My Sony walkman only has resolution 320x240. In order for it to play the video you want, you need to convert it to the appropriate format.
I am using Format Factory which is free. The interface is simple and the steps are straightforward.
1. Click on All to Mobile Device
2. Choose MP4 320x240 AVC on the left pane
3. Click on Ok button
4. Click the Add File button to choose file for conversion
5. Click on Ok button
6. Finally, click the Start and wait
I had a special mission today. That was to troubleshoot my uncle's PC which cannot boot up after he installed something last night and the best part is he didn't do backup. It was a tough fight, close to 6 hours, trying to get the PC up again. My poor Sunday evening gone.
The first two hours, I was trying to figure out the windows message "Windows cannot start, file missing or corrupt..." After a while, I realised that the registry was corrupted. OMG. I searched high and low on the internet and found microsoft instruction - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545. It was a series of file moving and backup. I succeeded in getting windows to start as per normal. But don't be happy too early.
Just when I booted into the normal windows, I realised something was wrong. There were constant security alert from the stupid software - Windows Protection Suite!! Can you believe that? It is actually a malware, instead of a security software, trying to cheat you into believing something is wrong with the computer. Possibly to ask you to pay subscription fee later. I asked him again. He visited some website which pop up the IE window saying your computer got virus and ask him to install this malware. After it get installed, it constantly pop up alert message and if you shut down computer, it never get started up again.
I was trying to remove the malware.
- But there was no uninstall option.
- I cannot open regedit.
- I cannot open task manager.
- I cannot access internet to download scanner
- When I connect the external hard disk, it failed to recognise.
- When I try open up CD rom drive, it took forever.
When I restart, the registry get corrupted again. How stubborn the stupid thing is!
Finally, I thought of a way to kill it. I boot into the windows recovery console, copy back the backed up registry file and boot into safe mode (F8). Inside safe mode, I deleted the program executable from Documents and Settings\Current User\Local Settings\Application Data\xxxx\XXXX.exe (the exe name could change).
After reboot using normal windows, thank god, it doesn't get loaded. It gives me time to access the internet, install the malware scanner and remove it thoroughly. Malware scanner remove the re-generated exe and registry setting.
The moral of the story are
1. Don't click or install any pop up window software.
2. Always do your backup. That's very important
This morning woke up at 6am to go for passion run at East coast. The organiser provided a free shuttle service from Bedok MRT. When I reached there, the queue to board the bus was already quite long.
I reached the place in time, before the race starts. Seriously I have never run at East coast before. Overall the entire 10km was quite enjoyable. But occasionally I have to slow down to catch my breath. The turn out was quite big and the title sponsor Saucony was there to show case their shoe and promote awareness. They really have to do that, because before this run, I haven't hear the company before.
After the run is completed, Eddie wanted to try the Penang Laksa I recommended. Just nice, I got a urge to eat Penang Laksa this weekend also. When we reached Gelyang East food centre, the crowd is not huge. Being first time trying Penang Laksa, he also agreed that it is tasty. I almost finished the soup. yummy.
Today is the first day Tampines 1 open for business. It has already created a buzz in the blog sphere. Many people have blogged about the mall. My first impression after a brief walk during the lunch time. The crowd was huge.
Food attraction:
- Manpuku Japan gourmet town operated by Ajisen, which you can order food from 10 stalls
- Xiao Bar Wang by Jeff Wang, brings you the taiwanese snack
- Sake Inn selling Sake only
- Carl Jr in neighborhood
- Teadot cafe selling tea
- Sushi Tei in mall
Fashion draw:
- First shop of UNIQLO in Singapore
- Topshop Topman in sub urban mall
Healthy Living:
- Few sports shop like World of Sports, Sportslink, Running Lab club together
- Amore Living with swimming pool
Some fresh idea for people hungry of retail therapy.
If you go Bugis area frequent enough, you should notice the building with lots of star and unique shape & colours. People have questions over the building, what is it for? But, now the answer is out.
Iluma is positioned as a entertainment centre for the young, hip and trendy. Therefore, it spotted a different building design and floor layout. I went inside and it is indeed different than your usual shopping mall. But, the main focus is still to sell things. Many shops have opened, with discount also.
The most attractive discount now is the movie ticket at $6, until 10 April at the filmgarde. A relatively unknown name, not sure on the cinema setup. It should at least give people choice for a good movie venue compared to the one at Bugis junction. I didn't watch any movie, because no movie worth the $6 this time.
We would see whether it really provide entertainment than the usual retail therapy.
