Friday on Discovery.

I woke up quite early in the morning (8am only la), I got some work to do. First, meet Dean of FBL and Dean of FIST, and then to Security department for some matter about Career Fair.

About 12, I went to lunch with Yeoh and Xiang, then we headed to MP(Mahkota Parade), but the bus stopped at the main gate of the new DP(Dataran Pahlawan), so we went into it first.

The First time at Dataran Pahlawan
Wow, not bad! With all the side gates facing to cool buildings like A'Famosa, and the air-conditioning! Imagine walking into it when the heat outside there can cook you!

  
The stage of Dataran Pahlawan
(photo grabbed from AmazingMelaka)

I bought 3 shirts for the coming Chinese New Year, and finally, I found the white long sleeve T-shirt without logo that I searched for months! Cost me RM29.90, worth it. Another 1 is pink polo T-shirt, and a horizontal green stripe T-shirt, the total is RM92.80, all Bossini. look like no more shirt for this sem.

 

Search For RAM for Xiang's PC
We search for RAM for Xiang's laptop, he want to buy DDR 333 1GB RAM, but all shop got no stock. I remember clearly one of the shop, name CEM Multimedia Sdn Bhd at Melaka Raya there. The service is really good, polite and will search for any info that you request, even you didn't buy anything. I make a free advertisement for it: cempc@tm.net.my.

HP service center
Then, it's my time to find the HP service center at Melaka to send my LCD cracked HP R707 camera to repair. The center is quite funny: only 2 employees in charge the center, both of them will have on-site service at the day, until 5, then they will appear at the center. Before searching for the center, I already find for the map and refer to Google Earth. But the end, I still lost, maybe I didn't find out the bus route... The service center is really right beside Meridian Strait Hotel, and without banner, just a small piece of A4 paper on the door. Click here to see the service center in Malaysia.

Yerrr~~ Powder manufacturers cheat consumers!
See this? The amount of powder in the containers is not standard! Some a lot, but some are relatively less than standard. I snap this picture in a shopping center near Melaka Central.

So, the day was passed peacefully, I think this post may be quite boring, as it's not related with you all, just simply record it down before I forgot.

Technorati Tags: Friday - powder - Dataran Pahlawan - powder - HP

Use ReadyBoost, to Make your PC faster.

I believe many people out there already start using Windows Vista(pirated and original), and I too believe all the users are attracted by the Aero Interface. Wait, there is another feature that will make you all WoW for Vista.

ReadyBoost
Windows Vista introduces a new way to make use of your USB Flash Drive. By insert a USB Flash Drive, Windows Vista can turn it to become an external memory, and cache data faster.

How it works?
A Flash Drive use the same medium as your primary memory(RAM) does - electronically charged modules, making this method respond faster than hard disk, since it's mechanical. This make ReadyBoost a better alternative than Virtual Memory, which use portion of your hard drive as memory space. If you take out the flash drive, ReadyBoost will be disabled. Your computer will be fine, though, because the files stored on the flash memory are only temporary copies. Data on the flash memory is encrypted to protect privacy using AES-128 encryption.

How to use it?
When you plug in you USB drive, Vista AutoPlay will show this small window, choose 'Speed up my system'(this option will only show if your flashdrive can support ReadyBoost, yes, not all are supportable.)

Another window pop up:

Click 'Use this device', and click 'OK'.

And it's done.

What Flash Drives are supported?
the device must support USB 2.0, be at least 256MB (with 64KB free) and less than 4GB, and have at least a 2.5MB/sec throughput for 4k random reads, and a 1.75MB/sec throughput for 512k random writes. Looks like my mini Pendrive can support it.

This method will not speed up your game
As we all know, flash drive is using 'Flash' to transfer and memorize data, and it is relatively slow if compare to RAM, which not using 'Flash' to memorize data. The performance won't be significant increase on a new powerful PC, like latest Core 2 Duo processor with 7200rpm harddisk and 1GB of RAM. It will show obvious performance upgrade if you run ReadyBoost on an old and slower PC, about 30 percents increase in startup speed on an old 4 years old Dell Latitude D600 with 512MB RAM.

Bring your Flash Drive to death.
Another problem by using Flash Drive to boost up your system is because ALL flash drives have limited life-span, once you write and re-write it, the life of your flash drive will decrease, and while using it as additional memory will accelerate your flash drive to death.

