Mac OS是會令人上癮的，最近，想脫離Windows的渴望越來越強，除了工作需要外，我就只想使用Mac，還想過買一台Mac Mini當作DVD/HD錄影機，當然這只是幻想，不過他日我搬出去自住時，家裡一定會有三台Mac機。總之，一切在Mac上跑，都使人覺得比在Windows裡舒服（明顯的偏見）。最近，就打算在Mac上重整一下contact list。
長久以來我的contact list是在Outlook裡處理的，但Pocket PC卻無法按名、姓的方式排序，即使是五六年前的Palm OS也能夠輕易設定的事情，PPC卻總要令人頭痕，唉，若非我要用Pocket Money來和MS Money同步，老早就轉向Palm陣營了。
換了iMac之後，與PC的contact同步的方法便是這樣子：Outlook 2003(Windows) ←[PC Suite]→ Nokia phone ←[iSync]→ Address Book(Mac)。同步時總有幾個entry出錯，原因是我把名和姓都填在First Name裡，而留空Last Name（為了解決PPC排序的問題），但Mac OS好像認得某幾個人的電郵之類的（可能因我曾經在Mac裡發電郵給那些人吧），自動為他們加上姓，變成"Pang Pang"、"Chu Chu"之類，無論如何修正，下次同步又會出錯。但全域同步是不能放棄的，它的好處是容許隨時拿起一部機子查詢並修改contact，而且添置新gadgets時也無需再輸入一遍。
既然各系統、程式在處理contact時總有出入，那就重新建立過吧，由Mac OS開始進行輸入，同步至手機，借手機覆蓋Outlook的數據，再Active Sync到PDA。但舊contact list裡有四百個entry，而且要修正first name和last name並更新其他資料，重新輸入一次是很費神的，所以「刪人」的念頭開始萌生。
什麼人可以刪去？那些這三五年來一次面也沒有見過，預計未來也不打算見面的。
什麼人不能刪去？那些來電時不能接聽的（或cautions），反倒因為要讓手機知道這個「black list」而被保留下來。
很奇怪的事，就好像問一個這樣子的問題：假如發生了意外，你必需失去一部份的記憶時，哪些回憶是不能失去的？或者除了最喜歡的人和事外，原來還會包括一些討厭的人和事，為的就是要讓自己去避開它們，那些被標籤了CAUTIONS的人和事。
什麼嘛，這跟本就是virus signature database，不是嘛？
Monday, 31 December 2007
Best solution to run Windows on Mac?
Which is the best solution to run Windows on a Mac (Intel) machine, BootCamp, Parallels or VMware Fusion? Check this out:
Virtualization Benchmarking - How do Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, and VMware Fusion stack up? by MacTech Labs.
Virtualization Benchmarking - How do Boot Camp, Parallels Desktop, and VMware Fusion stack up? by MacTech Labs.
Displaying Lyrics from iTunes
Note: this short tutorial only apply to Mac OS X.
Rumor said that iTunes 8 will support lyrics display during playback. But when will it be available and how will lyrics be displayed? Meanwhile, here is my quick solution to have your lyrics display on screen. And by the mean of "your lyrics", I mean not only the lyrics found by googling but also those already wrote into the files and those cannot be found by Utamap, MetroLyrics, Sing365.com or whatever database used by the lyrics application.
Requirement:
- Apple iTunes 7
- TunesTEXT
Some people recommended pearLyrics but I don't. Although it has both Widgets and standalone app version, it cannot read from my files and use my lyrics. Also, it search on every song, even the song is already searched for. Taking extra and unnecessary resource is a con, and not able to find/display lyrics for Asian songs is another con. So, I suggest TunesTEXT.
Installing and using TunesTEXT is extremely straight forward. So I don't bother write up a tutorial about it. You should also found no problem with English songs. If it found the missing lyrics for you, it will save for you automatically (if Perferences > Embed Lyrics in Music Files is checked). Otherwise, click on the "i", paste your own lyrics and click Save. You might notice a short delay in playback, depending on your ID3 tag has or not has enough space for your lyrics. Lyrics also appears in iTunes immediately. Here is a good database for Chinese songs: Sina Music. Yes, you need to search for every song manually. If you have any automatic solution, please let me know.
However, if you find using Dashboard troublesome, you should get Widgets Preference Pane. It allows you to move any Widgets onto your desktop (and then disable the Dashboard to save memory). I found their zip file corrupted so you might need to google another location to download. I'm using an old version: v1.0. Its file for Intel is claimed to be "untested". But I got no problems so far.
Rumor said that iTunes 8 will support lyrics display during playback. But when will it be available and how will lyrics be displayed? Meanwhile, here is my quick solution to have your lyrics display on screen. And by the mean of "your lyrics", I mean not only the lyrics found by googling but also those already wrote into the files and those cannot be found by Utamap, MetroLyrics, Sing365.com or whatever database used by the lyrics application.
Requirement:
- Apple iTunes 7
- TunesTEXT
Some people recommended pearLyrics but I don't. Although it has both Widgets and standalone app version, it cannot read from my files and use my lyrics. Also, it search on every song, even the song is already searched for. Taking extra and unnecessary resource is a con, and not able to find/display lyrics for Asian songs is another con. So, I suggest TunesTEXT.
Installing and using TunesTEXT is extremely straight forward. So I don't bother write up a tutorial about it. You should also found no problem with English songs. If it found the missing lyrics for you, it will save for you automatically (if Perferences > Embed Lyrics in Music Files is checked). Otherwise, click on the "i", paste your own lyrics and click Save. You might notice a short delay in playback, depending on your ID3 tag has or not has enough space for your lyrics. Lyrics also appears in iTunes immediately. Here is a good database for Chinese songs: Sina Music. Yes, you need to search for every song manually. If you have any automatic solution, please let me know.
