Last week, I was notified that my company laptop will be replaced due to its old age. The lap top I got was an old one and was actually a used set. The new batch of lap tops just came in last week, so I was in the front line of receiving them. We used to get our lap tops from Toshiba (distributed by Teledynamics - refer to one of my 2007 posts, I went there for an interview before). We have stopped getting our supply from them and we're now getting our machines from HP. Apparently, HP is the standard for our company globally, and we're receiving our first HP batch this round.

All I can say is, its not bad at all.. My old lap top was so afraid of the new one it actually shiver and shut itself down automatically when placed side by side to avoid any embarassment (www.chucknorrisfacts.com)

Basic Stats:

Intel Core 2 Duo 2.2GHz
2 GB of Ram
160GB HDD
Mobility ATI Radeon X2300

I'm so excited I'm trying to utilize all 2GB of ram at one go! Bring it on: Crysis, or COD4!

Anyway here are a few things you could do to your powerful laptop (if you have one. Haw! Haw!)

1.Install FlyaKite OSX

What is it? It is actually a OS interface that is incorporated into Windows, thus changing every single detail of windows to a Mac OS. Due to the fact that it actually modifies instead of being an add on, it doesn't really lag the pc. That's the advantage.

This is how the boot screen looks like

The desktop

The user log on face

The Shut Down window

The properties window

2. Install Flock internet browser.

Basically Flock is created using the firefox engine. What it does is it enhances the usefulness of firefox with better user friendliness and functionality. As opposed to Nicholas Cheong Eu Jin's opinion of "driving a heavily modified proton that's trying to look like an Evo", I have a diferent metaphor to describe flock. "A Mercedez Benz that is beautifully enhanced by AMG".

Basically, flock works very well with RSS feed, which is also what Firefox is capable of, but Flock has additional side and top bars that utilizes the RSS feed. For example, we have the people bar where there are a few network sites you can log on to, say for instance, facebook. You no longer have to open a new tab to check out facebook. All you need to do is to log in to ur facebook at the side bar and you will have a summary of recent updates on your profile and also your friends' updates.

The second thing is, the home page is called My world, where you place your favourites on one side, while you have a choice of placing or adding widgets (friend activities, Recent feeds, Media, etc) For me, I have a few blogs that I frequent to, so I add blog to the feed and everytime the blogger updates the blog, I'll be notified. Works well for the star RSS as well.

The third thing is the Media bar, where you can have a selection of a few media sites or network sites. In this bar you will be able to see either pictures or videos. For me, it is set to facebook, so everytime any friends adds a new picture I'll be able to see it in the bar.

Also, not to mention the numerous extensions you can add into your flock, such as the flashblock, stumble upon, del.i.cious.. etc etc.

***

I can't help but agree!

A sign in the Bank Lobby reads: “Please note that this Bank is installing new “Drive-through” teller machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts. After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE procedures have been developed. Please follow the appropriate steps for your gender.”

MALE PROCEDURE
1. Drive up to the cash machine.
2. Put down your car window.
3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN.
4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw.
5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt.
6. Put window up.
7. Drive off.

FEMALE PROCEDURE
1. Drive up to cash machine.
2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine.
3. Set parking brake, put the window down.
4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card.
5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up.
6. Attempt to insert card into machine.

7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car.
8. Insert card.
9. Re-insert card the right way.
10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page.
11. Enter PIN.
12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN.
13. Enter amount of cash required.
14. Check makeup in rear view mirror.
15. Retrieve cash and receipt.
16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside.
17. Write deposit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook.
18. Re-check makeup.
19. Drive forward 2 feet.

20. Reverse back to cash machine.
21. Retrieve card.
22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided.
23. Give appropriate one-fingered hand signal to irate male driver waiting behind you.
24. Restart stalled engine and pull off.
25. Redial person on cell phone.
26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles.
27. Release Parking Brake.

***

I came across these intelligent artworks by a brilliant brazillian artist and couldn't help but to be so utterly amazed by his thoughts and deepness.

***

Just Think About It

Back then when we only had the telephone, if we want to call someone and talk. The advantage was we were able to have instant communication as opposed to writing letters.

Soon after came online chatting. The advantage was its cheaper, and you could chat with more than one person at a time. Now you save alot of money.

We used to write letters to our friends or family but it would take at least 2 working days for it to reach to our friends who are living in another state.

Soon after the email was invented. We were able to send letters ANYWHERE in a minute.

If we wanted to have friends outstation, we look at the pen pal section in the newspaper or magazine. We'll have tons of people posting themselves up in the newspaper hoping to find a friend or two.

Not too long later came the likes of Friendster, Facebook and Myspace. We're able to post our details online, search for friends instantly, and there is literally no geographical boundaries.

Things like pen pal was just a 2 page section off a newspaper, but the creaters of facebook and myspace are among the richest people in the world. Pen pals sections in Newspaper magazines are almost extinct now.

Back then, there used to be daily updates of job recruitments in the newspaper. Now the most parts of updates are during the weekends. Jobstreet, JobsDB, etc, are gaining popularity, due to the easy access of info for both job seekers and job providers.

Look at how these small things has changed our lives. Give a think about it, there is still a myriad of opportunities to be capitalized by us. If you know what I mean. Call me if you want to find out what's on my mind. We can be partners in this. Contact me, ONLY if you're really interested to find out.

Have a Nice Day!