Simple Kinda Life

New BLOG

2010-04-23T17:27:00.001+08:00

Thanks for coming but we have moved. Feel free to visit HTTP://NAMIRSHAH.TK

Dell Wonders

2009-03-12T23:39:00.007+08:00

I stumbled upon fixing a dell Vostro 1400 notebook which the hard disk drive was spoiled by a cup a tea that fell on top the keyboard accidentally. Anyway, before, i got a new hard disk from a computer shop at Saberkas and came back to office to finish the job.

Although the hard disk had been replaced, the notebook detects the hard disk in BIOS system but contradictory as the Windows Setup was ran, the installation halted saying that there was no hard disk detected. Weird? Well, by then my assumption then change that.. the motherboard might have a problem. So how do I exactly know and to prove that assumption?

Went to google and type in the symptom problem just to find that Dell has a diagnostic tool that can do the job. As far as in my knowledge and experience, no other notebook brand has this kind of service which loads all the driver for a certain notebook to check the performance of every part although there are 3rd party programme that does the same but at another cost of licensing (unless your using the Caribbean version as my superiors called it :)).

Anyway, i was more amazed at the website as it was the interface is simple and standardize worldwide. Dell has a tag system for every notebook which simplifies the download of the drivers and utility in the case that u do not have the CD or an updated version of the driver. For info, a newer version of driver; most of the time simplifies the algorithm and make the computer performance better.

In repairing / reformatting computers, it makes me happy to find any other Dell notebook drivers without hassle. In fact, Dell website has the option to download all the drivers at once with one click. It consumes alot of time and selection headache just to download the drivers one by one.

In short, Dell in my point of view and experience has a good recommendation from my perspective and knowledge of fixing problem computers for my customers and friends.

5-Day of Teaching Mathematics

2009-02-20T10:19:00.003+08:00

Monday was the first day that i had to teach the 27 students of Madrasah Islamiah. Well, first day went well. As of today, there was only one class. The topic of the day was round numbers and its application.

At first, i thought of settling my bank issues where i need to close my KL maybank account and close my ASB Loan. I have decided that i need the money to settle my debts and keep a good account of my money than paying interest every month due to the lack of funds. It was also to jump start and support my business operation. Ofcourse this is a risk i have to take as the ASB fund was the only safekeeping besides my EPF.

Well, in the evening there will be a meeting at Yayasan Budaya Melayu Sarawak which i have no idea where it is yet. There are 6 computers to prepare to deliver to the foster kindergarden next week and several other unidentified problem computer which need formatting / reinstallation. There is also the issue of completing the module for ICT course and calling for the students from the school. Database is another uncompleted task

A Day after Congress

2009-02-13T19:02:00.004+08:00

Morning

Woke up early but took time to relax at home an have a cup of tea for breakfast.
Arrive at office around 8.30am and organize computer table.
At 9am went to Madrasah Islamiah and monitor Ustaz's class and discuss with Maria on becoming the replacement teacher. A copy of class schedule was given to En. Abg. Wahed
Did maintenance for the teacher's room computer which was full of viruses and supplied a USB wireless to give internet access and update what is needed.
Look for JAIS's VGA cable used during the congress in the projector bags'
Discuss on budget excel briefing

Evening

Went to JAIS to return the cable
Debug network problem and printer setting of Asma's Notebook (Head of Halal Division) till 5.30pm
Return to office and check desktop PC installed back by Adha to find one faulty power cable needs replacing
Identifying computer Items need to be replaced and purchased: TV Cable, Notebook Hard Disk, LAN plugs (head piece), Rechargable Batteries, 3-point Surge Power Point, Keyboard 10 unit, Mouse 10 unit, External Mobile Hard Disk + Casing, Ink Printers (Brother & Lexmark), VGA Multiplier, VGA Cables, Audio Cable and Laser Printer

Another Friday

2009-02-06T16:48:00.003+08:00

Morning

Kelas agama pertama oleh Ustaz Ihsan Nur di Bilik Seminar. Holy Qur'an telah diinstall pada komputer riba Dr. Akbar dan dipancarkan ke LCD projektor bagi membantu pengajaran.

Perbincangan dengan Ustazah / Datin Rohani tentang pengajaran subjek Matematik dan pengajaran am sekolah Madarasatul Islamiah. Jadual kelas akan diberikan dan komputer BPP yang digunakan olehnya telah dipasang kembali dan dikemaskini. Limitasi akses untuk komputer tersebut diperlukan dan akan dibuat jika ada kelapangan. Masih terdapat masalah seperti siaran internet wireless yang lemah dan internet eksplorer.

Afternoon
Format komputer riba En. Dahlan setelah masalah lama berulang kembali.

Kemaskini CD installer komputer BPP.

