Academia Nomad

“Glitches in the Systems ” – (A Computer Programmers View)

By Melford Ipata via LinkedIn

Hey there! So, imagine you’re using a fancy computer system, like the Alesco Payroll System that the PNG Government uses. Some people might think there’s this magic thing called a “glitch in the system” that can automatically undo changes made by the people. Well, as a computer programmer, let me clear that up for you.

Computer systems, including Alesco, are super carefully designed software by smart programmers to follow specific instructions. Sure, sometimes there are bugs or glitches, but they’re not little ‘computer wizards’ undoing tax rates on their own. Usually, those glitches happen because of human mistakes during the coding process or when different parts of the system don’t get along. But on a commercial systems like Alesco, they have been fixed long before.

Now, the Alesco System is top-notch commercial software used worldwide. It’s been tested like crazy by expert programmers from all over the world for users. So, the idea that it can randomly undo changes all by itself doesn’t make sense as in the case of Finance Department & IRC. Computer programs don’t have brains; they just do what they’re told. If they are confused, they will generate an error message seeking additional information from the users but undoing changes on its own is out of concept.

In programming, being accountable is crucial. If something needs fixing or changing, it’s up to us programmers or someone authorized to do it on purpose. The thought that a system can magically change/undo things without a human is not possible. It overlooks the hard work and responsibility of programmers.

To sum it up, don’t buy into the idea that a “glitch in the system” can undo changes magically. Understanding computer programming is more complex than that. Alesco, being a worldwide-used commercial payroll software, is reliable and has minimal glitches. So, be careful what you say about it – making false claims can lead to legal trouble!

Active year on Academia Nomad blog and especially the Facebook page. Below are the top 5 Academia Nomad post on Facebook that went viral. In addition are the most funniest, most controversial, most useful, call for action, among few others. Which one was your favourite? Is there any we missed?

Posts on Facebook that went viral:

A. Snax / Em Nau Biscuit (the company almost shut down)

477 shares

B. Investing in BSP-Kina is simple, follow these steps

463 shares

C. K10, 300 phone (cost of one iPhone 15 PROMAX)

415 shares

D. A response to PNG’s K6 million expense on King Charles’ coronation

228 shares

E. Why is PNG so uninformed and out of touch? (Referring to the Governor General of PNG sitting on the chair whist the Prime Minister of Fiji sat on the floor)

188 shares

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Others:

A. Funniest post of 2023: Repost of Wilson Punim’s ‘Solwara i silip sore’:

Close to 1000 reactions 😂

B. Controversial post of 2023: No thunder, just rain: Mainline Churches in PNG

Post referencing mainline churches’ contribution to integral human development of PNG

C. Best places voted for visit in PNG: Kavieng, Tufi, Kopkop Island

D. Call to action: during the height of JT branding PNG primitives and trip to UK costing K6 million, we provided a template and instructions on how to lodge complaints to the Ombudsman Commission (more than 200 shares, and a good number of people used the template to lodge complaints)

E. Most useful post of 2023: List of Platforms in the Pacific that pay you for writing

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It’s been a great year on Academia Nomad. Thank you all.

The kid who owns the ball makes the rules

PNG MPs are not accountable to anyone except:

1. Multilateral institutions (IMF, Word Bank, etc)

If you look at the reforms, good or bad in PNG, you can pin it on either IMF or World Bank. The reforms are usually attached as conditions for receiving loans from these institutions.

On the positive side, if the government is reluctant to adopt a workable policy, an IMF condition may force the government to adopt it. On the downside, the government can actually adopt policy that doesn’t work in PNG just to align with the capitalist world and advance interests of the institutions, losing sovereignty in the process.

2. PNG Courts

The Supreme Court is the only national body that can rule against, reverse, and direct parliament and leaders if they violate the provisions of the Constitution. Though there is a separation of powers principle, there is a provision under the Constitution where the Supreme Court can interfere in the affairs of the parliament if in the pursuit of its duties the parliament violates the processes and procedures set by Constitutional Laws (the Constitution and the Organic Laws).

Examples include 2016 when the Supreme Court ruled the adjournment of parliament unconstitutional, the 2022 meeting of parliament and decisions (including budget) unconstitutional when the other half of parliament was in Vanimo, ruling of the Manus Refugee centre unconstitutional, and some amendments to the such as the extension of grace period which the SC ruled unconstitutional.

There’s is a catch though: the Supreme Court, cannot on their own, initiate these cases. Someone with a standing has to bring it before the Court. Unless, the individual directly attacks the judiciary, as Brian Kramer did (in such cases the courts can initiate the cases).

3. Donor/powerful countries

The US, Australia, Japan and NZ are funding a $1.3 billion electricity project in PNG, to connect 70% of PNG to electricity by 2030. This is just one of many “money-deals.” There’s no way on earth you can receive money of this magnitude for free (grants) and not lean toward the wishes of the countries that give you money.

You can talk all you want, but when they threaten to pull the rug under you, you’ll cave.

You don’t need to be a geopolitical expert to know this. Watch kids play on the street: the kid who owns the ball makes the rules; his team wins the game all the time.

4. The people

In a democracy, the political class were supposed to be accountable to the people. There’s even a process called “elections” set up in the democratic systems to ensure accountability.

But Papua New Guineans don’t vote politicians based on policies, morality, integrity and related values. So the politicians do not care about living up these standards. They can mess up and get elected.

The people have the least impact on what the leaders do in PNG.