Wednesday, June 8, 2011

The Things Behind The Veil- MICSS Science Camp CHHS KL

1 June 2011 5.00pm - On my way back to my rental room in SS15, Subang Jaya right after the dusk of the 7th MICSS Science Camp, a procession of stuffs - the people, the 3D glasses, the lectures, the water rockets, the notes, the "Woa!" and so on - kept swinging around in my mind despite the fact that I was seriously worn-out at that moment.

With all due introspection and now retrospection, I feel an exciting realization had been learned throughout the whole process. 7th MICSS Science Camp was my third experience as a part of this national splashy festival. I would say, if there were one-word-definition for these three experiences, it would be the 'Exploration' for the first, 'Reach-Out' for the second and 'Understanding' for the third, for this time.

Obviously, I'm not going to spend much more time talking about the fun stories and social activities in the science camp, which most of the participants was already done the job. Instead, the 'Understanding' will be the protagonist of this entry - the understanding of the essence behind the veil of science camp, and just as much, the understanding of the seamless influence between the people and the living environment.

The Things Behind

Chong Hwa Independent High School, Kuala Lumpur was the host of this 7th MICSS Science Camp, which is one of the finest independent Chinese high school in my country. Being as one of the team leaders, I worked with the teachers and the student facilitators to make sure the whole process of the science camp was in the right pathway. I was wholly impressed in each time when we were in the meeting room discussing the related matters. First, the teachers, energetic and reverend, they tended to ensure every single tiny stuffs of the science camp would follow their way - the proper rules - ahead. We did been scolded and advised because we didn't seriously bring their instructions into account and wind up the jobs which we should completely take care of. It made sense, we deserved it. They created a phenomenon to perk up all of the working team people doing their right jobs determinedly and delibetately cut down the possibility of the occurrence of mistake.

Second, the student facilitators - the students from CHHS KL, they were another big impression I found in the science camp. They kept working, kept working and kept working under the deadline pressure. They not just worked efficiently and feverishly, but also willing to share out their ideas of coping the problems when teachers were exhausted and struck in several particular plannings - this was a very important element that I'm always talking about to my follow juniors - the involvement. I saw this spark over there which performed extraordinarily and differently from a group of machines - the machines only run the task that have been told - which produced by our sealed-minded education system. You guys were really awesome.

In the end, that kind of spirit turned out to make the 7th MICSS Science Camp become the most time-efficient and work-efficient science camp after all. So, what is the true reason in behind? I would like to cite out one word for this - Discipline. They were the great examplers of that, they did it. Discipline is the vital and fundamental principle that shape up a co-operation work. It's the result of successful leadership and organization. People might have tons of big dream and ideas, but if they forgot to hold on the underlying discipline - slowly climb up the ladder, just thinking to spring from bottom to top, they will just keep falling down, those big dream will still always be the far and unreachable dream.
"To turn really interesting ideas and fledgling technologies into a company...requires a lot of disciplines." - Steve Jobs, Apple Inc.
The Difference of the Environment

One of the major reason that I love to engage in this kind of national camp/event is because I get to meet and know the people from everywhere of our country, ranging from rural area to big downtown. It's true that a group of people living in a same community would have a smiliar collective of mindset, they create their unique way of communicating with people, they follow the way what their predecessors coped with the matters, I think that's what so-called 'culture'. Another fact that, the world is so huge from an angle of view as a human being. People from every corner of the world shape their own unique culture and which is very different than others, I think we call it 'diversity'. When various 'cultures' meet with mixed 'diversities', a significant impact will happen and people starting to exchange their beliefs, perspectives, attitude and so on - It's absolutely what the chemical change behind the every camp and event. However, I noticed that, some of the students was misunderstood the concept, they were aiming just for the prizes/awards - I know, a fraction of them were under the pressure of school as well.

A good story like this: It was really an unexpected surprise when I was talking with a girl who was a senior one student from CHHS KL. She asked a lot about my post-high-school opinions and, you know, according to my past experiences, I assumed that something a senior one student might not know, I unwittingly tried to make my answer to be simple. However, I was wrong afterwards. Apart from the way she talked, she does have a clear idea of the world issues and something like SAT, AP, Ivy League - In contrary, most of the students, even the teachers in my high school would just know the 'SAT' as the past tense of 'sit'...Woe. The apparent difference as a result of the difference in both living and study environment.

