Found this poem amusing, thought to share with you all.
A is for awk, which runs like a snail, and
B is for biff, which reads all your mail.
C is for cc, as hackers recall, while
D is for dd, the command that does all.
E is for emacs, which rebinds your keys, and
F is for fsck, which rebuilds your trees.
G is for grep, a clever detective, while
H is for halt, which may seem defective.
I is for indent, which rarely amuses, and
J is for join, which nobody uses.
K is for kill, which makes you the boss, while
L is for lex, which is missing from DOS.
M is for more, from which less was begot, and
N is for nice, which it really is not.
O is for od, which prints out things nice, while
P is for passwd, which reads in strings twice.
Q is for quota, a Berkeley-type fable, and
R is for ranlib, for sorting ar table.
S is for spell, which attempts to belittle, while
T is for true, which does very little.
U is for uniq, which is used after sort, and
V is for vi, which is hard to abort.
W is for whoami, which tells you your name, while
X is, well, X, of dubious fame.
Y is for yes, which makes an impression, and
Z is for zcat, which handles compression.
-- THE ABC'S OF UNIX
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Monday, December 22, 2008
IJN privatisation is BS
I saw the trend that our current government is selling every piece of properties that they could sell either through JV, privatization through shady deals,etc.
The latest deal? Privatization of IJN.
First of all, IJN is a world-class, state-owned institution that caters the public. It's a world-class, that's a fact.
The only reason why they want to privatize IJN is that, as usual, someone somewhere in the government will benefit from it.
Once privatized, IJN can be sold to any business entity, and I know who they can sell to: Singaporeans.
Then charge the public ridiculous amount of money and earn huge profits. They don't care about the welfare of the poor. OK, that's unfair. Maybe they do. But company is not a welfare organization!. Shouldn't that the job of the government?
You can argue that the poor should be competitive and go high up social ladder but the fact is, not everyone is lucky, regardless of races.
The Bumis (Malays and aborigins) are relatively luckier due to their special rights, but that doesn't mean that many of them are rich. Many of them are poor, have a lot of kids to feed, lack of education and earning just enough to survive.
If the government does privatized IJN, the impact will be a pain to the poor. I wouldn't want to say only poor - even middle class can't afford thousands of ringgit of heart operations. They go to IJN.
Not all of us are Lim Goh Tong who can go to Mayo Clinic for medical check-up.
So enough ranting -
NO to PRIVATIZATION OF IJN!
If the deals goes through, get yourself an insurance and cover yourself up.
And you know who to vote next election.
The latest deal? Privatization of IJN.
First of all, IJN is a world-class, state-owned institution that caters the public. It's a world-class, that's a fact.
The only reason why they want to privatize IJN is that, as usual, someone somewhere in the government will benefit from it.
Once privatized, IJN can be sold to any business entity, and I know who they can sell to: Singaporeans.
Then charge the public ridiculous amount of money and earn huge profits. They don't care about the welfare of the poor. OK, that's unfair. Maybe they do. But company is not a welfare organization!. Shouldn't that the job of the government?
You can argue that the poor should be competitive and go high up social ladder but the fact is, not everyone is lucky, regardless of races.
The Bumis (Malays and aborigins) are relatively luckier due to their special rights, but that doesn't mean that many of them are rich. Many of them are poor, have a lot of kids to feed, lack of education and earning just enough to survive.
If the government does privatized IJN, the impact will be a pain to the poor. I wouldn't want to say only poor - even middle class can't afford thousands of ringgit of heart operations. They go to IJN.
Not all of us are Lim Goh Tong who can go to Mayo Clinic for medical check-up.
So enough ranting -
NO to PRIVATIZATION OF IJN!
If the deals goes through, get yourself an insurance and cover yourself up.
And you know who to vote next election.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Winamp's Signal Processing Studio
Last Raya Haji break, I was playing around with Winamp with my little brother.
It first started when he asked how his friend could improve the quality of his songs on his Nokia phone.
I told him, you can just play around with the Equalizer (I've never really tried it on Winamp, but I did it on my previous car's stereo).
And guess what, I found a DSP effect studio built into Winamp!.
I told my brother to play around with the number (I myself have slightest idea of the algorithm, but I know roughly because I took a DSP class before).
Download Winamp, go to Options -> Preferences -> Plug-ins -> DSP/Effects
Enjoy!
It first started when he asked how his friend could improve the quality of his songs on his Nokia phone.
I told him, you can just play around with the Equalizer (I've never really tried it on Winamp, but I did it on my previous car's stereo).
And guess what, I found a DSP effect studio built into Winamp!.
I told my brother to play around with the number (I myself have slightest idea of the algorithm, but I know roughly because I took a DSP class before).
Download Winamp, go to Options -> Preferences -> Plug-ins -> DSP/Effects
Enjoy!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
C++: Pre-increment v. Post-increment
Point: Favor Pre-increment over post-increment whenever possible.
In C++, pre-increment means “increment this var and give me that incremented var”, whereas post-increment means “give me the var value, and increment the var”. We agree that they behave differently, but somewhat similar (increment the value of a var).
We don’t want to get confused when we use it in this kind of code:
int ch = arr[ i++ ]
int ch = arr[ ++i ]
Both will give different results and therefore, are not similar (why?).
However this doesn’t mean that we have to use pre-increment all the time.
But why we care?
Basically, the idea would be we can save some instructions generated by the compiler by using pre-increment operation.
Pre-increment and post-increment don’t matter much for built-in types like “int”. Most likely, the compiler knows how to optimize it away anyway.
However, it may have some performance impact when we increment an instance of a class that defines the operator “++”. In C++, we call this “operator overloading”. Operator overloading of “++” are being used extensively in STL (standard template library). If you're using STL extensively, you should get the habit of doing pre-increment.
The following shows how it differs:
// preincr. Operator overloading:
class Obj
{
// pre-inc
// “increment this var and give me the incremented var”
Obj & operator++ ()
{
++blah;
return *this;
}
Private:
type blah;
}
//postincrement. Operator overloading:
class Obj
{
// post-increment
// “give me the var value, and increment this var”
Obj & operator++ ()
{
Obj copy (*this) // copy this object
++(*this) ; // call pre-increment operator
return copy; // return the original value being copied
}
Private:
type blah;
}
You can see that above that eventually, post-increment operator would call the pre-increment operator anyway. So there are some extra steps being done here for post-increment. When we compile, this translates into even more instructions need to be executed.
Almost always, you just want to increment the variable and pre-increment does no harm.
In C++, pre-increment means “increment this var and give me that incremented var”, whereas post-increment means “give me the var value, and increment the var”. We agree that they behave differently, but somewhat similar (increment the value of a var).
We don’t want to get confused when we use it in this kind of code:
int ch = arr[ i++ ]
int ch = arr[ ++i ]
Both will give different results and therefore, are not similar (why?).
However this doesn’t mean that we have to use pre-increment all the time.
But why we care?
Basically, the idea would be we can save some instructions generated by the compiler by using pre-increment operation.
Pre-increment and post-increment don’t matter much for built-in types like “int”. Most likely, the compiler knows how to optimize it away anyway.
However, it may have some performance impact when we increment an instance of a class that defines the operator “++”. In C++, we call this “operator overloading”. Operator overloading of “++” are being used extensively in STL (standard template library). If you're using STL extensively, you should get the habit of doing pre-increment.
The following shows how it differs:
// preincr. Operator overloading:
class Obj
{
// pre-inc
// “increment this var and give me the incremented var”
Obj & operator++ ()
{
++blah;
return *this;
}
Private:
type blah;
}
//postincrement. Operator overloading:
class Obj
{
// post-increment
// “give me the var value, and increment this var”
Obj & operator++ ()
{
Obj copy (*this) // copy this object
++(*this) ; // call pre-increment operator
return copy; // return the original value being copied
}
Private:
type blah;
}
You can see that above that eventually, post-increment operator would call the pre-increment operator anyway. So there are some extra steps being done here for post-increment. When we compile, this translates into even more instructions need to be executed.
Almost always, you just want to increment the variable and pre-increment does no harm.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Tan Sri Lim Goh Tong is the man
I just finished up reading the late Lim Goh Tong's book, "My Story" and man, i feel that the guy really rocks.
I think everyone should read his book, and I'm pretty sure you're all inspired by his story. It's a story worth telling to the younger people like me, so that I can be inspired and do something great like what he did. The book is easy reading and it's entertaining too.
Oh by the way, I got to know from his book that it's not his idea to create the casino - it's our first prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's idea. His idea is just to build a resort up on the hill.
GohTong Jaya is something that Dr M proposed.
Anyway, you should read up the book. (I'm not Lim Goh Tong to tell all the stories)
I think everyone should read his book, and I'm pretty sure you're all inspired by his story. It's a story worth telling to the younger people like me, so that I can be inspired and do something great like what he did. The book is easy reading and it's entertaining too.
Oh by the way, I got to know from his book that it's not his idea to create the casino - it's our first prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman's idea. His idea is just to build a resort up on the hill.
GohTong Jaya is something that Dr M proposed.
Anyway, you should read up the book. (I'm not Lim Goh Tong to tell all the stories)
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Philips monitor is a piece of shit
If you're shopping for a monitor, there's one monitor that you should never ever buy: Philips.
First of all, don't be tempted by the the price. Because you're gonna get what you pay for. Go for something a little more expensive like Samsung or LG or BenQ, aim for a better deal.
The problem with Philips' monitor is not the hardware, but software. Yes my friend, no matter how wonderful your hardware is, if the software is crap, that shiny piece of hardware is a total useless.
Philips has a built-in software in its monitor called "SmartImage". What it does is it tries to calibrate the settings according to the environment you are in. I don't exactly know how it works, but it's basically tries to calibrate a little bit when you watch movies to this "Entertainment" mode,etc. Anyway, the software is really not needed. It's something that they add and you need to live with it.
When you seem to be working on document or spread sheet, it will try to do it's own settings, Lock the IO control and try to be smart.
The problem with their SmartImage software is the opposite - it's the DumbImage. I would also like to call that kind of software as a CrapImage.
When I first encountered the problem, I thought this was an easy fix. So I played a little bit with the Graphics settings, and the monitors appears to be fine.
After a while, it pops up again, do it's own calibration thing, and then locks the control. I can't even turned off the monitor and at that time, I thought this is probably the SmartImage software. I thought it could be removed, but it cannot!. It's embedded into the monitor and there's no way to control it.
So by now, I knew already that the software has a bug that let it run loose on a nasty infinite loop.
I called up a friend who's really good at PC fix, and he recommend me to return the monitor.
I wasn't really given up when I found a way to fool the monitor into thinking that I was doing some settings, and the stupid setting pop-ups (you know, those pop-ups when you try to adjust monitor brightness, Contrast, etc) would only reappear about 1/2 hour later.
Finally, the time has come. When the SmartImage trying to do its own thing, it goes into "Input" selection, and it selects "DVI" as the input. Since I'm using VGA, there's no way I could reset the input back!. And since the monitor controls are locked, there's nothing I can do except staring at the blank monitor looking at the warning that says "Please check your cable connector".
What a piece of shit.
First of all, don't be tempted by the the price. Because you're gonna get what you pay for. Go for something a little more expensive like Samsung or LG or BenQ, aim for a better deal.
The problem with Philips' monitor is not the hardware, but software. Yes my friend, no matter how wonderful your hardware is, if the software is crap, that shiny piece of hardware is a total useless.
Philips has a built-in software in its monitor called "SmartImage". What it does is it tries to calibrate the settings according to the environment you are in. I don't exactly know how it works, but it's basically tries to calibrate a little bit when you watch movies to this "Entertainment" mode,etc. Anyway, the software is really not needed. It's something that they add and you need to live with it.
