Mac Evangelist in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia since 1991. Construction Management and FileMaker Pro developer. Apple Mac owner of 40+ Macs. Digital Photography and videography enthuasiast. Mobile phone aficionado.
2009-12-26
20091226: My Birthday blog
Talking about tough, I went to Jusco Mid Valley to hunt for mumsie's birthday present. I was looking for this GADGET which my mumsie wanted. The price was right too, as it plunged from RM 3xx to RM 2xx now. Problem was it that stocks were diminished and they have not replenished!
Feel unabated, I recalled that Best Denki also sold lots of electrical appliances @ LG. So there I went. Believing that every cloud has a silver lining, I was blessed with that lining, as they had stocks, er STOCK, 'cos I took the LAST one! Better yet, they were also another RM 10 cheaper.
Since there was an Xmas promotion going on, I had to use my Mastercard credit card to amass RM 250 worth before I could redeem a token. So I had to grab a 4 pack of Sanyo's Eneloop AA 2000 mAh batteries, that cost a staggering RM 66!
With the token, I redeemed a nice wine glass, and on top of that, was given a Lancome voucher to redeem extra skincare freebies from the counter within Metrojaya.
Before I met my friend for lunch, I then lugged this gift up to Gardens Club, which provided me FREE gift wrapping. Timing was good, as the scheduled movie at 2pm, would only end just before 5pm.
Thus when all the goodies were left with the Concierge, I then proceeded to ISETAN which provided another freebie, courtesy of UNCA UNUNDA. Yeah, cut out a coupon and redeem a full bottle of Davidoff's ECHO Shower gel, worth > RM 100 (apparently). So there's all the freebies to date.
I went to watch AVATAR in 3D, costing a staggering RM 18. The morning queue was also outstanding. A long line of at least 200 people were in line prior to the box office opening at 10am! Effects were astounding, and it was Dejavu to see James Cameron team up with Supa Mama, Sigourney since the 1st ALIENS day.
Wrapping up in a cocoon incubator, now, doesn't that bring back memories? And all the robots, which are just ALIENS "cut & paste". Easy for ILM and Weta Studios!
In summary, it's LORD of the RINGS, mashed up with ALIENS running about in the Forest of Endor (remember the Ewoks?) killing each other at the end, Terminator style!
2009-12-24
20091224: Xmas eve coffee break reunion
After 25 years, we meet back @ Starbucks, Bangsar Village on Xmas eve.
Yeah, known Bala and Alvin since 1984 from the VI days!
Bala has really moved on, being one of the senior honchos in Posterscope, whilst Alvin is another senior dude @ IBM Singapore.
2009-12-23
Ian Cheong has invited you to Dropbox
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2009-12-07
20091207: Malaysian TV Channels
Since blank DVD-RWs are cheaper than Video tapes anyway, so wuddaheck. The SLP recording mode can record up to 6 hours per disc too!
Better still, it has a USB port to plug in a thumb drive or hard disks to watch loads of DVix movies.
However, life still goes on by recording some lame terrestrial programmes over our 6 local TV stations. My relatives are reluctant to line more of Uncle Ununda's coffers, unlike a silly ME!
Thus no Astro & Wah Lai Toi for them!
I then found out that this superb Philips recorder actually scans the frequencies (AND DISPLAYS THEM) during the channel search function in the tuner.
So this is the conclusion for our local television channels. All of them transmit in NICAM stereo now.
VHF Channels 2-12: PAL System B
TV1: 175.25 Mhz
TV2 (started on 17 Nov 1969): 196.25 Mhz
UHF Channels 21-69: PAL System G
TV3: 535.25 Mhz
NTV7: 599.25 Mhz
8TV: 519.25 Mhz
TV9: 639.25 Mhz
More technical details are shown here
Anyone else know of OTHER recorders which display the frequencies?
2009-10-30
20091030: Low Mac and iPod prices
2009-10-18
20091017: ASTRO - are we taken for a ride?
After spending 2 months down here in BROKEN BANGLE (aka Gelang Patah) in the southern part of Johor, I've come to learn a few things about public broadcasting.