I hate to give bad comment, but this real life experience really make me feel mad.
I reached KL last Friday and immediately bought the return ticket to Singapore on Sunday afternoon. I purposely selected the Transtar Ekpress counter, because I thought their bus would be good.
Today I waited at Pudu Raya bus station from 2pm to 3pm, no bus come. Only then the guy from counter 9 which is their agent came to ask us to wait at another place. After further waiting, all passengers boarded the bus at 3:30pm. To my horror, I bought a 26 seater super VIP coach ticket, but I was boarding the 40 seater normal bus. I was unhappy. The guy offer no apology, just ask us to take the bus and no refund too!!
After arriving at Larkin station, the second shock of the day is there is no bus to Singapore. I bought a ticket, supposingly fetch me to Singapore straightaway, but was brought to Larkin to wait. Only another half an hour, a temporary bus came and pick us up. This is really a nightmare. From 2:30pm to 11:30pm, till I reach home. I wasted so much time on road!! Pay the ticket price that I was not supposed to pay!! Furthermore, no apology or compensation what so ever!!
I would never take their service anymore, if possible.
I was looking for a solid sound mp3 player. After went through the review in forum, cnet and anythingbutipod, I actually have quite a few players on my mind. The first choice was actually Sansa from Sandisk. However, the shop I went to, the shopkeeper told me they are pulling out from Singapore. Then, it left me only few choices - Sony, Samsung or Cowon.
So, I went to IT show 2009 to check whether any good bargain. There was a huge crowd, the whole Suntec is full of people.
People crowded at Suntec escalator waiting to go into IT show. A very huge crowd.
The plan is if I can't find a good bargain in the show, I would go Sim Lim to buy the Cowon S9 player which cost more, but the quality is very good.
Sony booth was offering a special price for the S-series premium range. The 4GB S736F player was only $199, cheaper by $50. This is actually quite a good offer, consider Sony seldom lower the selling price. Although I was actually looking for a 8GB player, but sound is more important to me, and it sounds good.
Samsung was offering discount on lower end player. Too bad, the Q1 no offer and the battery life is much shorter than Sony. By the way, Sony claims to have 40 hours of battery life. Went through all other booth, but mp3 player seems to be a yesterday product. Not many brands are available and the cheapo brand of course doesn't offer good quality.
So, eventually I made up my mind to buy Sony 4GB S736F mp3 player. Compromising on the storage but I get a good quality player at attractive price.
Sony 4GB S736F mp3 player, sounds great right out of the box. Still in the exploring phase.
Sunday was a sunny day, I woke up very early in morning 5am to prepare for the mass cycling event - OCBC Cycle Singapore 2009. Had some simple breakfast which mainly carbo. Then, took the cab to padang, there were many road closure on the day. The cab fare was only 16 dollars, which was cheap and quite surprising to me.
By the time, I met up with other team mate and reach the F1 pit, it was only 6:15am and the sky was still bright. Then, I got the rental bike, tested the brake function and seat ok. The last thing was to prepare for the challenge mentally.
At 7:30am, everybody gathered at starting point, waiting for the flag off. But, there were 2000 plus people, so the participants were set off in batches. When it was my turn, it was already 8am. After set off, I just maintain my normal pace, not to exhaust energy before reaching the end.
I only stopped at the second drink station for some drinks and continue my trip. The race was exciting, everybody just try their best to cycle. Along the road, you get to enjoy the scenery, be it shop houses or park. I decided not to stop at last drink station, as I was not very thirsty. The last 8km, it was all out sprint, as fast as I could. But the rental bike is lousy, you cannot expect too much from it.
Finally, after two hours, I reach the finishing line. It was quite a satisfying experience, having achived something through hardwork. I might join again next year, hehe. Some shots, after I completed my race.
At the back of F1 pit, where everyone finished their Cycle 2009 walk around.
Those really tired, sit down and rest.
From the back of F1 pit, you can see the Singapore Flyer wheel. Without joining the Cycle 2009 event, you won't have chance to enter the F1 pit right?
Shot at the Cycle Singapore 2009 return point. Everybody seems to be kah neng.
Time for some Tiger Balm massage after the intensive cycle.
Ambulance was called into action. It seems like some are injured.
There was a Mighty Saver race for kids noon time.
Door of F1 garage. Seldom got chance to walk into F1 garage right?
Overall Singapore F1 pit garage view
I think this can be consider as one of my achievement for 2009!
Although I have cycled to the Changi Beach via the park connector, I didn't realise that there are more to changi than the ferry terminal. Somebody brought me to this Changi Boardwalk at Changi Point.
