Experiencing the experiences!

House wiring Part III : Wire size

2011-11-14T14:15:00.004+08:00

Wire size

Type of cable	Size (mm)	Best for
	1.5	Lighting point, fan, normal point
	2.5	Plug point
	4	Appliances require more electricity, air conditioners, water heater

Above table only mention wire size commonly use in a normal household. There are other larger wire size in the market but mostly only for industrial usage. Larger size also means higher price and also for higher electricity usage.

For 2.5mm wire, one roll (I think around 100m long) cost around RM50 – RM100 depending on the size and quality. It can be used for both plug point and lighting point but in term of suitability, 1.5 mm is much preferred for lighting and fan point. Why? Most switch box have smaller wire holes if compare to plug point box. When you do some looping, this tiny hole will give you a hard time if you use 2.5 mm wire.

House wiring Part II : Wire color code

2011-11-14T14:14:00.005+08:00

Wire	Color
Earth (E)	Green (Standard: Green or Yellow)
Neutral (N)	No colored (White or Black) (Standard: Black or Blue)
Live (L)	Other colored except Green (Standard: Red or Brown)

This is only a general guide for the color code system. One way to know a live wire is by using a test pen.

Carefully touch the open wire with a test pen then touch with one finger at the back of the test pen. If the bulb is illuminate, it is the live wire. The Neutral wire is any other wire except the Green wire because generally, Green wire is the Earth.


Before cut

After cut

For my house, they use green, black and red wire. But for some lamp and fan points there are only green and black wires. In this case, the black wire or sometimes red wires need to be cut. Then use the test pen method to know which one is the Live wire. The other wire will be the Neutral wire.

Note:
Usually, electrical appliance use standard wire color code. The best way to know the wire type is by reading the manual or look for the E, N and L marking.

Some electrical appliance such as fluorescent light and ceiling fan only have Neutral and Live wire. The Earth wire you have to fix it by clamping the tip between the ceiling and the light casing or for fan, screw it to the down rod.

House wiring Part I : Introduction and Cost

2011-11-14T11:43:00.040+08:00

Last Sunday, I planned to install a study lamp and also add a couple of wall power plug in my daughter’s room by myself. It’s already been 2 years since I did the house wiring but luckily I still have my unpublished and unfinished blog note left forgotten inside my old dying external hard disk. So, here the blog note (edited for current writing).

2 years ago, I moved to a new house. Like other new developed house, the developer provides only basic wiring without any electrical equipment such as ceiling fan and light. With only 2 fan point and only a few power point, the house need a lot of wiring.

To calculate the total damage if I hire an electrician to do the work, I asked 4 electricians to quote their price:

2009 price

	Price	Note
Power Point	RM70 to RM80 per point. (price for conceal wiring)	For each additional power point, need to add RM10 to RM15
Water Heater	RM120	Not includes water heater installation, just the wiring
Air-Cond	RM150
Normal lamp wiring	RM40	This is normal wiring where they just loop from another existing fan or lamp wiring. Add RM5 for light installation.
Ceiling Fan	RM40-RM50	Add RM15 for fan installation. Fan hook cost RM5
Exhaust fan (kitchen)	RM70 with installation

Empty wall

From the quoted price, the total price for complete wiring of my single storey house will be almost RM2,000. This is the total price for several new power plugs, new fan and light points and also installing the electrical equipments. The price doesn't include electrical equipment.

So, with very tight budget I decided to do most of the wiring with a guide from a friendly electrician.

Above price list doesn't include down light point because I don't plan to install any. But from my survey, the price per point is around RM35 - RM50 not include hole drilling and fitting light. Mostly add RM5 to fit the light bulb.

Before we proceed, please note that:

This is only for information purpose. I am not a certified electrician so seek your respected electrician for any electrical work. I done all the wiring with a guide from an electrician.
I don't know the exact term for certain items, so I use which ever I think best suit based on my understanding.
Please cut off the electricity at the Circuit Breaker (CB) in the Breaker Box before you do any wiring.
This is only applicable for single phase not 3-phase wiring which I don't have any clue about it.

Installing baby safety gate

2011-03-06T17:13:00.019+08:00

When your child started to learn how to walk or use baby walker, it is time for you to search for safety gate. If you go to baby store, there are many styles of baby safety gates available to fit stairs and doorways and even some that are freestanding in the middle of a room. Some are pressure mounted and some are hardware mounted.

Pressure mounted is portable. You can mount it without any additional hardware and can be mount almost every, provided that the extension long enough to reach both side of wall. But if apply enough force, it can be push out of place since it isn't bolted to anything. So, not recommend to use this type at the top of stair.

Hardware mounted use screws or some tools to attach it to wall. It will permanently mark the wall but it much stronger than pressure mounted type. Because it is attach to wall, this type is not portable.

My experience
About 3 years ago, I bought Anakku pressure mounted safety gate plus its extension for my daughter. 6 months later, I kept it inside my store room and when I moved to new home, I lost the mount screws. So, now without the screw, I can't mount it to the kitchen door frame.

Solution?
I went to Anakku store to ask if they sold the screw separately, as expected, they don't. So, what the cheaper way to use back the gate? My answer, change from pressure mounted to hardware mounted gate.

I went to a hardware store to buy some tools and screws. Total cost only RM13.
1) 4 x triangle shape bracket = RM3
2) RM2 wall screws+plugs
3) 1 x tile drill bit = RM8 (look like pointing spear head)

How to drill through tile

Drilling through tile is different from drilling through normal stone wall. Tile can easily crack if not properly drill. So, these are some tips:

Make sure the space behind the tile is not hollow. Hollow tiles have higher risk of crack.
Use high quality tile. Lower quality may crack but not as important as to make sure the hollow tile. High quality tile also can crack if the space at the back is hollow.
Use correct drill bit. Tile has special drill bit. Masonry drill bit also can be use but will be risky.

Masonry drill bit

Tile drill bit

Apply some masking tape. Make sure to clean the tile before applying any tape.

Apply some tape

Use slow speed when drilling.
Don't set the drill to impact drill.
To prevent damage to the tile drill bit, use masonry drill bit to drill the wall behind the tile.

