“I was smiling yesterday, I am smiling today and I will smile tomorrow. Simply because life is too short to cry for anything.” ~ Santosh Kalwar

Indeed, life is too short and not only that, it is filled with surprises, both good and bad. Everyone should learn how to live today as if it was their last. You really never know what lies ahead.

[photo by white ribbons]

Meet BRAD, Berkeley Ridicuolously Automated Dorm. Automated lighting, curtains and music are just some of the functionalities of BRAD. BRAD responds to voice commands, apps on various platforms and timer based scripts. This is indeed one of the coolest dorm rooms that I have ever come across. To spend that much time, effort and money into making all the different things work is simply worthy of much praise. Read on for some inspirations for your next room makeover project.

It is great to see such interesting projects being showcased to the public. BRAD is really cool in my opinion and the way it responds to voice commands and how everything is all automated simply makes a geek like me go crazy. The ability to simply shout out voice commands to activate specific functions such as the lighting should also go fantastically well in the books of lazier people. I mean, comeon who wants to walk to the power switch to turn off the lights when you can simply shout out something perhaps in the lines of “let there be darkness” and darkness will be granted.

I would definitely love to embark on such a project on my room should I have the knowledge and determination. It is kind of a pity knowing that the room will not permantly be his as he will be leaving eventually. Its a dorm room, not his house or anything. But seeing what he has already produced I cannot imagine the possibilties when he works on larger projects of similar concept.

Prepare a camera and be prepared to be amazed. To fully enjoy what you are about to see, you will require to have a camera that has the fuctionality of adjusting the shutter speed. Smartphone cameras will do as well with the help of special apps such as “Shutter Cam” (as mentioned by the producer of the video). Have your camera ready? Read on for the video and be sure to follow the instructions at the beginning.

Amazed? Amused? Fascinated? Or are you confused as to what you just watched? If you did not prepare a camera and/or follow the instructions within the video you would not be able to clearly see and experience the creativeness of this very interactive film. Still wondering what on earth is going on? Still lazy to bring out your camera to take a few shots? Okay okay, just watch this to find out what you have just missed.

An interactive film of great quality. I’m still baffled as to how and what on earth cause such effects to be produced. It is simply astonishing and the video is a wonderful piece of art. For the smarter minds maybe you can share the concept behind the video. I am guessing that at each point of time it forms a particular image. Putting the image together will produce the final product. Thus by taking shots at the perfect synced timing, the image will come together nicely.

Amazing, simply amazing.

It is not easy when you are suddenly placed on the other end of the spectrum. Nevertheless, the completely new and unique experience should prove useful in the future.

[image by: ...-Wink-... via flickr]

These monitors have recently caught the eyes of many netizens. For the past few months they have been hyped up quite dramatically due to the sheer value they have. I present to you the budget Korean 27” IPS monitors. They are sold in Korea for quite some time already but are only known to the world after being spotted on eBay for an extremely attractive price. This post will serve as a short introduction to these monitors as well as a short consumer review on one of the budget monitors that I have recently purchased. Read on for some information that I have researched and collected prior to purchasing the monitors followed by my review on the monitor that I bought.

There are various different brands and models that fall under the category of “Budget Korean 27” Monitor”. However, all these different brands and models have a few things in common. The main differences between the different brands are the stands and overall build and construction quality of the monitor. The differences between the models of a particular brand are the availability of certain features such as a pair of built-in speakers, a tempered glass and additional inputs. With that said, here are some details that cover all these monitors. Do note that most information reflected here is collated through my prior research before making my purchase. They are based off mostly user feedback and confirmation. (Use the table of contents to jump to the relevant section that you desire)