However, if you find using Dashboard troublesome, you should get Widgets Preference Pane. It allows you to move any Widgets onto your desktop (and then disable the Dashboard to save memory). I found their zip file corrupted so you might need to google another location to download. I'm using an old version: v1.0. Its file for Intel is claimed to be "untested". But I got no problems so far.
Sunday, 30 December 2007
Spams in Yahoo Messenger
一直以來都很少用Yahoo Messenger，不過Adium可以登入各種IM系統，就順手加進去。每隔一些日子，才偶然登入一次，每次都會出現這種情況，就和Spam Mail一樣的多，令人討厭。為何Yahoo Messenger不能阻隔這類Spam Messages呢？
看來，是時侯終結這個帳戶了。
年尾
年尾這特別時期是結算的日子，就連街上的大電視也重覆著一堆大事回顧，彷彿在告訴大家，要討論過去十二個月的人和事就要趁快，元旦過後，哪怕只是上星期或昨天的事，都頓變陳年往事。每年趁著這檔期，我都會毫不客氣地向公司申請超級假期，托這特別意義的福，即使是那種「請三天放八天」的長假，成功率還是百分百，其它月份裡那可是不可能的事。拿了長假就躲在家裡啥事也不幹，頹廢渡日。不，其實我是在緬懷讀書時在fall term final exam的超級奮鬥極度消耗過後的充電方法而已，是很有意義的事情。
家長總喜歡要孩子總結一下當天上課的內容、或者旅行的得著之類，作為小朋友的我（當年），其實蠻討厭這種「功課」，幹麼花這種力氣去做這種悶事？有空不如讓我想想如何多興建幾座「城中城」（註一）或者攻陷香港島（註二）。原來這是商業社會裡的一種管理手段，這是我今年才知道的。至於其真正目的、對象、好處和壞處，仍然是一個謎。
一年間發生的事必定很多，回顧的結論只是「有喜有悲」的話，就算說這是活著的証明，似乎也略顯平庸了吧，還帶點「人浮於事」又或者「隨波逐流」的感覺，雖則並非不踏實，但總是缺少那種緊握人生的力度。回顧的結論應該是一個坐標，標示著在該走的路上跑了多遠，不管繞了多少個圈、花了多少力氣、遇到多少開心事不開心事，總之確定現時位置才是重點。就算走了回頭路，能夠確定位置，計算新方向，作出相對預算，朝著新目標進發，這樣子回顧才顯出其價值。
註一：Sim City 2000。
註二：大戰略２電腦版。
家長總喜歡要孩子總結一下當天上課的內容、或者旅行的得著之類，作為小朋友的我（當年），其實蠻討厭這種「功課」，幹麼花這種力氣去做這種悶事？有空不如讓我想想如何多興建幾座「城中城」（註一）或者攻陷香港島（註二）。原來這是商業社會裡的一種管理手段，這是我今年才知道的。至於其真正目的、對象、好處和壞處，仍然是一個謎。
一年間發生的事必定很多，回顧的結論只是「有喜有悲」的話，就算說這是活著的証明，似乎也略顯平庸了吧，還帶點「人浮於事」又或者「隨波逐流」的感覺，雖則並非不踏實，但總是缺少那種緊握人生的力度。回顧的結論應該是一個坐標，標示著在該走的路上跑了多遠，不管繞了多少個圈、花了多少力氣、遇到多少開心事不開心事，總之確定現時位置才是重點。就算走了回頭路，能夠確定位置，計算新方向，作出相對預算，朝著新目標進發，這樣子回顧才顯出其價值。
註一：Sim City 2000。
註二：大戰略２電腦版。
Thursday, 27 December 2007
unread messages = 168
最近忙，很忙。要煲電視劇（已經錄了差不多一年了）、要打機（要對得起G25和Guncon3就得花時間去打機）、又要整理幾台harddisk裡的文件（總不能周圍散落又重覆吧），就連電郵也沒空去看。Mac裡提倡的smart folder就可以這樣子告訴你：在所有的folders裡，加起來未讀的，有一百六十八封！你可以跑去各自的folder裡裡看，又或者在這個smart folder裡一次過看。不過，168封耶！
Double Backup
打從換MAC開始，就決定要減少硬盤、電腦的數目，尤其是使用過虛擬電腦後，更加認同只要一台電腦就足夠了；若需要Windows系統的話，就在MAC裡虛擬出來吧。故此，訂購這台iMac時已經補錢升級硬盤至500GB（當時主流還是160GB或少量250GB吧）。礙於我還初次接觸Mac OS，在資料轉移方面還是花了很長的時間，大概、一年有多了吧。其實是沒有那個閑去弄。其間把一大堆files周圍移動，而舊的P4電腦裡那250GB硬盤又要封存，即使還有一台250GB USB硬盤和一台250GB LAN硬盤，其實可用的空間還不是很多（就是嘛，明明加起多有1.25TB的，還是有點足襟見肘）。
趁著假期，終於把大部份的檔案都移到iMac裡，把P4的硬盤也改成USB硬盤之後，兩台USB硬盤都拿來做備份，一台跑iBackup，另一台跑Time Machine。其實會否有點過火呢？有點怕死的感覺。
備份、再備份
打從換MAC開始，就決定要減少硬盤、電腦的數目，尤其是使用過虛擬電腦後，更加認同只要一台電腦就足夠了；若需要Windows系統的話，就在MAC裡虛擬出來吧。故此，訂購這台iMac時已經補錢升級硬盤至500GB（當時主流還是160GB或少量250GB吧）。礙於我還初次接觸Mac OS，在資料轉移方面還是花了很長的時間，大概、一年有多了吧。其實是沒有那個閑去弄。其間把一大堆files周圍移動，而舊的P4電腦裡那250GB硬盤又要封存，即使還有一台250GB USB硬盤和一台250GB LAN硬盤，其實可用的空間還不是很多（就是嘛，明明加起多有1.25TB的，還是有點足襟見肘）。
趁著假期，終於把大部份的檔案都移到iMac裡，把P4的硬盤也改成USB硬盤之後，兩台USB硬盤都拿來做備份，一台跑iBackup，另一台跑Time Machine。其實會否有點過火呢？有點怕死的感覺。
Saturday, 22 December 2007
time crisis 4 (ps3) completed
星期三晚托朋友代買了Time Crisis 4連槍，星期六晚就爆了一次Mission Mode(Easy)，十五個mission共花了五小時（應該未計失敗重玩的時間吧），得到28/75個勳彰，unlock了"Special Equipment Shield"，比想像中要短（還以為得花一星期以上才可以爆機）。
會買這遊戲，除了因為有朋友也對它有興趣之外，最主要原因是以前唸大學時也玩過Time Crisis第一代。如今再玩，聽到熟悉又久遺了的過版音效，令人感動呢。
