KOH KHO KING

Vosonic VP8860 - Epson P5000 and P3000 Killer?

Posted on July 10th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I just noticed a stunning portable storage and multimedia viewer last night…the Vosonic VP8860!

Ok…I know I am a bit out dated…this product has been in the market for a month…and only last night did I noticed it.

I actually got information and some product photos of it months before from my supplier, didn’t blog about it as it is still confidential by that time. Will put my supplier into trouble if I published the info.

Now…back to VP8860. On the specs, it is really amazing!

• 4.3″ TFT LCD (Epson P5000 is 4″)
• 2.5″ SATA HDD (SATA is the fastest format nowadays for HDD)
• FM Radio, Video Recorder, Voice Recorder, Photo Storage/Viewer…etc.
• Faster download speed than Epson P5000 according to dpreview forum.
• Killer Price!

Vosonic VP8860 MultiMedia Viewer (4.3″ TFT LCD, 800×480 pixels, SATA HDD) + 250GB HDD Installed RM1,450.00

Vosonic VP8860 MultiMedia Viewer (4.3″ TFT LCD, 800×480 pixels, SATA HDD) + 320GB HDD Installed RM1,650.00

Vosonic VP8860 MultiMedia Viewer (4.3″ TFT LCD, 800×480 pixels, SATA HDD) - Case Only RM1,250.00

Yes, I am offering it now at ShaShinKi.com for the various sizes. Do check it out and you will be amazed!

0 comments.

Google Adsense now with FLASH ads!

Posted on July 10th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Yes, you read the title right. I just noticed few days ago that Google is now delivering FLASH banner ads to their customers! Yes, that includes me.

Flash ads has been so popular and common in advertising world nowadays. Small file size but able to deliver amazing effect and attract much more attention than static or GIF animated ads.

No, not all sites are now flashed, it depends if an advertiser wants to put his or her flash ads on your site or not. I guess the price for flash ads isn’t going to be cheap…but the gain back is definitely worth it.

Let’s hope more will notice the ads…good for both advertiser and publisher.

0 comments.

FireFox 3 - tried…

Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

I installed FireFox 3 few days ago.

Yeah, it is the latest and currently hottest internet browser in the world. Over 8 millions download during the launch day, Mozilla has applied to have it included in Gunesse World Record for the most download software in a day. They were targetting 5 million downloads, but exceed to 8 millions! They must have a super powerful (or many) server in order to serve that much request in a day. (more…)

1 comment.

New Mouse from Logicool (Logitech)

Posted on June 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

My Logicool MX Revolution wireless laser mouse has been acting weirdly in the last few months. Having multi-clicks automatically, which is very irritating.

My mouse is bought in Japan, has 3 years Logicool Japan warranty. I bought the mouse on 19th Dec 2006, which I have blogged about it at:

http://shashinki.com/blog/2007/11/18/my-cool-mouse/

The benefit of blogging, so that you can keep record of all your history, easy to check and search back.

I sent an email to Logicool with descriptions of my mouse problem. After a month (or many weeks later, can’t remember), they finally replied. I guess the late reply is due to me writing in English (few Japanese can read or understand English). After getting their reply and product return number, I was too lazy to pack and return the mouse, so waited for another 2 months plus until Logicool emailed me again the status of my mouse.

Just two weeks ago I finally posted the mouse to them. On last week, I got a brand new in box Logicool MX Revolution mouse from them. Yes, brand new in box.

This is a really nice mouse. Wireless mouse is great! Very convenient to use. You must try one if you haven’t. You will be hooked!

1 comment.

1st Paper published at JMST - Maneuvering simulations of pusher-barge systems

Posted on June 12th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

My first paper, entitled “Maneuvering simulations of pusher-barge systems“, has been published, in JMST (Journal of Marine Science and Technology).

http://www.springerlink.com/content/m5h87873212u1r33/

The paper can be downloaded in PDF format in the link above.

My 2nd paper should be out in a few months time…

0 comments.

macbook battery problem - free exchanged!

