Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas!!

Do you know Jesus?
"God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16 NIV).

Little Christmas party (P3MI)

Had a little Christmas Party in youth fellowship tonight. Quick prep I may say, but it turned out to be a success celebration of Christmas.



Free snacks & drinks for everyone; we've got some games that involves the adults and youths in teams. I'm glad that everyone enjoyed the time.
Merry Christmas. ^_^

Must have free software

Home/Desktop

1. VLC media player
2. OpenOffice.org
3. Adobe Reader (Windows)
   
4. Paint.NET (Windows, Linux possible on Mono)
   
5. The GIMP
6. Picasa
   

Internet

1. Mozilla Firefox / Opera
2. Thunderbird Email Client
3. Free Download Manager (Windows)
   
4. Ad-Aware (Windows)
   

Utility

1. 7-zip (no GUI on Linux)
   

46.4 KBps of download speed

Okay.. the last one wasn't the fastest after all. This is.. ^_^

almost sick but wanting durian

Okay.. not feeling too good today. The cousins are planning for a group photo and I don't think I can make it. -_-

Mom just called, they've got durians at home. Mm.. I think it has been quite some time that I haven't been sick. ;-p

the worst again

The thing I fear the most finally happens.. again for the second time; and this time it hits where it hurts the most. After years, the time has finally come. I thought I would never come across it anymore, but I'm indeed wrong.

Can I still save it? (y/n) _

Kid gets detention for using firefox

And they called it "foxfire.exe"

read more | digg story

PHG Christmas 2007

Some of the new employees of PHG came up with an idea of celebrating Christmas in office. I don't know how but last month, the put me in charge of the event after office hour.

This is the day, though I felt somehow reluctant doing it, it turned out very much successful party. It was incredibly fun if I may say.



Lots of feedbacks that the same event is expected next year.

Family Gathering

Another family gathering at Grand Kowloon Medan, this time we've got more cousins around. My brother and San was also there.

I didn't take my camera but San did. Haven't got the pictures yet, but we did some 'all cousins' photo taking. ^_^

the Choice

Choosing something might be one of the worst part of my life. Making a choice is definitely not my favorite thing.

My dad asked me if I could join them to Japan this Chinese New Year. It would have been no problem if it had stopped there, but we (cousins) had planned to go for a holiday since months ago. I'm so doubtful that I can get a leave for that (twice in a 2 consecutive months).

At one point, I've dreamed of going out with cousins, especially Hui's going too. But I also don't want to miss my moments with dear family.

I did quit my job just for a trip to Thailand with my family and until now I do not regret it. It was definitely good memories, especially now when I think about it that it was the last time I went out with my uncle. I feel that I have to put more time with my family; that I don't want to loose my precious time.

Have been thinking of this matter for the past 2 weeks -_-.

the Cross and the Crescent Moon

I've been seeing provocative sites lately and I feel sorry for them; both sides. -_-'

Here's some of them that attack Christianity

• Data Kristen and many more in the links section
  
• mostmerciful
• Answering Christianity
  

Here's some of them that attack Islam

• TheReligionofPeace and many more in the links section
  

My opinion? Don't believe what people say.. and stay out of the war. We should respect each other. If you think what you believe is true, do what you can to tell the others while at the same time respect their beliefs! It's their right to accept or reject.

TV Movie: Sebuah Penantian

I received a message through YM saying that on 15th December 2007 16:30-17:30 GMT +7, RCTI will be showing a Christian movie entitled "Sebuah Penantian". I have no idea what will it be, but I'm very much interested in watching it. I've also checked the schedule and it seems legit.

I also came across some sites that promote the show; this is one of them.

However, there seems to be many extreme (is it?) Muslims that sees this as a great threat and propagates that Muslims should not see this movie at all. The more they say it out, the more curious people get. Haha..

Hope that I can get back in time to watch.

Good day.. ^_^

The Indon haters

I came across this site that expresses deep hatred towards Indonesia(ns). But it seems that it's rather too far to say it that way.

This guy is insulting a country's attribute; the symbol of a country, which everyone should always respect. Even a sovereign country do not insult the symbol of rebel forces in it's country.

But still, I'm not surprised on how the world thinks. Why can't people just accept their differences?
Hope this tense does not continue for long though.

