Malaysian first astronaut - Angkasawan Pertama Malaysia

Malaysia is on her way to produce the first astronaut. Below is one joke I found related to Malaysian first astronaut. Please take it as a joke, and I meant no offence. I totally support the government project to send Malaysian to the space. Although it will use Russian expertise, technology and everything Russian, but I see this as the first step for Malaysia to develop expertise in space science.

The project started in October 2003 when Malaysian government had offered any Malaysian to apply to be the first Malaysian astronaut. About 11,000 of applications received, but today only four candidates have being shortlisted. And one of them is a woman, engineer S. Vanajah. The other three are Dr. Sheikh Muszaphar Shukor, dentist Dr. Faiz Khaleed and pilot Mohammed Faiz Kamaluddin. They will undergo training in Star City in Moscow, Russia. Among the four candidates, only two will be selected as the finalist but only one could be send to the space.

Malaysia’s astronaut programme was part of a package deal arising from Malaysia’s purchase of RM34 billion 18 SukhoiSU-30MKN fighter jets from Russia. Russian Government had offered in return a place for a Malaysian to join Russian cosmonauts on the expedition to the International Space Station in October next year.

Angkasawan Website : Angkasawan = Astronaut in Malay.

Okay, this is the joke. Don't take it seriously guys!

Three potential astronauts were called for an interview - one Indian, one
Malay and one Chinese.
Interviewer: "So, Muthu, this is a dangerous mission...How much do you
think you should be paid for it?"
Muthu thinks to himself and says, "One million ringgit."
"Why so much?" asks Interviewer.
"Nowadays toddy very expensive" replies Muthu.
"I see," says Interviewer. "Thank you...please ask the Malay guy to come here"
So the Malay walks up, and is asked the same question.
"Uh...2 million boleh lah," replies the Malay applicant.
"Two million? That's a lot of money! Even the aneh (brother in tamil)
before you only asked for one million!"
"You see," explains Mat. "I have 4 wives and 15 children... so 20 of us in
the family, we need a lot of money to support ourselves...."
"I see," says Interviewer. "Okay, can you ask the Chinese guy to come here
now?"
The Chinese guy comes in and Interviewer asks, "Ah Chong, this is a
dangerous mission, how much do you think you should be paid?"
Ah Chong thinks for a while, and suddenly says, "3 million."
Interviewer is shocked. What?!?!" 3 million? Why so much?!" Ah Chong
beckons Interviewer to come closer, and whispers...
"One million you keep, one million I keep, and then one more million to
send muthu into space!

Microsoft is going to spread it's 'virus'!

Beware, Microsoft is going to disturb your monitor screen if you are using the pirate copy of Windows!

Where are you going to put your face, if while you are working with a customer on a desktop computer, suddenly there is a pop-up message says “This copy of Windows is not genuine ...”.

Not only that, more others random messages will be shown on the screen, and it is permenant as long as you are using the illegal copy. It is like your Windows is being infected by virus.. he he he..but now the virus came from Microsoft. The 'virus' will find it's victims from TOMORROW in the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia.

Actually, this is a move by Microsoft to minimize illegal copy of their software. 61% of software used in local private businesses is illegal, reported anti-piracy watchdog Business Software Alliance BSA.

In my opinion, if you are using the illegal copy of Ms Windows and do not want the 'virus' to spread into your desktop PC, just do not update it. If you have already done so, then it is time to reformat your hard disk..(and buy the original product.)

Sources :
Windows warning

PETALING JAYA: Hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of local PC users running pirated Windows operating systems will soon face the shame of being reminded of their illegal action every time they switch on their machines.

The feature will be added to the operating system by Microsoft Corp from tomorrow and cannot be erased. It will nag the guilty users and can be awkward if it shows up on corporate PCs.

There are about six million Windows PC users in the country, according to industry estimates, while anti-piracy watchdog Business Software Alliance has reported that 61% of all software used in local private businesses is illegal.

Current users of PCs running pirated Windows will find their machines “tattooed” the next time they update the operating system.

Basically, a message stating “This copy of Windows is not genuine ...” will be permanently affixed to the operating system’s login screen, and a similar message will randomly pop up on the desktop whenever the machine is in use.

The anti-piracy move is being kicked off in five countries tomorrow – the United States, Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Malaysia.

Users whose machines have been affected will only be able to get rid of the tattoo if they install a genuine copy of Windows. Prices range from RM320 for a copy of Windows XP Home (OEM version) to RM510 for Windows XP Pro (OEM version).

“Or they can put up with being ‘nagged’ by the pop-up message every time they use their computers,” said K.T. Ng, group manager for Windows Client solutions at Microsoft Malaysia.

If they were businessmen or corporate executives, it would be embarrassing if their clients saw the tattoo indicating that a pirated copy of Windows was being used, he said.

Stained Windows! Microsoft to mark illegal copies

PIRATED software users be warned. Microsoft Corp is going to start “nagging” Windows users who do not have a legitimate copy of its operating system (OS).

Starting tomorrow, the software giant will permanently flag personal computers that are not running a genuine copy of Windows.

This move affects the six million Windows users in this country, as well as those in the United States, Britain, New Zealand and Australia.

Industry sources informed In.Tech that the software giant is giving Windows the ability to tell if a user's PC is running a genuine or pirated version of the OS, via an update patch that becomes available from tomorrow.

The patch takes effect if a PC user has opted to automatically update Windows the moment he goes online. It will also take effect should a PC user manually download the latest Windows updates.

If the OS is an unauthorised copy, a pop-up dialogue box will appear on the Windows login screen, informing the user that his copy of the OS is counterfeit and that he should get a genuine copy.

Macam mana nak buat email?

Saya bagi contoh untuk buat email free dari Yahoo (yahoo.com). Email Yahoo ni adalah dalam kategori webmail, boleh terus baca dari laman web. Tak payah download. Contoh lain untuk webmail ialah seperti Hotmail (hotmail.com).

Senang saja nak buat email. Tak sampai 5 minit dah boleh siap.

Cara-cara buat email yahoo. (Klik sini untuk panduan buat email GMail)
1. Buka Internet Explorer
2. Taipkan mail.yahoo.com di address box dan tekan Enter. Lepas tekan Enter, tunggu sebentar sehingga homepage email Yahoo di paparkan.
3. Di homepage mail Yahoo tu, click Sign Up, tunggu sehingga borang Yahoo mail akan dipaparkan.
4. Di bahagian preferred content, pilih Yahoo! Malaysia, dan anda akan dibawa kena borang bahasa Melayu.
5. Isikan semua petak yang bertanda bintang oren.

a. Nama Diri - contohnya, Mahadhir
b. Nama Keluarga - contohnya, Mohammad
c. Jantina - Pilih sendiri
d. Yahoo!ID - ialah pengenalan diri anda contohnya jebon. Jika jebon ialah Yahoo!ID anda, maka alamat email anda ialah jebon@yahoo.com.my. Jika anda membuat eton sebagai Yahoo!ID anda, maka alamat email anda menjadi eton@yahoo.com.my. Yahoo!ID tidak boleh ditukar. Biasanya, Yahoo!ID yang pendek sukar diperolehi kerana sudah digunakan oleh orang lain. Oleh itu, buatlah Yahoo!ID yang pelik dan panjang contohnya seperti, jebon_2006, ataupun eton_malapetaka_2000. Selain dari huruf dan angka, hanya garis bawah "_" dibenarkan.

e. katalaluan - ataupun password - pilihlah katalaluan yang mudah diingati, jika tidak, kemungkinan besar anda tidak akan berjaya membuka email anda dilain kali. Jangan dedahkan katalaluan kepada orang lain.

f. taipkan semula katalaluan - taipkan balik kata laluan yang di petak atas tadi. Untuk memastikan anda taip dengan betul.

g. Soalan keselamatan - pilihlah mana-mana soalan yang anda suka.
h. Jawapan anda - taipkan jawapan anda kepada soalan keselamatan di atas tadi.
i. Tarikh lahir - contoh, 14 Januari 1990
j. Poskod - contoh, 81900
k. Negara - Malaysia

l. Sahkan pendaftaran anda - Masukkan kod yang ditunjukkan - Lihat pada gambar dibawah petak tersebut, ada perkataan dengan huruf-huruf dalam bentuk yang ganjil. Itu adalah kodnya, perhatikan betul-betul.
m. Setelah siap kesemuanya, klik pada butang Saya Setuju

The New Naza Sutera 1.1 16 Valve EFi DOHC

This page have been moved to http://www.neyokes.com/2006/04/23/the-new-naza-sutera-11-16-valve-efi-dohc/

Tun Ghafar Baba passes away

Former Deputy Prime Minister Tun Abdul Ghafar Baba, 81, passed away at Gleneagles Intan Medical Centre in Jalan Ampang here this morning due to heart, lung and kidney complications at 7.35 am today.

Ghafar's remains will be buried at the Makam Pahlawan (National Mausoleum) after asar prayers (4.29pm) and will be accorded full national honour.

Sources : The New Straits Times,The Start Online

Bittorrent Clients - Azureus, ABC, BitTornado, BitComet and utorrent

I have used many bittorrent clients. The first one was ABC (Yet Another Bittorrent Client). It is very simple, but still I got the file I wanted. I only need to configure the port. Then download. I am using 1MB kbps bandwidth TM Net Streamyx line. The maximum download rate should be 128kBps, but it is impossible to get that rate. The maximum rate I got is 125kBps. Well, it is very good. I only got the rate when I set the upload rate to 32kBps. But the downside of ABC, it will make your PC to crawl after a few hours using it. It is strange. At first, when I started the client, it will run smoothly. But after a few hours, I will hardly open or run any application. So, I only run it at night when I sleep. Although the problem, I use it for couples of months!

Then I try to search other clients. I tried Azureus. It is a java bittorent client. You can use it in Windows or Linux. I have one partition installed with Red Hat Linux in my system. So, I found it quite useful for me. The interface is very good and quite user friendly. It is very different from ABC. There are so many functions and options. Unfortunately, it is very hungry resource. I only use Pentium III 866MHz with 256 MB RAM. I do not think this client suite for my system. And another minus, I could not get the maximum download rate which I got when I use ABC. The fastest I got was 60kBps, no matter how I configured it. So, I dropped this Azureus.

I also have tried BitTornado. I only tried it a few times. And I did not like the interface and the function is not within my taste range. Another client I tried was BitComet, which is claimed to be the most powerful client. The interface is very good. Have many functions and options. It is not so resource hungry. My system run fine with it. But.. yes ..But.. the maximum download rate I got is 60-70kBps. I have tried changed it's setting. Many configuration guided by it's forum. But it does not want to get higher. It also has unstable download rate. Sometimes high and sometime crawling.

