Malaysia is boleh boleh boleh

Malaysia I guess is a land of opportunities. It is here that anyone can be anyone even if you are not qualified or have no backgound skill set on a particular industry or job. Just look at all the indonesians and bangladeshi workers here. Do you think that they were sent for training? For them semua boleh... just ask them if they can lay bricks or mix cement / concrete / mortar. Then ask them the next day if they build you a home completely of wood and they will say boleh as if they are some super wood worker with years of carpentry skills or try asking if they can be a ship welder and surely you can expect the answer to be BOLEH!

Similarly a lot of the electrical wiring contractors here not qualified wireman. Sure they may know how to lay a conduit and pull some wires but they would not have been trained or qualified on how to terminate the wires in a safe and professional manner. The best is if the wireman starts thinking of expanding his jobscope into extra low voltage or elv systems. They would not have any training at all on technical requirements for elv systems. To them it is just another wire that can be pulled. I am sure they would not know about EMF or other types of magnetic interference and how badly it can affect elv systems. Grounding the system properly is also a major problem for elv.

Another practice I see here is the contractor trying to fit into a consultants shoes. How can this benefit the client? In the projects business, the client is the most important person. We must see to it that he has all his needs addressed in a proper and professional manner and that he must not be shortchanged in his requirements. Most contractors will definitely quote the brands that he is a dealer of. He would not be able to show true independence thus limiting the choices for the client. This will definitely not be a fair deal for the client. Clients too must insist on their rights even if the budget is tight. There might be an exception to this rule if the system is of a simple design type consisting of maybe 2 to 3 equipment only or even a mobile DJ system.

Product Introduction

Went to a seminar yesterday held by a local AV company in one of the hotels here. The product is about a conferencing system which is fairly new in the market in Malaysia and the seminar was more about hard selling this product to the end-users, consultants, rental companies and dealers. The seminar was quite boring and difficult to understand as the speakers were from Germany and China respectively, both of which are working for the manufacturer from China. The accents were so thick you can cut it with a knife. The german guy had better pronunciation than the China lady. They should have gotten a professional presenter as this would have made it more interesting and would have made a better impact on the seminar. Instead there the droning sound of the german and the chinese which I am sure put half the seminar attendees to sleep within the first half hour and it was a whole day seminar! There was also no technical evaluation on why the product is much better than it's competitors except what was claimed by the manufacturer. Anyway the thing that saved the day I think was the fairly good food that was served through the day. At least no skimping on that part.

Wu Family Rules

Wu family had created several rules for his decendent to follow. There are 12 meditation rules, 24 endurance rules, 9 forbidden rules, 4 female rules, and 15 family rules.The 4 female rules:

• Be kind
• Watch your words
• Decent facial/postures
• Job

The 9 forbidden rules are:

• One should not have emptyness. Always remember the principle in life. One should have family, never forgets who you are, where you came from. Never stop reading and studying. Never stop observing.
• One should not forget. Should be cautions not forgetful, should remember relative's name and ranks, should remember friend's name.
• One should not be unjust. Always fair to people and to family members. Should not be greedy.
• One should not mistake others. Never make mistakes in family member's position or friend's family history or do any intentional mistake at work.
• One should not be tempted sexually. Should not always looking for a way to satisfy your sexual need, should first put what would benifit you in long ran as ur first priority. Should respect your body and bodies of others.
• One should not disguise. Should live as who they are and who they are under. Should never lie or disguise to be another person or place.
  
• One should not quit. Whatever one do, do your best. One should not quit being a father or being a mother or being a brother or being a friend. Should not quit being who you really are.
  
• One should not have secrecy. Should work and be loyal to your employer, should obey and be as honest as in job, work, study. Should be open to families and friends. If one hides secrets from others, others will do the same to you.
  
• One should not be lost. Should not keep what other forgets, should not be carefree.

Wu Family general (house) rules are:

Obey your parents and elders.
Respect your ancestor, should maintain their grave clean.
Always respect your brothers, they are your top priority!
Respect your village's leader.
Remember the ranking of your relatives and respect them.
Should be in good terms with your family and relatives. Help each other.
Should respect other's privacy.
Should teach others the kindness and good of the world.
If working, should work hard and do your best.
Should try to save, don't waste food or money, etc.
If work as soldier, should obey the rules within the system.
If having fights, should calm down first.
Should stop as soon as possible when a fight occurs.
Be a gentlemen in the world and the society.
Have endurance in everything thing you do
Have determination
Be strict yet kind
No gambling
Avoid the occult
Be good in art
Can't have relationship with your relatives (incest)
Be kind to those who serve you.
Dress simple and nice but not fancy