So, the importance of conveying this story is to point out the uncanny problem in our current society - public ignorance. Undeniably, we might born into a small town with limited information, but all of us, in normal situation, have the same privilege to get to know the information through newspapers, internet, social works, books and so on. Here are my suggestions: Grasp the chance to talk with people when you're in front with a group of new faces, for instance, in the science camp. Secondly, read more, listen more and be enthusiastic in one or more hobbies. Make sure to follow up the current world issues and probe into the particular area that you're interested. Even though those informations would never appear in your exams or tests, but they're basically the practical wisdom and knowledge that would enrich your personal life and mold your own personality and critical thinking.

Oh ya, lastly, I would like to apologize over here for my less 'caring' on my team members. Unlike my second science camp experience, I did have plenty of time sharing and interacting with my fellow members, we had a great time over there. This time, I was rushing around and turning around throughout the science camp which turned out to have only a fleeting moment to talk and accompany with you guys. Haha. Since the social networks are ubiquitous now, let's keep in touch no matter where we're =)

Gonna stop over here now. I'm getting more sort of like anthropological-style of writing. Haha.

Seize on every opportunity to explore out yourself. The experience will be more precious than getting an award or attending a class. Think about it.

Monday, May 2, 2011

Monthly Report: April 2011

Alright, I know. It was an unproductive month for me. Unconventional zero blog post, slumping network traffic and certain stuff which I'm always working on remain its inertia. The true is, instead of dipping my fingers down to keep grappling with some 'visible' accomplishments, the lapse of time was more likely to be categorized as sort of the fresh mental enrichment act - stay out to glean an idea of hatching up an ideal pathway.

So, what does it mean? I started to spurn away the mechanical lifestyle that I used to follow up since I had gotten myself back to work - repeatedly having the classical-city-fast food in daily basic and doing the same thing at the same time everyday. It was cool and steady but lack of spark. I spend 40 hours per week in Klang where is a suburban town far away from the downtown. Unlike the major Cantonese-English speaking city, it's a Chinese-Hokkien speaking and relatively traditional town. I wandered around the stalls and went to the Pasar Malam to enjoy a variety of rustic foods. It really provides me a sense of familiarity while I'm 240miles away from my hometown, the familiar taste and smell.

I went to several places in Kuala Lumpur lately where I further realized that there do have a slew of fascinating places are out of there in Malaysia, even just within the boundary of the main city. I would say, I do have a great relish to stay at high-tech city, but the experience of throwing myself into those traditional and rich-cultural places somehow spontaneously lead myself toward a new era -a philosophic approach to life. I can't really depict out the chemical changes behind that notion, but it's quite true. I would strongly recommend anyone to seize on the free time to live out your life without the creature comfort that you're used to, you will be able to get ahead of the curve and understand the impact of difference.


It was absolutely a great delight when the coveted fancy of watching the live Formula 1 Racing had come to fruition. When the deafening sound from the high rpm engine pierced through my ears and numerous cars fleeting before my eyes at the peak of an over 150mph speed, you gonna know, how gratifying the experience was. It was all about an ardent fever over the feeling of the top speed. Awesome!

I had been confirmed a place as a counsellor on the upcoming MICSS Science Camp in Chong Hwa High School, Kuala Lumpur. It's going to be my third appearance on the said science camp following up my past participations. What to expect? Tons of fun! =)

Cheer for my Hong Kong friends who wound up their HKALE in few weeks ago. Really wish them to successfully achieve their (satisfied/expected?) results and dash toward their dream schools. No more dilemma. Enjoy your summer time :)

Sony Malaysia announced its new employee scheme last week (Finally) to enhance its poor managment system - from my angle of view - and filter out unqualified employee. It's pretty happy to..'witness' a major change with that unappealing and 'getting dying' management team. Since Sony is a large and well-known Inc., feckless and inefficient in both soft and hard managements should not happen in that standard of level. However, it's P&C issue, I can't really manifest too much about that over here. Pros or cons to the whole eco-system? Remains doubt.