Jam 3.30pm - Urusan peribadi: workshop kereta

Jam 4.30pm - Kembali untuk kemaskini log dan emel Jadual / Senarai Aktiviti BPP 2009

Closing of "Perancangan Strategik Masjid Bahagian"

2009-02-05T17:13:00.003+08:00

Morning

Salina's wireless driver install
Debug Aminah's notebook
Certificate printing for Perancangan Strategik Masjid Bahagian (PSMB)
Jadual / Senarai aktiviti BPP but tergendala since perlu dikemaskini dan disemak oleh penyelaras program

Afternoon

Buy 2 units of USB pendrive for participants of PSMB
Send the pendrives and participant list to Biro Wanita

Evening

Dahlan's notebook: could not be formatted - unable to detect Hard Disk drive
Draft email to check the list and calender of activity to all officers
Draft budget excel file to monitor programme expenses

Work Log

2009-02-04T23:17:00.001+08:00

I always knew that I need to start logging my daily work. So, I'm starting from today and onwards in my blog since i just have few posts under this category. Just don't have the discipline and time to keep track of my work. Work log is good to protect yourself in the case of reference in the future

Morning
- replace Mr. Saiee's PC and setting up the computer & printer
- find wireless driver - Dell 1450 USB wireless for Salina's desktop PC reformatted the day before
- receive Dell Notebook to be formatted from Mr. Dahlan
- debug website problem: cannot install new module / component on Joomla

Noon
- prepare new BPP's activity schedule list for 2009

Afternoon
- Activity Meeting from 2.30pm till after office hours

Evening
- Redo BPP's activity calender
- Redo Admin's MS Excel budget monitor file and system

Attemp to Understand Partition Cloning & Restoration

2009-02-03T09:41:00.000+08:00

Since friends started to ask for my help to restore their Windows since college, I have wondered how to restore a PC without formatting the partition but just recopying a partition image done earlier which i never had done. With that, there is no hassle to reinstall the drivers and common software every time the PC needs to be reformatted.

To my understanding, it is possible if the PC is still running and you can log in to the Windows OS. But what if you can't enter the windows? There must be a boot-able CD / Flash Drive / Files that could initiate the recopying of the image files without the knowledge of DOS.

Hope to continue with the solution here someday ;)

Virus / Worm Attacks

2009-01-22T13:47:00.000+08:00

Virus or Worm may look harmless as they rarely damage the computer to a point that the cannot be used. But what is the motive of creating these troublemakers if the computer is useless. What matter is the information inside your computer or just the pleasure to see computer users having all those headache on why their computer acts weirdly.

Just yesterday, Christopher Null; a hardcore tech guy in his blog quoted an article on a worm infecting 9 million computer and now maybe more that 15 to 20 million easily, all through the usage of pendrive. Follow this link for the full article link

I guess this is just a warning for me friends and family who are reading my blog to just not panic as there are solutions and be careful from taking files from other computers using their personal pendrives.

BEWARE! Internet Scams

2009-01-17T04:08:00.000+08:00

Have you ever chat and suddenly somebody ask for your help? I think for some of us in Kuching, we do experience receiving sms and call of winning lottery. Well, I once got one of those sms and luckily my former office mate, Ah Loong told me it was a total fake. It was funny that the sms was in chinese which i could not read which luckily i had to refer to my friend to translate for me.

Well, the story that i wish to share is far more bizarre (I think!) and somehow i am lucky i was cautious. As i was still working this morning in the office before i write this article directly after the incident, i had my yahoo mesengger online and log into a chatroom. Suddenly, there was a chatter who PM = personal message me telling that she was from Afrika and she was not chating for fun her name was ... to make the story short, be aware of this email and the name of the person who sent it as i sound as follows.

FROM: Mrs Deborah Mpenza
Residence: 147 Illovo Street
Sandton Johannesburg-South Africa .

My name is Mrs. Deborah Mpenza, the wife of Late Mr. George Mpenza. A Zimbabwe business Man, Politician and Farmer. During the current crises against the white farmers in Zimbabwe . Supporters of President Robert Mugabe, who claim all the white-owned farms violently attacked those who opposed the move. My Husband is One of the most successful multi-farmers in our Country and because he did not support Mugabe's ideas, Mugabe's supporters invaded his farm and burnt everything in the farm, killing him and made away with a lot of items in my husband's farm.

Before his death, my husband had deposited with a security company in South Africa the sum of (USD $6MILLION). (The documents of which he only made me aware of it). After the death of my husband , I decided to move to Republic of South Africa where I re-located under political asylum as a refugee to seek for foreign partner overseas that will assist me to move this money out of the security company to his country. As an asylum seeker I am not allowed to operate any Bank Account within South Africa .I have agreed to offer you 10% of the total sum for your assistance as soon as the money gets into your account.I want truth and honesty to be our watch word in this transaction and please treat this transaction as strictly confidential issue for the successful out come of it.

All I want you to do is to furnish me with your personal phone and fax numbers and also your private e-mail address for easy and urgent communication. Note that this transaction is 100% Risk free and absolutely confidential.

Thanks and God bless you.
Sincerely Yours,
Mrs. Deborah Mpenza.

I had to chat for almost an hour with the person : live personal chat and during the chat i had doubts but also sympathy as if the story was true i may be bad to not help as she told me it was a life and death situation which later she emailed me the email above. As the analytical person that i am, i expressed how i really felt and tried to create situations to create conflicts and built trust. I told her to understand my situation as we have yet familiarize. But later while we were chating, i search for her name in the email in google just to find that it was attached to a scam email scheme as link here.

I was still chating with her at the time as i didnt want to create conflict which if she was a hacker, she could already get my handphone number from my Yahoo! ID from my messenger and i would be in trouble.

So, my advice to friends and family, although it good to be kind, protect yourself as frauds come in many ways as mine came from a live chat which then thru my personal email. If I had not get the email, i would have believe the story straight. Thank God i didn't and took precautions.

