riCkTHEBLoG

FFClickOnce :: Firefox Add-ons

2007-07-23T16:15:00.000+08:00

Just wondering why the ClickOnce deployment fail in Firefox.

M$ was saying that ClickOnce only run on IE in MSDN.

Here is a nice plug-in for Running ClickOnce app in Firefox:
FFClickOnce :: Firefox Add-ons

VS IDE bug?

2007-04-20T10:58:00.000+08:00

It seems the VS2005 IDE is still not quite stable...and not quite responsive too.

Row Number Transformation

2007-04-14T14:22:00.000+08:00

Here is a Row Number Transformation component of SSIS
http://www.sqlis.com/93.aspx

It's great, just fit my needs.
I suppose SSIS should provide this component...

Performance of SSIS Package

2007-04-07T12:41:00.000+08:00

I think I need to study Database Tuning later... when I have time.

Recently I'm doing a Data Conversion project.
There are around 1.x million history records storing in 70+ VFP tables (1 table for each month).
I've made a looping package (it's new, great job M$!) to import such tables.
But the performance of the package is just bullshit.

Well, I guess the bottleneck is on VFP side (maybe VFP OleDB Provider, or File I/O of such VFP files (.dbf, .fpt ...).

SSIS IDE bug...?

2007-02-12T18:51:00.000+08:00

Recently I am studying SSIS for my project.
I was stuck at some points while importing data from a VFP table.

The Execute Package Utility kept saying that there is a Truncation Error.
After spending for the whole afternoon, I got it...

It is because the IDE (VS2005) didn't always refresh the length of my source columns.

SSIS Home: SQL Server Integration Service
http://msdn2.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms141026.aspx

well, I will patch my VS2005 up to SP1...soon

DB Designer 4 - a Powerful Database Tool

2007-02-09T11:18:00.000+08:00

Recently I am studying a "legacy" system and founding some tools to grab its database schema.
Well, I found, on my friend's blog last year...
Ken Choy Professional Edition: DB Designer 4

It is just great to have such tool.
It supports both forward and reverse engineering.

Thanks to the Open-Source community again!

Indexed View in SQL2K

2007-02-08T12:13:00.000+08:00

It seems the usage of Indexed View is limited...to data warehouse only?
Mostly I am dealing with OLTP...

I wanna use index to boost my system, but it seems indexed view will slow down the performance.

some readings:
http://www.databasejournal.com/features/mssql/article.php/2119721
http://www.sqlteam.com/item.asp?ItemID=1015

System Table in SQL2K

2007-02-08T10:34:00.000+08:00

It's interesting to have an "system" table declaring itself as a user table in the ANSI INFORMATION_SCHEMA views.

This message pointed out the findings while checking the system table "dtproperties"
microsoft.public.sqlserver.security | Google Groups

Restarting my pro blog

2007-02-08T10:26:00.000+08:00

hello to the new blogger.com

I plan to blog again.
It seems the blogger does improve...

during the past year, there are several changes hit me much.

I was once away from development jobs.
I was jumping from in-house IT to software house.
I was leaving my lovely colleagues
I was off working on time before but now I kept working OT every day.

Nullable DateTimePicker

2006-02-28T21:21:00.000+08:00

The DateTimePicker winform control in .NET v1.1 doesn't accept null value, so I surf and find this replacement:

Nullable DateTimePicker
http://www.codeguru.com/Csharp/Csharp/cs_controls/custom/article.php/c9645/

So far it works fine, in general.
As it's written in C#, I have to compile it to class library for my VB.NET project.

MSN Spaces MetaWeblog API

2006-01-26T09:51:00.000+08:00

Just forgot to blog this
MSN has started its support to MetaWeblog API.

I would give it a try during the coming holidays. = =+

Check this: MSN Developer Center: MSN Spaces

DTS Bug: Fail to report error message by RAISERROR

2006-01-06T10:24:00.000+08:00

I'm so unlucky to hit a bug again~

M$ claim it was fixed since SP4.
FIX: A DTS package that uses global variables ignores an error message raised by RAISERROR

The above page said it can be solved by the security patch of SP3.
I've tried but SP3 actually didn't fix it. The patch even doesn't include update file for the DTS library dtspkg.dll.
SP4 does update the DTS runtime.

However the bug is still here after patching, if I use global variable as the SP input parameter

Disable Tooltips in CrystalReport.Net

2005-12-29T15:49:00.000+08:00

CR.Net new features..."Disable Tooltips Option"
http://lab.msdn.microsoft.com/vs2005/teams/crystalreports/whatsnew/default.aspx
It's finally solved in v.2k5...

