Tagging System

For a while now, I have been adopting new, cleaner way of organizing my files in folders. Instead of having, for example, Documents/School/JC and Documents/School/University, I put them as Documents/School - JC and Documents/School - University. This is to reduce going deep down a hierarchy. Instead, I can just go down one hierarchy and find everything there, lists after the "-". I limit the "-" to two maximum, though, otherwise the window will be full of list. I have folders of Pictures, Musics, Videos, Documents (for work or school), Installers and Files (for any other files). Then inside there I will use the "-" naming system. In my Documents, I have something like "Documents/Computing - Blackberry Theme", "Documents/Computing - XNA Game", "Documents/School - JC", and so on.

Though this is easier for me to navigate, there is still one problem with the folder system. What if a file can be classified into more than one folder? Do I need to have two copies of the file? Or should I merge the folders?  Well, I thought of another alternative to the folder system: tagging system. It works similarly like Gmail tagging system. A file (email in Gmail) can be tagged with two tags, and the tags themselves can have hierarchy.

How does this work better than the folder system?

Firstly, a file that would fall into more than one category need not have copies thus consume less memory.

Secondly, faster search. The arrangement of files can be done by type of files/extensions, followed by name. Since there are no folders, all files are just in one big area thus searching should be able to be faster (since the search engine need not to explore into each folder). All this despite you can still using the navigation of folder system, just by exploring the tag hierarchy.

What are the possible downfall of the system?

Firstly, the User Interface (UI) change needs time for adaptation. The UI itself is not designed yet, such as what would you see after double-clicking File Explorer? The whole pool of files? Then, how do you add tags? Right clicking? It seems easier to Ctrl-C/Ctrl-X and Ctrl-V or even dragging files.

Secondly, programmers would have a headache since modular programming has been using folder system forever, and using tag system would destroy ALL programming syntaxes of using more than one file in different directories. If all application is put into one pool, application files of same name would be replaced thus one program will work at the price of another.

Solutions?

I can't think of any solution for the UI. For the programming part, possibly the tagging system is only deployed on personal files, i.e. the pool of files are divided into files added by user and files used by programs. This allows tagging system to work better with less interruption to programmers' lives. However, this again creates another problem. What about those people who like to mess around with the system (hackers) or developers? This is another headache. If the access to program files is removed so that people cannot mess around with the program files, then PC will just become like Mac OS X - dumb-proof.

Probably Chrome OS could try this system. Why? Google is an internet giant. It uses tagging system in many of its product, thus its familiarity with the deployment. Another reason would be that Chrome OS user is very limited that implementing tagging system would not disrupt majority of business as compared to implementation in Windows. If it could win the heart of users, then Google would reap the profits. Otherwise, dump the whole idea. Why not Linux? Because Linux is for those who like to mess around with system files, and as of above, this tagging system would not really work for those people.

In Research: New Laptop Cooling Technology

What a cool technique to cool off those laptops, especially being more silent and more efficient. Probably Razer Fiona should use this to compensate for the compact form it has.

Originally read at: The Verge

"GE says that, in addition to consuming half the power of a regular fan, its new tech is more than half as thin, enabling cooling systems that are only 4mm tall. Because of the comparatively simple construction, it'll apparently offer higher reliability rates than conventional cooling methods as well. The company says DCJ is virtually silent, and will enable "thinner, quieter, and more powerful tablets, laptops, and other electronic devices.""

Homescreen Arrangement

A friend of mine complimented me for my homescreen arrangement. I would like to share it with you all.

Let's start from the dock. I put the essentials on the dock. Calling, SMS, Whatsapp, and Browser (I browse a lot). I removed Contact Book since I can always access it from the Phone.

My home is the center window in the picture above. It only has the clock widget. There is no difference whether you put it analog or digital. The essential is I want my wallpaper to be clear of obstacles. So simply, just clock.

To the left of the home is email windows, while to the right is calendar. Probably my habit from using Blackberry, I need my email and calendar to be forever accessible, and even better, easy viewing. However, I don't want them to fill the whole page alone because that would just waste space.

I scaled down the width of email by one block because I found reducing the width by two blocks make the emails unreadable while full screen and less one block has little difference. This also allows me to put the important shortcuts: Clock - to access alarm, because I found the alarm widget not so user-friendly and too big (2 x 1); Gallery - well, habit; Camera - I am using Samsung Galaxy SIII, so no hardware camera button thus I need the shortcut; and Files - I like to explore folders, but you can replace it with any frequent apps you used.

For the calendar, I reduce the length instead because I found reducing the width by one is ugly, whether more to the right or to the left, probably because the header is big or the position is right of the home. I put the shortcuts below the calendar because above the calendar would make the shortcuts hard to reach on one hand operation. Well, the shortcuts here are less defined: any shortcuts that you like would do. I put Maps because in Singapore it is important for me to have ready access the public transport guide in Google Maps; Dictionary because my vocabulary is bad; S Memo allows me to jot down anything quickly; Google Translate just for fun.

The most right page would be Entertainment Page: Music Widget, Facebook, Instagram, Playstore and Mango (Manga Reader). Nothing much, really. I used to put games' shortcuts as well, but I got bored of the games so I removed them.

To the most left are nothing much, just to fill the pages. I have no logical reason why, probably symmetry, but I found having 5 pages is more appealing than 4 pages (4 pages make the home not the center). So I just put anything that would fill my time - Flipboard and Stock. Assistive Light and Turn Off All Sounds are for convenience, for example when I am walking in dark places and when I am in exam hall just to make sure nothing gives sound alert.

In SIII, there are still 2 more pages that can be used, but since I use nothing more, I just deleted the two pages :D If you have a lot of apps, you could always add more pages for shortcuts only, I suggest to the left or right end.

Cheers :)

Module Review: 2012/2013 Semester I

I am going to put up the modules I took in the blog, so that people looking to study in NUS School of Computing (SoC) or going to take the same module as me can look at my review. There is a dedicated site for that though, Module Review. I am using the posts to track the module I have taken as well. So, here goes.

Note: Please note that there might be differences between modules in semester 1 and semester 2

======================================================

My Module Reviews

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CS1010 - Programming Methodology (4 MC) (Open Book Exam)

A basic for programming. This is the first programming module for SoC Students in NUS¹. The language used in the module is C, and students are required to be familiar with Unix environment. I had a basic in programming before taking the module, so it was fairly easy for me (though it requires a lot of logic for the problems presented). The exams are comparably easy compared to the take-home labs' problems.
Workload: five take-home labs (each having three problems), two practical exams, one written midterm exam and one written final exam.
- For those with some experience: This will be a breeze. You just need to practice more and make sure no flaw AT ALL in your logic. Especially if the markers guess that you have enough knowledge, they want you to make the program efficient as well, although the course has been stressed to be for basic programming skill rather than efficiency in programs.
- For those without experience: BEWARE! You should start looking at some tutorial, because I feel although the module is meant for you, the very basic of programming itself is quite abstract in reality. I know that what was taught was really basic of programming, but you might question 'WHY' or 'HOW'. I find the module quite confusing for ones with no experience at all. I suggest if you have the time then you should familiarise yourself with the flow programming (such as header, body, functions and so on). An easy alternative would be just take it and don't question it.

¹with the exception of those who are exempted from the modules. Exemption is by test before school term begins, usually taken by Polytechnic graduate and A-level graduate who took Computing in A-level, though it is unrestricted and anyone who is confident with their programming skill can take the test.

