about nasri

More machine than man

2010-05-09T06:00:00.000-07:00

It's been a year plus since the 2nd incident. Still single and still alone. Love seems frozen in time. It thaw a teeny bit than was frozen again. Anyway, it does not matter. I have torn down facebook. I will tear down this blog as well? No matter about what I feel. Like I hope.. more machine than man.

System rebooting...

2009-06-30T19:31:00.000-07:00

This is the 2nd incident slogan... System i find is rebooted with the 26jun2009 incident when ponytail style was gone. Thought about it..

Designated 1 July... system hibernate... expect it to be a while.. possibly 3-6 months..this are the key months as in previous scenarios.. high chances of failure occurring in this time frame.

If i am still as I am next year..2010... System is secure in the new design... hahaha...

IBM Let's build a smarter planet...

2009-05-09T04:03:00.000-07:00

It was finally after Jan 2009 that I finally revealed that I am part of the IBM company... =) its almost a year and I am still happy. One of the key things/perks is that it's emphasis on quality and performance. Not archaic attendance/punctuality based on appearances. Unlike before, I do not need to be sitting at my desk at 830 nor attend every meeting if there is work to be done. I come into office at about 10am, pack my day with work and leave at 6-7pm. I am happy worker :)

Waking up at 9am on office work day, monday to friday is like dream come true. I dun feel as if I am working. So this is just one of the cool perks at IBM. There are more perks so if nothing pushes me out, neither Credit Suisse nor Citi can attract me to their folds... Some things $$ can't buy --> Waking up at 9am everyday to go to work.

Let's build a smarter planet...

2009-04-01T19:04:00.000-07:00

IBM theme for this 2009 is "A Smarter Planet"... and more relevant would be the smart retail..

For me, i would like to call "Let's build a smarter planet..." cos I feel that we all have to do things better,faster and easier.. =)

Guess its say something bout me that I do like catchy interesting phrases, and I do have some interest in IBM's slogans..should b coming up with some more that i found ;)

To Omnia or not to omnia...

2009-01-11T19:51:00.000-08:00

Decision has been made on this one. Not to omnia (aka samsung i900)

The main problem is the text messaging. Zero tactile response for those who can sms blind, aka without looking at the keypad.

For those who are looking while sms, the screen size is small. I have the previous message and my current msg, and with the keys to press..all on the same screen. It makes the experience terrible. Not worth it.

One feedback is that not to use Omnia. Also what's the alternative? HTC Touch was a feedback i got. Interestingly, i know my DPM using an omnia but no complaint there.

I did my test and did not see major issues.Sadly,my other half's test fail to detect problems and got the phone. It was so bad, omnia was sold to another person who dun sms much. All within the week of getting the phone.

Be warn: Millenia Institute - What you think is not what you get

2009-01-01T22:16:00.000-08:00

One major event of note is my sister school results and the efforts needed for her to be back into the school. It is a watershed year and its like a cheat code to prevent death. So this year 2009 will be the year that should not be a problem for her. And next year she will graduate =)

I know the blog is so vague but I just wanna keep to the non-disclosure agreement =p

4 Money management tools

2008-12-14T02:36:00.000-08:00

Had a conversation with a co-worker and the topic of money management came up. Apparently, he is using a pro version of ynab (you need a budget) software.

For those who are tight on cash or jus prefer simple freeware, there are some other alternatives ( in no particular order) :

money manger
gnu cash
quicken online (free version)

Machine do not feel.

2008-09-29T21:42:00.001-07:00

Cameron in terminator : sarah conner chronicle is a machine. They do not feel. I wonder why they wish to feel. It is not any better than what they are in now. Emotionless killing machines. I am interested how to machines are machines just as they are interested in why humans are humans. The achievement for machine is to be human.. so for humans? To be a machine.

Lesson learnt in Taiwan 2003 - Paupers cannot be choosers

2008-09-25T03:24:00.001-07:00

This is a lesson which i learnt while i was serving my NS. We were sent on a training exercise to Taiwan and I was with a senior warrant officer. We were sitting at one of the check points. He seem to be in a good mood. Silent and not shooting the trainees. I got him talking cos i got curious. Here, the OC of the company who can probably jus drive out to the nearby food stalls and grab real food. He did not. I ask him, why? As a soldier, we are like beggers, and beggers cannot be choosers. Lesson i learnt cos it repeated in my life. I just never realise it till the days came.

Green belt not in silat but in lean sigma ;p

2008-09-17T21:45:00.000-07:00

I have started some activities. Silat and Lean sigma. Interestingly, I am at white belt at Silat (Malay Martial arts) when i have like 3 years of experience. However, I am completing green belt when i have less than 1 month of experience.. Irony of this education system which emphasis on courses, and the modern marketing phenomenon.

