Last Friday, 11th July 2008, marks my mum 50th birthday. We went to celebrate at Pete’s Place in Hyatt Hotel. Food there was rather disappointing as compared to their Sunday lunch buffet. The price range from SGD$20 to SGD$40 for a main course. Each main course is entitled for the bread bar.

Skype with my dad when we came home and we cut the cake “in front” of him. Technology really brings people closer regardless of the location he is in.

We bought my mum Microsoft LifeCam VX-3000, i.Tech CLIP V and Altec Lansing BXR1120. I also ordered flowers on behalf of my dad to my mom from FarEastFlora.com. She likes lilies, so I ordered a bouquet of 6 stocks of lilies (PN27 - Pure Bliss).

Last Monday, I also surprised Li Xiang with a bouquet of 18 stalks of roses (PN17 - In Love with You) from FarEastFlora.com, delivered to her office. Been a long time since I sent her flowers, so I think this surprise comes in quite well.

FarEastFlora’s flowers maybe a little more expensive then others, but it is worth every cent of it. The quality of the flowers is excellent and you can even track your orders online. It has been more than a week since I gave Li Xiang the bouquet of flowers and the flowers is in excellent condition. I would definitely recommend FarEastFlora if you are ordering flowers online. They even except PayPal payments too.

I will be going to KL for a short trip with Li Xiang, my mom and my uncle on Friday and will be back on Sunday. My uncle will be driving there.

I have been using Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64-Bit for more than a month and I must say I am pretty comfortable with it. Even though not much changes from Windows XP besides the GUI, it supports DirectX 10 which is a must have for all gamers.

Till now, I have gotten only 1 Blue Screen of Death (BSOD) when I am upgrading to the Windows Vista 64-bit service pack 1. Since then, I have not gotten a single crash *TOUCH WOOD*.

Most of the applications out there that works for 32-bit WILL WORK WELL with 64-bit. The only exception I can think of is anti-virus software like NOD32 where it specifically requires a 64-bit version of it.

As for games, the only complain I have is with Steam. Regardless whether I do a proper exit or an improper one for any Steam games, once the game exits, Windows Vista will gave me the stopped working message, “hl2.exe has stopped working”. Apparently after doing some Googling, it is a known problem and there is a fix for it. I am still waiting for Valve to resolve this issue.

The only thing you need to take note is peripherals drivers. If you are using 64-bit OS, you NEED to be using a 64-bit version of your peripheral driver and not a 32-bit one. If your peripheral don’t support 64-bit OS, I think it is time for you to dump it and get a new one.

Somehow I feel safer when using Windows Vista 64-Bit as compared to Windows XP 32-bit as I know there are lesser viruses for Windows Vista and even lesser for the Windows Vista 64-bit as compared to Windows XP. I am keeping my fingers cross.

PS: I am NOT paid by Microsoft to promote Windows Vista, what have been mentioned are my personal views.

This Friday, the 27th June 2008 will be Bill Gates last day of work as a full time employee at Microsoft. After the 27th June 2008, he will focus on the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and its work in health, vaccines, education. However, he still remains as Microsoft Chairman as he is the largest single shareholder.

Source: iTWire: Goodbye to Bill Gates on June 27… but it’s not goodbye forever!

Here is another interesting article entitled, “Do you need to be a programmer to run a software company?” and in this article, they mentioned about Bill Gates and Microsoft and they are wondering whether Bill Gates time in technology is up.

What did I take from all this? Bill Gates was amazingly technical, and he knew more about the details of his company’s software than most of the people who worked on those details day in and day out. He understood Variants and COM objects and IDispatch and why Automation is different than vtables — and why this might lead to dual interfaces. He worried about date and time functions. He didn’t meddle in software if he trusted the people who were working on it, but you couldn’t bullshit him for a minute because he was a programmer. A real, actual programmer.

….