Lastly, BEWARE OF INTERNET FRAUDS @ SCAMS

P/S: South Afrika is 6 hours late than in Malaysia (e.g. 3 a.m. Malaysian time = 9 p.m. South African time)

Top Tips Windows XP 2008

2009-01-06T19:32:00.000+08:00

Here's a file you could download for the topic above download that I accidentally found it but personally find it very useful. But of course is not that easy to understand if you're not familiar with operating systems from the beginning.

In learning and understanding operating system or abbreviated O.S., too simply put, it is just another software that acts as a platform of other software. Besides the normal operating system used in Malaysia which is Windows XP Home or Professional Edition, there are other OS such as MAC OSX, Linux and many more which is use as other. An OS can also be said a filing system as well as a one stop software where you can access other software installed in the O.S.

Like any software, OS files can get corrupted and you would have to repair or reinstall the O.S. which is not a common thing for a normal with average I.T. knowledge person to do as it involves installation of drivers for the computer hardware. However, for branded computers / notebook they sometimes provide restoration OS CD's which allows the user to reinstall O.S. just by putting in the CD in the CDROM upon restart and then follow some simple instructions to the end.

As such, learning computer is just a matter of learning and understanding the concept and practically doing it.

My Joomla! Journey

2009-01-05T20:41:00.000+08:00

As i was stumbling across a hard life coping with my responsibilities as an I.C.T. Executive and learning my way to become a professional web designer, I found this wonderful thing that the idea made my life simple and that was Joomla!.

For a start and make it short, Joomla! is ... click here

Well, i was then more surprised that that now most web host provide free pre-installation and there was another mother web control panel called Fantastico which could integrate a lot more other web editor whether you want to do a Blog, a Web Catalog or just automated Informational website which we call Content Management System.. click here

Back in March 2008 when i was struggling to start the website for the organization, there was none of this concept to be found or heard to me. It seem to me that this new concept of web editing without knowing the programming is selling hot and really spreading fast. Guess if you're a fast learner, this business should be good but ofcourse tedious in every way :)

My Happy New Year

2009-01-01T21:05:00.001+08:00

I always knew that once God has taken away our health and activeness, by then you will know how helpless you are and sometimes how medicine does not ease that pain or take it away.

Yesterday, i got sick and laid in bed although it was a new year. I started by catching a flu after doing house cleaning. I guess my body was just too exhausted that i easily caught the virus unexpectedly. Making sure your body has enough rest is truly important. However, i was lucky to have a loving girlfriend who always cared for me although i messed up of getting sick and she went out with her best friend instead of me on new year's night.

As for last year, i lost my wallet at new year's eve. Had to redo my identification card which cost me just RM110 for the penalty excluding the card cost of RM25 (or was it much cheaper for the card), then the credit card at RM50 each and ATM card Bank Islam ATM card which i forgot how much. Although i lost my Maybank ATM card as well, i decided to open a new local account and closing down the old one which i haven't done till now since all my credit cards and ASB loan are attached too. Huhu... after one year of deciding that i still haven't close the account. Not forgetting the money in the wallet which was i think around RM300++. Sucks.. rite? Well, when shits happens and as a human being and God's servant this is a test to be patient and a taxful reminder to not be clumsy.

Another year has passed and while i'm writing this, i am just glad that i have my beautiful and loving girlfriend :)

Reading Habits

2008-12-27T11:11:00.001+08:00

In gaining more knowledge, reading is essential. It came to me to start again my reading habits when i read "Success Built to Last" by Jerry Porras last night. According to the book, talent is built and not gifted. Coincidently or not, I find it very true. People say that i'm good at computers and stuff but it came not because i was talented in the area but the interest and neverending effort to learn new things in the area of concern. It took years before i could type without seeing the keyboard as it took a longer time to grasp the way how to keep up with the current changes of computer technology. It took patience and due diligence to read and find how to self-learn and gain the skills such as repairing computers, setting network system - hardwired or wireless, graphic / web design, computer word / data processing and many more.

In short, reading is the most resourceful to achieve that purpose to my opinion. Although people may learn from observasion, experience, learning from mistakes in life, attend classes / lectures or etc but some are just unthinkable or even not even related to begin with. For example, if we were to know about multimedia programming languages such as HTML, PHP or mySQL, most are written which needs to be read as it maybe impossible to teach in a class everything from A-Z which would take forever. And for most cases, people available to us are specialized in an area and may not be able to teach us in another subject.

Hence, reading is crucial. Although i've been fazed by books of self-esteem and self-improvement along time ago, i have forgotten that in reading there is also a need of planning. The plan that i refer to is how many books to read in a year. I am not much of a novel reader so i guess one book a month should be alright. Besides that i should plan what books should i read and think what is the area of expertise that i want to gain from those reading. No point reading pointlessly.

My Reading Plan Identification Guide

What is the knowledge that i would like to get from the readings?
What books are relevant to read?
How many books to read?

Guess i need to get a book shelf beside my bed besides another for my humongous collection of CDs / DVDs. By then, hope to write some personal perspective on those books which i have to think of buying them or printing them out :) (e-books).

Finding An Aim in Life

2008-12-20T00:08:00.000+08:00

Aim for more money?
Aim for happiness in the afterlife?

Two (2) standard questions thought by every person in their life.

According to Wikipedia, money is anything that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts. The main uses of money are as a medium of exchange, a unit of account, and a store of value. Some authors explicitly require money to be a standard of deferred payment.

