Being towed, or Tow the Tow Truck?

What will you do when you come to find your car being towed?
probably have debate with the tow-guy, right?
But what's next?
here's one example...

Hahahahahaha.....a very brave act...Salute...

HP EliteBook Tests

I have been searching for a review on EliteBook which performs some ruggedized tests on it, and now I found one. Enjoy the show…

Amazingly strong...ruggedized...

Cooking Gas Cylinder used as NGV tank caused death

Nowadays, many are going for alternative fuels. The most advertised these days can be seen to be the NGV.

Last Friday, it’s been reported a trader has died after his NGV-powered van exploded, during refueling. The van is found to have a Cooking Gas Cylinder installed in place of a proper NGV storage tank. The driver died instantly, while his brother and his friend who were in the van sustained serious injuries and is now hospitalized.

More details can be found from this link: http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Sunday/National/2397071/Article/index_html

My comment here would be the NGV system conversion that he has on his van. He converted a cooking gas cylinder to be used as NGV storage tank in the van. The cylinder head has been converted to be used with the NGV system. It’s quite creative, but is it safe? There’s always a standard for safety for any conversion. Moreover, he left his engine running (engine combustion is actively igniting and burning) while refueling. This is a very WRONG practice. We all know that Gas Burns.

So, please be more careful when making any conversion to your fuel supply system in your car. It’s fatal if wrong concepts are applied. And please shut down your engines while refueling. The explosion, if occurred at petrol station, is not just you being affected. Everyone at the petrol station, and maybe around it, may also be affected by the explosion. The “affect” I’m talking about is “Death”.

How much does your website cost?

Well, I'm not quite sure how many websites are there which can do the same as this http://www.netvaluer.com/

I accidentally found this link, which can estimate how much does your website costs.

Interesting…

Killed in Ritual

I think this news is a bit scary.
A middle aged couple were killed in “ritual”.
They were having a party (Hari Raya celebration), and the discussion went that the husband (47 years old) seeking helps to make him stop smoking, and his wife (41 years old) were also having asthma and liver ailment. One of their relatives, a 23-year-old male suggested family join forces to beat the husband and wife to death to rid them from their ailments. And the tragedy really happened.
It could be either a mutual agreed situation or a one sided action.
Their heads were smashed on a table, and beaten with broomsticks and motorcycle helmets at his house in Kuala Lumpur.
Ambulance was called within hours, but the couple couldn’t live after the beaten up. Several other family members were also injured.

Further details at http://newsvote.bbc.co.uk/mpapps/pagetools/print/news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7649851.stm
or
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/7649851.stm
or
http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5hUxHsfRjFDhpOJ3s6ZcyIzzMCeRAD93IQTV00

Buck Converter - Power Electronics Design

Today, I searched for information on Buck-Based Converter. It’s a power electronics design where input voltage is stepped down to a lower voltage to supply to a targeted operational circuit. It’s also known as Switch Mode Regulator or Step-Down Switch Mode Power Supply. This design is good and can be an alternative to Linear Power Supply/Regulator. Switch-Mode configuration is also seen to be more efficient in driving higher power applications.

Here are some links I would like to share. First is this http://www.powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/resources/pe_html/contents.htm .

It discusses in almost all aspects of the design of Power Supply, from a single diode rectification to buck or boost switch-mode designs, with proper illustration diagrams. I find it quite pleasant, as many discussions are pointed out with graphs and simple circuit diagrams.

Another link to share is this http://powerelectronics.com/power_systems/dc_dc_converters/power_buckconverter_design_demystified/ .
It discusses more on calculations to select inductor, capacitor, FET, etc. to form the required circuit specifications. This website also has contents related to many power electronics design (as it is a website of a Power Electronics Technology).

One of the simple Buck Converter Circuits is here http://www.powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/resources/pe_html/ch07s1/f05c07s1.gif

A Power MOSFET is preferred to be used as Power Semiconductor Switch in the figure above. It should have fast switching time, and able to withstand high voltage spikes that might be produced by the inductor.

The PWM generator will be the main key to vary the output current, with varying On-Time and Off-Time.

Power Electronics Design is interesting. I actually am not so familiar with power supply design, except normal linear regulation design. I just started to get involved more in power conversion design, and so I have to study more about it. We can't run away from power conversion design, as every electronics design needs power input, and there are many different types of power conversion circuits nowadays.

References:
http://www.powerdesigners.com/InfoWeb/resources/pe_html/contents.htm
http://powerelectronics.com/power_systems/dc_dc_converters/power_buckconverter_design_demystified/
http://www.google.com.my/search?hl=en&q=buck+converter&meta=

Little Girl Dancing Pro (Korea) - Video

A very cute girl, who can dance like a pro.
She's just 4 years old.
Amazing...

19 hours laptop - Dell Latitude E-Series

My laptop can last up to 3 hours on 6 cells battery pack. This is more or less typical.

Now, you can achieve 19 hours of battery live...!!!

Wow...this is what Dell has come up with, with its Dell Latitudes, E Series.

Sizes include 15.4", 14.1", 13.3" and 12.1".

