Vista WoW ???

It seems like that only Microsoft is Wow-ing about its Vista. I have been testing the Vista Business (I got one FREE from my school!) for days and there's really no new feature that attracts me as much as the new features in XP did when it was first released; the new UI isn't as revolutionary as the XP UI (a great leap from Win 2000); Windows Photo Gallery (which is now the default picture viewer) is slower than the XP's Fax and Picture viewer (after all, it's just to quickly view the picture, so I don't need any other feature; if I need, I don't mind clicking some extra clicks).

Hope some people will follow Microsoft to "wow" the Vista when it's on the shelf.

Until then...

Justin

PS: Hey, the new Microsoft Windows website is not bad; if you click Products > XP, you will be prompted to upgrade to Vista. :D

Technorati tag => Vista

Buy Vista online

It's been days since you can start to buy Windows Vista (all editions except Enterprise) online via Windows Marketplace. That's one cool option for those who can't wait until the DVD's are out.

But, the prices are too high for an OS.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Vista

Google: search info

Google will now link your search into Wikipedia search and show you the first and most relevante result on the top of your search result. All you need to do is to include the "info" or "information" in your search keywords.

You could always do that in Google's SearchMash, the Google playground for quite a long time.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Google

PS: source

Testing Final Vista Business

I was fortunate to have a hand on the final release of Windows Vista Business Edition before it is officially released.

The installation time was just about the same as that of the beta and RC1. But, the performance did improve a lot since RC1. I was barely able to run it (far from being able to use it as my primary OS) on my laptop which has a 512 MB RAM (too low). But, I was surprised to find out that the final release can run quite well on my laptop and I can even multi-task without much slowing down.

The sad thing is that I cannot enjoy the Aero since I do not have a dedicated graphics controller.

All in all, the final Vista release is quite satisfactory, and although there is no compelling reason for those who already own XP Pro, to upgrade to Vista, this is a first choice for those who are buying a new PC. I myself won't be upgrading to Vista from XP, but will be definitely installing Vista if I happen to buy a new computer (hopefully in 2 years' time if budget allows).

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Vista

Google Homepage Changes

Google has updated their homepage applets. The news feeds now show some snippets when you click on the + sign; the old Edit disappeared and a new drop-down menu replaces it; the feeds also show the date it was last updated.


The overall design is good and I love the last-update-dates. But, having to click on the + sign to view the snippets is still a down side. Why not just show the snippets if I hover the mouse on the feed or at least on the + sign?

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Google

Keep Dog, Be Healthy

A piece of news below says that keeping a dog will keep us healthier, physically and mentally.

"It is possible that dogs can directly promote our well-being by buffering us from stress. The ownership of a dog can also lead to increases in physical activity and facilitate the development of social contacts, which may enhance physiological and psychological human health in a more indirect manner."

...

Until then...

Justin

Promoting Prostitutes ???

Amsterdam's red-light district will soon get a new attraction: a statue to honor prostitutes around the world.

...

Are they doing this in false faith? The first thing I can think of is that they are trying to promote their business by giving the prostitutes "a short in the arm".

It's a sad thing though that prostitution is legal in many countries, including (if I'm not wrong) Singapore.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag =>

Grandma Killed by Grandson

A Russian confessed to police he killed his grandmother because they could not agree on what program to watch on television, prosecutors said on Friday.

...

I don't know whether to laugh or to feel sorry. But, don't kill your grandma!

Until then...

Justin

Funny Menu (LOL!!!)

Take a look at this site (Google cache).





You'll laugh to death. Just take a look at the three samples here. Now you know how much more fun you'll see there. LOL!

Until then...

Justin

Hold Wee for Wii ???

I'm referring to this piece of news and other similar ones (link: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,244401,00.html).

A mother died of water intoxication after a "Hole Your Wee for a Wii" water-drinking competition. She was doing it for her son, some news sources said. (Salute to all mothers for their unmatched love on Earth!)

Although at first I just felt (deeply) sorry for Mrs. Strange, after I read the Disc Jockey's conversation (link above), I was made infuriated and uneasy about how people can be ignorant of another person's life. See the conversation below:

A listener called the show to warn the DJs that the stunt was dangerous and that someone could die.