When you seem to be working on document or spread sheet, it will try to do it's own settings, Lock the IO control and try to be smart.
The problem with their SmartImage software is the opposite - it's the DumbImage. I would also like to call that kind of software as a CrapImage.
When I first encountered the problem, I thought this was an easy fix. So I played a little bit with the Graphics settings, and the monitors appears to be fine.
After a while, it pops up again, do it's own calibration thing, and then locks the control. I can't even turned off the monitor and at that time, I thought this is probably the SmartImage software. I thought it could be removed, but it cannot!. It's embedded into the monitor and there's no way to control it.
So by now, I knew already that the software has a bug that let it run loose on a nasty infinite loop.
I called up a friend who's really good at PC fix, and he recommend me to return the monitor.
I wasn't really given up when I found a way to fool the monitor into thinking that I was doing some settings, and the stupid setting pop-ups (you know, those pop-ups when you try to adjust monitor brightness, Contrast, etc) would only reappear about 1/2 hour later.
Finally, the time has come. When the SmartImage trying to do its own thing, it goes into "Input" selection, and it selects "DVI" as the input. Since I'm using VGA, there's no way I could reset the input back!. And since the monitor controls are locked, there's nothing I can do except staring at the blank monitor looking at the warning that says "Please check your cable connector".
What a piece of shit.
Monday, December 1, 2008
what a geeky video
I browsed through one of the newsletters that I subscribed, and I found this video:
http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/landing/thank-an-engineer/index.htm
It's from Texas Instruments, what a geeky video.
http://www.ti.com/corp/docs/landing/thank-an-engineer/index.htm
It's from Texas Instruments, what a geeky video.
Friday, November 28, 2008
Negaraku
We were discussing with some of our friends on the origin of Negaraku, Malaysia's national Anthem.
I pointed out to this excerpts from Wikipedia :
The song was composed by Pierre-Jean de Béranger (1780-1857), a French lyricist. It became a popular French melody, and was prominent on the island of Mahé in Seychelles. The song's popularity spread across the Indian Ocean and reached as far as the Malay Archipelago early in the 20th century. An Indonesian Bangsawan made the first debut of the song while performing in Singapore. The melody soon became very popular among the the people and was given the name Terang Bulan(Bright Moon), becoming a Malay 'evergreen'.
While I don't trust all content of the Wikipedia, I know that Negaraku was originated from the song "Terang Bulan". I remember learning it in History lesson in secondary school.
I'm not making any point here, except, we should think of originality next time. I agree that originality is rare (even Nirvana's song Smells Like a Teen Spirit was inspired by song by The Pixies, "Gigantic"). But the song sounds distinctive enough that we (at least most of the kids grew up in the 90s) know exactly , when we listen to the few chords at the beginning, we know it's Smells Like a Teen Spirit, and nothing else.
Don't believe me? Listen to this orchestra
I pointed out to this excerpts from Wikipedia :
The song was composed by Pierre-Jean de Béranger (1780-1857), a French lyricist. It became a popular French melody, and was prominent on the island of Mahé in Seychelles. The song's popularity spread across the Indian Ocean and reached as far as the Malay Archipelago early in the 20th century. An Indonesian Bangsawan made the first debut of the song while performing in Singapore. The melody soon became very popular among the the people and was given the name Terang Bulan(Bright Moon), becoming a Malay 'evergreen'.
While I don't trust all content of the Wikipedia, I know that Negaraku was originated from the song "Terang Bulan". I remember learning it in History lesson in secondary school.
I'm not making any point here, except, we should think of originality next time. I agree that originality is rare (even Nirvana's song Smells Like a Teen Spirit was inspired by song by The Pixies, "Gigantic"). But the song sounds distinctive enough that we (at least most of the kids grew up in the 90s) know exactly , when we listen to the few chords at the beginning, we know it's Smells Like a Teen Spirit, and nothing else.
Don't believe me? Listen to this orchestra
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
No more car
I'm returning my car tonight to the original owner whom I bought the car from. My life becoming more hassle with the big house and car, and I don't really need both of them fancifully. at least at this moment. I'm moving out to smaller room (still looking).
I just need a simple life, family.
And nice music.
I just need a simple life, family.
And nice music.
What's your dream car?
This is more like the questions for myself. What's my dream car?
Here's what I want, in order of "affordability"
1. Proton Persona
I want this car. I feel like this is a good buy, although I know that Malaysians have been pretty much being ripped off when it comes to buying cars due to Proton protection mechanism. Still, I think Proton Persona is an affordable luxury. (Luxury you say?? Yes, I mean, at least it's bigger than Kancil!).
2. Proton Perdana
Not much of what I really want, but it's something that I could afford to buy if I have a lot of money (I mean, decently).
3. Volkswagen Jetta
I've been dreaming about this car since I was in college. The built look sturdy, and I was thinking maybe I want to buy it one day.
4. Mercedez Benz (SLK series).
So by now, you know that I'm currently dreaming. It's good to have a dream, as long as you don't become Mat Jenin. I want this car. I hope I can get a better Benz series, but this is a good enough of something to be dreaming about.
I don't particularly passionate about BMW, but it's a nice car.
If I become a millionaire one day, the order of the above list will be reversed
Now, let's get back to reality. I mean, should I buy Modenas Kriss, Yamaha Lagenda or Honda EX5 Dreams?
Yes, it's good to be dreaming. That's what Honda said - the Power of Dreams.
Here's what I want, in order of "affordability"
1. Proton Persona
I want this car. I feel like this is a good buy, although I know that Malaysians have been pretty much being ripped off when it comes to buying cars due to Proton protection mechanism. Still, I think Proton Persona is an affordable luxury. (Luxury you say?? Yes, I mean, at least it's bigger than Kancil!).
2. Proton Perdana
Not much of what I really want, but it's something that I could afford to buy if I have a lot of money (I mean, decently).
3. Volkswagen Jetta
I've been dreaming about this car since I was in college. The built look sturdy, and I was thinking maybe I want to buy it one day.
4. Mercedez Benz (SLK series).
So by now, you know that I'm currently dreaming. It's good to have a dream, as long as you don't become Mat Jenin. I want this car. I hope I can get a better Benz series, but this is a good enough of something to be dreaming about.
I don't particularly passionate about BMW, but it's a nice car.
If I become a millionaire one day, the order of the above list will be reversed
Now, let's get back to reality. I mean, should I buy Modenas Kriss, Yamaha Lagenda or Honda EX5 Dreams?
Yes, it's good to be dreaming. That's what Honda said - the Power of Dreams.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Do nothing
You know, life is pretty simple if you think about it.
There are two three things we do in this world:
1. Work
2. Play
3. Pray (if you have religion).
4. Nothing.
There are a lot of people already talking about Work, Pray, Play. But who ask themselves when can I do absolutely nothing?
I'm not talking about doing nothing to the extent where you don't even breathe. That just means that might as well be dead.
I'm talking about you just sit on your ass and do nothing.
When?
1. When you're lazy to wake up from your bed on Saturday morning. You feel like listening to the song "I'm Only Sleeping" . You'll do nothing for like a couple of hours.
2. When you come back from work and you don't want to do anything. You just relax at Nasi Kandar, or plucking guitar, or just staring at the wall.
3. On Sunday morning after you are done doing some outstanding 2 weeks laundry, wash car and mop the floor. You want to do absolutely nothing. You sleep until nth hour.
4. When you're stuck working on something at work, and you usually want to relax for a bit, and you look there's no incoming emails and so you just want to relax. I usually read the Edgar Allan Poe's poetry around my cubicles and then just want to do nothing after a while.
5. When you start your car and warm up the engine. You listen to the music, blast loudly, and you want to do absolutely nothing after that.
6. When you're not sleepy, but you're already at home after work and after dinner, but still early to go to bed. Since Astro keep playing the same program over and over, or I don't like any of the programs despite having so many of them, I want to do absolutely nothing. Just go to the room and relax on the lazy chair, and do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Any other suggestions when can I do nothing, please let me know
There are two three things we do in this world:
1. Work
2. Play
3. Pray (if you have religion).
4. Nothing.
There are a lot of people already talking about Work, Pray, Play. But who ask themselves when can I do absolutely nothing?
I'm not talking about doing nothing to the extent where you don't even breathe. That just means that might as well be dead.
I'm talking about you just sit on your ass and do nothing.
When?
1. When you're lazy to wake up from your bed on Saturday morning. You feel like listening to the song "I'm Only Sleeping" . You'll do nothing for like a couple of hours.
2. When you come back from work and you don't want to do anything. You just relax at Nasi Kandar, or plucking guitar, or just staring at the wall.
3. On Sunday morning after you are done doing some outstanding 2 weeks laundry, wash car and mop the floor. You want to do absolutely nothing. You sleep until nth hour.
4. When you're stuck working on something at work, and you usually want to relax for a bit, and you look there's no incoming emails and so you just want to relax. I usually read the Edgar Allan Poe's poetry around my cubicles and then just want to do nothing after a while.
5. When you start your car and warm up the engine. You listen to the music, blast loudly, and you want to do absolutely nothing after that.
6. When you're not sleepy, but you're already at home after work and after dinner, but still early to go to bed. Since Astro keep playing the same program over and over, or I don't like any of the programs despite having so many of them, I want to do absolutely nothing. Just go to the room and relax on the lazy chair, and do nothing. Absolutely nothing.
Any other suggestions when can I do nothing, please let me know
Sunday, November 23, 2008
What the hell happen in this country?
I was looking for a cheap room to rent and I was quite shocked on just how people here choose their preference on their roommates. I could understand that the Female want female roommates (also Male, with male, i don't care). But Chinese working/Student and Malay Working student? Who cares?
What, do you care that I don't eat pork and whether I pray or not? You are in your room, and I am in my room. Unless you are concern on me putting on loud music and disturbing you if I pray so loudly (am I? I don't think so). Who cares.
Seriously, do you foresee that we would have something like:
Preference: Bangladeshi, Male. Vietnamese, Male, working
You're Malaysians, and that's all I care. I can even stay with Bangladeshi, who give a shit.
What, do you care that I don't eat pork and whether I pray or not? You are in your room, and I am in my room. Unless you are concern on me putting on loud music and disturbing you if I pray so loudly (am I? I don't think so). Who cares.
Seriously, do you foresee that we would have something like:
Preference: Bangladeshi, Male. Vietnamese, Male, working
You're Malaysians, and that's all I care. I can even stay with Bangladeshi, who give a shit.
Monday, November 17, 2008
back hurt and Django dev
My back hurt so badly. I haven't gone to exercise for too long.
The sugar cane plants that I grow at my Teluk Kumbar house are now growing tall, about 5 inches (there are 4 of them) now. This is great.
Last weekend, I got Django web framework running on a user space on a hosted site. It was a bit hassle because I have no admin rights but I got it to run. The way I did is by installing python itself and set the PYTHONPATH into the newly installed version. Django is pretty easy to get it up and running. The next step is to create project.
I've thought a lot these days. Since ReCom lost in AYA dream awards last Nov 9, it got me thinking of many things.
The sugar cane plants that I grow at my Teluk Kumbar house are now growing tall, about 5 inches (there are 4 of them) now. This is great.
Last weekend, I got Django web framework running on a user space on a hosted site. It was a bit hassle because I have no admin rights but I got it to run. The way I did is by installing python itself and set the PYTHONPATH into the newly installed version. Django is pretty easy to get it up and running. The next step is to create project.
