Mac fever

Ever since Apple started producing computers using Intel microprocessors in 2005, the hackers and developers community have been working tirelessly to develop a Mac Os system that can run on commodity Intel based pc. 3 years on, installing Mac Os X on a regular Intel and AMD based pc is not only possible, they're becoming so easy even Paris Hilton can do it :)

Today I have successfully installed a Mac Os X Leopard operating system on a computer at my office with help from this excellent guide from Lifehacker. The patched dvd that I used was a Kalyway Mac Os X Leapord 10.5.1 and if you're having trouble booting with that, try googling around for the BrasilMac, JaS, ToH RC2 or Goatsecx version of that dvd.

Bear in mind though, this system is not compatible with all Intel or AMD based processors yet. It has been tested on numerous motherboards and microprocessors, ranging from Pentium 4 to Intel Core 2 Duo with varying results. The pc that I used was a HP dc7600 desktop with an Intel motherboard and a Pentium D processor. The Kalyway dvd loaded up without a glitch and the installation is finished in less than an hour. You'll need at least 512MB of RAM and 9GB of disk space for this installation. From what I've read, installing the system on a branded pc (like HP and Dell) and popular motherboards (like Intel and Asus) has a much higher success rate compared to others.

The OSx86 wiki page is a good place to start building your Hackintosh pc. They've got everything you need to know including compatible hardware lists, success stories, installation guides plus a lot of screenshots. Here's some screenshots of the Mac Os X Leopard that I installed at my office earlier today. Too bad I still can't do this on my very own pc at home though. I just couldn't get the BIOS settings right yet. So this is it. This is just the beginning of many great new things to come. Say hi to open source Mac, and goodbye to overpriced Apple computers and hardwares :)

Desktop

System information

System preferences

Desktop & Screen saver setting

Installed applications

The Dashboard

Running applications.

How to setup Hotmail / Windows Live Mail in Thunderbird email client

Forget Microsoft Outlook, now you can check all your e-mail accounts (Microsoft Exchange, Hotmail, Gmail, Yahoo) in one place using Mozilla's open-source Thunderbird e-mail client and the Webmail extension. Here's how:

(This tutorial is applicable for Windows and Linux users)

First you need to download and install Thunderbird from here (6.4MB windows, 11MB Linux).

Setting Gmail in Thunderbird is a pretty straightforward and easy task. You only need to enter your Gmail e-mail address and password in the new account setting and Thunderbird will do the rest for you.



Setting Hotmail or Windows Live Mail requires the Webmail extension available from here.


You need to download the Webmail extension plus the optional Hotmail extension and save it on your hard disk. For Yahoo mail users, download the Yahoo extension instead.

After that you need to install both extensions into your Thunderbird program. Open Thunderbird select Tools > Add-ons > Extensions and click Install


Locate the .xpi files that you've downloaded previously (web-mail-1-3-1.xpi and hotmail-1-2-13.xpi) and click Open. This will install both extension to your Thunderbird program. You'll be asked to restart Thunderbird.

Next you need to check whether the Webmail extension is successfully installed and running. Select Tools > Add-ons > Extensions click Webmail and select Options or Preferences.

You need to have at least the Pop and SMTP servers running. Just ignore the IMAP server status. The default port numbers are already good for Windows users but other OS's (like Linux) block ports below 1024 so if you're using Linux, change the port numbers to above 1024. For example:

Pop: 110 change to 1100

SMTP: 25 change to 2500

IMAP: 143 change to 1430

After that you'll have to create a new account for Hotmal in Thunderbird. Choose File > New > Account. You'll see the Account Wizard dialog box. Select Email account and click Next.


On the Identity page, enter your name and your full Hotmail e-mail address and click Next.


In the Server Information, select Pop and enter localhost in the Incoming Server dialog box.


On the User Names page, enter your full hotmail e-mail address in the Incoming User Name box.


Next fill in a meaningful Account Name at the Account Name page and click Next. At the Congratulations page untick Download messages now and click Finish.