Then I tried utorrent. After I download it and want to install it, I was a little surprised because it does not need any installation. Just download and run. It is very light. Double clicked and it pop out just like that. Like you click on start menu of your Windows. With utorrent running, I have no difficulty to run other application, and the speed is almost stable. It's interface is not bad at all. Now, the latest version is 1.5, which the interface is the best from any other client I have tried before. My favourite window is the speed graph. I can see how stable is the speed when downloading. Another good thing is I got 100kBps stable download rate at most downloads. I got that speed when using this setting:

My Optimal Utorrent Configuration

• Enable Upnp port mapping (checked)


• Add utorrent to Windows Firewall exceptions (checked)


• Global maximum upload rate (30) kB/s


• Alternate upload (35) kB/s


• Global maximum number of connections: 150


• Maximum number of connected peers per torrent: 50


• Number of upload slots per torrent: 4


• Use additional upload slots if upload speed <90%: (checked)


• Maximum number of active torrent: 3


• Maximum number of active downloads: 2


• Enable DHT network (unchecked)


• Enable DHT for new torrent (unchecked)


• Enable Peer Exchange (checked)


• Enable scrapping (checked)


• Pre-allocate all files (unchecked)


• Seed ration: 150%

That's all. Other than that, I just leave it as default. My internet speed is 1MB kbps download and 384 kbps upload, and I my system is Pentium III 866MHz with 256MB RAM.

My Torrents Site List
I have some favourites site which I always hanging around or download torrents from.

International torrents
1. TorrentSpy.com
2. MiniNova.org
3. TVTorrent.info - Only TV series torrents.
4. Demonoid.com

Malaysian torrents
1. Jiwang Torrents
2. TorrentMalaya

How to convert MOV to MPG - a better way

In my posting here http://sekoyenworld.blogspot.com/2005/11/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fx9.html, I stated that I converted my Lumix FX9 MOV video to VCD using TMPGenc, and the quality is excellent (at that time).

But now I have a DVD player with DIVX ability, I want to convert the videos to AVI. Unfortunately, I have tried many ways but the AVIs' quality I got was not acceptable. So I drop that idea, perhaps until I got the right and the best way to convert MOV to AVI.

Instead, I found a way to convert MOV to MPG with excellent quality and 35% of original MOV file. The quality is very far better than the first method.

Now I use TMPGenc 3.0 Xpress.

This is the configuration of TMPGEnc 3.0 XPress to get that excellent MPG quality. Click to view the actual image.

To get that setting:
1. At set Output window, I select "Standard Template" - "MPEG Output"
This is a general MPEG standard which do not follow VCD or DVD standards. Some DVD or VCD may not be able to play this format. Off course, my Samsung HD850 can play it!

2. Change the output stream format to MPEG-1 Video-CD (non-standard). Change the resolution to the original size, 640 x 480. Aspect ratio Pixel 1:1.

3. Click the Audio tab to change the audio setting. I only changed the sampling frequency to 44100 Hz.

4. That's all!

Click encode and start encode. The process is quite fast. About 5 minutes to process 100MB MOV file to 35MB MPG file, depend on your computer. Currently, I only use Pentium III 866MHz with 256MB RAM and 8MB AGP shared memory display.

I also found that this software also could convert WMV to MPG with excellent quality and reduced file size, using the same configuration as above.

DivX Pro 6 Preview

Last night I tried DivX Pro 6 Converter. Previously, I had convert a concert WMV file to MPG and Lumix FX9 MOV to MPG using TMPGenc XPress, and the quality is excellent. Then last night, I tried to use DivX Pro 6 to convert this file to smaller size but not loose any quality.

The converter is so simple. You only need to drag and drop any file you want to convert and click convert button. There is not much setting can be changed. In the converter itself, there is no configuration button. If you want to change the configuration, you have to change from the codec configuration utility. Hence, there is not much to change though. I just leave it as default. There is more setting options in DivX Pro Converter 6.1.



From my experiments, I found that when I convert an MPG of a concert which I had converted from WMV, the quality is excellent but in a smaller size. Original MPG is 13MB, convert to DIVX using DivXPro 6 Converter, the size decrease to about 9MB. I also convert the original WMV to DIVX, and the quality is also excellent.

Another experiment, I converted an MPG file which was from MOV and I found that the quality is worse where viewable block everywhere in the video. And another bad things, the converter cannot open MOV file. So could not convert MOV directly to DIVX.

My conclusion, I will use the DivXPro 6 Converter to convert my WMV files and stick to use TMPGEnc to convert my MOV file to MPG.

Naza going to launch NX-01

This page have been moved to http://www.neyokes.com/2006/04/21/naza-going-to-launch-nx-01/

Try to repair my desktop computer

In one of my post here, I repaired one of my desktop PC but ruined another one. So today, I tried to replace the motherboard.

On that day, when the computer could not boot up, I thought it was because it have a not-so-good motherboard. This desktop PC although have Pentium III 933, 128MB RAM and 64MB AGP display card, the performance is bad. In fact, it is slower then my Pentium II 350 with 192MB RAM. How could it be? It happened after I changed the motherboard last year, after it was striked by lightning.

So, when it could not boot up, I thought it was because of the motherboard. I quickly bought a second hand motherboard from buysell.com.my. Got one good specification motherboard with 370 pin socket, so I just bid it until I won.

Today, I received the motherboard, but in a not-so-good packing. He only put the motherboard into a thin old plastic bag and put it in a box full of newspaper. I quickly assembles it into the ruined desktop PC.

Unfortunately, ...

Unfortunately, it also cannot boot up.

Configuring Port Forwarding for Caremo DSL Modem

My desktop PC is connected to the internet via local area network connected by a hub and a DSL modem.
Here is the diagram:

My PC(192.168.1.10) --> Hub --> DSL Modem(192.168.1.1) --(via TM Net Streamyx)-> The Internet

I have one caremo DSL modem, which I bought myself and one ZTE 831 DSL modem, which I got for free when subscribe to TMNet Streamyx service.

To use bittorrent client, we have to enable the port forwarding in this modem.

1. If your PC is connected to the Internet like mine, open the Internet Explorer, and type 192.168.1.1, where it is the usual configuration page for any ADSL modem like Caremo and ZTE 831.

2. Type in your username and password. The default username is admin and the default password is also admin.

3. When you press enter key, you will be forward to the modem's wizard page. Click 'Advance Setting', and you will arrive at the advance configuration page.

4. Clik 'Advance Setting' on the left menu. Check 'Enable UPNP', select your connection and click apply button.

5. Click 'Port Forwarding' from the left menu.

6. Choose the connection name, select your computer IP (mine is 192.168.10).

7. Click 'User' under the category (because only under this category you could insert a custome category).

8. Click 'Add' button.

9. Create a rule name, example torrent. Select TCP, Port Start 6889, Port End 6889, Port Map 6889, click 'Apply'. The port number is just an example. You have to put the same port number which you are using in the torrent client. Use only one port is enough for Utorrent or Azureous.

10. Now you have create a rule named torrent. Select it from the available rule, click add button, and apply.

Finish.

Rakyat kena tanggung kerugian TNB?

Wajarkah rakyat tanggung beban hutang TNB?

KUALA LUMPUR 18 April - Adakah wajar pengguna menanggung beban hutang Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) dengan membayar tarif elektrik lebih tinggi?.

Itulah persoalan yang dibangkitkan oleh seorang penyokong kerajaan, Datuk Mohd. Alwi Che Ahmad (BN-Ketereh) yang tidak setuju pengguna menanggung beban itu melalui kenaikan tarif elektrik.

Beliau menyifatkan TNB tidak adil kerana mahu mengenakan tarif elektrik yang tinggi kepada pengguna sedangkan pada masa yang sama Penjana Tenaga Bebas (IPP) mengaut untung dengan menjual tenaga elektrik.

...

Respons
Dah memang tak patut. Dia tak pandai bisness, pengguna pula yang kena tanggung. Cuba bayangkan kalau ada banyak kompeni macam TNB supply elektrik. Pengguna akan pilih yang paling bagus sekali. Bukan pilih yang paling murah, walaupun ada juga. Itu pilihan masih-masinglah. Pengguna ada pilihan, kalau nak murah, servis kurang bagus, kalau nak mahal, servis bagus. Tapi kalau dah ada persaingan semua akan buat yang terbaik untuk survive. Terbaik untuk mereka dan terbaik untuk pengguna.

Tapi sekarang TNB dah monopoli, siapa yang nak di salahkan? Bila Rugi je, pengguna kena cover... Kalau untung, berlagak, lupa jasa pengguna. Ada tak terniat nak turunkan tarif masa tu?

Kisah Kafe Siber

Bimbang remaja buang masa di siber kafe

SEBAGAI seorang ibu kepada beberapa orang anak yang sedang meningkat remaja, saya sentiasa di dalam keadaan yang risau dan berjaga-jaga dengan persekitaran yang mungkin boleh mempengaruhi jiwa mereka.

Sekiranya aktiviti yang mereka lakukan memberikan kesan yang baik, maka amat gembiralah hati seorang ibu tetapi jika sebaliknya, amatlah malang nasib kami jika tidak bijak menangani masalah ini.

Di tempat tinggal saya yang terletak di Kampung Sungai Udang, Klang terdapat sebuah pusat siber kafe yang beroperasi hingga awal pagi dan mempunyai pelanggan yang ramai terdiri daripada kanak-kanak dan remaja.

Respons
Dah banyak kali rasanya kisah yang hampir serupa dipaparkan didada-dada akhbar. Kes yang sedemikian biasanya dilaporkan di kawasan-kawasan pedalaman; bukan di bandar. Kenapa?

Dari pemerhatian aku, memang bukan luar biasa kafe siber dikawasan bandar dan pingir bandar sudah pasti beroperasi 24 jam. Tetapi kenapa tiada kisahnya yang dipaparkan? Apa yang pasti adalah cara penerimaan orang-orang luar bandar tidak sama dengan penerimaan orang bandar. Biasanya pengusaha kafe siber diluar bandar adalah dari kalangan orang Melayu sendiri, dan orang Melayu jugalah yang buat laporan, dan orang Melayu juga yang 'buang masa' di internet kafe. Orang Melayu lebih suka anak-anak muda lepak kat tepi tembok sampai malam-malam buta, 'tak habis duit'. Biasalah Melayu..

