FYI: Cute Baby Polar Bear (Flocke)

Source: bbc.co.uk website Daily in pictures 25-Feb-2008

Want to follow its journal, visit this website.

Music: Free Online Music (Imeem.com)

Want to listen to free music online? Log on to imeem.com, register, search for your favourite songs which already uploaded by other members, then keep them in your playlist, that's it! Finally you can play them all either in sequence or random playing. You even be able to embed the playlist to your own website, similar to what that I have now in this blog.

Well, the question is whether it is legal or nor legal. So far, I haven't heard any negative news about it. Imeem.com concept is to share songs uploaded by its registered members. Since I am not sure of the legality of this concept, for the time being I will not upload any songs and just enjoy the free songs uploaded by other members. Some of my favourite songs are only available in 30 sec sample since none of the members uploaded the full track yet, well probably this is the way of this provider make money by selling the full track.

If you too lazy to go through those steps, just enjoy my favourite song in 4 different playlists which I categorized into the language of the songs, English, Korean, Indo/Malay, and Chinese. So, just log on to my blog any time you want to listen to those songs, you are fully welcome...

Korean Drama: How Do I Know It

I know and started to attached to Korean Drama only after I moved to Singapore in 2002. That time, I come to Singapore to find job after got granted Singapore Permanent Resident. I rented room in Orchard area where I started to watch Singapore TV program on TV set provided by landlord in the living room. The first Korean Drama that I watched is All About Eve, I immediately like the story line and theme songs.

Well, like most of the TV Drama, they really know how to cut or end one episode so you are become curious and can't wait to see the next episode. This makes you attached and addicted to it.

Freeware: 7-Zip

Eventhough since Windows XP, Microsoft has built-in zip utility into its Windows Explorer (i.e. by right-click on any file or folder, then select 'Send To', then choose 'Compressed (zipped) Folder'), I still found this 7-Zip utility very useful, easy to use, and it can open quite number of most common compression format, e.g. zip, arj, rar, rpm, cab, etc. If you still using Windows 2000 or even Windows 98, you will find this utility very useful.

7-Zip is open source software and it's totally free for using for both personal and commercial use.

You might known WinZip very well as compression utility, but it is not free for commercial use (well, you can use its evaluation version forever though, no expiry, just annoying confirmation everytime you run it). So, you can't use it in office, because it is illegal.

You can download it here.

FYI: Odd Couple

Source: Today Online, 31-Jan-2008.

Korean Drama: Where to Watch & Get Information

If you have fast broadband internet connection and you can't wait to watch the Korean Drama being aired in your TV Station, turn to this website. It has quite numbers of streaming video, not only Korean Drama but also Japanese & Taiwanese Drama & Movie. Thanks to this website, I managed to finish Coffee Prince (with English subtitle) before it is aired in MediaCorpTV Channel U. The one in MobTV doesn't have English subtitle.
But, don't expect all video will be streamed fast enough, some very slow. Lucky for Coffee Prince, almost all of the streaming video are quite fast probably because of the hosting still quite new and still has enough bandwidth to serve the requests.

For complete Korean Drama information, log on to KoreanDrama.org which has quite complete database of almost all Korean Drama, Actors & Actresses, and links to listen/download its OST or watch the video.

Freeware: CutePDF Writer

Need to create pdf file but don't have Adobe Acrobat? Don't worry, you can create pdf file very easily using CutePDF Writer, and it is FREE for private & commercial use. You can download this utility here.

CutePDF Writer basically a printer driver, similar to your deskjet or laserjet printer, which print any document that you print from any application to a pdf document. So, after you successfully install this utility, open document that you want to convert to pdf, print it and choose CutePDF or CuteWriter and the destination printer, it will then prompt you the filename where you want to save your pdf file. That's it! You get your desired pdf file.... very easy, right?

Freeware: pdftk (the pdf toolkit)

Today I need to merge 2 pdf files and I don't have Adobe Acrobat to do that. There are quite numbers of tools available to be downloaded from internet but it is not free, it is either shareware or trial version. Finally I found this useful FREE tool: pdftk (the pdf toolkit) which can be downloaded from this website: http://www.accesspdf.com/pdftk/

It runs on Windows, Linux, Mac OS X, FreeBSD and Solaris. In Windows, it works under DOS, so you need to open DOS prompt by typing 'cmd' or 'command' in Start->Run... Under DOS prompt, to merge documents, e.g. filename1.pdf and filename2.pdf to a file namely mergefile.pdf, type this command: pdftk filename1.pdf filename2.pdf cat output mergefile.pdf. Please make sure all files (including the pdftk.exe) in under same folder.