Now we're almost done and you'll need to tweak a few more things to finish your Hotmail setup.

In your Thunderbird program, right click on Local Folders and select Properties.

You'll see the Account Settings page. Select Outgoing Server (SMTP) and click Add. Enter a description and type localhost as the Server Name.

Now select your Hotmail / Windows Live Mail account name and fill in your e-mail address in the Reply-to Address. At Outgoing Server (SMTP) select the localhost option.


And now we're done. Click on Get Mail and your e-mails would appear in your inbox shortly. Enter your password when required.


Don't worry if you fail the first few times. That's just Microsoft working their evil spell. Re-check your account settings again and keep on trying. Good luck to ya'all.

Update:

You can now easily use POP3 to access Hotmail/Windows Live Mail from Mozilla Thunderbird and Microsoft Outlook. Click on link for respective how-tos.

Kodak moments

"I'm the king of the worl... YIKES!"


"Huh, pesky Arab tourists... BAMMM!"


"Must.. not.. come.. in... second... WHOOPS!!"
"Urgh dude, that gotta hurt..."


"Hey Jim, have you heard the one about the monk, the donkey and the purple dinasour?"
"HA HA HA HA HA, stop it, you're killing me!!"


"Oh puhleez, I can do it even better than those Chinese. Here, watch this.."


"You want the ball buddy? Here kiss my ass first..."


"I'm the ghost of Brokeback mountain huahaha! Are you scared yet?? Aw camon, gimme some slack!!"


"Naah, don't worry darling. It's not like anybody gonna put our photos on the Internet or something..."

How to write a proper resignation letter

Let's face it, writing a proper resignation letter is a pretty daunting task. You wouldn't want to sound too cocky or ungrateful or just plain rude and yet you also don't want to sound too pretentious with too much praises. The good news is the people at QuitMyJobEmail.com has made writing a resignation letter so much easier. Just answer a few simple questions, click a button and voila! the perfect resignation letter/e-mail is ready for you to shove up your boss' ass hand over to your boss. Here's a sample quit e-mail I created using that brilliant site.

Dear Bill,

I'm writing you this email because I think my time working at Microsoft has come to an end. The income I earn from Microsoft is not satisfactory for me. An employee of my skill level should be appreciated. And by "appreciated," I mean quit being so cheap and start forking over the cash, buddy! I broke three of those stupid stress balls last week. I'm pretty sure that's a sign that I'm under too much pressure at this company so I think it's time for me to find a better place to work. When it comes to the work environment at Microsoft, I would compare it to the quality of air inside a portable toilet on a construction site; any logical human being would conclude that it's time for me to open the door and get some fresh air before I suffocate.

Do you realize how boring my job is? Sometimes, when no one's looking, I pull out a little paint container I keep in my pocket and put a dab on the wall nearby. Watching that paint dry is my excitement for the work day. I worry that, should anything actually interesting occur while at work, I might have a heart attack from the excitement. No thanks.

Part of the reason for my decision to leave is that my coworkers are really difficult to get along with. I'm not a big fan of that. Watching paint dry at work certainly livens up the day for me, but my colleagues are so boring they actually cancel out the excitement I would otherwise get from watching the paint dry. A wise man once said "What is that? Smells like a turd covered in burnt hair." I have a feeling he used to work with some of the people who work at Microsoft, because they really stink. The other employees are a bunch of whiners. I guess I can't blame them too much, considering how crappy it is to work at this company. And yes, I do realize the irony of me complaining to you about my coworker complainers. There's a rumor going around that you've been having serious bouts of constipation this week. Whether it's true or not, the fact is that people here are gossip addicts.

And you know those cheerful smiles you get from your employees? It's a sham. They're a bunch of suck-ups. Ass-kissers. Brown-nosers. You've no doubt heard of love at first sight. Well, as soon as I laid my eyes on you, I could tell I didn't like you one little bit. You sure have some kind of crazy genetic thing going on: your shoulders are so sloped that any blame slides right off you. Oh, and by the way, there's a thief working at Microsoft. My food keeps disappearing from the fridge, BEFORE I eat it. Also, you react way too harshly to minor little things at work. Quit crying over spilled milk and grow up!