I've lived in Malaysia and it has been a wonderful time. I urge the Indonesians to not provoke themselves or others.

Rainy morning

Friday morning.. raining since dawn..
Felt so sleepy when waking up; I'm driving to work today. -_-'

Felt like want to sleep some more, but don't know why couldn't sleep anymore. Good morning.. ^_^

Running other operating system in PS3

I just came across Ahmed's blog about PS3s used for scientific platform and that is so cool. I have never really paid attention in consoles since the birth of PS1.

After I did some more reading, it doesn't seem to be so hard to install Ubuntu in PS3 (it seems.. :-p)

Here is some guides from PSUbuntu.
U can still Google it and find quite a number of results.

Do farmers need the Internet?

Yesterday the former president of Indonesia Megawati publicly suggested that farmers in Indonesia should learn to user the Internet to know the market price and marketing their crops.

This obviously doesn't sound right.. Come on.. here in Indonesia? farmers? The Detik Forum made tonnes of critics on this dumb idea.

Imagine the (operational) cost of maintaining computer and Internet connection in Indonesia just to know the price of tomato; or maybe the better question is, "where can I find the market price for tomato in one area?"

I bet those farmers (mostly happen to be less formally-educated) end up in porn sites instead of searching for information. Such info like market price can easily be gathered via phone call (how hard is it to call a dealer in the nearest town and ask him how much a kilo of tomato is worth today?) than dialing to ISP (if there is one around).

Perhaps this idea derived from the success story of India and those are successful farmers that can afford computers. I think what Mega said was ok, but still she needed to explain more things like how those things are going to be done, any plans whatsoever. It just seems that she suddenly popped that idea during lunch hour thinking what to say; without much preparation.

I did some searching and found out that countries have implemented this idea successfully. Indonesia is just moving on. And I think that the Internet can be an excellent source of information on how to do things (like seeding, planting, etc) and also knowing possibly better alternative ways to do those things like plantation solutions and technology.

But for this years, the farmers can still get their critical info (commodity prices) from the radio every morning. Other more important things should be prioritized before like providing seeds, and taking out those middle persons who bullies the farmers.

Greenpeace & PHS

Greenpeace activists block palm oil shipment from Dumai which carries palm oil from Permata Hijau Sawit in the protest against forest destruction blamed on plantations.

References:

• Greenpeace Blocks Shipment of Indonesian Palm Oil
• Palm oil blockade

I've got not much knowledge of palm oils, but I know one thing that biodiesel is one of feasible solutions since petrol, that it can be reproduced. However, after some little reading, It seems that many environmentalists are against palm oil; that the cost of biodiesel is far more devastating towards the environment.

References:

• Palm Oil, Biofuel and Deforestation
• No More Sustain Land for Palm Oil!
  

40.1 KBps of download speed

This is the fastest download I've had at home with Speedy.

I feel much faster downloads with Ubuntu instead of Windows. I've had up to 35 KBps in Windows whereas 37-40 in Ubuntu. I guess I've never known if Windows is secretly sending or downloading something behind that I don't know of.

Loosing more

Can't believe it has been more than 12 years I've been around you; and that you have been faithfully taking care of us all. Thank you for everything, it has been great times with you.


Come to think of loosing people in my life, first uncle, then JHH, then pak Par. The world is changing rapidly... -_-

All the best for everyone. ^_^ God bless.

Funny Naruto cartoons

Check this out.
Or maybe this cute Deidara & Tobi.

Cute Naruto & Sharingan

While waiting for Naruto 377 episode, I've been browsing Naruto thingy on the Internet and found some funny things. Came across naruto-xx.blogspot.com and saw the cute picture of some Naruto characters.

Did more browsing and saw some Naruto geeks with their cosplay.
Want to experience some Sharingan?



Some funny MasterCard commercials:

Babel tech dept.

Found a funny cartoon in reverendfun.com

Original page here.

PHG visit to Sahabat Anak Orphanage

With minimum organisation of some people working in PHG Medan office, we manage to gather some cash to help the orphans in Panti Asuhan Sahabat Anak.

This is one of those in needs; I mean indeed.. they even sleep on ground without pillows. Can't live without helping them.



Panti Asuhan Sahabat Anak holds 35 orphans (October 2007) of which most of them were the kids who lost their family during the tsunami incident in Indonesia. They live in a very limited space, limited supply of food.