遊戲跟十年前比當然漂亮多了，但手槍就比以前差了吧。重量減少了，極具膠感之餘，震動槍膛和腳踏都被取消了，取而代之是在槍頭多出半個PS手制，感覺似是個腫榴，而且由於是安在左邊，如果用左手握槍時，就不能用它了。要不是有以前玩Time Crisis的美好回憶，我是不一定會買這遊戲的。
但玩過Mission Mode之後才知道這看似平宜貨的膠手槍的好處。Mission Mode裡有一半是FPS任務，即First Person Shooting，情況就好似Hitman的，要在任務場地裡跑。當然比Hitman簡單得多，只要往前走就一定能完成任務。但每個任務都得花一小時來完成，如果手制太重會很累人的。加上控制方式使用常見的雙analog，所以手槍才要設計成這樣子。
註一：美版是黑槍，港版是橙槍，很醜。
註二：網上查過，Guncon 3只可以在Time Crisis 4上使用，它不對應舊版的Time Crisis。可惜呢。
Reference Reading:
- Time Crisis 4: Creating the Guncon 3
會買這遊戲，除了因為有朋友也對它有興趣之外，最主要原因是以前唸大學時也玩過Time Crisis第一代。如今再玩，聽到熟悉又久遺了的過版音效，令人感動呢。遊戲跟十年前比當然漂亮多了，但手槍就比以前差了吧。重量減少了，極具膠感之餘，震動槍膛和腳踏都被取消了，取而代之是在槍頭多出半個PS手制，感覺似是個腫榴，而且由於是安在左邊，如果用左手握槍時，就不能用它了。要不是有以前玩Time Crisis的美好回憶，我是不一定會買這遊戲的。
但玩過Mission Mode之後才知道這看似平宜貨的膠手槍的好處。Mission Mode裡有一半是FPS任務，即First Person Shooting，情況就好似Hitman的，要在任務場地裡跑。當然比Hitman簡單得多，只要往前走就一定能完成任務。但每個任務都得花一小時來完成，如果手制太重會很累人的。加上控制方式使用常見的雙analog，所以手槍才要設計成這樣子。
註一：美版是黑槍，港版是橙槍，很醜。
註二：網上查過，Guncon 3只可以在Time Crisis 4上使用，它不對應舊版的Time Crisis。可惜呢。
Reference Reading:
- Time Crisis 4: Creating the Guncon 3
Thursday, 20 December 2007
Wednesday, 19 December 2007
No more Mac vs Windows
An article from the blog of Don McAllisters (founder of ScreenCasts Online) - "I’ve Given Up Arguing with Windows Users Too!". Hey, Don McAllisters, you are great! After switching to Mac...
* I enjoy using a computer again
* I don’t worry too much about virus and malware attacks (without being too blase)
* I don’t have any performance issues
* Mac software is plentiful, beautiful, well designed and incredibly inexpensive.
* There’s no problems sharing files with Windows users.
* I can run Windows if I really want too (but don’t)
I can't agree no more!
Running the latest Mac OS X (Leopard) on my 1 year old machine (C2D 2GHz, 2GB DDR2) is a lot of pleasure than with the latest Windows OS, which you get pressure. At least, no performance issue make you feel you are enjoying what you paid for (and won't hearing the computer screaming for hardware upgrade, which eventually will be more than purchasing a XP professional license).
Is there any disadvantage on Apple's computer? Yes. The Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse! They drain new battery within 3 months. And my keyboard just stop functioning in the middle of this post. Now, I've to use the compact, unfamiliar Logitech NetPlay Keyboard, which not give me typo but wrong action (such as suddenly deleted my text or do a forward delete when I try to press arrow-up key).
Buy Mac advice (if you prefer wireless):
1. go with the wired keyboard and mouse. this is the backup solution for your wireless kb ms. check out Logitech's wireless mouse and keyboard for Mac (approx. HK$650), OR try other cheaper PC keyboard and mouse but you less able to take advance of Mac's shortcut keys.
alternatively,
2. go with Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse. buy a lot of rechargeable battery and to be expect that they will die in 1 or 2 year. you won't able to fully drain the battery before you need to replace/recharge them.
