Google desktop CPU hogging issue solved

Last year, I noticed that my laptop fan keep spinning for a pro long period. As the result, the air outlet became really hot and my CPU usage is hovering around 50%. When I open my task manager, the CPU resource is being taken by the Google Desktop that I am using. I thought the issue would go away, after I installed a new version of the program, but it didn't. So, I gave up using it for quite a while.

Today, I installed another latest version of Google Desktop, hoping them would fix the thing. At the end, it didn't. I was determined to find out the reason. I do some research on the issue and somebody suggest that the Google Desktop application is stuck with some files and cause the looping and high CPU usage. So, I start my investigation with following steps:

1. On my Google Desktop and note the CPU usage.

2. Download the process monitor application from Microsoft website.

3. Run the process monitor and filter the Google Desktop application only. The process monitor shows what the application is trying to do on real time basis

4. After some observation, I realised that it constantly access one of its own file called hes.evt. It is under C:\Documents and Settings\user_id\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Google Desktop\661718322531 (Your path could be different)

5. I shut down the Google desktop and delete the file

6. Start the Google desktop again. Hurray, it works.

Now, the application is behaving normally and no CPU hogging issue. Hopefully, the team can fix this bug in the next release.

Transport cost going down

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.

Competition is good for consumer. You have iPhone, Android and even windows mobile 6.5 now

In the current MWC (Mobile World Congress), the phone manufacturers show off many soon to release new models. Although the economy situation is getting worse everyday, the mobile competition only get hots up.

iPhone lead the pack two years ago, due to its usability and innovation. Finally, the others are catching up. Google have Android in the pocket, after HTC Dream, the next Magic is going to be revealed. Hopefully, more manufacturer would adopt the new OS and provide more choices for consumer.

Nokia end, they are working on symbian variance of the smart phone. The E-series is quite popular nowadays. There should be greater push from them to gain more market share. Even Palm also reveil their own version of new OS to counter the iPhone and Android.

The old dog Windows Mobile is fighting back with new OS version 6.5. To deliver functionalities that are better than the old version and work better with finger only. You have iPhone, Android, Palm, WM, Symbian, so many to choose from in the future.

I am still holding out for a "better" phone. If not better functionalities, then better price. The longer you wait, the more value you get.

Travel along Pasir Ris and Changi park connector

In order to prepare for next Sunday's Cycle Singapore, I went on for another cycling session. This time I traveled from Tampines centre to Changi beach in two hours, back and forth. The path is as follows:

Sunplaza park -> Pasir Ris town park -> Loyang area -> Changi beach park.

All linked by the park connector network. But seriously, I don't remember all the area names. The route passed by downtown east and some Loyang insdutrial area. In terms of traffic, this path is better, there is no frequent stop which is annoying. In terms of difficulty, it is tough. Because there are many slopes, the uphill ride is tough, yet the downhill I have to brake frequently to control the speed.

It was a tough two hours ride, back and forth. The moment I reach Changi village, it was time to head back, in order to make the 2 hours rental time. However, along the way, I do enjoyed the wind and scenery.


Changi Chalet Seaview. There are many chalet along the way near the Changi Village. This is the part of Changi that I never been to. Includes the SAF resort and Aloha Changi. The view is quite good


Changi Village Hotel. The hotel facade is quite interesting. Different from the usual hotel and the atmosphere is more relax.


Changi Jetty. Finally I reach the jetty, can continue to Pulau Ubin.


Changi Village view before I went back. Too bad, no time for a famous Nasi Lemak

Air ticket sales, more price cut coming

In the headline today, ticket to Melbourne going for $89 only. Last week, tiger airway ticket to KL was only going at $58 for a return ticket. As the economy worsen, the willingness for people to travel would significantly reduced. So, expect more price cut ahead.

If you have the patient to wait, maybe can wait for the off peak season and then plan the journey.

刘谦 见证奇迹的时刻 中日对比

刘谦在2009年的春节联欢晚会上表演魔术而引起热烈讨论。其实这个魔术不算新，已有过类似的表演。

春晚版：


日本节目版：

Toto, 1 year 1 dream

It is time again, for the once a year, Toto 10 million Hong Bao draw. It is exactly at this time, every year that the Singapore Pools outlet would have a long queue. Everyone with a dream for a wind fall would gather to try his/her luck. This year draw is on Fri, 6 Feb.

It has become an unique culture here that everyone expect this to happen every year now. Some hot stations even have an eye popping queue.

We know gambling is bad, especially you lose 9 time out of 10. But for Toto, everyone seems to have hope for using a little to win a lot. Treating it as a dream, it is still alright. Only once a year, you can have this millionaire dream.

1 year 1 dream.