Keep house clean and in order

There are also the 24 rules of endurance:
Control your words. Do not say more than you should.
Control your anger. Do not act or do things that you will regret.
Control your sexual desire. Do not act carelessly.
Control your drinks. Excessive drinking kill a person's soul.
Control your voice. Control your voice when speaks.
Control your food. Know what and when to eat.
Control your money. Know where and what to spend.
Control on making trouble. Do not initiate a fight or problem.
Control your bad mouth (talking behind their backs). No gossip.
Control your fame. Do not be ruled by your fame.
Control your hyper-actions (be patient). Do not jump into conclusion.
Control your ego. Do not be ruled by your ego.
Control your desire. Do not desire more than you can.
Control your love. Do not love obssesively.
Control your illness. Do not worsen your illness.
Control your peace. Do not be too calm. Be cautious when it's needed.
Control your need. Do not ask more than you can.
Don't work for gain. Do not do things for a returned favor.
Don't work with no determination. Finish what you have started.
Always learn with your best. Study and understand better than ignorance.
Anything you do, do with patient. Time will give you the result.
Be aware of friendship. Chose carefully.
Know how to retreat. Do not persist on one subject. Know when to retreat. Leave with dignity better than die for nothing.
Control your high position. Be nice to others when your position is higher than other or they will rebelt against you.

Chinese surname Wu

Wu means : name of a State in ancient China (province of Jiangsu); a Chinese surname.(Ancient time Wu meant big or great in Wu dialect). e.g. Wu is written as "Kou (mouth) sitting on top of Tian (sky)". Surname Wu is about 3100 years old.

Surname Wu was originated in an area called Yan Ling Prefecture during the Qin Dynasty (221BC to 207BC).

Yan means : extend; lengthen; prolong; postponed; defer; delay; put off; invites; employ. Yang means : the sun; bright; clear; masculine; positive.

The present day location of Yan Ling Prefecture is in Wu Jin Xian in Jiangsu province China.

