31 October 2008

Experimenting with Peer-to-peer (P2P) file-sharing

This last raya I was introduce to Peer to Peer File sharing, when i ask some one where to find movies to watch on the net. . . He immediately down load a Bit Torrent client for me with assorted plug in, and pointed me to a site to find files to download. . . I know that this has been going on for a long time, But this my first experience with this type of thing, and i have to say that, i have mix feelings on doing this. . . It takes so long in downloading files, a 400MB + file look, log on time of 7 days of 8 hours each, a 10.6mb file is still down loading at the 16% mark after more then a whole month!, with time log in of 13+ days and counting. Actually it when up 3% over the last two days. I have access to a IDSN (commercial type), which should be fast. . . Further quality of the files are also suspected, it may not be actually what you want, or in a different language. . . Is it worth spending all that time and log in money? In my opinion, I don't think so, It just not worth the effort unless it is for some thing money cannot buy.

20 September 2008

It's My Home

Listen to this music video

30 August 2008

Malaysian Budget 2009: Basket of goodies that may make a difference for Me!

1. 1% cut for middle income group in tax from 13% to 12% . 2. Tax rebate from RM350 to RM400 for taxable income of RM35K . 3. Tax exemption of income savings. 4. Tax exemption on employee benefits. 5. diesel vehicle similar to petrol road tax. 6. Road tax for public transport cut to RM20 7. toll reduction for public transport . 8. scrapped / reduce inport duty on certain food stuffs like beehoo... 9. reduce import duties on certain electrical goods 10. scrapped duties of solar photovoltaic system equipments & high efficiency motors 11. scrapped duties on local made solar heating systems 12. exemption on duties for hybird cars . . . . . .. . . . . . .the above items are those that may affect me and help . . 1. reduce cost of living . . . . 2. may increase my take home pay . . . . .3. improve public transport . . . . 4. reduce power bill . . . . 5. fuel efficient car. . . . it will all depends on the manufacturers, the retail shops, service suppliers, and so on, if they will adjust their price or for my employee to pay me more and if i can afford to puy this energy efficient items and so on. on the whole its a big basket of goodies..... just that how will it tickle down and help, we will have to see.

29 August 2008

Malaysian Budget 2009

Our PM have started to announce all the goodies in store for Malaysian, for the Budget 2009. I am watching the Live Telecast, and there seem to be alot of them. . . . this is what i think i heard, to be confirm by the main stream media. . . . 1. Additional Relief on Income tax for those with chargeable income of RM35K and below increase to RM400 from RM350 . . . 2. No Income Tax on Savings . . . 3. diesel road tax same as petrol . . . 4. Company Tax waive for Certain Staff Allowance especially transport . . . 5. better public transport , road tax for public transport at RM20, extend LRT's for KL only . . . . 6. Various incentive for making House Buying more affordable . . . 7. Reduction in Tax for certain food stuffs, like meehoon. . . . 8. Cigarettes tax increase by 3 cents or 60 cents per pack of 20's . . . . 9. Electrical Bill of Below RM20 waive . . . hopefully we will have cheaper food stuffs, for all, we will have to see what items tax have been reduce, and if there will be cheaper transportation for goods.

24 August 2008

26th Aug 08, Public Holiday for Penang

it seems that 26th Aug 08, has been declare a Public Holiday, (via malaysiakini , the Malaysia Insider & NST on line) by Penang Chief Minister Mr Lim Guan Eng, to enable voters to vote in the P44, Pematang Pauh By Election. . . . . That well and good for the Govt Servants, a few Private sector employees may follow suite in granting the Holiday. But most in the Private sector, especially in the Hospitality Trade like Me, will be working as in our appointment letter spell out the number of Public Holiday that is available for us. I am not hopefull to get that extra one day off. . . . . For some its just 8 days, other may be more, at my current working place its 14 day, not bad already. . . . . Well every one will do what ever to get their ppl to win.

23 July 2008

Your blog, malaysiansnapshots.blogspot.com, is worth $85,245.54


My blog is worth $85,245.54.
How much is your blog worth?

. . . . Any one what to buy?, no need in American Dollar, Ringgit Malaysia good enough. :-)

17 July 2008

Defrag Down load and Hicups with Vista?

