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Sunday, 5 October 2014

HERE ARE EIGHT KEY FEATURES OF THE NEW OPERATING SYSTEM



Microsoft has announced Windows 10, the next version of its desktop operating system. The Redmond giant has paid heed to feedback from unhappy Windows 8 users and has overhauled the user interface besides adding some features already available on rival platforms.
Here are eight key features of the new operating system.
1. Start menu makes a comeback
Microsoft has been demonstrating the new Start menu for quite some time, but the company has finally made it official with Windows 10.
The menu features a search bar and customisable space for pinning app shortcuts and live tiles. It looks very similar to the traditional Start menu that Microsoft discontinued with the Windows 8. On non-touch devices, it will replace the Start screen.
2. Everything runs in Windows

Modern UI apps from the Windows Store now also open in the same format that desktop apps do and can be resized and moved around.
Just like Windows 8.1, these apps have title bars at the top that allow users to maximize, minimize, and close with a click.  
3. Snap enhancements

Users can now have up to four apps snapped on the same screen with what Microsoft calls a new quadrant layout.
Windows 10 will also show other apps and programmes running for additional snapping and will make smart suggestions on filling available screen space with other open apps.
4. Multiple desktops, new task view

With Windows 10, users can create virtual desktops for different purposes and projects and switch between desktops and pick up where they left on each desktop, similar to OS X's Spaces.
There is a new task view that displays all open windows and desktops. This is also very similar to the Expose feature of Apple's OS X.
5. One Windows version across devices, Continuum

Windows 10 will run on all devices across form factors, including phones, tablets, 2-in-1s and PCs.
The OS will come with a feature called Continuum which will detect when you remove a keyboard from a 2-in-1 and switch to a touch-optimised UI with big tiles. It will also have a universal app marketplace.
6. Enterprise features


Windows 10 will come with a number of features for enterprise, including a customised store and corporate data protection. Administrators will be able to use Mobile Device Management for all devices.
7. Universal search
The Windows 10 Start menu will also feature a universal search box similar to Apple OS X's Spotlight feature and offers web results in addition to results obtained by searching across files, apps and settings.
8. Updated command prompt

Microsoft has pleased power users with some improvements in the command prompt interface. The command prompt now supports copy and paste keyboard shortcuts so you'll be able to use Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V commands easily.

Saturday, 4 October 2014

Windows 10: How the new Start Menu works


Microsoft Corporation announced its Windows 10 operating system to replace the largely unpopular Windows 8, skipping a number to mark a leap toward unifying the way people work on tablets, phones and traditional computers

It might not be the key feature in Windows 10, but one of the most striking design changes in Windows 10 harks back to an old one — the Start Menu.
The menu has been given a Windows Live Tile-style makeover, and you can now pin whatever you want to the panel on the right.
So, just like on Windows Phone, you could pin a preferred contact or favoured app. Remember that Live Tiles are dynamic, so they can show you the latest news or whether for your current location.
You could also pin a folder you regularly use; it's up to you. The left of the Start Menu works like the old Windows 7 one used to — so you can search for whatever you want and it can be activated using the Start key on your keyboard, and you can see recently accessed programs and browse through other programs, too, via an All Apps menu.
The All Apps option now features a vertical scrollbar, so you don't get any of the multi-me menu stacking that you used to get in Windows. As with Windows 7 and 8, the best way to find anything is by searching for it rather than browsing for it.
By bringing the Start Menu back, Microsoft is acknowledging that the Start screen went too far for some users, especially in the corporate space. But those Modern UI apps (now referred to as Universal apps we think) still provide the link with touchscreens.
But in reality bringing back the Start Menu doesn't change the functionality of Windows — the Start screen was the Start Menu of Windows 8 and Windows 8.1 and, while it was full screen, contained all of the same functionality (you could hit the Windows key and immediately start typing to search, for example).
The top of the Start Menu now has your user account icon at the top, so you can lock your PC, change your account picture or sign out. Another power button enables you to sleep, shut down or restart your PC.
A panel underneath this contains access to your files via the File Explorer as well as shortcuts to your Documents and Pictures. We actually ended up pinning the File Explorer icon to our taskbar just as it is in Windows 8. An arrow beside the File Explorer icon in the Start Menu shows you your most recently accessed folders for quick access.
As in Windows 8.1 you can right-click on the Start button itself to get a 'power menu' — quick access to the Control Panel and other more advanced features such as Run, Disk Management and the Task Manager.
One big change is that you can now resize the menu itself. This doesn't work that well at the moment as you can only make it flatter (more of a horizontal bar) or higher vertically. You can't freely resize it to form a smaller version of the now-old Start screen.
Right-clicking any item in the Start Menu brings up other options, such as pinning to the taskbar, removing the app from the Start Menu or, where appropriate, removing the app from your PC. As with the Windows 8 Start screen, you can drag the Live Tiles to rearrange them.
You can also turn individual Live Tiles off (perhaps you don't want to see your latest emails in the menu, for example) as well a change the size of the tile just as you can on Windows Phone and could in Windows 8 and 8.1. Small, Medium, Wide and Large are the various sizes available.