You know what the difference is between sexist men like you and government bonds? Bonds mature. It seems that you think you're pretty important, a real hotshot at Microsoft. It's not surprising since you occupy such a low position in the real world, outside Microsoft's walls. You don't even know what I do at Microsoft, Bill. What does that say about you? You micro-manage as if you think you can do everything, but you need to let people do their job themselves; back off! Besides, the benefits at Microsoft aren't very good. I can get better elsewhere. I just accepted a better job from someone else. It's way better than what I've had to put up with at Microsoft.

I hope Microsoft burns down,

Afif


P.S. Not only are you a bad boss, you're ugly too! Sure sucks to be you.

Write the perfect break up e-mail

Long time ago I used to have a girlfriend named R. We got along well at first but after our 3rd date she stopped seeing me altogether. I wondered what happened of course until I got this e-mail from her. Now I understand. Girls, they're so hard to please.


Dear Afif,

I'm writing you this email because I think our relationship has run its course. Do you realize that you're a total loser? I can't believe how selfish you are. Relationships are supposed to be about sharing, jerk. I called the nursery school program, and they agreed to let you in after they assessed your maturity level. It might be hard for you to believe, but one thing I can tell you for sure: you really need to work on your skills in bed. I mean, you're just plain bad at sex.

You know, a little respect can go a long way. But the amount of respect you give me is only enough for ME to go a long way. A long way away from you, douchebag. And another thing: take a freakin shower! You smell so bad that the garbage collectors wonder what the smell is when they come down the street. I'm fed up with kissing an ashtray and seeing you waste your money on cancer sticks every day. It's disgusting. Doing drugs so much really got in the way of more important things. You need to clean yourself up. Why do you have to be so messy? How hard is it to put your dirty underwear in the laundry machine and wash a few dishes now and again? Frankly, you just don't care enough about me. Luckily I care enough about me to make up for it, by saying goodbye to you.

I can't believe you forgot my birthday! Who does that? Here's some food for thought: you're an asshole! It's not easy to carry on a successful relationship with someone like you. And by that, I mean someone who is downright stupid, you feebleminded dimwit. Oh yeah, I almost forgot to point out that you're pure evil, a characteristic that most people do NOT appreciate. You might want to work on that. I also really need more space, I don't like feeling like an elephant in a telephone booth.

I hope you understand. I don't know how to break it to you, but I found someone else to replace you. You know what they say: out with the old, in with the new! The wise Righteous Brothers wrote a song called "You've lost that lovin' feeling." You might want to listen to it a few times, because I've lost that loving feeling. I don't really do the whole long distance relationship thing. New area code, new market, and it's time for me to go shopping.

Some people get very little money out of their job. Some people get dumped. Joy of joys, you get both. Why do you spend so little money on me? Buying me a happy meal at McDonald's does not count as taking me out to dinner. If you ever get engaged, just remember that an onion ring is not a valid replacement for a wedding ring. You're like cling wrap around me, but what you need to realize is that I am not a vegetable and your clinginess is unbearable.

Sometimes you need to take things a bit slower, and just have fun. Unfortunately, this relationship is becoming too serious for my tastes. All that nagging of yours worked, assuming your intent was to get rid of me. You don't live in a soap opera, so quit causing so much drama. I'm not a puppet, you can't just control me by pulling on a string, so why do you try to control everything I do? I need my freedom, and there's nothing you can do about it. What really breaks the deal is your horrible grammar. Srsly d00d, learn 2 rite a sentance!

Sorry, but you're not even worth keeping as a friend. It's not you, it's me. Really. I may love you, but I'm definitely not in love with you. You're gonna have to learn to accept that. Why are you so boring? I've seen rocks that are more interesting than you. I'm not sure whether we can see each other again in the future but, for now at least, I definitely need my own space. I think you get the idea: this relationship is over.