GMail - It's 6GB Now..... and still increasing.....

Well, this is just to record GMail milestone in providing free mail space to its user worldwide.

GMail capacity has reached 6GB and it still keep increasing....

Korean Drama: Han Ga In

Han Ga In is the other adorable Korean Drama actress. She plays the main character, Ma Yoo Hee, in Witch Yoo Hee. She acted quite OK, in my view, in that drama regardless controversy among her fans surrounding the failure of this drama to take the top spot.

In my view, the story line is quite good and funny probably because I don't watch much of Korean Drama during the last 2 years and this is considered unique and fresh story for me. But, it is true that I also feel this drama was made just like that, a bit weak in directing and scripting. Actually it had many moments where it can be much more improved and make the audience feeling more touched and attached to the character.

I love to see her transformation from all-black witch young lady, who hate her father so much, to gradually cute and adorable lady through major makeover. She looks pretty in both untied long and short hair.

It is quite interesting also to see how she start falling in love to a person through day-to-day interaction and togetherness, a crucial way to know somebody better. Well, almost similar to other Korean Drama, it shows the beautifulness of love. But actually thanks to 'real witch' Joon Ha that Yoo Hee easy to be forced to make change-of-heart. Well, it might be more interesting if the story makes Yoo Hee more in hard-to-decide situation if Joon Ha character were made more nicer and gentle. By doing this way Yoo Hee character will be more challenging.

Anyway, I love to see the romantic scene when they met in the lake bridge where Yoo Hee brought the cake she made herself for Mo Ryong.

In real world, Han Ga In married in 2005 in the age that is considered young for an actress, which probably might limit her way to reach the top actress status. The kissing scene in the drama looks very artificial... does this something to do with her marriage status? Come on... as an actress be more professional... it just a kiss anyway.

Korean Drama: Yoon Eun Hye

I admire Yoon Eun Hye more for her acting talent rather than her cute and adorable face (see the picture if you don't believe), she is a new found gem which has started shining.

Leaving her singing career (Baby VOX) and starting her acting career, I believe, is one of her best decision. Her first acting in Princess Hour (Goong) - which I haven't see it completely - is quite promising, but the role she play didn't challenging enough to reveal her big talent because it only emphasize on her funny and childish act. The storyline is light and more emphasizing on how funny young teenagers get into the fairytale experience.

Her acting skill improved in The Vineyard Man which provide her with a more challenging role, to transform a typical spoiled and easy-life city-girl into a hard working country-girl. I believe she learned a lot from this drama. But it a bit pity, because the main actor was not acting good enough, he performed some, which what I see, unnatural act probably because this is his first acting as main actor. Eventhough they received some awards, the drama itself didn't reach the popularity it tried to achieve.

In The 1st Shop of Coffee Prince, her acting talent shines, she play the role as Go Eun Chan excellently. It can be seen how she can perfectly fit into her role character. Thanks to the challenging character that she had to perform and many parts where she had to express her deep emotions very naturally. As it can easily predicted, she received Top Excellent Award in MBC Award 2007.

She is one of the talented actress I see so far in Korean Drama industry and I believe she has bright future ahead if she keeps her current performance. Surely I am waiting for her next drama.

Korean Drama: Son Ye-Jin

Among the Korean Actresses, Son Ye-Jin is my favorite actress. She is not the prettiest but her matured, feminine, calm and innocent-look personality shown through most of her drama series is the one that catch my heart most. I am not sure whether it is her actual personality but judging her popularity because of she can fit perfectly into that character, I am pretty sure it should be the one.

She is the classic type: Doesn't look pretty on the first sight but the longer you see her the more prettier she is.

Even though her acting is not the best, but still I like to see her performance in her drama and movie mainly because I love to see her, period.