For those who wants to help, please visit them at:
Panti Asuhan Sahabat Anak
Jalan Pantai Timur, Gang Makmur No. 4
(Depan Perumahan Taman Hako Indah)
Medan, Indonesia

Contact Person: Talizomboi Laia +62 81370966468

Special thanks to:

• Jeanny Puansari
• Rosman Hindra
• Wihendry

Jimbaran Dinner (Anton & Lidya)

A wonderful family dinner @ Jimbaran, Medan. Everyone close to the family were invited; there were about 30 of us.

Wonderful dinner, wonderful time. Anton's family took their time to propose Yen2's. They're getting married in 3 months.



All the best. ^_^

Farewell Dinner Djoni H. H.

Djoni H. H. resigned as the church administrator and heading to Batam for a job. It has been a great pleasure to have worked with him; a decent and distinct person of low profile and with neutral position in almost every event.



I miss him already.. ^_^
A good friend indeed. All the best, brother.. and God speed.

Busy life

I've been so busy with almost everything for the week. In fact, I haven't been online at home for the past 4 days.

Got a small project doing small application. Hope to finish it in 2 weeks. In the other hand, still have to finish the library system for church.

Documentation and compiling Youth Camp 2007 video recording are also in the list. So.. I'm trying to list it out here:

1. Library System for GBC
2. StockSys for new client
3. Audio recording (YC 2007)
4. Video recording (YC 2007)

I'm going to bed soon. More work tomorrow at office.

Closing the Youth Camp 2007

Final and closing meeting for the Youth Camp 2007 Project this afternoon. Had tons of evaluations and input from internal and external. Hope we all can do more of the best next year.

While the committee is dismissed, I have to do documentation for the Camp. Reports are coming in from each section since 2 weeks ago and I still have video that we recorded to edit.

I made online Google Groups for the Youth Camp here. For those interested in sharing in the community, do not hesitate to do join. It would be a nice cyberspace to play around and discuss in.

Less of Windows, more of Ubuntu

I am starting to line Gusty Gibbon more and more. Have been using it for most things to do with computing tasks at home. I still use Windows at office; still got some .NET programming to do (Yeah I know there is Mono Project, but my team is using Visual Studio and I can't force them to convert).

I like the visual effects in Gusty, seems more robust. I remember using the wobbling windows in Feisty as it was quite unstable.

This Gusty Gibbon is worth to try; doesn't cost much money. ^_^

Gusty Gibbon is here

The long awaited version of Ubuntu is here now. 7.10 named Gusty Gibbon. I have been looking forward to seeing this one. It has been said that lots of features including dual monitor management without shell command anymore (yeah...)

Downloading now... I think I can have it installed in a couple of days.

Youth Camp 2007

Another project finished. This time I feel so exhausted; in fact most of us feel so much exhausted unlike the previous camps. I don't know why.

Anyway, I had this feeling that we've done something great... Hope we (or they or whoever next year) can make it better next time.

Heaven & Hell

Came across some articles about Heaven and Hell. Just read the hell part and it really freaked the hell out of me. Hell is surely the last place I want to be.

I don't know if these stories are real or not, but I believe and know that it will happen no matter what. It's in the Holy Bible.

Indonesian version available here.

initConflict(Indonesia, Malaysia)

I first noticed the conflict since the Rasa Sayange being used in Commercial Website of Visit Malaysia.

So what? Even the Indonesian cannot prove that the song belong to Indonesia.

But from many problems that Malaysian has caused towards Indonesia, I now have the thinking that Malaysia is trying to cause trouble.

Links:

• Isteri atase pendidikan KBRI ditahan RELA [perkara remeh?]
• Malaysia: Disband Abusive Volunteer Corps
• Indonesia Lodges Protest Over New Malaysia Arrest
• House mulls reporting Malaysia to UN Human Rights Commission
• Indonesia protests to Malaysia over detention of diplomat's wife

Internet @ home

At last.. I'm connected even when I'm home. Telkom finally got their Speedy to Binjai. Not as cheap as TM Net @ Malaysia, but still much better than nothing. In fact, I'm impressed with the speed. 37+ KBps of download speed. I hope it doesn't get worse as time goes.

Addicted to Blogging

68%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?
Not so addictive at all.. ^_^

How many germs live on your keyboard?