I finally got around to download a Disk Defragment program that does not take ages to do it job. Auslogic Free Disk defrag, is a speedy soft ware especially when you use Windows built in disk defrag It defrag my entire disk 160GB in just 10 min total. My old lap top use to take around a few hours. I have to say I am impress with the speed, once the disk is Defrag, then the program will start to sell other programs from Auslogic, a delete Junk Program and a Computer Optimizer, Fair enough I suppose.
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I have other problems with Vista.
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1. The Lap Stop just stop running, about 30 min ago, I saw a blue screen and then it reboot on its own.
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2. The Slide Show also hiccups just like the windows media player with music. There is a error message that it cannot ”start up” will show, and when I set my photos as the screen saver a similar problem will pop up.
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Still so far so good with this laptop. I have to get around to download the Office Printer and my own printer software soon.

15 July 2008

Acer Aspire E Recovery & Acer 2920 Set UP

As mention in my previous post, E Recovery to Factory Software and configuration only took 10 min, and then it auto setup, around 30 min to reload all items. It when well . It took me the rest of the day to set up the computer to my liking and configuration.
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First I set up the desk top to the a photo I took with my Fuji S700, and then set the screen saver to play the at random some of my best photos. (by left clicking on the screen and click on personalise)
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Next Step was looking into the Side Bar, Remove all the standard items from there and started to download a Digital Photo Date Display, a Network Meter, a CPU usage meter , the temperature and CPU usage gauge, and a calculator. Unfortunately i could not fit in another gadget call a control system with clock, where I can shut down, lock the computer.
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I then ensure the speaker is activated, open the start, and look for and check the Windows Defender to ensure that its active and set to scan at a time the Laptop will be on. I then uninstall the Mac Affee Anti Virus program (on trail) and then downloaded the AVG, install, and configure it to auto upload (at a time where i will be on line) and to auto scan (during the time i will be in meeting)
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Next up is download the Microsoft Reader, and set the launch control to my home page and the web base e mail i use. Launch the Internet Explorer and set the home page as well. I then down load the VSO image resize, down load and configure the MSM instant Messenger, and down load win amp.
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This plus my normal work took me from 7am till 6pm, there will more work to do tomorrow, with down loads for 2 printers, a HP380 which i own, and a Cannon for the office. I am thinking of downloading Firefox, Skyp,, Quick time, and some photo software.
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14 July 2008

My First Week with ACER ASPIRE 2920 and Windows Vista.

My First Week with ACER ASPIRE 2920 and Windows Vista.
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Thumbs up and Thumbs down:
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In brief Windows Explorer hang up on me a number of time which require shut down it does not seem to be stable, but reboot was fast thank to a better spec computer, so it was ok. Windows Program download was annoying as once it upload it keep demanding to shut down. Other then that it was thumbs up, Fast, user friendly interface especially to search for a file, though when a file is move, it remembers the old location.
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I just enjoy myself fooling around with it. Downloading and installing and uninstalling various programs and gadgets and testing it out. I just have not burn a DVD yet but have try out burning a few photo’s to CD which was quite fast using windows however the Normal DVD player cannot read, I have to burn another DVD with the NTI CD/DVD Maker, which work.
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Key Points :
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E Recovery (Acer)
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This program works, now i can reformat to factory specs any time and it just take 10 min, to reformat the C drive thought it take close to 8 hours setting it back up to the way i want it, Best is the data in D drive is saved, no need to down load it again or lost data.
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Thumbs UP
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Movie & Battery:
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The Windows Media Player is good when you stop a DVD and eject it, and replace it the next day it will start up where you stop. That good that save time in searching for the place where you stop it. Running on fully charge battery it lasted the entire DVD of the latest Indiana Jones Flick
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Thumbs Up
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Music:
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The Windows Media Player does not seem able to handle MP3 well, as it keep sssstuuurrring all the time. Win Amp works though with out any problems , Sound is loud for a lap top speaker, funny though loudness is better then movie.
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Thumbs Down
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MS Office (Trail version) :
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Again Plus and minus, i keep looking for the stuff I need at the wrong place, as the controls are somewhat different. It actually better but not for some one who has use office for years. Those who has not use office will find it easy.....
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Thumbs Down
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The Key Board:
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Yes its smaller, and i keep typing (,) instead of (.) initially but i soon adept to the key board.
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Conclusion :
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Overall, I am happy with the package of Soft ware and the Notebook, quite well balance actually and you do not actually need anything else to down load unless you want to.........