Following up a surprise of Thanks-to-Dad HTC HD7 Windows Phone and my new-joined-gadget ThinkPad, undeniably, Windows Phone OS, XNA Studio, Sliverlight will be my new toys to play around with. Ready to get wired in! A detailed review of the Windows Phone will be come to a post afterwards. Wondering why not Andriod or iPhone to create a 'Happy Family' with my Mac and iPad instead? Apparently, it will have me to lay down an over thousand words essay to refute it- too many mumbles in behind. HAHA

Movie of the month: 'Don't Go Breaking My Heart'. Romantic + sweet scenes in every frame and my all-time-favor song - David Tao - Love Is Simple - as the theme background music, I was seriously obsessed with this romance when I first stumbled across it in Youtube. Hmm..It really incites my desire to......ah ha, okay. No matter you're single or in couple, I believe you're not about to be immune with it. Unprecedented.

Last, what to describe my current situation? A limbo, I would say. Things are right on the path slowly getting their momentum ahead, however, few of the vital factors and real hassle remain unclear - that's what I really concern about. Stay on the course and keep pushing up myself - believe the things will somehow be connected with each other in the end - tenaciously.

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

WWDC 2011 Hits The Downtown, Again



No doubt, very soon, the annually Apple WorldWide Developers Conference (WWDC 2011) is going to happen on this year right at San Francisco again, likewise, from 6 to 10 of June precisely. Apple named the headline of this splashy event as 'Join us for a preview of the future of iOS and Mac OS X'. Apparently, an evolutionary Mac OS X Lion and most probably the sneak peak of iOS 5 will be unveiled right at that moment. If you were a Apple developer and meet the attendence requirement and - of course, the most important - holding a 1,599 buck, have your time to grab the ticket right now which normally will be sold out in a second.

For anyone else, like it peers, it just the matter of time. Mark down your calender and stay tuned =)

Friday, March 25, 2011

Happy Birthday To Myself. Random Check Out.

There are few bottles of beer in my room. Oh.. No, I'm not gonna have the leaning to trigger a shot for it in order to gain a little bit more psychologically mirthful feeling - I was seriously drunk two days before in a boisterous farewell party for my colleague. Okay, I know it was awful.

It seems to be raining out of there. The wind is whirling and the starry night sky is gonna turn out to be in complete darkness, of course, with light pollution as well. The background music is one of the famous song from Jacky Cheung. I'm unconsciously fond of his songs recently, so soft and so harmonious. Inconsistently, this entry is going to be wholly a gaggle of murmuring, unusual, super random.

Thanks and thanks to my lovely friends and family. Your blessings and supports are always be the only, you know, the most tremendous force to keep driving me to the ever-further destination. Social networks make the 'amount' of birthday blessing increase dramatically, it makes people lives easier, full with great blessings from everywhere. It does turn out to make it not-so-exclusive, as well. Haha. Sorry to be so straight-forward, but it's quite true. However, the exclusive one would always remain its exclusivity, special thanks for the air mails from Taiwan and special gifts in my room. They're absolutely adorable.

20 years old, ironically, a big quarter of my life, an uncomplete puzzle. Well, I'm so desperate to jump out from the current world recently, maybe somehow being inspired by the popular narrative story. If there did have a birthday wish for me, I will give it a bet for 'Opportunity'. It's by no means limited to study, relationship, work, travel and all that. It's about the opportunity to explore the ultimate meaning of life and further stuff up my excessive hunger and boundless curiosity. We can't live our lives to please other. As when you step forth, you will be alone, the decision and fate must be yours. I know we're not living in utopia, things never come easy. We're forced to follow some 'rules' in order to survive in the current world. No matter how, don't lose your soul and originality. Quote from my favorite Jobs' quote again: Stay Hungry. Stay Foolish.

I hate time and distance. Time just always be its way lead ahead quietly and leave behind the memories. It makes people understand the past would never come back and the future will not always in a straight-line. People recalling, waiting and looking because of the time is beyond control. The feeling of time is ambiguous in each occasions, I dislike it.

Distance makes people disconnected, either in physically or mentally. I know, global internet connection might be the remedy of that, but you know what? The getting farther distance between hearts are not those virtual stuffs are able to really make up. Distance tames down people expectation, hope and willingness, severely.

Woops, yep. I bought myself a much-yearning ThinkPad as my birthday gift, added up a new member to my ample series of gadgets family. Gonna embrace to Windows system once again and digging into the Windows-based programming stuffs which I was wholly immune in these few months. Thumbs-up!