* I enjoy using a computer again
* I don’t worry too much about virus and malware attacks (without being too blase)
* I don’t have any performance issues
* Mac software is plentiful, beautiful, well designed and incredibly inexpensive.
* There’s no problems sharing files with Windows users.
* I can run Windows if I really want too (but don’t)
I can't agree no more!
Running the latest Mac OS X (Leopard) on my 1 year old machine (C2D 2GHz, 2GB DDR2) is a lot of pleasure than with the latest Windows OS, which you get pressure. At least, no performance issue make you feel you are enjoying what you paid for (and won't hearing the computer screaming for hardware upgrade, which eventually will be more than purchasing a XP professional license).
Is there any disadvantage on Apple's computer? Yes. The Apple Wireless Keyboard and Mouse! They drain new battery within 3 months. And my keyboard just stop functioning in the middle of this post. Now, I've to use the compact, unfamiliar Logitech NetPlay Keyboard, which not give me typo but wrong action (such as suddenly deleted my text or do a forward delete when I try to press arrow-up key).
Buy Mac advice (if you prefer wireless):
1. go with the wired keyboard and mouse. this is the backup solution for your wireless kb ms. check out Logitech's wireless mouse and keyboard for Mac (approx. HK$650), OR try other cheaper PC keyboard and mouse but you less able to take advance of Mac's shortcut keys.
alternatively,
2. go with Apple's wireless keyboard and mouse. buy a lot of rechargeable battery and to be expect that they will die in 1 or 2 year. you won't able to fully drain the battery before you need to replace/recharge them.
Tuesday, 18 December 2007
Friday, 14 December 2007
粉雪（樹）之全打
用了近一小時，把「粉雪」full-combo了，328 Combo 711400點。是暫時在「太鼓之達人Portable 2」的樹Level（或梅Level）裡唯一一首full-combo的歌。「粉雪（樹）」可以分開手打，左手打紅色，右手打藍色。
幸好早幾日前已經把全部花Level的歌full-combo，否則，我想以後也沒可能完成花Level的「全清全打」。當等級過份超拋離後，打雜兵是一件難事：難過的事。
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自製的「太鼓之達人」增幅器。材料：白紙三層、膠紙兩張、萬用膠一舊。
幸好早幾日前已經把全部花Level的歌full-combo，否則，我想以後也沒可能完成花Level的「全清全打」。當等級過份超拋離後，打雜兵是一件難事：難過的事。
.jpg)
自製的「太鼓之達人」增幅器。材料：白紙三層、膠紙兩張、萬用膠一舊。
Speech Toggle
Speech Command on Mac can be handy (or should I say handless?), sometime. I always use the command such as "Switch to iTunes", "Next", "Switch to Firefox", "Start screen saver" (I need to stress on the word "screen" to make this one work). But I found the Firefox are not responding to the command well. Anyway.
Since some might concern that turning on and off the Speech is troublesome on Mac (method 1, open System Preference and open Speech; method 2, use Spotlight and type Spe to get to Speech). So, some nice guy had wrote a little program and give us a handy shortcut to toggle the speech: Speech Toggle. For more details, please check out the product page.
Nevertheless, the Speech Recognition is not always fully working well, sometime, or you would like to customize more action for that 'stupid half-deaf Mac'. Then you'd like to read this: Hack Attack: Make your Mac's Speech Recognition work for you.
Since some might concern that turning on and off the Speech is troublesome on Mac (method 1, open System Preference and open Speech; method 2, use Spotlight and type Spe to get to Speech). So, some nice guy had wrote a little program and give us a handy shortcut to toggle the speech: Speech Toggle. For more details, please check out the product page.
Nevertheless, the Speech Recognition is not always fully working well, sometime, or you would like to customize more action for that 'stupid half-deaf Mac'. Then you'd like to read this: Hack Attack: Make your Mac's Speech Recognition work for you.
Thursday, 13 December 2007
joy to the world (kai)
joy to the world, the world is done
you bet-ter quit- it now
if you don't quit now, don't bet for mercy
the world is done, the world is done
the world is- al-ready done!
you bet-ter quit- it now
if you don't quit now, don't bet for mercy
the world is done, the world is done
the world is- al-ready done!
two morals
家裡一堆一堆的CD-R，很多以前電腦的備份，很礙地方。兩個解決方案：剪爛丟掉或，抄進DVD-R再剪爛丟掉（當然不是剪爛DVD-R）。跟據非正式統計，在這種「清理」的行動下總會發現一些有趣的東西（也有不見得光的東西，例如新婚搬家時找到舊情人的情信等）。今次找到的是這兩個：
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fortnight, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.
Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there for long.
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.
"nothing all day long?"
The crow answered, "Of course!"
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, pounced on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story: If you want to sit and do nothing all day, you must sit very high...
A turkey was chatting with a bull.
"I would love to be able to get to the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, "but I haven't got the energy."
"Well, why don't you nibble on some of my droppings?" replied the bull. "They're packed with nutrients."
The turkey pecked at a lump of dung and found that it actually gave him enough strength to reach the first branch of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached the second branch. Finally after a fortnight, there he was proudly perched at the top of the tree.
Soon he was promptly spotted by a farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.
Moral of the story: Bullshit might get you to the top, but it won't keep you there for long.
A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day.
"nothing all day long?"
The crow answered, "Of course!"
So, the rabbit sat on the ground below the crow, and rested. All of a sudden, a fox appeared, pounced on the rabbit and ate it.
Moral of the story: If you want to sit and do nothing all day, you must sit very high...
Wednesday, 12 December 2007
PSP + Belkin N Wireless Router
Two months ago, I purchased a Belkin N Wireless Router (F5D8233-4), after my second Linksys router (WRT54G) stop working properly. Belkin's life-time warranty won over the single year warranty Linksys offers. That's why I switched to Belkin when both my previous routers died in their third year.
