Unseen

Too sudden, too fast
Happened just in the blink of eyes

And it shouldn’t go like this
NO, the plot is all amiss
Yet like a bad written stories, it is
It is

And it's the best I can do
I'm sorry if it still hurt you
I've tried my best
Because you don't deserve any less

Ah, maybe in different time and condition
In different light and position
.. but then, it probably won't happen

Maybe it's a lesson
About what, I have no single vision

Not when everything is a mess
Not when the paint and pain are fresh

At least not today, not in this time, not now

Thanks for the Early Christmas Present, Avast!

This is the second time I won something in whole of my short life (the first honour goes to Simpati SIM Card which I don’t know the whereabouts now).

So long and thanks for fish, PC Tools Firewall Plus. Our time was sweet, but I’ve found something better.

For anybody who is wondering, I won Avast! Internet Security license. And for the sake of everybody wondering what I do to win (and I don’t mind giving Avast! free promotion ),  I take part in the Avast! winter quiz.

Go to this page to take part. Throughout the December (which means from 1-31 December), there will be (very easy) questions and the first 100 person who give right  answer will win one Avast! Internet Security license which is valid for one year.

The only obstacle in this quiz? Avast! will post question at uncertain times. Which means you and I don’t know when the question will be out. The only thing you can do is check the page as frequently as possible.

Other than that? No catch. Answer the question, and if you are lucky, you win.

Again, thanks, Avast! for the lovely present.

Top 5 Things Every Extrovert Should Know About Introverts

Pensive man on a bench in Berlin by Mkrigman

I’ve been reading about an old interest of mine, Enneagram plus some other personality types. And it hurts my brain. But at least I found this interesting article which is really true. So I will just do what I do best: copy and paste. Enjoy.

Source: briankim.net/blog/

1. If a person is introverted, it does NOT mean they are shy or anti-social.
   This is probably THE biggest misconception that extroverts tend to have when it comes to introverts. And you can’t really blame them for having that kind of misconception. Extroverts tend to have to drag introverts to parties, to convince them to go and sell them on attending social engagements. When introverts politely decline, extroverts automatically assume that something might be wrong so they always ask if everything’s all right and of course, everything is all right. It’s just a common misunderstanding. When extroverts see a pattern like this developing, they automatically assume that introverts are shy or anti-social as that can be the only logical explanation to them.
   
   What’s more, when extroverts try to engage introverts in small talk, it seems like they hit a brick wall. Add to that, most extroverts see that introverts tend to be fond of engaging in solitary activities such as reading, writing, and daydreaming.
   
   Well, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck, it must be a duck right?
   
   Wrong.
   
   
   What the Duck?!  from Luke Surl Comics by Luke
   
   Introverts have more brain activity in their frontal lobes and when these areas are activated through solitary activity, introverts become energized through processes such as problem solving, introspection, and complex thinking.
   
   Extroverts on the other hand tend to have more activity in the back of their brain, areas that deal with processing sensory information from the external world, so they tend to search for external stimuli in the form of interacting with other people and the outside world to energize them.
   
   There’s a deeper science to this that involves differences in the levels of brain chemicals such as acetylcholine and dopamine in extroverts and introverts, but I won’t get into that.
   The bottom line is that introverts are just wired differently than extroverts. There’s nothing “wrong” with them. They just become energized through different processes depending on where the majority of their brain activity takes place.
   
   Granted there are introverts who may be shy and anti-social, but that’s just a coincidence that perpetuates the myth that ALL introverts are like that. You’ll find that all introverts are fine just the way they are until people begin to subtly suggest otherwise.
   
   
2.  Introverts tend to dislike small talk.
   If you really want to engage an introvert in conversation, skip the small talk. Introverts tend to love deep conversations on subjects that interest them. They love to debate, go past the superficial and poke around the depths in people’s minds to see what’s really going on in there. Most, if not all introverts tend to regard small talk as a waste of time, unless it’s with someone new they just met.
   
   This characteristic probably contributes to another misconception that extroverts have of introverts - the misconception that all introverts are arrogant.
   
   Why?
   
   Because extroverts notice that introverts don’t talk that much with other people. Therefore, extroverts assume that introverts think they’re too good to talk to others, hence arrogant and that’s hardly the case.
   
   It’s just a matter of preference. Extroverts thrive on small talk.Introverts abhor it. There’s nothing wrong with either choice, it’s just a matter of preference. This brings us to the third point.
   
   
3. Introverts do like to socialize – only in a different manner and less frequently than extroverts.
   Yes, it’s true. Contrary to the majority of public opinion, introverts do like to socialize, but again, only in a different manner and less frequently than extroverts.
   
   Introverts love anything that involves deep conversation. They get energized by discussing subjects that are important to them and they love see what and how other people think, to connect the dots, to dig deep, to find root causes, to use logical thinking via debate in conversation, etc.
   
   And what’s more, introverts can do a lot of things extroverts are naturally good at - give great speeches, schmooze with everyone, be the life of the party, charm the socks off of total strangers - but only for a short period of time. After that, they need time for themselves which brings us to the fourth point.
   