Background of the Stupid CR Tooltips:
By Default, CR provides tooltips which explose the attributes (field names, data types, etc) of objects on the report.
The coolest part is, it CANNOT be disabled.
The only workarounds are:
1) Overriding the tooltip texts via COM
2) Assigning dummy text( a.k.a. the chr(9) approach) for each fields in each reports at design time.

For details, check this:
http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/VB/microsoft.public.vb.crystal/2004-09/0386.html

It's frustrating :(

Google Talk

2005-12-09T18:48:00.000+08:00

Finally Google is getting into the Voice chatting and IM business.
Will Google beat down Skype and MSN?

Its interface looks good.
Anyway I always feel confident with Google's moves.

It says Miranda can work with Google Talk.
How do I configure Miranda for Google Talk?
Perhaps I can try it tonight!

NHibernate

2005-12-02T09:16:00.000+08:00

I read from the Sourceforge.Net update and just know that there is a DotNet version of Hibernate!

I'll try it after the completion of current project.

"NHibernate is a port of the excellent Java Hibernate relational
persistence tool to the .Net platform. Hibernate is the leading solution
for object-relational mapping (ORM) and object persistence in general
for the Java platform. The NHibernate object persistence library for
relational databases is almost 100% feature-compatible with Hibernate
2.1. What makes NHibernate and Hibernate both unique is their approach
to persistence, where your objects are not required to inherit from a
special base class or implement an interface, (N)Hibernate works with
plain old Java/CLR objects. Hibernate is also very flexible -- you can
define how to persist individual properties and associations, query the
database using a very concise and powerful query language, and so on.
"

Starting up a new project

2005-12-01T21:59:00.000+08:00

It's my 1st brand-new project in current company, playing the leading role.
Although the system scope is not large, it's quite important to myself, I beg.

Although I know the design is not quite good, I still think the project will be fine. As the requirements are quite clear and simple, I have no fear of failure.

I'm just worrying if we can do it quickly in an unfamiliar environment. Our team don't have much experience in developing Win32 application with VS.Net technologies. The previous systems are mostly web-based or else "legacy".

I hope I will be entertained.

End of Probation

2005-10-11T23:16:00.000+08:00

I've passed my probation.

I had a not-so-long meeting with my boss last week. Most of the contents are expected.
we had discussed the job, my expectation, some irrelevant topics and sometimes current and future projects.

To sum up

I've found some weaknesses during the months. So now I've got some short-term goals for next year = =+
I'm suggested to be prepared for the next stage, but I'm still looking inside the paradox: "What is it?" I've no concrete concept yet.

Somehow I would like to take a long break later. A week-long trip is prefered.

New toys in office

2005-10-05T19:13:00.000+08:00

Finally I got the VS.Net 2003 and Visio installed in my office's machine.
The installation run much faster than that on my own laptop.

It's really appreciated, as I keep running out of time at work in recent months.

Latest support jobs are so disgusting to me, sometimes. They were also extremely time-killing. Frankly, I don't like to be disturbed while thinking or coding. I expect myselft to focus on developement in the coming month. Let's see.

C# & ArgoUML

2005-09-13T10:16:00.000+08:00

Well, I dunno Argo has been working on C# for times.
It's great that they aim at full round-trip engineering but not just simple automatic code-generation.

C# module for ArgoUML
http://argouml-csharp.tigris.org/

However, I'm going to use it for VB projects, as I need to use VB.NET at work.
If I wanna use this module, I need a C#-to-VB converter from somewhere else.

By the way I'll test it at home when I've been completely recovered from cough.

ISAM file again

2005-08-15T23:04:00.000+08:00

Recently, I play with ISAM again. This time I need to get data from Paradox. It was really a paradox!

I guess the vendor's using the latest version, as I got some Unicode data returned.
However, I got some corrupted data (probably returning doube-byte text or ANSI as Unicode/nvarchar) ... and it is a foreign key.
The table returns a Unicode column to me but storing invalid characters (it was simplified-Chinese text).
It's pretty hilarious.

Now I can't join the tables with standard SQL scripts.

I've started to study the encoding problem...that's quite boring.
BTW, I need to overcome it asap. OT is expected.

DTS error: Invalid pointer error

2005-08-11T11:26:00.000+08:00

This time I've wrote a stored-procedure to export data to a DBF file using DTS.
The procedure works fine in Query-analyzer but gets the error "invalid pointer" during DTS.