Wish it could have worked out,

Rokiah

.......................................................................

Actually I made up that e-mail with help from breakupemail.com. They're hilarious! You should really try it some time. I found out about that excellent site from Kongtechnology.com.

Maxis Wireless Broadband Internet troubleshooting

I've been using my Maxis Wireless Broadband for nearly two months now and I'm pleased to report that I'm quite satisfied with it's service at the moment. I subscribed to the Advanced package (640kbps / RM78 monthly) but I've never actually achieved that maximum speed mainly because my neighborhood doesn't have HSDPA or 3G yet. I rarely get disconnected although the connection could become really sloppy during rainy days or when the modem is connected too long (24 continuous hours or more). My first bill totaled at exactly RM78, no hidden charges or additional costs added. Don't know about next month but I expect the same amount from Maxis (or they'll have a really pissed blogger on PetalingStreet.org).

Connecting to the Internet have been hassle free for me so far. I just turn on the modem, plug in everything and I should be connected in less than 2 minutes. But last month I started using a network switch at home and I have to renew my IP addresses manually before I can connect to the Internet. Here's something you can try if you're having problem connecting. (I'm assuming you're using the ZTE MF600 modem and a Windows XP os).First of all make sure:

• All the cables (power, network) are connected properly. Use the provided network cable (CAT 5e) and nothing else. I've tried CAT 6 and they didn't work.
• The Power/Batt(ery), Data and RSSI lights on the modem are on. The modem usually takes a few moment to initialize and assign the IP addresses for your PC. The modem battery should last no more than 2 hours unplugged.
  
• Your antenna is tightened properly and is in an upright position and your modem is placed near a window.
• Nothing is blocking the modem or if it is placed near any electrical device which could cause interference. Uneven terrain or indoor setting could influence wireless reception and the service is not recommended to be used at premises higher than 5 floors.
• Your network card is working properly. Check for the LED lights near the network port.You could try connecting on another PC if it's faulty.
  
• The location you're connecting has at least GPRS reception to connect to the Internet.
  

How to renew the IP address.

Renewing the IP address is one way to fix your Internet connection if it suddenly fails to connect. When all your hardwares are working fine (modem, cables, power adapter) you should first check the connection status. This is done by typing 192.168.0.1 in the address bar of your browser (Mozilla Firefox, Safari or Internet Explorer). This will bring the modem's configuration page.


You should really leave everything on default and not change any of the settings. Click the Reset button in you're unsure. Check on the Connection Status to see whether you're already connected or not. If you're already connected that means there's nothing wrong with your modem and you just have to refresh your browser a few times and you should be online shortly.



If that didn't work, try repairing the network connection. Go to Control Panel > Network Connection > right click on Local Area Connection and select Repair. This step should be enough to renew your IP address but if it still fails you'll have to renew your IP manually using the Command Prompt.


Go to Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt and type:

ipconfig /release

ipconfig /renew




For Linux users just open a Terminal window and type:

sudo dhclient -r

(enter root password)

sudo dhclient

After that refresh your browser and if everything goes well you should see this Maxis Broadband start page displayed on your screen.


If that still doesn't solve your problem I suggest you contact Maxis Broadband Customer Service at 1800 82 2000 (I've heard horror stories about them so good luck to you mate!)

Cabinet reshuffle

Today we officially moved into our new building. There's been a minor organizational reshuffle here at my company. We've grown tremendously over the past one year and we now currently have 55 employees from about 30 when I first come in. This month alone we got 7 new staffs at the office. While some people transferred to other departments, I am still at my old department (which is good) except that now we're known as the Facility Management dept instead of Special Operations. Yeah whatever.