   
4. Introverts need time alone to recharge.
   Extroverts tend to think introverts have something against them as they constantly seem to refuse generous invites to social engagements. Introverts do appreciate the offers, but it’s just that they know it will take a lot of energy out of them if they pursue these social functions.
   
   They need time alone like they need food and water. Give them their space. There’s nothing wrong with them. They’re not depressed and they’re not sad. They just need time alone to recharge their batteries.
   
   
5. Introverts are socially well adjusted.
   Most introverts are well aware of all the social nuances, customs, and mannerisms when it comes to interacting with other people, but they simply don’t choose to socialize as much as extroverts, which makes it easy for extroverts to assume that introverts are not socially well adjusted, as they have not seen much evidence of them interacting with other people. This just exacerbates previous misconceptions and gives way to labelling introverts as nerds, geeks, loners, etc.
   
   It’s easy to understand why society tends to value extroverts over introverts. Human beings have lived in a tribal society so having to interact frequently with people came to be a regarded as a very good skill when it came to survival. But because of this high value placed on extroversion, introverts tend to feel trapped and find themselves in a catch 22 situation.
   
   Do introverts stay true to who they are and risk social alienation and isolation or do introverts conform and join the extroverted side, pretending to be somebody they’re not just to fit in?
   
   This is precisely why I wrote this article, because if the extroverts can become more educated about introverts, introverts will be able to feel free to stay true to who they are, and that’s a good thing from society’s point of view.

I Want to Learn About OneNote

Microsoft OneNote. Been stated as one of the most under hyped software that is bundled to Microsoft Office. Pinnacle of the greatness and creativity of civilization. The most amazing tool that will at last be able to capture the vastness of human mind. I will now attempt to embark a long, dangerous, full of hardships and obstacles journey to prove whether that statement is true.

Why I Want to Learn About OneNote

I've been wanting to try since many people in Lifehacker suggest it.
Some even said it’s the only reason to upgrade from Office 2007 to Office 2010. I kind of agree for early judgement.

The interface is slick and cool.
I love the Office ribbon, mostly because I never really figure out how to use the old Microsoft Office 2003 UI. To my defence, I mostly use the basic features that doesn't need to be done on Word.

FREE
Thanks to MSDN Academic Alliance. 'Nuff said.

Write out will let your mind to be not so tasked so you can remember or do things better.
Or so I've read. No harm trying, though.


I will tell how it goes after I use if for a while. So, have you ever use or even heard of OneNote?

Reflective Thought

Credit: Images Copyright DigitalGlobe.

You see picture above?  Imagine the green to be some kind of moss and the orange is some kind of brick. And there you go, puddle at your backyard.

But no, this is a picture taken from satellite from Sri Lanka when tsunami struck on Dec 24, 2004.

When I see above image, I’m dumbfounded. I couldn’t help but compare it to the small images of flood  I’ve taken few weeks back on my hometown (at my backyard and taken from my phone, so forgive its unclear-ness).

Recently (yesterday night, exactly) another tsunami stuck again in Mentawai Island, Indonesia that causes activities to volcano in Yogyakarta (Java Island, also in Indonesia).

And really, those natural disasters is almost… humbling. Like it’s whispering (and shouting, if you see from another angle) that your and my little world can be easily, very easily shattered.

Humbling, indeed.

Learning From Mistake

Try to imagine a world without mistakes. When everything we do always stick to the plan and things we do will never, ever go wrong. And as interesting as this notion is, we know that it is pretty impossible, in our current world at least.

We, as human (I hope you are, my dear reader), who constantly faced with decision-making moment, be it major or minor decision, will inevitably make a mistake.

And living in this current age, where comfort and safety is quite guaranteed, there are times when we take every good thing we have as granted. Including expecting things to go exactly like we wanted. 

There are many times in my life, when I forget that a smooth plan is not something that *should* happen by itself. And despite everything, I often forget that sometimes no matter how much preparation we had, things go wrong and failure happens.

Looking back, I can see more clearly. These mistakes, when learnt correctly, is a powerful teacher. Experience is the best teacher they say, although there are times you must learnt it the hard way. As the saying goes: What doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger. As long as you are not dead from the mistake, there bounds to be something to be learnt from it.

And while I don’t particularly want to repeat those (mostly painful) mistakes again, it definitely shapes me to be a wiser person. More mature, perhaps, or I hope so.

So, I guess all I can say is: Live and learn.

Small Things. Big Things.

Small things can make big difference. Yes, this saying is overused, cliché, and overall, boring. Who wants to do small things? Everybody (including me) wants to do great things. But of course, some great things can only be achieved by being faithful in doing small things. (sounds familiar? No? Read bible more )

Today, I took a journey to KL, Malaysia, because my semester break is almost over. And when I arrived at my house, everything is (*is*, I haven’t really clean it up) filled with fungi and dust. And I tell you, it’s a pretty bad combination when you have just taken physical toll (taking two hours boat, five hours bus, walks with heavy luggage, total ten hours journey from where I leave home to when I arrived) and mental load (disappointed with friends that suddenly change their trip date).