I ran through the test and came out with this:
2,067,240How Many Germs Live On Your Keyboard?

Worship tools for church

I've been wondering if there were any tools/software to maintain songs and slides projected to the screen in churches. How dumb I was not searching it in sf.net as it has tons of resources. I know there were EasyWorship but it's commercial software (not free).

If you are running Microsoft Office PowerPoint just for simple slides (which does not provide great maintenance of your song database), you might want to check out openlp.org and OpenSong, and QProjector and free your church from unlicensed software (that means stealing).

I simply choose OpenSong since it manages the songs in individual files; easier to manage for small churches while QProjector uses MySQL database.

I'm planning to run OpenSong for tomorrow's youth service.

Tech in Church

I've been browsing sf.net for a while for some open source systems that can be used in church. I myself have been doing some Windows based systems for church using .NET; however, I just want to seek for open source alternatives.

I first came across ChurchInfo for church database and some other similar system, but this one fits the profile much better.
Tested most scenarios in my church and it appears that the system fulfills almost all of the requirements in my church. Might want to implement it using Linux; I like the idea of Open Source especially in church. ^_^

If I want to serve God with my capacity, I want to do the best out of it; and I think this is I do best, putting technology into church. If this project goes successful, I'm making a portfolio to implement in churches.

With this solution, we can have a running and working system with just hardware cost; no Windows license, no buying anti virus, less risk of spyware.

The funeral

Had the funeral at 15 PM; short one. Nobody could stand seeing the family mourns too long before the coffin. I'm out of tears for the last 3 days. Almost every church hymn reminds me of my uncle's beautiful voice. I can't imagine how we're going to survive next Sunday's service.

The cousins went to have some snack (the usual meatball) after the funeral as it has been like that since the last 3 funerals of the family. Had some laugh, but still something is missing; just time can heal this.

Be strong everyone.. God did not take him for nothing, He's got a much bigger plan.

In Memorial of Daymin Eden (莊達明)

Couldn't sleep yesterday, my mom was ill; and I know it's the burden of loosing the loved one. My dad blacked-out in the hospital. I was so confused when I reached the hospital yesterday morning; shocked by the view of my uncle on the bed, and my dad next to him barely conscious.

Slept late yesterday and woke up early, I decided to browse my photo collection (more than 40 thousand of pictures) and manage to find 43 of my uncle's picture. I just noticed that he's quite low profile that in most family occasion, he stood at the back or at the corner.

Compiled to photos into a short video, and I couldn't watch it myself as it made me cry. Still hope that this is a dream; just that it would be least likely to be a dream. -_-



Higher resolution available here.
I'll see you later, uncle; we'll meet again.

Sad day of the Edens

Today, the Eden family lost one of the best Eden, my uncle, a decent man, faithful, kind, and loves God.

Literally everyone cannot believe that this is really happening. I couldn't hold myself the first time I saw him lying on bed in the hospital.

I bet almost everyone pops the question: "God, how can this be happening? Why? Doesn't he loves you more than anything? Doesn't he still have so many things to do for you?"

I'm going to miss his beautiful voice in the church, his smile in every Sundays and every family gathering.

I came to know that he just had his 29th wedding anniversary yesterday.

I can say that today is the worst day of my life so far; still hope that this is a dream.

Excel 2007 math calculation bug

Microsoft Office Excel 2007 contains a serious bug in its calculation. Try multiplying 850 and 77.1 and Excel 2007 produces 100000 instead of 65535.

OpenOffice.org and Microsoft Office Excel 2003 seems to produce the correct result.

You'll never know if there are other calculation bugs in it; imagine having the wrong numbers of your profit and loss sheet in excel. ^_^

They'll be back

"The truth of the matter is, we don't want this to happen. And one easy way to stop that from happening, is to continue our work on AutoPatcher. Maybe not in its current shape and form, but still, we will be back soon (that much I guarantee)."

Taken from the post: The next day (What's in store) by Antonis Kaladis

AutoPatcher vs Microsoft

I just went to AutoPatcher after a month to get my monthly patches and guess what, they said that Microsoft is trying to stop them.

I have not been so DISAPPOINTED in Microsoft in my whole life. I was so sure to leave Microsoft's Vista for it's bug and now I'm even more committed.