I've thought a lot these days. Since ReCom lost in AYA dream awards last Nov 9, it got me thinking of many things.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Lear
I'm supposed to finish reading King Lear!.
But I end up working late (by choice, because I like to hang out at Nasi Kandar at night after work).
And plucking my guitar before sleep.
So you tell me if I have time for reading? (this is a really stupid question).
But I end up working late (by choice, because I like to hang out at Nasi Kandar at night after work).
And plucking my guitar before sleep.
So you tell me if I have time for reading? (this is a really stupid question).
Monday, October 20, 2008
Moving out. (again)
My housemates and I decided that we need to move out to some place which can easily have Internet access. I'm currently living at the border of Sg. Batu and Teluk Kumbar, on the way to Balik Pulau. It's a nice fishing village, and peaceful too. Our house is next to the beach, and usually, we'll hear some nice sound of wave. I love the place.
The problem is that, it's so hard to ask TM people to fix the phone line there (this is the classic example of a lembab service from TM, TMNet, and whoever TM. Sorry TM people. I think TMNet does suck). We've been trying to get it for close to half-year already! (Don't you just love TMNet?). I hope the Wi-Fi-zation of Penang will solve this monopoly problem soon. Anyway, they (TMNet) don't care. Do they?
Anyway, another reason why we decided to move is that, it's easier to go eat. Currently, the restaurant in front of our place are not really nice (being the Penangite wannabe, we're really particular about food). The next best thing is Cargas Cafe in Bayan Lepas (come to Penang and I'll bring you there. The ayam goreng is quite nice).
Plus, the Maxis line over there is kind of suck too. Anyway, the "other side" of Penang (a.k.a Balik Pulau dan kawasan2 yang sewaktu dengannya) are still under develop.
The absolute real reason why we want to move out is that, our friend who want to stay there decided not to rent there. So since we feel like moving out, so there it is.
Moving to Batu Maung, or around Permatang Damar Laut.
Peace out.
The problem is that, it's so hard to ask TM people to fix the phone line there (this is the classic example of a lembab service from TM, TMNet, and whoever TM. Sorry TM people. I think TMNet does suck). We've been trying to get it for close to half-year already! (Don't you just love TMNet?). I hope the Wi-Fi-zation of Penang will solve this monopoly problem soon. Anyway, they (TMNet) don't care. Do they?
Anyway, another reason why we decided to move is that, it's easier to go eat. Currently, the restaurant in front of our place are not really nice (being the Penangite wannabe, we're really particular about food). The next best thing is Cargas Cafe in Bayan Lepas (come to Penang and I'll bring you there. The ayam goreng is quite nice).
Plus, the Maxis line over there is kind of suck too. Anyway, the "other side" of Penang (a.k.a Balik Pulau dan kawasan2 yang sewaktu dengannya) are still under develop.
The absolute real reason why we want to move out is that, our friend who want to stay there decided not to rent there. So since we feel like moving out, so there it is.
Moving to Batu Maung, or around Permatang Damar Laut.
Peace out.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sketch
Last weekend I spent some time back sketching some cartoon characters (after a long time, finally have the time).
I'll only post the sketch later.
I'll only post the sketch later.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Perginya Seorang Insan Seni
Dunia muzik tanahair dikejutkan dengan pemergian Rosli Khamis, atau lebih dikenali sebagai Loloq. Loloq adalah seorang penulis lirik yang terkenal dengan kemampuannya menggunakan ayat ayat yang indah, kadangkala terlalu puitis buat para peminat muzik di Malaysia.
Layar Impian, Aduh Saliha, Apokalips, Berikan Nurbisa...
Lirik-lirik indah ini dizahirkan dengan pemerhatian yang meluas, mempunyai maksud mendalam, dan sememangnya dihargai oleh ramai peminat seni tanah air.
Loloq tetap dikenang. Al-Fatihah
Layar Impian, Aduh Saliha, Apokalips, Berikan Nurbisa...
Lirik-lirik indah ini dizahirkan dengan pemerhatian yang meluas, mempunyai maksud mendalam, dan sememangnya dihargai oleh ramai peminat seni tanah air.
Loloq tetap dikenang. Al-Fatihah
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
AYA Awards - vote for ReCom.org
I got a call last Raya holiday from AYA awards people and they asked me a few things about ReCom.org. It turned out that they're shortlisting some websites for some kind of award (that is, AYA)
http://www.ayaawards.com
If you think that ReCom.org has been impacting your life (in a positive way, I hope), you can vote for the website:
To vote for ReCom.Org:
Step 1:
Type: AYA CO 3
Step 2:
Send to: 36828
Note: Each SMS will be charged RM 0.80.
Powered and sponsored by Trio Moble Sdn Bhd
Check out:
http://www.ayaawards.com/conom3.cfm
If you haven't heard of AYA awards before, don't worry about it. I also just recently know about it.
Note that I'm not the only one running ReCom.org. Many volunteers have been spending countless of their precious time to help run the website (especially after I graduated). So if we turn out to win the award, it is the award for everyone who volunteer to run the website. Some of them become my best friends.
Thanks and have fun ReComming.
www.recom.org
http://www.ayaawards.com
If you think that ReCom.org has been impacting your life (in a positive way, I hope), you can vote for the website:
To vote for ReCom.Org:
Step 1:
Type: AYA
Step 2:
Send to: 36828
Note: Each SMS will be charged RM 0.80.
Powered and sponsored by Trio Moble Sdn Bhd
Check out:
http://www.ayaawards.com/c
If you haven't heard of AYA awards before, don't worry about it. I also just recently know about it.
Note that I'm not the only one running ReCom.org. Many volunteers have been spending countless of their precious time to help run the website (especially after I graduated). So if we turn out to win the award, it is the award for everyone who volunteer to run the website. Some of them become my best friends.
Thanks and have fun ReComming.
www.recom.org
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Kartini
Hari raya ini, aku banyak habiskan masa mengemas bilik "setor" untuk dijadikan tempat persinggahan ketika pulang ke kampung. Maklumlah, setiap kali pulang ke kampung, aku akan menumpang di bilik adik aku yang kecil ni. Walaupun ada bilik besar untuk satu family duduk, aku lebih selesa dengan "setting" bilik adik aku. Terasa bujang kalau lepak kat situ. Buat masa ni la. Kalau dah ada family, aku rasa bilik besar lagi bagus.
Sedang aku asyik menyelak barang2 yang hampir luput dalam kenangan kami sekeluarga, aku terjumpa sebuah komik "Kartini" karya saudara Tembakau . Tak sangka pula komik ni masih wujud dalam simpanan di balik buku2 lamaku yang semerbak harum baunya.
Aku berjaya meng"import" kembali komik Kartini ke Penang. Semalam aku telah menghabiskan separuh daripada cerita komik tu sebelum tidur. Aku sengaja tak habiskan komik tu semalam, sebab nak layan lagi hari ni. Saja nak rasa saspens sebab aku dah ingat-ingat lupa apa kesudahannya.
Hari ni, aku cari dalam Google kalau2 ada sambungan komik ini, dan ura-ura menyatakan bahawa Tembakau dah keluarkan "Kartini kembali". Yes. Bagus. Aku akan dapatkannya di pasaran serta-merta.
Aku rasa kena banyak lagi cerita2 begini untuk dijadikan iktibar pada generasi muda akan datang.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Oil price drop 10sen
Yes, let's rejoice!.
I watched the "60 minutes Bersama Menteri" in RTM, listening Dato' Shahrir Samad explanation with great detail on how he came up with the price drop.
This is a great news. Don't complaint too much on why not dropping more (for now, I mean). Price drop is better than nothing. The economy is going towards recession anyway.
Inflation due to oil price is due to speculation (I want to say, this is an artificial inflation). In a true sense, we're going towards recession.
As a direct impact, I've started carpooling with friends and take more public transport. You should do that too.
I watched the "60 minutes Bersama Menteri" in RTM, listening Dato' Shahrir Samad explanation with great detail on how he came up with the price drop.
This is a great news. Don't complaint too much on why not dropping more (for now, I mean). Price drop is better than nothing. The economy is going towards recession anyway.
Inflation due to oil price is due to speculation (I want to say, this is an artificial inflation). In a true sense, we're going towards recession.
As a direct impact, I've started carpooling with friends and take more public transport. You should do that too.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
The Making of the Atomic Bomb
I spent my whole entire weekend finishing up reading The Making of the Atomic Bomb .
I must say that it is a carefully researched piece. The author (Richard Rhodes) paying attention to such details that make the reading very pleasant and visual reconstruction of the scene clearer.
Note that I didn't understand almost 3/4 of the physics explained (I didn't take many physics courses). But a lot of new things such as Uranium enrichment, fission, nuclear reactor, cyclotron, calutron, racetracks, plutonium etc make me wonder just how much I appreciate nuclear physics.
The atomic bomb dilemma is thus, the advancement of nuclear physics was causing the dropping of two atomic bombs that ended World Word 2. On the one hand, the atomic bomb ends the war, on the other hand, it opens up a new era of possible mass destruction of human being, far beyond what our forefathers have witnessed.
I sincerely hope that there will be no more nuclear arm race, and the world will stay safe as it is now.
I must say that it is a carefully researched piece. The author (Richard Rhodes) paying attention to such details that make the reading very pleasant and visual reconstruction of the scene clearer.
Note that I didn't understand almost 3/4 of the physics explained (I didn't take many physics courses). But a lot of new things such as Uranium enrichment, fission, nuclear reactor, cyclotron, calutron, racetracks, plutonium etc make me wonder just how much I appreciate nuclear physics.
The atomic bomb dilemma is thus, the advancement of nuclear physics was causing the dropping of two atomic bombs that ended World Word 2. On the one hand, the atomic bomb ends the war, on the other hand, it opens up a new era of possible mass destruction of human being, far beyond what our forefathers have witnessed.
I sincerely hope that there will be no more nuclear arm race, and the world will stay safe as it is now.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
C++ joke
I was browsing emails from one of the mailing lists I subscribed, and I found someone pointed to this hilarious website about a supposedly fake interview with the C++ creator Stroustrup (yes, I have his book on my desk):
C++: Is it really a Cruel Joke?
It's surely meant to be a joke, unless you want to take it seriously.
C++: Is it really a Cruel Joke?
It's surely meant to be a joke, unless you want to take it seriously.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Stuckflation
Do you actually believe in "Stagflation" as a natural phenomena in economics?
Or do you think we really can create "stagflation" on a whim?
Here's what I believe - stagflation _mainly_ occurs when there's a concerted effort on price control/manipulation on a particular economy. When there's a global oil crisis, mainly controlled/manipulated at higher level of a common people, we see that price goes up and there's no choice.
And when would the stagflation occurs? Stagflation most likely occurs when the price was uncontrolled (such as oil price, but not necessarily the only one) that sparks "cost-push" inflation at the time when we are heading towards recession. Think of cost-push inflation as the sudden rise in ordinary goods without any extra-ordinary increase in demand. Oil is a good example, because somebody can just say that oil is short.
The result would be stagflation. When everyone "stuck" to pay bills and to run errands, I invented a new terms - "stuckflation". (maybe some one else's already did, but I really came up with this myself).
Stagflation can be avoided with careful response with price changes. As we all aware, economics is mainly about price stability. Carefully monitoring the price of basket of goods, and quickly responses to it via monetary policies can save a lot of money.
Of course, this has almost no practical usage for ordinary person like me and you, but it helps to understand when do we need to spend money/buy on what, and when it's better to save for later.
But when you're stuck - do nothing.
Or do you think we really can create "stagflation" on a whim?
