It's so long away.
For me, it's enough if I have Vista running on this:
First Sideshow
Mode details
So cool... * Err.. guys, don't go around breaking your notebooks first, unlikely we'll be able to use this anytime soon *
On the downside, first Vista security flaw uncovered (albeit a small one). Read more here.
1. Do you feel preoccupied with the Internet (do you think about previous online activity or anticipate your next online session)?
2. Do you feel the need to use the Internet for increasing amounts of time in order to achieve satisfaction?
3. Have you repeatedly made unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back or stop Internet use?
4. Do you feel restless, moody, depressed, or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop Internet use?
5. Do you stay online longer than originally intended?
6. Have you jeopardized or risked the loss of a significant relationship, job, educational or career opportunity because of the Internet?
7. Have you lied to family members, therapists or others to conceal the extent of involvement with the internet?
8. Do you use the Internet as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression, etc.)?
Source: www.netaddiction.com
If you answer yes to most of them, you need this.
This is not one of those outdated topic about which camp is superior. It has been debated few years ago and been through many times such as the Pet Store fight.
It is comparing from a different angle. Check it out.
Updated
Four years ago while i was picking up Web Services, it was a pain in the ass for me to learn due to the tonnes of specifications that need to understand, not to mention i was still a newbie to XML.
As always, it is much easier to learn a new technology/programming language by diving straight into exercise, mostly involve codings. I can still recalled the very first exercise i undertook was using Java and the freely available Google SOAP Search API to cook up my first SOAP web services search application using command prompt. *primitive, but sufficiently served the purpose*.
Yesterday, while i was browsing thru my feeds, i was shocked to find out that Google has silently deprecated the SOAP API and replaced with a new one called Google AJAX Search API. This means three things.
1. My client app will no longer be able to utilise the Google Search. *though currently it is still usable, but how long?*
2. On the plus side, suddenly it becomes even easier to use Google Search API, without needing to know anything about web services and all other ugly stuffs behind.
3. Advertisements are forced to appear side by side with the search results?
While introducing the AJAX API is a BIG yes yes, i feel that the SOAP API should be continue to be supported by those folks.
This leads me to another related topic, another important technology that has recently surfaced and being used quite extensively in the world of Web 2.0. It is called JSON. *i pronounced it as my name*
To AJAX lovers, it is highly recommended to read the following links. It is a wonderful technology worth replacing XML.
1. http://www.json.org/
2. http://www.developer.com/lang/jscript/article.php/10939_3596836_2
Even the author of XML has given support to JSON. Here is his summary.
There used to be an argument about whether platform-neutral, language-neutral data formats were important, or whether distributed objects were the right answer. That’s over: HTML, XML, JSON.
There used to be people who argued that network interchange formats shouldn’t be text-based, but use binary where possible, for efficiency. That’s over: HTML, XML, JSON.
*I will definitely find some time to try this out*
Mastermind called it The Tower of Cancer. Good one dude. BTW, the stickman is standing on snus.
I have converted my living room into an indoor sports arena. Currently available facilities...
We provide fishing too and more. All we need is this magical "wand" . Never underestimate the power of Wii, my right shoulder is really aching due to continuous indulgence for 3 consecutive days.
Christmas is nearing the corner, so we would like to dedicate this song to everyone in the world. Season Greetings.
(Thanks kukujiao.com for the audio)
There isnt much sightseeing in Bangkok. So, we headed north to Ayuthaya and south to Pattaya to complete my trip in Thailand.
1. Ayuthaya.
According to my friend, this place used to be the capital of Siam around 400 years ago. Much of the buildings have been destroyed during the war between Siam and Burma.
They rebuilt this entire temple. Huge Buddha statue sitting inside. People in Thailand do not just pray using joss sticks, but they need a lotus and a piece of gold paper as well.
2. Pattaya
This place is not your typical beach town, it is a city and its huge. Lots of things to see especially at night. "Men there are prettier than women". Lots of cheap seafood and of course beers. If you fancy night life, this is the place to be.
(Phuket is less commercialised, has nicer natural beauty)
Dropped by at Hard Rock Hotel to get a few merchandise for my sisters. Abit old but beautifully maintained.
(Beware, it is a long post)
This is my third trip in a month and most likely the last in the year. I decided to visit Thailand purely because i have three Thai friends whom i met during my studies in Melbourne 2 years ago. One of them was kind enough to accompany me during the entire trip despite needed to work as usual.