The router and its settings look great for a-little-bit-serious users. May be advanced users would prefer Linksys, which they can flash it with hacked firmware. I just want stable and ease to use. The settings page look great but help was not enough (still better than Linksys' help page). Setup is no difficulties. I've connected my IBM T42, iMac and PS3 over Wi-Fi. My friends' laptop also on the MAC address filter list too (yes, on top of the WPA, MAC filter is another good way to protect the network). My PDA and PSP, however, are not able to connect. Both of them are 802.11b. My PSP can't even discover the router, even it is just 2 feet away.
Before I'm about to flash the N Wireless Router to latest firmware (v1.00.10), I gave a last shot. Following are my original wireless settings (firmware 1.00.07):
Wireless Channel = 6
Extension Channel = 2
Wireless Mode = 802.11b&802.11g&802.11n
Bandwidth = 20MHz/40MHz
Broadcast SSID = Yes
Protected Mode = ON
802.11e/WMM Qos = ON
By try-and-error, I found a working wireless settings:
Wireless Channel = 6
Extension Channel = disabled
Wireless Mode = 802.11b&802.11g&802.11n
Bandwidth = 20MHz
Broadcast SSID = Yes
Protected Mode = ON
802.11e/WMM Qos = OFF
Although my PSP is slow, it is now connected to Internet. I should try my PDA later.
The router and its settings look great for a-little-bit-serious users. May be advanced users would prefer Linksys, which they can flash it with hacked firmware. I just want stable and ease to use. The settings page look great but help was not enough (still better than Linksys' help page). Setup is no difficulties. I've connected my IBM T42, iMac and PS3 over Wi-Fi. My friends' laptop also on the MAC address filter list too (yes, on top of the WPA, MAC filter is another good way to protect the network). My PDA and PSP, however, are not able to connect. Both of them are 802.11b. My PSP can't even discover the router, even it is just 2 feet away.
Before I'm about to flash the N Wireless Router to latest firmware (v1.00.10), I gave a last shot. Following are my original wireless settings (firmware 1.00.07):
Wireless Channel = 6
Extension Channel = 2
Wireless Mode = 802.11b&802.11g&802.11n
Bandwidth = 20MHz/40MHz
Broadcast SSID = Yes
Protected Mode = ON
802.11e/WMM Qos = ON
By try-and-error, I found a working wireless settings:
Wireless Channel = 6
Extension Channel = disabled
Wireless Mode = 802.11b&802.11g&802.11n
Bandwidth = 20MHz
Broadcast SSID = Yes
Protected Mode = ON
802.11e/WMM Qos = OFF
Although my PSP is slow, it is now connected to Internet. I should try my PDA later.
Friday, 7 December 2007
死吧，WGA!
"Microsoft kills Windows Genuine Advantage" - MacWorld UK (src: http://www.macworld.co.uk/blogs/index.cfm?email&entryid=300&blogid=2)