Gates is probably getting out of technology at the right time. Funnily enough, it’s not really a business for nerds anymore. Gates was at the center of the personal-computer revolution and the Internet revolution, but now the big innovations are about exactly the things he’s bad at. The iPod was an aesthetic revolution. MySpace was a social revolution. YouTube was an entertainment revolution. This is not what Gates does. Technology doesn’t need him anymore.

Read: Do you need to be a programmer to run a software company?

BBC News has interviewed Bill Gates as he prepares to end his full-time work at Microsoft.

“Most of our competitors were very poorly run,” he tells Fiona Bruce, for The Money Programme.

“They did not understand how to bring in people with business experience and people with engineering experience and put them together. They did not understand how to go around the world.”

Sir Alan Sugar, one of Britain’s computer pioneers with his Amstrad range, testifies to Microsoft’s global mobility even as a comparatively small company in the 1980s.

Amstrad, in Brentwood, Essex, was visited by a Microsoft salesman - or “mid-Atlantic smoothie” as Sir Alan describes him - who came to sell Microsoft’s MS-DOS operating system.

Check out the interview on BBC News.

SINGAPORE April 29, 2008 - Microsoft today announced it is lowering the estimated retail price (ERP) for its Xbox 360 consoles in Singapore. At the new ERP of SGD$499 for the Pro version with 20GB hard drive (previously priced at SGD$620), the Xbox 360 will give consumers more accessibility and opportunity to join the high octane world of interactive digital entertainment from Microsoft.

The prices of the Xbox 360 Arcade and Xbox 360 Elite will be lowered too. The Xbox 360 Arcade is now SGD$399 (previously SGD$459) and the Xbox 360 Elite with 120 GB hard drive is now SGD$699 (previously SGD$799).

This price drop is part of Microsoft’s ongoing strategy to bring high-definition gaming and entertainment to an even wider audience, with great experiences for everyone.

With over 270 high definition games now available in Singapore, consumers will be able to enjoy the vast array of games that satisfy the most avid and casual enthusiast. These include access to over 40 exclusive blockbuster titles such as “Halo 3″(MGS), “Lost Odyssey” (MGS), “Ninja Gaiden 2″ (Tecmo), “Frontlines: Fuel of War” (THQ), “Naruto: Rise of a Ninja” (Ubisoft), “Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation” (Namco Bandai), and many more.

Consumers will also be able to take their gaming and entertainment experience to a whole new level by connecting to Xbox LIVE, the world’s leading console online gaming platform with over 10 million members. With the ability to play with other gamers, download new game content, preview and demo upcoming games, play over 100 Xbox LIVE Arcade games, display your gaming prowess and so much more, Xbox LIVE brings a new level of interactivity never seen before in console gaming.

Xbox 360 also offers the most choice in gaming and entertainment experiences with a carefully selected range of high quality accessories. Distract your friends as you sneak by them in-game with the Xbox 360 Wireless Headset; race with virtuosity with the Xbox 360 Wireless Racing Wheel, and get online without wires with the Xbox 360 Wireless Network Adaptor.

For more information about upcoming Xbox 360 news and events in Singapore, please visit your local website at www.xbox.com.sg

Source: This press release was emailed to me by Ian.

Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 is due to be out tomorrow (29th April 2008), but apparently the file it is already on the Windows Update server. If you are suspicious of the authenticity of Windows XP Service Pack 3 file posted by 3rd party sites, this is the link for you as it is directly from Microsoft.

Here is the direct link (Right Click -> Save Link As). The file size is 316.43MB (331,805,736 bytes).

The official hashes for the Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 posted on TechNet are as follows:

• CRC32: C411A9DA
• MD5: BB25707C919DD835A9D9706B5725AF58
• SHA-1: C81472F7EEEA2ECA421E116CD4C03E2300EBFDE4

You can verify the hashes by using FileVerifier++, it is a freeware.

Source: Neowin: Windows XP SP3 Now on Windows Update

*UPDATE* Just downloaded the file and verify the checksum with FileVerifier++ and all the 3 hashes (CRC32, MD5 and SHA-1) matches exactly. Now I am going to install it.