SAE stuff I studied back in Oct 1992 in Malaysia

Course syllabus
Sound theory
Introduction
Sound: what is it?
Sound propagation through the air
Properties of sound
Frequency
Period
Wavelength
Amplitude
Phase
Speed
Combination of pure sinusoids
1.6. Time-Frequency representation
1.7. Harmonic content of a waveform
1.8. Waveforms
1.8.1. Pure sinusoid
1.8.2. Square wave
1.8.3. Sawtooth wave
1.8.4. Triangular wave
1.8.5. Hypertones
1.9. Sound envelope
1.10. Reflection, diffraction, refraction, absorption
1.10.1. Reflection
1.10.2. Reflections inside a room
1.10.3. Refraction
1.10.4. Diffraction
1.10.5. Absorption
2. Perception of sound
2.1. Introduction
2.2. Human ear
2.2.1. Outer ear
2.2.2. Middle ear
2.2.3. Inner ear
2.3. Perception of sound by the brain
2.4. Beatings
2.5. Volume and perception of frequency, distortion, masking
2.5.1. Volume and perception of frequency
2.5.2. Distorsion
2.5.3. Masking
2.6. Doppler effect
2.7. Haas effect
2.8. Isophonic curves - Equal loudness contours
2.8.1. Description of isophonic curves
2.8.1.1. Threshold of hearing (0 phons)
2.8.1.2. Threshold of pain (140 phons)
2.9. Psychoacoustics
2.9.1. Environment
2.9.2. Suppression of coloration
2.9.3. Octave illusion
2.9.4. Cocktail party effect
2.10. Localization of sound sources
2.10.1. Time differences (phase)
2.10.2. Amplitude differences
2.10.3. Harmonic content differences
2.11. Binaural fusion
2.12. Audible frequency spectrum
3. Decibels and dynamics
3.1. Introduction
3.2. The logarithmic scale
3.3. Decibels in the audio field
3.4. Inverse distance law
3.5. Combination of sound sources
3.6. Electrical quantities expressed in decibels
3.7. Standard Operating Level
3.8. Dynamic range
3.9. Phonometers
3.9.1. dBspl measurers
3.9.2. Vu meters
3.9.3. PPM meters
4. Fundamentals of electronics
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Electricity
4.3. Electronic components
4.3.1. Resistance
4.3.2. Capacitor
4.3.3. Inductor
4.3.4. Impedance
4.3.5. Diode
4.3.6. Transistor
4.3.7. Operational amplifier
4.3.8. Transformer
4.4. Ohm's law, power, electromotive force
4.4.1. Ohm's Law
4.4.2. Power
4.4.3. Electromotive force
4.5. Electric circuits
4.6. Impedance of a circuit
5. Equalizers and filters
5.1. Introduction
5.2. Equalizers
5.2.1. Bell equalizer - Peak Bell EQ
5.2.2. Shelf equalizers - Shelving EQ
5.2.3. Parametric equalizers
5.2.4. Graphic equalizer
5.2.5. Active and passive equalizers
5.3. Filters
5.3.1. Low-pass filters and high-pass filters
5.3.1.1. Slope rate
5.3.2. Band-pass filters
6. Analogue recorders
6.1. Introduction
6.2. Functioning of analogue recorders
6.2.1. Functioning principle
6.3. Design criteria
6.4. Functioning modes
6.5. Magnetic particles
6.6. Characteristic quantities of magnetism
6.7. Transfer characteristic of a magnetic ribbon
6.8. Hysteresis cycle
6.9. Hysteresis of a moving magnetic ribbon
6.10. Bias current
6.11. Set up of an analogue recorder
6.12. Final considerations
7. Effects and signal processors
7.1. Introduction
7.2. Reverb
7.3. Delay
7.4. Phaser
7.5. Flanger
7.6. Chorus
7.7. Pitch shifter
7.8. Tremolo
7.9. Vibrato
7.10. Distorter
7.11. Exciter
7.12. Wah-Wah
7.13. Vocoder
7.14. Compressor
7.14.1. Sidechain input - Key input
7.14.2. Compression curve
7.14.3. Compressor's response to the input signal
7.14.4. Rotation point compressor
7.14.5. Multiband compressor
7.15. Uses of the compressor
7.16. De-esser
7.17. Limiter
7.18. Gate
7.18.1. Gate usages
7.19. Expander
8. Connections, wires and connectors
8.1. Introduction
8.2. Optical connections
8.3. Electric connections
8.3.1. Unbalanced electric connections
8.3.2. Balanced electric connections
8.3.3. Distortion in electric connections
8.4. Connectors
9. Sound diffusion systems
9.1. Introduction
9.2. Electrodynamic loudspeaker
9.3. Resonance frequency of a loudspeaker
9.4. Efficiency of a loudspeaker
9.4.1. Pneumatic suspension Loudspeakers
9.4.2. Acoustic horn loudspeakers
9.5. Loudspeaker sensitivity and maximum applicable power
9.5.1. Loudspeaker sensitivity
9.5.2. Maximum applicable power
9.6. Impedance of a loudspeaker
9.7. Frequency response
9.8. Polar pattern of a loudspeaker
9.9. Types of loudspeakers
9.10. Piezoelectric Loudspeakers
9.11. Diffusers
9.11.1. The crossover
9.12. Types of acoustic boxes
9.12.1. Bass reflex
9.12.2. Passive cone
9.12.3. Retroactive horn
10. Microphones and miking techniques
10.1. Introduction
10.2. Electrodynamic microphone
10.3. Condenser Microphones
10.4. Piezoelectric microphones
10.5. Ribbon Microphones
10.6. Polar pattern of a microphone
10.7. Omnidirectional microphones
10.8. Unidirectional microphones
10.9. Pressure gradient microphones
10.10. Double-diaphragm condenser microphones
10.11. PZM - Pressure Zone Microphones
10.12. Special microphones
10.12.1. Shotgun
10.12.2. Parabolic - Reflector microphone
10.13. Specific electric units of microphones
10.13.1. Self noise
10.13.2. Distortion
10.13.3. Sensitivity
10.14. Stereo miking techniques: Introduction
10.14.1. Stereo miking techniques: Coincident microphones
10.14.2. Blumlein technique
10.14.3. XY technique
10.14.4. MS technique - Mid Side
10.15. Stereo miking techniques: near microphones
10.15.1. ORTF technique - Organization Radio Television Francaise
10.15.2. NOS Technique
