A point of view...

Always leave office on time

2012-02-11T21:53:00.004+08:00

This image has gone viral, with thousands of people sharing it here.

While it may be true that in most cases we do need to go back on time, it is not necessarily true all the time.

So, please use your own judgement. I am certainly not responsible if anything happens to you and your job :-\

Motivating the unprepared students

2011-09-26T14:48:00.002+08:00

I had the opportunity to attend a 1-day seminar on how to motivate unprepared (and unmotivated) students. The course was conducted by Mr. Bernard Percy of Foundations of Brilliance (http://www.foundationsofbrilliance.com/) in collaboration with Applied Scholastics (http://www.appliedscholastics.org/). Thank you to Management & Science University (MSU) who organized the event (and sponsored me!).

The content of the seminar was quite superficial, since it was held for only a day. The materials he talked about were worth 3 days, the shortest.

Mr. Percy surely knew his stuff. I was more interested to learn how he handled us, mainly lecturers from all over Malaysia, and how he presented his case, not the course content itself (since it was no depth in it).

Equipped with years of teaching experience, he did not disappoint. Here are some of my observations of what he did to make his presentation enjoyable:

He told stories. Lots of them, some are of his experience and some probably made up (who cares). And surely enough, these interesting stories keep the audience awake.
He told one or two jokes.
He urged participation from the floor. He walked up the isle and ask questions. The session was interactive.
He used variations of voice tones. At one time, his voice was like a thunder and at another, whisper. Not monotonous (high pitch or low pitch all the time).
He used lots of body language and movement (gesture). Personally his bodily animations keep me interested most.

I think those are essentially the things that lecturers and public speakers need to concentrate on so that our lecture does not turn into a sleeping session.

Selamat tinggal Piko, semoga kau bahagia di sana

2011-09-24T13:32:00.001+08:00

Piko telah mati. Ya, Piko, hamster kesayangan Najiha telah hilang (presumed dead)...

Hari ini bila saya membuka pintu rumah, saya melihat sangkar Piko bertaburan di atas lantai, jatuh berkecai dari atas raknya. Sangkar Momot (hamster Nadia) pula dalam keadaan baik.

Saya jangka ini mesti kerja Coklet, seekor kucing yang selalu masuk ke perkarangan rumah kami.

Najiha menangis tak sudah tetapi tetap pergi ke sekolah setelah dipujuk.

Dia menulis sepucuk surat untuk mencurahkan kesedihan hatinya.

Selamat Hari Raya Aidilfitri

2011-09-02T16:47:00.000+08:00

Hari Raya tiba lagi. Tahun ini 1 Syawal 1432 bersamaan dengan 30 Ogos 2011, sehari sebelum Sambutan Hari Merdeka ke-54. Nampaknya Hari Merdeka tidak disambut semeriah tahun-tahun sebelumnya kerana ia tenggelam oleh kemeriahan Hari Raya.

Tahun ini saya hanya menerima tiga keping kad raya - satu dari EEM (yang juga mempromosikan produk bersama-sama kad raya, a smart move), satu dari pelajar BPH Larry dan satu dari artis Amy Mastura. Yang lain-lain tu berupa ucapan hari raya melalui email, sms dan juga Facebook. Ini jauh berbeza berbanding beberapa tahun sebelum ini di mana semua orang sibuk membeli kad-kad raya untuk dipos. Pos Malaysia pula terpaksa membuat pengumuman mengenai tarikh akhir pengeposan kad hari raya.

Masih saya ingat semasa bertugas di sebuah farmasi di Seri Kembangan, kami sibuk menyusun kad-kad raya untuk dijual. Selalunya kad-kad raya ini akan berteraburan menjelang petang bila pelanggan-pelanggan memilih kad raya kegemaran. Keuntungan dari kad raya ni boleh tahan juga!

Beberapa ucapan kad raya yang diterima dihantar dalam bentuk pantun (paling popular), doa, dan sebagainya.

Cumanya saya terfikir kenapa seseorang itu menghantarnya kepada saya... Mungkinkah:

penghantar ikhlas ingin mengucapkan hari raya?
penghantar berasa bersalah kerana telah melakukan kesalahan kepada saya (mengumpat, fikir negatif) dan cara terbaik memohon maaf hanya dengan menghantar satu email/sms mohon ampun?
atau ada sebab-sebab lain?

Bagaimanapun, dan apa juga sebabnya, saya mengucapkan jutaan terima kasih atas ingatan anda semua kepada saya. Terdetik juga di hati anda untuk menghantar ucapan tersebut kepada saya. Terima kasih.

Selamat Hari Raya. Pohon ampun maaf sekiranya ada yang terasa hati atau sebarang kesalahan yang telah saya lakukan dengan atau tanpa saya sedari.

Kisah budak penjual kuih

2011-08-18T12:12:00.002+08:00

Hari itu selepas seminggu beraya di kampung, saya pulang ke Kuala Lumpur. Memikirkan highway PLUS sibuk, saya menyusuri laluan lama. Pekan pertama yang saya lintas ialah Teluk Intan. Terasa mengantuk, saya singgah sebentar di sebuah restoran di pinggir pekan itu. Sebaik memesan makanan, seorang kanak-kanak lelaki berusia lebih kurang 12 tahun muncul dihadapan.

"Abang nak beli kuih?" katanya sambil tersenyum. Tangannya segera menyelak daun pisang yang menjadi penutup bakul kuih jajaanya.

“Tak apalah dik... Abang dah pesan makanan," jawap saya ringkas.

Dia berlalu. Sebaik pesanan tiba, saya terus menikmatinya. Lebih kurang 20 minit kemudian saya nampak kanak-kanak tadi menghampiri pelanggan lain, sepasang suami isteri agaknya. Mereka juga menolak, dia berlalu begitu saja.

"Abang dah makan, tak nak beli kuih saya?" katanya selamba semasa menghampiri meja saya.

"Abang baru lepas makan dik. Masih kenyang lagi ni," kata saya sambil menepuk-nepuk perut.

Dia beredar, tapi cuma setakat di kaki lima. Sampai di situ, di meletakkan bakulnya yang masih sarat. Setiap yang lalu ditanya, "Tak nak beli kuih saya bang, pak cik, kakak atau makcik?"

Molek budi bahasanya! Mamak restoran itu pun tidak menghalang dia keluar masuk ke premisnya bertemu pelanggan. Sambil memerhati, terselit rasa kagum dan kasihan di hati saya melihatkan betapa gigihnya dia berusaha. Tidak nampak langsung tanda-tanda putus asa dalam dirinya, sekalipun orang yang ditemuinya enggan membeli kuihnya.

Selepas membayar harga makanan dan minuman, saya terus beredar ke kereta. Kanak-kanak itu saya lihat berada agak jauh di deretan kedai yang sama. Saya buka pintu, membetulkan duduk dan menutup pintu. Belum sempat saya menghidupkan enjin, kanak-kanak tadi berdiri di tepi kereta. Dia menghadiahkan sebuah senyuman. Saya turunkan cermin, membalas senyumannya.

"Abang dah kenyang, tapi mungkin abang perlukan kuih saya untuk adik-adik abang, ibu atau ayah abang." katanya petah sekali sambil tersenyum. Sekali lagi dia mempamerkan kuih dalam bakul dengan menyelak daun pisang penutupnya.

Saya tenung wajahnya, bersih dan bersahaja. Terpantul perasaan kesian di hati. Lantas saya buka dompet, dan menghulurkan sekeping not merah RM10. Saya hulurkan padanya.

"Ambil ni dik! Abang sedekah. Tak payah abang beli kuih tu," Saya berkata ikhlas kerana perasaan kasihan meningkat mendadak. Kanak-kanak itu menerima wang tersebut, lantas mengucapkan terima kasih terus berjalan kembali ke kaki lima deretan kedai. Saya gembira dapat membantunya. Setelah enjin kereta saya hidupkan, saya mengundur. Alangkah terperanjatnya saya melihat kanak-kanak itu menghulurkan pula RM10 pemberian saya itu kepada seorang pengemis yang buta kedua-dua matanya.

Saya terkejut, lantas memberhentikan semula kereta, memanggil kanak-kanak itu.

"Kenapa bang nak beli kuih ke?" tanyanya.

"Kenapa adik berikan duit abang tadi pada pengemis tu? Duit tu abang bagi adik!" Kata saya tanpa menjawap pertanyaannya.

"Bang saya tak boleh ambil duit tu. Mak marah kalau dia dapat tahu saya mengemis. Kata mak kita mesti bekerja mencari nafkah kerana Allah berikan tulang empat kerat pada saya. Kalau dia tahu saya bawa duit sebanyak itu pulang, sedangkan jualan masih banyak, mak pasti marah. Kata mak, mengemis kerja orang yang tak berupaya, saya masih kuat bang!" katanya begitu lancar.

Saya sebak, sekaligus kagum dengan pegangan hidup kanak-kanak itu. Tanpa banyak soal saya terus bertanya berapa semua harga kuih dalam bakul "Abang nak beli semua ke?" Dia betanya dan saya cuma mengangguk. Lidah saya kelu nak berkata.

"RM25 saja bang."

Selepas dia memasukkan satu persatu kuihnya kedalam plastik, saya hulurkan RM25. Dia mengucapkan terima kasih dan terus berlalu.

Saya perhatikan dia sehingga hilang daripada pandangan. Dalam perjalanan ke Kuala Lumpur, baru saya terfikir untuk bertanya statusnya. Anak yatimkah? Siapakah wanita berhati mulia yang melahirknya? Terus terang saya katakan, saya beli kuihnya bukan lagi atas dasar kasihan, tetapi kerana rasa kagum dengan sikapnya yang dapat menjadikan kerjayanya satu penghormatan.

Sesungguhnya saya kagum dengan sikap kanak-kanak itu. Dia menyedarkan saya, siapa kita sebenarnya!

(This is a story I received from email today, not my personal experience. I am posting here in between my reading of journals in a hope that it will change someone's life!)

New minimum requirements to enter into Bachelor of Pharmacy in Malaysian universities

2011-08-01T11:39:00.000+08:00

Before you read any further, you need to understand that this requirements are not yet official. The requirements might change so please do not hold on to this....

Currently there are 16 IPT offering Bachelor of Pharmacy. 5 IPTA and 5 IPTS are already accredited.

As for Diploma in Pharmacy, there are 29 colleges / university colleges / universities offering the course. Six have been accredited.

Diploma in Pharmacy in MSU is fully accredited while its Bachelor program (first batch) has just recently being conferred provisional accreditation.

STPM
CGPA - 3.0
Biology - B
Chemisty - B
SPM: BM - C
SPM: BI - C
MUET - Band 3

A LEVELS
3B or
2A1C or
1A1B1C in these subjects:
(1) Biology
(2) Chemistry
(3) Physics / Maths
Chemistry must be B
SPM: BM - C
SPM: BI - C
MUET - Band 3

MATRICULATION
CGPA - 3.0
Chemistry - B
SPM: Biology - B
SPM: Chemistry - B
SPM: Physics - B
SPM: Maths / Add Maths - B
SPM: Another one subject - B
SPM: BM - C
SPM: BI - C
MUET - Band 3

FOUNDATION (AT LEAST ONE YEAR)
CGPA - 3.5
Chemistry - B
SPM: Biology - B
SPM: Chemistry - B
SPM: Physics - B
SPM: Maths / Add Maths - B
SPM: Another one subject - B
SPM: BM - C
SPM: BI - C
MUET - Band 3

DIPLOMA
CGPA - 3.5 (Diploma Pharmacy) or
CGPA - 3.75 (Diploma Science)
Chemistry - B
SPM: Biology - B
SPM: Chemistry - B
SPM: Physics - B
SPM: Maths / Add Maths - B
SPM: Another one subject - B
SPM: BM - C
SPM: BI - C
MUET - Band 3

DEGREE
CGPA - 2.75

Ramadhan song

2011-07-28T23:37:00.003+08:00

This is my favourite Ramadhan song.

RAMADHAN
Ciptaan: Prof. H. Ahmad Baqi
Vocal: El Surayya Group

Ramadhan bulan yang suci
Rahmat berlimpah dari Ilahi
Banyakkan amal di bulan ini
Wajah Muslimin selalu berseri

Pintu syurga Tuhan bukakan
Pintu neraka Ia tutupkan
Dirantai hina segala syaitan
Ikhlas ibadat kepada Tuhan

Di bulan ini nuzulnya Quran
Lailatul qadar harus dicari
Amal mulia seribu bulan
Jangan lalaikan setiap diri

Hikmah puasa alangkah indahnya
Ingatlah nasib umat sengsara
Zakat fitrah tunaikan segera
Bersihlah diri orang berpuasa

Ramadhan bulan yang suci
Rahmat berlimpah dari Ilahi
Banyakkan amal di bulan ini
Wajah Muslimin selalu berseri

If you like to download the song, go here.

To all Muslims out there, Happy Fasting.. Video below would definitely remind us of sahur...

Being positive and negative (An experience with Farmasi Ikram)

2011-07-26T23:15:00.001+08:00

I want to tell you something about myself. I am generally a positive person. I always think positive towards people who I know and do not know. I hardly pre-judge people. It's not good in business anyway, when you rely on people for your business, yet you think negatively of them, right?

There are many negative vibes out there... and I strive hard not to be influenced. It's really a challenge to keep it that way.

I was again tested recently. This time, I was duped by someone who looks innocent enough. I called her Kak Nor, though not sure whether she is older or not than me. She owns a couple of retail pharmacy outlets (in Bandar Hussein Onn and another one somewhere in Cheras too).

She needed my help with something. I was quite hesitant at first and asked around if she was OK. Her previous staff (a pharmacist) told me that she was not a good pay master, paying salary months late. That would give some indication.... Still, I keep my positive mind.

So I went to her pharmacy to discuss things. Honestly it looked a run-down pharmacy. She was also late (my students would know how I hate late comers - there was an incident when I just left the class because they were late). And we agreed on terms...

Due to some problems, I had to go to certain place to settle things. It was tedious, something I can do without (looking back).

When everything was ready, I contacted her and she confirmed that things were as discussed and she promised to contact me in few days.

However, I sensed something wrong when she failed to fulfill her promise. Later I found out from her previous staff that she did not need my assistance anymore. It is regrettable because until today, she has not contacted me about the matter. My SMS to her went un-replied, unlike previously....

So, when people need your help, there will do anything to have you. Likewise, when they do not need you, they will do anything too, to avoid you.

I thought it was a blessing in disguise. I do not really need her money. Who knows what would happen if the deal went through. I might suffer countless worries (as the business was risky). Furthermore, she was a bad pay master too. I was however bitter that she just kept quite..

Am I still a positive person? Yes I still am!. And I do not judge a book by its cover. Though the cover deceived me this time round..