I've used AutoPatcher before and I can't think of any bad out of it; saves my time and bandwidth. Imagine an administrator has to install the patches (hundreds of them) manually won't do any other administration work.

In fact, AutoPatcher has given me the hope to use Windows in a more secure and patched way. Now that the hope is gone, my desire of Microsoft's product is at the lowest level.

I'm now committed to promote Linux more than Windows.

It has been an excellent tools you have been and I thank the developers for helping countless people with your useful patching tool.

In case you wonder what Microsoft wrote, get it here.
More comments from AutoPatcher users.

Too much of HOAX

Got this message a few times in my hotmail inbox:

[
Hey, people
Sorry to break the news, but looks like all of those warnings were real!
The use of MSN and e-mail will cost money from Summer 2007 onwards. If you send this message to 18 different people from your list, your little MSN Icon will turn blue and that will make it free for you. If you don't believe Me, go on to (www.msn.com) and see it yourself. Don't forward this message, But copy and paste it so that people will actually read it. It is Andy and John - the directors of MSN - sorry for the interruption, but MSN is really closing down. This is because too many inconsiderate people are taking up all the names (e.g.. Making up lots of different accounts for just one person), and we are only left with 578 names. If you would like to close your account, DO NOT SEND THIS MESSAGE ON. But, If you would like to keep your account, then SEND THIS MESSAGE TO EVERYONE ON YOUR CONTACT LIST.
This is no joke, as we Will be shutting down the Servers. Send it on, thanks. WHOEVER DOES NOT SEND THIS MESSEAGE, YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE CLOSED AND IT WILL COST YOU 100.00 (pending) A MONTH TO USE. SEND THIS TO EVERYONE
ON YOUR CONTACT LIST. NOW YOU KNOW WHAT TO DO. PLEASE DO NOT FORWARD THIS OR REPLAY. COPY THE WHOLE E-MAIL. RETURN TO YOUR INBOX AND CLICK ON NEW. THEN PASTE 'THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION'. Hey everyone, I don't normally send this sort of stuff out, but I had a Look on the Internet and its actually true that by the 30th November, we Will have to pay for the use of our MSN and e-mail account(s), unless we Send this message to at least 18 contacts on our contact list. It's no joke, but if you don't believe me, then you can see for yourself -Go to the site
(http://news.BBC.co.UK/1/hi/business/1189119.stm) - and See For yourself.
Anyway, once you've sent this message to at least 18 contacts, your MSN icon Will turn blue. Please copy and paste, but don't forward it, as people won't Take notice of it
]


[Image taken from http://www.librarysupportstaff.com/forwardemail.gif]

Now.. I've seen too many hoaxes going around in e-mails until today, so I feel that posting the real issue won't make any harm.

In this case, if you check the link up there, it was dated Sunday, 25 February, 2001, 11:00 GMT, which is long.. long.. time ago, but then it says that we have to pay for improved services of the MSN portal.

My suggestion, check out the article you want to forward in the Internet for it's truth. There are a few sites that list out hoaxes or truth; Truth Or Fiction and Museum of Hoaxes are two of my favorites while you can obtain more of them here.

So don't simply take for granted everything you read in the email forwards!

Have you ever wonder why your email is filled with spam and unwanted advertisement? Forwarding emails is one of them. Say.. if one forwards one message to all of your contact list in your email, one usually use the [Forward] button and put the recipients in the [To:] field. Now.. try search into your forwarded emails that you receive and tell me how many email addresses that you have (friends and foreigns). What would happen if a spammer receive your email with those active email addresses in it? Use your imagination. ^_^ Here is another article about forwarding and spam.

So if you have done that before, or your friends have sent you such message, congratulations you have been subscribed to a mailing list of spam. ^_^

If you can't live without forwarding, at least use the [Bcc:] field, which will not expose other recipients' email addresses.

Audio in Ubuntu

Spent 2 hours in having my Ubuntu upgraded to the power to do audio as in UbuntuStudio. Managed to install the ubuntustudio-audio from apt and running Ardour.

Had me half an hour to deal with the sounds so that I can record, mix, and play especially in mp3 files. Took me few minutes to realize that I have got the LAME encoder in my ubuntu, but still have to run aptitude install liblame-dev on the shell.