Finish drilling

Without masking tape

With triangle shape bracket fixed

With safety gate installed

Done!

The safety gate is very sturdy.

Kaspersky : How to do offline update

2011-02-24T16:07:00.015+08:00

With current technology, internet can be access almost every where. From most basic narrowband dial-up connection to super fast broadband wi-fi connection, most users don't have problem updating their anti-virus database by online. But a few weeks ago I stumbled into a handful of computers with no internet connection. No cable connection and far away from each other. Like normal desktop, no wireless adapter installed. So how to update the database? I tried to use an USB wi-fi dongle but one computer already take almost half an hour, so to update all by the same method, is too time consuming.

So, like always, Uncle Google has the solution. I just need to update one computer and the rest by copying database.

What you need:
1) At least 2 PCs, one must have internet connection.
2) Recommended to have same Kaspersky anti-virus version.

What to do:
1st computer (with internet connection)
1) Open your Kaspersky.
2) Click Settings.

3) Select Update Center
4) Tick "Copy update to folder".
5) Browse to the folder you want to copy all database.
6) Click "OK".
7) Select "Update Center".
8) Run Update.
9) Wait till the update finish.
10) After all update finished, go to your save database folder from Step 5.
11) Copy all the folder and save it into your usb drive.

2nd computer (without internet)
1) Copy previous folder into 2nd computer.
2) Open Kaspersky antivirus.
3) Select Setting
4) Select "Update Center ".
5) Click "Update Source"
6) Click "+ Add".
7) Browse to the copied database folder.
8) Click "OK".
9) Go to Update Center.
10) Run Update.

The update will take only a few minutes. With this method, I can update multiple computer within shorter time. I guess if all computers have an intranet connection, probably can fasten up all update process by sharing the database folder.

Click to get paid!

2011-02-16T09:39:00.006+08:00

Last month, I visited a site about making money online and I found this site (please click the banner to register). This is not a pyramid or get rich scheme but just a "Paid to Click" site.

How it works
Each day, you have to click a link from this site.
For each main link clicked, you will be credited with $0.01. (This is in USD not RM)
Each day you will given 4 main links.
Sound like a small amount but if $0.04/day, in a month you'll get $1.20x3.30=RM3.96
If you still think this is not enough for easy money, wait till 30 days or after 100 click and you have an option to rent some referral.
Depending on the referral package, you will get a few cents for each of your referral clicked link.
So, each month, you can easily get more than $2.00.

EDIT: After you bought referral, your daily click increase to 5/day.

How to register
Just click the Neobux banner above and follow the instruction.

Well, the total amount is not that big enough but I already saw someone get $0.75/day. That more than $20/month or RM60/month. I know that also cost a lot of referral but better than nothing.

The best thing about this PTC, after you click a link and a new page open, you can surf to other page to wait the advertisement loaded. So far, I just aim to get $2/month so i can buy some games from ovi store :) .

My Nokia N8!

2010-12-08T16:16:00.014+08:00

Since March 2010, I heard about a rumor, Nokia will come out with a new touchscreen phone with the best camera in the market. I believe the rumor had been around for quite some time since last year but because I was very happy with my Nokia 5800, I heard about it a bit late.

My old Nokia 5800 is a good touchscreen phone for it budget but somehow, my 5800 camera didn’t produce nice videos and pictures as I wanted. So after more than a year of use and before its value drop, I was searching for a replacement, that’s when I first heard about N8.

A few months later...

Nokia N8 officially available on September 23, 2010 but officially arrived at Malaysia’s shore on October 16, 2010 after a few delays. Yup, I wait for more than half a year for this phone but still not enough money to do the pre-order. Why? The RRP is RM1690, way above my small pocket budget. But of course, for its specification, Nokia N8 should be price for more than that. So again I patiently wait till someone want to sell theirs. In the mean times, I started selling some of my gadgets including my 5800 to save up money for N8. For a while, I'm a smart person without a smart-phone.

Power problems

Unfortunately, Nokia N8 got some complaints from users around the world. They were complaining about the sudden turning off and can’t switch on problem. What worst, Nokia (Malaysia) warranty does not provide 1-to-1 exchange so for these unlucky user, they have to send the phone to Nokia Care Center and wait till the problematic spare part arrive.

Some took more than 2 weeks to get repaired.

My patient pays off

After a few weeks of waiting, I got 2 users want to sell theirs. Both bought their phone during the pre-order so the phone has 2 years of warranty which cost around RM200. It also came with black spine case. The 1st user, however, got the power problem a day before our transaction, lucky me :). So, I opt to 2nd user. An arrangement was made and on November 19, 2010, I officially own a Nokia N8.

I can’t stop smiling all night :) .

TMPoint : Worst customer service ever.

2010-07-21T11:06:00.009+08:00

I already reapply my streamyx account transfer and upgrade on 7th June 2010, the day I wrote previous post. My nightmare doesn't end there.

1 week later
No internet connection on 14th June 2009. I went to TmPoint (how much car petrol I waste for this problem). Luckily the staff I met in previous week remember me so no need to queue. Now they ask me to wait for another week. I told him I already wait for 1 week, why I need to wait another week? After meeting with his manager, they agreed to solve the problem within 2 days and I had to fill up another form.

I just realize now that they have specific form for account transfer for both streamyx and telephone line. So, what all those forms I filled up for the last 6 months? And now I know that I even can actually transfer my old telephone line account to a new address with only RM20 fees. So why I need to terminate and subscribe new account in the first place? Now I need to pay RM75 deposit. What a **** up service center. Or they don't understand my problem? I want to transfer both my telephone and streamyx account to a new address? Tak faham soalan ker?

I bought a phone for RM8 with RM50 voucher from TMNet.

That night, I wrote an email to help@tm.net.my and explain everything.

The Next Day
I received a call from 100, TM Hotline. They said my streamyx is on, I can use it.
When I cam back home, I switched on my wireless router, I tried to browsed and yup, it is online. Again, I thought my nightmare end there.