 

Technorati Tags: vista - ReadyBoost - flash drive

To buy OEM or Retail Vista?

This is also an important factor to your budget to buy a new Vista. On my previous post, I went to Low Yat Plaza for the Vista Launch, and I got some answers I want. Now, a new problem arise, maybe it not just concern me, but all of you who read this.

What is OEM?
OEM stand of Original Equipment Manufacturer, or what in your mind is like Dell or HP. OEM product always not coming with fancy package, manual book, or even warranty, of course, much more cheaper. When we talk about OEM Windows, OEM is the cheaper version for "system builders"(Dell or HP). Buying OEM Vista is not advisable, but is still legal, as Microsoft don't like to receive lots of report from low end user to questioning this and that.

So what's the difference?
Both OEM and Retail software work exactly the same in function, but OEM version is bundle to some hardware, like motherboard. When you installed OEM version on a PC with the motherboard A, you had to use that Windows on the motherboard for your lifetime, unless your motherboard A burned out. The first time you installed it, OEM Vista will tied to your motherboard A, and when you change the motherboard to motherboard B, Vista detect it and you can't boot up. This is no good for user who like to upgrade or build their own system from ground.

Another minor different about OEM Vista is the license agreement. In most retail Vista, you had to click "I accept the license and agreement" to continue, but OEM Vista will assume that you accept the license and agreement once you open the package, and you can't make any refund or return. Funny...

Retail Vista come with 2 DVDs and manual book inside the cool box. The 2 DVDs work similar, except 1 is for 64-bit processor, another one is for 32-bit processor. For now where most user using 32-bit processor, buying a retail version is the right choice, as 64-bit processor will dominate the market soon. Retail version also come with 90 days(only?) of free support, while OEM don't have, but still accept paid support, if you need it. Retail Vista also allow you to transfer(not copy!) the Windows from one PC to another PC, regardless the motherboard or other hardware like OEM version.

How about my motherboard died?
Good question, it's Microsoft policy to allow the Vista license to transfer to new motherboard if your motherboard defective, but you need to call Microsoft service center to inform them about the activation on new motherboard. But, this is not guarantee will work, and, liar don't get ice-cream.

If I upgrade my motherboard?
Microsoft said: everything is a fair game, except motherboard. Once you upgraded your motherboard, Microsoft will consider it as a new PC, and OEM version is not usable on the motherboard anymore.

Here is the price list of Retail and OEM:

Windows Vista (Retail)	Prices
Home Basic	RM715
Home Premium	RM848
Business	RM1055
Ultimate	RM1415

 

Windows Vista (OEM)	Prices
Home Basic	RM305
Home Premium	RM395
Business	RM500
Ultimate	RM680

 

Windows Vista (Retail Upgrade)	Prices
Home Basic	RM369
Home Premium	RM571
Business	RM710
Ultimate	RM930

 

For those who not afford to buy Full Retail Vista, Retail Upgrade may be the good choice to have all the retail benefit, but if you want to reformat your PC... you had to install XP first, then upgrade it to Vista... Everything is fair.

 

Which license should you install? I think I had given enough information about it, the rest you had to decide yourself. I know the prices are over our estimation, but if you all want to see the real "wow", please pay for it, Microsoft will support Vista until 2012, so if you buy Home Premium now, it just cost you RM 0.46 per day only, worth it. 

Bill Gates' Sons Show you 'WoW'

Finally, Microsoft Malaysia successfully launch the next generation of Operating system, Microsoft Windows Vista, this start up a revolution to the IT industry. The Vista Launch successfully at Low Yat Plaza, kuala Lumpur. I went to the launch in the early morning, without hesitate, we went to the Vista Stage to look around.

Who is invited?
To boost up the environment, Microsoft Malaysia invited the top DJ from Hitz.fm, JJ! Of course, there are more people later, keep reading.

Game
The agenda of this event is interesting, a lots of games were design to promote Vista, like Fear Factor and Search for Vista Fugitive. The first part of Fear Factor, I took part in it. OK, this is a bit embarrassed, I will show the video at here.

"Forgot the language while down on one knee?!"

"Nowadays, young man can eat chili."