At night, I feel truly exhausted. Sad, too (this is for another post, if someday I find it worth posting). I really just want to curl up and sleep everything off (which is just running away from the real problem). But just a few message on Facebook, few calls to my hand phone and I felt better. Much better.

See, this is the power of little things. I’m not usually this emotional or so easy to cheer up. (Maybe it’s ‘that’ time of the month?)

Most of the time, you never know what little things you do, means really much to that person. Do what you can (because even this, is already not easy).

Thinkers, do more. Doers, think more.

Sometimes, I wonder what happens if I just live by the edge. Break the rules (not the laws) to achieve my goals. Yes, part of me, part of the imaginative, romantic and melancholic me wonder. 

As a cautious person and a thinker, I try to be more daring, but first, I try to ‘do’ more and reduce ‘think’. It’s hard; not impossible but definitely hard (and you know where I stand in optimistic and pessimistic scale by this statement). Doesn’t mean I don’t try, though. Starting from small, tentative steps, I try to be not so cautious. Again, it’s hard (what, with the Anime/manga, novels, movies that always show the downfall of the great villain is mostly caused of being careless). It also sucks that to improve yourself, to achieve great things, the formula (that being repeated, repeated, and repeated again, almost like a mantra) is always one: process. Forget all the fairy tales you ever heard, there are never fairy god mother or magical potion that helps you to become someone great. It’s all about process. Repeat after me: it’s all about process.

In my opinion, if you want to achieve something, anything big, you must be either very brave or stupid. Preferably both. And I can honestly says I am many things, but definitely not brave, nor stupid. I’m cautious (which sometimes overlap with the word ‘coward’) and smart (book-smart, not street-smart, sadly).

That is why, I try. Not to change who I am, rather, to improve myself.

What about you? Are you reckless or cautious? Are you thinker or doer? Try to balance both of both of them (and no, both of both is not typo, probably grammatically wrong, though), try to use them in right place and right time -- which is easier to say, or type, for that matter -- than do. You will be impressed with what that little (but, again, hard to do) changes do to the course of your life.

Think about it (and yes, do what you need to do).

Coma -- An Unique Artistic Game

Hi, all. At least I'm updating this blog after what seems like forever. It's not I'm abandoning this blog, but more like my energy is sucked by university. With a super-powered 'energy-sucker'.

Well, anyway, now I have a short break and managed to find something worthy enough to share, I want to share one of the most unique game I've ever played. Not that I'm a gamer, there are only few old games that I bothered to finish (in the past, 3 or 4 years ago?). But lately I'm trying to find some light, casual games, and the best option is web flash game. No need to install anything and just try. Those games can only keep me for 2 days, in maximum, before I leave them, though.

Anyway, back to the game I want to introduce. The title of this game is 'Coma', and the explanation of the game stated that it happens in the subconscious mind of our character, named Pete. The playing of the game is quite simple. Just use arrow key to move the character and use mouse to click when there is conversation. And what makes it unique? All I can say is the graphic is simple but beautiful, together with the music, it creates some sort of fantasy, artistic place. Definitely my favorite kind.

The gameplay itself is... nothing much (for the lack of better term). You just walk and talk until an event happens, before you can continue. Sometimes it can get frustrating because all you can hope for the guidance is some sort of weird logic, and with a bit of luck, some random trying should get you to unlock the next event. The other characters, will give you items and advice as you meet them or do something for them. The advice can be very vague, and they only said it once. But again, some random trying and weird logic will get you fine.  The game is very short, I finished it in 15 minutes and I guess you should finish it in less than half an hour. 

What makes it truly beautiful, though, are the metaphors. It feels more like an interactive story that is full of metaphors. Even at the end of the game, it left me with a confused state. What exactly the game means? Some people try to interpret the meaning and there are some that make sense. I guess that is one of the beauty of surreal  art. You can interpret it how you like, as long as it makes sense. It  left me with some sort of weird feeling, though. Not sad, not happy, it is like when you see something beautiful, you want to see more, but it has ended.

Yup, if you are confused about what I'm spouting about, just play the game. It will be worth your time. And here is some screenshot. Play it here.

This is the start of the game. See that little guy over there? He/It is our character, Pete.

And this is one of the artistic outside world, the music here is nice. It's like someone is crying.

And this is one of the dark place. And for the curious one, the writing of the wall is "Wake up Pete", which the meaning has several interpretation.

Best Free Antivirus (Windows)

If you are using Windows in your computer, no matter what version it is, you will have a very high chance of needing an antivirus. And I am is one of the many that finds it is ironic that people use cracked antivirus for the program that is supposed to protect their machine. 

Free doesn't have to be bad. There are many antivirus that has been tested and hold on their ground when pitted against their paying counterpart. Some antivirus company is even nice enough to give their free antivirus same engine as their premium/paying one but only stripped down of the bells and whistles. That being said, most of the free antivirus is more than enough for protecting your computer. The additional feature of the premium suites like firewall and sandbox can be easily replaced by other free software.

But with so many options out there, choosing a free antivirus can be a challenging task. So, I am going to introduce you to three of the best free antivirus that have been tested, used, and found reliable by many people who swear by them. 

1. Avast! Free Antivirus

This is the antivirus that I decided to stay in my laptop, a rare honor for  program of any kind. 

