時間のギア

Within three years when I abandoned my blog, I've...

2011-03-07T18:27:00.003+08:00

repeated my foundation years at Multimedia University, switched to an IT degree, hence switching faculty.
moved from a townhouse with eight people living under one roof to a condo with only four of us in one unit.
became a Touhou Project fan, though not as hardcore as many other Touhou fans.
started to cosplay. I've cosplayed a few characters including Ergo Proxy (failed), Urahara Kisuke, Kurotsuchi Mayuri, and Saigyouji Yuyuko gender-swapped.
bought more figurines.
screwed my phone, bought a used unit of another model, got sick of it, bought another Nokia Eseries phone, then came Android. So I traded away my Nokia E71 for a HTC Tattoo.
became an Android fanboy.
bought a Nintendo DS Lite.
bought a WD MyBook Home 1TB. 2 years later I bought another WD MyBook but it's the Essential version, also 1TB. I also bought a WD MyPassport Essential 360GB.
joined a club and left it due to its members being used like a bunch of zealots by its senior members who were not doing anything yet proclaiming themselves to be "senior advisors" and me not being able to change that because, well the whole thing was very political, and they practiced authoritarianism and they ran the club based on favoritism, and nothing could be done if it wasn't in their favour.
got myself lots of haters due to me being bitched about everywhere in the community, whom most of them bitching are either from that club or related to the senior members.
learned about the true nature of people.
got more experience in life, and about people.
learned how to be more careful when interacting with people.
wasted time and money doing nothing for one whole year in my first two trimesters of my years in degree at Multimedia University.
watched a number of anime series.
became a fan of Eminem.
flashed my HTC Tattoo to Android 2.3 Gingerbread.
bought an Asus N43JQ and a WD MyPassport Essential 1TB for my sister who's going to Japan soon.
became more familiar with where I'm staying right now.
got a working GPS with an accurate map in my phone.
got a wireless mouse.
been drinking green tea on a daily basis instead of water.
became merciless towards mosquitoes.
hated ants due to their tendency to drown themselves in my drinks.
boarded planes.
been to Sabah.
became more loving towards my girlfriend.

And now, I am back!

It's been a while but I am back!

2011-03-07T17:50:00.004+08:00

Three years is a long time. I will try not to abandon my blog again. I did so because I was tired, exhausted and unmotivated. Why? Because back then, things in life were as bad as they could be for me. I started blogging for a negative reason anyway, but ah~ three years! Things have changed.

For the better of course, probably. Today, at this very minute, I'm still feeling really tired. I am drained of all energy I could acquire, but my fingers refuse to acknowledge the fact that I'm fatigue. As I type, my brain, while constantly pondering at countless number of things simultaneously, sends signals to my fingers, giving them the absolute order that they must keep going. Okay, let me get to the point. The point is, I simply feel like blogging again.

Feel? So, if I feel like doing it, I'll do it. If I don't feel like doing it, I won't do it? It sure sounds like I'm affected by mood.

"Mood?" Halleck's voice betrayed his outrage even through the shield's filtering. "What has mood to do with it? You fight when the necessity arises - no matter the mood! Mood's a thing for cattle or making love or playing the baliset. It's not for fighting." (Frank Herbert, Dune)

So, like Paul who needs to fight out of necessity, I should blog when the necessity arises. That is partly true. I'm blogging again not just because I'm in the mood to do so, but it is also necessary. I must not be affected by mood, otherwise consistency will not be a part of my way of doing things. It means I would do things half-assed-ly, which is not what I need to succeed in life.

It is necessary for me to blog now because I need to review my everyday life in blog posts, as I had just truly acquired life.

Before this I never had one. And those three years I spent at MMU got wasted if you see it in terms of my academics. But they were meaningful to me. Those three years were the time when the process of me obtaining a life occurred.

Undo by COOL JOKE (Fullmetal Alchemist Third Opening Theme)

2008-05-05T10:51:00.008+08:00

Another great song from the greatest anime I ever watched.

Fullmetal Alchemist Third Opening Theme

Title: Undo
Artist: COOL JOKE

Lyrics:

Kanji:

遠く　遠く　想い果てなく
二人が　無邪気に笑ってた
あの頃に戻れるなら…

こなごなに砕けた
ガラス細工のような
思い出の破片(カケラ)を集めてる
大事なモノはいつだって
失くしてから気づくよ

君がいない世界は
まるでジグソーパズル
永遠に欠けたまま未完成
誰にも君の代わりなんて
なれるはずはないから

どうか　どうか　時間を止めて
君の面影をこの胸に　刻んでくれ
もしももしも　許されるなら
すべてを犠牲にしてもいい
あの笑顔をもう一度…

現実という鎖に
僕達は繋がれて
夢見ることさえも叶わずに
それでも探し続けてる
闇を照らす光を

遠く　遠く　想い果てなく
二人が　無邪気に笑ってたあの頃へ

どうか　どうか　時間を止めて
君の面影をこの胸に　刻んでくれ
もしももしも　許されるなら
すべてを犠牲にしてもいい
あの笑顔をもう一度…

もう一度…

Romaji:

Tooku Tooku Omoi hatenaku
Futari ga Mujaki ni waratteta
Ano koro ni modoreru nara...

Konagona ni kudaketa
garasu zaiku no you na
Omoide no kakera wo atsumeteru
Daiji na mono wa itsudatte
Nakushite kara kizuku yo

Kimi ga inai sekai wa
Maru de JIGSAW PUZZLE
Eien ni kaketa mama mikansei
Dare ni mo kimi no kawari nante
Nareru hazu wa nai kara

Dou ka Dou ka Jikan wo tomete
Kimi no omokage wo kono mune ni kizandekure
Moshi mo Moshi mo Yurusareru nara
Subete wo gisei ni shite mo ii
Ano egao wo mou ichido...

Genjitsu to iu kusari ni
Bokutachi wa tsunagarete
Yumemiru koto sae mo kanawazu ni
Soredemo sagashi-tsuzuketeru
Yami wo terasu hikari wo

Tooku Tooku Omoi hatenaku
Futari ga Mujaki ni waratteta ano koro e
Dou ka Dou ka Jikan wo tomete
Kimi no omokage wo kono mune ni kizandekure
Moshi mo Moshi mo Yurusareru nara
Subete wo gisei ni shite mo ii
Ano egao wo mou ichido...

Mou ichido...

English Translation:

My faraway, faraway thoughts are ceaseless
If I can go back to that time
When the two of us innocently laughed together…

I’m gathering up the fragments of my memory
That is broken into pieces
Like a work of glass
You always realize what is important to you
After you lose it

The world without you
Is just like a jigsaw puzzle
While it’s eternally missing pieces, it’s incomplete
Because it’s impossible
For anyone to be your replacement

Please, please stop the time
And carve your visage into my chest
If, if I’ll be forgiven
Then I’m willing to sacrifice everything
For that smiling face once more…

By the chain called ‘reality’
We are connected
We aren’t even granted to dream
Nevertheless, we keep on searching
For the light that illuminates darkness

My faraway, faraway thoughts are ceaseless
For that time when the two of us innocently laughed together
Please, please stop the time
And carve your visage into my chest
If, if I’ll be forgiven
I’m willing to sacrifice everything
For that smiling face once more…

Once more...

Colors by Flow (Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion First Opening Theme)

2008-03-27T13:27:00.010+08:00

A great opening theme, from one of the latest greatest animes, Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion, an anime packed with sci-fi elements, such as mechas. This anime series is a little similar to the Gundam series.

Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion First Opening Theme

Title: Colors
Artist: Flow

Lyrics:

Kanji:

自分を　世界さえも
変えてしまえそうな
瞬間は
何時(いつ)も　直ぐ傍に

隠せぬ苛立ちと
立ち尽くす自分を　見つめ
迷いながら　悩みながら
悔やみながら
決めればいいさ
君がくれた　言葉ひとつ
戸惑いは　消え去り
からっぽだった
僕の部屋に
光が射した
見上げた大空が
青く　澄み切って行く
閉ざした窓を
開く事を決めた
自分を　世界さえも
変えてしまえそうな
瞬間は
何時(いつ)も　直ぐ傍に

満たせぬ日常に
在る筈の答えを　探して
朝陽に独り
柔らかな声に　振り向けば
眩い陽射しの中
ふと　君が微笑む
閉ざした窓が　開きそうになる

自分を　世界さえも
変えてしまえそうな
存在は僕の目の前に

見上げた大空が
青く　澄み切って行く
閉ざした窓を
開く事を決めた
自分を　世界さえも
変えてしまえそうな
瞬間を感じる今ここに
光へと両手を伸ばして

心を吹き抜ける空の色香風

Romaji:

Jibun wo Sekai sae mo Kaete shimaesou na
Shunkan wa Itsumo sugu soba ni…

Kakusenu iradachi to
Tachitsukusu jibun o Mitsume

Mayoi nagara Nayami nagara Kuyami nagara Kimereba ii sa
Kimi ga kureta kotoba hitotsu Tomadoi wa kiesari

Karappo datta Boku no heya ni Hikari ga sashita

Miageta oozora ga Aoku sumikitte yuku
Tozashita Mado o Hiraku koto to kimeta
Jibun o Sekai sae mo Kaete shimaesou na
Shunkan wa Itsumo sugu soba ni…

Mitasenu nichijou ni Aru hazu no kotae o Sagashite

Asahi ni hitori Yawa kara na koe ni Furimukeba

Mabayui hizashi no naka Futo kimi ga hohoemu
Tozashita Mado ga Hirakisou ni naru
Jibun o Sekai sae mo Kaete shimaesou na
Sonzai wa Boku no me no mae ni…

Miageta oozora ga Aoku sumikitte yuku
Tozashita Mado o Hiraku koto to kimeta
Jibun o Sekai sae mo Kaete shimaesou na
Shunkan o Kanjiru ima koko ni…
Hikari e to Ryoute o nobashite…

Kokoro o fukinukeru Sora no iro Kaoru kaze

English Translation:

The moment that seems to be able to change me and even the world
is always right by my side...

Staring at the irritations that I can’t hide,
and the me who stands completely still...

While I’m confused, while I’m troubled, and while I’m grieving, I should decide on it.
With the one word that you gave me, my confusion vanishes.

In my room that seemed empty, light shined and I saw you.

The great sky that I looked up at grows serene in blue
I’ve decided to open the closed window.
The moment that seems to be able to change me and even the world
is always right by my side...

In the insatiable ordinary days, I search for the answer that should exist...

If I turn back toward the gentle voice, alone in the morning sun,
within the dazzling sunlight, unexpectedly, you smile,
and the closed window seems to open, with you there, at the end.
The existence that seems to be able to change me and even the world
is in front of my eyes...

The great sky that I looked up at grows serene in blue
I’ve decided to open the closed window.
Here and now I feel the moment
that seems to be able to change me and even the world...
Reaching out my hands toward the light...

The fragrant wind in the color of the sky blows through my heart.

Three-Column Layout

2008-03-03T21:15:00.004+08:00

Yes, I had turned the entire blog's layout into three-column.

After seeing my friend attempting to use a three-column layout at Leisure of KesenaiTsumi, I thought that having just two columns weren't enough.

And so, I changed my template to "Thisaway", then modified the template's source, and added an additional column to the left.

It looks better now, right? And I don't have to cramp all my blog widgets into a single column anymore. :-)

Rewrite by Asian Kung-Fu Generation (Fullmetal Alchemist Fourth Opening Theme)

2008-02-26T13:06:00.007+08:00

Another great song from the greatest anime I ever watched.

Fullmetal Alchemist Fourth Opening Theme

Title: Rewrite
Artist: Asian Kung-Fu Generation

Lyrics:

Kanji:

軋んだ想いを吐き出したいのは
存在の証明が他にないから
掴んだはずの僕の未来は
「尊厳」　と　「自由」で矛盾してるよ

歪んだ残像を消し去りたいのは
自分の限界をそこに見るから
自意識過剰の僕の窓には
去年のカレンダー日付けがないよ

消してリライトして
くだらない超幻想
忘られぬ存在感を

起死回生
リライトして
意味のない想像も君を成す原動力
全身全霊をくれよ

芽生えてた感情切って泣いて
所詮ただ凡庸知って泣いて

腐った心を、薄汚い嘘を消して
リライトして
くだらない超幻想
忘られぬ存在感を

起死回生
リライトして
意味のない想像も君を成す原動力
全身全霊をくれよ

Romaji:

Kishin da omoi o hakidashitai nowa
Sonzai no shoumei ga hoka ni nai kara
Tsukan da hazu no boku no mirai wa
"Songen" to "jiyuu" de mujun shiteru yo

Yugan da zanzou o keshisaritai nowa
Jibun no genkai o soko ni miru kara
Jiishiki kajou na boku no mado niwa
Kyonen no karendaa hizuke ga nai yo

Keshite riraito shite
Kudaranai chou gensou
Wasurarenu sonzai kan o
Kishikaisei
Riraito shite
Imi no nai souzou mo
Kimi o nasu gendouryoku
Zenshin zenrei o kure yo

Mebaeteta kanjou kitte naite
Shosen tada bonyou shitte naite
Kusatta kokoro o
Usugitanai uso o

Keshite riraito shite
Kudaranai chou gensou
Wasurarenu sonzai kan o
Kishikaisei
Riraito shite
Imi no nai souzou mo
Kimi o nasu gendouryoku
Zenshin zenrei o kure yo

English Translation:

Wanting to spew out the jarred thoughts is
Because there’s no other proof of my existence
My future that I should’ve grabbed hold is
Conflicting between “dignity” and “freedom”

Wanting to erase the distorted afterimage is
Because I’ll see my limit there
In the window of the excessively self-conscious me
There are no dates in last year’s calendar

Erase and rewrite
The depressed heart
And the dirty lie

Revive
And rewrite
The meaningless imagination and the driving force that creates you
Give it your whole body and soul

After cutting my feelings that grew, I regret
After realizing that after all, I’m just a mediocrity, I cry

Erase and rewrite
The depressed heart
And the dirty lie

Revive
And rewrite
The meaningless imagination and the driving force that creates you
Give it your whole body and soul

Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line by Kuribayashi Minami (Chrono Crusade First Opening Theme)

2008-02-18T02:04:00.001+08:00

I like this song, it's great (of course it is :-p). An awesome opening song from an awesome anime, Chrono Crusade!!