"And I think it’s no coincidence that none of them are made by Apple." - Mark Hattersley
看後，令人拍案叫絕！大快人心！
Mac OS萬歲！Linux萬歲！Karena萬歲！收工。
"And I think it’s no coincidence that none of them are made by Apple." - Mark Hattersley
看後，令人拍案叫絕！大快人心！
Mac OS萬歲！Linux萬歲！Karena萬歲！收工。
繼續為安娜四出塗鴉
Clement大夫發火了！（笑）
Clement大夫寫了「安娜與安娜（廿一）：是文藝謊言還是電影界的悲劇？」來反駁湯禎兆對《安娜與安娜》的影評（註一），說得好！但，湯禎兆係乜水？話之佢。
主觀地看，湯禎兆把林嘉欣的電影批得體無完膚，當然會惹起Clement大夫之不滿（笑）。客觀地看，香港的影評人若不把電影的深入概念抽出來，如何引導觀眾去花心機花精神去看去思考？難道就讓大家繼續去看「火拼時速」或者「家有喜事」嗎？不是說這些電影不好，但它們的目標只有一個：娛樂大家並賣個滿堂紅。
要說東拼西湊、凌亂不已的電影，我立即想起「生日快樂」（我看的電影不太多、記得更少），為了要追上經常轉變的時間空間，已經很辛苦。前後十年的劉若英和古天樂外觀上似乎沒有什麼變化，仔細看的話，勉強可以靠他們的手機來判定。
唉，總之，好東西不是人人欣賞。正如好的測試程序，不是人人受得了，尤其高素質所需要的等價交換：時間、能量、精神以及人的素質。
註一：湯禎兆，「《安娜與安娜》的文藝謊言」，《亞洲時報在線》，2007年12月3日。
Clement大夫寫了「安娜與安娜（廿一）：是文藝謊言還是電影界的悲劇？」來反駁湯禎兆對《安娜與安娜》的影評（註一），說得好！但，湯禎兆係乜水？話之佢。
主觀地看，湯禎兆把林嘉欣的電影批得體無完膚，當然會惹起Clement大夫之不滿（笑）。客觀地看，香港的影評人若不把電影的深入概念抽出來，如何引導觀眾去花心機花精神去看去思考？難道就讓大家繼續去看「火拼時速」或者「家有喜事」嗎？不是說這些電影不好，但它們的目標只有一個：娛樂大家並賣個滿堂紅。
要說東拼西湊、凌亂不已的電影，我立即想起「生日快樂」（我看的電影不太多、記得更少），為了要追上經常轉變的時間空間，已經很辛苦。前後十年的劉若英和古天樂外觀上似乎沒有什麼變化，仔細看的話，勉強可以靠他們的手機來判定。
唉，總之，好東西不是人人欣賞。正如好的測試程序，不是人人受得了，尤其高素質所需要的等價交換：時間、能量、精神以及人的素質。
註一：湯禎兆，「《安娜與安娜》的文藝謊言」，《亞洲時報在線》，2007年12月3日。
Thursday, 6 December 2007
安娜 x 安娜 都是 同一個人
兩個都是林嘉欣，兩個都靚到暈，至少我想Clement大夫在電影院裡可能早已暈了不下數十次（笑），那如何分辨？
A. 唸大學的莫思雨
B. 十年前分裂出的逃跑型莫思雨
C. 堅持型莫思雨
D. 十年後結了婚的思雨
E. 十年後女強人的Anna
前三者明顯是外形一致，神態異迴。後兩者起先外表不同，後來都是短髮，神情的分別越來越亂，交錯不已（正好說明她們並非完全相反人格的兩個個體）。由於Anna要去扮主婦型的思雨，所以從化妝、衣著是分不出來，但可以留意Anna是戴著頸鍊的，吊咀是個像古代銅幣的東西，而思雨是左手戴著雞蛋般大的手錶。以這兩個記認可以分辨出95%來，餘下的5%是我還未能解開的迷：
1. 其中一幕思雨獨個兒坐在酒店房間時，她同時戴上了頸鍊和手錶。
2. 電影海報的兩個林嘉欣都是戴上了頸鍊。所以我之前說，《安娜與安娜》中兩個安娜可能都是說新加坡的Anna，不是思雨呢。
A. 唸大學的莫思雨
B. 十年前分裂出的逃跑型莫思雨
C. 堅持型莫思雨
D. 十年後結了婚的思雨
E. 十年後女強人的Anna
前三者明顯是外形一致，神態異迴。後兩者起先外表不同，後來都是短髮，神情的分別越來越亂，交錯不已（正好說明她們並非完全相反人格的兩個個體）。由於Anna要去扮主婦型的思雨，所以從化妝、衣著是分不出來，但可以留意Anna是戴著頸鍊的，吊咀是個像古代銅幣的東西，而思雨是左手戴著雞蛋般大的手錶。以這兩個記認可以分辨出95%來，餘下的5%是我還未能解開的迷：
1. 其中一幕思雨獨個兒坐在酒店房間時，她同時戴上了頸鍊和手錶。
2. 電影海報的兩個林嘉欣都是戴上了頸鍊。所以我之前說，《安娜與安娜》中兩個安娜可能都是說新加坡的Anna，不是思雨呢。
安娜 x 安娜
有關林嘉欣的消息主要來源是這個叫「Clement大夫」的『珍惜．愛．林嘉欣』的blog，只要subscribe了它的RSS，就能「足不出戶盡知天下事」，而且是由電腦主動告訴你的。若果對於Karena的電影有興趣，也可以多看『珍惜．愛．林嘉欣』之電影分類。
最近從這個Blog上看到別人對《安娜與安娜》的影評，「第一次的影評習作─安娜與安娜-珍妮斯」。讀畢全文，忍不住要下comment，尤其是交換身份之後兩個思雨的情況（我始終認為，由於留在上海的思雨沒取英文名字，「安娜與安娜」的兩個「安娜」都是指那個去了新加坡的Anna，以後再說明吧）。以下一段節錄了我的留言，並再加上新的想法。為了方便說明，「Anna」指去了新加坡的思雨，「思雨」則是留在上海的那一個。
Anna和思雨真的是兩個極端的人格嗎？人本身就存在dark side和bright side這兩個性質相反的人格，但思雨在小產後分裂了，先不說誰是分出來誰是原來的（這肯定沒有答案），Anna真的是分到和帶走了那個黑暗的自我嗎？片裡很多地方都似是暗示這一點：前段思雨的開朗表情（直到歐陽登場之前）代表她溫柔善良，相反Anna厚妝裡的冰冷眼神，就是冷漠、冷酷、不近人情。為了加強觀眾下意識有這種感覺，Anna對思雨說：「要是有一個人要消失掉，那就讓我消失掉好了」，還語重深長說「你（思雨）不會喜歡成為我」，還說出如何刻薄孤兒寡婦。這些都是要突顯Anna認定了自己就是那黑暗而邪惡的一面，留下來陪伴著歐陽的才是最好的「我」。
假如我們把分裂了的兩個思雨，當作是clone的話、性格相似甚至一樣的，可行嗎？
