Although the two terms are used interchangeably nowadays, the difference lies on the design of the programs that triggers the processes - how frequent can it be interrupted to give way to another process.

In multiprogramming a list of programs are queued and switches programs from active to passive states. If the program turns into a passive state another program would be considered active.

Whereas in multi-tasking, it eliminates this condition - it tries to pause/stop the currently running process instantly regardless of the state and executes another process instantly.

First, the updates and points of discussion:

1. Microsoft is suing companies left and right

2. Yes, they (might) own most of the copyrights/patents for the essential technologies in software development.

3. Microsoft has managed to overpower companies that invented or produced a technology that people use and really enjoy, but now has to stop its production because according to Microsoft the technology infringes the terms of intellectual property rights.

Lately, Microsoft is getting better in suing companies - better than improving their own technologies. I understand the scope of intellectual property rights, how it can protect a company and destroy an idea or invention. Let's say that Microsoft has won in most/every IPR case, can this company be able to deliver the technologies they kill?

If they can - good. I'll stop the hate.

If they can't, which apparently is the current situation, then Microsoft is just getting richer, while some of use are getting dumber.

Of course, Microsoft still dominates the PCs and/or servers with their system and application softwares. But if we're going to talk about the web and mobile arena, I think they have failed to evolve together with their target audiences.

Well, Microsoft hasn't really been known as a company of innovation, Apple takes on that job really well. It's like Microsoft is still in beta testing mode after a decade of web and mobile evolution. 

"I HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR A GREAT THING TO HAPPEN AND I'M STILL WAITING."

Have you used Microsoft's search engine - Bing!? You know the search engine that has a fancy page layout but fails to deliver the results that you really need? I check it from time to time to see if it's still alive. Honestly, I'd rather use Yahoo! than Bing. But, Microsoft was able to buy that system too, probably now they understand what went wrong while analyzing Yahoo!'s source codes and network infrastructures.

Come to think of it, Microsoft now owns two search engines, but most of us are still using Google. They have the money but it seems they don't have the right people to invent the things WE NEED.

Have you seen a Windows Phone powered smartphone yet? My sister bought this huge smartphone - HTC HD7 - and as usual the graphical user interface is great, I was blown away when I first saw it, but when we tried sending files via bluetooth it failed to detect my Android phone. Sure, games look better in Windows Phones but check out the battery life! If you want to last a day while executing multimedia apps I suggest you buy an extra battery or don't ever, ever forget to bring the charger.

How about the fees in Windows Phone development? $99. You'd demand that amount without any guarantee of returns in investment. AND, WORSE HAVE YOU CHECKED THE MARKET SHARE OF WINDOWS PHONES?

As a developer, would you be inspired to create apps because of 10% market share?

Oh, and don't forget the maps...ok, I'll be kind here...it's a work in progress too.

It appears that Microsoft is creating a huge hindrance in reaching the full potential of (technological) user experience, by slowly killing other technologies that they fail to invent or produce.

And that's what worries me, on a small scale. But if you really think about it and imagine the future, you might feel the urge to scream out of frustration.

This is a simple Flash animation I created for my (UPOU) DEVCOM 207 course last semester.

The video contains information about the roles of women in the history of computers, current statistics and possible reasons on the status or participation of women in IT and how to encourage women to become computer programmers.

Gender is not an issue if you really want to pursue a career in (information) technology or other related fields.

Reference: Wikipedia

Digital convergence of news media was called "Mediamorphosis" by researcher Roger Fidler. He actually published a book entitled, "Mediamorphosis: Understanding New Media", wherein he gives the 6 fundamental principles in mediamorphosis (page 29).

1. coevolution and coexistence
2. metamorphosis
3. propagation
4. survival
5. opportunity and need
6. delayed adoption

According to the definitions of propagation and survival:

"Emerging forms of communication media propagate dominant traits from earlier forms. These traits are passed on and spread through communicatory codes called languages. While survival states that all forms of communication media, as well as media enterprises are compelled to adapt and evolve for survival in a changing environment. Their only other option is to die."

Based on these assumptions and from what we are already experiencing, methods in gathering information is almost the same, what's noticeable are (1) broadcasters and journalists are provided nowadays with multi-purpose devices like smartphones or PC tablets, so they can publish news via different technologies and (2) how they broadcast news, again they have their laptops or PC tablets so they can also check real time news from other websites.

In terms of producing devcom materials for print and radio, we would often see and hear URLs of websites, this is considered as brand extension in order to promote news from their own sites (online version) or other 3rd party sources like Twitter or Facebook.

In reality, traditional media would not be lost in this technological synergy. I believe that the process in gathering news, designing or layouting of magazines or newspapers, are also applied when creating webpages. The target audience is still the same, what's really changing is the transfer from a physical form (in this case, paper) to virtual form.

I share the same belief with InfoTrends analyst John Shane in his statement,

"I wouldn't call it the paperless office -- that's not going to happen for ages. But the less-paper office is coming."

The idea of a paperless society was presented on 1975, but the advancement in paper publishing in the 1990s lead to more production and printing of documents. Printers and scanners have been more sophisticated, the machines were able to print more documents per minute or scan images and documents which are still going to be printed or duplicated for later. Although, emails already existed at that time, people were still printing those emails for permanency. Also fax machines, are still widely used nowadays.

In reality, the idea of a paperless society is tied with the available hardware and software, and of course a person or company's budget to buy these technologies to pursue this objective. Businesses would benefit from a paperless office because this means they would save costs on paper, envelopes, postage, couriers, printers, copiers and, of course, filing cabinets. Moreover, a paperless office is good for the environment since less trees are cut-down.

Portable computer tablets, such as Apple's iPad, lets you view digital versions of a newspaper or magazine and can be used to jot down notes by the finger. But this would cost you around PHP 20,000.00. Of course not everyone, can afford this technology and they don't see the point of buying computer tablets as long as the more affordable print version exists.

Regarding portability, if I were in a plane and have to read 1 legal document, do I really need to open my laptop or computer tablet? I don't think so, I would still prefer to have that single piece of paper.

The current technology isn't prepared to store documents on a permanent basis, one virus infection on the computer server could corrupt all files. Digitally signed documents still impose uncertainty on (legal) validation. There is no law for digitally signed documents yet in the Philippines.

And personally, I prefer to write my notes on a piece of paper.


source:

Is the 'paperless' office here at last?