It's been a long time since my last spar... feels good to do take-downs!

2008-09-01T05:23:00.000-07:00

Had a 2nd sparring session and it did not feel good when i did not do more than 1 take down.. but to fight in an aircon room is a new experience. Dun feel as tired as before.. :)

My ipod is back n refresh...AppleCare paid for itself B-)

2008-08-24T19:21:00.000-07:00

For this one, i had to pay S$110 and with the ipod cost of $600, i guess i have brought down the amount of money i had.. So i refresh my hardware at the end of a combined 2 year warranty period by taking a bet on having a brand new ipod that should last for another 2-3 years?

And thank god, i had the 5G type of ipod, unlike my bro's 6th gen! Cos i dun like the new ipod interface. Its not so nice when watching a movie, the top and bottom of the show get opaque by the title n scrollbar. Also half of screen used up by the cover art only works if you have cover art and seriously not all the time! waste my battery.. and when playing, it does look cool but u cant have the cover art being displayed all the time instead of the title and such.

So making use of insurance, it serves its purpose! =)

Planet Fitness Member WITHOUT paying the membership ROCKS!!! Esp the free classes!!

2008-08-11T20:00:00.000-07:00

I tried out 2 planet fitness locations in a span of 2 weeks.

What i find is that between Fitness First and Planet fitness, overall, Fitness First is on top.

Why?
tbc...

An experience in the grand building of Singapore

2008-08-04T00:07:00.000-07:00

Legal Legacy Tour was professional and i was feelin cold...

Finding the use of the maxtor one touch backup plan

2008-07-28T18:44:00.000-07:00

Alright, I spend time on doing a check disk using windows on my maxtor OT 250GB. Errors not found or fixed... anyway, it took one night. Next, I thought of using the one touch function with backup to backup my WD ext hdd. Unfortunately, when i use it using different computer, they assume different drives. Smart? well, for my purpose, it wasn't. As such, when i left the computer overnight, the schedule backup setting almost fill up my drive.

Now i got 2 backup of WD on maxtor =p Well, one of them have to go. Now, I guess i have to use my syncback software to do the backup. Will do the test today and I have to convert videos to utilise the time and processing.

Next thing is the itunes and using it on both computer.. not sure if its feasible. Also there is the nokia lifeblog. Hmm...

Streamlining processes... Desktop cleanup

2008-07-27T09:10:00.000-07:00

Streamline.. With the WD ext hdd,i m removing the need for the desktop to provide space for current use simply because I need to have access to my data. Right now, my documents files are 11GB with most of them the converted videos link to bro itunes.

Remove lots of data from my documents in the desktop. And resolving the links of files from my bro account to mine all done. The desktop is a shell of its former glory? Only itunes have skeletal remains of old itunes library. Otherwise, no data shall be held there. Any files stored in the itunes folder would be brother. I have no immediate plans to tap to my desktop so it will be a shell for me to access temp? A vacation home ;)

And now, I have to sync my maxtor n WD to make them on par. Also to resolve the cyclic redundant file error in my maxtor.. Affected mr brown shows and my TED videos. Storing current files in a temp folder which i marked out.. Once the data in both ext hdd drive is done, I will test maxtor one touch backup. Not sure if storing files on my own will affect it. If it does, then i have to remove my files and then i will do the One touch. Since i have the function , i might as well use it. It will automate my backups =) A mirror of my WD hdd. So at most, I carry both. else one of it will be at base station, eg. work, for me to back up my data.

Legal Legacy Tour was professional and i was feelin cold...

2008-07-26T06:06:00.000-07:00

Music Albums Cover art is done...Back to the work...

Announce that i m back to the work force for the first week.. And also i had done the family outing to the supreme court. Looking at the pictures, physical pain is nothing, but not the emotional toll.

New personal file system Architecture

2008-07-24T18:56:00.000-07:00

It's one of the rare times in my life that i ok the purchase of an IT gadget so fast after giving serious thought. It surface in my mind since June. But only recently i see a new to have .. an external hdd.

Tc had WD 160gb bought for work during June IT show. $90 and short cables. I was almost sold. However, on thinking, i decided to get a 250gb to match my current maxtor 5-year warranty One Touch ext hdd.

Why do i need one? Well, a paradigm shift in planning for my file system. Previously, my files have been based on my laptop 80gb space and offloading certain files to my ext hdd. Also, my desktop will absorb the backup of my large music collection and dvd/cdr will take care of movies, etc...