Right-clicking on blank space in the menu gives you two other options — Personalize and Properties. Personalization is currently about as useless as a chocolate teapot — it just takes you to a subset of the Control Panel that enables you to change the hue of the Start Menu as well as your window borders. This setting will be overwritten if you change the theme, however.
Properties is a lot more interesting. It takes you to the Taskbar and Start Menu Properties applet in Control Panel. Strangely, you're put into the Taskbar tab by default. Clicking on the Start Menu tab shows you a few options, the top of which is a checked box labelled Use the Start Menu instead of the Start screen. We do wonder how many people will choose to get the Start screen back. A handful, we're sure.
Some other options concern privacy for shared user accounts — you can clear the personal information from your Live Tiles as well as options to choose not to 'store and display' recently opened programs in the Start Menu.
A Customize option provides more granular control over what is shown in the Start Menu as well as behavioural characteristics such as whether sub-menus open automatically when you hover over them or whether dragging and dropping is allowed (both of these are permitted by default).
You can also choose to show system administrative tools in the menu and plenty of other things, too, such as the Control Panel itself, This PC (this is what My Computer used to be), your personal user folder or your music and video folders should you wish. It's all very customizable.
Whatever you think of the new Start Menu, one thing is for sure — it makes Microsoft's insistence on not even having a Start button in Windows 8 seem ridiculous. Just think about it; Microsoft missed out Windows's key modus operandi for a whole version.

Apply for the Chevening Scholarship scheme for the 2015/2016 academic year

The Minister of Higher Education announces to prospective and interested candidates that the British High Commission in Yaounde invites outstanding young professionals from Cameroon with leadership potentials to apply for the Chevening Scholarship scheme for the 2015/2016 academic year.
See Press Release.

