Putting Up Good Content to Please

Putting up good content to please people sure is hard. But when it comes to podcasting, I think the producers has the right of what to put up, because a podcast is what the producers want to talk about. That's also the reason why the production team is so small as well... But critics can do their job of criticising a certain subject. I think I'll be taking that into consideration.

Meanwhile, expanding a lot of stuffs on my podcasting network. Hope to blog, pownce, twitter, jaiku, facebook more at the time... Not to forget, I have my degree to worry about as well. I'm already occupied before I go gain some engineering experience! Boy, I'm busy... But it's all good and has well meaning to me... I LOVE IT!

Where did this guy go?

Alrighty... I've not been here for quite a bit... my last post was quite some time ago. So, at least, there's something new here.

So, what I've been up to?

Here's some:

I've started my own podcast! The partner in crime is actually Paul (his blog link is in the page)
I've been taking up photography, re-learning flash with AS3, messing about with Ubuntu, looking for a replacement computer for the dead Duron that my friend gave me (you know who you are and I thank you because it had serviced me long enough to cause me to fall in love with Ubuntu (I sound like such a nerd)), submerged myself into Facebook, Pownce, Digg, Podshow, and some MMO. Oh, to other people who are casual gamers. Don't get into MMO games, it's addictive! Tried to write, found a program, so that I can keep up and motivate myself to do so. Maybe I'll post my writings here. Looking forward to do something for my high school's alumni and old boys (this is much of a journalist's job but I love my school, I'm willing to do it) and I think that's it for the past few weeks.

Also been reading some rants. Some are good some are bad, some can be just a place to release some steam (it's good if "you know who you are" who's reading, who's been ranting to release some steam).

Oh:
P/S: Some birthday shout outs: Ed Khing, Lik Wai and Meng Fei. Sorry for the belated greetings. Good luck in your career, and also studies! Hope to see you guys during Christmas or maybe the Lunar New Year.

I think that's it for now. For more stuffs about tech, Just head to my podcast page and listen to any of those episode. Feel free to comment and also e-mail the podcasting crew at geeksweekly@gmail.com.

Is It Time to side with someone?

Alright, this title actually brings me to the current format war between HD DVD and Blu-Ray DVD. Kind of sad to see this kind of format war bud up again. As what I've seen in the past few years, there was the DVD+R and the DVD-R war. Which was for which, but it didn't really end when all the players and drives went on to accept both formats of DVD recordable.

Okay, As what Leo Laporte says (or it maybe someone else), if the sales of DVD is of 4:1, i.e. 4 BR DVD to 1 HD DVD, the war is over.

Let's take a rundown, on the HD DVD side. Developed by Toshiba, each layer is about 13GB worth of data. Quite a number of film studios are siding with HD DVD. Reasons behind the support, I didn't really care about it. As a consumer, I'd rather care of what I can get with HD DVD. Yes, true, in my last post, I'd side with the HD DVD side for content. Unlike DVD, HD DVD will serve fresh content, rather than pre-recorded trailers (of course, the film stays intact). The current maximum capacity is 51GB over 3 layers per DVD.

Alright, let's skip to the Blu Ray DVD court. Developed by Sony, each layer is about 25GB wroth of data. Yes, way larger than HD DVD. Not a big number of film studio is on this side of the grass. Content is play as pre-recorded. Don't really care about it, I'd skip to the menu if I watch it on a PC. The only extra that I'm getting over here is that my favorite drive manufacturer, Pioneer (my dad bought a DVD player from this company and has lasted till now) is supporting Blu-Ray. The other case is that my favourite storage manufacturer, Mitsubishi is also on the Blu-Ray field!

Say, I'm kind of still wanting to wait and see. LG has announced their second generation HD DVD and Blu-Ray DVD player. This time, the catch is that the HD DVD side has approved it.

Say... I'm confused... shoud I go Blu??? Or should I stay on the Red side of it all??? Both do have good features...

HP to launch dual HD format burners?

Okay, as I've said, I'll be trying to integrate AJAX with my blog, updates are coming. Problem beging when I'm trying to bind AJAX and the Blogger API.

Okay, interesting news so far, from HP! They are going to release PCs that will feature a Blu-Ray and HD-DVD writer.

For those who would like to stay neutral and would like to wait which format will reign supreme, this should be the best solution. I'm glad to see this news.

I'm going both ways, as both are as robust, both are as good, both features High Definition data, both can sport up to 50GB or more in a dual layer disc (triple for HD-DVD). The only thing that drag me away from Blu-Ray is that the content is just like DVDs, pre-recorded trailers means pre-recorded trailers, but on the HD-DVD side, with the player hocked up to the net, you will get new content everytime you pop in a HD-DVD. New trailers definitely everytime.

