First let us understand the meaning of "Phishing" or "Phish".
Phishing means stealing passwords and personal information on the Internet.
"To Phish" is to set up a phony URL (Web Site) or to imitate or to impersonate one original site which people sign in to by giving their passwords or credit card details.
Phishing emails are fake emails, presumably from your friends, indicating a financial problem and requires help or giving you instructions as to how to pass the money (or send the money) over.
To give you one possible example, let's say your computer and/or your friends' computers are infected with "malware". They have "fish" out your "contact list" or address book and even know some of the email passwords. Now what the scammer will do is first to "create" one NEW email account, very similar or close to your best friends (whom they think are most likely have financial trouble). Don't forget this scammer can read and monitor all your networking emails.
What the scammer has done is setting up an email account, very similar to one of your friends, say, your friend's email address is "geokcheng396", the scammer will create one as "geokcheing396" and with the same service provider. If not careful, when you respond, you will fall into his trap, as like all of us, we usually click "REPLY" to reply the email of our friends without even checking who we are talking to.
How to reduce the risk of getting into trouble when using the Internet to network?
1) When you receive a Phishing Email involving one of your friends, pick up your phone and contact her. Is it true you sent out this email.
2) For sensitive emails relating to confidential information or financial matters, do check who you are "replying" or talking to. Do not just click the "Reply" button. Also, do check carefully the email address. It may not be your friend's.
3) When transmitting money, don't just believe what is said in the email instructions - even though they may be from the right person. Pick up the phone to "re-confirm" the instructions given.
4) Evaluate the minimum risk involved in transmitting money through the bank. You have the bank TT and the Bank Draft. Doing it yourself through your own computer, online, may not be the best option available.
5) For you and/or your friends, try not to use those free and public email accounts to discuss and give instructions on confidential and financial matters. Use PacNet, SingNet, StarHub and the like for better traceability in event of a problem.
Thursday, November 24, 2011
Wednesday, November 16, 2011
Photography Field Trip - Chinatown
Houses built around the 40's are normally walk-up units
(Click picture to view movie)
(Click picture to view movie)
Some Photo Tips:
· Try to take candid pictures without Flash.
· Try not to take pictures with the camera facing the sun. You will not get good pictures. But if you have to, in particular taking a portrait, then turn on the flash for the face.
· Place your main subject with the one-third rule.
· For those having trouble holding the camera steady or if you want a sharper image, try setting the digital camera program to “Sport” mode.
· Set the image quality to high. That is, the image should have an image size of near to or more than 1MB (resolution). As a guide, if you want to reproduce any picture to paper print (post card size), it should at least have an image size of 300K bytes.
· Pictures tell a thousand words. So, how do the professionals do it? View their works and learn from them. Pictures form a very important part in communicating with us. Every one of us sees and interprets a picture differently. A picture/photo is like the music and the art. It has depth, space and evokes our feelings besides bringing the facts in front of our eyes.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Making a few colour prints from your digital camera
Nowadays, making a 3R (89x127) mm or 4R (102x152) mm colour paper prints can be done instantly and automatically by most computer printers in Photo Shops. For larger sizes, e.g. 5R and above, because is not in demand, is normally done manually by photo shop’s assistant.
Irrespective of the number of prints required, photo shops in HDB highlands or shopping complex only charges $0.50 per copy for 3R/4R instantly printed photos. No other ancillary charges are involved. However, some shops do require a minimum of 4 copies for the $0.50 rate. If less than 4 copies, a higher rate at $0.70 per copy may be applicable. Likewise, for more prints, a better rate (<$0.50 per print) can be negotiated.
But if you go to any photo shops in tourist areas, e.g. Orchard Road, these shops may set additional conditions to charge you more. For example, they may charge you additional $3.00 for less than 30 copies printed (they called this the “Base Price”) or $0.60 a copy if you request for “instant” service. Anyway, any picture on 3R/4R is printed automatically and instantly by the computer printer, provided by the photo paper supplier. So what is the justification to charge 10 cents more if you request it to be done instantly.So, it is still best to get your service done in HDB highlands or shopping complex and avoid those photo shops in tourist areas.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Sharing Files Between Computers
You have more than one computer in the house. To share files between computers, you need to connect all the computers to the same (Wi-Fi) network and configure your computers as follows:
1) Give a WorkGroup name. Default is WorkGroup.
2) To change WorkGroup name, via, control panel - system - change settings.
3) Under system properties (computer name) - click change - change WorkGroup name to preferred name, then click OK and restart computer.
4) Click computer - right click mouse on "Disk" to allow sharing and select Properties.
5) Click sharing - advanced sharing and check box on "Shared this folder". Provide a share name, e.g. E-Fred.
6) Reduce limit the number of simultaneous users to "1", then click apply - OK - and close.
7) Repeat the above procedures to your other computer(s).
8) Ensure password protected sharing is turned ON.
9) Note: You can only access to your other computers, if and only if, you also do have an user account with password control to all your other computers.
10) To use the sharing features, it is recommended that you partition your program and data files in different disk partitions. This is easily done during the initial installation of the Windows operating system.
