Thursday, February 26, 2009

官民互動共享創意

「…瀏覽此網站的人士在網站提供的內客,會以共享創意形式免費授權給白宮網站以向全世界發放。白官網站連這機會也不放過,要向全球用戶介紹共享創意!」

美國總統奧巴馬的確不愧為「最懂得 Web 2.0、並身體力行」的政治人物。從他競選時使用互聯網的策略,至今他執政之後的互動、參與式電子政府管治改革都令人眼前一亮,令人再次肯定奧巴馬真的是一位明白 Web 2.0 的政客。

只要大家打開的奧巴馬全新的白官網站除與他競選期間一氣呵成的網站設計外,請大家到頁底部份參考一下版權告示,就可見奧巴馬改革的勇氣。版權告示這樣說:「根據聯邦法律,在此網站內政府製作的內容不受版權保障。」(「Pursuant to federal law, government-produced materials appearing on this site are not copyright protected.」)

沒有搞錯,並非誤植了“not”字,而是真的放棄了版權保障。你要的話,拿去用吧。開放政府至此,是自信表現,還有甚麼話說?佩服。不過,知識的分享,尤其是本屬公共資源的政府擁有內容,本不應當如此的?

之後,告示內展示了共享創意(Creative Commons)的標誌,表示所有第三者提供網站內容,除另行指出外都可用共享創意「署名」(「BY」或 Attribution)授權,也即是說,瀏覽此網站的人士在網站提供的內客,會以共享創意形式免費授權給白宮網站以向全世界發放。白官網站連這機會也不放過,要向全球用戶介紹共享創意!

什麼是共享創意?根據去年底才在香港推出的香港版 CC:「共享創意是涵蓋範圍廣泛的彈性版權授權條款。傳統版權條款要麼是『保留全部版權」,要麼是無任何保護的『公共領域』。而共用創意則處於兩者之間,既方便創作者『保留部份版權』,又容許他人使用作品。」

美國政府最高領導網站如此,香港特區政府又是怎辦?在「香港政府一站通」(www.gov.hk)的版權告示內:「除註明外,香港特別行政區政府乃『一站通』所有內容(包括但不限於所有文本、圖像、圖畫、圖片、照片以及數據或其他材料的彙編)的版權擁有人。為鼓勵『一站通』所載的內容得以廣泛傳播,你可自由瀏覽、列示、下載及列印本網站內由政府擁有版權的內容作非商業用途,但必須保留網站內容原來的格式,及須註明有關內容原屬香港特區政府或『香港政府一站通』所有,並複印此版權告示於所有複製本內。政府保留所有本版權告示沒有明確授予的權利。若你需要使用前述的內容作任何其他並非上述所批准的用途,須事先得到政府的書面同意。」

其實,特區政府不少部門網站都已設有類似版權條文,雖然未及白宮網站全面開放,但在精神上仍算是鼓勵分享。但與其長篇大論告示,何不採納意義相近的「署名 - 非商業性 - 禁止衍生」(BY, NC, ND)共享創意(香港)授權條款?除了更精簡外,更對內容版權在便利分享之餘,反有更佳保障,並可讓各部門網站的版權告示統一而便利市民,對共享創意(香港)更是最佳的公眾教育,正是一舉多得。

可惜在過往香港政府對自己製作內容過份保守,是時候追上廿一世紀了,筆者希望政府能利用共享創意(香港)把內容資源開放出來,不要忘記,即使如此,仍未及白宮網站之完全開放政策,但至少算是向前一步。香港政府能不能?


白宮網站 版權告示: www.whitehouse.gov/copyright

共享創意(香港): hk.creativecommons.org

刊載於《Hitech》 2009年2月26日

醫療 保安科技 行情看俏

資訊科技從業人員在現今全球經濟不景下,往往成為最容易受傷的一群。的確,企業在必要控制成本情况下,資訊科技被視為支援性功能,當為成本中心而並非收入中心;大家批評企業短視也好,她們就是會這樣想、這樣做。

我們作為前線專業工作者的,唯有努力自保。即使公司和機構老闆真的如此短視,我們也別跟他們一般見識。我們不如看看應如何強化自身競爭能力,這樣不單止在低潮中能自保,也為未來走出谷底時作最好準備!

首先,筆者要推介醫療網資訊科技的機會。過去十多年,香港的公營醫療體系已自我發展出一個全球第一流的電子醫療平台;尤其是在臨床管理及電子病歷系統方面,比最先進科技國家也毫不遜色。不僅如此,在本地人口老化的大勢下,醫療需求量必然持續增加,電子醫療發展亦正好配合政府在醫療融資改革的政策目標:醫療改革的目標是,改善公私營醫療服務失衡;要得到平衡,首要是發展全港性電子健康紀錄系統。

去年起政府已為發展醫院管理局第三代臨床管理系統撥款7.8億元,目前醫管局仍在增聘資訊科技人手,可見全港性電子健康紀錄是勢在必行;另一方面,私營醫療機構近年亦增加投資在資訊科技,對醫療資訊科技有經驗的專業人才,自然供不應求。因此,進修醫療資訊科技的需求也增加了,浸會大學理工大學將分別開設醫療資訊科技相關的學士和碩士課程。

第二個行情看好的是資訊保安,理由更加簡單:企業更倚賴互聯網和電腦,因此而催生的保安、私隱等問題愈來愈多及嚴重;即使要減省人手,向資訊保安人員開刀的話,始終風險至大。在資訊保安範圍之內,也有從防禦走向調查式的鑑識科學。最近有快畢業的大學生問筆者,考取什麼專業資格有用?筆者回答,資訊保安相關的專業資格,應該是最有學以致用的機會。

就業情況不善,另外一種出路,是自僱或創業。常言道互聯網是強大的「均衡器」,大公司能做的,小公司甚至個人也可以,例如,愈來愈多人發現,可以創作新的軟件,放在網上供人試用、以至收費下載。本地也有成功例子:「2008香港資訊及通訊科技獎」的全年大獎得主,是一家名為PremiumSoft CyberTech的公司,得獎產品《Navicat for MySQL》在多年來已得到來自130個國家、超過50,000名客戶!利用在互聯網分享特性來做生意,打出國際市場,是值得參考的好例子!

總之,不好的日子早晚會過去,保持信心,自我增值,一定沒有錯。

刊載於《ezone》2009年2月26日

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

IT360 #15: Special Budget 2009-10 Issue



My Preliminary Response to the Budget

Here is my preliminary response to the Government's Budget 2009-2010.
  • The Budget has failed to take advantage of the financial downturn to plan for Hong Kong's long-term future by investing in our technology industry and furthering our integration with the regional Pearl River Delta economy.

  • There is also a lack of initiatives to assist SMEs, especially those in the ICT sector. Our call for expanding Continuing Education Fund (CEF) to cover ICT and replenishing the SME Education Fund are ignored.

  • I have proposed the Ten Information Infrastructure Projects to the Financial Secretary, and I am glad to see that Government IT spending under OGCIO has been increased (18.2%), and the Government has committed $840 million for 3 years for the development of a territory-wide electronic health record. Also, my proposal for the e-citizen account will be materialized under the MyGovHK implementation.

  • However, I am disappointed to see that other major proposals were not taken up, in particular, in intelligent transport, education and food safety, etc. My proposal to hire one IT assistant per school to generate over 1,000 jobs in IT was not taken up.

  • I will continue to monitor Government to make sure that our ICT industry benefits from the increase, and procurement policy problems are properly addressed and improved.

  • I am disappointed that the Government has not acted on industry calls to strengthen our core areas of technology infrastructure, including information security, and developing Hong Kong as a wireless city.

  • While the Government has expressed that it will explore the feasibility of Phase 3 of the Hong Kong Science Park, it has not addressed industry call to plan and allocate land for the long-term development of data centers, which has been facing critical shortage of spaces, and will surely deteriorate sharply when the economy bounces back.

