Leonography

Study for demands of the Job Market

2012-05-30T22:41:00.002+08:00

In the world we live in, it is important to have paper qualification in order to get a good paying job. That was a ideal statement that may not be 100% true.

In today world, we spent almost 1/4 or 2/5 of our live in education but what is the purpose of studying? What if you do not like what you study or after you have completed your education or the worst case scenario, the demand is not there? What will happen to the years of your study?

You notice I did not mention the finances part of the matter for education as the time one devote to it is more precise than momentary valve.

Now many chose their subjects they major in depending on the forecast of the Job Market demand. Here is what is wrong and at risk if one do so.

What is hot in Job Market?

In the 1980s, Electronic was a hot subject and in the 1990s was the IT. In the 2000s some projected the market will be in life science and now in 2012, what happen to these market now? Are they still in demand?

That is the risk you take when you choose to study a hot subject and following the market trend. Now the sad part is your education would take at least 3 to 5 years to get a degree certification and 3 to 5 years is a long time for the economy to shift and market demand and before you know it, it maybe a sunset industry.

Imagine the number of people who shared your thinking to have the same qualification to land themselves in a good paying and steady job. If that economy or demand goes off, you have to compete with these numbers of people to take the limited job and the lowest wages to get the job.

So what if the market is there? Can you be the cream of the crops of those number to compete among each other for the same job? That will fact in the over supply because of the large influx of fresh professional in this field. By then you are just on of many with such qualification and you are merely catching up rather than standing out.

If one would have study for the knowledge and the interest more than the projected market demand, likelihood of such individual would have saved a lot of heartaches and excel in their profession as the passion and genuine interest is there.

Instagram looking printer

2012-05-12T12:43:00.001+08:00

Instagram is one of the recent popular camera apps in both iPhone and Android users. The brand that stood out would be the icon of Instagram and currently exploring to make it not a camera but a printer as well!

The Instagram looking device would be touchscreen with 16 gigabytes of storage, WiFi and Bluetooth connections. As a printer it need to hold a paper cartridge, print mechanism and four ink tanks. The device would integrated with Facebook and Instagram's apps to apply Instagram filters to the photos and share then Facebook. The printed out photo would have QR code linking to the digital copy online as well.

Will you get this Instagram printer?

Aim Properly

2012-05-04T06:09:00.000+08:00

It seems a common thing about man not having to pee properly in public toilet that there have been some interesting sign to get them to pee properly.

The latest reported was the following found in Singapore Khoo Teck Puat Hospital.

The poster do touch on some man ego of sizes and proper aiming. As funny as it is, I still think the previous method in Changi Airport to encourage proper aiming in Men washroom is more effective.

Smarter Device Smarter You?

2012-05-01T22:19:00.001+08:00

Some day ago, I saw this sticker on a local newspaper. It was Smart TV ad by Samsung and it said "Smart TV, make me smarter".

This advertisement statement make me think and I think it may not necessary to be true. In fact, the opposite could be true.

Have Smarter device that think for you make you ~~more stupid~~ less smarter.

Just to name an example will be auto spell function. We have been getting better writing in reports and assignments but is the writer really that smart as he/she seems? Most of the time as auto spell check for us and automatic replace the correct spelling, we do not really bother to learn from that mistake as we know the same devices will do the same correction from me the next time.

If you still do not agree with me, grab a pen and paper and start writing and you will be surprised to see how many spelling and grammar mistakes you will make. If you still deny, it could be you are ignorant of you making such grammar and spelling mistake in the first place. As languages concern, you have to read and write to prefect it.

The same goes to calculation as well. Can you do a some simple calculation with in your mind and not using a calculator?

Having a Smarter device is good but do not put too much dependance on it as doing so will not make you smarter.

Export & Import Contacts in Android

2012-04-04T23:07:00.000+08:00

I have just upgraded my Android phone recently from HTC Hero to Samsung Galaxy SII. Love it!

Like anyone who is going to migrate to a new mobile phone, it is time to move my contacts and content. As content I have mostly saved in my SD card, is the contact information that I need to move right.

Here is a easy and layman way on how I move my contact from one Android phone to another.

In the Contact menu of my old Android phone, select Import / Export option

A new list of opinion will appear and I choose Export to SD card.

