I ought to update the blog a little more often. But when I do find interesting stuffs, or when I just wanna lash out at my local ISP, I'll do it.
I'm looking for a freaking job! BUT IN THIS TROUBLED TIMES, IT IS HARD! Frustration over. Moves on with life. And Pownce is closing down. Pownce has been acquired by Six Apart for an undisclosed amount of money. Pretty cool that they get acquired so soon. And congratulations to the Pownce Team.
That's it, The tech sector is getting the hit with layoffs.
Revision3 had just laid off 30% of their staffs. Dell laid off 10% and a lot more. I guess this is the DOT BOOM BUST. Here's a nice tip from Jason Calacanis. Invest in yourself during this downtime. Eg. Projects, further better your skills and it will pay off.
There shall be more updates on the layoff. Head to Techcrunch and search for Layoff Tracker and you'll see how many companies had laid off staffs and which that may have bagged up everything and closed down the business.
Okay, this time, I was out busy with assignments. Rushing to finish one for myself, and getting some hardware working. Damn, that was busy. But still, engineering is a subject that I love!
At times, I just love what I do. I'm a messy guy, but when it comes to engineering subjects, my mind pops up with ideas. At times, those ideas may seem to be too advance for the current technology, but still, it is still an idea to implement. It's still an idea. It's about being systematic in solving problems or storming for a new product or technology.
I realised how much I loved that kind of activity. It's as always the good old days back in Secondary school (High School) where I was taking the Engineering Drawing subject. My teacher, and god bless him that he was good and I really treasure the efforts that he used to teach the class, likes to give us questions, leave us alone to figure out solutions by ourselves. By hook or by crook, we come up with answers.
As of today, I was trying to finish assignments for the university. And that kind of feeling struck me, and it brought back memories. Still, I'm happy of what I've choose to do.
I've finally found the mixer I want in IPOH! YAY! But it's gonna cost me RM3.8k for me to get it. Oh, no, not so soon I'm afraid.
And I was out and about looking for Screened Twisted Pair cables. Can't find a single one. The best bet was one spindle, costing me RM300+. Okay. That's overboard.
Found some really good directional mics for my podcast, and it's going to cost me RM800. Found a pair of AKG. And for the first time, I'm gonna love high end audio. I think I'm turning into an Audiophile! SOMEBODY STOP ME! But anyways, High end headphones are always good. Some particular point is how accurately it reproduce sounds. I tested a pair of AKG K99 today at an audio equipment store. Here's the best bit. Any little bit of noise that an amplifier reproduce, you can hear it over the AKG. AWESOME! That's right down pricision. FTW! I need it, I'm gonna get it, it will cost me RM300. Pretty reasonable price compared to the ones that I have now, which was the Logitech Premium Headset 350 USB. That is also a good pair of headphones and mic for RM199. But if you push it to the limit, it will break. Mine's almost broken. Need to send it back for warranty.
Okay, I've got to admit. I have not been updating my blog for a long time. And I've been really busy with a lot of stuffs. Part of it is me being out of the country for 8 days. I spent that 8 days in Australia. Nice little experience.
Let's talk about Australia.
Weather there is about 6 degree C to about 29 degree C. Really cool weather. Loved it. Even more, I went out on shorts on one night. Chilly, and really cool! Pure bravery. Okay, that's just me blowing my own horn, but the temperature during Tuesday night is a little bit warm. About 20 degrees C. Loved the food there. Sadly, due to religious reasons, I'm not allowed to have beef. So, there are some sausage that I can't have, some Italian style cooking that I can't really have as well.
Okay, enough about the environment and food. I have to talk about the University that I studied in. I'm pretty sure that Professors of Havard University, Oxford University will be much better than the Professors that is in University of Southern Queensland. But still, I respect them. Main reason is the number of years they had with electronics and electricity plant. Gotta love them for that.
Okay, I'm not gonna talk about anymore stuffs about Australia. Great experience.
I'm still trying to start a lot of stuffs with GeeksWeeklyTV.com. I have a side project called Young Michaelians Alumni. A weblog for Michaelians young and old all over the world. I'm trying to get Mr. Peter Khiew to get involved, as he is the closest source to news about SMI. Will try to post update about that.