  • In the area of digital inclusion, I welcome the Government's proposal to develop an elderly portal, but the efficiency and objectives of the educational programme to “teach young Internet users to use the Internet appropriately and safety” for $63 million is uncertain. In fact, that amount is almost enough to hire one IT assistant for half of the schools in Hong Kong, which will be of much more use to schools, teachers and students.

IT in the Budget 2009-10

This morning, the Financial Secretary gave his second Budget Speech. Here is a list of IT-related initiatives from the Budget Speech:

Major initiatives (from the Budget speech)
  • conduct a one-year education programme to teach Internet users, especially young students, how to use the Internet appropriately and safely. (63 million | 500 jobs) (Para 27)
  • promote cooperation between SZ and Hong Kong by "Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle". This aims at attracting more overseas enterprises to conduct scentific research in Hong Kong (Para 59-61)
  • exploring the feasibility of and the development plans for Phase 3 of the Park (Para 64)
  • increase the number of calls for Innovation and Technology Fund (ITF) applications and expand the funded technology areas. The criteria for the Internship Programme under the ITF will be relaxed. The grant ceiling for each project funded under the Small Entrepreneur Research Assistance Programme will be raised to $4 million. (Para 67)
  • set up a dedicated office to co-ordinate work on the development of a creative economy ($300 millions for 3 years)(Para 69)
  • develop a territory-wide electronic health record system ($840 million for 3 years, among other initiatives)(Para 106)
  • set up a dedicated portal for the elderly to provide one-stop information service on elderly services and the silver hair market. Various computer courses will also be offered by the Elder Academies (Para 116)

Government IT Spending Development

Government IT Spending Development:

Telecommunications Division, Communications and Techology Branch, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau 2008-09 (revised): $27.2m
2009-10 (estimated): $27.5m (+1.1% | −21.9% on 2008–09 Original)

Broadcasting, Film Services and Creative Industries Division, Communications and Techology Branch, Commerce and Economic Development Bureau
2008-09 (revised): $36.2m
2009-10 (estimated): $38.8m (+7.2% | +36.6% on 2008–09 Original)

Office of Government Chief Information Officer
2008-09 (revised): $555.0m
2009-10 (estimated): $655.8m (+18.2% | +16.2% on 2008–09 Original)

Innovation and Technology Commission (Include appropriation for HKPC and ASTRI)
2008-09 (revised): $512.2m
2009-10 (estimated): $518.5m (+1.2% | +2.1% on 2008–09 Original)

IT-related items requiring special attention in 2009-10

IT-related items specified as "Requiring Special Attention in 2009−10" in the Budget are as follows:

ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
  • enhance existing and develop new information systems for improved efficiency and transparency
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
  • launch a system for retrieval of building plans and records in the form of electronic images on the internet
CENSUS AND STATISTICS DEPARTMENT
  • Following the recommendations made in the Information Systems Strategy Study completed in 2004, the Department is implementing a number of strategic IT projects to replace the Full Harmonized System, and to set up a department-wide output production system, two department-wide data capturing systems as well as a knowledge management support system, on top of other strategic IT projects which have been completed already.
CIVIL AVIATION DEPARTMENT
  • prepare tender specification for the procurement of replacement of air traffic control systems;
CORRECTIONAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
  • explore the application of advanced technology and other measures for enhancement of daily operation at penal institutions.
CUSTOMS AND EXCISE DEPARTMENT
  • oversee the development and delivery of a Road Cargo System to enable the industry to submit electronic advance cargo information for enhancing the operational efficiency of cargo clearance for road cargoes and facilitating cross-boundary cargo movement
  • safeguard the rights of intellectual property owners and the interests and safety of consumers;
  • strengthen action against piracy and counterfeiting activities by developing more vigorous enforcement strategies and launching more intelligence-based operations;
  • sustain the co-operative alliance with the industries and agencies in detecting retail sale of infringing goods to safeguard Hong Kong as a shopping paradise for genuine brand products;
  • investigate intellectual property rights offences under the scope of organised and serious crimes, and apply to the court for the forfeiture of financial proceeds obtained from such illicit activities;
  • tackle internet piracy and other computer crime problems relating to infringement of intellectual property rights; and
  • launch and participate in publicity programmes to promote public/traders’ awareness of intellectual property rights and consumer protection legislation. With the planned commencement of the newly enacted Trade Descriptions (Amendment) Ordinance 2008 and its eight pieces of subsidiary legislation in March 2009, the Department will mobilise resources to step up its enforcement against false trade descriptions and mis-statements in respect of goods.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
  • set up an Electronic Health Record (eHR) Management Team to support the Government’s initiative to developan eHR infrastructure for Hong Kong.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
  • the regulation of companies, securities, insurance, information technology, electronic transactions, e-commerce, transportation, television broadcasting and telecommunications (including provisions prohibiting anti-competitive practices) as well as proposals for reform
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT
  • continue to implement voluntary PRS’s and examine possible mandatory PRS options for used electrical and electronic equipment to enhance their recovery and recycling;
FIRE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
  • plan for the replacement of the existing radio communications system;
FOOD AND ENVIRONMENTAL HYGIENE DEPARTMENT
  • improve the on-line Application Tracking Facility through which licence applicants can monitor the progress of their applications, and enhance publicity to promote wider use of the Facility;
  • contribute to the implementation of electronic submission of liquor licence applications;
COMMERCE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
  • continue to work with the SME Committee to monitor and review the operation of the SME Funding Schemes;
  • introduce the Import and Export (Electronic Cargo Information) Regulation into the Legislative Council to ensure that the Regulation is passed in good time, thereby allowing the Road Cargo System to be rolled out in 2009–10;
  • oversee the launching of the Road Cargo System, including encouraging the industry to switch to the System as early as possible during the 18-month transitional period;
  • work together with the service providers awarded with the post-2009 GETS contracts to prepare for smooth inception of the new contracts;
  • introduce into the Legislative Council an amendment bill related to the “business end-user copying/distribution offence” in the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2007, and roll out targeted public education programmes before bringing the offence into operation;
  • firm up the Government’s proposals for strengthening copyright protection in the digital environment;
  • continue to oversee efforts to promote respect for intellectual property rights in the business sector, particularly amongst SMEs.
  • continue to oversee the further implementation of digital terrestrial television broadcasting;
  • overseeing the implementation of broadcast-type mobile television services in Hong Kong;
  • planning for public engagement in formulating the policy and arrangements for future public service broadcasting;
  • mapping out feasible improvement proposals and preparing for the second round consultation on the review of the provisions of the COIAO;
  • setting up a dedicated Creative Industry Office to provide more effective support for the creative industries through integration of resources; and
  • continuing to engage the creative industry in respect of Hong Kong’s participation in the Urban Best Practices Area Exhibition of the World Exposition 2010 Shanghai China.
  • continuing to monitor the implementation of the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Ordinance and the Unsolicited Electronic Messages Regulation as well as other non-legislative anti-spamming measures;
  • continuing to monitor the transition to the new regulatory framework for the convergence of fixed and mobile communication services, in particular the withdrawal of the regulatory guidance on fixed-mobile interconnection charge;
  • following up on the outcome of the consultation on the proposed voluntary implementation of fixed-mobile number portability;
  • conducting auction for the release of spectrum for the expansion of the second generation mobile services;
  • continuing the consultancy study on the feasibility of introducing spectrum trading in Hong Kong; and
  • facilitating the deployment and rollout of the BWA services in Hong Kong.
HONG KONG TRADE DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL
  • enhance the Hong Kong sourcing platform by launching 24/7 (i.e. 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) online exhibitions;
  • strengthen Hong Kong’s role as a technology trading and marketing platform;
DEVELOPMENT BUREAU
  • oversee the Land Registry’s continued enhancement of the Integrated Registration Information System and preparation of information technology systems to support the implementation of the new title registration system;
EDUCATION BUREAU
  • oversee the development of a new computer system for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination by HKEAA
FOOD AND HEALTH BUREAU
  • set up a dedicated office to co-ordinate the development of a territory-wide patient-oriented electronic health record system for sharing medical records between health care providers subject to patients’ consent;
INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY COMMISSION
  • administer the various funding programmes and monitor progress of the funded projects;
  • support the activities of R&D centres with emphasis on technology transfer of funded projects;
  • enhance collaboration on R&D between Hong Kong and Guangdong under the TCFS; and
  • work closely with the ASTRI and the HKJCICM in strengthening their research capabilities and developing and implementing their research projects and transferring technologies to industry for commercialisation.
  • administer the SERAP and oversee the ARF to support technology start-ups;
  • provide value-adding services to companies participating in the SERAP and the ARF;
  • monitor progress of the funded projects; and
  • pursue the exit of ARF projects through fund managers.
  • strengthen technology co-operation with the Mainland through the Mainland/Hong Kong Science and Technology Cooperation Committee, the Pan-PRD Joint Conference on Regional Cooperation in Science and Technology, and the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on Cooperation in Innovation and Technology, and the Steering Group on Shenzhen/Hong Kong Co-operation in Innovation and Technology;
  • administer the GSP (including Internship Programme) and monitor progress of the funded projects;
  • promote innovation, technology and design culture to the general public and nurture more creative young talents;
  • nominate entries for the State Science and Technology Awards;
  • assist the Ministry of Science and Technology in implementing and monitoring the State Key Laboratory Scheme;
  • organise the ‘Hong Kong Pavilion’ at the China Hi-Tech Fair 2009; and
  • participate in the APEC Industrial Science and Technology Working Group.
Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Company Limited
  • continue to strengthen its institutional and research capabilities through the development of its ICT R&D Centre;
  • promote and transfer technologies developed from its R&D projects to industry;
  • enhance local high-technology human resources development by recruiting engineering graduates of local universities as fellows under the extended ITF Internship Programme;
  • improve the industrial involvement and contribution on its R&D projects through collaborative projects.
OFFICE OF THE GOVERNMENT CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER
  • continue to monitor and promote the progress in implementing programmes and initiatives in the 2008 Digital 21 Strategy;
  • develop specific performance indicators for measuring progress towards the statements of desired outcomes for the 2008 Digital 21 Strategy;
  • continue to enrich the contents and enhance the design of GovHK and its service clusters, and enhance GovHK to provide more personalised interface (MyGovHK) for services and information to better meet the needs of users;
  • prioritise and implement first wave of features for MyGovHK such as personalised home page, e-bill, e-payment, e-alert, single registration and log-on process, interactive marketing and online form completion;
  • collaborate with the LandsD and various bureaux/departments in the delivery of geo-spatial information to the public through GovHK;
  • continue to provide advice and consultancy to relevant bureaux/departments in the engagement of service providers for the provision of Government Electronic Trading Services for the new term to commence in 2010;
  • continue to advise FHB on the project governance, development and sourcing approach, technical and security issues relating to the development of a territory-wide electronic health record sharing infrastructure in Hong Kong;
  • collaborate with bureaux/departments concerned in implementing the pilot e-procurement programme;
  • commence development of the first wave of electronic information management strategies for participating bureaux/departments;
  • assist bureaux/departments to formulate and implement strategies that make best use of ICT to support their policy goals;
  • complete the implementation of the GovWiFi service;
  • start to plan the next-generation government communications infrastructure;
  • continue to enhance IT security awareness in the Government, review and enhance the government IT security-related regulations, policies and guidelines to keep abreast of the technology advancement and development of international best practices in information security management, and complete the programme of centrally managed security audits for bureaux/departments;
  • commission a channel management study with a view to streamlining service delivery channels and achieving greater customer satisfaction and cost-effectiveness;
  • continue to enhance the government intranet portal, the Central Cyber Government Office, to provide more customer-centric services to government employees;
  • continue to advise and co-ordinate with bureaux/departments concerned in deepening government-to-employee services to government employees, and in the deployment of government-to-government services and common applications on the government intranet;
  • design and implement new processes, tools and governance arrangements for IT-enabled change projects;
  • develop best practice approaches for delivering and assuring business continuity and for IT operations management within the Government;
  • continue to document and adopt best practice approaches and standards of professional expertise to enable the government IT profession to inspire and support bureaux/departments in using ICT to achieve their policy objectives;
  • prepare best practice guides and training programmes for sourcing IT products and services for reference by bureaux/departments; and
  • continue to co-ordinate with the CGC design-and-build project director, contractor, and related bureaux/departments on the establishment of IT infrastructure and communal IT facilities/services to facilitate the provision of a collaborative working environment.
  • commence implementation of the new CERC regime as recommended in the institutional review;
  • monitor the smooth implementation of the new governance arrangements for the HKIRC;
  • continue to take part in the Ideographic Rapporteur Group of the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO) and promote wider adoption of the ISO/International Electrotechnical Commission 10646 as the standard for Chinese character coding in Hong Kong;
  • continue to operate the Voluntary Certification Authority Recognition Scheme;
  • continue to provide advice and support to the HKPCA in managing the public CA services, and complete the review of the arrangements for maintaining a public CA in Hong Kong;
  • promote deployment of digital certificates on easy-to-use universal serial bus (USB) devices for applying digital signatures and enhancing information security within public and private sector organisations;
  • continue to co-organise activities with bureaux/departments, and facilitate professional bodies and the IT industry to enhance the supply of quality IT manpower in Hong Kong;
  • work with professional bodies to develop an overall plan for sponsoring the development of IT professional certification;
  • review competitiveness of Hong Kong as a location for online businesses;
  • collaborate with Guangdong under the Supplement V to the CEPA on the development of a framework for the mutual recognition of electronic signature certificates and plan for the implementation of pilot applications; and
  • embark on a review of the Electronic Transactions Ordinance (Cap. 553).
  • launch a one-year territory-wide campaign to educate Internet users, especially young students, on the safe and healthy use of the Internet;
  • set up a task force on industry facilitation to facilitate the development of the ICT industry in exploring and developing the regional and global markets;
  • facilitate consensus on a brand proposition for the ICT industry and develop a promotion plan;
  • review strategy for supporting ICT collaboration with the Mainland in exploring and developing the regional and global markets;
  • collaborate with the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Overseas Economic and Trade Offices and Invest Hong Kong in gathering and disseminating market intelligence, promoting trade and attracting inward investment for the IT sector;
  • formulate policy on promoting Hong Kong as a data centre hub;
  • continue to organise the Hong Kong ICT Awards with a view to engaging interested stakeholders to develop widespread and internationally recognised branding of Hong Kong’s achievements in ICT innovations and services;
  • continue to review the pilot scheme for opening up intellectual property in government IT systems for commercial exploitation;
  • continue to assist in promoting the Cyberport as a centre for the IT and digital entertainment industries;
  • continue to facilitate the development of the digital entertainment industry in Hong Kong through supporting industry-led initiatives such as shared facilities, research and development, skills upgrading and marketing;
  • co-operate with Shenzhen under the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Innovation Circle initiative;
  • continue to implement the pilot scheme of DCC to enable children from low income families and other needy local residents to gain access to the rich pool of information/knowledge in the cyber space and conduct suitable electronic transactions;
  • implement other digital inclusion programmes with reference to the strategies and initiatives formulated by the task force on digital inclusion;
  • continue to measure the digital inclusiveness of the disadvantaged groups for gauging the effectiveness of the digital inclusion programmes;
  • conduct an impact study to assist in the formulation of strategies and initiatives to facilitate ICT adoption by SMEs;
  • continue to support surveys to monitor the use of IT in households and businesses;
  • continue to promote information security awareness and education of the general public including SMEs and corporations; and
  • continue to facilitate and promote to the public and businesses on risk assessment and security assurance requirements in handling different electronic transactions.
OFFICES OF THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR ADMINISTRATION AND THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY
  • study the feasibility and implications of applying electronic records keeping system for managing government records;
TRANSPORT AND HOUSING BUREAU (TRANSPORT BRANCH)
  • continue to work closely with the logistics industry to promote e-logistics
HIGHWAYS DEPARTMENT
  • continue to develop a new computer system to replace the Utility Management System to improve efficiency in excavation permit processing and management
HONG KONG OBSERVATORY
  • install a High Performance Computing System and implement a suite of high resolution mesoscale models for weather prediction;
  • replace the ageing Aerial Radiation Monitoring System
HONG KONG POLICE FORCE
  • enhance the Force’s investigative capability in tackling technology crime and financial investigation
IMMIGRATION DEPARTMENT
  • monitor the implementation and system performance of the Application and Investigation Easy System, the Electronic Records Programme and the Data Warehousing Information System;
INLAND REVENUE DEPARTMENT
  • explore the feasibility of expanding the scope of eTAX, such as providing more online services to owners of jointly owned properties and allowing the electronic filing of profits tax returns;
  • develop online services jointly with the Companies Registry to facilitate companies’ application for incorporationand business registration in a one-stop manner
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
  • The migration rate of e-filing has increased steadily over the past few years. During 2009–10, the Department will explore means to facilitate intellectual property (IP) right owners to make use of the Government’s one-stop online services in the protection of IP rights.
  • continue to provide policy, legal and technical advice to the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau in relation to the drafting and enactment of subsidiary legislation under the Copyright (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 and the Copyright Ordinance; and in relation to the formulation of detailed legislative proposals arising from the review of copyright protection in the digital environment;
  • assist WIPO and the Central People’s Government in organising a regional symposium on IP in Hong Kong;
  • support the business community in strengthening their IP protection in the Mainland through the Guangdong/Hong Kong Expert Group on the Protection of IP Rights;
  • disseminate information through the Internet on the IP systems in the Mainland, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macao Special Administrative Region;
  • strengthen the out-reaching effort to young people on IP protection through school visits and media such as computer games and comics;
  • organise promotion and education activities specially for SMEs with emphasis placed on using intellectual asset management as a tool for business development in compliance with IP legislation; and
  • continue collaboration with stakeholders to strengthen and publicise the “No Fakes Pledge” Scheme to promote the sale of genuine products.
LANDS DEPARTMENT
  • implement the Replacement of Computerised Land Information System project for maintaining the territory-wide digital map database;
  • implement the Data Alignment Measures project for improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness in data exchange among government departments;
  • develop the Digital Map and Land Record Data Dissemination System for efficient dissemination of digital maps and land record data;
  • provide survey and mapping services for planning, land resumption and clearance, and land disposals in order to make land available for the construction of various new railway projects; and
  • develop, enhance and expand the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Geospatial Information Hub service to facilitate easy access to geospatial information within the Government and to the general public.
LEGAL AID DEPARTMENT
  • monitor the early operation of the Legal Aid Electronic Services Portal and if necessary to effect enhancement or modification of the portal.
LEISURE AND CULTURAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
  • complete the project for provision of additional Internet Express Terminals in libraries;
  • closely monitor the project for the replacement of the Library Automation System
OFFICIAL RECEIVER'S OFFICE
  • explore the long-term information technology strategy.
RADIO TELEVISION HONG KONG
  • continue to enhance web content with Web 2.0 elements, and develop new online projects for e-Learning Channel, Culture Web and Chinese Civilisation Channel through multimedia and interactive production and co-operation with outside organisations;
  • continue to improve the technical performance of RTHK ON INTERNET for stable access by local and overseas users as well as facilitating personalised use of the content;
  • continue to explore the delivery of RTHK ON INTERNET content to the next generation of multimedia and communications devices;
  • continue to collaborate with Efficiency Unit to develop ‘Youth Portal’, an internet portal delivering government youth services;
  • stress the diversification of learning opportunities through eTVonline and continue to strengthen our ties with schools to host interactive school activities, with the aim of building a learning community of students and teachers in Hong Kong as well as in the Mainland; and
  • launch an educational portal in eTVonline website on national education, in line with the curriculum of the Liberal Studies subject.
RATING AND VALUATION DEPARTMENT
  • review and enhance the computer systems to further improve efficiency and services to the public.
  • review and enhance its Accounting and Billing System to speed up the recovery of arrears and to identify areas for improvement in service delivery.
  • review and enhance its computer systems to enrich the textual and graphic repository of property information, so as to improve the efficiency of data retrieval and transfer among the parties concerned, including government departments and agencies.
SOCIAL WELFARE DEPARTMENT
  • proceed with the project of replacing the existing Computerised Social Security System;
STUDENT FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AGENCY
  • continue to examine the feasibility of implementing an integrated computer system supporting the administration of all the student financial assistance schemes, with a view to improving the operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Agency in the administration and delivery of various student financial assistance schemes.
TRANSPORT DEPARTMENT
  • look into possible advanced technologies to enhance the Department’s incident management capability
WATER SUPPLIES DEPARTMENT
  • continue to review the systems and procedures and the information technology in use to ensure cost-effectiveness in delivering customer services