(+) Most fully featured free antivirus among the three

(+) Has the nicest UI with elegant effects.

(-) Detection rate is lower than Avira

2. Avira AntiVir Personal

It's consistently one of the free antivirus that tops the detection rate of free antivirus and even surpasses some of the paying ones.

(+) High detection rate

(-) While the UI is not ugly, it loses against Avast! and MSE

(-) The big ad pop-up is really annoying

 
3. Microsoft Security Essential (MSE)

While it is a new kid and bearing the (mostly bad) name of Microsoft, it's suprisingly a solid antivirus. One thing to be noted is: it can only used by a valid Windows (you cannot use it of you use cracked Windows).

(+) Has the simplest interface; easiest to use

(-) Simplistic interface also means lack of customization

All of the three above is great free antivirus. Great detection rates, low on resources and not complicated to use. As long as you update it regularly and have a safe computing habit, your computer should be pretty much virus-free.

Oh, and if you still confused which antivirus to choose, I will suggest you to try Avast! :)

Not Exactly a Review: The Chronicles of Narnia

Chronicles of Narnia. Another great set of classic English books. And I finished two sets of classical reading in one month including set of Lord of the Rings. Yeah, take a bet for my boredom level. It's either higher than the heaven or deeper than the ocean. Nah, honestly, that is just hyperbole. My boredom is on danger level but not so bad. When I started reading great book I just couldn't, wouldn't stop.  And it costs me my sleeping time. Oh well, some things are worth the trouble, after all.

Tosh aside (in case you don't know, tosh is British polite way to say crap, bullshit or trash), it's kind of mixed bag. The style of the writing many similarities with Lord of the Rings; and considering the same time frame of the writing of this two books, it's nothing unusual. And of course, it means the strength and weaknesses of those two is quite similar. And that is why I'm not going to repeat the same thing. You can read my short impression of Lord of the Rings here.

But, if there is one thing that is one uniqueness that completely stands out, it is the parallels of Chronicles of Narnia. If you ever read or watch "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe", the Lion in the title is called Aslan and he symbolized the Christ, the Lion from Judah who sacrificed Himself for us. And throughout the 7 series of the books, there is so many things that talks or symbolizes about Christ.

See this quote and you will get what I mean:

"'You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,'" said the Lion."
--The Silver Chair

"'Yes,' said Queen Lucy. 'In our world too, a Stable once had something inside it that was bigger than our whole world.'"
--The Last Battle

Wikipedia have the full explanation of the stories, the parallels. To summarize it in one sentence subjectively: It's a great classical children book that symbolizes much about Christ. But, I can not stress this enough: Just read the books!

I think, life is....

Sometimes, I think, life is just like a dream. I hold on to it, live it, just to open my eyes and realize it's just a mere dream. A figment of my subconscious imagination. Sometimes, it's a nightmare, a bad dream. Sometimes, it's too good to be true. Sometimes, it's just plain weird, queer and seems impossible.

Sometimes, I think, life is just like an adventure journey. I set out without understanding where is my destination, and I only get the glimpse of it through the journey. Sometimes, I just get stranded when the storm comes, and set out  when the sea calms down. Sometimes, it's my decision to stay in an island. To learn, rest, or just fool around. Sometimes, the crews and the passengers change without I having the opportunity to say hi and know them more. Sometimes, I met a complete stranger and just clicked, and we become good friend. And then comes the parting.

Sometimes, I think, life is just like a computer game. A must-play even I'm unwilling, annoying, without ability to 'save' the game, no replay option when game over, hard but rewarding game. And when I am stuck, all I can do is walk around and do some trivial things, hoping to unlock the next scene to move on. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

Sometimes, life is just... life. I never sure that I know what life is all about. Sometimes I thought I get it, only to be hit by realization that I don't. Sometimes, what must I do, what decision must I make, what step should I take is as crystal-clear water. But sometimes, it's just as clear as the sewer water. Sometimes, I thought I find my life purpose and realize: while some things are worth it, some just don't. I don't know. Even until now, all I hope is: someday, all I have done, all I fight for is not completely useless.

Notes:

I don't know why when I think about adventure journey, sailing comes to my mind. Effect of watching movies, reading comics and novels? Maybe.

Subjective View: Lord of The Rings

Finally finished reading all the series of Lord of the Rings. It's kind of late, I know, but as the saying goes; better be late than none at all, right?

Actually that kind of book is not my type, it illustrates much about the surrounding with many unique vocabularies I never heard of and thus, needs strong power of imagination. I don't really mind about the illustrating part, but the plot of the story can be slow.

Why read it if I don't really like it? Honestly, first I read it just because many great developing writers recommend it. Which kind of makes sense since such creative writers must have a great imagination and admiration to the usage of the beautiful words. Not me, though. I need full concentration just to read it.

So, everyday I just read it to pass waiting time, or to make my eyes tired enough to sleep. But as I read on, I found that I fell in love with it. In love with the words, the development of the story and curious how things will end. 

It takes long time to finish it and the ending part is quite sad (for me), although not many main characters died. No, not the death thingy sad ending, but more on the parting of friends that cross the roads together once. I guess it reminds me much about my friends.

