Woohoo! It's been like what, 1.5 years since my band started out? From Starlight (oh god it was awful but a heck load of fun)
Anyway, I have taken charge and decided to set up a small show inside the studio because it's been quite sometime and we wanna show how much we've progressed!
Link below, hover over the space to see it:
The Only Exception (Paramore cover)
Beautiful piece, great vocals by Katrina! Except for the fact that it kinda sounds faster. (heh) and Ian needs to work on his plucking! But good job everyone! (esp me, my bass notes are constant! HAHA :D)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Hey guys, finally decided to blog after coming back after a long, long, long break, just couldn't be bothered after awhile because of so many distractions but anyways this isn't my EIR (Effective Internet Research) blog anymore, but my own personal talking space. I will be posting just about anything under the sun that I think is interesting enough to mention about (and of course you can grab a cup of coffee or tea while enjoying my blog), of course there won't be any ranting or personal insults done here because this isn't a ranting corner. Alright let's begin.
“Don't fear failure so much that you refuse to try new things. The saddest summary of a life contains three descriptions: could have, might have, and should have.”
Quoted taken from http://en.thinkexist.com/quotation/don-t_fear_failure_so_much_that_you_refuse_to_try/11408.html on the 18th January, 2011
That was what made me take the leap.
After months of usage, the Samsung Galaxy S has proven too much of a powerful hardware worn down by its sluggish hardware configuration. This was what I found:
Samsung Galaxy S uses a severely outdated method of partitioning the internal SD card, also known as the RFS (Remote File System). As of this date, RFS was introduced in the 80s and shouldn't be used anymore. The RFS operates under a 'ultra-high' secure mode, which hinders performance and over time slows down the phone.
In a nutshell, RFS SUCKS.
I'm quite surprised a electronics giant can actually make this kind of mistake. If I'm not wrong, all Samsung Android phones are programmed in this way. (Epic fail) anyone who leaves their SGS in a stock rom and firmware is doomed to failure. That's when I decided to take action.
After surfing XDAdevelopers' site for hours, (8-9 hours to be exact) I finally compiled all the instructions and files i needed to do a make over. I thought after upgrading to Froyo (Android 2.2) the lag will go away, I was wrong. The steps are complicated, and it actually takes awhile to understand.
Things I used:
New Android 2.2.1 firmware (EURO version)
The reason why I used this firmware because XDA developers do not develop mods for Asian firmwares, and modifying a phone that has a firmware that isn't supported will ultimately result in a brick (AKA Dead phone).
CFroot (ChainFire's Root)
After Android 2.1, Android has decided to 'ban' their users from loading unsigned updates via recovery mode. This also known as the 3E recovery mode. CFroot helps me get rid of the 3E by converting it to 2E (Eclair 2.1 version) to run updates in recovery mode. Besides this mod also installs superuser access and root for me. (superuser or root, is when you get complete access to your phone without restrictions. This is useful when you are running apps that require root such as CaptureMe!, SGS tools, ROM manager, Memory Optimiser and etc which I will explain later.
Clockworkmod Recovery
Clockwordmod is an alternate recovery menu for your phone that you otherwise won't see in most phones. This is used when you want to run custom ROMS. What is a ROM you ask? Well, here it is:
A stock ROM is the version of the phone’s operating system that comes with your phone when you buy it.
A custom ROM is a fully standalone version of the OS, including the kernel (which makes everything run), apps, services, etc – everything you need to operate the device, except it’s customized by someone in some way.
So what does the "customized" part mean? Since Android is open source, developers are free to take stock ROMs, modify them, strip them of garbage, optimize them, add things, and pretty much do whatever their imagination and skills allow.
Info taken from http://www.androidpolice.com/2010/05/01/custom-roms-for-android-explained-and-why-you-want-them/ on 18th January, 2011
The Rom Itself
For this I used Darky's 8.0 Gingerbread Edition ROM. Recorded at a Quadrant (benchmark test) score of 1300+ (SGS 2.1 is clocked at 900, 2.2 at 1000+), It's not the fastest but practical for everyday use as compared to a 2700+ score only for gaming.
What I did, used Odin (a software for flashing, or loading new firmwares) and flashed a new firmware for my phone (yay no more stock firmware). The first time I did this I shivered. Yep, you saw right I was trembling because I was afraid my phone might brick. But after 2 long minutes, the unlock screen came out and whoop-ass! Android 2.2.1! Then use CFroot to convert the firmware's recovery mode then flash the clockworkMod recovery in recovery mode, then finally load the rom.
This WAS what my phone looked like:
And now:
Besides the beautiful new layout and visuals, this ROM is absolutely a beast. Super faster performance, what can I say, WOW. This ROM is packed with 3 new lock screens, a ton of new fonts (hell, you don't even need to reboot for the changes to be applied). And a lot of new features. This voids my warranty but who gives a shit? This is the shit!