Monday, February 23, 2009

網絡新視野2.0:〈三〉Web 2.0的技術下的突破

香港大學主講「網絡新視野2.0」的通識教育課的第三課。

善用財政預算案 促進IT發展

金融海嘯對實體經濟的影響慢慢浮現,經濟不景由Wall Street蔓延至Main Street。美國的失業率已超過7%,達數十年來新高,上周公布截至今年1月本港的失業率,也增至4.6%。香港自六十年代有數據以來,失業情況最嚴重 的時期是2003年沙士,當時整體失業率高達8.6%,十五至十九歲青少年的失業率更近三成。

近日多間大企業已裁減數百人。數間大企業也曾傳聞會裁員。各行各業的裁員潮顯然已展開,資訊科技業是重災區之一。

筆者必須指出,如果大企業計劃裁減資訊科技員工以應付短暫的金融海嘯,賠上的將是公司的未來發展。相信各位對「科網泡沬爆破」都記憶猶新,1998至 2000年,資訊科技業的專業人士轉工跳槽的頻率比更換手提電話的頻率還要高,到了2001年,大量科網公司結業,很多同業離開資訊科技業。

資訊科技與其他專業不同,會計師要重新入行不難,但離開資訊科技業三五年,要重新開始談何容易?大量資訊科技人士失業,令很多中學生對資訊科技行業的前景失 信心,一些大學教授曾告訴筆者,報讀資訊科技課程的學生人數大幅減少。過去幾年的經濟復甦期間,內地資訊科技企業排隊到美國上市,但香港的資訊科技企業似乎陸續失去相對優勢,或許這就是大量有經驗的資訊科技專業人士在經濟不景時離開行業的代價。

裁員影響未來發展

資訊科技業的「職業周期」,一如資訊科技產品生命週期的特別短,幾年之間可以從極盛變衰。不過,只要有適當環境市場可復甦過來,如果各大型企業只顧現時,因 而大量裁減資訊科技人員的話,筆者可以預期,當經濟兩三年內重新起飛,這些公司將要以極昂貴的價格,聘請經驗不足的資訊科技人員,屆時未必能追上競爭對 手。公司無法聘得足夠人手,專業人士唯有日以繼夜工作,這樣的發展對雙方一點好處也沒有,對社會和香港經濟的長遠發展,同樣不見得有好處。

企業固然不應沒有長遠規劃,但政府更應顧及香港的長遠發展,不要再犯過去的錯誤。經濟不景時,市場對資訊科技人力需求下降是正常,政府正好善用現時的機會, 推動一些能改善政府應用資訊科技、有助其他行業採納資訊科技,以及讓更多市民進修資訊科技的措施,這既增強香港長遠競爭力,更有助減輕經濟不景對資訊科技 專業人士的震動,並避免大量資訊科技專業人士流失。這正是如筆者及很多資訊科技業人士,認為政府應善用預算案的好機會,希望財政司司長明白這些理據。

舉例來說,政府過去幾年多番出現資訊科技保安事故,很多重要政策範圍內的應用發展滯後,顯示政府內部實有需要改善各項推行資訊科技的程序,應該重新聘請資訊 科技程式員及分析員,加快推行一些一直「只聞樓梯響」的計劃。報章報道政府計劃聘請數百人發展電子病歷系統,這正是筆者早前向財政司長提交的「十大資訊基建」建議之一,但政府絕對有能力做更多。

