Bye Getronics!

After five and a half years later... Incredibly, I'm leaving this great company.

No other word, but...

“Some dance to remember, some dance to forget!”

April 1, 2002 - September 28, 2007

Get over it - Streamyx P2P Throttling!

If you know and realize that, streamyx users now can hardly download stuffs using P2P client since TMnet has throttled our peer-to-peer connection. However, with some tweaks here and there we can still download files using the same or another method. One of it is to encrypt the bittorrent packet header. Somehow, it will not showing tremendous different in speed.

Sometimes, you will get something really out of expectation but remember... it will not last long, because this is TMnet!!!


You will notice that bittorrent download is currently blocked via bandwidth capping by TMnet. As result, we won’t be able to download files easily from international peers using bittorrent unless there are other Malaysian Streamyx users seeding the file.

Now, let’s just forget the suffering that we all hate to have. A company that based in China has created a software named Thunder (迅雷) which have been reported that attracting Google to invest in the company. This bittorent client allows us to download with decent speed without being capped by TMnet.

Today, I accidently ate a frog on my lunch. Damn it! I really thought that was a fish! Until now, I'm still feeling like want to puke. It was so scary.

I decided not to use Azureus today and give Xunlei/Thuder a try. You will not believe in me and I won't believe my eyes either. What a surprise to me that my first use of the software got me a 60kB/s constantly!!!

Words no more... I suggest you to try out and see if Xunlei/Thunder would be able to beat your convesional bittorent clients (Azureus, utorrent, bitcomet, etc.)

Thanks to HeheHunter that has made it available in English with no ads.

Mobile Number Portability (MNP)

Mobile number portability is a service that enables mobile telephone customers to retain their existing mobile telephone numbers when they switch from one service provider to another. A number of countries have introduced mobile number portability in recent years such as Hong Kong, United Kingdom, USA, Europe, Australia, South Korea and Taiwan.

The main benefits of MNP to consumers are the costs savings to the porting customer of not having to change telephone numbers, while at the same time having the freedom to choose the supplier with the best overall value.

New operators can benefit from MNP by increasing the potential market share available to them. MNP increases the likelihood that customers of incumbent operators will be willing to switch to a new entrant. Incumbent operators benefit from MNP by allowing full competition for established mobile customers as well as new customers. All operators benefit from MNP by allowing them to market these service improvements they make to maintain or improve their networks to increase their market share.

明年落實， 保留原有號碼
手機用戶可自由轉台

從明年第1季末開始，手機用戶可在保留原有的手機號碼下，自由更換電訊公司，以獲得更高效率的電訊服務，預示電訊公司將面對更激烈的競爭。

屆時手機用戶若不滿意原先的電訊公司服務或收費，可在保留原有的手機號碼下，更換使用其它電訊公司的服務。

iPhone Unlocked!

iPhone users from around the world can now unlock their iPhones for use with any network/carrier… for FREE! The fabulous folks at Gizmodo has published the way to unlock all iPhones!

Source: http://www.engadget.com/2007/09/12/first-free-open-gui-iphone-unlock-software-tested-it-works/

FIA releases full WMSC judgement on McLaren

For the full transcript of the Council’s judgement, click here.

Ferrari satisfied with McLaren verdict

Ferrari said they were happy that the “truth had emerged” following Thursday’s decision by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council to strip McLaren of constructors’ point and heavily fine them for possessing confidential data belonging to the Italian team.

“Ferrari acknowledges the decision of the FIA to sanction Vodafone McLaren Mercedes for its breach of Article 151c of the International Sporting Code,” said a Ferrari statement.

“In light of new evidence, facts and behaviour of an extremely serious nature and grossly prejudicial to the interest of the sport have been further demonstrated.

“Ferrari is satisfied that the truth has now emerged.”

McLaren fined and stripped of constructors’ points

McLaren have been excluded from the 2007 constructors’ championship and fined US$100 million following Thursday’s FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) hearing in Paris. Drivers Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton have not been penalized and are free to continue their fight for the drivers' title.

The penalty follows McLaren’s admission that the team was in breach of the International Sporting Code through their possession of confidential technical data belonging to rivals Ferrari, who are now all but assured of the 2007 constructors’ title.

McLaren are also required to submit detailed plans of their 2008 car to the FIA, who warned that it could apply further sanctions relating to next season should any irregularities be found in the car’s design.

At July’s original hearing, the Council opted not to punish McLaren as it decided there was no proof that the Ferrari data had been used. Thursday’s second hearing followed the emergence of new evidence and the FIA’s request for McLaren’s drivers to submit any information they had that might be relevant to the case.