Home sweet home, new favorite spot

Since the desk arrived last week, I've been so comfortable working on my desk. Enjoying (still) programming on the bigger screen on my PC (I've got 15" in the office only) for longer code view and bigger design view in the IDE.


Got an extra laptop of my brother (the one that broke, and repaired); not so powerful, but at least I can try out UbuntuStudio on that machine.

Ubuntu vs Vista

I came across this blog that briefly compares the prices in Ubuntu and Vista, a nice way to slice up your budget if you've blown it up on hardware.

Another objective comparison from InformationWeek is also a good article to check out.

Google Earth Flight Simulator

Have you played Microsoft Flight Simulator yet? Feel like playing it for free? Try the new version Google Earth (4.2) with it's new hidden feature of flying around the planet.

Watch this video from the Google Earth Blog.

You can find more of these videos at You Tube.
This is too cool to be happening for free!!!

"We assure you.. no more blackout!" is not an assurance

Heard from the radio this morning saying that the electricity company (PT. PLN) (which is monopolized by the government) is almost assured to not able to keep their promise to keep the light on as power outage is still going on in the area.

Previously, they had stated publicly their apologize and promised to ensure that electricity will be fulfilled before and during this Ramadan.

And now they're saying that they won't keep that promise.. again..

Mayor?

On the transport this morning, I was awakened by the siren sound of the mayor candidate of Medan Ali Umri's convoy.

The traffic was fairly ok, not jammed, but still vehicles are running slow. And out of nowhere these convoy simply rushing over the crowds like he owns the road or something.

One point I feel the officials should notice is that they should live their life as normal citizens so that they would know what's wrong with their area. If they simply put a loud siren on their car and have police escorting their way, they'd not know if that road is actually so bad, or at least the traffic.

Definitely not the type of guy I would choose to run the government, but who knows.. :-P

Another dinner party @ home

I kind of like it being at home now (as in living here, working here). Most of any celebrations in the family gather almost all members of near family in the town (which doesn't happen a lot since everyone is working already).

This time my aunt's birthday, so we had a BBQ at the rooftop. Had the usual family and family friends, not so crowded, but I like it where it cheers me up. ^_^





And not forgetting the cake ceremony. ^_^


And usual, the jokes were still available. ^_^

Converting MS Office Word 2007 to earlier versions

Received an email with .docx files and you don't have Microsoft Office 2007 installed?
Try downloading the Microsoft Office Converter to convert from new version of 2007 to earlier version.

While the converter above requires Microsoft Office to be installed, there are free online file conversion systems like Zamzar, docx2doc, and there may be others that I don't know of.

P3MI Binjai's Anniversary

Now that the fellowship has been around for generations (it started on the 3rd Saturday 1958) we're celebrating the anniversary by inviting children from orphanage with 38 children in total.



Most of them lost their parents during the 2005 tsunami. Make me realize of helping others while I can.

The first Indonesia Raya

Found this video on YouTube of the first Indonesian National Anthem released.
It's still in the old spelling of Indonesian.

This video has been quite some stories since it was discovered few weeks ago in some server located in Dutch.

My Indonesia

Happy independence day for my beloved country of Indonesia. 62 years after the proclamation of the independence.
Came across this song "Bendera" (Flag) by Cokelat on TV.

I can't seem to find the video clip that I saw on TV, but I found this on YouTube.

Here is the lyric:
{Biar saja ku tak sehebat matahari
Tapi ku slalu mencoba tuk menghangatkanmu
Biar saja ku tak setegar batu karang
Tapi ku slalu mencoba tuk melindungimu

Biar saja ku tak seharum bunga mawar
Tapi slalu kucoba tuk mengharumkanmu
Biar saja ku tak seelok langit sore
Tapi slalu kucoba tuk mengindahkanmu

Kupertahankan kau demi kehormatan bangsa
Kupertahankan kau demi tumpah darah
Semua pahlawan-pahlawanku

Merah putih teruslah kau berkibar
Di ujung tiang tertinggi di Indonesiaku ini
Merah putih teruslah kau berkibar
Di ujung tiang tertinggi di Indonesiaku ini
Merah putih teruslah kau berkibar
Ku kan selalu menjagamu}

Translation:
{
though I am not as great as the sun
but I always try to make you warm
though I am not as strong as rock
but I always try to protect you

though I am not as fragrant as rose
but I always try to [make you smell good]*
though I am not as beautiful as sunset sky
but I always try to [make you look good]*

I protect you for the honor of the country
I protect you for the blood of all my heroes

Red and White may you keep waving
in the top of the highest pole in my Indonesia
Red and White may you keep waving
in the top of the highest pole in my Indonesia
I will always take care of you
}
* some words might not be appropriate, but those are the best I can do for now

I'm not into Indonesian Idol, but they appeared to sing this song too and inspired many people in the country.

