To say I'm not the most IT savvy person out there is a real understatement. My laptop has been so mistreated by me to the point that almost everything in my computer has begun to fail. Tonight, it has reached the point that things couldn't work even in safe mode.
So, I made my regular SOS IT call to Kenneth, "Help, I don't know why but my computer is not working. Seriously, I didn't do anything. It's not my fault. Can you please come over?"
Our conversation tonight rightly illustrates how IT illiterate I am:
Jo: Em...my computer has no audio by the way. I don't know what happened but one day, my computer audio could not work without me plugging the speakers in.
...
Ken: What's wrong with your connection? I can't seem to connect to the Internet.
Jo: O, remember how I told you my wireless is spoilt. I think that occurred when I dropped my laptop.
Ken: That's fine but I still can't connect with the cable.
Jo: O, em...and my cable is loose too. You gotta stick it in properly
...
Ken: Hey your computer is running of battery. Where's your adapter?
Jo: Em, I don't know what happened but it just disappeared last week.
Ken: You lost your big arse adapter?!?!
Jo: Hm....yeah. Don't ask okay!!
...
*Kenneth picks up my external hard drive*
Jo: I'm so proud of myself. I purchased a hard drive.
Ken: It looks like a good one. Very proud of you. I presumed you purchased this a few years ago?
Jo: Em...actually er....this year. Okay, just a couple of months ago.
Ken: So before this, your files were never backed up?
Jo: Em...nope.
Ken: OMG. How big is your external hard drive?
Jo: Em...I don't know. It's quite big?
*Kenneth slaps his hand on his forehead*
Ken: So what's wrong with your Internet again?
Jo: O, when I click on any link using google search engine, it directs me to some google ad.
Ken: When did this problem start to occur?
Jo: Hm...a few days ago. Actually, its probably after I installed some program
Ken: What program is that?
Jo: I don't know. I was sleepy and I clicked yes. Hm, I think that's the problem.
Ken: OMG. Do you have AVG?
Jo: Hm...used to but not anymore.
...
Ken: So after reformatting your computer, what programs do you want reinstalled in your computer?
Me: Microsoft Office and Photoshop CS2. I don't have any of the installation cds
Ken: That means I have to walk home at midnight, grab it and come back here.
*A few minutes later, he browses through my cd case*
Ken: What is this?!?!?! Microsoft Office!!!
Jo: Oh yeah! I do have it!
*Few seconds later*
Ken: A second one!
*Few seconds later*
Ken: A third one! And Photoshop CS2!!!
Jo: Oops. HAHAHAHA.
Ken: Dont call me again next week about computer problems. I'll ask you to purchase a new laptop. And if you call me the week after, I'll delete your number.
....
Haha, re-reading what I wrote I seriously think I have a blond root somewhere. OMG.
....
Post-edit: My exam timetable just came out today! OMG, argh, I've been extremely slack this semester. Geek mode from today onwards at full blast!! 30 days! I will complete my audit assignment by today. Must must must.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
Photoshop tips - Lomography
After scouting around for people's opinions, it seems like photo #5 is the way to go! So here are the steps in creating the lomo effect as per photo #5.
Step 1: Always start by creating a new layer, just in case you need to un-do your steps.
Step 2: Use the lasso tool and create an oval selection. Your oval does not have to be perfect. Set the feather to 200 px (some tutorials recommend a lower px but i like the dynamic effect)
Step 3: Inverse the selection (Select> Inverse or Shift+Ctrl+I)
Step 4: Click on Image > Adjustments > Levels. Move the middle button to the right. I moved it pretty far right, again to create a more dynamic effect. Make sure you tick the preview button to preview the new effect.
Step 5: Lomo photographs have pretty strong and contrasting colours. I realised that the best way to create this effect is to play around with the red and green colours. Click on window > channels. And then click on red (make sure only red is highlighted). Then click on Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Change the contrast to approximately + 50.
Step 6: Subsequently, do the same thing for green. Click on 'green' in the 'Channels' box. Then click on Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Change the contrast to approximately + 50.
Step 7: Click on RGB in the channels box to reveal the new effects.
Step 8: Finally, the effect will be more apparent if the image is sharpen. But before this image can be sharpened, the image must firstly be flattened. To sharpen this image, click on Image > Mode > Lab colour. (If the image has not been flattened, photoshop will ask you whether you want to merge the layers. Click 'merge')In the 'Channels' box, click on lightness. Then, click on filter > sharpen > unsharp mask. Then click on Image > Mode > RGB colour to reveal the new effects.