All in all, I can say it is a great must-read series of book. Especially if you are a writer of any kind. Read it, enjoy it and learn from it. It will be worth it.

Writing :Passion and Necessity

The thing  I am currently in love with (or has it been like this for my whole life?) is reading. It opens completely strange, alien, new world. It satisfies my thirst of knowledge and curiosity. It gives power, direction, and certainty. All of those may sounds too good to be true, but it is true. That is why I am really thankful being born in an age when internet is mainstream. I can read practically anything I ever want to read. Not even sky is the limit.

But sometimes after reading so much, I cannot help but feel the information floating on (or should be in?) my brain. As long as my brain is active, it always search for more information. That is why I write. Just to let it out. Try to tidy up my mental information repository into something more structural, more making sense and maybe, more accessible if someday I ever need it. 

I've always been an introverted person. And based on my Enneagram personality, I am a true loner. Sure, I enjoy going out, but solitary time always have a special place in my heart. And being an introverted person, I cannot just express my feelings and thought anytime to anybody. Not that I think anyone will ever bothered by some rants that hardly makes sense, anyway.

Writing gives me the freedom to let my feeling out. I can express myself as much as I like. While I truly love to read, writing is some mixture of passion and necessity. As much as I enjoy writing, sometimes I do it just because I have to. It doesn't really matter if nobody read it because I think I mostly do it for my sanity. Of course, if somebody reads it and enjoys it, it is big bonus. Kind of like food if seen by this perspective.

Another thing, writing can be done in my own pace. I mean I can plan, type, edit or even delete paragraphs that doesn't fit in easily; while if I talk, I need to do all of it at once. And I always enjoy everything that can be done in my own pace. It is good and bad at the same  time, like many things are.

So, this post may sounds pointless to you, and I believe it is mostly true. But like I said, I do it mostly for myself. Well, I just hope that someday I could write interesting and useful posts or anything. Someday..

P.S:

I never write post in paper. Mostly in my phone and then I will edit it with my laptop (two of my beloved possession :D). So, that picture just to make it looks good. :)

Last Year of Being 'Teen'

I'm 19 now.

[pause for the clapping]

Thank you, thank you.

It's my last chance of being a 'teenager'. Why the quotation mark, you might ask. It's simply because my concept of teenager is something about being thirteen to seventeen. It's something like a next phase after being kid. But speaking technically, a nineteen is still a teen (nine'teen', see?). Hence, the title of this post.

Anyway, aside of being the technical last year of teen, I think 19 also has a important meaning in terms of age. I read that some consider 18 as being an adult, some says 19 and others say 21. I believe all of them is right in one sense or another, but anyway, 19 is one of the milestone of being adult, although I don't feel like being matured at all.

Again, technical way of determining phase of life based on age aside; for me, 19 has a special personal meaning. It's the first time in my life that I pass my birthday away from my biological family. I'm not really sad about it, but still, for this is a first time experience, it should mean something.

As this is some kind of birthday post, I guess there is a need of evaluation. Nineteen years is a long time for me, it's my whole life afterall. I've learnt so many lessons through the fun ways and hard ways. It's impossible to spell out the name of the people that influenced and shaped me to be as I am now.  Not that I even remember most of them, I have bad memory of recording the past, or simply I learnt bit a bit (hmm, like computer terms, bit and byte. Ooops, sorry, sidetracked) by so many different people that I couldn't remember them all. I never met most of those people face to face and never hold any conversation with them whatsoever. Heck, many of them not even in this world anymore. I learnt through their work of art, which is their beautiful and meaningful writing, or at least the meaningful words that was recorded on their name. Of course, internet aside, I also learnt from people of real life (if not, I'll be those creepy outcast, anti-social, narrow-minded, geeky and nerdy dudes, you know, like those in dramas and movies, and sadly, there are many people like that in real life). My early way of thinking is shaped by my parents. Somewhere in the line of growing up to teenager, I'm influenced by my close friends and real life idols. And then, in the phase of older teenager, I've learnt many things from my sister (as annoying and nagging as she is sometimes. Sorry, sis! :P), my church leaders and of course, friends. I could go on about random things and not so important things, but for the sake of your sanity, I refrain.

Yup, it's a long post but I really enjoy writing it and quite content about how it turns out. Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I have fun writing it!

Nokia C5, C6 and E5

Nokia has announced their latest Trio Messaging phone, Nokia C5, C6 and E5. If you Google for it, you can find so many websites that spread the news.

I don't want to copy the news, but basically C5 is S40 phone which have Wi-Fi, E5 is the successor of  E63 with biggest difference is 5 Megapixel camera and C6 is hybrid handset (combination of touchscreen and sliding QWERTY keyboard like N97 and N97 Mini).

While their specification is nothing to boast, what makes them really impressive is the estimated price. C5, E5, C6 will launch at  EUR 90, EUR 180, EUR 220 respectively. Compared that to E72's launch price EUR 350 and N97 Mini's EUR 450. It's half price, give or take. Nokia C5, EUR 80 and you got Wi-Fi. I'm amazed.