*UPDATE 2* Installed WinXP SP3 and everything works normally at the moment. Firefox 3 Beta 5 loads MUCH FASTER.

Got the Xbox 360 Pro Console at a special price of SGD$450 at Funan’s Challenger, the usual price is SGD$669 Thanks so much for Ian for the help he given in this. I think a couple of us who went to the Xbox 360 2nd Anniversary Private Party held early this month also bought it at that price. I think I am the first one to collect it though.

You can check out the different Xbox 360 Consoles here.

Xbox 360 Pro Console (Halo 3 Edition)

Inside The Box, There Is Another Box, Wireless Controller And Halo 3

Inside “The Another Box”

Contents Included In Xbox 360 Pro Console

The Console Itself

When Placed In My Room With My 32″ Television

Yesterday, 3rd April 2008, I was invited by Ian Tan from Microsoft to a private Xbox 360 Anniversary Party at The Screening Room (Theatre). That was my 2nd time I have been to The Screening Room.

Publishers such as EA, Atari, LucasArts, THQ, Namco Bandai, Rockstar, and Team Ninja were there to give us a sneak peak of their upcoming games. What we see are mostly confidential and hence no photos or videos can be taken.

The following games were presented to us in either actual in-game demo or trailers:

1. Ninja Gaiden II by Team Ninja (Official) (Gamespot)
2. Dragon Ball Z: Burst Limit by Namco Bandai (Official) (Gamespot)
3. Destroy All Humans! Path of the Furon by THQ (Official) (Gamespot)
4. Alone In The Dark by Atari (Official) (Gamespot)
5. Star Wars: The Force Unleashed by LucasArts (Official) (Gamespot)
6. Facebreaker by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
7. UEFA Euro 2008 by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
8. Dead Space by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
9. Mirrors Edge by EA (Official) (Gamespot)
10. Grand Theft Auto IV by Rockstar (Official) (Gamespot)

Release Dates

• Most of the games mentioned above are going to be released between late May 2008 and June 2008.
• According to the LucasArts spokesperson, he said that this is the first time they announced the released date of Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, and here they are:
  • 16th September 2008 in the United States.
  • 17th September 2008 in Asia Pacific
  • 19th September 2008 in Europe.
• GTA IV will be released on the 29th April 2008 and it will come to Singapore this time as MDA has a new rating system for games soon.

As this is a private party, they split us into 4 groups (Rockstar, Covenant, Ninja and Ghost) for us to compete in 3 games (Bomberman, Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4). Sabrina, Eunice (did not really get her name), Nicholas/Aaron and I are in Rockstar.We came in first only in Bomberman but loses out in Guitar Hero III and Project Gotham Racing 4. But nevertheless, it was fun and stressful at the same time. TeamNinja won. I also saw U-Zyn there.

The lucky number 12 belongs to Farinelli was called for the lucky draw and he won an Xbox 360 (Halo 3 Special Edition). But my number was 3, sigh.

The goodies bag was good, 2 t-shirts, and 1 black wireless Xbox 360 controller.

Now I got both the controller and the Xbox 360 game which I won from a lucky draw during Premix 2007. What I lack now is an Xbox 360. Hopefully I can get a discounted version straight from Microsoft, keeping my fingers cross.

I enjoyed myself at the party even though I got a Maths test today! The food is good too. I just love the mini burger (it is really small) which cost like $12 for 2 if you order it from the alacarte. I ate at least 10 yesterday.

Can’t wait for the 3rd anniversary or the next event. I hope they will have something like this also but for PC games.

Kudos to the Xbox 360 team and event organiser for a successful event and thanks to Ian for the invite. Looking forward to the next one. =D

Here are some pictures from the event official photographer:

Nice Sofa Where We Played PGR4 And Bomberman

Food! The Mini Burger Rocks

Me And Another Guy (Didn’t Catch His Name) Chatting With Oli Pettigrew (Host) On The Right

Individual Birthday Cakes

Our Group Photo

I have uploaded all the photos that are released to us to Facebook Photo Album.