CS1231 - Discrete Structures (4 MC) (Open Book Exam)

The module structure for semester I and II are different, thus this only applies to semester I.
A very abstract module. Learning the very basis of mathematics in the module, mainly proofing arguments in mathematics, numbers, trees and graphs. Very difficult for me due to the abstractness of the topics. Added with the easier exam compared to the practice, the bell curve is very stiff and some difficult questions are the main determinant of your grade. This also forms the very basis of computing - as the teachers said - and many of the topics are going to be used in later modules for algorithms.
Workload: one group project (making videos of proofing some mathematical ideas), one midterm exam and one final exam.

MA1101R - Linear Algebra I (4 MC) (Closed Book Exam - Cheat-sheet allowed)
A calculation module. The concepts are hard to grasp, but once you get it, you can solve the questions. Deals with matrices, part geometry. Computing students take the subject together with students majoring in Mathematics. The homeworks are very much based on fundamental concept, while the exams are  very much calculative, thus self extra practice is expected. The subject is used on many computing applications,  such as search engine and digital imaging.
Workload: one lab quiz (using MATLAB as helper), one midterm exam and one final exam.

BSP1004X - Legal Environment of Business (4 MC) (Open Book Exam)

A business law module. This would be a very logical module, dealing mainly with business problems when facing the law. Some general laws are touched as well. An interesting module, though very content heavy. Exam focuses on ability to analyze and write out the problems in question, possible solutions/remedies and mitigations on the problems.
Workload: one group project (answering questions and analyzing an article), class participation and one final exam.

LSM1301 - General Biology (4 MC) (Open Book Exam)
As the name suggests, the module is a basic biology module. Very content heavy on cells, DNA, ecosystem, plants, animals and so on. Many parts of the content are similar to Singapore O-level Biology (I took the exam in 2009), though more in depth. Very interesting module, indeed, but many students who previously took Biology enroll for grade, so expect a very stiff bell curve.
Workload: one quiz, one museum visit report, five lab reports, one online assessment and one 60-MCQ final exam.

Total MC - Sem 1     : 20
Total MC - Overall    : 20

External GPU for Extra Portability

The idea of an external GPU unit has been lying around pretty long. As far as I know, the idea has been present since 5 years ago (2007). I was recommended to get any laptop, then get an external GPU unit to power the laptop whenever I am going to play heavy games. Indeed, the pickup has been slow. Manufacturer prefers to make powerful GPU more mobile and fit for laptop. ASUS tried to make one, but sales have not been easy. The question is: why? I mean, doesn't the idea sounds extraordinarily great? You could get one laptop with integrated graphics then just power it up with the GPU unit. This includes netbooks which was popular 4 years ago.

Reason being the connection was not ready enough for the technology. Currently, the idea has been popularised by ViDock. The GPU can be changed in case newer ones come out and you want to get up to date GPU. But the dock needs PCI Express slot. This is true to even DIY external GPU. Why? Because that is the fastest connection you can get in which the GPU will work perfectly, otherwise the graphic in your laptop would be lagging behind still due to the information from the GPU not transferred fast enough to the laptop back. So, two problems here. Not all laptops, especially most netbooks and ultrabooks which is more possible to require powerful external GPU, do not have the PCI Express slot, thus shattered is the dream of external GPU. The other problem is that ViDock requires you to connect it to external monitor as well, thus the external GPU does not work with the dock and laptop only, thus it is not the answer to playing on your laptop if you do not want to have other gadgets lying around. Is the dream dead by now?

Meet Sony's Power Media Dock for VAIO Z Series. Compact, yet powerful. Indeed, it removes the possibility of changing the GPU every now and then, but then it does not require PCI Express, thanks to the new USB 3.0 which is faster, and it works with the laptop's monitor only. Although it uses USB3.0, it has proprietary connection to the laptop of USB and power slot, thus it only works for the VAIO Z Series. However, the idea is notable.

 

Now, why is the idea all the more important now? Because of Windows 8 hybrids. The convertibles most of the time pack only Intel HD 4000, which may deter gamers and content creators from picking up due to fear of lags or worse, programs not running. ASUS Transformer Book is quite different as the salesperson said that the 13" and 14" would have the keyboard dock packed with discrete graphics. But, there are many more lying around such as Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro and Sony's very own VAIO Duo 11, especially that they have active digitizer which would mean a lot to artists. While each brand could have their own, this would mean trouble because changing laptops means impossibility to reuse the external GPU. This is a new market. An external GPU unit that works with any devices with Windows 8 and USB 3.0 would become a very great product.

So, who should produce it? Any manufacturer who could achieve that general GPU unit should be okay, but I think Razer might be the best manufacturer for this. Why? It does not side with any manufacturer. Furthermore, being specialised in gaming should make external GPU unit for gaming within its main focus. Also, Razer design has been slim and simple, looking at Razer Blade and the concept projects.

The market is there, especially now that the notebook market is spammed with laptop-tablet hybrids and convertibles. It will be a matter of who could see the potential first.

Other Links on Sony's Power Media Dock:
Sony VAIO Z with Power Media Dock - PC World Magazine New Zealand
Hands on with Sony's external graphic card: it's superb - PC Gamer

Razer: Project Fiona

I might be a little late updating the blog, but YEAY!! Razer's Project Fiona is on!!! The specs are announced. Below is the link to the news by Razer CEO himself on Facebook.

Razer: Project Fiona

I have been looking for a new laptop for a while now. I want to get those Windows 8 Hybrid, specifically the convertibles. Or at least the tablet form with Intel Core i series and no the Atom series and with Windows 8 instead of Windows RT. I had been eyeing Project Fiona, but no update came until the news above. I was looking at Samsung Ativ Smart PC Pro, but it has no discrete graphic card which makes me hesitate due to the work I do. I looked into ASUS Transformer Book as well, but same as Project Fiona, no update on the device. Of course, there is Sony VAIO Duo 11 as well, but its stylus - in a preview video - was less responsive compared to the Smart PC Pro. Due to spec consideration, I moved my interest to Sony VAIO S series, because it is thin yet has powerful-enough graphic card, albeit not a tablet or other convertible form.  But Project Fiona now has it all: discrete graphic (at least for the spec sheet in the link above, and I voted for that as well ^.^) and tablet form. If you think it's a stupid device for the controller on the left and right, users have asked to make it detachable and yes, the link above stated Min-Liang has granted so. Here comes the wait~~~

Android Development

So, I started some Android Development Tutorial. You can find it here. Cheers :)

Android Development Tutorial

Phorce - Updated

I just added a widget on the sidebar on Phorce. *I have removed the widget* It's a Kickstarter project of a bag which can be carried in three ways and it has a battery which can charge most things charged through USB and also power Macbook Pro. Better watch the video yourself :D

PHORCE

 

This is not a paid content

Update:

The new Phorce could be used to charge most laptops and not just MacBook!! This also results in product delay, though.

Blog Design

Hi, I just changed the Blog design. The reason is that the Dynamic View (the cool tabs at the top and on the left side) is not a very good template for now. It loads slowly, and I could not display any widgets on the side. So I returned to more traditional view. Indeed, the design was cooler and simpler, but remember what Steve Jobs said, "Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works", and I found the traditional view works better overall.