(please wait for 2 days for the video to approve)

After I ate 4 red chilies, I start to feel a force pushing up from my burning stomach. I force myself to eat another 3 more chilies, then I gave up, and vomit behind the stage. haha. The Vista Winner, is my friend, Falix, who finished all the chilies in 2 minutes and 24 seconds and he kept showing off his Ultimate Edition for the whole day... so jealous. He just sold it on LowYat.net with a price of RM1000, as he is a Linux user.

Me with Falix's Ultimate Edition

Core 2 Duo, and these 2 guys is really Duo!!

There is also a game to find Vista Fugitive in the mall,we search until our legs cramp, and after half an hour of searching, there still nothing, and we found many persons with similar face... embarrassing...
One of the Vista Fugitive

Vista Hunt
This is the main reason we travel far from Melaka to KL. Our team name, Bill Gates' Sons, was the most happening team name among 188 teams, and when my team name was announced, people shout and joy for it, haha! 3,2,1 Go! 600 ++ participants ran like ants, heading to their owns sectors. Very regret, I was too concentrate to solve the clue, and I forgot to snap some photo of our searching process. The questions are very very difficult, maybe Microsoft want us to think out of the box to solve the questions, like IT pros solving IT problems. We lose the game, of course, but at least we got a T-shirt with Windows Vista Logo embroidered on it, not bad huh?

This guy just shave his leg, and he won the Ultimate Edition with Bill Gates signature.

The WOW Start
KT Ng, Director of Microsoft Malaysia, were demoting the Aero Interface, and when he let the "dead" water in wallpaper flowing, that's the most obvious "WOW" I heard. To suit the Chinese New Year Atmosphere, Microsoft Malaysia invited a Dragon----yes, a dragon dance team. The dragon is chasing a orb with a Vista Logo onto it, and when the orb were placed on the stage, it's 8pm, Microsoft Windows Vista were officially Launch in Malaysia!! WOW! Everybody shouting 'WOW', which is the slogan of Windows Vista--Show us your WOW. K-Town Clan, the hip hop clan in KL shake the earth with their unstoppable rap technique.

The Vista Walk Hunt Grand winner

The Vista Walk Hunt winner
This session is the most ridiculous part. You won't believe, even the 8th winner score 82/85! And the Grand prizes winner scored perfect! This is impossible if you saw the questions, unless they got secret information from someone, you know la. The grand winner brought back 2 Bill Gates Own Signatured Vista Ultimate Edition, which only 2 unit available on this planet, 1 business edition, 1 home premium, 2 laptops, and other side prizes... But what made us feel proud was when the DJ announced the grand winner, he said: "Bill Gates' Sons don't want his father's signature." the audience shouted 'wow'. Bill Gates' Sons rocks! If there is a creative team name competition, we sure will win!

These are the Bill Gates' Sons, scare leh...

This time, Vista Success
Microsoft never has fans that support it before, not like MAC OS X or Linux that having their own fans sites. But this time, at the launch, I really feel that Vista already installed a positive patch into our minds. But something I had wrong estimate is the prices. Here is the actual prices:

Windows Vista (FPP)	Prices
Home Basic	RM715
Home Premium	RM848
Business	RM1055
Ultimate	RM1415

I thought Malaysia will have special prices for Windows Vista, but it still same, I wrongly use the retail prices in US to compare with OEM prices in Malaysia, and now I know, it's different.

Really a good experience
This is the first time I join a big product open ceremony, even I got nothing valuable, at least I feel satisfy, I got the answers I want, and use the time wisely, and, I am happy. Forget to tell you one more thing, my friend, Aaron, this morning just won another HP Desktop with Onion Eating competition... haha!! MMU Rocks!

Terror Free Oil ------Steps to counter terrorists

Since 11th September 2001 incidents, United States swear to be at the front line to fight against terrorists. President Bush always said: "We American, will never surrender to terrorists!", and using that reason to invade other so-called-terrorism countries. The starting point is for a good purpose, that's why most American support him(Bush).Hope Bush don't abuse that power.

From the previous post entitled Blood Diamond, I do hope that terrorist will gone from this world. Buying conflict diamond will only giving financial support to terrorist. Back to the title. Now, we not only anti conflict diamond, American's smart businessman came out with an idea to sell only Terror-Free Oil. The Florida-based group claims U.S. dollars used to purchase gas made from Middle East oil funds terrorism.

