Firmware 3.0

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on June 20, 2009 by mdjasrie

Personally I find paying almost 10 bucks for a firmware update for my iPod touch preposterous. It’s free for the iPhone but I don’t understand why users of the iPod touch is treated differently. Furthermore not all features in the firmware are usable on the iPod touch because of the lack of the phone functions. But still the firmware update is quite a big leap from the previous iterations.

Improved apps use, bluetooth capabilities, cut-&-paste features are all pretty neat. Horizontal typing makes it easier to type stuff on the iPod touch.

You know I love electronic gadgets that have the ability to evolve through software updates. It really shows developers dedication in improving their products constantly and also shows that they value customer feedback above all else.

Although I kinda regret no being able to get the iPhone at the moment, I’m thoroughly satisfied in what my iPod touch can do for me. The ability to download apps are what, in my opinion makes the device fresh and interesting to use.

Testing the new wordpress app on the iphone and the ipod touch

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on June 17, 2009 by mdjasrie

I’m testing the capabilities of posting entries to my wordpress in offline mode via the iPod touch apps. In the app,you can create a new entry on offline mode under the local drafts category. I would assume that you would be able to create entries and then post it online when you are connected to the Internet. This would be a fine feature as I can update my blog under both online and offline modes using the wordpress platform. Updating it would simply be connecting to the Internet and publishing the drafted entries.

Reflections

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 13, 2009 by mdjasrie

You know i bought the onitsuka meets the mini shoes at 230 bucks a week ago and i still havent wear them yet! Its such a waste! I told me mum that i dont mind putting it up on display and NOT wearing it at all. She told me i was crazy.

You know the past two weeks was such a downer for me. Having hit hard on the flu and now a bad sore throat,  but thats not the difficult part that i had to go through. Its the fact that im going to ORD in 2 months and time has just slowed down to a crawl. I mean seriously a crawl. Only 2 weeks has passed and it felt like a month! ugh!

I just finished reading Twilight (Finally yay!) and although its a great book in the way its written, i just cant stand certain parts of the book. Parts where there are long descriptions of Edward and paragraphs of conversation containing ‘ I love you, you love me, youre handsome and youre pretty’ gosh this book is really such a chick book. But after reading you cant deny how well its written. Its easy and pleasant to read. Im still contemplating on whether or not i should continue with the sequels, or not. I probably will, but only during my free time or when i have absolutely no other books to read.

I recently bought a book written by Fareed Zakaria. Its titled “A Post American World“. This book not only talks about the decline of America, but the rise of everyone else. It talks about the changing geopolitics and the rising new powers of the East and its impact on the world’s future. This book has recieved critical acclaimed in giving a fresh and unique perspective of the world and world powers.

Im getting addicted to Daughtry’s new single, No Surprise. I love the music. If anyone has the mp3 version, please please send it straight to my email at mdjasrie@gmail.com Cant stop listening to it! I noticed that Shinedown’s ‘Second Chance’ is slowly rising in the itunes most download song chart. A couple of weeks a go it stands at the top 20, but now its risen to the top 10 (8)!! Way the go Shinedown. If you ever come to Singapore for a concert, ill definitely be there! Im so glad that i found your band on Amazon.com’s ‘recommend’ list. Shinedown’s songs simply blows me away!!

Talking about concerts, its been a long while since i attended a concert, much less a rock concert. Id only go if any of these bands or singers comes to Singapore:

Theory of a Deadman

Lifehouse

Daughtry

Utada Hikaru ( Im dying to listen to you sing live!)

Shinedown

Keane

James Morrison

There are a number of other bands that i would support but the ones listed are my top bands that i would go to if they ever hold a concert in Singapore.

As for musicals, i dunno. Im not really an artsy fartsy theatrical type of person. But ill go if:

‘Wicked’ comes to town with Kristin Chenoweth as part of the cast.

I bought Changeling on DVD last week and i still think that the movie is a work of art in its finest form. Such a well scripted, well casted movie from the begining to the end. Angelina Jolie puts up a fantastic performance as a mother in a desperate fight against corrupted police and her quest in finding her kidnapped son. For those who missed the movies in theathers, this is a must–buy DVD! Get it now!