MSU 9th Convocation

2011-07-18T16:21:00.005+08:00

It was convocation yesterday (17th July 2011). Initial convocation was slotted on 9th but due to numerous road closures and such, it was postponed. (Remember BERSIH - http://bersih.org/).

It was a happy moment for me too for two reasons.

Photo: Asma' Roslan: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1964888761437&set=t.740399369&type=1&theater

First, it was first time my mentees graduating (Diploma in Pharmacy). That means I have been in this lovely institution for three years. I still remember the times I joined the university. I still remember the good and bad times I had with my mentees. I remember the activities we had together. You don't forget your first love easily right. Likewise with my mentees. I just hope that they are doing fine now they are elsewhere.

Second, it was also first time Bachelor of Pharmacy students receiving their scrolls. They received special mention during the president's speech. Indeed, the students had shown great perseverance during their study time. If you are looking for motivation, you do not have to look far. These are the students who, despite early problems and setbacks, toiled and finally emerged victorious.

Photo: Mohd Fadli Asmani: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2184132333131&set=t.740399369&type=1&theater

This time, I was one of the marshalls together with Mr Fadli from SPH.

Several points (if I am not mistaken, six) raised by the president during his speech are students attributes that helped them during the studies, and he hoped that the same attributes were practiced hence.

believe in yourselves i.e. confidence (look for that quality in Kungfu Panda movies)
perseverance (BPH students)
adaptability or be able to adapt to changes
making full use of technology (Facebook, Twitter, etc)
grateful (old campus vs new campus)
going for higher purpose in life

There you have it... I hope you have those six qualities outlined by the president. If not, it is never to late to change. Embrace change to be a better person..

..

Pemeriksaan kesihatan

2011-07-14T13:06:00.000+08:00

Hari ni kat UiTM Puncak Alam ada pemeriksaan kesihatan percuma yang dibuat oleh Clinical Simulation Lab.

Berikut adalah data-data yang diperolehi:

BP: 120/88 (alamak, diastolic tu dah dekat 90, tapi ni baru sekali reading jer)
Glucose: 5.9 (kira OK la, bawah 6.0 fasting glucose)
Cholesterol (total): 5.27 (lebih sikit daripada borderline 5.2, nampaknya kena pilih diet lebih sihat)
BMI: 27.4 (OMG)
Recommended daily calories intake: 1654 Kcal
Total body fat: 23.5 (++ dah nie)
Visceral fat: 13 (juga ++)
Subcutaneous fat: Whole body (-1), Trunk (Normal), Legs (-1), Arms (Normal)
Skeletal muscle: Whole body (Normal), Trunk (-1), Legs (-1), Arms (01)

Conclusion, while I am healthy overall, I should reduce on fatty foods and do more exercise (who doesn't!).

For me, it's not MORE EXERCISE. Rather, it's START EXERCISING...

Don't use Citylink Express if you can

2011-07-09T14:20:00.000+08:00

I have bad experience with Citylink. However, since it is easier to open an account with Citylink, the company I am dealing with uses Citylink to send goods.

There is a Pos Mini and a Citylink at my area (Equine Park, Seri Kembangan), but I prefer Poslaju (at Pos Mini) due to its relatively more efficient services. Furthermore the staff at Citylink here are not so friendly.

Today 9th July (Saturday), a customer called and complained that her shipment has not arrived. That's is shocking considering it was sent on Monday. Even more annoying is that the goods was sent from Cheras to Kajang (short distance).

If you can, avoid Citylink at all cost. Poslaju is improving and is way better. I just hope Poslaju makes it easier for people to open account, rather than having to go to KL just for that purpose.

Free Lipid Profile Test (Well, Almost) at Pathlab

2011-06-30T14:34:00.003+08:00

Here is a good deal for everyone. If you are health conscious, this is definitely of interest to you.

Pathlab is giving you free Lipid Profile Test (Total Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, etc)... About that in a moment.

First, background to the event:

Last week my wife went for a complete check-up at a local clinic. Everything was fine except her cholesterol levels which were way above the normal ones, especially Total Cholesterol and LDL (the bad cholesterol).

That was surprising to say the least, considering she is an active person. Not even I can cope with her healthy lifestyle. I mean, can you jog everyday (or be on treadmill for 1 hour straight at night if she cannot jog), not to eat dinner (and if you do, eat lots of fruits, salad and such)? Of course, being a lady, she wants to lose weight. You cannot argue with them on that, even though you feel they are OK already, hahaha..

So we thought she should do another test with another lab. The first one was with Gribbles. Having paid a lot of money for the first test, I was looking for something that is more affordable :-) Hey I need to save to buy an ipad2, you know....

Being familiar with group discounts like Groupon etc, I feel that they must be some offer somewhere. So I started to surf the net and came across a good offer..

Now, if you too are interested to get a free lipid profile test, do this:

Send SMS to 33365. Content of SMS is my111 pathlab
Wait for a few minutes
You will receive the offer through SMS, which is valid for a week
You will however be charged RM3.50 for the SMS, a small price to pay

Make sure you do not lose you phone. You need to show the SMS to personnel at your nearby Pathlab before you could enjoy the offer. Visit Pathlab website to locate nearest outlet. Remember to fast for 12 hours before going there (Honestly I think checking for cholesterol levels does not require this). Just drink lots of plain water.

We will compare the results with the ones obtained earlier from other lab and discuss here.

Father's day to a father

2011-06-14T17:18:00.000+08:00

Be it an art work, writing or drawing, a father will always cherish his daughters' present.

My birthday before and after Facebook

2011-06-08T16:23:00.001+08:00

It's my birthday. But with a difference....

Last year I received hundreds (if not thousands, I lost count and it did not really matter) birthday wishes from friends. Some were from close friends, some from who-are-you-I-can't-remember friends (I still consider them as friends, though). That's not surprising, considering my birth date was shown on my FB profile. I still remember how I had nightmare (well, that's actually an overstatement) replying to each and every wish. Yes, I did because I felt it was important to thank people who remembered me (Suddenly I remember this saying by some clever bloke "When you are forgotten, you do not exist anymore").

Recently one of my "friends" posted on his profile "Just finished replying to 500+ birthday wishes" - and that was a day after... I pity the man. He must be very tired, unless he just pressed Copy-and-Paste keys.

Having learnt from that experience, I removed my birth date from my FB profile. The result - this year proves to be a quieter year. Not that I am complaining. After all, I have not been actively sending birthday wishes to friends myself.

In all, I received not more than 50 wishes via email, SMS and still, Facebook.

I think, only people who think we matter to them will genuinely remember us, and our birth dates. Otherwise it would be just a boring pointless nicety, with repetitions of "Happy Birthday to You".

In the morning, about 11:15 I received a call from my 8-year-old daughter Nadia:

Nadia: Hello, daddy
Me: Hi Nadia
Nadia: Today is your birthday, right? Has mom wished you Happy Birthday yet?
Me: Yes and she has
Nadia: I made a card for you!
Me: Oh, thank you. I will look at it when I am home, OK.
Nadia: OK, bye.

Well, THAT is what matters to me. It made my day and almost brought me to tears..

Apart from family I received wishes mostly from my students and mentees. Fafa was the first to send me. I guess having a mother whose birthday falls on the same date help, hahaha.

To all my friends who sent me wishes, thank you from the bottom of my heart. For those who did not, I love you all the same, not more, not less. And, if you do not receive any wish from me on your birthday, please know that I still remember you. It's just that I don't like sending those wishes.

Will I show my birth date next year on my FB profile? Are you joking, of course NO. I am now at peace. It's back pre-Facebook.

Dropbox (Pos No. 2)

2011-04-12T00:32:00.001+08:00

Kepada yang telah download dan install Dropbox..

Kepada yang belum, sila baca sini dulu: http://sir-ib.blogspot.com/2010/10/why-you-need-dropbox.html

Apa langkah seterusnya setelah anda download dan install Dropbox?

Salin semua data penting dalam folder Dropbox yang telah disediakan oleh Dropbox. Untuk ke folder ini senang sahaja - klik kanan pada mouse di gambar Dropbox di bahagian kanan bawah komputer dan pilih "Open Dropbox folder".
Dropbox secara automatik akan menyalin data-data ini ke server Dropbox.
Install di semua komputer yang dimiliki oleh anda - notebook, netbook, desktop, dsb. Gunakan user id (selalunya email) dan password yang sama.
Dropbox secara automatik akan menyalin data-data yang telah diterima di server Dropbox ke semua komputer yang telah diinstall tadi.
Itu sahaja. Mudah kan?

Dropbox juga membenarkan anda berkongsi folder. Sebagai contoh, folder ABC ingin dikongsi dengan kawan anda. Apa yang perlu dilakukan ialah anda perlu ke laman web Dropbox dan sign in. Pada folder yang ingin dikongsi, klik dan masukkan email kawan anda. Folder ini secara automatik akan disalin ke dalam komputer kawan anda...

New PowerPoint 2010

2010-12-25T21:21:00.000+08:00

I just bought the latest Microsoft Office 2010 Student Version (Word, Excel, PowerPoint and OneNote).

Compared to 2007, Office 2010 offers some improvements especially those who like to work in the cloud.

Among the softwares bundled, PowerPoint 2010 is the most improved. I would try to discuss some of the changes in this latest PowerPoint.

You can now add sections into your slides. This is really helpful if the presentation is long with big number of slides. This sections can be expended or collapsed simply by clicking on the section name.

Collapsed sections

Expended section

<< to be continued >>

Why you need Dropbox

2010-10-17T21:57:00.004+08:00

Dropbox is an online storage provided free for accounts 2Gb until 10Gb in space. Beyond that, there are packages available. There are many other online storage media that you can opt for like Gmail (Yes, Gmail can be used to store your files if you know how), Skydrive from Microsoft (gives you 25Gb space), etc etc. Yes, there are many out there who give you free space. If you are buying an ASUS netbook, there are giving you 250Gb free space!!!

So, why should you choose Dropbox and get a mere 2Gb in space, something that pales in comparison with others like Gmail (7+Gb), Skydrive (25Gb) and ASUS (250Gb).

The keyword here is convenience. Dropbox allows you to synchronise your files easily. If you use others, you have to copy and paste the files manually. Once you update a file, you have to re-copy-and-paste, so that it will override the old one. Not so with Dropbox...

You may also tweak your computer so that it will synchronise your Skydrive. But leave it to the experts. The tweak is long and tedious. Dropbox offers convenience, full stop.

Imagine you are working on a Computer A in the office. By installing Dropbox in Computer A and Computer B at home, you will have similar files in your computer B, automatically. Provided of course you have internet connection. If at home you edit the files (Computer B), when you arrive at the office the next day, you will find the files are already updated (Computer A), automatically.

The system is not suitable therefore if you are collaborating, whereby more than one person is editing similar file on different computers AT THE SAME TIME. In this scenario, the better option is using Google Documents (http://docs.google.com) which allows simultaneous editing of files.

Dropbox offers file-sharing too. In above instance, Computer A and Computer B can belong to different individuals, with different username. By sharing certain folders files in both computers are automatically synchronised.

Files are kept in Dropbox too. In case your computer is damaged, etc. a copy is always available for download. You don't have to have two computers to use Dropbox. In this case, you may use Dropbox as a backup.

Dropbox has made the process stunningly easy. No expertise is required. Just sign up, download Dropbox and install in your computer. Follow the instruction and voila, you are ready...

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Kenapa selalu begini di Giant

2010-10-10T23:33:00.000+08:00

Giant Supermarket / Hypermarket adalah pasaraya yang secara bangganya ditubuhkan di Malaysia. Bagaimanapun, tidak ada apa lagi yang boleh dibanggakan kerana sekarang ia milik Dairy Farm dari Hong Kong, yang juga memiliki rangkaian farmasi terbesar Malaysia, Guardian Pharmacy.

Saya bukanlah pelanggan setia Giant atau mana-mana pasaraya lain. Mana yang murah dan mudah (dekat, dsb), itulah yang menjadi keutamaan. Bagaimanapun, kalau nak bershopping setiap Sabtu atau Ahad, saya akan ke Giant kerana Bank CIMB memberikan rebet 5% kepada pelanggan yang membeli-belah di Giant dan Guardian pada hari-hari tersebut.

Lagipun Giant ni ada di mana-mana. Bersebelahan Pasar Borong Selangor di rumah saya pun akan dibuka sebuah cawangannya tak lama lagi.. Tentunya yang bakal menjadi mangsa ialah Jusco yang berada lebih kurang 5km jaraknya.

Oleh kerana tertarik dengan beberapa barangan yang dijual sangat murah (berdasarkan iklan di suratkhabar), kami sekeluarga bershopping di Giant hari ini. Giant yang paling hampir ialah Giant South City Plaza dan Mines Shopping Complex. Di Mines, ramai sangat orang termasuk pelajar-pelajar UPM (bas disediakan dari uni). Hari ini kami ke South City Plaza. Walaupun bukanlah tempat yang paling happening di sini (kurang tempat makan, surau kecil, kedai tak banyak) tapi Giant SCP lebih besar dan banyak barang daripada di Mines.

Seperti biasa, selepas membeli belah, saya menuju ke kaunter bayaran. Memang tidak ramai pelanggan. Beratur pun tidak lah lama. Kalau di Carrefour Alamanda, nak bayar pun kena habis masa sampai setengah jam....

Semasa membayar, saya perasan ada satu barang ni, sepatutnya harganya RM 11.90 tapi dicaj pada harga RM 17.90. Marah sekejap (dalam hati je lah).

Oleh kerana dah expert dengan tektik Giant ni (pernah 2 kali terkena kes sama ie overcharged di Giant Seksyen 13, Shah Alam), saya buat tak kisah je. Kalau komplen kat cashier pun, bukannya ada apa-apa yang boleh dilakukannya..

Apa yang perlu saya lakukan sekarang ialah dengan membuat komplen dan dan dapatkan refund perbezaan harga di Customer Service. Sebelum ke sana saya cuba mengingat kembali harga-harga barang yang dibeli. Ada juga beberapa barang yang saya ingat. Maklumlah orang lelaki, kalau bershopping, kami ni mengikut je orang perempuan.. Banyak masa terluang. Sambil menunggu tu, belek la barang ni, barang tu... Dalam pada itu, ingat juga saya harga beberapa barang, terutamanya yang lebih murah daripada biasa.

Saya dapati daripada senarai barang tu (pembelian berjumlah RM 500+, jumlah barang 47 - saya selalu kira jumlah barang je masa bayar, dan bandingkannya dengan resit), ada barang-barang lain lagi yang obvious berbeza harga di tag dengan harga di caj di kaunter.

Of course, saya tak ingat semua harga barang yang dibeli. Setakat masa tersebut, saya dapati ada lima barang yang terlebih caj.

Di kaunter Customer Service, saya tak banyak complain. Tak macam first time kena semasa di Shah Alam dahulu.. Saya komplen sakan. Saya yakin, kalau komplen pun, jawapannya sama - "Masalah teknikal", "Belum update", bla bla.. Yang saya nak, ialah bayar balik perbezaan harga tersebut.

