(Borneo Post; September 23, 2006)

KUCHING: Undergraduates of Curtin University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Miri, took the top two placings in the Sarawak Open Source Competition.

Lai Chiong Ching won the first prize with his software programme ' File Injection and Retrieval Application Version 2 (FIRA 2)' and away with RM6,000.

In essence, FIRA2 is a file stenography-an encryption application written in java script that compresses or hides text messages into bitmap image files.

For those not familiar with the term, stenography is the art and science of writing hidden message in such a way that no one, apart from intended recipient, knows the existence of the message itself is not disguised but the content is obscured.

The system is built with password-locking for better security against tamperings. A team of three undergraduates- David Wong Liang Tai, Chan Chen Shyang and John Lau Kah Soon, also from the Curtin University- bagged the second prize with the software programme entitled 'Reprogrammable Intelligent Battery Charger (RIBAC) 1.0, and won RM3,000.

RIBAC 1.0 is a smart battery charger that takes advantage of embedded programming using a microcontroller to monitor a NiCD or NiMH battery charging condition without overcharging the battery, thus increasing the life-span of the rechargeable battery.

The third prize went to an undergraduate from University Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Aravinth K. Manogarn. He won RM1,000 for his innovative software programme entitled Interactive Kuching City Map, which provides suggestion of travel plan for tourists according to their interests and demands, and is an ideal software for tourism-related companeis to promote their products.

Sarawak Information Sytems Sdn Bhd (Sains) organised the competition in collaboration with Information Communication and Technology Unit (ICTU) of the Chief Minister's Department.

It is a State government initiative to encourage the community to adopt or develop solutions, using Open Source software as a cheaper alternative.

The competition received very good response from Engineering and IT undergraduates from the State's major universities such as Curtin, Unimas and Swinburne.

Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Dr George Chan, who is also Sains chairman, gave away the prizes.

Among those present were ICTU director, William Nyigor and Sains chief executive officer Teo Tien Hiong.