Technical Information

• The monitors all have a native resolution of 2560×1440 with a default refresh rate of 60Hz.
• They are all 8-bit glossy displays with no anti-glare coating (except for one known particular brand called Davi). Tempered glass is present on specific models and every brand seems to have a model that provides such an option.
• There is no on-screen display (OSD) except for the models with multiple input. There are buttons however to adjust the brightness of the monitor (and volume should yours have speakers).
• They all house an LG IPS LCD panel, supposedly of model LM270WQ1. This model is similar to that being used in the iMac.
• They are budget monitors with only 1 DVI input (dual-link) and if you purchased the one with built-in speakers, an additional audio input. The models with more inputs cost significantly more but you will have the options of HDMI, DP and VGA (inputs subject to brand).
• You will need to output at 2560×1440 using a dual-link DVI cable via your dual-link DVI output port at your graphics card to drive these monitors. People have reported to be successful in using certain active DP/mini-DP to dual-link DVI converters to aid in the compatibility of a multi-monitor setup and outputting using a laptop. Some people have also reported that they are able to output using a PS3 set at 720p. Do note that the content will not be scaled up due to the lack of a scaler. This also means that you cannot output 1080p/i. The monitors with multiple inputs do however have a scaler and will accept all signals.
• Response time is stated to be 6ms for GTG (Grey to Grey).
• All of them supports VESA mount (to be verified).
• The AC adapter for the monitor is rated at 220v. Plug provided is for Korea. It is reported that you can safely use the AC adapter by simply using your own power supply cable. Some eBay sellers provide additional converter (they should state on the page).
• The monitors come with a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty. You will have to ship your monitor to them in Korea. For most sellers, it is stated that only when there is more than 5 dead pixels would you be able to claim a refund or to exchange for a new set.
• They are currently priced in the range of ~$300 to ~$400 USD (worldwide shipping included). The models with multiple input costs ~$500 USD onwards. (price reflected as of 15/4/2012).

Additional Information

• A particular brand and model (Catleap) of a specific revision is reported to be able to be overclocked to 120Hz. Other models can be overclocked but not by much.
• People have found the wholesale link to similar types of monitor with a price set at roughly $100 USD (excluding shipping) with a minimum order quantity of 1000. These monitors are sold at around $250 USD in Korea.
• There are well-known brands that sell such “budget” monitors. They are HP (ZR2740w) and Hazro (HZ27WC). They are however, relatively more expensive.

Consumer Information

• The monitors are available to be purchased on several platforms (GMarket, eBay, aliexpress, local retail stores in Korea). The most straightforward way of obtaining one is through eBay. The rest of the other platforms usually cater to the local Korean consumers.
• There are many different sellers on eBay selling the exact same brand and model. The differences between the sellers are the price (minimal difference of a dollar or two), packaging, shipping method and communication. Many users have reported rather positive experience with all the different eBay sellers. There is the exception of a few who received damaged products due to shipping and some others experienced slow shipping. Such users are few and far in-between.
• “Warranty”, “exchange” and “refunds” are rather subjective and there are mixed response from different people. The general rule is that the monitor must have more than 5 dead pixels to be considered as faulty. You may communicate with the seller to work something out. Apparently, it is said on their eBay page that the buyer pays return shipping. Stuck pixels and dust behind glass will not be considered. There are people who requested partial refunds for clusters of dead pixels and were successful.
• There seems to be an option for “Perfect Pixel” for certain brands and models. Do read carefully what the “Perfect Pixel” guarantee claim is by the seller before committing. As far as I know, there are users that opted for such an option still receiving monitors with pixel related fault.

Details of Different Brands and Models

Here are some information and user feedback that I have come across through my research of the different brands and the specific models. Do take note that some information that you read here will be subjective as it is based off the experience users have posted. There are models that I cannot find any feedback thus cannot give you the general consumer view of it. The image for each model is the promotional image that is done by the company itself. It should give you a slight idea of what to expect of the monitor stands and overall look of the monitor.

Achieva: ShiMian

QH270-LITE

The ShiMian QH270-LITE is the cheapest option out of all the other brands and models. This model comes with the bare essentials without any added functionality. The stand used is the same as of all the other different Achieva models. General user feedback is that the stand is alright but does feels cheap and may be wobbly at times. There are mixed reviews over the unit, most people reported “perfect” panels in the sense that no faults can be easily seen or were detected. A few have detected dead and stuck pixels, usually one to two but nothing too major. Using this model as the universal price benchmark, it currently costs around ~$330 USD.

