The virus has infected every file except FORMAT.COM, and that’s the only program left. Even the diagnostics program is busted. You don’t have any floppies, and there’s no point in salvaging anything.
The spindle turns a full circle. You format, and reboot. The virus is gone, but so is FORMAT.COM. If you get infected again, you will never be cleaned again.
Uh, I’m being revolutionarily cryptic.
I feel secure. I’m not broke any more!
I hopped by college after the shortest fever ever (2 days on an overdose of 2 pills 4 times one fine day) only to find a lone collegemate and a holiday. Freedom! I headed down to the ATM for my bundle of joy. The numbers would make my fingers rub my eyes again and again.
The day was still young, and I decided to head to Bintang Walk again. Window shopping and all would not feel so painful. Taxi! Taxis would be cheaper than taking the monorail and LRT there. Really. I’d have walked otherwise.
I walked into Bentley. Shaun wasn’t there so I didn’t get to watch him do his speedy licks under the pretense of showing off how good a guitar was to a potential customer. Neither was the yummy lickable butterscotch Ibanez Gio I wanted to get. Then again, I hadn’t the full amount to get it just yet. 🙁
A quick ring to Shaz my conveniently-so lepak buddy revealed that he was heading towards my area. He was there to meet his cousins at Ezone for some cybercafe action. It had been a while for me too, so I figured, why not?
We bummed around in the cybercafe lounge for about half an hour, catching up on the grandfather story and half. He got a call from his cousin, who so conveniently was in Ezone… in Midvalley Megamall. Saved money that was!
I used the Starbucks voucher, and we had that jelly frappucino drink. Or was it jelly with icing on top? It got pretty irritating trying to not finish with just jelly. Thankfully this time they gave the correct straw, with the spoon end like on 7 Eleven Slurpees.
There wasn’t much crowd to watch, and the Berjaya Times Square Starbucks wasn’t packed with lookers. Alas! Isis, if you read this, the legend is not true!
My sentences are coming out funny. Maybe it’s the absurdly unnecessary happiness. Maybe it’s caffeine. Maybe it’s time for me to don the purple costume. Ho ho ho!
Oh yes. Learn the ways of the lazybum’s smiley!
=]
I haven’t used it in quite a while. It’s the equal sign, the close square bracket sign, and the Enter key.
Yes, that’s right. Press the equal key, then slide it down and to the right till you reach the Enter key. Try it!
=]
=]
=]
Look at the little happy faces! It’s therapy for you! All in one graceful slide of the finger! I prefer using my right middle finger, though you can try using any other.
This entry was posted in Geek, Pictures, Travelling on .
Depression? Bad day? But of course. Bad fortnight perhaps. Maybe it’s the haunting Metallica – One video. Anyway, here’s something for you bored people. It’s got loads of links to my old blog posts, so have fun reading those too!
First off, my financial status was shaky as heck. I was given RM1000 to get something from town. Then I helped a colleague to upgrade her computer. As she had to rush off for a movie, she gave me quite a bit for my agreed dinner. And so I scuttled off to Nando’s for an expensive lush tongue treat.
Little did I know that that would be the last day of such monetary bliss.
Friday. I went down again to get my ATI Radeon 9600Pro. I went to the ATM at the office but it was down, so I only withdrew at the place itself. Little did I know that Human Resources would screw up! I was then RM150 short of a video card. I called up a debtor. He couldn’t make it, but would transfer RM150 (he owed me RM100.) After a call to my bank I got my account number and recited it to him. Luckily he called back to confirm or the last digit would be wrong.
I ran up, with no time to make a better decision. It was 8:30PM and shops were all closing. I asked for the Powercolor Radeon 9600Pro. Fast. From a shop that had unfriendly snobby workers, but heck. It was cheaper.
I didn’t mind owing him RM50, I knew that the next day, I’d get RM350. Yes, I was selling my “PCI mode” MSI GeForce4 Ti4200 128MB 4x to another colleague. He was selling his GeForce2 MX 440 to my first colleague mentioned earlier. (That also explains why I was in a hurry to get the video card…)
Saturday. I was on duty at the AXN Anime Fest, taking care of the Xfresh booth.
Now the problem was that he couldn’t get the RM350. There was no ATM in that large shopping complex that supported it! My female colleague didn’t come, and I had to lug her Geforce 2 in my bag. Not that it was heavy, just that I was afraid of it being squashed.