Step Error Source: Microsoft Data Transformation Services (DTS) Data Pump
Step Error Description:Invalid pointer

I've got the workaround but not the reason.
- add the following statement to the beginning ... and the error's gone.
SET NOCOUNT ON

ps: I'm using MSDE only.

Accessing FoxPro table with .NET data provider

2005-08-09T18:25:00.000+08:00

Today I've tried to code sth to read, write data & admin tables stored as Foxpro data table (a.k.a. Foxpro .dbf file).
Well, I've tried both ODBC & OleDB data providers.
I hate to tell myself they both didn't work.

It's so funny.
When I run this script:
CREATE TABLE test (v1 bit, v2 boolean)
They both give me same table created:
test (v1 double, v2 double)
It seems they can read SQL_BIT but not create.

I was surfing the whole day but still can't figure out what's the exact problem.
Most of the pages are talking about Data-Type mapping or FoxPro's compatibility to .NET

Well, I'm off now,
but I'll be back tomorrow!

Windows Vista Screenshots

2005-08-05T12:34:00.000+08:00

Here are some Vista screenshots.
� Windows Vista Screenshots � | BetaDot

It looks good, but I don't care much on its outlook.

Migrating to VB.NET

2005-08-05T11:03:00.001+08:00

Recently I'm getting with VB again.
As I've given it up 2+ years ago, I forgot most VB syntax and keywords.

This is a web page that I used as a VB.NET <-> C# translator.
VB.NET and C# Comparison

As stated clearly, it is a syntax comparison document between 2 languages.

I expect I'll be attached to VB.NET for coming projects and system mirgrations.
Nonetheless, I still love C# much more than other .NET IL

Microsoft Windows Vista

2005-07-26T13:47:00.000+08:00

M$ has announced the product name of the next generation Windows a.k.a. "Longhorn" before.
Microsoft Windows Vista

The page claims to release Vista Beta 1 by Aug 3, 2005.

Let's see

My MSN spaces

2005-07-13T14:32:00.000+08:00

Rick Choi's Space

Today, I've opened a MSN spaces account.
This is my personal blog in Traditional Chinese.

The interface is cool.
It provides photo-hosting service, which is just available at Blogger.com since late June.

I believe I'll be loving it.

Code Generation plugin for .NET

2005-07-12T01:10:00.000+08:00

Code Generation tool.
Visual Studio XGen

It looks good.
I'll try it later...as recently I'm so exhausted.

I've already got some ideas on the next move.
Certainly, it'll be about .NET

Google toolbar for Firefox

2005-07-10T00:23:00.000+08:00

This is not news, but my re-recognition on the need of this toolbar.

Well, I've used Google toolbar in IE for years.
Months ago, I've installed Firefox to my home PC and used the default Google plugin bundled with Firefox.

Now I install it to my Firefox.
The main reason is the BlogThis button. I can somehow save some typing time.

MSDN seminars 2005

2005-07-09T22:39:00.000+08:00

The next wave of technology series has been announced.
HK MSDN seminar

For the .NET fans like me, you must not miss any of them~
However, I'm going to miss the 1st one
XD

These seminars focus on SQL2005, well, as expected.

A surprise comes from the topic of PHP/MySQL mirgration to .NET.
Does it show the direction and trend that M$ strategists have predicted?

Free PDF writer

2005-07-07T22:08:00.000+08:00

Someone has suggested this stuff to me
it looks cool~

CutePDF
Perhaps you're looking for something like this one!

Previously I was using PDFCreator

Myth of Clothing

2005-07-07T21:44:00.000+08:00

Recently, I started working with formal dressing.

It's interesting that I'm feeling somthing different. Is it the magic of clothing?
Somehow I find myself pretenting more professional when I'm dressing this way.

I start to have a sense of "professionalism" at work.
Anyway I think it's a good sign.

Confirmation of redemption gift - MSDN seminar

2005-07-07T21:17:00.000+08:00

For those who has claimed for the redemption gift of HK MSDN seminar (technology series), check your mailbox right now!

M$ has mail me the confirmation of my redemption gift:

MCAD/MCSD Self-Paced Training Kit: Developing Web Applications with Microsoft visual Basic .NET and Microsoft Visual C# .NET (Second Edition)

However, I worry if I has chance to make good use of it at work... as I've just installed VS.NET2002 to my office's machine, neither 2003 nor the latest 2005...