If u happen to have an account in fotografer.net, u might want to check out this picture.

May this country become greater and greater in God's way, so do the others.
Happy independence day.

Adios Vista

I have just uninstall Windows Vista at my home PC last night.

I'm back to Windows XP. If any of u guys wonder why, please check my previous posts about Windows Vista.

Here are some funny videos about Windows Vista. I like the Mac ad.

In fact, I feel more speed, reliability on XP. Couldn't the amount of money I spent for that powerful PC and still experiencing so buggy and slow computing experience.

Get's Youth Camp 2007 Bazaar

Fund-raising bazaar for the Youth Camp 2007.. Busy day...

Opening... 9:10AM




Almost everyone involved in the project..


Too tired today.. Can't even think of what to say today..

SAP Go Live (again)

Dejavu?
I do hope this time we're doing it right.. Cause most of us have been doing lots of preparations in this time.

However, despite of the so-called mature preparations, I still hanging around in remote site doing nothing because the other modules are still arguing bout lots of things.

I myself am in the remote site now, currently online on MSN using the remote desktop connection to my desktop computer in the HQ office.

Hope that I can get back in the weekend; it's so boring here...

Mission Trip

Mission trip to one of the village in the west of Binjai called Desa (village) Rampah. The first one and half hour trip was OK.. the next one hour is like riding a bull. The road is terrible, and one must ride on four wheel drive to reach those places.


This is one of the most terrifying church we encountered in Desa Antara. The Korean Methodist have agreed to build this church.


Methodist Indonesia built this church in 1986 and it has never been repaired whatsoever. What a terrifying view for a church.

Methodist Binjai decided to help most of their reconstruction of the church. And here we are.. in a middle of nowhere, far-far away from any cellular radiation.


We traveled a few more kilometers for another post, but the terrain was so bad :-(



The nature was so nice... Green all the way.. The river stream was still cold..

Windows Vista takes up 21% of total sales of Windows in Indonesia

According to detik.com, Windows Vista takes up 21% of the total sales of Microsoft Windows operating system in Indonesia.

Microsoft Indonesia has been offering some of Windows Vista's best features including Parental Control and support of DirectX 10 for gaming. They are pushing three main scenarios for Windows Vista: computer for family, computer for gaming, and computer for business.

But still, the most basic feature such as slow copy in Windows Vista has not been resolved by Microsoft while the issue has been there since the beta.

Microsoft published a knowledge base on this issue but still does not provide a reliable solution to this issue.

How the hell can Windows Vista passed the QA in the first place?

C# to VB.NET

Found this cool online tool that converts your code from C# to VB.NET..
Very useful if you encounter C# snippets that you want to try it out in your VB.NET application.

Heavy flu during project

I'm so sick today.. Can't even concentrate on doing anything.
Headache, heavy cough.. I think I'm having a flu..

So much for the "I hate Monday" thing...

Slow copy/move file operation in Windows Vista

Try to Google: windows vista slow copy and you'll understand why people are leaving Windows Vista and back to XP; even not few have converted to Linux solutions, where you can get what you can't get in Vista for free. One of those are simply reliability of file operations.

I browsed though the technet forum regarding this issue and found the problem seems to be in the indexing service.


Well done Microsoft; I think I'm switching back to XP.

AutoPatcher

Have you formatted your computer lately? or have you been doing it often?
Sick of Windows Updates and patches that makes you download it again and again? Or feeling sick of executing the patches that you have downloaded previously?

For corporate users, there is alternative using Windows Server Update Service; but what about home users? AutoPatcher is the thing. Just download it, and install it once after a Windows Service Pack 2. They update it monthly; I guess it saves tons of downloads of patches.