Here's what I believe - stagflation _mainly_ occurs when there's a concerted effort on price control/manipulation on a particular economy. When there's a global oil crisis, mainly controlled/manipulated at higher level of a common people, we see that price goes up and there's no choice.
And when would the stagflation occurs? Stagflation most likely occurs when the price was uncontrolled (such as oil price, but not necessarily the only one) that sparks "cost-push" inflation at the time when we are heading towards recession. Think of cost-push inflation as the sudden rise in ordinary goods without any extra-ordinary increase in demand. Oil is a good example, because somebody can just say that oil is short.
The result would be stagflation. When everyone "stuck" to pay bills and to run errands, I invented a new terms - "stuckflation". (maybe some one else's already did, but I really came up with this myself).
Stagflation can be avoided with careful response with price changes. As we all aware, economics is mainly about price stability. Carefully monitoring the price of basket of goods, and quickly responses to it via monetary policies can save a lot of money.
Of course, this has almost no practical usage for ordinary person like me and you, but it helps to understand when do we need to spend money/buy on what, and when it's better to save for later.
But when you're stuck - do nothing.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Ramadhan
Saya ingin mengucapkan Selamat Berpuasa dan Selamat Menyambut Bulan Ramadhan yang mulia kepada semua Muslimin dan Muslimat.
Belanjalah berpada-pada di Pasar Ramadhan (saya tahu banyak makanan yang best).
Belanjalah berpada-pada di Pasar Ramadhan (saya tahu banyak makanan yang best).
Sunday, August 31, 2008
Selamat Hari Merdeka!
Saya sebagai rakyat Malaysia, merasa bangga dan terharu dengan sambutan Hari Kemerdekaan Kali ke-51. Saya ingin mengucapkan kepada semua rakyat Malaysia:
Selamat Hari Merdeka!
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Budget 2009, and me (and maybe you)
As the child growing up in the 90's, you can't escape the PC + Internet boom - it happens, and your government wants to get involved.
So they set up funding to work on figuring out how to work with this strange machines called personal computers, spend millions (if not billions) of Ringgit from public funds, and try to transform you to some kind of computer whiz.
I'm one of them - and needless to say, the government sadly slowly abandoning the project.
And what are they focusing on now? Agriculture. That's right. Agriculture.
This is something like trying to figure out how to fix the broken PC. When it didn't work, we went home and say - "Kid, enough of these computer stuff, let's just get back to something that we are good at since the beginning of the days - farming"
This is a boo boo. Just look at the Malaysia Budget 2009 (you find the Link that suits your need, either from Utusan, DAP, etc). And see, where do they throw the baby project called "MSC"?
Do they know how much resources that they've spent, and it still doesn't work?
We have so much stuff here in Penang ready to be tapped, but they don't see it!. And always go back to Agriculture, agriculture, etc. What gets into their mind!.
I haven't gone to Arts, yet. Am I demanding too much? We all do as Malaysians. Maybe because of that, the Government never correct. Or are they?
OK, forget it. Why don't we just survive and do our own thing. Let's do some kind of computer stuff at home. Hooked up that damned TM Net Streamyx and enjoy the sluggish Internet at a very expensive rate. Didn't they see this?
So they set up funding to work on figuring out how to work with this strange machines called personal computers, spend millions (if not billions) of Ringgit from public funds, and try to transform you to some kind of computer whiz.
I'm one of them - and needless to say, the government sadly slowly abandoning the project.
And what are they focusing on now? Agriculture. That's right. Agriculture.
This is something like trying to figure out how to fix the broken PC. When it didn't work, we went home and say - "Kid, enough of these computer stuff, let's just get back to something that we are good at since the beginning of the days - farming"
This is a boo boo. Just look at the Malaysia Budget 2009 (you find the Link that suits your need, either from Utusan, DAP, etc). And see, where do they throw the baby project called "MSC"?
Do they know how much resources that they've spent, and it still doesn't work?
We have so much stuff here in Penang ready to be tapped, but they don't see it!. And always go back to Agriculture, agriculture, etc. What gets into their mind!.
I haven't gone to Arts, yet. Am I demanding too much? We all do as Malaysians. Maybe because of that, the Government never correct. Or are they?
OK, forget it. Why don't we just survive and do our own thing. Let's do some kind of computer stuff at home. Hooked up that damned TM Net Streamyx and enjoy the sluggish Internet at a very expensive rate. Didn't they see this?
Friday, August 29, 2008
Ping pong
I'm currently catching up with Ping Pong. Next week, I'm joining a little tournament here so I need to practice (it's funny, considering that I haven't been playing much for so long).
No matter, Ping Pong is here. Wanna play ping pong with me? Let me know.
No matter, Ping Pong is here. Wanna play ping pong with me? Let me know.
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Static in C++
I think the keyword "static" in C++ is the most confusing. First of all, the behavior is not the same as in C, and within C++, the behavior is different between variable and function.
Generally, we can think of the keyword static to mean to have the variable to be "global" i.e, can be seen/used by any function within the program execution. But this is a limited definition. The static keyword in C/C++ means more than that.
In C:
1. Global entity declared as static is only "global" for that particular file. Other files cannot see that global variable. (Confused?).
The "file" is referred to as "translation unit". It meant to refer to as "statically allocated". Don't get confused. Just think of a file as a "translation unit", and the static variable can be seen only by the functions defined in that file.
In C++, it was fixed by introduction of "namespace".
In C++:
1. static object:
An object defined within a function, and the value persists across lifetime of a program.
2. static member:
A member variable that is associated with the class itself, rather than the object of the class. The idea is to provide a sort of "global" access, but with the object-oriented enforcement. Just think about that - you can use a static member to store some values visible to those who declared the class. Whether you can modify the static member or not, it depends on whether the static member is declared as public or private.
OK, the one that we want to give attention is this - how static members behave?
Static Function:
1. No "this" pointer: Static member has no object attached to it, so you can't access it with "this" pointer.
2. Cannot use virtual andconst with them. I'm not going into this (maybe later).
Static Variable
1. We cannot specified static variable inside body class, except with following keyword const (e.g static const int num = 78;)
2. Static variable must be defined outside the class
By the way, why do you care about keyword static? Ask yourself.
Generally, we can think of the keyword static to mean to have the variable to be "global" i.e, can be seen/used by any function within the program execution. But this is a limited definition. The static keyword in C/C++ means more than that.
In C:
1. Global entity declared as static is only "global" for that particular file. Other files cannot see that global variable. (Confused?).
The "file" is referred to as "translation unit". It meant to refer to as "statically allocated". Don't get confused. Just think of a file as a "translation unit", and the static variable can be seen only by the functions defined in that file.
In C++, it was fixed by introduction of "namespace".
In C++:
1. static object:
An object defined within a function, and the value persists across lifetime of a program.
2. static member:
A member variable that is associated with the class itself, rather than the object of the class. The idea is to provide a sort of "global" access, but with the object-oriented enforcement. Just think about that - you can use a static member to store some values visible to those who declared the class. Whether you can modify the static member or not, it depends on whether the static member is declared as public or private.
OK, the one that we want to give attention is this - how static members behave?
Static Function:
1. No "this" pointer: Static member has no object attached to it, so you can't access it with "this" pointer.
2. Cannot use virtual andconst with them. I'm not going into this (maybe later).
Static Variable
1. We cannot specified static variable inside body class, except with following keyword const (e.g static const int num = 78;)
2. Static variable must be defined outside the class
By the way, why do you care about keyword static? Ask yourself.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Wall-E and global warming
Watched the movie Wall-E yesterday (it's Disney's!). Pixar's next rookie (after John Lesseter), Andrew Stanton, is exploring the message of global warming.
In the future, the whole world will be full of garbage. Only robots collecting trashes exist, and occasionally, Earth are swept by some sort of typhoons.
The whole entire population left the earth, to faraway galaxy, boarding a huge spaceship called "Axiom". The whole entire population are at their extreme laziness:
They just sit on a floating chair, and all their foods and their needs are served by robots. They can't even stand up. Their body are fat, and they do nothing except chatting with their friends on the screen of the moving chair. And the chair will move in a specified direction and they don't seem to have control over it. Thus, they just know some part of the ship, and not all (some people don't know where the pool is).
One of the robot called Wall-E still collection garbage. He met "Eva", when Eva was sent by a huge spaceship for a mission - to find life on earth (in this movie's case, a plant).
Wall-E fell in love with Eva, and gave a plant that he found in an old fridge. "Eva" grabbed the plant, put it in her stomach and automatically shut down. Later, "Eva" was grabbed by the spaceship. Wall-E managed to grab the spaceship to follow where Eva goes.
Conflict
Axiom's Captain want to grab the plant and go home, but the Navigator called "Auto" (because it is always in Auto mode), wouldn't allow it because the instruction of the company that run the Axiom spaceship called "Buy and Large", due to high toxic level on Earth (I thought about it again, it's probably an excuse to run his business). By the way, Axiom has been running for 700 years.
With much struggle, Captain finally managed to switch "Auto" to "Manual".
At the same time, Wall-E was thrown back to Earth together with the plant, but saved by Eva.
Together, with the help of the savvy Captain and people on the ship, Eva and Wall-E managed to put the plant on the ship, and Axiom went back to Earth.
End
Wall-E and Eva finally get together on Earth. And the earth population is back and managed to plant the trees.
In the future, the whole world will be full of garbage. Only robots collecting trashes exist, and occasionally, Earth are swept by some sort of typhoons.
The whole entire population left the earth, to faraway galaxy, boarding a huge spaceship called "Axiom". The whole entire population are at their extreme laziness:
They just sit on a floating chair, and all their foods and their needs are served by robots. They can't even stand up. Their body are fat, and they do nothing except chatting with their friends on the screen of the moving chair. And the chair will move in a specified direction and they don't seem to have control over it. Thus, they just know some part of the ship, and not all (some people don't know where the pool is).
One of the robot called Wall-E still collection garbage. He met "Eva", when Eva was sent by a huge spaceship for a mission - to find life on earth (in this movie's case, a plant).
Wall-E fell in love with Eva, and gave a plant that he found in an old fridge. "Eva" grabbed the plant, put it in her stomach and automatically shut down. Later, "Eva" was grabbed by the spaceship. Wall-E managed to grab the spaceship to follow where Eva goes.
Conflict
Axiom's Captain want to grab the plant and go home, but the Navigator called "Auto" (because it is always in Auto mode), wouldn't allow it because the instruction of the company that run the Axiom spaceship called "Buy and Large", due to high toxic level on Earth (I thought about it again, it's probably an excuse to run his business). By the way, Axiom has been running for 700 years.
With much struggle, Captain finally managed to switch "Auto" to "Manual".
At the same time, Wall-E was thrown back to Earth together with the plant, but saved by Eva.
Together, with the help of the savvy Captain and people on the ship, Eva and Wall-E managed to put the plant on the ship, and Axiom went back to Earth.
End
Wall-E and Eva finally get together on Earth. And the earth population is back and managed to plant the trees.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
All .... Night!
I'm stunned with a very beautiful montage at the end of a film "Dogville" (Nicole Kidman).
And accompanying it is a song by David Bowie's beautiful song - Young Americans.
You should check out the movie, and the song, and the montage at the end.
By the way, Dogville itself is very minimalist and I like that.
And accompanying it is a song by David Bowie's beautiful song - Young Americans.
You should check out the movie, and the song, and the montage at the end.
By the way, Dogville itself is very minimalist and I like that.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Cekal
Pagi ini, semasa saya di dalam perjalanan ke tempat kerja, Mutiara FM mendendangkan sebuah lagu rock 90an dari XPDC. Lagu ini bertajuk "Cekal". Lirik dan Muziknya amat bagus dan sangat menarik.