"Yeah, we're aware of that," one of them said.

Another DJ laughed: "Yeah, they signed releases, so we're not responsible. We're OK."
...
"Hey, Carter, is anybody dying in there?" a DJ asked during the show. "We got a guy who's just about to die," the other responded, and all the DJs laughed.

"I like that we laugh about that," another said.

"Make sure he signs the release. ... Get the insurance on that, please."

Miserable! They should be given a lesson by God or whatever, if not by the Laws.

Until then...

Justin

Funny Parody

This is one of the funniest emails that I recently received in a chain. It's a parody to Singaporean English or Singlish which is a mixture of English and Chinese dialects. Read below and it will make you laugh (guaranteed).

WHEN GIVING A CUSTOMER BAD NEWS

Britons: I'm sorry, Sir, but we don't seem to have the sweater you
want in your size, but if you give me a moment, I can call the other
outlets for you.

Singaporean: No Stock.


RETURNING A CALL

Britons: Hello, this is John Smith. Did anyone call for me a few moments ago?

Singaporean : Hello, who call?


ASKING SOMEONE TO MAKE WAY

Britons: Excuse me, I'd like to get by. Would you please make way?

Singaporean: S-kews ahhh


WHEN SOMEONE OFFERS TO PAY

Britons: Hey, put your wallet away, this drink is on me.

Singaporean:No-need, lah.


WHEN ASKING FOR PERMISSION

Britons: Excuse me, but do you think it would be possible for me to
enter through this door?

Singaporean: (pointing the door) can arrr?


WHEN ENTERTAINING

Britons: Please make yourself right at home.

Singaporean: Don't be shy, lah!


WHEN DOUBTING SOMEONE

Britons: I don't recall you giving me the money.

Singaporean: Where got?


WHEN DECLINING AN OFFER

Britons: I'd prefer not to do that, if you don't mind.

Singaporean: Don't want la...



IN DISAGREEING ON A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION

Britons: Err. Tom, I have to stop you there. I understand where you're
coming from, but I really have to disagree with what you said about the issue.

Singapore: You mad, ah?


WHEN ASKING SOMEONE TO LOWER THEIR VOICE.

Britons: Excuse me, but could you please ! lower your voice, I'm
trying to concentrate over here.

Singapore: Shuddup lah!


WHEN ASKING SOMEONE IF HE/SHE KNOWS YOU.

Britons: Excuse me, but I noticed you staring at me for some time.. Do
I know you?

Singaporean : See what, see what?


WHEN ASSESSING A TIGHT SITUATION.

Britons: We seem to be in a bit of a predicament at the moment.

Singaporean: Die-lah!!


WHEN TRYING TO FIND OUT WHAT HAD HAPPENED

Britons: Will someone tell me what has just happened?

Singaporean: Wat happen ? Why like that one .... ?


WHEN SOME ONE DID SOMETHING WRONG

Britons: This isn't the way to do it here let me show you,

Singaporean: like that also don't know how to do!!!!


WHEN ONE IS ANGRY

Britons: Would you mind not disturbing me

Singaporean: Shit

Hope you had the fun!

Until then...

Justin

Disclaimer: No harm intended to anyone!

Dog buried ALIVE

Imagine being buried alive. But, that was what happened to this dog. It was buried alive, but fortunately, he was able to stretch his nose up to catch some air and finally asked for help.

It was about 10:45 p.m. Saturday when Melissa Vanderpool and Robbie Wilson first heard the whimpers. They thought it was just a neighbor's whiny puppy, yearning for attention.
...
"The dog was in the ground," Vanderpool said. "It had dirt all over it. I don't know how it got there. It seems like every few minutes he stretched his neck up and could get his nose through the (small) hole."
...

Who could have been cruel enough to have done such a thing to a dog?

Until then...

Justin

'Factories' for Complex Chemicals

A team at the institute that cloned Dolly the sheep have made a genetically engineered chicken that produces cancer drugs in its eggs.

The chickens produce the cancer drugs in their egg whites, the team at the Roslin Biocentre in Edinburgh reported.