政府應為在香港設科研基地的企業提供額外稅務優惠,讓在本港完成高等科技課程又希望繼續研究工作的畢業生有更多出路。過去不少專家指出,經濟不景正是創業之時,但在如此經濟環境,信貸緊縮,要融資也很困難,政府應擴展資助創業的融資,不要令香港的中小 企業再次失去發展的機會。

擴大資訊科技需求

不得不提的是,令筆者一直很困惑的持續進修基金。政府一直以來寧將難以定義的什麼「人際關係課程」列為可發還款項,也拒絕將資訊科技課程列入「持續進修基金」課程可發還款項的類別,這並不合理。更多勞動人口懂得運用資訊科技,必定有利香港的經濟發展,政府應將資訊及通訊科技納入持續進修基金的應可範圍,以 及重新注資中小企業資助計劃的培訓基金,鼓勵中小企業為員工提供培訓。

當然,若政府接納「十大資訊基建」建議,能改善本港資訊基建之餘,也 有助令市場有更大資訊科技需求。不過,政府不要忘記配套措施,就是將大型的資訊科技工程拆細,讓中小企公司也有機會競投政府的項目,以及改善業界長久不滿 的採購程序,例如以價低者得為選標準則、過分「積極」議價拉低標價、合約條款(尤其涉及承辦商責任的苛刻條款),以及放寬項目的知識產權擁有權等。

說到底,改善就業的辦法不是沒有,關鍵是政府是否重視資訊科技業和香港的未來發展而已。據說,政府今年會有數百億元盈餘,希望政府不會用「財政情況嚴峻」等 藉口避開業界的訴求,以及香港發展之需。改善香港的長遠競爭優勢,善用我們與珠三角經濟融合中的角色為目標,正是資訊科技業人士對政府今次預算案的期望。 財政司司長,你聽得到嗎?

刊載於《信報財經新聞》2009年2月23日

Thursday, February 19, 2009

.tel 域名新商機

「….tel 的出現,令人覺得原來用了近 30 年的域名系統也可以想出創新的應用,而註冊和發出域名真是差不多最似『印銀紙』的生意,但香港深明此道者卻不多。」

又一個新的通用頂級域名(gTLD)在互聯網面世了,名叫「.tel」。筆者最近與管理 .tel 域名的註冊機構 Telnic 的副主席 Fabien Chalandon 見面,得知這個新的頂級域名已在 2 月 3 日開始了讓公眾申請的 Landrush 程序,所以有需要介紹一下。

的而且確,.tel 是個不一樣的頂級域名。一般的頂級域名,是讓客戶利用所註冊的域名,透過域名系統(DNS)連接至支援網站、電郵等互聯網服務的伺服器。但一如 Chalandon 向筆者形客,.tel 卻是一種全新的電訊服務,為商業、機構和個人提供全球性的聯繫目錄服務。

例如,從瀏覽器進入一個 .tel 域名,進入的並非一個普通網站,而是 Telnic 提供在互聯網上存儲的目錄平台,域名擁有者可自行發布和更新的通訊資料,包括個人或公司的聯繫資訊,如電話、傳真、短訊、電郵、網路電話(如 Skype)、即時通訊(如 MSN),用戶還可在此儲存網路鏈結、地理位置數據和業務相關的關鍵字,甚至可允許朋友直接透過網站撥打電話或發送文字短訊,或以 Google 地圖顯示地址等。

.tel 域名透過 DNS 直接存儲數據,也就是說,在實際使用時,當用戶在瀏覽器中輸入一個 .tel 域名時,與其他域名處理不同的是,DNS 系統不會返還一個 IP 地址,而會返回該 .tel 域名直接存在 DNS 中的聯繫資訊和關鍵字,然後用戶可以點擊該 .tel 域名擁有者提供的聯繫資料以立即作聯繫。

Telnic 的目標,當然是大量註冊的客戶,令其平台成為全球最大型的資訊名錄,並具備互動功能以導引用戶到目標客戶的通訊中心,成為企業動性與客戶接觸的最佳橋樑。為了統一平台介面及讓客戶隨時隨地在線更新,Telnic 透過其系統支援的外判商 Neustar,實在提供了不止 DNS 服務,更在 DNS 系統之上建立並提供資料代存(Hosting)的服務,這也是 .tel 與其他域名最為不同之處。

在現時 Landrush 期之前的「日出期」(Sunrise),是專為商標擁有者而設的優先註冊期,已有萬多個商標相關域名被拿下了,現在就連公眾人士或非註冊商標公司也可以先到先得方式註冊心頭好,代價是一個較高的註冊費(約 300 美元,在三月底後註冊費會回到與一般域名相約的 20 美元左右)。還有,.tel 與別的一些新開域名有另一點不同之處是不設拍賣,遊戲規例全以先到先得決定。

.tel 的出現,令人覺得原來用了近 30 年的域名系統也可以想出創新的應用,而註冊和發出域名真是差不多最似「印銀紙」的生意,但香港深明此道者卻不多,卻也是亞洲至今唯一有通用頂級域名機構作基地的城市(.asia),其實未來商機無限,也至為適合香港作為電訊、金融、市場推廣及管理中心的國際城市,希望有朝一日,香港可發展為亞洲至全球主要域名人(Domainer)的運作樞紐。!

刊載於《Hitech》 2009年2月19日

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

IT Trends 2009

I made this presentation for Sun Microsystems' forum today, entitled "The Ultimate Platform for the Web Economy."
It Trends 2009
View more presentations from mok. (tags: sun open)

Podcast from MIS Asia Interview

Here is a recent interview with MIS Asia on ICT development in Hong Kong.
Click here.

MIS Asia Multimedia

Monday, February 16, 2009

獲西九文化區管理局委任為諮詢會成員

政府今天宣布,委任二十一人包括本人為西九文化區管理局下的諮詢會成員。在這綱位上,我將特別為專業界別和科技界監察西九文化區發展的諮詢工作,亦會更主動聽取你們的意見。

西九文化區管理局委任其諮詢會成員 (政府新聞公告)
Members of consultation panel appointed under West Kowloon Cultural District Authority (Government Press Release)

網絡新視野2.0:〈二〉網絡社群在政治到社會發揮的影響

香港大學主講「網絡新視野2.0」的通識教育課的第二課。

啟動「珠三角電訊特區」

香港面對金融海嘯新一浪衝擊,裁員潮令人擔憂,也令我們有機會重新思考香港缺乏對經濟發展的長遠規劃,怎樣影響香港現在與未來在區內和全世界的競爭力。無可 置疑,香港未來經濟發展離不開進一步與中國融合,但問題是搞的是互利的合作,把香港的優勢化為國家發展動力,還是只要求阿爺「救濟」,後者顯然是長貧難顧。

香港怎樣才能達到配合為國家經濟發展?香港一來缺乏產業發展政策,二來在一國兩制下也有必要保持自由經濟體系,這又如何配合中國?路還 是要我們走出來的,區域經濟發展也不會停下來等我們。國家發改委在1月8日公布《珠江三角洲地區改革發展規劃綱要(2008-2020年)》,似乎香港的專業人士及商界的回應都比較慢,政府亦未表示會如何加強配合,這才是真正令人擔憂的。

二次創業

但在經濟結構、經濟質量,特別在現代服務業方面,仍然落後於人,所以規劃綱要的目的顯然是要提升地區能力,為全國再作先行示範作用。

規劃綱要的字裏行間,明顯地已把廣州定為珠三角的龍頭,一小時經濟圈的中心,並以優先發展現代服務業為首要任務。在訊息科技服務方面,珠三角要成為國際電子商務中心,並「着力發展外包服務業,到2012年,培育二至三個國家級國際服務外包基地城市,形成較為完整的國際服務業外包產業鏈」,以及「培育一批創意 產業集群,加快建設珠江三角洲國家級軟件和動漫產業基地」等。