10.15.3. OSS Technique - Optimum Stereo Sound
10.16. Stereo miking techniques: distant microphones
10.16.1. AB technique
10.16.2. Decca Tree
10.17. Miking of musical instruments
11. The recording studio
11.1. Introduction
11.2. Outline of a recording studio
11.3. Studio mixer
11.4. Mixer: channel strip
11.5. Mixer: groups
11.6. Mixer: master section
11.7. Effects Rack
11.8. The recorder, the computer, the monitors
11.8.1. The recorder
11.8.2. The computer
11.8.3. Monitors
11.9. PatchBay
11.9.1. Fully normalized patchbays and half-normalized patchbays
12. Working in the recording studio
12.1. Introduction
12.2. Recording
12.3. Using the aux sends during a recording session
12.4. Bouncing
12.5. Mixing
12.6. Using groups during the mixing phase
12.7. Listening to a mix
12.8. Using the aux sends during a mixing session
12.9. Level calibration in a recording studio
12.10. Mastering
13. Live sound
13.1. Introduction
13.2. Description of the equipment
13.3. Stage mixer chain
13.4. FOH mixer chain
13.5. The live mixer
13.6. Delay Towers
13.6.1. Sound reinforcement
13.7. Equipment setup
13.8. The soundcheck
13.9. The concert
13.10. The Larsen effect
14. Amplification
14.1. Introduction
14.2. The amplification chain
14.3. The amplifier
14.4. Supplied power
14.5. Amplification curve
14.6. Distortion by saturation
14.7. Other causes of distortion
14.8. Frequency response of an amplifier
14.9. Input and output impedance of an amplifier
14.10. Input characteristics
14.11. Output characteristics
14.12. Amplification: DI box
15. Environmental acoustics
15.1. Introduction
15.2. Acoustics of small environments
15.3. Resonance modes
15.4. The behaviour of axial modes
15.5. Considerations on resonance modes within an enclosed environment
15.6. Reverberation time of an environment
15.7. Absorption coefficient
15.8. Reflection coefficient
15.9. Sound absorption techniques
15.10. Passive acoustic panels
15.11. Active acoustic panels
15.12. Sound diffusion techniques
15.13. Criteria for designing a recording studio
15.14. LEDE control room
15.15. Measuring criteria for background noise
15.16. Acoustics of large environments
15.17. Acoustics of large environments: reverberation time
15.18. Acoustics of large environments: hall's absorption and reflection
15.18.1. Absorption
15.18.2. Absorption by the air
15.18.3. Undesired effects
16. Noise
16.1. Introduction
16.2. Narrowband noise
16.2.1. HVAC
16.2.2. Electromagnetic emissions
16.2.3. Interferences
16.2.4. Vibrations
16.3. Broadband noise
16.3.1. Thermal noise
16.3.2. White noise
16.3.3. Pink Noise
16.3.4. Brown Noise
16.4. Distortion and Total Harmonic Distortion
16.5. Noise reduction
16.5.1. Reduction of narrowband noise
16.5.2. Reduction of electromagnetic interferences
16.5.3. Broadband noise reduction
16.6. Noise reduction systems
16.7. Noise reduction systems: Dolby A
16.8. Noise reduction systems: other Dolby systems
16.8.1. Dolby B
16.8.2. Dolby C
16.8.3. Dolby SR
16.8.4. Dolby S
16.8.5. Dolby HX
16.8.6. Dolby HX Pro
16.8.7. Other NR systems
17. Synchronization
17.1. Introduction
17.2. What is a time code?
17.3. SMPTE time code
17.4. Recording of the SMPTE
17.5. SMPTE Time code: the frame format
17.6. MTC - MIDI Time Code
18. Digital Audio
18.1. Introduction
18.2. Binary Algebra
18.3. Sampling
18.4. Quantization
18.5. Quantization noise
18.6. Dynamic
18.7. Quantization circuit
18.8. Ideal physics and real physics
18.9. Oversampling
18.10. Digital/Analogue conversion
18.11. Overall outline of the sampling process
18.12. Digital audio signal manipulation
18.13. Analogue effects simulation
18.14. Digital compression
18.15. Audio data compression
18.16. Considerations on audio data compression
18.17. Hard Disc Recording
18.18. Digital recording and mixing
18.19. Audio card characteristics
19. Digital Audio Media
19.1. Introduction
19.2. Magnetic digital media
19.2.1. Rotating head media
19.2.2. Fixed head supports
19.3. Optical Media
19.3.1. Tracking
19.3.2. CD printing
19.3.3. Data format of a CD
19.3.4. Definitions of CD formats: the Grovening Books
19.3.5. DVD (not included as no DVD technology at that time)
19.4. Magneto-optical supports
19.4.1. The MiniDisc (not included due to technology constraints)
20. The Midi Protocol
20.1. Introduction
20.2. MIDI protocol specifications
20.3. MIDI system configurations
20.3.1. Daisy chaining
20.3.2. Daisy chaining with a sequencer
20.3.3. MIDI THRU Splitter Box configuration
20.3.4. Configuration with extended MIDI Interfaces
20.4. MIDI Messages
20.4.1. Channel voice messages
20.4.2. Channel mode messages
20.4.3. System messages
20.4.3.1. System common
20.4.3.2. System real time
20.4.3.3. System Exclusive
20.5. General MIDI
21. 3D Audio (Known as Surround sound)
21.1. Introduction
21.2. The Surround System
21.3. Dolby motion picture matrix encoder
21.3.1. Encoding
21.3.2. Decoding
21.3.3. Dolby Motion Picture Matrix encoding characteristics
21.4. Dolby Pro Logic and Dolby Digital
21.4.1. Mixing in Dolby Pro-Logic with a normal mixer
21.5. Summary of the main surround systems
21.6. Binaural recording and reproduction techniques
21.6.1. Binaural recording techniques
21.6.2. Binaural reproduction techniques
21.7. Q-Sound
21.8. RSS - Roland Sound Space system
21.9. Ambisonics

