St0rY oF uNpReDiCtAbLe LiFe

Moving

Amir Hamzah — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:51:59 +0000

This blog is now officially close…I’m moving my blog here to a new location. Using my own domain, please see it at http://blog.amirhamzah.net.

Thanks for your interest .

Samsung SyncMaster 931BW

Amir Hamzah — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 16:07:48 +0000

Well..kinda don’t have anything good to share, so here’s another useless post; about my new monitor. Ermm…not so new really…it had been about 3 or 4 weeks I guess. My previous Philips 107E5 CRT had failed me after years of dedicated services. I do notice however, maybe it had a chance to be revived by sending it to the repair guy, but I skip that and gave it to my ex-housemate instead. Not that I feel I’m too rich or whatsoever; it’s just suffice to say that I didn’t think the monitor will last long enough after repair…the problem will keep on coming (you know…the “repair-broke again” cycles). After some thoughts and selling some of my internal organs (I don’t have a job yet~~~), I’ve decided to splash my little (and hard earned) cash on Samsung SyncMaster 931BW 19″ LCD monitor.

The 931BW had a native resolution of 1440*900 (16:10), so it’s wider than the typical 5:4 or 4:3 ratio been normally seen on CRT monitor. Other specs, it sports a contrast ratio of 2000:1 with Dynamic Contrast, 2ms response time and a luminance of 300 cd/m² or nits (do check the official site for the accurate specs; I’m a sucker on info accuracy). Design wise, it didn’t have a stand that allows height adjustment (it doesn’t even rotate), so it brings problem to people that like to adjust it. It’s okay for me, because of my shorter physical height, I don’t have any problem at that department. On the back of the unit, it has a detachable power cord and both jacks for DVI and RGB inputs. Visuals were good…no ghosting was apparent on fast pace scene video and the color seems accurate to my eyes (without using any benchmark or tools to support my statement…it’s just me). Owh…and the minimum dead pixel that can made you eligible to claim the warranty of sort is 7 and my unit didn’t come with any (alhamdullillah~~~).

Conclusion

So, this is the part where I would say that this product is great because I’m using it. No, not quite. If I’m not mistaken, there are already some vendors out there that already produce a similar sized LCD but with a higher native resolution (1680*1050 and it’s a ViewSonic if I’m not mistaken). The unadjustable stand also leave some to crave for more but as I said earlier…no biggie for me. About the dead pixel warranty…I don’t know…but I do think that 7 is a big number. All in all, I’m a kind of person that appreciate simplicity…so this unit with a simple design and easy functionality, what more could I possibly want? This is my first venture on this LCD matters, so it’s a good buy I guess. Although I’m still missing my Philips 107E5 (due to the fact that I’m too used to its 1280*1024 resolution), I’m grateful enough about what I already have. Besides, I’m kinda like a “silent” Samsung fanboy~~~

My Own Domain and Web Host

Amir Hamzah — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 08:16:30 +0000

I’m thinking of buying my own domain and a shared web hosting package. Before anyone going any further on that, let me stressed out that it’s not because I want to start active seriously at blogging (hell, never did actually); it’s just because there are something that I currently studying needs to be done in a real server environment (the practical part). Blogging and other unrelated stuff can come after that. Actually, it had been a long time I want to do so but it keeps halting for too many unpredicted reasons (laziness is one of the reasons but it’s not unpredicted ).Currently been thinking about a couple of options such as IPServerOne or ServerFreak. I’ll let anyone know if there are any update.

Job Carnival 2008

Amir Hamzah — Sun, 13 Apr 2008 15:02:33 +0000

Today I had the chance to attend Job Carnival 2008 that been held at Plaza Angsana, Johor Bahru. Well, for those who don’t know, it’s kinda a carnival that provide information related to job seeking, seminar, law awareness in working, walk-in interview, and many more. The event been held by the Ministry of Human Resources (Malaysia) in conjunctions with many private sector’s companies. As a job seeker myself, I attend the carnival to drop my CV in every booth that I went; even to the booth that only want to hire an engineer . Among the notable organization that participate (as I can remember) were Iskandar Reginal Development Authority, Pelabuhan Tanjung Pelepas Sdn. Bhd., Sime Darby Bhd, and Jusco. Well, also attend some walk in interview after I had run out of resume to drop, but I don’t think they’ll pick me because I attend the interview of a Regional Manager position (lol). But, what’s done is done and just praying it will go well in the end. If you’re interested in knowing when the carnival will be held at your place, do check the official Ministry of Human Resources (Malaysia) site. Owh…at some point, I’m glad I attend the carnival, because I had the chance to see/stalk/flirt with many hot and beautiful chicks that also looking for a job (or offering one)