It will prompt again for confirmation and I will hit on the OK button to begin the process.

Shortly the whole contact list in your phone will be saved in a SD card.

As you change to your new phone, insert the SD card from your old phone to the new one.

Again under the new phone Contact, bring out the Import / Export Menu and this time choose the Import from SD card.

As the file is in the SD card, all of that contact will be imported to the new phone. Is that easy. No need to plug in any cable to sync and what not.

For safety reason, it is best to keep a copy of your updated contact list somewhere in case one day you lost your phone and thus lost your contact in the SD card too.

All you need to do is go to the Contact Menu and under Import / Export menu, export to SD card regularly. Then plugged in a USB cable and from the window environment go into the SD card drive and look for the contact file (00001.vcf by default) and saved a copy to your PC or other media.

It is best to backup regularly. Of course you can do that when you sync your phone using the given software of the phone maker too.

However saving such file is the most fool proof way in my humble opinion. :)

Big fish eat Little fishes

2012-03-30T23:30:00.000+08:00

"Big fish eat little fishes" is a common proverb which describe the cold hard fact that the bigger entity has the power to consume or overwhelmed the smaller ones. Such is the order of nature.

Today I saw with my own eyes the actual presentation of this phase and it strike me about somethings in life.

I was in the supermarket at the seafood section and I saw some big fishes laying lifelessly on the ices waiting for someone to buy them off. I saw something sticking out of the mouth of one of the big fishes. As I moved closer to take a look, it confirmed what I saw. There in the mouth of the big fish was a smaller fish that fit close to the size of it's mouth.

I do not know if this was done on purpose by anyone or the big fish at the last moment of it's life was going for the smaller fish for it's meal.

Whether the truth of the bigger fish eating the smaller fish does not mater as at the end of the day, both of them cannot escape their doom fate . Both are dead and become a dish on someone else table.

That set me thinking, do something in life really matter such as winning or losing?

Make it Right. Indeed!

2012-03-24T23:29:00.003+08:00

Recently saw this campaign in the SMRT train about "Make it Right for a Better Ride".

Regardless looking at SMRT wanting some passengers to share something for the campaign, nothing can be further than the truth of what passenger really want.

Reduce the breakdown.

Another I don't get it. Why SMRT keep spending such money on "educating" the passenger? Do they know passenger is the customer? It seems that they look at it that way. What would such campaign do? why not channel the money and resources to cut down mrt breakdown and ensure the train arrive on time?

Ask any passenger and they will tell you the reason why they behave rudely has to do with over crowded and the long waiting times. If they spend the time to have more regular trains, everyone will be happy. Everyone will have more seats.

Make it Right for a better ride SMRT.

No Need to Press So Many Times

2012-02-10T21:51:00.000+08:00

I chuckled when I saw this sign on the button that activate the traffic light in a busy street in Singapore.

I have to confess that I am one of those who are guilty for pressing more than once.

I guess it is psychology behavior.

Are you guilty of that too? No? You are such a bad liar! LOL

Canon EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II Shots

2012-02-07T22:27:00.000+08:00

I had the pleasure to get a hold of one of Canon zoom lens EF-S55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS II. What better way to try it out when I visit the Singapore zoo.

Here are some shot in 55mm on the pair of Giraffes

and 250mm zoom and you can see more detail.

For portraits here is a meerkats of a standing one in 55mm

Here with the 250mm zoom and I find it is still a bit noise even in the daylight.

Overall this is still a good zoom lens of that price range it provides. Easy to use even for the ladies.

You judge for yourself by the photo provided here. :)

Breaking the Barrier...Literary

2012-02-03T22:07:00.002+08:00

Sometime breaking barrier can be a positive phase of achievements but not all the time.

Below is a barrier being broken. Now this is not good...

Then again it is good for those who already parked their cars inside and now driving out without paying....

Now I wonder if this barrier broken on purpose? It would be interesting to see the CCTV footage.

Capitol Theatre Visable again!

2012-01-14T15:50:00.000+08:00

I was walking pass Cityhall Mrt area when I noticed Capitol Theatre reappear again at plain sight. Well it was not like it was not there before as the former building kind of cover it up.

Since December 1989 the Theatre screened the last movie and I had much fond memory of this cinema as I watched many of my favorite 1980s Hollywood hit movie such as Terminator 2, Wolf and Michael Jackson Moonwalker.