At least now, I can have some decent phone to recommend when someone asks my opinion of good budget phone (other than E63 and 5800, which I think are great budget phones). They are good value for money, really.

Head up to All About Symbian that compares the phone very well in a complete table and some great editorial insights.

Stuck with ZTA4

Time to update! :)

For those who haven’t know, E63’s firmware firmware is being updated again to v410.21.010. It doesn’t take many hours to update and restore it to the previous beloved state because I just have to restore from back up file. The only thing that sadden me is I’ve lost my favourite author list that I bookmarked to Opera Mini 4 and forgot to sync. And I don’t really find any noticeable effect, too.

Anyway, it brought me another thought that I’m too lazy to care for some time . To write and read Chinese input with a cooler way (not by using ZTA4 -- which can not write Chinese in note, although it works in SMS). I found that it is possible to change the language pack, but it’s quite risky. And I couldn’t afford to brick my phone. The risk is just not worth it, although I’m very annoyed that I couldn’t do it.

Just for information, using ZTA4, it works, but awkwardly. I must open the application, Option, Switch Fep, and Choose ZTA4. Although I can write in SMS and then copy paste it to note, but like I said, it’s akward. And not cool. Not cool at all. If I succeed in changing (or succeed after taking the risk) the language pack.,I can just press Fn + Space and choose the writing language. Not to mention there is Predictive text (which I seldom use, but still).

Another way is using Psiloc Chinese Crystal, but it’s not a freeware. And I’m not paying almost 30 Euro just to be able to write Chinese.

Sigh. I’m stuck with ZTA4 and FontRouter again. But at least it’s better than none at all, right?

Bring Your Own Firefox, Add-ons and Bookmarks.

Everytime I use University's computer for browsing, I must log-in to various website. It's a hassle to type all usernames, e-mails, and password all over again. Not to mention the ancient version of Mozilla (v3.2 or something) they use and lack of bookmarks and add-ons.

So I decided to bring my trusted Mozilla Firefox Portable in my Flash disk (after banging my head mentally wondering why I didn't think of it sooner in my half a year University life).

After installing Firefox to the Flash disk, the next step is to move all my bookmarks. As I mentioned in my previous post, I use X-marks (which I use to move my bookmarks  to Chrome also). Install, type username and password. Voila! All my bookmarks is there. And then, all I need to do is install the essential add-ons for speed and security.

Basically, that's all the steps and I do it in less than half an hour. And I believe it will save me the agony of typing usernames and passwords all over again. So, everytime I use other computer all I need to do is plug my Flash disk, open Firefox, and just start to browse.

You can see various suggestion of portable freeware in my favourite freeware suggestion site, Gizmo’s Freeware. 

Too Much Time

It's been a silent week over here. I'm in no mood for sharing anything that I found in internet or technology news. So I think I'll just share my thought with all. 

Let's start with mundane things that have little to no impact to you whatsoever. I'm in holiday. It doesn't have any significant meaning to you except that I will spend more time on the internet. It means I will be more willing to talk if you approach me in messenger and Facebook. Other than that? Honestly, no. If you are asking why I don't go to some place nice, here is the answer : Well, what do you think a poor college student can go to? I can go to the 'nice place' but I can do nothing there which means it will just waste my transportation money. On another note, money also play a big role on why I don't go back to my hometown. *sigh* 

Enough with the depressing no money talk. Let's go to more meaningful topic (hopefully more meaningful, anyway, :D). With so much free time in my hand, I don't really want to spend it uselessly. So I thought I will learn some topics that interest me. One of them is psychology. I'm learning about Eneagram now. It's pretty complete (and complex) psychology types (with 9 main types) compared to 4 types that I've ever learnt. Of course the 4 types psychology is much easier to learn, but somehow I find it not complete enough. There just seems to be so many exceptions and anomalies. OK, going back to the Eneagram. I hope when someday I'm quite proficient in Eneagram I can post some short explanation on them. So far, I'm quite convinced that I'm the Fifth type : The Observer. I have long struggling for determining whether I'm type 5 or 9 but I settled for 5, period. 

Well, even after some hard thinking, I still can't find anything useful or have effect on you. So, I will continue to speak about myself. My search for finding some game doesn't end up well. Freeware game is mostly crappy. Another sigh. Maybe God just doesn't want  me to waste my time in game? Maybe. I'll just try to find more interesting thing and hopefully more useful. 

I will close this post with some question and request. Please, I mean really please, can you tell me any useful but interesting time waster?

Hack Windows Taskbar Thumbnail Size and Time

This is just another cool link to another two useful post to hack the taskbar thumbnail in Windows 7.

To go to Lifehacker post that explain how to change the size of thumbnail, click here.

And this is post from How-to Geek to change how much time delay the thumbnail will show up after the mouse hover to that Taskbar. I use it to change to show up instantly, though.

Adding Keyboard Language

In my daily life, I usually use more than one language. I can say I’ve been living in multilingual culture and I’m thankful for that. In my hometown, I mostly use Indonesian and some Chinese language with my friends and family while I use English in internet while now in Malaysia I mostly use English and Mandarin and listen to Cantonese (I can only speak little, and I mean really little Cantonese). It’s funny and quite entertaining and sometimes feels weird.