Chrono Crusade First Opening Theme

Title: Tsubasa wa Pleasure Line
Artist: Kuribayashi Minami

Lyrics:

Kanji:

いちばん綺麗な空を飛ぼうよ
確かな未来へTry！

願いは瞳の中
かがやいてあふれる笑顔
流れに翼をあずけて
今はふりかえらずに

めぐり会えた奇跡はPleasure Line
約束したよね

いちばん綺麗な空を飛ぼうよ
何度倒れても　“TRY！”
傷つきながら　つかむ明日
優しく強く語る君を
忘れない、いつも・・・

心を濡らした雨
ひとしずく光にとけて
痛みにふるえる翼も
小さな愛を守るの

忘れないで世界はPleasure Line
決してこわくない

見果てぬ空をふたりで飛ぼうよ
手をはなさないで　“FLY！”
さまよいながら　求める夢
朝焼けの待つ丘で君を
熱く抱きしめて

思い出せば頬に風は吹いて
わたしたちの前に道標（みちしるべ）おいてくれる

見果てぬ空をふたりで飛ぼうよ
手をはなさないで　“FLY！”
さまよいながら　求める夢
朝焼けの待つ丘で君と
いちばん綺麗な空を飛ぼうよ
確かな未来へと
傷つきながらつかめばいい
優しく強く語る君は
朝焼けに　Fly away

Romaji:

ichiban kirei na sora wo tobou yo
tashika na mirai he TRY

negai wa hitomi no naka kagayaite afureru egao
nagare ni tsubasa wo azukete ima wa furikaerazu ni

meguri aeta kiseki wa PLEASURE LINE
yakusoku shite yo ne

ichiban kirei na sora he tobou yo
nando taorete mo TRY
kizutsuki nagara tsukamu ashita
yasashiku tsuyoku kataru kimi wo wasurenai itsumo

kokoro wo nurashita ame hitoshi zuku hikari ni tokete
itami ni furueru tsubasa mo chiisa na ai wo mamoru no

wasurenai de sekai wa PLEASURE LINE
kesshite kowaku nai

mihatenu sora wo futari de tobou yo
te wo hanasanai de FLY
samayoi nagara motomeru yume
asayake no matsu hoka de kimi wo atsuku dakishimete

omoidaseba hoho ni kaze wa fuite
watashitachi no mae ni michishirube oite kureru

mihatenu sora wo futari de tobou yo
te wo hanasanai de FLY
samayoi nagara motomeru yume
asayake no matsu hoka de kimi to

ichiban kirei na sora wo tobou yo
tashika na mirai he to
kizutsuki nagara tsukameba ii
yasashiku tsuyoku kataru kimi wa asayake ni FLY AWAY

English Translation:

Let's fly in the most beautiful of sky
This is certainly a try for the future!

Your prayer shines within your eyes, it overflows your smile
We trust our wings to the current, there's no going back now

The miracle of us meeting by chance is our pleasure line
We promised that, didn't we?

Let's fly in the most beautiful sky
We'll try no matter how many times we fall!
Seizing tomorrow while we get hurt
I will never forget you telling me so kindly and strongly...(1)

The light dissolves the rain soaking my heart, drop by drop
I'm protecting this little love with wings trembling in pain

Do not forget that this world is our pleasure line
I'll never be afraid

Let's fly together in the endless sky!(2)
Fly without letting go of my hand!
Wandering while seeking out our dream
I'll embrace you passionately on the hill while we wait for the morning glow

As I remember, the wind blows against my cheeks
At the signpost before us

Let's go fly together in the endless sky
Fly without letting go of my hand!
Wandering while seeking out our dreams
With you on the hill as we wait for the morning glow...

Let's go fly in the most beautiful sky
This is certainly a try for the future!
It's okay to get hurt if we seize it
You tell me kindly and strongly and we fly away in the morning glow

Rolling Star by Yui (Bleach Fifth Opening Theme)

2008-01-18T09:57:00.001+08:00

This is an opening theme from one of the most popular animes in Japan today, Bleach, an anime about Shinigamis (literally, Death Gods).

Bleach Fifth Opening Theme

Title: Rolling Star
Artist: Yui

Lyrics:

Kanji:

もう我慢ばっかしてらんないよ
言いたいことはいわなくちゃ

帰り道　夕暮れのバス停
落ちこんだ背中に　Bye Bye Bye

君の　Fighting Pose　見せなきゃ Oh! Oh!

夢にまで見たような世界は
争いもなく平和な日常

でも現実は日々トラブッて
たまに悔やんだりしてる　そんな　Rolling Days

転んじゃったって　いいじゃないの
そんときは笑ってあげる

乗り込んだバスの奥から
ちいさく　ほほえみが見えた

君を頼りにしてるよ Oh! Oh!

夢にまで見たような Sweet Love
恋人たちは隠れ家を探すの

でも現実はあえない日が
続きながらも信じてるの Rolling days

つまずいたって Way to go!!
Yeah!! Yeah!!　泥だらけ　Rolling Star

なるべく笑顔でいたいけれど
守り抜くために仕方ないでしょ？

きっと嘘なんてそう意味を持たないの
~All my loving
そうじゃなきゃ　やってらんない

夢にまで見たような世界は
争いもなく平和な日常

でも現実は日々トラブって
たまに悔やんでりしてる　そんな　Rolling Days

…そう分かってるって
つまずいたって Way to go!!
Yeah!! Yeah!!　泥だらけ　Rolling Star!!

Romaji:

Mou gaman bakka shiteranai yo
Iitai koto wa iwanakucha

Kaerimichi yuugure no BASU tei
Ochikonda senaka ni Bye Bye Bye

Kimi no Fighting Pose misenakya Oh! Oh!

Yume ni made mita you na sekai wa
Arasoi mo naku heiwa na nichijou

Demo genjitsu wa hibi TORABUtte
Tama ni kuyandari shiteru sonna Rolling Days

Koronjattatte iin ja nai no
Son toki wa waratte ageru

Norikonda BASU no oku kara
Chiisaku hohoemi ga mieta

Kimi wo tayori ni shiteru yo Oh! Oh!

Yume ni made mita you na Sweet Love
Koibitotachi wa kakure ga wo sagasu no

Demo genjitsu wa aenai hi ga
Tsuzukinagara mo shinjiteru no Rolling Days

(Oh yeah, oh...)
Tsumazuitatte Way to go!!
Yeah!! Yay!! dorodarake Rolling Star

Naru beku egao de itai keredo
Mamori nuku tame ni wa shikata nai desho?

Kitto uso nante sou imi wo motanai no
ALL MY LOVING...
Sou ja nakya yatterannai

Yume ni made mita you na sekai wa
Arasoi mo naku heiwa na nichijou

Demo genjitsu wa hibi TORABUtte
Tama ni kuyandari shiteru sonna Rolling Days

(Oh yeah, oh...)
Sou wakatterutte
(Oh yeah, oh...)
Tsumazuitatte Way to go!!
Yeah!! Yay!! Dorodarake Rolling Star!!

English Translation:

I can’t just put up with it
I have to say what I want to say

On the way home, at the bus stop at dusk
I say bye bye bye to your depressed-looking back

You gotta show your fighting pose, oh! Oh!

The world I dream of
Has no fighting, peaceful days

But in reality, each day is a trap
And sometimes I find it tough, those rolling days

It’s OK to fall, right?
When you do, I’ll laugh for you

I got on the bus, and from inside
I could see you smile a little

I depend on you, oh! Oh!

In the sweet love I’ve dreamed of
The lovers search for a hiding place

But in reality, there are days when we can’t see each other
Even when I stumble, I have faith, in those rolling days

Even if you stumble, way to go!!
Yeah!! Yeah!! A rolling star, covered in mud!!

I want to smile as much as possible
But you do what you have to do to protect something, right?

Surely lies don’t mean anything
~All my loving
Without that, I can’t keep doing this

The world I dream of
Has no fighting, peaceful days

But in reality, each day is a trap
And sometimes I find it tough, those rolling days

...”Yeah, I understand”
Even if you stumble, way to go!!
Yeah!! Yeah!! A rolling star, covered in mud!!

Motherland by Crystal Kay (Fullmetal Alchemist Fourth Ending Theme)

2008-01-14T09:48:00.001+08:00

This is a very nice ending theme from my all-time favourite anime, Fullmetal Alchemist.

