Posts

The world of content creators in Trinidad and Tobago

A content creator creates some form of online content like videos, blog posts, poems, art and photos among other things. Influencers are also content creators but their main focus is to influence others. Influencers are popular in digital marketing and with brands. Social media platforms are home to many content creators and influencers. I sometimes see persons complain about content creators. They may think that they are not authentic or that they have sold out to brands. I saw on twitter complaints that the local food reviewers were not giving balanced reviews and everything tasted good. I think if the followers supported content creators with additional independent sources of income like donations and purchase merchandise and paid for exclusive content then they would be in a position to be more independent. But we like free thing in Trinidad. Being a content creator can be profitable and can even be a fulltime career. It doesn't take much to get started but once you progress yo

The usefulness of online forums

As I have said before, the internet brings the world to our doorsteps. It has made it much easier to learn and share knowledge. It has made it much easier to connect and communicate with others. Online forums are platforms used to connect with people with similar interests and discuss topics. Topics on forums are usually categorised and the forums are usually moderated. As a blogger sometimes I use forums to crowd source answers to my questions. I also use forums to keep up with what is happening in the local and international tech space. I am also on a forum to give and get support with mental health. Eforums was mentioned in the national ICT plan under headline targets as "50000 users participate in eForums moderated by Government". I tried several times to find out when we are going to see this eforum but got no responses. In a previous blog post I stated, we can develop an open forum platform where persons can share problems and then persons can offer solutions. Problems

Rights in a digital world

I came across a letter to the editor in Trinidad Guardian Sep 16 titled "Using internet to abuse citizens' rights." It starts off by stating, "It is not possible for the Government- to force anyone to use merely optional tools like online and internet." He does make a good point. This is something that should be debated. Digital inclusion is very important. I am guessing that many persons in Trinidad are comfortable with using the digital processes because they understand the greater good. But there are those who are hesitant for various reasons. The younger generation are tech savvy and can help the older geneation. Community centers can be places where other persons can go to get help. This is an opportunity for businesses to provide services that help persons. But these businesses would have to be certified as trusted. A digital inclusion and digital literacy strategy will help make sure that no one is left behind. Manual form processing and face to face can

Lets do this again

I started my fitness journey again. Or better yet I should say that I am continuing where I left off. Our health is our wealth. How many times have we heard this? Today I did chores and walked 23 laps around my house. Otherwise I lived a sedentary lifestyle. My weight has been pretty consistent over the last year at around 203 lbs. Everybody's fitness journey will be different and you should consult your doctor before starting your fitness journey. What do I want to get out of this? The body consists of mind, body and spirit and we have to take care of ourselves and these the best way we can. My mental health is different and I take medication for it. Previously I wrote about living with mental illness . In retrospect maybe I should not say illness but mental health differently gifted. I do not know. I have not given it much thought. What would be better wording than illness or suffering? I remember my many hours and plenty kilometers of walking. Walking is my favourite form of exe

Solar power in Trinidad and Tobago

I saw a beautiful sunrise this morning as I went for my morning doubles. Just in time for me to complete this blog post I had lined up. Oil and gas is finite. In addition, we are becoming more environmentally concious. Renewable energy is the future. I read that steady progress is being made at the Piarco Solar Park . It is intended for the Piarco International Airport and will account for 3.5 percent of the electricity used by the airport. A drop in the bucket but we have to start somewhere. I also read that solar power plants at Brechin Castle and Orange Grove, providing 112 megawatts are in the works. The country has set a goal of 30 % renewable energy production by 2030. What can we do as individuals? There are several companies offering solar panel installations for homes and businesses locally. I imagine there would be opportunity for more solar power businesses to enter the market. Then there are enterprising persons who will choose to do it themselves. A simple thing as solar p

Things that helped me as a coder

I have been thinking about traits of mines that have helped me as a coder and I am sharing. I think our traits are a combination of what we were born with and what we were conditioned and this is debateable. Over time we come to have strengths and weaknesses. I think anything can be learnt and unlearnt. Some things are harder for some than others. We play to our strengths and try to work on our weaknesses.  I started young. We had a computer lab in secondary school. I developed a passion for tech and coding during secondary school. I am a problem solver and I think in terms of solutions. I would much quicker offer a solution than complain about something. I feel like I am naturally gifted and I was born with some talent. My mom let me choose what I wanted to be. I was not pressured to be a doctor or lawyer or something that I had no interest in. I am persistent and patient. Sometimes debugging code will test you. I am creative. I am good at searching for answers and I ask plenty questi

My understanding of life

I believe in God. I believe in an infinitely powerful higher Creator. I believe life is a test and if we pass this test we will be rewarded in the next life. I have asked myself but why test us? I dont know why. Maybe that why comes in the next life. I worship God so that I do not worship things in this world. I do not become a slave to this world. Why does God allow hunger, poverty, war, etc.? What if God asked us the same question? There is enough money, resources, knowledge, good people, smart people to solve our problems. Why do we allow it? I don't think that riches is a blessings in the same way I don't think that poverty is a curse. We are all tested differently. When we are rich do we become boastful, wasteful and arrogant or do we become thankful, kind and generous. When we are poor do we become bitter, ungrateful and troublesome or do we become humble, hopeful and grateful. Our blessings and rewards come in the next life, not this life. I do believe in separation of r