Although people say money is not everything but money moves the world. In the past, people may not see money but more towards the characters of the person whether they are not materialistic, honest, diligent and etc. Although not everyone but most of the people today have turn materialistic whether they are conscious about it or not.

Here are some of life dilemmas faced by a 25-30 years adult

Not enough earnings to buy a new car or modifying your current car.
Not enough earnings to buy an own house.
Not enough earnings to get married.
Not enough earnings to start / run a business.
Not enough time to do side jobs.
Not enough time to spend with the special person and family due to workload (work by day and rest by night).
Non-satisfying job life and expectations with co-workers / superiors.
High expectations of parents / future in laws to gain more earnings or in other words being stable.
Not having a candidate for a husband / wife or a failed relationship.
Love problems: Scandal / Other Crush / Misunderstanding.
Finding an ending to a special relationship by marriage.
Uncertainty of the needs and wants in Life
Staying on the right road of God or finding the right path back to religion

and many more.

Well, all the above sums up the dilemma i have faced. Most of them are regarding money. Maybe some of our readers has a different perspective. However, to my opinion, the simplest solution is to live life simple without much expectation. Put the effort and let God decide what is and what not is good for us. Amin!

Web Hosting & Designing Resources

2008-12-17T22:18:00.000+08:00

Today marks the day where i have found and abundant of resources on Joomla! and local Malaysian Web Hosting. As far that i have read, it seem its not impossible to start another local Sarawak Web Hosting company (first company 3eyes.com .. or something @ Satok).

Maybe i should not list them down as this will disclose my future business information but my principle is that knowledge is to be shared and not kept alone. Anyway, it takes a lot of effort to learn something new. Hence, it does not mean that the resources are disclosed here that it maybe the end of the world. Maybe, some of the readers could recommend to me if there are kind enough to share their resources.

Local Company Site & Resources

Knowing My God

2008-12-12T20:18:00.000+08:00

Today it came to me after a tazkirah by Ustaz Ihsan Nur after the Yasin reciting that we always have at my office every Friday morning of the need to go back to the right path and only path to be safe living in the present world and the after life. Tazkirah is a reminder for us muslim of our duties towards God and the world itself. It is done in a small group normally after prayer or any functions as see fit.

According to the tazkirah, knowing to read the Quran is a "Fardhu Ain" or compulsary for every muslim. However, teaching the knowledge of reading the Quran with the right "Tajwid" or pronounciation is a "fardhu kifayah" or compulsary for a muslim / person only if no other person in the society could teach. The problem arises as most of the young generation are lacking in the knowledge although IQRA, KAFA & now J-QAF is introduce in primary schools. I do agree the scenario as i see it happening in my own family. As we were before, we learn with the muqaddam to familiarize with the characters and words before learning to read the Quran. But the difference appears in the parents' role in making the children understand the importance of the knowledge. Although, it may also be led by the cause of that there are no nearby private home that teach to read the Quran besides the Mosque in Kuching but i do still think that it is more to the parents role. Then again what about an older brother's role like myself?

Then, it struck me. Where have i been?

Although, i do teach my youngest to learn the IQRA. I realized i haven't done anything for my other brother who's already 15 going 16 y.o. For my two (2) sisters, i am glad to know that they learn from school very well but not for my two (2) brothers. Hence, is it the school's fault?

It goes back to myself as to the question mentioned in the latter. After deep thinking while the Ustaz gave his "Tazkirah" this morning, i thought the only way for a person to improve is to know their God. Only after that, any knowledge towards religion is relevant or else a child like my own youngest brother will not take it seriously. But then again, at the age of 10 y.o., what would he be able to comprehend of the belief of a God that rules the universe and that all human will go back to him - The Creator. This will also applies to a new Muslim or any other Muslim that most of today have lost its way of the right path as without knowing God to the level of empathy to their own hearts.

As in Islam, there is:-

the feel from the Heart "Kalbun"
the action by Saying it out
the routine by Making it a Habit

which ofcourse the heart is the most important. I guess the first step that i have to think is how to make my little brother to understand the concept of God deeply despite his current view which is totally not afraid besides getting scolded by me. Same dilemma face with my previous love life.

Web Hosting Guide for Beginners

2008-12-03T13:00:00.000+08:00

First and foremost, for non-IT savvy, it might be a little tough for them to comprehend the meaning of web hosting. I believe if you search it on any search engine, of course there will be answer and explanation for them. But, how far do you really understand? Honestly, when I first get to know this term few years back, I had problem understanding myself. Then, I found one simple explanation that might be easy for people to understand. So, today, if anyone were to ask me what is "web hosting", i'd explain as follows...

Imagine you are homeless and you want to rent a room or buy a house. In order to get a shelter for yourself, you need a room. So, you imagine yourself as the website and the room as the hosting that you need to place yourself in. That means your website needs a web hosting. Then, that's the time you start finding yourself a web hosting provider. Here, web hosting provider would be the house owner who rents you the room. So, in order for your website to be available and browsed by Internet users, you need to make sure your website is hosted in a web server provided by a web hosting provider.

So, when you finally understand what web hosting is, next will be the time to find out more about the different types of web hosting available. You have shared hosting, dedicated hosting, reseller hosting, VPS hosting, and colocation hosting. You name it, the Internet has it! So many to remember and differentiate. So, let's get the ball rolling with...

Shared Hosting
Shared hosting means that a web server has its resources shared by many other websites. Or you can put it as, in a house, there are many tenants. Usually small or normal e-commerce businesses will choose this type of hosting. Websites with high traffic might not be able to choose this type of hosting due to insufficient webspace.

