It's like merely a year since I got this lens [On this day in July 2005]. But it has already served me well, helped me taken a lot of nice pictures. Now, I'm offering to let it serve a new owner.

Any takers?

Here's the advert I post on the Photography FTZ

SIGMA 70-300mm F4-5.6 APO DG MACRO + Hoya 58mm UV Purchased : July 2005 PRICE BUY : RM 800 Reason Sell : Upgraded. PRICE RM650.00. Postal service provided around Malaysia or can COD in Penang. Thanks. - nesohu

Reason for selling? Because I've already drill a hole in my pocket, wallet and piggy bank for a Nikkor 80-200mm f2.8 which I carry it practically all my recent photography outings.

1st thing that attracts me to it is Open Sources. Maybe it might not be a preference for you, but it does mean that these things comes for free for quite some time before some huge company decided to buy it off.

Here's what I've gotten from it's website.

Democracy. The only video player you need.

1. Play Anything
Play virtually any video-- Quicktime, WMV, MPEG, AVI, XVID, and more. Browse your collection, make playlists, stay organized. One homebase for all your videos.

2. Get Internet TV Shows
Subscribe to any video RSS feed, podcast, or video blog. Explore hundreds of free channels with the built-in Channel Guide.

3. Search YouTube
Download and save videos from YouTube, Google Video, Yahoo Video, and other sites.

4. High Definition and Fullscreen
Your computer screen is a high-def display. Watch free HD videos in gorgeous fullscreen.

5. Torrent Power
Easily download any BitTorrent file. Fast. Then watch it in the same app. Simple.

I've tried it, it's rather lightweight, but still not very stable just yet. If you are adventerous enough, you might give it a try. [Click here]

Labels: Tech

My first speech in front of my fellow Toastmasters (TI). I was so eager to get it out since I sign up for the project. According to the club's president, he only managed to take up the role after joining TI for 6 months, and I tried to pushed mine earlier through the tight schedule.

My Mentor DTM Shankar, is very enthusiastic in making sure I don't make a fool out of myself. Dad has been friends with him for a very long time, and as a favour to my dad, he feels the obligation to guide me despite not being asked. Last Friday, I've shown him my first draft which he asked me to write it all over again. I'm glad he did attend the meeting and see me perform.

To my surprise, most of the top people (who have been working there since I was born) are there listening to me talking, this includes the HR manager, IE manager, Accounts head, and a lot of department managers. Am I afraid? Sure! I almost feel like peeing on the floor before I start. But things have been a little different once the Toastmaster of the Evening introduced me, and get me on stage.

I speak it all out, enjoying myself in front of the crowd and make eye contact and sudden pause here and there just to make sure the audience understand. One thing I've managed to learn today is that I actually can manage a laugh or two on people's face. Yet I need to learn to manage my time and to control my flow of thoughts. My assignment is suppose to be 4 to 6 minutes, before I get into my conclusion, the Red light is already on. I didn't managed to show the pictures I've taken to the attendees. Anyway, I'm glad I've get through with the first project and I'll be looking forward to my future assignments to come.

After the meeting, John.Y gave us a treat at the canteen for completing his Competent Communicator manual. The food is better than those normally served during lunch time. But anyway, thanks to TM, I can save up money from dinner.

Labels: Toastmasters

Grandma is down on Osteoporosis for quite some time now hence no more "catering service" provided. As my younger sister is home for her loooooong holiday, I'm glad she picked up a dozen of dishes to cook. And I'm sure you won't know it's cooked by an amateur like she is.

She even learn how to make pandan kaya, and some other more advance dishes. Mom's rather lazy to step into the kitchen, I wonder where she learns all these skills. Here's the link to her post about being a house keeper.

Labels: Family

Went to meet the Director that helped me as she told me to. She invited the other two big guys from the company in, which both knew me quite well. Seems like the incident happening last night has been a gossip around the company. I can't believe words spreads so fast even in factories which have more than 1000 employees.

She was explaining to me about the situation, and how she and the others will try to help me. I really feel sorry for Mr S, who has helped and recommend me this job. I gave J the person's car number but from his understanding, it's not registered with the company. That gave me a slight relieve as the possibility is that he might be working with the videography or food catering service the other night. He might also be one of the technicians, but from what I've know so far, no one in my line knows him.

I might already have some behavioural misconduct in my file, but I'm still happy to work there. People are friendly, supportive and work like a family. Despite not being able to get any technical trainings, on-job trainings have already gave me quite a lot to learn for the past 5~6 months.

Anyway, the lesson I learned today is that...it's not benificial to punish I.D.I.O.T.S, just let the society decides on what to do with him. When we have to choice to either be right or be happy, let us choose to be happy. Winning doesn't always lead to Happiness. G'night

Guess what shit I steped into... I've volunteered myself to wear some cheap batik and walk around the stage while people working together with me are snapping away with their digital cameras. You might be laughing out the burger you just taken, but that's the kinda person I am. I'll never refused an opportunity to stand in front of a crowd, humiliating myself, and getting people to recognise me.

It's not the nervousness that I'm worried about that night. It's the waiting that kills me. I've been waiting backstage while missing all the photography opportunities in front. The more I think about it, the more angry I was. After the performance, the only comment I get is that I'm too errogant not smiling and all. But isn't that what most guy models do? Acting cool and what not. What burst the fuel in me is that the "sponsors" only bring 1 shirt for each guy which they promised 2.

Anyway, there's everything to complain about, and nothing enjoyable to talk. The food sucks, the place is never the kinda location I'll usually dine in, and I've only managed to take like 100+ pictures when I could've actually taken 300+ for this kinda occasion. I've missed out all the nice performance...it will NEVER happen again next year. No more voluntary job from MR Nice Guy.