此外,珠三角地區要成為「全球重要的高技術產業帶」,重點發展主題有「電子訊息、生物、新材料、環保、新能源、海洋等產業」,包括「軟件及集成電路設計、新型平板顯示、半導體照明、新一代寬帶無線移動通訊、下一代互聯網、數字家庭等產業」,集中為廣州與深圳兩市的產業和高新技術產業開發區搞「二次創業」,具體且標甚至是「到2012年,培育形成三至五個產值規模超千億元的新興產業 群,重點打造三至五家銷售收入達千億元、具有全球影響力的跨國企業。」

這不是天方夜譚,其實深圳已基本達標而求再下一城,高科技產業佔 GDP的40%以上,所以,香港人不要再當深圳只有「羅湖城」,也再非倚靠港人北上消費而已。據說,很多年前深圳希望與香港合作,優勢互補,但港方就自負地認為「為什麼要『益』你?」,結果成了龜兔的故事。任何曾到訪華為深圳總部的人,都知道其高科技產業在發展質與量,人才甚至國際化,都已經超越香港,亦 已成功為深圳在國家高新科技發展定在前列位置。

荒漠甘泉

事到如今,規劃綱要中提到「推進與港澳更緊密合作」,只是「本着互惠互補的原則,加強與港澳的協調合作,充分發揮彼此的優勢」,推進重大基礎設施對接。如果 希望「阿爺」在國家經濟規劃上為香港預留些什麼,就必定失望了,所以,還是要我們主動找出有能力為珠三角規劃發展中可貢獻的地方,由特區政府策略性地爭 取,這當然不應該只包括港府回應規劃綱要的新聞稿中僅僅提及的港口、機場和金融中心的協作。

規劃綱要表示要「構建便捷高效的訊息網絡體 系」,包括網絡資源共享和互聯互通、地理訊息資源、現代物流公共訊息平台等,目標是「到2012年,互聯網普及率和家庭寬帶普及率分別達90%和65%以 上,無線寬帶人口覆蓋率達60%左右」。對香港電訊業界而言,這無疑是荒漠甘泉,但其實業界早有先見,多年前已向特區政府建議爭取成立「珠三角電訊特區」,容許港電訊商在珠三角地區提供先進及與香港基建融合的綜合網絡服務,但卻得不到政府重視,現在「廣東先行」概念開始落實,正是重新推動「珠三角電訊特區」的最好時機。

毋須派糖

在社會事業發展方面,規劃綱要的教育和醫療服務是首兩個重點,也是香港應爭取配合的。在「推動高等教育發展」方面,規劃綱要「支持港澳名牌高校在珠江三角洲 地區合作舉辦高等教育機構」,並在2020年達到「引進三至五所國外知名大學到廣州、深圳、珠海等城市合作舉辦高等教育機構,建成一至二所國內一流、國際 先進的高水平大學」。這肯定是香港的大學未來發展的主要方向。在「完善醫療衞生服務 」方面,香港也有機會為珠三角引進最先進的醫療科技和資訊系統。

另外,在「推進文化創新」,珠三角希望「形成積極向上、特色鮮明、結構優化、科技含量高的文化產業體系」,也是對香港的文化、創新產業的大好市場機會。不過,文化產業發展在規劃的「主角」是深圳,香港應如何配合?香港的政策應迎合國際趨勢,從創意產業走向創意經濟定位,爭取在這方面成為珠三角文化、創意產 業國際化的主角。可以肯定的是,像有自己是內地省人大委員的立法會功能界別議員,上周在事務委員會中發言要求特區政府,叫廣州等地不與香港在數碼產業上競爭,行不通更簡直不可理喻,也完全不顧國情,更難以想像若有人在廣人大會議如此要求會什麼場面(他當然不會)。

香港另一個區域定位,應該是 協助內地中小型企業(而非相對不需要經過香港的大型企業)走出國際,和利用CEPA吸引外資來港再進入中國,但過去卻過分集中於香港產品和服務打入內地市 場,特區政府和業界應重新審視這定位,爭取在規劃綱要中各行各業發展計劃中的角色。近來很多業界朋友都提醒筆者,香港應該爭取的不是阿爺派糖,要的是公平競爭,公平進入市場的機會。

刊載於《信報財經新聞》2009年2月16日

Thursday, February 12, 2009

「Google 是很危險的…」

「…令人不禁自問,連 Google 都可能出錯,互聯網上還可以相信誰?」

約兩星期前,Google 的招牌搜尋器失靈,把所有的網站都指為「有害」。令人不禁自問,連 Google 都可能出錯,互聯網上還可以相信誰?

1 31 日星期六的一段時間內,使用 Google 的用戶都看見,幾乎所有搜尋結果的網站都帶有「可能損害電腦」的警告。Google 高層其後在公司的網誌解釋,問題是出於「人為錯誤」。究竟 Google 是怎樣決定哪些網站是有害呢?

原來,
Google 一直是採用一個名為 StopBadware.org 的組織所提供的網站名單,把被發現存有惡意軟件、間諜軟件和病毒等的網站,從搜尋器提供的結果中移除,以免用戶會從 Google 提供的搜尋結果誤中毒害。其實除此之外,Google 也有與其他組織保持相似關係,例如在處理兒童色情內容方面。

StopBadware.org
組織所採取成立其名單的方法,包括自動和人手的做法,以求名單可以最新最準。而 Google 就每天早上把名單在搜尋器軟件內更新一次,但不幸地在出事那天,“ / ”這個符號卻被誤放在名單資料之內,而基本上所有網站地址都包括有這個符號,所以就發生了這次事故。Google 聲稱在當日美國時間星期六早上收到投訴處理後,40 分鐘內就解決了問題,並且保證將檢討程序,防止同類事故再發生。不過,Google 搜尋器的 40 分鐘,使用者有多少百萬人,問題其實一點也不算小!

Google
「澄清 」事件後,令人以為是 StopBadware.org 出錯,但這個組織就否認。原來 StopBadware.org 哈佛大學 柏文互聯網與社會中心(Berkman Center for Internet & Society管理的項目,透過學界、商界、消費者權益組織和義工的合作,以社區合作方式對付日益嚴重的惡意軟件問題,Google 正是這些合作伙伴之一。但 StopBadware.org 的負責人仍表示,事件無損其未來繼續與 Google 合作。

事件的另外一面,是我們作為用戶對互聯網的倚賴。搜尋器是我們作為用戶向互聯網這巨大「圖書館」的入門工具,加上很多用戶已經轉為使用網上電郵,如
GmailYahoo!Hotmail 等,以及在網上分享日程表,甚至連相片以外很多的文書檔案,也存在網上各供應商提供的大量空間內。GoogleYahoo!MSN 以至 Facebook 等大量用戶使用的網站服務的準確度、安全性和穩定程度,已經成為「公眾利益」。未來無可避免地當有服務問題出現時,將影響到更多人,這可能是個計時炸彈,也是我們用戶要小心自保的地方!

刊載於《Hitech》 2009年2月12日

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

電盈可能裁員事件關注

在星期一晚上我收到消息電盈可能裁員,已經即時向管理層了解,得到答案是尚未就成本控制作決定,這與昨日星期二公司宣布是吻合的。由昨天起我嘗試接觸員工,特別是專業職位的,如網絡和系統工程師、軟件、內容、網站工作人員等,他們多不屬於工會,一向比較低調,多數也不會上街,我希望聽他們的意見,所以昨天在Facebook五個總共有過千員工的群組(groups)留言,請他們把任何意見給我。

我希望管理層要盡快與員工尤其是非工會已代表的專業職系人員溝通,即使要控制成本,員工也可能有方法。過去國泰也能這樣做,邀請員工提供節省成本開支方法,共渡時艱,我相信員工是樂意協助的。我會繼續關注,也希望有任何意見的電盈員工與我直接聯絡。

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Cyberport Speaker Series: Monetizing and Managing Your Intellectual Property


Innovation is key to the success of Hong Kong companies, and Hong Kong's continued growth. However, new ideas and R&D do not by themselves guarantee a big return. Companies need to adopt innovative approaches to managing their intellectual property (IP) properly in order to be successful. Further, they need to protect their intellectual capital so that they, nad not their competitors, can deliver full benefit from it. This is especially true in difficult economic times when resources are scarce. This seminar will discuss and highlight these two core issues and their particular relevance to companies operating in Hong Kong and Greater China.