Sebenarnya, saya tak kisah sangat membayar pada harga-harga yang dinyatakan. Asalkan harga tersebut dipapar sedemikian. Yang membuatkan saya bengang ialah kerana perasaan ditipu oleh syarikat ini.

Akhirnya, dengan lima barang tersebut, saya dapat semula hak saya sebanyak RM 10.40!!!

Dicampur pula dengan rebet yang akan diberikan oleh CIMB (500 x 5% = RM 25.00), saya "jimat" RM 35.40 hari ini...

Kalau saya free, saya akan uploadkan gambar-gambar harga barang yang saya ambil dan gambar resit (Ada di facebook saya sebenarnya).

Untuk pelanggan Giant, berhati-hati......

Make a difference

2010-06-27T20:30:00.000+08:00

Few weeks ago, I attended the MSU Graduation Day @ PWTC. During the President's speech, he reminded graduates to "Make A Difference". Citing examples like the creator of Facebook, he outlined how important it was to have such a quality in a graduate.

His speech actually reminded me of a story, which I always tell my mentees and students..

Early one evening a man was walking along a beach when he saw a boy picking up starfish and flinging them into the sea. The man asked the boy why he was doing this. The boy explained the starfish would die if left to the morning. The man asked the boy, "What difference will your efforts make when there are thousands of starfish on the beach?" The boy stopped and looked at the starfish he was holding and said, "It will make a difference to this one."

Edward Everett Hale said:
"I am only one,
but still I am one.
I cannot do everything,
but still I can do something;
and because I cannot do everything,
I will not refuse to do something I can do."

Catherine Pulsifer said: At times, however, we do not take action because we think we can only do a little and it won't make a difference. However, the story and the quote above reminds us that even if we can only do a little, we can make a difference. It is all in your own attitude!

Further study

2010-06-27T20:05:00.001+08:00

After years of dormancy, starting from 19 June, 2010 I am a student again.

I registered as a Master student with UiTM.

Starting from 21st June, I have been attending courses familiarizing myself with HPLC and Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer.

During the courses, I met other students from UM, UKM, USM and mainly from UiTM Puncak Alam (Mohd Ikhwan - a MSU graduate, Nor Akmal, Nor Shahidah, Salwa (from Yemen), Johan (from Philippine), Fatimah Bee). We were assisted by Kak Fisha, Mr Oat and Mr Rahimi. The courses were conducted by Dr Tan from Agilent.

Bank o bank

2010-06-01T22:38:00.000+08:00

Bank sentiasa mencari jalan untuk mendapatkan duit dari pelanggan. Contohnya, kalau cek salah tulis, mungkin kena caj RM100 (bergantung kepada bank), lambat bayar sikit kena caj, etc etc.

What do you get in return? Bad customer service and returns yang ciput.

Terima kasih Maybank atas dividen 5sen yang anda beri.

(Pulangan Bank Rakyat boleh capai 20% setahun (koperasi))

Bagaimana untuk "backup" data-data penting

2010-05-30T13:31:00.001+08:00

Penggunaan komputer sepatutnya memudahkan kita. Bagaimanapun, ia boleh menjadi susah sekiranya berlaku masalah yang tidak diduga seperti kehilangan data. Ia boleh disebabkan oleh pelbagai faktor seperti virus, komputer hilang dan sebagainya.

Mesti ada satu cara yang boleh dilakukan supaya perkara ini dapat diatasi. Anda perlu membuat back-up data-data penting.

Bagaimana?

Ada beberapa cara seperti:

burn data-data penting ke dalam CD atau DVD
buat salinan ke dalam thumb drive
upload ke laman-laman seperti Scribd.com
simpan di Google Docs
simpan di virtual hard disk percuma lain seperti yang disediakan oleh Microsoft di http://skydrive.live.com/ (25Gb percuma), dsb
hantar ke akaun email anda sendiri
dsb

Cara yang paling best dan mudah sebenarnya ialah menggunakan GDrive. Dengan GDrive, akaun Gmail anda menjadi hard disk virtual. Bagaimana caranya?

sekiranya belum ada, buka akaun Gmail di gmail.com
download GDrive dari http://www.viksoe.dk/code/gmail.htm
install GDrive seperti arahan
klik di MyComputer dan pilih GDrive
masukkan username Gmail dan password
anda boleh menggunakan Gmail sepertimana hard disk anda yang lain di mana anda boleh create folder, transfer file dsb

Mudah saje..

Lepas ini, tolong jangan call saya lagi sekiranya data anda hilang ya....

Masalah dengan Facebook

2010-05-17T11:35:00.000+08:00

Sejak dua menjak ni Facebook asyik kena serang je. Ia berlaku bila Facebook menukar lagi setting Privacy nya menyebabkan privacy tidak lagi menjadi privacy.. Kes di mana personal chatting boleh dibaca oleh orang lain juga tidak membantu Facebook dalam hal ini.

31hb Mei, 2010 ini telah diwar-warkan sebagai Hari Keluar Facebook oleh orang-orang yang tidak berpuas hati.

Bagi saya, Facebook banyak kegunaan. Tak perlulah nak cerita panjang kat sini. Semua orang pun dah tahu.

Cuma, pandai-pandailah menggunakannya sebaik mungkin. Antaranya:

Boleh gunakan Facebook untuk letak iklan. Saya meletak iklan di situ dan responsnya sangat bagus. Iklannya targetted (contoh, kita nak iklan hanya untuk rakyat Malaysia berusia 25 tahun sahaja).
Ketatkan setting privacy Facebook anda.
Jangan add orang yang tak dikenali sebagai kawan.
Berhati-hati meletakkan sebarang gambar.
Berhati-hati membuat posting.

Di bawah ni adalah contoh posting mengandungi perkataan "boss bodoh". Walaupun saya bukan kawan (friend) kepada mana-mana individu di bawah, saya masih boleh membaca status update mereka.. Bayangkan kalau anda boss kepada individu yang menulis status "boss bodoh" seperti di bawah...

Klik kat gambar untuk besarkan.

A good nurse is not made in the classroom

2010-04-28T18:47:00.002+08:00

MSU produces high quality nurses, seen here during their practical in a hospital.

I REFER to the report “No more nursing schools from July” (The Star, April 27).

This is the best news I have read ahead of Nurses Day on May 12. I have been advocating that both the Health and Higher Education Ministries should curb the mushrooming of private nursing colleges and at last my lone voice has been heard.

The most critical part of nursing education is nursing practice in the clinical areas. This is the component which most, if not all, nursing colleges lack.

A good nurse cannot be produced in the classroom because she needs to feel and smell and touch her patients and this experience will serve her all her life.

The other component missing is experienced and dedicated clinical instructors to guide students in a hospital setting.

I am not wrong in saying that there are nurses who are lacking in these criteria being recruited to fulfil the requirements of the Health Ministry.

I am asking both the Health and Higher Education Ministries to carry out more surprise checks on existing colleges to ascertain the number of students they really have. It is not fair to paying students who do not get what they go in for and when they graduate, they are not marketable.

MATRON PAT,

Penang.
http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/4/28/focus/6141236&sec=focus

Kisah sedih kehilangan anak

2010-04-26T16:35:00.001+08:00

Losing a child is every parents nightmare.
Never across in my mind that one day my child will die before me.

NEVER.

And it happens to me, in split second, he left me forever. Without any
warning, without saying goodbye and never in my mind, it would be this way.

I love him so much.

I miss him so much.

Only ALLAH knows how I feel now, but I must be redha. Ini ketentuan Allah.
No one can stop it. *NO ONE *. Sudah tertulis, ajal Dzafri sudah tiba pada
20hb Mac 2010, pukul 8.50pm. Semuanya sudah tertulis.

My second son, DZAFRI HISYAM BIN KHAIRULANWAR, passed away peacefully on 20
March 2010 at 8.50pm, at ICU/NICU Ampang Puteri and he was 15 months old
(born on 22 September 2008).

He was first diagnosed with dengue (the diagnosed and confirmation of the
dengue was made by our regular pediatrician at Wangsa Maju) and later
transferred to Ampang Puteri on 20 March 2010 (Saturday) because Dzafri had
trouble breathing and the first hospital doesnt have the proper equipment.

The minute we arrived at Ampang Puteri by ambulance, the consultant
pediatrician at the ICU/NICU ward have said this to me, "Your baby is too
sick. What happened? I cannot promise you anything.... "

WHAT?

What?????? Said that again????

But still in my head, I thought to myself that this doctor is wrong. Ya, me,
without any medical background, wants to tell to this experience doctor that
he is wrong. And he continue, "I think this is not dengue, this is something
else. He is too pale. Do he have talasemia?" I quickly replied to him, "No.
What do you mean by something else. The doctor (referring to the earlier
pediatrician) told me it was dengue." "Never mind. I will do the test
first." He replied.

I kept quiet to myself, not saying anything and just let the doctor and his
nurses doing their job. I was with Dzafri in that ICU room, waiting for my
husband and Dzarif as I arrived earlier with the ambulance. Still in shock
of what the doctor told me, but I still remaining calm. Tapi dalam hati, Ya
Allah, Tuhan saja tahu. I just want to scream, yell, cry ... and all I want
to do at that time is Dzafri to be ok and we can all go home.

Dzafri was put on oxygen, drip, wayar sana sini-at his chest, hand, his
little feet .... He starts to merengek, maybe because tak selesa dgn
wayar-wayar yang banyak tu. He didnt cried, but he wants me to hold him
tight. Tapi macam mana nak dukung him with all the wayar, dari hidung,
lengan, tgn, kaki semuanya ada. I tried to make him comfortable as I could,
but I know, he's scared. Me too..

After 1/2 hour in the ward, Dzafri tertidur and I quickly make my way to the
registration counter as hubby is stuck in the traffic jammed. habis urusan
di kaunter tu, I quickly ran back to the ward and there, the doctor is
waiting for me to show Dzafri chest Xray.

"Its pneumonia. Its getting worst. What actually the doctor told you?"

I explained to him the whole thing, from the first day Dzafri had his demam
which is on Monday night, we went to see his pediatrician on Wednesday and
was admitted on Friday because the doctor suspected dengue or viral fever,
and which the blood test done on Friday and Saturday with the platlet count
drop to 28, the pediatrician confirmed it was dengue but, Dzafri had trouble
breathing since Wednesday and the pediatrician told me its only phlegm and
something to do with Croup bacteria/virus.

"No. This is nothing to do with dengue or viral fever. Its pneumonia and his
chest Xray shows that his right lung is filled with pus ? (nanah) and he
need to be operate immediately" .

I was nearly fainted.

My hubby was outside at the visitor lounge, waiting with Dzarif, because kid
under 12 are not allowed to be in the ICU ward and we had nobody to look
after him. I agreed with the operation thing and quickly ran to my husband,
asked him to see the doctor and explained to him once more. Just before
that, another doctor came into the room. The nurse introduced him as the
Pakar Bedah Paru-paru. He was holding the chest xray and was saying
something to the first doctor. Then, he explained to me. This time, his
words really make me want to cry.

"Its pneumonia but I ternampak satu benda asing dalam paru-paru dia ni.. I
rasa ada ketumbuhan. Growth."

"Growth?"

"Tumor"

YA ALLAH!!!

At that time, I am really confused. Sad. The reason the whole transfer thing
from the previous hospital to Ampang Puteri is because he has trouble
breathing and the doctor there confirmed that it was dengue.

How can from dengue be a tumor?

He never sick before. Only demam, selsema like the rest of other kids. Bagi
ubat, dia baik. Tidak pernah pun dia terbaring lama, kesakitan. Never. He
never get sick before. I really dont understand.

"Your doctor tak pernah instruct for Xray?" Asked the surgeon again.

"No. And I pun tak pernah terfikir nak hantar dia for Xray coz dia tak
pernah sakit".

"Its not your fault. The doctor should advise you. We need to sent him for
scan. Then baru I betul-betul boleh confirm whether its tumor or something
else. But from my experience, its tumor and maybe dah lama kat sini, maybe
since birth. Pneumonia is because of the tumor. I cuma boleh tahu the size,
berapa lama and what kind of tumor after the scan. Then baru I boleh buat
surgery."

Again, I just kept quiet, trying very hard to understand all this. Dzafri
starts merengek balik, and this time, I started to cry. I asked the doctor
to discuss it with my husband. I went to get him, again, I have to wait with
Dzarif at the visitor lounge. Only few minutes inside the ward, he came to
get me, saying that Dzafri is crying and looking for me.

I quickly ran to get him, seeing that the nurses try to pujuk him but he's
still crying and mengamuk rimas because of the wayar. The nurses prepared
him to sleep, as before can get into the scan, he must sleep.

With the help of the nurses, I tried to give him the ubat tidur. Its a sweet
syrup, but my poor boy refused to take it. Its not like normal Dzafri who
loved to eat, drink, even ubat. Since Wednesday, his selera makan kurang and
starts on Friday, he refused to drink, eat and even takes his milk. Its so
sad bila mengenangkan, yang dia memang suka makan, but dia akhir hayat dia,
he cant eat.... maybe because sakit yang ditanggung .... I dont know. I
really dont. Sampai sekarang, everytime I ate, I must remember him, because
he is my partner when makan time. He will walk towards me or starts mumbling
when he saw his plate or my plate or any foods in my hand.......

Even though the portion of the ubat given to him suitable for his age and
weight, he still cant sleep. He start merengek again, pulling all the wayar,
tried to sit on the bed and he looked at me with his sad eyes, asking me to
hold him. The nurses help me with the wayar, and I hold him tight, tried to
put him to sleep. Because if he cant sleep, they cant put him into the scan
machine. Still, he cant sleep after holding him for almost 15 minutes. The
nurse put him to IV, with hope that he will sleep, but no .... He merengek
lagi kuat, pulling all the wayar, pusing sana sini, wants me to hold him
....... I tried to calm him down, pujuk dia, berzikir, and looks like he wants
to sleep ..... but I was wrong.

It was 8.35pm.

He starts to tersentak-sentak, like kena fit. I thought its fit because dia
pernah kena fit on 4 November 2009 and 1 February 2010. I yelled to the
nurse, saying that dia kena fit, but the nurse reply to me ....

"Ni bukan fit kak"

Before she could finish her sentence, she quickly called out all of the
nurses in the ICU/NICU ward and the doctors. Just a split second, there is
about 7, 8 nurses in the room and one of them had asked me to leave the
room. That minute I know something terrible happened.

I was crying , more into menjerit, meraung, asking the nurses what's going
on. 2 of them tried to calm me down, asked me to sit on the chair as I
nearly collapsed. I tak sedar, my husband were there with Dzarif. I couldnt
say anthing, only sat there and cried. Dzarif come to me and hug me, saying
to me not to cry. I even cry loud, saying that I am sad because adik sick.