Aku teringat satu kisah setahun yang lepas, semasa aku tengah melayari internet di sebuah kafe siber, ada seorang makcik serbu kafe siber, cari anak dia. Kebetulan memang anak dia tengah main counter strike. Kecoh betul. Habis staff kafe siber tu kena marah. Siap dia halau orang lain yang tengah guna komputer. Aku buat bodoh aje lah. Dia cakap dia haramkan anak dia jejak kafe siber tu.

Di awal tahun, baru-baru ni, aku bila aku nak masuk kafe siber tu, aku nampak mak cik tu lagi. Kali ni duduk kat sebelah anak dia, nak isi borang online mohon universiti. Tapi yang kasihannya, anak dia tu sepatah haram pun tak tahu guna komputer. Nak buka internet explorer pun tak tahu!! Yang dia tahu cuma isi petak kosong aje dalam borang, itupun selepas borang online tu dibuka oleh staff kafe siber tu. Tapi lebih kasihan aku tengok staff kafe siber tu, terpaksa beri layanan khas untuk tolong anak mak cik tu isi borang online.

Berbalik pada kisah diatas tadi tu, memanglah kafe siber tak patut dibuka sehingga ke pagi. Berpada-padalah untuk cari keuntungan, jangan sampai biarkan anak-anak bangsa sendiri leka. Buatlah beberapa peraturan seperti had masa dan tutup pada waktunya. Janganlah galakkan bebudak bermain game, letaklah sebahagian aje komputer yang ada game, dan yang lain tiada game.

Sebenarnya game ni adalah satu cara untuk menarik minat bebudak kepada komputer. Mula-mula memang minat main game, lama-lama nanti bila dah boring, pandai-pandailah diorang cari alternatif lain. Macam aku!

Dia tak suka lihat orang lain dikenakan

Mengenakan orang bukan hiburan

AKHBAR Metro Ahad baru-baru ini menyiarkan berita bertajuk ‘Selebriti terkena di Muzik@Ria’ yang memaparkan mengenai rancangan televisyen yang ‘mengenakan’ artis sebagai satu trend untuk menarik minat penonton.
Pada pendapat saya, cara itu tidak sesuai dan jauh menyimpang daripada budaya kita sebagai orang Malaysia kerana ia membabitkan perasaan manusia yang boleh menyebabkan perkara negatif.

Mungkin penonton rasa seronok melihatnya tetapi tidak bagi saya. Cuba bayangkan keseronokan penonton itu sendiri timbul kerana orang yang ‘terkena’ itu berada dalam satu situasi yang sukar. Ada yang menangis, celaru dan keliru.

Respons
Kat dunia ni ada macam-macam orang. Kat Malaysia ni pun ada macam-macam orang. Janganlah cakap, kerana tak suka perlakuan tersebut, benda tu mneyimpang dari budaya kita. Apa hak dia untuk menilai budaya kita. Kadang-kadang benda macam nilah yang merapatkan hubungan sesama manusia. Adakah orang kita tidak berhak untuk berkreatif membuat cerita yang sedemikian.
Janganlah kolot sangat. Sikit-sikit budaya, sikit-sikit budaya. Dia tak suka, tapi ramai lagi orang lain yang suka.

Vandalisme ke Cuci Tandas

Syor pesalah cuci tandas

MIRI: Aktivis sosial terkenal, Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye mencadangkan pihak berkuasa tempatan (PBT) mengenakan hukuman khidmat masyarakat termasuk mencuci tandas awam kepada pesalah vandalisme.

Respons
Kalau benda ni jadi, janganlah cakap setiap pencuci tandas tu pesalah vandalisme. Kesian pencuci tandas. Macam hina sangat je. Padahal, kalau tak ada pencuci tandas, mahu busuk satu Malaysia.
Dan ini juga bagi satu alasan yang sangat kuat untuk MAFAA buli Afdlin Shauki.

Aku lebih suka, hukum pesalah vandalisme tu jadi pencuci bangunan tinggi tanpa gaji. Gayat tak gayatlah.

Penduduk temui gas free

Penduduk temui gas ketika gerudi telaga tiub

PASIR MAS: Sekumpulan penduduk di Kampung Sipol dekat sini, yang mengorek telaga tiub untuk mendapatkan bekalan air, terkejut besar apabila gas yang keluar sehingga mereka menggunakannya untuk memasak.

Respons
Wah bagus ni. Murah rezeki. Time minyak & gas mahal ni, dapat pula gas free. Kalau banyak, boleh buat business, jadi tokey gas. Tapi akhirnya, Petronas juga yang dapat habuannya.

Kontroversi AIM 13 2006

AIM13 paling kontroversi

ANUGERAH Industri Muzik Malaysia ke-13 (AIM13) yang akan berlangsung pada 29 April ini di Pusat Dagangan Dunia Putra (PWTC), Kuala Lumpur pukul 8.30 malam dijangka meriah sama seperti tahun-tahun sebelumnya.

Bagaimanapun penganjuran AIM yang masuk kali ke-13 itu mencetuskan beberapa kontroversi dalam anugerah berprestij itu.

Antaranya, pencalonan artis Singapura, Ahli Fikir yang dicalonkan dalam kategori Artis Baru Terbaik bersaing dengan empat lagi artis tempatan.

Selain itu, pencalonan album Mawi yang berjudul Yang Tercinta ditolak bagi beberapa kategori kerana mempunyai durasi masa kurang daripda 40 minit juga menimbulkan rasa tidak puas hati segelintir pihak.

Respons
Aku tak fahamlah pasal dua kes ni. Kenapa 'orang ramai' tak nak terima penjelasan pihak pengurusan AIM :

1. Album Mawi tak layak untuk bertanding dalam AIM13.
Album Mawi tu tak cukup syarat untuk bertanding. Syarat yang tak dipenuhi ialah duration album Mawi -Yang Tercinta- tu kurang 40 minit. Dah terang tak cukup syarat, terima ajelah. Kalau nak ubah syarat-syarat tu, ubahlah dilain kali. Takkanlah semata-mata kerana Mawi, AIM kena ubah syarat.

2. Ahli Fiqir layak bertanding.
Memanglah Ahli Fiqir tu orang Singapura (+Indonesia seorang). Tapi diaorang bernaung dibawah syarikat rakaman Malaysia. Macam mana pula dengan M. Nasir, Ramli Sarip, Loloq, tu semua orang Singapura tu... dulu lah. Dah AIM yang buat syarat, dan Ahli Fiqir tu memenuhi syarat-syaratnya. Kalau tak puas hati, nanti suruh AIM buat atau ubah syarat yang ada.

Dah tu, aku terbaca juga yang ada pihak yang nak boikot AIM disebabkan perkara-perkara kecil yang kat atas tu. Lepas tu mungkin, AIM boikot pula artis-artis ni. Lepas tu..lepas tu.. Yaperdaa.. industri muzik kat Malaysia ni kecil aje. Kalau dah boikot-boikot, lama-lama industri muzik tu sendiri yang mati.

Kisah Kakitangan Pejabat Tanah keluar minum

Kakitangan Pejabat Tanah keluar minum lama

PADA 30 Mac 2006, pukul 9.10 pagi saya tiba di Pejabat Tanah Daerah Jempol untuk membuat urusan permohonan tukar syarat nyata.

Apabila sampai di sana saya melihat tiga orang saja kakitangan yang bertugas.

Seorang kakitangan disitu memberitahu saya, kakitangan yang bertugas mengendalikan urusan saya telah keluar minum di luar dan tak tahu bila pegawai itu masuk.

Saya melihat ramai lagi pelanggan lain masih menunggu untuk menyelesaikan beberapa urusan tetapi kakitangan tersebut tiada.

Kami menunggu hampir sejam sebelum mengambil keputusan untuk pulang sahaja kerana pegawai yang ditunggu tersebut tidak diketahui bila akan muncul. Diharap pejabat tanah berkenaan mengambil perhatian akan masalah kami ini.

- PELANGGAN FELDA,

Jempol, Negeri Sembilan.

Respons
Kes ni berkaitan dengan posting aku hari tu, pasal petualang pembangunan.

Aku tak tahulah, mana entah rasionalnya pergi minum waktu kerja. Kat office diorang tak ada tempat buat air ke? Apa kata kalau Pak Lah buat kakitangan kerajaan ni macam murid sekolah. Nak keluar pergi tandas pun kena minta izin guru kelas dahulu.. hehehe

Ahli Parlimen Cerita Pengalaman Pasal Doktor

Parlimen - Doktor muda di luar bandar dibidas

KUALA LUMPUR 17 April - Sikap sesetengah pegawai kerajaan yang disifatkan sebagai `angkuh' ketika berhadapan dengan pelanggan menjadi tumpuan perbahasan di Dewan Rakyat hari ini apabila beberapa anggota parlimen menceritakan pengalaman ketika berurusan dengan pegawai-pegawai kerajaan.

Kali ini tumpuan kritikan lebih kepada doktor terutama doktor-doktor muda di Kementerian Kesihatan yang berkhidmat di kawasan luar bandar yang dikatakan tidak mengutamakan pesakit yang berada di hadapan mereka.

Respons
Aku pun nak cerita pengalaman aku juga.

Waktu tu awal tahun 2000, malam menyambut 1 Syawal, isteri aku keguguran tepat-tepat pukul 12 tengah malam. Darah dah keluar banyak sangat. Aku bersama mertua aku pun terus hantar isteriku naik kereta Proton Iswara aku, dan sampai ke Hospital Kota Tinggi lebih kurang pada pukul 1 Pagi. Nasib baiklah tengah malam, jalan pun clear.

Bila sampai je, isteri aku terus dimasukkan ke dalam wad kecemasan. "Tunggu Doktor sampai" kata seorang attendan wad kecemasan tu.

Aku pun tunggu, punya tunggu, punya tunggu.. ibarat menunggu buah yang tak gugur. Hati dah bimbang, takut isteri aku kurang darah. Untuk pengetahuan, diorang memang tak buat apa-apa kat isteri aku tu. Letak kat wad kecemasa tu, lepas tu tinggal sorang-sorang. Aku nak teman kat situ pun diorang tak bagi. Baringlah dia sorang-sorang kat dalam tu.

Lebih kurang pukul 4 pagi, doktor masih tak sampai lagi. Attendan wad kecemasan tu, hantar isteri aku pakai kerusi roda ke wad. Dia cakap isteri aku kena tahan kat wad. Aku tanya mana doktor. Dia cakap doktor tak ada.