Let's see if this kit is good for junior developers like me!
^_^

Legacy Systems

2005-07-04T22:24:00.000+08:00

I'm facing some legacy systems written in FoxPro & VB6 now.
Certainly, I'm going to support them.

ISAM
Moreover, another one is built on ISAM file, but not RDBMS.
My ex-boss told me months ago, ISAM file is used to store data in the old days. That's the time I was helping him to convert data from a DOS based system to M$ SQL server...
Well, I've never heard of it before.

1st day of work

2005-07-04T21:49:00.000+08:00

Today I rejoin the company I worked for during my placement year.
I can still recall the SARS outbreak in that year - 2003.

Although it's too early to say, I can feel some challenges approaching.
I'm guessing when I start travelling to mainland. Hopefully I can get used to Putonghua at that time = =+.

A big surprise comes from the marriage of my colleague. It's great to know that his baby is coming.

Google Mobile

2005-06-18T12:49:00.000+08:00

Google Mobile

Nice interface for searching info. with my low-res (320x240) PDA.
Now I can reduce my scrolling moves with the stylus. I'm appreciated so much.

In addition, they're currently testing on searching Mobile Web.

Bulk Insertion to MySQL

2005-06-13T12:54:00.000+08:00

I'm now tring to run a SQL bulk insert via MySQL command line.
There are about 12xxx insertion statements.
well, quite terrible.

The bottleneck part is obviously printing out the SQL scripts.
The query boosts a lot while I'm putting it off-screen.

WiMAX is coming

2005-06-13T10:33:00.000+08:00

Next generation of wireless networking
WiMAX Forum - About WiMAX

ps: well, there is always "Next-Gen" in computing world.

Recently, Nokia rejoins WiMAX forum and claims to promote it with Intel. I'm wondering if Nokia 'll quit again. By the way, I guess the situation won't be worse than HD-DVD VS BlueRay.

I'll be appreciating, much, if I can play WiMAX embedded in the PDA, without dozen of spare batteries.

Pushed to think

2005-05-27T23:39:00.000+08:00

I have kept my eyes watching job positions offered since months ago.
However I've still not sent any application letter.
Recently, I was pushed two times.

1 - Days before, my boss asked me to give him my expected salary, in the coming week's annual review.
2 - Ex-boss in my placement company, has asked me coming back.

Well, these days my brain keeps processing.
A little bit sense of exhaustiveness comes again.

I need to rest, a while, maybe sometime later this year.

Single-Threaded Mind

2005-05-17T12:36:00.000+08:00

Well, I'm quite sure that my brain is currently, single-threaded.
Once I'm thinking 'bout my career, I cannot code.
If I'm coding smoothly, I fail to aware hunger.

Perhaps I need to include a multi-threading library into my mind.

Xbox 360

2005-05-13T17:53:00.000+08:00

Official Site is launched !
Xbox 360

The outlook seems cool
It doesn't look like a game console, but, a DVD Player / Recorder.

Star Wars in /.

2005-05-11T00:02:00.000+08:00

I found lots of StarWars fans in /.

Someone claims that it's surprisingly good
Hopefully, it is really good this time.

EP1 & 2 were so disappointing.

Recently, I get the rumor about EP3 as the last episode of StarWars. As I remember, Lucas said that the complete story should be divided into 9 episodes.
Well, I wanna see the 3 ending episodes if they do exist, no matter Lucas does it or anyone else.

Improving Application Quality Using Test-Driven Development (TDD)

2005-05-10T18:26:00.000+08:00

Improving Application Quality Using Test-Driven Development (TDD)

It looks good,
especially for the guys don't play agile dev. & still fight with classic or legacy models, just like me.

Tao Of Programming

2005-05-09T12:13:00.000+08:00

Tao Of Programming: "A manager went to the master programmer and showed him the requirements
document for a new application. The manager asked the master: 'How
long will it take to design this system if I assign five programmers
to it?'

'It will take one year,' said the master promptly.

'But we need this system immediately or even sooner! How long will it
take it I assign ten programmers to it?'

The master programmer frowned. 'In that case, it will take two years.'

'And what if I assign a hundred programmers to it?'

The master programmer shrugged. 'Then the design will never be
completed,' he said."

Nice articles, but I've not read all yet.

Happy Blogging

2005-05-07T01:40:00.000+08:00

I'm loving it

The Career Affirmation?

2005-05-04T12:06:00.000+08:00

Recently, I'm thinking about my career.