food additive info

Sodium nitrite, with chemical formula NaNO2, is used as a color fixative and preservative in meats and fish. When pure, it is a white to slight yellowish crystalline powder. It is very soluble in water and is hygroscopic. It is also slowly oxidized by oxygen in the air to sodium nitrate, NaNO3. The compound is a strong oxidizing agent.

It is also used in manufacturing diazo dyes, nitroso compounds, and other organic compounds; in dyeing and printing textile fabrics and bleaching fibers; in photography; as a laboratory reagent and a corrosion inhibitor; in metal coatings for phosphatizing and detinning; and in the manufacture of rubber chemicals. It may also be used as an electrolyte in electrochemicl grinding manufacturing processes, typically diluted to about 10% concentration in water. Sodium nitrite also has been used in human and veterinary medicine as a vasodilator, a bronchodilator, and an antidote for cyanide poisoning.

Sodium nitrite is commonly added to bacon, ham, hot dogs, luncheon meats, smoked fish, and corned beef to stabilize the red color and add flavor. It gives the meat a pinkish colour. The preservative prevents growth of bacteria, but studies have linked eating it to various types of cancer.

ICONS of my past

During the 1970's through my teens in the 1980's and now in my thirty's in the 21st century I would like to share things that have been iconic with me be they toys, books, movies or people. They are based on stages of my life, unfortunately I do not remember anything before age 4 or 5 so this list is missing parts of my life from those early years. I shall not be talking about my family here as that will be in another post.

Age 6 to 10

- Kindergarden (Remember looking out and saw a long lorry climbing a hill outside the kindergarden)

- Kulai Estate in Kulai Johore ( I walk home with my sis on my first day of primary school, which incidentally was also the first time taking a school bus for my sis and I. We were not informed by the bus driver that it would be a different bus picking us up after school and we were frantically looking for the same bus that sent us in the morning. In the end we decide to walk home, both crying while walking.)

- Gua Kong (mum's side) tortoise soup while staying at 3storey shophouse (Something that was bitter and black and smelled funny with all the herbs. Me and my cousin Gary stole some to drink and found it to be yucky.)

Install screen and projector

First things first, we shall assume that it will be a fixed lens projector on a manual pull down screen. The screen should be your anchor, not the projector. Think of it this way, the screen is what you’ll actually be looking at, so it’s important to have it where you want it in the room and then worry about how to get the projector where it belongs. I know that there are other schools of thought on which comes first (the projector or the screen) but after having installed more than 250 front projection systems over the years, I have come to choose the screen first theory.

Second is to establish the proper height to mount the screen. Even though we’re installing the screen first, take a quick look over your shoulder at the area where you’ll mount the projector and look for any obstructions on or above the ceiling. If you see a heating and air vent, smoke detector, ceiling fan, fire sprinkler or anything else that might be in the path of the projector or mount, you’ll need to factor that in. i.e. if the true center of your room is offset by 2 feet to the right due to an obstruction, you’ll want to shift your screen over to the right by 2 feet. Also try not to mount lower than 3.5 feet as it is the average height of a person sitting down. You would not want it to be too low as it may not be that comfortable to view. The best general rule of thumb I can give is to more or less try to aim for the bottom three-fourths of the screen at eye level. Let your sore neck (hopefully lack of) be your guide.

Recommended Tools and Materials
Basic Hand Tools like hammer
Electric drill, cordless drill and screw driver
Long string and pencil
Carpenters water level
Screws or anchor bolts
'A' frame step ladder (minimum 1 unit but recommend 2 unit)

Mark the walk where you want to install the brackets and use the anchor bolt to lock them into position, once that’s finished you and your helper will place the screen into position and then secure the screen to the brackets. Determine the screen center line, centering a projector is critical for proper optical alignment.

I’ve seen several of methods for determining true center in relation to a fixed object but none of them seem as easy or ultimately accurate (no, using a tape measure isn’t accurate, that assumes your room is perfectly symmetrical, it’s not) as the one I use.

For this part you’ll need an assistant, a ladder, a long string and pencil mentioned previously. Pull off a long piece of the string and tie a knot at one end, have your assistant hold that knot in their hand and hold it up to one end of the screen frame where the screen canvas edge is. Now, pull off enough string to make it back far enough so that you’re into the projector manufacturers recommended throw distance for your particular screen size. (Note: the throw distance can either be found in the owner’s manual or online by searching for brand and model + throw distance).

Once you’re certain you’re back far enough into the recommended throw distance (preferably ¾ into it), tie the string around the pencil and pull the string tight. Once you’ve done so point the pencil toward the ceiling and make a light mark in a circular arc motion. Have your assistant move to the other side of the screen with the string and then make a second, complimentary mark from the other side. As long as all the variables were minimized, i.e. the assistant held the string at the same position on each side of the screen and you pulled the string tight, you’ll have a perfect center mark.

Again, I’m working on the assumption that your projector doesn’t have vertical or horizontal lens-shift, (if it does skip down to the next passage) we need to factor in the projectors vertical off-set, or in other less technical terms where the lens needs to sit in relation to the top of the screen. This is an important measurement (again often found in the owner’s manual) because if it’s off even just a little, it will cause the image to keystone and trust me that’s not something you want to happen.

If the top of your lens is 12” above the top of the screen and your specification calls for a flat or zero off-set, you’ll want to drop the mount/projector down roughly 12” (add or subtract to that number for the actual drop of the lens to the top of the projector case). Basically you just want to add or subtract any extension until you’re within the recommended vertical off-set.

luncheon meat

Info taken from Hong Kong Centre for Food Safety

Nitrofuran, Malachite Green and Canned Pork Products

In early December 2007, the Centre for Food Safety sampled a number of canned pork products to examine for veterinary drug residues. Out of 19 samples taken, two were found to contain trace amount of a nitrofuran metabolite and one was found to contain malachite green. Based on the levels detected, usual consumption of the affected products is unlikely to pose significant health risk. The distributors concerned had initiated recalls of the affected products.
Nitrofurans are a group of antimicrobial agents which can be used as veterinary drugs. The main concern of nitrofurans in food is that a type of nitrofurans may cause cancer in experimental animals.
Malachite green (MG) is a synthetic dye that can be used as antifungal agent to treat diseases in fish. Certain metabolites of MG may persist in tissues for a long period of time. As MG is able to cause cancer in experimental animals, food should not contain MG.
Food manufacturers and importers should source food ingredients from reliable sources and should ensure that the food complies with local regulations.