Posted on June 10th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Last week I noticed a problem with my macbook battery. My macbook shut down immediately and suddenly when I accidentally hit on the power supply loose. Yeah…it can be tripped OFF so easily. Then only I realize my battery is not working at all. When the power was plugged off, the macbook shut down immediately (power off). After some checking, confirmed no power from the battery.

With the convenience of internet, no panic, just do a search (google of course) for “macbook battery problem”. Within seconds, I found the answer.

There was a design problem with macbook battery (macbook pro also). You can read more at:

http://www.apple.com/support/macbook_macbookpro/batteryupdate/

Identifying an affected battery

Affected batteries will have one or more of the following symptoms:

• Battery is not recognized causing an “X” to appear in the battery icon in the Finder menu bar.
• Battery will not charge when computer is plugged into AC power.
• Battery exhibits low charge capacity/runtime when using a fully charged battery with a battery cycle count (as shown in System Profiler) of less than 300.
• Battery pack is visibly deformed.

I did the battery update and still can’t get my battery detected or charged. So, the next step would be to call up Apple support in Japan. Since it was late at night, so I made a phone call the following day. I think it was on Friday morning that I made the phone call.

Going through the phone call assistance, assuring the supporter person that I have done all the necessary steps to check my battery, gave them my apple serial number and battery serial number, done. By the way, there is an English phone support from Apple Japan, in case you (or I) can’t speak Japanese well. Macbook already out of warranty? No worry, Apple stated in their website that the service and exchange is valid even if your macbook is already out of warranty (my already expired the warranty period).

Today, Tuesday, I got my new replacement battery. No, I do not have to send them the faulty battery, the postman came and collect the old battery while delivering me the new battery (my wife took the delivery). Since I will be going to Taiwan next week, so the battery came right on time before my trip. I can’t imagine using a notebook without battery.

Well done, Apple Japan!

Update:

This is the battery that I received!

6 comments.

New iPhone 3G, Twice as Fast, Half the Price!

Posted on June 10th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

“New 3G iPhone, Twice as Fast, Half the Price!” - This is the advert by Apple for their new iPhone 3G.

With 3G support now, we should see it coming to Asia very very soon!

Some rumors:

• Softbank Japan will have iPhone soon.
• iPhone will hit Singapore soon, not sure which mobile phone service provider will get it though. Singtel?

My opinion is that one need to have very fast internet connection in order to utilize the features of iPhone. Malaysia internet connection speed is still very slow, not sure how fun it is using iPhone in Malaysia as compared to other countries.

Will you get one?

4 comments.

Speed Test of TEKQ Professional CF 8GB 233X + Buffalo MCR-A30H Card Reader/ Writer

Posted on May 30th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Since I have both products in hand, so instead of asking others how is the speed of both (main interest in TEKQ speed), so I did a simple read and write test to the memory card.

TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty)

Buffalo MCR-A30H/U2 30 in 1 USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Card Reader Writer

The Buffalo MCR-A30H/U2 30 in 1 USB 2.0 High Speed Memory Card Reader Writer is among the fastest USB reader/writer in the market nowadays, so this should eliminates the bottleneck of the writing or reading speed of the memory card withhold by the card reader/writer.

Test Files

• Total File = 472 Jpeg files
• Total File Size = 2.01GB or 2,164,224,000 bytes
• Computer = Fast USB port (latest PC with 3GB memory and over 250GB free hdd space
• Time measured using online stop watch, hand/human accuracy = +-2 seconds

Results

• Read time (copy files from memory card to PC) = 108 seconds (18.61MB/s)
• Write time (copy same files from PC to memory card) = 371 seconds (5.42MB/s)

7 comments.

Project Petaling Street - being SPAMED!

Posted on May 25th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Blog, Computer / IT.

Project Petaling Street website (http://www.petalingstreet.org) has been filled with SPAMS today (as of now…there are just way too many spam posts to distinguish the real blog post.

I guess spammers have found out the trackbacks URL of petalingstreet.org newsfeeder, hence sending lots of spam post to that site.

We shall see the site admin cleaning up the spam posts soon, and ban that spammer site from posting again. Hopefully there will be no change of the trackback URL.