No matter my current job or my placement job, PowerBuilder is the primary dev. tool.
It is rarely found in the skillset required in the market nowadays. If you get into the job seeking websites like JobsDB & CareerTimes, you can see plenty of Java / .net positions. Well, I can find 2 to 3 PB posts in a month.

Be thinking twice: Should I continue my career along with PB? The answer is obvious.
However, it hasn't offered enough lift to drive any decision yet.

The Phantom of the Opera

2005-05-03T22:03:00.000+08:00

The DVD version is out!
I've just bought it today.

The movie is quite long, 141mins in total.
Recently I always feel tired, so, let me spend a weekend on it later.

ps: On the other hand, region-3 DVD of Bad Education is still not yet released.

Myopia's came to me

2005-05-03T10:49:00.000+08:00

Since 1st of May, I has become a 4-eyes-guy.
Well, the glasses make me not-so-comfortable.

Just it does help me facing my Laptop. At this moment, I wear it only for using with computer.

Hopefully it won't be getting worse anymore, 'coz I like to see the world ONLY with my eyes, the natural manner.

YaGoohoo!gle

2005-04-28T12:07:00.000+08:00

YaGoohoo!gle

My colleague tell me this site
Funny idea~

It might help someone searching information = =+

FileMon - Utilities for Windows NT and Windows 2000 -

2005-04-26T10:43:00.000+08:00

Sysinternals Freeware - Utilities for Windows NT and Windows 2000 - FileMon

Mr. Ty, Developer Evangelist from M$ HK, has introduced this useful tool during his impressive demo on last M$ MSDN seminar, talking 'bout 64-bit development.

FileMon is beyond a CASE tool. It is definitely useful to minitor system status. System administrator 'll love it.

Virtual Pet from Nintendo

2005-04-20T01:38:00.000+08:00

Just a game, not hardcore AI pet such as Aibo.

Nintendogs
It's cool enough for a handheld game.
I'm considering buying NDS with this game.

Nintendo has delivered different versions...as usual, just like Pocke'mon.
I guess there will be a cat version soon...let's see.

Microsoft XNA

2005-03-09T17:56:00.000+08:00

Microsoft XNA

XNA Studio will be the dev. tool for XBox2 and also PC.
With this technology, it should help developers much while migrating games between XB2 & PC.

Well, M$ claims that Software will drive the next generation of gameplay, Let's see...if their XNA would defeat Sony's Cell.

A little bit off-topic
Some ppl prefer playing on PC since they can save the money for the console machine.
However, I still enjoy playing on console. Desktop can't relax me.
To me, desktop PC is mainly for my career, information and communication.

PGP moving to stronger SHA Algorithm

2005-02-22T12:59:00.000+08:00

Some geeks at Shandong University in China introduce a method in breaking SHA faster than Brute-Force. That's why PGP should take the action:
PGP moving to stronger SHA Algorithm

Well, my colleagues use PGP for signing internal documents.

However
Someone told me, encryption algorithms are invented for breaking.
everyone should know it now - the manager, the director.
So pls dont cut budget on Info. security.....or simply no budget XD

Funny Valentine@ MongKok

2005-02-16T17:23:00.000+08:00

A funny event on this year's Valentine.
旺角街頭上演2男爭女鬧劇
Two boys argued for a girl on the street, really amazing, it attracted thousand of people to see this true-man show.
The webpage is in Cantonese with Movies playback for anyone to review. XD
Let's treat it as free soap drama.

Someone said that it was a dramatic work.

Finding Neverland

2005-02-12T11:22:00.000+08:00

Johnny has new movie showing @hk rite now

This time he has nice co-actor/actress: Dustin Hoffman & Kate Winslet.
Actually I'm not interested in the story nor the movie itself.
I'm just addicted to Depp's performance! XD

Finding Neverland Official Site

After seeing the trailer, I guess, he would bring us a specticular character again, just like Captain Jack Sparrow from Pirates of the Caribbean.

Lunar New Year is coming

2005-02-07T16:05:00.000+08:00

Chinese Lunar New Year is on Feb 9 this year.
I'll have 3 holidays ONLY, as I need to work this Saturday. Oh dear my old dad, how pity I'm.
I'm surprised that my boss offer me a year-end bonus, which I didn't expect.

In my plan, I'll stay at home except a praying session (to Che Gong) & football gathering with my ex-undergraduate peers. Most of the time I will be playing computer games or watching movies & cartoons.

Hope that won't bore me much.

