Lot 10 R&D Dept?

Mon 200409

Yup, another weekend is over...7 bonus days marked off...Thanks to Him upstairs for the generosity...

And guess what? Me had a surprise caller on my hp yesterday morning! From a former student, CW, whom I haven't seen nor met since the day me retired. And she wanted to visit lil ole me...

So an appropriate time for her to come to Lot 10 was agreed upon. However, there was a need to change that time cos me later realised that the F1 GP in Shanghai, China, was gonna be telecast LIVE on Astro then. So a new meet time was set ie after the race was over...5 pm to be exact.

Well, the F1 race was exciting...in the rain some more! Lots of spills & thrills! Even a piggy-back incident. Red Bull drivers came in 1st & 2nd...a great achievement in spite of all the odds stacked against them.

Well, CW came right after the race. And she didn't come empty-handed but with a bagful of nice juicy fruits! "Chinese culture la...", CW said. We had a long chat...about old times but more of what she'd been doing since leaving school. We are happy to learn that she's finally into the start of a new career...and hopefully this time she will be truly successful & happy doing what she loves most!

Good luck, CW...and all the very best in all you do!! And of course, thanks a meg for remembering lil ole me! And yup, what you did is the best gift & reward a teacher would ever wish for...so CW, you made my day!

Well, that was yesterday...Sun 190409.

Today ie 200409, started differently. Me, being the busy bee that me tend to be...at times..., was browsing some YouTube videos on wireless routers. The main purpose was actually to find some reference / info on what the lights on the D-Link DIR300 wireless router were for. However, as with such attempts, one is somehow distracted & kinda "detoured" to other related issues.

One such distracting issue that caught me eye was on how to improve the wireless signal in a wireless setup. Yup, it's just a simple DIY improvision.

Simply called the "Windsurfer", it's an easily made parabolic dish of sorts.

Left : A pic taken from the webpage.


So I got all the simple stuff that was needed to make one...you know, manila cardboard (a cardboard file would be better), aluminium foil, gum, scissors & blade cutter. And a short while later, me got this set up...and working...

Left : Pic of me very own product...

Does it work? The best answer to that would be for you to make one & see for yourself. Correct?

Anyway, I moved the antenna around into different positions & on checking with the "Network & Sharing Centre" on my lappy, I found that the signal strength changed from "Very Good" to "Excellent" ! So was that an improvement?

The cost? Hardly anything. Scraps from here & there. Just a small piece of cardboard & aluminium foil, some gum, time & effort. Kinda rewarding, aint't it? For more info, pls check it out here ---> http://www.freeantennas.com/projects/template2/index.html

That's what DIY is all about...personal satisfaction with minimum $$ output!

Happy DIYing...

UPDATE @9:50pm : Further tests on the benefits & functionality of the "Windsurfer" antenna have revealed a few differences, namely :

1. The wireless signal was amplified /improved significantly when the lappy was used downstairs. As mentioned in my post above, the signal strength improved from "Very Good" to "Excellent". Fyi Lot 10 is a double-storeyed terrace house.
2. However, when the lappy was moved up back to the same floor as the wireless router, the signal strength dropped back to "Very Good" only! Attempts made in rotating the parabolic dish around produced worsening signal strength, namely from "Very Good" to "Good" only...even to the "Fair" level at one point!!
(Note : The wireless router is in left hand-side rear room whereas the lappy is used in the master bedroom which is on the right front.)
3. In same location as in para 2 above : On complete removal of the Windsurfer from the router antenna, the signal strength jumped back to "Excellent"!!

In view of the above observations, it is felt that more investigation is needed to pinpoint how the antenna should & could be best utilised. How about some help here?

How to help? Simple. Make one yourself. Apply it to your own wireless router. Then post your observations here. TQ in advance.

Update on new "Toilet"

Fri 170409

What can I say...ages have passed (actually only a few days but seemed like ages) since me got my new "baby", "toilet" or even a "toy" to some ppl (pretty expensive to be considered just a "toy", right?).

So how has it been?...you may ask.