The FIA will explain the reasons behind the Council's decision on Friday, after which McLaren will decide whether or not to appeal.

The full statement from the FIA:

In an extraordinary meeting of the World Motor Sport Council was held in Paris on the 12th of September 2007, The following decision was taken:

"The WMSC has stripped Vodafone McLaren Mercedes of all constructors' points in the 2007 FIA Formula One World Championshiop and the team can score no point for the remainder of the season *.

"Furthermore, the team will pay a fine equal to 100 million dollar, less the FOM income lost as a result of the points deduction.

"However, due to the exceptional circumstances in which the FIA gave the team's drivers an immunity in return for providing evidence, there is no penalty in regards to drivers' points **.

"The WMSC will receive a full technical report on the 2008 McLaren car and will take a decision at its December 2007 meeting as to what sanction, if any, will be imposed on the team for the 2008 season."

The full reasons for this decision will be issued on the 14th September 2007.

* Points gained by other teams so far this season will not be affected.

** No McLaren representative will be allowed on the podium should a McLaren driver win any of the remaining races of the 2007 season.

McLaren await their fate in Paris hearing

It is the story that has dominated headlines and gripped the paddock, but after seemingly endless twists and turns, the McLaren-Ferrari ‘spy scandal’ is set to be resolved in Paris today, with a second hearing by the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council.

The Council will consider new evidence in the case. Should that evidence prove McLaren made use of confidential Ferrari data in the development of their car, the team could face expulsion from the 2007 and 2008 world championships.

Along with senior management from both teams, among those attending the hearing are Ferrari's former technical director Ross Brawn, currently on sabbatical, and drivers' championship leader, Lewis Hamilton.

As the world's media awaits news from Paris, we look back at the timeline of an affair that could yet decide this year’s titles…

June, 2007
Reports claim that long-time Ferrari engineer Nigel Stepney is under investigation by Italian authorities after an unspecified complaint is made against him by the team. Stepney protests his innocence, denying suggestions that he attempted to sabotage Ferrari’s cars at the Monaco Grand Prix.

July 3, 2007
Ferrari reveal Stepney has left the company after an ‘internal disciplinary procedure’.

July 4, 2007
Ferrari confirm they have presented a legal case against Stepney concerning the alleged theft of technical information. The team say a staff member from rivals McLaren is also involved in the investigation.

McLaren confirms the involvement, and suspension, of an unnamed employee - subsequently revealed as senior designer Mike Coughlan. After a full review of their cars, the team insist that no intellectual property from Ferrari has been used.

The FIA announces a formal investigation into the matter, with the full cooperation of both teams.

July 5, 2007
Ferrari admit it was a source outside of Formula One racing that tipped them off to the possibility of a McLaren having obtained their intellectual property.

July 6, 2007
Honda’s CEO Nick Fry reveals that Stepney and Coughlan paid a joint visit to the team in June, with ‘a view to investigating job opportunities’. Fry stresses that that no confidential information was offered or received during the meeting.

July 10-11, 2007
A hearing is held at London’s High Court with Ferrari lawyers and Coughlan in attendance. Reports cite allegations that the suspended designer and his wife submitted 780 pages of Ferrari documentation to a photocopy shop in Woking.

July 12, 2007
Ferrari confirm that Coughlan has provided them with an affidavit relating to the enquiry, but that both the designer and his wife remain the subject of a London High Court action by the team.

McLaren are summoned to appear before the FIA World Motor Sport Council (WMSC) to answer a charge of breaching the International Sporting Code by possessing confidential Ferrari data. The team maintain that no other staff members were aware of the material.

July 26, 2007
At the Paris hearing, the WMSC finds McLaren guilty of breaching the Sporting Code, but choose not to impose sanctions as there is no proof that the team made use of the data. However, McLaren are warned that if such proof later comes to light, they could face exclusion from the 2007 and 2008 championships. The WMSC also calls on Stepney and Coughlan to appear before the FIA.

Ferrari describe the decision not to punish McLaren as “incomprehensible” and vow to continue with legal action already underway against Stepney and Coughlan.

July 30, 2007
Ferrari boss Jean Todt claims Coughlan had access to leaked Ferrari data prior to the start of the 2007 season, and that it prompted McLaren’s subsequent request for FIA clarification over the use of ‘moveable’ floors.

July 31, 2007
FIA president Max Mosley refers the case to the International Court of Appeal following suggestions that the original WMSC hearing had not given Ferrari sufficient opportunity to present their version of events.