Saya ingin berkongsi kan lirik ini bersama pembaca:
LIRIK: MAEL XPDC
“TIMUR BARAT”
Dari:
http://www.geocities.com/xpdc00/cekal.html
Saya ingin berkongsi kan lirik ini bersama pembaca:
:: CEKAL ::
HAYATI INI AKU BENTANG KAN SATU CERITA
KISAH MANUSIA INSAN SEJAGAD PUNYA ALKISAH
PELBAGAI RAGAM KERANA HIDUP PURA-PURA
BAGAIKAN TIADA KETULUSAN KEJARKAN KEMAJUAN
SIAPALAH ANTARA KITA SANGGUP MEMBELA
PERBALAHAN PENIPUAN ATAS KEBENARAN
MEMOHON SIMPATI TAGIH JANJI BUKA KAN MATA HATI
PADA WAJAH-WAJAH SEIRINGAN HALUAN PERJALANAN INI
OH…OH…SUKARNYA AKU MENGERTI
HIDUP PENUH RANJAU DURI
PILU RASA DIHATI
OH…OH…BILAKAH DATANG MENJELMA
PENAWAR KEDAMAIAN INI
PASTI IA MUNCUL KEMBALI
USAH DISANGSI JALAN YANG BAKAL ENGKAU LALUI
MUNGKIN ADA BENARNYA DI SEBALIK KESILAPAN
WALAU ADA SAKI BAKI YANG KURANG SENANG HATI
HARUS DITERUSKAN DENGAN SEMANGAT CEKAL DIHATI
LIRIK: MAEL XPDC
“TIMUR BARAT”
Dari:
http://www.geocities.com/xpdc00/cekal.html
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Last weekend craze
I'm absolutely tired today. Because last weekend, I was helping out for USA for Students event.
It turned out that I was in charge of lunch distribution, and I thought this was easy stuff. However, there were some miscommunication and the lunch came late.
I spent most of my time apologizing to the volunteers while carrying bags and bags of burgers and fries up and down of the building. I hope the volunteers are not pissed off too much.
After that, I went down to KLCC and went sipping a cup of Starbucks latte with an Indonesian friend I knew from USC time (btw, don't drink Starbucks too much at the time of inflation). He is doing some research in KL and will be working in LA soon. He's a cool dude.
Right after that, I took LRT and met a buddy of mine who lived down at around Kerinchi area and we spent some time discussing about data structure design, coding , etc. He's a really good programmer and I learn a lot from him.
Early morning, I left his place and took a bus to go back Penang. I bought Butterworth ticket because no ticket for Penang (well, they have executive, but I'm not paying for that). I took ferry down to Jetty, and took a bus back. (At this time around, let's try to use public transport more)
Yesterday, I also volunteered in some event here in Penang. So finished about 8pm or so. The event went well, and as usual, you don't get paid to volunteer, but satisfaction. I'm quite satisfied and after spacing out for about an hour or so, I slept.
I think I need to cut down my volunteer work and spend more time with family.
In fact, I'm going home next weekend. I can't wait for that.
It turned out that I was in charge of lunch distribution, and I thought this was easy stuff. However, there were some miscommunication and the lunch came late.
I spent most of my time apologizing to the volunteers while carrying bags and bags of burgers and fries up and down of the building. I hope the volunteers are not pissed off too much.
After that, I went down to KLCC and went sipping a cup of Starbucks latte with an Indonesian friend I knew from USC time (btw, don't drink Starbucks too much at the time of inflation). He is doing some research in KL and will be working in LA soon. He's a cool dude.
Right after that, I took LRT and met a buddy of mine who lived down at around Kerinchi area and we spent some time discussing about data structure design, coding , etc. He's a really good programmer and I learn a lot from him.
Early morning, I left his place and took a bus to go back Penang. I bought Butterworth ticket because no ticket for Penang (well, they have executive, but I'm not paying for that). I took ferry down to Jetty, and took a bus back. (At this time around, let's try to use public transport more)
Yesterday, I also volunteered in some event here in Penang. So finished about 8pm or so. The event went well, and as usual, you don't get paid to volunteer, but satisfaction. I'm quite satisfied and after spacing out for about an hour or so, I slept.
I think I need to cut down my volunteer work and spend more time with family.
In fact, I'm going home next weekend. I can't wait for that.
Little program that I wrote
It would be boring to you if I mentioned specifically what I wrote last time.
Anyway, Since I promised to tell you about it, I just wanted to tell you that I was learning python and I was developing a simple data structure to do some mapping stuff. Python is cool because I don't have to worry about installing GCC, resolving some library linking and what not.
With Python, I just need to install the interpreter and bam, I'm on the go.
What is this mapping stuff that I'm writing? I have nothing to show now, so I won't show anything. Everything is not finalized and I'll tell you more when something is working and you can use it for yourself.
Anyway, Since I promised to tell you about it, I just wanted to tell you that I was learning python and I was developing a simple data structure to do some mapping stuff. Python is cool because I don't have to worry about installing GCC, resolving some library linking and what not.
With Python, I just need to install the interpreter and bam, I'm on the go.
What is this mapping stuff that I'm writing? I have nothing to show now, so I won't show anything. Everything is not finalized and I'll tell you more when something is working and you can use it for yourself.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
What do you do with a PC ?
OK, pretty straightforward stuff. What do you do with a PC? I mean, without Internet connection.
Haha. I know it. You want to get into Internet, right?
The next best thing is that, you can watch movie.
The next next best thing is that, you can listen to MP3 songs.
What else? Oh, I forgot, playing games!.
What else? You found that, other than those four things (Internet, movies, songs,games) you don't really have much to do with a PC (please don't talk about work, in which case, you'll use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and etc).
OK, there's another thing, and this is quite particular to those who have nothing to do on the weekend:
Programming.
That's correct. Programming. Basically, to tell the PC to do whatever stuff in it's own language. It's pretty amazing, I mean, some people talk to animals to do what they want to do. Often, you have to force them (like getting cows to go around the field and things like that). The cows probably don't like you if you do that. But PC? PC is actually like a cow too. I mean, in terms of functionality, increasing productivity and stuff like that. If you know what I mean.
Anyway.
I have a wonderful weekend writing some little programs and manage to amuse myself momentarily. It's really great. I'll talk about it later, maybe tomorrow.
I have something to debug, friend. Chow.
Haha. I know it. You want to get into Internet, right?
The next best thing is that, you can watch movie.
The next next best thing is that, you can listen to MP3 songs.
What else? Oh, I forgot, playing games!.
What else? You found that, other than those four things (Internet, movies, songs,games) you don't really have much to do with a PC (please don't talk about work, in which case, you'll use Microsoft Word, Powerpoint and etc).
OK, there's another thing, and this is quite particular to those who have nothing to do on the weekend:
Programming.
That's correct. Programming. Basically, to tell the PC to do whatever stuff in it's own language. It's pretty amazing, I mean, some people talk to animals to do what they want to do. Often, you have to force them (like getting cows to go around the field and things like that). The cows probably don't like you if you do that. But PC? PC is actually like a cow too. I mean, in terms of functionality, increasing productivity and stuff like that. If you know what I mean.
Anyway.
I have a wonderful weekend writing some little programs and manage to amuse myself momentarily. It's really great. I'll talk about it later, maybe tomorrow.
I have something to debug, friend. Chow.
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Oil Price increase
I don't know, but as a Malaysian, I just feel bad about Pak Lah. Pak Lah didn't convey consistent message.
He increased the oil priced yesterday, only days after flip-flopping about whether to increase it or not.
Does the Government know how painful this is?
I'm sick of the Federal Government today. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I need to either work, sleep, play, and do my own things.
Life goes on, and heck to everyone in the Federal Government and UMNO now. If you're still in UMNO, why don't you consider quitting and do something else? Like Farming?
After all, Agriculture is Business. You can grow rice.
He increased the oil priced yesterday, only days after flip-flopping about whether to increase it or not.
Does the Government know how painful this is?
I'm sick of the Federal Government today. I don't want to talk about it anymore. I need to either work, sleep, play, and do my own things.
Life goes on, and heck to everyone in the Federal Government and UMNO now. If you're still in UMNO, why don't you consider quitting and do something else? Like Farming?
After all, Agriculture is Business. You can grow rice.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Price Increase and Why it Mattters to all of us
Have you heard of the song "Blame it on the Rain?". It's from Milli Vanilli, and it's sometimes being played at Red FM.
I've been protesting for price increase these few days. The only thing that I talked about during breakfast and lunch is price increase.
So It matters. But constructively, as Malaysians, let's not blame everyone for the price increase.
(Of course, if you asked me why the price increase, I have a lot more to tell).
Here's what you can do to reduce inflation without making noise to government :
1. Don't eat too much rice. Cut your meal from 3 to 2 times a day.
2. Pump petrol at Petronas. Petronas can help on petrol subsidies and other things
3. Don't spend too much on imported goods. Buy local products.
4. Change your lifestyle to a positive, frugal life style with reasonable spending.
5. Don't buy house now. Buy later when the price is stable
6. Buy second hand car. If you want to buy new car, buy Proton
7. Cut on electricity bills. Consume less water.
8. Do more work with less effort. For example, use tools to chop off trees. This increase productivity.
I can go on and on, but as ordinary Joe and Jane, other than lamenting yourselves on price increase, you won't go anywhere.
Our government now can't handle subsidies like we used to (maybe they don't do good planning as compared to before).
And please stop asking for pay raise, unless our productivity match our pay. Otherwise, it's just bad for everyone of us.
I've been protesting for price increase these few days. The only thing that I talked about during breakfast and lunch is price increase.
So It matters. But constructively, as Malaysians, let's not blame everyone for the price increase.
(Of course, if you asked me why the price increase, I have a lot more to tell).
Here's what you can do to reduce inflation without making noise to government :
1. Don't eat too much rice. Cut your meal from 3 to 2 times a day.
2. Pump petrol at Petronas. Petronas can help on petrol subsidies and other things
3. Don't spend too much on imported goods. Buy local products.
4. Change your lifestyle to a positive, frugal life style with reasonable spending.
5. Don't buy house now. Buy later when the price is stable
6. Buy second hand car. If you want to buy new car, buy Proton
7. Cut on electricity bills. Consume less water.
8. Do more work with less effort. For example, use tools to chop off trees. This increase productivity.
I can go on and on, but as ordinary Joe and Jane, other than lamenting yourselves on price increase, you won't go anywhere.
Our government now can't handle subsidies like we used to (maybe they don't do good planning as compared to before).
And please stop asking for pay raise, unless our productivity match our pay. Otherwise, it's just bad for everyone of us.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Work, Relax, Farming
This year was different from last year. Last year, I've spent half of 2007 (yes, almost full time) to organize Discover. That was equal to about 7 months of labor of love, with much of the spending come out of my savings. Some of the expenses, I forgot to claim, or, I lost the receipts (that was my mistake, rather).
Anyway, this year, I've decided to work, and work very hard (I'm not a smart person, so I don't really work smart. The only time I work smart is, when I can write a script that can automate some mundane tasks before throwing away the script). I came to work on weekends too. There are times when I just work and work, although, I don't really need to do as much work. But I like the job that I have right now. I'm always fascinated by it, and I just keep working.
I don't know when I want to relax a little bit, but I think it's too premature to even think about relax from work. I'm a restless person, so I tend to work until I get tired. If I don't work at office, I'll work at home.