3 comments.

Google Analytics - Free Statistic Software!

Posted on May 25th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Blog, Computer / IT.

Google Analytics is a free statistic software provided by Google. Yes, it is free, it is from Google (anything from Google you can expect it to be really good!

I have been using Google Analytics for quite some time, more than a year or two if I am not mistaken. It gives a lot of details information about my website, which are actually more accurate than AWSTATS software in my own server cPanel. Eg. the visitors of my website should be from Malaysia majority, but AWSTATS shows that majority are from USA whereby Google Analytics shows that the majority are from Malaysia (which should be correct).

However, I have heard from others that Analytics does not give accurate tracking of your site statistic. For example, say your site has actual 5000 visitors in a month, Analytics might only tracked and showed you 3000 visitors in that month. I am not sure how true this is, but I do see some difference in number of visitors at Analytics and AWSTATS.

Besides the number, what I find really useful from Google Analytics is the [b]Traffic Sources[/b]. This shows you where your visitors are from (links). So you can take a look of which website gives you the most visitors or refer people to your site. In all of my sites, Google search is always the main source of my visitors. (Don’t under estimate the power of Google search engine). Yahoo search only brings me less than 10% of what Google search brought me.

So, how to use or activate Google Analytics to start taking information or statistic of your site? First you need to register an account at Google (if you already have an Google account, eg. gmail, then you can sign in to Analytic page directly using the same username and password):

[b]http://www.google.com/analytics/[/b]

After sign in, you need to add your website to Analytics. After adding your website, Analytics will give you a simple code that you need copy and paste to the page or website that you want to trace/keep statistics record. Take note that Google will only trace pages that have that codes in, so you have to place the codes wisely.

For blog, the best place to put the codes is in your header or footer. Personally I prefer footer to header, as it does not interrupt with the speed or loading time of my site. Details of how to put the codes is explained by Google in the Analytics page, so I will not elaborate long here.

Try it, you will love it!

1 comment.

Windows XP Service Pack 3

Posted on May 13th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Some of you might have already know…some maybe not yet…

Microsoft has released the final and latest update for Windows XP, Service Pack 3 for all original Windows XP users.

Highlights:

1. Your Windows XP must be original in order to update and upgrade to SP3. There will be a verification performed prior to the update.
2. Update is done by connect via internet to Microsoft website, using the Windows Update feature in your Startup. I am not sure if there is any other way to update or not…probably yes…but not sure.
3. This is the last update from Microsoft for Windows XP, which is considered as the most successful and popular Windows system at the moment. Many are reluctant to go over to Windows Vista…my new PC is still installed with Windows XP and is running smooth and fast.

I did the upgrade just now and took around 30 mins to finish. Must restart computer after updating. I did not notice any changes in my Windows…maybe need to head over to Microsoft to see what are the update is all about.

(more…)

0 comments.

Very hot product! TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty) @ RM155!

Posted on May 1st, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

The very latest and now selling product at ShaShinKi.com!

TEKQ Professional 233X Ultra Pro CompactFlash (CF) 8GB Memory Card (Lifetime Warranty)

Original price = RM255.00. By using the discount code below, you will be able to get a RM100 OFF! Making the memory card price only RM155.00!

Discount Coupon Code (-RM100 Off!): TEKQ-1 (key in the code in the Payment Page at ShaShinKi.com)

Free PosLaju Shipping within Malaysia!

TEKQ Memory card is made in Taiwan (the kingdom of world famous memory card makers), with product life time warranty. The speed of 233X ensures that you are not only getting the big 8GB memory space, but also the high speed performance for your digital SLRs!

Only available at ShaShinKi.com, for a limited quantity for this special offer price only! This offer is originally valid for PhotoMalaysia members only, but now I am offering it to my blog readers.

Happy shooting unlimitedly!

2 comments.

ShaShinKi.com Design Version 2

Posted on April 22nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I have again spent my last weekend in updating the design of ShaShinKi.com, trying to give a more advance and elegant look to it.