Speakers:
Charles Mok, Chairman of Internet Society Hong Kong
Thomas Parenty, Managing Director of Parenty Consulting Ltd.
Dr Lo Waishun, Part-time Professor of OneMBA Program, CUHK

Date: 11 March 2009 (Wednesday)
Time: 2:30-5:00pm
Venue: Training Theatre, 3/F, Core F, Cyberport 3, 100 Cyberport Road
Language: English
Website for registration and information: conference.cyberport.hk

Monday, February 09, 2009

網絡新視野2.0:〈一〉後「淫審」時期的網絡衝擊

今天起四個星期每周一節,為香港大學主講「網絡新視野2.0」的通識教育課

拓創意產業毋須「大白象」

   在上周三的立法會會議,代表資訊科技界的譚偉豪議員提出議案,要求「推動本地創意產業發展」,筆者表達非常認同這個方向,而動議內容指政府應盡快就「創意產業制訂長遠政策、目標及落實時間表」,並「爭取成為區內創意產業發展的火頭……加強與珠三角地區產業的合作」,「建立一站式平台,利用互聯網和新媒體技術,提高本地創意產業的競爭力,並扶助傳統產業成功轉型」,也簡單提及了提供稅務優惠、培育人才、推動「知識產權經濟」,以及營造有利發展的社會文化。

  這些立法會動議辯論的議案內容,有時的確很難深入,但若然只重申一些大家包括政府也不會反對的大原則,而無法處理具體的「什麼」(what)和「怎樣」(how),其實只浪費了難得「輪」到的動議機會,只為議案安全通過,成功爭取,皆大歡喜,要求未免太低了。


設基金成效料不高


  在這次議案中何秀蘭議員提出而獲得通過的修正,加入「推動共享創意(Creative Commons),平衡保留版權和合理使用(fair use)的權利」,反而具體而真接涉及政府在知識產權政策上的取態,令人驚喜,讓大家就立法會議員如何有效利用動議辯論上了一課。


  議案文字內容有限,動議議員發言可補充其理念及訴求。譚議員發言中只多談及外國或內地怎樣怎樣,鮮有具體論述香港政府應怎樣如他所言「盡快用行動落實」,也沒有就他議案中要求的稅務優惠、培育人才及營造文化等再進一步具體建議,也沒解釋「一站式平台」是什麼。發言中較具體的建議只有兩項:「設立一個為數30億元創意產業基金,用途包括鼓勵更多創業,資助大學進行創意產業研究和培訓人才,吸引外國知名創意企業來港發展,促進跨行業合作,特別係促進網絡新經濟和傳統創意產業合作」,以及要求政府將成立,將稱為「創意香港」(CreateHK)的創意產業辦公室的負責高官,由D3級職位提升至D6。


  筆者不贊同政府成立各種無底深潭,成效不高的基金,在現有創新及科技、電影及設計等基金尚未完善,急需檢討之時,叫政府又搞多一個行政機構和機制,實在無補於事,只屬功能組別式「民粹」訴求。資助大學及吸引外資來港現已有機構負責,雖然的確要做好些,但另起爐灶亦無針對問題改善,香港不需要多一個什麼發展局;多一隻「大白象」,就多一支大花筒。至於高官職級高是否就可解決問題?多少D8級無所事事,大家心裏有數。


  筆者不是只作批評,還作具體建議。原議案提及但沒解釋稅務優惠,反而陳茂波議員提出和獲通過的修正卻具體要求,「將現有的購買專利權支出,可就徵收利得稅計算應評稅利潤時列作可予抵扣的開支的做法,伸延至購買商標及版權方面」,就較專業可取。


  筆者亦支持香港稅務學會的建議,修訂在特別情形下,非香港特許權持有人所收取的使用費,在香港豁免繳付預提稅,讓企業毋須被雙重徵收預提稅;另外,就企業為其特許權收入而繳交的海外預提所得稅,應享單邊稅收抵免。這些措施才能對症下藥地有助港商開拓海外市場及促進外商來港投資,真正有利香港成為創新及再授權許可營運中心。


留意西九文化區


  筆者亦贊同香港稅務學會建議,把很多服務業的無形資本開支,例如商標經銷權、特許權或許可證,和常見於電訊業的不可剝奪的使用權,納入如機械和工業裝置的定義內,得享折舊免稅額,這才是實實在在地支持服務業轉型和知識型經濟。功能組別如果還能在議會內發揮點作用,就是要懂得專業、深入地建議並推動政府施政,而非只叫政府「採取有效行動」這些空話,連自己也沒方向,和沒知識應當怎樣做。


  此外,原議案完全沒有提及西九文化區,也是與政府重大政策方向脫節的另一例子。筆者所屬公共專業聯盟在2007年年底已在「人文西九」研究報告書中建議,在西九設立「創意交流村」(creative jam)專區,成為一個自由而生機活潑的空間,建設最佳的科技基建和應用,融合文化藝術,帶動創作者開發創意的軟件式能量,再進一步籌建「社區文化網絡」,從西九透過人和活動單位如學校、社區中心等,以及新媒體科技,推展至全港每一角落,以至虛擬世界。


刊載於《信報財經新聞》2009年2月9日

Sunday, February 08, 2009

香港渣打馬拉松2009∣華仁一家

今年四點三起床,為的是首次參加香港渣打馬拉松2009。這次也同時為華仁一家籌款。我只跑了10K,時間約72分鐘,第一次來說,也從沒跑步習慣,我是滿意的,但應有進步空間吧,我也心思思出年試半馬 :-)

Friday, February 06, 2009

Charles Mok's IT360 #14 - Charles Proposes Ten Information Infrastructure Projects to Financial Secretary

Thursday, February 05, 2009

Proposing Ten Information Infrastructure Projects to Financial Secretary

This afternoon, together with other representatives from The Professional Commons, I presented to the Financial Secretary the Ten Information Infrastructure Projects proposal, and suggestions in other policy areas. We hope that these ideas will be adopted in the Government Budget for the coming year, to create jobs for the ICT sector, inject new energy into Hong Kong's economy, as well as improve the quality of life of all citizens.

The following is the list of organizations in support of the Ten Information Infrastructure Projects:-
Initiators

Internet Society Hong Kong
IT Voice
The Professional Commons

Supporting Organizations
Association of Computing Machinery Hong Kong Chapter
Association of Information Technology Leaders in Education
Hong Kong Association of Interactive Marketing
Hong Kong External Telecommunications Society
Hong Kong Information Technology Federation
Hong Kong Internet Service Providers Association
Hong Kong Society of Medical Informatics
Hong Kong Startup Association
Hong Kong Wireless Development Center
Hong Kong Wireless Technology Industry Association
Information Security and Forensics Society
Information Systems Audit and Control Association, Hong Kong Chapter
The Institution of Engineering and Technology, Hong Kong Chapter
Professional Information Security Association

Supporting Media
HKSMEBLOG.com
Linux Pilot
TechNow.com.hk

Download the full proposals from The Professional Commons

向財政司司長建議十大資訊基建

今天下午我聯同公共專業聯盟的代表,向財政司司長提出十大資訊基建建議,以及其他多方面的政策意見,希望可以被採納於來年的政府財政預算案,為資訊及通訊科技界創造就業,亦為香港整體經濟注入動力,並改善市民生活水平。

以下是至今支持十大資訊基建的組織:
發起團體
香港互聯網協會
IT呼聲
公共專業聯盟

支持團體
計算機器學會(香港分會)
資訊科技教育領袖協會
香港互動市務商會
香港對外通訊服務聯會
香港資訊科技商會
香港互聯網服務供應商協會
香港醫療資訊學會
香港創業協會
香港無線發展中心
香港無線科技商會
資訊保安及鑑證公會
國際資訊系統審計協會(香港分會)
工程技術學會(香港分會)
專業資訊保安協會

支持媒體
香港中小企智匯網
Linux Pilot
TechNow.com.hk

下載公共專業聯盟的建議全文(English)

Facebook@Work

你在工作時可以用Facebook嗎?香港的企業,除了大型機構「管制」比較「完善」外,相信大部份中小企業也沒有設置太多限制,但在外國限制員工在工作時間利用電腦和網絡使用作個人用途,早有較大限制,例如英國有三分之二的企業不准員工在工作時間使用社會網絡應用。但近年也有學者研究指社會網絡未必不好,從管理學角度這究竟是好是壞?