Also on the side note, I made a new discovery. Task killers are actually bad for your android phone! In theory, task killers prematurely end running applications and in return it only frees up physical RAM. Processes and Apps are 2 different things. Apps can stay in the background and don't take up RAM and can be launched quickly when needed to. Besides by ending tasks prematurely, sometimes the apps will just restart itself again, ultimately using even more CPU resources and draining battery. I found out another software, Autokiller Memory Optimiser instead. It's a basically a app that kills tasks the way android does it. (Android only kills tasks based on the frequency of usage, when extremely low on memory) This app allows you to set the minimum amount of Ram available before your phone starts to eliminated unused apps, rather than prematurely ending it like how a Task Killer does.
That's it for my geek section! Watch out for the next post, where I will talk about my band's new project! :)
Thursday, November 18, 2010
The best thing about this virtual experience is it's hardly possible to do this in real life, sure we can talk over an IM service, but it isn't as fun as communicating inside a game. Also besides, like forums we won't be judged on how we look in real life because we are using avatars to represent ourselves. I think we are expected to observe social etiquette no matter where are we because it's a fundamental social skill, it's what makes us human.
It was fun and exciting going on a road trip to meet students from other countries in second life, and it's nice to see our class get together in an activity.
I did not gain much from this activity because there were too little students from HK and most of the time some of us were engaging in private conversations and it was frustrating because it is pointless as the questions we had to ask are the same.
Also, the place was a mess, more often or not we found ourselves walking around aimlessly looking for the HK students, only to find less than 5 on the scene. So in the end most of us just sat around talking and exploring the place. Sometimes, the students refused to answer the questions for whatever reason unknown, and they even told my friend to forget it after my friend started a private conversation with him after the HK student refused to answer back on the public chat.
I did not gain much from this activity because there were too little students from HK and most of the time some of us were engaging in private conversations and it was frustrating because it is pointless as the questions we had to ask are the same.
Uber Messy.
Also, the place was a mess, more often or not we found ourselves walking around aimlessly looking for the HK students, only to find less than 5 on the scene. So in the end most of us just sat around talking and exploring the place. Sometimes, the students refused to answer the questions for whatever reason unknown, and they even told my friend to forget it after my friend started a private conversation with him after the HK student refused to answer back on the public chat.
Finally got hold of a HK student
A HK student disappearing on us after we managed to get a hold of him
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Venice was a hard place to find on Second life, most of the places suggested places were confusing in a sense that the terms used were irrelevant.
So instead i went on to find more main stream places such as New York and I landed in Battery Park
Sure enough this was the real battery park:
So the benefits of having a simulator game is having the advantage of viewing the place first hand if we ever want to visit it in real life. However, how the place is designed in 2nd life may not be what it seems in real life because it may be outdated or worse, intentionally designed wrongly by some mischievous joker.
So instead i went on to find more main stream places such as New York and I landed in Battery Park
Sure enough this was the real battery park:
There was obviously a resemblance, so kudos to whoever designed the park!
Monday, November 15, 2010
My dream holiday...
I always wanted to visit Italy, especially a small town in the Northern area that is half submerged in water, Venice. Venice was a trading port for materials such as Silk, grain and spices and has always experienced a healthy growth, it was also the important hub for the arts, opera and symphonic music.
There also a couple of sights to behold other than tasting the wine and hearing the music in this little buzzing town, which I will start off with the arguably the most highlighted and noted sight, the grand canal.
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal or Canal Grande winds through the heart of Venice. It's over 21/2 miles (3 km) long and full of vaporetti, barges, water taxis and gondolas. Bordering the canal are beautiful palazzi, mostly dating from the 14th to the 18th century.
Basilica di San Marco
This is where the Byzantine meets the Western art. Basilica di San Marco is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the most important church in Venice. It was built over several centuries, starting in 832. Inside, the basilica is covered in splendid Byzantine mosaics (only illuminated at certain times).
Rialto Bridge
Until the 19th century this was the only bridge between the two sides of the Grand Canal. The bridge as we see it today was built in the 16th century when a competition took place to chose the design of the new bridge to replace an older structure. Michelangelo was among the contenders but the competition was won by Antonio da Ponte. This is one of the centers of activity in Venice and everywhere on the islands there are signs indicating the direction for the Rialto bridge. The bridge is a good place to watch the activity on the Grand Canal at any hour of the day.
The Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace was built in the early 9th century as a fortress. It was afterwards rebuilt in the 12th century and modified again in the 14th and 15th century. Its facade as we can see it today is a Gothic masterpiece in pink and white marble. From its early days, the Doge's Palace served as the seat of the government, the Palace of Justice, the prison and the home of the doge. The doge was the elected ruler of the Republic, but its role was rather that of a figurehead. Inside the palace the halls are lavishly decorated with many of the paintings representing the eternal glory of La Serenissima. Many of the works are by Venice's most renowned artists like Veronese and Tintoretto.