More, I remember that my good friend invited me into a group page called Circles99. It is still around, but with limited data and so on. Still, those who were invited into the private group founded by Yew Lok, log in, please. Just bring it back to life.
More next time around. Need to catch up with tech, and to finish a couple more projects.
At times, it is just way too funny the way things plays out in Malaysian Politics.
Now, I'm not too much of a political guy. But, as what I understand democracy is that all Malaysians that holds the blue Identity Card of Malaysia is entitled to do whatever he or she likes. Though, "Daulat Tuanku". As I still love this country at certain times because of quite a number of reasons.
Let's not talk about the royals. Let's talk about the ministers. Sometimes, I just would love to know what in the world they do in Office. Other than bicker and shout and scream about stuffs that is not supposed to be mentioned. But hey... what do they really do in Office???
There, a piece of my mind about my current ISP. I'll just echo everything out of the original writer's mind instead of rambling around for another 2000 words. Not cool.
Yes, we're back after another week away and get great news. I don't want to keep it up but tech news is really hard to find in the summer. Dang. But here's what we talk about:
Okay, I’m now angry at my ISP, I really am and I could get into trouble with this post. I’ve posted these kind of topics before, but it’s just me trying to let go of some steam that is stored inside my brain that concerns my ISP (TM NET Streamyx). At times, I’d just wish that everything is just fine like it is when it was in 2004. When I first applied for a broadband service. That was when they had the capacity to handle the number of subscribers. Now, with the traffic shaping case and so on, what does it mean from a customer’s point of view? In my mind as an engineer, I’ll be saying: “You have a problem that needs to be solved”. As a consumer: “What a crappy service, I’m going to jump ship and go to another ISP”. And so, I’ve gone back to the roots of a lawsuit. And so, I dug up the MCMC page, and took a look at some of the amendments that has been established since 1998. And I’m sure I’ll be wrong all over the place. So, here goes;
Regulation 3. Universal service provision objectives.
(1)The following are the objectives of the universal service provision:
(a)collective access to basic telephony and Internet access services; and //Yes, internet to everybody. Does collective means a place that houses an organisation, office, or government building?
(b)individual access to basic telephony and Internet access services. //Yes, individual access finally. Cool. *Darn, no wonder it took such a long time to get a phone line back in 1993*
(2)In the event that the objectives specified in subregulation (1) cannot be met simultaneously in a universal service target, the order of priority for the provision of universal service shall be as follows:
(a)collective access shall have priority over individual access; and //okay, more people getting it, the better
(b)access to basic telephony services shall have priority over Internet access services. //wait, what about those in farms and secluded areas?? Could be the last mile problem.
[Subs. P.U.(A) 402/2003]
Regulation 4. Notification of universal service targets.
(1)The Commission, subject to the approval of the Minister, shall identify the universal service targets, and shall, from time to time, publish a notification specifying the identified universal service targets and such other matters as the Commission considers relevant. //isn’t that like asking for information about someone via a third party without a warrant? I don’t know, again, I may be wrong.
[Subs. P.U.(A) 402/2003]
(2)For the purpose of the notification under subregulation (1), the Commission may request any network facilities provider individual licensee, network service provider individual licensee and/or applications service provider class licensee to provide, within a specified time, such information or documents as the Commission may require. //Oh, so that is asking for information from a service provider. So, If I go to a certain hosting service in Malaysia, the MCMC could ask for my information *explains the Bittorrent tracker cases in Malaysia*
[Am. P.U.(A) 143/2005]
(3)Any person who fails to comply with subregulation (2) commits an offence under these Regulations. //So, if the service provider does not comply, they are going against the law. But what about EULA? Or T&Cs that is established between the service provider and the end user/subscriber. And what about asking me directly about my information? *Okay, I understand that I can be withheld for no reasons if I do not comply.*
Regulation 13. Progress report.
The designated universal service provider shall, from time to time or upon request by the Commission, submit a report on the progress of the implementation of the approved universal service plan. //Okay, Minister of MCMC, has TM Group submitted any reports concerning the RM16 billion that was given to them? Because I’m concerned about the progress as a consumer! I’ve got to wait for 10 years for the progress. With that amount of money, I’d say I can do A LOT of stuffs with it! But I’ll just keep those in my own brain.