OFFICIAL TEXTBOOK LIST SECONDARY EDUCATION

SCHEMES OF WORK ORDINARY LEVEL COMPUTER SCIENCE



The Subject Computer Science was officially placed on the curriculum of the Secondary Education in 2003, allocating two periods a week, hence 66 periods each academic year.
This revised schemes of work for computer science (of August 2013) is formulated from
a)    The work to be covered from form one to form five in Secondary Schools in Cameroon (proposed by the Ministry of Secondary Education) and
b)   The Syllabus from the Cameroon GCE Board to be tested at the end of course examination – Ordinary Level Computer Science –595. This blend is in a bit to meet the aspiration of the Government and to enable Cameroonians to meet up with the challenges in the Computer- driven era, in the global village.
The focus of these schemes is the learner and it is broken up across classes and topics in a way that the learner could have a grip of: the evolution of computers, a wide range of applications and uses of the computer and eventually master the computing environment and pursue careers in computing and computer science. Teachers should always use teaching/learning aids (real computer parts, pictures etc) during lessons. A Cameroonian using these schemes should face similar computer science challenges like any learner elsewhere.
The schemes are arrange under broad topics and lessons. Each lesson proposes the objectives to be attained, followed by guidance notes, resources and duration (teaching periods) to meet the objectives. All schemes are arranged in one booklet to enable continuity, affordability and ease of use.
In each class, a topic may be introduced and it is expected that a teacher continuously reviews and assesses the concepts throughout the course, even if the schemes do not specify so. At the time of introducing a topic in junior class, the basic concepts are recommended while the in–depth concepts are expected to be implicit as the learner matures in age and/or knowledge. Some basic ideas may even be taught directly and better in practical lessons. The environment is enabling for students at different levels.
Programming environment: The programming environment like Pascal, BASIC, C++, etc mentioned in the schemes should be provided by the teacher. The students are expected to master at least one, which they will use for the course examinations.
While each and every one teacher is using these schemes, have in mind that the revision of schemes and syllabuses are always eminent. Make a conscious effort to contribute adequately to enable the growth of the subject. Therefore, you may reorder the topics where necessary.
These schemes of work are produced for the North West Region by the Pedagogic Office in Charge of Computer Science in collaboration with the Computer Studies Teachers’ Association (COSTA).
Get a free soft copy by filling the Contact Form online.

Friday, 3 October 2014

Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and two Specific Partnership Agreements (SPAs)



The University of Bamenda, represented by its Vice Chancellor Prof. TAFAH EDOKAT O. Edward, signed today two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) and two Specific Partnership Agreements (SPAs) on its main campus in Bambili.
The MOUs were signed with the Protestant University of Central Africa(PUCA), Yaounde and with Institut Universitaire Siantou (IUS), Yaounde. The SPAs were signed with the Catholic University of Central Africa(CATUC) and the Higher Institute of Management Studies(HIMS), Buea. The signing ceremony took place in the Auditoruim of the University of Bamenda in the presence of the Representative of the Minister of Higher Education, Prof. Jean Marie Essono, the DVC-TIC, DVC-RCB, DVC-ICE, the Registrar, the Directors of HTTC, HTTTC, HICM, COLTECH, the Deans of FS, FHS and other Directors of the Central Administration.
The University of Bamenda