Im dying to go back Timbre again. I just love the pizza, the ambience and the live music. Ill probably organise one just before i start school, and will invite all my good friends, Hock Evans, Ben, maybe Sanjiv, Dee, Cherlyn and Eng Pau! It would be a good reunion and to mark another milestone of great frienship.

I went to the PC show for a quick look. I simply bought an Acer portable DVD drive for my Acer Aspire One netbook. You know how portable netbooks can be and with portability, comes with no built in dvd drive. So i bought it so that if there is a need to use disc based media, i can simply plug into my netbook using usb cables as its main source of power. Its really small light and handy and you can plug to any computer that needs it. I know my pc needs it too, ever since the BenQ DVD drive tray just gets stuck even after ejecting! Its so frustrating that you had to use a needle to force it out open. And thats not all! Sometimes the computer cannot detect the drive at all! I had to restart the computer if i desperately need to use pop a disc inside for use!

I have more or less decided to get my new pair of spectacles. Im going for the Ted Baker’s Intencity pair of glasses from Paris Miki, at Bugis Junction. It’s so hard to find that precise brand and the precise model. Only Paris Miki outlet at Bugis Junction sells it and i pray hard that its not out of stock or phased out yet. I cant afford another pair of Oakley. Though im also eyeing one particular model from the Oakley brand, its way over budget for me. The Ted Baker’s one is around 200 bucks for the frame itself.

Matriculation Package is here!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on June 12, 2009 by mdjasrie

My matriculation package arrived last week and i realised that there are lots of paperwork to do before i officially matriculate!

I had to go online and accept the matriculation declaration, fill up my personal particulars. Then i had to fill up my parents particulars, after that on to the acceptance of tuition grants, CPF education loan scheme, matriculation ID Card application with a passport sized photos, selection of NTU Email account. PHEW!!

Luckily, NTU sent me a hand guidebook with all the infomation needed to make the application a smooth one. They laid out the annexes and important information for new students and also attached hardcopies of various application forms. They were also kind enough to provide a checklist of all the forms and applications that needed to be filled with all the corresponding datelines, so that you will not miss any part of the matriculation process.

My only hurdle left is getting a good passport sized photo for the ID card and i had to do it by 19 June 2009, which is next friday! I even had to submit a hardcopy of the MOE Tuition Grant form directly to the NTU itself.

Well i gotta get started lest i lose my NTU spot!

Of PC shows and E3

Posted in Uncategorized on June 6, 2009 by mdjasrie

The E3 or Electronics Entertainment Expo just ended with a bang in Los Angeles. I just finished watching the 2 hours Sony Press Conference showcasing the latest video games that would be released in the coming year. There were a few surprises up in Sony’ s sleeves, mainly the announcement of the PSP Go, Final Fantasy XIV (thats 14 for your info), Rockstar’s PS3 exclusive, Agent, and their prototype motion sensing controllers. 

But with all the slew announcements, i was most eager to keep tabs with Heavy Rain with does not make an appearance at all during the press conference. Uncharted 2 and God of War III certainly impresses me with live demonstrations of the gameplay and it certainly looks awesome.  One thing im quite dissapointed is the release dates of Heavy Rain and God of War III. Both games are slated for a spring 2010 release, just before the new fiscal year. No one should wait that long for a blockbuster game.

But it wasnt only Sony that blew the E3 floor with all those exclusives. On Microsoft’s front, they stole the exclusivity of the Metal Gear franchise with the announcement of Metal Gear Rising, featuring Raiden as the main character, coming out on both the Xbox 360 and the PS3. Thier motion sensing technology was also showcased with must success, Project Natal and Forza 3 and the usual Halo announcements. Microsoft does have a strong and impressive press conference in its own right. 

With all that over, we should all look forward to next year’s E3 and start anticipating for even great yet announced game titles.

Down with the flu (no, its not H1N1)

Posted in Uncategorized on June 1, 2009 by mdjasrie

Im down with the flu. Went to my family doctor, and had 2 days MC. Supposed to book in back to camp, but i had a very high fever and i decided to stay at home. Besides with the threat of H1N1 around the world, i do not want to take the risk and it would be irresponsible of me to start spreading the virus to my men.

I wish i could have a long MC duration. I so badly wants to watch the Sony E3 Press Conference. I guess i have to wait till the weekends to watch the recorded clips of the press conference.

