Friday, March 28, 2008
Hair cut day
I had a hair cut today. This time it's not because my hair was too long and too messy to a point that I couldn't stand it. Still I think it's about time as my hair is approaching to that direction. Plus I got half day off today and I want to take to opportunity to do things that I usually can't do after work, like .... having a hair cut.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sixth Sense
I had an urge yesterday to go to the intermediate ballet class instead of the beginner class I usually attend on Monday. I didn't know why yesterday, but I know it now. Maybe I have sixth sense knowing that I would be tortured by the deployment process and the the bad battery of my laptop.
Some of you may know that I have a Lenovo X60T laptop. The laptop works pretty OK but today it stopped charging this morning. The orange battery light keeps blinking, and it just didn't charge. I yanked out the battery, and the machine worked pretty OK. So I was pretty sure that something was wrong. I went to the ThinkPad web site and found the message of recalling battery. So I entered the information and waiting for the battery to come. But in the meantime, my laptop will no longer be a longer.
And all these research on the problem was done after 5:30pm, the time we get frustrated by the problem of the deployment we had at work. It's still not working alright, but we will deal with that messing tomorrow.
Being ultra tired and sleepy, I would not have energy to attend class. And I would had been wasted the class I brought. And it was great that I used to class yesterday instead.
And that's why I said I had a bit six sense regarding to this. Or it's just pure luck and coincidence. Whatever.
Some of you may know that I have a Lenovo X60T laptop. The laptop works pretty OK but today it stopped charging this morning. The orange battery light keeps blinking, and it just didn't charge. I yanked out the battery, and the machine worked pretty OK. So I was pretty sure that something was wrong. I went to the ThinkPad web site and found the message of recalling battery. So I entered the information and waiting for the battery to come. But in the meantime, my laptop will no longer be a longer.
And all these research on the problem was done after 5:30pm, the time we get frustrated by the problem of the deployment we had at work. It's still not working alright, but we will deal with that messing tomorrow.
Being ultra tired and sleepy, I would not have energy to attend class. And I would had been wasted the class I brought. And it was great that I used to class yesterday instead.
And that's why I said I had a bit six sense regarding to this. Or it's just pure luck and coincidence. Whatever.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Surfs Up
As usual, I am watching movies that everyone else already watched multiple time. But, hey, the hell, I do stuff in my own timing.
The movie is called Surfs Up, and actually I still haven't finished it yet as I need to first finish some coding exercise. But for 15 minutes I've seen so far, it was pretty hilarious , and very well made. Compare with Bee Movie, this one is much more entertainment. First it has a story, and second the characters are pretty nice defined. The voice acting of most characters are pretty nice, and the special effect was just great. Good stuff.
By the way, I watched all Late Night with Conan O'Brien (all 10 episodes) on Hulu.com while was coding. I guess I'll probably finished all 10 episodes of Tonight Show with Jay Leno after I finished coding today.
The movie is called Surfs Up, and actually I still haven't finished it yet as I need to first finish some coding exercise. But for 15 minutes I've seen so far, it was pretty hilarious , and very well made. Compare with Bee Movie, this one is much more entertainment. First it has a story, and second the characters are pretty nice defined. The voice acting of most characters are pretty nice, and the special effect was just great. Good stuff.
By the way, I watched all Late Night with Conan O'Brien (all 10 episodes) on Hulu.com while was coding. I guess I'll probably finished all 10 episodes of Tonight Show with Jay Leno after I finished coding today.
The Bad Plus
Thanks to Hulu.com, which allows me to watch Late Night with Conan O'Brien show, which gave me a chance to listen the performance of a jazz band called The Bad Plus. Instantly I got hooked by their funky way of doing jazz. Definitely worthy of listening!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Login magazine
I didn't remember why I wasted HK$40+ each to buy a few issues of a Japanese computer magazine called Login. In fact when I saw the cover of some of the early issue of this magazine, I instantly recognize at these two covers of which I brought. In fact, I saved up this one for quite a while because I thought the cover girl in costume was cute. Now that I looked back, my comment was: what the F**K!