Duration of my PPC battery

2005-02-07T15:42:00.000+08:00

Today I've turned on my Axim and played MP3 during the journey to my office.
When I reached the office, my little Axim remained 38% electricity.
What the hell! Overall playing time is just ~1hr, costing 62% battery....although it is just a 950mAh one. The large battery offer 1800mAh electricity, but my leather case cannot hold it. So....I think I'll order an extra battery (slim one) later.

I've already used a program to shut down the screen (ScreenOff). My old Clie Sj33 seems more battery-friendly.

I look forward to the age of fuel battery ^ ^

∀Gundam

2005-02-07T00:45:00.000+08:00

I suggest all UC Gundam fans to see ∀Gundam!

∀Gundam is known to be failure. When it was published, similar to the majority of Gundam fans, I refused this picture as Gundam. As you know, ugly machinery design (esp the ∀Gundam's face...) is the most disgusting. Furthermore, absent of universe-scale war and lack of beautiful MS battles are another reason for its failure. Business is business. As a commercial product, obviously it won't survive in the our world with those features.

When I was reading the story, first time in 1999, I saw boredom. Comparing Turn A Gundam to other Gundam's stories, like Gundam Seed & Gundam 0079, it seems not that amusing. So, I put it away from my memory. I've heard of many comments about Turn A for years. I found that feedbacks of Turn A from hardcore Gundam fans were not as worse as I expected. However, the majority still regard Turn A as nightmare, someone claims it degrading the reputation of Gundam.

As of the year 2005, I started my journey to Turn A world, for no reason.

First impression is not that worse :)
At the beginning, everything is wonderful. Their lifestyle is nice. Life is simple, people are friendly and helpful. No war, no competition. Since the war began, everything got worse. It told us how war could destroy our homes, our planet. The main theme is still anti-war. It's done a good job on focusing the aim, I think.
Actually, I like the characters most: Loran Cehack, Dianna Soreil, Harry Ord, Kihel Heim & Sochie Heim. They acted well. They can shown their characteristics clearly. To me, most Gundam's pilots are just war machines. Loran is different, he always wanna stop the war, not just saying so and keep killing others. ( I won't care if Kira Yamato will die in the next episode of Gundam Seed Destiny :P)

I like their interpretation of "ragnarok" (end of world), and its illustration (the moonlight of butterfly). If our world really need an end, Turn A could do us a favor.

The music of ∀Gundam is wonderful. While I was seeing final episode, the music really touched me deeply. The background music really impressed me much. The ending song "Moon" is particularly matching with the theme of last episode - Golden Autumn.

Turn A Gundam has completed the "black history" among different Gundams, and bring all of theme back to the origin. It might be a little bit unreasonable, but I do accept. It is just similar to the Recycling of Universe, which I believe in.

53-Keys New Standard Keyboard

2005-01-25T17:13:00.000+08:00

Tech-Blog.org: Technology News

As a programmer, certainly I'm always typing. I dislike the old-fashion, standard typing method. I knew homing position, but I saw inefficiency to me, so I gave it up.
(Actually, I just know Qwerty but not Dvorak layout....)

This 53-keys keyboard arrages keys alphabetically. Wow, would it be better, in fact...?
It concerns short learning curve (as many commercial products do so), however, if it improves nothing else, what's the reason drives me using this new keyboard?

Let's say.... I want a keyboard that I can type with less "effort". Typing sometimes makes my hands very tired.
If someone can add massage feature to keyboard - that's wonderful.

Windows Mobile Seminar

2005-01-22T23:16:00.000+08:00

Today I have joined a Windows Mobile seminar by PocketPC.com.hk.
It disappointed me much. I know I've really over-estimated the seminar.
The content is not bad. It just fits novices or end-users.

1st part is the best, given by Hong Kong Wireless Development Centre. Their representative, Mr. KW Au, had presented this organization to us, what they did, how they can help developers or PPC geeks working on mobile development. Mr. Au has prepared many information, however, no extra time is allowed. I wonder if John can listen this part so I can have a discussion with him.
2nd part is just product promotion from Motorola...on their new smartphone MPx220.
The last section before the break is better, from O2. The two representatives talked about SmartPhone and PDA Phone, their differences, usages and how we choose among those models.
After a short break (for food and toliet), the HP representative, Mr. Derrick Ngan (he is leader of PPC.com.hk) talked about their new 2 HP PDA phones.
A little surpise came from Kawaii's sharing on her novice's way on PPC (but I just know she was a DJ of RTHK before).