Oh, and I paid my long time debt of RM75 for a prom ticket. When I went, they gave free door gifts including a RM15 A Cut Above voucher. Since I had never had a haircut costing more than RM10, I decided to give it a try. It was RM38 for a cut by a junior hairstylist, and RM65 for a senior hairstylist. Whoa. RM13 would be okay. Of course, the manager politely explained that the junior hairstylist was on promotion (usually RM50) so my voucher was only applicable for the senior dudes.
Somehow, it got to why I wanted a haircut, and I got to speak to a consultant.
A guy with an unneccessarily funky haircut (read: spiky and dyed and not my area…) appeared. I explained that I didn’t just wanna go to an Indian barber who would shrink my hair and make me look like a boy again. He explained that I’d have to keep my sideburns, however irritating they were, while the top could be lightened. (That would get rid of my fringe stabbing my eyes when the wind blows.)
It was in the growing stage, he said.
Come back in a month or two, he said. Save money, he said.
Wow. Nice guy. That was the cheapest haircut I ever got. I went home, told my mom the story, and she trimmed off just a bit off the fringe.
Sunday. My dad dropped me off at Bandaraya STAR LRT, and I switched over at Masjid Jamek to get to KL Sentral. I missed the Express Rail Link by 4 minutes (the next train would be 10:30am.) When I got out at Putrajaya station, I walked towards the escalator. It wasn’t moving. Yessir, it was that deserted. I don’t know why, but I absent-mindedly walked there anyway. It woke up! There were sensors nearby. It started going up. Cool!
All that was spoiled when I asked where the toilet was. There wasn’t one. Thank goodness for a nearby construction site with lots of tiny hills.
My colleagues then picked me up to head for the Botanical Garden there. We were supposed to do a crossing, where we give out free stuff in the name of promotion. I came a bit too late, and we headed off for lunch.
Souq was a fancy-looking place. For a while I thought we were going to eat in a mosque! Souq had the works. Nando’s. San Francisco Coffee. All on a long C-shaped food court. As I had not much money left, I headed to the ATM, a Bank Islam one. Fortunately it supported my card (as it supported the cross-banking MEPS standard) and I took out my last RM30. It also took the liberty of taxing me. I now have no balance. It was not supposed to take the 3-bucks-and-how-many-cents off, just one ringgit, as far as I knew…
We then headed over to Taman Tun Dr. Ismail for our next cross at the park. By then, I had a headache from the basking in the sun. Thank goodness for free Twiggies, then.
Monday. Yet another bummer. I finally got to check my results online. Who cares what I passed? I failed my Advanced Java Programming and my Interactive Multimedia Project. For the former I had to refer (take the exam again) and the latter, reunit (take the semester again). Argh the irony! I had to fail on my last semester, thus extending my stay! No more winging it I suppose. 🙁
It was expected (the Multimedia one) though I did tell myself not to stop after going this far. I wouldn’t wanna go through the shtload that is Macromedia Shockwave Director 8.5.
Tuesday. Hopefully, go to college, sort things out, get appeal forms (appealing costs a lot!) and hopefully get a convenient timetable. I’d then collect money in the afternoon. Not much, but it would give me some security. I’d then head over to the two-day-old Berjaya Times Square and do a walkabout.
Wish me good luck, and that I may be a graduate in Advanced Diploma in Computer Studies with Majors in Business and Mutlimedia.
Oh, here’s a new quote!
“Heat me up so I can fit another mould.”
I borrowed my colleague’s digital camera to take pictures of my beloved computers. Two computers, one being an AMD K6-2 350Mhz generation on the left, and an AMD Athlon XP 1800+ on the right, have a 17″ and 19″ monitor respectively. They look pretty.
Pardon me for the sudden need for you guys to download loads of pictures. 🙂
This entry was posted in Geek, Pictures on .
After formatting my office workstation to Microsoft Windows XP Professional Service Pack 1, I found that I could not use Java applets. A link led me to this.
The end of the Microsoft Virtual Machine.
In case you’re wondering, the Microsoft Virtual Machine is Microsoft’s version of the Java runtime environment, so your computer can run Java applets (and other Java stuff, not to be confused with JavaScript). Examples of Java applets would be chat programs, or other lower-level web applications that don’t have much fancy graphics. (Java has a steep learning curve to coding graphics.) Besides, it would be harder to most to program an IRC client in Macromedia Flash.
I quote the site:
“Microsoft will not be able to address potential security issues, nor will the company be able to make any product enhancements.”