Here is the integral speech of the Vice Chancellor.
A speech Presented by the Vice-Chancellor of The University of Bamenda, Prof. Tafah Edokat O. Edward during the Signing Ceremony of Memoranda of Understanding  (MoUs) and Specific Partnership Agreements (SPAs) between The University of Bamenda (UBa) and Cameroonian Institutions of Higher Learning on Wednesday October 1, 2014
  • The Representative of the Minister of Higher Education
  • The Deputy Vice-Chancellors of The University of Bamenda
  • The Registrar of The University of Bamenda
  • The Proprietors and Promoters of Partner Institutions of Higher Learning
  • The Directors of Schools and Deans of Faculties of The University of Bamenda
  • The Chief Librarian of The University of Bamenda
  • Distinguished Colleagues
  • Members of the UBa Community
  • Ladies and Gentlemen,
It is an honour for me to welcome you to yet another landmark ceremony of the signing of cooperation agreements between The University of Bamenda and National Higher Institutions of Learning duly-approved by the Ministry of Higher Education. It is in the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research and outreach through collaborative initiatives and joint ventures that The University of Bamenda this morning shall be signing two Memoranda of Understanding and two Specific Partnership Agreements with Cameroon National Institutions of Higher Learning.
Distinguished Audience, permit me to express my deep appreciation to the Minister of Higher Education who has not only been endorsing our MoUs and SPAs as soon as they arrive on his desk, but, has decided to be represented at every signing ceremony. His representative here present today is testimony of his unalloyed support to ensure that our partnership agreements are done in keeping with the principles and texts in force.
Despite announcing during a similar exercise last year that we were keeping on hold, the signing of Memoranda of Understanding with National Institutions of Higher Learning in order to monitor the quality of execution of the existing MoUs and SPAs, we are here today, exceptionally, to sign two MoUs with  namely; the Protestant University of Central Africa (PUCA), Yaoundé and Institut Universitaire Siantou (IUS), Yaoundé, as well as concretise our partnership through SPAs with the Catholic University of Central Africa (CATUC), Bamenda and the Higher Institute of Management Studies (HIMS), Buea.
To the Protestant University of Central Africa (PUCA) and Institut Universitaire Siantou (IUS), a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) which you shall sign with The University of Bamenda today forms just the intention to collaborate. That is, our MoU is nothing more than a declaration of our intentions to cooperate and such cooperation only becomes concrete with the signing of a Specific Partnership Agreement which is the translation of such intentions. Accordingly, during this signing ceremony, Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC), Bamenda will “graduate” from an MoU to Specific Partnership Agreement (SPA) while the Higher Institute of Management Studies (HIMS), Buea will seek to incorporate its English Language Proficiency to its other programmes which are already a subject of a SPA with UBa.
Ladies and Gentlemen, I will like our partners to understand that the purpose of our partnership is the quest of academic excellence for mutual benefits and fruitful academic and professional initiatives in teaching, research, outreach services and good university governance. To succeed in our pursuit, collective action, institutional collaboration and exchanges amongst partners have to be prioritized. It is in keeping with these objectives that the first UBa partners unanimously constituted themselves into a UBa Partnership Forum (UBPF) on October 23, 2012. I invite you to consider registering with this Forum through the University Cooperation Division (UCD).
I wish to inform our partners that UBa will soon launch programmes for its Postgraduate School. The different academic and professional units shall progressively go operational as the human; financial and infrastructural resources shall become available.
Finally, I will like to thank the Head of State, H. E President Paul Biya whose University Governance Framework continue to serve as a scale on which our vision is placed. On this Framework of University Governance, UBa and its Partners will surely contribute to the advancement of Cameroon’s Higher Education and our transition from a developing nation to the much craved for emerging nation status by 2035.
I wish you all a memorable stay on our modest UBa campus and a safe trip back to your various institutions.
Long live partnerships in Higher Education
Long Live the Ministry of Higher Education
Long Live the Republic of Cameroon

Good Investment Sectors in Cameroon



Cameroon's economic needs and potentials are such that there are a great variety of good investment sectors. Amongst other can be cited:
  • The transformation of materials which leads to the production of a finished or semi finished goods;
  • Extraction and transformation of mineral resources;
  • The transformation of hydrocarbons;
  • Forest exploitation assorted with the transformation of wood;
  • Agricultural production;
  • Production;
  • Stock breeding;
  • Industrial and local fishing;
  • Transformation of agricultural products, animal or halieutic;
  • Stocking and conservation activities of food products;
  • Making of necessary materials for public buildings;
  • Maintenance of industrial equipment focused on the making on spore ports;
  • Naval repairs, technological research activities and the management of data;
  • Hospitals and pharmaceutical laboratories;
  • Trial, analysis and control of raw material laboratories for finished or semi finished products used or produced by the industry;
  • Touristic restoration areas when they are integrated in a touristic pack or implanted in a touristic site known by touristic administration.
 Favourable conditions to investment
 The economy has enjoy a growth rate of 5% for some years, which has to increase;
  • Democratic institutions and the political stability make of Cameroon a country where the risk concerning investment of minimal;
  • Its geographical location between west and central Africa, gives it a unique statistic position in terms of trade exchanges. It gives access to several central African countries and some regions of Nigeria;
  • Its extension of 1200km gives it a great variety of natural potentials;
  • It has abundant and qualified labour, which is cheap and endowed with a great adaptation and initiative capacity which is indispensable for companies;
  • Cameroon has a diversified industrial fabric in expansion, presenting a permanent network of sub contracts;
  • It has a regulatory and legislative frame which gives freedom to invest and the free transfer of industrial and commercial benefits as well as salaries;
  • It has numerous natural resources (petroleum, gas, bauxite, iron, nickel, wood) and agricultural products (cocoa, coffee, cotton, banana, hevea, palm oil, pineapple);
  • It has a vast privatisation programme of public and Para public companies whose list is detailed in the chapter of privatisation. 

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