A week later
Got a called from the guy from TMPoint. He explain that I have to hold from using my internet because my internet account still using RM20 package, not RM60 package. WTF. When I calculated, for 7 days with 24 hour of usage (I usually not turn off my router), I have to pay more than RM400.

But the guy said not to worry, just don't use the internet. Shit! It just like saying to a 4 years old kid, "Wait, don't eat that ice-cream that in your hand".

Another 2 week : Phone "rosak"
The phone I bought from them, have problem to received call. Can't ring. So, another drive to TMPoint, they give me an old telephone as temporary. Said will call me within next week.

2 weeks later
I received an email to check my last bill. Guess what...? My bill is RM401. Streamyx is really Screamyx offer by TMNut. Suck big time.

A ride to TMPoint again, a discussion with their staff again, talk with their manager. Again they promise me to solve my problem.

When ask about my broken phone, they said no record. The old phone is now my phone. Another shit for them!

When I repeatedly ask to check and give me a new phone, they give me an used phone, unclaimed by customer. I refused to accept that and demand a new phone. Finally, they give me a new phone, but old model, with no warranty.

I think every time you go to TMPoint, you should point a gun to their head before they can serve you properly.

TMPoint : Misunderstading or bad customer services

2010-06-07T13:51:00.004+08:00

December : Start of all my problems
Last December, I moved to my new house so I want to transfer my previous telephone line+streamyx account to my new house. At the same time, because TMNet has a RM5 upgrade promotion, I want to upgrade my 512Mb combo package (RM90) to 1Mb combo package (RM95) which is cheaper than RM110 for new registration.

So, I went to TMPoint to get some advice. When I first came in, I ask a lady at the front counter (where you take ticket no.), and explain my problem. I explain to her that I'm moving to a new house and want to transfer my current streamyx combo account. I also exlpained her about my plan to take the RM5 upgrade promotion. I ask her, want should I do?

After a few minutes of checking my account, she advised me to terminate my previous telephone line and apply for a new line for my new home. But because it is a new housing area without any telephone cable installed, she explain that it will take more than a month to process my application because they need to wait for contractor to install the telephone cable first. She also said that my application will be on hold till they have enough application at my housing area before they can proceed.

So, I said "Ok" because I have no other choice. Then I ask about my streamyx account.

She suggest I downgrade to most basic package, 384kb, RM20 for 10h usage.

I ask her if I still eligible for the RM5 upgrade package, she said "Yes".

Thinking that better I sacrifice RM20/month for another 1 or 2 months than terminate my account and have to pay RM110/month (not include deposit and other processing fees) for another 2 to 3 years, I agreed. So, after I filled all the form and give it to her, I go back and wait.....

February : No telephone line
After 2 months (February), I still don't have internet access and still have to pay RM20/month. So I went back to TMPoint. This time another lady entertained me. Again after checking my account for several minutes, she explain to me that I have to wait till the contractor install the cable. So, I wait again...

April : Start installing cable
2 months later (April), I saw contractor start installing telephone cable. I wait patiently for another two weeks before going back to TMPoint. This time, I was really shocked when the lady told me they don't received any application for my new telephone line and streamyx account transfer. So again, I have to fill all the form. I also ask if I still eligible for the RM5 upgrade promotion, and they said yes.

May : Telephone line, ok. Streamyx, no ok
1 month later, which is at the end of last month (May), a contractor call me to confirm the time and date to install the telephone line in my house. Finally....

The next day after they installed the telephone line and I can receive and call out. I call 100 to ask about my streamyx account. Shockingly, the operator said in their system, I already terminate both my telephone line and streamyx account. WTF. I ask her to confirm if the info is correct or not, and of course she confirm it based on the system. I asked, "Can she do anything so I can activate my screamyx account", she answered that she can only help if there is an application. Because in their system I didn't apply for the streamyx, so she can't help. She advise me to go to the TMPoint again.

June : Start your engine, 4th visit
So, again for the fourth time, I go back to TMPoint. Then another news really make me want to burn the place, I'm not eligible for the RM5 upgrade package because it is only applicable for existing user with at least 1 year of subscription without any upgrade or downgrade during that period. Seriously, I really want to punch the guy face when I heard this. I explained to him all my problem and I said they have the worst customer service ever. They cheat my RM20/month money and expect me to accept it? This is the first time in my life I scold someone at customer service counter. WTF. 3 times I already came to their center but no one explain to me about this although I explained my situation all 3 times. I also shocked that the operator at 100 is wrong because my streamyx account still activate.

The guy also incompetent because every-time I ask an explanation, he will go to the office to discuss with his manager. 4-5 times..... Every-time when he came back, he will said he can't do anything. The 3rd times he came back, he said I have to subscribe for RM60 384kb package for a year before I can get the promotion package. I ask if the promotion still available after another year, he said yes.

Finally after more than an hour, I demand they paid back my money. I don't care what ever reasons, I want my money. After another slip trough his office, he said that they agree to give me the promotion package but for my upgrade from 384kb RM20 to 512kb RM65, not to 1Mb RM95. But first I have to upgrade to 384kb (unlimited) RM60 package before I can upgrade after I get my first bill and if only the promotion still on. :x Because I don't like 'gaduh-gaduh', I agreed.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Actually, I don't really mind to wait for the contractor to install the telephone cable because I know it is based on demand. But what I really can't 'tahan' is how the TMNet can't really appreciate their loyal customer. I have been using streamyx for more than 6 years since I start working. And because I need to move to a new house, they treat me like a new customer although I still don't terminate the account.

Why a telecommunication company can't process customer request through telephone line or online like any other company? Why we need to go to their customer service center while in this modern time, everything can be done at home by online?

I see that for new customer, they received new wireless modem and telephone for free although I doubt it actually free. What happen to existing customer which already have modem and want to have the same benefit as new customer like combo plan? Previously, they offer different package for with and without modem. But now, like combo package, they don't give a damn thing about customer who don't need the damn extra modem.

Last time, when I change from standard package (without modem) to combo package, I didn't receive any modem. When I asked about this problem, they answered that I need to bring my old modem, they will change with new one which is wireless. They ask me to return back my own modem?

But today, they improved a little bit, existing customer also can get the free modem.