Anyway, I still could not post any song cover because I still have no access to piano :( Now I am entering semester break and should post somethings soon (not sure about recording, probably some songs after I return home if I have time to record, One More Night and Missing Piece by David Choi (I put the video down below)) :)

If you have spare time, check out Wong Fu Productions on Youtube. They make love story videos. Yes, some are quite a generalization, but quite fun to watch :) Also, some of their comedies are funny. Beware! You will find a lot of Asians on their videos :)

Nokia Selling Its Headquarter

The news came to a shock to me.

There is no technology company in the world who has sold their HQ before they are out of business. So why would Nokia do it? The obvious reason would be they need cash.

Indeed the reason given was owning real estate was not their core business, but don't forget that every business needs an icon and a HQ is important. But that reason is acceptable. The problem is that the trouble ahead might be bigger. Firstly, as my mom always says, property prices would generally go up. They never go down unless under fluctuation or crisis. This is because in Economics (here we go again, school) scarcity drives price up, and as population and business grow, less space is available thus higher prices. This means Nokia would never be able to buy its HQ at the price they sold it. Secondly, the new owner of the HQ can really make big bucks. How? Just threaten Nokia that if they don't want to pay more, they need to get out. Unethical indeed, but that is the profit point of view. Would Nokia go out of their HQ? Most likely not, since every company must be proud of their HQ. Would they pay more? Most likely yes! What does that mean? They need to pay more whenever they need to renew the lease contract. This is true because as the property price goes up, the lease price would go up, too, because selling would be profitable thus if the lease price does not go up, it would be "unfair" to the property owner.

This is assuming the owner is really in the property business. Let's say the owner is a nice guy who just want to help Nokia. What if there are rival companies (you all should know) want to play the bad guys and offer a very high lease? If Nokia could not pay that much, they lose their HQ. If Nokia could pay that much, they just lose more money. Would Microsoft, Nokia's latest partner, help them pay? We would never know. So? I think the decision to sell the HQ is a desperate measure indeed which would only take place in times of danger, because it is quite irrational for the reasons above. Let's just hope Nokia stays in the game because they revolutionized mobile phone in the early mobile phone era, and we hope them to continue revolutionizing it.

Bruce Lee - Updated

*Update: The footage is fake, meaning it didn't really happened. They just added a Bruce Lee's footage into a ping pong game.

I just need to share this. It was said that the footage was used by Nokia as an ads, but I am not sure if it really happened.

 

Jolla Sailfish OS

Seems like another worthy competitor to the current mobile OS war.

Integration of Desktop and Mobile OS

Windows Chief to resign

Yes, the news is quite shocking. But there is a little part in there which says the OSes of desktop and mobile are converging. My point in previous posts exactly. That's why Android should take on the challenge as a desktop OS. Probably its adaptation to make desktop experience more engaging.

Apple's Patents Litigation

With HTC Patent Deal, Apple Is Going For Android’s Jugular

That was a very interesting article. Anyway, Apple seems to be continuing on suing, with particular focus on Google and Samsung. Google has been on the defense, as articles mentioned Eric Schmidt dislikes litigation as it deters innovation from continuing. Samsung, on the other hand, is on the offense, though it counterattacks Apple on another patents rather than on the patents Apple suing for. It's like you are arguing about A with your friend but he is arguing about B. Of course it would never end because you are talking about two different things in which both of you may be correct or either one wrong or possibly both wrong.

People sometimes need a taste of their own medicine. And yes, I believe Apple needs this, too. Notification bar is obviously not Apple's innovation, but there isn't a patent there in which some party should have patented it. If iOS 7 below really comes true, then isn't it obvious where the ideas come from? (Hint: Google).

Anyway, I believe Apple has lost its cutting edge in design as clearly the design of iPhone has not changed for years. Only slight change in iPhone 4 but the main idea is the same: rounded edges and the rest are straight. Yes, the best must be simple, but simple may not be the best. After a while, I am bored with iPhone's design. It may work with larger devices like iPad because I would care less about my tablet's design as it is functionality over design, but less so for phones as in the past, not-so-distant past, phone also serves as a fashion icon. "This phone looks cool". That's why I love my Galaxy SIII. the top and bottom part are not exactly round, but not straight either. Beautiful.

Currently, Apple news would most likely be litigation news, another device renamed/resized news, or copy pasting fails due to some manufacturing problems. There isn't any more hype to Apple news, except extraordinary sales from I-don't-know-who-wants-to-buy-the-same-thing-over-and-over-again.

And you know, I know a story, most probably a Chinese folklore (not sure if I use the correct term here) where an author copy another and the real author brings the matter to the King. I could not find the story on the Internet and I am not sure if everyone is familiar with the story. If I remember correctly, it is also in Ikkyu-San's book. Well, the story goes that both authors ultimately are put before the King. The King was then asked to judge who copies who. You know what the king did? There was a moment in Apple-Samsung fight in which the judge asks the Samsung lawyers to tell which one is iPad and which one is Samsung Galaxy Tab and the lawyers could not tell them apart at the distance the devices were shown to them. Well, close enough, but what the King did was asking both authors to continue the story. The real author is able to continue the story while the copycat obviously going dead soon. Anyway, probably to see where the copy litigation is going, we need to see who continues on the innovation. Apple stops innovating the phone design and the iOS' UI most of the time (except for the addition of notification bar which is not an innovation and the multitasking bar which is an innovation), while Google just adds additional quick settings in Android 4.2 and Samsung is back to business with rounded top and bottom phone.

An Important Game Element

I realise one thing that is important for a game. As long as it is not a colossal game like Age of Empire or Command&Conquer, it is better for the game to control a main character instead of clicking places. This can be seen between Harvest Moon and FarmVille. Probably it's just me, but anyway, I found playing Harvest Moon much more fun compared to FarmVille even when the objective is the same. Because I am controlling the farmer itself. Even if Harvest Moon has no finding spouse, no going to mine, no going to the mountains, just mending the farm, I still found enjoyment in controlling the character, although it means that going and farming around is much more tiring. But the first person experience I believe is rewarding.

Touchscreen Mobile Action Games

After using Android for a while and downloading lots of games, I found that the current mobile games line up could not satisfy me, though it is limited to action adventure mobile games (the likes of God of War, Devil May Cry, Wild Blood kind of gameplay). Indeed, the addition of touchscreen to mobile phones (thanks to Steve Job for marketing it well) has revolutionized the way we play games on mobile phone, and games become a lucrative business with simple set up and probably relatively lesser cost compared to other business. But the way we play action adventure games in mobile phones has not changed. Those touchscreen are merely used to emulate buttons. Due to lack of space, the touchscreen gestures often used to change view or camera setting (pinch to zoom and swipe to look left and right). PS Vita probably took a wrong turn here, because its main advantage has always been those top notch mobile action adventure games, and since the touchscreen features are less used in those kind of games (well, probably for puzzle is better, but not for the core game mechanic itself), adding touchscreen features drain the battery more than needed to play those games.

Solutions? I have no solution yet. Cheers :D

Focus of the OSes - Updated

Well, I just realised this. The different OSes in the market today have different focuses, but that is also why Chrome/Chromium OS would not strive, in which Android may be affected. Here is why.