I watched her famous TV Series: Summer Scent, which lead her to giant step in her career in following movies: The Art of Seduction, A Moment To Remember and April Snow. She played a bit naughty in The Art of Seduction. And, the love scene with Bae Yong Jun in April Snow really break my heart....

Korean Drama: The Way of Korean Conquer the World

I just finish watched one Korean Drama: Witch Yoo Hee (a.k.a Witch Amusement), which while I am writing this, it is still being aired in MediaCorp Channel U. But I subscribed to MobTV because, eventhough it is aired every weekday night, I can't wait that long. It is an interesting story, at least for me, because it shows how love grows by knowing a person better through day-by-day communication and not just because of 'love-at-first-sight' and also shows that love is not 'blind' and change-of-heart still can happen (so be careful!). Its nice theme songs also makes me carried away by the story. Go this website for detail.

The first Korean Drama that I watched is All About Eve, about 6 years ago. Since then I became Korean Drama fans, eventhough I didn't watch all of them, only some of them which in my view are good ones, e.g. Beautiful Days, Winter Sonata, Four Sisters, Glass Shoes, Autumn In My Heart, Summer Scent, All In, Dae Jang Geum, Stairway To Heaven. Some of them have very good theme songs which I still loves to listen until now eventhough I don't understand what it means.

It is very interesting how Korean Drama makes it way to conquer the world and steal so many hearts, with its central story about LOVE together with good scripts, songs, beautiful actresses, handsome actors, and beautiful sceneries. The Korean Government, through its Tourism Board, also plays major role in introducing and exporting this commodity to the world with its intensive advertising. It is similar to Latin America Telenovela previously conquered the world with its unique story also... a cinderella-like story (poor girl married rich man) or family complicated affair. Or, way before when Old Chinese Drama & Martial Art serials conquer many asian countries in the 80s.

GMail - It's 5GB Now..... and still increasing.....

GMail capacity now has reached 5GB, it has been increased another 1GB in one month period.

In GMail login screen, you can see this figure keeps increasing every second. I'm not sure why Google does it this way and not increase it in lump sum like other free webmail provider.

Well... one thing for sure, I will never be run out of mail storage because it keeps increasing!

GMail - It's 4GB Now!

It's good news! GMail storage 4GB now... I just realized it yesterday.

Even though its not unlimited yet, as what Yahoo!Mail did, still it's a valuable additional storage. At least still much more than Hotmail which gave 1GB free storage. I believe it's part of Google strategy to increase it gradually instead of one shot. Anyway, who will need unlimited storage right away? So, I am pretty confidence that I will never experience 'mailbox full' using GMail because they will from time to time increase the storage size.

I am gradually migrating my company's email hosting to GMail, so this additional 1GB is a nice surprise.

Life Goes On: Move to Sengkang (11-Oct-2007)

I moved to my own flat in Sengkang area on 11-Oct-2007, after 6 years living in Singapore and fortunately be able to rent condo at affordable price for so long. Rent price now went up so much, almost double due to supply shortage because so many old private property were en-bloc-ed, and at the same time the property market started picking up after almost 5 years downturn time.

My flat is quite near to the mall, MRT station, and bus station. So, it is very convenience and I'm very lucky because I don't need to spend money for renovation because the flat already very nice.

As usual, move house always be very tiring, so many things need to be packed. It does not end there... now come the time to unpack and reorganizing things which might take 1 week at least.

But, even though tired, I am very happy... I have my own house and can save more money respectively. Buying house is very seldom loose money, it a safe investment.

Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and AVG Antivirus - simply serves the purpose

I have been using Windows Vista (Business Edition) for 6 month now. No choice, because I bought new notebook which comes with it. So far so good, I don't experience major problem with it, everything so far works smoothly. Only some minor problems which most of them related to software compatibility with Windows Vista.

Initially, I experienced a bit slowness in my notebook performance after using it for 2 months. I thought it because of so many additional softwares I installed into my notebook. Then I realized that preinstalled Norton Internet Security has major share in that slowness. So, even though it came free for one year license, I removed it and replaced it with AVG Antivirus (free for home/personal use, not free for commercial use). I've been using it for so many years already in my previous notebooks and never disappointed me. My notebook performance then getting better. So, this must be due to considered 'heavy' usage of memory/processor by Norton Internet Security's online scan.