Anyway, the important part is I need more than one input option. I’ve been wanting to search for way for it, but laziness beats me. So, when I found post of How-To Geek that shows me how to do it, it’s like Heaven sent gift. My overflowing RSS feeds in Google Reader is worth it just because of some great posts like those.

Basically, in Windows Vista and 7, adding Asian keyboard language is really easy. You just have  to tinker with the Control Panel a little. This is how I add Chinese in Windows 7, but the basic idea for Vista and other language should be there.

Start > Control Panel > Change keyboards and other input methods > Change keyboards >

You should arrive in some place like in the screenshot. From there, click Add… and add language you want. For some shortcut to change language, go to Advanced Key Settings tab. As you can see from the image, I choose Chinese Simplified Quan Ping because in my opinion, it’s the easiest Chinese input to use.

In Windows XP, adding the Asian language is a little bit more complicated. Head to the full post of How-to Geek to see the full screenshot and How-to.

Happy Geek-ing!

Add Time Log to Notepad

I remember the time  when I had an internet connection which limit my usage to 15 hours (it doesn't as long time ago as it sounds, it’s just few months ago). If I use it more than that, I (well, to be exact, it’s my parent who have to pay) have to pay more. As I’m a good, kind-hearted, thoughtful, caring (insert all good characteristic here, haha!) child, I try to use it not more than 15 hours. So every time I browsed, I just type how much time I have used so I can limit my internet usage. But I have to type the date and time manually.

It turns out there’s a way to make notepad automatically add date and time.

1. Open Notepad 
2. Type .LOG 
3. Save and exit

It will look like something showed in picture above. See how easy is that? Next time you open the notepad, it will automatically type the date and time.

You can use it as handy diary if you want. I still don’t know what’s the use for me now but knowing there’s such a great easy hack kind of make me feel happy and sad at the same time. Happy because it’s great, sad because I don’t know about it when I need it, when I know it, I don’t need it anymore. Life is sure great.

Kapersky Antivirus 2010 Free License

EDIT: At Computelogy, they have removed the the e-mail and subject because of request. And I also respect the request, so I won't post the way to get it here.

There’s a promotion of Kapersky Antivirus 2010 6-months license for free. Don’t worry, it’s a legal one, not a cracked one. Head over to Computelogy to read how to get it. It’s easy to get. And I truly recommended it. Even if you pay for the license, it’s only gives you one year license. So, it’s a great promotion. 6 months is good enough, I think.

Kapersky Antivirus is one of the best paid antivirus. I’m using Avast 5 Free right now. But I’m taking the license just in case.

Oh yeah, if you want to get much information about free promotional software, subscribe to Computelogy. Usually, they got great stuff.

Google and Technology Downside

Google before you tweet is the new think before you speak. Ever heard or read this saying? Yeah, I also found it coincidentally.

Even though this saying is not applicable in all part of the world (it only applies to country that can easily enjoy full web experience and country that uses Twitter), it still makes me think. Google is a powerful thing or dead-being. When I first learn and use about internet, first thing that I open is Google. You can almost search practically anything you want. Even things you never knew that it even exists in the internet.

But replacing 'think' with 'Google'? With Google you don't think except of thinking the keyword. Sure, you learn by researching in Google, but somehow I think it's not good for brain. Soon, people need to remember nothing because ''I can just Google it''. Nowadays, I don't even have to remember my friends phone number and birthday. It is written in their Facebook.

Getting information has never been easier. Any people with internet connection can have a research with any kind of topic. It can even be accessed by cheap phone that have browser. No wonder people call this age as Information age. Call it scepticism, call it pessimism, but that's it. Like I've said before, technology brings major advancement and with it, it brings problem.

I really hope the day won't come when idiots who know nothing before they Google it make up for most population of the world.

Multitasking

When I try to write something, my head will come with so many ideas that were mostly irrelevant.  Maybe it's the effect of always being in front of computer, always multitasking?

Even when I open a browser, it has tabs.

I also use a smartphone that can multitasks, and the browser in my phone can also open multiple tabs.

I love technology. I really do. Especially when it works. But sometimes I couldn't help but think that it also has bring so many problem that never exist in oldie traditional way of doing things.

Thinking back of my habit of watching television, I think it's also reflecting the habit of multitasking. I usually watch more than one channel and keep switching between them. If there's really just one good program, I will bring my phone or other things to do.

Sure, multitasking is efficient and effective. However , I think it have bad effect of changing people way of thinking. But again, I know I won't stop multitasking because of it. The advantage just weighs much much more than the disadvantage.

P.S.

I'm not trying to justify my random writing style, OK?

Yes, not trying to blame the technology of my own shortcoming.

Not at all.

Comic Strip

Warning:

Before you continue to read this post, do a reflection first. Ask yourself a very important question:

Are you a geek or a nerd?

If yes, I suggest you to leave now. It will be a very addictive thing. Like very very addictive. Still want to continue? Don't say I didn't warn you.

If no, I also suggest you to leave now. It's so random and geeky. Sometimes I don't get it at all.