We hired a contractor to renovate the building next door but all the cabling and electrical works ourselves. By ourselves meaning just everybody in my department. So for the past 2 months or so people like Abang Din, Rizal S, Pijoi, Irwan, Bujal and Sapuang had been working their asses down doing the cable works next door. They've spent so many hours staying up at night working cause they didn't want to disturb our neighbors hacking and banging in broad day light. I did help a little bit of course but I think I contributed the least and I don't think I deserved any credits at all. Not that I'm too lazy to help or anything. It's just I'm so allergic to all those dust and dirt I'll get sick within 10 minutes of working there. Seriously. Last year I took 9 medical leaves and I think half of them was because of my allergic reaction to dusts which always developed into a terrible flu.
This week we've been moving a lot of office furnitures around, tables, chairs, cabinet and stuff as my colleagues take their new positions at the office. Today we have the Facility Management and Procurement dept sharing the ground floor. My table is right there below the boxes and right underneath the air-con unit which is a double-edged sword to me. I'd enjoy the cool breeze on a hot day but I won't like the air-con much whenever I catch a cold.

Yesterday also we had our first staff meeting of the year at our new wing. Since our current meeting room couldn't accommodate 55 people at once, we had our meeting the traditional way (i.e sitting on the floor in circle). We got the usual company plans and development news from the boss and also about the much awaited bonus news which (to our disappointment) won't be coming any time soon. Apart from that we also discussed our next Family Day plans which could be either at Bukit Merah Lake Town Resort or at Cherating. Take me to the beach anytime. Everybody was excited about the Family Day of course but we don't know when that's going to happen yet because it's still early in the plans.
We also celebrated our Executive Director's (boss no 2) birthday yesterday. Happy 29th birthday dude. Those Secret Recipes cakes sure is delicious.

One Buck Short - 10:04

they looked so smashing
he thought he's dreaming
the dress is glittering fly
the floor seemed silent
the lights shined violent
don't you let it go not even for a moment
all hail the queen she's the one for the summer

don't wake me up earth angel we're dancing
we're doing a retro
i'm dreaming tonight girl
don't wake me up
this is our love song

she seemed so happy
don't you worry
there's no way in control
she's a person not joy as
marty starts playing
johnny be good and the house is swinging
they took they first kiss and danced the night away

don't wake me up earth angel we're dancing
we're doing a retro
i'm dreaming tonight girl
don't wake me up
this is our love song
this is our love song
this is our love song
this is our love song

don't wake me up earth angel
the night is almost over
don't wake me up earth angel, not now

don't wake me up earth angel we're dancing
we're doing a retro
i'm dreaming tonight girl
don't wake me up
this is our love song
this is our love song
this is our love song
this is our love song

.............................................................

This song is so cool.

Before 10:04 if people talked to me about One Buck Short I would have said One Buck who? Yeah I've heard about the band but I just can't recall any good songs from them before. It all change a few weeks back when I first heard this song on Fly FM. I love this song just after listening to it just once. I've never heard of this song again until last week when it started receiving heavy airplay on both Hitz and Fly FM.



10:04 is definitely about the movie Back to the Future where 17 years old Marty McFly (played by Michael J. Fox) accidentally traveled back in time and inadvertently interferes with his parents' first meeting in 1955 and he must get them to fall in love before he goes back to 1985. The song centers around the night of the school dance (with the theme Enchantment Under the Sea) where Marty's parent (George and Lorraine) first kissed and fell in love. 10:04 PM is the time the clock tower was struck by lighting generating the 1.2 gigawatt of power required to send Marty back to the future with his De Lorean DMC-12 time machine.



I love Back To The Future and the school dance night is my most favorite part of the movie. Sometimes I wish I could travel back in time myself and correct a few things that I've screwed up in the past.Although I've listened to this song about 60 times already tonight I still can't get that 2 lines from the song. Well, that's the best I can come up with anyway since I can't find the lyrics anywhere on the Internet. Their music sounds very American to me but oddly enough their lead vocal sounds suspiciously British and it's just weird. But then again who am I to tell them how to sing right?

Bottom line is this song totally rocks and is currently my most favorite song in the whole universe. Check out One Buck Short's latest album Halal and Loving it featuring 10:04 and other hits like Fast times and Kelibat korupsi.