Now, I have decided to offload even more. You could say that I will upgrade my system to have not just to depend on ONE laptop but to be mobile. Why do i need to be mobile? Well, its thanks to IBM Thinkpad T61. And to prepare for longer work hours/OT? I will want to have my data close at hand.

Of course certain principles of "no duplicate files", "optimise files aka, only what is ness" shall apply.. It does not mean that I will collect more data.

Instead, of putting data on the web, I will be using external hdd. Web storage may be a thing in the future or home log in but not now. I don't see how i can effectively utilise that function now as there requires internet connection. For this new architecture, I am not dependent on that but instead on physically havin my hdd in my work bag. (unless of course I remove that as well). On the other hand, its better not to home log in as that requires taxing home PC. For online web storage, once my data is well consolidated and mayb its for work, I believe web storage possible.

Right now, to have data that I can switch between my acer and my thinkpad is more paramount. And that is equivalent to work & home PC setup. Thank goodness I do not have a mac else that is another file system so different from what i have now. More things to oversee bt mac will also be for the future.

My t61 update
I realise i have to have java jvm for firefox... just got that done. Live messenger is done too.

Starting off with thinkpad T61 for 2008

2008-07-23T19:25:00.000-07:00

Ok, I hope to journal what i did to my new thinkpad that i got for work.

By right, i would have to install all the windows patches but since I cant do that since i do not have the intranet to update automatically, I pass the standard.

So firstly, it was mozilla firefox which I have to have cos i am using IE 6 that comes with win xp. Thank god, i can install that by downloading! Had to have my foxmarks which instantly brought all my bookmarks in sync with this thinkpad =]

And i decide to try to have a new software that is recommended on the list, called Piclens. 3D viewing, well, running a dual core and 2GB RAM, let me try it.

Apparently, another must-have add-in was the flash player so that plug-oin had to be done via manual install.

Next on the list was MSN messenger as its the de facto IM in sg except those who uses their yahoo.. My installer was old so luckily updates are possible. And there are new tools added on to the MSN msger..hmm.. could try those too..

Now to restart the computer.

End of contract = Jobless!! Current job is music album artwork now...

2008-07-17T08:27:00.000-07:00

Stage of life where i enjoy cos i do have the money to enjoy the simple things in life.. not so much to say i have financial superiority.. I did not have to worry about how much $ i have in my wallet cos I know i have enough.

So this sense of jobless is superficial. I can relax and i managed to clear up my mucis library. The album artwork for the itunes (and largely to the help of mediamonkey) is done. So now, I can happily flip through the itunes art. However, I did realise that even the contacts list in outlook can one day include photo snapshot of frens to id ppl.. That is for the future.

ORD to jobless !! Frens... catch up with me =) Into music album artwork now...

2008-07-01T07:35:00.001-07:00

Still doing artwork and had swim in the evening and run in the mid-day... incredible hulk in the middle and ... feeling tired now ;)

Decisions, actions, reflections...

2008-06-30T07:08:00.000-07:00

For the june 2008, this was the motto for my msn.. it has meaning.. among it is the career decision and also the insurance step.. I finally started investment and i do need to do my personal financial report ;) time to change my msn happening to ... ORD to Jobless!! =p

Continuation of the transfer of vista files and merging of desktop

2008-02-10T00:42:00.001-08:00

It is day 3 of an intense merging and re-evaluation of my backup policies of my computer system. I have managed to merge my files from old vista to the new one. Removed irrelevant folders as i do not use some of them anymore. Eg. include the visual studio files and net beans... There are also many files created by software which i have to evaluate and remove from my backup system, Seagate.

One of the major tasks was to backup the nokia lifeblog to my laptop instead of the desktop and the other is to sync my ipod from my laptop and use my desktop PC as a backup. I would be doing at the source level. Thou I have not set the settings to manually managed the music files etc. The effects i have yet to see. Unfortunately, i cannot stream my ipod collection from my desktop to my lap top as it will be possibly be in use by my brother. So instead of desktop being the main, the seagate will take its place. I have to take of the movies i put on the ipod. cos it takes up space and i do not watch it regularly, i will use my laptop and remove them to dvd/cd if i choose to keep it.

So now to backup my life blog... and then my ipod.

Another

Design of itunes library after win xp installed

2008-02-09T06:48:00.000-08:00

It would have been more useful to have the updates on vista to win xp... but lacking time. Now i need to recollect my tots on the linkages established and verified for bro'situne library and the files in my documents, etc...

In the my documents folder, the links are:
Converted Videos>ipod>H264 (The simpsons and arrested developments)
Downloads>Prison Break Season 2
Love Hina Disc Extra

This means that any changes i do to those folders will have effects on his itunes library and as such, i will be leaving them alone.