思雨本身是一個溫柔而聰明的女孩，只要她肯下定決心，沒有任何事是難到她，當然除了愛情。因為她無法承受自己小產和歐陽的抑鬱症雙重打擊，所以她要離開一切重新過活；因為她無法放棄深愛的歐陽，所以她要犧牲前途來陪伴丈夫。在兩者裡猶疑不決間，分裂出兩個自己來，把兩條路都選擇了（很貪心吧？前途愛人都要）。
只要思雨下定決心，她可以幹得很決絕的。十年前，一個對愛人絕情；另一個對自己絕情。十年後，一個想得到對方的丈夫，重拾深愛；另一個想得到對方的事業，重獲自由。最少，她們都渴望一嚐對方的生活。兩個思雨都是一樣，都是無法完全忠於自己，因為愛情事業兩者不能兼得（當然是只限於莫思雨的個別例子）；兩個思雨都是一樣，都是為了自己，不顧另一個自己了。
由此可見，其實Anna和思雨跟本就是很相似的。她們行為各異，或者說Anna性情大變，可以理解成：受不了打擊的她，要離開歐陽也只好狠狠地關起自己的心，才有足夠的力量，堅強地獨個兒逃出去、活下去，經過十年，漸漸發展成對人對事皆冷漠無比的女強人。但她真的是零情感嗎？不，她是不讓自己去承認依然深愛著歐陽，否則便遣反了當初的決定。當Anna再次重遇歐陽，面對過去的情感，埋在心裡的情感坦然流露出來，結果是表現出「軟化的神情」。
當思雨得悉在「莫思雨」名下有一筆可觀的金錢，足以讓她跑掉時，她為了選擇當年沒走過的路，也可以狠下心腸，丟下丈夫、背叛Anna，「滲出來那冰冷神情」正好証明了思雨也有那個dark side。假若思雨最後真的能夠把對歐陽的感情硬收在心底而不返回上海的話，她最終大概也會變成另一個Anna，而且可能不需要十年時間。
以上並在珍妮斯的「第一次的影評習作─安娜與安娜」所寫下的留言，都是基於一個很重要的前題：林愛華和林嘉欣所表達和表演出的一切，是事實的全部而且沒有任何出錯。在這大前題下，來分析和解釋我所見所想所感受到劇情，當然也混入了一些我對命運的理解：一堆「假如當初我沒有這樣做」和「假如當初我真的這樣做了」的無答案的思考。
什麼樣的「假如」會有答案呢？假如我再不去睡的話，明天工作又會很難捱。但「假如」過後，又會是眼光光到天光的。
最近從這個Blog上看到別人對《安娜與安娜》的影評，「第一次的影評習作─安娜與安娜-珍妮斯」。讀畢全文，忍不住要下comment，尤其是交換身份之後兩個思雨的情況（我始終認為，由於留在上海的思雨沒取英文名字，「安娜與安娜」的兩個「安娜」都是指那個去了新加坡的Anna，以後再說明吧）。以下一段節錄了我的留言，並再加上新的想法。為了方便說明，「Anna」指去了新加坡的思雨，「思雨」則是留在上海的那一個。
Anna和思雨真的是兩個極端的人格嗎？人本身就存在dark side和bright side這兩個性質相反的人格，但思雨在小產後分裂了，先不說誰是分出來誰是原來的（這肯定沒有答案），Anna真的是分到和帶走了那個黑暗的自我嗎？片裡很多地方都似是暗示這一點：前段思雨的開朗表情（直到歐陽登場之前）代表她溫柔善良，相反Anna厚妝裡的冰冷眼神，就是冷漠、冷酷、不近人情。為了加強觀眾下意識有這種感覺，Anna對思雨說：「要是有一個人要消失掉，那就讓我消失掉好了」，還語重深長說「你（思雨）不會喜歡成為我」，還說出如何刻薄孤兒寡婦。這些都是要突顯Anna認定了自己就是那黑暗而邪惡的一面，留下來陪伴著歐陽的才是最好的「我」。
假如我們把分裂了的兩個思雨，當作是clone的話、性格相似甚至一樣的，可行嗎？
思雨本身是一個溫柔而聰明的女孩，只要她肯下定決心，沒有任何事是難到她，當然除了愛情。因為她無法承受自己小產和歐陽的抑鬱症雙重打擊，所以她要離開一切重新過活；因為她無法放棄深愛的歐陽，所以她要犧牲前途來陪伴丈夫。在兩者裡猶疑不決間，分裂出兩個自己來，把兩條路都選擇了（很貪心吧？前途愛人都要）。
只要思雨下定決心，她可以幹得很決絕的。十年前，一個對愛人絕情；另一個對自己絕情。十年後，一個想得到對方的丈夫，重拾深愛；另一個想得到對方的事業，重獲自由。最少，她們都渴望一嚐對方的生活。兩個思雨都是一樣，都是無法完全忠於自己，因為愛情事業兩者不能兼得（當然是只限於莫思雨的個別例子）；兩個思雨都是一樣，都是為了自己，不顧另一個自己了。
由此可見，其實Anna和思雨跟本就是很相似的。她們行為各異，或者說Anna性情大變，可以理解成：受不了打擊的她，要離開歐陽也只好狠狠地關起自己的心，才有足夠的力量，堅強地獨個兒逃出去、活下去，經過十年，漸漸發展成對人對事皆冷漠無比的女強人。但她真的是零情感嗎？不，她是不讓自己去承認依然深愛著歐陽，否則便遣反了當初的決定。當Anna再次重遇歐陽，面對過去的情感，埋在心裡的情感坦然流露出來，結果是表現出「軟化的神情」。
當思雨得悉在「莫思雨」名下有一筆可觀的金錢，足以讓她跑掉時，她為了選擇當年沒走過的路，也可以狠下心腸，丟下丈夫、背叛Anna，「滲出來那冰冷神情」正好証明了思雨也有那個dark side。假若思雨最後真的能夠把對歐陽的感情硬收在心底而不返回上海的話，她最終大概也會變成另一個Anna，而且可能不需要十年時間。
以上並在珍妮斯的「第一次的影評習作─安娜與安娜」所寫下的留言，都是基於一個很重要的前題：林愛華和林嘉欣所表達和表演出的一切，是事實的全部而且沒有任何出錯。在這大前題下，來分析和解釋我所見所想所感受到劇情，當然也混入了一些我對命運的理解：一堆「假如當初我沒有這樣做」和「假如當初我真的這樣做了」的無答案的思考。
什麼樣的「假如」會有答案呢？假如我再不去睡的話，明天工作又會很難捱。但「假如」過後，又會是眼光光到天光的。
Wednesday, 5 December 2007
重點
重點，當然不是羅志祥（那個人是誰耶？），還會有誰呢？
果然是最後一段清唱最好聽。是林嘉欣清唱耶！
《我不會唱歌》 羅志祥
這首 為你點播的歌 如果我先哭了 怎麼唱到最後
是的 感情不是Ｋ歌 音階一字不漏 不見得感動
我也懂 拿麥的手不能顫抖 曾握著 就能感受你比我難過
誰寫的 歌詞那麼適合放手 我怎能捨不得
我努力唱完主歌 我忘了走音沒有 我到底哭什麼 哭什麼 明明搞笑的
我努力唱好朋友 我忘了是誰哭了 就算你不記得 這首歌 唱完的是我
我努力唱完這歌 我忘了破音沒有 你心裡觸動的 下一首 已經不是我
我努力唱到嘶吼 我不怕剩我一個 只要你能記得 這首歌 給我最愛的
ScreenCastsOnline
20% off at ScreenCastsOnline, with the coupon code from MacSanta. Availability subjects to change.