Well, let me tell you it's no holiday nor plain sailing. For a start, me am new to all this notebook ("lappy" as some call it...me will call it that in this post, too) stuff. So it took quite a while to get used to finding my way around...especially using the touchpad. An external optical mouse is available but me felt it would be kinda inconvenient to be lugging it around, besides a lappy has its own built-in input device, namely the touchpad. And if we don't use it, then what's the point of getting a lappy. Agreed?

Then there's the replacement OS (Operating System). The lappy came with only Free DOS. Kinda the norm these days. But what can one do with that? So the dealer had installed a workable Windows Vista Ultimate SP1...quite a high end version of Win Vista, right? Which is good. No? In a way, both answers are correct!

Yup, good coz it's definitely so much better than the standard DOS. But, with a self-acquired version of that Win Vista version, a whole Pandora's Box was opened...

Problems, problems, problems...popping up from time to time...esp when a new software was installed. Compatibility issues? Or bugs in the non-updated OS? Dunno, really... Latest me had to stay up at night was till 2am...to overcome the problems that arose. No joke, huh? Yup, me the impatient one...as always! Sorry...

All that aside, this Compaq is a great "baby"...a genius of a new "toilet"! It's like me going where me had never been before! Phew! Mighty stimulating!

After the modifications, addition of extra programs & other misc personalisation changes that me had accomplished, this lappy is now more like "home " to me. Me can do practically all me could do with my ole desktop PC...and now wirelessly, too! Except for one thing. No printing can be done via this lappy...yet. Yup, I've yet to install a printer link to it. Soon...soon...maybe...haha! Yup, I can just copy whatever needs printing to a thumbdrive & print them via my ole desktop PC. True?

The best part of all this & the main aim of getting this lappy is that me no longer is "imprisoned" in my computer room upstairs! Merdeka! Yup, free as a bird. However, me have yet to try lappy in the toilet! Haha! Have you...ever?

The Next Step...

Tues 140409

Yup, it's The Next Step...in the order of things, so to say...

And yup, the mystery in my earlier post will be a mystery no more! All will be revealed today. Right here. Right now.

And yup, too...what's the point of having a Wifi access point in Lot 10 OFH when it would be lying idle 99.9% of the time? Agreed? Yup...any investment must have its returns...and in this case, the features provided by the D-Link wireless router should be utilised to its fullest! Right?

And so it was...a regularly used wireless device to access the Net via the D-link wifi link should be available in Lot 10. And, of course, it should be used regularly, too.

Now you tell me...what such device would fit in & serve such a purpose? Yup, you got it! A notebook PC with wifi!!

Frankly, this item had been, was (but, as of now no more) one of the main wishes ( dreams probably...) that me had for my retirement. And thanks to my other half, she helped to make that one wish/dream a reality! Her unwaivering support towards making that dream come true was that strong to the very end!

At least my wish is fulfilled before me become incapable of using it in my later years...dunno when that day would come though. Like some ppl believe...a paper copy of an item, wished for but not received in one's lifetime, might have to be literally burnt for that person in his afterlife...

My take? Personally feel that if you can make someone's dream come true, pray do so while that person is still alive & can enjoy it...not wait till he's gone! Kinda too late then, isn't it? Burning a paper copy of it will be no assurance of his getting it nor enjoying it at all! Don't you believe so?

Thanks a meg, MDB!! Frankly how me feel can never ever be expressed in words...

So which notebook PC did I get? It was a pick between an Acer & a Compaq. Best within our affordable budget. An Intel Core 2 Duo processor-based notebook.

The final decision was made at the same computer fair in City Plaza...after comparing prices, specs & what have you. Yup, it's a Compaq!! The Compaq Presario CQ40-324TU. The presence of Altec Lansing speakers built-in kinda nudged me over to its side.

Nope, I won't go into the details & specs here coz they can easily be Googled for in the Net, right? Except that me upgraded its memory to 3 Gig.
Here's a pic of my new "baby" ( or what the Tan family used to call new "toilet"!) :

The other pic shows the "free" items that came with the purchase...
1. a screen protector film;
2. a keyboard protector membrane;
3. a notebook optical mouse;
4. a notebook cooler pad with 3 fans;
5. a headphone & microphone set.