Very funny. The great thing about Java is that each program has a sandbox, or limited area which the program can access, so it doesn’t and can’t mess with your computer. Heck, Java viruses are rare, with only 3 reported! Even then, they would have to be run as a program, not an applet in a browser.
When Java programs do crash, they don’t bring your whole computer down.
Compare that to Microsoft’s solutions. Sure, .NET is fancy and supports many languages, but the company is notoriously trustworthy. I’m betting on a Microsoft .NET Framework patch pretty soon.
Their tagline seems to be:
If it ain’t broke, we’ll make our own version (and break them).
P.S. I am not an ardent supporter of Java, having half a year of headache coding in Java, but I certainly don’t think Microsoft is in any position to imply that Java is a weakness in their effort to trustworthiness. Heck, the Microsoft Virtual Machine may very well be the most secure piece of software to ever come with Windows!
Oh yes, if you want the real thing, you can download it from:
http://www.java.com
It’s been a while since I’ve changed the default skin for my site, mostly because of lack of inspiration. So take this uninspired Keyboard skin, chosen only because of its after-banging-head-on-table angle!
Before this, it was The Waiting Room. Of course, there are much better choices in my Skins page, so browse around!
Oh yes, this Friday will be my last exam for my entire Advanced Diploma course.
Ironically, to fail now would have the worst consequences – had I failed subjects in previous semesters, I would retake them in the next semester. Failing any subject now would mean I’d have to extend my stay in Informatics. 🙁
It’s not that I hate the place, I’d just rather not continue there. Of course, I am forever grateful and thankful for that stroke of luck sometime in December 2000. Ask me how I got my full scholarship!
| CODER IN A BOX |
Coders/programmers/developers are not the only people who think inside the box. They’re not the only ones limited to constraints.
Writers too, have limits. They can’t write about too sensitive issues. They have to write stuff the target audience reads, not some obscure thing.
Marketing people who get sponsors aren’t supposed to get any small-timer. Contracts are also limited to the terms of the company and relevance of sponsorship.
Designers have to stick to branding issues. Color, shape, required text – all that limits whatever effects one can put creatively. Not to mention usability and the ability to expand, especially with website layouts – backgrounds should be able to stretch!
It is a pity then, when people assume coders are a boxed lot. Perhaps it is because no one but the coders will understand their constraints. It’s also ironic because all the constraints, except the coders, are probably set by management.
Lots of coders are creative, too. Heck, I make 3D Plugin Player Models and maps for computer games. Heck, I designed my own website. (Never mind that it hasn’t changed for a long time…) Heck, I write modified lyrics, poetry and sonnets. Heck, I write articles not revolving around computers. Heck, I play the guitar.
Sometimes I feel that a coder knows even more about the bone-crushing gravity of the situation than a code-illiterate staring at the lines and going, “Whoa, I’m feeling giddy.”
That’s it for today! Till another opinionated feeling comes along, you’ll have to make do with daily I-did-this reports. 😛
I use a monthly pass to get on the PUTRA LRT, Malaysia’s urban subway train system. The following is a recollection of how I single-handedly managed to avoid, uh, paying a fine. But first, a how-I-got-there appetizer!
But first, why such a late update? College projects! Three at a time! Fail and re-sit two semesters!
So yeah, I had to hand in a demo CD by 5 PM yesterday. I finished burning the CD at 4:40 PM and tried to flag many cabs. I got my lucky break with an old Chinese guy. I told him I’d give him 5 Ringgit extra if he’d go faster a bit.
He asked why I was rushing. I said I would fail if I didn’t hand in the project in time.
I don’t know if RM 5 was a lot in terms of going faster, but he was going fast (and aggressive) as well! He cursed at motorcyclists in a British slang (Bloody motorcyclists want to die!)
He also had this weird calmness, singing and humming happily to the national anthem!
The fare came to RM 8, and I paid him RM 13. I don’t know if I would have the same treatment if I didn’t offer to pay more, or if I didn’t say I was going to fail.
5:10 PM. I ran to college, and fortunately my lecturer was at the coffeeshop below. I handed him the CD and asked when was my mandatory present-my-crappy-demo time. Tomorrow afternoon, he said. (4 hours from time of writing this.)
I then headed over to the cheapest place in that expensive area (Ampang Park), McDonalds. Forbidden luxury comes in McShaker Fries. Just above RM 7 for that meal.