It's just awesome to see all these oldie Japanese computer magazine Ads. All the good time ....
It's just awesome to see all these oldie Japanese computer magazine Ads. All the good time ....
I/O magazine still survive!
Have you ever been surprised by knowing that some old teachers you had back in your elementary school days are still survive these days? That's exactly how I felt when I saw the I/O (雑誌) by 工学社 is still alive these days. I saw the Wikipedia page, jump to the publisher web site, and saw this image of April 2008 issue. All I want to say it: good for them.
This memory gave me so much nice memory. In fact, my old pal Hansel was once a writer in that magazine talking smack about the Hong Kong computer scene. We also had a lot of good times reading about the Japan computer industry in the 80s, fantasizing dreams of owning these X1, FM77AV computers. It's really a pron for geeks.
This memory gave me so much nice memory. In fact, my old pal Hansel was once a writer in that magazine talking smack about the Hong Kong computer scene. We also had a lot of good times reading about the Japan computer industry in the 80s, fantasizing dreams of owning these X1, FM77AV computers. It's really a pron for geeks.
I throw away a PC-1500
Back in 2002, I returned from Houston Texas to Hong Kong as my H1 visa was expired. So I left US, a place I lived for 12 years, and get back to a place I grew up at. It was pretty sad moment for me: I was separated from my newly married wife and have problem finding a new job in Hong Kong during the harsh economic condition. So I spent sometime to recollect memories, and also trying to throw away junks.
And that when I throw away my old CE-150 and PC-1500. In fact, the real owner at that moment was my elder brother Nelson. Nelson didn't want this piece useless device anymore, and I am not a fan of collecting historical junk. So they were gone.
PC-1500 was a nice device and I spent quite some time playing with when I was in junior high school in Hong Kong. I didn't too way a lot of original programming work on it, but I did some, and then spent most of the time playing games I entered from the listing on Japanese magazine's like I/O, ASCII and so on. These Japanese magazine had some pretty darn hard core games for PC-1500, and some were even written in machine language. That was the day before Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicon) and we aleady out grown of Game & Watch. PC-1500 became the favorite pocket gaming device back then.
And that when I throw away my old CE-150 and PC-1500. In fact, the real owner at that moment was my elder brother Nelson. Nelson didn't want this piece useless device anymore, and I am not a fan of collecting historical junk. So they were gone.
PC-1500 was a nice device and I spent quite some time playing with when I was in junior high school in Hong Kong. I didn't too way a lot of original programming work on it, but I did some, and then spent most of the time playing games I entered from the listing on Japanese magazine's like I/O, ASCII and so on. These Japanese magazine had some pretty darn hard core games for PC-1500, and some were even written in machine language. That was the day before Nintendo Entertainment System (Famicon) and we aleady out grown of Game & Watch. PC-1500 became the favorite pocket gaming device back then.
Casio PB-100: sadness, but not my sadness
Casio PB-100 was an interesting pocket computer. Among my friend we reference it as a pocket calculator , and honestly I think that's the proper way to describe this device.
In fact, it was a device that my friends and I always made fun of when we were young. Comparing with Sharp PC-1500, Casio FX-720P or even Casio FX-602P, PB-100 had not much memory, doesn't not have much power, and it had a small screen. But I think the biggest reason why we made fun of it was because Casio dared to call this device "Pocket Computer", while more power device like FX-702P was being describe by Casio appropriately as "Programmable Calculator".
Now that I look back, CASIO was just doing what any company will do by packaging their product for any potential market they could think of. And back then the term computer was hot and sexy. In fact, my cousin Wing Tung brought in the PB-100 CoolAid, hoping to learn computer by buying and learning to use this "pocket computer" in order to better equip him to use computer in general. I spent some time teaching him BASIC computer language and found that he's just not good at it at all. I event wrote a few home made newsletter to him in order to teach him computer or at least stirs up his interest.
Eventually my cousin became a cook, and that PB-100 was given to me years later, and then I lost it somehow.
If you want to experience the exciting BASIC programming experience within the 544 byte memory restriction , then try this PB-100 Emulator. It's for Mac OSX, though.