QH270-IPSB

The ShiMian QH270-IPSB is basically a QH270-LITE with tempered glass. The tempered glass does give a very sleek vibe to the monitor, almost similar to that of an Apple Cinema Display. It does have the same problem of heavy reflections should you not control the lighting within the room. The added tempered glass does in no one improve any kind of functionality except the pure aesthetic of the monitor. The main problem with the tempered glass is that not only do you risk the chance of having received a monitor with pixel faults, there is also the chance to receive a monitor with dust particles behind the tempered glass. This does not warrant you any form of compensation. Same thing as the QH270-LITE, most users are happy with their purchase with some mentioning about the dust as well as pixel faults but nothing too major. They are slightly more expensive at around ~$10 USD more than the QH270-LITE.

QH270-IPSBS

The ShiMian QH270-IPSBS is the model with internal speakers. People who used the speakers have expressed that the speaker quality is extremely poor, similar to that of your general laptop speakers. Due to the internal speakers, there is two additional buttons to adjust the volume of the speakers. They are more expensive than the QH270-LITE model by around ~$20 USD.

QH270-IPSMS

The ShiMian QH270-IPSMS is the multi input version of the series. It accepts 3 different kinds of input namely HDMI, DVI-D and D-Sub. This version also has internal speakers. There is a built-in scaler and the presence of an AD Board means that you can use this monitor to display 1080p content from your consoles and whatnots. It is mentioned by users though that because of the scaler, there will be input lag as compared to the other models. This model has an OSD. This model is relatively more expensive, around ~$150 USD more than the basic LITE version.

QH270-IPSTDP

The ShiMian QH270-IPSTDP is a TV monitor that has the functionalities of both a PC monitor as well as a television. It accepts multiple inputs namely component, 2 HDMI, D-SUB, DVI, DisplayPort, USB port and TV antenna. It also has a SPDIF port for your audio needs. There is the function to do picture-in-picture as well (displaying two different source at the same time). It is stated that it comes along with a remote controller as well. This model has an OSD. This is the most expensive model priced at around ~$450 USD more than the basic version.

QH270-IPSMDP

The ShiMian QH270-IPSMDP is almost the same as the QH270-IPSTDP with the only difference lying in the lack of TV antenna input and the functionalities of a TV. I am unable to find a price on eBay but I am estimating it to be just slightly less expensive than the QH270-IPSTDP.

Yamakasi: Catleap

Q270 SE

The Catleap Q270 SE has a circular based stand that apparently allows you to swivel 360 degrees. Apart from that, there is the chance of receiving a monitor that allows for overclocking to refresh rates of 120Hz. It accepts only Dual Link DVI input. Users generally have great feedback of the monitor with the exception of a few reporting with some pixel faults.  These monitors cost slightly more than the Shimian Q270-LITE (~$20 USD).

Q270 Multi

The Catleap Q270 Multi is similar to that of the ShiMian QH270-IPSMS. It has 3 different input options namely HDMI, DVI and D-Sub. The internal speakers are rated at 2W per side as compared to the 5W per side of the ShiMian monitors with internal speakers. There is however, the additional option of audio out. There is also an OSD for the monitor. This monitor is priced at roughly ~$140 USD more than the basic Q270 SE model.

Crossover

27Q LED

The Crossover 27Q LED is similar to that of the ShiMian Q270-LITE. It also has a rectangular base stand but is said to be of better quality. The general consensus is that the overall build construct of the monitor and quality of the stand is the best among all the other brands. The general feedback from users is that the monitor is great and seemingly of higher quality than the rest. There are, however, still some people who came out saying that they received monitors with slight faults. Nevertheless, most users have a great experience with them. The model cost slightly more than the rest at roughly ~$50 USD more expensive than the ShiMian Q270-LITE.

27Q-P LED

The main difference between the Crossover 27Q-P and 27Q lies in the stand. The 27Q-P stand allows for the monitor to be rotated into a portrait position. Other than that all the other features and feedback is mostly the same as with the 27Q. This model does cost slightly more than the 27Q at roughly ~$20 USD more expensive.