The only time I don't work, is when I watch movies, and do some farming and planting work, on the weekends. I love farming. That's the first thing I enjoy since I was a kid (I have no PC when I was growing up as a kid, so farming is the best thing). The best time is when you see the seeds that you plant actually respond to the nature and growing up. It's like watching a little baby growing. The next best thing is to see when the fruits or flowers come out of it. I have a joy of my life watching them.
Farming comes first in my hobby list. The only problem now is that, I have no land to farm here in Penang. That's when I missed home. Farming with my dad is the best thing ever happen to me every month.
Anyway, this year, I've decided to work, and work very hard (I'm not a smart person, so I don't really work smart. The only time I work smart is, when I can write a script that can automate some mundane tasks before throwing away the script). I came to work on weekends too. There are times when I just work and work, although, I don't really need to do as much work. But I like the job that I have right now. I'm always fascinated by it, and I just keep working.
I don't know when I want to relax a little bit, but I think it's too premature to even think about relax from work. I'm a restless person, so I tend to work until I get tired. If I don't work at office, I'll work at home.
The only time I don't work, is when I watch movies, and do some farming and planting work, on the weekends. I love farming. That's the first thing I enjoy since I was a kid (I have no PC when I was growing up as a kid, so farming is the best thing). The best time is when you see the seeds that you plant actually respond to the nature and growing up. It's like watching a little baby growing. The next best thing is to see when the fruits or flowers come out of it. I have a joy of my life watching them.
Farming comes first in my hobby list. The only problem now is that, I have no land to farm here in Penang. That's when I missed home. Farming with my dad is the best thing ever happen to me every month.
Surf's Up
"Surf's Up" is a really good animated movie. For me.
The whole movie is making fun (I don't know whether it's making fun or not), but the whole movie is actually in the reality TV show format. It started with a penguin called Cody Maverick, who was inspired by Big-Z, a supposedly legend of the whole world of penguin surfers.
Cody surfs. All day.
His mission is to get out of his very boring hometown called "Shiverpool" in Antartica (where else penguins live?), where his big brother, Glen, always ridicules him for surfing all day and good for nothing. I can feel the frustration that Cody has. At some point, I feel like Cody too if I was bullied like that. But Cody is proud of him for being a surfer. For him, it's all about being somebody like Big-Z. Cody always wanted to be like Big-Z. For him, Big-Z is everything and he'll do everything for it.
Anyway, that's the opening. You might not realized it, but "opening" that introduce a "hero" is very important. And it captures our imagination what's going to happen. How Cody is going to be like Big-Z? Is he going to go out of Shiverpool? How? What's the ending?
Well, this is how. A talent agent (trust me) came to look for the best surfer in the whole Antartica and that's when Cody got picked up to Pen Gu island.
The only surprising thing (and I didn't really expect) is that, he actually found Big-Z and learned from him, and the best thing is that, Cody develops his own style. I don't want to go analyze into the detail, but the best scene (and quite philosophical) is when he learned how to make the board before he surfs. That's the best. I love it.
Anyway, I found that the movie took some references from the original skateboard (1970s) documentary: Dogtown and Z-Boys (that's probably where the Big-Z name came up). I've seen that documentary, and it's really great.
To understand the context of Surf's Up movie, you might want to watch that documentary.
By the way, Surf's Up is a title of an album of The Beach Boys. You can also visit Cody's myspace here: Cody Maverick Myspace page
The whole movie is making fun (I don't know whether it's making fun or not), but the whole movie is actually in the reality TV show format. It started with a penguin called Cody Maverick, who was inspired by Big-Z, a supposedly legend of the whole world of penguin surfers.
Cody surfs. All day.
His mission is to get out of his very boring hometown called "Shiverpool" in Antartica (where else penguins live?), where his big brother, Glen, always ridicules him for surfing all day and good for nothing. I can feel the frustration that Cody has. At some point, I feel like Cody too if I was bullied like that. But Cody is proud of him for being a surfer. For him, it's all about being somebody like Big-Z. Cody always wanted to be like Big-Z. For him, Big-Z is everything and he'll do everything for it.
Anyway, that's the opening. You might not realized it, but "opening" that introduce a "hero" is very important. And it captures our imagination what's going to happen. How Cody is going to be like Big-Z? Is he going to go out of Shiverpool? How? What's the ending?
Well, this is how. A talent agent (trust me) came to look for the best surfer in the whole Antartica and that's when Cody got picked up to Pen Gu island.
The only surprising thing (and I didn't really expect) is that, he actually found Big-Z and learned from him, and the best thing is that, Cody develops his own style. I don't want to go analyze into the detail, but the best scene (and quite philosophical) is when he learned how to make the board before he surfs. That's the best. I love it.
Anyway, I found that the movie took some references from the original skateboard (1970s) documentary: Dogtown and Z-Boys (that's probably where the Big-Z name came up). I've seen that documentary, and it's really great.
To understand the context of Surf's Up movie, you might want to watch that documentary.
By the way, Surf's Up is a title of an album of The Beach Boys. You can also visit Cody's myspace here: Cody Maverick Myspace page
Monday, May 26, 2008
Proton, Neutron, Electron, and the moon
I still remember those days when I learned science/ "Sains Teras" (I never take physics or chemistry in high-school. I never take a formal chemistry course in my entire life). In the modern atom model (that is, Bohr-Rutherford atom model), we have three curious elements: proton, neutron and electron.
I've so far underestimated what all these means really. And what profound impact in my life. Actually, these particles are not the only basic particles that we have in our universe. There are also some of the particles like neutrinos, muons, etc. However, I've never learned this before in Malaysian high-school, so I didn't know their existence till very recently.
Anyway, I'm constantly fascinated with these three basic elements of an atom. Think about it, how could protons and neutrons have such a very strong binding energy, while electrons, with sufficient force applied to it, can move freely and join another atom structure. When they move around, they create the electric current that power up our daily lives. Think of a day without these electrons going around. Can you imagine that?? Think about the fascination that's going on here. I haven't gone to the magnetic field.
These things amazed me all the time.
First of all - binding energy between proton and neutron. Why the binding energy? Why these two elements are bounded with a very strong energy? Where is the energy comes from in the first place? Why proton and neutron has to be together, while electron can go as freely as it likes? Does this bother you? I mean, not in a negative way, but in a fascinating way.
Can we split the proton and neutron? (Yes, if you split these two element, you'll release the binding energy, and if you can produce a "chain reaction" that is, splitting the next atom and again and again, you've successfully produced the powerful "atomic bomb").
I used to think that the electrons that orbiting the neutrons and protons in an atom is something similar to the moon circulating the earth. However, to think in parallel of atom model, what's the probability that the moon can go off track and go some other planet's gravitational force and stick with the planet? Is that possible? It may be possible to likened the moon and the earth as the electron and proton. But how about the binding energy? Where do we want to put the neutron, which the mass, is somewhat equal to the proton? How about the radiation effect that we detected in radium,etc?
It turns out that these two models (atom and planetary) are not equivalent. There may look the same (if you think about it), but moon is unlikely to go off track and go to Uranus. (Unless God wants it).
Here's a hypothetical, or maybe a sci-fi question for you: Given the knowledge of atom properties, can we move the moon (I mean the earth's moon that we see at night) somewhere else? Maybe make earth's gravitational force so big (definitely bigger than 9.8 m/s2 ) so that it comes nearer?
At any rate, my childhood dream has always been to go to the moon. I wish I can get there.
I've so far underestimated what all these means really. And what profound impact in my life. Actually, these particles are not the only basic particles that we have in our universe. There are also some of the particles like neutrinos, muons, etc. However, I've never learned this before in Malaysian high-school, so I didn't know their existence till very recently.
Anyway, I'm constantly fascinated with these three basic elements of an atom. Think about it, how could protons and neutrons have such a very strong binding energy, while electrons, with sufficient force applied to it, can move freely and join another atom structure. When they move around, they create the electric current that power up our daily lives. Think of a day without these electrons going around. Can you imagine that?? Think about the fascination that's going on here. I haven't gone to the magnetic field.
These things amazed me all the time.
First of all - binding energy between proton and neutron. Why the binding energy? Why these two elements are bounded with a very strong energy? Where is the energy comes from in the first place? Why proton and neutron has to be together, while electron can go as freely as it likes? Does this bother you? I mean, not in a negative way, but in a fascinating way.
Can we split the proton and neutron? (Yes, if you split these two element, you'll release the binding energy, and if you can produce a "chain reaction" that is, splitting the next atom and again and again, you've successfully produced the powerful "atomic bomb").
I used to think that the electrons that orbiting the neutrons and protons in an atom is something similar to the moon circulating the earth. However, to think in parallel of atom model, what's the probability that the moon can go off track and go some other planet's gravitational force and stick with the planet? Is that possible? It may be possible to likened the moon and the earth as the electron and proton. But how about the binding energy? Where do we want to put the neutron, which the mass, is somewhat equal to the proton? How about the radiation effect that we detected in radium,etc?
It turns out that these two models (atom and planetary) are not equivalent. There may look the same (if you think about it), but moon is unlikely to go off track and go to Uranus. (Unless God wants it).
Here's a hypothetical, or maybe a sci-fi question for you: Given the knowledge of atom properties, can we move the moon (I mean the earth's moon that we see at night) somewhere else? Maybe make earth's gravitational force so big (definitely bigger than 9.8 m/s2 ) so that it comes nearer?
At any rate, my childhood dream has always been to go to the moon. I wish I can get there.
Friday, May 23, 2008
USA for Students event
I would like to promote an event that I helped volunteered last year. The event is called "USA for Students". Please check the website here: http://www.usaforstudents.org/
When we first started (which I was also part of the organizing Committee), it was called "Experiences 2006 Kuala Lumpur". Last year, we decided to change the name to "Discover U.S Education -'07". I was partly responsible for the name "Discover". The reason is because, I strongly believe in the discovery process of oneself, especially during college times.
We sometimes don't know what to do in our lives. I mean, I was there, so I know how it feels.
It's fine if parents wants to give directions on certain way their kids are supposed to do in college. For example, they want to give their kids education to prepare them for a promising carrier.
However, if the students wants to take this advice as it is (which they sometimes do) they need to think again. There are so much thing to experience in college that some people don't have the opportunity to experience. If we're starting to think about jobs before we're even entering college, we most likely don't like our studies life, and blame ourselves if we have bad hair days during work (that if you found the job that you're looking for. What if you're not?).
If you're about to enter college, please give yourself a chance. Work is a different story. You can work as whatever you like, but study is different. We should discover ourselves. Put yourself in a position that you want to do something cool in your life. Give it a try (take course, do part time, whatever) during college. For example, I used to think that I want to make a movie, so I went to take Cinema class (I'm majoring in computer science. As usual, you don't always get to do what you want in your life, so College is the time).
How about "Education"
I'm also a strong believer in "education". What's a big deal about this? Here's the big deal:
Society sometimes mistakenly believe that "Education" equals to "Learning". This is wrong. In Malays, education is called "Pendidikan" whereas learning is"Pelajaran". So "Education" is "Pendidikan" and "Learning" is "Pelajaran". Remember that.
So if you "educate", you're basically "mould" someone into something that is supposed to be (or what the society or world perceive to be) for their entire life. Why I say "entire life"? Because you're exposing something, "educate", during their formative years. As you probably suspect, formative years are very important.
So to have someone to "learn", you need to "teach", and if you teach, you can just teach a specific thing like, teaching algebra, or why we need to know Maxwell equations.
But to educate, you go even further: At the end of the day, how do you care about using these Maxwell equations? How could it be use? How can we use it in a right way? Is it good for society? How can we manipulate these stuff into something better in the future? To educate, we form a thinking body. Thinking even further. For the future, for life, for the good of society, and humanity and take actions on it.