Step 9 (Additional step): I don't really like following this additional step as I prefer my pictures to be more saturated but this step will create a more genuine lomo effect. Create a new layer. Fill the new layer with black. Then, in the layers box, change the mode to 'hue'. Reduce the opacity to about 40%.
Edited photograph without step 9
Edited photograph with step 9
Step 1: Always start by creating a new layer, just in case you need to un-do your steps.
Step 2: Use the lasso tool and create an oval selection. Your oval does not have to be perfect. Set the feather to 200 px (some tutorials recommend a lower px but i like the dynamic effect)
Step 3: Inverse the selection (Select> Inverse or Shift+Ctrl+I)
Step 4: Click on Image > Adjustments > Levels. Move the middle button to the right. I moved it pretty far right, again to create a more dynamic effect. Make sure you tick the preview button to preview the new effect.
Step 5: Lomo photographs have pretty strong and contrasting colours. I realised that the best way to create this effect is to play around with the red and green colours. Click on window > channels. And then click on red (make sure only red is highlighted). Then click on Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Change the contrast to approximately + 50.
Step 6: Subsequently, do the same thing for green. Click on 'green' in the 'Channels' box. Then click on Image > Adjustments > Brightness/Contrast. Change the contrast to approximately + 50.
Step 7: Click on RGB in the channels box to reveal the new effects.
Step 8: Finally, the effect will be more apparent if the image is sharpen. But before this image can be sharpened, the image must firstly be flattened. To sharpen this image, click on Image > Mode > Lab colour. (If the image has not been flattened, photoshop will ask you whether you want to merge the layers. Click 'merge')In the 'Channels' box, click on lightness. Then, click on filter > sharpen > unsharp mask. Then click on Image > Mode > RGB colour to reveal the new effects.
Step 9 (Additional step): I don't really like following this additional step as I prefer my pictures to be more saturated but this step will create a more genuine lomo effect. Create a new layer. Fill the new layer with black. Then, in the layers box, change the mode to 'hue'. Reduce the opacity to about 40%.
Edited photograph without step 9
Edited photograph with step 9
Photoshop tips - Lomography
I've been playing around with photoshop today (as I usually do). This time I've been trying to learn this new technique that Cheryl introduced to me a couple of months ago. This technique is called lomography. This technique simulates the photographs captured by the Russian Lomo LC-A camera.
This is a Russian made camera that was a knock off of another camera. It is poorly made and by Japanese camera standards, a bad picture taker too. As the legend goes, somewhere in the 1990’s a cult following developed and hasn’t stop since.
(Taken from http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-digital-photos-look-like-lomo-photography/)
Anyway, there are various ways to create this lomo look. So, Ive been twiddling around with photoshop for a couple of hours trying to find the best technique. Here are my five attempts on the same photograph. Let me know which photo you like best okay? =)
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
Attempt #3
Attempt #4
Attempt #5
This is a Russian made camera that was a knock off of another camera. It is poorly made and by Japanese camera standards, a bad picture taker too. As the legend goes, somewhere in the 1990’s a cult following developed and hasn’t stop since.
(Taken from http://digital-photography-school.com/blog/how-to-make-digital-photos-look-like-lomo-photography/)
Anyway, there are various ways to create this lomo look. So, Ive been twiddling around with photoshop for a couple of hours trying to find the best technique. Here are my five attempts on the same photograph. Let me know which photo you like best okay? =)
Attempt #1
Attempt #2
Attempt #3
Attempt #4
Attempt #5
Sunday, September 21, 2008
The world is your oyster
Honestly, this year hasn't been the easiest for me. A lot of changes have happened. I've become more socially reclusive than I've ever been. I've started to dislike deep conversations because it meant searching myself for answers that I do not have. It means facing questions that I rather not face. I have gone through every emotion possible to a great degree - anger, bitterness, happiness, confusion and the worst of all, indifference. In my opinion, saying "I couldn't be stuffed anymore" is the worst of the lot. It represents the lost of hope, the candle blown. My indifference have caused me to make mistakes that I wish I didn't make. In turn, my indifference have hurt others and myself. And I wish I could take it back but I can't.
Fortunately for me, I'm beginning to get over that phase of my life. This year has been hard because I find myself searching for my own identity once again. Asking the hard questions again - what's my purpose in life, what am I truly living for, how should I define success, what kind of life do I want to lead. And then I began doubting myself - have I been leading my life all wrong the past few years? What could I have been doing with my life? And what should I be doing with my life? Why am I shortchanging myself? Where does my passion lie? Where's my drive to strive and succeed? Am I really who I think I am?