I then sat in college to nod off at World Wide Web Fundamentals. I also got my progress test results. 19 out of 60. This is what you get for giving a real-life answer and not something out of the textbook. Of course, the textbook is sad too – it writes about cutting edge killer applications back in 1998. 2003? Failed and forgotten. Not that those were bad ideas… those just never got round to being introduced. I forgot which Internet bigshot said that the browser didn’t have any real enhancements. Quite true that was – new releases have just more support for fancy layouts. 🙁
To heck with RMI, Java Beans, CORBA and other one-article-wonders. 😛
Now here comes the exciting part!
I went back through the Ampang Park PUTRA LRT station. There was nobody to check my monthly pass. Yes, that’s right – all I need to do is flash the pass at the guard. No touching or magnetic strip involved!
I took it to Masjid Jamek, flood central (and also where I take my bus home), where on my way out I was stopped by the guard. He confiscated my July 2003 collector’s item. 🙁 (Well, I collect them anyway…) He then directed me to the booth, still on the paying side of the station.
I told my friend, who used the Touch-and-Go magnetic card system, that I was going to the toilet first. I snuck off, and upon coming out of the toilet, I went back down to wait for another train!
I came out at Dang Wangi, one station away. Darn. There was a guard there. Ah well, I walked in and out of the toilet, and then got on the train to Kg. Baru.
That one had no guard, so I walked past, going up and down the escalator. God knows why I need to act so much. I then went to the booth and bought my August 2003 monthly pass.
I took the train to Pasar Seni, walking distance from my bus stop. On the way there I couldn’t help notice them Swedish-looking summer-wear female tourists. Yes, summer wear, with the whole abdominal part showing, not just a strip of midriff!
I bumped into a friend on my way out. Is the world becoming smaller, or am I getting more popular? 😛
You drive a car? Big deal. What are the chances of you bumping into someone on the road? I’ve bumped into many old friends on the train. You car-using people can only bump into people at places where you have to pay parking. Haha!
Plus, the PUTRA LRT is an easy exercise in voyeurism. Why must she get offended at my transfixed gaze? Hmmph. A beautiful tree doesn’t get offended!
Oh yes, linkage comes in cute farts in my About Me! page like Uneeq.
I have a Macromedia Director Shockwave 8 project to do, and I haven’t started. I was supposed, according to a timetable, to hand in the full documentation by the 16th of July, 2003 (two days ago).
Class was from 1100-1300 hours. Oh boy. I skipped it to stay home, trying to figure out what to do. I then called a collegemate at 1300 hours to ask what happened. He said that the lecturer told the class how to do the documentation!
Ironic… there I was, not knowing how to do it (the few collegemates I know have cranky mobile phones). Now, I missed my opportunity to find out.
Ah well, I shall find out from my collegemates today, when I go to college for the bothersome Friday evening/night progress test. Wish me good luck and that the consequences be in my favor!
It shall be a test of whether I’m still capable of Winging It.
Here’s a Tuesday evening story.
I dropped by Midvalley Megamall to return Dide‘s heavy school yearbook. I then wandered around, aimlessly, following the flow of the crowd, while washing my eyes.
I contacted the usual Midvalley suspects, but alas – everybody was doing something useful, like studying. I could’ve hopped over to KLCC to meet KLCC suspect Shaz, but I was lazy. It was Jasmine who suggested I go watch a movie. I then went up to the cinema, and luck struck. There was no queue! I got myself a ticket to Finding Nemo at 8:50 PM.
I looked at the map; they had a place on the second row, near the screen, for ostriches. I asked for another spot on the third row, nearer to the center. I wondered why she didn’t just give me the better seat, C08…
I then bumped into an old schoolmate, Bernard (affectionately remembered as the Gay Jedi), who was co-webmaster for our site, CertifiedManiacs at VirtualAvenue. Whatever happened to that I don’t know. He, too, was finally watching the movie.
I went in and walked down the aisle. Eh? K? L? M? N?
I walked up and found the C row near the top! It turns out that I read the map upside down!
Good, yes? Not necessarily. It was a balcony seat, and the corner railing was a shiny distraction unless I sat up. I should’ve picked the recommended seat.
How was the show? Enjoyably touchingly funny. I now understand what they mean when they mimic “mine. mine. mine.” or when they speak whale.
Oh yes, I felt somehow connected to the shark. Perhaps it was his smile… I smile like that sometimes, on purpose. Some have said I looked like the shark, even!
I still eat fish.