Bellster

On the Internet, you can share MP3, movie and video files with friends. Can it work with telephone line ?

The answer is yes with Bellster. Bellster is a peer-to-peer non-commercial phone sharing network. It was launched some time last week. It works this way. If you let people to make VOIP calls that branch out to the local PSTN for termination through your residential telephone line, in return you will be able to get free IDD calls by doing the same. Need time to test out if people are prepared to embark on line sharing.

標殺令

今天一氣呵成看完了標殺令1 和2 集，劇情只有仇殺二字，女主角為了報仇，與5位職業殺手逐一決戰，標就是5殺手中的首領。

第一集東京青葉屋斯殺場面，非常血腥，女主角穿上像李小龍在死亡遊戲中的黃色運動形戰衣，手持東洋刀，與日本黑幫斯殺，遍地都是斷肢和人頭，這一幕的血腥和暴力程度，是電影史上罕有的。

第2集沒有了大型殺戳場面，加入了較多感情戲，雖然最後標都是死於女主角的中國功夫下，但劇情實在拖得太慢了。

我覺得如果將兩集縮短為一集，震憾力會更大。在第一集有近二十分鐘是日本卡通，主要交待第２號殺手“石井亞蓮”如何成為黑幫頭目，這一段叫人看得莫名奇妙，可以省略。

朗豪坊

今天前往朗豪坊商場遊蕩，感覺整座建築物設計大有問題，三尖八角，九曲十三彎，令人產生非常侷促及壓迫的感覺。論遊商場，我較喜歡又一城及時代廣場，間格上讓人感受到一種寬敞和舒適的感覺。

至於朗豪坊商舖的商品，不提也罷，除了服裝外，其它一無所有。旺角最出名的是影音器材，不明白被喻為旺角最大商場的朗豪坊，居然連一間電器店都無，失敗！

我不會再有興趣到該處行街或購物。

Google calculator

Hey, this is not a joke. Google search box can act as a handy calculator. What more, it works as if a library of common SI units and metric conversions is available. Try :

sqrt(32768)*7^4
radius of earth= ? km
120 lbs =? kg
speed of light x 3
17 degree C= ? degree F

Surprise of the results. Many more interesting calculations can be performed so long as you use your imagination.

How come Google has the splendid idea of making the web search engine capable as a desktop calculator ?

K-meleon 0.9

I have tried the browser K-meleon version 0.9 which is based on mozilla gecko engine.

It operates as fast as Firefox and the layout is more or less the same as Firefox. All the already installed Mozilla and firefox plugins can be used in K-meleon.

The release of K-meleon is at a slow pace. I learn that the only a few programmers/engineers are involved in this project team.

Hmmm.... since Firefox is so fantastic, I find no reason to switch to another Mozilla-based browser such as K-meleon. Anyway, trying to use K-meleon gave me a pleasant and refreshing experience.

md5sum

For security sake, I need to verify that files downloaded from Internet are intact. Some web sites already provide the md5sum hashes of files for end users to check.

For Linux and Unix-type OS, md5sum is a standard command in shell environment. However, in Windows OS, Microsoft does not provide a single tool to verify file integrity. The good news is there is a program "md5sum.exe" available from a variety of web sites. It is run in DOS mode.

I also find another text-based tool "fsum.exe" from Slavasoft which works more or less the same as md5sum.exe. Wooo, another GUI tool is Hascalc also developed by Slavasoft. Instead of going to DOS text mode, just use a mouse to browse and click the files you want to check. Cool... isn't it ?

Migraine

I have been suffering from migraine for almost 20 years. Not long ago, I captured an article about migraine. Just forget from which web site so I could not post the link. The article is posted in this blog for the benefits of other readers.


Anti-Migraine
------------------

Scientists know that people who get migraines have blood vessels that overreact to various foods that lead to the contracting of the arteries that supply blood to the brain. The result is a pulsing, often unbearable pain that is sometimes accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and extreme sensitivity to light and sound.