Namely the E6500, E6400, E5500, E5400, E4300, E4200.

The laptops are so efficient. Consume little energy, till can last up to 19 hours. This is really impressive.

However, the 19 hours live is true for 15.4" and 14.1", with 9-cell battery packs. The 13.3" and 12.1" use 6-cell battery packs, which can last 12hours.

If you want to have a look at some of its videos, you can have a look at them directly from Dell website here: http://www.dell.com/content/topics/topic.aspx/global/shared/corp/media/en/dell_latitude_webcast?c=us&l=en&s=gen

So, now, I guess if you want to use a laptop for longer time before a recharge is needed? Dell might be a choice here.

References:
http://www1.ap.dell.com/content/products/category.aspx/latit?%7Eck=anav&c=my&l=en&s=bsd&cs=mybsd1&ref=homepg

LEDs Replacing Incandescent Lamps

Live will not be lively without Light.

There’s no way a building will omit a lamp. You need lamps to shine internal of the building. Otherwise it could be a ghost house. Hehe.

So, these lamps, such as the fluorescent lamps, consume electricity.

How many people know that recently there has been efforts to replace incandescent lamps with LED light sources? Why replace?

In many countries, such as the USA, are now phasing out the conventional incandescent lamps, and phasing into using LEDs. The reason behind this is the LED’s energy efficiency which out beats incandescent lamps many times. LEDs consume many times less than incandescent lamps too. A set of LEDs emitting equal amount of light as the incandescent lamp, consumes less electricity. It can be more save by 50%.

Reducing electricity consumption will reduce burning of energy recourses. This is related to environmental concerns.

There are many sources of information to LEDs on the net.

Currently there are already many companies around the world design, manufacturing, and selling LED lighting products.

In fact, I’m also working closely with LED products in my current employment. I really encourage everyone to convert most of their lightings into LEDs.

And today, I happened to find one link which is quite a good resource of information on LEDs. http://www.solutionsforledlights.com/

I am also surprised to read that there’s LED University…!!!

If you would like to study LEDs, here you go http://www.leduniversity.org/index.asp

Alright, that’s all I would like to drop by here.

Last but not least,
Do help to reduce usage of energy resources by reducing energy consumption.

Welcome to Beijing - Olympic 2008 Beijing them song (one of) - Music Video

This is one of the theme songs of Olympic 2008 Beijing.
As far as I know, China has produced many theme songs. This is one of them.
Enjoy...

Riding with Robots - Recommended Blog for Space Exploration

Ever wonder what are the traces found on other planets?
I believe some might think of NASA when want to read or find out info about space.

Well, I found this blog website may be a good source of snaps taken from the space robots sent out to space to explore other planets. http://www.ridingwithrobots.org/blog/

It’s prepared and authored by Bill Dunford. As I have read his profile here, I think he’s quite an interesting man. Riding with Robots is a great blog he has prepared. He writes it as a hobby. He personally also likes photography.

In this blog, you will find photos taken from many planets in the outer space. Bill Dunford will update this blog pretty regular, with latest photos taken down from outer space. His posts will provide direct links to sources where the photos were taken. Further information can be tracked down through “Riding with Robots” linking to sources.

Riding with Robots surely is another interesting blog to be “talk of the town” for space boys.

References:
http://www.ridingwithrobots.org/blog/
Photo Credit:
http://www.spacetoday.org/images/Mars/MarsRovers2003/MarsRover2003_1.jpg

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R35) 2009 - Video

This is one of my favourite Sports cars.


Reference:
http://www.gtchannel.com/content.php?cid=23510
http://youtube.com/watch?v=z_7qRA_9qIw

Walking Assist Device - by Honda Motors

In robotic world, there are so many categories of robots. Examples can be manufacturing robots, medical robots, outer space exploration robots, agricultural robots, and the most recent one, the humanoid robot. Many will immediately think of ASIMO when talking about robots. It’s the popular robotic research by HONDA.

Now, HONDA, with its continuous R&D in its technologies in many sectors, has now announced its latest development in assisting human. It's the Walking Assist Device.


It’s a device to support people with difficulties in walking. Targeting at elderly or those having weak legs.

This device consists of two intelligent motors. Each motor responsible of supporting one leg. Both function in harmony to assist the person to walk more comfortably.

The device claimed to help one to increase his/her distance of footstep. This means, he/she will be able to walk with bigger steps. It’s meant for those having shorter than normal footstep. Well, I believe the footstep distance is limited to the actual possible step that the person is able to achieve comfortably. Otherwise he or she will have too big the footstep and that will pose unpleasant outcome.

(Quoted from Honda World Site) Honda Motor Co., Ltd. will begin collaborative testing of its experimental walking assist device as from July 1, 2008, with Shinseikai Medical Group, Kasumigaseki-Minami Hospital (Kawagoe, Saitama prefecture).


The device will be evaluated to monitor its performance in helping people at rehabilitation centre to relearn walking. Device bugs (issues) will be identified and solved during the period.

So, not long we will see many elderly able to walk more energetically with this Walking Assist device.

