Andrew's Blog: July 2008

Friday, July 25, 2008

Bill Gates vs Steve Jobs Lightsaber duel

I've just found a pretty cool gem. It's on Gizmodo. And here it is!

If you don't know what this is about, check this out first.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Streamyx Woes

Yes, if you're feeling that your broadband connection is slow, that is because that an exchange server in Komtar, Penang is down.

TM is working on it to restore service.

Throttling broadband access for all

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.

TOP GEAR GTR vs Japanese Public Transport

I hope that I do no end up spoiling the fun. But just a couple of comments.

BBC's editing is extremely magnificent.

There. Done it. Nothing else to do. Heading back and crawling the web for good stuffs.

Sunday, July 13, 2008

The GeeksWeekly Show #38 - We're Back

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:

New web application:

Brethe Mobile WebSMS - Free SMS

In the News:

iPhone 2.0 firmware is out, and also Jailbroken
MIT research converted a window into a solar panel
Shah Alam broadband project for 150,000 personal in the Business district
Microsoft responds to Apple's 'Get a Mac' Ads.
New MacBook Pro case? MacRumor has more

Get it here:
The GeeksWeekly Show - Mono
The GeeksWeekly Show - Stereo

Thursday, July 10, 2008

More ISP Blues

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.

ISP Blues

I HATE MY LOCAL ISP!!!

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.

ARGH!!!!!!

Monday, July 07, 2008

Death of Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse 2.0

So, I killed my mouse.

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!!

Will be back for more.