Let us start with computer OSes. The big ones are Windows, Mac OS X, Ubuntu (Linux, but since Ubuntu is much more well known, so Ubuntu). Chrome/Chromium OS tries to get a place in there but it would be difficult. Why? Because its focus is mediocre, which is web explorer (at least from what I read because this is the only OS I have not tried among the aforementioned OSes). Windows has the focus of file exploring and document creation - amplified by Microsoft Office. This targets the white-collar workers. Mac OS X has the focus of media creation as amplified by GarageBand, iMovie and the likes. This targets the artists or artists wannabe (who are the youth and probably the reason Macbook is popular among the young ones besides simple design of the laptop). Ubuntu has the focus of command executor. This targets the real hard coder. So, where does Chrome/Chromium OS stands? Its focus is web explorer in which the other three OSes have as well. If you can have more than just web explorer, why don't you have so? Indeed, the focus is fast and fluid OS, but Mac OS X is fast and fluid from my experience (though I am not a Mac person myself, but I have to admit it is neat for users who don't meddle with experimenting in software). Well, there is more.

Now, let us look at the current or recent or soon-to-be mobile OSes. We have iOS, Android, WP8, Blackberry, Meego/Tizen/Joola, Boot2Gecko and Symbian. Again, their focuses vary. iOS focuses on being a media player. WP8 has extra functionality for document creation and being on the update through Live Tiles. Blackberry focuses on enterprises. Meego and its friends focus on simple phone functionality. Boot2Gecko is not out yet (:p). Symbian was on full customisation of themes and for those toying with software, a file explorer (the best at its prime time). Android. Android tries to be a media player as well. However, Google does not earn any money from the media. Android focus is to be a platform for the ads, thus its focus is making it attractive to buyers so that more ads revenue can be earned. (Note: I am an Android user myself now and loving it :)).

The problem here lies not in Android being a driver for ads revenue. You see, Mac OS X is a media creator (even for games, it has Unity who backs it up). Windows and WP8 connection is obviously document editor/creator. The rest except Android has no brother in the computer OS market. Chrome OS and Android? Their link is just ads driver, one driving on web and the other on apps. This thin line needs to be changed. This way, not only Chrome OS thrives, Android may as well get more fans. How?

That is the question to be answered by Larry Page. I cannot think of any solution. One solution that is not really gonna work is that Chrome OS should focus on web creation, since Android can be made to be an available port for web apps. But yeah, it may not work since the prime time of web is over. Now everyone is insane about apps. And as I suggested earlier, Android may worth to be a universal OS. One thing about Google is that it focuses so much on web/cloud solution (as evident of online document editor in Google Drive and online ads by Google AdWords, and Google itself as a search engine). Android, though looks like a big thing for Google, actually is out of the company's focus on cloud solution. Thus, either change the company's focus or change Android focus from being just another smartphone to a phone whose content is shared across devices on cloud system, whether it is game and its save data, apps, documents and so on.

*Update*
Note: I forgot what I wanted to write so I lost some train of thoughts last night and it was after training, but anyway, here we goes.
The weak link between Android and Chrome OS is actually not a big problem. The problem lies in the fact that commonly computer OS and its respective mobile OS complement each other. For example, media created in Mac OS X (Unity for game, iMovie and GarageBand) is used in iOS, or even compatible in iOS to be edited. Documents made in Windows can be edited in WP8 so that you can have your document on the go in case of emergency, as in the video I embedded below (starts at 0:32). Android and Chrome OS? They don't make use of each other. That's what needed to be fixed.

History repeats itself

You know, now that I am using Android, I remember the old days, 6 - 7 years back when the dominating OS was Symbian. Why? I found a lot of similarity between Symbian and Android; many apps and games and easily pirated, file manager, freedom to customise (although now at a different level in Android), sometimes awkward UI, blah blah blah. But more than that. What was Symbian's main rival? Sony Ericsson's OS which is simple, having dumbproof UI and not so customisable yet many games as well. What is Android's main rival now? iOS; simple, dumbproof UI, not so customisable and yet many games.

Is history repeating itself? Probably. Will there be a game changer soon, much like iOS on Symbian and Sony Ericsson's OS? We have Windows Phone 8 and Blackberry OS 10 coming, not to mention Boot 2 Gecko by Mozilla and Tizen OS, and the newly formed Jolla OS, a continuation of Meego OS. Any of them beating the top two? Maybe, maybe not. Let us see if life really just repeats itself.

It's Google's turn to move

Yes. The Apple iPad Mini announcement yesterday was indeed Apple's answer to Android smaller tablets such as Galaxy Tab 7.0 and Kindle Fire. Now, Google needs to venture even more, because after Windows 8 announcement, things might get a little more competitive.

Apple products are overly priced, but Apple has its own fan base, thus price is not a problem for Apple. This is a different case for Android. Current casual Windows laptops are now priced around Android tablets (around S$1000). Right now Android tablets have better sales because of the apps. However, with the launch of Windows RT, the whole thing might shift entirely as the apps (and games, and touch controlled apps) in Windows might be growing with upcoming Windows tablet. Now, it is true that for the Windows apps to grow, it will take time. However, the demographic now is really not in favour of Google.

As I mentioned earlier, the price of Android tablet often matches price of Windows laptops now (and of course, non OS laptops which may be filled with Linux such as Ubuntu). But, Windows will soon the mobile market as well with Windows RT for tablet and Windows Mobile Phone. Apple already has its own Mac OS X and iOS. Google has Android, and yes, PC OS of Chromium OS. But, its Chromium OS is not on par with its rival, namely Windows 8, OS Lion and Ubuntu in terms of functionality of content creation and games. Android, for the game functionality, is closer to the three PC OS. That is why I wrote that Android should be developed as a mobile PC OS (since Chromium OS is not used in PC anyway, only laptops). Google has made 3D modelling software before, the 3D SketchUp (though now no longer owned by Google). It could either develop its own content creation software or hold hands with Adobe, Autodesk, Unity and the likes, or independent developers.

To extend this motion even more, Samsung with its creativity makes Android much more powerful in Galaxy Note 10.1. Yes. This is what Google may do. Make a tablet laptop hybrid (like upcoming Windows RT devices) that has a stylus. Why? Because this functionality can't be found easily in Windows devices (don't talk about Macbook here). It could dominate the mobile world with equal-to-Windows OS with extra functionality and portability (I believe Android tablets are thin and easier to carry rather than laptops. Not sure about the coming Windows tablets, though). Well, I am just a commoner, so probably Android will still be smartphone and tablet OS. But yeah, universal OS for smartphone, tablet and laptop (with each having optimized UI for itself and different capability like some apps are restricted for laptop only)  added with unified data across them or lightning fast data transfer might be in the near future. Now, sit back and watch as Samsung probably sues back Apple for copying Galaxy Tab design. Or Apple starts suing Samsung for "copying" iPad Mini design.

Trigger Button on Phone

Yes, I have written about capacitive side on mobile phone to enable more trigger buttons in playing games on smartphone. I came up with new idea, although the feasibility here is less.

Camera can be used as a trigger button. That is, when the user cover the camera with a finger such that the sensor only reads black screen, that means the button is pressed. Indeed, this does not add any more requirement to current phone. However, there are 2 possible damages here.

One is obviously the battery will drain faster as the camera sensor needs to be active at all time during the game. Another is that since the camera sensor needs to be active at all time during the game, it will heat up and the sensor might be damaged.

Well, it is an idea, so I just share it. Maybe it could be made feasible by activating the camera sensor only when the trigger button is needed (for example, when the action gauge is full).