Fullmetal Alchemist Fourth Ending Theme

Title: Motherland
Artist: Crystal Kay

Lyrics:

Kanji:

君が旅立つ日は　いつもと同じ
「じゃあね」と手を振った
まるで明日もまた　この街で会うみたいに
愛を信じるのは　自分にも負けないこと
夢が叶う日まで　笑顔のまま星を見て祈り捧げここにいるから

私は君にとっての空でいたい　哀しみまでも包み込んで
いつでも見上げるときは　ひとりじゃないと
遠くで思えるように　帰る場所であるように

君がいない街で　相変わらずに元気で過ごしてる
それが今私にできること　そう思うから
どんな出来事にも　隠れてる意味があるの
夢が消えかけても　自分らしくいてほしい
どんなときもここにいるから

涙失くすほど強くなくてもいい　疲れた心休ませてね
素敵な明日を願い眠りについて　小さな子供のように
この広い世界はつながってる　白い雲は流れ風になって
君のもとへ

私の声は届きますか?
あふれる気持ち言えなかった

私は君にとっての空でいたい　哀しみまでも包み込んで
いつでも見上げるときは　ひとりじゃないと
遠くで思えるように　帰る場所であるように

帰る場所であるように

Romaji:

kimi ga tabidatsu hi wa
itsumo to onaji 'jaane' to te wo futta
marude ashita mo mata
kono machi de au mitai ni

ai wo shinjiru no wa
jibun ni mo makenai koto
yume ga kanau hi made
egao no mama hoshi o mite inori sasage koko ni iru kara

watashi wa kimi ni totte no sora de itai
kanashimi made mo tsutsumi konde
itsudemo miageru toki wa hitori janai to
tooku de omoeru you ni
kaeru basho de aru you ni

kimi ga inai machi de
aikawarazu ni genki de sugoshiteru
sorega ima watashi ni
dekirukoto sou omoukara

donna dekigoto ni mo
kakureteru imi ga aru to
yume ga kiekaketemo
jibun rashiku ite hoshii donna toki mo koko ni iru kara

namida nakusu hodo tsuyoku nakute mo ii
tsukareta kokoro yasumasete ne
suteki na ashita wo negai nemuri ni tsuite
chiisana kodomo no you ni

kono hiroi sekai wa tsunagatteru
shiroi kumo wa nagare kaze ni natte
kimi no moto e

watashi no koe wa todokimasuka?
afureru kimochi ienakatta
watashi wa kimi ni totte no sora de itai
kanashimi made mo tsutsumi konde
itsudemo miageru toki wa hitori janai to
tooku de omoeru you ni
kaeru basho de aru you ni

kaeru basho de aru you ni

English Translation:

On the day when you departed
I said, “See you,” and waved my hand like always
Just as if tomorrow
We’ll meet again in this town

To believe in love is
Not giving up on yourself
Until the day when my dream is fulfilled
With a smile, I gaze at the stars and give a prayer, because I’m here

I want to be the sky for you
And even envelope your sadness
So that whenever you look up while you’re faraway
You can know that you’re not alone
So that there’ll be a place for you to return to

In the town without you
I’m living well just as usual
Because I think
It’s what I can do now

In any event
There’s a hidden meaning
Even if your dream begins to disappear
I want you to be like yourself, because at anytime, I’m here

It’s okay if you aren’t strong enough to lose your tears
Let your tired heart rest
Wishing for a wonderful tomorrow while falling asleep
Like a little child

This broad world is connected
The white clouds drift and turn into the wind
And go to you

Does my voice reach you?
I couldn’t say my overflowing feelings
I want to be the sky for you
And even envelope your sadness
So that whenever you look up while you’re faraway
You can know that you’re not alone
So that there’ll be a place for you to return to

So that there’ll be a place for you to return to

Scarlet by Iwao Junko (Ayashi no Ceres First Opening Theme)

2008-01-14T09:12:00.002+08:00

Yet another great opening theme. This one is from Ayashi no Ceres (Ceres, The Celestial Legend), an awesome romantic anime.

Ayashi no Ceres First Opening Theme

Title: Scarlet
Artist: Iwao Junko

Lyrics:

Kanji:

遥かな　星空に　夢はまだ見えますか
幼い　あの日様に　鮮やかですか

胸にあふれて　募る思い　
眠り忘れて　情熱の色

たとえ遠くても　きっとたどり着ける　強く信じてた
あの日の私が　今も心で眠っている

ガラスの薔薇よりも　儚くて　脆いのに
夢見る事はなぜ　定めなのでしょう

二つの夢が　愛になって
愛になれない事もあって

人は一人だと　わかり合いたいのに　なんて難しい
言葉は無力で　時には銀のナイフになる

人は一人だと　わかり合いたいのに　なんて難しい
言葉は無力で　時には銀のナイフに…

たとえ遠くても　きっとたどり着ける　強く信じてた
あの日の私が　今も心で眠っている

Romaji:

haruka na hoshizora ni yume wa mada miemasu ka?
osanai ano hi yori azayaka desu ka?

mune ni afurete tsunoru omoi
nemuri wasurete jounetsu no iro

tatoe tookute mo kitto tadoritsukeru tsuyoku shinjite'ta
ano hi no watashi ga ima mo kokoro de nemutte-iru

GARASU no bara yori mo hakanakute moroi no ni
yume miru koto wa naze sadame na no deshou

futatsu no yume ga ai ni natte
ai ni narenai koto mo atte

hito wa hitori da to wakariaitai no ni nante muzukashii
kotoba wa muryoku de toki ni wa gin no NAIFU ni naru

hito wa hitori da to wakariaitai no ni nante muzukashii
kotoba wa muryoku de toki ni wa gin no NAIFU ni...

tatoe tookute mo kitto tadoritsukeru tsuyoku shinjite'ta
ano hi no watashi ga ima mo kokoro de nemutte-iru

English Translation:

Can you still see your dreams in the distant, starry sky?
Are they more vivid than they were when you were little?

When one forgets to put the emotions that overflow in her heart
to rest, they burn the color of passion.

I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were.
But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart.

Dreams are more fragile and fleeting than a glass rose,
so then why are we destined to dream?

Sometimes two dreams can turn into love,
but there are also times when they can't.

Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard.
Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife.

Even when they're alone, people want to share their feelings, but it can be so hard.
Words are powerless to express one's feelings, and sometimes they become a silver knife.

I used to believe without a doubt that I could reach my dreams, no matter how far off they were.
But that me from long ago now sleeps inside my heart.

Future by Hiro-X (Prince of Tennis First Opening Theme)

2008-01-11T15:41:00.001+08:00

Here's a great opening theme from the anime, Prince of Tennis.

Prince of Tennis First Opening Theme

Title: Future
Artist: Hiro-X

Lyrics:

Kanji:

名もなきこの場所で　開いた衝動の花
静かな始まりを告げる
幼きあこがれが　確かな熱を求めて
この空にシグナルを放つよ

繰り返していく日々を背に　はばたく瞬間を探してる
孤独な願いだとしても

まだ見ぬ世界へ　限界を越えて行きたい
体中でこの夢が　あふれ出すまま
新しい時代を映す　鮮やかな朝日のように
強い輝きで咲いた　想いを胸に

明日に臆病な　目覚めた夢の続きも
壊せばまた空に還るけど
一つの真実と　向き合う気持ちが今も
風に舞うため息を打ち消すよ

街中に響きわたる　トキメク瞬間を感じては
深くきざみ込むメロディ

眩しい未来に　鼓動は加速度を上げて
断ち切れない　淋しさも振りきれるなら
歩き出すその先を　可能性と共に生きよう
例え涙でにじんだ　絵空事でも

まだ見ぬ世界へ　限界を越えて行きたい
体中でこの夢が　あふれ出すまま
新しい時代を映す　鮮やかな朝日のように
強い輝きで咲いた　未来を見たい

Romaji:

na mo naki kono bashou de hiraita shoudou no hana
shizukana hajimari wo tsukeru
osanaki akogare ga tashikana netsu wo motomete
kono sora ni signal wo hanatsu yo