And, of course, a notebook carrying nylon bag from HP... So what did fulfilling this dream cost? The Compaq lappy? RM2,299. The RAM upgrade of 2Gig = RM80. Worth it? You tell me...how much value can one put on realisation of one's dream? To me, no way it can be measured in $$...

And yesterday, me got FOC 10 pcs of DVD+R discs..on my 2nd visit...hehe...
So how do you think I've been passing my time these few days? Yup, you got it again!! Enjoying my new "baby", of course!

And yup, now me not "stuck" in my comp room just to access the Net but can be anywhere in Lot 10...or maybe outside, too? Or maybe even in the toilet...as me had heard some ppl used to say...haha!

Until the next entry, here's wishing that your dreams will come true...as mine just did...

ps. And yup, this post was prepared & submitted using my new "baby"...in our lounge area downstairs...something previously impossible...haha!

Wireless Lot 10!

Mon 130409

Yup, Hi-Tech is now @Lot 10 OFH! And yup, it's the year of the Wifi..wireless internet access has come to Lot 10! Many years late but like they say...better late than never! Right?

Yup, setting up a wireless hub is so much easier now...and very easily affordable, too. I bought a D-Link wireless router at a computer fair @City Plaza yesterday...for only RM116. It came with a stand, connecting cables c/w power adaptor & an installation CD. It was a choice from a few available eg TPLink, Aztech...among those me could remember. Decided on the D-Link coz my existing modem is a D-Link, too.

Here it is, in all it's "glory", so to say...

And yup, my comp table is now getting very crowded...haha!

Setting up the router was kinda straightforward. No hassle. No problems. However, it was discovered that the wireless access point was open to anybody! No encryption. No protection! Now, seriously...that can't be allowed! Agreed? Yup, no security. Any Tom, Dick or Harry could use my Broadband line!

Well, that was when it's so good to have someone in the family with the know-how. A phone call and that's it! My wifi is now secure! Thanks a meg, L !!

Now, what's a wifi access point w/o any use for it? For 1 thing, it'd be good for visitors to Lot 10 OFH should they need to access the Net now...from anywhere within & who knows...maybe also from outside eg the porch area...??

But then again, wouldn't it be a waste of a good thing if it is left to idle, maybe even rot, for most of the time...considering the negligible number of visitors that make it to Lot 10?

Well, so sorry but have to keep you in suspense for now....

All will be revealed in my next entry...hehe....CU then! Ok?

The Last One?

Sat 110409

Hi again! I know it's been many days since I last wrote but Life has been peaceful, quiet & of course pleasant...to say it simply, Life @Lot 10 OFH was routine. You wouldn't want to read about my day to day humdrum stuff, right?

And yup, I know...on the political front, lots had been happening. 3 by-elections & their results...coupled with the salvos of uknowat being fired from all sides! Not forgetting also the court cases waiting in line. Frankly, it's been an on-going "show" for all Malaysians & the world to see (maybe kinda enjoy??) since PRU12. But to me, politics is just politics...if you know what I mean...

Well, the only event that I was involved in was a dinner for fellow retirees. Yup, retirees (& friends of retirees) of SMJK Keat Hwa. There was supposed to be a max of 4 tables @RM40 per pax but only 3 tables materialised. Subsequently the contribution per pax was accordingly reduced to RM30, with some contributions by a fellow participant.

Yup, it has been a long while since we had a chance to meet one another and the food was good! There was even a roasted pigling dish as the first course!

The sad part was that it appears that this might be the "Last" of such organised dinners. Reason? Hearsay has it that the main 2 organisers had a "fallout" of sorts...so sad that such an incident could happen between ppl at this point in their lives, as one participant commented. However, time & again, one's temperament & inherent character are factors that have been proven kinda very difficult to change till the end of one's days...

Well, most of us present sincerely hoped that whatever had happened...whatever came between the two of them, would soon fade away in time & we would be one happy crowd of retirees meeting again soon...in the near future! Let's not let the good ole KH tradition & friendship ties die off just like that...

Btw, before & during the dinner @Anggerik Seafood Restaurant (near Billion Supermarket), it started raining cats & dogs! Maybe the heavens were crying for us? A coincidence? Maybe...