My husband were asking me what had happened as he spent most of the time at
the visitor lounge because he cant be with Dzafri in the ward because need
to take care Dzarif. I told him what had happened. Dia terkejut, quickly
berdoa for Dzafri and asked me to do the same.

Then, the doctor came and see my husband.

"I cannot promise you anything. I think there's no hope, but I will try my
best."

My husband can only said, Ya Allah.

I cried.

And only after 2 minutes, the doctor came to us again.

I cant barely hear what he's saying but my husband came to me.

Hug me and kiss me.

"Dzafri dah tak ada, yang. Ya Allah."

And it was 8.50pm.

I still sit on the chair, crying like I never cried before.

Screaming.

My husband went into the room. I was still outside, this time I was sitting
on the floor, making calls to my family and friends.

I cant walked to the room. I have no strength to do that. I just cant. I
couldnt face this. My son is gone.

I am so sad. I could not explained more. No words can described it.

It felt like my chest just being stabbed.

Ya Allah. Beratnya dugaan yang Kau berikan kali ini.

After I have called my friends, Maria and Zul, called my aunties, my
brother. Then I called my mom. The minute I told her that Dzafri had passed
away, my dad pengsan. Ya Allah, Ya Tuhanku. Berilah aku kekuatan. Then I
called my mom again to make sure that she and my dad are ok. Luckily, my
aunty just stayed near there and a cousin had offered to drive my parent
from Kluang, Johor to KL that night.

Then, I slowly walked to Dzafri room.

There he was, lying on the bed.

I cant hear his voice again.

No 'mama' to greet me.

No chicky smile to welcome me.

No bye bye hand from him.

He just lying there.

He's gone. Forever.

I held him tight. Crying, screaming his name. Saying No. I dont why, but I
said "No, Dzafri. No."

I dont know how long i cried, screaming his name.

Then, I sat. I was tired.

I asked the nurses, "Betul ke dik dia dah tak ada".

The nurse looked at me, "Betul kak. Dia dah tak ada."

I repeatedly asked her the same question. And she reply me with the same
answer.

My Dzafri is no longer with me.

I miss him. Today (1 April 2010) is the 12th day since he passed away.

But I can still hear his voice.

I can still hear his cries.

I can still remember his laughter.

I can still smells him.

And I still remember his smile.

*
Ya Allah, aku redha dgn ketentuanMu. Berilah aku semangat dan kekuatan dalam
menempuh dugaan Mu yang besar dan berat ini, Ya Allah. Sesungguhnya, Kau
Maha Pengasih, Maha Pengampun. Segala-gala yang terjadi adalah kehendak mu
Ya Allah dan aku sebagai hambaMu, redha dengan segalanya. Tempatkanlah
Dzafri di sisi M,u di kalangan orang beriman, di syurga Mu. Kau temukanlah
kami bersamanya di syurga Mu, Ya Allah. - Amin. *

*Dzafri, *

*Mummy love you so much. I am going to miss you forever. Not only me, ayah,
abang, totok, grandma, uncle adik, auntie mek, and all of us will missing
you dearly. I love you dear. No words can described how much I miss you
right now. I love you dear. I have to let you go. But I'm going to miss you
forever and my love will never fade. You are my only DZAFRI.

Case of having too many physiotherapists soon

2010-04-25T13:30:00.002+08:00

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia, it appears, is going to have far too many physiotherapists in the near future.

This is as a result of opening up training in the sector from 2007.

Until late 2005, there were only three colleges offering physiotherapy courses, with Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia starting a bachelor's programme.

Today, there are 20 colleges offering such courses at the diploma level.

As such, the Malaysian Physiotherapist Association (MPA) wants the government to put the brakes when it comes to issuing new licences to colleges and institutes of higher learning to provide such courses.

"The consequent exponential growth in the number of physiotherapists in the Malaysian health sector may be a cause for concern that the discipline is becoming saturated to the point where we may become the victims of the law of diminishing returns," said MPA president Dr Balwant Singh Bains.

He said that there were 209 private and 157 public hospitals in the country, employing about 750 physiotherapists.

About 100 physiotherapists are employed by non-governmental organisations and by the Women, Family and Community Development Ministry.

Besides that, about 35 physiotherapists run private practices and 50 are working in private clinics.

He said the average ratio of physiotherapists to the country's population was 1:27,000 compared with 1:14,000 for developed countries and 1:500,000 for under developed countries.

He predicted that there would be about 19,000 physiotherapists in the country by 2020 when the estimated population would be 30 million, giving a ratio of 1:1,700.

As such, he said there was a reason to revisit the targets as it indicated an oversupply of physiotherapists only having diplomas.

He suggested that the physiotherapists being produced could be appointed to schools under the post-graduate teachers scheme (KPLI).

"They can become teachers and get into various specialties and even become physical educators," he said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, in his speech at the opening of the MPA's 47th annual general meeting and scientific conference here yesterday, called on the physiotherapy practitioners in the country to provide their input on health awareness among schoolchildren.

He said such a campaign would be an effective platform to educate the country's young people as well as their parents on practising a healthy lifestyle and leading a healthy life.

As part of the effort to address the problem of childhood obesity and other health issues among the young, he encouraged the MPA to collaborate with the Education Ministry to organise health awareness campaigns in schools.

2010/04/25
By B.Suresh Ram
sureshram@nst.com.my
http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/28sur-2/Article/index_html

Education Should be More than Academic Basics

2010-04-16T22:40:00.002+08:00

I’ve spoken before about human intelligence being a multi-dimensional thing and today I thought we’d take a brief look at, what I believe to be, one of the most important and valuable components of overall intelligence: Social Intelligence. Some people are veryintelligent (capable, competent, efficient) when it comes to completing certain tasks but surprisingly inept (dare I say, stupid?) when it comes to others.

You know what I mean.

This Piece Goes Where?

Some people might suggest that I’m reasonably intelligent when it comes to writing, communicating and expressing my ideas but if those same people saw me trying to put together a piece of DIY furniture and understand the accompanying instruction sheet, they might (reasonably) conclude that I am, in fact, an idiot. It’s probably fair to say that my mechanical intelligence is low. Actually, no, low would be a significant step up.

And if those same people saw the quizzical (confused, lost, stupid) look on my face in any movie with a plot more complex than Porky’s Revenge, they’d probably realise that their initial assessment was spot on. It’s fair to assume that I won’t be recruited by the FBI, NASA or MENSA any time soon. Sadly, I’m often confused and asking stupid questions before the opening scene has finished.

Yep, smart comes in all shapes and sizes. Sometimes you won’t realise how smart somebody is until you’re stuck on an island with them and they build you a house, catch you some fish and save your life all before sunset. This might also be the same person who struggles to spell or calculate simple equations.

IQ Tests

When most of us talk about measured intelligence we are generally talking about a score someone has achieved completing, what we know as, an IQ test. While a score from an IQ test can tell us a little about a person, there’s far more that it doesn’t tell us. And quite often the information an IQ test doesn’t provide is exactly what will make the difference between success and failure (depending on the task, of course).

We all know at least one person who, if required, could write a quick overview of quantum physics in ten minutes (in three languages) yet would struggle to walk into a social setting and engage a stranger in casual conversation. Neither would they get your joke or know when they’re pissing someone off. And if they had to do something complex like change a baby’s nappy(diaper) (1) they’d panic and (2) they’d have to Google it.

While there are several definitions for Social Intelligence, what I’m talking about today is our ability to interact effectively with other people in a range of settings, situations and circumstances. Following are some indicators of a person’s level of social intelligence.

How do you rate yourself on the following?

Being an active listener.
Reading and responding to non-verbal cues – keeping in mind that the majority of our communication is non-verbal.
Being able to create connection and build rapport.
Reading situations and people in those situations.
Knowing what is and what isn’t appropriate for that conversation and that moment.
Being able to avoid and, when necessary, resolve conflict.
Making others feel valued, respected and appreciated.
Knowing when to say nothing.
Knowing how to start a conversation.
Assessing the feelings of others and understanding a perspective other than your own.
Demonstrating humility.
Being able to hold a conversation with someone with whom you have nothing in common.
Being able to adapt your communication style for your audience (individual or group) in terms of language, vocabulary, volume, speed and content.
Being able to motivate, inspire and empower others.

The Right Person for the Right Job

Since I started my business (just after the last ice-age), I’ve employed somewhere in the vicinity of four hundred people. When I’m interviewing prospective staff I always rate people skills, communication and social intelligence above academic intelligence on the employability scale. Of course I want knowledgeable, qualified and technically competent staff but I’m acutely aware that those three ingredients don’t automatically equal a great trainer, teacher, coach, motivator or employee. It’s my experience that people with a high level of social intelligence are well suited to (the numerous) careers which involve significant face-to-face contact and social interaction.

Over the years, I’ve met, worked with and employed many people who have had limited technical knowledge (to begin with) and basic qualifications yet they constantly produced great results, built fantastic relationships and were always in demand because they simply had a high level of social intelligence. They were smart where and when it counted. They had excellent awareness, empathy, insight, understanding and overall people skills.

A Different Education

How great would it be if our school kids were part of an educational system which not only valued and taught the academic basics (mathematics, sciences, humanities), but also one that held the development of their social and interpersonal skills in the same esteem? If this were to happen, I believe our kids would come out of school much better prepared for the practical realities and challenges of life beyond the classroom. Imagine if they had the choice of elective subjects such as communication, conflict resolution,leadership, emotional intelligence and relationship building 101… just to name a few.

Very cool.

I might build that school.

Let me know your thoughts on this topic.

===============================

Original post: http://www.lifehack.org/articles/communication/education-should-be-more-than-academic-basics.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+LifeHack+(lifehack.org)

WRITER'S BIOGRAPHY

Craig Harper

Craig Harper (B.Ex.Sci.) is a qualified exercise scientist, author, columnist, radio presenter, television host, motivational speaker and university lecturer. For the past 25 years he has been a leading presenter, educator, motivator and commentator in the areas of personal and professional development. You can visit Craig's blog at Motivational Speaker.FREE eBook – So… You’ve Decided to Get in Shape (Again) Craig's FREE eBook takes 20 – 30 minutes to read, and addresses the REAL getting-in-shape issues based on his 25 years of experience. To get Craig’s FREE eBook click here, weight loss books.

Community service (Part II)

2010-03-27T23:42:00.007+08:00

Ini adalah sambungan dari posting sebelum ini.

Setelah berbincang, mentees saya bersetuju untuk mengikut pelajar-pelajar Bachelor in Food Science and Technology (mentors = Puan Noorhaslina and Cik Salma Faeza) untuk ke program Community Service di Pantai Morib.

Di samping program tersebut, iaitu membersihkan sepanjang Pantai Morib bersama-sama dengan Majlis Daerah, para pelajar juga menganjurkan dinner, gift exchange and games dan pada keesokan harinya sukaneka.

Berikut adalah beberapa komen pelajar mengenai program ini:

In a nutshell, I think this activity is a success because we did a good deed to the Earth and to the community and I can relate very well to the teamwork among my friends. I personally found that it is not so bad doing community service with people that are not in your usual social groups. I hope this kind of activity will be ongoing for the next session - Ida Azreena

It was a memorable experience and a good job too - Krishnahveni

This had showed me the real meaning of life. We have to live life to the max in a positive way. We acted like kids and we don’t care bout how old we are. Its like we got no stress life. As a human being, we cant be serious all the time - Nur'Ain

By participating in community service the students forge bond with each other as well as other member of the community. These bonds enhance their interpersonal skills and increase their social network. Additionally, volunteerism can lead to increased care for others and a desire to cooperate and get involved in positive ways, even among those who had previously exhibited antisocial tendencies. Another major benefit of volunteering is the feeling of social connectedness that appears to be waning in our increasingly segmented society. Many students have reported an increased sense of social responsibility, and a subsequent desire to "give back" to the communities from which they have come - Nurul Asyirah

This community service also helps build a rich and supportive community of people who know each other and lend each other a hand when it is needed. For earth, environmental restoration and civic beautification make the world more pleasant - Malyanah (Yana Hijau)

We also meet many new friends during this community service and give us the opportunity for us to communicate with other people with many interesting stories - Clint Edward

It is a blessing indeed to show our love, care and concern to the needy society around us and in this case, it is the nature. It can be concluded that the community service arranged is a success since our full mission objective are achieved - Nezza Azera

As a conclusion, this program had given awareness to all of us that beach cleanliness would be vital for future generation - Suhalfarina

I found out that this activity is important to every student. This is because other than we can know each other it will give an experience to us on how to communicate with other people, how to handle a program and how to work in a team. All these will lead us to have soft skills as what the university want. Other than that, this activity also can open our mind to see the importance of cleanliness and importance to conserve the beach and its cleanliness - Sakinatul Nabilah

From this community service I’ve learned a lot such as to do a work together is much better than doing it alone and helping is kind of happiness. This activity had made us develop on soft skills which are very important on our career life later on - Nurul Hidayah

The activity opens my mind to take care of the environment as we cannot simply enjoy a full and varied life without caring the environment. As a human being, we should take care and protect the environment from anything which will lead to unhealthy condition because it is our responsibility how the environment will be in the future. I am looking forward for another activity like this as it given us the chance to enjoy while taking care of the environment - Medelyn Terry Annis

I get new experience from this community service. Not only that, I get to know many of new friends and my old friends better. This program helps me lot on my preparation to be a career person later when I am not longer as a student - Noorfahazirah

Other than that students have a great teamwork too. They feel no difference among themselves - neither races nor ages. They can learn how to communicate with publics and other members. Lastly, what they are learning in this activity is priceless and cannot get in usual class - Asma'

During the activity, most of the students seemed to be so competitive that they tried to full their plastic bag as fast as they can, so that they can full the other plastic bag. Their laughter showed that they were really happy to get to hang out with their friends. They cracked jokes and took pictures, and that made the moments to be more precious for them. When the time is up, they gathered and it was the time to announce the winner with the heaviest plastic bags. The BFST students won the competition. Then, the representative of Majlis Daerah Kuala Langat (MDKL) gave a short speech to show their appreciation as for that we chose Pantai Morib for our community service. At night, our hard work was paid with a happening dinner. We enjoyed all the activities arranged by the BFST students as well as the food. Overall, the community service was a success. We managed to develop our soft skills and this is to say that even if we never cooperate with other students of other courses, we can still make the community service a success. Furthermore, making new friends is a lot more fun - Nurliyana

Automatically, this services will build strength among student to be loyal to the community by doing something. Therefore, I will conclude that, every community services activity is a memorable experience in everyone’s life - Aashah

Community service is a good activity that should be carried out continuously in order to create awareness to love our nature among students. Furthermore, we also learned to responsible towards nature and the importance of being cooperative among us to success the project - Archanaa

This service will help every individual to realize the significance of nature to them. Team work is built among the team members by working together to clean the area at the beach. It also teaches us to be responsible teens by not littering and to throw those worthless materials in the garbage bins that are provided. Getting involved in your community makes it healthier and livelier. It also boosts the reputation of the university and is supported by the community. Although it was just a short period of time but we had a lot of fun participating in this service as it opens our mind towards the importance of nature to us humans and other living beings. I hope that there will be other events with the motive to do service for the community that we can take part in - Buanes

Photos (291's) can be seen here and here.