1. Intro
My friends, taken in the newly opened Suvarnabhumi international airport. If you notice closely, there were many people wearing yellow shirts including myself. Reason being they were celebrating Father's day. And its not the usual Father's day we celebrate in Msia. It is King's Day actually.
2. Accomodation
This is the hotel i was staying. Newly established too, its clean and cost me RM85 per night. Cheap right?
3. Food & Beverages
This place has got to be the highlight of my stay in Bangkok. It is located at the rooftop of a luxury hotel called Banyan Tree, famous for its spa. When i entered the lobby, it did smells great, as if you are already in spa. We were there during sunset.
We had one of our dinners here. It is a one stop spot for tourist right in the middle of the city. Lots of beers, chicks and souvenirs, accompanied by Thai singers.
Continuing my Mcdonalds burger exploration, this time i tried the Thai rice pork burger. The rice replaces the normal bun and instead of mayonnaise, it uses teriyaki sauce. Nice.
I had these for lunch at a famous french cafe, Aubonpain. Salmon wasabi bagel and iced strawberry mocha.
4. Sightseeing
Some new models displayed in the international motorshow. Much better than KL ones.
The new CRV
Triton, watch out. Its a Mazda.
Wish i can have this for my wedding.
Ministry of Defense, right opposite the Grand Palace.
The Grand Palace.
A replica of Ang Kor Wat. Not sure why it is here. Maybe used to belong to Siam.
Little clouds, sun was scorching hot. Trust me, i had sun burn here.
5. Miscellaneous
Thai King's posters are everywhere.
Common scene in Bangkok. Wanna avoid traffic jam? Take the expressway. Lots of them and all elevated.
Double parking is LEGAL here. So, in order for the car in white to move out, you will need to move the black Sentra away yourself, which also means it has to be on free gear too. If you put on 'P' position, trust me, your car will get scratched and brutally beaten.
One of the few interesting articles about Windows Vista user experience i have come across. Recommended read.
2006 has been the year in which I have attended the most wedding dinners in my life so far. Close to 10. One of the nice thing attending such dinners *apart from yam-seng* is the wedding favour given to each guest.
So, i wonder what should i give if i happen to get married one day. Answer is here.
As a dedication to this, IBM has released a special edition of its Systems Journal. Geeks, do check it out.
Our latest innovation of roti tissue/canai.
*I am more proud of this than asking our malaysian astronuts astronauts make teh tarik in space*
Two days ago, i attended my long time friend's wedding at Sabah, more specifically a small city called Tawau. While this has been the most expensive wedding dinner i have been to (cost me close to RM600), it was one of those memorable trips i will never forget for a long time.
I also took the opportunity to spent about 2 hours at another town called Semporna, the gateway to the infamous island, Sipadan. The journey from Tawau to Semporna took about 2.5 hours by car. (well, its more like a boat we were sitting on because my friend was driving a Toyota Hilux, which is a very common type of vehicle in this part of the country)
Here are some of the pictures taken.
The entrance to the visitor centre.
Floating restaurant.
Chalets for rent.
The type of fish that killed Steve Irwin. Check out the sea, so darn clear.
Btw, i also had escargot ala hawker style there, hehe. Super cheap and quite delicious.
PS: I did not post any photos related to Tawau as i find it inappropriate for this post.
This is the first time I post to this team blog. Have to as this about our another team dinner...
This is a bit different from our previous one because we have our 'Si Tou Poh' (Lady Boss) and new SDM, plus other 2 teams joining as well. The dinner was at La Bodega, Bangsar. It's quite a nice place, good ambience.
nice decor with wine bottles
We started with some drinks and tapas. The Chile's 2001 Shiraz was nice (nice to me as long as it feels smooth and doesn't burn my throat). According to our Mastermind, the person who plucked the grapes was born in the year of Ox...hehe
One of our teammates ordered a shooter - XXXXX Sucking Cowboy. After we saw his behaviour after the drink, we didn't dare to order the other sexy drinks - Slippery Nipple, Soft Comfortable Screw and Up against the Wall.
We had some escargots. This was the first time I had snail, didn't taste as bad as I thought. But according to others, it was quite plain.
Escargots
Here are some of the food we ordered...
Sirloin beef
Lamb fillet