Why most Watch Ads show the time as 10:08?

2010-04-01T08:08:00.006+08:00

Just now I read some watch brochures to find a replacement for my 12 years old broken Casio watch. Bought for RM125 in 1998 and it last longer than I expected. The original battery lasted almost 5 years and the replacement only last 2 years each. So now the hunt begins.

I still remember when my friend ask me “Why most Watch Ads show the time as 10:10?” I never realized it before and because back then I have no source to find the answer (internet still not available and library still the best place for source gathering), I just answer “I don’t know, but probably because it looks nice.”

So now, more than a decade later, I stumbled again with the question when reading the brochures. It is true, all the analogue watch showed the same time but to be exact, it is not 10:10, but 10:08! For digital watch, they also set at 10:08. A quick Google search give me this answer:

10:08, 8 minutes past 10, is roughly the time to which analog watches are set in most advertisements[dubious – discuss], though actual times shown vary between about 10:08 and 10:10. There are several reasons offered by watch companies, many of them psychological, and none of them verifiable as the actual origin of the practice:

The position of the hands does not obscure the date on watches with a date function at 3 o'clock or any other functions at 9 or 3 o'clock.
The position of the hands does not obscure the company logo, which is often printed under 12 o'clock. In fact, it highlights the logo by underlining it and placing it at the center of the delta formed between the clock's hands.
The hands are nearly symmetrically balanced on the face of the dial at 10:08. The minute hand is 48° right of vertical, while the hour hand is 56° left of vertical. Exact symmetry would be achieved at 120/13 minutes past 10:00, approximately 10:09:13.8. Other symmetrical times would not meet the needs above.
The form of the hands has a positive effect on the viewer: the short hand pointing at 10 o'clock and the long hand pointing at 8 minutes is reminiscent of a check mark, which commonly means "ok" or "fine." Some observers further identify this appearance with a smiling face. [citation needed]

Oddly enough, 10:08 is also the time at which a 12-hour digital display will have the maximum number of digit "segments" turned on. However, digital watches in commercials are more often set to 10:58. Early (mid-1970s) LCD clock ads would often show 12:08, which has a large number of "on" segments (one fewer than 10:08), showcases four different digits, and is not 10:08—a virtue in its own right, as digital clocks were marketed as a break with the past.

Urban legends are frequently heard to the effect that the watches are set to commemorate the hour at which some famous person died: often Abraham Lincoln or John F. Kennedy. All such stories prove to be several hours off when calculated.

Source http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:LarryMac/10:08

IMHO, the second reasons probably the most cause for the selection of 10:08.

How to install Windows 7 using usb?

2010-03-17T11:14:00.003+08:00

Yesterday I finally manage to fork out some money to buy Intel i3 530 system. So after installing all part, it time to install OS. Unfortunately, I forgot to bring my Windows 7 Installer DVD. All I had was an .iso (DVD image) file, a laptop capable only to write CD and a 4GB USB drive.

I remember there are many article out there explaining step by step guide how to install Windows 7 using an USB drive. But most of them require me to execute several command line in Command Prompt. Fortunately, there are also a few way to use simple program.

UNetbootin (Please visit this link)
Microsoft's Official Tools (download)
UltraIso

I pick the 3rd option because I already have the software and here the steps.

What you need:

4Gb USB drive
UltraIso (trial) download here
Windows 7 Installer images files

If you don't have installer images file, you can create one using UltraIso.

The steps:

Start UltraISO as administrator
"Burn" the iso image to the USB stick by following these steps
- Open the image of Windows 7 with UltraISO
- Under BOOTABLE tab choose WRITE DISK IMAGE
- Choose your USB stick under "Disk Drive"
- Choose a method (It's recommended to use USB-HDD+)
- Tick Verify
- Press Write
After finish "Burning", restart you computer.
Make sure to change your BOOT order in BIOS to boot from your USB drive first

PDair 5800 Flip Leather Casing

2009-04-02T15:13:00.013+08:00

Pros:
1. High quality leather.
2. Really can protect your phone with it thick leather.
3. Have camera hole at the back.
4. Right and Left side button easy to access.

Cons:
1. It block charger port, multimedia button and the 3 button hard to press.
2. Clip can block the camera when applied.
3. Hand to close with one hand.
4. Belt clip design is so bulky.
5. Expensive

Today my PDair 5800 Flip (Black) Leather Casing arrived at my door step, after a month of waiting. I bought this leather casing from a bulk purchase manage by jameslee_84 from lowyat.net.

The leather case comes in a nice box. It comes with 1 X leather casing, 1 X belt clip and 1 X belt clip screw. I found that the built are superb and I like the stitching line.

Installation

I already applied full body Invisible Shield on my 5800 so it really tight to slide my phone inside the leather casing. I believe, if without IS, the installation will be much easier. I also took out the plectrum so it look nicer with out the plectrum hanging out from the phone.

Button Accessibility

All the left and right side button can be access easily. The key lock slider also can be slide easily without any hindrance.

However, because the leather is too thick, the 3 button below the screen are not easy to press. The multimedia button is also covered by the leather. To press the multimedia button, I have to press the leather on top of it and it is not always successful.

Design

I sadly to say that I don't really like the design. Although the camera hole at the back fits nicely, I have to take out the belt clip because it can be seen in the screen. If PDair move the clip a bit lower, I think it will solve the problem.

I also found that the charger port is block by the clip and it hard to close with one hand.

The front cover is empty. Although it might have professional look, but for me, I like if the PDair logo printed at the front.

Conclusion
This is my first day of using the leather casing so my judgment may be change due time. But I believe PDair should redesign specially at the phone screen. I'm afraid I can't give final opinion right now and probably will write it after a few weeks.

Added on 10th April 2009:

After a week of use, I found that PDair leather casing is good choice to protect your phone. The belt clip is a good accessory if you want to put your phone horizontally on the table to watch movie. So, need to use a stand.

However, the front design (screen) need to be change. I think I will cut the red circle area for better accessibility. The charge port is not a big problem.