The homepage or door to ShaShinKi.com store is still the same. The major changes is the shop part.

In my initial design theme, the main colour is black, with gradient grey and white. My wife said that it is not so good to make the website looks so dark, so I change the background to something more refreshing, but not too bright or unfriendly for the eyes.

I chose red as the main colour of the background, not the bright eye piercing red but dark elegant red. I want the feel of big curtain in an orchestra hall, presenting the store of ShaShinKi.com to the world.

Here’s a thumbnail view of the site:

Besides the background, I have also changed the infobox bar colour to something more 3D and also enlarging the font so that it can be read easier.

(more…)

2 comments.

Search ShaShinKi.com for photography products

Posted on April 20th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Search ShaShinKi.com for photography products - Cameras, Lenses, Accessories…

Testing to see if the codes will work or not.

Update:  Yes, it works!

1 comment.

Just loss $$$…USD to YEN

Posted on April 18th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

I just loss $$$ within a few hours…

USD to YEN exchange rate is really poor these few months. I have waited and waited and waited…till cannot wait any more so today I changed out some money…yeah…at the lowest in the graph above…and suddenly after a few hours USD sore HIGH like rocket!!!

Err…arh…ouchh…

1 comment.

New Product Page Design at ShaShinKi.com

Posted on April 14th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I spent the last weekend in redesigning the product page at ShaShinKi.com, I am pretty happy and satisfied with the results…so here to share with you all my excitement.
I have always wanted to make the product page more user friendly, clearer and easier to browse. With my limited knowledge in php, I have to spend extra time to try and error.:P

Here’s the results:

What are the changes?

1. Product image has moved from right to left.

2. Bigger product image (250 x 250px) now, give clearly view of the product.

3. Clear listing of Brand, Category, Model #, Stock Status, Price and Quantity selection.

4. For product/s with Option, it will be shown below the Price before Quantity.

5. Boxed Picture. Personally I find this makes the image neater to show.

6. Brand name Clickable, to browse products under the same brand.

7. Added a title bar “Product” to the right column of the product page.

I hope this gives a better shopping experience to my customers at ShaShinKi.com. You can see the actual product page in action at:

http://shashinki.com/shop/nikon-full-frame-digital-12mp-live-view-9fps-p-1167.html

Happy shopping!

0 comments.

What types of RAW files does Epson P-5000 & P-3000 support?

Posted on April 8th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

As of March 2008, Epson P-5000 and P-3000 supports RAW format images from the digital SLR cameras listed below:

The camera models listed here have been tested by Epson and were found to be compatible. Other camera models may be compatible, but have not been tested.

** In order to view RAW images from these camera models, make sure you update your P-5000 & P-3000 firmware to v1.20.

Firmware download at:

http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/support/s…

0 comments.

How many email spams you received daily?

Posted on March 15th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Nowadays, spam is unavoidable in our email account.

How many email spams you received daily? I have been using my gmail account for around 3 years, and now…everyday I received around 150~200 spams in my gmail account. That’s more than 5 times of the actual emails in my inbox!

I have read some research conducted online that more than 90% of our daily emails are spams, with the left over 10% being the actual email that we would want to read.

How to deal with spams? It is possible to avoid spam?

There are NO LAW to shoot down spammers, but many server providers have strict rules that if your server are sending out spam emails, then your account will be suspended. This is especially true in USA servers, but if you notice the spam emails…most of them are NOT from the US server. There are still many grey area related to internet in many countries.

I have given up using outlook to read my email, as it can’t filter out spams accurately. Gmail is good, though occasionally some of my important emails are being marked as spam by them…but most of the time they are quite precise in marking those spams. I use Gmail exclusively nowadays. Not just because it is good with great interface, but of course the every growing space that outlast the grow of email I received daily. As of today, my email account space allocated by Gmail is 6520 MB! (currently using 2676 MB space).

Spam solution? Use Gmail.

0 comments.

Another reason to LOVE Google…

Posted on March 13th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

I have been using Google personalized homepage for quite some time…but recently I discovered that we can actually change the theme/colour of the header and your personal homepage!