And I'm still searching. Well, at least for now I'm beginning to search for answers in the right places. And most of all, at least I've stopped being indifferent.
The world is my oyster.
I think I will be okay.
Fortunately for me, I'm beginning to get over that phase of my life. This year has been hard because I find myself searching for my own identity once again. Asking the hard questions again - what's my purpose in life, what am I truly living for, how should I define success, what kind of life do I want to lead. And then I began doubting myself - have I been leading my life all wrong the past few years? What could I have been doing with my life? And what should I be doing with my life? Why am I shortchanging myself? Where does my passion lie? Where's my drive to strive and succeed? Am I really who I think I am?
And I'm still searching. Well, at least for now I'm beginning to search for answers in the right places. And most of all, at least I've stopped being indifferent.
The world is my oyster.
I think I will be okay.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
A country in distress
Malaysia as a nation has gone through much distress the past one year. The most recent event was the detention of journalists using the Internal Security Act. Under this draconian Act, the government is allowed to detain without trial those who are said to be a threat to the national security of the country. This Act was first legislated many years ago during the Communist time. Singapore also has a similar Act in place but the Government has not detained anyone under this Act for the past many years.
For the first time in Malaysian history, journalists are detained under this Act. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the Government's usage of the Internal Security Act to intimidate the media. This is the ultimate restriction on freedom of speech. In Singapore, the government is said to use civil defamation suits to silence the opposition. In Malaysia, the government detains the opposition without trial. I've read reports on how detainees are treated. Let's just say their experiences in the detention centres weren't pleasant at all. Apparently, one journalist, Tan Hoon Cheng who was detained yesterday and released today reported that she was treated well in the detention centre. Perhaps its because the government is now under the watchful scrutiny of the world. Who knows. RPK, the editor of Malaysia Today has also been detained and is still being detained as he has allegedly posted articles deemed seditious and that also belittle Islam.
Sigh, it seems like Malaysia as a country is only moving backwards in terms of its civil liberties. It's really saddens me to watch the leaders of my country which I call home, blatantly abusing their power and using the Act as a convenient tool to silence journalists who merely lay out facts in the open. After all, isn't that the job of journalists - to deliver untainted news to the public?
Wind of change: It was only 4 years ago, in the second last election that the Barisan National Government won the Federal election with almost the full support of the nation. This year however, during the recent election, it wasn't such an easy win. Why was there a wind of change? Here are the possible reasons:
- Malaysians are tired of the poor leadership of Barisan National. They are tired of a leader who is indecisive and hasnt seem to make a single good decision in the past five years. With sky-rocketing inflation and an almost unsustainable standard of living in Malaysia for many Malaysians, the nation is starting to point fingers at the poorly run Abdullah administration.
- Malaysia as a country turned 51 as of 31st August 2008. The 50 year old mark was a wake up call to Malaysians. Being young is not an excuse anymore. We started on par with countries like Singapore. Look at how far Singapore has developed and how Malaysia is only inching upwards, if at all. Malaysia is sick of the corrupted Barisan National government. However, the Abdullah Administration is not solely to be blamed. The nation is sick of the Barisan National leaders, both past and present, squeezing the citizens of their hard-earned money only to pass it to their cronies. Think Samy Vellu, Rafidah, Khairy - one wonders how much money has been squandered.
- The coming age of the virtual world. It is said that the Internet has helped to win votes for the Opposition like how it has helped Obama in his campaign. With alternative online newspapers like MalaysiaToday and with bloggers like Jeff Ooi , Malaysians are more aware of the true state of events in Malaysia. Objectively speaking, one cannot say for sure that what is published in those alternative virtual newspapers are 100% accurate but what we know is that the traditional mainstream newspapers are blatantly biased. Traditional media in Malaysia is greatly suppressed by the Government. Annual licenses can be revoked if papers are found to be displeasing in the eyes of the Government. For example, the license for Harakah, the official opposition party PAS newspaper was suspended after seditious articles were alleged to be published. Aside from that, almost all mainstream newspapers are controlled directly or indirectly by Barisan National.
I'm anxiously waiting to see how the upcoming events will unfold. Anwar, please deliver what you have promised. He may not be the perfect leader and it may seem that he is supported out of default but take a look at the politicians in power. I say he is the best we got.