In fact, it was a device that my friends and I always made fun of when we were young. Comparing with Sharp PC-1500, Casio FX-720P or even Casio FX-602P, PB-100 had not much memory, doesn't not have much power, and it had a small screen. But I think the biggest reason why we made fun of it was because Casio dared to call this device "Pocket Computer", while more power device like FX-702P was being describe by Casio appropriately as "Programmable Calculator".
Now that I look back, CASIO was just doing what any company will do by packaging their product for any potential market they could think of. And back then the term computer was hot and sexy. In fact, my cousin Wing Tung brought in the PB-100 CoolAid, hoping to learn computer by buying and learning to use this "pocket computer" in order to better equip him to use computer in general. I spent some time teaching him BASIC computer language and found that he's just not good at it at all. I event wrote a few home made newsletter to him in order to teach him computer or at least stirs up his interest.
Eventually my cousin became a cook, and that PB-100 was given to me years later, and then I lost it somehow.
If you want to experience the exciting BASIC programming experience within the 544 byte memory restriction , then try this PB-100 Emulator. It's for Mac OSX, though.
Epson HC-20, it's like seeing how fat and ugly a once homecoming queen is nowadays
When I was young, I wish I had a Epson HC-20 computer. In fact, I don't even want the HX-20, which was the international counterpart of the Japanese heldheld computer. I wanted a genuine HC-20 with all the hiragana and katakana on the keyboard. I was to write code everywhere I go and print the listing out using the damn printer at the upper lefthand corner of the device. I wanted the world to know how sophisticate and how smart I was by playing games I wrote with the screen on the 120 x32 monochrome LCD screen.
Of course, I never had it. I didn't have that much money, and so I brought a Casio FP-200. It's kind of like knowing that you never had a chance to date the cheerleader you crave in high school, and so instead you dated the only fat lady who was willing to walk with you while you were busy rearranging your pencil holder on your shirt.
And like most of the cheerleader and home coming queen back in the high school days, I found out that the Epson HC-20 the once sexy gear was like a pathetic joke comparing with any cheesy mobile phone or any laptop computer. In fact, I don't even want to take it if I was given one for free.
I know this may sounds like sour grape. But hey, aren't you also glad that you didn't marry that ugly old woman who was once the most beautiful creature in your high school universe?
I found this site listing some of the HC-20 games source code, and still fascinated by the fact that most of the HC-20 software, especially games, were written in assembly. Japanese developers sure knows how to make that 120 x 32 screen looks fantastic. And in fact, same goes to those who wrote PC-1500 games with assembly language.
Of course, I never had it. I didn't have that much money, and so I brought a Casio FP-200. It's kind of like knowing that you never had a chance to date the cheerleader you crave in high school, and so instead you dated the only fat lady who was willing to walk with you while you were busy rearranging your pencil holder on your shirt.
And like most of the cheerleader and home coming queen back in the high school days, I found out that the Epson HC-20 the once sexy gear was like a pathetic joke comparing with any cheesy mobile phone or any laptop computer. In fact, I don't even want to take it if I was given one for free.
I know this may sounds like sour grape. But hey, aren't you also glad that you didn't marry that ugly old woman who was once the most beautiful creature in your high school universe?
I found this site listing some of the HC-20 games source code, and still fascinated by the fact that most of the HC-20 software, especially games, were written in assembly. Japanese developers sure knows how to make that 120 x 32 screen looks fantastic. And in fact, same goes to those who wrote PC-1500 games with assembly language.
Casio FP-200 ... I still hope that all family members of the thieve got cancer....
Another computer that has certain significant in my life was a handle computer called called Casio FP-200. It is significant not because of what I did with the computer, but because of what I DID NOT get to do with it.
I brought it back when I was in Form 3 (about the level of junior high school in US) and it was mainly because of my fetish with portable computer, but also because of my low self-esteem and craving to get some attention my carrying something seemingly high-tech, expansive and complicate.