Johoreans, particularly the southerners along our causeway, spanning from Gelang Patah to Pasir Gudang can attest to ONE FREEBIE, i.e the receipt of Singaporean TV, broadcasted by Mediacorp.
As a layman, I don't conduct many public surveys. However, don't be surprised that if a poll for Astro subscribers was ever conducted down here in this region, I'm quite sure that the numbers won't be that favourable to the bean counters, as compared to the other regions in Malaysia, which are "broadcast deficient".
Why am I being so sarcastic? Do I have anything against our Unca Ununda?
Well, not that because the following programmes are being broadcast FREE OF CHARGE i.e no monthly subscription from Mediacorp, nor that because we are not getting HD broadcasts.
Amazing Race | CSI | Chef in Black | Heroes | Project Runway 6 | Samantha Brown's Passport to China | Survivor Samoa | Smallville
Then there are the 2 new Asian premieres: Flash Forward (You can get the latest season off iTunes Store now) and Legend of the Seeker (excellent series written by Terry Goodkind)
In addition, there is also another channel featuring high quality documentaries to the like of Crime & Investigation, National Geographic and the Discovery Channel. This is OKTO.
In addition to the high quality productions, there are weekend concerts (read: full orchestra & operas) every Saturday and Sunday evening.
So, the time has come to terminate my WAH LAI TOI subscription which is still broadcasting NON-HD programmes, whilst charging the Chinese viewers EXORBITANT rates. Anyone done any analysis?
It's ONLY the Chinese who have to succumb this "financial" torture, even though they constitute less than a quarter of the nation's population. I don't see any premiums imposed upon the Malay and Indian Channels.
My deepest sympathies to the Astro On Demand subscribers! Typically they are the local housewives who are just yearning for the next drama episode, but not the quality of the STANDARD DEFINITION broadcast!
Worse still, channels which are broadcast FOC in ALL OTHER PARTS of the world which can receive DIRECT satellite broadcasts such as BBC and CNN are also CHARGED in the BASIC package.
The Middle East, normally perceived to be backwards in civilisation as compared to the WESTERN world, is another testimonial to all this Astro hoax subscriptions.
In Qatar, satellite dishes are legal. You can purchase the dishes the size of a dining table large enough for a gourmet meal for 10 at Tai Thong, down to the standard KUALI sized parabolic pans we are using.
The set top boxes (STB) are also a dime a dozen. You can get different variations from about RM 150 to RM 1000 from the electronic racks of Carrefour! The cheap ones will allow you to receive all the FREE Satellite channels in the world, known as the FREEVIEW service.
Likewise for Dubai, however, with a slight notch of regulation. The only thing you will pay are the SPORTS telecasts and movie channels! I think that is fair! But not to pay for FREE Channels!
Here in Malaysia, we choose channels with ONE Satellite. In the Mid East, you get to CHOOSE which SATELLITE you want to view, then only do you choose the channels. Replacement transponders cost less than RM 50 each!
Even our decoders are like 2 decades old. Back in 1990, decoders in the UK already had STBs accepting 2 or more subscription cards (Ours has 2 slots, but we only have ONE choice!) To determine how outdated our sets are, there exists the ancient PARALLEL and SERIAL ports in the rear (for those who were pioneer subscribers like me, can attest to this)
I will urge those who have not been to the Mid East, visit Qatar and Dubai to VIEW 1st world nation channels! How many know that there is also FASHION TV Arabia and MTV Arabia, whereby lots of gorgeous Lebanese girls pelt our the latest Arabic hits. I can attest that most of them can outdo Mariah Carey, such as Nancy Ajram. However, Malaysia will NEVER show us MTV Arabia!
Can I find supporters to AXE & Cut off WLT? Just like how P1 Wimax is trying to get the masses to SNIP off STREAMYX?
Those pursuing an Economics course and need material on the subject matter of MONOPOLY, this is a great place to start gathering your thesis material.
Finally, I am still pissed that my favourite FREE channels are not available such as FASHION TV and Channel News Asia.