Here’s what I am using at the moment. It will change automatically according to time…

I probably should be sleeping like the two bugs in the picture now…time to go to bed…happy Googling!

0 comments.

Highest per day earn from Adsense!

Posted on March 2nd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

This is the highest per day earned money from Adsense in my account after nearly a year of “rejoining” Adsense!

(in USD)

Date Earnings
Thursday, February 28, 2008 $7.67

My average per day earning in February 2008 is still just $2.59…yeah…quite low and little…cannot survive with just $2.59 (USD) per day…

Compared to many…this is probably still a joke! I read some “professionals” are earning thousands USD per month…mine? Not even US$100 per month…

Slowly…patiently…waiting for Google Adsense to feed my daily meals…

3 comments.

Google Gtalk…quality real bad!

Posted on February 27th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

I used to love Google Gtalk, as it is simple, easy and fast! Quality was superb when I use internet phone conversation with my family oversea.

However, now Gtalk quality is really bad. I still like to use it for messaging, but when coming to voice talk…it just doesn’t work. The opposite just can’t hear what my voice, real bad quality. As compared to Live Messenger, it is miles behind. I love to use Live Messenger now for voice call.

I guess the quality drop is mainly due to the popularity of gmail/gtalk now. With the increment of users, quality drops. This is bad…

NO!

YES!

Voice call? Sorry, Gtalk. Thanks, Live Messenger!

0 comments.

Intel unveils “Skulltrail” eight-core platform

Posted on February 23rd, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

A dream machine?! Dual processors with quad core each! In total eight processing engines flying your desktop to a new level!

Codenamed “Skulltrail”.

The Intel Desktop Board D5400XS, when paired with two Intel Core 2 Extreme QX9775 processors, forms the foundation of the Intel Dual Socket Extreme Desktop Platform. Hardcore gamers will welcome the opportunity to enjoy multiple simultaneous graphics card solutions featuring either NVIDIA SLI or ATI Crossfire for today’s latest graphics-intensive titles.

(more…)

2 comments.

Toshiba quits HD-DVD

Posted on February 20th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Yes…this might be the hottest news in the technology world recently. Toshiba has announced that they are officially quiting the HD-DVD format, leaving few others players behind.

In case you are wondering…this it the world for the next generation high storage DVD format, between HD DVD and Blu-Ray (Sony).

Toshiba’s HD DVD is backed by Paramount, Universal Pictures, Microsoft, Sanyo, and NEC.

Sony’s Blu-ray is backed by Disney, 20th Century Fox, MGM, Dell, Panasonic, and Philips.

In Japan, the TV news even conduct a very comprehensive war analysis between the two formats…but my memory not so good to remember all. In summary, Sony Blu-Ray seems to have more promising future, with HD DVD dying slowly. PlayStation 3 is definitely playing big help in promoting Blu-Ray format.

You can read CNN news on Toshiba quiting the HD DVD format at:

http://www.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/02/19/toshiba.hdd/index.html

0 comments.

Ebay Fee…REDUCED!

Posted on February 16th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Surprised! Yes, ebay has just announced a new fee for their customers. I received an email from ebay today…went to check out the new fee…and to my surprised, reduced! Ebay has increased their fees from year to year…and it is really surprised to see that they are now reducing their fee.

Eg.

I do use ebay from time to time (not a powerseller), so this is still a good news for me.
Check out the details at:

http://pages.ebay.com/sell/update08/basic/index.html?ov=004W6

0 comments.

Photo Editing Program - my favorite Paint Shop Pro!

Posted on February 8th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I have been using Paint Shop Pro program since version 4…that was more than 7 years ago…and I just love this program.

Why not photoshop? One of the main reason for me to go for Paint Shop Pro during the early days is because it is a FREEWARE. Yes, free to download and use on your computer. That was in version 4 and version 5. Version 9 and later is a paid software, but later Corel bought JASC and the last version from JASC was version 10. Version 9 was later given as a free software together with Lexar professional memory card, which is definitely a very very good value!