10 July 2008

Acer Aspire 2920 with Windows Vista Home Premium

MY First impressions first day:
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A small Notebook, the size of a large hard cover book (dictionary come in to mind) Jet Shiny Black cover with a gray key pad area. The Store manager just took a minute to set it up and then explain to me on the soft ware that comes with it Vista Home Premium, and the Acer Soft ware especially the Acer Empowerment Technology. He further advice 8 hours initial charging time.
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The notebook came without any CD’s due to it built in E Recovery (I will want to try it out say in a month time) which can restore it to its factory specs and software listed below in a small package weigh in at 2.04 kg (4.54 lbs.)
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It came with a Padded Compartment Bag, a “Giant” Optical Mouse, and a adaptor powercord. There is a manual explaining the hardware and a bit on the acer software and a manual on vista. All very basic information while explaining what is new leave a lot hanging and unexplained.
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I took it home and play around with it and started to set it up as i like it, firstly i uninstall the Anti virus (on trail), Acer Arcade , and the Windows Home and Student (on trail), replace with AVG and Open Office which I down load over the net.
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Then i spent close to 10 hours downloading files from my old laptop via a 4g pen drive to the 2920.
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Comments: it much faster, (then my old acer), and i enjoy using it setting it up and learning Vista Home Premium. A Sweet machine, better capability and able to accommodate my needs. Windows Vista need some getting use to, but i can see that it is a matter of unlearning XP, Vista I feel can be easier. Music is loud, and sound good to me, Playing a DVD, using the Windows Media Center is a breeze which also remember where i stop the disk last.
Basically the 2920 come with the following specs, at RM2599 currently
Intel® Core™2 Duo processor T5750 (2MB L2 cache, 2.0GHz, 667 MHz FSB)
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium
Mobile Intel® GM965 Express Chipset
2GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory,
12.1" WXGA high-brightness (200-nit), Acer CrystalBrite™ TFT LCD, 1280 x 800 pixel resolution
160GB hard disk drive
8X DVD-Super Multi double-layer drive
4000 mAh 6-cell Li-ion battery pack
ExpressCard™/54 slot
5-in-1 card reader (SD™, MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD)
Three USB 2.0 ports
External display (VGA) port
S-video/TV-out (NTSC/PAL) port
Headphone/speaker/line-out jack with S/PDIF support
Microphone-in jack
Line-in jack
Ethernet (RJ-45) port
Modem (RJ-11) port
DC-in jack for AC adapter
Acer Empowering Technology (Acer eNet, ePower, eAudio, ePresentation, eDataSecurity1, eLock, eRecovery1, eSettings Management)
Acer Arcade™1 featuring Cinema, Video, Album, Music, Acer HomeMedia
Acer Arcade™ Deluxe1 featuring DV Wizard, VideoMagician, DVDivine, Acer HomeMedia
Acer InstantOn Arcade
Acer Crystal Eye
Acer GridVista™
Acer Launch Manager
Acer Video Conference Manager1
Adobe® Reader®
CyberLink® PowerProducer®1
Norton Internet Security™
NTI CD-Maker™
Acer GameZone