Third Anniversary Soon

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , on May 31, 2009 by mdjasrie

This blog will be approaching its third anniversary soon. Its the only blog that has survived this long. Dont see myself abandoning it anytime soon. 

Unchartedfutures.com is still dominantly hosted by WordPress. I just acquired a different domain name for a small fee in which i pay WordPress every year. The cost is about 15 bucks a year and it would soon expire coming this July. I have yet to renew it. I’m thinking of going one step further by hosting this blog to a proper host server. But i just dunno which one is the best one out there for the best price to suit the best of my needs. I also know nuts about exporting my stuff, adding content to my blog once its hosted somewhere else.  I also dont want it to be too much of a hassle maintaining it, since i forsee myself to be extremely busy in the near future to be meddling with all the tiny details in getting the blog up and running all the time. I want to be able to update quickly and effortlessly like what im doing right now.

If anyone out there would be wiling to give handy advice, tips or step by step guide on how to make the transition smooth, im all ears. I want to break away from wordpress soon. I guess its about time to reach another new milestone for this blog. I still want to keep unchartedfutures.com domain. I really like it. I’m just begining to get bored of all the cookie-cutter theme and templates that wordpress offers for free. I want to choose one out there that would really reflect the purpose of this blog.

Onitsuka Tiger for Mini

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , on May 30, 2009 by mdjasrie

The Onitsuka Tiger meets the Mini…

SGD239….. Mini Urban? Size 8 1/2?





 

ITS A NEW SHOE!!!!!!

Its just so wrong!

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on May 29, 2009 by mdjasrie

There was one time, i was going back home. I was waiting for the train on the platform, so naturally, out of  habit i would walk towards the middle of the platform. Suddenly there is this small girl, no older than primary 3 i guess carrying a small slingbag as her school bag. As i observed, it was a PRADA bag!! Thats just so wrong! I mean i have a good feeling that its not authentic at all, but cmon imagine if it was… ITS JUST SO WRONG!!

I had a friend who bought a Dior Homme prescription glasses. That’s semi wrong!! LOL!! But it was very nice looking for him and i had no objections to the design of the glasses.

Anyways, im currently looking for a new pair of glasses myself. I noticed that all the big brands are dominating the prescription glasses market. Even an average optometrist at the HDB shops are showcasing Dior, Prada Hugo Boss and lots of other luxury brand glasses. I’ve looked into a few shops myself and im currently eyeing closely on:

1. Ted Baker’s ‘Intencity” at a around SGD 210 for the frames alone.

2. Oakley’s “Dictate 2.0” costing around SGD a whopping SGD 410 for the frames alone. 

Id rather choose the Dictate over the Intencity, but the price of really turning me off. Im still exploring my options.

Infamous (PS3 Exclusive) completed.

Posted in Uncategorized with tags , , , , , , on May 27, 2009 by mdjasrie

This is what happens when you have so much free time right now, especially when i have 5 days leave, for the entire week. I have nothing much to do other than play the latest PS3 exclusive game, Infamous. Its an ill timed leave but at the same time, a good timing to try out the new game, which unknowingly, i managed to complete it before the week is over. So how good was the game?


 

Its very good actually, exceeding my expectations on what an open world gameplay might offer. 

Im not really a fan of open world games where you can just explore the place and go wherever you like. Im more of a story driven player and i look for games that have a good story in them. However, i was pleasantly surprised that Infamous has a very good story to follow considering that its an open world game.

 

 

Im not going to intro you on the setting or the story, you can just google it yourself, but suffice to say, toward the end, it actually gets better and just after the climatic ending, you are definitely in for an unexpected twist, which in my opinion, is very satisfying. The story isnt draggy at all, nor it is short. You can easily clock in about 20 odd hours playing the game, even more if you complete every side mission it has to offer. Even then the 20 odd hours doesnt really bogs down the story at all. In fact, i feel that the story is concise, tight and easy to follow, with engaging and unique characters with very beautiful graphic novel like cutscenes to move the along. Voice acting is top notch and i like the raspy male protoganist, Cole in which you control the character in the game.

 

The twist toward the end is unexpected and it really accomplishes the goal in allowing the players to connect with him. In the end it was bittersweet for me to see Cole suffer and making life changing sacrifices. Yet he doesnt falter one bit and he gave a really big hint that sequel is definitely on the table, continuing his epic reluctant superhero tale.