National Pharmacy Sports Carnival 2010

2010-03-10T23:43:00.044+08:00

Organized by School of Pharmacy, Management and Science University (MSU) this year National Pharmacy Sports Carnival (NPSC) was a success. The one-day event, held on 6th March 2010 was the third NPSC and saw the participation of students from all major Departments/Schools/Faculties of Pharmacy in Malaysia.

IPTA involved were USM, UM and UKM, UIAM and UiTM while those from IPTS included Cyberjaya University (CUCMS), IMU, AIMST and others.

The event kicked off with short opening ceremony and was officiated by AP Dr Eddy Yusuf (representing the Dean). In his KISS (keep it simple and sweet) speech AP Dr Eddy commended the committee for its effort and outlined why such activities were good for the students, of which among others were:

polishing students' generic soft skills in communication and event organising
building network with students from other universities
leading a healthy lifestyle

My mentees, headed by Hidayah, opened a stall selling drinks, fruits and rojak. Even though they did not make money as they had wished, nonetheless, is was a good invaluable experience. You do not get that by sitting in a classroom. Remember: "Failure is great". Learn from it and be better next time.

Some others (my mentees) were "forced" to become linespersons. Despite few hiccups, you all did great. It was your involvement that mattered. It showed how much you loved the school :-). I couldn't have been happier with your commitment. All of you...

The games that attracted my attention most were the futsal finals. They were UiTM vs UIAM (both men and women). UIAM won in both occasions. It was very close competition between UiTM women and UIAM women.

In men final however, UIAM team was noticeably better. UiTM team was without question good too. It just was not their day. The game was however marred by UIAM men goalkeeper showing his middle finger (obscene gesture) to UiTM supporters, a truly unbecoming behaviour especially from someone from a so-called Islamic university. Apart from that person, who I believe, should have been kicked in the ass, the game went on smoothly. Everyone else showed great sportsmanship despite few controversial decisions by the referees.

The event was closed officially by Prof. Dato' Asbi bin Ali of MSU.

UiTM once again emerged overall winner, deservedly. They clinched the title last year too.

Go Beyond the Boundaries. We played a lot. We learnt a bit. That's a success for me...

Ambank: contoh customer service yang bagus

2010-03-09T10:44:00.002+08:00

Baru-baru ini saya ke AmBank yang baru dibuka di Seksyen 13, Shah Alam. Sebenarnya bank tersebut adalah cawangan Seksyen 9 yang baru berpindah ke situ.

Saya membuka akaun Current Islamic yang baru di situ dan berurusan dengan pegawai bernama Puan Nor Saliza. Ingin saya nyatakan bahawa servis yang diberikan di bank tersebut, terutama oleh Puan Nor Saliza sangat-sangat memuaskan.

Segala pertanyaan dijawab dengan cepat dan tepat. Malah yang paling "pelik" ialah keupayaan Puan Nor Saliza mengingati nama saya bila saya ke sana semula minggu seterusnya.

Ada beberapa kemungkinan:

Cawangan tersebut masih baru jadi masih belum ramai customer. Oleh itu beliau dapat mengingati nama saya
Oleh kerana mereka baru berpindah ke bangunan baru, semangat pun masih baru
Beliau memang seorang yang customer-oriented

Mengingati nama pelanggan merupakan satu skill yang agak sukar, melainkan kita mempunyai memori yang bagus. Kalaupun kita mempunyai memori yang bagus, sekiranya kita bersikap acuh tak acuh sudah tentu mengingati nama pelanggan merupakan sesuatu yang remeh temeh dan tidak perlu dititik beratkan.

Begitulah juga keadaan dengan kehidupan kita seharian. Mengingati nama kawan-kawan (baru dan lama), pelajar-pelajar kita, dan lebih-lebih lagi pelanggan-pelanggan kita adalah sesuatu yang sangat penting.

It shows that we care. As simple as that..

<< Next, saya akan menceritakan pula bagaimana customer service yang buruk menghampakan pelanggan. Sekali lagi, syarikat terbabit ialah syarikat courier Citylink, yang pernah saya ulas di blog ini, namun nampaknya ia berlaku lagi menunjukkan bahawa syarikat terbabit memandang remeh urusan customer service >>

Kenapa graduan menganggur

2010-03-06T22:46:00.001+08:00

Empat kelemahan
Oleh Aniza Zainudin
anizazainudin@hmetro.com.my
2010/03/06

SERDANG: Kegagalan untuk mempamerkan kemahiran insaniah atau ‘soft skills’ dan menepati kehendak majikan menjadi punca pengangguran dikalangan lepasan universiti.

Menteri Pengajian Tinggi, Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, berkata tanpa soft skills mahasiswa tidak mampu bersaing dalam dunia pekerjaan sebenar dan ia turut disokong hasil kajian Jobstreet.com pada tahun lalu.

“Sebanyak 250 syarikat kerajaan dan swasta terbabit kajian berkenaan mengenal pasti empat kemahiran yang tidak dimiliki pelajar iaitu komunikasi, nilai dan etika, kepemimpinan serta pemikiran kritis.

“Berikutan itu, kementerian sudah melaksanakan kemahiran insaniah dikalangan pelajar melalui kursus kokurikulum berkredit di semua institusi pengajian tinggi awam (IPTA),” katanya ketika majlis perasmian Seminar Sehari Amalan terbaik Kemahiran Insaniah, Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM), di sini, semalam.

Beliau berkata, pelaksanaan sistem berkredit dalam kehidupan pelajar memberi peluang kepada mereka untuk meningkatkan kemahiran insaniah secara tidak langsung apabila terpaksa menyertai program yang dianjurkan itu.

Katanya, kementerian bakal memperkenalkan bengkel ‘Training of Trainers (Tot) bagi kursus kokurikulum berkredit pada 12 Mac depan.

Bengkel berkenaan akan memberi tumpuan kepada aspek kandungan, kaedah penyampaian dan penafsiran.

Beliau berkata, bagi mengenal pasti tahap penguasaan pelajar dalam kemahiran insaniah, Jabatan Pengajian Tinggi (JPT) menjalankan kajian ke atas 20 IPTA dan 38 institusi pengajian tinggi swasta (IPTS) di seluruh negara sejak Februari lalu.

Mengulas mengenai pembabitan agensi swasta yang menawarkan latihan industri, beliau berkata mereka (agensi swasta) juga memainkan peranan penting dalam penyediaan sumber tenaga kerja.

Majlis yang dihadiri Naib canselor UPM, Prof Datuk Dr Nik Mustapha Raja Abdullah turut melancarkan buku berjudul ‘Tujuh Kemahiran Insaniah Pelajar: Huraian dan Pengukuran’.

Education never stops

2010-02-01T22:23:00.000+08:00

Today I went to an IPTA at Puncak Alam to see my future master supervisor (God willing). I was a little bit apprehensive about furthering my study.

After years in retail business, studying is probably the last thing on my mind. Nonetheless, it is an opportunity I could not miss (again). Years years ago, I was offered to do my Master and then PhD in a refutable university but I gave it a miss - for reasons I am not ready to let out.

"Learn from cradle to grave"

We will see....

Damainya di Pendas

2010-02-01T00:09:00.000+08:00

Aku dan Mathan telah ditugaskan untuk memberi ceramah di sebuah sekolah di Gelang Patah, Johor. Rupa-rupanya sekolah tersebut berhampiran dengan Pendas.

Pendas adalah penghujung jalan. Hanya ada jeti dan sebuah restoran di situ. Di sebelah sananya adalah Singapura. Dengarnya ikan asam pedahnya sangat sedap. Rugi kerana kami tidak sempat mencubanya kerana kesuntukan masa.

Suasana di sana sungguh mendamaikan, jauh dari hiruk pikuk kota. Mmm mungkin satu hari nanti aku akan ke sana lagi???

Troubleshoot Streamyx

2010-01-24T11:14:00.001+08:00

Streamyx adalah broadband terbaik di Malaysia dengan connection yang pantas dan betul-betul un-limited. Tahun 2010 Streamyx akan memperkenalkan high-speed internet access di Malaysia.

Begitupun, kadang-kala anda mungkin akan menghadapi masalah untuk acccess internet. Apa yang perlu anda lakukan?

Dial 100 dan ikut arahan selanjutnya.

Tunggu dulu, sebelum mendail nombor 100 tu, cuba dulu langkah-langkah di bawah ini:

Sekiranya anda tidak menggunakan router, pastikan anda masukkan username dan password yang betul
Sambung komputer anda dengan talian telefon secara terus (direct connection) tanpa menggunakan splitter. Mungkin splitter anda bermasalah
Tukar DNS kepada DNS Streamyx iaitu 202.188.0.133 dan 202.188.1.5 kemudian flush DNS menggunakan command ipconfig /flushdns
Seterusnya, kalau masih bermasalah juga gunakan command ping untuk mengenalpasti masalah. Dengan mengetahui masalah ini, pembantu di Streamyx dapat membantu anda dengan cepat.
ipconfig /all
Cari IP Address dan juga Default Gateway
ping "IP Address"
ping "Default Gateway"
ping 127.0.0.1
Tengoklah antara tiga ping tesebut, mana satu yang bermasalah. Yang ada masalah akan return "Request Time Out"

My new Statistics assignment

2010-01-14T16:39:00.002+08:00

We are asked to get at least 15 students to answer the survey: https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-yjrAfUJqryZmQzMjZiYmItYzdjMy00Nzk0LTg5Y2QtODBjZjA2YWNjMTRh&hl=en

Then, using SPSS or PASW software version 12 or above, enter the data..

Mmm so easy (so far)..

You can answer the survey online here: https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dHBIeUxwM29EeDFJZnZQWUc0N21XY1E6MA

Syarat kemasukan ke medik/farmasi menggunakan sijil SAM

2010-01-10T19:25:00.001+08:00

Semalam saya ke KLCC Convention Centre sempena education fair yang dikelolakan oleh The Star. Antara pertanyaan yang diajukan ialah mengenai syarat kemasukan ke bidang perubatan dan farmasi menggunakan kelulusan yang diperolehi dari Ausmat (Australian Matriculation) dan juga SAM (South Australian Matriculation).

Oleh kerana ia jarang diketahui, saya sertakan di sini syarat-syaratnya:

Untuk Perubatan

Minimum TER 80 atau 80%.

Untuk Farmasi

Minimum TER 80 atau 80%, DAN hendaklah termasuk 3B dalam Kimia dan dua subject sains/maths yang lain.

Syarat kelulusan sama sahaja tetapi bidang farmasi memerlukan syarat tambahan.

Ada seorang pelajar yang datang dengan kelulusan 89% dan ingin melanjutkan pembelajaran di bidang farmasi. Setelah diperhatikan dengan lebih mendalam, beliau hanya berjaya mendapat C dalam Kimia. Oleh itu beliau tidak boleh memilih bidang farmasi.

Nine ways to ensure our grads get jobs

2010-01-10T11:07:00.003+08:00

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/articles/m46radie/Article/index_html

2010/01/10

By Sonia Ramachandran

PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian graduates lack attributes that make them employable, says Higher Education director-general Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi.

"Those days, 'teruk teruk pun orang ambil' (employers will even take bad workers). But now, employers can be choosy.

"This has to do with the growth of the country's economy, as well as that of the world. All that is beyond us but what matters is that regardless of the economic situation, our universities have to produce students of certain attributes," he told the New Sunday Times.

Radin Umar says the Higher Education Ministry has drawn up an instrument called Generic Student Attributes (GSA) to address the problem of unemployable graduates.

He says there are nine basic requirements under the GSA, of which the first two are knowledge of the profession and competency.

"Engineers who cannot analyse engineering problems and translate that into an efficient design are lousy engineers. We don't want that. This is what knowledge of the profession and competency means."

Higher Education director-general Prof Datuk Dr Radin Umar Radin Sohadi says that employers now can be choosy.

He says the first two elements are not problems but the other seven requirements are a "major concern".

They are communication skills; critical thinking and problem solving; team skills; entrepreneurship; ethics; ICT; and a positive outlook of life towards lifelong learning.

"Communication skills encompass the ability to communicate verbally, in writing and to be an active listener. There are also sub-elements of communication, which include presentation abilities, writing winning proposals, negotiation abilities and also non-verbal communication abilities, like body language.

"In the military university (National Defence University of Malaysia), they teach students to understand non-verbal communication because it is important to understand the body language of the enemy."

He says students must also be critical thinkers and problem solvers.

"Memorisation is only level one of the learning taxonomy."

On team skills, Radin Umar says this is important as in the real world, people do not work alone.

"You need your friends to make things happen."

He says entrepreneurship is also an important requirement as Malaysia wants to become a high-income economy based on innovation.

"In addition to scientific ability to innovate technically, you must also have business sense. We define innovation here as value creation, which can also come from just the improvement of a process."

On lifelong learning, he says students must know how to acquire skills to move on.

"If a student feels that finishing a degree is enough, that spells trouble. Obtaining a degree is just the beginning. We don't want a complacent student. They must believe in lifelong learning."

To achieve the nine requirements, Radin Umar says the ministry will improve the curriculum and its delivery.

"I want professors and lecturers to bring real-world problems to the classroom. This is what we call student-centred learning.

"If we want to ensure students have these attributes, it has to start with the lecturers."

This, he says, is where the interaction between the academia and industry is crucial.

To train lecturers on how to produce students with the right attributes, the Learning Academy was set up in 2007 at the ministry, says Radin Umar.

"Our target is that every single lecturer should master at least one student-centred learning methodology for them to bring back to their classrooms, apart from the conventional teaching methods, which include lectures and tutorials.

"When we talk about non-conventional methods, we are talking about things like problem-based learning methodology and case solving. For example, why did the cracks in the Middle Ring Road 2 appear in the same way?

"When I used to teach, I would put my students in groups so they work as a team. They have to go out and gather information and so learn how to communicate and convince people. They then have to present their findings, thereby showing their competency in speaking up. Writing reports enhances their competency in writing.

"What is important is that when you bring the real problem to the classroom, you stimulate the thinking process and this what it is all about."

One moment in time

2010-01-08T14:45:00.000+08:00

Everyone needs motivation. Here is a song by Whitney Houston..