1) Give a WorkGroup name. Default is WorkGroup.
2) To change WorkGroup name, via, control panel - system - change settings.
3) Under system properties (computer name) - click change - change WorkGroup name to preferred name, then click OK and restart computer.
4) Click computer - right click mouse on "Disk" to allow sharing and select Properties.
5) Click sharing - advanced sharing and check box on "Shared this folder". Provide a share name, e.g. E-Fred.
6) Reduce limit the number of simultaneous users to "1", then click apply - OK - and close.
7) Repeat the above procedures to your other computer(s).
8) Ensure password protected sharing is turned ON.
9) Note: You can only access to your other computers, if and only if, you also do have an user account with password control to all your other computers.
10) To use the sharing features, it is recommended that you partition your program and data files in different disk partitions. This is easily done during the initial installation of the Windows operating system.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Configuring Windows 7 System to Write Chinese
) First go to control panel, Region and Language Option.
2) Click Keyboard and Language and Change Keyboard.
3) Then click Add
6) and select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Further select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin – Version 6″
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Microsoft Words)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
2) Click Keyboard and Language and Change Keyboard.
3) Then click Add
6) and select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Further select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin – Version 6″
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Microsoft Words)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
Sunday, April 10, 2011
The Banana Test
Ready to check your skill on this simple test ...click link below and scroll down slowly ...
http://ho-emily.com/pages/banana.html
enjoy ...
http://ho-emily.com/pages/banana.html
enjoy ...
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Making a Movie using Windows Movie Maker (WMM)
WMM comes together with your Windows Operating System. You went for a vacation, took many pictures. Now how do you show your friends and love ones your experience and observations. The most practical way is to make a "movie" out of it and later can even burn to CD and distribute to your love ones.
The way to go about making a movie using WMM ...
1) Select all the images required for the movie.
2) Select a background music or song for the movie, in "wma" format.
3) Put all of the above in one new file folder.
4) Sequence all your images accordingly.
5) Open the windows movie maker (WMM) program.
6) Save as a new project via: File - save project as -
7) Import all the prepared images and song file to the WMM.
8) Drag and place the song file to the "audio/music" timeline.
9) Highlight all the image files and drag the "lot" onto the "video" timeline.
10) Save your project file frequently.
11) Check whether the total images timeline is shorter or longer than the song file.
12) If the images < song, you can either add more images or "extend the time for some of the images.
13) If the images > song, you can either add another song or remove some images.
14) After the images=song timeline, do a check with playback.
15) What you have done so far is only the "basic" movie.
16) It will be more interesting if you continue to fine tune the movie with the following:
a) Effects - fade in/out, ease in/out, etc.
b) Transitions - how the images present itself.
c) Titles and credits.
17) After everything is in order, go to "publish" the song in "wmv" format.
18) One movie with about 2+ minutes duration requires about 9MB of memory.
View Sample No:1 - Butchart & Japanese Gardens
View Sample No:2 - Flowers
The way to go about making a movie using WMM ...
1) Select all the images required for the movie.
2) Select a background music or song for the movie, in "wma" format.
3) Put all of the above in one new file folder.
4) Sequence all your images accordingly.
5) Open the windows movie maker (WMM) program.
6) Save as a new project via: File - save project as -
7) Import all the prepared images and song file to the WMM.
8) Drag and place the song file to the "audio/music" timeline.
9) Highlight all the image files and drag the "lot" onto the "video" timeline.
10) Save your project file frequently.
11) Check whether the total images timeline is shorter or longer than the song file.
12) If the images < song, you can either add more images or "extend the time for some of the images.
13) If the images > song, you can either add another song or remove some images.
14) After the images=song timeline, do a check with playback.
15) What you have done so far is only the "basic" movie.
16) It will be more interesting if you continue to fine tune the movie with the following:
a) Effects - fade in/out, ease in/out, etc.
b) Transitions - how the images present itself.
c) Titles and credits.
17) After everything is in order, go to "publish" the song in "wmv" format.
18) One movie with about 2+ minutes duration requires about 9MB of memory.
View Sample No:1 - Butchart & Japanese Gardens
View Sample No:2 - Flowers
How to make a Karaoke Song using Windows Movie Maker
In one of my earlier posts, I described how to make a karaoke song using Microsoft PowerPoint.
You can also use Windows Movie Maker (which comes together with the Windows Operating System software). Here is how you go about it ...
1) Prepare one or sufficient quantity of images to fill up the complete song.
2) Embed song lyrics to each image by using PowerPoint program.
3) Find one song file in "wav" format.
4) Put all these raw files in one new file folder.
5) Open the windows movie maker (WMM) program.
6) Save as a new project via: File - save project as -
7) Import all the prepared images and song file to the WMM.
8) Drag and place the song file to the "audio/music" timeline.
9) If you have a title slide, put this one first onto the "video" timeline.
10) Check the time required before the song "starts".
11)Drag and place the first song slide after the "title" slide.
12) Check the time required for all the words sung and adjust the timeline accordingly.
13) Repeat process with the second and the third song slides and so on until the complete song is sung.