For the rest of the folder, I plan to leave them alone in my Seagate drive. There are some folders which I will move out. The cassette music video and "to transfer". itunes folder will be left untouched. Priority is set up my music folder as per the whole directory. I leave the podcasts on its own i.e. itune managed. The videos are ad-hoc and consolidated in laptop my documents. The videos to be linked? perhaps the prison break 2. My MTVs, i will link up as it is... less work?

During the clearance, i find that app data created in vista is very huge.. it takes up to 2.2GB and i dun even hav an idea what's the app data needed. Comparing it win xp hidden app data, it is huge...

Also, in the backup, i realise i made a duplicate backup of vista desktop in my Seagate backup. It was unintentional and it seems my syncback setup and care is wasted? ah well, that is something i have to remember about c:\documents and settings equivalent in the vista c:\nasri\desktop...

Restoring the itune database which is 23+GB from seagate to my laptop takes a lot of time... it is the artwork processing that i don't see the urgency to cancel (cos it may corrupt my files?) so i ended up waiting... i got 2360files which it started to process at 1130pm and it still does till 1230 am.. thinking of leaving my computer on...

Running before and after the standard chartered marathon

2008-01-08T06:58:00.000-08:00

Below would be a listing of runs that i did b4 and after.. nto wow before and neither in good shape after the marathon.. only today did i check that i can do light running even then, left knee aches...

20nov2007
total 49.31 and average of 8.15
7.56
7.57
7.04
7.56
7.35
11.01

21nov 2007 7.16pm -- poor run since run 2 consecutive days
total of 29.53 and average of 9.57
10.04
9.11
10.37

After marathon, 9dec07 was first run, 5.49pm
total of 21.31 and average of 7.10
6.40, 6.48, 8.02

11dec07 7.41pm
total of 18.36 and average of 9.18
9.17 and 9.19

15dec07 7.37pm --> last run before i took almost a month of rest without running
total of 32.33 and average of 10.51
7.58, 11.26 and 13.08

8jan2008 7.54pm -->first run of the year and almost a month rest, left knee aches after 1.5 laps and left ankle better, no pain...
total of 19.28 and average 9.44
8.13, 11.15

Cost report for Bintan

2008-01-06T02:54:00.000-08:00

Trip report for myself =p

Haircut and wash for me and nassim was same, 18000rupiah.

I bought 2 party-time bucket from KFC (their only modern fast-food place) and it was 117,727 each. Both with tax, it was 259 000 rupiah. btw, it was 9200 rupiah per chicken. there was a promo meal of a chicken wing, rice and drink that cost 6000 rupiah but it was mon-fri from 3-5pm only. Also, there was delivery and the number was (0771) 318 - 184. The location of the KFC was at kaca Puri T.Pinang .. Oh btw, an aqua bottle ( mineral water aqua) cost 2000 at a normal shop but KFC charge it at 4182... without tax... ( i dun know how much is the tax)

Below is a short list of shopping items that i bought from a grocery shop. hope it helps out on planning on indexing prices ?
milo fuze 3in1 31,750
honey star 300g 18,600
coca cola 330ml 3,350
pepsi cola 2,700
yeos green tea 2,500
tissue pack 8,000
hair gel is 16,000
bottle of lychee syrup 7,350
1kg milk 45,800
bread is 5,000
bought 2x 5W lamp 1,500 x2
coffee packet is 9500

...
Total cost is 205,750rupiah for one shoppin trip... equivalent to S$30... decent.

note, a fan over there would cost me 90,000...

Tips on Presentation Techniques

2007-12-23T05:40:00.000-08:00

These are some ways to captivate an audience depending on the context:

Story
Personal experience
Suspense
Jokes/Humor
Questions
Involved the audience
Catch-phrase /cliques
Change the tone of voice
Gestures
Projection of voice
Case study / "moral" story
Quotes
Arguments
Logical reasoning

Medisave notes

2007-12-23T04:24:00.000-08:00

In 2001, the MOH stats show that singaporean is estimated to be hospitalised 11 times in his lifetime and 8 of them is after they reach 55. The minimum medisave savings was $19,000 and only 56per cent of people have that amount.

Things i know now?

2007-12-11T05:48:00.001-08:00

BASIC (Beginners' All-purpose Symbolic Instruction Code): one of the easiest languages for writing programs (see programming language). Many operating systems come supplied with a version of BASIC.

Lost items in my life =(
8/8/2001 @1800hrs My Moon Graph Casio Watch
Jun 2001 Nite Lost Handphone

Investment Strategy Development

2007-12-09T07:30:00.000-08:00

I have an article which I kept since 2001 and it holds true of how to develop one's investment strategy. There are 5 key points.