It is actually a costal line along the Changi Beach area and the area is linked by the boardwalk. As you walk along the boardwalk, you see different view. There are many government resort, sailing club and recreation facilities. The wind is surprisingly strong which make the walk very pleasant. You also would see people sailing on the sea.
Changi Boardwalk view towards the sea and sailing club. Fantastic.
In Singapore, a place where things are expensive, where the food price and rent remain high, the transport cost is going down! It is hard to believe, but it is real and it starts on 1 Apr 2009.
The adjustment is as follow:
2cts down for single trip
10cts more for transfer
Transfer rebate used to be 25cts only, was hiked just recently to 40cts, but now is going to 50cts. That's a lot and it makes it worth to take public transport and transfer between mrt and bus. I think it makes sense, the price adjustment. After all, the oil price has dropped so much and ridership increased so much.
Make it cheap and attract more people to ride. Sell more advertisement and everybody happy.
Fear not, I already enrolled in the coming Cycle Singapore 2009 on 22 Feb. I took part in the 40km competitive category, thanks to my colleague's persuasion. The day is approaching, and four of us haven't really start training! But, it is too late to back out already, since the money is already paid. The only way is to gear up and take on the challenge.
So, today I went to Sun plaza park to rent a bike for practise. This bike rental shop opened not long ago and the rate is $5 for two hours. Since I have cycled to Pasir Risk park the other time, this round I head towards Bedok reservoir direction. The park connector has connected all the park at east side.
Cycle through Tampines centre is not an easy task, I have to stop very often for the traffic light. It makes the experience a bit frustrating. But if you get pass it, the traffic lights would reduce.
After some effort, I am near the Safra Tampines already. The traffic light number start to decrease now. From here, it is less than 1km to Bedok reservoir. After reaching Bedok reservoir, I took a left turn to go East Coast park. It would be far, but I just want to test how far I can go.
The park is built along the river, soon you would reach the bridge over PIE. Stop for a while to look at the direction. Then, you have to push the bike over bridge.
River scene from the PIE bridge. The water looks green instead of blue.
Cycle along the river with wind, it is an enjoyable journey. However, it would take more time to reach East Coast park, I have to make the turn someway.
On my way back, I stop at Bedok reservoir to appreciate the scene.
The reservoir is beautiful. No wonder so many jogger enjoy jogging there.
It took me 1 hour 45min to be back and my whole body ache. I guess I need more practise. A rought estimate, with my current speed, I need 2 and half hours to complete the race.
Today went to renew my international passport. Here is the brief details, correct as of Dec 08.
Location:
High Commission of Malaysia
301 Jervois Road
Singapore 249077
Hours(Mon-Fri):
Submission: 8am - 11:30am
Collection: 2:30pm - 4:15pm
Things to prepare:
2 blue background passport sized photo
Original and photocopy of Malaysia IC
Existing passport
Original and photocopy of Singapore PR IC or any pass as proof of status
Transport:
Take bus 14 or 65 from Orchard MRT. Alight at the 4th bus stop. See road sign and walk in.
At the same bus stop opposite direction, you can take bus 32 to Lavendar MRT ICA Building.
Process:
1. Reach the high com and exchange visitor pass
2. Once arrived at the office, go to counter to get an application form (SGD0.50)
3. Fill up the form and join the queue. Get all documents ready, they would check.
4. Queue number would be issued and wait for the turn
5. After counter check ok, pay SGD128(subject to change) at payment counter.
6. Get the ticket and come back afternoon 2:30pm
7. In afternoon, exchange the pass and enter again
8. Wait for your visitor pass number to be called
9. Give back the ticket, collect passport and receipt
Since my old passport has more than 6 months left, they kindly extended the expiry of new passport by 6 months. There are also photocopy service and photo taking service available on the spot.
Reader, leave your comment if anything being missed out or you would like to add.
Yesterday I decided to go cycling. There is a shop at Sun plaza park renting bicycle for $5 for 2 hours. I heard the lady say this is promotion. Buy 1 free 1. It is cheap. But, if it revert back to $5 for 1 hour, then it become expensive.
The parks at east side are all linked. I decided to see the pasir ris park first. Hence, I travel the following path:
Sunplaza park -> Pasir ris town park -> Pasir ris park
The journey is short, about 15min to reach the town park. But I cycle around to see the place. It has been a long time since I cycled for this long hour - 1.5 hours.
The Pasir risk town park is interesting. There are few fishing or prawning pond for people to fish. Inside the same park, there are restaurant also.