The trigger could be a glass of wine, a bite of cheese, even that delicious raisin bread from your local bakery. The chemicals they contain set off a reaction in the supersensitive central nervous system that's behind these immobilizing headaches. And since there are no treatments that can desensitize you, your best bet to escaping a migraine is to avoid what triggers it.

Some scientists believe that migraine-triggering foods contain chemicals that tighten arteries, while others believe they set off an allergic reaction. Whatever the mechanism behind it, a food-triggered migraine usually occurs shortly after you eat. To avoid the pain, you need to know-and skip-the foods that initiate it. To find your worst offenders, keep a diary that lists when your headaches occur, how severe they are, additional symptoms, what you've eaten, sleep patterns, and any other relevant factors, including food cravings. Studies show that if you're just dying for a hot dog, a banana, yogurt, or sweets, it could be a signal that a headache is less than 72 hours away.

As well, Fasting or skipping a meal can cause a dip in blood sugar and bring on a headache. To keep your blood sugar constant and minimize the effects of a missed meal, try eating frequent mini-meals and snacks throughout the day.

港澳居民來台可辦網上快證前三個月免收費

同事告知，原來現在可以免費在網上辦理入台簽證，認真方便。以下是節錄自官方網站 (www.immigration.tw.gov) 的公告:

港澳居民來台可辦網上快證前三個月免收費 　
　
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
　
　 內政部新聞資料 九十三年十二月二十八日

　　　香港澳門居民來台94年元旦起可辦網上快證
　　　　　　　　前三個月內免收費

　　內政部警政署入出境管理局為配合行政院「電子化政府推
動方案」與「挑戰2008－國家重點發展計畫」之「觀光客倍增
計畫」，將於2005年1月1日啟用港澳居民網路申請入臺證作業
，申辦對象為曾經來臺之香港、澳門居民及未曾來臺，但在香
港、澳門出生之香港、澳門居民。

　　該作業由電腦自動審核，8秒內即可核覆申辦結果，有效
提高行政效率，減少港澳居民於機場辦落地簽（申請臨時入境
停留）排隊等待時間。另為鼓勵多用網路申辦，網路申請入臺
證效期為3個月，效期內可入出境2次，每次停留14天（落地簽
證只能當日單次使用）。基於使用者付費原則及規費法規定，
每件收費港幣55元（新台幣200元，單次落地簽亦同），民眾
可直接在香港中華旅行社、中華旅行社香港國際機場辦事處或
澳門臺北經濟文化中心領證，解決中正、高雄機場落地簽證大
排長龍的問題，提升國家競爭優勢，對於政府改造與服務創新
深具意義。預期此一創新作為，將吸引更多觀光客來臺渡假旅
遊。辦理流程如附表。

　　入出境管理局規劃自2005年1月1日至3月31日為試辦期間
，網路申請入臺證及機場落地簽均免收費用。民眾可上我的E
政府入口網（http://www.gov.tw）或境管局網站
（http://www.immigration.gov.tw）查詢或申辦。

Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) software

Microsoft has long been accused by users of doing nothing in combating spyware programs targetting at Internet Explorer (IE). It now releases Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware (Beta) software .

These days, spyware brings tremendous damages to users. Frankly, it is really too late for Microsoft to release the anti-spyware software. One may say that it is better to do something late than doing nothing. In fact, users have resorted to third-party software such as Spy Bot Search and Destroy, and Lavasoft Adware SE, to help keeping spyware away.

I have completely lost confidence with Micrcosoft, especially on its capability to enhance Internet Explorer as a safe and secure browser. There are thousands of security loopholes in IE and new vulnerabilities are discovered every week, if not every day. The only way for Microsoft to restore users confidence is to complete scrap IE and develop a new browser that will closes all loopholes and strictly complies with W3C standard.