Di wad, ada 2 orang nurse cuba buat apa yang patut. Diorang cakap dah tak boleh buat apa. So, diorang keluarkan uri yang baru 2 bulan tu.

Alhamdulillah, isteri aku tak ada apa-apa. Dia kena tahan wad selama 4 hari. Setengah hari kat Hospital Kota Tinggi, yang selebihnya kat Hospital Sultanah Aminah Johor Bahru (pasal kat hospital kota tinggi tak cukup doktor).

Ni lah pengalaman aku. Disebabkan nak sambut hari raya. Doktor pun nak pergi raya juga. Tanggungjawab entah kemana.

Memanglah, korang pun manusia.. tapi siapa yang suruh jadi doktor??? Kenapa nak jadi doktor??

Tapi, sukalah aku tuliskan juga kat sini. Bukan semua doktor tak bagus. Kebanyakkan semua doktor yang aku jumpa, memang bagus, lebih-lebih lagi doktor kat HKL, memang first class. Cuma, seorang dua je yang tak bagus sekaligus memburukkan nama doktor-doktor yang bagus-bagus ni.

MAFAA Buli Balik Afdlin Shauki

Controversial Scene in Buli Balik: MAFAA wants written apology from Afdlin

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysia Airlines Flight Attendants Association (MAFAA) wants a written apology from Afdlin Shauki, one of the executive producers of the comedy, Buli Balik.

The association members feel the reference to stewardesses in the movie as toilet cleaners is demeaning.

“Afdlin must make a written apology to us. Many stewardesses have expressed their unhappiness after reading the story in The Malay Mail yesterday,” said MAFAA secretary-general, Ismail Nasaruddin A.W. Maxwell, in reaction to Afdlin’s comments that no malice was intended towards stewardesses in Buli Balik.

Respons
He he he.. Aplah MAFAA ni. Orang buat joke pun susah. Tak boleh nak lawak langsung. Kalau tak silap aku dialog Sharifah Shahirah tu macam ni "Orang ni, kalau sebutnya stewardess nak mengoratlah dan tulah... saya cuci toilet juga diatas tu". Kalau tak silaplah.. aku kurang clear dia cakap. Biasalah, kalau Sharifah Shahirah bercakap..pot pet pot pet.. macam keretapi laju dapat enjin roket. He he he..

Cakap macam tu pun terasa. Dialog dalam filem pulak tu. Cerita lawak pulak. Lainlah kalau buat press statement macam MAFAA tu. Sepatutnya Persatuan Pencuci Toilet Semalaysia (PERSPENTOILS) tuntut MAFAA minta maaf kat diorang pasal memandang hina pencuci toilet.

Afdlin Shauki membebel

One quick question.

Are the cabin crew association so insecure about their own profession that they have to justify that they are at par with airline pilots? in my mind they have a great profession. They get to travel, meet many people and at the same time. I too had contemplated once in my life about becoming a steward but alas my calling in the arts was stronger and they had no steward baju that could fit my bulbous size.

So, I am wondering now... why is there such a Hoo ha about that Syarifah Shahira scene on BULI BALIK.

Respons
Tak apalah Afdlin. Kalau rasa terpaksa minta maaf, kau minta maaf je. Lain kali kau buat cerita lawak pasal stewardess kaw kaw punya.. Aku ada idea ni.. hehehe

BISIK-BISIK AWANG SELAMAT

Awang sedar kerajaan menyediakan peruntukan yang banyak untuk pemuliharaan alam sekitar termasuk RM510 juta dalam RMK-9 untuk penjagaan sungai, namun ia tidak memadai selagi tiada kesedaran menyeluruh rakyat tentang keperluan itu.

Respons
Tak pernah lagi aku dengar orang perseorangan mahupun syarikat kena denda pasal pencemaran sungai. Mungkin aku tak terbaca kot. Kalau ada, sepatutnya kena war-warkan sikit supaya menjadi pengajaran kepada pihak lain.

Aku rasa tak susah nak trace siapa yang cemarkan sungai. Biasanya kilanglah yang selalu menyumbang kepada pencemaran sungai. Jadi apa lagi, carilah siapa yang bertanggung jawab. Jangan pula buat alasan yang kami tak ada kuasalah, kes tu di bawah kuasa pihak lainlah atau yang paling klasik, pencemaran tidak kritikal.

Kalau dapat denda pihak-pihak yang bertanggung jawab tu, dapatlah tambah baget RM510juta tu.

Duit besar! duit besar!

IPP mohon subsidi tambahan meskipun untung besar

KUALA LUMPUR 16 April - Sebuah syarikat penjana tenaga bebas (IPP) yang menikmati subsidi diesel dari Petronas, mengemukakan permohonan tambahan subsidi daripada syarikat minyak nasional itu.

Sumber-sumber industri berkata, syarikat IPP tersebut kini menikmati harga subsidi kira-kira RM6.40 seliter berbanding harga asas sebanyak RM18.40 seliter.

Respons
Semua orang mahu untung, tak ada sapa yang nak rugi. Kalau dapat untung besar tu, lagilah bagus. Pandai betul diorang tu berniaga.

Tapi takkanlah cari untung dengan subsidi beb? Melampau namanya tu.. dahlah untung besar, nak minta tambah subsidi lagi... Syarikat mana tu? Siapa yang punya? Cakap ajelah terang-terang kalau benda betul..

Zaman sekarang pun ada pengantin remaja ye

Pengantin Remaja

Hari ini aku menghadiri satu majlis perkahwinan kenalan baik abah aku. Keluarganya memang rapat dengan keluarga aku.

Yang aku nak ceritakan ni mengenai pasangan pengantinnya. Pengantin lelaki berumur 19 tahun dan pengantin perempuannya berumur 18 tahun. Kira pengantin remaja la ni.

Respons
Pengantin lelaki 19, pengantin perempuan 18. Wah! Muda sungguh! Cepat sungguh kahwin. Kalau zaman dulu-dulu, kahwin muda memang perkara biasa. Sebab tu orang dulu-dulu anak berderet-deret. Tapi zaman sekarang ni memang susah sikitlah nak jumpa, maklumlah masing-masing lelaki perempuan dah mengejar kerjaya. Keluar universiti jer dah umur 22 atau 23 kalau ambil ijazah. Nak kerja lagi, kumpul duit, nak hulur duit kat emak bapak lagi.

Dah jodoh, nak buat macam mana. Selamat pengantin barulah diucapkan..

TNB - Tarif eletrik nak naik ke??

TNB runcing -- Kewangan bergantung pinjaman luar biayai kos operasi

KUALA LUMPUR 13 April - Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB), sebuah syarikat strategik negara, kini menghadapi kedudukan kewangan yang paling meruncing dalam sejarahnya.

Bayaran perlu munasabah -- Kementerian, IPP diarah berunding elak bebankan TNB - Najib

BANGI 14 April - Kerajaan mengarahkan Menteri Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik berunding dengan Penjana Tenaga Bebas (IPP) berhubung bayaran yang dikenakan terhadap Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB) agar lebih munasabah dan tidak membebankan syarikat tenaga itu.

Elektrik: Rakyat perlu sedia bayar lebih

KUALA LUMPUR 14 April - Menteri Tenaga, Air dan Komunikasi, Datuk Seri Dr. Lim Keng Yaik hari ini secara tidak langsung membayangkan bahawa rakyat Malaysia perlu bersedia mengeluarkan wang yang lebih untuk membayar bagi penggunaan tenaga elektrik di masa hadapan.

Kaji tarif elektrik tiga tahun sekali

KUALA LUMPUR 15 April - Kerajaan digesa mengkaji semula kadar tarif elektrik di negara ini setiap tiga hingga empat tahun bagi membantu mengurangkan kos operasi yang ditanggung oleh Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

Jangan biarkan nadi TNB terhenti

NEGARA pernah melalui krisis tenaga elektrik yang menyaksikan negara bergelap untuk selama tiga hari pada tahun 1996. Dan, kemungkinan berulangnya tidak dapat ditolak, malah ia boleh berpanjangan sehingga setahun.

Senario ini menakutkan. Blackout atau terputus bekalan elektrik – jika ia berlaku lagi, mampu melumpuhkan ekonomi dan menumbangkan kerajaan.

Ini hakikat yang ada sekiranya kemelut kewangan yang dialami oleh Tenaga Nasional Bhd. (TNB) tidak diatasi.

Respons
Hmm... dah sah dah.. tak lama lagi bil elektrik akan di naikkan. Dah setiap hari berita pasal TNB ni masuk surat khabar. Surat khabar ni pun macam tali barut TNB jer. Kalau surat khabar tak bikin kepoh, lobi kerajaan, rasanya tak kuat suara TNB tu untuk cari untung lebih. Jadi surat khabar ni bukanlah suara rakyat. Tapi suara orang yang berkepentingan.

Entahlah, semua nak naik. Tak boleh ke berniaga cari keuntungan tanpa membebankan pengguna? Bila rugi je, terus naikkan tarif, kalau untung tak naik-naik, terus bebankan pengguna, nak cover kerugian yang sendiri buat pun suruh pengguna tanggung. TNB, Telekom, tol highway dan lain-lain. Inilah cara perniagaan korporat di Malaysia. Carilah cara lain. Kurangkan perbelanjaan ke, kurangkan majlis ke, kurangkanlah pembaziran. Susun semula perbelanjaan. Aku memanglah tak faham sangat pasal bisness korporat, tapi rasanya tak jauh beza dengan bisnes tak korporat.

Cuba lihat kat sini

TABLE: Malaysia's Tenaga Nasional 2Q Net MYR399.5M

Bandingkan keuntungan TNB bagi tahun 2005 dengan 2006. Makin untung ada, mana ada rugi..? Jadi kenapa nak naikkan tarif? Supaya tahun depan boleh bermegah dapat untung berlipat kali ganda??? Tiada gunanya bermegah, kalau keuntungan diperolehi dengan membebankan rakyat.

Mentang-mentanglah pengguna tak ada pilihan lain... Orang surat khabar pun, sudah-sudahlah tu. Jadilah lidah rakyat yang sebenarnya... Kenapa harus begitu?

Tidak perlu banding

Tidak perlu banding

ALLAHYARHAM Tan Sri P. Ramlee dinobatkan seniman agung, M. Nasir digelar sifu muzik dan Allahyarham Sudirman mendapat gelaran penghibur (penyanyi) Asia terbaik.

Tidak perlulah kita persoalkan siapakah yang lebih hebat di antara mereka bertiga. Masing-masing mempunyai kelebihan tersendiri.