14) Check completed song on timing and fine tune when necessary.
15) After everything is in order, go to "publish" the song in "avi" format.
16) One song with about 3+ minutes duration requires about 1GB of memory.
View sample: click link Whispering Hope
You can also use Windows Movie Maker (which comes together with the Windows Operating System software). Here is how you go about it ...
1) Prepare one or sufficient quantity of images to fill up the complete song.
2) Embed song lyrics to each image by using PowerPoint program.
3) Find one song file in "wav" format.
4) Put all these raw files in one new file folder.
5) Open the windows movie maker (WMM) program.
6) Save as a new project via: File - save project as -
7) Import all the prepared images and song file to the WMM.
8) Drag and place the song file to the "audio/music" timeline.
9) If you have a title slide, put this one first onto the "video" timeline.
10) Check the time required before the song "starts".
11)Drag and place the first song slide after the "title" slide.
12) Check the time required for all the words sung and adjust the timeline accordingly.
13) Repeat process with the second and the third song slides and so on until the complete song is sung.
14) Check completed song on timing and fine tune when necessary.
15) After everything is in order, go to "publish" the song in "avi" format.
16) One song with about 3+ minutes duration requires about 1GB of memory.
View sample: click link Whispering Hope
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Beware of Fake Anti-Virus Softwares
Beware of Fake Anti-virus (AV) software either given free or download with a fee. These fake AV normally frighten visitors with pop-up messages warning that the free scans have found dangerous malicious software on your machine.
Such transactions can also leave credit card information in the hands of cyber crooks. Surprisingly, many users fall victim to these attacks and pay to register the Fake AV.
To add insult to injury, Fake AVs often are bundled with other malware, whcih remains on a victim’s computer regardless of whether a payment is made. Source – AFP/il.
Such transactions can also leave credit card information in the hands of cyber crooks. Surprisingly, many users fall victim to these attacks and pay to register the Fake AV.
To add insult to injury, Fake AVs often are bundled with other malware, whcih remains on a victim’s computer regardless of whether a payment is made. Source – AFP/il.
Using Excel - Sorting
If you are working on an Excel sheet and you have a column with many categories (i.e. every row has a different category or type or value). You can add a “sorting” or filtering to the column. Ensure the row directly on top of the first category entry is the Title of the column. Next place the cursor on the title of the column you wish to have this filtering feature. Go to Data on the menu bar and click “Filter”. That’s it. If you wish to remove this feature, just place the cursor on the title of the column and press the “Filter” one more time. By the way, I am using Excel 2007 to explain this. The following exercise is good for the teachers. You are entering the marks of every student and their performance in every subject. You can, by sorting, find out which student is all-rounder the strong/weak or some students are good in a few subjects and particularily weak in certain subjects.
For those using XP operating system and Excel 2003, the only step different is from “Go to Data” – click “Filter” then one more step – click “Autofilter”. Happy computing!
For those using XP operating system and Excel 2003, the only step different is from “Go to Data” – click “Filter” then one more step – click “Autofilter”. Happy computing!
Home Networking
You have more than one computer at home and would like to share the files between or among them. This is how you can go about it. Here, I am describing it using Vista and Windows 7 O.S. For the two or more computers, configure each one as follows:
1)First set a common Network Name. Go to Control Panel – System – change settings – then change the “Workgroup” to any other unique name, e.g. “joy123″.
2) Next, in each computer, click the bottom left hand corner Windows icon – Computer -then right click the drive or drives you allow to share the files. Click Properties – Sharing – then click “Advanced Sharing”.
3) Check “Share this folder”.
4) Next Set the Share name. Normally, the Drive letter will come out. You can add a few more letters to the Drive letter, e.g. ”c-120gb”
5) Limit the number of simultaneous users to 1.
6) Click Apply then OK.
7) Repeat Steps 2 to 6 if you have another Drive in the same computer for sharing.
Repeat Steps 1 to 7 if you have another computer to configure.
Now after the above is done, you have to log on to each computer to allow networking to work.
1) Click the bottom left hand corner Windows icon – All programs – Accessories – Windows Explorer.
2) Then click Network and choose the computer & Drive you would like to share with your computer you are now working on.
3) When you click the Drive of another computer, a User name and password will pop up.
4) Key in the Computer User Name (without the -PC) and password.
5) Then you can access all the files in this computer.
6) You can repeat the above for another computer.
7) That’s all folks.
Happy Networking !
1)First set a common Network Name. Go to Control Panel – System – change settings – then change the “Workgroup” to any other unique name, e.g. “joy123″.
2) Next, in each computer, click the bottom left hand corner Windows icon – Computer -then right click the drive or drives you allow to share the files. Click Properties – Sharing – then click “Advanced Sharing”.
3) Check “Share this folder”.
4) Next Set the Share name. Normally, the Drive letter will come out. You can add a few more letters to the Drive letter, e.g. ”c-120gb”
5) Limit the number of simultaneous users to 1.
6) Click Apply then OK.
7) Repeat Steps 2 to 6 if you have another Drive in the same computer for sharing.
Repeat Steps 1 to 7 if you have another computer to configure.