JavaScript

I am picking up JavaScript because apparently Unity Game Engine preferred language is JavaScript. Haha. It's an interesting language, but let;s see if I can pick it up fast.

Zero (Megaman X)

I am a fan of Megaman X. Zero is, of course, the coolest of them all. I had this model all along, but I forgot to upload it. It is half done because I tried to add in my own flavor to the model but then I could not figure out how to do the lower body part. And then now I don't really have time to continue on the model.

Android as a computer OS

Google made Chrome OS (now named Chromium OS) a while ago as a light OS for web browsing. But for a light computer, it needs at least some games. So, why don't they make Android as a computer OS as well?

I believe Android has the capacity to be so. There are a lot of apps in Google Play, many games that can be played even on such a tablet. Just add a wireless keyboard and a wireless mouse, then develop some kind of Counter Strike that can be played online and Voila, its tablet may even sell better than Windows 8 slates.

Indeed, Android may have a lack of development environments within it, but that's the point. Add that in, with some 3D modelling apps, sound making apps, and there you go. Even better, probably Google can make a reverse: Windows application Development Environment in Android.

Of course, these are my wishes, as the era of tablet is coming. And you know, action game in Android is better than games running on Windows slate or low-end laptop as the latter's graphic cards may not support such action games. I guess we are left with waiting till that time comes.

Google Rampage

Google Overtakes Microsoft's Market Capitalisation

Apparently, Google is overtaking Microsoft in terms of stock market value as in the article on the link above. I wanted to work for Google, especially after that talk I attended about the company culture. :D

Android and Google

I am switching side to Android. Although I don't really like it's software architecture (it easily lags so I assume the inside is quite convoluted), it is the most customisable mobile OS around now. And with the Galaxy Note software, I believe it has the capability to surpass all mobile OS as the smartest OS. Lumia 920 has the hardware, the super sensitive touchscreen, but WP8 (if it is like what is described around the net) fails to utilise it to the maximum. Even Windows Mobile 6 supports this touchscreen better (I remember my Samsung Omnia 2, hahaha).

Well, anyway, I have a piece of note to Google, especially the Android department. I just want to say, take a move, quickly. Patent a UI asap, at least the main UI not the customised UI like HTC Sense or TouchWiz UI. Why?

Apparently, it is quite undeniable that Android UI currently borrows a bit too much from iOS UI. The thing is not that it is bad. However, if all the players in the market now patent their UI, Google is losing its choices. Apple has taken the lead with sliding pages to the left and to the right. Microsoft taking the panning up and down in WP8. And apparently, Microsoft is taking ANOTHER UI of panning left and right through Windows 8 (the start screen). Sliding pages up and down is not that beautiful (since panning is taken by WP8). Now that RIM is coming up with BB 10, if it does take another kind of UI, Google loses another choice. My take? Come up with a new UI that is very simple. Hahaha. I can't think of anything else. I have one in mind, but not so easy to use.

Stress

Yeah, sorry about my ranting on and on and on, but I find a lot of junk around me going on. I was not in my full capabilities to write, so yeah, of course the matter won't be focused, especially that it involves my opinion. My two writings before this were not objective, but very subjective. Well, you can agree, you may not agree. Whatever. I just want to voice my inner grudge about those bullsh*t.

Oh, and sorry for my inactivity in updating Billy and Bully and the other models. I am a freshman now and I have quite a lot to do. Will try to update whenever I got something new.

Cheers :DD

Checking-Phone Disorder and the Isolation

In Singapore, many people refer to their smartphone when they have nothing to do, bored, in an awkward moment, and so on. Yes, even just checking the phone: unlock, look at home screen, nothing new, lock. I am sure many do not check their kids that way: I am not doing anything, is my kid okay, he is good, check again later. I can't say I am not one of them, especially that I don't have a watch, I keep referring to my phone to know the time. I also refer to my phone 'in case' I miss a notification. Which, yeah, even when I am with my peers, I refer to my phone too often. In case nothing new, I open Twitter. What the hell. I am trying to stop now, but it is hard.

Why is it the trend going this way, at least in Singapore? Well, I don't want to get sued, but I am pretty sure the trend started since iPhone. What did iPhone changes? Not only the new app list, the App Store, the simplicity, blah blah blah. Before iPhone, the smartphone world was dominated by Symbian. So let's check what has changed since then. Firstly, no more file sharing (meh). Yes. Last time I interacted with my friends on their phone. "Wow, new photos of BoA. Send it to me!!! My bluetooth is on!!! Before class starts, quickly!!". Have you ever done that with iPhone? No... iPhone uses data plan. No need for such stone age shit like bluetooth. Just search on Safari, because you ain't got any file sharing system.

Yeah, damn right. Look from the Internet by yourself. Last time I remembered playing games together (Explode Arena, anyone?) on the phones. Yes, we had troubles connecting, especially the lag on the latter part of the games. But isn't that part of the fun? Now, you play through High Score Board. Even when you are next to each other. Some games do encourage interaction in multiplayer, like Fruit Ninja, Gravity Guy, Blokus, and so on. But what about the others, like Tiny Tower, Monster Life, and so on?

Fine, let us be back to the present when things are changing. We have rising popularity on NFC adoption to share files physically instead of just-Google-it-and-you-will-find-it (well, mostly the sharing by NFC is boasted by Samsung Galaxy S III ads). But yeah, at least there are supporters of NFC around now, with Nokia and HTC joining the ranks. Apple? Well, they still want the Internet way and cloud way, so yeah, no need for the least of physical interaction like NFC.

Some of you may disagree that what I write is not true for all. Well, I am a geek, so I keep going back to technology even when I at the same time interact with others face-to-face. It is now no longer a separate entity from you. What I am talking here is that the current wave of technology attached to us isolate us from each other, unlike before when even to connect through technology, we need the actual interaction.

App Store that is full of junk

Recently, I attended a workshop preview on making mobile apps for iOS and Android. Well, from there, I found out the reason there are a lot of junk in the App Store (and probably Google Play since I don't have an Android device yet). The workshop trains people to use the ready-to-make developing software, resulting in many similar application or application with little effort put in it beside the content. Of course, content is one of the most important part of any apps, but that never means that the apps should be made only to cover the core of the content. The content itself is not required to be revolutionary. Just taking what is already available in other media, put into apps.

Yes, that was the message of the day. You want fast cash? Get something on books or physical games that is interesting or was used often, make it into an app using the ready-to-make developing software, put into App Store, done. No need to put so much effort on the assets or the other aspects of the apps.The cash may not be much, but yes, that was also the message of the day.

New Smartphone Concept: Capacitive Side Panel

I have written this post on 8th July 2012, but as on the terms in Invent with Nokia of 4 months period before sharing the idea, I scheduled this post to be published on 16th September (I submitted my idea on 16th May).

I had an idea about smartphone for gaming. What smartphones lacked are (or were, whichever more valid at the time of reading) trigger buttons. You can have many buttons on the screen or the device, like Xperia Play, but you need to have the trigger button as well (in Xperia Play as well). My idea was not accepted by Nokia but I will share it anyway.

My idea was to make a phone which side buttons are made of capacitive panel, as the likes of windows button in most Windows Phone 7.5. The volume buttons, the camera shutter button, and an extra convenience button if you like. The power button would still be hardware button because if the phone freeze and unibody design or whatever design disables taking out battery, you could still try the power button.