Sepatutnya kita mengadakan rancangan TV untuk menghargai jasa mereka, bukannya membandingkan siapa lebih hebat.

- PENCINTA MUZIK, Kajang.

Respons
Ni benda remeh. Tak perlulah nak diperbesar-besarkan. Mereka tu manusia biasa je. Terpulanglah kepada pecinta seni untuk membandingkan siapa yang lebih baik. Masing-masing ada kelebihan dan kekurangan sendiri. Macam aku, aku letak ranking M. Nasir nombor 1, Sudirman No. 2 dan P. Ramlee tu nombor 3. Kenapa aku letak ranking mcama tu? Pasal itu aku punya citarasa, dan aku punya pasal. Kalau ada calon lain, mungkin rankingnya dah lain. Apa hak pecinta muzik dari kajang tu untuk menhalang perbandingan aku. Aku pun pencinta muzik juga.

Setiap tahun, industri kat Malaysia ni ada banyak anugerah yang menunggu giliran. Tak lama lagi ada Anugerah Industri Muzik AIM 2006. Macam mana kalau ada sesiapa yang bersuara, tak payahlah buat apa-apa perbandingan...

Tapi, walau bagaimanapun, yang penting adalah hasil karya mereka.

Pegawai propembangkang petualang pembangunan

Utusan Malaysia 14 April 2006

APABILA membaca tentang amaran keras Perdana Menteri kepada pegawai kerajaan yang tidak mampu melaksanakan RMK-9, saya teringat kepada satu kisah benar yang berlaku di sebuah daerah di utara negeri Perak.

Kisah ini menunjukkan betapa perlunya fahaman politik seseorang pegawai kerajaan sejajar dengan kerajaan.

Beberapa tahun yang lalu, seorang pegawai pembangunan di pejabat daerah berkenaan adalah penyokong parti pembangkang. Dengan berbekalkan sedikit kuasa yang ada, beliau mula memainkan peranannya termasuk mengeksploitasi minit mesyuarat pembangunan

Bagaimanapun, belang pegawai itu terbongkar apabila dia secara senyap cuba sabotaj satu projek pemindahan mangsa banjir kilat. Siasatan yang dijalankan mendapati dia bersalah dan ditukarkan ke ibu pejabat di Ipoh.

Tidak mustahil tidak terdapat pegawai yang berperangai sama di tempat lain. Diharap pihak berkenaan memantau dengan serius petualang bangsa ini bagi menjamin kejayaan RMK-9.

Tanda petualang ini ialah mereka berasa seronok apabila penduduk datang mengadu masalah. Mereka ini suka rakyat susah dan miskin. Mungkin ini satu strategi politik bagi memudahkan mereka meracun fikiran rakyat.

- PAK TEH, Taiping.

Respons
Aku sebenarnya bukanlah pro pembangkang atau pro kerajaan, tapi aku tak setuju langsung dengan apa yang dia cakap. Memanglah. Kadang-kadang tu kalau dah piyau pembangkang, apa pun projek kerajaan mesti dia nak sabotaj. Kalau tak sabotaj pun, paling-paling pun tak akan turut serta menjayakan projek tersebut. itu kalau dah piyau (pure) lah, dah tak tahu nak bezakan yang benar dan yang salah, yang dosa dan yang dapat pahala. Tapi jarang yang macam tu...

Yang selalu ialah, tak kiralah pro pembangkang atau pro kerajaan.. sama aje. Kalau dah cuma fikir tentang periuk nasi sendiri aje, memang susah nak fikir pasal benda lain. Ada pegawai kerajaan tu, kena suap baru jalan setapak, kena suap lagi jalan setapak lagi. Kalau pandai suap, dapatlah. (bukan semua, satu dua org je). Fikir tentang duit aje. Dalam kepala hotak tu memang dah tak ada benda lain melainkan kekayaan dan kesenangan dunia jer.

Lagi satu, pegawai yang malas na'uzubillah. Boss datang atau menteri datang barulah tunjuk rajin. Kalau tak, memanjang tak ada kat pejabat. Memanjang pergi kursus. Memanjang pergi minum.

Ni sebenarnya orang-orang yang menjadi petualang pembangunan negara, bukannya pro pembangkang aje. Entah-entah, Pak Teh ni orang yang sangat anti pembangkang jadi tak berfikir secara waras.

Come on lah, rasionallah sikit.

My computers make troubles

I got 3 computers, which 2 of them are o.k. and 1 is k.o... The first one is what I am using right now. Another one, a very old Pentium II 350 with 192MB RAM and 8MB AGP, cannot start, which I have no time to look at it for weeks. The last one is quite okay, Pentium III 933MHz with 128MB RAM and 64MB AGP card, but sometimes it will hang if I use MS Office. No problem if I use it for surfing, playing games and converting media files for hours.

Today, I got some free time so I try to look at the second computer. After some testing, I found out that one piece of 64MB RAM was faulty. So I took it out. And the computer can be started and run fine. I asked my son to play The Need For Speed SE, and no problem at all with 128MB RAM left.

Got more time, so I thought what if I test the faulty RAM in the third computer. To confirm whether it is really faulty. Then I open the third computer's case and put the RAM into it. The computer could not be booted up. Okay, so it is confirmed that the RAM was faulty. So, I took the RAM out, and push the start button. But, unfortunately the computer did want to start. What happened? I thought I did not do anything stupid. Oh no, I already did. The stupid thing I did is to test the bad RAM in the good computer. I tried everything, but failed to fix it. There is somebody say that "if it is not broken do not fix it". Hmm..

And again.. I got 2 o.k. computers and 1 k.o. computer.

Yahoo, Outlook and now Google Calendar - Beta

So much calendar to choose. Yahoo calendar, Microsoft Outlook calendar, PDA's calendar, mobile phone calendar, and the latest is Google calendar. What is the hoo haa about Google calendar? Yeah, it is a web base calendar and free!. Off course, same as Yahoo calendar. I don't know what is the advantage of using the calendar. I even don't know how to use it and I never use any of them before. May be because I am not a complicated person or may be I am not living in a complicated life. Hmm...

Hopefully, one day Google will produce a free Google OS.. hahahaha

If you want another calendar in your life sign up here.

And a good review about Google Calendar is here.

Bausch & Lomb offered refunds to consumers

Wow!! Bausch & Lomb offered refunds to consumers. Off course, it is in the US, but I hope it will be the same in here (only dreaming :) ). By the way, I have already throwed away the bottle.

Off course, we have to stop using it immediately until they bring a rock solid proof that the solution is 100% safe.

From Bausch & Lomb Official Website:

Consumers who wish to return their ReNu with MoistureLoc can visit www.bausch.com or call 1-888-666-2258 to receive a coupon for another Bausch & Lomb eye care product or to receive their money back.

Read More here

Soft Contact Lenses: Risk of Serious Fungal Infection

My last post about contact lens infection by contact lens solution is here and here where I thought I was infected by keratitis. Throwed my almost full bottle of Baush & Lomb's Renu and went to the near eye shop to buy a new one. I bought AMO Complete Moisture Plus produced by Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Ireland but manufactured by AMO China (Made in China??!, hmm.. hope it will be fine.)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have learned of RARE but SERIOUSeye infection in people who wear soft contact lenses. The infection is fungal keratitis, caused by the Fusarium fungus. It can cause a permanent loss of vision. Several patients with this infection have needed corneal transplants to save their vision.

According to the American Optometric Association, there are over 30 million contact lens wearers in the United States and fewer than 30 cases of fungal keratitis have been reported in the US during this recent outbreak. Still, patients with signs or symptoms of microbial keratitis should be scheduled immediately. Indications that a patient may have microbial keratitis include:

-Red and irritated eyes lasting for an unusually long period of time after lens removal
-Pain in and around the eyes especially if it progressively worsens
-Increased sensitivity to light
-Rapid onset of blurred or fuzzy vision
-Excessive tearing or discharge

From Baush & Lomb Renu's FAQ about Fusarium infection: Fusarium is a fungus commonly found throughout our everyday environment, including on our skin. It especially thrives in tropical climates. Fusarium typically enters the eye through some sort of trauma or injury to the cornea, resulting in an inflammatory reaction. The situation is generally aggressively treated with combinations of anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory medications. The earlier the treatment is commenced, the better the results will be.

From DoctorFungus.org:

Mycotic keratitis

Definition

Mycotic keratitis refers to the corneal infection caused by either filamentous fungi (moulds) or yeast. There are important epidemiological and clinical differences between these two forms. The most important risk factors related to fungal keratitis include trauma (generally with plant material), chronic ocular surface diseases, contact lens usage, surgery, corneal anesthetic abuse, and immunodeficiencies. Interestingly, fungal keratitis is a condition related to warm climates. In the southernmost states of the United States, fungal keratitis explains up to 35% of microbial keratitis cases compared with 1% in New York or Minnesota.

Prognosis and therapy

Fungal keratitis is a serious condition that requires prolonged treatment and close follow-up. Natamycin (Pimaricin) appears to be the drug of choice and amphotericin B a second alternative. Chlorhexidine has emerged as a potential inexpensive option but current data are limited. Systemic therapy with azoles, particularly fluconazole should be considered when yeasts are involved. Surgery may be necessary, depending upon the degree of damage to the eye. Interventions range from simple scraping of ulcerative lesions to superficial or lamellar keratectomy. Animal models suggest that excimer laser may have a role in the future. Anecdotal experience with liposomal preparations of amphotericin B have suggested their potential role in refractory cases.

Read More at DoctorFungus.org If the link doesn't work, just type "Keratitis" on the top search box of the site.

Malaysia-Singapore Bridge Scrapped

Finally, the planned bridge to link Malaysia and Singapore is scrapped.


The Malaysian government decides to discontinued the plan to build the bridge to replace the Johor Causeway which linking Malaysia and Singapore. The government decision was made after considering the public views and sentiments particularly about the Singapore's demand supply of sand and the use of airspace by the Singapore Air Force. The government also decides to stop all the negotiation related to the bridge.


Media announcement by Malaysian Prime Minister


Years ago (in Mahathir Mohammad era), the Malaysian government decided to build a crooked bridge aka "scenic" bridge (picture above) in the Malaysia side because of Singapore demands of sand supply from Malaysia and the use of Malaysia airspace if Malaysia wants to build a full bridge. A few months ago, Malaysia begin the construction work and Singapore was surprised and disappointed with Malaysia's decision despites all the negotiations are still on.