Reference:
http://world.honda.com/news/2008/c080630Walking-Assist-Device/

Hancock - New Hero - Action Movie

We all know Superman, Batman, Spider Man, Fantastic 4, Etc. but...there's a new supernatural human. Is he a new Hero? Well, we'll just have to see him in "Hancock"...



And here's the official website of Hancock (The movie): http://www.sonypictures.com/movies/hancock/site/main.php

Want to watch more clips? Here… http://www.youtube.com/user/HancockTheMovie

Will you miss it?
I definitely will not.

Water Powered Car (Japan)

So, petrol price is increasing and increasing and increasing. Ever ending?
We have to look for alternatives now, and here it is...

And it saves environment too...

New 11000 millionaires emerged in Australia (2007)

Erm…I’m no millionaire, but am trying to be one. Try? Means trying to earn more. Of course legally. Hehe…

I was reading news today, just browsing around news presses to get updates on fuel prices, and came across this news in The News Straits Times (Malaysia), titled: “Australia now has 172,000 millionaires”.

Wow…that’s huge figure for me.

The initial sentence of the news even shocked me more. It said: “Another 11,000 Australians became millionaires in 2007 in US dollar terms”.

Oh my god…!!! 11000 new millionaires emerged in a year?!!!

Ok…now, it makes me think that I might have to migrate to Australia to be one. Haha…!!!

So, which country has the most number of millionaires?
It’s United States with 3.03 million millionaires in 2007.

Notice the word “million” being printed twice. Million of Millionaires.

Ok…it sounds like I’m so amazed with this. Why not? I’m not a millionaire yet, and I want to be.

After United States, it follows by #2-Japan, #3-Germany, #4-United Kingdom, #5-China, #6-France, #7-Canada, #8-Italy, and #9-Switzerland. Australia being #10.

The end.

I need a break. Need to plan hard on how to catch up with them. :p

Or shall I just forget it?

Reference:
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/NewsBreak/20080625175330/Article/index_html

HP rocks market with 16 new laptops

Today, 10th June 2008, HP released 16 new laptop models for consumers and businesses. I personally have been waiting for this moment. HP really caught my attention today, and I believe many out there are also excited to hear this announcement.

For the entertainment laptops, it rolled out the new dv4, dv5, and dv7.

The Presario also has its new models as CQ45, CQ40 and CQ50 series.

And the most interesting and important release of all is the new lineup of HP Laptops, the EliteBook series.

The HP EliteBook laptops are built tough. It’s semi-ruggedized. It’s built to meet the MIL-STD 810F military-standard durability.

The EliteBook features HP DuraCase – brushed anodized aluminum exterior casing combined with a magnesium alloy chassis.

All these with latest hardware specifications to be picked.

More details at:
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press/2008/080610xe.html?mtxs=rss-corp-news
and
http://www.hp.com/large/campaigns/personal_again/index.html

Malaysia petrol price at RM2.70 per litre

Ladies and gentlemen, all Malaysian settlers, it’s going to be RM2.70. You know what I’m talking about. It’s the petrol price. You have time to enjoy rate of RM1.92 till 12:00 am 5th June 2008.

This is earlier than expected. It's earlier than what they said yesterday that they are planning to hike it in August 2008.

Let’s try a rough calculation for the effect on my fuel consumption.

My fuel tank capacity is 50 litres.

However, I normally used up 40 litres before refuel. So, normally I pay RM76.80 for 40 litres of petrol. Now, I’ll have to pay RM108 for 40 litres. That’s an increase of RM31.20 for 40 litres of petrol.

Wow…!!!

Diesel price has also been raised up. It’s going to be RM 2.58 per litre.

References:
http://www.sun2surf.com/article.cfm?id=22902

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2008/6/4/nation/20080604175025&sec=nation

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wednesday/Frontpage/20080604171620/Article/index_html

Manager VS Leader

The differences between a Manager and a Leader:

The manager drives people, the leader coaches them.

The manager depends on authority, the leader on good will.

The manager inspires fear, the leader inspires enthusiasm.

The manager says “I”, the leader says “WE”.

The manager says “Get here on time”, the leader gets there ahead of time.

The manager fixed blame for the breakdown, the leader fixes the breakdown.

The manager knows how it is done, the leader shows how.

The manager says “Go”, the leader says “Let’s go”.

The manager uses people, the leader develops them.

The manager sees today, the leader also looks at tomorrow.

The manager commands, the leader asks.

The manager never has enough time, the leader makes time for things that count.

The manager is concerned with things, the leader is concerned with people.

The manager works hard to produce, the leader works hard to help people to produce.

The manager takes the credit, the leader gives it.

So, do you want to be a manager or leader?

Be a manager if you want to survive alone.

Be a leader if you want to live along with your people together.

Reference:
Quoted from presentation slides attached to a forwarded email. Slides Prepared by Leong Ai Ying, 30 Oct 2004 (as stated in the slides).

Fuel Price Hike

Alright, something serious is about to happen. I’m talking about consumables. And what I’m talking about is the vehicle fuel.

