We're Pirates, Ape!

Once in a while we hear about Armenians and their involvement in shady endeavors, no doubt obvious propaganda by the Turkish government. Surely we are incapable of fraud, crime, and dishonesty in general! Other times, we realize it's all too true.

[Software] Piracy was most prevalent in Armenia, Bangladesh and Azerbaijan, where more than 90 percent of PCs had unlicensed software.

Software piracy not only hurts software developers, it also harms local resellers, reduces government tax revenues and increases the risk of computer security problems and crime...

Weighed against the fact that it's free? I think this is one time we are agreed with our evil neighbors to the East.

Source: Orlando Business Journal

Mer Bak, The Game

Just when I thought the Mer Bak trilogy couldn't get any worse, there comes this. Mind you, I liked the first one and the second one was okay, but that's about it!

In the first Level Hrant should help Dоdо to solve his flat problem where inhabitants of courtyard help him. In the second Level Hrant intends to marry with Ira, trying to win her heart. In the final Level are deciding internal problems which will be solved again by Hrant.

This is most likely the first movie, product placement, and video game tie-in that Armenia has ever seen.

Do you have $10 that you absolutely don't know what to do with? Spend it on a movie ticket and popcorn, because this game seems awful. I hear good things about Hot Fuzz.

Source: Mer Bake, The Game

Free Armenian Fonts!

Ever wanted to type in Armenian? For the 15% of you who can actually read and write in your native language, here are two places where you can download fonts!

You can get them here and here. If you know other good sites with fonts, let me know and I'll add them here.

Virtual Laboratories in Armenian Schools

How do students perform various experiments without the proper equipment? Why, virtually, of course!

Virtual labs have been in use in the republic since 2002 when the first software programs gave students the opportunity to conduct experiments and to overcome shortages of real equipment in their schools.

The virtual laboratories provide pupils with chemical materials and experimental dishes chosen with the help of the computer mouse. Actions they take during the experiment are monitored by the program, which makes remarks on their choices and gives instruction. The program provides the student with the formulas of reactions that take place during the experiment.

"However, these programs are mainly used by the most open-minded teachers. Many others don’t want to betray the old traditional teaching methods and also they do not know how to use computers: maybe this problem should also be thought through."

This is terrific. As they say, necessity is the mother of invention!

Source: ArmeniaNow

Microsoft & Armenia Sign Agreement

From poverty to the richest man on Earth. What a transition!

The Armenian government and Microsoft Corporation will sign a contract on cooperation. The press service of the ministry of trade and economic development of Armenia reported that Trade Minister Karen Chshmarityan and President of Microsoft Bill Gates signed the contract in Edinburgh on Tuesday.

What exactly does agreement this entail? Perhaps providing Windows Vista to rigged voting machines? No!

According to Banks.am:

According to the signed agreement, Microsoft will realize investment, educational and innovation programs in Armenia aimed at further development of the sphere of Information Technologies. In particular, Microsoft plans to establish its Innovation Center in Armenia.

I'm always dubious of Microsoft's ulterior motives, but this cooperation has the possibility of making Bill Gates an anti-poverty proponent in Armenia. Now that I would like to see!

Source: Arka

Apple Computer Wants Big Bite Out of Armenian Market

Not content with the sales of millions of iPods and other Apple items, the company recently began its presence in the Armenian market.

Officially the [Apple] Center opened on December 15, 2006, and the Company was registered in May 2005. There is demand practically for all the "Apple" production. The Armenian computer market is already practically formed, and the "Apple" production is a somewhat different approach to the world of computers.

In the nearest future we intend to cover the level of 30-40% of the market - this is a very serious index. It is reasoned by the quality of the production and the pricing policy of "Apple". So, in Yerevan the "Apple" equipment cost only 5-7% more expensive than in the USA.

The prices of the "Apple" computers in the Armenian Center start from $1700. We also realize credit sales with 20% pre-pay and 6-12 months credit term.

It's always surprising to me that there are people in Armenia with enough money to buy $100,000 cars, $2,000 computers, and $5,000 purses. Besides the minority that rules the country in a virtual monopoly, how do the rest of them generate such enormous sums? What percent of Armenians can afford a $1,700 computer?

Source: Banks.am

Armenian Hackers Deface Azeri Public TV Website

That's the claim, anyway:

A statement presented as an announcement of the secret services of Armenia was placed on the online site of the Azerbaijan Public TV last weekend. The statement contained threat of physical destruction of the Azerbaijan hacker cracking the Armenian sites, saying "it was the last warning."

The so-called war of hackers between Armenia and Azerbaijan is not a new phenomenon and has been proceeding for 10 years with variable success and is accompanied by campaigns in the mass media of two countries.

So these people - on both sides - have so much time on their hands that they spend their time playing a very complicated form of tag? Imagine if they spent that time on more important pursuits, such as blogging!

Source: Today.az

10-15% of Armenian Computers Connected to the Internet

Given the web presence of Armenians, it is quite a surprise. Then again, many Armenians online are not from Armenia at all!

The overall number of computers in Armenia, both old and new is estimated at about 500,000 but only 10-15 percent of them are connected to Internet, according to Andranik Alexanian, chief manager of Arminco company, which is the biggest Internet provider. He said overall 100,000 people in Armenia have access to Internet, adding that population in remote areas, and especially in rural areas, do not even dream of having access to Internet.

The progress is seen in Gyumri, Vanadzor, Kapan, Hrazdan and Etchmiadzin towns, where the percentage of people with access to Internet in even higher than in Yerevan.

And to think that Yerevan is assumed as being the most everything city! Regardless, the free exchange of information for all computer users is very important. In a democracy, it is essential.

Source: ArmenPress

Armenia's Information Technology Sector Expands

Given the number of university graduates in Armenia, it only makes sense for the country to focus very heavily on expanding the IT sector. As a stable market in an unstable region, many companies obviously see the potential in our little country.

Armenia IT sector which experts say is the most advanced in the region, has expanded to $83.7 million in 2006, but nevertheless it is beginning to experience a shortage of skilled labor.

...some 150 companies, 105 are local ones, are working actively in this sector. In 2006 such IT giants as Microsoft, Ericsson and Sonics entered the Armenian market, while Intel launched a workshop here for assembling of laptops.

Our future will look bright once we move from mere manufacturing to research & development of nanotech, biotech, and other cutting-edge technologies.

Source: ArmenPress