2009-09-17
20090917: 1 Malaysia 1 Megabit! - Regional broadband speeds
Update: 20090103
2 weeks later, an Oxonian report puts us # 48 out of 66 in a 24 million record poll.
Thankfully I still have the little Wiggy to get jiggy with. Got an all time high of over 8 Mb download yesterday!
Alas, the Mac OS X driver installer dmg is still not out yet after 6 months of its deployment!
2009-09-16
20090916: Samsung phones and cameras!
2009-07-14
20090714: Notice of the DEATH of BUBBLESHARE
All good things must come to an end!
As of November 15, 2009, Bubbleshare.com will no longer be available and all links to all albums and photos will cease to function (including existing links within emails, blogs, etc). To access your photos in the future you will need to download your photos prior to November 15, 2009.
To save your images to your desktop, simply click the "Download Album" link next to your albums and double click on original photos. Your photos will then be saved to your desktop.
Again, all photos and albums must be removed prior to November 15, 2009. Effective immediately, you will no longer be able to upload any new photos or albums.
We apologize for the inconvenience. It was our pleasure to assist you with your photo sharing needs.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Bubbleshare Team
2009-07-11
20090711 - P1 Wimax remarkable performance!
2009-07-05
20090704: Dinner chaos @ Dome, KLCC due to digital disaster
2009-06-27
20090627: Continental Test Drives
2009-06-26
20090626 - Wiggy Firmware Update Chaos
2009-05-31
20090530: Jaya Demolition collapse - news from the ground
- YOU can view all the 4 Mb at the Picasa Web Gallery here
2009-05-21
20090521: HONDA MALAYSIA Quality issues on Wheel Hub Bearing
2009-04-27
New BMW Z4 - E89
The new Beemer Z4.
Explore the American dream here if u have a spare USD$ 50k and above!
Production has been moved back to Germany from USA!
Blend automotive pleasure with divine expressionism in art here.
You can download the App from the iTunes Store for your iPhone or iPod Touch too!
Posted with LifeCast
2009-04-10
20090409 - Malaysian New Cabinet
Now, for those with multiple portfolios, I wonder if they get multiple salaries also?
Here's the new line up of 25 Ministries (down from 27) sorted in a logical ALPHABETICAL
*Deputy Prime Minister (DPM): Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (from International Trade and Industry)
*Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
Economic Planning Unit: Tan Sri Nor Mohamed Yakcop (swap from Finance II)
Religious Affairs: Brig. Gen. (Rtd) Datuk Jamil Khir Baharum (Senator)
Unity and Performance Management: Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (Senator)
*Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department
NEW: Ahmad Maslan, Datuk Liew Vui Keong, Senator T. Murugiah
*1 1 Agriculture and Agro-based Industry
1 2 Minister - Noh Omar {from Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development}
1 3 Deputies - Datin Paduka Rohani Abdul Karim & Johari Baharum (from Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department)
*2 1 Defence
2 2 Minister - Ahmad Zahid Hamidi (from Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department)
2 3 Deputy - Dr. Abdul Latif Ahmad
*3 1 Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
3 2 Minister -Datuk Ismail Sabri Yaakob (from Youth & Sports)
3 3 Deputy - Tan Lian Hoe (from Information)
{History: Datuk Shahrir Samad}
*4 1 Education
4 2 Minister - Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (2nd portfolio)
{History: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, Datuk Razali Ismail}
*5 1 Energy, Green Technology and Water (was Energy, Water and Communications)
