ALKHOBAR, 21 May — The final examinations for Saudi high school seniors begin on Saturday. These are very important exams because the overall graduation score, which is determined in large part from these tests, decides who will qualify for university entrance. In the Saudi education system, the overall graduation score is calculated by adding together the individually weighted subject scores. The final exam in any subject makes up 30 percent of its overall yearly score. To weight the subjects, the real yearly score in any subject is multiplied by the number of times the subject is taught weekly. For example, in order to derive the weighted math score, the real final yearly score in mathematics will be multiplied by six, which is the number of class periods it is taught weekly. Mathematics carries more weight toward the cumulative score for graduation than any other subject and it will be the first of the final exams administered.

One might think that in preparation for the mathematics final, senior high school students would be frantically doing math problems and getting as much experience as possible in using the equations common to advanced mathematics classes. But no, that is not the case. Instead, the students are spending most of their time memorizing equations. There are approximately nine pages of equations from which the test will be drawn, and Saudi high school seniors must memorize them all.

This is a horrific waste. The importance of a mathematics test is to ensure that students understand the equations taught and can use them creatively. In some countries, for mathematics exams, students are even allowed to bring along calculators into which the equations have been pre-programmed.

Here in the Kingdom we have been talking for years about upgrading the curriculum taught in our schools. Introducing new subjects such as computer science and advanced English takes time and requires commitment of funds and resources. Changing the way students learn and use mathematics would cost nothing. Such a change could be implemented rapidly and would dramatically enhance the education and abilities of Saudi youth. Mathematics is at the base of all technology. The way we are currently teaching the subject cripples our students’ creativity and condemns Saudi society to consume but not produce technology, forever.

Moving on, my thanks go out to the many readers who sent mail about last week’s column. People have noticed that video surveillance is now common in public places all over the Kingdom including ATM booths, airports, automobile dealerships, shopping malls, supermarkets, hotels and schools. People feel that the trend is unusual because so many sites in the Kingdom still bear warning signs stating, “Photography is not allowed.”

Perhaps due to the prohibition on photography in so many places in Saudi Arabia, some people will go to great lengths to take photographs here. Digital cameras have been instrumental in the photography revolution currently under way in the Kingdom. Cheap personal photo printers and the ability to export images over the Internet are allowing views of the Kingdom to be sent abroad as never before. The photo appearing with the column today is a bit grainy, but it is still clear enough to see that the subject is a woman in her abaya standing near a doorway.

It was shot through the peephole of an apartment door by an expatriate using a Sony digital camera equipped with a wide-angle lens. To the many readers who wrote about how much they disliked being under constant video surveillance in public places, all I can advise is keep your curtains closed and beware! Your neighbors are lurking.

If you think hidden cameras are awful, how would you feel about wackos who create e-mail hoaxes that encourage you to destroy your computer’s operating system? This ugly example of social engineering is not new, but it has become more refined. Two weeks ago, Internet users in the Kingdom began receiving e-mail from friends. The messages read:

“I found the little bear in my machine because of that I am sending this message in order for you to find it in your machine. The procedure is very simple:

“The objective of this e-mail is to warn all Hotmail users about a new virus that is spreading by MSN Messenger. The name of this virus is jdbgmgr.exe and it is sent automatically by the Messenger and by the address book too. The virus is not detected by McAfee or Norton and it stays quiet for 14 days before damaging the system.

“The virus can be cleaned before it deletes the files from your system. In order to eliminate it, it is just necessary to do the following steps.”

The mails went on to explain how to get rid of the virus and requested that all contacts in a person’s address book be advised if the virus was found. Unfortunately, jdbgmgr.exe was not a virus. The Microsoft file was a Java Debugger Manager installed with the Windows operating system. This hoax was similar to a previous one involving a file called SULFNBK.EXE.

Many people deleted jdbgmgr.exe and then sent out the hoax to all their friends, who also deleted the file in their machines. Jdbgmgr.exe is not a critical system file but without it some Java applets do not run correctly. There is a way to get it back. The file version may vary with your operating system and version of Internet Explorer. For re-installation instructions click to http:// support.microsoft.com/ default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q322993&. Don’t be a victim of social engineering. Check virus hoaxes at kumite.com/myths, hoaxbusters.ciac.org or hoaxinfo.com.