The drugs include a monoclonal antibody — themselves lab-engineered immune system proteins — and a human immune system protein used to treat cancer and other conditions, the researchers report in the upcoming issue of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

These drugs are not easy to make in the lab. "Many human therapeutic proteins, such as monoclonal antibodies, are produced in industrial bioreactors, but setting up such systems is both time-consuming and expensive," the researchers wrote.

...

I hope genetics and molecular biology will bring about better health to all of us.

Until then...

Justin


Technorati tag => Genetics

Poem Generator

I wrote this letter especially for you
To prove that my love for you is true
Never shall I kiss someone else's lips
Never will we make any boring trips

"Reader", you are unbelievably beautiful
When I am near you my heart goes like a raging bull
Words cannot express
What I felt when you said 'yes'

"Reader", you mean so much to me
I never knew this could be
You are my sweetheart day by day
I hope you will never go away

This "Blog" is for you, I hope you will like it
I am dying to see your reaction, that I will admit
This poem has come to an end
There are many more I would like to send

Just a sample poem I tested out at this Poem Generator. You can try it yourself. The number of random poems it can generate is rather limited, at this time, though; hopefully, they will improve it.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Poem

Mac Transformation

This is a transformation utility to change your Windows XP into something very similar to Mac OS X. The transformation is more comprehensive and "deeper" than Vista Transformation Pack which is developed by Windows X.





Take a look at the screenshots and if you like to give it a try, you can download it from this link.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Mac

Terrorists 'use Google maps to hit UK troops'

Terrorists attacking British bases in Basra are using aerial footage displayed by the Google Earth internet tool to pinpoint their attacks, say Army intelligence sources.

Documents seized during raids on the homes of insurgents last week uncovered print-outs from photographs taken from Google.

The satellite photographs show in detail the buildings inside the bases and vulnerable areas such as tented accommodation, lavatory blocks and where lightly armoured Land Rovers are parked.

Written on the back of one set of photographs taken of the Shatt al Arab Hotel, headquarters for the 1,000 men of the Staffordshire Regiment battle group, officers found the camp's precise longitude and latitude.

This explains why some high technology should not go public. :D (I'm not smiling for the above news though.)

Until then...

Justin

PS: Read on

Technorati tag => Google Earth

Cool Pics: Can Art

Can Arts

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Picasa

Beckham leaving for US

David Beckham says he is moving to LA Galaxy to be "part of history".

The 31-year-old will leave Real Madrid at the end of the season after signing a deal worth $55m a year to play in Major League Soccer.

"Of course it's a huge amount of money... an amazing amount," Beckham told ABC News' Good Morning America.

$55m? What a great deal!

I just hope Beckham will make an example to follow for those kids with soccer talents who however are later led to the America's legendary baseball by their peers.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => David Beckham

PS: Source

Apple iPhone

After a reaping success with Apple iPods, Apple is once again starting to break into the mobile phone market with a very high-tech and intelligent Apple iPhone! No wonder Apple changed its name from Apple Computer Inc to Apple Inc, dropping Computer, to signal that Apple is not just about Mac computers any more.

The Apple iPhone is awesome when it comes to a union of mobile phones and digital media. Not only does it offer a widescreen iPod, it is also equipped with 802.11b/g, Safari for web browsing on the go, multi-touch technology which allows you to do everything you need with just a movement of your finger, and an intelligent sensor which detects the ambient light and adjusts your device's contrast, senses your movement and rotates the screen to and fro between portrait and landscape, and uses proximity detection to turn off multi-touch when you are placing the phone on your ear.

Wow...how much I wish I could afford an iPhone soon! Just as the Mac has appealed a large number of users, the iPhone with OSX inside is also expected to attract a good deal of people, rivaling Nokia's N series.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Apple, iPhone

Gmail Stops Counting

How is Gmail still counting? Hope Google will update the code.

Until then...

Justin

Technorati tag => Google

Bombing in Bangkok on New Year Eve

At least six bomb blasts rocked the Thai capital late Sunday, killing at least two people and prompting the city to cancel its major New Year's Eve celebrations just as revelers had begun to gather ahead of the countdown.

What a bad thing! They must have gone crazy to have used "bombs" instead of just crackers to celebrate the new Year. (I'm not making fun of this. Serious!)

Until then...

Justin

PS: News Source

Technorati tag => New Year, Bangkok