kurikaeshite iku hibi wo sei ni habataku shunkan wo sagashiteru
kodoku na negai da to shite mo

mada minu sekai he genkai wo koete yukitai
karadajuu de kono yume ga afuredasu mama
atarashii jidai wo utsusu azayaka na asashi no you ni
tsuyoi kagayaki de saita omoi wo mune ni

ashita ni okubyou na mezameta yume no tsuzuki mo
kowaseba mata sora ni kaeru kedo
hitotsu no shinjitsu to mukiau kimochi ga ima mo
kaze ni mau tame iki wo uchikesu yo

machichuu ni hibikiwataru tokimeku shunkan wo kanjite ha
fukakukizami komu melody

mabushii mirai ni koudou ha kasokudo wo agete
tashi kirenai sabishisamo furikireru nara
aruikidasu sono saki wo kanousei to tomoni ikiyou
tatoe namida de nijin da esoragoto de mo

mada minu sekai he genkai wo koete yukitai
karadajuu de kono yume ga afuredasu mama
atarashii jidai wo utsusu azayaka na asashi no you ni
tsuyoi kagayaki de saita mirai wo mitai

English Translation:

An impulsive flower has bloomed in this nameless place
And tells us about quiet beginnings
There’s a young dream that seeks real passion
And will send a signal to that sky we see

Put the repetitive days behind
And search for the moment to fly away Even if it is a lonely desire

Go for the unknown world, surpass the limit
Even as your dream overflows within your body
Like a rising sun that reflects a brand new era
Keeping the thoughts that bloomed, with powerful rays of light, inside of you

Also, continuity awakes a dream that lacks the courage to face tomorrow
If you break it, it will go back to the sky once more
The feeling that faces one truth
Still denies the sight twirling in the wind

Feeling a moment of excitement
That resounds throughout the city Its melody is engraved deep inside of us

The heartbeat picks up its speed and leads us towards the bright future
If we can shove the unbreakable sadness aside
And walk beyond the path we are on, we will live with the possibilities
Even if it’s a pipe dream blurred with tears

Go for the unknown world, surpass the limit
Even as your dream overflows within your body
Like a rising sun that reflects a brand new era
I want to see the future that bloomed with powerful rays of light

Find The Way by Nakashima Mika (Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Third Ending Theme)

2008-01-08T11:44:00.002+08:00

This is one of the greatest anime songs I ever know. This song is very beautiful. It is the third and last ending theme of Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, which is also one of my favourite animes and the one that I often watch over and over again a while ago.

Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Third Ending Theme

Title: Find The Way
Artist: Nakashima Mika

Lyrics:

Kanji:

どうして君は　小さな手で
傷を背負おうとするのだろう？
誰かの為だけじゃない　見失わないで
どうして僕は　迷いながら
逃げ出すこと出来ないのだろう？
望むのは光射す日を　日を…

FIND THE WAY
輝く宇宙に　手は届かなくても
響く愛だけ頼りに
進んだ道の先　光が見つかるから
YOU'LL FIND THE WAY

君は言った　永い夢をみた
とても哀しい夢だったと
それでもその姿は　少しも曇らない
僕は言った　泣いていいんだと
ずっと傍にいてあげるよ
欲しいのは　抱き上げる手を　手を…

FIND THE WAY
言葉なくても
飛ぶ翼はなくても
乱す風に負けぬ様に
今誰より早く　痛みに気付けたなら…

答えを出すこと
きっとすべてじゃない
焦らなくて
いいんだよ
あなたも…

FIND THE WAY
輝く宇宙に　手は届かなくても
響く愛だけ頼りに
進んだ道の先　光が見つかるから

FIND THE WAY
言葉なくても
飛ぶ翼はなくても
乱す風に負けぬ様に

進んだ道の先　確かな光を見た…
YOU'LL FIND THE WAY

Romaji:

doushite kimi wa chiisa na te de
kizu wo seoou to suru no darou?
dareka no tame dake janai miushinawanaide
doushite boku wa mayoinagara
nigedasu koto dekinai no darou?
nozomu no wa hikari sasu hi wo hi wo...

find the way
kagayaku sora [uchuu*] ni te wa todokanakutemo
hibiku ai dake tayori ni
susunda michi no saki hikari ga mitsukaru kara
you'll find the way

kimi wa itta nagai yume wo mita
totemo kanashii yume datta to
soredemo sono sugata wa sukoshi mo kumoranai
boku wa itta naite iinda to
zutto soba ni ite ageru yo
hoshii no wa dakiageru te wo te wo...

find the way
kotoba nakute mo tobu hane wa nakute mo
midasu kaze ni makenu you ni
ima dare yori hayaku itami ni kizuketa nara...

kotae wo dasu koto kitto subete janai
aseranakute iinda yo anata mo...

find the way
kagayaku sora [uchuu*] ni te wa todokanakutemo
hibiku ai dake tayori ni
susunda michi no saki hikari ga mitsukaru kara
find the way
kotoba nakutemo tobu hane wa nakutemo
midasu kaze ni makenu you ni
susunda michi no saki tashika na hikari wo mita...
you'll find the way

English Translation:

Why do you, with your small hands,
try to carry all these wounds on your back?
It isn't for any one person's sake, please don't lose sight of that
Why am I, while hesitating,
unable to escape?
What I hope for is the sun, the sun to light the way...

Find the way
Though in this glowing cosmos our hands can't quite reach
We depend on only our resounding love
Because at the end of the path we've traveled we'll find the light
You'll find the way

You said, "I had a long dream...
It was a very sad dream,
but what I saw wasn't one bit clouded..."
I said, "It's okay to cry,
because I'll stay by your side no matter what."
What I wish for is a hand, a hand to reach up to me...

Find the way
Even without words, even without wings to fly on
As long as we stand our ground in the wind
Even if we're the first ones afflicted with this pain...

Giving an answer surely isn't everything
I'll be patient, it's all right, and so are you...

Find the way
Though in this glowing cosmos our hands can't quite reach
We depend on only our resounding love
Because at the end of the path we've traveled we'll find the light
Find the way
Even without words, even without wings to fly on
As long as we stand our ground in the wind
At the end of the path we've traveled we finally saw the light...
You'll find the way

Sakasama no Chou by Snow (Jigoku Shoujo First Opening Theme)

2008-01-03T13:32:00.001+08:00

Here's an opening theme from the anime Jigoku Shoujo, also known as Hell Girl.

Jigoku Shoujo First Opening Theme

Title: Sakasama no Chou
Artist: Snow

Lyrics:

Kanji:

いつか光に向かう逆さまの蝶
君と髪を切る鏡の中
授業中の廊下響く足音
絶えず雨の音がついてくるよ

感じるままの形は眩しい
甘い花になる毒の実にもなる
今日も雨あの日と今を
空と空でつなぎたいの

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人の思いを
僕らはどこかに残せるだろうか
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの思いを
僕らはどこまで守れるだろうか

君は覚えているの逆さまの蝶
メールのやりとりはとりとめもない
流されていても泳げればいい
絶えず人の声は波のように

信じるままに伝えるメロディ
優しいリズム泣き出しそうになる
いつも雨今が未来へとつづく
そう思いたいよ

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人の形を
僕らはどこかに残せるだろうか
In this Craziness, You gave me life
それぞれの形を
僕らはどこまで守れるだろうか

言葉になりたがらない気持ちがあります
人がいくら手を伸ばしても
人の中に届かない場所がある
声にならない一人一人の思いが好きだから
何かにならなくてもいつの日でもかわらず

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人の思いを
僕らはどこかに残せるだろうか
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの思いを
僕らはどこまで守れるだろうか
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人の形を
僕らはどこかに残せるだろうか
In this Craziness, You gave me life
それぞれの形を
僕らはどこまで守れるだろうか