1. The investment time period.
2. Ability to keep the finds invested and not diverted to other purposes
3. Understanding the characteristics of the investment instruments
4. Experience in investing and reaction to investment value fluctuations
5. Personal preference and comfort in investment value fluctuations.

Scanned in the 2 pages of concise advice. Too bad the internet site does not exist anymore.

Batam trip 2007

2007-12-09T05:34:00.000-08:00

Doing some minor costing of the event. Current exchange was $1 = 6000 Rupiah. I paid S$50 for the resort stay to my company via cheque and they gave hefty discounts for the 2 staff family members. It will cost them S$120 each. Any more than that will cost $245 usual price.

The resort stay would have set a person back by S$245 and the things at Resort are not really cheap except perhaps the banana boat ride. it cost S$5. The table tennis equipment was already S$5 per hour. The foot massage was S$18 ++. The full body was S$30. Compared to the foot massage that TC had at Batam Centre, that one cost only 25,000rupiah. Btw, there is A&W over there and i got a root beer float for 18200rupiah and a platter promo that cost 28000rupiah. A total of 462000 =) less than 8 bucks at a fast food restaurant. Got my sister a poster of spongebob at a popular bookshop look-a-like and it cost 10000rupiah.. cool :]

I brought S$24 worth of Rupiah and I carry S$80 for the trip.Had to S$54 since i have to return my friend the money he exchanged into rupiah.

From BatamView Resort to Batam Centre, the hotel chartered private car ride was S$15. There is no way for you to get another cab as the resort is on the edge of the island among the jungles! And the trip is one way.

The guided tour of Nagoya we got from Malik was S$80 which we decide upon after evaluating some factors. Eg. it cost 300,000Rupiah to rent a car for the whole day. That is equivalent to about S$50. And we the ride out of the resort is S$15. The services provided was our personal bodyguard and guide from about 6pm (Batam time) to 12midnight.

Had dinner at this quite good indian food thou pricey, it was about 167,000rupiah for a meal for 3 people. Playing Time Crisis was damn cheap. 1 token per person and a token cost 1,000 rupiah. Having drinks at the City Cafe is expensive. Carlsberg Beer was at 40,000 a can while orange juice was 32900rupiah each. Spent on 2 cans (get 3cans promo) and 2 orange juice that set us back by 145 800 000 rupiah and the tax was 21 870 rupiah. total was 167 670 00rupiah.

The next day, we ended up at the same place, NBC centre and we had pool. It cost us 15000 rupiah for 50mins of play... on a weekend at a shopping centre!

Back home in singapore, we ended up taking the cab from Bedok to our home. That was only S$9. Compared to the cab service at Tanah Merah that would have cost us $25.

Overall cost was low considering that meals at the resort was free. I spent about $80-$100 (excluding the S$50 for the resort stay) in total. the extra $20 is due to the cab and whatever cash i had in my wallet at that time.

My buddy in division has left...

2007-11-29T07:46:00.000-08:00

It seems surreal.. when to day arrive. cos i think it spurs me to come to work too as if i dun i won't get to see my buddy work and the company that we shared among the cubicles of the office.

It was a case of not looking back when we part. And it felt strange when i have to enter the office back alone. Been awhile since that happen. I still remember the time when he came into the division, it was a surprise to see somebody new. Din tot he was in the same division and was initially cautious... But relations grew like the spring arrive after winter... and another era has pass.. another moment in time of fun and company.

Will get over it cos its not so bad as we can catch up once more after work.. and i should be more pro-active and get off my butt to meet up with ppl =) haha.. gonna cheer up cos weekend is early this week with the Batam trip tml and the standard chartered marathon on sunday!!

marathon route run through mixed feelings...

2007-11-26T06:24:00.000-08:00

I went through the running route for th marathon via flash that stanchart had done up at this link .. http://www.singaporemarathon.com/en/route/?sec=204&ssec=553

It was like OMG!!! i know the length of the ECP pretty well, been there kind of feelin but this comin up event will be THE ONE!!! cos like, i not only go to the end and back, i still can do loops and cartwheels at marina bay park and pass the national stadium.. lookin and visualizing it gives me the butterfly in the stomach..

it does not help when i m not feelin well since i have bn hit by the flu bug.. tired and weary, i have been taking 10hours-12 hours sleep over the past few nites lar.. sigh..

hope the marathon ends well, or else, its gonna be a death warrant on me =|

my courses that i am for during college

2007-11-25T04:11:00.000-08:00

In TPJC, we had to do academic targetting, the 3 courses that i wanted is the NUS computer engineering , NTU computer engineering and again NUS computer science. there were points that were required and i had to clear the paper... have the records scanned... if ever nostalgic me, wanna check it out.. =)

What i got from the StanChart Race Pack

2007-11-24T20:47:00.000-08:00

Got a Adidas clima365 running vest . This clima365 technology comprises of climalite, climacool , climawarm and climaproof solutions..