And now, no bridge, no half-bridge, no sand and no airspace. Only the old causeway left. Malaysia wants the bridge cause it will bring so much benefit for Tanjung Pelepas Port and Pasir Gudang Port when ships will be able to sail through the Johor Straits. Unfortunately, Singapore will loose big time in their port business.


Singapore's MFA Spokesman said:"We are surprised at this sudden decision when negotiations for a full bridge were still ongoing"




Chronology of Malaysia-Singapore Bridge

1996: Then Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad first raises the proposal for a bridge to replace the Causeway.

1999: Singapore says the bridge proposal must have the agreement of both sides. Both countries agree to thrash out outstanding bilateral issues as part of a package. The bridge proposal is one of them.

2002: Malaysia unilaterally decides to jettison the package approach. Singapore's response is that all issues, including the bridge, will be negotiated individually and decided on their own merits.

2003: Singapore says that in order for it to agree to Malaysia's bridge proposal, there must be a balance of benefits. Malaysia then comes up with a new proposal of a half-bridge.

2004: Singapore maintains that any bridge Malaysia has in mind has to comply with the International Tribunal for Law of the Sea (Itlos) ruling that both sides must cooperate in the management of the common marine environment in the Johor Strait. So Malaysia needs to consult Singapore on any plans to build a half-bridge.

2005: Foreign Minister George Yeo reiterates stand that Malaysia has to consult Singapore, and there would be serious implications if Malaysia were to demolish its half of the Causeway.

Jan 26, 2006: Malaysia decides to go ahead with the replacement of its half of the Causeway without demolishing the bridge, but says negotiations with Singapore to build a full bridge would continue.

April 4, 2006: Singapore maintains its position that constructing a full straight bridge to replace the Causeway would incur 'huge financial costs and no significant benefits' for the country, but will consider Malaysia's proposal for a full bridge if there is a 'balance of benefits'.

April 12, 2006: Malaysia announces it will abandon the bridge project.

Renu contact lense solution put off shelve on US

Although there is no evidence of eye infection caused by Renu contact lense solution, the solution has been put off shelve on many countries, and the latest is the US.

Reuters- Bausch & Lomb responds to infection in lens wearers.

From Baush & Lomb official site:

Bausch & Lomb Provides Information Regarding U.S. Sales of ReNu® with MoistureLoc® Solution

FOR RELEASE MONDAY, APRIL 10, 2006

Rochester, NY --- Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) earlier today announced that it is temporarily suspending U.S. shipments of ReNu® with MoistureLoc® lens care solutions produced in its Greenville, S.C., manufacturing facility. In an effort to provide investors with assistance in understanding the magnitude of revenues derived from the ReNu with MoistureLoc solutions, the company indicated that the product generated sales of approximately $45 million in the United States in 2005.

Yes, it is about our eyes. These are the guidelines from the American Optometric Association regarding contact lense:

• Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by an optometrist and the patient information included with lens care products.


• Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking the lenses overnight in enough multi-purpose solution to completely cover the lens.


• Store lenses in the proper case and replace the lens storage case every three months. Clean the contact lens case after each use and keep the case open and dry between cleanings.


• Use the proper products to clean and disinfect contact lenses as recommended by your optometrist. Remember that saline solutions and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.


• Only fresh solution should be used to clean and disinfect contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed every day, even if the lenses are not used daily.


• Always replace old contacts when you get a new contact prescription.

New Proton Savvy ZeroKit

New Savvy from Proton!

SEPANG, April 8 -- SAVVY R3... Proton today unveiled The New Savvy ZeroKit in conjuction with the High Performance Challenge Track Day held at the Sepang International Circuit.The new variant of Proton's latest model, which developed by Race Rally Research (R3)-the Motorsports Division of Proton, enhances the original's sporty exterior with a much more performance oriented outlook.Available in Magma Red, Midnight Black, Stratos Blue, Apple Green and Sterling Grey, the new looks Savvy is priced between RM43,000 to RM46,000 depending on manual or automated manual transmissions and metallic or solid colours.

Savvy owner have published thier own website SAVOC (Savvy Owners Club) at http://savvoc.net .


Normal Savvy (left picture) owners also have the chance to upgrade theirs to Savvy ZeroKit by install the performance kit from Race Rally Research.

DivX Pro 6

Last night I tried DivX Pro 6 Converter. Previously, I had convert a concert WMV file to MPG and Lumix FX9 MOV to MPG using TMPGenc XPress, and the quality is excellent. Then last night, I tried to use DivX Pro 6 to convert this file to smaller size but not loose any quality.

The converter is so simple. You only need to drag and drop any file you want to convert and click convert button. There is not much setting can be changed. In the converter itself, there is no configuration button. If you want to change the configuration, you have to change from the codec configuration utility. Hence, there is not much to change though. I just leave it as default. There is more setting options in DivX Pro Converter 6.1.



From my experiments, I found that when I convert an MPG of a concert which I had converted from WMV, the quality is excellent but in a smaller size. Original MPG is 13MB, convert to DIVX using DivXPro 6 Converter, the size decrease to about 9MB. I also convert the original WMV to DIVX, and the quality is also excellent.

Another experiment, I converted an MPG file which was from MOV and I found that the quality is worse where viewable block everywhere in the video. And another bad things, the converter cannot open MOV file. So could not convert MOV directly to DIVX.

My conclusion, I will use the DivXPro 6 Converter to convert my WMV files and stick to use TMPGEnc to convert my MOV file to MPG.

Bittorrent Clients - Azureus, ABC, BitTornado, BitComet and utorrent

This page have been moved to http://www.neyokes.com/2006/04/21/bittorrent-clients-azureus-abc-bittornado-bitcomet-and-utorrent-2/

Simplest Way to Convert MOV to MPG

In my posting here http://sekoyenworld.blogspot.com/2005/11/panasonic-lumix-dmc-fx9.html, I stated that I converted my Lumix FX9 MOV video to VCD using TMPGenc, and the quality is excellent (at that time).

But now I have a DVD player with DIVX ability, I want to convert the videos to AVI. Unfortunately, I have tried many ways but the AVIs' quality I got was not acceptable. So I drop that idea, perhaps until I got the right and the best way to convert MOV to AVI.

Instead, I found a way to convert MOV to MPG with excellent quality and 35% of original MOV file. The quality is very far better than the first method.

Now I use TMPGenc 3.0 Xpress.

This is the configuration of TMPGEnc 3.0 XPress to get that excellent MPG quality. Click to view the actual image.

To get that setting:
1. At set Output window, I select "Standard Template" - "MPEG Output"
This is a general MPEG standard which do not follow VCD or DVD standards. Some DVD or VCD may not be able to play this format. Off course, my Samsung HD850 can play it!

2. Change the output stream format to MPEG-1 Video-CD (non-standard). Change the resolution to the original size, 640 x 480. Aspect ratio Pixel 1:1.

3. Click the Audio tab to change the audio setting. I only changed the sampling frequency to 44100 Hz.

4. That's all!

Click encode and start encode. The process is quite fast. About 5 minutes to process 100MB MOV file to 35MB MPG file, depend on your computer. Currently, I only use Pentium III 866MHz with 256MB RAM and 8MB AGP shared memory display.

I also found that this software also could convert WMV to MPG with excellent quality and reduced file size, using the same configuration as above.

Rangka Dasar Automotif Negara

KENYATAAN AKHBAR

Bersempena dengan pengumuman Rangka Dasar Automotif Negara, Kementerian Kewangan ingin mengumumkan perubahan ke atas struktur cukai bagi kenderaan bermotor seperti berikut:

(a) Tax on Tax

Kaedah pengiraan duti eksais ke atas kenderaan Completely Built Up (CBU) ditukar berdasarkan ‘tax on tax’. Sebelum ini, duti eksais dikira berdasarkan nilai CIF kenderaan CBU tersebut. Di bawah kaedah ‘tax on tax’, duti eksais akan dikira berdasarkan nilai CIF termasuk duti import.

(b) Duti Import Ke atas Kenderaan Penumpang

i. duti import ke atas ASEAN CBU dikurangkan daripada 20% kepada 15%.

ii. duti import ke atas non-ASEAN CBU dikurangkan daripada 50% kepada 30%.

iii. duti import 0% ke atas ASEAN CKD dan 10% ke atas non-ASEAN CKD dikekalkan.

(c) Duti Eksais Ke atas Kenderaan Penumpang

i. duti eksais bagi kenderaan CKD dan CBU dari ASEAN dan non-ASEAN dikurangkan:

- Kereta penumpang: daripada 90%-250% kepada antara 80%-200%.

- 4WD: daripada 60%-170% kepada 55%- 160%.

- Motorsikal: daripada 20%-60% kepada 20%-50%.

ii. duti eksais bagi CKD dan CBU bagi MPV/van dari ASEAN dan non-ASEAN ditukar daripada 40%-170% kepada 55%-160%.

(d) Kereta Diesel

Klasifikasi dan struktur cukai bagi kereta diesel (baru) diseragamkan dengan kereta petrol.

Struktur cukai baru bagi kenderaan bermotor dilampirkan dalam Lampiran I dan II.

Umumnya, perubahan struktur cukai di atas akan mengurangkan duti ke atas kenderaan penumpang tetapi meningkatkan duti ke atas MPV/van dan 4WD.

Malaysia National Automotive Policy

Hopefully, the car price will be lowered, but unfortunately, I have no intention to change my car in these few years.

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NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY

A. INTRODUCTION

Since the establishment of Proton in 1985, Malaysia has succeeded in developing integrated capabilities in the automotive industry, which include local design and styling capability, full scale manufacturing operations and extensive local participation in the supply of components. Today, Malaysia is ASEAN’s largest passenger vehicle market with more than 500,000 vehicles sold annually with 90% of that manufactured or assembled domestically.
Nevertheless, much of the country’s success in developing the domestic automotive industry has been facilitated by policies that have promoted local vehicle manufacturers and moving forward, global and domestic challenges put the sustainability of this industry at risk.
The global industry is seeing slow growth, value destruction and massive rationalisation, driving vehicle manufacturers to merge to achieve even higher levels of scale. Recognising this global environment, the National Automotive Policy (NAP) seeks to address the manifold issues and challenges and transform the domestic automotive sector to become a more viable, competitive and significant contributor to the economy.
Moving forward, Government policy and support will be focused towards automotive industry participants providing sustainable economic contribution. The key drivers for such contribution will be economic scale, industry linkage and competitive value added activities.