[Subs. P.U.(A) 402/2003]
Regulation 14. Application for variation of an approved universal service plan.
(1)A designated universal service provider may apply to the Commission to vary the approved universal service plan and shall for this purpose submit to the Commission a draft variation of the plan. //Does that include data packet manipulation? If no, can that be added after the plan has been approved?
(2)The Commission may—
(a)approve the variation plan with or without any amendment; or //If approved, can it be change all of a sudden without letting the MCMC know? I’m not sure how this is decided or if the Minister is actually easily manipulated to agree with an organisation or if they have a bias against some company. Eg. If I said that my bandwidth has been sucked up but this, this, this and this. I want to implement this, this, this and this. Then the Minister asks why. I’ll then say it’s because if this, this, this and this, and the cost *blah blah blah blah blah* and the minister agrees. Wait, if you’re a business organisation, and that one is managing it, shouldn’t one be looking to cut cost and maximise customer experience? If I’ve already sold out my bandwidth, I would get more so that all of my customer is happy. And if something is wrong, I’d find out. If my customer is telling me something is wrong, I’d go find out. That may be an engineer’s mind and not a business person’s mind. Okay, seems to be off track.
(b)refuse to approve the variation plan. //I do not like monopoly. That’s like anti-competitive. Hope that everyone out there understands
(3)The Commission may, before giving its decision in writing for approving or refusing the variation plan under subregulation (2), consult the designated universal service provider. //If it’s to improve, I’ll agree.
(4)If the Commission approves the variation, the varied universal service plan shall become the approved universal service plan from the date as specified by the Commission in the decision.
Regulation 15. Commission may vary an approved universal service plan.
(1)Notwithstanding regulation 14, the Commission may, by giving the designated universal service provider a written notice, require the said provider to vary the approved universal service plan in accordance with the terms set out in the notice by submitting to the Commission a draft variation to the approved universal service plan. //I don’t understand this at all. Does it mean that I can submit a plan to the MCMC and designate TM Group to do something? I think I’m totally wrong.
(2)The Commission may, by notice in writing consult the designated universal service provider before finalising the variation to the approved universal service plan under subregulation (1). //That will be the MCMC talking to a service provider.
(3)The varied universal service plan referred to under subregulation (2) shall be deemed to be the approved universal service plan from the date as set out in the written notice.
Regulation 16. Revocation of designation of designated universal service provider.
(1)The Commission may, revoke the designation of the designated universal service provider in any of the following circumstances:
(a)the designated universal service provider has failed to comply with the approved universal service plan; //does that mean if the standard that one first sets is not met, one complains, and if the MCMC sees that the service has not checked out to the earlier standard that was approved, they can revoke the plan?
(b)a receiver or liquidator has been appointed for the designated universal service provider; //third party?
(c)a petition for the winding up of the designated universal service provider has been presented against the universal service provider in a court of competent jurisdiction or a resolution for its voluntary winding up has been passed; //Okay, sounds like what I like!!
(d)the designated universal service provider ceases to carry on its business; or //Filed for bankruptcy? Or just failed to manage it?
(e)the revocation is in the public interest. //Does that mean if a majority of people in the public is not happy with the service provider, the MCMC can revoke the service?
(2)Before revoking the designation of a designated universal service provider, the Commission shall notify the designated universal service provider in writing of its intention. //Revoke notification (in letter form)
(3)The designated universal service provider shall within thirty days from the date of issuance of the written notice provide a written submission to the Commission stating the reasons why the designation should not be revoked. //Service provider states reason why a mentioned service should not be revoked
(4)The Commission shall consider the submission made by the designated universal service provider before revoking the designation. //MCMC makes the decision *sound like a 12 person jury trying to get unanimous judgement*
(5)The revocation of designation of the designated universal service provider shall take effect on the expiry of fourteen days from the date on which the notice of revocation is served on the designated universal service provider.