I remember the feeling of entering a high ceiling cinema and the grandness of coming together for some movie magic experiences. It was a great feeling to watch movie with a group of friends.

I was disappointed that since it closure in 1989, the building was left untouched till today 2012. See it again unblocked by any building reminded me of this theatre. However I don't think this view will last long as the building in the front is rebuilding to a taller building which will hide Capitol theatre again.

The bitter sweet of redevelopment in Singapore... some make it while many does not.

Michael Jackson Immortal CD

2012-01-01T23:44:00.001+08:00

I got these Michael Jackson Immortal CD as a gift from a old friend of mine for Christmas. It was a double CDs of Michael Jackson's greatest recordings reimagined for Cirque Du Soleil.

I have read about Cirque Du Soleil but I personally didn't pay attention thinking that this must be something that produce of my favorite singer in order to make more money out of it. As much as my personal feeling goes, "This is it" was the last I wanted to see as I can see MJ last days alive in that screen and it was not a reality TV!

Anyway after listening to the CD, I am impressed by some of the numbers that mixed together. Somehow they used "Remember the Time" phases to rewind the recording eras of Michael with "Childhood" that start as Michael life.

There were also some great personal speech of Michael edited in it regarding his talent in writing songs giving it back to the world.

I personally love the Dangerous version edited with part of "In the closet" phases and made good sense.

Instead of feeling upset of MJ songs being remixed and lost it originality. I find this CD take on a new life paying tribute to MJ as an artist and as a person.

Even the booklet designs edited photos of MJ in his glorious performance together as one good looking master piece.

I have no idea how the performance going to be without MJ but listening to the CD make me think twice to go for it if the performance is going to be in Singapore.

Lastly I want to say a big thank you for my good friend who care to get this for me for Christmas. Thank you.

My First visit on Logos Hope

2011-12-28T23:38:00.001+08:00

In the 1980s, there was a TV series called Love Boat. Well today I visited on a "Love" boat too but this is more like a non-profit, charitable organization registered in Germany. The main thing for them to get in money and donation is by having a book fair on board of the ship.

OM’s Logos Hope, the ship with the world largest floating book fair and had made it's first visit to Singapore on 16 to 30 December 2011.

To me, this is a new concept. At first I could not imagine how a book fair on board of a vessel will look like. When I stepped in to the Vessel, I found myself transformed into a familiar book store.

Seriously looking the photo you would not imagine you were in the Ship right?

I have to say the vessel was very stable that I could not feel any rocking of the ship at all even when it was parked in the harbor.

One of the interesting book I have found is Mini Book! So cute right?

Beside books, they have CDs too.

As their ship is always moving around the world, they use a representative system for the pricing of the book.

Logos Hope do selling their own merchandises for fund raising such as this mug with the logo on it and more.

The first impression of Logos Hope was it is selling much of Christian books such as bible and some Christian books. However there were also some good children collection and offers on some textbook type of books. As this vessel carry it's own books, some of the books you see in the book fair were rather hard for you to see somewhere else.

For me having a vessel traveling around to spend some good news and contribute some good value to the community it has visited is a good thing.

If Logos Hope is anywhere near you, do drop by to take a look at the international staff on board serving you and the books it carried on board selling.

Merry Christmas 2011

2011-12-25T22:18:00.000+08:00

Christmas has always been special to me. In fact lots of special thing happened to me on Christmas in my life. Most of them are good ones, thank goodness!

When I was a child, my family do not celebrate Christmas but I always fasinated by Christmas tree with it's lighting and decorations. I set my heart that if one day I have my own house and started my own family, having a Christmas tree for Christmas is a must. So now I did have one and I always make a point to make something fun out of it.

Another tradition we started out in my family is having log cake at least during Christmas. So this year we got a white vanilla one and it turned out to be really delicious! I have to control not to eat too much. LOL

Wel I hope you guys have a wonderful and good Christmas day as well. Merry Christmas to one and all!

Slow Maddness Raging Transport

2011-12-20T23:47:00.003+08:00

In the mid 1980s, one transport changes the traveling habits of Singapore. Even when I was in my primary school, I learned the full name of MRT from school which meant Mass Rapid Transport. It was once our nation pride that back then it was a vision transport that will bring Singapore from a developing nation to higher heights.