That's education. Education is something very special. It is not mere learning.
OK, so I care about discovery and education. Big deal?
The event that I helped organized was designed to have a face-to-face interaction with the people that have been studying in the U.S and familiar with U.S Education. I'm not saying that U.S Education is the best education system in the world. What I would like, we, Malaysians to do, is to take advantage of the U.S. Education ecosystem here in Malaysia and learn where we could see fit in our society, and we should also be learning and benefiting from the U.S. Education. I won't go into much detail how I get educated in the U.S. and so on (different people has different opinions, so my opinion is that, it is a great learning experience. Maybe I will post in a separate blog post later).
For those of you who are studying in the U.S and have studied in the U.S and would like to represent your school, please register at
http://www.usaforstudents.org/registration/registerExhibitor.php
and please contact your respective university to get the brochures and some school logo or something to cheer up the event (if you have been to Discover last year, you knew what I mean).
Anyway, I see you in KL!
When we first started (which I was also part of the organizing Committee), it was called "Experiences 2006 Kuala Lumpur". Last year, we decided to change the name to "Discover U.S Education -'07". I was partly responsible for the name "Discover". The reason is because, I strongly believe in the discovery process of oneself, especially during college times.
We sometimes don't know what to do in our lives. I mean, I was there, so I know how it feels.
It's fine if parents wants to give directions on certain way their kids are supposed to do in college. For example, they want to give their kids education to prepare them for a promising carrier.
However, if the students wants to take this advice as it is (which they sometimes do) they need to think again. There are so much thing to experience in college that some people don't have the opportunity to experience. If we're starting to think about jobs before we're even entering college, we most likely don't like our studies life, and blame ourselves if we have bad hair days during work (that if you found the job that you're looking for. What if you're not?).
If you're about to enter college, please give yourself a chance. Work is a different story. You can work as whatever you like, but study is different. We should discover ourselves. Put yourself in a position that you want to do something cool in your life. Give it a try (take course, do part time, whatever) during college. For example, I used to think that I want to make a movie, so I went to take Cinema class (I'm majoring in computer science. As usual, you don't always get to do what you want in your life, so College is the time).
How about "Education"
I'm also a strong believer in "education". What's a big deal about this? Here's the big deal:
Society sometimes mistakenly believe that "Education" equals to "Learning". This is wrong. In Malays, education is called "Pendidikan" whereas learning is"Pelajaran". So "Education" is "Pendidikan" and "Learning" is "Pelajaran". Remember that.
So if you "educate", you're basically "mould" someone into something that is supposed to be (or what the society or world perceive to be) for their entire life. Why I say "entire life"? Because you're exposing something, "educate", during their formative years. As you probably suspect, formative years are very important.
So to have someone to "learn", you need to "teach", and if you teach, you can just teach a specific thing like, teaching algebra, or why we need to know Maxwell equations.
But to educate, you go even further: At the end of the day, how do you care about using these Maxwell equations? How could it be use? How can we use it in a right way? Is it good for society? How can we manipulate these stuff into something better in the future? To educate, we form a thinking body. Thinking even further. For the future, for life, for the good of society, and humanity and take actions on it.
That's education. Education is something very special. It is not mere learning.
OK, so I care about discovery and education. Big deal?
The event that I helped organized was designed to have a face-to-face interaction with the people that have been studying in the U.S and familiar with U.S Education. I'm not saying that U.S Education is the best education system in the world. What I would like, we, Malaysians to do, is to take advantage of the U.S. Education ecosystem here in Malaysia and learn where we could see fit in our society, and we should also be learning and benefiting from the U.S. Education. I won't go into much detail how I get educated in the U.S. and so on (different people has different opinions, so my opinion is that, it is a great learning experience. Maybe I will post in a separate blog post later).
For those of you who are studying in the U.S and have studied in the U.S and would like to represent your school, please register at
http://www.usaforstudents.org/registration/registerExhibitor.php
and please contact your respective university to get the brochures and some school logo or something to cheer up the event (if you have been to Discover last year, you knew what I mean).
Anyway, I see you in KL!
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
The worst cough
I can't remember the worst cough that I've ever had in my entire life. To be honest, I rarely have bad cough. But it's really weird. I've been coughing for about a week now and there's no sign of getting better. I hope this is not the direct result of consuming too much Durian a few weeks ago. I'm trying to convince myself that that's Durian is not the reason. (could it be?)
I went to a clinic last weekend and the doctor told me that I'm getting a fever, allergic and so on (although I don't feel like I'm having fever). I'm kind of having a fever, if my cough gets really bad.
Now, all the medication finished. The doctor said that if it's not improving, I should do X-Ray. The problem is, I'm not really a big fan of fancy medication, so for now, I'm resorting to some more traditional approach.
I asked someone what's the best "ubat batuk", so the suggestion is "Ubat Batuk Cap Ibu Dan Anak". I haven't really tried it, but I think I'm about to. For now, what I'm doing is try to get a lot more fresh air, get home early from work, and try not to eat and drink some fried stuff.
Basically, I can't even eat roti canai, or even drinking Milo. It's a really hard diet because I'm used to consume those things almost everyday.
I'm now consuming a type of "asam" called "asam boy". It's an orange color, and you can find it in some "asam" stores near your place. I live in Penang, so these kind of thing is easy to get.
The worst is when at night. When I cough, it gets really bad I feel like jumping out of the window. Same thing when I'm working. I can't focus when it gets worse. That's when I feel like I want to be healthy.
I now realized that the word: "health is wealth" is real, after all.
I went to a clinic last weekend and the doctor told me that I'm getting a fever, allergic and so on (although I don't feel like I'm having fever). I'm kind of having a fever, if my cough gets really bad.
Now, all the medication finished. The doctor said that if it's not improving, I should do X-Ray. The problem is, I'm not really a big fan of fancy medication, so for now, I'm resorting to some more traditional approach.
I asked someone what's the best "ubat batuk", so the suggestion is "Ubat Batuk Cap Ibu Dan Anak". I haven't really tried it, but I think I'm about to. For now, what I'm doing is try to get a lot more fresh air, get home early from work, and try not to eat and drink some fried stuff.
Basically, I can't even eat roti canai, or even drinking Milo. It's a really hard diet because I'm used to consume those things almost everyday.
I'm now consuming a type of "asam" called "asam boy". It's an orange color, and you can find it in some "asam" stores near your place. I live in Penang, so these kind of thing is easy to get.
The worst is when at night. When I cough, it gets really bad I feel like jumping out of the window. Same thing when I'm working. I can't focus when it gets worse. That's when I feel like I want to be healthy.
I now realized that the word: "health is wealth" is real, after all.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Plank Constant
I like Physics, but I never really like to take Physics tests because most of the time, I flunk them.
Anyway, I'm sure you've heard about Quantum Theory? If you don't really have any idea about it, or you've forgotten about it, you can start reading on a constant called "Plank Constant".
It's really interesting to see that the Plank Constant actually has energy and time incorporated into it. Basically, that the "energy of vibrating molecules is quantized". It means, it's not continuous , but it jumps from one level of energy to the next level of energy. How does this make sense? What we've learned so far is that, all things matters continue. For example, if I throw a ball up on the air, the ball doesn't jump from one level to next level (even if you throw it up on staircase), it "continues" and you can specifically point out the coordinate where exactly the ball is at any instant. But Max Plank's idea doesn't go by this logic.
Basically, what he says is that, at any point, the energy level jumps from one stage to another. This doesn't really go well with classical physics that we've learned in high school. Imagine you're throwing a ball up on the air, and the ball jumps from one level to next level. Maybe you say I'm crazy.
If you see carefully, the constant really doesn't make any sense. It seems like a random number multiplied by another small random number (it's in Joule.seconds):
( Reference )
Max Plank's work precedes the rest of the more interesting concept in Physics that we have today. He basically discovers the Physics for the new century.
Anyway, I'm sure you've heard about Quantum Theory? If you don't really have any idea about it, or you've forgotten about it, you can start reading on a constant called "Plank Constant".
It's really interesting to see that the Plank Constant actually has energy and time incorporated into it. Basically, that the "energy of vibrating molecules is quantized". It means, it's not continuous , but it jumps from one level of energy to the next level of energy. How does this make sense? What we've learned so far is that, all things matters continue. For example, if I throw a ball up on the air, the ball doesn't jump from one level to next level (even if you throw it up on staircase), it "continues" and you can specifically point out the coordinate where exactly the ball is at any instant. But Max Plank's idea doesn't go by this logic.
Basically, what he says is that, at any point, the energy level jumps from one stage to another. This doesn't really go well with classical physics that we've learned in high school. Imagine you're throwing a ball up on the air, and the ball jumps from one level to next level. Maybe you say I'm crazy.
If you see carefully, the constant really doesn't make any sense. It seems like a random number multiplied by another small random number (it's in Joule.seconds):
( Reference )
Max Plank's work precedes the rest of the more interesting concept in Physics that we have today. He basically discovers the Physics for the new century.
The Sisterhood of Travelling Pants
You know I got this movie for a while and I never really care about watching it until yesterday.
The problem is that, the title seems to suggest that this is probably movie for girls, because it's a Sisterhood stuff. You know, maybe sometime later.
So last night about 10pm, I didn't really know what to do already. I kind of get bored with Astro channels, so, what the heck, I'll watch the movie.
The beginning of the story is kind of, you know, girls talk about their shirts and things, and I just kind of entertain it and watch it anyway.
However, when it comes to the part when they found the pants and make the pledge to bow to a few rules when wearing it during their summer holidays, the movie gets quite interesting. The reason is because the movie (and I'm about to apply some movie critic skill here), have this concept of parallelism in the story, where the story actually splits into 4 stories, and they're all connected -- guess what -- through the pants!
So the pants is a "token" that gets around. Token is very important, as you can see in a lot of movies. You know, husband give the ring to wife, a lover give a love letter to another lover, a father give a pair of shoes to their sons, and all sorts of tokens. Token serves as a connecting point between characters. That's what make a movie so interesting. Because some characters share a same token in some way or the other, it's related.
And as the Sisterhood movies goes, this token gets around. The way is that, the four friends ship their pants around after wearing it for about a week (I think) via post. So as we can imagine, the friendships gets better when they receive the pants. The pants is supposed to do some magic when you're wearing it. So there's this time when a friend fall in love because the pants gets stuck down under the sea and a handsome Greek guy saves her, and all sorts of things.
The parallelism in the story work out great because the pants, the connecting token, gets around and do something to the person who wear it. Different person has a different story to tell, but it shares the same concept. Found who they love, what they care, and after that, conflict among themselves and work out on some sort of resolutions.
The only thing that I want to disagree (well, it doesn't really matter), is that, a viewer is supposed to be watching the stories in Carmen's perspective. However, viewer doesn't really connected to Carmen. Carmen's character is not strong enough to influence the overall drama in the movie. Although I can see she's trying, I think Bridgette is done much better job, except that she broke down at the end of the story.
The good part is that, the endings ends with Carmen's story. So Carmen's story actually went beyond the other Sisters story, and that is sort of wrapping up the overall movie stories. I still think that the movie could give much more impact if Carmen's character could influence more of the rest of the characters and have a sort of connecting ending, but it didn't happen.
Anyway, it's a good movie if you have time to waste before going to bed.
The problem is that, the title seems to suggest that this is probably movie for girls, because it's a Sisterhood stuff. You know, maybe sometime later.
