What are some indications that tell you that you have to "GET ON IT?" Well, if you CAN remember all your login names and passwords (and youre supposed to use different ones to minimize fraud!) youve used for different accounts like your e-mail account, online bank account, bills, etc., then youre not, technologically speaking, "with it." Forgetting your password for an online account is supposed to be an everyday occurrence in these times!
My advice for you to GET ON IT! is not because its simply "in" to walk around with some high-tech gadget. I say GET ON IT! Why? Because we absolutely need to get more and more Filipinos to start doing things online whether it is through a PC or a mobile device. When I say "doing things online," I dont mean Web-surfing, chatting or e-mailing, but doing PRODUCTIVE things online such as banking, shopping and, hopefully soon, stock trading. If we want the Philippines to achieve some recognition worldwide in the area of ICT, we must first show that weve embraced technology in our ordinary lives.
One area in which I believe the Philippines can achieve Tier One status is in the area of mobile e-commerce. Mobile e-commerce is gaining ground locally primarily because of the popularity of "texting." After all, the Philippines is known as the "Texting Capital of the World" and the country where Nokia tests its newest mobile devices. We have an edge at the moment in this particular sector. We have a flourishing m-commerce industry marked by innovations and creativity mobile auctions, mobile instant messaging services, mobile premium services such as ring tones and logos But watch out! China has vowed to overtake all of Asia in the mobile communications sector by 2003.
In my opinion, one good strategy to maintain and increase our foothold in the area of mobile communications and m-commerce is to simply keep using such devices as much as we can everyday. Reports have it that the average mobile phone user in the Philippines sends 30 text messages per day. So, let us do our share wisely. Let us show that were not techno-phobic, that we can embrace the latest technologies, that investments in emerging technologies will not be wasted in the Philippines.
GET ON IT now! Do it for yourself and your country!
Semper Fi!