Now after the above is done, you have to log on to each computer to allow networking to work.
1) Click the bottom left hand corner Windows icon – All programs – Accessories – Windows Explorer.
2) Then click Network and choose the computer & Drive you would like to share with your computer you are now working on.
3) When you click the Drive of another computer, a User name and password will pop up.
4) Key in the Computer User Name (without the -PC) and password.
5) Then you can access all the files in this computer.
6) You can repeat the above for another computer.
7) That’s all folks.
Happy Networking !
Laughing is Healthy
IF YOU CAN’T LAUGH
YOU CAN’T LIVE
Laughing is healthy.
You need to laugh.
Humor is healty.
Do you think enough about this aspect of your health?
If all your anxieties give you wrinkles in your heart, you will soon have wrinkles on your face.
Laughing frees you.
Humor relaxes you.
A laugh can free you from needless intensity.
A laugh is the best cosmetic for your outside and the best medicine for your insides.
If your laugh-muscles work regularly your digestions will improve, your appetite will be stimulated and your blood pressure will stay down.
Humor gives you a sense of proportion.
Laughter and fun don’t only influence your metabolism, but also your surroundings.
They lessen the tensions and the tears.
Laughter and fun free you from that deadly earnestness about leaden problems, free you from that miserable daily drag.
Laughter and fun are the best remedies for the drugging of your heart and mind.
Laughter and fun open out new spaces for the still known joys of life.
A day when you don’t laugh, is a lost day.
YOU CAN’T LIVE
Laughing is healthy.
You need to laugh.
Humor is healty.
Do you think enough about this aspect of your health?
If all your anxieties give you wrinkles in your heart, you will soon have wrinkles on your face.
Laughing frees you.
Humor relaxes you.
A laugh can free you from needless intensity.
A laugh is the best cosmetic for your outside and the best medicine for your insides.
If your laugh-muscles work regularly your digestions will improve, your appetite will be stimulated and your blood pressure will stay down.
Humor gives you a sense of proportion.
Laughter and fun don’t only influence your metabolism, but also your surroundings.
They lessen the tensions and the tears.
Laughter and fun free you from that deadly earnestness about leaden problems, free you from that miserable daily drag.
Laughter and fun are the best remedies for the drugging of your heart and mind.
Laughter and fun open out new spaces for the still known joys of life.
A day when you don’t laugh, is a lost day.
Speakers Have No Sound
Under Vista OS, sometimes the speakers suddenly have no sound.
One possibility is ….. follow the steps to verify:
1) Open the windows media player
2) Click “Now Playing” and click “devices”
3) Select “speakers” and click “Properties”
4) Click “advance”
5) Ensure the check (tick) is on “Speakers” and not on the “Digital output”
6) Click “OK” this normally will solve the problem
One possibility is ….. follow the steps to verify:
1) Open the windows media player
2) Click “Now Playing” and click “devices”
3) Select “speakers” and click “Properties”
4) Click “advance”
5) Ensure the check (tick) is on “Speakers” and not on the “Digital output”
6) Click “OK” this normally will solve the problem
Burning a DVD Using Vista OS
The latest Mircrosoft Operating System (OS), Vista, comes with many features and sub-programs. One is the Movie Making – a program which you can collate all your tour pictures and present it as a Slide Show – just like using Mircosoft PowerPoint in Microsoft Office. The other useful feature I found out is burning data or pictures onto a blank DVD -R disc. Here is how you go about it:
1) First, organize all your data or pictures into a “Folder”, preferably in My Document Folder.
2) Next, ensure you have a DVD Re-writerable CD-Rom.
3) Put a blank DVD -R disc into the CD-Rom drive.
4) After a short while, a menu will pop up, called AutoPlay.
5) Select “Burn files to Disc – using Windows”
6) Next, “Burn a Disc” menu will come out – change Disc Title as required and click Next.
7) Computer will then automatically “format” the blank disc and when completed will bring you directly to the File Directory.
8) Go to the Folder where you have stored the data or pictures and click on the Folder.
9) All the files in this Folder will be transferred to the Right Hand Side of the page.
10) If what you wanted to burn (all the data and pictures) is all included, you then can click the word “burn” on the top of the menu bar.
11) Once completed, you can eject the Disc and re-insert into the CD-Rom drive to check that the Disc is burnt correctly.
1) First, organize all your data or pictures into a “Folder”, preferably in My Document Folder.
2) Next, ensure you have a DVD Re-writerable CD-Rom.
3) Put a blank DVD -R disc into the CD-Rom drive.
4) After a short while, a menu will pop up, called AutoPlay.
5) Select “Burn files to Disc – using Windows”
6) Next, “Burn a Disc” menu will come out – change Disc Title as required and click Next.
7) Computer will then automatically “format” the blank disc and when completed will bring you directly to the File Directory.
8) Go to the Folder where you have stored the data or pictures and click on the Folder.
9) All the files in this Folder will be transferred to the Right Hand Side of the page.
10) If what you wanted to burn (all the data and pictures) is all included, you then can click the word “burn” on the top of the menu bar.