Notwithstanding a devastated recession of market recently, the back-to-Sony-Malaysia work has been in the progressive and smooth direction. Attending weekly meeting, sending out formal report, managing the stock level, shooting out the stunning photo have been all part of progress. The only drawback is just the usage of time - the working time fills up a large part of my daily life in this period, yet, it has to be arranged efficiently. Thus, ice-staking becomes the only sport that I'm having recently. I'm so desirous to find back the feeling of a "runner's high" spurred by the endorphins released by exercise and enjoying my sweat trickle at the running path once again. I miss both my running, basketball shoes and follow teammates so much.

It has been quite a period of time, I exposed myself to the real heart of our society nakedly. Keep discovering and unfolding the dreadful fact behind the dim veiling. How uncivilized, materialistic and mediocre our societies are. The world is in polarization. People get used to the incentive-oriented society. People bamboozle, disguise, fight, drive for the fame, profit and the dirty bucks and it ends up with the extinction of the virtue and right, its essence is no longer been understood. Oh-no, of course, it does have some sparks, too. I saw few awesome examplers, but not too much around there so far, far below the expectation. What's wrong? The education. Not the academic one which most of us having, but the general education which beneath the foundation of our civilization. We need it, desperately.

I still couldn't really convince myself to have an unique dinner for my special day. Well..truth to be told, it seems to be ended up alone and alone, doesn't mean so much at all. Haha. Seriously. An understanding, I would say for today. I did fail, succeed, thrill, frustrated, lost and all that. Nonetheless, the whole process was in the way of self-endured and self-satisfied. I still haven't been..hmm..you know, that kind of understanding by someone else. Maybe it did exist over there, but I didn't realize or miss out, not really sure in which case so far. Haha, a little bit emotional right here. Despite being a science-y guy, I do believe in some superstition, oops no, it calls the believing of fate. Haha. So..in restrospect, maybe it just doomed to be and the dots will continuously connect themselves forward? Jammed, not so sure.

Alright. The day just passed by, when I was writing this entry. It looks just as ordinary as the other 365days in a year, depends upon how you deal with it. Happy Birthday to me and anyone who having the same birth-date with me. Best and best.




Tuesday, March 22, 2011

David's Review: iOS 4.3, How Things Get Better?


Prologue
Pierced through a handful of the rumours and finally, iPad 2 was unveiled by our look-thinner-but-stiff-enough Steve Jobs last tuesday. Like what I wrote in my forecast and probably most of the Tech. guys did as well, the new iPad 2 is about a third thinner and over 10% lighter, yet speedier and more powerful than the original version, for many users, challenged their laptops as a digital tool. And it costs the same as the original. No doubt, iOS 4.3 hits its final release in iPad 2. It was apprently a big letdown for most of the developers without seeing any clue of iOS 5 SDK on the stage.

While it's evolutionary rather than revolutionary like the first model, the changes Apple has made are generally pleasing and positive. Its improvements, including front and rear cameras, compensate the few drawbacks and feature omissions that people found at the first generation of iPad. iPad 2 offers an excellent balance of size, functionality and price, not surprisingly, keeps Apple ahead in the tablet race.

However, the iPad 2 comes better but not prefect. Its cameras take mediocre still photos and Apple didn't even reveal their megapixel ratings. The company says they were designed for video, not still photography.

They did capture decent video in my tests, including high-definition video from the rear camera and video good enough from the front camera for satisfying video calling. But, for a company known for quality, which bundles a new still-photo app with the device, the cameras are disappointing. -Walt Mossberg, AllThingsDigital

In my view, unless you are desperate for the cameras or feel you are laboring under the greater bulk of the original model, I don't advise that iPad owners race to get the new version.

The Body: iOS 4.3
Okay, the protagionist of this entry is not about iPad 2 but iOS 4.3 itself instead. As you know, the final release of iOS 4.3 is available at iTunes on Wednesday prior to the first sales of iPad 2 on 11 March. Very soon, its brother with little bug-fixed iOS 4.3.1 revealed itself quietly too. Let's see what Apple software engineers had done in iOS 4.3:

