Computer festival has something for everyone

By Jules Bell

JAKARTA (JP): Technology and computing fans and industry specialists alike will surely enjoy the Indonesian Computer Festival which opened here on Wednesday and finishes this following Sunday.

In addition to presenting the best and latest computing hardware and software from local and international companies, the event has deliberately focused on the presentation of topical information seminars, learning workshops and activities for children.

The list of exhibitors includes all the market leaders and international companies currently synonymous with computing; Intel which is promoting its latest chip the Pentium III, Toshiba, Compaq, Creative, Acer and AMD -- to name a few.

A host of local innovative companies are also present offering computer systems, LCD projectors, printers, Internet access, locally produced software and information technology solutions.

"We have attempted to create a different type of exhibition," said Soehoed Kosasih, general manager of Dyandra Promosindo, the company responsible for the organization and production of the event.

"Generally exhibitions focus on sales," he said, "this time we have an event that does focus on product promotion and sales, but in conjunction with education". The Computer Education Institute has been very involved in the planning and execution of the festival, he said.

This focus on education includes a series of information seminars on current topics in computing. Visitors can attend presentations to learn about assembling a computer, installing the Linux operating system, web page design using Microsoft's FrontPage, information systems now and in the future, and Y2K solutions. The information seminars are held daily and primarily targeted at computer specialists, however interested members of the public should also find them accessible.

Dyandra Promosindo normally runs four of five computing events a year, according to Kosasih. The Indonesian Computing Festival though, is a new addition to this program.

This year alongside the Indonesian Electronics Show, the exhibition is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily and so far has proven to be very popular. "We are expecting more than 300,000 people over the five days," he said.

"Our aim is to promote the Indonesian computer industry," said Kosasih, "and promote local companies because many stores in Indonesia have limited access to advertising."

The new exhibition includes a "Festival Area" with activities specifically aimed at children consisting of computer game competitions and a workshops for children aged three to 15. Visitors can compete for prizes in Microsoft's Cart Precision Racing game said Vanda, 21, working at the game competition center.

"It costs Rp 10,000 to enter," she said, "and it has been very popular. Sometimes people are a bit hesitant but I help them."

Next to the game center children are sitting in front of computers drawing pictures.

"Our objective is to help children learn using computer programs for drawing, mathematics and puzzle solving to name just a few areas," said Selasty Sinuraya, a business development specialist from the Computer Education Institute (CEI).

Sinuraya is coordinating the education and computing interactive exhibition for children at the festival. Children can experiment with drawing using a variety of art and drawing programs at the site.

Experienced staff are on hand to help where necessary. This weekend children can enter their pictures in a contest to win a trophy, computing magazines or discount vouchers for CEI courses, she said.

Working on her picture that shows "people who live near the mountains", Stella, 7, particularly enjoys the simplicity of computer drawing. "I love it," she said, "you can just click and change colors on the screen."

This educational role for the festival is just what Dyandra Promosindo intended, according to the company's marketing and promotions manager, Yudhiana Widyastuti. "This festival is for the public, and for them to learn," she said, "it is not just restricted to experts. We are promoting the concept that computers are not just for the office, they are for the family home also."

Elsewhere though, computing fans and professionals are hovering around soaking up the technological extravaganza. Rudy, 25, currently in his final year of a master's qualification in computing is enjoying himself. He has been looking at scanners, attended an information seminar on the installation of Linux and has just bought a network card. The highlight for him has been a look at the Intel Pentium III chip.

"Most people are interested in the capabilities of the Pentium III," said Andy Gozali representing Intel. "People are interested in the price and the differences between this new chip and the Pentium II," he said.

The festival, located at Hall B, Balai Sidang, Jakarta Convention Center, also includes stands from leading computing magazines, opportunities to play the latest games, multimedia presentations and just about everything you can imagine associated with computing.

The Indonesian Electronics Show 99 is at the same location, and also has an impressive list of exhibitors, presentations and is home to the Indonesian Music Festival 99. As part of the music festival visitors can enter drumming, singing and guitar playing competitions held daily.

The Indonesian Computer Festival is free, open to the public and is a great opportunity to examine the latest in computing hardware and software, and participate in information seminars. Children should find the event fun and interesting, as will computing professionals and casual hobbyists.