As we know scoping in any project is vital. Did the planner back then see this coming especially the recent increase in population in Singapore? Was the whole system especially the old lines were design to cater and support a population of 6 million and more?

As the commuter increased, so were the frequency and the weight of the train. It don't take much common sense to question the effective of the transport on a single rail day after day (more than 16 hours a day) especially some of the line were 3 decades old.

With years of increase fare due to the proclamation of raising "operation cost", the service and reliability of the train fall short of public expectation year after year. With the transportation being privatize, the once public transport is now answerable to the board and investor rather than the public nor the commuters.

Projects like opening new train station to cover more areas continue but the maintenance of the rail with the effect of growing population was not well thought through. Even the new circle line broke down a few time. By right, the weather should be the least that affect the train operation but it happened and causes much delay.

The once transport which has a Rapid in the middle name has now reduce the speed by half just to reduce the chances of breaking down. That mean it take more time to travel but the fare remain the same. Is that fair?

One thing for sure, the fault is never on the commuter end and never should be put to pay for it.

Motorola ET1, a Tablet for Work

2011-10-12T21:52:00.001+08:00

I happened to have a glimpse of the Motorola Rugged Tablet ET1 in the recent Asia-Pacific Retailers Convention & Exhibition in Singapore.

The Tablet is running on Android 2.3.4 (Gingerbread) Operating system build with connectivity of Bluetooth and WiFi. There are 8 Mega-Pixel camera on the back and the front.

The screen is 7". The tablet is light weight and holding it seems like holding a bigger size PSP. Unlike PSP or other android tablet, this tablet is ruggedized for working environment.

One should be mindful that this tablet is design for connectivity for working efficiency and it will not be fair to compare it with leisure or general consumer android Tablet.

One more thing... Steve Jobs

2011-10-06T22:33:00.002+08:00

First it was news of Steve Jobs stepped down as a CEO of Apple and the position was given to Tim cook. Then a few days ago while everyone was waiting for iPhone 5, Apple release the news of iPhone 4S. This morning however, I read the passing of Steve Jobs himself.

* Photo credit to IGN.com

I will not profess that I am a Big Apple fan but some of my memories of growing up have contact with some Apple products and some of the product decision done by Steve Jobs as I looked back earned my respect.

My first encounter with Apple product was not iPhone, nor iPod nor iMac but it was a Macintosh Personal computer. My first time to surf on the internet in the mid 1990s with a 28.8K modem! I was fascinated by quicktime movie even though back then one file capacity would already exceeded one 3 1/2 inches floppy disk. I spent my time on online chat and playing civilization. It was a great computer which is less prone to virus attack. I mean who would write a virus to attack a Mac?

When the iMac was introduced, it was Cool design in those era. To many it is just a monitor size PC with keyboard and mouse. Space saving although many complaint the lack of floppy disk which was an Steve's intention of removing. Soon many accept the changes and move on.

When everyone was going into PC and hardware, Steve Jobs concentrated on Music portable player and online music store. It was the right direction that set Apple to have a firm foothold on online music with his product. Since Napster was napped, everyone has to pay for online music right? Even the Music industry embrace iTune store.

When iPod had a firmed market, Steve Jobs stirred toward smart phone which came out iPhone 3G. Steve did not enter without any backing. The knowledge and foothold of iTune infra-structure served as the backbone. The familiarily interface played a big part even in the beginning many condemn it. As Apple starting to have a great market shares in the mobile phone market, the voice against the interface dies off. The concept of having a unique phone as a outlook do not really matter anymore than the ease of use and control. Many started to see Steve's idea.

Steve Jobs made a lot of hard decision and stand by it when their browser do not support Adobe flash, iPhone sample being stolen, iPhone 4 Athena reception issues. It was not a prefect phone yet the idea and the acceptance of the interface became what that really matters. In truth is that interface that launched them to the tablet market iPad and the new iPhone 4S.

Today when the news of Steve Jobs passing was released, lot of sites and people I know expressed their sadness. But why?