11) Once completed, you can eject the Disc and re-insert into the CD-Rom drive to check that the Disc is burnt correctly.
How to Burn a DVD Movie Disc
You bought a camcoder, took some movies in an event. Now you want to burn your movies into playable DVDs on standard DVD players. Here is one of the ways to achieve it.
Download your video movies from your camcoder
1) Make a new folder in My Videos in My Document Folder, say call it “Birthday Party”.
2) Put your camcoder disc in CD-Rom drive and copy and paste it into the Folder you have just created in My Videos (in My Document). [If your camcoder storage media is not on CD but on tape, then you have to connect your camcoder (with a suitable interface cable) between the camcoder and the computer to allow proper transfer of the movie files from your camcoder to the computer.]
Burning a Movie copy onto a blank DVD-R disc
1) First you need to have a DVD writer installed in your computer together with a proper “burning” software program – normally a free copy is given together with your purchase of your DVD writer [a Nero program].
2) Put a blank DVD-R disc in the CD-Rom drive.
3) Open “Nero” program by double clicking the Nero icon.
4) From “CD/DVD” option, change to “DVD” option.
5) Select “Photo and Video” and “Make your own DVD-Video”.
6) Close the “Tips” page (if any).
7) Select “Add video Files”
8] Go back to “My Document” and “My Videos” and select the video file or files you have earlier put in the new Folder (called Birthday Party).
9) Open up until you can see all the video files. They look like the following (in some models of camcoders):
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VIDEO_01_1.VOB
VIDEO_01_2.VOB … and so on.
10) Make sure you have selected ALL the video files by left clicking the mouse on the first file and then press shift + left clicking mouse on the last file [in this way, you have selected or highlighted in blue ALL the files], then click OPEN.
11) When asked under “Nero Vision Essentials, answer Yes.
12) The computer will so some conversion [writing] for a few minutes – depending on size of files in the movies.
13) When finish, click Next.
14) When “Tips” menu appears, close it and click Next.
15) Another “Tips” menu appears, closed it and click Next.
16) Nero Vision Essentials page comes out, click Yes and close “Tips” menu.
17) You can click (select) “Volumn Name” and change to any name you wanted, say you name it “Birthday Party” [note no spacing].
18) Now, you are ready to burn disc by clicking “Burn”
19) After sucessful burning, you can test the DVD-R disc on a standard DVD player. It should work with sound and pictures.
Happy recording !
Download your video movies from your camcoder
1) Make a new folder in My Videos in My Document Folder, say call it “Birthday Party”.
2) Put your camcoder disc in CD-Rom drive and copy and paste it into the Folder you have just created in My Videos (in My Document). [If your camcoder storage media is not on CD but on tape, then you have to connect your camcoder (with a suitable interface cable) between the camcoder and the computer to allow proper transfer of the movie files from your camcoder to the computer.]
Burning a Movie copy onto a blank DVD-R disc
1) First you need to have a DVD writer installed in your computer together with a proper “burning” software program – normally a free copy is given together with your purchase of your DVD writer [a Nero program].
2) Put a blank DVD-R disc in the CD-Rom drive.
3) Open “Nero” program by double clicking the Nero icon.
4) From “CD/DVD” option, change to “DVD” option.
5) Select “Photo and Video” and “Make your own DVD-Video”.
6) Close the “Tips” page (if any).
7) Select “Add video Files”
8] Go back to “My Document” and “My Videos” and select the video file or files you have earlier put in the new Folder (called Birthday Party).
9) Open up until you can see all the video files. They look like the following (in some models of camcoders):
VIDEO_TS.VOB
VIDEO_01_1.VOB
VIDEO_01_2.VOB … and so on.
10) Make sure you have selected ALL the video files by left clicking the mouse on the first file and then press shift + left clicking mouse on the last file [in this way, you have selected or highlighted in blue ALL the files], then click OPEN.
11) When asked under “Nero Vision Essentials, answer Yes.
12) The computer will so some conversion [writing] for a few minutes – depending on size of files in the movies.
13) When finish, click Next.
14) When “Tips” menu appears, close it and click Next.
15) Another “Tips” menu appears, closed it and click Next.
16) Nero Vision Essentials page comes out, click Yes and close “Tips” menu.
17) You can click (select) “Volumn Name” and change to any name you wanted, say you name it “Birthday Party” [note no spacing].
18) Now, you are ready to burn disc by clicking “Burn”
19) After sucessful burning, you can test the DVD-R disc on a standard DVD player. It should work with sound and pictures.
Happy recording !
Surfing the Internet (Offer of Free Services)
Internet surfing is like travelling around the world – you go from country to country, town to town, shop to shop, places of interest, etc. The only difference is; you are not there in person.
Nothing is free – as the saying goes. So, while you are surfing the Internet, something just “pop-up” and offer you a “non-solicited” offer of a “free-scan” – will you accept it? After all, it is just another computer scan done by another service provider.