餃子

剛看過影碟「三更2 - 餃子」，感覺有點心寒。

劇情是講述楊千嬅所飾演的中年富太，為回復青春，竟然吃嬰胎作餡的餃子。此片被定性為三級，片中有些恐怖鏡頭，例如將一個五個月大的胎兒放進雪櫃，及用菜刀坎切人胎，令人毛管動及差點作嘔。

看完「三更2 - 餃子」，我肯定有一段時間不敢進食餃子。

在戲中楊千嬅所飾演的角色都算得上是歹角，奉勸千嬅，拍戲不要太多擔當歹角或反派，否則會惹起一眾歌迷反感。

Ethereal

Ethereal is already quite well-known in the Linux community. I just found out that there is also a Ethereal version for Windows.

So, what is Ethereal?

Ethereal is a GUI network packet analyzer. It captures packets from network interface and displays the protocol information inside packets so that the end users can read and understand.

As stated in Ethereal office web site (http://www.ethereal.com) , here are some examples people use Ethereal for:

- network administrators use it to troubleshoot network problems

- network security engineers use it to examine security problems

- developers use it to debug protocol implementations

- people use it to learn network protocol internals

For me, I belong to group four in the above categories. I use Ethereal for fooling around and seeking funs in the Internet world.

Try not to be happy too soon. Great software requires great skills. Ethereal is very difficult to learn and to use. One needs to have a good understanding and practical experience on TCP/IP before he can manage this gigantic software.

Google Desktop Search

Though in beta version, Google Desktop Search is fantastic.

It can perform keyword search in Words, Excel, Powerpoint, txt and HTML files on hard-disk and present the results as a WWW search result layout. I can say this is going to be the most fascinating program in desktop OS. Just wonder why Microsoft can not develop such a useful tool.

For web search, Google can look for key words in pdf documents. This is not availble in Google Desktop Search. I very much hope the next version will handle pdf documents in addition to MS Office documents.

".sar.hk" domain names

A company called ".sar.hk" is selling domain names ending with .sar.hk at HK$29 per year. It claims that ".sar.hk" is a special domain name for the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, with same status as ".com.hk" or ".net.hk". This is a trick.

This company is not allowed to sell sub-domains under its registered domain name. Sub-domains can only be used by corporates for internal use, i.e., setting up servers. They should NOT be used for sales to other parties in making a profit.

I have raised my complaint to HKDNR. HKDNR promised to take action after sorting out the legal implications.

Create a HTML 2005 calendar

Shit.. another boring Sunday.

I thought it would be a great idea to create a HTML calendar and post it on my web site. When I want to check dates and do not have a calendar card in hand, I can just goto my web site to have a quick look. Woo.. it took me 45 minutes to make this funny little page:

Apple Mac mini

Cool ! Apple has designed the world smallest desktop PC, Mac mini, selling at us $499 only. It is just about the size of a CD box. The hardware components are not too cheap, a 1.25GHz G4 processor, a Radeon 9200 card with 32MB of RAM, a 40GB hard disk, and a slot-loading CD burner. Mac OSX and iLife are bundled.

The price is totally affordable by average income family. Woo... Time has come for Apple computer to enter the home PC market.

I do perceive another advantage. Since it just weights 2.9 pounds, I can carry it from home to office or vice versa. That's to say, it can be a substitute for notebook PC if I do not mind to plug the mouse, keyboard and display cables each time when used at a different location.

Google plans massive virtual library

Last month, Google announced working with Oxford University, Harvard, Stanford, the University of Michigan and the New York Public Library, for the creation of an online library. The books from those collections will be digitally scanned allowing users worldwide to search them in Google.

To avoid copy right issue, Oxford will allow Google to scan all of its books that were printed before 1901, while the New York library will give the company access to its small portion of books that are no longer in copyright.

We will soon see a new search tool for finding books in virtual library in Google web sites.

Next Generation WLAN

Belkin has developed a new WLAN Access Point using MIMO (multiple input multiple output) technology. It is said that the speed is four times that of 802.11g. Users can have a guarantee throughput of 100 Mbps.

So what is the cost. Surely, it will be much higher than 802.11 a/b/g. MIMO relies on multiple RF circuitries and higher signal processing power. If next generation of WLAN 802.11n is to enter the mass martket with success, it is important to drive the cost down similar to the current price levels of 802.11b and 802.11g products.