(6)If the designation of a designated universal service provider is revoked under subregulation (1)—
(a) the designated universal service provider shall, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission, cease to implement the approved universal service plan from the date the revocation takes effect; and
(b) the revocation shall not prejudice or affect the rights of the Commission to recover any money paid to the designated universal service provider or obtain any remedy arising from or in relation to any non-compliance of the approved universal service plan. //I think both above is about what is going to happen to the service provider.
(7)Upon revocation of the designation of the designated universal service provider under subregulation (1), the Commission may designate another licensee as the new designated universal service provider to complete the approved universal service plan. //An alternative
(8)Notwithstanding subregulation (7), the designated universal service provider revoked under subregulation (1) shall be paid all cost and expenses incurred as set out in the approved universal service plan less any advance payment made up to the date it ceased to be the designated universal service provider. //Take up your bag of responsibility
Regulation 17. Requirement to provide information to new designated universal service provider.
The Commission may, by notice in writing, require the designated universal service provider whose designation has been revoked under subregulation 16(1), to submit to the Commission any information which in the opinion of the Commission is necessary for the implementation of the relevant approved universal service plan by the new designated universal service provider. //Is this lawful? I mean, that’s my information out there.
Regulation 18. Compliance with quality of service standards.
A designated universal service provider shall comply with the quality of service standards as provided in any mandatory standards or consumer codes registered under the Act, which are relevant to the activities of the designated universal service provision. //Okay, a certain quality of service must be met. But does that involve dropping data packets? I’m for net neutrality. In my mind, I paid for the service where it will provide me with a link to the cloud of data that is out there in the millions of networks in the world. I realise that one would do anything in a network to achieve that standard, but what about implementation of new transfer protocols?
Alright, I’d better stop before I get into trouble. This is just me understanding the laws of my beloved homeland of Malaysia.
I need an alternative that is not expensive, and also a better service, preferably, cable or fiber optics.
I'm not sure if this is an internal problem or a DNS problem or something else. I need answers ASAP! How is it possible that I'm getting very bad transmission from Stickam and also Castfire?
Someone just tell me something about it. Need to call technician tomorrow morning.
After about 4 years and 2 months under my sweaty palm and also my sister's and brother's sweaty palm, it died. When I bought it, the price was RM140. Now, it's about RM110 or so, I think.
Here's what I still think about buying an expensive mouse over a cheap mouse. Consider this, that you pay RM15 for a mouse that will last you for about 6 months, cheap plastic, cheap electronic parts and so on. Tally it up to about 4 years, you would have spent about RM120 in 4 years. But this assumption is definitely wrong, because one could get a Logitech mouse for about RM30 and last for over 5 years. But still, it's a good mouse compared to other unnamed brands. If you could spend around RM150 for a mouse, the hardware that you're going to buy, that is your pointing device for your PC or Mac, it will last you for about 5 years. So, what was the deal that I got 4 years ago?
I bought a Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0 for RM140 (I fancy getting something wireless), had 3 years limited warranty. Was thinking that I could get it to last till 2009. But it didn't. Still, it's a good mouse, consider that I got about 4 months battery life (average, because I'm on my computer all the time browsing the web and crawling for good stuffs, and also on some social network), it's a pretty good mouse. The scroll wheel is one of a kind, as it's a smooth wheel (non rachet). If I was given the Logitech MX Revolution, I'd adopt to it very easily. Also, it has a tilt wheel, Meaning having things on your screen scroll sideways. That was a high point back then. Not sure about now. But, I stuck to it. After about 3 years using the mouse, the middle button starts to conk out. I'm getting it to respond to each and every click that I press. So, I was thinking, "Okay, it's about time, let me just kill it then I'll change". And so a year and 2 months passed, and the left click died.
What's my next mouse? I've placed order on a Logitech G5. Not sure what kind of colour that I'm going to get for it. But here's why I chose it.