MIX-it-up is a series of technology briefings where the audience can experience a great mix of interactive presentations, cutting edge technologies and real world examples.

All MIX-it-up events are held in Microsoft Singapore office (auditorium) located on the 21st floor in NTUC Building. Registrations starts at around 6.30pm and the event ends around 9.30pm.

The first MIX-it-up session is held yesterday, entitled Mash-it-up. This event talks about Microsoft and Web 2.0, Facebook, Popfly and Windows Live. I was there with Weiquan to support Michael and the Singapore PHP User Group and not forgetting Chris (Michael and Chris are both presenting on Windows Live Services with PHP). I will also try my best to be there for the remaining 3 events provided it does not conflict with my school schedules.

Remaining 3 events are:

1. Build-it-up (9th April 2008) - Developing Next Generation Web Sites with Microsoft Tools
2. Connect-it-up (29th May 2008) - Leveraging on Microsoft Office as a Web platform
3. Hook-it-up (26th June 2008) - Connecting to the Web with Microsoft’s Next Generation Data Services

I think that all these events are held in conjunction with Remix 2008 which will be held in Singapore on the 16th May 2008. I was there in Remix 2007 thanks to Nic. But now he is in Seattle, guess I can’t go this year as the admission cost about SGD$300.

Mash-it-up ended at about 9.30pm. Microsoft ordered some books from its vendor to be given as prizes during the event, but since there are quite a number of left over books and it is placed in front on the stage, it was free for all to take. And apparently I was like WTF, all cluster fucking around the books trying to grab one, I am so disgusted by their actions, I would like to emphasis that not all are Singaporeans, apparently even foreigners does that. And I thought developers are civilized people and this really prove me wrong. The best part is that the book is not exactly new as it is about Visual Basic 2005.

Anyway, after everything, we (Singapore PHP User Group) went up to the 22nd level and into the innovation center. I asked Chris and he told me MS occupy 6 levels in the NTUC building. I was like “I so want to work in Microsoft Singapore” when I saw the room. There was like 3 projection screens projecting from the XBOX 360 and all of us gave a go at Guitar Hero as it just came in a few days ago.

I also played around with Microsoft Photosynth and Microsoft HD Photo (I can’t seem to find a link on it) and it really took my breath away.

Thanks to Chris Ismael and Jocelyn Villaraza from Microsoft Singapore for the Guitar Hero.

Lift Lobby

Counter

MIX-it-up Banner

View From The 21st Floor (Raining)

Innovation Center

Some new features in IE8 Beta 1:

1. Activities - Activities are contextual services that provide quick access to external services from any webpage. Activities typically involve one of two types of actions.
2. WebSlices - Web sites can expose portions of their page as a WebSlice that users can subscribe to and bring that content with them on their links bar wherever they are on the web. Users receive update notifications when the content changes.
3. Choice of layout engine - Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 will ship in standards mode by default. However, three different rendering modes (Quirks mode, Strict mode and IE8 standards mode) that may be set using the X-UA-Compatible header.

Copy + Paste from IE8 Official Site:

Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 (Developer Preview)

Welcome to the website for Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1. Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1 is a developer preview for web designers and developers to help prepare their websites for the launch of Internet Explorer 8. Some of the new features designed for developers include a developer toolbar and improved interoperability and compatibility.

Internet Explorer 8 is designed to work in standard mode out of this box. However, Microsoft provides a way for users to browse the web in a way similar to Internet Explorer 7 by using the emulate Internet Explorer 7 button on the chrome. The web at your service

Internet Explorer 8 will take the web experience beyond the page. Internet Explorer 8 introduces a new way to seamlessly experience the best of the web whether you are a web developer writing to standards or a user discovering a new online service. Be one of the first developers to take advantage of improvements in Internet Explorer 8 for your websites and applications.

Official Site: Internet Explorer 8
Download: Internet Explorer 8 Beta 1