So last night about 10pm, I didn't really know what to do already. I kind of get bored with Astro channels, so, what the heck, I'll watch the movie.
The beginning of the story is kind of, you know, girls talk about their shirts and things, and I just kind of entertain it and watch it anyway.
However, when it comes to the part when they found the pants and make the pledge to bow to a few rules when wearing it during their summer holidays, the movie gets quite interesting. The reason is because the movie (and I'm about to apply some movie critic skill here), have this concept of parallelism in the story, where the story actually splits into 4 stories, and they're all connected -- guess what -- through the pants!
So the pants is a "token" that gets around. Token is very important, as you can see in a lot of movies. You know, husband give the ring to wife, a lover give a love letter to another lover, a father give a pair of shoes to their sons, and all sorts of tokens. Token serves as a connecting point between characters. That's what make a movie so interesting. Because some characters share a same token in some way or the other, it's related.
And as the Sisterhood movies goes, this token gets around. The way is that, the four friends ship their pants around after wearing it for about a week (I think) via post. So as we can imagine, the friendships gets better when they receive the pants. The pants is supposed to do some magic when you're wearing it. So there's this time when a friend fall in love because the pants gets stuck down under the sea and a handsome Greek guy saves her, and all sorts of things.
The parallelism in the story work out great because the pants, the connecting token, gets around and do something to the person who wear it. Different person has a different story to tell, but it shares the same concept. Found who they love, what they care, and after that, conflict among themselves and work out on some sort of resolutions.
The only thing that I want to disagree (well, it doesn't really matter), is that, a viewer is supposed to be watching the stories in Carmen's perspective. However, viewer doesn't really connected to Carmen. Carmen's character is not strong enough to influence the overall drama in the movie. Although I can see she's trying, I think Bridgette is done much better job, except that she broke down at the end of the story.
The good part is that, the endings ends with Carmen's story. So Carmen's story actually went beyond the other Sisters story, and that is sort of wrapping up the overall movie stories. I still think that the movie could give much more impact if Carmen's character could influence more of the rest of the characters and have a sort of connecting ending, but it didn't happen.
Anyway, it's a good movie if you have time to waste before going to bed.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Durian Season is here
So I was having the most intense "Durian Eating" last weekend with some friends of mine.
The story goes when we went hiking and we were talking about everything, from nature, politics, to food.
And suddenly, we kind of jump off and say, "Hey, let's go eat Durian", when we were having breakfast. I thought they were joking. One of us called up a friend who happens to have a Durian Farm. He mentioned that the best Durian is Malaysian Durians (of course -lah, what else, right?). And the best Durians are the ones from Balik Pulau, Penang.
But, bad news. Balik Pulau doesn't have much Durian. We thought we can go somewhere else and grab some durians anywhere anyway, so we're all set to meet up again at 3pm.
Plan changed - we'll go to Seberang because one of the new YB was opening their service center, and so they have some free Durians there. Without further thinking, we changed our gear and went across the celebrated Penang Bridge to go eat Free Durians.
Again, bad news. We were a little bit too late because we lost our way (although they all blamed me because I was about 10 minutes late to arrive to meet before leaving, thanks to Bukit Jambul hiking overdose). The Durian are almost gone - and I'm fortunate to have a slice of Durian. (but it was breathtaking if you think about it).
We then was having a talk with the guy who furiously helping out to open the Durian for everyone. It turns out that they bought all the Durians from him, so he ask us to go to his place called "Junjong" (Don't ask me where is it, I think it's close to Kulim because they have a Kulim signboard there).
OK, finally, the moment of truth. We sit down, talk a little bit and that's it. They opened the Durians and we weren't thinking about anything anymore. I think this is the first time I eat Durian this much since I came back from US (Counting my years in the US, that was about 7 years ago). How delighted am I, I couldn't expressed it with my words.
All I say is that, get a taste of Durian before it's too late. Don't forget to eat the Manggis too after you ate a lot of them. You might get high if you loose control.
The story goes when we went hiking and we were talking about everything, from nature, politics, to food.
And suddenly, we kind of jump off and say, "Hey, let's go eat Durian", when we were having breakfast. I thought they were joking. One of us called up a friend who happens to have a Durian Farm. He mentioned that the best Durian is Malaysian Durians (of course -lah, what else, right?). And the best Durians are the ones from Balik Pulau, Penang.
But, bad news. Balik Pulau doesn't have much Durian. We thought we can go somewhere else and grab some durians anywhere anyway, so we're all set to meet up again at 3pm.
Plan changed - we'll go to Seberang because one of the new YB was opening their service center, and so they have some free Durians there. Without further thinking, we changed our gear and went across the celebrated Penang Bridge to go eat Free Durians.
Again, bad news. We were a little bit too late because we lost our way (although they all blamed me because I was about 10 minutes late to arrive to meet before leaving, thanks to Bukit Jambul hiking overdose). The Durian are almost gone - and I'm fortunate to have a slice of Durian. (but it was breathtaking if you think about it).
We then was having a talk with the guy who furiously helping out to open the Durian for everyone. It turns out that they bought all the Durians from him, so he ask us to go to his place called "Junjong" (Don't ask me where is it, I think it's close to Kulim because they have a Kulim signboard there).
OK, finally, the moment of truth. We sit down, talk a little bit and that's it. They opened the Durians and we weren't thinking about anything anymore. I think this is the first time I eat Durian this much since I came back from US (Counting my years in the US, that was about 7 years ago). How delighted am I, I couldn't expressed it with my words.
All I say is that, get a taste of Durian before it's too late. Don't forget to eat the Manggis too after you ate a lot of them. You might get high if you loose control.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
"Damn, it feels good to be a Gangsta"
Sometimes, you just feel like you want to do something different. In fact, I've always wanted to do it.For example, when all the people use the same brand of car, somehow, I don't really feel special for using the same brand of car. I want to drive something else. Whether it's old car, cheap car, expensive car, or rare species, it doesn't matter.
Similarly, when people do things in a way all nice, very good, and the way society respect (like scoring high in the exams or what not), I don't feel like doing it anymore. Because the thing is, and the point of living is probably, for me, is to make a difference. Whether to your own selves, or the life of others. Maybe what the society expect is not what we want in our life. Because, maybe you don't really fit into the society.
And the question now is, to what extent that I should make a difference? What good would be if I make this kind of difference? If the difference is very small, well, you can probably make a small difference. But when the difference is very big, then, you'll make a big difference.
Actually, when we reflect to ourselves whether or not we should really make a difference, it matters to ask ourselves what we really care. Do you care about your family? Your car? Your house? And how about the security? Do you care about those? If you care, and you want to do something about it, you should do it. I learned from a Chinese friend that, we should take some small steps before we're making a big step. The small step starts from us. That would be the beginning, and that would make all the difference.
Sometimes you wonder why people could produce some lyrics like Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta . Ignore the profanity, but when you look at the end of the lyrics, it shows something
that the lyrics writer care. He's talking about something that he probably believe in, and he cares about it.
Whether it makes any difference or not in our life, could be. But it's really our call to do it.
Similarly, when people do things in a way all nice, very good, and the way society respect (like scoring high in the exams or what not), I don't feel like doing it anymore. Because the thing is, and the point of living is probably, for me, is to make a difference. Whether to your own selves, or the life of others. Maybe what the society expect is not what we want in our life. Because, maybe you don't really fit into the society.
And the question now is, to what extent that I should make a difference? What good would be if I make this kind of difference? If the difference is very small, well, you can probably make a small difference. But when the difference is very big, then, you'll make a big difference.
Actually, when we reflect to ourselves whether or not we should really make a difference, it matters to ask ourselves what we really care. Do you care about your family? Your car? Your house? And how about the security? Do you care about those? If you care, and you want to do something about it, you should do it. I learned from a Chinese friend that, we should take some small steps before we're making a big step. The small step starts from us. That would be the beginning, and that would make all the difference.
Sometimes you wonder why people could produce some lyrics like Damn It Feels Good to Be a Gangsta . Ignore the profanity, but when you look at the end of the lyrics, it shows something
that the lyrics writer care. He's talking about something that he probably believe in, and he cares about it.
Whether it makes any difference or not in our life, could be. But it's really our call to do it.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Fun with GNU Octave
Hello World!
Let's explore the capabilities of GNU Octave. Basically, I would like to write some simple programs so that I could do some other cool stuff with GNU Octave (I don't know what is it yet). Well, it's always good to start with, guess what, hello world program!
Using my text editor, I simply write this line:
printf("hello, world \n");
and I save it as "hello.m". So to run this program, we can easily just invoke "hello" at the GNU Octave command prompt. Like this (see picture below):
Yes!, we're now a Matlab programmer. Let's put that in our resume.
Simple Calculation
Now I would like to explore the true mathematical power of Octave. The thing that I found about Octave is that, it's so easy to use. For example, at a command prompt, I can easily do mathematical computation by entering this :
octave:1> 1+2
ans = 3
As you can see, Octave doesn't need to enter into special mode of some sort to do simple calculations like this. It just sort of know how to do it. Of course, you have to get into the Octave shell to be able to do this so easily (if you still haven't gotten your GNU Octave working right, please email me). Saving this calculation in calc.m, I can execute this command like this:
octave:11> calc
ans = 3
Ah, beautiful.
Matrices
I'm sure you still remember (at least vividly) of matrix operation from your high school/college education. As we can guess, matrix operations plays significant role in mathematical computations. You may ask, "what's the good of matrix operations for me in my daily life? After all, I'm not a mathematician to begin with." Neither do I. I absolutely have no idea why I explore into this realm of computational program like Octave if I can get my job done (as in my work) in C++ or Perl, or TCL. So, the question is not so much of whether it has any practical applications as of now, as the time you're reading this writing. The question is to appreciate the beauty of matrix operations, and how cool it is to be able to do matrix operations using Octave so easily. When you know you can do something about it, you may get an idea what sort of thing you want to do with the new knowledge that you just gained.
OK, enough blabbering. Let's start trying to enter some matrix operations:
octave:17> v = [1 2 3 4]
v =
1 2 3 4
Here, I assign v as a 1x4 matrix, [1 2 3 4]. The matrix doesn't have to be 1x4 in dimension. It could also be 2x4 dimension, etc. For example, for 2x4 matrix, I can just enter:
octave:19> v = [1 2 3 4
> 1 3 4 5]
v =
1 2 3 4
1 3 4 5
As you can see, I simply enter and making a new line after [1 2 3 4 to define my next matrix entry 1 3 4 5]. The result would be a 2x4 matrix of v.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
GNU Octave
Today, I would like to talk about GNU Octave.
I found GNU Octave when I was searching for free version of Matlab. I wasn't really programming in Matlab when I was at school or even work, but it occurs to me that I want to see what's in there (just curious, basically).
If you don't know what's Matlab (OK, so you're a C++ fan, or you don't need Matlab for whatever reason). All I need to say is that, the plotting is cool. I mean, I don't really do anything fancy rather than looking for some 3D examples, and go plot it. Check out the picture. Isn't it cool?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Hello
Hello.
This is my first post in my blog. I've created a few blogs before, but this one, bears my name (syamsulhasran), so I would expect to actively blogging about it. I don't really know what I would really want to do with this blog. It could be just random thought about stuff, or something very speecific, like my favorite songs. Or something like that. I don't know.
Thanks. Have fun
Syamsul
This is my first post in my blog. I've created a few blogs before, but this one, bears my name (syamsulhasran), so I would expect to actively blogging about it. I don't really know what I would really want to do with this blog. It could be just random thought about stuff, or something very speecific, like my favorite songs. Or something like that. I don't know.
Thanks. Have fun
Syamsul
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