ONE MOMENT IN TIME

Each day I live
I want to be a day to give the best of me
I'm only one, but not alone
My finest day is yet unknown
I broke my heart for every gain
To taste the sweet, I face the pain
I rise and fall yet through it all this much remains

I want one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heart beat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel, I will feel eternity

I've lived to be the very best
I want it all, no time for less
I've laid the plans
Now lay the chance here in my hands

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heart beat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will feel, I will feel eternity

You're a winner for a lifetime
If you seize that one moment in time
Make it shine

Give me one moment in time
When I'm more than I thought I could be
When all of my dreams are a heart beat away
And the answers are all up to me
Give me one moment in time
When I'm racing with destiny
Then in that one moment of time
I will be, I will be
I will be free, oh
I will be, I will be free

Sisters stand by each other

2010-01-08T14:36:00.002+08:00

Sejak Farah Nadia masuk Darjah 1, ada seorang budak lelaki yang suka membuli dia. Menurut Nadia, budak tersebut, namanya S, mengetuk kepala dia dan sehari selepas itu memijak-mijak kainnya.

Saya terfikir-fikir apa yang perlu dilakukan dalam situasi ini. Perkara ini pernah berlaku tahun lepas ketika kakaknya Farah Najiha memasuki Tahun 1 di sekolah yang sama. Ada seorang pelajar yang membentesnya sehingga dia terjatuh. Dia juga pernah ditendang di perut oleh pelajar lelaki tersebut. Kebetulan pada satu hari semasa menghantar Najiha ke kelasnya, kami terserempak dengan pelajar tersebut. Terus sahaja saya tegur dia dan sehingga kini, dia tidak lagi mengacau Najiha.

Mulai tahun ini, ibu bapa tidak lagi dibenarkan masuk ke sekolah. Bagus juga tu, atas sebab-sebab keselamatan, dsb.

Semalam, semasa saya balik dari kerja, Najiha (kakak) dengan bangganya bercerita bagaimana dia marah pelajar yang membuli Nadia (adik).

Nadia, walaupun seorang yang garang, tetapi penakut bila berhadapan dengan orang yang tidak dikenali. Dia lebih pemalu daripada Najiha yang sangat peramah (memang sesuai pun dia menjadi Penolong Ketua Kelas).

What I could tell Najiha was that I was proud of her, for standing by her sister in time of need.

CAP hails 1Malaysia clinic system

2010-01-08T14:18:00.002+08:00

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2010/1/8/focus/5422247&sec=focus

CONSUMER’S Association of Penang (CAP) lauds the Government’s initiative in introducing the 1Malaysia community clinic network to meet the urgent needs of people in urban areas. In the past, CAP has called for more government clinics in urban areas across the country to help reduce the number of patients in general hospitals. A random survey by CAP on the number of private clinics within a 500-metre radius in an urban area in Penang showed not less than 15 clinics in operation.

Most people living in the area were from lower and middle income groups who if given a choice, preferred to seek treatment from a public healthcare facility instead of these clinics due to the high cost of treatments.

The Government initiative is timely in the light of the present socio-economic environment. With escalating private healthcare costs and all-round inflation, it is important that the rakyat be provided with a choice of accessible public and private healthcare providers.

The 1Malaysia clinic system under the Government’s 1Care programme under the 10th Malaysia Plan is indeed a well organised initiative aimed at providing the delivery of equitable quality healthcare to the rakyat.

As explained by Tan Sri Dr Ismail Merican, director-general of health, it is estimated that by 2015, more than 50% of the population will be living in urban settings. The reality is that even now, due to economic reasons the middle income population is rapidly diminishing into larger low income groups which find private healthcare increasingly unaffordable.

In Hong Kong, Australia, Singapore, Britain and the United States, community clinics are commonplace and play an important role in addressing the primary healthcare needs of urban and rural communities effectively while being staffed by paramedics. Community-based primary healthcare is not new even in Malaysia as rural clinics have been in operation since the 60s and have mainly been staffed by medical assistants (MAs).

In more recent times, primary public healthcare has largely manifested itself in oral healthcare, maternity clinics and in rural areas.

These clinics, while being managed by paramedics under the supervision of doctors, have been effective in ensuring quality primary healthcare and CAP trusts that under the 1Care system, the clinics will more efficiently serve the needs of the rakyat.

S.M. MOHD IDRIS,
President, Consumers Association of Penang.

Kerjaya terbaik

2010-01-07T00:23:00.000+08:00

Survey yang dilakukan di Amerika menyenaraikan 200 pekerjaan yang terbaik hingga yang terburuk. Pekerjaan terbaik ialah dalam bidang Actuary. Pekerjaan terbaik bukan bermakna pekerjaan yang dibayar gaji paling tinggi. Tetapi mereka menggunakan lima kriteria untuk mengukurnya.

Senarai 50 terbaik ialah:

Rank	Job	Starting salary	Midlevel salary	Top level salary
1	ACTUARY	$49,000	$85,000	$161,000
2	SOFTWARE ENGINEER	$54,000	$85,000	$129,000
3	COMPUTER SYSTEMS ANALYST	$45,000	$76,000	$118,000
4	BIOLOGIST	$39,000	$71,000	$148,000
5	HISTORIAN	$34,000	$62,000	$111,000
6	MATHEMATICIAN	$54,000	$95,000	$141,000
7	PARALEGAL ASSISTANT	$29,000	$46,000	$73,000
8	STATISTICIAN	$40,000	$73,000	$117,000
9	ACCOUNTANT	$37,000	$59,000	$102,000
10	DENTAL HYGIENIST	$44,000	$67,000	$91,000
11	PHILOSOPHER	$33,000	$60,000	$105,000
12	METEOROLOGIST	$39,000	$81,000	$127,000
13	TECHNICAL WRITER	$37,000	$62,000	$97,000
14	BANK OFFICER	$54,000	$88,000	$171,000
15	WEB DEVELOPER	$48,000	$60,000	$91,000
16	INDUSTRIAL ENGINEER	$48,000	$74,000	$107,000
17	FINANCIAL PLANNER	$32,000	$59,000	$145,000
18	AEROSPACE ENGINEER	$58,000	$93,000	$135,000
19	PHARMACIST	$77,000	$106,000	$131,000
20	MEDICAL RECORDS TECHNICIAN	$20,000	$31,000	$50,000
21	SOCIOLOGIST	$41,000	$69,000	$122,000
22	STENOGRAPHER/COURT REPORTER	$25,000	$50,000	$84,000
23	MEDICAL SECRETARY	$21,000	$30,000	$43,000
24	BOOKKEEPER	$21,000	$33,000	$49,000
25	ASTRONOMER	$45,000	$101,000	$157,000
26	ECONOMIST	$44,000	$84,000	$149,000
27	PHYSICIST	$57,000	$103,000	$159,000
28	DIETICIAN	$31,000	$51,000	$73,000
29	PAROLE OFFICER	$29,000	$46,000	$78,000
30	MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIST	$36,000	$54,000	$75,000
31	MOTION PICTURE EDITOR	$25,000	$51,000	$112,000
32	GEOLOGIST	$42,000	$79,000	$155,000
33	CIVIL ENGINEER	$48,000	$75,000	$116,000
34	COMPUTER PROGRAMMER	$40,000	$70,000	$111,000
35	INDUSTRIAL DESIGNER	$31,000	$57,000	$98,000
36	PETROLEUM ENGINEER	$58,000	$108,000	$146,000
37	MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN	$23,000	$35,000	$54,000
38	OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST	$43,000	$67,000	$98,000
39	INSURANCE UNDERWRITER	$35,000	$57,000	$100,000
40	PURCHASING AGENT	$34,000	$54,000	$89,000
41	PHYSIOLOGIST	$36,000	$65,000	$101,000
42	NUCLEAR ENGINEER	$68,000	$97,000	$137,000
43	AUDIOLOGIST	$40,000	$62,000	$99,000
44	BROADCAST TECHNICIAN	$18,000	$33,000	$67,000
45	MARKET RESEARCH ANALYST	$34,000	$61,000	$112,000
46	LIBRARIAN	$33,000	$53,000	$81,000
47	ANTHROPOLOGIST	$32,000	$54,000	$89,000
48	ARCHITECTURAL DRAFTER	$28,000	$45,000	$67,000
49	VOCATIONAL COUNSELOR	$29,000	$51,000	$82,000
50	ARCHEOLOGIST	$32,000	$54,000	$89,000

Senarai lengkap boleh dilihat di http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/st_BESTJOBS2010_20100105.html atau laman asal http://www.careercast.com/jobs/content/top-200-jobs-2010-jobs-rated#top-ten-list

Software percuma terbaik 2009

2010-01-03T01:05:00.004+08:00

Semoga memberikan faedah. Sumber: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2338803,00.asp

Saya merahkan program-program kegemaran saya.

App Launchers

1. Circle Dock
circledock.wikidot.com
Windows
Who says a dock has to actually... dock? To the side of the screen, that is. Circle Dock brings up a spiraling launcher interface with all the icons you want to click. Rotate it with the wheel on your mouse and change the skin to suit your desktop.
2. ObjectDock
www.stardock.com
Windows
Replace the Windows Taskbar and Quick Launch toolbar with this Mac-like animated toolbar of icons for all your programs. It comes with a few "docklets" for displaying info like the time, weather, and a Web search form.
3. Launchy
www.launchy.net
Windows | Linux
"Keystroke launcher" is a fancy way of saying "command line," but if you like to type rather than click for control—a practice that goes well beyond app launching—Launchy is your best choice.

4. Quicksilver
www.blacktree.com
Mac OS
Quicksilver does more from the keyboard than just launch programs. It can act on any item you can find or drag on your Mac. Quicksilver plug-ins add even more functions.

Audio/Music

5. Audacity [HALL OF FAME]
audacity.sourceforge.net
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
On a par with any commercial audio editor, Audacity is the free sound editor of choice. The latest beta (1.3.6) even supports MPEG-4, Dolby Digital, and Windows Media.
6. Banshee
banshee-project.org
Linux
iTunes is riffed upon again, this time in a Linux-only option that supports audio and video, Android phones, and older iPods (but not iPhones or iPod touch... for now).
7. EphPod
www.ephpod.com
Windows
It does whatever iTunes does in Windows—syncing, playlists, iPod firmware updates, and much more, including moving music from an iPod to your new PC.
8. foobar2000
www.foobar2000.org
Windows
Basic playback of just about any audio you can imagine is foobar2000's calling card, complete with an iTunes-like interface.
9. imeem (formerly Anywhere.FM)
www.imeem.com
Web
If iTunes were entirely in the cloud, it would be pretty close to imeem (formerly Anywhere.FM). Upload your music collection and videos to stream from any device. Digital photos, too. You can share them with friends you make on the service.
10. iTunes [HALL OF FAME]
www.apple.com/itunes
Windows | Mac OS
Do we have to explain iTunes as the (so far) ultimate media player, coupled with online store and the primary way to get media—from music to video to games to podcasts, which plays most file formats (except, unsurprisingly, Windows Media formats)—and puts them on your iPod or iPhone? Probably not.
11. Mojo
www.deusty.com
Windows | Mac OS
When you and some friends install Mojo, you're ready for a unique sharing experience. Browsing and downloading MP3s from each other's iTunes music libraries is suddenly a very easy proposition. If it's a DRM file from the iTunes store, Mojo highlights them in red so you won't be bothered trying.
12. Songbird
www.getsongbird.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Mozilla's knockoff of iTunes is free, open-source, and supports just about every kind of music file you can imagine. You can even download embedded MP3s on Web sites to your permanent collection. Extensions add support for iPods and Web services.
13. Screamer Radio
www.screamer-radio.com
Windows
You can download an app or run it from the Web, but either way, Screamer Radio accesses and lets you record Internet radio in a number of streaming audio formats (Shoutcast, Icecast, Ogg Vorbis, WMA, and AAC).
14. WavePad Sound Editor
www.nch.com.au/wavepad
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
WavePad puts all the usual bells and whistles of audio editing and effects at your fingertips.
15. Winamp [HALL OF FAME]
www.winamp.com
Windows
Still a primo MP3 player, Winamp is both customizable (it heralded the age of "skins" on software) and comes in multiple versions, including one that works with CDs.

Backup

16. DriveImage XML
www.runtime.org
Windows
Make a replica—an image—of your entire hard drive for easy backup and restore later.
17. MozBackup
mozbackup.jasnapaka.com
Windows
If you're a big user of Mozilla products—including Firefox, Thunderbird, and SeaMonkey, as well as Flock and Netscape—use MozBackup to store your hard-earned settings and data like bookmarks and e-mail messages.
18. MozyHome Free
www.mozy.com
Windows | Mac OS
Don't even think about backing up: MozyHome will do it for you, in the background, for up to 2GB of data (you can pay to get unlimited space). Perfect for office docs, but you'll want to pay for more storage to back up pictures, music, or videos. Soon it will sync between PCs, too.
19. SpiderOak
www.spideroak.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
It's another 2GB of free online storage that backs up in the background, but SpiderOak goes Mozy one better by supporting Linux.
20. SyncToy v2.0
www.microsoft.com/downloads
Windows
This so-called PowerToy from Microsoft has the power to make sure folders across your multiple drives or even your home network stay fully synchronized.
21. SyncBack Freeware
www.2brightsparks.com/freeware
Windows
Set all the parameters and SyncBack will handle synchronization or backup between folders, FTP sites, or ZIP archives.

Blogging

22. ScribeFire
www.scribefire.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
This add-on for Firefox is a perfect tool for posting entries to just about any blogging software or service in existence.
23. TweetDeck
www.tweetdeck.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Don't restrict Twitter to just a column when this Adobe Air–based software can spread itself across your desktop with multiple columns. Each column can contain replies, direct messages, or whatever you specify. As with any tweet tool, the columns auto-update as new tweets arrive. TweetDeck stores all tweets that arrive while the app is running so you don't miss anything overnight.
24. Twitteriffic
www.iconfactory.com/software/twitterrific
Mac OS| Mobile
A small desktop footprint is the hallmark of this reverse-type Twitter app, great for reading and posting to the popular microblogging service. All the features you expect, and more, are there—even in the free version, which includes advertisements.
25. Zoundry Raven
www.zoundryraven.com
Windows
Finally, standalone software that gives Windows Live Writer some serious competition for the pro bloggers. It handles full WYSIWYG editing on multiple blogs and can run portably from a USB flash drive to use with any Windows PC.
26. twhirl
www.twhirl.org
Windows | Mac OS
A desktop interface for Twitter, twhirl requires Adobe AIR to run but makes it infinitely easier to keep up with tweets and/or twits.
27. Ustream.tv
www.ustream.tv
Web
Still the best way to broadcast yourself, live, across the Web. All you need is the webcam.
28. WordPress.com
www.wordpress.com
Web
You could install WordPress on your servers, or go right to this commercial, hosted site and set up a professional-looking blog in no time.
Read our review of WordPress.
29. Windows Live Writer
get.live.com/writer/overview
Windows
This desktop software for blog posting is a favorite with the pros who want a WYSIWYG editor that also posts photos, maps, and other content.