Best to have both format in one device.

Luciano Pavarotti, Resto Nella Pace, Amen

Alright, a little bit of disclaimer, I'm not Italian, I used Google Translate to get that phrase.

I didn't really fell into classical music until lately. I've always been a listener to great soundtrack composers like Hans Zimmer (The Rock, Pirates of the Carribean: Dead Man's Chest, Pirates of the Carribean: At World's End, and a lot more), John Williams (Star Wars, Indiana Jones and lots more), John Goldsmith and a few more movie composers that I listen to. Much changed when I hear the sound of Andrea Bocelli. It's almost like dreaming. Then, I came to realise a person that goes by the name Luciano Pavarotti. Did some research, tried to look for some of his albums, legally and illegally. Didn't find any of it and gave up. All that I have of Luciano Pavarotti is a song that goes by the name Nessun Dorma, that was performed at the 2006 Turino Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony (or it should be closing). Seeing a aged man performing such a powerful act has never been easy for me and it brings a great feeling of respect to Luciano Pavarotti.

I made more research about him after his death just out of the curiosity of knowing more why is he so famous and yet how did he touch so many people from all walks of life.

Take a look at this performance.

I do hope to have listened to his works.

Luciano Pavarotti, Resto Nella Pace, Amen

Some updates

Alright, I'll not be posting for the next few days. I'm trying to update my blog's design and see what I can add to it with the new Blogger API.

This is going to get really geeky. Hope that all of my visitors will add in some idea and help me out with the re-design.

iPod refreshed

Alright, new stuffs from the recent Apple event.

New iPods

iPod Touch, 8GB and 16GB pricing off at $299 and $399.

The original design of the iPod is now the iPod classic. Comes in 80GB and 160GB of capacity. $249 and $349 each.

The iPod "fatty" nano is true! the mock up was true! Here's the deal, 4GB and 8GB, $149 and $199 each.

All pricing are listed as American Dollars, I'd like to see good news from a supplier for Malaysian pricing.

Had a great time waiting for the launch and the live blogging events at home. 2 in the morning now. But it was fun. I was shouting like a mad man when Jobs announced iPod Touch.

Alright, the usual me, if there are new good stuffs, I'll have it here.

Oh, a few more things.

The iPod nano is now capable of video playback, both iPod Classic and iPod Nano has coverflow, a new user interface and a little more longer battery life.

The iPod Touch has Wi-Fi built in, has calculator, calander, Safari and a few more applications found on the iPhone. Should be shipping in the next few weeks. Simply take it as an iPhone without the phone function. It looks almost like one.

One more big news! Apple is dropping the 4GB iPhone, and the 8GB iPhone will be tagged at $399 each.

For more information visit Ars Technica, Gizmodo, Engadget or Crunchgear for the latest Apple event.

The Beat Goes On.

A stroll down Ipoh

Alright, it's just after exams. I think I'll just go spend some time in my good old Alma Mater.

Great place, most of my memories are left permanently in my heart. Those busy days, busy events, staying back for an unknown amount of time. Just for the activities.

So, as I was strolling by, passing the Ipoh Field, the stage for the coming Merdeka event is being set up.

Kind of cool! I think Ipoh's hosting the main event. School's close. So, got in and have a stroll.

I'll post the details on the YMA blog page.

Images hosted by Flickr.

SHOT OUT!

Alright, big shout out to someone who I adore and I think a little bit of a role model, (my mom and my dad is still the best, but his work hammered me quite a bit)

Sir Sean Connery (IMDB), Happy 77th Birthday.

Alright, call me gay if you want, but he's one heck of a guy.

Oh, on the side, Sir, if you ever come across this blog (I bet you will never come across this in your lifetime), as a fan, just one small request, please return as Professor Henry Jones Sr. for one last time. It will be great for us fans to see you one more time in one more silver screen outing.

Born 25th August 1930, Edinburgh, Scotland, Sir Sean Connery had definitely made his mark in the entertainment industry. Early cast roles in Another time, Another Place led him to playing the suave British spy, James Bond.

The debut of Dr. No in 1962, staring Sean Connery as James Bond. The point where he was shot into stardom. He then stared in four more films as James Bond that includes From Russia With Love (1963), Goldfinger (1964), Thunderball (1965) and You Only Live Twice (1966). Apart from being James Bond, Sir Sean Connery was also in other films such as Marnie (1964), The Hill (1965) and much more.

Holding the record for 7 outings (tied with Sir Roger Moore), Sir Sean Connery returned once more as James Bond in 1971's Diamond Is Forever and the Thunderball remake in 1983.