Dedicated Hosting
Dedicated hosting refers to hosting in which you rent a server from your web hosting provider and will be placed at your web hosting provider's datacentre. They will provide software installation and connection to Internet. This will indicates that the website owner has control over the server as they don't share it with other websites. In short, dedicated hosting is where only 1 user hosted on the server machine and have a full privilege over the server to manage it by themself. The server machine will be still belongs to the web hosting provider.

Colocation Hosting
Well, this hosting has the features which are almost the same as dedicated hosting EXCEPT that you provide your own server and web hosting provider just help you to plug it into their datacentre. You need to install own software and hardwares. Everything is DIY.

Reseller Hosting
Reseller Hosting is a hosting where the account owner has the priviledge to allocate the webspace and bandwidth access and resell them to his clients. This shows that reseller hosts act like a middleman and is usually not responsible for any software or hardware intallation. They only buy webspace and resell to clients.

VPS hosting
VPS stands for Virtual Private Server. It is almost the same as dedicated server. Hence, it's sometimes called Virtual Dedicated Server. Generally, it means that the account owner has the feeling as though his owns a dedicated server. In real sense, it's actually separating a physical server into several independent hosting spaces or VPS-es, each isolated from the other. This will allow you to create and manage multiple sites and domains and take full control of your VPS with root/administrator access which allows you to access the virtual hard disk, RAM and to reboot your private server independently from other VPS-es.

Domain Name
After we are done with the different types of hosting, there is something else which I want to touch on. It is none other than the "domain name". So, ever wonder what is domain name? Wow, sounds technical? Not really actually. Don't be scared. Last time, when I saw the words domain name, it freaked me out too. Now, when I got used to it, it's not that nerve-wracking after all.

So, domain name is just the normal web address or url (Uniform Resource Locator) you type in the "address" area when you open a browser. Examples of domain name are "exabytes.com". You know? Just the normal web address. Well, since it's a web address, it's a unique name. Hence, there will be no other same domain name. In fact, domain name is actually corresponding with numeric IP address. So, every domain name will have its numeric IP address. For example, the IP address for exabytes.com is 72.18.131.206

When you see exabytes.com, ever wonder ".com" stands for what? It actually stands for commercial. Whenever you see .com, .org, .net or others which ends after the final dot or period (.) of a url, it is known as top-level domain. It actually tells you what kind of website it is, indirectly. And the commonly used domain name extension nowadays will be .org, .net, .com. However, there are a lot of new domain extension up for grab lately such as .aero, .info, .museum, and .name.

Next in the list that I shall explain is, Country Level Domain Name. Examples of country level domain name is exabytes.com.my. It has ".my" as its country code top-level domain (ccTLD). .my here represents the country "Malaysia". Of course, different country will have different ccTLD. For example, .jp stands for Japan, .au for Australia, .ca for Canada.
There are more to learn in order to excel in web hosting industry. Hopefully this simple guide will help all those novice out there. There are other things you need to know as well. But, it will be in my next article. Cheers!

Copyright SY Ho @ Exabytes.com

Author: SY Ho, Online Marketing Executive

To subcribe for a GOOD WEB HOSTING PACKAGE, i recommend Exabytes Network Malaysia web hosting packages.

For free consultation on Web Hosting complete with Web Designing, feel free to visit my company website at http://www.itmega.tk/

Life is Short

2008-11-24T06:04:00.000+08:00

They say it takes
a minute to find a special person,
an hour to appreciate them,
a day to love them,
but then an entire life to forget them

A quote that a friend forwarded in Facebook reminded myself of what i have gone thru. Well, i do agree with this quote but the time section maybe too fast. It takes more time to recognize a special person and not saying a suitable to your character. However, after you have loved a person, it hurts more when you have to break their heart to be apart when the roads are just not joining to the same destiny. We live and we learn. I've learn the hard way to not love a person because you shared alot of things together and just for the sake of having a relationship than not having any. In a relationship, there is always a rock to stumble upon and you just have to get back up. Well, write more later...

Quotes

2008-11-22T00:18:00.000+08:00

"I must learn to love the fool in me the one who feels too much, talks too
much, takes too many chances, wins sometimes and loses often, lacks
self-control, loves and hates, hurts and gets hurt, promises and breaks
promises, laughs and cries." - Theodore Isaac Rubin

Trying to understanding what Theodore really meant from his quote must be tough for some of us and i don't really get it either. Well, there are things in our life we just have to accept it as a norm set by God and just make the best of it. If you think too much, your head starts to hurt or worst get a migraine. But as Theodore said of being a fool, i must be one of them. Maybe a love fool type :)

Excel & Budgeting

2008-11-15T14:42:00.000+08:00

In budgeting there is much that excel can help especially in summarizing and auto-sum the components. Conventional methods using calculators consumes time but actually in budgeting it is not just the calculations that consumes time.