Steve Jobs is not a nation founder. He did not saved life. He is not like a entertainer like Michael Jackson but why is his passing affecting us so much? Come to think of it, he is just a person who is trying to sell us things! And you know what, we bought his idea knowing or unknowingly. His dedication of being different and the stubbornness of believing what he believe in, changes the mind and life of many. Steve Jobs is one influential person who inspired many. It is hard to find one person in our lifetime but I am glad now there was one.

Rest in Peace Steve Jobs and God bless you.

A walk in Bookstore in Malaysia

2011-09-25T15:25:00.000+08:00

I was in Kuala Lumpur for work and one of the night when I was free, I visited a book store in the shopping mall. Now you may find it's funny why would go into the bookstore of all places? Well you can say that I am bored but to tell you the truth, I wanted to see the difference between the bookstore in Singapore and Malaysia. Afterall books are one that define culture and society in certain manner.

The bookstore in the shopping mall was big and I saw people reading and browsing the books. Since I am from Singapore, I went to see what are the Singapore published books in available in Malaysia. There I saw in the Chinese printed section, the recent book by ex PM/SM/MM Lee Kuan Yew. Beside his book were the ex PM of Malaysia. Maybe they arrange the books in that manner as grouping. I never asked but it is interesting to see that arrangement.

In Singapore English section I saw the Singapore Women's Charter book. Personally I didn't notice if this book is on sale in Singapore but having this book on sale under section of Singapore kind of give me a weird feeling...

Just a few book beside was the Singapore Rebel which was about the infamous Annabel chong a much talk about Singapore girl who took on 300 guys for having sex. To her, it was just a persona and an act. I guess that stick to Singapore reputation for a long time.

Talking about books that are senstive in nature. I was surprised to see a book by Adolf Hitler on sale in the bookstore as well. A book written by him will be a avoid subject and some countries banned this book.

Okay to be truthful, I was there looking for another type of culture book that interest me more which are Comics.

I know many regards comic as a lowest form of culture but believe or not, it is one powerful culture which shape the future leaders of tomorrow. If you know what I mean. :)

There are a numbers of Japanese Manga (comic) translated in English but there were more comic that was produced by Malaysia themselves. By looking at the cover, you may not even recognize it.

These are the newer comic artists.

One of the top leading ones is Lat which the drawing of the characters are neither cute or pretty but the culture and content are there. That is what art is all about.

While I was on my way out of the bookstore, I saw some calendar that caught my eye. I thought it was some Chinese cartography but at a closer look, it was a Christian Chinese cartography calendar on sales and it was done beautifully. I do not remember seeing such calendar with artistic and religion taste in Singapore bookstore.

After visiting the bookstore in Malaysia, it really change my mind about the culture and education acceptance and I am glad to stand corrected thinking they are strict in religion and culture.

I didn't buy anything but I walked away mind changed and wondering can Singapore have more varieties in bookstores or prints.

Credit Crisis

2011-08-12T23:25:00.000+08:00

I remember in the 80s, having a credit card is a big thing. Firstly not anybody can owned a credit card. THe requirement was to have certain range of income and Assets and you have to go to the bank to apply.

Now you will be approach by workers who want you to sign up for credit cards even giving away fee waver. The requirement to own a credit card is so low that students can apply for debit cards.

There was a time when you open a bank account you have to wait for hours. But today Banks come to you asking you to open an account with them. There even make is so easy for you to borrow money. Just the other day I recieved a blank cheque by the bank with my name on it. One may think I became instantly rich however if you read between the line, it was borrowed money. And when Banks are desperate to ask you to borrow money, something is really going wrong with the system.

Here's a short summary of what had been going on. Watch in and you understand more.

Now you know what is happening now?

Tools for some poses drawing

2011-07-29T21:12:00.001+08:00

I remember when I was very much into comic illustration, one of the most challenging subject is to draw the pose of the character in different camera angles. Back then you need some subject to strike a pose for you. Well now there are some great tools in the market. This is one of them that will help you to draw digitally.

Is this useful to the artist? Hm...

Old Table Tennis Table

2011-06-30T22:50:00.000+08:00

In the 1970s, Ping Pong aka Table Tennis was very popular in Singapore. As a growing nation then as the population are more community centered, sports was one of the way people get together.

In every residential area, concrete table tennis table were built and it's a popular place for teenagers and kids to hang out.