How is Paint Shop Pro as compared to Adobe Photoshop? For me, it does everything I needed in photo editing. Curve, contrast, brightness, unsharp mask, crop, border, layers, etc. It also is much easier to use and less resource hungry like photoshop. I can start and use my PSP within 5 seconds after launching, but for PS, I have to wait for 10s or more. Of course, if you have very fast PC, you might not notice the difference.

Today, I download the 30 days trial version of PSP from Corel website. I was already about to BUY already (already in the PayPal page, one click away from paying), but since there is a 30 days trial, I thought why not? I clicked the cancel order button and went back to download the software to try out first. The latest version is Paint Shop Pro Photo X2 and my experience with PSP is mainly based on version 6. I want to see how much improvement it has after Corel bought over JASC, and the US$89.99 is worth spending or not.

What I am expecting from the latest version which I think is lacking in the dated version 6:

• Better noise removal
• Faster processing
• RAW file processing (version 6 can process raw file but loading takes ages…)
• More features on borders, templates, effects…etc.
• Smarter one step photo fix (available in version 6 as well, but I wonder if there is any surprise in the latest version)

Basically, that’s it. I don’t really need a software that has tones of features that I don’t use but burden down my computer.

Now…let’s see some examples that I run through PSPPX2 just now. The photos below are taken using Nikon D200 at IS3200, I set the camera at high ISO the night before and forgot to set it back to low ISO. My wife used the camera the next day to take Megumi’s photos… Originally posted at: 看我笑得见眼不见牙

(Take note that the before images are already of some processing previously…which used automatic batch process…hence the quality still not so good and some sharpness already lost)

Before

After PSP

Before

After PSP

You have to click the photo to appreciate the difference. There is a nice Skin Smoothing command in PSPPX2 which I find it delivers good results. The above is just a quick test…I will have to get some RAW files to test it further, but I think I am definitely going to buy one before the 30 days trial period ends up.

0 comments.

CaptureSG.com back online

Posted on February 8th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

Today I managed to restore another photography forum of mine…CaptureSG.com. Since the server HDD failed on 21st Jan 2008, I was having problem in restoring CaptureSG.com from my backup, as the database tables were corrupted.

Today I learned a few things and managed to restore the database and manage to repair the corrupted tables and everything is back online.

Though CaptureSG.com is not a very active site and can’t be regarded a successful yet, but still there are some faithful members there that I owe to bring the site back.

I am glad that CaptureSG.com is back online now. Hope more will visit it especially photographers from Singapore.

CaptureSG = Capture Singapore!

0 comments.

Google Payment

Posted on February 6th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Just updated by bank book in Japan and noticed that Google has paid me! Yeah…money from the Adsense ads.

How much? Not much…only US$100+ and the conversion rate to JPY is very poor now (weak USD).

The good thing about Google in Japan is that you can have Google deposit the money directly to your bank account. No need to receive check, just update your Google account with a valid Japan bank account, Google will then deposit a small amount of money (in my case JPY120) and you will have to answer the question of the exact amount in your Google account later. This is to verify your bank account is really belongs to you…and yes, you get the FREE JPY120.

My earning from Google Adsense is actually very minor…the USD100+ was accumulated since more than 3 months ago…and only till early Jan I was able to hit over USD100, and Google paid me end of the month on 30th Jan 2008. Yes, you have to have over USD100 before you can withdraw the money.

No…don’t try to cheat and click on your own ads. This will result your account being suspended. As Google motto says…”Don’t be evil!”

Happy Chinese New Year too to all the Chinese and those who are celebrating the Spring in the world!

0 comments.

New PC - surprise!

Posted on February 5th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Got a new PC yesterday…what a surprise!

They said I am the senior in the laboratory, so the new PC is for me. Yes, there is only one new PC, but there will be another few coming in April 2008 (few months away), which will be given to to the other few “seniors”.

Just managed to migrate all my data and files today, also have to remove all sensitive information in the old PC…

Specifications?