In a programme based organization such as the one that I'm working with, in depth knowledge of your programme is a must. The objectives must be clear and understood well. All cost that might occur must be identified in advance. As such, the programme tentative has to be finalized before budgeting can be done. Important criteria that could help in identifying the total cost are as follows:

No. of Days of the Programme and whether its a stay-in or just a day programme.
No. of Facilitators / Lecturers involved and their professional fee rate per hour / day / programme.
No. of Participants involved and their rate of material needed (e.g. stationery),
No. of Helpers (e.g. RELA, PBSM) and their allowance
Food Cost (derived from the number of programme expected attendee x rate of food per person)
Accommodation Cost (derived from the number of person provided with accommodation)
Cost of Venue (e.g. Rental, Electricity, P.A. System, Documentation

Since MS Excel are in forms of tables, the conventional method of building tables in MS Words is a misuse to my opinion whereas you will have to manually sum the cost by calculator later. Anyway, as software evolves, instead of a normal table in MS Words, we could also create an Excel table. The only downfall is that the table somethings get corrupted and you'll be burn later.

To avoid that, we create the budget in normal MS Excel and later import it to MS Word once completed. MS Word is more practical for budget write ups and foreword which is later requires table of content and page numbers.

So, how do you start your budget Excel file?

(to be continued...)

Life's A Cycle

2008-11-11T08:53:00.000+08:00

It's been two long days with restless nights. There's a lot of things in my mind which is troublingly i never could ever imagine that it would happen to me. Driving this morning to work sucks as tears suddenly falls running down from the edge of my eyes. Last night was worst but atleast i manage to let out what i kept at heart from the day before. Crying and talking our loud what's on your mind can really make things clear and ease the heart whether somebody is listening or not. Anyway, there are many other bigger problems in life and also far more troubled people in the world - that's what i thought and always understood.

Taman Sahabat @ Jalan Song seems a good place to park your car and just think without people bothering you there at night. However, there were around 20 teens younger than myself helding a birthday celebration. The birthday girl must be happy to have so many friends. I feel kinda shame as i heard a boy screaming Wet Tissue as i thought he was referring to me in my car as the birthday girls car was parked next to mine. Maybe it meant otherwise or i was just thinking too much. Time flies and I didnt realize when i fell to sleep during the noisy celebration outside at that time but i woke by a phone call around 12.30am. Huhu... i didnt expect to stay there that long but it felt like a short nap.

Anyways, today is a new day and i'm opening a new leaf and looking at things positively. Life's a cycle and i knew that deep at heart. There's karma @ Allah's decree of making life fair and everybody does mistakes. I hope and pray the His forgiveness and the best for myself, my future love of life and family in the future. Amin!

A Job of an I.C.T. Executive

2008-11-06T17:55:00.001+08:00

This maybe odd topic for me to write but i personally think it is important for a person to understand their role in their organization or the group they are attached with. In my case, the Educational Services Bureau of Sarawak Islamic Council (Biro Perkhidmatan Pendidikan, Majlis Islam Sarawak).

My job scope as per contract signed and agreed to my understanding:-

Publications of certificates, name tags, brochures, flyers, banners & etc
Web design & updates
Programme Coordinatee (er... if there is such a word)
Organization of Database, Video / Photo and Programme Report
Technical Support / Related - Network or Computer Problems and Purchasing
Cameraman and "Videoman"
New - Programme Coordinator / Moduler / Starter related to ICT starting year 2009

However, most of the time is more to scope 1, 3 and 6 which i need to somehow source out to my room-office-mate, Mr. Adha a.k.a Adhaleon. Kinda grateful that there is somebody with basic computer skill who wish to learn like him which helps me a lot.

Ramah Tamah Agensi-agensi Islam Sarawak

2008-10-19T16:56:00.000+08:00

Although i've been organizing preparation for numerous events in previous jobs and as a student, this is a first for the bureau. It was sure a long day since it was a last minute thing as there were still other jobs to do at the office as usual. Mainly, the part i would like to remember from that day is that NEVER FORECAST THE DAY WEATHER. As it took one morning to prepare our agency's reserved lot signage at the office, that morning i wondered if it would rain later in the evening. But nah... it was bright as you could see in the picture that was taken that afternoon.

I had thought of getting plastic wrappings to protect the signage from spoiled by water since I was just using thick recycle papers available in the office. But my reluntancy to go to the stationery store and the thought that it was unnecessary if it did not rain. I do regret as it would have made a difference if the signage was still there when the judges came over to our lot although we weren't entirely prepared. Nothing was left when it rained the evening. For some, it must have been frustrating to see your hardwork down the drain. Well, i had always happen that God has set things in motion for a reason and as a servant we should always accept and learn from our mistakes. However it was a great night as we sang our practiced song composed by our own En. Zamhari Mustapha a.k.a Alkhazam for the Chief Minister and the audience at the Sarawak Islamic Information Centre (SIIC) auditorium that night. The mood continued at our Kampung Nelayan stall where the live performace of Tar combined with Violin and Arcodian made the stall very lively as the visitors line up to dance and sang together. It was to me phenomenal as there were nothing like that environment in the other stalls. Unfortunately for us that the judges didn't count that into aspect of their judgment or either they were to hasty to get their job done. Well, it doesn't matter. Maybe there's more luck in years to come. To sum up, there's always a first experience and we learn from mistake and do better in the future.

Internal Office Signage

2008-10-09T16:13:00.001+08:00

Luckily today, my work collegue manage to help to do and finish the signage that i hope to do since after the launching of the office back in March which was a half year ago. Well, there are many things that i hope to do that are not done yet to date. But I was suprised that it took only a couple hours to finish the design and laminating process although for some people, signage is not their thing. I just wonder is trying to have a good corporate image wrong? Well, although to me its good to be humble and i would think and do the same back then, to me now, its kinda self-centred to my opinion when all the other rooms are labeled for the convinient of the visitors but not yours.