I remember people install their own table tennis net and start their ping pong game. Due to the fact most of these table were outdoor, the wind always affect the game. However the players doesn't really mind a bit as fun was the factor.

As for kids like me then, we play a game called "Crocodile" which some kids will be under the table trying to grab the legs of the kids which are on the table. As there will be many kids on the table, it is quite a good change for the "Crocodile" to pass the tag to another kid. Back then, kids play together and have lot of fun in such healthy sports.

Today these table are disappearing. I saw this sometime back and took a photo for memory sake.

Good times.

How bladeless fan works?

2011-06-16T22:33:00.000+08:00

My first encounter of seeing bladeless fan was about a year ago. I remember how amazed I was feeling the breeze from the fan but not seeing any rotating blade. Best of all, it is quiet.

Ever wonder how it work? Here's what I found out.

Apparently the pricing is one of the draw back for me of getting it. I will wait till it is more economical. R.O.I is important. :)

eneloop glitter Limted Edition

2011-06-09T22:15:00.001+08:00

Life is full of colors. Can you guess what is these colorful things?

You will never have guessed these are batteries. Not just any batteries but eneloop Rechargable Batteries.

These colorful glittering set is a Limited Edition eneloop rechargeable batteries from Japan celebrating their 5th anniversary and sold 150 million batteries over 60 countries!

These set of 8 batteries come pre-charged which mean you can use it straight away. The pre-charging process was done by solar power as SANYO believe in "Clean Energy Loop". Each of these batteries can charged up to 1500 times.

One major concern about rechargeable batteries for me will be the self-discharge rate even you are not using it by leaving it on the shelf. Most rechargeable batteries would drained of it own energy in 2 years but eneloop batteries can retain 75% of it's energy even up to three years! These were confirmed by 2 of my contacts in different occasion when I asked them about their experience on eneloop batteries. Both of them pointed out on the reliability of retaining the energy even when there were in storage.

Now some may think the colors are just designs to attract consumers but I think it is practical. How often you mixed your fully-charged batteries with those used one? How will you be able to tell them apart if they all looked exactly the same? By these color code, you can tell them a part easily and you can choose the different color to match difference devices depending on your mood too.

The new “eneloop glitter” battery pack is already available in Singapore at Meidi-Ya Supermarket, Dufry Singapore and all Best Denki, Selffix D.I.Y, Sprint-Cass, and other electronic stores at a recommended retail price of S$49.90.

We can always use some green energy and some colors too!

Apple IOS 5 Features

2011-06-09T00:20:00.000+08:00

I have to say Apple really doing their work well. After watching the feature of the IOS 5, I am impressed.

Now the question remain how can iPhone 4 update to this OS? How will the upgrade be done? How much will it cost end of the day?

iPhone 4 No Speaker Sound Quick Fix?

2011-05-01T21:11:00.004+08:00

I got one iPhone 4 for my family member not too long ago.

One day, she came to me complaining that her iPhone 4 speaker not longer working. I asked her if she had recently dropped her phone or the phone had come into any water contact. Her replied was No and it happened out of the Blue. Like you, I was doubtful. After all, this is an Apple product we are talking about. It cannot be that bad right?

Heading to my telco shop or the nearest Apple center may not be a fruitful as the phone was a month old and there are just too much apps, data and personal setting done on the phone. If what she said is true, then we may not be the only one who encountered the same issue. True enough, after some searches on the internet, we are not alone.

Some solution recommended to do a factory reset and the typical answer to send back to Apple for one to one exchange. That would be too much hustle for us.

I stumbled on a worked solution which stated to "press the lower right corner beside the home button". I was doubtful at first but after considering going through the motion of traveling down to exchange the phone, we gave that a try. I mean how worst could that be right?

After a few attempts, the sound came back! What do you know?!

Disclaimer: This is purely my personal experience and I will not hold any liability if this doesn't work or cause damage to your phone. You are advice to access the risk and decide for yourself.

* Note the red square area mark roughly the location.

It would be easier to play a long music file on the phone while you try pressing down that area and see if the sound restore back. It could take you a few try and you have to apply some strength on it.

This method works as the hardware connection between the speaker of the phone is located there which mean the contact maybe loose. Therefore pressing that area restore the connection.

If you are facing the same problem, you can try if this method works for you. If it does, leave a comment and share it on your facebook. :)