Mine is the climalite... with reflective technology that ensures optimum visibility in low light condition.. and interesting, it is also designed and constructed for the Asian body...

I did not get the bus ticket for $3 cos i did not know they have it since they did not say it.. well, i read about it.. and decided, i think i will cab to fullerton and jus spend the transport fare as i initially plan for. similar as to the army half marathon, i did tat for the logistics... decoupled from the crowd, and jus run it and go home! haha...

Slow run again !

2007-11-12T19:34:00.000-08:00

12nov2007 7.34pm

Lookin back at the run, its not a good sign as i m just slowin down before my big run... hai..

total: 26.09min
average:8.43

6.52
7.09
12.08

Last 5 runs before marathon

2007-11-08T17:42:00.000-08:00

8nov2007@5.42pm (deepavali)
total:47.42
average:9.32
6.44
7.41
10.03
11.35
11.37

Essential Software merger proves a point

2007-11-06T07:25:00.000-08:00

Having 2 different directories of similar contents was the prinicple for essential software 06 and 07. However, after barely a year of so, with the advent of space control and the duplicate finder... i have decided to merge the two folders and the available software in it as well.

The decision took account of the space constraint and to keep to the idea that all info are to be kept in one centralised place and there should be no duplicates.

Well, at least i learnt from this experiment of folder structures...

short 1st run in december..

2007-11-05T20:42:00.000-08:00

5nov2007
8.42pm
Total: 25.11
average 8.23

6.53
7.43
10.35

not a good run since the timin for the last lap was basically walkin!!

Punggol run

2007-11-05T04:05:00.000-08:00

20 oct2007
7.09upm

7.56
8.2s2
10.36
9.49
12.40

sum=49.23
avg=9.52

Major contacts sorting and cleaning up ops

2007-11-03T21:19:00.000-07:00

Following the success of the itunes music and music collection cleanup that is stablised since it started out last year, I am now starting to re-organise the digital contacts that i have in my database.

Rules that I have to follow in order for clean database of contacts:
1. Keep only one database,

In my case, I had ended up spawning various versions of database and version control went haywire. So always keep to one version of the database. Backups are recommended but only of the current one. Why not incremental backup? Say of 2006 contacts and 2007 contacts? Well, I found out that the contacts do not change as frequently. This contact database will change over time and if somebody stop having a certain email address. Its of no value say a year later. So why back it up? Also, from my essential software directory structure, i realise, it becomes counterproductive when i am using a duplicate finder to sort out for duplicates. Too many false alarm!!

2. Use a duplicate finder for outlook.
This was tough. I had to search for a few weeks for a freeware contact duplicate software that will lighten the load. It will NOT do the job for you totally as the search crtieria is very strict. Having said that, if you have exact same contacts matched, the software would have remove it.

There are a few that I would recommend, havng used them in this project...

3. Use only the last name!
I know that outlook and etc allows use to have different fields to break up a name. But for your sanity sake, use one. I use the last name field to store a name. the full name. In addition, i would put certain grouping for the name. Eg. if its from my sch, i would tag it with say NTU or NUS xxx. Why so? cos i still have old hp, my 111o nokia handphone which is superd but does not have a sphisticated search function. Then, you can drill down jus like a directory function.

4. Sort the outlook contacts as "File as" and "Last name" to be the same.
In this way, your contacts are fixed in the directory structure. Remember back compatible is better than concepts of tags and multiple views!!! cos you are handling this project on your own and you wont have time to clean up mess when software changes, hp change or whatever change, you need to have the basic info. This would lead us to the next idea

5. Store them in compatible file formats.
Similar to the open format idea, compatible file format are like csv!! or vcf which is not really a good choice as there are problems converting it.

My problem was that my n73 hp uses the vcf and thankfully its software allow me to sync to outlook using its vcf. Why is it thankful? There is no freeware software that transfer your whole folder of vcf to outlook. Outlook only imports vcf files ONE-BY-ONE!!!! took me a week or so to figure out that point... so b warn.

6. No funny characters..
Please no more funny characters.. i tot they were nice to differentiate from the normal fonts.. i mean those fonts that have special symbols on them. Bad idea if you got lots of contacts or sync with other devices.. you just dun know if such fonts are supported! Well, thankfully i only have a few of them and i have decided to remove any of those funny letters...