• Intel Core Duo 3.00GHZ - E6850
• 3GB Memory
• 300GB HDD
• 19 inches LCD monitor
• Microsoft optical mouse 3000
• Speaker
• Keyboard
• DVD-RW

Very fast as compared to my previous PC…I am a happy man.

0 comments.

Stock Status

Posted on February 5th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT, Photography.

I feel really good today, because I have managed to install a modification to ShaShinKi.com/Shop.

~ Stock Status ~

Yeah…I have wanted to have stock status shown on the product page since day 1. I use to type this on every page…

Ready Stock! Next Day Delivery!
or
Special order item, allow 1~2 weeks for delivery.

Typing the above is easy, not difficult at all when I create a new product and copy and paste the sentence in my product page. However…the product arise when I started to keep stock of a certain hot selling products…this is the headache part as I have to open up every in stock product page and change the description, or when product sold out, I have to edit the description again (else will get fire by customer shouting why the product page say in stock but I do not have stock?).

I want a system that can show the Stock Status based on product stock quantity. In my store, changing quantity is easy as I can change them in batch. Yes, even 100 or 1000 products at one time.

Finally, I managed to install the Status Status modification! Yeah! I work till 4am last night…but the result is fruitful and I am quite satisfied with it. Here’s what you will see:

I guess I don’t have to explain any further…except “Special Order” means product will take 1~2 weeks for delivery in most cases.

So next time when you see the above sign/picture at ShaShinKi.com/Shop, remember that I work till 4am for you ya!

0 comments.

Microsoft wants to buy Yahoo!

Posted on February 4th, 2008 by KhoKing.
Categories: Computer / IT.

Yes…you read it right. In fact, this is not the first time…last year Microsoft offered to buy Yahoo! as well, but was turned down by Yahoo!. Now, Microsoft tries it again after the old CEO just stepped down (due to poor performance in directing Yahoo!).

Is Yahoo! for sale? Is Google for sale?

Yahoo is not performing well…in fact, you can use the word BAD. The reason is simple, Google. People are switching to Google for their internet browsing and using habit. I use Gmail now as my main email (Google space outgrow my email growing space), Gchat for chatting (not the only one though, together I use Live Messenger as well as Skype), Google Earth when I need to find a location, Analytics for my website statistics, Adsense to get some $, etc. Eh…I left out the most important one…I use Google to SEARCH!

How about Yahoo!? I don’t use Yahoo Messenger nowadays, I don’t use Yahoo mail nowadays…I don’t use Yahoo to search nowadays…Yahoo? Hmm…I don’t remember using any Yahoo service now.

So…is Yahoo dieing? Not yet…but I believe Yahoo is definitely in trouble. Microsoft sees it. In fact, Microsoft is worrying that they might be the next Yahoo and get swallow up by Google…so they want to get Yahoo now in order to retain some market share to fight the “don’t be evil” Google.

How much? US$44 billions. I don’t know exactly how much that is…but I remember Youtube was sold at US$1.65 billions few years ago by Google. I guess Microsoft should have bought Youtube…as it is definitely the most successful online video sharing site nowadays. Yes, I use Youtube service. When Google bought Youtube, many asked if Google overpaid…but now it seems cheap to me (seeing how much influence Youtube has on the internet).

Back to Yahoo…so is it sold? Not yet, for now. Yahoo share up nearly 50% after Microsoft announced the buying news. Those insiders must be laughing all the way to the bank now…

Rumors that Yahoo might seek other buyers alternatives, e.g. Apple. Yes, I think Apple has a more healthy image than Microsoft…and people like Apple. Yahoo + Apple = New Life. Steve Job is definitely one of the smartest guy in the world. With him guiding Yahoo, there might still be chance to survive. Microsoft? They can’t even survive on their own now…not sure how they can inject new life into Yahoo.

By the way…Yahoo…if you are listening…you should launch your Publisher Network to people outside USA. I have been waiting for more than a year…and you still not including internet users from other country to join. There are many people who can’t use Adsense, or have been banned by Adsense, they want alternative and I am sure Yahoo is the best alternative to Google. You should grab this chance, opportunity…but after one year waiting…you are still not progressing. What a shame…what a disappointment…

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