Islands of the lagoon: Murano
Like Venice, Murano is made up of smaller islands connected by bridges. It is known all over the world for its glasswork. The glasswork manufacturing started in the 12th century and in the 15th and 16th centuries Murano was the main glass producer in Europe. This craft continues today and the main attraction of Murano is to watch the glass artisans at work. Many small factories line the Fondamenta dei Vetrai, the street that starts at the Colonna landing stage.
Islands of the lagoon: Burano
Burano is another small island of the Venetian lagoon. The same way as Murano is known for its glasswork, Burano is known for its lace. The island is quite small and densely populated and the houses that line the streets are painted in bright colors which makes the stroll very enjoyable. The main thoroughfare is Via Baldasarre Galuppi which ends into a beautiful piazza. There is also a lace museum here.
Islands of the lagoon: Lido
Lido is a slender island located between the lagoon and the open sea. The only reason to visit this island is to go to the beach. It has no notable architecture but if you want to relax on the beach, after all that walking in Venice, then this is the place to do it. From Venice you can reach Lido by vaporetto.
Venice is the ideal place for an art lover like me because it is rich in the arts, not pop art but in the renaissance period. It is also an amateur photographer's dream because of the architecture and streets. It's no wonder that people are doing all they can to preserve this city.
All information can be found from http://andreea.francu.com/travel/venice.vr/places.vr/ with no copyright infringement intended
There also a couple of sights to behold other than tasting the wine and hearing the music in this little buzzing town, which I will start off with the arguably the most highlighted and noted sight, the grand canal.
The Grand Canal
The Grand Canal or Canal Grande winds through the heart of Venice. It's over 21/2 miles (3 km) long and full of vaporetti, barges, water taxis and gondolas. Bordering the canal are beautiful palazzi, mostly dating from the 14th to the 18th century.
Basilica di San Marco
This is where the Byzantine meets the Western art. Basilica di San Marco is one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and the most important church in Venice. It was built over several centuries, starting in 832. Inside, the basilica is covered in splendid Byzantine mosaics (only illuminated at certain times).
Rialto Bridge
Until the 19th century this was the only bridge between the two sides of the Grand Canal. The bridge as we see it today was built in the 16th century when a competition took place to chose the design of the new bridge to replace an older structure. Michelangelo was among the contenders but the competition was won by Antonio da Ponte. This is one of the centers of activity in Venice and everywhere on the islands there are signs indicating the direction for the Rialto bridge. The bridge is a good place to watch the activity on the Grand Canal at any hour of the day.
The Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace was built in the early 9th century as a fortress. It was afterwards rebuilt in the 12th century and modified again in the 14th and 15th century. Its facade as we can see it today is a Gothic masterpiece in pink and white marble. From its early days, the Doge's Palace served as the seat of the government, the Palace of Justice, the prison and the home of the doge. The doge was the elected ruler of the Republic, but its role was rather that of a figurehead. Inside the palace the halls are lavishly decorated with many of the paintings representing the eternal glory of La Serenissima. Many of the works are by Venice's most renowned artists like Veronese and Tintoretto.
Islands of the lagoon: Murano
Like Venice, Murano is made up of smaller islands connected by bridges. It is known all over the world for its glasswork. The glasswork manufacturing started in the 12th century and in the 15th and 16th centuries Murano was the main glass producer in Europe. This craft continues today and the main attraction of Murano is to watch the glass artisans at work. Many small factories line the Fondamenta dei Vetrai, the street that starts at the Colonna landing stage.
Islands of the lagoon: Burano
Islands of the lagoon: Lido
Lido is a slender island located between the lagoon and the open sea. The only reason to visit this island is to go to the beach. It has no notable architecture but if you want to relax on the beach, after all that walking in Venice, then this is the place to do it. From Venice you can reach Lido by vaporetto.
Venice is the ideal place for an art lover like me because it is rich in the arts, not pop art but in the renaissance period. It is also an amateur photographer's dream because of the architecture and streets. It's no wonder that people are doing all they can to preserve this city.
All information can be found from http://andreea.francu.com/travel/venice.vr/places.vr/ with no copyright infringement intended
Secondllife E-Learning Activity One
I visited MIA (Men In Action Island) and the island mostly offered Urban, Goth and Lolita fashion.
After viewing what the island offered, I noticed the shops are designed with the outback and ranch like kind of feel, I think it's mostly influenced by the outback in Australia or Africa.
Some of the apparels do not require money, like the one on the top screenshot (if you noticed the left-handed most banner says "FREE 4 YOU", and true enough I managed to get a few free apparels.