7. Be consistent
You got to have the same format, simplified structure and one stop info contact database in order of it to be useful! Try to have one set of fix software and stick to it. I know vista have its contact folder, but since i m using outlook, plaxo and nokia sync... there is no reason why i should use the vista contact folders!

For the record, I had Remove these folders as they are merged into a single contacts database.
Nokia Hp May2007 --> back up of my n73 as an infrequent backup

pc2lappy --> created via nokia pc sync when i realise nokia pc sync can move all the contacts from vcf to outlook with a single click!!

plaxo_oct03 --> it was done in 2003 prior to uni/durin semester one to organise the contacts. Also in sync with my excel database which is pre-vcf era! That was done in year 2000!

Contacts (2) --> it was created during this plaxo/ nov07 cleanup and i am not sure where it was created nor when nor what created it... still i use it to merge with the main...

Current n73 data are stored in this folder as a safety as I am gg to revamp its contacts to be in sync with my laptop outlook and with plaxo's help, outlook on desktop n at work!!! :
C:\Users\Nasri\AppData\Roaming\Nokia\ContentCopier\2007-11-04 Nokia N73.nbu (24.0 MB)
- 991 contacts

- 300 calendar items

- 7 notes

Take note when using pc sync..
Look under the advanced options every time when you are doing sync as it will affect which direction will the data flow from when it update... Default is both direction. It does conflict resolution and it will also state which one takes precedence. This is important if you update contacts on both outlook and on your hp!!

Notes to Searching for contacts in outlook
There is 2 kinds of search. One is the address book search that goes through the email add i think. The other is the more comprehensive. Case in point. I have a contact that have the tag sc132. It will not appear in the address book search. So there is the find that will have this contact show up find.

These are the lessons learnt on this sunday morning and i have to go now so whoever is reading this post and thinks its useful. say sth.. else if there are questions, post yar!

End of october run

2007-10-30T20:16:00.000-07:00

10/30/07 tue
7.41pm
total: 38.49
average 7.45 min

6.54
7.33
6.39
7.46
9.54

1st long run after fasting month

2007-10-27T18:40:00.000-07:00

run at 6.40pm
6.34
6.23
7.40
10.16
10.43
9.29
8.57
7.14
7.13
14.49
total: 1.19hr
average:8.56

Run on the 24 oct 2007 at punggol park

2007-10-24T06:00:00.000-07:00

Run on the 24 oct 2007 at punggol park
total: 51.06
average:8.31

7.06
7.14
9.07
8.07
8.50
10.41
7.31

Run at Punggol Part on 22/10/07

2007-10-22T07:14:00.000-07:00

Total = 21.47
average = invalid due to one lap extra of few seconds so din c need to manual calculate
first lap - 6.35
7.31
7.38

Roundup of the house visit to bkt batok

2007-10-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

The trip ended up with us watching as 3 families watching apocalytio? movie by Mel Gibson. Good show and gruesome for the blood, gore and just plain savage with all of it ... gosh..but in the end the visit took much longer than we plan. Exceed by 2.5hours!!

A long run before the start of fasting 2007
9sept 848pm
1h30.36
average 9.03

6.59
8.16
8.38
8.21
8.11
9.01
10.03
10.31
8.22
12.04

Evening of SMU convention on 19oct2007

2007-10-20T18:56:00.000-07:00

Backdated entry ... Not sure how to arange that for this blogger entry >=( Had STTS convention on friday and did sim lim, double stunt and meet up with Trecia.

My second sunday without tuition. Just to wait to go out for raya visiting. In the mean time, I have to set up my 120gb 3.5 hdd ( from Trecia) to do the backin up. Upgraded my IT stuff with a laptop cooler, a usb hub (which i make a mistake in in not having a wire requirement) and ipod video out. Got a usb extension wire at a bargain of $6 instead of its listed $10 too =) Well, at least my acer laptop wont be overheated now...

Otherwise met up with Trecia and had a nice evening dinner and chat to catch up at voom voom vietnam cafe at Bugis.. Talk about what's happening in her life and mine. Realized that I am becoming more singaporean in the satisfaction level and plans. And she will be travelling in the world. Told her about the USA diary that is incomplete and she apparently forgot abt it. And also, about the bike course and a short brief on the riding course at comfort.

And the double stunt of the day drained me out. Physically and financially.. Don't think I am able to do double next time in future. Will have to strongly consider such things in future.

And the pirated ferra rocher chocolates is narrowed down as the possible cause of the stomach ache so no more pirated chocolate called passion for me. Or any other name. Only the real thing from now on!!