You may be in for a surprise! Once you allow the outsider (this service provider) to take control of your computer system, they can say what they want to say to you – like “your computer is infected with da-da-da-da number of viruses, to remove them, it will cost you $xx”. You don’t believe your computer is that bad, so you ignor the comment. Next day, you turn on your computer again, it behaves differently, worst off then before (you accepted the “free service”). You try to find the last thing you have done and to delete it – you couldn’t find or delete it.
Sometimes getting a proper anti-virus program may help to remove the problem. Sometimes you are not that lucky, you may have to get someone to re-install all the programs in your computer again. One of my friends actually got caught this way.
Nothing is free – as the saying goes. So, while you are surfing the Internet, something just “pop-up” and offer you a “non-solicited” offer of a “free-scan” – will you accept it? After all, it is just another computer scan done by another service provider.
You may be in for a surprise! Once you allow the outsider (this service provider) to take control of your computer system, they can say what they want to say to you – like “your computer is infected with da-da-da-da number of viruses, to remove them, it will cost you $xx”. You don’t believe your computer is that bad, so you ignor the comment. Next day, you turn on your computer again, it behaves differently, worst off then before (you accepted the “free service”). You try to find the last thing you have done and to delete it – you couldn’t find or delete it.
Sometimes getting a proper anti-virus program may help to remove the problem. Sometimes you are not that lucky, you may have to get someone to re-install all the programs in your computer again. One of my friends actually got caught this way.
Using Microsoft PowerPoint to Make a Karaoke Song
You can make an english or chinese karaoke song by using the PowerPoint (PP) Program. First you need some images, the song lyrics, the song file (in wav format) in addition to the PP program.
Follow the steps below:
- Create a folder in your hard disk directory.
- Put all your pictures (images) and the song file in this folder.
- Open up the PP program.
- Select “blank” presentation; save file with a suitable file name.
- Create as many blank slides as required.
- Choose color of background for all slides.
- Use first slide to write the title of song.
- Insert picture to each slide and type the lyrics.
- Insert song in the 1st slide.
- Put a “tick” on “Automatic after” only and enter transition time required.
- Check and fine-tune the timing of lyrics to song timing.
- Put an “End” slide to show end of song.
- Playback song to confirm timing of lyrics to song is OK.
View Sample: click link and view Funny
Follow the steps below:
- Create a folder in your hard disk directory.
- Put all your pictures (images) and the song file in this folder.
- Open up the PP program.
- Select “blank” presentation; save file with a suitable file name.
- Create as many blank slides as required.
- Choose color of background for all slides.
- Use first slide to write the title of song.
- Insert picture to each slide and type the lyrics.
- Insert song in the 1st slide.
- Put a “tick” on “Automatic after” only and enter transition time required.
- Check and fine-tune the timing of lyrics to song timing.
- Put an “End” slide to show end of song.
- Playback song to confirm timing of lyrics to song is OK.
View Sample: click link and view Funny
Understanding Images
Pictures taken from digital camera are in the format of digital images. Every image has the following details:
Image size in kB (kilobytes) or MB (megabytes). kilo=1,000 and mega=1,000,000. 1 byte= 1 unit of information.
Image size can also be described in pixels, e.g.
3008 x 2000 pixels
800 x 532 pixels
600 x 399 pixels
OR
Re-size to any physical dimensions (Width & Height) in inches
Next is the image resolution – pixels/in.
(normally is between 72 and 300).
Sending & receiving images as attachments to emails:
You have to “re-size” all digital images to suitable “pixel” size before sending out as attachments in email. If not, the recipient of your email may not be able to view, conveniently, the full picture you have sent.
If you are the recipient of such a large image file and can only view a portion of the picture, you can overcome it by selecting “view” picture instead of “downloading” and open the picture. Also, at the bottom right hand corner of the picture, there is a value of “100%”. Try reducing this value to say 30% or 25% – now I think you can view the full picture completely.
Image size in kB (kilobytes) or MB (megabytes). kilo=1,000 and mega=1,000,000. 1 byte= 1 unit of information.
Image size can also be described in pixels, e.g.
3008 x 2000 pixels
800 x 532 pixels
600 x 399 pixels
OR
Re-size to any physical dimensions (Width & Height) in inches
Next is the image resolution – pixels/in.
(normally is between 72 and 300).
Sending & receiving images as attachments to emails:
You have to “re-size” all digital images to suitable “pixel” size before sending out as attachments in email. If not, the recipient of your email may not be able to view, conveniently, the full picture you have sent.
If you are the recipient of such a large image file and can only view a portion of the picture, you can overcome it by selecting “view” picture instead of “downloading” and open the picture. Also, at the bottom right hand corner of the picture, there is a value of “100%”. Try reducing this value to say 30% or 25% – now I think you can view the full picture completely.
Making Movies (or Slide Shows)
Playing a movie in the computer is different from making a movie in the computer. Playing your own movie in the computer is simple, just make sure you have the right movie player installed.
Making a movie requires a movie making program. The latest Microsoft Vista (Home Premium Edition) Operating System has included a Windows Movie Maker Program. It is a good start using this program to learn how to make movies. See example in this blog.
Movie making is grouping a set of pictures to form a movie or slide presentation show with background music. To make the movie more interesting, effects and transistions can be added onto each picture. This is one major difference between movie slide and PowerPoint presentations. The movie made can further be burnt into DVD – playable in standard DVD players or in the computer.