I went early and parked at a nice lot near the entrance. After the event, I'm among those that ran out first as I'm eager to go home and rest after driving back all the way from Ipoh. But this stupid fella PCS 4198 blocked my car from coming out. These nuisance came late for the event, blocked my car, and taking his own sweet time walking out after the event. I've been waiting so impatiently that I decided to give him a lesson. There goes my butt sitting on the bonnet with both my legs up on the front bumper.

The clock moves ever that slowly when you're angry and waiting... 30 minutes has passed before this idiot come over and wonder why I was sitting on his car. Scolded him until I get my apology, but yet he refused to move his car away from the scene. Another AMOEBA came along and "helped", telling me that I don't know the traffic regulations. Doesn't these people think twice before spiting all over themselves? Anyway, thankfully a company director I knew came to solve the problem and asked him to move. I've jot down that person's number, just in case anything happens to my car.

What a bad day...what kinda society we live in?

Labels: Work

What can I say? I've just been having problems with my computer problems for 2 months, and the net has evolve so fast I can't even keep up. See, I'm still here 12.27am in the morning trying to play with IE7.0 while adding Feeds into my Google Feeds Lab.

My persistence on staying intact with IE has bring all the great features from Firefox and Opera right into the Microsoft company. This means compatiblity shouldn't be an issue even if I'm moving into Vista in a few months time. The interface is also really interesting, smth rather futuristic, the only problem is to find the location of the buttons and getting used. Tech savvys wouldn't find it a problem I believe.

Me and Irene have been finding desktop feedreaders are a bit of a nuisance as they are updating and flooding our desktop all the time. It even create security issues while she access it in the office. I have been talking to Irene about scripting smth exactly like FeedReader for web for quite some time. But now, Google have already made my life so much easier with Google Feeds Lab. All I need to do is to export those RSS that I used to read inside (which will take me another 2 hours at least). That'll be all for now, havta get up for work before 8am tomorrow. :(

Labels: Tech

Like everyone else, I used to think that I can stop reading after getting up stage to collect my scroll from Tun Siti Hasmah. Yes, I did play a fool, getting used with a new working environment, starting to know new friends and catching up with my hobby. But after a few months, I feel rather horrible. Without peer pressure nor any external influence, I can sense that I've been left behind in terms of technology.

Now, I'm a happy reader of a NE Asia, one from toastmasters and another regular subscription of Digital Camera. NE Asia has quite a lot of advert (that's how i get it for free), but the contents there are rather advance. I've to called up Dr G to refresh what I've learnt in Uni. It's only 6 months since I've step out from the exam hall, but I'm worse than a first-year undergrad.

In Toastmaster (the magazine), I've learnt quite a lot about the social circle - what they are doing and how I can benifit from them. There's quite a lot inside which I can relate with developing myself for example how to communicate, being a leader and networking. Participating in their events also helps me to express myself better in the crowd. I've yet to start my assignments, but soon I'll be on my path up to be a competent Toastmaster.

Digital Camera on the other hand is for me to observe how people capture nice images, and I'll leave the rest for you to judge on how my pictures turn out.

This evening I was talking with John Y who just graduated from his MBA, which he took 3 years to complete part time. I am rather interested in taking a course as well, just that I've too much things occupying my time for now. Maybe after getting used to the new working environment, I might be able to spend some time learning up a new skill or two.

What I am interested in learning up is Excel Macros, Flash, and marketting in that order. Most probably finding sometime working on those after I've finished my monthly subscriptions. I've planned to get more electronic related printed matters delivered to my inbox. If you happen to know of any, do leave me a note.

In a nutshell, with the lack of continuity people might lose interest in a particular field. Hence, updating urself and polishing up your skills is a MUST if you want to survive in this ever changing society. Opportunities comes without a warning, make sure that you are well prepared when it comes. Don't give yourself excuses, "when there's a will, there's a way".

Signing off,
Student for life

Labels: Education

I've got an error with my LCD with the screen only showing "Not Optimum Mode..." For months, I've tried various methods of troubleshooting myself:- Cleaning my CPU hardwares, Installing WindowsXP numerous times, and even ended up spending money to get an ORIGINAL copy of the OS. Later, I've have to wait for 30 minutes intervals before the LCD happen to boot up. (In IC testing, we call such thing as intermitent passes.)Checked online for reviews, which shows that this is one of the inherited problem from the manufacture.

Samsung might have forgotten to do this Public Service Announcement, but this is what I've get to know after having my LCD serviced by them.

According to the Customer Servant Service Officer, the problem came from the MICOM (Micro Computer) which they bought from some semiconductor suppliers. LCDs that are manufactured pre-2005 would have this problem. So, if you happen to be one of the lucky/unlucky guy, do sent them down for a replacement eventhough ur warranty has expired.

I love the Service from Samsung Penang. For electronic products, usually it'll take like weeks before they analyse and get back to us. But for this particular issue, they've already acknowledge, removed and replaced a new MICOM chip for me. Within 2 hours, I've received a call from them to collect the unit. Isn't that Simply Amazing???

Note: I'm typing this entry on the LCD now. And believe me, it works~!

Labels: Tech

Dunno wut luck I ran into lately. Newly bought handphone now under repairs. It's like the 3rd handphone I've bought in less than 6 months. Damn, I really need to be more careful.

OH well, photography is a costly hobby. And when I say expensive, means it can kill u anytime. I died more horribly than those who went gambling every now and then. So, don't follow me. Photography is dangerous.

Labels: Tech

It's been slightly more than 1 year since i got my computer, but i think either the graphic card or monitor is getting down on me. Havta use my sis' computer to online for the moment. A lot of things has happen lately, but will find proper time to let u people know.

Labels: Tech