Invisible Shield for 5800

2009-02-24T14:29:00.000+08:00

I have a habit tucking my phone inside my pocket with keys. As a normal right-handed person, I use my right hand more in my daily routine. I believe it more to reflex when most of the things I hold with my hand will go to my right-hand-side pocket instead of left-side. So, my pocket usually full with things from morning to night. My old phone end up with lots of scratched here and there so I don't want the same thing happen to my precious Tube.

5800 is a new launched phone so it lack of 3rd party accessories such as pouch and also silicon case. Actually, I hate silicon case as it make my phone bulky. I end up looking for a good screen protector. Among the screen protector I found were BestSkinEver and Zagg. Both of the brand claimed to be scratch proof because both use the same technology, but the later has higher price and come with life-time warranty.

From ZAGG website:

"The invisibleSHIELD™ is created from an ultra-tough, patented film that is exclusive to ZAGG for covering consumer electronics. Transparent and amazingly thin, the invisibleSHIELD™ is designed to precisely match the contours of every device, providing unbeatable scratch protection. ZAGG's invisibleSHIELD is the world's first and best solution of its kind, and the patent-pending application process will keep gadgets looking great."
With lifetime warranty, and the availability of the screen protector, I choose Zagg invisibleSHIELD™ with full body protector.

The Package

The invisibleSHIELD™ come in black-red book size box. It comes with install squeegee and SHIELDspray™. I received the SHIELDspray™ in bad shape as the liquid only leaft ¼ of the bottle. As I'm too eager to install and have no patient to wait for a replacement, I just continue to the installation.

Price
I bought it from local seller for RM60. In ZAGG website, the price is USD24.95 (RM92). But if you buy more than USD100, you'll get 30% discount. So if you buy 4 invisibleSHIELD™, they will cost you RM255.50 or RM64 each. The larger the quantity, the bigger discount you'll get. Sometime, ZAGG will give you 50% discount.

Installation
It took me almost 3 hours to install. Your thumbprint is your worst enemy! So apply SHIELDspray™ on your finger as much as you can .

Some tips:

Switch off your device.
Work in dust free environment. Some people suggest in bathroom where the humidity is high and less dust.
Wipe you phone with dust-free towel/cloth not tissue. I used tissue (although it claim dust free). The result, some of the tissue's dust manage to slip under the screen protector.
Don't peel off invisibleSHIELD™ from it paper completely, instead slowly peel and apply SHIELDspray™ and apply it on your phone. So, your will touch invisibleSHIELD™ less.
Reuse paper backing if you don't wear glove and you need to touch the adhensive side of the invisibleSHIELD™.
To hold your phone, you can use SHIELDspray™ hole in the box. It fix firmly.
To practice, apply back cover first.

Result

I installed front cover first, with lack of practice, so some dust from the tissue manage to slip under the shield. From the picture below, you can see that there also some bubbles but in due time, the bubbles will completely gone. What left is the dust.

After a few weeks

Dust easily attract to the edge of the shield. I believe this is normal for all screen protector. As long as it not go under the shield, it is okay. In the picture, this is my mistake as I touch this edge to peel off the shield from its paper backing. My advice, avoid touching with bare hand, use glove!

All the front protector were badly installed. Actually, this is the only part that I don't like the design. You can see from the picture bellow, my phone will be protect from scratch except the conner part. Plus, this is the only part that mostly will collect dust and it also made my phone ugly. Beside that, I feel my phone well protected by invisibleSHIELD™.

Conclusion
Albeit all the defect of the shield, I'm satisfy with it performance. No scratch so far and also the shield glued firmly with my phone. I believe, if I have a second package ready to install, the result will be much better.

For more picture, please visit my picasa photo album.

My precious… Nokia 5800 (Camera)

2009-02-23T14:29:00.004+08:00

Camera Quality

My precious… Nokia 5800 (Applications/Games)

2009-02-22T14:25:00.003+08:00

Applications
Symbian S60V5 is still a new OS. So, there are only a few application that work perfectly with S60V5. However, some S60V3 can be install and some have touch enable functions.

This is the list the of application that work on 5800:

Tested by me (100% working)

Nokia Handwriting calculator.
Talking Dictionary
Touch Piano
Touch Guitar
Touch Popper
Epocware Handy Series (Handy Weather, Shell, Converter, etc)
Avatar SMS
Kill Me
Buddycloud
ScreenSnap
Photoflow (Use
FX-602P (Calculator emulator)
Rotary Dialer (Dial to call app)

Working (Not 100%)

Bluetooth Remote Control (Virtual key pad is overlap by black bar)
Garmin XT
Virtual Key (V20 - Top Bar can't change)
The Pencil (Can't exit, have to use KillMe)

Games

Touch Card Match (V20 can't remove virtual keypad)
Touch Maneuver
Solitare
Sudoku Master
3D Brick Breaker

My precious… Nokia 5800 (Intro 2)

2009-02-22T13:14:00.001+08:00

Price
I got my phone at only RM1350, less than RRP. Some user even claimed the price can be as low as RM1280. With my budget, for a phone this price actually quite expensive (>RM1,000). However, for all the features, it is a good bargain.

A quick glimpse at the spec:

3.2-inch touchscreen display with 16 Million colors
3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus
Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900Mhz) GSM/EDGE radio
3G UMTS/HSDPA
Bluetooth 2.0
WiFi
GPS
3.5mm headphone jack
TV-out port
81MB internal memory (expandable to 16Gb with mciroSD)
111 x 51.5 x 15.5 mm
Video Support : H.263, Flash Video, H.264/AVC, MPEG-4, RealVideo 7,8,9/10, WMV 9
Audio Support : AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, MP3, MP4, M4A, WMA, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, Mobile XMF, SP-MIDI, MIDI, RealAudio 7,8,10, True tones, WAV

For more details, visit this link.

3.2" Touchscreen
The screen is superb. Although this is my first touch phone, I have no problem navigate with one hand and the screen is responsive. I still get confuse to touch once or twice to open or run a program or shortcut but I found it much faster to navigate in touchscreen environment if compare with non-touchscreen (key pad). (The response is much faster in V20)

Another thing about the screen is it 640x360 resolution or known as nHD screen. With it supports of MPEG4, I can watch video smoothly with my Tube. However, all video must be converted to 5800 compatible format.