What is Terror Free Oil?
Terror Free Oil, is the oil that imported from terrorism country, especially middle east. If you buy oil from the country, you're financing their demon projects. The Terror-Free Oil Initiative will open the first terror free gas station in Omaha, US.

Actually, this is a good idea, because all people can support anti-terrorist in a more realistic way, and not holding the banners and shouting on the street, useless. This body's slogan is"First step to Energy Independence", means not going to rely on terrorists for their energy source.

But I feel worry for the owner of this gas station... Human bomb... You know what I mean.

 

Technorati Tags: united state - terror - free - oil - terrorist

No reason for not update your Friendster!

I believe that most of us having our own Friendster account, and it was constant update. Nowadays, Friendster is like a social communication tool, for finding friends, find love, to write blog, and to show off photos.

S**t, the photo size exceed 1MB!
This is the most common problem faced by Friendster users. When they went for a vacation, or just style a new hairstyle, they snap it with digital camera and transfer it into computer. However, most cameras in the market nowadays was equipped with at least 3.2 Mega Pixel, and producing an image that greater than 1MB in file size. People will feel lazy to resize the photo 1 by 1 with other photo processing application and they lost the chance to show off their cool photos to the world.

Here is the easy solutions:
No more hard way to resize pictures! Microsoft Powertoy had developed a new gadget, called Image Resizer (quite simple name). Image Resizer is like a plugin for Windows Explorer. Once you installed it, it will embed into your right-click menu, like this:

*download Powertoy Image Resizer here.

How to use?
Simple! Just select the photo or photos you want to resize, right click it, then choose Resize Pictures. Then, choose the photo dimension which you prefer(Note: the smaller the dimension, the smaller the file size, however, resize from very large dimension image into very small dimension image will squeeze the image quality too). There are 4 default dimensions for you to choose: Small (640x480), Medium(800x600), Large(1024x768) and Handheld PC(240x320). Inside Advanced Button, you can customize your image dimension. If you afraid that the image you resized will damage, you can uncheck the "Resize the original pictures(don't create copies)" box. The box is uncheck in default.

Why this Resizer is the best?
Ask yourself: Every time you resized an image, will the quality of that image preserve when the file size reduced? no. But this seems not happen in this Powertoy Image Resizer. Try it yourself, resize a picture with the same dimension as the original picture. Then zoom to any level to make comparison. it's the same! But, the file size already reduced 60%++. Until now, I still don't know what technology that Powertoy Image Resizer using, simply reduce the file size without reduce the image quality.

Try it, it's free! No more excuse of why you don't update your Friendster!

Sexy Valentine's Day present.

Valentine's Day is one of the most romantic days in the year, most couple will spent some private time and private space to be together, showing love to each others. But materials always come between this day. Here is a special gifts for girlfriends and boy friends, husband and wife, and can also as a birthday gifts.

These pillow case is sexy, right? The pillow sets come in single and double designs, and with a red sexy gift box, very nice. Want to have it? Click here. This gift was sell by a guy name ws_lim83 at Lowyat.net. I just simply write this blog to promote his product, as the pillow case is cute, especially the "I love u, Me too.", that one, its cute, but this year I can save up my money, as I am single... haiz...

Add a Previous Post Widget to your Sidebar

Maybe New Blogger is still very new, I can't easily find tutorials or codes to modify the template. Recently, I saw a site with a Previous Post in the sidebar. I search on Blogger Help, but I can just receive tutorials for Old Blogger. After some searching works, I found a tutorial from Beautiful Beta to add a Recent Post Widget into my blog. See my sidebar for example.

The tutorial is easy, visit this page, click the "Add recent post to blog" button, then choose the number of post you want to display and your blog's URL, then click "Customize" followed by "Add Widget to My Blog", that's all.

Attn: This method or tutorial only works with New Blogger, for Old Blogger, copy the code below:

<BloggerPreviousItems>
   <a href="<$BlogItemPermalinkURL$>">
      <$BlogPreviousItemTitle$>
   </a><br />
</BloggerPreviousItems>

and paste it under <!-- Sidebar --><div id="sidebar">, done!

For more tutorial, please visit Beautiful Beta.

 

Technorati Tags: previous post - new blogger - old blogger