Waiting List

Amir Hamzah — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 12:12:47 +0000

In this nearest time, there are a couple of things that I’ve been waiting anxiously or maybe just eagerly. Sort of like waiting for my first child to be born. Ahahahahha…okay, that’s kind of excessive, sorry for that. Without further ado, I present to you the list itself:

Waiting for my interview appointment.
I’ve already applying for some positions by sending my CV to the appropriate parties and already learn my lesson from 2 years ago (didn’t have the patient to wait for a reply); I’m now waiting with more patient than ever. At the same time, I do realize opportunities wait for no one, so I’m not taking anything for granted; I’m still finding another possible job opportunities without too reliant on the already made applications.
The launching of Ubuntu 8.04.
In about 17 days left, the new LTS (Long Term Support) version of Ubuntu will be released. The previous release of LTS, which is 6.06, will still be supported only until 2009 (2011 for server edition). Being a constant users of Ubuntu, this is really what I’m waiting for. I’m eager to see the improvements been made and of course how smooth the online upgrade will be; without been worried about my already stable 7.10 configuration been corrupted.
The launching of Fedora 9.
I already have Ubuntu and quite satisfy with it at the moment, so do I really need Fedora? I don’t really know for sure. Fedora still have it’s place in my heart due to some advantage over Ubuntu. Don’t get me wrong; I’m not trying to say one distro sucks over the other…it’s just I prefer one from the another. Well, maybe I’m going to see and put my hands on the upcoming release of Fedora and let see if it can persuade me enough to switch to it indefinitely.
Screening of latest Batman movie on the silver screen, The Dark Knight.
Before his death, I’m eagerly waiting to see Heath Ledger to play as The Joker. But since his death, I’m determined to watch The Dark Knight. It’s truly a pity an actor at his class meet his end so early but who am I to deny such fate eh….
Waiting for someone to say she love me for what I am.
Bah…this is just here to complete the list. Actually I don’t have that many things to be put up as a list. Hahahaa…bite it…pathetic or not :-p

EURO 2008 Final Group Draw

Amir Hamzah — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 14:45:23 +0000

It had been decided…the group for the EURO next year. It’s really interesting to know the group early, so that all the teams involved can make early preparations for the tournament that only second behind the FIFA’s World Cup in terms of prestige. It’s even easier for football fans worldwide to start making speculations. I really hope that the upcoming tournament will be as interesting as possible…something that personally I didn’t get for the EURO 2004. It’s not like I hate Greece (I respect them for their continuous effort to become previous champions nonetheless), it’s just their play style is somehow out of the ordinary to the norm of the competition. By referring to the next year’s group stage, I believe many fans would agree with me that group C is a group of death. Hey…I even wondering for a while after knowing the draw that maybe all the group C’s team would say “This is hell~~“. Personally, it’s hard for me to say (predict) for sure who had the chance to uplift the trophy this time. France, Italy, and Germany is among the big names in my mind right now to be a serious challenger but at this stage, names means nothing. Below is the final draw and looking forward for it next year~~

EURO 2008 Final Group Stage

Group A

Switzerland
Czech Republic
Portugal
Turkey

Group B

Austria
Croatia
Germany
Poland

Group C

Netherlands
Italy
Romania
France

Group D

Greece
Sweden
Spain
Rusia

My Current Status…(III)

Amir Hamzah — Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:28:40 +0000

It had been a very busy month for me. Maybe because in a few weeks from now, I’ll finish (graduate) my post-graduate studies. At time like this, it seems I’m much busier than a prime minister. Had to finish writing and checking my thesis, preparing for thesis defense, making presentation slides, and all at the same time maintaining my cluttered life (it’s kinda hard really…to manage so many things in one go). Due to that, I missed so many things/events happened around me; most notably many of my friends birthday (forgot to wish at the exact time; I really dislike to use ‘belated’ ), meeting/hanging with my friends during Eid, watching new movies at cinema, and spending most of my holiday with my parents. Aih…I do hope this pattern will end soon though…

Although I’m kinda busy, I had managed to accomplish a few things. First, I manage to upgrade my Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) into its latest version; Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon). I upgrade my Ubuntu using online method and it kills my time about 14 hours non-stop. Well, there goes my so called “high speed” broadband connection. Another things, I manage to settle some old score with my friends…let say it’s more into personal stuff but kinda complicated and I didn’t even believe it’s already been done. Hahaha…I’m really an expert in stealing some tiny times leftover that I have.