When I reach the pasir ris park, the path pass through the Downtown East area. I just realised that they are actually quite close. The pasir ris park is not so popular as east coast park. Some BBQ pits are empty. I think the no of ship also more than east coast park. However, it is still quite nice to go there and enjoy the holiday atmostphere and looking at people BBQ.
There is another part of the connector which would lead me to the Changi Beach. Given the limited time, it is left to next trip.
Had been quite busy recently, today still went to office in the morning. But, in the afternoon, managed to watch one movie and read other news.
Today, just installed the stumble upon toolbar. Quite an interesting website to discover new website. After that, I went to omy to browse other people's blog. Accidentally hit this chinese blog which talk about food. It is very good. From there, I linked to other blog competition website and managed to add in many blog feed into my rss reader.
Looks like my rss reading daily is going to increase a lot. Now, I already read about 300 post per day. Of course, for those heading I am not interested, then I just skip them. A bit information overloaded.
Continue from my previous post, we left the HortPark and set off towards the direction of Habour Front. Initially, I only want to stop at the Henderson Wave bridge, but at the end we actually finish the remaining journey and end up at Vivo city.
Left the Alexandra Arch, we walked towards the Telok Blangah Park.
This is the bridge that we used in the Forest Walk. Underneath is the forest. Maybe this is something like the Tree top walk and it is very high.
I think this is the signboard at the park which introduce the whole track. Notice there is a monkey on the signboard.
After pass through the park, we reach Henderson Wave. The bridge is quite high and very special. Just look at the picture, the design and the wooden floor.
You can see quite far from here.
Inside the wave, there are even seats for you to stop and rest.
After that, we reach the Mount Faber and Jewel box. This is the stair case leading to the Marang Trail which would bring us to the Harbour Front station.
It was a tiring journey but full of surprise and enjoyment. Try it yourself!
After the Bukit Timah trekking, we planned to continue our exercise at the Southern Ridges. More information can be found here. I know the whole area is quite big actually, so I only plan to visit the HortPark, to see those nicely laid out garden and flower. There is a bus service 61 which brings you from Bukit Timah to Alexandra Road. What a prefect match!
So, the bus 61 bought us to the bus stop near Alexandra Arch. The first place to visit is of course the HortPark. Once we were at the entrance and the main building, we were impressed by the layout and the design. It was a really nice place. After that, you walk into the garden area, it just blow you away with all the flowers, trees and layout.
Let's see some photo here.
Taken from the main area into the park itself. A fantastic view.
You saw many palm tree before, but I don't think you saw something like this before. The colour is a bit milky white or maybe silver colour. Seeing is believing.
The "paper" flower. One tree with at least 3 different colour. How did they do that?
These flowers were grown inside the glass house. Don't ask me what they called, but they are just simply too beautiful. These are the flowers that are going to appear in the Garden by the Bay.
Very nice cactus. To grow up to this size, it takes some efforts.
After the HortPark, we continue our journey to the Forest Walk using the steel walk way. It was like walking on top of the trees. To be continued in another blog post.
For the past Sunday, together with another friend, we went to Bukit Timah for trekking. The objectives are to sweat it out and recharge with negative ion. Do you know that the forest has plenty of negative ion and after a tiring week, you can make a trip there to recharge.
We reach there a bit late at 9:30am I think. The crowd is still there. But, as we are taking the smaller path, it appeared less crowded. It was a good exercise, had plenty of sweat and felt a little bit more relax.
It was a pretty fast journey, we came down after 35min. Along the way, the majority of trees we know is Seraya. The tree trunk surface is a bit reddish and quite a tall tree.
After that, I suggest we pay the newly opened Southern Ridges a visit and continue our journey.
Recently I have been reading the RSS feed from lifehacker. Initially, I got the link from PC magazine or PC world, I cant remember exactly. It was voted one of the most useful or most read site.
I need to say, I am very impressed. They seems to be able to churn out tips that is quite useful to you. Regardless which group of reader you are.
Try it out.
Today, I just read this article on remove most seed while cutting the watermelon. Just what I am looking for, for a long time.
The steps are here. Remove watermelon seed.
Although the first reaction from reader is you should buy a seedless watermelon. Haha, that's true. But, what if you want to eat the yellow flesh? It is still useful.
1st May is here again. Wish you a happy labour day. You deserve a rest. Everyone need a rest.
I felt I have been working too hard. But, there is no way I can escape from this, while the project is on going. So, one has to take some time off to rest and chill out.