But then, it might be that its better just to put names and not the positions together which might make it more humble but helping the visitors at least. Signing off for today

Online SMS

2008-10-05T02:57:00.000+08:00

Ever wonder how people could send sms online? Well, to my knowledge and experience, the first time i use that service was thru a website namely http://www.sms.ac/ . Previously, i remembered it was called differently but i can't seem to find the name in wikipedia history. Basically, for the first time, its like creating an email account but much simpler which less data needed to fill (just phone number and name). Then, an sms will be sent to your HP for the password. Logically, the password could then be used to login at the login page an you can start sms by simply typing the recipient phone number including regional code (e.g. Malaysia +60). Ofcourse the password could be change at setting / options but sometimes, you don't have to change as it will save the password locally on your computer. Just be aware that nobody else is using your computer or they could also send sms using your account.

Then, there was Yahoo Messenger (YM) where you could login by using your mobile phone by simply sending an sms. However, it is free to receive or send sms on your messenger but the recipient will be charged for every sms reply to the messeger by using their phone. In short, your friend would have to login their YM using their phone for you to sms them for free using your messenger.

As for now, i'm using the TeleMessage SMS Sender which you could find in my side bar. Simply sign up and make an account and you can use the free daily sms :).

My Hari Raya

2008-10-03T09:42:00.000+08:00

Here are some pictures of my family while visiting a friend's house this Hari Raya Aidilfitri

Jangan Pandang Belakang

2008-09-21T10:19:00.000+08:00

In translation, "Don't Look Back". Although it's day time, you never know what's behind you :) This reminds me of a song that i admired a lot back in secondary school. "Don't Look Back in Anger" is a song by a British rock group. For more information, visit Wikipedia for details of the song. The guy with the red guitar is Noel Gallagher. For those who's a fan of The Oasis should know that my web banner is no other than the little brother of Noel - Liam Gallagher. Unfortunately, the group crumble apart with drinking, fighting and social problems as i have read up to this day and they have yet proven what they were good for back then. P/S: No hard feelings to Oasis fans as this is a personal observation from this part of a country

I always thought that there is not much if you always keep looking at your mistakes in the past as it can always demotivate a person. Although if you linger on your past success too much, it will also lead to your fall. So, the best solution is being humble and moderate.

Mosque As A One Stop Centre

2008-09-05T01:00:00.000+08:00

When i join the bureau, i was mesmerize by the idea of restoring the true function of a mosque in Sarawak as a centre of everything you can name in a society.

The initial idea was to make a child day-care centre behind the mosque. As done in Balai Ringin and soon in Kampung Sri Arjuna, candidates are recruited and trained to be certified teachers. Besides that, books and other learning materials are also provided. Anyhow, i still wonder if the opportunity of the bureau assisting entrepreneurs to open day-care centre will become a reality.

However, in my opinion, it relies on the entrepreneur whether or not they have any financial aid to finance their business. I believe there are people out there who thinks of this business idea. The only constraint is the management interest which might think that business are not meant to be at there in the first place. However, i won't blame them as this is the normal scenario of secularism of the world today. Hence, the mindset has to be changed and the mosque administration has to be done not just properly but professionally as well.

Anyhow, i foresee that there are a lot of room for improvement for our mosques in Sarawak. As for the Department of Islamic Council of Sarawak (JAIS) and the bureau itself, conventional letters are still used as a method of communication. It's a pity that even mosque does not even have a functional and reliable phone line for a fax machine. Seeing into this, it would convenient, cost-savvy and fast if email and internet messenger is to be used universally.

But then again, is easier said than done. From personal observation, it might be easy for the younger generation but most of the mosque top administrator are veterans that might not be computer literated. Nevertheless, things will change with time.

Hopefully, I could somehow contribute to correct this situation and make it right someday. Amin :)

Win Me

2008-06-25T01:48:00.000+08:00

Weird title but as we go you'll know. Since my high-end desktop (maybe still high end if it was 2 years ago.. huhu. Atleast FIFA 2008 runs very well with its graphic card) cannot be used due to replacement requirement yet to be fulfilled (replacement of current RAM which was I assume broken as there is a burn mark on the piece). The unfortunate PC was abnormally restarts by itself after boot or after entering windows. In short, the PC can't be used. But the sad part is my 250Gb SATA HD cant be used as i don't have any other desktop with SATA.

Well, after basketball at indoor stadium MBKS, i fixed up my other old desktop which is running WINME and set the wireless internet with the wireless USB that's actually office property :P. Well, its' for my perusal in office anyway.

Anyway, there was a lot to update but to my suprise microsoft still provide some of those WINME updates. Here's a list of updates for my original Window Millenium SE as today:

Microsoft .NET Framework version 1.
Windows Automatic Updating (Windows Me)
Internet Explorer Navigation Sound
Windows ME Universal Plug and Play
Euro Conversion Tool
Windows Movie Maker Update
Windows IDE Hard Drive Cache Package
Windows Media Player 9 Series
Windows Media 9 Series Codec Install Package

Besides that, i uninstalled the old Norton Antivirus 2001 which couldn't be updated anymore and installed the free opensource ClaimWin which i have yet know its problems and downs. Anyway, one thing i found that after install it took a hell long time to update.

Moreover, I'm still researching whether i could configure the Web TV for Windows to access the internet TV station although there's always option to go directly to their respective websites.