Write a funny caption contest

I posted this picture here after a special request by my friend Shrek err I mean Bujal. Feel free to create a caption for this picture, just use your imagination guys!

Adam Farihin 2007

Adam 3.0

Gosh, has it really been three years? I remember the first time I held that little bundle of joy in my arms, I thought man, I'm a dad already? What have I done? Am I prepared for this? What? No sex for 40 days? Making babies is easy, like anyone can do that. Raising them is a whole different story.
The truth is, we can never be truly prepared to be parents. There's only so much we can learn from our folks, friends or from books. Ultimately we will learn from our day to day experience. When Adam was born, I was totally clueless about looking after babies or kids. I've never had a little brother or sister and I usually stay well away from babies of all age and sizes. But then I learn one thing at a time. Take each day as it comes.
I must say I'm very lucky to have a very loving and understanding wife who patiently taught me everything there is to know about taking care of babies. Like so many other kids, Adam used to cry a lot a night when he was little. Linda just knew when to feed him, change his nappies or cuddle him to sleep. Honestly, I don't what will I do without her.
When Adam was born his skin was rather dark at first before gradually turning fairer each month which I guess is pretty normal. Adam started standing up right right after his first birthday and he started walking several months after that. I used to think he was rather slow in learning to walk but now I wished he would slow down a bit. He'd grown up so fast and before you know it he'll be marrying another girl and leaves us forever hu hu!
Right after his second birthday Adam transformed from a cute and cuddly little baby into this super-naughty hyperforce go little monster. He never listens to me and he regularly screams, shouts, cries, whines and grumbles ALL THE TIME!!. It's truly tiring and exasperating. Thank God this terrible two phase only lasted for a whole year. Today Adam is a pretty reasonable guy. Yeah he still bugs me occasionally from time to time and cries when I scold him but at least he listens to me now (well, most of the time). Of course I didn't think Adam is that bad. Most of the time he just craves for our attention. Deep down inside I know he's a nice kid really and a handsome one too. You can call me biased, but I think he's gonna be one good-looking guy, heck who knows he might even be more handsome than me!
Adam Farihin turns three last December. He watches the TV a lot just like other kids similar his age. His favourite TV shows among others are Go Diego Go, Dora The Explorer, Blue's Clue, Spongebob, Batman and Ultraman something (all free TV because we can't afford satellite TV just yet). Among all the super heroes he especially loves Spider-man, thanks to me that is. When I got him the Spider-man 3 DVD not to long ago, he watched it over and over again everyday for almost a month. He'd still be watching that movie I hadn't confiscate that DVD and hide it somewhere. Music wise, Adam generally likes every song that I like. Obviously since I play songs that I like all the time so I decide which song he hears and turns to like. His first favourite song was the numa-numa song. He used to ask me to play that song a lot when he was only 1 and half year old. Adam continued to develop his music taste as he grows up which is basically the same as mine.
Today I'm seriously teaching Adam how to use a computer. Last week I gave him his first very own computer, an old Fujitsu 450 Mhz Pentium III pc powered by Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon. It has only 3.2GB of hard disk space and 128MB of RAM but it worked flawlessly with Linux. Plus I'd like to thank the people behind Childsplay and GCompris Educational Suite, two of Adam's most favourite computer programs. Adam spend countless hours daily playing and learning from those two very useful educational software. He can boot and shut down the pc on his own right now although sometimes he just turn off the switch at the plug.

Adam, you're a big boy now and soon you'll have a little sister to play and look after to. You can't be a notty-notty boy anymore okay? I'm sorry I can't give you the best of everything in life but rest assured what we lack materially we make it up with our unconditional love.


Love,

Papa

It's a girl!

Yep, it's gonna be a girl. Actually we found out 2 months ago and after the 2nd ultrasound scan it's all but confirmed we're having a baby girl come April.
Having a baby girl have always been my life long ambition and of course I'm delighted now that it has almost comes true. Alhamdulillah.

We haven't decided for a name yet but obviously it's not gonna be a footballer's name he he. Any ideas for a baby girl's name that starts with A?