As many people know, Malaysia is selling petrol and diesel at a very low rate. Currently, its gasoline price is selling at RM1.92 per litre.

The low price is possible with subsidies from the government. However, it has been updated that it will let fuel prices in Malaysia to follow world market price.

Well well, pros and cons here.

Of course the most terrible effect would be the increased in travelling cost for those travelling with their own cars. So, many will approach to use public transport. However, my concern is that, the public transport might also be affected by the increased in fuel price. They also have to use fuel. Therefore, they will also increase their fairs. So, by then, everyone will have to calculate here and there to get the most economical mode of transport. The most obvious thing we will see is a reduction in “drive for fun” or “drive like mad” or “drive with no route plan”. One will have to start planning their journey before ever start their engines. This is actually good to train everyone to be more conscious.

I actually feel a little bit down when hearing that the fuel price will increase so much, as I have been used to the low fuel price. However, I must say, I have been looking forward for this to take effect. Why?

I have the feeling that people here have forgotten that the world is running out of fossil fuel. The world is running out of energies. The world is having too much pollution. The world needs everyone to rescue the world.

So, expensive fuel price will at least help the world by making people feel uncomfortable to simply burn fuel.

Burning fuel, in this case is the operation of combustion engines, actually produce few bi-products. First is the exhaust gas. It contains Carbon monoxide, which is a kind of pollutant. Second would be the heat generated from the engine. Imagine millions of vehicles operating. What the world is trapping?

Many people have already said that people will get used to the increased fuel price, and will again start burning more and more.

So, people...! Don’t just look at the fuel price to decide whether you need to save on your petrol price or not. It’s time and role for us to rescue the world.

P.S.
Ok. I believe, many people will ask, how can I just start with the discussion on fuel price and end with world-rescue thingy? Well, I just can’t see the broken link between them.

References:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKSGC00202120080603

http://uk.reuters.com/article/oilRpt/idUKSP25479620080603

http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5heRWFx3rbxn-I9Tn7JSoRh_M0X7Q

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSKLR32148720080602

Quotes - Warren Buffet

Few days ago, I received forward email, with a presentation slides attached.
It’s a presentation slides related to Mr. Warren Buffet.
The slides brief his life and his principles.
According to the slide, he’s the 2nd richest man.
He has many principles, thinking, and attitudes that I think worth to be example models.

His advices and mind sets are just too meaningful to me. I believe, his advices are practical.

Here are the quotes from the slides that I would like to share:

***
Don’t buy more than what you “really need”.

You are what you are.

Always think how you can accomplish things economically.

Assign the right people to right job. (for bosses)

Make goals and make sure people focus on them.

Don’t try to show off. Just be yourself and do what you enjoy doing.

Warren Buffet’s advices:
- Stay away from credit cards (bank loan) and invest in yourself.
- Money does create man but it is the man who created money.
- Live your life as simple as possible.
- Don’t do what others say, just listen to them, but do what you feel good.
- Don’t go on brand name; just wear those things in which you feel comfortable.
- Don’t waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather.
- After all it’s your life then why give chance to others to rule your life.

The happiest people DONOT necessarily have the BEST of all. They simply APPRECIATE what they find in their way.
***

Gundam 3D

Recently, I have been attached to my work more than entertainment. So, I thought, I better find some entertainment to relax my brain a bit.

What’s it supposed to be? Think, think, think, and think… and… this…

This came into my mind. Haha…!!!
It’s the Gundam.

After few minutes of google’ing…I came to know a blog, that the owner actually spends time on drawing the Gundam in 3D by himself. What impresses me is that, he didn’t draw just one. He draws many. And it’s really nice.

You can have a look at his work at http://anaheimmachines.blogspot.com/

And here's one of his works.

Gundam is way too cool .
So, when are we going to see the real functional Gundam in real 1:1 scale?
And when the day of real Gundam exists, what will the world be like?

References:

http://www7a.biglobe.ne.jp/~ganprakan/gallery/mygallery/wingzero.html

Why wedding ring should put on the fourth finger??

Today, received a meaningfull description of the wedding ring. It's really amazing. You may have a try.
here it goes...:

Thumb represents parents Second finger represents brothers & sisters Center finger represents own self Fourth finger represents your partner Last finger represents your children Really interesting

Why weddin g ring should put on the fourth finger?? Pls follow the below step, really god made this a miracle (this is from a Chinese excerpt)

Firstly, show your palm, center finger bend and put together back to back Secondly, the rest 4 fingers tips to tips

Game begins....follow the below arrangement, 5 finger but only 1 pair can split.




Try to open your thumb, the thumb represents parents, it can be open because all human does go thru sick and dead. Which are our parents will leave us one day.

Please close up your thumb, then open your second finger, the finger represent brothers and sisters, they do have their own family which is too they will leave us too.

Now close up your second finger, open up your little finger, this represent your children. Sooner or later they too will leave us for they got they own living to live.

Nevertheless, close up your little finger, try to open your fourth finger which we put our wed ding ring; you will be surprise to find that it cannot be open at all. Because it represent husband and wife, this whole life you will be attach to each other.