High memory capacity
Last time I thought 2Gb is enough. But now 16Gb? 5800 comes with 8Gb microSD memory card but it also can support up to 16Gb microSD. So, it means more musics and videos can be cramp into the phone. I tried storing mp3 and .mp4 file to 90% of the 8Gb microSD. The first time refreshing in Music Payer it takes around 4-5 minutes to read all the new sound files. After that, it takes only a few seconds to open. So far, I have never faced any "hang" when accessing the memory card.

The Built
5800 place firmly in my hand. The size is suitable for my daily usage and easier to carry around (not bulky). However, the front cover look like from low quality plastic. It squeak when I pressed the front cover and at night, a can see small gap with light leaking.

However the back cover is secure tightly and hard to open which is good for me. But I don't like the camera cover design. As you can see in the picture, no swipe/slip cover like N73me. The plastic cover, I believe, may reduce the amount of light penetrate through the lens, so with lower light. the higher the noise in the picture.

Interface
The interface is same like any other S60 phone. Because last time I own a N73Me, so I rearrange the shortcut to be similar like N73 interface. I use Shortcut Bar instead of Contact Bar. I just hope that the calendar in the home screen can reflect the exact date.

My precious… Nokia 5800 (Intro)

2009-02-22T12:32:00.001+08:00

I heard about 5800 a.k.a Tube since May 2008. From the rumored pictures, what really fascinated me was the 3.2" touch screen. The screen is bigger than any other Nokia N-series. Other than that, the phone looks like ordinary candy bar phone.

The phone claimed to be Nokia's first touch S60 device. Because I was happy with my old N73ME , I didn't really care about all the hype. I assumed with all the rumored features include in this Tube, the price will be beyond my limit (>RM1.5k). I even think that 2Gb is enough for my daily use phone. Or is it?

In December 2008, I read that 5800 already available in Malaysia although it was not officially launched. What surprise me, the Recommended Retails Price is RM1499, below than my early assumption by RM1 (ha..ha... actually, I thought it will be RM1700-RM2000). The rumored features are throught. This phone really packed nice features like 3G, Wifi, MPEG4 and many other standard N-Series functions. So, starting from that, I was planning to get 5800 for my birthday present.

Now, it is already a month since I own the Tube. So here is my experience with my precious one.

(Note: I already upgraded to V20)

Quick Sneak

Pros

Large 3.2" Screen with 640x360 resolution (nHD)
Touchscreen.
Support MPEG4 with 640x360 resolution
Come with 8Gb microSD memory card.
Faster response (compare to N73).
Fix firmly in my hand (not too big and not too small)
Full screen wallpaper.
Nice lock key
Good loud speaker
Price
Nice search function in Home Screen(v20)

Cons

Low quality built for front cover.
Using none standard usb port.
No slip-cover for camera.
Sim card hard to remove, need to remove battery
Images quality from camera is low.
No volume bar in Music Player (probably firmware problem).
No pencil button.
Can't turn off camera sound (some region can disable the sound)
Lack of office suite.
H264 not fully supported

Please continue reading for more details.

Celcom Power38

2008-07-16T09:42:00.000+08:00

Today I went to Celcom Centre to register for a new postpaid plan. I decided to subscribe for postpaid plan after more than 4 years of using prepaid. At first I decide to subcribe for Celcom Executive Plan but the saleperson finally manage to convince me to go for Power38 plan. So, here the comparison of prepaid and postpaid plan.

Other networks	Prepaid Mid Plan	Power38
Call Rates (adjacent)	RM1.40/min	RM0.20/min
Call Rate (Non-adjacent)	RM2.60/min	RM0.20/min
SMS	RM0.20/sms	RM0.15/sms

These are the only 3 things that very important for me. Some of my friends are from neighboring state and not within the same network. Some are living in Kuantan but using phone number registered at different state. So by using prepaid, I pay more specially when outstation.

The registration is smooth. Other than the time needed for writing the application form, I wait only a few minutes before my number were called. Actually I didn't need to go to the counter because they already set up a booth outside the premises for promotion and registration. But because I wanted to use my old prepaid number, the registration need to be done at the counter.

So, how much I payed during registration? Actually none for new number but in my case, I payed RM50. This RM50 is for processing fee to use my old prepaid number. However, for each registration they give free handphone. One is Samsung (I forgot the model name) and another is Vodafone 225 (I pick this one). So, upon registration I got one phone and a sim card. The saleperson said that the activation will take 24 hour.

VMware Player with Linux

2008-07-13T11:59:00.000+08:00

After using several Live CD a few times, it is time for me to use the installation option. But I don't want to mess up my WinXP installation and make a dual boot. So I do some research to find the best solution to try all the functionality of the Penguin with out me sacrificing my WinXP. So, after some searching and reading, I found out that VMware Player is the answer.

VMware Player

VMware Player is a free VMware product. It enables user to run virtual machine on Windows or Linux PC. So meaning that if you run WinXP, you also can run Linux within your WinXP and vice versa. From www.vmware.com, it stated that "VMware Player runs virtual machines created by VMware Workstation, VMware Server, or VMware ESX and also supports Microsoft virtual machines and Symantec LiveState Recovery disk formats." At first, I thought that I need VMware Workstation to to properly create and run Linux and for once I thought my Linux way stop there, but nope...

How to use?

Just follow this step by step guide.

Download VMware Player from this link. Click here. Beware that the file is large (>100Mb).

Install VMware Player.

If you don't have any Linux .iso file, please download.

Create a folder and put your .iso file that folder. Example D:\vmware\

Go to this site http://www.easyvmx.com/.

Click super simple - virtual machine creator.

Enter Virtual Machine Name (Example Ubuntu 8.04), Virtual Machine OS (your Linux's Distro name), Virtual Machine Memory Size (try 512MB), Virtual Machine Disk Size (default) and LiveCD(click enable and please enter your .iso file name here).

Click "Create Virtual Machine" button download My_Virtual_Machine.zip file in the next page.

Unzipped all the file in the zip file into your created folder from step 4. Make sure your Linux .iso file also in the same folder.