WHY GREEN BUILDINGS?

Taken from http://www.greenbuildingindex.org/what_why_green_buildings.htm

In today’s context where the preservation of our environment has become a global issue, it makes sense to build ‘green’. Significant efforts are being made in all sectors of the construction industry to create products and buildings that are environment-friendly; more and more industry players including architects, engineers and developers are recognizing the long-term benefits of this approach.
1.
Green buildings are designed to save energy and resources, recycle materials and minimise the emission of toxic substances throughout its life cycle
2.
Green buildings harmonise with the local climate, traditions, culture and the surrounding environment
3.
Green buildings are able to sustain and improve the quality of human life whilst maintaining the capacity of the ecosystem at local and global levels
4.
Green buildings make efficient use of resources, have significant operational savings and increases workplace productivity
5.
Building green sends the right message about a company or organization – that it is well run, responsible, and committed to the future

fate of specialist tradespeople

Just wondering about the coming fate of the unfortunate traditional camera repair technician. What shall become of him? Being able to service a technology that is on its death bed. All the new cameras are mostly digital and I am sure that by the next generation of humans, that all cameras shall be digital. Previously needing only some mechanical know-how to service a camera now requires a technician to be an electronics expert. It is also not easy to send for re-training as it takes many years to study and be good in electronics.

Hmmm... wonder what other people will be affected?

loud speaker impedance

A loudspeakers impedance is everything but consistent across its frequency range. That is why when you look at a loudspeaker's specifications it will say something like "NOMINAL" impedance 8 ohms. Nominal means, somewhere around, mean, about, average, could be, that's what we want and wish for you to believe, it is thought to be or just about anything. In fact a loudspeaker impedance may have very different impedance values at various frequencies. It means 8 ohms ain't. You should check out the impedance versus frequency response of the loudspeakers you are using to be sure.

Audio Visual install technician skills

Audio Visual Installation Technicians at both entry and higher levels basic requirements are KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND OTHER ABILITIES.

1) Ability to think & work independently and meet necessary deadlines.
2) Problem solving and trouble-shooting skills; creative thinking.
3) Effective professional-level interaction with employees, customers and colleagues.
4) PC proficient; also prefer existing familiarity with Audio Visual equipment, products, systems.
5) Must possess a valid Drivers License; have and maintain a safe driving record.

Academic Qualification:- Preferably a formal education in Electronics, AV Technology or Audio Engineering or a related field.

Familiar with Audio Visual or other Electro-Mechanical installation techniques.

Solid experience in Commercial Audio Visual installations will put you at the front of the preferred line. Experience in Projectors, screens, displays, wiring, cabling, computer controls, and rack-building all of the complete AV equipment package.

This is a professional position, for those who want to be in the professional level of the industry. Versatile with powered hand tools. You will need to supply some of your own tools, just like any competent craftsperson. Ability to use hand tools & test equipment; solder & crimp connections; pull cable; lift up to 75lbs, sometimes overhead; ability to work on different construction materials; working knowledge of certain materials' properties; climb ladders or mechanical lifts to 35 feet+; read schematics; know your away around a construction site.

Malaysia PLC

Bailout babies

The Malaysian government decided to help:-

1) purchase United Engineers Malaysia (UEM) for RM3.8 billion has left many confused about the intentions involved. Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamed said the move was in the public's interest, but UEM coincidentally happens to be a component of another GLC, namely Renong, which is also severely debt-ridden. The chief concern is that the government is purchasing UEM as a bailout.

2) Perwaja Terengganu

3) Perwaja Steel

4) Proton

5)Bank Bumiputra

ceiling loudspeaker install

Just some background on suspended ceiling speaker installation. Most ceiling speaker are installed with safety wires that are anchored to the concrete slab or steel c-channel. Safety wires are used so that if any accident occurs, such as a part of the suspended ceiling fails the ceiling speaker shall not be able to cause damage by falling onto someone or something. Ideally the whole weight of the ceiling speaker should be supported by custom or manufacturer equipped installation brackets that works in tandem with the framework of the suspended ceiling. Normally, for heavy ceiling speakers the manufacturer has accessories such as tile bridge or support rails which are used to install these speakers on suspended ceilings. If the manufacturer does not provide such items then they shall need to be custom-made or custom-ordered. The type of material used to manufacture the suspended ceiling tile should also be taken into consideration when doing installation as each material has different structural properties. This results in its ability to support a particular weight also changes with different types of ceiling tiles. Safety wires should not be installed as the main support of the ceiling speaker. The main ceiling speaker support should have a nominal safety ratio of 10:1. I stress again that safety wires are there in case of an accident only.

latest pro sound speaker technology

The information below was taken from HPV etchnologies LLC on their surface array system.

Sound Radiation

There are three types of ideal sound sources:
• Point Source - most common
• Line Source - recently common in professional sound reinforcement Applications
• Plane Source - new, unique technology on the market

Point Source.
A Point Source can be imagined as a small pulsating sphere that radiates sound all around. Imagine a ripple on water. Every closed woofer cabinet at low frequencies represents a Point Source. Point Source radiates circular conical sound waves.