This thing is so useful for administrators that do setups for systems and installing fresh copy of Windows. Won't do good for you guys who are always connected to the internet for download, but it's always good to have a copy just in case you happen to format and reinstall your computer. Having the patches before connected to the internet (to download patches of course) has already posted security threats to your new Windows.

Btw, it's FREE...

Fantasy Character

Saw Ahmed with his fantasy character and wanted to try it out.

Came up with Galadriel:

Possessing a rare combination of wisdom and humility, while serenely dominating your environment you selflessly use your powers to care for others.

Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.

Try it out at http://www.tk421.net/character/

Lili's Wedding

Went to Kisaran for Lili's wedding on 5th-6th; and I took my brother this time..


My girlfriend's youngest sister is getting married before me.. [Huahaha.. ^_^]

Anyway.. took 2 days leave for Kisaran.. Man it was hot there.. Nothing much to say except that her dad was the only Chinese in Kisaran that blocked the road just for a wedding; I guess he knows people..



Reached home at 5:30 pm.. Felt happy since I could still see the bright sun in Binjai (haven't really seen it since I worked; reach home just about sunset most of the time)

Work again tomorrow.. ;-(

Ubuntu & Beryl

Here are the screen shots of my Ubuntu with Beryl.

3-D desktop cube with transparency.


Wanna take a peek on what's going on at the back of the current window?


Another one with OpenOffice.org maximized window.


I tried to put video screen capture, but it seems so heavy when capturing video that the animations look so fuzzy; so I'm using the screen shots instead.

I'm posting this blog, and also the last one from my Ubuntu Linux. ^_^

I'm referencing to this blog as I'm using ATI, but for some reason, it doesn't work as said. I've got no time to read more of that, so I disable the restricted drivers and it works like a charm.

Ubuntu Linux

I finally came to a point that I'm trying out Linux. I did long time ago try Fedora Core (it was 3 at that time).

I'm so amazed by the 7.04 of Ubuntu; it's so easy to install. Took me less than half an hour to finish the installation on my Aspire 2010 laptop.

This is so far the best Linux I've ever seen (perhaps I've not been seeing other Linux distributions). The desktop effects of Wobbling windows is so cool and works fine in my laptop.

I later found out that finding new programs is so much easier with the Synaptic Package Manager, that uses catalogs in the internet (that we can update) to locate packages (like VLC and Beryl I've installed into my Ubuntu)

And the Beryl is so cool man.. I've seen this in a video in YouTube (long time ago, but u can still Google it) and I didn't think that I was going to experience this, on Linux.

Ubuntu really makes my Vista at home look bad. Haha..

Sneezing Panda

Saw this short 13-seconds video of a sneezing panda. I was laughing my ass off when I saw this.. Very funny.. ^_^

Good break of the day after brainstorming.

Man Me from HK

A family from my mother's side came to Indonesia for someone's wedding, so they came to Binjai for a visit.

Took them to a local feast. Not so used to eat using hands. ^_^

SISF @ Medan

Met Mertje and some of the old SISF friends in Medan. So happy that I can see the faces I've not seen for years. I'm also reclaiming a bulk of paper that I gave her when I was in KL, all about choir notes. I'm gonna have it scanned and documented for future reference.
Had dinner @ Fountain, Medan Fair Plaza..
Ah.. I miss the college times.

New day with laughter

I'm driving today.. going to meet Mertje this evening.
On my way from the parking lot to the office we (JF and I) noticed a fellow (about 40s Chinese) walking by the pathway singing all by himself. He looked happy all by himself walking there; which reminded me of being happy and be grateful of everything..

Have a nice day..

Brastagi with NISP

This was indeed a holiday..
Hui's NISP colleagues invited me to go to Brastagi highland with them.. had good times.
I hadn't had good laugh recently and I'm glad that I joined them.

Had a 2-hours karaoke at Mickey Holiday...
Damn.. I forgot my jacket.. Freezin here..




Check out who we encountered...

183.. (though I'm not a fan of it.. but the girls were [almost] crazy bout them and had all the boys to take pictures of them)

Sangwo @ Antara

Had some hangout with church friends in my place tonight. Had some good time together...





He's not a playboy though he looks like one.. huahaha..

Gonna stay late again tonight for not all of them are staying back in my place. So I think we're gonna chat all night. ^_^

Going to Brastagi tomorrow morning at 9 (scheduled).