Unlocking could be done in N9 way, double tapping the screen. Of course, if you want extra security, a single tap followed with a pattern would be good, such as with letters. If the device fails to read, then a lock password would be asked as an added security measure or if you have problems unlocking with gesture at times.

Focusing camera is done with holding the shutter panel. When you want to shoot, press the screen. So, the position of your right hand fingers would be index on shutter panel and thumb on screen.

Volume could be adjusted with pressing the panels or possibly by swiping the panel up or down.

For gaming, the shutter panel and the volume panel can be switched into L and R button. Of course, if the device side is completely made of capacitive panel, you could just divide the panel into two so pressing it could be near the edge for convenience sake. Even better, the volume panel and shutter panel positions are made adjustable with such full capacitive side.

Why did I share it with Nokia?

Firstly enough, I am (or was, if I decide to change side) a fan of Windows Phone OS. With Nokia having most handsets of WP around me, I picked it up. Also, knowing Nokia had an agreement with Microsoft, the idea could be implemented easily. This would garner gamers to WP and Nokia could earn more money (not sure if it can save itself) if it owns the patent and Microsoft decides to put it into all WP devices (thus, HTC, Samsung and so on need to pay Nokia).

Secondly, I was formerly a Nokia fan when Symbian was dominating the world and Explode Arena being the popular game among my friend.

Anyway, that is my idea. I know the implementation would not be easy since adding capacitive panels on the side could add a bulk into the device. If you have bendable touchscreen (which was being tried by many OEMs), you could have a phone with its screen going to the side, bent, becoming the capacitive panel as well. I am not sure if it is a possibility but it is another crazy idea.

Synaptics Tech behind Lumia 920 and 820

For those who are curious like me how could the touchscreen arena of resistive and capacitive becomes something shown in Lumia 920 and 820 (Super Sensitive Touch as they call it) which can detect both skin and other materials, here are the links about it:

Synaptics

GSMArena Blog

#switchtolumia

I believe tomorrow's tech news will be full of Nokia's new Lumias. Some key points:

- Lumia 920 has a great camera technology for photography and videography

- Wireless charging

- Lumia 920 has two modes, capacitive and non-capacitive screen modes, meaning you could use it even if you put gloves on

- Lumia 920 has a gamma correcting screen meaning better sunlight eligibility

- Faster screen refreshment rate meaning better view and more responsive to touch

- Can remove people from pictures (such as photobombers... Well, not that extreme but yeah, strangers)

- Curved glass on Lumia 920

- Lumia 820 can change shell for those fashionista

- NFC

- MicroSD slot

Best question asked in Q&A session: ‎"What does Nokia think of Samsung stealing Nokia's Thunder at IFA by announcing Windows Phone 8 devices? Nokia replies: anyone can go on stage and present a device, but Nokia is presenting the first fully-functioning WP8 device today (crowd laughs)" - from: live.ubergizmo.com

Integer division in C

I had my first computing module class yesterday, and it was quite fun. Just some pseudo-codes, so I can't say it is really fun :p

Anyway, I just knew that in C, when an integer is divided by an integer, the result is an integer and the decimals are omitted.

For example, 375/100 would be 3.75, but in C if both are integer the result would be 3. How is this useful?

The given question was to count the least amount of coins needed to make up an amount of money. Let's say $3.75, if we have 1 dollar, 50 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, 5 cents and 1 cents, then we would need minimum 6 coins to make it up (3x $1, 1x 50c, 1x 20c, 1x 5c).

The algorithm would be to count with the biggest coin value first. Then, how to get the remaining value? First, convert the money into cents (in this case 375). Divide by 100, you would get the result 3, meaning 3 coins of $1 are needed. The decimals are thrown away. To get the remaining value, use the mod function, 375%100 = 75. Yay!

Billy the Turtle, coloured

Part of Billy!

Don't Cry - Akeboshi Piano Cover

Don't Cry from Akeboshi, Naruto's theme song!! :D

Endless Love - Jackie Chan

Enjoy :) Jackie Chan's Song of the Myth, Endless Love.

Kiss, the Endless Love

Another piano mash up. This time Yiruma's Kiss The Rain and Endless Love Korean Drama Theme Song.

Akankah Dia Dia Dia

I mix the two songs of Akankah Dia by Sidepony and Dia Dia Dia by Afgan :) Played on piano. "Like" it if you like it :)

Crush Piano Cover

Enjoy :)

Bandung!

I took some pictures when I went to Bandung :)

Payphone Piano Cover

As I promised:

Don't Cry - Park Bom (Piano Version)

Sorry, I recorded the song quite in a rush, because I was moving to Singapore and my friend requested the song very badly. Anyway, got some background noises because I did not record it in a studio or specialised room. Forgive the bits of slips if you notice :) Thank you!

Payphone coming up soon. Just need to find time to upload, which currently is quite difficult :( Be patient! :D You can request song, but I am not sure when I can do it because I am starting university soon.

Living without a Burden

Here is something I found recently.

Think of a burden or pressure that you have been having for a while. Be it your parent's expectation, your expectation, your boss expectation, your fate (such as something you have been telling yourself, "It is my fate to be like this"), anything. Now, concentrate on that burden. Done? Then say this to yourself:

"I don't need to be burdened to live."

Did you smile to yourself? Well, I did. When I said that to myself, I felt very free, as if I own the world, nothing could stop me. When I am deeply worried, I said that. If you have been reading books with New Age theme, this is somewhat an affirmation. It is also explained in the book Creative Visualization.

Here is my own view about the matter. You decide if it is true to yourself:

Your mind has been chained with burden knowingly or unknowingly. I have not entered the working world, so I don't understand enough about it, and I agree that what I am telling you may not work in the real working world. However, you often know that you could do something yet be burdened by it. Why? There was a saying (found in 9GAG :p), "If you can solve your problem, then what is the need of worrying? If you cannot solve it, then what is the use of worrying? - Shantideva." It is debatable. We worry about the future because it is uncertain even when we can solve our problem, unlike 1 + 1 = 2. But then, the stress will build up until your body and mind could not take it. At that point, stop and say to yourself, "I don't have to do this as a burden".

By saying it, I do not mean you should leave your work unattended, or you will get fired (obviously). You will work hard, but never take it as a burden because a burden is tiring but a work does not have to be tiring.

Cheers :)

'Did Nokia make a mistake by going with Windows Phone?'

For the Nokia fans and Windows Phone Fans, here is an interesting view of Nokia's move in adopting WP instead of Android.

Did Nokia make a mistake by going with Windows Phone?

Batman!!!

For the Physics geek, here you go!

Batman would die after using his cape

A very interesting fact indeed, and I just wonder who would do something like that, spoiling the coolness of memory cloth. Ckck. Even worse, released before the Dark Knight Rises. Worst, its a work of final-year masters students. I wonder if they do that in the Physics Department, like calculating the possibility of Batman's cape, Ironman's suit, etc. If that is true, I should take Physics course instead of Computer Science course.

Not Changing My Phone :(

Unfortunately, though I have found a seller of HTC Radar, I decided not to buy a Windows Phone. Reason being that many news about WP8 devices came up on websites such as Ubergizmo (or here, and its sister website Uberphones), wpcentral and WMPoweruser. I am afraid it is a sign that WP8 devices will launch in a month or two. Of course, I took the news with a pinch of salt as those rumors may just be nothing close to truth. But always better to keep using your old phone if it still works rather than waste money right before the right time. :)

Bully the Rabid Rabbit!