The movie made can also be published in the web or upload to youtube.
Some common movie players include:
1) Windows Media Player
2) QuickTime Player
3) RealPlayer
4) DivX Player
Others like iTune, etc.
Making a movie requires a movie making program. The latest Microsoft Vista (Home Premium Edition) Operating System has included a Windows Movie Maker Program. It is a good start using this program to learn how to make movies. See example in this blog.
Movie making is grouping a set of pictures to form a movie or slide presentation show with background music. To make the movie more interesting, effects and transistions can be added onto each picture. This is one major difference between movie slide and PowerPoint presentations. The movie made can further be burnt into DVD – playable in standard DVD players or in the computer.
The movie made can also be published in the web or upload to youtube.
Some common movie players include:
1) Windows Media Player
2) QuickTime Player
3) RealPlayer
4) DivX Player
Others like iTune, etc.
Digitized Signature
How do you send by email, a letter or a document with signature on it?
The normal way is to type the letter or document on Words, print out the letter or document and sign on it. Then use a scanner to digitize it into an Adobe document or just a jpg file, before attaching it to an email. Or you can simply fax it over, provided both parties have fax machines.
Alternatively, you can get an external writing tablet to input the signature into your computer. With the help of a simple image editing program, you can make a (properly sized) digitized signature. Under Words program, use insert to place the signature to the proper place within the letter or document.
The normal way is to type the letter or document on Words, print out the letter or document and sign on it. Then use a scanner to digitize it into an Adobe document or just a jpg file, before attaching it to an email. Or you can simply fax it over, provided both parties have fax machines.
Alternatively, you can get an external writing tablet to input the signature into your computer. With the help of a simple image editing program, you can make a (properly sized) digitized signature. Under Words program, use insert to place the signature to the proper place within the letter or document.
Online Transactions
Online transaction is transaction through the Internet. Examples include buying an airline ticket, paying your monthly household bills, buying and selling online, etc.
For buying and selling (goods and services) online, there are two types of transactions -
(1) buying/selling through a service provider (e.g. eBay, Yahoo, etc) and (2) buying/selling through the Internet, with the seller (a Company) having its own dedicated web site.
In buying or selling, it can be through a fixed price or through an auction bidding (with a closing date). If you are the seller, you need to provide details of your offer. This may includes starting price (if by auction) or fixed price and state all other fees applicable (e.g. posting and packing fees, etc). As a buyer, you need to satisfy yourself all costs applicable and to ensure that you will get your good/service after the money is handed over to the seller.
If you are new to this way of online buying or selling, I would suggest you start with the simplest way (sell/buy locally) - and that is for the buyer to meet up with the seller. The buyer examine the goods and if satisfied, pay directly cash to the seller. This we termed it “Cash on Delivery” (C.O.D.).
If you are doing some other forms of online transactions which requires you to enter sensitive information (like your visa card details) – please consider the following:
a) The computer you are using to perform the transactions – is it free of viruses and spywares, phishing, etc.?
b) Are you sure you are transacting with the genuine or right Company – have you typed the correct URL (web address) of the Company.
c) Have you accidentally gone to an imitation or fake site? (a web site that pretend to be the real one and with the aim of “stealing” your sensitive information - we called this phishing).
d) In Internet transactions, be careful also of fake emails that pretends to be from someone you know or someone you can trust and asking for your confidential information. Never trust any email that give you or inform you something that is too good to be true. Are you that lucky to have won something and have to be told just by an email?
e) Are you transacting on a secured web site provided by the Company? All reputable Company will provide a secured web site for you to transact with.
For buying and selling (goods and services) online, there are two types of transactions -
(1) buying/selling through a service provider (e.g. eBay, Yahoo, etc) and (2) buying/selling through the Internet, with the seller (a Company) having its own dedicated web site.
In buying or selling, it can be through a fixed price or through an auction bidding (with a closing date). If you are the seller, you need to provide details of your offer. This may includes starting price (if by auction) or fixed price and state all other fees applicable (e.g. posting and packing fees, etc). As a buyer, you need to satisfy yourself all costs applicable and to ensure that you will get your good/service after the money is handed over to the seller.
If you are new to this way of online buying or selling, I would suggest you start with the simplest way (sell/buy locally) - and that is for the buyer to meet up with the seller. The buyer examine the goods and if satisfied, pay directly cash to the seller. This we termed it “Cash on Delivery” (C.O.D.).
If you are doing some other forms of online transactions which requires you to enter sensitive information (like your visa card details) – please consider the following:
a) The computer you are using to perform the transactions – is it free of viruses and spywares, phishing, etc.?
b) Are you sure you are transacting with the genuine or right Company – have you typed the correct URL (web address) of the Company.
c) Have you accidentally gone to an imitation or fake site? (a web site that pretend to be the real one and with the aim of “stealing” your sensitive information - we called this phishing).
d) In Internet transactions, be careful also of fake emails that pretends to be from someone you know or someone you can trust and asking for your confidential information. Never trust any email that give you or inform you something that is too good to be true. Are you that lucky to have won something and have to be told just by an email?
e) Are you transacting on a secured web site provided by the Company? All reputable Company will provide a secured web site for you to transact with.