For the lucky draw....
I have a chance to get O2 Xphone II .... but I fail to get the best answer.
Well, I don't know how much it costs, and it looks cool. However, I don't like any big mobile phone.

Cracking DRM

2005-01-19T17:44:00.000+08:00

Slashdot | German Library Allowed To Crack Copy Protection

Funny news
Is it genius or just bullshit?

Slashdot | Gmail Messages Are Vulnerable To Interception

2005-01-13T15:45:00.000+08:00

Slashdot | Gmail Messages Are Vulnerable To Interception

We should bear in mind - it is still in beta testing phrase
Don't use gmail for any confidential purpose, esp for banking, credit card, stock or investment statement or bill.

Some said...all emails are vulnerable...
We might try to use PKI on daily email, somehow it does add extra security.

Ragnarok Battle Offline

2005-01-12T21:19:00.000+08:00

Have you heard about Ragnarok Online (a.k.a RO)?
It is a MMORPG from Korean game co. - Gravity
Ragnarok Online
I've played it for more than 2 years, including International open beta 2, Taiwan open beta till now.

Recently a Japanese group has released a licensed offline game -
Ragnarok Battle Offline

This is a RBO wiki, it contains some useful info for playing RBO
Ragnarok Battle Offline wiki

Just hope someone will buy it and publish either Chinese or English version = =+
(maybe its license just cover Japan...I guess)

Masked Rider Black RX - It's cool!

2005-01-10T23:50:00.000+08:00

Come from the action figure
Hyper Hero Collection Box 009 - Masked Rider Black RX and Shadow Moon

It will be completed soon , just missing "antenna" right now :P

News Reader

2005-01-05T15:07:00.000+08:00

If you have lots of blogs to read and don't wanna spend too much time on checking new posts, News Reader is a must.

FeedReader is open-source and just fit my usage
Feedreader - Free RSS / ATOM newsreader
Well, I have used this app to read blog for months actually.

I suggest you all to use newsreader to read my blog :)

Test Your Digital IQ

2005-01-03T18:21:00.000+08:00

MSNBC - Test Your Digital IQ
My score: 164
It said I'm a Nerd = ="

The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami

2004-12-29T14:57:00.000+08:00

The South-East Asia Earthquake and Tsunami

Useful info, helps and contacts for the disaster.

Movies in Stock

2004-12-29T14:35:00.000+08:00

Well, many stuffs released recently - LOTR: Return of the King (Extended Ver.) , Bad Education, Fahrenheit 911 , Super Size Me ...etc,
and I have not bought StarWars DVD box yet.

Not doubt LOTR is a MUST-BUY.
I'll wait for Fahrenheit 911 in VCD. <-However, someone told me that it's quite boring.
I plan to either
1) just buy Bad Education's VCD
2) buy Bad Education, Talk to Her & All About My Mother DVDs altogether

In addition, I wanna see Dilbert TV series, but it's in DVD (region = 1) .... my player can't read.
I hate the region code system... I may buy an all-code dvd player(standalone) or dvd writer (for my pc) later

Let's see.....

ps: UNO, ppl are greedy but mostly we can't afford everything we want :P

Declarative Vs Imperative Programming

2004-12-28T11:48:00.000+08:00

MyXaml Wiki - Declarative Vs Imperative Programming: "Declarative Vs Imperative Programming"

Are we getting closer to the next generation of computer language?

SQL Server Yukon - Next Generation Information Management System

2004-12-28T10:51:00.000+08:00

SQL Server Yukon - Next Generation Information Management System

Yukon looks interesting. Latest technologies are added, eg XML, WS

Security is the main issue M$ recently concerned, but I still haven't got into the detail of the reinforcement.

Try-and-catch is introduced to T-SQL, well, pretty late. I hate testing the @@ERROR.

ps: I was taught to be OO since I do program. It is quite frustrating to maintain a Procedural Program....just hope one day my boss would migrate the system to DotNet and Yukon.

How to integrate Google searches into your application

2004-12-28T10:31:00.000+08:00

How to integrate Google searches into your application

This article describes how we can use Google WS API in our application.
With this we could customize our own search engine.

Xmas party

2004-12-24T13:40:00.000+08:00

I'm now preparing for the Xmas party of my company.
wahaha!
Lots of food~

Merry Xmas to all of you!

Port Numbers Reference

2004-12-23T10:11:00.000+08:00

It is very useful during the days I was configuring the little firewall for my company.
Actually you might find this page easily with Google.

Nerd or Geek?