Meet Bully the Rabid Rabbit! You can call him Billy's "friend". I am still thinking how to make the hands and the feet. No colour and no skeleton yet. :)

Touchscreen which can transform into Physical Keys

The post about Spike may seem interesting, but before that, there was a news that gives even a better solution to difficulty in typing with touchscreen. You could look it up here for the news in Ubergizmo. Click here for the page with comprehensive outlook, including the complete advantage(s) and disadvantage(s). The video is here (embedding was disabled).

The touchscreen could transform itself to protrude out each key when you are typing, and go back to flat when you are done. Check it out, no harm doing so :)

Illness and Forgiveness

A teacher of mine told me that whenever you are praying for healing when you are sick, you always begin with asking for forgiveness of yourself. Some people may frown upon that idea. The reason is the idea that sin causes illness is from stone age and has been thrown away as time flies. I remember I was taught that in the Bible, the sick were associated with being sinful, which might be the stem of such view. Why, then, my teacher told me to ask for forgiveness?

It actually connects quite well with New Age ideas. Sickness is associated with stress inside your body and/or mind, not sin. Illness is an indicator that you need to take a rest and so on. People can look carefree on the outside while stressful deep within to the point where they may not even be conscious of that stress, examples being me, my sister and my dad. Still, why do you need to ask for forgiveness? I think it roots from the idea of guilt. Many people feel guilty for what they have done wrong, intentionally or accidentally. And therefore, they believe in their innermost heart that they are not worthy of health (although they carry themselves confidently and carefree).

Indeed, being guilty free itself is not a very good idea, because that is the reason there are psychopaths, serial murderers who enjoy their doings yet feel no guilt at all. But that does not mean that we keep that guilt forever. Ask for forgiveness, then believe in yourself that you are going to change, not to do the same mistakes again. Then, ask for healing, for health. Never, ever, ever ask how are you going to be healthy (Although this does not mean you can just pray and not consulting a doctor, because that would be very stupid. Praying would complement all that you do to regain your health, enhancing your treatment and medicine as if you play game using an item to increase damage to 200%). Don't forget, say thank you to everyone who help you in your healing, the one who drive you to the doctor, who help you to walk, who buy for you your medicine, who pray for your healing. Cheers :)

Billy the Tumbling Turtle!

Introducing Billy the Tumbling Turtle!

I haven't coloured it and add skeleton to it. I have plans for it, but let's see when I can make it true :) For now, enjoy the turtle :)

Prayer before Meals

Sometime ago, when I was browsing 9GAG, I found someone who expressed uneasiness with people thanking God for the food served in front of them while not thanking the people who make the food available to you, such as the farmers, the drivers of food distributor, the cooks and so on. Well, I cannot disagree with the guy. Thanking God only should not be enough. The people serving the food in any ways would be instruments of God which we need to thank as well. Even better, if you believe in sanctity of lives from animals and plants, you should thank them as well for the lives they give for you to survive.

Thus, I make my prayer before meals something like this:
"Thank you, God (if you believe in God in any form or of any religion) for giving me this food. Thank you for all the portions of lives in it, the lives of animals and plants, the people who serve the food for me and all the people involved such that the food is served in front of me. Bless each lives in it and I pray for their dreams to come true, in this world or the next."

Well, I made such prayer because I believe in the next world, whatever you call it: heaven, reincarnation, etc. I also believe that it does not matter whether it is a life of human, animal or plant. Indeed, respecting them should not be done equally such that you treat human and animal the same (although some humans are savage beyond beasts). Some people respect animals more than plants, but I try to respect them equally (sometimes I use this as a reason why I do not like vegetables :p I don't like it, not because of the life value, but yuck, veggies). Anyway, that is my version of prayer. Of course, a prayer is almost always personal. Even when they share the same meaning, they could be said differently. This prayer of mine is far from perfect, but it includes respecting everything about the food.

For those of you who does not believe in deities or God, just say it in your heart that you hope the people who serve you the food get what they deserve. And if you have different beliefs from me, I will not force this prayer to you. Just make sure you are grateful for the food :)

Actually, this prayer was also included in the "Creative Visualization" book I told you on a post last time. Same meaning. I came up with it before I read that part of the book, but, oh well.

Why Blackberry Flourishes in Indonesia

You would find that Blackberry handsets are not so popular around the world, but is very popular in Indonesia. Why? Compared to other OSes, (current) Blackberry OS is clearly less dynamic than other OSes. One reason for its popularity is Blackberry Messenger (BBM). When all your friends (even better, colleagues and your boss) are on BBM, you would not want to miss anything. Especially in a company which employees are on BBM, you need to have one. If not, get outta here.

But then, people argue there are other messengers like Y!M, Google Chat, MSN, and the latest would be WhatsApp which popularity is rising, at least around my circle of friends. What is so interesting about BB? The reason being is the carriers. Internet connection on mobile phones were, let's say, widely unavailable and unreliable in Indonesia until BB came in. Since BB uses special APN (Access Point Name, kind of the type of connection you use on your phone) to enable its services, and the price for BB plans are comparably cheaper than GPRS and 3G (which at that time was fairly new and expensive), it became popular.

The situation may change soon. Waiting for RIM to release BB OS 10 combined with better availability of mobile internet connection from the telcos and cheap local-made Android phone, added with the new iPhone craze and its plans (even when it is clearly much more expensive compared to in other countries), you never now when the trend for BB changes. The problem becomes even bigger when you realized that for quite some time, the government and RIM has been playing Tom and Jerry. First, demand for a server in Indonesia, done. Next, factory in Indonesia, failed (and instead, the new factory is in Malaysia). Well, demographics show that BB user is almost all about Indonesians. If something happens such that Indonesians decide to leave BB and BB OS 10 is too late to help, RIM may need to find another savior.

This is my own view, may be right or wrong. Let's hope everyone gets the best.

Windows Phone - Updated

While on the matter, I actually want to change phone to a Windows Phone, budget one. I want Samsung Focus 2, but it is not sold in Indonesia and Singapore, or anywhere near on that matter :( I have no objections against Nokia, but its handsets compel me. Lumia 800 (or worse, 900) is too expensive for a trial Windows Phone. Lumia 710 is perfect match for hardware and price, except for the hardware Windows buttons which I despised completely. Lumia 610 is a no go because the 256 MB RAM ruins the whole thing about background processing *thus live tiles and so on. I need WhatsApp, which according to forums I read need the background thingy.*

Initially, I refuse adamantly to own a HTC. Not that it is a bad brand, it is a good brand. But progressively, its models have basically same design concept. Of course, it could be a branding system, like iPhone which only has one model. For the price and RAM, I think I need to give in to HTC Radar. Its online prices are in between Lumia 710 and 610, its RAM is 512 MB thus background processing is available and it has capacitive buttons. The problem is, its sale is hard to be found. It has been taken down in online stores. Too bad. Hopefully I can find it :)

*Update:
Lumia 610 indeed lacks RAM, which disables it of App backgrounding. However, according to GSMArena review, the Live Tiles and Push notification (which is need for WhatsApp) still work. Only memory-intensive apps do not work, like Skype, and when you open heavy apps, it has some lags (given examples in the link are Nokia Drive and Maps). Sorry for the misleading facts.