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人のあこがれ
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの輝き
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人のときめき
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの感動
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人のまなざし
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの偶然
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
一人一人のぬくもり
In this Craziness, You gave me life
ひとつの約束

Romaji:

itsuka hikari ni mukau sakasama no chou
kimi to kami wo kiru kagami no naka
jugyouchuu no ryouka hibiku ashioto
taezu ame no oto ga tsuite kuru yo

kanjiru mama no katachi wa mabushii
amai hana ni naru doku no mi ni mo naru
kyou mo ame ano hi to ima wo
sora to sora de tsunagitai no

*1 In this Craziness, Uncertainty
hitori hitori no omoi wo bokura wa dokoka ni nokoseru darou ka
In this Craziness, You gave me life
hitotsu no omoi wo bokura wa doko made mamoreru darou ka

kimi wa oboete iru no sakasama no chou
ME-RU no yaritori wa toritome mo nai
nagasarete itemo oyogereba ii
taezu hito no koe wa nami no yo ni

shinjiru mama ni tsutaeru MERODI
yasashii RIZUMU nakidashisou ni naru
itsumo ame ima ga mirai e to tsuzuku
sou o mo itai yo

*2 In this Craziness, Uncertainty
hitori hitori no katachi wo bokura wa dokoka ni nokoseru darou ka
In this Craziness, You gave me life
sorezore no katachi wo bokura wa doko made mamoreru darou ka

kotoba ni naritagaranai kimochi ga arimasu
hito ga ikura te wo nobashitemo
hito no naka ni todokanai basho ga aru
koe ni naranai hitori hitori no omoi ga suki dakara
nanika ni naranakutemo itsu no hi demo kawarazu

*1, *2

In this Craziness, Uncertainty hitori hitori no akogare
In this Craziness, You gave me life hitotsu no kagayaki
In this Craziness, Uncertainty hitori hitori no tokimeki
In this Craziness, You gave me life hitotsu no kandou
In this Craziness, Uncertainty hitori hitori no manazashi
In this Craziness, You gave me life hitotsu no guuzen
In this Craziness, Uncertainty hitori hitori no nukumori
In this Craziness, You gave me life hitotsu no yakusoku

English Translation:

Someday the inversed butterfly will face the light
I cut my hair with you in the mirror
The hallways while class is in session; the echoing sound of footsteps
The sound of the ceaseless rain follows

While I feel it, the figure is blinding
It'll become a sweet flower; it'll become a poisonous fruit, too
Today it's raining again; I want to be connected to that person
Through his sky and my sky now

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
I wonder if we can leave behind each and everyone's thoughts somewhere
In this Craziness, You gave me life
I wonder to how far can we protect a single thought

You remember, inversed butterfly
The exchange of mail has no end
Even if I'm set adrift, I should swim
The ceaseless voices of people are like waves

While I believe it, the spreading melody
A gentle rhythm that seems to start weeping
It's always raining; the present continues into the future
Or so I want to think

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
I wonder if we can leave behind each and everyone's figures somewhere
In this Craziness, You gave me life
I wonder to how far can we protect their respective figures

Hey, feelings that can't be told in words exist
No matter to how far people stretch out their hands
A place that they can't reach exists inside of people
Because I like each and everyone's soundless thoughts
Even if I don't become something, I remain unchanged on any day

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
I wonder if we can leave behind each and everyone's thoughts somewhere
In this Craziness, You gave me life
I wonder to how far can we protect a single thought

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
I wonder if we can leave behind each and everyone's figures somewhere
In this Craziness, You gave me life
I wonder to how far can we protect their respective figures

In this Craziness, Uncertainty
Each and everyone's aspirations
In this Craziness, You gave me life
A single brilliance
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
Each and everyone's palpitations
In this Craziness, You gave me life
A single impression
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
Each and everyone's gazes
In this Craziness, You gave me life
A single coincedence
In this Craziness, Uncertainty
Each and everyone's warmth
In this Craziness, You gave me life
A single promise

Musouka by Suara (Utawarerumono First Opening Theme)

2008-01-01T00:00:00.001+08:00

Let's begin a brand new year with a great song from the anime Utawarerumono.

Utawarerumono First Opening Theme

Title: Musouka
Artist: Suara

Lyrics:

Kanji:

子供の頃の夢は　色褪せない落書きで
思うまま書き滑らせて　描く未来へとつながる

澄み渡る空　果てしないほど青く
無邪気な心に　充たされ魅かれてく

やがて自由に飛びまわれる　翼を手に入れて
無垢な瞳は求めてく　空の向こうへ　行きたいな

止め処ない願いから　一つだけ叶うのなら
誰にも譲りたくはない　夢を掴みたいと思うよ
子供の頃の夢は　色褪せない落書きで
いつまでも描き続けられた　願う未来へとつながる

鐘がなる音　遠くから聞こえてくる
素直な心に　届いては響いている

光りは　七色に変わって　弧を描いてゆく
無垢な瞳は求めてく　虹の向こうへ　行きたいな

止め処なく願うほど　忘れないでいたいこと
支えてくれる人がいて　夢を見ることができるから
子供の頃の夢は　色褪せない落書きで
思うまま書き滑らせて　描く未来へとつながる

やがて自由に飛びまわれる　翼を手に入れて
無垢な瞳は求めてく　空の向こうへ　行きたいな

止め処ない願いから　一つだけ叶うのなら
誰にも譲りたくはない　夢を掴みたいと思うよ

止め処なく願うほど　忘れないでいたいこと
支えてくれる人がいて　夢を見ることができるから
子供の頃の夢は　色褪せない落書きで
思うまま書き滑らせて　描く未来へとつながる

Romaji:

kodomo no koro no yume wa iroasenai rakugaki de
omou mama kaki suberasete egaku mirai e to tsunagaru

sumiwataru sora hateshinai hodo aoku
mujaki na kokoro ni mitasare hikareteku

yagate jiyuu ni tobimawareru hane wo te ni irete
muku na hitomi wa motometeku sora no mukou e ikitai na

tomedonai negai kara hitotsu dake kanau no nara
dare ni mo yuzuritaku wa nai yume wo tsukamitai to omou yo
kodomo no koro no yume wa iroasenai rakugaki de
itsumade mo kaki tsuzukerareta negau mirai e to tsunagaru

kane ga naru oto tooku kara kikoete kuru
sunao na kokoro ni todoite wa hibiiteru

hikari wa nanairo ni kawatte ko wo egaite yuku
muku na hitomi wa motometeku niji no mukou e ikitai na

tomedonaku negau hodo wasurenaide itai koto
sasaete kureru hito ga ite yume wo miru koto ga dekiru kara
kodomo no koro no yume wa iroasenai rakugaki de
omou mama kaki suberasete egaku mirai e to tsunagaru

yagate jiyuu ni tobimawareru hane wo te ni irete
mukuna hitomi wa motometeku sora no mukou e ikitai na

tomedonai negai kara hitotsu dake kanau no nara
dare ni mo yuzuritaku wa nai yume wo tsukamitai to omou yo

tomedonaku negau hodo wasurenaide itai koto
sasaete kureru hito ga ite yume wo miru koto ga dekiru kara
kodomo no koro no yume wa iroasenai rakugaki de
omou mama kaki suberasete egaku mirai e to tsunagaru

English Translation:

The dreams I had when I was a child
are scribbles that do not fade.
They reveal the feelings with which they were written
and are connected to the future that I draw.

Across the clear sky
was only endless blue
and my innocent heart
was thoroughly charmed.

Soon I obtained wings of freedom
with which I could fly.
I turned my eye towards my desire -
to go to that distant sky.