Life is really unpredictable enough but to be honest, that’s what makes it interesting, ain’t it? Still, facing the unpredictable and accept it as a customary in life is two different things. Everyone can face the unpredictable but it took something special to be able to accept it and stand up with a head held up high in the end. I’m kinda reluctant to call myself as someone that have both qualities but I’m still trying my very best into it. May GOD bless us all~~~

Fedora 8 “Werewolf”.

Amir Hamzah — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 18:44:54 +0000

Yesterday mark another release day of one of my favorite Linux distro (Fedora); Fedora 8 codenamed Werewolf ( what a codename ). Among notable features in this release were:

Features a 2.6.23 based kernel.
GNOME 2.20
KDE 3.5.8 (KDE Live and regular DVD) while the KDE 4 (Beta) Development Environment is available in the repository.
The implementation of PulseAudio sound daemon.
Codec Buddy (a.k.a codeina).
A new look and feel (the “Infinity” desktop art is cool..changes color to reflect outdoor conditions).
Nodoka, a fresh new GNOME theme created specially for Fedora
Compiz Fusion installed by default.
Open-source Java integration through the IcedTea project.
Improved laptop support.
Remote virtualization management.
Improved network management
Many other improvements.

Conclusion

It’s only seems like yesterday I post about the release of Moonshine. Has it been that long already? Or maybe because I’m not so active in blogging? Anyway, with this release, mark another great achievement of the Fedora team. In my humble opinion, with each new release, Fedora seems much closer to bring total of ease to its audiences. The improvement of network management, the implementation of PulseAudio and CodecBuddy reflect on this matters. Go here for the release notes, here for release summary, and here for the official announcement. Currently, my home desktop is using Ubuntu 7.10 (Gutsy Gibbon) while my office workstation using the older Fedora Core 6 (Zod). Maybe it’s time to upgrade my office workstation since I’m pretty satisfied with my Gutsy at home.

My Sister’s PMR & Me

Amir Hamzah — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 16:08:49 +0000

I’m a really really useless brother to boot. I only know just now that my sister is in her form 3 (generally students in their 15th or 16th year of age) and will undertake the PMR examination this Monday (next morning..ehehhehe). Well, I do know that she’ll never read my blog here, but when the times come and she mention something about how useless I am as a brother (not even remembering her age), I’ll show her this post. Just wanna wish her good luck and please forgive her brothers (me) that lately doesn’t even remember her age. Ahahahaha…don’t kill me please…

Shigurui

Amir Hamzah — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:45:58 +0000

I’m always into samurai and shinobi (ninja) type of anime. I even watch Himawari even tough the anime somehow more into comedy type (means less action) but what the heck…as long there’s a shinobi in it! Just to name a few, among the title that I’ve watched that includes either samurai or shinobi elements in it are Samurai X, Samurai 7, Samurai Champloo, Peacemaker Kurogane, Basilisk, and Bakumatsu Kikansetsu Irohanihoheto. Recently I had managed to get my hands on another anime that involves a samurai element in it; Shigurui.

The anime took place during the period of Tadanaga Tokugawa‘s rule in Edo era. Basically it’s revolves around the event when Tadanaga Tokugawa held a staged tournament among samurai and using a real katana (instead of using bokken). And the story focused on the first match between Fujiki Gennosuke and his opponent, Irako Seigen. Fujiki is a one armed samurai while Irako seems to be blind and have some injuries with his foot. Two of them take the initial stance in a very weird way (mostly Irako with his “Mumyō Sakanagare” move) and just when the fights about to begin….the story took us back into the beginning of it all…which is approximately 7 years ago. The first episode reveal the above until up to the point of the first meeting between Fujiki Gennosuke and Irako Saigen 7 years ago.

Irako Saigen’s Mumyō Sakanagare

Fujiki Gennosuke Unsheathe his katana

Conclusion

This anime can’t be categorised as an action adventure genre as a whole. There’s a historical elements in it and top it up with an inner deep feels of story telling. The character is somehow been described as detail as possible but not too excessive; just enough for the needed development of one particular episode. The anime often explained events using flashback and most of the flashback is either an actual historical fact or just a past events that one particular character experienced. I must admit that the anime is really slow in terms of pace but not to the point it became dull..just try to delivers almost everything in detail. This anime is definitely heavy as I myself have to watch the first episode more than once because I’m a little bit dizzy due to a lot of involvement of flashback, historical facts explanation, and a few “silent” scene. Those who watched Basilisk anime, try to imagine Basilisk with the addition of samurai and also with more gloomy mood. Heavy stuff but great nonetheless. Watch it and rate it yourself; without hesitation I mark Shigurui as my “Must Watch”!