Real love will stick together ever and forever. . .

New Acer Aspire 6920

This is another laptop which catches my attention, with its pretty high-side specification.

It's the Acer Aspire 6920.

Acer calls it Gemstone Blue.

Here are the videos I found from the net.

Its media touch-control is very cool.

The highlight would be the Blu-Ray Drive, and a 16” HD widescreen display.
And…it’s just RM4499, with 2.1GHz Intel Core 2 Duo Processor.
HDD space? It’s a huge 320GB HDD. And also with 2GB Ram.
Graphic card? It’s a GeForce 9500 with dedicated memory of 512MB.
Packaged with Windows Vista Home Premium.
And it has a built-in webcam.

All these with RM4499...!!!

I think it’s quite cheap and worth when looking at the spec.

References:
http://www.acer.com.my/product/prod_overview.aspx?category=Mobile%20PC&model=Aspire%206920G-812G32&series=Aspire%206920G%20Series

http://www.acer.com/gemstoneblue/eng/

msfont.dll (computer virus)

Yesterday morning, my antivirus software detected a virus named msfont.dll.
It’s located in the folder c:/windows/system32/.
The antivirus software failed to remove it, neither can quarantine it.
I was a bit worried at that time.
I then tried to delete it manually at the folder, but also not able to delete.
Now I’m more worried.

I searched for information on this virus, and found one discussion at http://groups.msn.com/4pcexperts/general.msnw?action=get_message&mview=0&ID_Message=16639&LastModified=4675667198270013869 .

So, I decided to try to enter safe-mode to perform scanning.

And yes, it worked. In safe-mode, the antivirus software was able to quarantine the msfont.dll.
So now, I can delete it.

Phew…I thought I had to reformat my PC already. Lucky there’s information shared on the net. That’s what the internet is for. . .

Love and Madness

This story is shared by Hanim. Thanks for your comment and sharing another nice Love’s Story.

This story would like to say: “Love is blind and is always accompanied by Madness.”

However, I can see it in another way. The story can also indicate that “Love can be hurt by madness.” The madness can either be from the madness of the person who holds the love himself/herself, or, the madness from others who just don’t know how to handle or value the precious love of the one who loves.

Here’s how the story goes:

Love and Madness

A long time ago, before the world was created and humans set foot on it for the first time, virtues and vices floated around and were bored, not knowing what to do.

One day, all the vices and virtues were gathered together and were more bored than ever. Suddenly, Ingenious came up with an idea: "Let's play hide and seek!"

All of them liked the idea and immediately Madness shouted: "I want to count, I want to count!" And since nobody was crazy enough to want to seek Madness, all the others agreed.

Madness leaned against a tree and started to count: "One, two, three..." As Madness counted, the vices and virtues went hiding.

Tenderness hung itself on the horn of the moon, Treason hid in a pile of garbage. Fondness curled up between the clouds and Passion went to the centre of the earth.

Lie said that it would hide under a stone, but hid at the bottom of the lake, whilst Avarice entered a sack that he ended up breaking.

And Madness continued to count: "... seventy nine, eighty, eighty one..."

By this time, all the vices and virtues were already hidden -except Love. For undecided as Love is, he could not decide where to hide. And this should not surprise us, because we all know how difficult it is to hide Love.

Madness: "...ninety five, ninety six, ninety seven..." Just when Madness got to one hundred, Love jumped into a rose bush where he hid. And Madness turned around and shouted: "I'm coming, I'm coming!"

As Madness turned around, Laziness was the first to be found, because Laziness had no energy to hide. Then he spotted Tenderness in the horn of the moon, Lie at the bottom of the lake and Passion at the centre of the earth.

One by one, Madness found them all - except Love. Madness was getting desperate, unable to find Love. Envious of Love, Envy whispered to Madness: "You only need to find Love, and Love is hiding in the rose bush." Madness grabbed a wooden pitch fork and stabbed wildly at the rose bush. Madness stabbed and stabbed until a heartbreaking cry made him stop.

Love appeared from the rose bush, covering his face with his hands. Between his fingers ran two trickles of blood from his eyes. Madness, so anxious to find Love,had stabbed out Love's eyes with a pitch fork.

"What have I done! What have I done!" Madness shouted. "I have left you blind! How can I repair it?"

And Love answered: "You cannot repair my eyes. But if you want to do something for me, you can be my guide."

And so it came about that from that day on, Love is blind and is always accompanied by Madness.

Love’s Story

It’s been a long time I didn’t update this blog. Sorry. I have been busy with full-time work for the past few weeks. Exhausted. I will try to update this blog whenever possible.

Today, I received a forward email, which I feel it’s quite meaningful.

The story actually translates into the saying “Time will Judge Everything” or "Time will Cure".

Here’s how the story goes…

Love's Story

Once upon a time, there was an island where all the feelings lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of the others including Love. One day it was announced to the feelings that the island would sink, so all repaired their boats and left.

Love wanted to persevere until the last possible moment. When the island was almost sinking, Love decided to ask for help. Richness was passing by Love in a grand boat. Love said, "Richness, can you take me with you?" Richness answered, "No, I can't. There is a lot of gold and silver in my boat. There is no place here for you.