I didn't own my FP-200 for too long because it was being stolen after I left it as the corner of a model story in Hong Kong. Back then there was a policy to leave bag's at the corner of the store to avoid teenagers stealing models from the store. Now that I looked back, there was a few obvious reason why that handheld computer was being stolen:
That incidence has certain impact on my life, for instance:
I did, thought, write some simple basic software with the FP-200. I really love coding something on a portable device, and that kind of passion still carries all the way to nowadays, being the main driving force for me spend time with the iPhone SDK. I always fascinate of coding stuff that I can use by carrying it around. That gives me a sense of satisfaction, and gives me a nerdy of self-actualizing by showing off my application, and then say "I wrote this".
Comparing with today's technology, FP-200 is pathetically low power and low in feature, but at least it has very low barrel of entry regarding to programming. The screen was reasonably large comparing with other hand held computer back then, like PC-1500, FX-720P. Of course, compare with those REAL business class hand held computer like PC-8201 and Epson HC-20. But hell, FP-200 was what I could afford back then, and to that I was contended.
I was thankful for having that device even thought it was a short period of time. Memories are better when they are mixed with sweet and sorrow.
I brought it back when I was in Form 3 (about the level of junior high school in US) and it was mainly because of my fetish with portable computer, but also because of my low self-esteem and craving to get some attention my carrying something seemingly high-tech, expansive and complicate.
I didn't own my FP-200 for too long because it was being stolen after I left it as the corner of a model story in Hong Kong. Back then there was a policy to leave bag's at the corner of the store to avoid teenagers stealing models from the store. Now that I looked back, there was a few obvious reason why that handheld computer was being stolen:
- I had the word "FP-200" marked outside of the carrying bag I used to hold the computer.
- I took it out a few times while I was holding it walking towards to model store.
That incidence has certain impact on my life, for instance:
- I started to see people around me as thieves.
- I became more angry about ... pretty much most of the stuff I saw
I did, thought, write some simple basic software with the FP-200. I really love coding something on a portable device, and that kind of passion still carries all the way to nowadays, being the main driving force for me spend time with the iPhone SDK. I always fascinate of coding stuff that I can use by carrying it around. That gives me a sense of satisfaction, and gives me a nerdy of self-actualizing by showing off my application, and then say "I wrote this".
Comparing with today's technology, FP-200 is pathetically low power and low in feature, but at least it has very low barrel of entry regarding to programming. The screen was reasonably large comparing with other hand held computer back then, like PC-1500, FX-720P. Of course, compare with those REAL business class hand held computer like PC-8201 and Epson HC-20. But hell, FP-200 was what I could afford back then, and to that I was contended.
I was thankful for having that device even thought it was a short period of time. Memories are better when they are mixed with sweet and sorrow.
PC 6001 Mk II ... good times ....
I suddenly have an urge to look at some of the old computers that I once had. They are merely just old computer, but part of the history of my life.
One of the computer I owned back when I was a teenager was a Japanese computer called NEC 6001 Mk II. Honestly, the main reason why I brought it was because I couldn't afford NEC 8801 MK II, which had much better graphics, much better software collection, much better functionality and pretty much better on all other aspect.
That was also an odd decision back then consider that everyone else was either using IBM PC XT clone or Apple II plus clone. But back then I had a few noble reasons:
Oh wait, I did do some nonsense stuff with the computer:
Eventually, this low power computer was set aside and gave place to a Apple IIe clone that I brought years later. I didn't write much computer software on personal computer since then until I got into College. It was much happier and experience using Apple IIe clone as I had a lot more software to play with. But that's yet another period of my history.
I couldn't find an emulator for PC-6001 MkII (or maybe I just didn't look around hard enough), but I did find an emulator of PC-6001. Maybe someday I will place with it. But now that I am much older, I am also more realistic. I got more done with my Visual Studio 2008 with Silverlight 2 Beta 1 than messing with this oldie. Still .. good times man ... good times ...
One of the computer I owned back when I was a teenager was a Japanese computer called NEC 6001 Mk II. Honestly, the main reason why I brought it was because I couldn't afford NEC 8801 MK II, which had much better graphics, much better software collection, much better functionality and pretty much better on all other aspect.