27M LED

The Crossover 27M LED is the multi input version for the Crossover monitors. It accepts several different kinds of video input namely HDMI, 2 D-Sub, DVI, HDMI and component. There are the audio inputs of normal PC audio in as well as SPDIF. There is the presence of a pc audio out port as well. A USB(SVC) port is also available. The stand is similar to that of the 27Q-P. There are internal speakers rated at 7W per side for a total of 14W. These are relatively expensive and will set you back quite a bit. These are priced around ~$320 USD more than the ShiMian Q270-LITE and ~$270 USD more than the basic Crossover model.

PCBank

3View PB2700

The 3View PB2700 is similar to that of the ShiMian QH270-IPSBS in the sense that there is a pair of internal speakers. The monitor stand, however, is circular in shape. According to reviews online by Korean websites, it is said that the PB2700 has relatively better contrast ratio and response time as compared to the rest of the other brands. Users that purchased the PB2700 are generally happy with their buy and few have complained of any faults. They are priced at ~$15 USD more than the ShiMian QH270-LITE.

Davi

D279SV-VGQ2

Little are known of the Davi D279SV-VGQ2. There is a user that confirms that the monitor has an anti-glare coating to it, similar to the Dell Ultrasharp series. That makes it the only known Korean budget monitor that does not have a glossy panel. The rest of the functionality is the same as the ShiMian QH270-LITE but are priced slightly more expensive by ~$50 USD.

Others

The above are the few brands and models that are easily accessible for purchase. They are also the monitors that users have already bought and use. There are many other brands out there and if you do find one that is interesting or have any experience with them, do feel free to contact me with your feedback.

Additional Information and Links (Credits and Acknowledgement)

Here are some links that will help you in understanding these budget Korean IPS monitors more:

Overclock.net

General Thread on the Korean Monitors
Yamakasi Catleap Monitor Club
Achieva Shimian Monitor Club
PCBank 3View PB2700 Thread
Crossover Monitor Club

[H]ardForum

General Thread on the Korean Monitors
Sale Thread on the Korean Monitors

Korean Reviews (Playwares)

Achieva Shimian QH270-LITE
Yamasaki Q270 LED
PCBANK 3VIEW PB2700
Crossover 27Q LED

At the same time I would like to thank all the different users in the various forums and websites for their inputs and feedback. Information on this article are mostly based off what I have researched and understood from all the above websites and links.

Consumer Review (My Review)

Due to the article being overly long, my review will be done on another post instead. However, you can hear me talk about the monitor I have purchased, the Achieva ShiMian QH270-IPSB:

Yesterday was my first ever interview in a very long time. My last interview was held in school back during my secondary 2 days. It was for entering the integrated programme in the following year. I have successfully impressed my interviewers, I think, and managed to enrol into the programme. I remembered myself getting rather nervous, asking all the previous interviewees what were the procedures and what were the questions being asked. Fast forward back to this day I too was nervous days before the interview. I spent quite some time googling, hoping find some previous interviewees sharing their experience. I did manage to find a few but only 2 to 3 of them were elaborate enough to give me some idea of what to expect. Knowing how I felt before the interview and having just gone for it, I thought I might as well share my experience with the rest of the future nervous interviewees.

This interview was for a slot or place for the School of Information Systems in the Singapore Management University. The interviews for the other courses are different so do take note if google brings you here should you search terms such as “SMU accountancy interview” and whichever other course that you might be going to be interviewed for. With that said, please skip right down to the end of the post should you want to skip all my story-telling and know how the whole interview is generally supposed to proceed.

I got the afternoon slot at 12:30pm. I arrived late, at 12:50pm. Now, there are a few factors that contribute to my late arrival. Firstly, I left home slightly late. Secondly, I just missed the perfect “on-time” train by a few seconds. Thirdly, because of first and second, the timing snowballed and I had to wait quite some time while changing trains. Lastly, due to my epic road blindness, I went the opposite direction, away from school when exiting the train station. Yes, the school is just opposite but I am just that blind. If you add all that up, it is a miracle that I was only late by 20 minutes. I basically had to report to the security counter, sign in against my name and was directed to the fifth level where the pre-interview preparations were taking place. Oh my was it awkward to be alone in that empty lift lobby knowing that I am late by that little of a time.