He also stared alongside with Sir Michael Caine in The Man Who Would Be King (1975)

I don't remember well and I've yet to see all of Sir Sean Connery's films. I'll head straight to 1986. I was just 1 years old back then and I've yet to understand what is movies.

After all that publicity, Sir Sean Connery was obviously recognized as a very talented actor. But yet, he's yet to get an Academy Award (Oscars).

1986 sees the sci-fi film Highlander. Alter Highlander II in 1991 where Sir Sean Connery played Juan Sánchez Villa-Lobos Ramírez.

1987 was where he famously played a Chicago beat cop, Jimmy Malone alongside Kevin Costner as Elliot Ness. After the tremendous act of the dying cop, and also getting a worst Irish accent in film history, he finally got himself an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. Still strong at the age of 58, he continued on to play bookish Professor Henry Jones Sr. in Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade.

I thought I've lost you boy!

Leave that a mark in the entertainment industry, the phrase "Junior" impacted all Indiana Jones fans.

1990 sees Sir Sean Connery continue on. Even at the age of 60, nothing was going to stop him. He played Lithuanian submarine captain Marko Raimus with Alec Baldwin as Jack Ryan. (I read the book, saw the film and was amazed.)

Sir Sean Connery starred in quite a number of film in the 1990s. Including blockbuster film The Rock, directed by Michael Bay, he played imprisoned British Intelligence agent, John Patrick Mason. He also played the King Arthur in First Knight (1995), romance comedy, Playing By Heart, romance thriller, Entrapment and a lot more.

In 2000, he played recluse writer William Forrester. Introducing new comer Rob Brown where he took him under his wings in acting.

After three years absent from the silver screen, he stared once again in summer blockbuster The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as English adventurer Allan Quatermain.

He returned once again as James Bond in the video game rendition of From Russia With Love and Sir Billy the Vet, a Scottish production of animated tale.

There are more to Sir Sean Connery than just films. Click on the title, that will take you to his site. A strong supporter of the Scottish parliment, a talented and artistic man.

Hm... I think that's how I come to know more about Scotland as well.

His life's work cannot be completely told here. As there are a lot more to his work in charity, and also the film industry.

Once again, Sir Sean Connery, Happy 77th Birthday.

How I Digg

The GigaOM Show

Alright, I'm still busy with that AJAX transformation and I'm starting to get the hang of it. Hope that it goes well.

Sold a notebook today, One of HP's model.

Here's a new introduction to a show that I'd watch religiously, it's a show about online startups and technology.

The GigaOM show.

Give it a try.

Converting to AJAX

Okay, there's been some development with this blog. I'm trying to add a string of HTML/Java coding on the page. So, hope that you guys understand.

As you can see there's two "About Me" sidebar widgets here. Please ignore the bottom one as it's an ongoing project.

Thanks much!

If this works out, I might be starting a podcast soon on another blog.

New Layout!

Alright, I've been sticking with the Blogger's theme Tic Tac for quite some time already, I think it's time for a little change. I've also added a poll to see if you, my blog's visitors thinks that the theme looks nice? or should I revert it? Or should I redesign a theme with AJAX?

Hope that all of you will share your thoughts, and maybe help me out with some AJAX coding. Thanks!

Still Looking Up for HDRI

Still in the process of learning about HDRI. Found a great blog for cars. At the same time, found some really good HDRI examples.

I did find some in flickr as well. But that is still taking me a few months to understand an image.

This is from the Autoblog. Pictures of the latest Aston Martin DBS

Back to tech

Alright, I may have posting something that may seem racial, if any saw it, sorry. I kind of smelled danger. I'd better stay off it.

Found something really nice on Ars Techinca.

Click here.

Is Malaysia A Haven for a Multi-racial Community?

Edit: I smell danger.

Webb Alert

I started to get into tech when I was about 13. That's when I had my first computer. A Pentium Celeron 300MHz. Yeap, cheap machine, but it was worth my while.

Then, I got addicted to ZDTV. That was back in 1999 before they changed name to TechTV. I got a glimpse of it at one of my friends house. Then I started going after it. After TechTV was acquired by G4, I kind of left it alone. And went after what Leo Laporte did, what Kevin Rose and Alex Albrecht, Patrick Norton (just left DL.TV, rumor has it that he's moving to Rev3), Robert Heron, Roger Chang, Yoshi (still looking) and most of the TechTV staffs.

Here's Morgan Webb!

I GOT SIMPSONIZED!

I was reading Foo Kiat's blog and then was linked to Yee Hui's blog. Both of them were once my classmates and also my schoolmates.