B. OBJECTIVES OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY

The overall objective of the NAP is generating sustainable economic value creation. This will maximise the long term contribution of the automotive sector to the national economy and at the same time ultimately benefit the Malaysian consumer. The need to create economic value entails that the industry will continue to require supportive Government policies in order to become fully competitive internationally.
The NAP therefore aims to facilitate the required transformation and optimal integration of the national industry into regional and global industry networks. The urgency of the transformation is driven by an increasingly liberalised and competitive global environment. Consequently, the Government has set out the following objectives for the national automotive sector:
* To promote a competitive and viable domestic automotive sector, in particular the national car manufacturers * To promote Malaysia as an automotive regional hub, focusing on niche areas * To promote a sustainable level of economic value added and enhance domestic capabilities * To promote a higher level of exports of vehicles as well as components and parts that are competitive in the global markets * To promote competitive and broad based Bumiputera participation in the domestic automotive sector * To safeguard the interests of consumers in terms of value for money, safety and quality of products and services

C. POLICY THRUSTS OF THE NATIONAL AUTOMOTIVE POLICY

1. Provide Government support and incentives based on sustainable economic contribution The Government will continue to nurture and support the development of the domestic automotive sector via a comprehensive package of grants and incentives. Such Government support and incentives will be aimed at optimising sustainable economic contribution, namely the scale of operations, extent of industry linkages, and the development of local and Bumiputera capabilities.
A sustainable level of economic contribution must ultimately relate to the type and level of value added activities, which will be competitive for the domestic market and for export in a fully liberalised environment. Thus, it would not be consistent with this policy to seek to maintain a level of value added activities which will not be viable and sustainable in the long run.
The level of support will also be correlated to the level of economic contribution and value add. In this context, a large scale manufacturing concern with exports and high industry linkage will be favoured relative to a pure assembly operation with little value added activities. Similarly, greater emphasis will be given to sales, distribution and after sales activities compared to pure importation of vehicles.
Support for manufacturing will come principally in the form of access to the Industrial Adjustment Fund and research & development (R&D) grants. These grants and incentives will be given based on pre-agreed conditions and timely achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs). 2. Increase scale via rationalisation to enhance competitiveness For the industry at large, all participants across the value chain will be encouraged to focus on achieving a scale of operations that ensures their enduring competitive viability.
The Government will encourage rationalisation initiatives in the domestic automotive sector, in order to create a leaner and more sustainable industry structure. A leaner industry structure throughout the value chain will enable industry participants to achieve a sufficient level of scale to be competitive.
In this respect, the Government will promote, through grants and incentives, two national manufacturers in the high-volume car segment to ensure sufficient scale and industry linkage. To enable achievement of required scale and industry linkage, these national manufacturers must be able to rationalise their models and platforms portfolio.
The rationalisation at the vehicle manufacturers’ level will consequently enable rationalisation of the component sector that will lead to greater scale, skills and improved quality. The end result will be a smaller number of vendors, all of whom will be operating at a scale, cost and quality level that will allow them to remain competitive and be able to export. 3. Promote strategic linkages with international partners Scale and focus are necessary to achieve greater competitiveness but in themselves, they are not sufficient. In addition, global best practices and industry linkage are other important key success factors for the automotive industry. Therefore, the Government will continue to encourage industry participants to collaborate with external parties to establish strategic tie-ups. Apart from sharing scale and resources, such strategic tie-ups open up opportunities and provide access for domestic industry participants to enter the global automotive supply chain and vice versa. Moreover, such strategic tie-ups also compel domestic industry participants to adopt best practice management, processes and procedures to deliver on higher quality standards that are necessary in accessing international markets. 4. Become a regional hub focusing on niche areas and complementary activities The Government aims to position Malaysia as a regional manufacturing and assembly hub by encouraging existing participants to deepen their commitment in Malaysia. The Government will encourage existing vehicle manufacturers to rationalise the models assembled in Malaysia, scale up focused production and deepen industry linkage, in order to export competitively. It is expected that they will not primarily compete with high-volume national manufacturers in terms of pricing or target market.
The expansion of these participants and the deepening of industry linkages will also lead to greater scale and improved quality of the industry’s component vendor sector, thereby improving overall viability of the industry.

D. SPECIFIC POLICY INSTRUMENTS

1. Excise Duty Structure The excise duty structure has been streamlined resulting in an overall reduction in the effective tax rate on most motor vehicles and a reduction in the tax differential between the different categories of motor vehicles (e.g. cars, MPVs, 4WD and between the different engine capacities). It is intended that the streamlining of the tax structure will promote greater transparency in pricing. 2. Gazetted Values of Imported Cars To further promote greater transparency, the Government will gazette the values of imported cars for the purposes of duty computation. With the cooperation of the industry and the general public, it is expected that the incidence of tax underdeclaration will be significantly addressed. At the same time, the Government will step up enforcement measures against tax underdeclaration. 3. ASEAN CEPT Import Duty To promote greater integration with the ASEAN automotive industry, Malaysia will reduce the ASEAN CEPT import duty to 5% for qualifying vehicles. While this will expose the domestic industry to greater competition, it is consistent with the policy thrust for rationalisation of models and increasing scale through exports. 4. Industrial Adjustment Fund Grants from the Industrial Adjustment Fund will be made available to all companies – be they local, foreign or joint ventures – that create significant economic contribution.
These grants will be awarded based on two main criteria: scale and industry linkage subject to a sustainable level of overall capacity. Grants will be given on a model-by-model basis, subject to minimum threshold levels on both the scale and industry linkage criteria.
Specific R&D grants will also be made available, based on the viability and economic contribution of the R&D project. Further consideration will be given to companies that promote sustainable and competitive Bumiputera participation. 5. Manufacturing Licences New manufacturing licences will only be issued after over-capacity in the domestic automotive sector is resolved. In the meantime, vehicle assemblers will not be allowed to use or make available their existing excess capacity to third parties to assemble new makes or models that compete directly with those produced by national car manufacturers.
Where an increase in production capacity is required, companies in the high-volume and middle-volume segments will be encouraged to use existing excess capacity. New assembly facilities will only be allowed on a strictly case-by-case basis. 6. Approved Permits The current system of Approved Permits (APs), primarily used as a monitoring and data collection measure, will be phased out by 31 December 2010.
In the interim, APs will be made available based on economic contribution. Priority will be given to vehicle assemblers that have committed to a significant increase in production volume (with significant exports) in a particular model and require APs to import models that complete their product range for the Malaysian market. APs will be made available for a limited number of vehicles not assembled in Malaysia in order to ensure a sufficient choice of products for Malaysian consumers.
The importation of second hand cars (other than individual personal imports) will be progressively phased out culminating in a total ban in 2010, in order to stimulate demand for locally manufactured and assembled vehicles.
The Government will encourage and support companies currently awarded open APs (PEKEMA members) to transition into other related business activities e.g. sales and distribution or component manufacturers/vendors. 7. Vehicle Type Approval Vehicle Type Approval (VTA) processes and procedures will be implemented comprehensively, in order to prevent the import and sale of sub-standard vehicles. The VTA process will ensure strict compliance with roadworthiness, safety and emissions standards. The VTA process will be implemented by the Road Transport Department (RTD) and other relevant agencies.

E. CONCLUSION

As a result of the implementation of these policy measures, the Government expects to see an industry with two strong national vehicle manufacturers, complemented by a number of foreign vehicle manufacturers (potentially with local joint-venture partners) who will upscale their assembly operations and at the same time rationalise the models assembled, to drive sustainable industry linkage.
Consequently, the components sector will also become more viable – there will be fewer companies (as incumbents merge), but their volumes will be higher and more networked into the global automotive industry. Gradual liberalisation will lead to reduced scope for importers, but genuine distributors will benefit from the increased sales volumes.
The NAP aims to provide a clear and transparent direction for all industry participants to enable them to make the optimal plans and investment decisions for the future.
Going forward, any Government policies and measures introduced for the domestic automotive sector will be based on this NAP. The NAP will be a long term policy base for the domestic automotive sector subject to reviews and refinement dictated by the global automotive industry environment.
The Government believes that this NAP will be a key measure towards driving the transformation of the domestic automotive sector to one that is viable, competitive and resilient, for the benefit of industry participants, consumers and the Malaysian economy.

Management : *8 Monkeys

I do not know whether this article is tru or not, but it is very interesting to read. :)

Management : *8 Monkeys(This is based on an actual experiment conducted in U.K.)

Put eight monkeys in a room. In the middle of the room is a ladder,leading to a bunch of bananas hanging from a hook on the ceiling. Each time a monkey tries to climb the ladder, all the monkeys are sprayed with ice water, which makes them miserable. Soon enough, whenever a monkey attempts to climb the ladder, all of the other monkeys, not wanting to be sprayed, set upon him and beat him up. Soon, none of the eight monkeys ever attempts to climb the ladder.
One of the original monkeys is then removed, and a new monkey is put in the room. Seeing the bananas and the ladder, he wonders why none of the other monkeys are doing obvious. But undaunted, he immediately begins to climb the ladder. All the other monkeys fall upon him and beat him silly. He has no idea why.
However, he no longer attempts to climb the ladder. A second original monkey is removed and replaced. The newcomer again attempts to climb the ladder, but all the other monkeys hammer the crap out of him. This includes the previous new monkey, who, grateful that he's not on the receiving end this time, participates in the beating because all the other monkeys are doing it. However, he has no idea why he's attacking the new monkey.
One by one, all the original monkeys are replaced. Eight new monkeys are now in the room. None of them have ever been sprayed by ice water. None of them attempt to climb the ladder. All of them will enthusiastically beat up any new monkey who tries, without having any idea why.
This is how any company's policies get Established.

DVD Player : Pioneer Vs. Samsung

About my old post here http://sekoyenworld.blogspot.com/2005/11/finally-sony-has-arrived.html I mentioned to buy a new DVD player.

My choices are Pioneer 383/686 and Samsung HD850. Actually, I changed to Pioneer 585k because it has karaoke function.