Anyways, I was later brought into the small little preparation room where all the other interviewees are busy filling up some self-introduction/analysis/write-up form. Blame myself for being late, I barely had five or so minutes to fill up the form which needed us to write specific examples which demonstrate specific traits such as leadership, curiosity and all that generic stuff. So I barely fill up a quarter of the form and had to divert my attention to the second part of the preparation.

There basically is a “problem” or rather question that needs to be answered with a solution. The solution has to come in the form of an application, as in like a computer application, website, program whatever you want to call it. We are tasked to sketch and write down the solution we had in mind, having to present that particular solution later to the interviewers. The whole group of us were giving the same question and that was basically to design an application that will aid in the management of activities in school. There were some guiding pointers or rather questions that we had to consider for example to identify the users of the application. Off you go, planning and writing out your solution.

After that, our attention was diverted to another poster describing the process of solving or answering an estimation question. The example on the poster was on the estimation of how many piano tuners were needed in New York (If I remembered correctly). So there were the assumptions made, factors considered and stuff like that. Once that is done, we were off to the actual interview.

The actual interview took place in another room two floors below. The room was designed in such a way: tables arranged in a semi-circle manner facing two of the interviewers. Behind us was a projector and screen to allow us to present our ideas of the solution we had come out with previously. The interviewers introduced themselves briefly, and for my specific case asked or rather mentioned about someone being late. Oh of course the late person refers to me. I answered skilfully, blaming my road blindness and trying to come up with all kinds of excuse to lessen my mistake. Mind you, everything was done in a very friendly manner. So all fun and excuses aside, we proceeded to the first part of the interview, the presentation of our solutions to the task assigned.

It went perfectly well for me (I think). Thanks to the little prior knowledge I had in computing I managed to come out with a rather convincing solution that, in my opinion, was both effective and should be efficient enough to impress the interviewers. Throughout the presentation the interviewers will pop up a few questions should they find the need to, do not feel bad or anything wrong about it, it is just a way to save time for them.

After all the interviewees presented their solution (in fact I was the last to present), we proceeded on to the next part of the interview, the estimation question. The interviewer asked anyone to come up with whatever number and we had to answer the question asked in that particular slide. The question that we were facing was basically to estimate the average number of storeys in a building in the central business district area. Well, first and foremost the key thing to take note of the estimation question is that the interviewers are trying to assess your thought and thinking process. Not so much on your answer but rather how you arrive at your answer. For that, I would not be describing or sharing with you what I came up with. Just note that my answer was totally off and if you knew my answer you would start crying because it is so funny that it becomes depressingly sad.

After the estimation question was the Q&A session. It was cut short mainly because we were running behind time but it is basically a time where you start showing your interest towards the course and the field of IT & business. Do ask questions that cannot be found on the website. The interviewers don’t seem to be in favour of answering such questions. After a few exchanges between the interviewees and interviewers, we had a share about yourself session. It was rather short as well because of time constraint but it is supposedly the time when the interviewer looks through the self-introduction/analysis/write-up form and ask you some questions based on that. For me who only filled 2 of the 6 or 5 boxes, the interviewer asked me why I did not fill in the curiosity trait box of which I reminded him I was the fantastic hero who arrives late. Just kidding, but yeah I was late so I explained and then went on telling stories about how I am a person like a cat so curious about everything. After asking from the form, the interviewers posted general question to all of us: What is your worst subject. The different interviewees come out with different subjects with explanations and whatever other stuff and that was the end of the interview.