倫敦大學的管理創新研究所指出,科技進步已在挑戰傳管理者對工作效率的概念,尤其是所謂第二代互聯網(Web 2.0)技術和應用的出現。雖然傳統關注理由很多,如浪費時間、資料安全等,但若管理者肯從不同角度考慮,也許像
Facebook這些社會網絡應用,企業不止不應禁止使用,反而可能應該鼓勵善用。

這研究所最近訪問了一千名僱員,竟然有一半以上說若公司准許他們工時上網〝
Social〞,他們離開公司的可能性會較低;另外,自稱對公司忠誠的員工,比較會私下揾工跳槽的員工,前者反而會更多在工時使用社會網絡。為什麼會這樣?

大學教授總可以找到理論解釋。簡單地說,是〝
Work hard, Play hard〞,而在今天互聯網世代,意義就更明顯。君不見一代dot com公司,在公司裡有多少玩意,最好員工的吃喝玩樂都留在公司範圍內!新一代的打工仔,對公司的要求早已不一樣。管理學研究早已發現,如果員工在工作時有更大自由,反而會更投入於工作。

首先,讓員工在工作時「玩」,僱傭之間的心理合約就改變了,成為:「我相信你會做的適當的事,計算你的產出成果,而非你做了多少功夫。」員工感激公司給他們的空間,也許會以更佳的創意回報。從管理學理論說,這是「信任人會在工作上盡力而為,做到最好」。


第二,准許員工在工作時上網玩社會網絡,工作間以內、外的界線更形消失。有些人一向會有意把工作和家庭分開,變相是「按章工作」,把開放創意放在工作以外;但另一些人,尤其是在創業公司工作或自僱人士,卻習慣把工作和家中生活混在一起,既然在家也工作,為什麼在工作間不可做點私事?在行為學上,這對雙方是利多於弊。


第三,新技術的出現,往往是很難估計結果的,所以,在辦公室讓員工玩玩
Facebook,對工作效率是好是壞,誰知道?例如即時通訊(IM),早年ICQ令人覺得只是小玩意,但現時很多企業真的利用MSNSkypeGoogle Talk等工具作工作相關通訊,甚至進行多方會議。所以老闆們,看見員工返工時用Facebook,不如開放思維,不要禁止,反而Add你的同事做朋友吧!

刊載於《Hitech》 2009年2月5日

Monday, February 02, 2009

評資助實習研究員計劃

在金融海嘯下,特區政府財政收入出乎意料地跑贏大市,更加超過市場預期,本財政年度首九個月財政盈餘為309億元,至去年12月底,政府財政儲備為5238 億元。忽然之間,部分政黨要求政府以盈餘「派糖」之聲又起。筆者一向不贊同過分倚賴一次過式措施刺激市道,例如派發消費券這些建議,花費大而長遠經濟利益 和效果不大;不過,若說要創造就業,在政府缺乏長遠經濟規劃之下,又談何容易?若然在短時期「谷」高就業率,但無助長遠經濟發展和人力轉型,只會再令市民 失望。

申請機制繁複

政府最近宣布,創新及科技基金下的資助計劃將擴大實習員計劃至私人公司,預留約9000萬元,聘請約六百名實習研究員,為本地畢業生提供更多實習機會。已得 到或將成功申請創新及科技基金資助進行研發項目的機構,包括本地的大學、研發中心及私人公司,可利用了這新津貼增加聘請最多兩名實習研究員,進行研發工 作,持有學士學位的實習研究員可獲提供每月1萬元,持有碩士或更高學歷的,津貼額增至每月1.2萬元,實習期最長二十四個月。

不過,相關機 構包括私人公司要得到實習研究員津貼,須先把研發項目向創新科技署申請,如「創新及科技支援計劃」和給小型企業的「小型企業研究資助計劃」,這樣做的好處是避免企業利用這津貼用作非研發人員身上,但不好處是企業申請這些計劃需時很長,對什麼算是研發也限制甚嚴,現時的申請機制上有否改善加速處理?筆者上周 接觸了多家中小企業,諮詢他們對計劃的看法,大多數發現要先加入「小型企業研究資助計劃」才可申請後,都表示吸引力大減,因為類似計劃有「申請成本」,而 以往曾經申請過的人更有「不快經驗」。

很明顯的是類似的新措施,目的是力保較低的失業率,各部門都要「交數」,尤其是特首也親表關注即將離 校大學生的就業問題,但草草增加短期就業,對長遠行業發展有沒有幫助呢?此外,政府可曾考慮此舉對就業市場供求和價格有什麼影響?筆者接觸過的業界人士表 示,他們擔心會否有僱主先減人,後利用這些津貼以低價再聘用,這樣得到政府的「宴客」,對畢業生而言,可能拉低了薪酬,對他們不公平。上月在這津貼計劃未 宣布前,筆者在業界朋友的聚會中,聽見有人建議延伸類似「展翅計劃」至大學畢業生,但大家對這干預帶來的影響意見不一,特別關注的是會否對大學畢業生「好 心做壞事」。筆者亦發現大學生和初入行年青人當中,對計劃定下的較低薪津不滿。

與其只顧短期「做好這條數」,延續香港政府和香港人短視惡 習,特首何不以長遠眼光,利用這時機為香港長遠政策投資,帶領香港走新的路向?所以,筆者在去年底已具體提出投資「香港十大資訊基建」建議,希望平衡長、 短期需要,一方面就政府已定政策及資訊科技項目,排除行政或其他障礙,加快上馬、增加力度,另一方面為香港未來作中長期投資,例如利用無線射頻辨識系統 (RFID)、近距離無線通訊(NFC)等技術,把香港打造成應用技術的卓越中心。這些「香港十大資訊基建」建議,已經得到多個資訊及通訊科技業界組織支 持。

投資教育更實惠

建議中另一個項目,也希望一方面創造即時(但非臨時)就業職位,同時以長期投資香港為目的,向學校提供資源聘請資訊科技助理員。投資在下一代一點也不是浪 費,只要在每一家中小學開設一個資訊科技老師很希望見到的職位,就等於創造一千多個就業機會。與筆者一起就建議作深入政策研究的公共專業聯盟,在十八區抽 樣調查中、小學以學校發展基金用作支付資訊科技人員的薪酬的情況,發現目前的中學多數需要從學校發展基金中撥出部分資金,以增聘資訊科技人員,由此可見, 大部分中學對「資訊科技綜合津貼」(CITG)有不敷應用之感。

除了中學,部分小學也有相同情況,隨着資訊科技在小學教育愈來愈重要,有關 開支將相應增加。故此,筆者與公共專業聯盟建議在保留現有「資訊科技綜合津貼」水平的前提下,為每間中、小學額外提供最少一個資訊科技技術員的人手編制, 在創造就業之餘,相信有助提高學校教育的質素。

加快基建創就業

筆者舉出這個例子是希望大家可以拿出來,與政府建議津貼聘用實習研究員作比較。政府有意協助企業進行研發是好事,但機制繁複,在現行機制下成功被納入為創新 及科技基金資助研發項目的數目未必很多,恐怕連開設職位給畢業生的目標也未必能達到,反而令這些職位的工資定出較低的指標;雖然建議方向正確,可惜機制和 細節仍大有改善空間,因此「遠水」未必可以救到「近火」。

相反地,在現行政策範圍內加快、加大資訊科技基建,既簡單又直接,也不涉如定出較低薪津條件的干預市場行為,在創造就業成效應更大及快而準,更重要的是,改善公共服務和教育符合公眾利益,更易得到業界;以至廣泛社會支持。我們業界現正積極向財政司司長反映這些建議。

刊載於《信報財經新聞》2009年2月2日

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