Love decided to ask Vanity who was also passing by in a beautiful vessel, "Vanity, please help me!" "I can't help you Love. You are all wet and might damage my boat." Vanity answered.

Sadness was close by so Love asked for help, "Sadness, let me go with you." "Oh....Love, I am so sad that I need to be by myself!"

Happiness passed by Love too, but he was so happy that she did not even hear when Love called her!

Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come Love, I will take you." It was an elder. Love felt so blessed and overjoyed that he even forgot to ask the elder his name. When they arrived at dry land, the elder went his own way.

Love realizing how much he owed the elder and asked Knowledge, another elder, "Who helped me?" "It was Time," Knowledge answered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why did Time help me?" Knowledge smiled with deep wisdom and answered, "Because, only Time is capable of understanding how great Love is."

Super-Efficient Ultra-Bright Plasma Light Bulb – A new challenger to LED

A Silicon Valley company, Luxim, has developed a light bulb the size of a Tic Tac that gives off as much light as a streetlight. See the Video.



This bulb is a plasma bulb.

This new bulb can give up to 140 lumens per watt. This is compared to those LED which can generate up to 70 lumens per watt, and those ordinary bulbs will generate light up to 145 lumens per watt. This new super-efficient bulb is now see to be very much more efficient than any present electrical light generation devices. The light it generates is at the temperature of 6000K.

From the video, we could see that the 250 watts Luxim plasma bulb outperforms the 400 watts bulb. This shows the efficiency that the tiny-bulb can give.

More interestingly is that the bulb does not have electrical connection to itself. It’s just a clean light bulb without terminals. What it needs is a puck (dielectric material).
The puck will consist of RF PA (Radio Frequency Power Amplifier) and a circuit board (PCB). The puck is an electrical circuit which will generate RF signals and concentrate and focusing the signal into the light bulb. This signal energy will vaporize the contents in the bulb to plasma state, and making the bulb to generate intense light.
This new high-efficient light bulb is clearly seen to be a new future of lighting technology. However, there’s not much mention on the environmental issues related to the design of the bulb.

The Luxim super-efficient light bulb is a new challenger to the currently developing bright-LEDs. Recently there has been high investment in research and development of LEDs to compete with fluorescent lamps. Many lighting products are now diverting into LEDs. The industry of lighting is clearly seen competitive among themselves in getting most efficient technology, in terms of brightness per watt.

No matter what, technology development will never rest. It’s progressing and keep on moving, with those people who have been spending times to create things to improve lives.

A bit story of lightings:

Light is the main source of energy for photosynthesis in plants. And lights cannot be omitted in lives. We need light to see things. Moreover, we are recently trying to make use of light as a source of energy. So, that’s how important light is.

Now, talking about light bulbs; devices which generate light for the purpose of “seeing objects/things”.

Presently, we have 3 main types of light generation devices.
Fluorescent lamp: contains special gases in its enclosure which will generate light when the gas is charged up by electricity. It will require ballast to regulate power supply to the bulb.
Incandescent Lamp: contains heat element in its enclosure which will be heated when electricity is passed through the element, and hence generate light when the element is heated up to very high temperature. The lamp enclosure is filled with special gases to prevent the heat-element from destroyed through rapid oxidation.
Light Emitting Diode (LED): a semiconductor type of light generation device, which generate light by electron flows through the tiny diode. Its advantage is its ability to generate light in a narrower light spectrum. Therefore, the LEDs have different colours of light. (each colour has specific light wavelength).

Some might want to mention HID as well, but HID is similar to fluorescent lamp, in the sense that its principle is to charge up the enclosed gases to generate light. HID is applied in automotive head lights, and it’s a replacement to conventional head light bulbs. HID will require ballast as well.

Resources:
http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=08/03/22/2049257
http://news.zdnet.com/2422-13568_22-192842.html
http://www.engadget.com/2008/03/18/luxim-wants-to-brighten-your-block-with-ultra-powerful-plasma-li/
http://www.lifi.com/dynamic/display.php/31
http://www.lifi.com/pdfs/ArticleSID2007LUXIM-8Mar07.pdf

All New Jazz 2008 (South-East Asia)

Honda Jazz fans…Honda Jazz the All New has arrived…erm…or another way of saying is The All New Jazz has arrived.

This time, with a very new look. It’s driven with 1.5L i-VTEC gasoline engine. Able to output 120 horse-power at 6,600RPM, and a 145Nm of torque at 4800RPM.

For automatic transmission package, it has Shift-Paddle at the steering wheel (like the F1 shifting) to shift the 5-gear transmission up or down at driver’s will. If not mistaken, it’s no more CVT.

It’s now launched in Thailand.

TVC: http://www.honda.co.th/jazz/launch/flash/th/tvc.swf
Jazz Website: http://www.honda.co.th/jazz/launch/main.php

Photos:

References:

http://www.honda.co.th/automobile/th/mainpage/content.php

The Forbidden Kingdom – the action of Jackie Chan and Jet Li

Jackie Chan or Jet Li? Who? Which one?
Ask no more and prepare to witness a new action adventure movie, starring by the two super stars, Jackie Chan and Jet Li.
The Forbidden Kingdom.
To be released on the 18th April 2008.
Don’t miss it.