Smartphone Touchscreen Keyboard Case

I have always been a fan of smartphone with QWERTY keyboard. Well, not so much of the Blackberry type. I always want to try the type of HTC Desire Z or Motorola Droid, although I have never had one and currently using Blackberry Curve 9300. The reason being is touchscreen QWERTY is not very accurate and you could not type without looking at the screen unless you have been really using your phone for some time. 

I like Windows Phone OS keyboard because it is accurate compared to other OS's keyboard as of my own experience. You could read about the technology here. One of my friends told me iPhone keyboard is nice and accurate. I don't know, but I don't think it is accurate enough. That's when I start thinking why not we make a QWERTY keyboard for touchscreen smartphone that does not require power? I do not mean something like a bluetooth keyboard case such as this. I was thinking this idea: if we can use a capacitive pen input to replace finger, why don't we make QWERTY keys that use the same concept on the phone to match the touchscreen QWERTY?

Well, just on time, I read this project (named Spike) in Kickstarter. Yes. I value very much this idea. I know last time there was someone who made a QWERTY pouch for iPhone (named iTwinge) but I do not think many would want to make their gorgeous iPhone looks like that. Spike would be better, but I do have another idea which touches more of a complete case rather than just for QWERTY.

Apologies for the bad drawing. The basic idea of QWERTY case I came up with is that of the iPhone leather case which cover you can open, modeled like this Capdase. I want the front cover to be flipped open upwards when we want to use the touchscreen only. What is different? The front cover of the case would be comprised of a glass (the yellow portion in the picture) and of a QWERTY (the red part of the picture). The QWERTY is made like Spike, manual and does not need another power source. This way, you could type and see what you are typing, and as a phone case the screen is fully covered.

If possible, I would like the keyboard to look elegant as well, because this idea is dissimilar to Spike in which QWERTY in spike could be hid when not being used. Also, I prefer the case to be universally available, meaning not only for iPhone but also for top notch models of other brands. The problem lies in the marketing as not all gadget accessories sell as good as iPhone accessories :( 

Blender First Time User Tutorials

For those of you who never try 3D modelling software or want to know how to use blender, here is the link to the tutorials.

Blender Basic Tutorials

Sorry. Just realise this after my friend asked me about it. :)

Creative Visualization

Hi! I am reading this book titled "Creative Visualization" by Shakti Gawain. It is a good book. It opens up your mind, especially for those of you who are having hard times in life. The point of the book is as always, if you can dream it, you can achieve it. If you have read "The Secret" by Rhonda Byrne, they share the same ideology, although I must say this book is more flexible as it offers other ways to achieve those dream.

Last year before my exam, unknowingly I applied one of the methods she wrote in the book, and it was amazing, as in I did study diligently, but not too hard. Studying was not exhaustive, yet productive. My result was, well, surprising. The best I have achieved yet.

You could find her web site here.

This recommendation is not paid by any party mentioned above.

Microsoft Surface!!!

Hey, people! Checkout the new Microsoft Surface! Nice!!!

Microsoft Surface

Blender Starting Point

Click Here for techniques that can be used very much in modelling in Blender. You see the methods are used in videos, but if you don't know what it is, there you go.

Skeleton

I made a skeleton, uncoloured.

Treasure Chest Coloured

I coloured the treasure chest! I still need to figure out how to give realistic rough texture though. What I did was colouring the texture rough using Photoshop filter. The result is that the light does not scatter like real rough material. :'(

Character - Coloured

I have coloured the character! Here it goes!

It was difficult in figuring out how to colour using UV mapping. To all those who just picked up Blender, this is what you need to do. Change the UI from Default to UV editing (If you are using Blender 2.63, it is at the top bar with Default as the current setting). Then, click your model, enter edit mode (press Tab) and select all (press A twice). On the left of the model window, click unwrap on UV Mapping tab. The UV mapping will be on the left. Figured it out for so long. You can look at this tutorial video if you need to see the tabs and so on. His videos are inspiring :)

UV mapping works like sewing a cloth. you need to find where the stitches are. You make the stitches by choosing edges from your model, then click mark seam on the left of the model window under UV Mapping tab as well. Do it until you think the character if cut on those seams will be easy enough to be coloured. You can do it in default UI. Again, enter UV editing UI, then enter edit mode, select all, then click unwrap again to update your UV maps. You can colour it there, but I am not sure how. I export the UV layout (in UV menu below the map) as .png, then colour it using picture editing software. After I am done, go back into blender, and open image on the UV map. Done.

To make the map applied, go to your model window in default UI. On the right, there are many things. Find Material tab next to Object modifier and so on (if you can see it, probably the side window is too small. Either drag the side to make it bigger or hold the scroll wheel while the cursor is on the Object modifier tabs then drag to the left). Find the options below, enable face texture (click on the option box). If you render your model, the map (actually it is called texture) is applied to the model. If you want to see it without rendering, next to edit mode/object mode words below the model window, there is a white sphere. Click it, change it from solid to Texture. It is the Viewport shading. It may cause lags, so be careful if your computer is not very fast.

The terms I used are that of an amateur and may not be the real term used in the pro world.

Character

I made this character for fun. I still need to learn how to give colour to the model and how to give movement to it.

And the Treasure Chest.

Blender

Hey, people! I am picking up Blender for 3D modelling! It can be used to render SketchUp model, too! What's more, it's free!

Here is the download page:       http://www.blender.org/download/get-blender/

If you want to import a Google SketchUp model to Blender using free Google SketchUp, there are two ways. If you are using old SketchUp (I don't know which version, but for certain older than version 8.0), click file, export, then you will be exporting into .kmz file. It is actually a .zip file, so just rename the .kmz into .zip. Then, open the zip file and go into the model folder, find a file that ends with .dae. It is a Collada format (I don't know what it is). This way of exporting can be found here.

For the newer version of free Google SketchUp, you can export as .dae directly by choosing the .dae at the export type option on the export window.

To import the model to Blender, open the Blender software, click File -> Import -> Collada. Boom! It's there :) I got trouble on my trial importing. The 'origin' of the object is not at the center of the object, which caused trouble in moving, scaling and rotating. You can google about it if you find trouble, too.

By the way, Google has sold SketchUp to another company in a recent news. So, look out for it!

Moral Questioning

John came to a convention building with his family. Suddenly, it was announced that the building will be detonated in 5 minutes by a group of terrorists. At that moment of panic, he was separated from his family. He came out of the building, by chance meeting the vice leader of the convention that was going on about solving world starvation.

She asked him if he wanted to ride her car leaving the chaos. As John and the vice leader already entered the car, a lady opened the car door by surprise, asking if she could ride the car as well. Just as she finished her sentence, she was shot to death on the head, making John realised that the real target of assassination was the vice leader. John threw himself out of the car and run as fast as possible away from the car.

If you were John, Would you leave the lady driving the car alone like John or stay in although you will be in danger of being shot?


The story was from my dream. Names and places have no connection to real world occurences.

Monkey and Banana

New Items. A simple banana and a monkey.

Bowl Bow

The story behind this model is this: Due to the Avengers craze, me and my friends made a parodical group of it. If you know Indonesian street language, you would understand why I modeled and named the bow as such. This friend of mine is impersonating Tokeye. The character is fictional, no reference to any real person or event and no offense intended.