Run VMware Player.

Click open and go to the created folder.

Select .vmx file.

So, now your LiveCD is running with you need to burn the image file and also without you reboot your system. You also can install LiveCD without worrying your WinXP installation. The installation will use your virtual hard disk (.vmdk file). This file can be very big depending on your linux installation.

.vmx file can be open using normal text editor (example, notepad). You can play a bit with the setting but you need to restart VMPlayer to see the effect. If you afraid to make any adjustment, open www.easyvmx.com, and click easyvmx or easyvmx v2.0. Try enable your usb setting to enable you thumbdrive in Linux environment.

I test the guide using Ubuntu 8.04 with easyvmx setting. Everything work fine. I wrote this post in my Ubuntu environment without any hassle. The only problem I have is to mount my hard disk.

Play with Linux

2008-07-12T23:24:00.000+08:00

After I read a post at MielonG's Diary, I try googled to learn more about Linux. Actually, this is not the first time I use a Linux distro. Back in 1998, I try to use Mandrake. That time, the installation was not as easy as current linux installation. As a new linux user, to know about swap, usr, var and many other partition name was like a kid trying to learn calculus, so confusing. That time to find help using internet was hard. The only way to learn was by going to library and read a lot of books without the search tool

The nightmare didn't stop there. After installation, I need a few days to get my sound card and tv card to work properly. After 2 months, I reverted back to Win98.

So now, with all the 2 months knowledge disappear within my briliant brain, I challenge myself to play with Linux again.

Now, once again I'm a newbie

My Test Machine

E4300 Core2Duo Processor 1.8Ghz (no overclock)

2Gb DDR2 X 2 (Total 4Gb)

Intel® P965 Chipset Motherboard

500G Harddisk

ATI HD2600XT 256MB DDR3

Onboard sound

Live-CD

From wikipedia,

"A Live CD or LiveCD or CD Live Distro is a computer operating system that is executed upon boot, without installation to a hard disk drive. Typically, the LiveDistro is named after the bootable medium it is stored on, such as a CD-ROM or DVD (Live CD/DVD) or a USB flash drive (Live USB)."

Live CD is like linux on disk. No installation needed and no change made to hard disk unless we instructed to do so. There are a lots of Live Cd available in the internet and of course there are free to download. Example Ubuntu, Mandriva, Knoppix and Fedora.

I already tested all the Live CD mentioned above. Surprisingly, all are easy to use. Anyone can try using them without any Linux knowledge. My internet connection and all my hardwares work wonderfully. So I highly recommended Live CD to everyone who want to feel and learn Linux.

Linux CD also can serve as installation disk. But I haven't try this option yet because I don't want to mess up my current OS installation.

Next post, VMware with linux.

DIY Macro Photo Studio

2008-06-28T16:42:00.000+08:00

Last Monday, when I was surfing the internet I find out about macro photo studio from viNcee in Low Yat forum. At first, I have no idea what it was but after a few reading, I realized that I already built it before but the set up was much simpler than at strobist.

A few years ago, I was selling some items on lelong.com.my. To attract buyers I had to take picture of all of my items. So, this was my first time experiencing macro photography. But with small budget, I only used point and shoot (PnS) camera, a Canon Power A610.

The set up was so simple. I use 2 boxes and a few sheets of A3 paper. I use room light and camera flash as the lighting. The outcome was acceptable but because the source of light was minimum, I had very tough time to get a clear picture. Most picture were dark. Even with photoshop, I couldn't correct them.

When I read the guide in the Strobist and also some posts by forumers in Canon Digital Photography Forum, I found that their pictures are superb with their own design of Mini Studio. There are a lot of design. If I'm not mistaking, the price of those light box can easily reach ~~thousand~~ hundred ringgit base on the material and also the size. However, in strobist blogspot, they claimed that the cost of their macro mini studio are no more than $10. Is it true?

So I forked out my RM20 and go to the nearest stationary shop. I will not use "used box" because I will try to make my own box from scratch.

Cost

I asked the sales girl to show me the thickest paper available in the shop and she recommend me mounting paper. This paper has the dimension of 20" X 30" and it is thick enough for the purpose, so I bought 2 (black/white color).

Then I bought 2 tracing paper, 1 roll of black tape and 2 small clip.

Total cost are:

1. 2 X black mounting paper = RM8.00 (RM4 each)

2. 2 X tracing paper = RM3.00 (RM1.50 each)

3. 1 X black tape = RM2.50

4. 2 x small clip = RM0.40

Total = RM13.90

Step by step

1. First I cut the first board to 2 parts. Then I cut a windows.

2. For the 2nd board I cut into 3 parts. No window for this board.

3. From 1st board, I have two small 11" X 16" board (from windows). I combined both to get 22" X 16" board (use the tape).

4. Then I cut a windows from the combined board.

5. For the tracing paper, I cut two 12" X 17" and one 12" X 13". I taped them to the windows.

6. Now time to tape all board. Please see images.

7. For the background paper, I tape 2 small clip to the back board.

8. By using this design, I can flip this light box for easier storage.

During the set up. I bought another roll of black tape and 1 sheet of "mahjong" paper. So total cost RM13.90 + RM2.50 + RM0.40 = RM16.80. So I think this is as much as you can spend to build this light box. The cost can be cut if you use normal box and also make a smaller windows. I think, one tracing paper is enough and buy longer black tape. SO, if I calculate again, the cost can be only RM5.00.

1. 1 X Tracing paper RM1.50

2. 1 X longer black tape RM3.00

3. 2 X small clip RM0.40

Total RM4.90.

Lighting

This is a different story. I try to search for suitable lamp at supermarket but no hope. So, I borrowed 2 table lamp. The bulb come with the lamp is no bright enough and not white. So, I went superstore and bought one 11W bulb for RM10 and one 25W for RM2+. The 11W bulb produce the same as 60W bulb and 125W for 25W bulb.

I just want to experience the power of this 2 different bulb. The 11W bulb is non-branded and the 25W is from Philip Tornado (Cool daylight). From my observation, the 25W is much better option although the price are higher. It is smaller and lighter. But I think 18W bulb is enough.