Story:
The Forbidden Kingdom (Chinese: 功夫之王) is a forthcoming martial arts adventure film which is the first film collaboration between martial arts veterans Jackie Chan and Jet Li, with action choreography by Yuen Woo-ping. Filming was completed on August 24, 2007 and it went into post-production on September 29. As of April 2007 the film is officially titled The Forbidden Kingdom, before it had been often referred to as The J & J Project. Director Rob Minkoff (who previously helmed such films as The Lion King and the Stuart Little films) will be behind the camera while Yuen Woo Ping will handle the fight choreography. Film studios Lionsgate and The Weinstein Company, will share distributing duties.
(Quoted from Wikipedia. I quoted all just because I’m feeling lazy to write again to describe the same thing.)


Official Website: http://www.forbiddenkingdommovie.com/

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Forbidden_Kingdom

Printed Solar Cells - Print Solar Cells with Ink-Jet Printer

Electronics engineers,
You know what’s PCB, right? It’s Printed Circuit Board that we always handle.

Now, there’s Printed Solar Cells.

This is a very interesting innovation. It’s a new type of Solar Cell Panel. It shouldn’t be called panel as it’s as thin as paper, and made from flexible plastics. When I mention flexible, it means it can be curve-folded, just like the photographic film.

The breakthrough of this solar energy transducer technology is its fabrication process. It’s not the same as earlier solar cells where it used to be processed through silicon fabrication. This time round, what’s needed is just a conventional ink-jet printer.

A thin flexible plastic, which is also a substrate by itself, is used as a printing medium. The ink-jet printer is loaded with a type of ink, which is the solar material. The solar material is then printed onto the plastic film, to form a Printed Solar Cell. The output of this printing process is a thin flexible solar film, which can be rolled. Also, it can be coated with adhesive to have the Printed Solar Cells stick to any surface.


This technology has been announced by Konarka Technoligies Inc. They call it Power Plastic®. It has planned to apply to windows and clothing.

It’s also said to be cheaper than the conventional solar panels.

Reference:
http://www.news.com/8301-11128_3-9891134-54.html?tag=blog.promos
http://www.inhabitat.com/2008/03/10/printable-solar-cells-demonstrated/
http://www.konarka.com/news_and_events/press_releases/2008/3_march/0304_ink.php
http://www.acfnewsource.org/science/solar_film.html
http://www.wired.com/science/discoveries/news/2006/11/72058

Apple iPod Nano Sparks in Japan

Wow…I have heard news on battery explosion in mobile phones and laptops. But now, it’s Apple iPod.

Japan is currently investigating the iPod Nano after it has received a report a user observed sparks while the iPod is being recharged.
It’s not sure how many similar cases occur in other places.

It’s reported that the iPod is assembled in China, but not sure where the Li-ion battery is built.

Soon we shall hear reports on the investigation from Japan, and might also hear something from Apple.

Image just for illustration. (from: http://www.apple.com/ipodnano)

Reference:
http://uk.reuters.com/article/internetNews/idUKT26124920080312
http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/03/12/ap4761192.html
http://money.cnn.com/2008/03/12/technology/japan_ipod.ap/?postversion=2008031206

Vietnam’s First Telecomm Satellite to Launch in April 2008

The telecommunication in Vietnam is expending. Therefore, there’s a need to have its own satellite to cater with the increasing demand of telecommunication. This will reduce Vietnam’s reliance on foreign satellites.

State-run Vietnam Posts and Telecommunication Group (VNPT) have said that the satellite, VINASAT-I, will be launched into orbit on 12th April 2008 in French Guiana by European firm ArianeSpace,

VINASAT-I costs $200-million, built by Lockheed Martin, will have a life span of 15 to 20 years.

Reference:
http://www.reuters.com/article/technologyNews/idUSHAN258220080312

Google Calculator – and many un-well-known Features

How many of you know that Google is also a built-in calculator in its search box?

Try enter this in the google search box and see what happen.
Enter: 5+2*2

And it will give you the exact answer of the calculation u requested.
Answer is 5 + (2 * 2) = 9.

The site is also intelligent enough to accept complicated mathematic expressions such as 160 pounds * 4000 feet in Calories. It will give answer as (160 pounds force) * 4 000 feet = 207.390891 kilocalories

I admit I never knew this feature in Google before till today.
More explanation on Google Calculator at http://www.google.com/help/features.html#calculator.

You may refer to “Google Help Center - Google Web Search Features” for more features that Google is supporting through its simple Search Page.

Here’s the list of features that Google supports:
• Book Search
• Cached Links
• Calculator
• Currency Conversion
• Definitions
• File Types
• Groups
• I'm Feeling Lucky
• Images
• Local Search
• Movies
• Music Search
• News Headlines
• PhoneBook
• Product Search
• Q&A
• Refine Your Search
• Results Prefetching
• Search By Number
• Similar Pages
• Site Search
• Spell Checker
• Stock and Fund Quotes
• Street Maps
• Travel Information
• Weather
• Web Page Translation
• Who Links To You?