From countless wishes,
if only one could be granted,
I think anyone would want to seize their dreams
and never be made to let go.

The dreams I had when I was a child
are scribbles that do not fade.
They continue to be drawn forever
and are connected to the future I desire.

I heard a ringing note
from a far-off bell
and in my honest heart
it resounded an echo.

The light transformed into seven colors
and painted an arc on the sky.
I turned my eye towards my desire -
to go to that distant rainbow.

When wishes come to an end,
don’t forget the painful things.
There are people who will support you
so you will still be able to see your dreams

The dreams I had when I was a child
are scribbles that do not fade.
They reveal the feelings with which they were written
and are connected to the future that I draw.

-bridge-

Soon I obtained wings of freedom
with which I could fly.
I turned my eye towards my desire -
to go to that distant sky.

From countless wishes,
if only one could be granted,
I think anyone would want to seize their dreams
and never be made to let go.

When wishes come to an end,
don’t forget the painful things.
There are people who will support you
so you will still be able to see your dreams

The dreams I had when I was a child
are scribbles that do not fade.
They reveal the feelings with which they were written
and are connected to the future that I draw.

My First Post......

2007-12-17T02:51:00.002+08:00

Since this is my first post, I have nothing much to write, just to mark the first post on my blog.

Guestbook

2007-12-12T12:12:00.018+08:00

This is my guestbook. Click the "Post a Comment" link below to sign it.

Uniform Server Beginner's Quick Guide

2007-12-12T12:12:00.006+08:00

Here's my Uniform Server Beginner's Quick Guide.

Part I: Getting the Server Up and Running
Part II: Configuring the Server
Part III: Accessing the Server

Uniform Server Beginner's Quick Guide (Part III: Accessing the Server)

2007-12-12T12:12:00.002+08:00

Accessing Your Web Server Inside Your Network (Locally)

Okay, now that you have your server up and running. Whenever you place a file in the www folder of your Uniform Server folder, you can access that file via http://localhost/your.file or http://127.0.0.1/your.file.

However only you can access your Web server via this address, or if there are other computers attached to your network, users of those computers can access your Web server too. They can do this by typing your internal IP address, say 192.168.2.253 in the address bar of a Web browser, and if your server is running, they will be able to access it.

For example, you placed a file, mygirlfriend.jpg, in the www folder of your Uniform Server folder. Then, at your computer where your Web server is running, you are able to access this file via http://localhost/mygirlfriend.jpg. There is another computer, say, your girlfriend's computer, which is also attached to the same network as your computer. Then your girlfriend is able to access this file via http://192.168.2.253/mygirlfriend.jpg, where 192.168.2.253 is your computer's internal IP address, and mygirlfriend.jpg is the file you placed in the www folder, whenever your Web server is up and running.

That is how your Web server can be accessed inside your network, or, locally.

Accessing Your Web Server From Anywhere Outside Your Network (via the Internet)

Now if you want your Web server to be accessible anywhere outside your network, say from a public computer which is connected to the internet in an internet cafe, or from your friend's laptop 1000 miles away from where your computer is, then there are a few things you need to do.

Since I've assumed that you are most probably on an ADSL connection, then I'll assume that you're also probably behind a router or NAT, or an ADSL modem.

Before we go on, make sure you are using static IP address and DHCP is turned off.

Static IP Address

To use static IP address, or check whether you are on static IP address, first, open your Control Panel, double-click Network Connections, then double-click Local Area Connection, or right-click on it and choose status.

Then the Local Area Connection Status window will pop up. Click Support. If your computer's IP address is static, then the Address Type will be Manually Configured. If your computer's IP address is dynamic, then the Address Type will be Assigned by DHCP.

If your IP address is already static, leave it. Otherwise, click here and follow the steps there to configure a static IP address specific to your router and system.

Port Forwarding

When your computer's IP address is already set to static, the next thing to do is port forwarding. Click here and find the router/ADSL modem you are using, or the most similar one, for your ADSL connection, then click on it.

Now you will come to a page with a long alphabetical list of various programs and other stuff. Go to the H list. Find HTTP and click on it. Then follow the guide there.

After you're done with that, if you've done it correctly, then you already did the port forwarding part.

External IP Address

Now, get your external IP address. One of the many ways this can be done is by going to Websites like www.whatismyip.com. Now give your external IP address to a friend via an instant messenger, or anybody at a computer connected to the internet outside your local area network. Ask him/her to type this external IP address (while your server is up and running, and properly configured) in his/her Web browser and see if he/she can access your Web server.

If he/she is able to load the index file you placed in the www folder of your Uniform Server folder while your server is up and running, then everything is okay, otherwise, you either didn't set a static IP address for your computer and turn of DHCP or you didn't do the port forwarding part correctly, then go back there and re-follow the guide.

So now that everything is done, and your Web server is accessible to the people with computers connected to the internet outside your network via your external IP address, say 60.50.37.51, or by typing the Web address http://60.50.37.51 at the address bar of their Web browsers.

You are probably thinking that everytime if someone wants to access the Website hosted on your Web server, he has to know your external IP address, remember it, and if your external IP address is dynamic, that is, always changing whenever you disconnect by switching off your router/ADSL modem, then switch it on and reconnect again.

This is quite a problem, isn't it? If only your server is accessible via a domain name like www.thegreatestname.com instead of an external IP address.

However, a domain name that ends with .com, .net, or even .org needs you to be registered with it, and this usually requires you to pay a one-time registration fee and a small monthly fee.

As a beginner you probably want to set up a Web server accessible via the internet for free without spending a single cent.

Fortunately, this can be done via some online services.

Registering For a Free Dynamic DNS Service

One of those services is No-IP.com. Click here to go to No-IP.com. Click Sign-up Now!. Then, fill in your details and create a new account.

After you've created a new account, login with your new account on the site. You'll see something like this:

Click Add. Then you'll come to a page like this:

Type your hostname then choose a free No-IP domain. The Host Type will be DNS Host (A).

Say if the hostname you typed is mylife, and the No-IP free domain you chose is no-ip.org, then your server will be accessible via the address http://mylife.no-ip.org/ after you are done with everything later.

Now note that your external IP address is automatically detected.

Now that you've done with everything, ignore the other blank fields and click Create Host below.

You'll see something like this:

If you click Manage at the menu, you'll see something like this:

Now logout from your account and click DOWNLOADS. Then click on the Windows logo. Click Download 2.2.1, then click Download Now. Now download the ducsetup.exe file to your computer.

Run the file you just downloaded and install the No-IP DUC program. After you finished the installation, you will be prompted to login with your No-IP.com account you created just now. After clicking Ok, you'll be running the No-IP DUC. And there's a No-IP tray icon:

which you can double-click on to bring up this:

You can see that there's a list of hostname you have created. Since you created only one just now, only one address is listed here. Tick it.

This No-IP DUC program is a dynamic updater client which functions to automatically update your No-IP.com account with your current external IP address so that you don't have to manually login to No-IP.com and enter your current external IP address yourself.

You might want to run the No-IP DUC automatically on startup. You can do this by clicking on Options, then tick Run on startup and click Ok.

Now close the window but make sure the No-IP DUC is running in the background.

Good Luck On Setting Up Your Web Server!

If you followed this guide correctly, from Part I to Part III, then by now, you should already have a working Web server. And if you have properly configured your network, got a free address for your external IP, then you should be able to access your Web server via the address, but only from outside your own network of course.

Extra Tip: Changing the localhost Hostname by Modifying the hosts File

Go to the C:\Windows\system32 folder and search for the file hosts. Drag it into Notepad.