Norton Internet Security comes with bundle of antivirus, antispyware, and firewall. Well, actually besides the antivirus, you don't need antispyware and firewall, because Windows (XP and above) provides free antispyware (Windows Defender) and built-in firewall. Since Microsoft has provided those two utilities for free and for sure it works seamlessly with Windows Operating System, I don't see a need to spend more money and our PC/notebook resources for same purpose.

For me, combination of Windows Firewall, Windows Defender, and AVG Antivirus is enough to secure my notebook from external threats. If your PC/notebook experiencing slowness, probably you can consider just using these three free utilities.

GMail - Simply the Best!!

There are three major free webmail providers: Microsoft Live Hotmail, Yahoo!Mail, and Google GMail. I have used all of them, starting from Hotmail - way before it bought by Microsoft - as the pioneer of the webmail. Then when Yahoo! started their free email, I also created my email account with it. Then, the last but what I believe is the best is GMail, with its massive initial 1GB email storage (now 2.8GB) and one of the early adopters of Web 2.0 (which makes web-based application performs like normal application). Well, Yahoo! then increased its bet by providing unlimited storage now - it's good - but I still love GMail and I believe it just a matter of time before it also will provide unlimited storage.

Microsoft has revamped and upgraded Hotmail and adopt Web 2.0 - following GMail - and enhancing its anti-spam filter (because it's anti-spam is the worst among the three). But, the improvement is a problem to other email hosting provider, because if they don't follow Microsoft rule, their IP will be blocked and marked as spam processor. It did happened to my company's email hosting provider, some users complained they were not be able to send email to Hotmail accounts. Well, one of the temporary solution is using my company's internet provider SMTP to make sure the email can get through (see my previous blog on this issue).

Facing that inconvenience, GMail come to my rescue and give me solution. Google expanded its free email service with its 'Google Apps for Your Domain' through its free (Standard Edition) and paid (Premier Edition) services. Its free Standard Edition is already good and sufficient enough because it gives 3GB email storage, allows max. 20MB attachment size per email, POP3-support, allows you to use your own domain instead of using gmail.com - means, you can keep your current company's email address, and provides the best anti-spam/junk mail filter. The implementation procedure provided by GMail is pretty clear, just follow its step-by-step instruction.

One nice surprise 'undocumented' feature is its capability to 'synchronize' your email in GMail mailbox and Microsoft Outlook (and probably other email software as well, I haven't try yet). It is simply like this: when you create and send email from your email software using GMail SMTP server, you will have it as well in your GMail. Vice versa, when you send email from your GMail, you will have it also in your Outlook, so there is no issue of whether when you use Outlook you have to just use GMail as your POP email server, or, you must drop your Outlook and just using GMail. Final word, you can use both and you have all your emails in both!!

On the implementation issues, the only thing that you might need other party's help is when you need to change MX record from your current email hosting to GMail. Most of domain hosting providers (where you park your domain name) are quite cooperative to help you change this MX record, some of them even give you additional rights to access and change the record by yourself. After the record change, it needs at least 24 hours (usually 48 hours) to propagate the change to all available DNS servers in the world.

I will share my experience on using this 'Google Apps for Your Domain' in another blog.

So, if you haven't use GMail yet, create one and start using it and you will love it and agree with me that GMail is simply the best!!

KSImage: Singapore 'Big Ben'?

This picture was taken from Boat Quay at Raffles Place. The tower with the clock look like 'Big Ben' of London, right?
If I am not wrong, the front building is Singapore old opera house before 'durian' Esplanade took over its function.

(c) KSImage

KSImage: Giant Building

This is one of Singapore giant building, it hosts two of Singapore giant company, SingTel and GreatEastern. I took the picture from one of its corner.

(c) KSImage

New MSN Hotmail Problem

New MSN Hotmail, which I understand from my company mail provider, implement new protocol when receiving email where it require 'sender id' and, as I experience in my company, email send to Hotmail account from our company's email domain (through our mail provider smtp server) never went through.... this was never been the problem before MSN Hotmail upgrade. The new MSN Hotmail indeed has cool interface and can be set look like familiar Outlook/Outlook Express because the are now using AJAX (well... GMail use this similar technology much more earlier). But the look don't justify if it doesn't functioning properly.