So powerful Google is…!!!

Reference:
http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,143229-c,google/article.html
http://www.google.com/help/features.html

105km/h in 1st gear

I was searching for some nice racing videos, and came across this one.


It’s really fast to my impression for a gear-1 to hit 105km/h. I wonder what’s the fastest record for gear-1?

Buggy Rollin the Roller Man

We have Superman, Spiderman, Ultraman, etc. Here comes another Man. He’s the RollerMan. Or also known as the Buggy Rollin Man.

His name is Jean Yves, a French man. He’s a designer, performer, showman, actor, painter, dancer, film director and film editor. He invented Buggy Rollin in 2004, a suit with wheels allows to skate in all positions. He also invented Buggy Ski in 2006, a suit with ski which allows to ski in all positions.

I posted his video previously, and now I found more links to him.

He’s got his video collection in YouTube.com, which is http://youtube.com/user/buggyrollin.

He also has his personal website, which is http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/ with lots of photos posted there. .

Here's another video of him when he presented himself in Korea. It's very entertaining for him to have presented himself in his Roller suit at the airport, and rolled around the airport.



And here are some of his photos: (I like his suit so much. It’s cool…!!!)

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/28109/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/28117/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/28118/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/33837/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/46581/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/46582/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/46583/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/46584/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/198553/view/

http://buggy-rollin.badoo.com/photos/28100/200164/view/

I wonder how it feels like rolling on the stomach down the road. I think it should feel like flying…similar to superman flying…

BodyBlading - Extreme Sport (video)

This is a very cool sport. This man is really creative. Installed rollers on his body and roll down the sloping highway. Amazing…!!!
It’s amazing how he maneuvers down the hill at such high speed. It should be very shocking for the motorists to have this bodyblader slides overtaking pass them. Really impressive.

Enjoy the show...

Reference:
bodyblading descente de psychopathe en plein trafic

Project Ultraman - The new Ultraman series

This is a new Ultraman series production of Thailand, which is called the “Project Ultraman”, and I guess it’s also cooperation with Hong Kong. Some of actors are from Hong Kong.



I am not sure when will it be aired. But, from the trailer, it’s quite nice. I would say its video capturing is way better than the Japanese videos.

I have heard some news regarding copy-right of the Ultraman between Thailand and Japan. I’m not sure how’s it going on now. However, I do hope to see this production from Thailand to proceed and being aired. At least to have a new taste of the new version of Ultraman.

Poster of "Project Ultraman"

Ultraman Elite

Dark Ultraman

Ultraman Millennium

The Converting Device for Dark Ultraman

The converting device for Ultraman Millennium

The converting device for Ultraman Elite

References:
http://webboard.mthai.com/7/2008-02-27/371372.html
http://webboard.mthai.com/7/2008-02-27/371387.html

Wiper-less Windscreen/Windshield – the windshield which does not require wiper

Nanotechnology-Powered Wiper-less Windshield

Ever feeling annoyed by the wiper sweeping across the windscreen when u are driving in the rain? I do. I really hope I don’t have to see anything moving across my windscreen at all, so that I can focus on the traffic in front.

So, here comes an Italian man, Leonardo Fioravanti. He’s a car designer who worked for Pininfarina for a number of years.

He has developed a prototype windscreen or windshield which does NOT require any wiper. Ok. That sounds funny. What happens during the rainy day? Won’t be able to see in front then. But NO. Because this windshield is developed using nanotechnology to repel water and dust without any help from third device.

It consists of 4 layers of glass using nanotechnology.

Layer-1: the layer which is in contact with the outdoor air, is treated with titanium dioxide. It filters sun light and repels water. This gives the windscreen a strong hydrophobic effect.
Layer-2: using 'nano-dust' technology to push dirt to the side (I’m not so sure how this works)
Layer-3: consists of sensors, function as detector that activates the second layer when it detects dirt.
Layer-4: is a conductor of electricity to power the sophisticated windscreen.

This is a breakthrough in windscreen cleaning technology in 100 years.

This technology prototype is now available and still under further development. It’s now functional as claimed. It’s expected to be applied to cars in the market in another 5 years.

References:
http://www.repubblica.it/2008/02/motori/motori-febbraio-2008/motori-hidra-fioravanti/motori-hidra-fioravanti.html
http://science.slashdot.org/article.pl?no_d2=1&sid=08/02/22/2342233

Corolla Altis 2008 (South East Asia)

Toyota has announced new Corolla Altis 2008.

I think, it is really a good improvement from the previous Altis. Little comment would be that it looks a bit like the current version of Camry. Some people have already said it to be a shrunk version of Camry. However, I must say, this new Corolla Altis does look very nice and great. It surely will be the choice for huge number of consumers.




























References:
http://www.newcorollaaltis.com/2008/
http://www.toyota.co.th/th/models/Altis/altis2007_home.htm