The Result

These are picture I took with the set up.

Part 6 - Installing PHPMyadmin

2008-06-13T15:13:00.000+08:00

6.0 Installing and configuring PHPMyadmin

Extract the downloaded file into E:\ server\.
Change the folder name from phpMyAdmin-2.6.2-pl1 to phpmyadmin or any other name you like.
If you had followed step by step from the tutorial, your E:\server directory will look like this.
E:\server
+Apache2
+mysql
+php
+phpmyadmin
+www --> default directory
Because phpmyadmin folder is outside of our default directory, we cannot display or get any files or information from this folder when we typed http://localhost/phpmyadmin.
Now, open httpd.conf file.
Add this line:
Alias /phpmyadmin "E:/server/phpmyadmin/"

Order deny,allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1
The first line is to point /phpmyadmin as E:/server/phpmyadmin/, so every time we type http://localhost/phpmyadmin, we will be point to E:/server/phpmyadmin.
Line in is for security reason. Phpmyadmin can only be open by localhost which have IP 127.0.0.1. (This IP if I’m not mistaken is especially for localhost, so other computer cannot open this directory).
Restart your Apache2.
Open your browser and type http://localhost/phpmyadmin, http://127.0.0.1/phpmyadmin, http://***.***.***.***/phpmyadmin (type your ip address).
Previously, we had assign a password for our MySQL database. We cannot connect phpmyadmin to our database because by default phpmyadmin assume our administrator user ‘root’ has no password.
Now we need to edit config.inc.php located in phpmyadmin folder, again by using our powerful notepad. If you can’t find this file, try to search config.sammple.inc.php and change to config.inc.php.
Make these changes:

From To

$cfg['blowfish_secret'] = ' ';
Only if you type auth_type=cookie $cfg['blowfish_secret'] = '(type anything, ex. jhgjhUAsAGjJS)'
Log in using your mysql username and password.

Note : This guide is only a strip down version (no picture). For a complete guide please download this file. Only for personal webserver.

How to install Apache, MySQL PHP (Windows XP)

Part 5 - Editing httpd.conf

2008-06-13T03:13:00.000+08:00

5.0 Editing httpd.conf

You can open httpd.conf in two ways.
- Start Menu --> Programs --> Apache HTTP Server --> Configure Apache Server --> Edit the Apache httpd.conf
- Open folder [Drive]:\server\Apache\conf\httpd.conf

Running PHP 5 as an Apache Module

Add following line in the file (can copy and paste to the end of httpd.conf):
LoadModule php5_module "e:/server/php/php5apache2_2.dll"
AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps

Configuring the Default Index Page

Find DirectoryIndex. And add index.php.
From -->DirectoryIndex index.html index.html.var
To -->DirectoryIndex index.html index.html.var index.php
This line tells Apache which file names to use when it looks for the default page for a given directory.
Save your file and restart Apache by click Start --> All Programs -- > Apache HTTP Server 2.2 --> Control Apache Server --> Restart or by right-click the icon in the system tray and select restart.
If all is well, Apache will start up again without any error.
If Apache cannot start, try Start Menu--> Apache HTTP Server --> Configure Apache Server --> Review Error Log and see what are the problem.

Configuring Document Root

I prefer to set my Directory Root other than default htdocs in Apache folder.
Find DocumentRoot "E:/server/Apache/htdocs" and change to other folder. I pick e:\server\www\.
From --> DocumentRoot "E:/server/Apache/htdocs"
To --> DocumentRoot "E:/server/www"
Do the same for,

Testing the PHP.

Make a new file named phpinfo.php by using any text editor.
Type this in the file.
Put the file in the E:\server\www\ (--> because previously we had assigned this directory as default).
Open your favorite web browser and type http://localhost/phpinfo.php.

Note : This guide is only a strip down version (no picture). For a complete guide please download this file. Only for personal webserver.

How to install Apache, MySQL PHP (Windows XP)

Part 4 - Installing PHP

2008-06-12T11:48:00.000+08:00

4.0 Installing and configuring PHP

Extract the zip file (php-5.2.6-Win32.zip) to [Drive]:\server\php.
Find the files called php.ini-recommended and rename it to php.ini.
Open php.ini with text editor. (I prefer to use Notepad ++)
Find ;extension=php_mysql.dll and delete “;”.
Find ;extension=php_mcrypt.dll and delete “;”.
Find extension_dir = "./" change to extension_dir = "./ext"
Right click My Computer --> Properties --> Advance Tab --> Environment Variable. In system variables select Path and press edit. Add your php folder in the list e.g. E:\server\php. (optional)

Note : This guide is only a strip down version (no picture). For a complete guide please download this file. Only for personal webserver.

How to install Apache, MySQL PHP (Windows XP)

Part 3 - Installing MySQL

2008-06-10T15:11:00.000+08:00

3.0 Installing and configuring MySQL

Unzip the downloaded file and run the setup.exe file.
Click --> Next.
Because we want to install in different folder, select Custom setup. Click --> Next.
In the next windows, select MySQL Server and click Change…
Change folder to [Drive]:\server\mysql. Click OK.
Click --> Next.
We are ready to install. Click --> Install.
After finish installing, some MySQL.com advertisement will come out. Click Next and Next. And in the next dialog box, tick Configure the MySQL Server now. Click Finish.
Click --> Next.
Select Standard Configuration for fresh installation. Click --> Next.
Check Install as Windows Service and Launch the MySQL Server automatically.
Leave the Service Name as MySQL.
Also check the Include Bin Directory in Windows PATH (optional).
Click --> Next.
Write your root password.
For security, your password should have mixed-case letters and alphanumeric.
Check the Enable root access from remote machine.
Click --> Next.
Click --> Execute.
Now we have finish using the wizard.
Click --> Finish.

Note : This guide is only a strip down version (no picture). For a complete guide please download this file. Only for personal webserver.

How to install Apache, MySQL PHP (Windows XP)

From	To
$cfg['blowfish_secret'] = ' '; Only if you type auth_type=cookie	$cfg['blowfish_secret'] = '(type anything, ex. jhgjhUAsAGjJS)'