Well, it seems that Microsoft implement tighter control to overcome the spam/illegitimate email problem. Previously, my Hotmail account keeps receiving junks since old Hotmail's junk filter is not as good as GMail or Yahoo! Mail.

One solution is using major ISP smtp server, instead of your existing mail provider smtp server, when sending the email. For my case, I now use Singnet smtp (mail.singnet.com.sg) and problem with Hotmail settled.

Or, ask your friends not using Hotmail anymore.... better migrate to GMail!!

Windows Vista, Firefox, and User Account Control

I just upgraded Firefox from 2.0.0.3 to 2.0.0.4 and, after the upgrade, an annoying behavior happen everytime I run the Firefox: User Account Control of Windows Vista always pop up. This was never been the case before the upgrade. Feeling annoyed and curious, I search information from the web and last night I found out why. After the upgrade, the the Firefox was set to Run As Administrator, that is why User Account Control keeps pop up when you run it. What need to do is to remove that setting, and Firefox will perform as per normal.

To remove the Run As Administrator setting, right-click on the Firefox shortcut or Firefox.exe file in '\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\' folder, the select 'Properties', click on 'Advanced...' button then make sure 'Run As Administrator' option is not selected. Then select 'Compatibility' tab and make sure 'Run this program as an administrator' option under 'Privilege Level' section is not selected, do the same thing for same setting under 'Show settings for all users' button.

Windows Vista, Firefox, and Windows Media Player 11

Windows Vista comes with Windows Media Player 11, and unfortunately this newest version of Windows Media Player doesn't works well with Mozilla Firefox (you can download from here), the alternative web browser that I mainly used now. When you use Firefox to try playing streaming video from web, it doesn't work because Windows Media Player 11 doesn't come with compatible plug-in for Firefox. Follow this link for detail explanation or just download and install the necessary plug-in from this link.

Get started again... after almost 2 years.

Well... it has been almost 2 years since I posted my last blog...

Writing this blog, I am sitting in McDonalds outlet with free internet... Thanks to Wireless@SG which was initiated by Singapore Government. I am pretty sure Singapore will catch up South Korean in term on broadband penetration and it will be a great opportunity for IT-entrepreneur to start thinking of new initiative and business to tap on this great IT infrastructure. I wish I have great idea cross my mind... some successful businesses started with simple idea which no one yet think of it.

I just bought new notebook, a Sony VAIO VGN-TX57GN, a very light notebook... only 1.25kg and very good design, I consider it as a piece of art. The battery can last up to approx. 4-5 hours (eventhough Sony claim it can last up to 9 hours), at least for my usage pattern. You can see the detail here.

Since this notebook coming with Windows Vista, I have no choice than learn how to use it... a bit tough in the beginning because it has tighter security control than Windows XP. I will share my experience along the way. Hopefully anyone reading my blog can get some troubleshooting tips.

Well... I think it is enough for today.

KSImage: Brown-form Discus

This is Brown-form Discus.
(c) KSImage

KSImage: Blue-form Discus

This is Blue-form Discus. I also kept this kind of Discus several years ago. Now, no more.
(c) KSImage

KSImage: Red-form Discus

This is Red-form Discus which I had several years ago. I kept them since they were as little as 20 cents coin. Watch them grows to a discus-size was an amazing experience. Discus is a very beautiful fresh water fish and they are so colourful and has many kinds. But I now kept them no more since I move to Singapore, it is history.
(c) KSImage

KSImage: Building with Beautiful Lightings

This is one of the beautiful building that I see in Singapore, the lighting was designed nicely. This picture was taken around 7pm in the evening where the sun start hiding and the lights start playing.... Where is this building? Hint: walk around Orchard Road and you will find it!
(c) KSImage

KSImage: Building with Colourful Windows

Do you believe this building is in Singapore and not in Europe? Well, you got to believe me... it is located near Clarke Quay. See those nice windows' color!
(c) KSImage

KSImage: Singapore Lizard

This Singapore Lizard (which climb to top of the tree) picture was captured from my flat window sometime in 2003. With 10x optical zoom of my Olympus digital camera, this Lizard look so close. See... it is looking at the camera seems know that I am going to take its picture. :)
(c) KSImage