Watchman

Not Everyone Can Fly

2012-01-11T01:34:00.000-08:00

As I prepare for yet another business trip within Malaysia, I cannot but feel the rising cost of air travel here in Malaysia today. If it wasnt for business and necessary too, I doubt I'd do the trip.

Whatever happened to the dream that Malaysians can fly affordably all went away in AirAsia's deal with MAS recently. East Malaysians are the biggest loser between increased airport taxes and unending hidden cost, cancellation of Fireflyz flights between West and East Malaysia and the complete monopoly of AirAsia of 'budget' air travel between West and East Malaysia.

Another stress of flying AirAsia within Malaysia is that seats are so closedly positioned, anyone taller will have a hard time squeezing in. For all Western tourist travelling here; please take note that if you are 6ft tall and above, it's going to be a painful ride. So tall passengers will have to pay the extra cost for HotSeats in AK flights or suffer getting your knees crushed by passengers in front reclining their seats.

I miss the days when MAS GV3 flight tickets were the genuine 'budget' air tickets but all is gone now. We will just have to accept the higher cost of travel within Malaysia now but I do hope one day there will be a genuine airline who will enable affordable travel within Malaysia. Sigh!

Backing up your data

2012-01-06T08:49:00.000-08:00

Ever lost your work because your laptop was stolen? Or perhaps you may have lost your work because of HDD failure? Or maybe loss of data occurred due to software virus. Thus backing up data is not new to many.

I used a number of redundant backups after a laptop was stolen some years ago. These days both external desktop and portable HDD with huge real estate are available at very reasonable prices. Among those used by me are a 1TB Seagate FreeAgent, Buffalo MiniStation 500GB and countless Thumbdrives.

Another option not to be ignored are online backup that is fast becoming popular due to mobility demands in IT world. The Internet has brought along changes into computing world today in a big way. Online secure file storage and sharing is a great way to backup and take your work with you beyond your office.

One of the most popular online backup solution is SugarSync. SugarSync features secure backup, synchronizing of file, mobile access from smart phones, support of multiple computers, streaming MP3, enhanced Photo Gallery and free 5GB accounts. I am trying out this and it seems to offer a lot.

Safe computing until the next time.

A New Season!

2012-01-06T05:26:00.001-08:00

It's a new season and I felt the timing is right for me to revive blogging here again. Hopefully they will make sense and fun to read. :)

Cheers!

2008-12-17T09:08:00.000-08:00

They say times flies but these days they must be on express boarding too. Yes, it's going to be Christmas and the soon it will be goodbye 2008 and hello 2009. Of all the years past, 2008 has to be one of the busiest and fastest year I had. Lot's of things took place in 2008, the bad stuff, I cant wait to forget. But there are great moments in 2008 that I am thankful for. Merry Christmas and Blessed New Year! And thanks for dropping by and reading all these. Cheers!

Macro World

2008-09-28T08:39:00.000-07:00

Tokina ATX 100 f2.8 Macro Lens

Crystal Red Bee Shrimp on Cryptocoryne Nurii

Photosintesis of Riccia

Megalamphodus Sweglesi

The Macro Lens introduce a whole new world to photography. I used a Tokina ATX 100 f2.8 Macro lens to capture the images above. You could see things that we normally wouldnt notice. Isnt it interesting?

Have a good day!

Fleeting Moments

2008-09-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Recently I attended a Basic Photography Skill workshop organized by Sony Malaysia. The workshop was well conducted and towards the end of it all participants were required to do a 'practical' at the Kuching Waterfront. Our assignment was to shoot as many pictures and submit our best shot upon return to 'class'. I submitted the second picture above of jetski action by the father and son. It was selected to be the best shot of the day.

My favorite picture would have been the first one on top. Alas, that's the one that is a little out of focus. But it just captures a moment of gleeful joy - these are the fleeting moments that past so quickly in life. Enjoy them with your loved ones.

Cheers!

Kuching City

2008-09-20T23:20:00.000-07:00

Kuching City is a great city located on the southern side of Sarawak State, Malaysia. It is charming small city with a population of half a million, made up of native Sarawakians (vast majority here belong to the Iban and Bidayuh tribes, with many other tribes in smaller numbers), Chinese and Malays.

Sarawakian hospitality is second to none and one can see the friendliness of the people both in the city and the rural areas. As Kuching continue to grow, I hope that this trait will always remain the best part of it.

Cheers!

My Angels

2008-09-13T09:46:00.000-07:00

Pterophyllum Altums

These wild Altum Angels are one of the most beautiful and graceful fishes in my aquarium. I find their colors absolutely stunning.

Cheers!

New Beginnings!

2008-09-07T00:07:00.000-07:00

This has been a year of new beginnings in many ways for me. I am happy I am here and I even have a blog now! More rantings and ramblings to come from the desk of Daron; somewhere in Borneo!

Have a great weekend!