Handle junk mail

I asked netvigator.com to cancel my email account whkwok@hkstar.com which receives a lot of spam every day. This account brings me some troubles as I have to download the junk mails and delete them on a regular basis. Netvigator.com said they could not do so as each login account must be associated with an email account in their network setup.

To work around, I forwarded all email to another email account junkmail@i3way.com in my server. All email sent to this address will be deleted automatically.

I know that some of my colleagues also face the same problem. They can forward their unwanted emails to this address without worrying that they will be charged by ISPs for over storage.

AFI 100 years 100 songs

Guess what was on ATV World Channel tonight ? It was AFI 100 years 100 songs.

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced the top movie songs of all time in a century. This 3-hour special program was hosted by John Travolta.

Staying alive from the move Saturday Night Fever was on the top 10. Other movie songs and themes I like on the list include Gonna Fly Now (Rocky theme), Unchained Melody, Goldfinger, Flashdance, Rock around the clock.

The top No.1 movie song in the century goes to Over the Rainbow performed by Judy Garland, in 1939, from the movie The wizard of oz.

Woooo.. this is a fantastic program to test my ability to recall my memory....

和電裁員事件

對於和電裁員事件，工商及科技局長曾俊華的回應是，如果企業擔心競爭，就不應做生意。

曾局長說得好，簡直大快人心，此言一出，確定了政府政策是不會包庇大企業，曾局長這番言論可以說是贏盡民心。

Visa promotes tax payment by credit card

I just notice a web site http://www.taxprogram.com.hk set up by Visa. For those who have paid tax by visa cards, they can sign in to play a game :



The highest prize is $10,000 coupon from Fortress.

I played the game twice and got a $20 coupon from Broadway Cinema.

Tax payment over Internet

Hong Kong tax payers need to settle the first round of their tax payment within this week.

In the past 2 years, I used Internet banking service to pay tax through my visa credit card. Over 100,000 bonus points were earned. Actually, more and more people are being attracted to use this method to pay tax as they can earn extra bonus points.

Hmmm...., I should not be nervous or scared as I have done such transaction before. Still, my fingers were shaking with sweat when I hit the "submit" button in the web transaction page.

Hey, watch out ! Internet payment is not secure if your PC box is infected by a spyware called "Keylogger". Your account name and password will be captured by hackers. Better to do a spyware search and clean before performing any Internet transaction.

2004年十大中文金典

如果要我選2004年十大中文金典，這將會是十分費煞思量的事，原因是有多達一百首歌典兢逐，而且很多歌典都有超水準表現。楊千嬅自減小了拍戲後，專心一致努力唱歌，終於有多首歌入圍。容祖兒唱功亦是非常獨到，首首動聽。



我在港台十大中文金典網頁內花了個多小時左思右想，終於選取了以下這十首：

容祖兒 : 出賣
容祖兒 : 一拍兩散
陳小春 : 相依為命
古巨基 : 愛與誠
李克勤 : 吻別的位置
楊千嬅 : 處處吻
楊千嬅 : 小城大事
Twins : 女人味
陳慧琳 : Phone殺令
梁詠琪 : 狠心愛我

可惜網上投票時間已過，唯有待 19/1/2005 得獎公佈日再考自己的眼光。

沒有投關心妍一票，心裡總是不好過。阿 Jade 聲線甜美，她將是明日之星，可造之才，但今年得獎機會較渺芒，寄望她明年再努力。

The first thing to do in 2005

Now comes the first day of year 2005. What is the first thing I want to do ?

Oh yes, I want to sweep away unwanted programs in my PC to get back more hard disk space. Afterwards, perform a defragmentation on the 40GByte hard disk by Diskeeeper Lite. This could speed up the HD read access considerabley. Wooooo... the deframentation process takes several hours.

NTFS and FAT32 file systems have this kind of defragmentation problem in common. In theory, NTFS should have a higher security and better reliability. Unfortunate that I can not convert the HD from FAT32 to NTFS without re-installation of Windows XP Professional.