In conclusion, the interview goes like this:

1. You enter the pre-interview preparation room of which you will first fill up 2 different forms. One is a personality survey and the other is the critical write-up form which you will write specific examples to demonstrate specific traits. There is also a box to write down some of your questions to the interviewer, supposedly to show your interest and all that stuff.
2. You will be tasked to sketch up and write out a solution to a specific question. You will be given a blank piece of paper and you will start scribbling away, noting that you will have to present your solution later to the interviewers.
3. You will be brought down to the actual interview room and if there is another group of interviewees inside, do be prepared to spend some time waiting. Once you enter the room, you will sit according to wherever your name tag is placed.
4. The first part of the interview is the presentation of your solution. All you have to do is to go up to the projector and place your paper there and start presenting. The interviewers will ask questions along the way so just be prepared to answer them.
5. The second part of the interview is the estimation question. Someone will pick a slide and the whole room of interviewees will answer that particular estimation question. The questions are often constructed based on local context. The main thing is to be able to explain your assumptions and process of getting your particular answer.
6. The third part of the interview is the Q&A session. Ask and show off your interest towards the course.
7. The fourth part is the “know the interviewees better” session. The interviewers will ask you questions based on the form that you have submitted as well as general questions to know you better. From what I have researched the interviewers also like to ask the question of “Why SMU” and “Why SIS”.
8. The last part is to get out of SMU and go do whatever you want.

Hope this ease your nerves a bit future interviewees. Apparently this kind of post gets quite a bit of traffic from the search engines. Hmm, have to see though since it is near the end of all the applications and interviews to Universities. Let’s see how many anxious souls land here next year.

[image by: chooyutshing via flickr]

The grass is always greener on the other side. However, if you got over wouldn’t your previous side now become the greener one? What a dilemma.

[image by: Spitefully via flickr]

Well the big brother is about to change the way you look at things forever. Introducing Google’s Project Glass, augmented reality is coming soon right before your very own eyes. See the world in a totally different manner. It totally feels like a hollywood movie, just that this time it is going to get real. Getting directions, weather forecasts, latest news and updates will happen right before your eyes. It sounds absolutely futuristically fantastic. Read on for the video introducing Project Glass.

That is how the glasses are conceptualized to be. It looks kind of neat really. What is even neater is the added functionality and convenience to our daily lives. There is no actual release date yet or much news about it except this very video that explains what Project Glass is all about. The future is indeed coming real soon to our doorsteps.

“Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.” ~ Steve Jobs

Indeed, follow your heart and intuition… but what if they are wrong? No, there is no “right” or “wrong”… life has no definite answers. I sincerely believe in that.

[image by: marie-ll via flickr]

It started from a simple honest reply. An internet troll first commented on one of my youtube videos, saying some things (which I had already explained) in a rather rude manner. In my defence, I replied with an explanation seasoned with a pinch of salt. And that my friends, awoken the beast within him, the Troll. Amazing how much time these trolls have, spending their whole day just to disturb others. I got disturbed, and I was not experienced enough to deal with such people. My level was obviously not high enough, so I continued fighting instead of backing off.

He, or rather it, started hurling abusive comments, comments that were based off nothing but a pile of nothingness. I actually thought he was a genuine person giving a critical comment (which was based off his very first comment), I thought wrong. It was actually a troll ready to pounce on an innocent person like me. I aggroed the troll further by blocking it and removing its abusive comments. Unfortunately for me, it had a skill called “multiple accounts”. Damn sure is it powerful. It unleashed a 20 different youtube account spam fest trying to put me down. This troll was powerful and of really high level. The spam, block, remove battle went on for quite a while before the troll decided it was time to unleash his other skill; the “dislike funfair” skill. All 20 dislikes, from 20 different accounts, from one same guy. Simply outstanding technique and skill.

It went on and on, attacking my other videos as well. It was in funfair mode, happily clicking the thumbs down button for almost every single video I uploaded. It was unstoppable for a mere level 1 beginner like me. I had no party with me, had no healer, tank and whatever class that is required to tackle this monster. I had nobody to help me. Even as I am writing this post, the troll is continuously attacking, and rightfully so as you can never pause in a massive online world.

It is sad that I aggroed such a high level troll when I am still of low level. This hardcore player versus player server sure is difficult to live in. Now let’s just hope this dies off sooner rather than later.

I shouldn’t have fed the troll. Oh the irony! I’m still young and fresh, please forgive me.

[image by: Dunechaser via flickr]