Browsers

30. Camino
caminobrowser.org
Mac OS
Love Firefox but wish it was more ... Mac-ish? Camino solves that issue, offering "Mozilla power, Mac style." It has full support of Mac OS's Keychain, AppleScript, and all the typical Firefox goodies.
31. Flock 2
www.flock.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Flock 2 stresses the social along with surfing, integrating features like RSS reading and Twitter and media access right into the browser. Since it's based on Firefox, it can also use many of the same extensions.
Read our review of Flock 2.
32. Firefox [HALL OF FAME]
www.mozilla.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Mobile
Can't wait for the free update to IE8, which promises an enhanced address bar and upgraded privacy protections? In the meantime use our favorite browser. Firefox is beholden to no one and extensible to the nth degree. Upcoming versions will offer far more security and superfast JavaScript to make the browsing experience even better.
Read our review of Firefox 3, a PCMag Editors' Choice.
33. FoxReplace
code.google.com/p/foxreplace
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
If you work in a lot of Web forms or Web apps like Google Docs, this Firefox add-on is a must-have. It can search and replace text in Web pages quickly and easily.
34. Google Chrome
www.google.com/chrome
Windows
Everyone pays attention to what Google does, and when it made a Web browser, the world noticed. And for good reason: This streamlined, fast, secure software has true potential in the browser wars.
35. Internet Explorer 8 Beta [HALL OF FAME]
www.microsoft.com/windows/internet-explorer
Windows
This is a freebie you're probably already using in some form, as IE is the most-used Web browser in the world. The latest beta adds fantastic (if overdue) features such as a stealth mode, better performance, and the ability to subscribe to "web slices" that are just parts of a full Web page.
36. Opera [HALL OF FAME]
www.opera.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Mobile
Opera can claim many "firsts"—tabs, speed dial, and more—and some say the best. It remains a fast browser with a presence available on just about any device in your digital arsenal.
Read our review of Opera 9.
37. OperaTor
archetwist.com/en/opera/operator
Windows
Combine the portable version of Opera with the anonymizing service Tor (The Onion Router) and you get OperaTor, a bundle (including Polipo as a proxy) that keeps your surfing secret.
38. Safari
www.apple.com/safari
Windows | Mac OS
Fast page load times are a hallmark of this browser, the default for Mac installations and also available for Windows. Safari offered private browsing before it was cool.
Read our review of Safari 3.1 for Windows.

Calendar/PIMs

39. 30 Boxes
www.30boxes.com
www.30boxes.com
An online calendar that actually looks like a calendar. The buddies feature makes sharing schedules and to-dos a breeze.
40. Calgoo Calendar
www.calgoo.com/calendar
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Think of Calgoo as one calendar app to rule them all: The software provides desktop access to Google Calendar and 30 Boxes, and syncs data with Outlook and Apple iCal.
41. Doomi
doominow.com
Windows
This simple to-do list app requires Adobe Air to run, and floats on your screen or rests in the system tray—the very model of an unobtrusive application. Future plans include syncing with an online to-do list.
42. Google Calendar
www.google.com/calendar
Web | Mobile
With multiple views, simple sharing, and seamless integration with other Google products, Google's calendar, like most of its Web apps, stands a notch above the rest.
Read the full review of Google Calendar.
43. Lightning
www.mozilla.org/projects/calendar/lightning
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Solaris | OS2
Mozilla's calendar add-on for Thunderbird gives the e-mail client all it needs to take on all the features of Microsoft Outlook.
44. Chandler
chandlerproject.org
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
An open-source, sharable desktop to-do master, Chandler looks vaguely Outlook-esque, but it doesn't worry about communications—just tasks for those embracing the "getting things done" lifestyle.
45. Remember The Milk
www.rememberthemilk.com
Web | Mobile
This power to-do list site gives you many ways to get reminders (e-mail, SMS, IM) and even more ways to create them, from Google widgets to phone calls to IM bots.
46. Remember The Task
www.jashsayani.com/my-softwares
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
This Adobe Air–based app puts a small window on your desktop with one fantastic purpose: full-time access to your Remember The Milk task list.
47. TaskFive
www.taskfive.com
Web
Just five tasks a day? Take it as a challenge, not a limitation. TaskFive sports an elegant calendar interface, and you can enter tasks via Web, e-mail, or text message. Team to-dos will cost you, however.
48. Yahoo Calendar
calendar.yahoo.com
Web
An old-timer compared with many, Yahoo Calendar doesn't innovate a lot but provides solid features, shareable calendars, and synchronization with Outlook.

Communication/E-Mail

49. eM Client
www.emclient.com
Windows
Anyone familiar with Outlook or Thunderbird can master the basics of using eM Client freeware in no time. It already syncs with Google Calendar, and future developments will integrate social networks and IMs with your e-mail.
50. Gmail
www.gmail.com
Web | Mobile
The current bellwether in Web-based e-mail is still in perennial beta, but Google continues to innovate with additions via the Gmail Labs. The searchable and ever-increasing storage (up to 7GB now, up from 5.5GB last year) doesn't hurt. New themes make it pretty. And you can use it to IM or even send SMS text messages to friends' phones.
51. gAttach
www.gattach.net
Windows
Usually with webmail, you have to put attachments on a message after the fact. gAttach does it automatically when you select a file, or from within other apps like MS Word, all from the desktop. If you prefer Yahoo Mail, check out yAttach.
52. Google Contacts
hogi.a.orn.jp/en/gmcont.html
Windows
This extension for Thunderbird does one thing you need: It synchronizes contacts between Thunderbird and Google's Gmail.
53. iContact
www.dataload.com/icontact
Windows
Accessing your Gmail contacts is all the easier with iContact; it displays the normally browser-accessible-only list on your desktop and integrates those contacts into other communications software, like Skype.
54. Simple Mail
www.userlogos.org/extensions/simplemail
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
If you already have Firefox open all the time, why not have one of those tabs just for mail? The Simple Mail add-on puts a POP3/IMAP client right inside the browser.
55. Thunderbird [HALL OF FAME]
www.mozilla.com/thunderbird
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
The Internet's top e-mail client from Mozilla is (of course) extensible, but even without add-ons Thunderbird is simple-to-master software for anyone with a POP3 or IMAP e-mail account.
Read our review of Thunderbird 2.
56. Windows Live Mail
get.live.co
Windows
Outlook Express has morphed into the modern-day Live Mail, ready to check POP3, IMAP, and webmail accounts when you're not using it to read RSS feeds or plan your calendar.
Read our review of Windows Live Mail (Wave 3).
57. Yahoo Mail
mail.yahoo.com
Web
Our webmail Editors' Choice embeds the Yahoo Messenger IM and RSS reader, works on the Web with any browser or operating system, and has more features than anyone could hope to master.
Read our review of Yahoo Mail, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
58. Zenbe
www.zenbe.com
Web
Zenbe is a multi-account, Internet-based interface to check Yahoo Mail, Gmail, AOL, Windows Live, and POP3 messages. It throws in a shareable calendar, an address book, and other tools to make it extra-useful.

Conferencing

59. Dabbleboard
www.dabbleboard.com
Web
As simple as any whiteboard in a conference room, Dabbleboard's online app brings drawing and some real-time collaboration to your group.
60. SightSpeed
www.sightspeed.com
Windows | Mac OS
Now owned by Logitech, SightSpeed provides one-on-one video chat with unparalleled video quality, but more than two users at a time will cost you.
Read our full review of SightSpeed 6.0, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice .
61. Skype
www.skype.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Easy to use for phone calls (free between Skype users, with a minimal charge to call other phones), Skype truly shines when paired with a high-end webcam so you can see your friends and family.
Read our full review of Skype.
62. Tokbox
www.tokbox.com
Web
The Tokbox service turns your AIM buddy list into a videoconferencing buddy list directly in your browser. Separate apps make it work through Facebook or on your desktop. You provide the camera.
Read our full review of TokBox AIR.

File Transfer/Download

63. CrossFTP
www.crossftp.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Built on Java, CrossFTP works and looks the same, no matter which OS you run. It features tabs for each connection, support for archives, and drag-and-drop transfer, and it comes in a free server version, too.
64. DownThemAll
www.downthemall.net
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Don't download just one item at a time from a Web page. As the name implies, this download manager for Firefox handles them all.
65. Filezilla
www.filezilla-project.org
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Slick and simple FTP that does the job, complete with drag-and-drop from local to remote or vice versa.
66. FireFTP
fireftp.mozdev.org
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Because it's a plug-in for Firefox, FireFTP behaves like any other tab in the browser, so you don't have to launch another application to transfer files.
67. Halite
www.binarynotions.com/halite-bittorrent-client
Windows
Instead of downloading an entire file, apps using the super-popular BitTorrent protocol break files into chunks and distribute them among several users. Free, open-source application Halite is a BitTorrent client focused on using as small of a memory footprint as possible.
68. net2ftp
www.net2ftp.com
Web
If you sit at a computer with no FTP software but need to upload a file, stat, this Web app comes to your rescue quickly as long as you have the server, username, and password information.
69. Rightload
www.rightload.org
Windows
Send a file to preconfigured FTP servers anytime you want with a simple right click. Rightload adds just a single line to the context menu, with fly-out menus for each FTP server you want
70. uTorrent
www.utorrent.com
Windows
Still the best—and smallest—BitTorrent client in existence, uTorrent will have you downloading big files in no time.

File Viewers/Converters

71. Adobe Reader [HALL OF FAME]
www.adobe.com/reader
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Mobile
Adobe's PDF reader is far from basic, with a number of extra features including online collaboration tools.
72. Foxit Reader
www.foxitsoftware.com
Windows | Linux | Mobile
Frequently preferred over Adobe's own reader for PDFs, Foxit has a reputation for speed. What's more, it can annotate files.
73. PeaZip
peazip.sourceforge.net
Windows | Linux
It'll create ZIPs, 7Zs, TARs, ARCs, and more; it'll open those and many other archives too, including RAR. It can do so with AES encryption of your files, and even split or join extralarge files to make them easier to transport.
74. Sumatra PDF
blog.kowalczyk.info/software/sumatrapdf
Windows
The perfect PDF reader for the minimalist, with a super-simple interface and fast start-up time. Sumatra is perfect to carry on a USB thumb drive.
75. Quick Media Converter (QMC)
www.cocoonsoftware.com
Windows
If you're frequently converting audio or video files to different formats, keep this tool handy for (as the name suggests) quick media conversion to a number of potential formats.
76. WinRAR
www.rarlab.com
Windows
We all know about compressing files with ZIP, but RAR is also quite popular; WinRAR will compress or decompress files in both.
77. YemuZip
www.yellowmug.com/yemuzip
Mac OS
Sometimes unzipping a compressed file on the Mac makes a mess. YemuZip makes archiving and decompressing a simple drag-and-drop procedure.
78. Zamzar
www.zamzar.com
Web
Upload just about any file (under 100MB) and you can convert it to just about any format that makes sense. This tool even grabs online videos from YouTube and turns them into files you can use.

Finance

79. Billeo
www.billeo.com
Windows
Install the Billeo toolbar on your Web browser and add your accounts, and you'll get fast access to assistance with online shopping, online bill payment, and reports on your spending.
Read our review of Billeo, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
80. Buxfer
www.buxfer.com
Web | Mobile
Sign up (or use an existing AOL, Facebook, Google, OpenID, or Yahoo account) to get started with tracking shared expenses, so divvying up the bills at the end of the month becomes a breeze.
81. Mint
www.mint.com
Web
Mint manages your money by sucking in data from all your bank, credit card, and other accounts, providing you regular reports on what you're spending and how to save.
Read our review of Mint.com, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
82. Wesabe
www.wesabe.com
Windows | Mac OS | Web
"Part money management tool, part community," where info—your comments about your spending—is shared (anonymously) with the group so everyone can find value. Of course, Wesabe also helps track your spending and income.

Fun/Home

83. eBay Desktop
desktop.ebay.com
Windows | Mac OS
This app, which requires Adobe Air, looks like eBay replicated on your desktop, but for power buyers it adds special functions, like not needing to refresh the page and a clock synchronized with eBay's own.
84. Geni.com
www.geni.com
Web
There's no easier place to plug in your family tree, and being a Web app makes it easy to share with the rest of the family so they can fill in the gaps.
85. Google Earth
earth.google.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
If you like Google Maps online, welcome to that same kind of action on steroids. You can traverse the globe on its interlocking satellite images, or reverse it and look skyward, even travel to the past. Third-party add-ons continue to extend Google Earth's capabilities beyond what our puny terrestrial minds can imagine.
Read our review of Google Earth 4.3, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
86. Home Inventory
www.knowyourstuff.org
Windows | Mac OS
Insurance companies ask you to inventory your possessions prior to signing up for a homeowner's or renter's policy. Create a home inventory of everything you own on this site, a service of the Insurance Information Institute, and throw in digital pictures or even scanned purchase receipts to make sure what's yours is yours.
87. Penzu
www.penzu.com
Web
Hard to believe that in the age of blogging, some people still want journals and diaries they keep to themselves. Penzu is all about making that happen, online, with privacy as the first priority.
88. Springpad
www.springpadit.com
Web
Manage your life tasks with online notebooks filled with lists, photos, notes, and maps/directions you can share with the whole family. Perfect for tracking receipts, planning meals or trips, and getting your house organized.
89. Timetoast
www.timetoast.com
Web
Ever wanted to create a timeline for your site or a presentation, but couldn't decide what tool would best display the data? Wonder no more, as Timetoast adds this useful data with an attractive flair.