Today is another COD. Breakfast, however, is gonna be a simple one...Wheat Bran sandwich bread from Tesco! Bought yesterday. Cheap lo...haha! Lunch & dinner will be our Chef's choices, as usual...hehe....

Yup, another "bonus" week has passed. Our "rollercoaster ride" has been smooth. My "target" for the past month has been achieved. A good feeling. And hopefully, the month of April would end just as well as it had started...

Weekend with KL...

Mon 06 Apr 2009

Yup, another weekend is just over. A happy one. An enjoyable one. A tiring one. Ha ha!

And yup, like the saying goes...

"The spirit is willing but the body is weak..."

Or is that my own version? Sorry but feel you got what me am trying to say...right?

Lot 10 OFH inmates got wind of the impending visit only on Thursday (020409) evening. KL & fmly had planned an almost full weekend visit this time around...possible only coz her mom took 1 & half days of leave.

It's been more than 2 months since we last saw KL. Laterally KL is still the same...probably down a bit. However, she has grown about an inch taller ie according to the quick estimated height measurement me could manage to take. Yup, KL is still as active & energetic as ever!

And yup, there was more value time spent this time around as most time was spent in Lot 10 rather than at the malls around town. A contrast to other visits. A good change? Maybe...

Pls check out the slide show of KL in 2009 for selected pics of KL during her stay in Lot 10. As a bonus, here's a short video taken of KL enjoying her "shower of bubbles" created by this ole man...

Btw, we did go to one Mall...namely AS Mall. Less crowded & thus more open space for KL. A special event was on there then. A kind of "Meet the Fans" session by the top 6 contestants of the present on-going "One in a Million" talent contest. We heard renditions by 3 of the 6. 2 men & 1 lady. Now, if their performances were any indication of the standard of this 3rd in the series contest, I shudder to think what has happened to talent in this country... Or maybe those who are really talented, decided not to enter the contest? For reasons only they themselves know? Or do we know, too? Anyway, me feel lucky me not following the series anymore....hehe....

Well, COD for that weekend was postponed. Yup, we already got our hands full with KL around. Ha ha! Maybe a double COD next weekend?

However, me got to watch the F1 GP held in Sepang, KL, in the 2nd leg of the F1 season in 2009. Well, as reported in the papers, the rain washed away the excitement of most of the later part of the race! It was called off during lap 33 of the race...and never resumed nor restarted. So it was kinda historical for Sepang & Malaysia this time around...

And before me forget...another pot of Peace Lily was added to our collection of "air purifying" indoor plants! This one already has 2 flowers & 2 buds. Yup, also @RM9.99. And yup, also @AS Mall. There was a promo of potted plants.

And finally, today Lot 10 OFH is back to its peaceful, quiet, serene & leisurely pace once more. My other half is busy catching up on missed episodes of her serials on Astro. Me? Updating this Blog, of course!

Good week...& hopefully good weekend...

Thu 020409

A great week is almost over. No incidents. None bad. Calm & Peaceful. Everything inmates of Lot 10 OFH can wish for.

And look at this pic...
Yup, a nice pair of "just nice" guava fruits! Home-grown ones, too!
And the size...phew! It has been some time since we got fruits this "huge"...

Yummy...wanna bite? He he....

Those really giant guava fruits that one can buy are practically tasteless! Juicy perhaps...but truthfully, they are plain tasteless...

Our guava trees (now two of them) are "grandkids" of our original guava tree from our previous first "home". Marcotted. Now fruiting...

A couple of days earlier, we had great grapes...seedless ones. From Tesco Mergong. Really seedless & very sweet!! Wished we had bought more...

Well, we just got some good news...

Yup, our fav grandaughter, KL, & family would be visiting us tomorrow but most probably after lunch. It'd real great to see her again. Kinda like at least 2 months since we last saw her? Felt like ages ago...

Well, these 2 ole inmates gonna have their hands full when she comes...haha! Will try to snap a few pics...maybe a video, too.

Sure...not to worry...me will post updates when Lot 10 OFH returns to normal again...

Until then, have a good weekend, ok?