About iOS 4.3 Software Update

This update contains new features and improvements, including the following:
  • Personal Hotspot*
    Share iPhone 4 cellular data connection with up to 5 devices (combination of up to 3 Wi-Fi, 3 Bluetooth, and 1 USB)
  • iTunes Home Sharing
    Play music, movies and TV shows from a shared iTunes library on a Mac or PC (requires iTunes 10.2)
  • New AirPlay features**
    Play videos from the Photos app including the Camera Roll album, iTunes previews, enabled third-party apps and websites on Apple TV
    Play slideshows from Photos on Apple TV using transitions available on Apple TV
  • Faster Safari performance with Apple Nitro JavaScript engine
  • HD video out using the Apple Digital AV Adapter***
    View 720p HD videos from Videos app, iPod app, Photos, YouTube, Safari, Keynote, and enabled third-party apps on an HDMI display
  • Ping features
    Push notifications for comments and follow requests
    Post and Like songs directly from the Now Playing screen
    Parental controls
  • New Settings
    Messages setting for number of times to repeat an alert
    iPad side switch setting to lock screen rotation or mute audio notifications and sound effects
    Single tap conference call dialing with a pause to send a passcode
  • Bug fixes
*Requires iPhone 4 with tethering data plan
**Requires Apple TV (2nd generation) running software version 4.2 or later
***iPhone 4, iPad, iPod touch (4th generation)

For information on the security content of this update, please visit:
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1222
Testing, Comparision
- The Changing in Setting Page:
A new Location Services Setting reveals in left side bar and the new setting for iPad side switch shows in General Setting Page.


Location Services Setting Page


- iPad side switch

In iOS 4.3, users are able to customize the switch on the side of your iPad to lock the screen rotation or mute the volume. Just configure the side switch in Settings.


Screen Rotation Lock Mode and Volume Mute Mode


- iTunes Home Sharing
A new Home Sharing function shows up at the setting page of iPod. Home Sharing is all about your music, videos, podcasts and more— if it's in your iTunes library on your Mac or PC, you can now play it on your iPhone, iPad or iPod touch over a shared Wi-Fi network - it makes life easier. I did try with this new feature with my Mac, it worked fantastically without any complicated configuration. Awesome!


- Safari - Apple Nitro JavaScript Engine
The core update of iOS 4.3 as what Apple feverishly promote about - the much-expected improve in Safari - Nitro JavaScript Engine. By performing the SunSpider JavaScript Benchmark at both iOS 4.2.1 and iOS 4.3 on iPad, we got two radically different result: 8072.1ms and 3346.6ms respectively of the sum-up point in the same setting of testing environment. We do know the benckmark still the benchmark, sometime it doesn't really reflect its real performance. I have been tried with my iPad by browsing through several websites which having massive Javascript Framework in a period, I found it does make a sense with that benchmark point. The feeling of browsing through the website with faster response and higher stability was completely satisfied.


In addition, Personal Hotspot for iPhone user, Airplay and Airprint are also highlighting with iOS 4.3. However, unfortunately, I couldn't have the hand-on experience for that due to the limitation of testing devices.

The Bottom Line

With a sort of improvements, both exteriorly and interiorly, in iOS 4.3, it undoubtedly makes iOS devices go ever further and better. Nonetheless, the super-unstable Wifi connection in iPad/iPad 2 and the frequent crash-down of Safari/Apps due to unclear reason still exist around there without a critical fix.

As new contenders move into the field, Apple isn't likely to keep its 90% share of the booming tablet market. But the iPad 2 moves the goal posts, by being slimmer and lighter, boosting speed and power, and holding its price advantages, available apps and battery life. As of now, I can comfortably recommend it as the best tablet for average consumers.

Monday, March 14, 2011

Super Weird: "SUPERMOON"

Thanks to an epidemic of the social media and social network. News and informations are spreading too fast to be aware of. Since the Japan's devastated earthquake and worst-ever nuclear crisis are roaring up recently, tons of dim rumours regarding natural disaster, leak of radiation, iodine aid, even the 2012-The-End story are brought into limelight. However, without precise information and authentic judgement, a procession of unnecessary panic over people keep arising from hollowness. What a weird scenario when you were keep witnessing people foolishly proliferating the rumous which derived from unreliable source and starting to be in fermet over that. Gossips and rumours are always interesting and fascinating, people take great relish on them. But, as a civilized man, think about them before you believe on them.

For example, the title of this entry, SuperMoon. The tragic earthquake and tsunami in Japan Friday set the Internet abuzz with the idea that the moon, which will be at its fullest of the year on March 19, played a role in the devastating natural disaster. Even worse, the buzz indicates that an ever-greater disaster will descend upon our lovely earth on that day, keep tons of people into the dismal mood.