OK, welcome to the one way road. I know there is no going back for me. I hope you have as much fun as I had too! The thing I want to introduce is Comic Strip. Well, it's basically like short comic. And the best thing is it's just so~ random. Sometimes it's funny just because it's random.

There are three that basically got a place in my heart as favourite.

1. Popsicle  
This comic strip earn place as my favourite by his great post  I think I smell the facts of life.

2. Abstruse Goose

3. XKCD

I don't give much explanation, eh? Check it yourself. It's really really nice.

Google Chrome Beta

Got time to check this (not quite) new browser. Yeah, it's Chrome (read the title of the post, genius!). I've heard of it for a long time and give it a short play already but I'm not really interested at that time. Let me explain, Mozilla Firefox best feature is it's enormous number of extensions (or add-on) that gives the users power to set it according to their need.

When I first heard Chrome can also be installed with extensions, I'm not really interested. I thought it's just a small number of extension. Another problem is I'm really lazy to move all of my bookmarks from Mozilla.

So, today when I'm just browsing about nothing in particular, I found out that there is add-on that can be used for synchronizing bookmarks. One problem solved, so I thought of giving Chrome a chance (even without extensions).

And it's a pleasant surprise to find out that most (if not all) of my favorite add-on can be installed in Chrome. Basically, two that I can't live without is FastestFox and StumbleUpon. FastestFox because it can load next page without the need of click (yeah, just laziness) and StumbleUpon because it's a great tool to browse and find new interesting website. One of great and complete site to find about Chrome extensions is Google Chrome Extensions.

So, I officially decided to make Chrome my default browser. Now the problem is solved, let's talk about the advantage of Chrome compared to Firefox. First, it's prettier. Yeah, prettier. It may not exactly a deal breaker or something really important but it's undeniable Google's good software comes with great interface. Just look at Chrome and Picasa and you'll see what I mean. Another advantage that is quite important is I found that Chrome is slightly faster than Firefox.

That's it. The only extension that I can't find is only Colorful Tabs. What a pity. It's a simple extension but very useful when you like to open so many tabs like me. But anyway, that didn't stop Chrome to be better browser than Firefox or at least in my opinion.

So, what do you think? I really recommended Chrome as browser (especially if you still use Internet Explorer).

Name Meaning

It's a time for some more useful website. I found these websites when I'm browsing. Just like usual.

Anyway, I just typed 'name meaning' in Google and clicked the first website that appeared and it's www.name-meanings.com. It's quite complete (because I found my name there ;P) and I found Rudy comes from Rudolph which means 'Famous Wolf'.

But name-meanings does not really accurate (or so I believe) when it comes to Biblical names. So, I typed another keyword, 'Biblical name meaning' and found www.behindthename.com/nmc/bibl.php. It's complete with it's Hebrew writing (which i can't read at all) and where it's comes from.

I've learned some Hebrew names meaning by reading the website.  Names which started in 'Abi' means 'my father' and names ends with '-el' usually means God.

Both of the websites have some more features but I won't explain it here. If you want, go yourself to have a look! It will be an educative and useful way to kill time.

Now, you know what your name meaning and Biblical name meaning, right?

Catch Up Post

Happy belated Christmas and New Year.I guess I owe this blog an update,eh?

My holiday at hometown has ended :(. It's been fun and memorable.It's refreshing to see old, familiar faces. Although it feels strange and different at first when I arrive, it is so easy to fit back to the old routine. I was gone for months but I have lived here for years after all.

Even I went back just for 2 weeks, I still go to mission trip to Tanjung Batu for 3 days and I don't regret it. No, seriously, it's going to be a really memorable time and one source of strength for me to keep going in Lord. And the rest of my holiday is spent to tend the shop because my father had a motorcycle accident :(. But I kind of glad, though. I mean at least I was there when he had the accident and I can help when my parents needs me.

And then BAM! 2 weeks is gone (there is no such sound, I use it just for the sake of hyperbole, ok?) I try to cherish it as long as I could, but 2 weeks is a really short time. I guess time is up and all I can do is try to cherish it every opportunity I have. Human never cherish what they got right now, such a strange creature.

And you know what I did in my last day of holiday which is also the New Year celebration of 2010? Sleep after I had lunch and wake up to eat dinner. I think it's a nice long 5 hours nap. I regret it a little bit, but yeah, I guess I need that kind of rest too. No use regretting what had happened ;D

Moving on, when I arrive in Malaysia, it's been nice. I don't feel any unfamiliarity with my housemate, at least not yet. The first service in the 2010 is also really nice. Wish I can stay in God's presence like that forever. And wasted my 3 hours to go back home. Hey, it's my first time taking KTM and MetroBus alone. And God answer my prayer all the way (thank You, Lord, You are the best!).

So yeah, although I almost giving up celebrating New Year, what my pastor said has reminded me to cherish what we got. Although it is very tempting to wallow myself in self-pity because nothing special happened at New Year, but at least we can try to make this year is a worthwhile and important year for our journey in God's way. So, I guess that will be my New Year resolution (it's kinda late, but late is better than not doing at all) which is to know God more, to make Holy Spirit my Guide in every step and decision I make! Hope you also have a worthwhile New Year resolution, too!