I wonder if my knowledge through years of self-solving problem PCs: hardware & software is still relevant as I.C.T. changing very fast this days. The only option is to keep studying and hopefully to be ahead from everybody as this industry would be my main rice bowl in the future. For now, i need to capture the essential of making websites.

Hope to finish updating this pc as this would be my working pc while i'm home at night in case my notebook is left in the office. Honestly, i still prefer and recommend WINME as its more OS is not as complex as the latest versions although compatibility might be an issue. Most suitable for Pentium III and below computers :) in my opinion.

How is ASTRO serving the society?

2008-06-20T11:43:00.001+08:00

This is an inquiry i wrote today. I wonder how they will reply. Do you?

Dear Astro,

I just called your call centre and spoke to your customer representative. Well, i was checking the due date / account balance and just activated the autobilling but haven't got the confirmation on the charge date.
For your information, i have been getting feedbacks from your other customers that sometimes double charging to the credit card occurs in a month and this worries me.
Besides that, i hope that your customer representative will inform in advance for activation service charges (RM25 which is costly for just charging to a credit card since today mostly things are automated) besides just simply suggesting as some customers like me would feel tricked and force to pay since the request had been done before acknowledgement of the charges.

However, due to the fact that the bills arrives late every month which cause us to keep on paying bills late charges, option of changing to other billing address is not possible and there is no other method to check the billing status directly online besides calling your customer service (which is not free) or email for bill inquiry, i opt for your autobilling to my credit card but please confirm the exact date / time (e.g. 1-day before due date) every month where you charge my credit card accordingly as your customer representative does not have that authority to check and set for me.

I beg your apology if this inquiry troubles you but as a loyal customer, in my opinion, always has the right to be served fairly.

Thank You & Best Regards,

-Shahriman-

p/s: don't take this email personally & have a nice day

So, what dyou think? Most people face this same problem but never out voice their thoughts and just talk at the back with others. I wonder if the consumer association in Malaysia can do or have done anything on this matter. I guess that's another issue to be brought up.

Clueless

2008-06-19T20:13:00.000+08:00

It's been two semester (1 normal term and 1 short term) and i'm still doing my thesis proposal for my MBA. It seems that for doing a thesis while taking coursework does not fit for full time working student like me. I hope it just ends as it is but it doesn't work that way. Life has to be gone thru whether you like it or not.

Work, study, business and having fun? I kept on thinking how to balance them but it never does. Staying in Kuching or generally in Malaysia, a citizen here does think of ways to add to their current income. Inflation rate is high and the recent price hike contributes more to that rating. I guess i'll never forget the 2 1/2 hours que to the gas station when the annoucement was made earlier the day. Next time, i'm sure to remember to recall the criteria of the gas stations in Kuching and not choose those more than two possible drive-ins (e.g. Hui Sing Petronas Station).

Better get back to my proposal or i'll never finish my MBA. Working by the day and studying by night. Hope to write again soon.

Going Back To The Beginning

2008-05-23T12:23:00.000+08:00

It seems that after creating a blog, i had never tried to write another. Maybe, deep inside myself, i thought that by sharing a life story i will lose my privacy. Recalling back, i do remember deleting a post on this blog after having comments from other on it. Despite that i want to regain back that post, that action might not be irreversible anymore. But then, by not having a blog, i might not be able to track what i have achieve this pass 2 years and look back someday and be proud for a little. Although its not good to be proud in Islamic teaching as it curbs further improvement upon satisfaction.

It's kinda boring now if i still want to improve my writing ability since time has proven that language is not one of my expertise. Nevertheless, i do want to learn to speak japanese, mandarin and local sarawak native language: Iban so much, someday. I guess without a strong will, nothing much can be achieve.

From today, i hope to write something without hesitation on this blog and make it active again. Next time, maybe i'll write something on my life story so far. Too much work today and stole some of the working hours just to write this chapter.

May Allah bless me with his benovelance and help me in life, always.

Book Store Marketing Strategy in Kuching

2007-04-25T10:46:00.000+08:00

Well, it was an experience that could never been gained if i hadn't undertaken my mba in the first place. Although it was tiring, those times are memorable. You could smile when visiting again this stores if you've known that you've met and interview the top management which normal customer do not meet. It was quite a number of bookstores including Sky Bookstore in town, one shop at S.P. and one at Riverside (forgot the names), Smart Bookstore at Hock Lee Centre, Benzamine Book Centre & Star Book Store at Carpenter Street. The processing and analysis part was hectic as all the groupmates gathered. Fortunately, we manage to present at least better from the other groups.

The Beginning

2005-03-10T17:52:00.000+08:00

For me, everyday is a new beginning. Hopefully by starting this blog, I could track and improve my writing skills in the future so that one day i'll remember who and how I was back then. I'm suppose to study since there's 3 more exam papers to go, but it's ok.

Nothing much happened today. I had a nice Milo drink in the morning. Played Diablo2 (LOD) before having bath. Manage to enter Hell level :). In the afternoon, I went to the faculty to photostate some tutorials from a friend before going to the post office to pay the electric bill for last month. After I'd settle all that, I went to the Dean Faculty to check on my graduation form that I filled. Hopefull that there won't be any problems later.

Anyway, Its been a short day. I need to cover my tutorials as soon i get back home. (I'm using the wireless connection in the faculty now since there's no internet connection at home). I thinks that's enough for today.