The seed for the idea was planted by an astrologer, who contended that this large full moon – a so-called "supermoon"– would touch off natural disasters like the Japan earthquake since the moon would make its closest approach to Earth in 18 years. Remember, astrology isn't a science.

So, what is the real theory behind? In accordance with the info. source from NASA. NASA scientist Jim Garvin explains the mechanics behind the moon's phases and the causes of the supermoon. Garvin is the chief scientist at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md.

"'Supermoon' is a situation when the moon is slightly closer to Earth in its orbit than on average, and this effect is most noticeable when it occurs at the same time as a full moon," Garvin wrote in the NASA statement. "So, the moon may seem bigger although the difference in its distance from Earth is only a few percent at such times."

The full moon of March will occur next Saturday on March 19, when the moon will be about 221,567 miles (356,577 kilometers) away from Earth. The average distance between the Earth and the moon is about 238.000 miles (382.900 km).

"It is called a supermoon because this is a very noticeable alignment that at first glance would seem to have an effect," Garvin explained. "The 'super' in supermoon is really just the appearance of being closer, but unless we were measuring the Earth-Moon distance by laser rangefinders (as we do to track the LRO [Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter] spacecraft in low lunar orbit and to watch the Earth-Moon distance over years), there is really no difference."

It was astrologer Richard Nolle who linked the full moon of March 19 to natural disasters. He claimed that this "supermoon" would trigger massive earthquakes, volcanoes and powerful storms when it arrived. But scientists assure that this is not the case.

Garvin, for example, said the moon's effects on Earth have been the subject of extensive studies.

"The effects on Earth from a supermoon are minor, and according to the most detailed studies by terrestrial seismologists and volcanologists, the combination of the moon being at its closest to Earth in its orbit, and being in its 'full moon' configuration (relative to the Earth and sun), should not affect the internal energy balance of the Earth since there are lunar tides every day," Garvin wrote.

But while the moon helps drive Earth's tides, it is not capable of triggering devastating earthquakes.

"The Earth has stored a tremendous amount of internal energy within its thin outer shell or crust, and the small differences in the tidal forces exerted by the moon (and sun) are not enough to fundamentally overcome the much larger forces within the planet due to convection (and other aspects of the internal energy balance that drives plate tectonics),"

Full story and more related scientific articles right here:

Space.com: NASA Scientist Explains Science Behind 'Supermoon' Phenomenon

Life's Little Mysteries: The 'Supermoon' Did Not Cause the Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami

___________________________________________________________

My thinking: Whenever we come across any of statements, informations or rumours, please seriously ponder over them. Use our rational judgement and practical wisdom to distinguish between the truth and fake. Don't be so impetuous to show your caring by sharing them out to others. Checks the source of the rumour, reviews the content by using scientific method and intellectual mindset. The creators of those phonies are not the only one to be blamed for. The person who spreading out the lame rumous is the one who hold the responsibility as well to avoid any unnecessary panic.

Be wise to use our social tools. Don't be dim-witted to get involved into the part of irresponsible rumour-spreading progress.

19 March 2011, hava a good night with our stunning and peaceful 'Supermoon'. =)



Saturday, March 12, 2011

David's Opinion: Japan Tragedy - The Vital Role of Social Media

The Scenario
Friday afternoon, while I just arrived at my working spot, powered on the wifi, went through my daily mental consumption - scrolling down bunch of updated articles which featured on several news websites. A sudden headline with red color embroidered popped up right at the Wall Street Journal website. Just a second, more and more of my favorite websites - CNN, BBC continuously happened to report the latest situation of the 8.9-magnitude earthquake. Live videos were up, recording from a high altitude of helicopter, showing the dumbfounded tsunami, not so far from the epicentre, relentlessly eradicated the farms, houses and slammed on bunch of ships. Extremely astounded. Tons of related news started to flood my Facebook wall, people showed great concern over the debacle and managed to try every means - Skype, MSN, Facebook, etc. to contact their friends and families who were staying at the high risk areas or countries of this unexpected disaster.

