finaid.org/scholarships
• www.absolutelyscholarships.com

Books:

• How To Go To College Almost For Free by Ben Kaplan
• The Scholarship Scouting Report: An Insider's Guide to America's Best Scholarships by Ben Kaplan
• The College Board Scholarship Handbook 2004: All New Seventh Edition by Joseph A. Russo
• Winning Grants: Step by Step, 2^nd Edition by Mim Carlson
• Scholarships, Grants, and Prizes, 2004 by Peterson's
• Complete Idiot's Guide to Financial Planning for College by David Rye

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• Realize that you may have to work your way up. For example, if you want to become an apparel buyer, work for a company that manufactures or sells such goods.
• Remember you are doing some HR workers a favor when you present yourself and they do not have to go out and find workers like you. If you get a rude person, be happy you don't have to choose to work for them.
• It's also possible that your true calling is to be self-employed or an entrepreneur, in which case your task is not so much to find and get a job, but to create a job. Most people who work for themselves, however, often started off with a "day job" that paid the bills until their preferred income source could take over.
• Be willing to spend some time learning about the job. Observe or intern to get some experience.
• Of course, it's not everything, but it is best to dress appropriately to create the right impression.

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1. Network. The best companies to work for tend to rely heavily (up to 40%) on employee referrals.^[1] Make a list of all of your friends, relatives, and acquaintances. Call each one and ask them if they know of any openings that they could recommend you for. Don't be too humble or apologetic; tell them what you've been looking for, but let them know that you're flexible and that if they have any suggestions, you're open to them. This is not the time to be picky about jobs; a connection can often get your foot in the door, and you can negotiate pay or switch positions later, once you've gained experience and established your reputation.
2. Volunteer. If you aren't already, start volunteering for an organization that focuses on something that you're passionate about. You may end up doing boring or easy work in the beginning, but as you stick around and demonstrate your commitment, you'll be given more responsibilities. Not only will you be helping others, but you'll also be gaining references. You should emphasize your volunteer experience on your resume, as companies that treat their employees well tend to favor candidates who help the community somehow.^[1]
3. Write a really well-written letter to the owner of the company/establishment. Make sure you highlight all your valuable skills and qualifications but also make it clear that you are flexible and a good team worker. Use good vocabulary and keep an appropriate tone of formality throughout your application.
4. Develop your personal elevator pitch. Many structured interviews, particularly those at large companies, start with a question like "tell me about yourself." The interviewer doesn't really want you to go back to grade school and talk about your childhood. This is a specific question with a specific answer...in two minutes or so, the interviewer wants to get you to relax and loosen out your vocal cords, understand your background, your accomplishments, why you want to work at XYZ company and what your future goals are.
5. Prepare for a behavioral interview. You might be asked to describe problems you've encountered in the past and how you handled them, or you'll be given a hypothetical situation and asked what you would do. They'll basically want to know how you'll perform when faced with obstacles in the position you're interviewing for. Be able to give honest, detailed examples from your past, even if the question is hypothetical (e.g. "I would contact the customer directly, based on my past experience in a different situation in which the customer was very pleased to receive a phone call from the supervisor"). You might find yourself listing facts--if so, remember that in this kind of interview, you need to tell a story. Some questions you might be asked are:
   
   
   • "Describe a time you had to work with someone you didn't like."
   • "Tell me about a time when you had to stick by a decision you had made, even though it made you very unpopular."
   • "Give us an example of something particularly innovative that you have done that made a difference in the workplace."
   • "How would you handle an employee who's consistently late?"
6. Research the company. Don't just "do an Internet search, memorize their mission, and be done with it." If it's a retail company, visit a few of their stores, observe the customers, and even strike up a few conversations. Talk to existing employees--ask them what it's like working there, how long the position has been open, and what you can do to increase your chances of getting it. Become familiar with the history of the company. Who started it? Where? Who runs it now? Be creative, and do whatever you think the other candidates don't have the guts to do.
7. Settle down. If you've moved around a lot, be prepared to offer a good reason for it. Otherwise, you'll need to make a good case for why you want to stick around in the area where the job is located. A company doesn't want to hire someone with wanderlust who still wants to relocate. Be prepared to outline why you are where you are today, how long you intend to stay there, and why. Give specific reasons like "This county has the best school systems in the entire state, and I have a daughter who might find the cure for cancer" or "I was drawn to this area because it's at the cutting edge of innovation for this business and I want to be a part of that." The more details, names, and specifics, the better.
8. Make a list of work-related skills you'd like to learn. Your employer will be interested in hearing about how you intend to become a better employee. Think about which skills will make you more competent in the position you're applying for. Public speaking, project management, team leading, and computer programs are usually beneficial. Find some books and upcoming conferences that would significantly improve your abilities. In an interview, tell the employer what you're reading and learning, and that you'd like to continue doing so.
9. Cold call. Locate a specific person who can help you (usually the human resources or hiring manager at a company or organization you're interested in). Call that person and ask if they are hiring, but do not become discouraged if they are not. Ask what kind of qualifications they look for or if they have apprentice or government sponsored work programs. Ask if you can send your resume indicating what field you want to go into. Indicate whether you would accept a lesser job and work up.
   
   
   • Reflect after each phone call on what went well and what did not. You may need to write out some standard answers on your list of skills so you can speak fluently. You may need to get some additional training to break into your chosen field. None of this means you cannot get a good job, only that you need to become further prepared to do so.
10. Change your attitude. There's a difference between making phone calls and going to interviews thinking "I'm looking for a job" versus "I'm here to do the work you need to have done".^[2] When you're looking to get a job, you're expecting someone to give something to you, so you focus on impressing them. Yes, it's important to make a good impression, but it's even more important to demonstrate your desire and ability to help. Everything that you write and say should be preceded silently by the statement "This is how I can help your business succeed."
11. Fit the job to the skills rather than the other way around. Many people search for jobs, then try to see how they can "tweak" the way they present their own skills and experiences to fit the job description. Instead, try something different. Make a list of all of your skills, determine which kinds of businesses and industries need them most (ask around for advice if you need to) and find businesses that'll benefit from having you and your skills around. It's important the nature of the job fits your personality and salary requirements, otherwise you'll have spent a significant amount of time to find a day job you dread getting up for every morning. There are numerous online resources available for this, such as personality tests, guidance counselors, CareerCritique, etc.^[2]

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