Configuring Vista system to Write Chinese
1) First go to control panel, Regional Language Option.
2) Click Keyboard and Language and Change Keyboard.
3) Then click Add
6) and select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Further select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin – Version 6″
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Microsoft Words)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
2) Click Keyboard and Language and Change Keyboard.
3) Then click Add
6) and select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Further select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin – Version 6″
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Microsoft Words)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
Configuring XP Operating system to Write Chinese
1) First check whether the East Asian Language package has already been install to your computer hard disk. If not, install it first by going to control panel, Regional Language Option, click “Install files for East Asian language” – restart computer and then …
2) Go to Control Panel and select Regional and Language Options
3) Under Regional Option, check selection is English (United States)
4) Go to Language – click Details
5) Under Settings – click Add
6) Select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin” for keyboard -OK
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Words 2000)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
2) Go to Control Panel and select Regional and Language Options
3) Under Regional Option, check selection is English (United States)
4) Go to Language – click Details
5) Under Settings – click Add
6) Select “Chinese PRC” for Input Language
7) Select “Chinese Simplified – QuanPin” for keyboard -OK
Click apply and OK – OK
9) Use Hanyu Pinyin to input Chinese (Using Words 2000)
Note: EN:CH change-over = shift + alt.
+/- to change “sets” of words
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
A Working Testament
By Mr. Ingvar Kamprad
A job must never be just a meal ticket. Without enthusiasm for your work, one third of your life goes down the drain and can never be compensated for.
Development is not always equal to success. It depends on you, as leader and a responsible person, to make development progressive.
To design a desk which costs $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer. But to design a functional and good desk which costs $50 can be done only by the best. Expensive solutions to problems are often signs of mediocrity.
Bureaucracy complicates and paralyses. While there must be rules, the more difficult and complicated these are, the more difficult they will be to observe.
By refusing to accept a pattern just because it is established, one gets further, not only in big problems but also in small daily ones. A healthy appetite for experimenting will lead one forward all the time. “Why” remains an important word.
To make mistakes is the privilege of the active person – the one who is able to start from the beginning again and put things straight. The fear of making mistake is the root of bureaucracy and the enemy of all evolution. No decision can claim to be the only right one.
It is the drive behind the decision, which determines its correctness.
To win does not always imply that someone must lose. The most splendid victories are those where there are no losers.
The ambition to develop oneself as a human being and in one’s work must remain high.
The keyword is humbleness. Will and strength without humbleness often lead to conflict.
Time is your most important asset. Split your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few as possible to futilities.
Must things still remain to be done?
A job must never be just a meal ticket. Without enthusiasm for your work, one third of your life goes down the drain and can never be compensated for.
Development is not always equal to success. It depends on you, as leader and a responsible person, to make development progressive.
To design a desk which costs $1,000 is easy for a furniture designer. But to design a functional and good desk which costs $50 can be done only by the best. Expensive solutions to problems are often signs of mediocrity.
Bureaucracy complicates and paralyses. While there must be rules, the more difficult and complicated these are, the more difficult they will be to observe.
By refusing to accept a pattern just because it is established, one gets further, not only in big problems but also in small daily ones. A healthy appetite for experimenting will lead one forward all the time. “Why” remains an important word.
To make mistakes is the privilege of the active person – the one who is able to start from the beginning again and put things straight. The fear of making mistake is the root of bureaucracy and the enemy of all evolution. No decision can claim to be the only right one.
It is the drive behind the decision, which determines its correctness.
To win does not always imply that someone must lose. The most splendid victories are those where there are no losers.
The ambition to develop oneself as a human being and in one’s work must remain high.
The keyword is humbleness. Will and strength without humbleness often lead to conflict.
Time is your most important asset. Split your life into 10-minute units and sacrifice as few as possible to futilities.
Must things still remain to be done?
The Paradox of our Time
by the late George Carlin
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less senses; more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and hollow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure,but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose to either share this insight, or to just hit delete.
The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings, but shorter tempers; wider freeways, but narrower viewpoints.
We spend more, but have less; we buy more, but enjoy it less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families; more conveniences, but less time; we have more degrees, but less senses; more knowledge, but less judgement; more experts, but more problems; more medicine, but less wellness.
We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get angry too quickly, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too seldom, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.
We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.
We've learned how to make a living, but not a life; we've added to life, not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbour. We've conquered outer space, but not inner space.
We've done larger things, but not better things.
We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've split the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more but learn less.
We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication.
These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion; tall men, and short character; steep profits, and hollow relationships. These are the times of world peace, but domestic warfare; more leisure,but less fun; more kinds of food, but less nutrition.
These are the days of two incomes, but more divorce; of fancier houses, but broken homes.
These are the days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throw-away morality, one-night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer to quiet, to kill.
It is a time when there is much in the show window and nothing in the stockroom; a time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose to either share this insight, or to just hit delete.
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