Japan Live Blog Update began to run on a handful of websites, provided with the latest news from the battlefront to all of us. Google person finder has been established for those looking for or with information about people affected by the Japan earthquake; see here (in Japanese), or here (in English). The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration released the list of estimated arrival times of tsunamis across the globe, following by the alert announcements from several global agencies and authorities. In Japan, as mobile phones remain down, Twitter is proving to be one of the best ways to contact loved ones and get updates on the quake.
One of the Twitter's user wrote that they were “walking home with the rest of Tokyo”, as trains and subways remain stopped: It’s “amazingly calm and orderly.”

The American School in Japan, the largest international school in Tokyo, sent out an email message to parents saying everyone was safe about a half-hour after the quake. All the chief mobile service providers in Japan incessantly took actions to cope with the lack of mobile connectivity problem. An emergency phone service has been set up, an online emergency message board as also be created to help people confirm the whereabouts of those in struck areas. NTT provided free public phone service in the rendezvous for victims. KDDI, SoftBank followed up the NTT created an internet platform for people to send out the message of peace to their love ones. Bic Camera, one of the biggest electronic equipment chain stores in Japan, handed over the free battery charging service for mobile phone users. Suntory has been prepared tons of free drinking water vending machines for emergency purpose since 2005 and it turned out to be so invaluable at this moment. Thanks for the integrated TV function on their high-tech mobile phones, people were able to catch up the live stream from TV network.

"It's very convenient being able to watch live TV when the phones are down," said Minori Naito, an employee of Royal Bank of Scotland in Tokyo. "Otherwise, we'd have no idea what is going on."
Throughout the whole story, not surprisingly, you find the social media sprouting like weeds in a garden - that is, everywhere.

The Vital Role
Those epoch-making inventions - World Wide Web, social website, telecommunication - all of them turn out to become so essential and effective nowaday for all the people get connected, get know the latest movement out of the world, no matter where you are. Japan tragedy slowly dawn on us that social media is not just about the entertainment, games and fun, but it's all about connect, caring and accessibility. As you know, social media shows its great heap over this incident, it's by no means limited to spread the immediate and precise information for people to get aware of the upcoming threats, but also the handy tool for people to connect and find out their love ones. Fancy the scenario when all of this happen without social media, people might never know what the hell was going on out of there, the alerts couldn't reach the people on time, deteriorate the threat of the disaster and the rescue operations would be so messy and complicated after all. Social media, no matter which particular website or service, spontaneously contributes so much to our daily lives, we use it everyday. Chatting with your parents in a distance, getting know the score of your favorite football match, checking the highly fluctuated stock market, applying to an oversea college, more and more. Thinking back, the infrastructure itself is absolutely amazing and stunning. We're in such fortunate to born on this age, the age of social media, the age of practical use of technology.

Contemplation
By witnessing the whole progress, Japan is arguably the most disaster-aware nation in the world, and has spent several decades developing mitigation strategies for a variety of hazards, including earthquakes and tsunamis. This event directly shows us the state of the art in readiness for earthquake and tsunami disasters which wholly minimize the damage and save thousand of lives. The Japan government didn't seem to be delayed for any rescue operation but giving out aid rapidly instead. The victims didn't seem to be panic and anxious but calmly flee from the riskful areas instead. The mass media in Japan didn't seem to be overblow the disaster but precisely convey the useful information to people instead. The effectiveness of the government, the steadiness and attitude of the people, the quickness and discipline of the mass media are what other countries, especially our countries, should really learn and apply. Ponder over it.


The Buttom Line
The terrific story still didn't come to its end, at least untill the moment that I was writing on this entry. Blast at nuclear plant follows the Friday's 8.9-magnitude quake, might cause the meltdown of the reactor and has the potential for a nuclear catastrophe. More than 83,000 people live within 10 kilometers of the two dangerous plants, the evacuations were immediately proceeded. The experts and workers are now out on a limb to flood the reactor containment structure with sea water to bring the reactor's temperature down to safe levels. The effort is expected to take two days. In the next hours, days, weeks and months, Japan will go about the emotionally painful task of assessing the damage and counting the casualties and injuries. It will rebuild homes, roads and lives for thousands of individuals.
"Today's events remind us of just how fragile life can be," U.S. President Barack Obama
Life is vulnerable. Cherish for your love ones and the time you hold.
- It would never come back once it gone.