Line Source
Line Source can be imagined as an infinitely long, small diameter pulsating cylinder that radiates sound. A practical example for the line source would be traffic noise radiated from the busy highway. A Line Source radiates cylindrical sound waves. The energy radiated from the Line Source is evenly distributed over the surface of an expanding cylinder. The surface area of the cylinder is directly proportional to the distance (radius) of the cylinder. If we double the distance, the surface of the cylinder will be twice the size. Since the sound intensity is directly proportional to the covered surface, converting Sound Intensity into SPL (in dB), SPL from an ideal Line Source radiator will fall at the rate of 3 dB per doubling of distance. If the Lines Source has limited size, it will behave as a Line Source in a limited frequency range and throw distance.

Plane Source
Plane Source can be imagined as infinitely large flat surface that radiates sound. Real life example for plane source would be traffic noise generated in the middle of the long tunnel that propagates towards the tunnel exits. As the sound waves propagate from the plane sound source, they do not expand but continue to pass through the same area as the source itself. Therefore, the energy density at any point in space is equal to the energy density at the sound source plane itself. The sound pressure level is constant everywhere in the vicinity of a plane sound source. SPL is independent of the distance from the plane assuming that there is no loss in acoustic energy due to environmental conditions.

Chipsmore Land Season 1

I was part of the team that was involved in the technical production of Chipsmore Adventure Land season 1 shot during May 2006. It was run on the concept of an event and not as a TV production. I was in charge of making all the games and props for this event from scratch. Our initial budget and also time frame for this event was cut in half. It took the best part of each day and half the night (normally work from 8 am till 10 pm and at times till 2am or 3am) for 10 whole days straight. We needed more time but the best thing was more props were requested by the director and you cannot imagine what selfish bastard made that decision. Imagine how tired we were and we were also to be the set-up, standby and take down crew. We shot immediately the next day on 3rd May 2006.

On hindsight I conclude that someone was screwing us and it was big and hard and painful. I will definitely remember forever the two guys involved in screwing us. One was a tall skinny yuppie faggot looking rich SOB who thinks the world owes him and the other an ass kissing old SOB who would sell his mother if the price was right.

Anyway there was supposed to be 6 episodes but we did only 5 as we supposedly lost the last one to someone else. It was run differently from what it is now. Then it was 2 teams of 3 kids per episode with each episode having 3 tasks which must be completed and the winner of each episode would go directly to the 6th and last episode to compete with the winners of other episodes. Imagine how many kids were involved. We had a group of "wet nurses" / nanny just to take care of these kids each time. Our episodes were shot at

1) Desa Water Park (episode 1 on day 1 and episode 2 & 3 on day 2)
2) Zoo Negara (episode 4 in a day after 2 or 3 day rest)
3) Genting Winter Wonderland (episode 5 in 1 day. I think we finished shooting on 9th or 10th May 06)

Police experience

I have a few idiotic experience which I would like to share. Once I had a car breakdown right in front of Ampang Park traffic lights. It was in the morning and I was hurrying to work. When my car broke down there was already a traffic policeman managing the traffic flow at the craoss junction. I waited by the side of the road for more than 30 minutes without anyone stopping to help me push the car around the corner onto Jalan Tun Razak to where it won't be blocking anyone. Anyway I can understand that everyone is rushing to work so I do not expect any help until a while later.

Anyway after the majority of the traffic rush has passed slightly after 9 am, the traffic cop that was managing the traffic came over. I thought that he was coming over to help me push my car to a safer location so I gave him a smile and a nod of thanks. What a surprise it was when he reached me and told me that I was obstructing traffic and that he would have to give me a traffic summons. I tried pleading to him and explained the situation but he was insistent on giving me a summons. I even explained that as a civil servant and also a traffic policeman it was his duty to help me instead of punishing me for something which I did not even intend of happening and also something which I had no control over. I mean do you think I wished for my car to break down? Anyway the best part of it was he ended up helping me to push my car to a safer location. I mean where is the logic in that? It would have been better if he would just help me and left in the first place, instead of giving me a summons and then help me.

Another time I met a stupid cop was when I was driving with my family. I had just turned down from the ramp from Jalan Kuchai Lama onto the Sungai Besi Highway when there was a police block in front of the road. When I reached the block I was directed to the side of the road and was told by a policeman that I was speeding. I asked him where they were shooting the speed radar from and was informed that it was somewhere along Jalan Sungai Besi before the Kuchai Lama exit ramp. It was apparently aimed at cars coming from KL. I immediately laughed and informed the stupid cop that I had just come from the ramp and that it would be physically impossible to have shot me with the radar gun and that he must have mistaken me for a different car. He said that was impossible and was still trying to get me to admit to my speeding offense. I then asked him to show me where the policeman that was operating the radar gun and it was then that he started to show signs of panic. I think that it was just a bluff on his part to see whether I will crack under pressure and probably offer him and his mates something extra for having him help me out of getting a traffic summons. Wow... I mean this is the first time I have seen policemen trying to fake an offence. Anyway this happened years ago and I have forgotten much of the details. I am sure that not all police are bad but I have had one too many bad experience with police blocks.