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Pioneer DV-585K-S
Price : RM 380

Advanced DVD player with DivX® video playback and karaoke function.
An advanced DVD player featuring karaoke, high-resolution pictures, and a wide range of compatible formats-including DivX® video

Features

108MHz/12-bit D/A converter
DivX® video playback
Video Adjust function with Sharpness/Brightness/Contrast/Gamma/Hue/Chroma Level control
PhotoViewer (JPEG playback**)

Audio Features
192kHz/24-bit D/A converter
WMA/MP3 playback
Sound Equalizer (Rock/Pop/Live/Dance/Techno/Classic/Soft)
Virtual Surround
Karaoke functions with Mic Echo and Digital Key Control


The Second Choice is Samsung HD850
Price: RM 580
Features
720p / 1080i Up-Conversion
HDMI™ Output
Multi Progressive Scan (PAL/NTSC)
192KHz / 24bit Audio DAC
DVD / CD / MP3 / WMA / JPEG Playback
Digital Audio Output (Optical / Coaxial)

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I am more bias towards Pioneer because of it's karaoke function. So I bought it from an electronic shop infront of Giant Plentong, JB. Take it home.( Yeah, I forgot to test it first! Because I am so excited) At home, I am so angry when it cannot play the DVD at all. On the screen there are options to select region 1,2,3,4,5,6.. but unfortunately pressing the remote have no effect. it hung there.

I sent the one day DVD player to Pioneer service center and they solved it in 10 minutes. So I brought it home again. Want to watch Lord of the Ring, but.... after 10 minutes watching, the DVD player restart itself. Then it cannot play the movie properly but retstart itself in one or two minutes.

The next day, I went to the shop again and tell them the problem. They agree to replace it to other model because the 585 is out of stock. So I chosed the Samsung HD850 and add RM200. Test it and after I satisfied, I went home.

The story happened on last December 2005. And until now I am still using the HD850 without a single problem... but no karaoke function :(

Overall, I am very satisfied with Samsung HD850 because the built quality is 10 times better than the Pioneer, off course, the price is almost double.. It also support 720p/1080i up conversion which my new Sony HDTV also support it. So this model is so right for my TV. But the Pioneer have more functions in contolling the video and audio.

This is how I change the display setting of HD850 to use 1080i. Insert a DVD, do not play it yet. Press Video Sel (Video Select) button on the remote. Press once, will change the display to Composite(S-Video), you should select this if you are using the S-Video cable. The display will turn red if the S-Video port is not connected. Another Video Sel press on the remote will change the display to Component(I-Scan). The third time will change the TV display to HDMI/Component(P-Scan). Only in this display mode you could change the display to 468P, 720P, 768P and 1080i by pressing the HDMI Sel (HDMI Select) . I found, watching The Lord of The Ring with 1080i is a marvellous experience. The picture is so sharp, detail and live. However, your TV must support the resolution. My Sony DB29M61 HDTV have no problem with it.

Hopefully, in the next firmware upgrade, the player will be able to read WMV format file and able to have subtitle when play DIVX file. Currently, HD850 able to play DIVX (avi) file, MPG, MP3, WMA. I heard some fellas could play the subtitle in SRT format, I have try to search everywhere and could not find the correct way to do that. The manual do not cover the subject in details. It only tell the player able to read DIVX files :(

High Cost : Life as a Malaysian

I got this from email. So interesting....


Life as a Malaysian
The argument in this thread from day one is the cost of living in each country (especially UK and Europe) based on what you earn in the respective country and whether the standards are higher than in Malaysia.
I tried to point out that many Malaysians always convert and that is why they say the UK is expensive. In fact, the cost of living is much cheaper than in Malaysia.
In actual fact, Malaysians are being conned because for such a rich and resource rich country, the pay in Malaysia is way too low compared to the cost of living and inflation.
One good example is Singapore. Singaporeans (average) earns around S$3000 to S$4000 and nearly everything is half the price of Malaysia. E.g. Clothes, computer parts, electronics etc. But the average Malaysian still earns M$2000 plusand goods are double the price of Singapore.
This is the same as the UK. If you earn around 2000 pounds, you can liken this to the person earning RM$2000 in Malaysia. I give you some examples below. Maybe you can understand.
1) Good terrace house It is more or less the same. If you want a house in KL, it would most probably be in Puchong and not Damansara Heights. So your house would be RM$200,000. In UK, you can get a decent new house in Zone 6 (still within the tube) for 200,000 pounds.
If non London, you can get a nice house also for less than 200,000 pounds outside London. The same also applies to buying a house in Seremban, Kajang etc. You can buy a nice house for RM200,000 below.
So buying a house is the same for the local and the Malaysian.
Renting a place is the same too or maybe cheaper than in Malaysia (I am Not sure of this). A 2-bedroom flat in London is about 750 pounds (Zone 2). 500 pounds outside Zone 6 but still able to commute to London. A 2- bedroom house in Nottingham is 450 to 500 pounds. A 3-bedroom house in Belfast is about 300 pounds.
2) A car A good Wira is RM$55,000. Most Malaysians have to take 7-year loans and be in debt all the time. If you are earning RM$2000 a month, you take nearly 3 years saving the RM$2000 with not eating at all just to buy a Wira.
In UK, the average local earns about 2000 pounds. He saves 3 months, he can buy outright a good Ford Fiesta or a Vauxhall Corsa without being in debt.
If buying a second hand car, even better. A 1990 Mercedes 190E cost 500 pounds. My 1996 Mercedes E220 cost 2000 pounds. My friend just gave me his 1989 Honda Accord (Auto) for free because he said he could only get 30 pounds for it.
I used it for a few months and decided to give it of for free too. That alone speaks for itself.
Even if you are kuli or an office boy, you still can drive a Mercedes or a BM. Yes, kuli's and office boy's get paid quite well.
Average temp/office boy in London can earn about 7 to 10 pounds and hour. Overtime is 1.5 times or double. A brick-layer can earn 20 pounds an hour.The same Indon who lays bricks in Malaysia earns RM$50 for the whole day.
Before I became a doctor, I used to be an office boy and I earned near 300 pounds a week working about 70 hours a week. My makan was 30 pounds a week. My rent was 70 pounds a week for a room but I still drove a BMW back then. I bought the 10-year old BMW 3 Series car for 200 pounds. Amazing how an office boy can drive a safe and luxurious car.
3) Petrol. For a UK person earning 2000 pounds, 80 pence a litre/gallon is cheaper than RM$1.37 paid in Malaysia. If you don't convert, it is like paying 80 sen a litre in Malaysia
4) Shopping 20 pounds (which is 1% of 2000 pounds) can buy you 1 week's worth of groceries in Tesco. RM$100 (which is 10% of RM$2000) can also buy you 1 week's worth of groceries in Giant or Carrefour.
5) Utility Bills (This is what I pay in UK) 1. Virtually non-stop heating the whole day only 20 pounds a month. (Only 1% of the 2000 pounds earned) 2. Electricity, I use my electricity maximum only 20 pounds a month. (Only 1% of the 2000 pounds earned) 3. My water bill also comes to about 20 pounds a month (Only 1% of the 2000 pounds earned) 4. My Internet ? I get 2Mbps for about 25 pounds (Bulldog DSL) (Also slightly above 1% of the 2000 pounds earned) 5. Astro Equivalent (NTL cable or Sky) ? 30 pounds per month (Also slightly above 1% of the 2000 pounds earned) In Malaysia, this is what I used to pay 1. Tenaga Bill comes to RM$200 to RM300 a month with 3 air-cons. This is more than 10% of the RM$2000 earned) 2. Water (Puas) comes to RM$40 (This is about 2% of the RM$2000 earned) 3. Astro RM$100 (if you take Chinese package) (This is about 5% of the RM$2000 you earn) 4. Internet Streamyx 512K RM 88 per month (This is about 5% of RM2000 you earn)
6) Books A good book is about 10 to 15 pounds in the UK. This is less than 1% of The 2000 pounds you earn. In Malaysia, you have to spend RM$75 to RM$100 for a decent book in MPH or Kinokuniya in KLCC. This is about 5% of the RM$2000 ringgit you earn.
7) Education. I think it is about RM$20,000 per year to do a degree in Sunway Monash and> about RM$12,000 per year to send your kid to UM, UKM, USM etc. I am not sure about this.
But in UK, it is only 3000 pounds a year to send your kid to a great university. That also, the white man still makes a lot of noise because The grants were taken away. Previously, it was virtually free for the English man to send his kid to university but now, since the grant was taken away, he has to spend 3000 pounds per year to send his kid to university and less money to get drunk in the pub.
Well, if you are earning RM$2000 ringgit, sending your kid to UM to study is quite difficult. If you are earning 2000 pounds per month, you can easily send you kid to university in the UK.
Even worse for the poor non bumi's not given a place in local university. Even if they can afford, they won't get a place because of the quota system. Unfortunately, the Chinaman and the Indian who gets 5A's in STPM have to be sacrificed and not given a place to let the Malay fellow with 2E's and 3 Fail's to enter the Medical Faculty or Law Faculty.
So the non-bumi's have to save RM100,000 per year to send their kid to the UK. In the UK, at least the white man still can go into university based on results and merit and only pay 3000 pounds per year.
7) Luxuries Panasonic Plasma TV in Malaysia about RM20,000. If you are earning RM$2000 a month, memang mahal! You have to save 2 years your monthly salary to buy it. In UK, the same Panasonic ironically, Panasonic plasma is made in Japan and Japan is close to Malaysia, so the plasma should be cheaper in Malaysia) is only 2000 pounds. And this is only 10% of the 2000 pounds earned.
8) Health NHS is free. Though the service is slow, quality is still there. You still can get a top quality by-pass for free although you may have to wait many months. In Malaysia, IJN charges RM$30,000. SJMC charges RM$50,000. GH is free but as many people know, GH and UH have clown doctors. For example doctors who wear tudung and use a pen to touch the patient because scared dosa).
9. Assessments to local councils I may pay high council tax but at least my council assures my streets are clean and safe, got no holes (pot holes) on my roads, and they jump and attend to me whenever I call them. When I stayed in Malaysia, I paid my assessment and quite rent but MPSJ (I lived in Subang) told me to "podah" whenever I asked them to come and fill up the pot holes, cut the long lalang, put street lighting etc. The councils, especially MPPJ and MPSJ, were more interested in eating Nasi lemak and going for 10 teh tariks in a day during office hours and hardly did anything for their residents.
10. Income Tax My national insurance and income tax also is not wasted. When I was unemployed in 1997, the government via social security paid for my 2- bedroom flat for one whole year and I was given about 100 pounds per week for me and my wife to live on. I am happy to know that one day if I lose My job, I can still claim social security and get my apartment paid and food to eat again for free. It is a good security to know.
Jonathan, the list goes on. Here alone you can see, the sterling you earn goes a long way in the UK. So your quality of life is far better in the UK than a Malaysian in Malaysia. It is just that Malaysians are just too content with what they have. But you compare apple for apple.
The British just love to complain. They have it made but still they love To complain. Nothing is good enough for the British. The government gives the citizens so much but they still seem to want more and more."
Thank you Jeff. Regards
Dr Zain Azrai London