On the last line of the file:

127.0.0.1 localhost

modify localhost to your the address you specified at No-IP.com just now. For instance, if your address is mylife.no-ip.org, then the line would be changed to:

127.0.0.1 mylife.no-ip.org

Now save the file and close it. From now on, whenever you want to access your Web server, type the address you just typed into the hosts file. Typing http://localhost at your Web browser's address bar works no more because you have just modified it to your own address.

Note that if you do this, you need to modify the .htaccess file in W:\home\admin\www and change the lines:

Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1

to:

#Order Deny,Allow
#Deny from all
#Allow from 127.0.0.1

thus commenting them out, and save the file. Otherwise you won't be able to access your administration panel.

Part I | Part II | Part III

Uniform Server Beginner's Quick Guide (Part II: Configuring the Server)

2007-12-12T12:12:00.001+08:00

Admin Panel Configuration

Start your Uniform Server and get to the server administration page at http://localhost/apanel/. Scroll down a little on the right frame and you should see there's a Security Checklist.

The first line:

Change the username/password for the Admin Panel here.

is there because you haven't create an admin username with its password for accessing the Web server's administration panel, and you also haven't lock up the admin panel with this feature.

Now click on the link "here" on this line, and you will be brought to the Admin Panel Configuration page. Now type your own admin username and admin password in each of the textboxes.

Now, click the "Change" button.

Now you've set your own username and password for your administrative account, but you need to activate it first. Open My Computer or Windows Explorer and go to your udrive folder in your Uniform Server folder, or double-click on the W: (or whatever letter you specified) drive letter in My Computer.

Double-click home, then double-click admin. Now, double-click www.

Now open Notepad, then drag the file, .htaccess into Notepad.

You should be able to view the content of .htaccess in Notepad. Now move your cursor to the lines:

#AuthName "Uniform Server - Admin Panel 2.0"
#AuthType Basic
#AuthUserFile /htpasswd/home/admin/www/.htpasswd
#Require valid-user

and delete the "#" symbol on every line, so that the lines become:

AuthName "Uniform Server - Admin Panel 2.0"
AuthType Basic
AuthUserFile /htpasswd/home/admin/www/.htpasswd
Require valid-user

When the "#" symbol (read as hash) is placed at the beginning of every line, it means these lines are comments and anything on these lines are commented out and will be ignored (if you still don't understand, never mind, you'll know what it means when you learn some computer language).

Now, save the file. Go back to your administration panel, and click refresh. You will be prompted to enter your username and password.

Type your admin username and admin password you set up just now into each of the textboxes and you should be able to access the administration panel again.

Now back at the administration panel, notice at the Security Checklist, that the first line you saw just now is gone.

Private Server Configuration

Now click on the "here" link on the line:

Change the username/password for the server here.

You'll be brought to the Private Server Configuration page. Now, set a username and password just like you did just now. To be secure, this username and its password mustn't be the same as your administrative account's which you set up previously.

If you want to set up a private Web server, then activate this feature just like what you did just now. Drag the .htaccess file in W:\www (or replace W: with whatever drive letter you use) or X:\Uniform Server\udrive\www into Notepad and do like what you did just now, uncommenting the last four lines.

Note that if you do this, your Web server will only be accessible by you (everytime anybody tries to access your Web server, they will be prompted to key in the username and its password).
If you want your Web server to be public, that is, accessible by all, then open the .htaccess file in the www folder the same way you did just now and go to these three lines at the top of the file:

Order Deny,Allow
Deny from all
Allow from 127.0.0.1

and comment the lines out, so that they look like this:

#Order Deny,Allow
#Deny from all
#Allow from 127.0.0.1

then save the file.

MySQL Server Configuration

Now back to the administration panel's Security Checklist. The first line previously:

Change the username/password for the server here.

should be gone.

Now, just like what you did previously, click the "here" link again, but this time, click the one on the line:

Change the root password for mysql by editing here.

and you'll be at the MySQL Server Configuration page. Notice that this time, there is nowhere for you to type your username, but only one textbox for you to type the password.

However, bear in mind that this doesn't mean that your MySQL database account doesn't have a username. Now remember this, the default username for your first MySQL database account is usually "root", this can be changed in the MySQL configuration file.

Right now, just enter the password, remember that the username is "root", then click Change.

Running the Security Console

Now back to the administration panel, and at the Security Checklist, there should be only one line left:

Run the Security Console and see if everything is OK.

Click on the "Security Console" link. And you should see something like this:

Well, read the page, they're self-explanatory.

Now put some files in the www folder which is located in your Uniform Server folder, or in the virtual W: drive.

If everything is okay, you should be able to access your page at http://localhost or http://127.0.0.1. Remember that the first file your Web server will look for is the file named index, be it index.html or index.php or whatever file type it is with the name index.

localhost is the default hostname for the localhost IP address 127.0.0.1. This can be changed, however, by modifying the file C:\Windows\system32\hosts with a text editor like Notepad.

Yeap, this file doesn't have a file extension, the filename is just hosts. The default hostname for localhost, localhost, can be changed to anything you like, but 127.0.0.1 is always the localhost IP address which is used to access your server from within your own computer.

Whenever you type http://localhost in your Web browser's address bar while your Web server is up and running, it will go to the www folder and look for the index file. The www folder is the root folder of your Web site.

For example, if you place the file index.html in the www folder, you will be able to access it at http://localhost/index.html by typing this address in your Web browser's address bar and go. If you place the file thisfile.jpg in a folder, let's say, images, in the www folder, then you will be able to access it at http://localhost/images/thisfile.jpg.

Okay now, that's all for Part II. In Part III later, I'll guide you about letting other people access your Web server from outside your LAN.

Part I | Part II | Part III

Uniform Server Beginner's Quick Guide (Part I: Getting the Server Up and Running)

2007-12-12T12:12:00.000+08:00

Before We Begin

First, I'm not a professional or something, I'm just a teen who uses the computer regularly and surf the Web everyday, and all the time, though I'm a bit of an open source fanatic, and I do like collecting portable software.

Okay, that doesn't mean that my guide here is not reliable. Although I'm not a professional, I do have real experiences with stuff like this.

I'm going to assume that you have at least the most basic knowledge of how to use your computer (using the keyboard and mouse, running a program, etc) and your computer is connected to the internet via ADSL or a faster connection.

In this guide, I'll be using the Uniform Server on a Windows XP SP2 machine.

Now, let's get started.

Getting the Uniform Server

First, go to www.uniformserver.com then click the /download link,

then, click on UniServer3_5.zip as shown.

A dialogue box will pop up asking you to save the file. Choose a location in your computer to store the file, then click Save. The download will then begin.

If the download doesn't begin, click on this direct link, as shown.

When the download completes, browse to the folder in which you saved the UniServer3_5.zip file just now. Right-click on UniServer3_5.zip, then extract the contents of the zip archive file into a folder. (Or do whatever you usually do when extracting an archive to extract the contents of the file).

Then, place the folder somewhere in your computer that you like. I placed it in C:\Uniform Server.

Starting the Uniform Server

Browse into that folder, double click on UniController.exe to run it. Then click Start as shown in the image.

A console window will pop up while you start the server. Now, be patient and wait till the server is completely started and kicking.

After that, your browser will run and you'll be redirected to the administration panel of your server. A dialog box pops up and notify you that the server is up and running. Notice the address of your administration panel: http://localhost/apanel/. Remember this address, or even bookmark it, so that the next time you want to access your Web server's administration panel without restarting the server, you can type this address into your Web browser and click go.

A new drive letter will appear in your My Computer, in this case it's W: (W was typed into the textbox when running UniController.exe just now). W: is a virtual partition and it contains the files and folders in the udrive folder which is in your Uniform Server folder.

Congratulations! You have your very own Web server up and running. This is the end of Part I of this guide. I'll walk you through how to configure your Web server in Part II later.

Part I | Part II | Part III