God Bless Everyone.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

David's Opinion: iPad 2's Rumour At Its Peak

It has been a busy week for both Apple Inc. and Tech. blogs. The rumour of the much-expected next generation of iPad - temporarily called it as the iPad 2, at its all time high during this week. It was not just about the Wall Street Journal officially unveiled the news of iPad 2 production according from a dependable source but also the executive of All Things Digital sputtered out the release date of iPad 2 will be exactly on next week 2 March with great ebullience.

Apparently, to those who care intensely about this kind of stuff – which would be pretty much everyone in the tech ecosystem – are pretty enjoying the hedonic treadmill of keep guessing and following the every single step that Apple trudged for its upcoming superb weapon.

In its last earnings calls, Apple said it had sold nearly 15 million iPads, since it went on sale last spring. It's no doubt that the next iPad 2 will going to burst out as an propulsive missile anew to the a-little-bit-shabby economy, especially those high-demanded emerging markets.


As one of tech. enthusiasts who keep pouring great attention with this matter, it would be kind of interesting for me to make a bet on iPad 2 in accordance with my own perspective. My personal prediction on iPad 2, how it build and how it looks like:

-Remains the same resolution of 9.7 inches screen, maybe higher contrast/better colour?
Reason: iPad 2 won't go for Retina Display which what iPhone 4 particularly have. Don't be fed up. (1) Imagine that the Retina Display hooks up with that 9.7inches screen, it will turn out to become an incredible 2048x1536 pixels resolution. So, here is the cheese: battery life or higher pixel? (2) Such a high resolution screen will further bring much more burden for developers to design the GUI of Apps and developers have been happily worked with that decent resolution, it obviously sounds like not really necessary. Unless Apple's talented engineers figure out the instant solutions for those both matters.

-Faster processor, bigger memory and slightly longer battery life?
Reason: No reason for that. It's a rule. People are suffering enough trauma of the crash-down with their Safari when they linked to an over-hundred-photo album in Facebook and an immediate shut-down when they accessed to their massive iBook.

-Thinner than its predecessor with more curvy design.
Reason: No reason too. People just foolishly fond of that.

-Front-facing camera with Facetime video support or maybe a high-pixel camera in behind?
Reason: Like its peer, Apple will going to build up an ever stronger relationship between all of its products. I had been talked about this in my previous post.

-Better and faster network support.
Reason: Market demand. It's impossible that a cutting-edge product just come along with a very old-fashioned connectivity support. Dual GSM-CDMA based system expected.

-Bundle with iOS 4.3 system?
Reason: Apple has been spending plenty of time in iOS system beta testing with all the Apple developers since its first release. iOS 4.3 version is so far the latest version that we heard which much-anticipated will soon to be the final version for the iPad 2 with more interesting gesture control (4 to 5 fingers at a time?) and more personalized features (Personal hotspot, Airplay video support).

-One more thing?
Reason: It's Apple's culture and innovation, leading by its founder Jobs. It's always been the crucial factor that fascinates us. Apple will definitely show us something astonishing apart from the current state that we all already knew.


At least for me, the release date or the spec. of iPad 2 are not the major points that need to really concern about. Instead, the big speculation will be around whether Apple CEO Steve Jobs will appear or not in this should-coming announcement.

He is currently on leave to deal with ongoing health issues, although has been sighted all around Silicon Valley at various places. In addition, Jobs sat right next to President Barack Obama at a high-profile meet-the-tech-moguls dinner(The photo on the bottom) in the area last week.

There aren't right or wrong with all kind of frenzy over the next yardstick of the tablet market. When the warm invitation of the announcement rolls around, the familiar stage with our respected Jobs (Nope?) and the Apple-style-classical music, we will soon to know what exactly happened.



Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Sony Alpha Convention 2011 Right At The Downtown


Do you hold a DSLR camera? And which have an emblematic earmark ' α ' on it? If you nodded your head right after that, Sony Alpha Convention 2011 is just an absolutely mirthful festival that you can't even miss it.

Sony Alpha Convention, like its past-annual-splashy successes, organized by Sony Malaysia, planning to bring up a platform for those Sony Alpha DSLR owners, ranging from beginner to enthusiast, to share their joyfulness of taking tons of marvelous photos and to shape their photography skills by learning from each other. By attending to several workshops and competitions which well-prepared on this convention, participants will able to dig into the ultimate aspect of photography and shine with Sony Alpha technology.

Steel your resolve to partake of this can-not-miss event by reserving a place right here. Check it out :)