August 2, 2007
McLaren team principal Ron Dennis accuses Ferrari of winning the Australian Grand Prix with an illegal car and of manipulating media coverage to damage his team’s reputation.

August 7, 2007
The FIA sets a date for the appeal. The International Court of Appeal (ICA) will meet in Paris on Thursday, September 13.

September 5, 2007
A week before the appeal hearing, the FIA announces that “following the receipt of new evidence” the WMSC will instead reconvene to make a fresh judgment on the McLaren-Ferrari ‘spy scandal’.

September 7, 2007
The FIA reveals it has written to McLaren drivers Fernando Alonso, Pedro de la Rosa and Lewis Hamilton after allegations they may have information relevant to the case. They are warned that failure to disclose any such information could involve serious consequences. Lawyers advise McLaren to make no further comment ahead of the WMSC hearing.

September 8, 2007
Modena’s public prosecutor, Giuseppe Tibis, issues ‘avviso di garanzia’ - legal notice that someone is under investigation in a criminal procedure - to Stepney and six McLaren personnel, including Dennis, group managing director Martin Whitmarsh and Jonathan Neale, the team’s managing director.

September 13, 2007
The world awaits news from Paris…

Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200

Apple dropping the price of iPhone by $200 two months after it went on sale. Good news huh?

They decided to lower the price of the 8GB iPhone from $599 to $399 in the U.S., and the 4GB model will be discontinued due to lack of interest.

I believe with this move, the price for this product range will drop accordingly when they launch it in other continents.

I can't wait to have one when they launch it in Malaysia. :-)



$100 Apple Store Credit for Early iPhone Owners

New iPods!

After an agonizing week for tech fans, Apple finally unveiled their new line of iPods much to delight of fans (and critics)! From a colour refresh of it’s iPod Shuffle, a brand new look for the iPod Nano and the much anticipated iPod Touch - fans will be spoilt for choice. Perfect for the upcoming holiday season!


More details: www.apple.com/itunes

Google's billion dollar bid for 700MHz wireless spectrum

Move over iPhone. The tech world is now drawing its attention to a rumored gPhone.

Reports are popping up everywhere that Google is shopping around prototypes of mobile phones. Confirmation came from a report from The Wall Street Journal. It reported Google has built prototype cell phones, to be mass-produced by multiple hardware manufacturers.

What might those phones look like? Just as iPhone prototypes began popping up on the Web (long before Apple made an official announcement), so are Google phone prototypes.

Don't expect anyone to guess correctly what a gPhone might look like. But that hasn't stopped designers from dreaming.



This summer's major action adventure is the debate over the Federal Communications Commission's planned 700MHz spectrum auction, scheduled for January.

The story so far: Analog TV will be retired in 2009, freeing up a big chunk of spectrum for wireless networking. The relatively low frequencies involved (700MHz compared to WiFi's 2.4GHz, for instance) means this spectrum essentially offers more bandwidth for the buck. Lower-frequency signals require less power and therefore lower cell density, which translates to lower operational costs for carriers.

Spectrum traditionally is allocated by an auction in which telcos try to outbid each other, in the process driving up the value of the spectrum. (The proposed auction is estimated to bring US$20 billion to $50 billion into the federal treasury). In addition, winners get to do pretty much as they choose with the spectrum they've purchased.

A few weeks ago, Google attempted to do an end run around this model by pledging to bid $4.6 billion for a chunk of spectrum -- but only if the whole shebang came with two constraints:

Open access. As with today's landlines, winning bidders would need to relinquish control of end devices.

Wholesale resale. Winning bidders would be required to resell their bandwidth wholesale to other firms (basically a setup like that of competitive local exchange carriers [CLEC] back in the '90s).

In other words, in Google's proposal, bidders couldn't recoup the cost of their investments by building closed networks.

Read more: http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,135084-pg,1/article.html

Google Press Center: Google Intends to Bid in Spectrum Auction If FCC Adopts Consumer Choice and Competition Requirements

10 years later...

Dell had a public war of words with Apple CEO Steve Jobs, starting when Jobs first criticized Dell for making "un-innovative beige boxes". On October 6, 1997, when Dell was asked what he would do if he owned then-troubled Apple Computer, he said "I'd shut it down and give the money back to the shareholders." (1997, at the Gartner Symposium and ITxpo97)

What a difference a decade makes! As of 31-8-2007 Apple shares closed at $138.48. With 869.64 million shares outstanding, Apple has a market value of $120.43 billion.

Dell is valued at nearly half that - just $64.17 billion.