5 2 Minister - Peter Chin Fah Kui (from Plantation Industries and Commodities)
5 3 Deputy - Noriah Kasnon
6 1 Entrepreneurial and Cooperative Development [ABOLISHED]
6 3 Deputy - Datuk Saiffuddin Abdullah
* 7 1 Finance
7 2 Minister - Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak (2nd portfolio: no change since 2008-09-22)
*8 1 Foreign Affairs
8 2 Minister - Anifah Aman
8 3 Deputies - Kohilan Pillay Appu (Senator) (from Plantation Industries and Commodities) & Lee Chee Hong
{History: Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri (Kudat MP) replacing Tengku Azlan Abu Bakar (vacant from 2008-03-27 til 04-21)}
*9 1 Federal Territories
9 2 Minister - Raja Nong Chik Zainal Abidin (Senator)
9 3 Deputy - Saravanan Murugan
{History: Datuk Zulhasnan Rafique}
10 1 Health
10 2 Minister - Datuk Liow Tiong Lai
10 3 Deputy - Rosnah Rashid Shilin
{History: Datuk Dr Abdul Latiff Ahmad}
*11 1 Higher Education
11 2 Minister - Datuk Mohamed Khaled Nordin
11 3 Deputies - Hou Kok Chung & Saifuddin Abdullah
{History: Khoo Kok Choong, Datuk Idris Harun}
*12 1 Housing and Local Government
12 2 Minister - Kong Cho Ha (from Deputy Finance)
12 3 Deputy - Lajim Ukin (from Transport)
{History: Datuk Ong Ka Chuan}
*13 1 Human Resources
13 2 Minister - Datuk Subramaniam Sathasivam
13 3 Deputy - Maznah Mazlan (from Natural Resources and Environment)
{History: Datuk Noraini Ahmad}
14 1 Information [ABOLISHED]
14 2 Minister -
14 3 Deputy -
*15 1 Home Affairs (Was Internal Security and Home Affairs)
15 2 Minister - Hishammuddin Tun Hussein
15 3 Deputies - Datuk Wira Abu Seman Yusop (from Defence) & Jelaing Mersat (from Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs)
{History: Datuk Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Senator Wan Ahmad Farid Wan Salleh}
*16 1 International Trade and Industry
16 2 Minister - Mustapa Mohamed (from Agriculture and Agro-based Industry)
16 3 Deputies - Mukhriz Mahathir & Datuk Jacob Dungau Sagan
{History: Loh Wei Keong}
*17 1 Information, Culture, Arts and Heritage (renamed / merged from Information & National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage)
17 2 Minister - Rais Yatim (from Foreign Affairs)
17 3 Deputy - Joseph Salang Gandum (from Energy, Water and Communications) &
{History: Datuk Teng Boon Soon}
*18 1 Natural Resources and Environment
18 2 Minister - Datuk Douglas Unggah Embas [MAINTAINED]
18 3 Deputy -Tan Sri Joseph Kurup (from Rural and Regional Development)
*19 1 Plantation Industries and Commodities
19 2 Minister - Bernard Dompok
19 3 Deputy - Hamzah Zainuddin (from Housing and Local Government)
*20 1 Rural and Regional Development
20 2 Minister - Mohd Shafie Apdal (from National Unity, Culture, Arts and Heritage)
20 3 Deputy - Joseph Entulu & Hassan Malek (pending, from Deputy Ministers in the Prime Minister's Department)
{History: Tan Sri Muhammad Muhd Taib}
*21 1 Science, Technology and Innovation (NO CHANGE)
21 2 Minister - Datuk Dr Maximus Ongkili
21 3 Deputy - Fadillah Yusof
*22 1 Tourism
22 2 Minister - Datuk Dr Ng Yen Yen (from Women, Family and Community Development)
22 3 Deputy - Datuk Sulaiman Abdul Rahman Taib [MAINTAINED]
{History: Datuk Azalina Othman}
*23 1 Transport
23 2 Minister - Datuk Ong Tee Keat [MAINTAINED]
23 3 Deputy - Abdul Rahim Bakri & Robert Lau (from Housing and Local Government)
*24 1 Women, Family and Community Development
24 2 Minister - Sharizat Abdul Jalil (Senator)
24 3 Deputy - Chew Mei Fun
{History: Noriah Kasnon}
*25 1 Works Minister
25 2 Minister - Shaziman Abu Mansor (from Energy, Water and Communications)
25 3 Deputy - Datuk Yong Khoon Seng
{History: Datuk Mohd Zin Mohamad}
*26 1 Youth and Sports
26 2 Minister - Ahmad Shabery Cheek (from Information)
26 3 Deputy - Wee Jack Seng & Razali Ibrahim