For the first time in Malaysian history, journalists are detained under this Act. The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has condemned the Government's usage of the Internal Security Act to intimidate the media. This is the ultimate restriction on freedom of speech. In Singapore, the government is said to use civil defamation suits to silence the opposition. In Malaysia, the government detains the opposition without trial. I've read reports on how detainees are treated. Let's just say their experiences in the detention centres weren't pleasant at all. Apparently, one journalist, Tan Hoon Cheng who was detained yesterday and released today reported that she was treated well in the detention centre. Perhaps its because the government is now under the watchful scrutiny of the world. Who knows. RPK, the editor of Malaysia Today has also been detained and is still being detained as he has allegedly posted articles deemed seditious and that also belittle Islam.
Sigh, it seems like Malaysia as a country is only moving backwards in terms of its civil liberties. It's really saddens me to watch the leaders of my country which I call home, blatantly abusing their power and using the Act as a convenient tool to silence journalists who merely lay out facts in the open. After all, isn't that the job of journalists - to deliver untainted news to the public?
Wind of change: It was only 4 years ago, in the second last election that the Barisan National Government won the Federal election with almost the full support of the nation. This year however, during the recent election, it wasn't such an easy win. Why was there a wind of change? Here are the possible reasons:
- Malaysians are tired of the poor leadership of Barisan National. They are tired of a leader who is indecisive and hasnt seem to make a single good decision in the past five years. With sky-rocketing inflation and an almost unsustainable standard of living in Malaysia for many Malaysians, the nation is starting to point fingers at the poorly run Abdullah administration.
- Malaysia as a country turned 51 as of 31st August 2008. The 50 year old mark was a wake up call to Malaysians. Being young is not an excuse anymore. We started on par with countries like Singapore. Look at how far Singapore has developed and how Malaysia is only inching upwards, if at all. Malaysia is sick of the corrupted Barisan National government. However, the Abdullah Administration is not solely to be blamed. The nation is sick of the Barisan National leaders, both past and present, squeezing the citizens of their hard-earned money only to pass it to their cronies. Think Samy Vellu, Rafidah, Khairy - one wonders how much money has been squandered.
- The coming age of the virtual world. It is said that the Internet has helped to win votes for the Opposition like how it has helped Obama in his campaign. With alternative online newspapers like MalaysiaToday and with bloggers like Jeff Ooi , Malaysians are more aware of the true state of events in Malaysia. Objectively speaking, one cannot say for sure that what is published in those alternative virtual newspapers are 100% accurate but what we know is that the traditional mainstream newspapers are blatantly biased. Traditional media in Malaysia is greatly suppressed by the Government. Annual licenses can be revoked if papers are found to be displeasing in the eyes of the Government. For example, the license for Harakah, the official opposition party PAS newspaper was suspended after seditious articles were alleged to be published. Aside from that, almost all mainstream newspapers are controlled directly or indirectly by Barisan National.
I'm anxiously waiting to see how the upcoming events will unfold. Anwar, please deliver what you have promised. He may not be the perfect leader and it may seem that he is supported out of default but take a look at the politicians in power. I say he is the best we got.
Monday, September 01, 2008
This is what I think about while playing 'chor dai di'
If you can solve this problem, youll be my hero for the next one week.
I have been playing 'chor dai di' the past few days with my brother and dad. Last night, we had additional players - Wing Yan, Jiah and Dianne. Well, card games and I were never meant to be lovers. Almost without fail, my hand in card games has always been atrocious. Not getting a single 'two'or an 'ace' no longer comes as a surprise.
So I was complaining to my dad and said, "Seriously, why is my luck so bad? There are 52 cards in a deck. Each player is dealt 13 cards. There are four 'twos' and four 'aces' in a deck. Seriously, the probabilities of me getting a 'two' or an 'ace' should be pretty high, right?"
That's when I paused and realised that, I couldn't figure out the probability of me getting an 'ace' or a 'two'. My statistics knowledge have swirled down the drain. After all, this is pretty basic isn't it? Right?
Tell me the answer please??? Anyone?
I have been playing 'chor dai di' the past few days with my brother and dad. Last night, we had additional players - Wing Yan, Jiah and Dianne. Well, card games and I were never meant to be lovers. Almost without fail, my hand in card games has always been atrocious. Not getting a single 'two'or an 'ace' no longer comes as a surprise.
So I was complaining to my dad and said, "Seriously, why is my luck so bad? There are 52 cards in a deck. Each player is dealt 13 cards. There are four 'twos' and four 'aces' in a deck. Seriously, the probabilities of me getting a 'two' or an 'ace' should be pretty high, right?"
That's when I paused and realised that, I couldn't figure out the probability of me getting an 'ace' or a 'two'. My statistics knowledge have swirled down the drain. After all, this is pretty basic isn't it? Right?
Tell me the answer please??? Anyone?
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