While we are dealing with assorted Microsoft details, the Microsoft Saudi website has announced a restructuring of Microsoft’s Middle East operations once again. In early 2000, Mohammed Kateeb became general manager of Microsoft Saudi Arabia. Then he started out 2002 as GM Microsoft Gulf. Now Kateeb has been appointed managing director, Microsoft Middle East, headquartered in Dubai Internet City.

According to the website, Kateeb “is responsible for all aspects of the company’s business in the region covering UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Yemen, Lebanon, Jordan, Cyprus, Malta, Egypt and Pakistan.”

It appears that the position, GM Microsoft Gulf, no longer exists.

A press release was sent out last week stating that Microsoft had reduced the price of its Xbox video game system. In the US the Xbox is now being sold for $199.99. That announcement came on the heels of Sony reducing the price of the PlayStation 2. It will retail in the US for $199.99. The Xbox hasn’t had an official roll out in the Middle East and Microsoft isn’t planning to market it here for perhaps another six months. It is for sale on the gray market though. PlayStation 2 is available throughout the Middle East. Checking with retailers here in the Eastern Province, even after price reductions, the cost of either machine was at least $40 more than the US price.

If you do own a PlayStation 2 there is an interesting release which is expected to ship in the US tomorrow. Linux is now available for PS2. The Linux kit will turn the PS2 into a fully functional desktop computer. The kit comes with Linux for PlayStation 2 version 1.0 software, Monitor Cable Adapter, Internal Hard Disc Drive (40 GB), Network Adapter (Ethernet), USB Keyboard & USB Mouse. Users must additionally purchase a Memory Card (8M) and an appropriate monitor.

Linux for PlayStation 2 is aimed mainly at the hobbyist home computer enthusiast. Sony advises that to install, configure and use the kit, you must be computer literate. They strongly recommend that potential users have a basic understanding of the Linux operating system before purchasing the product.

If installing Linux on your PS2 intrigues you, please check out the comprehensive information in the frequently asked questions at: http://playstation2-linux.com/faq. php#What_is_Linux_for_PS2. There was one FAQ that was extremely interesting. It read:

“Will experience with Linux for PlayStation 2 help me get a job in game development?

“A: Yes. As mentioned elsewhere in this FAQ, the hardware details and programming for the Linux kit is almost identical to that provided to professional PlayStation 2 game developers. If you become an expert with developing for the PlayStation 2 hardware using the Linux kit, then this is valuable experience toward becoming a professional.

“However, such experience should always be combined with good academic qualifications.”

It seems that adding a Linux kit to a PS2 could finally allow the machine to be used for something more creative than blowing away imaginary bad guys. What would be even more creative than that is to see a Linux kit running on the Xbox.

The response to Local View on Linux, which was published two weeks back, was overwhelming. Kurt A. Peterson suggests that everyone take a look at HancomLinux’s recent Arabic efforts. See http://ar.hancom.com.

For those who are really interested in learning more about the Linux revolution, come out to the “Ready for Real Business” Linux event, which will be held on June 2 at the Holiday Inn, Manama, Bahrain. Independent software developers, local solution providers and Middle East computer societies will be joining hosts IBM and partners at this major Open Source event.

The “Ready for Real Business” Linux event, currently running in major cities around the world, will bring to Bahrain some of the world’s pre-eminent Linux experts. Bahrain will be the only stop in the Middle East for this global Linux roadshow.

This event will include a conference with keynotes from local and international industry experts, as well as case studies of organizations that are effectively using Linux. “Ready for Real Business” Linux will provide live demonstrations of integrated Linux solutions, as well as a special focus topic of Linux in the oil sector and the Arabization of Linux. The roadshow will also showcase solution providers and system integrators from the Middle East.

The event’s host, IBM, has been proactive in increasing the profile of Linux, both globally and regionally. Last year, IBM announced its plans to dedicate nearly $1 billion and 1,500 hundred in-house developers to its Linux initiative. IBM also extended its commitment to Linux in the region, establishing a large Cairo-based development team to work on Arabizing Linux.

IBM is a core supporter of this Arabization project, in conjunction with other Linux user groups and organizations such as the Saudi Linux Group and the King Abdul Aziz City for Science and Technology (KACST). The team in Egypt is focused on adapting the code that is necessary to make Linux capable of handling Arabic properly, setting standards and putting it into the hands of the open source community.

Registration for the event can be done online at www.registration.cc/ibm4/linux/ bahrain or in Saudi Arabia on telephone (800) 124-0444.

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