2004-12-21T12:41:00.000+08:00

Dilbert and Nerd
Recently I've read an old archive of Dilbert, talking about the Nerd. No doubt Dilbert is pretty good as an engineer, but Adams always take joke on him labeling Dilbert an idiot.
Well, I may prefer to be a Geek whereas I don't mind to be treated as a Nerd, in the past. It was the old school's day, but it's already gone.

Language? Profession?
Yesterday I have read some discussion from a IT-guys' newsgroup about the IT profession in Hong Kong - How come "Professionals" always be ignored? Why do HK keep depressed from IT growth?

Some guys argued that local boss prefers the one with good language skills (MOSTLY ENGLISH) than technical, professional skills. They claimed it a reason or fault for our stopping trend, in terms of technology. In my point of view, they suggest such ignorance make us far behind from the-state-of-the-art.

Nerd or Geek?
Frankly, I could not distinguish Nerd and Geek very well, using formal symbols :P
My definition is: Both are good at the profession; Geek is dull; Nerd is more dull (borrowed from My friend's theorem: Client is dull, User is more dull) XD
I beg those colleagues to realize the importance of language, communication and social skills, when they are asking for the same thing from their boss. Nerd and Geek are good at mining technology, produce wonderful product, but they don't know how to send it to their boss. They may have lots of innovative ideas that can make profit, but they cannot present it. What they need is exactly language skill, in this scenario. On the other hands, there exist some pretending professionals which fool others but have not real talent.

All-Round we are!
My opinion is, we should take a point of balance between pure technology and other stuff. Broaden my hobbies and meet different people far from my profession, is my way to success.

There is no excuse to leave ourselves handicapped of living.

ps: I know, mine is poor now. I'll improve it.

Game: Gundam VS Z Gundam

2004-12-13T09:50:00.000+08:00

This is a masterpiece for every Gundam Fans!
Mobile Suit Gundam : Gundam VS Z Gundam
You could use most MS/MA found in the episodes from Gundam 0079 to Z Gundam (Beside 0080 & 0083) - Original Gundam 0079, the 08-MS team & Z Gundam.
It is funny for us, as a natural, to kill New Type like Amuro, Char and Camille. ^^

A little but greedy wish: I want GP03D & GP02!

What is LSP?

2004-12-13T09:14:00.000+08:00

Liskov Substitutability Principle
(ootips) What is LSP?

Interesting issue, why don't we learn it and discuss before leaving the university?
The more we learned, the better quality our product could achieve.

Google Search: ricktheblog

2004-12-03T14:37:00.000+08:00

Google Search: ricktheblog

Finally my little Blog can be found @google.... pretty late
I guess it found me via arTung's blog, could it be?

BBspot - Which File Extension Are You?

2004-11-23T16:42:00.000+08:00

BBspot - Which File Extension Are You?

My Result

Which File Extension are You?

New toy - Dell X30

2004-11-19T22:33:00.000+08:00

I have ordered Dell X30 today~
It looks a little bit bigger than other models, but I won't mind!
B'coz my current Clie SJ-33 is also very large...

Well, what I can say is .... I still love Palm more, although I am getting into PocketPC now. One main reason is no PalmOne's device have both built-in BT and WiFi. As I know, Clie TH55 Euro. version is the only one...but it is very expensive.

I'll get it as soon as next Friday.

Entering the wireless world

2004-11-10T14:24:00.000+08:00

Since my crap broadband router (Planex) drops my internet connection for every 4~5 hours,
I have bought a wireless router to replace it.

LinkSys
Wireless G Router

I have also bought a Wireless-G adaptor, I'll try it on my laptop tonight.
Hope it won't disappoint me.

Our Graduation

2004-11-08T01:31:00.000+08:00

This year, 2004, we graduate!
I would never forget our university life.

They are my dear classmates

Can you find me out?

Yahoo! can locate my blog

2004-11-07T23:57:00.000+08:00

It's similar to my friend's case, Google doesn't.
I'll try it later

School Timetabling System using Ant Algorithms

2004-11-07T01:05:00.000+08:00

School Timetabling System using Ant Algorithms

This is the old blog that I wrote for my Final Year Project.
Although the project was not successful to myself, it's still my valuable experience.

I guess if I can try once more, I should do it better.

Nice President

2004-11-05T18:00:00.000+08:00

It should be the best president ever seen!

Return to Blogging

2004-11-05T17:24:00.000+08:00

I'm back!

Since I found myself quite free now, I would like to resume writting blog.
Just hope I can keep going and not give it up again!