30 aug2007 @8.59pm
punggol park

6.42
7.38
19.10
10.17
total: 43.48
average: 6.42

Review of Resident Evil 3 : Extinction

2007-10-18T07:16:00.000-07:00

Review is good :) cos i m a fan and i have watch the 2 earlier movies..

I enjoy watchin the superhuman ability of alice and the cruel ruthlessness of the enemy. How they contradict and how bleak the future holds. It makes an exciting story.

However, I do have to say that Bugis Cinema is not a favourite. Considering that the management close down both toilets on the 4th floor and i had to go to the 3rd floor just to use one during the show. Hated it. So maybe it needs to be upgraded but it was no excuse to close both the male and female toilets when movies are still in operation. Oversight? well.. that is bad planning..

2007-10-15T07:51:00.000-07:00

Had a chat about car insurance.. small topic and i stumble upon an ex-CEO of NTUC who gave great insight about the car insurance in sg...

here's the link : http://tankinlian.blogspot.com/2007/10/traffic-accident-how-to-claim-on-your.html

so there are times when a person should not claim insurance in order to get a no-claims discount... things that is good to know =)

And he gave a FAQ which i highly recommended cos it is the industry norm kind of financial advice which you dun get easily from a financial advisor ;) Read it here ... http://www.tankinlian.com/faq/fptips.html

Also, I came to this article which is a good thing to read as it prep if i should face such questions.. myth abt prophet...http://muhammad-ridzwan.blogspot.com/2007/10/was-muhammad-pedophile.html

There are also a post which i agree although this post is meant for USA context.. it means that eating out is a frequent splurges and many of small comfort has become a necessity.. Something to be aware of and hopefully able to avoid.. the full post from msn is here : http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/SavingandDebt/LearnToBudget/LittleSplurgesAreTheKillers.aspx

Till next post..

Running on 15oct2007

2007-10-15T05:37:00.000-07:00

1st run after the fasting period.

Run at Punggol Park: 7.28pm
6.21
7.04
7.26
11.53
8.51
total: 41.36
average : 8.19

Better start putting in something in my blog

2007-10-15T04:15:00.000-07:00

I think i shall better use this blog to track my timing progress for my standard chartered marathon 2007 since anyone can view it.

Not sure of how to backdate it but let me core -dump info from my ipod to here :)

8/26/07 6.06pm PPark
total time : 59.58min
6.32
10.45
8.34

6.32
7.17
7.51
8.19
9.48
10.42
9.27

1st run at P.park after fasting month over

2007-10-14T02:08:00.000-07:00

14oct2007 9.10am on sunday morning.. no tuition!!!

total - 45.56
7.08
7.40
8.16
9.13
13.34
average-9.11

Punggol part run on 16 sept 2007 during fasting

2007-09-16T02:01:00.000-07:00

Run at Punggol part 630pm (was fasting)
total 29.37
ave 7.24

lap1-6.30
lap2-7.04
lap3-9.13
lap4-6.49

Hp goner..

2007-08-22T09:39:00.000-07:00

Trying to keep postin sth but perhaps start small.. summary is that my hp is gone... the new one n its barely 2 months old!!! =( n my n73 is givin me problems.. gosh... well, off to the repair shop once more..

I think i would have more to say like what is today lenghty family meet n main news is that dental appt is in jan.. should come out with a proper schedule.. and my photos.. i better up load them to flickr while the pro account is still avail.. can upload as much as i can.. hope i dun get too stuck with it.. it cost $$ to use it more.. esp the sets but then again, i did buy the gift of flickr this year for trecia..

The day i stay late at the office

2007-08-20T09:20:00.000-07:00

Learn a few things that happens when I stay late in the office... cargo lift is offline. You got to check if anybody else is in the house. There are others who are staying late in the office. The bus was crowded. I had to miss a bus cos of that. And the next bus frequency is longer than usual. Well, today, it did not help that certain issues were raised by my gf.. well..life is tough.. so i wen joggin thou i was feelin aches...

Hope tml, will get the project going.. and i m finally doin somethin that is real work but yar, i better get it over in my head esp since this work is not exactly wow.. and i guess that's the job for us and me to actually explain why things are not as easy it seems..

Hello World!!

2007-08-18T09:48:00.000-07:00

Finally, a public space for me to share my life's experiences with anybody out there =)

So what's so special about today?I brought my siblings out for ice-cream n waffles n cakes...just at Hougang mall. Side-spending but slowly i am appreciating the quality time we have as siblings.. We talk of mp3 player, house upgrades, nadia's tuition, mar heaven omega books, the new C&C primetime video... well, catching up n i realise that i should do this more regularly..

I hope to fully capture much of info for the historian in me...

Till my next post...