Yee Hui got himself Simpsonized.

So, I tried it myself...
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I'm still wondering if I do look like that.

Fancy that? Try it! Get Simsonized.

High Dynamic Range Imaging

I was really amazed on what Adobe's Photoshop can do. Apart from creating great wallpapers that my friends are obsessed with, I like it from a photographic point of view. I've seen some really great HDR Images around the net. I'm impressed, and I'd like to learn about it.

But my question currently is how many frames does it take to make a good HDR image. I do have a few of my friends who did join a photography club back in my high school days (or Secondary School as some call it) and I'm wondering if any of them know about HDR.

I think I should give it a try and see how it goes.

Cameron Trip

Alright, as promised, I did go to Cameron Highlands. A very nice local attraction.

Headed up to Cameron Highland at about 7.00 in the morning. The journey this time was not as nauseating as it was last time when my dad drove up to the place from Tapah. This time, we entered from Simpang Pulai's entrance. Making the trip much more easier for those who are not very tolerant with nausea.

I was not in my family's car actually. I was with my cousin who managed to get my aunt along with my other cousins. So, a total of 9 person was on the trip.

It's quite the usual stuffs actually. Much like heading to Tanah Rata and make our way up and down again to the Simpang Pulai stop. But some changes had been made since I was last there. I think it was 2 years back when I was last at Cameron Highlands.

Cactus Valley had a major change. From the entrance point, adding expansions higher up the field. Adding a lettuce farm. nice beautiful lettuce from all over the farm. Some Coral Lettuce, and a few more that I managed to photograph of.

Other than that, Cactus Point has moved! A little close to Kea's Farm. It used to be close to a shop lot and a small park about 1km away from Berinchang. Nice place.

One of the highlight that I have this time is that I did make a trip into the Boh Sungai Palas Plantation and factory. I've been there once but this time is the one time with my family. Me and my mom had been drinking that tea for some time. I know how it is made, but showing it to my mom, I'd think that she'd appreciate the view of the plantation and how it is made a little more. That should be nice. I was trying to take a panoramic photograph of the plantation. I'll post it up to my flickr account when I'm good with it. A local series was made there too. It was called "Sky" try to head to 8TV. I think it's listed there. The view there is beautiful!

Well, that's all for now. I be back to my usual self. Posting stuffs about tech.

Edit: Added the photos of a panorama shot of Boh's Sungai Palas Tea Plantation.

8TV Summer Live Concert 2007

DSCN0459_1
Originally uploaded by andrew_lim85

This is one of the best shot that I managed to get. A photo of the stage that was built here in Ipoh for the 8TV Summer Live Concert 2007.

Went there. It was hot, kind of rained for a bit, but it stopped, many was there, the hosts estimated 50,000 people was attending this particular event. Okay. Done with the numbers.

Hosts for the day was some of 8TV's show hosts. I honestly don't remember their full name. One of them was Gary. I remember Xin Yi. She was at Ipoh Parade when I claimed the tickets for this event. Dylan (Host of Step Forward and I Wanna Be A Model) was also there.

Great hosting casts.

On to the performers.

First up! George Lam! Great Hong Kong superstar. Kind of had an accident a few years back while he was holding a tour. A great comeback and what a way to attract attention to Ipoh! Yeap, That's my hometown.

2morrow was there. I don't really know if they are local Malaysian artist or Taiwanese artist. They are kind of cool. A slower paced song. Though the theme was about dances.

Next up. Two more local artists was up. I don't remember the other one, But I remembered Gary Chaw Ge. Soft songs again. Regular Chinese Pop. Before he came on, there was another local artist. I don't remember her name.

After all that, Malaysian Idol Daniel Lee was up next. Singing one of his songs from his latest album. Fans of him should know what song is that. I don't. Even though I have it in my system, my sister is the one who's listening to it.

After Daniel's done with his performance. It was time for another local artist, John. I think he's one of the contestants from Superstar Project Malaysia. No exact memory as I didn't watch that program.

Alright, enough about local artists. Korean band The Cross was up next. The lead sound kind of annoying. Didn't really liked the performance. And I didn't pay attention after that. as I don't remember who went up next.

But the last two artists that was in the queue, JJ Lim (Singapore) and F.I.R (Taiwan) brought up the heat again! After all that, it's time to head home.

That's just the summary of the concert. And what I had paid attention to. Before all those went on, Macarena dancing! Was used to get some lucky winner of RM500 (US$140). Just for the fun of it, I kind of joined in and thought I won. The clip of a guy jumping up and down quite high. I was doing that. But he wore a purple shirt, and I wore a blue one. So, lucky him and also congrats!