I was thinking of buying the MX Revolution or the VX Revolution at first. Couple of reasons why I didn't do it. the MX Revolution is pretty expensive, but it is the most advance mouse in the market. Same reason for the VX, the other reason is that the battery in the MX is non user changable. And so, if I'm going to pay RM399 for a mouse that will last me 2 years, I am not going to do that. So, I went to the VX Revolution. Pretty cool sibling to the MX Revolution. Was thinking of it. But when I took a look at the estimated battery life, 3 months on 1 AA battery. Then I looked back at my dead MS Wireless Mouse and thought "I'm getting that on my current mouse, why not get one that lasts longer". Scrapped both of them
NEXT! Microsoft Wireless Laser 7000 mouse. Looked at it, fancy little mouse. Didn't like it (somehow) and so left it alone.
Last mouse, the Logitech G5. How I ended up on this. My good buddy, Xing Min bought one of these for a couple of years ago. He loved it. Went over to use it, even I loved it. First things first, there were a couple of criteria that I want to fufill before I decided on the G5. I was even looking at the G9 for a bit. I want the mouse to be heavy. Cause I like a heavy mouse (in my own opinion, a little bit more accurate but if you're on a FPS, that goes away), I want something that has extreme accuracy (I work on CAD programs a lot, and I'm thinking of developing on Action Scripting 3.0) and I want something wired. So, heavy mouse, that is not wireless, and also extreme accurate, let's take a look at the choices, only 3 left, Logitech G5 and Logitech G9 and also the Microsoft Sidewinder (not interested in it and I can't get it in Ipoh through distributors in Ipoh), 2 choices left, G9 has an overall weight of 28g, G5 has an average of 36g, I want a heavy mouse! and so, I went to the G5, though th G9 has a scroll wheel that is non rachet.
Oh well, that was long, but hey, I want my stuffs to last long enough. And that will future proff to any Mac system that I'm buying cause it's USB! YAY!!
Seems like the guys at Flock.com is listening and thank you very much.
I'm sure that a number of people had been crying out loud for the implementation of the Firefox 3.0 engine with Flock.
Today, Flock announced the beta release of Flock 2.0 Beta 1. So head on over to Flock.com, head to the blog section and get it. Or just simply click here.
On the other side, if you're not one heck of a big social freak, why not try Firefox 3? Today is *cough* (my birthday) *cough* is also the day where Firefox 3 has been finalised. So head on over to Spreadfirefox.com and they are also trying to set a Guinness World of Record for the most download software on Day 1 release. Go there and help them out as well.
Today is also the day where Spore Creature Creator goes live! EA, if you ever come onto this page, come on, give the birthday boy who has been waiting for Spore for so long since E3 2006 (twinkling eyes of cuteness begging for love and also free stuffs).
OMG! What in the world am I thinking. So, head on over to Spore.com and take a look at what they have to offer.
Oh, and one more thing (in his Holiness of Steve Jobs)
Some news about Spore that has been circling around. And it is true. The demo was leaked early. Multiple sources to get it, I'm not going to post the link. Just in case that EA comes after my arse and send me into heavy debt in legal issues. But that aside, give it a search. You might not know what you will get.
I've got the hang of Flock now, but here's what I really don't like:
This browser is based on Firefox 2. So it might take up some clock cycles as your use the program. On a Pentium 4 2.8GHz HT, not good for what I like to do while I browse.
Can I manually add plug-ins to the My World Page?? Would love to know. And would like to know if I can write something for it as well.
There's this user called Mr.BabyMan on Digg. Can't get his diggs and medias on the Media Bar.
Alright, I've got to admit that I"m using the beta version of the software, but still, this is a software that I love and I can't wait for the version where it uses the Firefox 3 engine.
Good luck to the guys at flock.
This non social freak has almost been turn into a social freak.
I took part at a EA LAN Party event today. Just across my street. Large Building with 150 computers.
Went into a skirmish with another 4 more players. My demise came after I eliminated 1 more other player. Here's how it went down.
I was playing as GDI. Got myself a couple Mammoth tank, got to raid one base. Then sent all of them back to my base. Didn't expect anything else to come. After all of my troopers came back to the base, they sent a Nuke and a Rift to my way! I went WTF!? I'm dead!
But, props to the two players who teamed up to take my out. They have a very big base. And I regretted that I didn't make enough harvesters to fullfil my Tiberium needs. That's one more extra reason that I died. I'm gonna play more of C&C3.
This is going to be interesting about Indiana Jones.