That was also an odd decision back then consider that everyone else was either using IBM PC XT clone or Apple II plus clone. But back then I had a few noble reasons:
- I wanted to write my own computer software instead pirating software like pretty much everyone else.
- I wanted a system that I can use with my analog composite color monitor (instead of those more expansive RGB CRT monitor which I couldn't afford back then.
- I wanted to use a computer that no one else use. (Kind of a statement of independent and being unique. I know, stupid teenager thinking.)
- I wanted a computer that has better graphic than Apple II+ and IBM PC XT, and back then almost all Japanese computer has better graphic capability than US PCs.
Oh wait, I did do some nonsense stuff with the computer:
- I spent about HK$70 to buy a TrackBall for Atari 5200 game device, hoping that I would be able to magically turn this thing to work with my PC 6001 mkII despite the fact that I didn't know squat about wiring or electronic to make it happen.
- I brought a few Japanese books about learning programming on PC-6001MkII using machine langauge and Basic lanaguage compiler that comes with the computer. I didn't happen. I entered a few games source code, saving them on a tape recorder (which was the only storage device I had for this computer back then), played a bit, and that's all.
Eventually, this low power computer was set aside and gave place to a Apple IIe clone that I brought years later. I didn't write much computer software on personal computer since then until I got into College. It was much happier and experience using Apple IIe clone as I had a lot more software to play with. But that's yet another period of my history.
I couldn't find an emulator for PC-6001 MkII (or maybe I just didn't look around hard enough), but I did find an emulator of PC-6001. Maybe someday I will place with it. But now that I am much older, I am also more realistic. I got more done with my Visual Studio 2008 with Silverlight 2 Beta 1 than messing with this oldie. Still .. good times man ... good times ...
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Huming noise
For a long while, the humming noise in my computer was coming from the metallic connection between the screws and the metal case of one of the harddisk. But today I found out that the problem seems to be more of the hard disk itself. And I think the best solution is to replace the harddisk, which is something I plan to do in the coming several days.
Friday, March 14, 2008
I love sleeping
I say it once, I say it twice, and I say it a hundred time: I love sleeping. Sleep night I sleep at 9:00 am and I woke up at 8:00 a.m. this morning. And I feel super now.
If death is an ultra ultra long sleeping, then bring it on.
If death is an ultra ultra long sleeping, then bring it on.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
not happy
I was not too happy at work today. It's not something particularly terrible, but there were sometimes when things happened, causing me to question my ability, challenging my already low self-esteem, the negative thinking can keep echoing in my brain for quite a long while.
On the bright side, people seem to enjoy the candy bowl I set aside.
On the bright side, people seem to enjoy the candy bowl I set aside.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Shopping and then returning
It may sound stupid, but I spent half a quarter of day shopping for computer gadget, and then spent another quarter of day to return everything I brought.
It started after I finished church and about to get home. At the back of my head my impulsive side told me "hey, let's go to Circuit City and see if there's any good deal!" So I went to Circuity City, and was caught by my attention that there's a Microsoft Mouse on sale for US$29.99. "Dude, it has Laser Technology instead of optical!" my impulsive side of my brain told me. But then I saw a set with both keyboard and the same mouse selling at US$59.99. "Dude, that keyboard has a soft rest pad! That's so comfortable and ergonomic!" I started to wonder if the impulsive side of my brain gets commission from Circuit City. But after trying out the keyboard for a while, I sort of gave in, and eventually brought the wireless keyboard with mouse set. By the way, the set was called Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000.
And then I went to BestBuy, and saw Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750Gb on sale at US$169.99. That was a pretty fine deal, consider that I really need a lot of space to store my junk stuff, and it came with eSATA plug which is much faster than USB 2.0 part. So I brought it, and used the $75 worth of BestBuy gift card that I accumulated.
Trouble happened after I got back and start doing research on the stuff I just brought. First the keyboard and mouse set. Based on NewEgg customer review, it seems like even the satisfy customer admitted that the wireless keyboard does drop some keys once in a while. That is bad. Like ... really bad. And the same complain about responsiveness of the mouse. I was nervous because the whole reason of getting a new set was that the mouse that I have for my desktop is using a mechanical mouse, and sometimes it can get sticky because of the dust and decrease my productivity. But if the new mouse gives me only new kind of problem, then why bother getting a new one?