Weird bizarre foods

There are many things I have eaten along the way and some of them may seem weird and bizarre by western standards. Even some of the local civilised city folks may find some of this weird. Anyway the list is :

chicken feet
chicken nuts
duck feet
fish eyes
ant eggs
termite queen
bee larvae
wild meat (can't say much here as poaching and hunting of wild game laws are strict)
fish lips
crocodile eggs
fruit bats
squirrel
stinky tofu
fermented beancurd (tau joo) with its heavenly cheesy taste
fruit maggot (by accident... hahahaha)
cow lungs
chicken spare parts
bishop nose
turtle
frogs

Things I would like to try soon

Balud

Things I won't ever try

Dog / Cat / Monkey

gohandson pte ltd

Both my partner and I run this company called Gohfly Private Limited. This company is under the wings of the Home Ministry. My partner is the Managing Director while I am the General Manager. We are more or less in the service industry. Most of our limited monthly profits goes to our subsidiary companies namely Next Gen Pte Ltd and Prev Gen Pte Ltd. The Next Gen Pte Ltd is where our most headaches come from, mainly in sourcing for new products to do QC and R&D with. This company is at the moment draining most of our profits and we won't be able to see any income generated for Next Gen Pte Ltd until another 18 to 25 years. Next Gen Pte Ltd is currently in its 3rd year of operation with 1 staff. We are hoping to increase staff count to 3 in the near future and Gohfly Pte Ltd is currently concentrating on this issue with vigour with my partner and I meeting at least 2 times a week to discuss and act on this issue. Hopefully all will go well and according to our plan.

migration

I am currently applying to migrate to Australia. One of the requirements of the General Skilled Migration Visa is to show your educational background and English Language Proficiency by taking a compulsory English Language test in the form of either TOEFL or IELTS although, I am sure there is another one or two more test available but I can't remember what they are called. I am also told that the English 1119 paper that I took extra time and effort to pass with good marks is worth less than the paper that one uses to clean oneself from the stuff that organic fertilizers come from. I sincerely do not understand what that paper represents then. When I tried getting a straight answer from the British Council which is the local authority for the Cambridge English exams here I was not enlightened by their answer.

Another questioned posed was whether our first language is English. If one thinks in English and speaks English most of the time is it correct to say that English is our first language? I am not sure how to answer this cosmic and comic mystery.

kungfu masters

Malaysia is a nation of kungfu masters. Everyday and everywhere you look, you are likely to see them on the road travelling here and there on their motorcycles or motorbikes. Their most distinctive feature is the balding head with a glint of shine from putting on too much brylcream (old school). They are most famous for the iron head style of kungfu. They are trained to such a high degree that wearing a crash helmet is not necessary. At times you can see they have even trained their young disciples on the same kungfu style... some as young as 3 or 4 years old. It really amazes me each time I come into contact with such masters.

Big Daddy

Being a dad is just full of fun and heartache. My son likes to blow candles out especially from birthday cakes. He shares in blowing other peoples birthday cakes as well. My wife and sister even bought mini cakes to celebrate a mock birthday so he can blow candles out. Once the candle is out you would see a huge smile on his face. Such is the simplicity of life for a 3 yr old. Anyway I do hope that he does not get mesmerized by the fire of the candle and start playing with fire.

back again

Back in the office again after spending a couple of days doing defects inspection. I seriously have no idea why contractors have a seriously thick head. They think they can get away with anything. Even wasting my time, which is a no no in the consulting industry. They are lucky I am a soft hearted SOB otherwise I would just get into my car and drive away each time they are late for a meeting.

Expensive yau char koay

I went to the Kajang town wet market over the weekend after eons of avoiding it for the sole reason that it is very hard to find parking there. Anyway mum had to get some fresh fish for dad and the usual fishmonger that we go to at Kajang Perdana near our home was not open for business. Anyway after getting all the fish that looks like it will last a month, I was feeling like getting a snack. Near the entrance that we use to get into the market there was a stall selling these traditional fried dough snacks. I bought about 10 pieces and when it came to paying I was shocked to find out that it was more costly than getting it from a similar roadside stall in KL. I could not imagine that in Kajang these things cost RM0.70 while in KL most places only sell it at RM0.60. Worst thing was the stall owners were two rather elderly folks. This seriously undermines and smash to smithereens my belief that the older generation is more honest and that they believed in an honest wage for an honest day's work. *SIGH* What is this world coming to.

Of cars buses, lorries and kapchai

Getting a bum deal is what car drivers get nowadays. We get &**#$$ from the bottom spectrum such as motorbike and cyclist as well as the top such as lorries and buses. Not sure what we do to get this aggravation in life. It would seem that we owe the the road or something like that. I can understand the need for big vehicles to hog the road but motorbikes and cyclists???????? What the heck? Do these people(bikes and cyclist alike) realize we pay more road tax than them????