7 July 2008

Time for a New Note Book Computer

Time for a New Note Book Computer
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It time for me to get a New Note Book computer, My current Notebook (which I purchase 2nd hand) is feeling it’s age. It’s symptoms include very Slow Boot up time (5min), It will slow down when switching applications, it Hangs when shutting down, Batteries is practically dead 30 min only and I just purchase another acdc adaptor for it. I have it close to 2 years already, and who know how long was if running before I purchase it.
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It is a Acer Travermate 2300 series with a 15in screen, Celeron 1.5 Ghz, 40 gb Harddisk DVD – RW, with 256MB DDR, it has serve me well.
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I have in fact been looking for a long time, various Notebook, sub note books and net books, but it still come back to a Note Book that have a bit of power to handle graphics especially now I am actively taking Photographs, and Small. Financial it is going to be a strain, but thank to cost saving I think i can manage, In view of my productivity time and that my home & finance minister want me to get a computer for my daughters.
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One of my colleagues just bought a Acer Aspire 4920, for RM2499, which appear decent enough for me with Dou Core Processor 2Ghz, 160gb hard disk, 2Gb of DDR ram, and a 14 in screen. (it seem that the whole department staffs that need a computer, have purchase Acer for various reasons.) Then I saw the Acer advertisement for a Acer Aspire 2920-6A2G16 for just a RM100 more, same specs4920 as the except for a 12 in screen, Looks perfect for me.
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I want to Prangin Mall, (Convenient car park, numerous computer shop), and started walking around. Shop 1 say yes we have, but to order, Shop 2 say, we don’t sell Acer, Shop 3 say yes, we have any time, in fact why don’t you try it out now, we have a demo set. Great!
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And the best it is Pineapple Computer, a Computer shop that is around from the 086 days, Some how or other then my first 086 desk top, computer shop I purchase, does not last long.
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The Manager demonstrated the Laptop to me and I tried it out, key pad is a bit smaller I think, I have to adjust. I then ask him what disk comes with it, as I had some trouble after reformatting my Travel Mate as i did not have the disk, He then surprise me by saying no disk, its all built in, Acer (or is it vista?) have a system where by you can recover the HD to original, ie reformat and reload all the programs to factory default. Just save your "Data" into the other partition of the HD he said it will all be there afther the format.
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This I like, as when surfing the web, and doing work, my computer slow down on me, due to cookies, virus, spyware, malware and what not, and when I cant take it any longer, I will take it to the shop to reformat it again.
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Well I will be getting the Notebook soon, after consulting with my Home & Finance Minister. J. My old Laptop will be for my 10 year old daughter to learn computers, after I have download all my item and reformat the hard drive.

23 June 2008

Bathing Baby Buddha

Bathing Baby Buddha at the Malaysia Buddhist Association Building, Burma Road, Penang Island, not too long ago on Wesak day.

16 June 2008

What a Crowd! at Malaysian Post Office

On My way to work today, I pass by a Small Village/Town Post Office at 8.10am. There was a crowd of people all waiting for the post office doors to be open, which i assume at 8.30am . What all this people doing? Waiting to get the Vehical Petrol Rebate.

14 June 2008

Miracle Pendent!?

By wearing a special Pendent or Bracelet, you immediately can gain greater strength, flexibility, balance. So claim this company which did a few demo recently as well as last year. Can this be true? What Science is this?
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The demonstrator have a series of test that he will demonstrate on you, a balance test, a few strength tests, a flexibility test. with the pendent or bracelet and with out the bracelet, and there is a water charging test, that all will seemingly convince you. Those test was done on me, and it actually seem convincing at that time.
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However In my humble opinion, it is hard to quantify the results from this tests. It all is objective and not measure specifically. According to the demonstrator, results will vari from person to person.
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The company have a website, videos of test with renown Malaysian sports persons, and a mat salleh sportsman, which they invite to demos here in Malaysia.
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The Old Pendent

The Bracelet

The New Pendent

These Pendents and Bracelets cost RM500 plus each, may be aval at the demo at a discount of RM350 plus and this comes with a life MLM membership. Organise a demo for the demonstrator you may even get a Pendent free!

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A few acquaintance have actually invested the money last year to purchase the pendents. However to me i have yet to see any "improvements" in their performance personally. One of them have actually purchase a pendent for her granddaughter and she say the kid is more active now.

Well if this is true, then Security and Enforcement agencies better look it to this matter urgently. By having Enhance security and enforcement personnel's, we should all be sleeping much better in our beds. ;-)

7 June 2008

RM2.704 per liter of Petrol?

How much is per liter of Petrol now? All the papers, Main Stream Media, is saying it is at RM2.70 per liter, but the pump says it RM2.704 per liter? What up? See picture above.
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Pay extra 0.4 cents per liter does not sound much but when apply to the whole industry? 10 liter you pay extra 4 cents, 100 liters pay extra 40 cents, 1000 liters it RM4, 10,000 liters you get RM40, 100,000 liters it RM400, you get the picture right. How much petrol is sold in a day? So far the MSM has not spoken up on this small matter, but its high time they did, Yesterday The Star have a big picture on the RM2.704, but made no comment on this.
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That just show that the petrol companies do not respect our PM and government at all. The Ministry of Consumer affairs had better do some thing on this. I suggest that we make them pay 10 cents per every liter they sell to a fund for public transport, from the day of the increase till the day they stop charging in extra 0.4 cent per liter.
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Bus companies have up price, and taxis, even taxi that run on gas also as per reports on TV. That Bad! Profiteering i think it is call.
Enough said.