How would one say to this, John Williams, of all great soundtrack composers, wrote lyrics for songs that he composed soundtracks for movies!
At first thought, I think this is great, but when I kept on reading about it on Gizmodo, and after looking at Alex Balk's tumblr page, I'm shocked. But still, he did compose great movie soundtracks and I adore them.
Caution. If you are going to click the link on top, there are some really foul language there.
Enjoy The Raiders March, to John Williams original lyrics and and also composition of the theme.
I think I've just got the hang of Flock. Love it. But that browser needs to get some of the kinks and tricks worked out before it is a fully usable browser.
Here's more complains. And I think I've repeated it. Flock takes up too much memory. At time, it just takes up some processing power away from my computer. Not a great one, but sufficient to run Vista.
But, what the hey. on the other side, I've got my diploma! Freaking exams that the government requires one to take was pulling me back. HISTORY was the one that was holding me back. I hate history, but I can't run away from that. But something happened when I was part of the previous election. I changed my mind on how I view history. And as engineer, it is an important subject. Truth be told, one has got to take a look back in time and see what was wrong. Thus, not to make the same mistake. Though, some brought it a little farther away. As one wants one side to be better than another. But on the other one side wants a proper fair distribution of "stuffs". You know what, I'm gonna babble about these stuffs anymore.
Full concentration on my current task at hand. My Degree program. Finish that, and I'll continue on doing great stuffs on GeeksWeeklyTV.com and also a few more ideas that I have in my mind right now. Opps, not to forget, my life.
Okay, I've been trying out Flock for quite a bit, and I think I'm starting to like Flock.
I didn't give into flock as I started to use it on the initial release. But now, with all these social network that I use and also the netcast network that I'm running. I realise the massive functions that is in Flock. Though, I still use Firefox 3 all the time, but Flock has become my default browser to be left on. Here's one idea, the Flock development team has got to use the Firefox 3 base. The Firefox 3 engine is way much better and efficient than the Firefox 2 engine.
Some more thoughts. It chews up quite a lot of processing power at time. Must be the Firefox 2 engine.
I don't really know what to put down right now, as of what I've seen so far in the news, in Perak the DAP-PAS-PKR coalition that was elected into power is still making the decision of who should chair the position of Mentri Besar of Perak. I hope this sorts out ASAP.
BTW, I got myself a Meebo account, and I've added a chat room into my blog. I'm planning one for GWTV later on this week. So, if you'd like to drop a message or what ever it is that you want to tell me, if I suck or if I don't update the blog all the time, just let me know.
That's all for now. Meanwhile, back to my poor books.
I've not been posting in my own blog for quite some time, so here's an update after so long of being missing and working on my very own tech podcast with a Malaysian flavor.
How's the show doing~!? In a way, it's a bless, and it can also be a curse, as you get a little more public, on the other hand, this is what I love in the first place, tech, computers, games, electronics, design and so on that has a reason to tie in with Science and Physics and also the Physics branch, Electronics. It's also been great, head to the page at GeeksweeklyTV.com, we're shortlisted as one of the finalist for the 2008 Malaysian Youth dotCom search. There will be a small corner up on the right side of the page, give it a click, and you've casted a vote for us! Please vote for us! The show is one of 2 podcast that has been listed there. So, that gives me a little edge over other tech stuffs that reviews new tech products. I talk gadget, Web 2.0 business, science, computers, operating systems and much more and there are some guides on tweeking and pranks as well.
New addition to the list of shows~ The GeeksWeekly Show (Andrew and Paul) Malaysian Minute (Paul) Penang Hokkien (John Ong)
Penang Hokkien is a podcast started back in 2005. It is all in Hokkien so, anyone who wish to pick up some hokkien by listening, this is definitely the best way to do so. Even I picked up a few new stuffs over time.
Shameless Plug~
Thanks to YeahHost for the domain, use the coupon code WH9400W7102 when you sigh up for a domain name at YeahHost and get RM20 ringgit off your plan. YeahHost, targeting your needs, affordable, reliable, scalable and fast.
What's more,
Happy New Year! All the best to my listeners and readers, family and friends, thanks for the support for over the years, I'll definitely keep it up over time.