And then the Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750Gb is even worse. I read tons of bad review about it, mostly about heat problem, hanging the machine when boot up, but the biggest one is about the horrible eSATA plug that caused lossing data. This is so ultra lame. I think I should skip the 750Gb or above harddisk all together solely because of the heat problem. Tons of user complaining about the product, and suddenly I started to see the reason why this item is on sale.
I even considered getting Western Digital - My Book Essential 500GB External Hard Drive as it was on sale at BestBuy for US$119. But it only comes with 1 year of warranty, and the review wasn't any good neither. And then I have a 160Gb Western Digital hard disk on my desktop having S.M.A.R.T problem. That sure put some had taste in my mouth.
Hitachi's external hard disk is not anything stellar neither.
Great, now I totally don't know what hard disk I should buy.
Things I learned so far:
It started after I finished church and about to get home. At the back of my head my impulsive side told me "hey, let's go to Circuit City and see if there's any good deal!" So I went to Circuity City, and was caught by my attention that there's a Microsoft Mouse on sale for US$29.99. "Dude, it has Laser Technology instead of optical!" my impulsive side of my brain told me. But then I saw a set with both keyboard and the same mouse selling at US$59.99. "Dude, that keyboard has a soft rest pad! That's so comfortable and ergonomic!" I started to wonder if the impulsive side of my brain gets commission from Circuit City. But after trying out the keyboard for a while, I sort of gave in, and eventually brought the wireless keyboard with mouse set. By the way, the set was called Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 6000.
And then I went to BestBuy, and saw Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750Gb on sale at US$169.99. That was a pretty fine deal, consider that I really need a lot of space to store my junk stuff, and it came with eSATA plug which is much faster than USB 2.0 part. So I brought it, and used the $75 worth of BestBuy gift card that I accumulated.
Trouble happened after I got back and start doing research on the stuff I just brought. First the keyboard and mouse set. Based on NewEgg customer review, it seems like even the satisfy customer admitted that the wireless keyboard does drop some keys once in a while. That is bad. Like ... really bad. And the same complain about responsiveness of the mouse. I was nervous because the whole reason of getting a new set was that the mouse that I have for my desktop is using a mechanical mouse, and sometimes it can get sticky because of the dust and decrease my productivity. But if the new mouse gives me only new kind of problem, then why bother getting a new one?
And then the Seagate FreeAgent Pro 750Gb is even worse. I read tons of bad review about it, mostly about heat problem, hanging the machine when boot up, but the biggest one is about the horrible eSATA plug that caused lossing data. This is so ultra lame. I think I should skip the 750Gb or above harddisk all together solely because of the heat problem. Tons of user complaining about the product, and suddenly I started to see the reason why this item is on sale.
I even considered getting Western Digital - My Book Essential 500GB External Hard Drive as it was on sale at BestBuy for US$119. But it only comes with 1 year of warranty, and the review wasn't any good neither. And then I have a 160Gb Western Digital hard disk on my desktop having S.M.A.R.T problem. That sure put some had taste in my mouth.
Hitachi's external hard disk is not anything stellar neither.
Great, now I totally don't know what hard disk I should buy.
Things I learned so far:
- Resist impulsive buying, and don't pay a dime until you do your research online.
- I can return to near by Circuit City the stuff that I brought from any Circuit City. That is really convenient.
Saturday, March 08, 2008
Saturday, March 01, 2008
Nice Food
I recently start discover something that regular human should have been discovered when they were young: that it's GREAT to spend money on better food/meal .
I usually buy crap food, eat crap food, and get by it. But a few days again my friend and I went to a steakhouse and I had a pretty nice steak. US$19.50 (tax included). Not that expansive. And since then I keep thinking about going back and eat again :-D .
I usually buy crap food, eat crap food, and get by it. But a few days again my friend and I went to a steakhouse and I had a pretty nice steak. US$19.50 (tax included). Not that expansive. And since then I keep thinking about going back and eat again :-D .