Some apparels however require a bit of money to purchase, the in-game currency "L$" is purchasable using real money, then exchanged for it.
The inventory slots are well placed and categorized, so there was no trouble with looking for my clothings. However it is slightly frustrating to navigate because there wasn't any directions given.
Last but not least, my notecard.
Since the reflection isn't long, I shall go ahead and do it here
Reflections
Compared to the E-shopping spree, this is more fun because it's more interactive. Rather than looking for stuff online, (makes me feel like I'm doing research) I feel like I am actually doing the shopping like walking along Orchard road or Suntec.
However, I've learnt that it isn't wise to buy virtual items using real money because it just isn't real. Virtual things are meant to simulate everyday living, but not replacing it. I've learnt that lesson the painful way when I spent over $500 on virtual games such as Gunbound, Maplestory and other F2P (free 2 play) games.
The most challenging experience was navigating, because the island was huge, I had difficulties finding my way and not to mention, travelling takes awhile too.
After viewing what the island offered, I noticed the shops are designed with the outback and ranch like kind of feel, I think it's mostly influenced by the outback in Australia or Africa.
Some of the apparels do not require money, like the one on the top screenshot (if you noticed the left-handed most banner says "FREE 4 YOU", and true enough I managed to get a few free apparels.
Some apparels however require a bit of money to purchase, the in-game currency "L$" is purchasable using real money, then exchanged for it.
The inventory slots are well placed and categorized, so there was no trouble with looking for my clothings. However it is slightly frustrating to navigate because there wasn't any directions given.
As you can see the island is mostly deserted, so I had to find my way around on my own.
Last but not least, my notecard.
Since the reflection isn't long, I shall go ahead and do it here
Reflections
Compared to the E-shopping spree, this is more fun because it's more interactive. Rather than looking for stuff online, (makes me feel like I'm doing research) I feel like I am actually doing the shopping like walking along Orchard road or Suntec.
However, I've learnt that it isn't wise to buy virtual items using real money because it just isn't real. Virtual things are meant to simulate everyday living, but not replacing it. I've learnt that lesson the painful way when I spent over $500 on virtual games such as Gunbound, Maplestory and other F2P (free 2 play) games.
The most challenging experience was navigating, because the island was huge, I had difficulties finding my way and not to mention, travelling takes awhile too.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Evaluation of Stomp (http://www.stomp.com.sg/index.html)
Stomp is basically a platform for users to contribute articles, it can be video, images or just words as long as it's original. The reason why SPH set up this site for users is simply because there are things going on around Singapore that sometimes, the SPH crew cannot take down because of lack of man power.
Main Page:
The layout is slightly messy, however it isn't hard to navigate around, on the top are tabs to individual columns, and at the center is the latest headlines.
The Singapore Seen column is where most of the happening things around Singapore are posted, some of the
articles can range from complains to certain sightings in Singapore, here are some of the screenshots. Posted just today, you can expect to see the column being frequently updated.
Stomp is basically a platform for users to contribute articles, it can be video, images or just words as long as it's original. The reason why SPH set up this site for users is simply because there are things going on around Singapore that sometimes, the SPH crew cannot take down because of lack of man power.
Main Page:
The Singapore Seen column is where most of the happening things around Singapore are posted, some of the
articles can range from complains to certain sightings in Singapore, here are some of the screenshots. Posted just today, you can expect to see the column being frequently updated.
Stomp also gives its users a chance to rate the article, (as you can see above) and the ability to share it via other social networking sites (Facebook or Twitter). This is a good way especially for Singaporeans to connect, plus it's free to view and to create an account (for posting comments and articles) which is a big plus.
Besides the Singapore Seen column, there also other useful links such as Ask Libby! where users can post questions about laws or doing certain acts in Singapore.
"Is it illegal to record phone conversations without the consent of the other party in S'pore?"
However, the site also posed quite a few hiccups, for example because this is an open platform, anyone can upload what they deem fit which sometimes spoil the browsing experience for certain users. Some articles are also irrelevant or old and at the worse, completely irrelevant to Singapore's society.
Seriously?
Credibility is also an issue here, because anyone can post an article it doesn't actually benefit much but more than usual it makes Singaporeans skeptical.
Let's take this article for example. No names,face or where this incident were disclosed, (in order to protect the reputation of the company) however it faces a severe credibility issue. If this is to create awareness, I'd say this article has done a very bad job because no information was disclosed so it somehow isn't providing information, or at the least very general or sparse information. Like I said, Stomp is an open source journal website, and articles like this can be posted by anyone. There are no witnesses, what if the female employees were the one dressing inappropriately in the first place? It's anyone guess now whether this article is true or not.
Overall, Stomp is intended to be a platform for Singaporeans to share news around town, but time and time again people refuse to stop putting up complain articles which doesn't benefit anyone. (making out in public to name a few)
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