That's all for now.

Next is a one day trip to Cameron Highlands. Time to get some fresh tea.

Cool wallpaper of New York City

Found a cool wallpaper! Really nice photo shot of 9th Avenue.

Click here.

Night Shot from my balcony

Night Shot from my balcony
Originally uploaded by andrew_lim85

I'm not so good with a camera yet. It's my new found interest. I like those photo effects of light streaks. And I'm wondering how can I do it with a cheap point and shoot camera. This seems kind of okay for me. Any suggestions? The camera is a Nikon L11. (Picture hosted by Flickr)

Web 3.0

It is interesting to know what is Web 2.0. Almost all sites have been turned into using AJAX. Some are starting to hate that word right now.

Yahoo! turned into AJAX somewhere in 2004/05 I don't remember the exact date but it's cool at first and it kind of wore off. Sad but true. So what's the new hype?

Recently in some articles that I've read and some sources (still judging if it is reliable) and podcast had claimed that Google Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. are working together with a few social networking sites like MySpace, Friendster, Facebook, Multiply and much more to create a mash up of these applications into one. That should be an interesting story.

Those aside. But calling it Web 3.0? Should the internet be graded with version numbers now?

Should be a good thing if it kick things off the ground. But to one who had enough and had fatigue about Web 2.0, I'd still like to call it the internet. A place where a lot of activities and communications can be done and also a source of knowledge.

Intel's Q4 Prediction

I was right! And I'm really getting giddy now. I did tell my friend about stuffs on Q4 this year. I was kind of predicting that Intel will release something new and that DDR3 is to be introduced into the market as a new high end RAM (still wondering if that's true).

Alright, I got conformation from link that Intel will be releasing a Quad Core processor this Q4 using the 45nm production format and will be sporting 12MB of L2 Cache. THAT IS ONE HECK OF A DIE! and it will clock out at 3.33GHz per core and a bus speed of 1333MHz

Here's the link

Some Updates from the Tech part of My World

Okay, I keep track of a few podcasts/netcast/vidcast/video blog or whatever it is that you all want to call.

Sad news from Buzz Out Loud, where Veronica Belmont has left BOL.
Also, Jim Lauderback's departure from Ziff Davis to Revision3. Hope that more success will follow him.
Today, Patrick Norton, who left Ziff Davis. I think he jumped ship from Ziff Davis (DL.TV) to Rev3 for Systm. Love that show, any of you all who do DIY stuffs must see that show.

Not much good tech stuffs lately. Not much new hardware news from Intel or AMD. Still waiting for those good parts to arrive.

Great, that's all for now.
Time to mess with Flash CS3

Gran Turismo 5

I've been a fan, to be honest about GT5

Check out this link.

Delicious new Gran Turismo 5 pics and news

Return to Blogger as my Blogging Application

After quite a while of using Wordpress, I will still keep that as my tech blog. I would restart this blog as my personal blog. Just to keep the same address.

This Blog has moved

Hi all, this blog has moved to a new blogging API

The new address is
http://techenthusiast.wordpress.com/

Furious!

I'm feeling pretty much furious right now.

How is it possible that iTunes Music Store be blocked into a situation where "Connection: Reset" would show up in iTunes? If it is a P2P protocol, I would definitly understand why that would happen as traffic shaping has been implemented to my ISP's bandwidth distribution policy.

It is just heartbreaking where one is such a long term customer, managed to use full capacity for such a service for more then two years and this is what happens to such a customer.

To all Malaysian readers, and to those who use Bittorrent to download legal content most of the time, As a blogger, I would like to propose a petition ( a signed petition, in paper ) in order to get TM Net to do something to their network before all of their customers leave or set up a new ISP service in Malaysia. And to the GOVERNMENT. DO NOT INTERFERE WITH WHAT EVER COMPANY THAT IS TRYING TO PRIVATISE A SERVICE.

To all that resellers, the income from reselling TM Net Streamyx service is definitely a good earning out of one day worth of hard work. DO NOT! And I say again, DO NOT AND BE CAREFUL OF THE MARKETING CAMPAIGN THAT TM NET IS TRYING TO DO!

It is frustrating.

Simply frustrating.

Updates from Digg.com

I've managed to get in contact with the Digg.com crew, and developers, they are working on the new Blogger API. I hope that my regular visitors will stay patient as they are getting to the new Blogger API for now.

I'll promise that I'll get back as soon as possible.

Meanwhile,

http://www.twit.tv/
http://www.digg.com/users/andrewlim85
http://www.revision3.com/
http://dl.tv/

Please take a look at these sites for good information on good computer hardwares. And also good technology news.