Besides MacWorld.com, ScreenCastsOnline (SCO) is my second favorite Podcasts. Its tutorial-like, step-by-step videos show you lots of good thing in the Mac. The initial membership cost USD 45 for 6 months. With the discount above, it's only $36 (that's why I joined membership today).
During the membership period, you can access not only latest video but all of them since 2005, in multiple resolutions, including HD and iPod. Note that those videos for iPod, in 320x240, can be played directly on PSP without converting. Still not sure about other resolutions yet.
If you would like to learn more about Mac, and have a PSP around for watching video on the road and has some spare money to spend during this Christmas holiday, you may consider subscribing the SCO. It just cost you a little bit cheaper than an XBOX 360 game (or a lot cheaper than a PS3 title). Alternatively, you can subscribe SCO free version via iTunes. No cost at all but some videos are exclusive for members. Not to mention that not HD in free version (except a few sponsored episodes).
Besides MacWorld.com, ScreenCastsOnline (SCO) is my second favorite Podcasts. Its tutorial-like, step-by-step videos show you lots of good thing in the Mac. The initial membership cost USD 45 for 6 months. With the discount above, it's only $36 (that's why I joined membership today).
During the membership period, you can access not only latest video but all of them since 2005, in multiple resolutions, including HD and iPod. Note that those videos for iPod, in 320x240, can be played directly on PSP without converting. Still not sure about other resolutions yet.
If you would like to learn more about Mac, and have a PSP around for watching video on the road and has some spare money to spend during this Christmas holiday, you may consider subscribing the SCO. It just cost you a little bit cheaper than an XBOX 360 game (or a lot cheaper than a PS3 title). Alternatively, you can subscribe SCO free version via iTunes. No cost at all but some videos are exclusive for members. Not to mention that not HD in free version (except a few sponsored episodes).
Tuesday, 4 December 2007
ubuntu之字體問題
最近少了更新，昨天又跑去看『安娜與安娜』，應該有排寫，尤其是看過這種像是半文藝式愛情片，它本來就是要觀眾去反思（或者打瞌睡，多得兩個主角都是林嘉欣，我才沒有在戲院裡扯鼻寒），然後沒有任何結論下繼續自己那平淡的人生。
暫時先清掉一些舊材料吧。
早前把用了14個月的iMac鏟了一次，重裝Tiger(10.4)、升級Leopard(10.5)，只是為了借助BootCamp直接boot入XP，以最強機體在XP下來跑game，但手上沒有什麼PC game需要這樣的機能；這機的機能是足夠跑Vista的。
重新安裝過Parallels來跑「上手」的兩個VM：XP和Ubuntu，XP很威風地把Parallels炒了。幸好沒重要數據，秒殺之。重裝Parallels來跑Ubuntu，Ubuntu依然若無其事，只是在shut down後無法自動「關機」。「那不如多在Ubuntu上工作吧」我想。但用它來看中文網頁、或者說看中文字，卻變成這個樣子：
以前Mac都有類似的問題：字體不統一（又或者說預設字體字數不足），後來不曉得怎樣就解決了，大概是Mac OS Update吧。向身邊的Ubuntu專家（栗子）請教過，似乎要解決它要用上比「Windows Expert」更高階的技術，唔，應該說要用上比「Mac OS Advance User」更深入的技術。好，我決定唔理佢。
果然，用Ubuntu來處理中文字，係蝕底啲架啦。
暫時先清掉一些舊材料吧。
早前把用了14個月的iMac鏟了一次，重裝Tiger(10.4)、升級Leopard(10.5)，只是為了借助BootCamp直接boot入XP，以最強機體在XP下來跑game，但手上沒有什麼PC game需要這樣的機能；這機的機能是足夠跑Vista的。
重新安裝過Parallels來跑「上手」的兩個VM：XP和Ubuntu，XP很威風地把Parallels炒了。幸好沒重要數據，秒殺之。重裝Parallels來跑Ubuntu，Ubuntu依然若無其事，只是在shut down後無法自動「關機」。「那不如多在Ubuntu上工作吧」我想。但用它來看中文網頁、或者說看中文字，卻變成這個樣子：
以前Mac都有類似的問題：字體不統一（又或者說預設字體字數不足），後來不曉得怎樣就解決了，大概是Mac OS Update吧。向身邊的Ubuntu專家（栗子）請教過，似乎要解決它要用上比「Windows Expert」更高階的技術，唔，應該說要用上比「Mac OS Advance User」更深入的技術。好，我決定唔理佢。
果然，用Ubuntu來處理中文字，係蝕底啲架啦。
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