Graphics

90. Artweaver
www.artweaver.de
Windows
If you want the freedom to paint, without the mess and without paying $359 for Corel Painter X, Artweaver is a good starter tool for artists.
91. DestroyFlickr
www.destroytoday.com/?p=Project&id=DestroyFlickr
Windows
This Adobe Air app puts Flickr on your desktop, but with a completely different interface. Why "destroy"? In the words of app creator Jonnie Hallman, "To destroy today is to make the most of the day—destruction as a form of creation."
92. flauntR
www.flauntr.com
Web
This online photo editor integrates with just about any picture service you can imagine, including Facebook and Flickr, and offers a suite of tools to manipulate images in ways specific to social networks and mobile handsets.
93. FastStone Image Viewer
www.faststone.org
Windows
Another image browser and converter that handles almost any file type, FastStone also has companion programs like the handy Photo Resizer, complete with a fast batch processor.
94. GIMP [HALL OF FAME]
www.gimp.org

GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP) has provided Photoshop-like tools at no charge for over a decade.
Read our review of Gimp 2.4.7 .
95. Google SketchUp
sketchup.google.com
Windows | Mac OS
If you're new to 3D but want to build worlds anyway, a free tool like SketchUp is a great place to start; the latest version includes "self-aware" 3D models so the app knows, for example, to resize a virtual staircase by adding more stairs and extend a virtual fence by adding more slats.
Read our review of Google SketchUp.
96. IrfanView
www.irfanview.com
Windows
Perhaps the ultimate image viewer (with some editing tools thrown in), the latest IrfanView (version 4.20) received a nice cosmetic update. It also supports instant video and audio playback.
Read our review of IrfanView 3.85, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
97. Paint.NET
www.getpaint.net
Windows
This student project–turned–freeware masterpiece puts the power of higher-end graphics editors in anyone's hands.
98. Pencil
www.les-stooges.org/pascal/pencil
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
For the budding Chuck Jones at home, Pencil is a free way to get started in the world of traditional 2D animation–that is, draw each frame anew.
99. Picasa
picasa.google.com
Windows | Linux
Few free programs come close to handling photos with the skill of Picasa. Organize them, do quick edits (including red-eye reduction), and share pics online or e-mail them to friends.
Read our review of Picasa 3, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
100. MobaPhoto
mobaphoto-en.mobatek.net
Windows
Portability is the key here. This lightweight photo editor (only 1.6MB) puts photographs into great-looking photo galleries, and naturally has all the usual tools to fix red-eye, crop, and resize. It'll even batch-process images.
101. Photoshop Express
www.photoshop.com/express
Web
It's not the full power of Photoshop on the Web, but it does offer rudimentary editing, basic photo sharing, and 2GB of storage for your photos. Partnerships with sites like Picasa and Facebook make Photoshop Express fun as well as useful.
Read our review of Photoshop Express .
102. Photosynth
www.photosynth.com
Web
Photosynth does so many unique things with photos that we gave it a Technical Excellence award. It takes multiple photos, finds where they overlap, and creates an almost 3D image; it can even make a 3D replica of an object from shots at multiple angles.
103. Picnik
www.picnik.com
Web
Picnik is the gold standard in online image editing these days: It fixes photos without confusing users and works with a number of photo-sharing sites, and best of all, you don't have to register to get started using it—unless you want to save images online.
Read our review of Picnik.
104. Pictomio
www.pictomio.com
Windows
Handling all your photos with a simple but powerful interface, Pictomio browses in many styles—including a carousel mode similar to iTunes' Coverflow, which benefits from a good 3D video card—organizes shots, and creates instant slideshows. It will even handle audio and video.
105. Splashup
www.splashup.com
Web
You don't even need to sign up to get instant access to this Flash-based image editor with all the features (and more) that you'd find in a downloadable app.
106. SUMO Paint
www.sumo.fi/web
Web
Not every Web-based image editor can claim to be high-end, but SUMO can by carefully mimicking the look and feel of Photoshop, maybe a little too well. Try it before this free Flash app gets sued out of existence by Adobe.

IMs

107. AIM [HALL OF FAME]
www.aim.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Web | Mobile
AOL's Instant Messenger is the most-used network in the U.S., and the software—only the Windows version gets regular updates these days—packs in as much as possible. You can access the AIM network with just about any multi-protocol IM software.
Read our review of AIM 6.5 .
108. Dexrex
www.dexrex.com
Windows | Mac OS | Mobile
This add-on records your IM conversation transcripts and stores them online for later reading and analysis. It works with AIM,Digsby, Yahoo Messenger, and many others.
109. Digsby
www.digsby.com
Windows
Brand new this year, Digsby may be the ultimate way to stay in real-time touch with friends. It incorporates multiple IM networks, social networks (including Twitter), and e-mail and Web-mail notifications. You can even send mail through Digsby. Mac OS and Linux versions are promised soon.
110. Meebo
www.meebo.com
Web | Mobile
When you want to avoid installing software but still want to chat on all the major IM networks, Meebo is your site of choice. Sign up for a Meebo account to access multiple IM networks all at once and log all conversations.
Read our review of Meebo.

Interface Enhancers

111. AccelMan File Manager
www.flexigensoft.com/accelman
Windows
As much a file viewer as a file manager, AccelMan's multiple windows offer up info galore on each file and its contents. The app can even play back media files when you don't want to launch another player.
112. Desktops
technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/cc817881.aspx
Windows
Desktops is a virtual desktop manager in a small package; the app is only a 62K download. Personalize hotkeys for quick switches between desktops.
113. DExposE2
devrexster.googlepages.com/dexpose2
Windows
This app is a Windows clone of the Mac interface treat Exposé, which makes opening and closing apps and getting to the desktop a fast process. Windows XP and Vista users can also set up DExposE2 to work on multiple monitors.
114. Emerge Desktop
emergedesktop.org
Windows
You think the Windows desktop looks too busy with that system tray, Taskbar, and Start button? EmergeDesktop does away with them all, replacing the Windows shell (the interface, that is) with the minuscule emergeTray. Launch apps with a right click, or couple Emerge Desktop with a launcher like ObjectDock.
115. GreenPrint
www.printgreener.com
Windows | Mac OS
Stop printing that extra blank page when you need a hard copy of a Web page, or for any printout. GreenPrint saves the paper, even letting you output a PDF sans the blank sheets. A tree somewhere will thank you.
Read our review of GreenPrint .
116. muCommander
www.mucommander.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Mobile
muCommander is unique: It's a file manager that looks the same on all operating systems. A standard dual-pane, it also has support for archived files, FTPs, and previews files.
117. PlacesBar Tweaker
www.ioisland.com/placesbar
Windows
Every time you open or save a file in Windows XP, the dialog box gives you a few select options, like Desktop or My Documents, to choose from in the Places bar. You can personalize that list with this tweaker, putting your most-used folders in the lineup.
118. RBTray
moitah.net
Windows
RBTray does one thing and does it well: It makes it possible to minimize any application you like to the system tray as an icon, rather than as a taskbar button, without even doing a full install (RBTray can run from a thumb drive).
119. StandaloneStack
www.chrisnsoft.com/standalonestack
Windows
Mac OS X Leopard introduced cool towers of icons to the interface, with shortcuts to frequently accessed folders, called stacks. Now you can put stacks in Windows as well. There's even an add-on to put stacks on the RocketDock launcher.
120. Start++
www.brandontools.com/content/StartPlusPlus.aspx
Windows
A nice addition in Vista to the Windows environment was the Start Menu's search box. Start++ turbocharges it with extras like online searches with results in the menu, and its own set of widgets and plug-ins (for example, displaying the weather is an option).
121. TrayEverything
www.winapizone.net/software/trayeverything
Windows
You've got a lot of applications open, but only so much space in your Taskbar... so why not minimize them directly to the system tray on the lower right-hand side of your screen? TrayEverything will do it for you.
122. UltraExplorer
www.mustangpeak.net/ultraexplorer.html
Windows
Another replacement for Windows Explorer, this one sports a command-line interface to go with the dual-pane view of files, plus a preview window so you can quickly check the contents of a file before opening it.
123. Yahoo Widgets
widgets.yahoo.com
Windows | Mac OS
The world's biggest collection of widgets—over 5,000 of the things—is yours through Yahoo. Some are more useful than others, but with the right combo your desktop can be an information powerhouse.

Local Search

124. Google Desktop
desktop.google.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Put the power of Google's search engine to work on finding your own files. The software indexes in the background, while in the foreground you get to put all the Google Gadgets (widgets) you like on your desktop.
Read our review of Google Desktop 4 (beta).
125. Everything
www.voidtools.com
Windows
Don't need the extras? Everything really does just one thing in its small package: It indexes your PC in real time for lightning-fast search.

126. Locate32
www.locate32.net
Windows
The Locate32 project is all about indexing the contents of your hard drives and other storage to run fast finds on local data.

Office

127. Adobe Buzzword
www.buzzword.com
Web
This online-only word processor has one of the best-looking minimalist interfaces going, since it was built entirely with Adobe Flash, and each page looks as good as any formatted in Word.
Read our review of Adobe Buzzword .
128. blist
www.blist.com
Web
Web lists (aka "blists") are little databases for all your data needs. The Flash interface makes this fast for newbies and powerful enough for everyone else. You can even put your blists on your blog or social network pages.
129. EtherPad
etherpad.com
Web
You don't even have to sign up to create a new pad, a shareable text document stored online for you by EtherPad. Don't expect fancy formatting, but do expect real-time, color-coded editing between all collaborators.
130. Evernote
www.evernote.com
Windows | Mac OS | Mobile | Web
Take a clipping of anything you see—online or off—for later reference. Built-in OCR makes text inside images searchable.
131. GMDesk
www.robertnyman.com/gmdesk/
Windows
Bring Google's Web apps to the desktop with this site-specific browser interface that requires Adobe Air. You'll have access to Gmail, Google Reader, and Google Docs just as you would in a browser, but GMDesk stays alive when your browser crashes.
132. Google Docs
docs.google.com
Web | Mobile
If you're ready to move your work life to the cloud, Google's word processor, spreadsheet, and presentation suite is ready for you, complete with storage for all docs. It also comes with forms you can fill out to gather data from outside.
Read our review of Google Docs, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
133. Incollector
www.incollector.devnull.pl
Windows | Linux
Note-taking doesn't have to hog the whole desktop, or even the whole browser window. Incollector runs in the background, letting you call up a new note page from the system tray when you want, tag it, and easily find it later.
134. Jarte
www.jarte.com
Windows
No one loves the Notepad included in Windows, and there are many replacements. Jarte goes most of them one better, being completely self-contained and portable (you can run it from a thumb drive!).
135. KompoZer
www.kompozer.net
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
This free WYSIWYG Web page authoring package builds on the abandoned Nvu project. It supports CSS, file management (including FTP), and tabs for multiple pages.
136. Lotus Symphony
symphony.lotus.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
IBM's entry into the world of office suites is based on OpenOffice, and is currently in beta for Mac and Linux. It covers the three big suite tools: word processing, presentations, and spreadsheets.
Read our review of Lotus Symphony .
137. LucidChart
www.lucidchart.com
Web
Why make flowcharts complicated? This Web app goes back to basics with simple, black-and-white charts that anyone can make—and better yet, anyone else can easily understand.
138. NeoOffice
www.neooffice.com
Mac OS
NeoOffice comes with most of the same tools as the Mac version of OpenOffice but carries a more Apple-friendly look and feel.
139. Notepad++ [HALL OF FAME]
notepad-plus.sourceforge.net
Windows
Notepad++ is the standard by which all replacements for Notepad—that weak little app that comes with Windows—are measured. It sports full text styles, tabs, drag-and-drop, and super-speed and is suitable for any coding or writing you can throw at it.
140. OpenOffice [HALL OF FAME]
www.openoffice.org
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Solaris
Version 3 of the freebie office suite ups the ante against Microsoft's hegemony, becoming fast and polished enough to warrant serious consideration by all, especially small businesses. It looks like MS Office 2003 (for those not in love with the Ribbon interface in Office 2007) and has all the tools—except e-mail—you'll ever need.
Read our Review of OpenOffice.org 3.0 .
141. SlideRocket
www.sliderocket.com
Web
Promising more than PowerPoint and Keynote is bold, but this Web-only presentation tool seems to deliver the goods with amazing animations, support for embedded video, and 3D transitions between slides.
142. SoftMaker Office 2006
www.softmakeroffice.com
Windows
This free version is meant to entice you to upgrade to the 2008 version, but if all you need is basic text editing and a spreadsheet, you're set.
143. Springnote
www.springnote.com
Web | Mobile
Whether you want a personal notebook or a shareable group notebook, this wiki-based note-taking site could give Microsoft's OneNote a run for its money.
144. Widgenie
www.widgenie.com
Web
Sick of making meh-looking graphs in Excel? Visualize the same data through Widgenie and create a beautiful graph widget, even one with animation, that you can share online. Text clouds, artful presentations of the most popular words on a page, are always a favorite with bloggers.
145. Zoho
www.zoho.com
Web | Mobile
If there's a tool in the arsenal of office suites that Zoho doesn't include, we can't think of it. Not all the Web apps are free, but those that are—word processor, spreadsheet tool, presentation app, mail, wiki, and many more—all bring the goods.
Read our review of Zoho .

Operating Systems

146. gOS 3.0 Gadgets
www.thinkgos.com
Linux
With its emphasis on easy access to tools from Google, it's easy to see why some think of this lightweight Linux—renowned for powering cheap PCs from Wal-Mart—as the Google OS.
147. pure:dyne
code.goto10.org/projects/puredyne
Linux
Consider this the creative Linux distro: Boot just about any Intel PC (even MacBooks) from a Live CD with pure:dyne, and you'll get instant access to free tools for editing audio, video, and images (many already in this story).
148. Ubuntu [HALL OF FAME]
www.ubuntu.com
Linux
The easiest Linux to install, now in version 8.10 (aka "Intrepid Ibex"), not only is suitable for (somewhat knowledgeable) consumers, but also comes with all the software you need to be productive.
Read our review of Ubuntu 8.04 .

Networking

149. AirSnare
home.comcast.net/~jay.deboer/airsnare
Windows
Turn your Wi-Fi–equipped laptop into an info sniffer. AirSnare pulls down info on computers and game consoles and just about any device on the network, even delivering devices' MAC addresses.
150. AirRadar
www.koingosw.com/products/airradar.php
Mac OS
AirRadar goes beyond what the Wi-Fi utility in Mac OS X can do by showing extras like signal strength and the 802.11 network's channel.
151. Axence NetTools
www.axencesoftware.com
Windows
Want a quick look at everything happening on your home network? NetTools scans the network, and reports back on what ports are in use and the inbound and outbound connections. You can use it to test your networking connections over TCP or UDP protocols.
152. GBridge
www.gbridge.com
Windows
Set up a relatively painless VPN between computers for sharing and syncing files and folders, using your Google account as the connection point (though Gbridge is not affiliated with Google).
153. InSSIDer
www.metageek.net/products/inssider
Windows
Taking up where the venerable NetStumbler left off, InSSIDer is a Wi-Fi network scanner that runs under Vista and XP— even the 64-bit versions. You can use it to find out what's wrong with local 802.11 networks.
154. LogMeIn Hamachi
secure.logmein.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Set up a secure tunnel between two PCs using a virtual private network (VPN), just like the ones the pros use to access the server at work. Only this one is free.
Read our review of Hamachi for Windows .
155. NetSetMan
www.netsetman.com
Windows
Stop using Vista's convoluted interface to change network settings. NetSetMan takes over and creates profiles for different networks you might connect with, changing your need for static or dynamic IPs, or hostnames or workgroups, on the fly. If you've got multiple network cards, NetSetMan is a huge help.
156. Network Notepad
www.networknotepad.com
Windows
It's more than a notepad: This software is specific to creating flowcharts of your network layout. Put in the IP address for each device and you can use the interface to quickly ping devices to confirm they're online.
157. PrinterAnywhere
www.printeranywhere.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Why print just to your printer? This utility lets you print to any printer on the Internet (through another PC with PrinterAnywhere installed), or you can open your printer to others.

RSS Readers

158. Google Reader
reader.google.com
Web | Mobile
After three years, Google's RSS feed reader is tops, not only mimicking the best of what desktop readers can do but also mashing up nicely with other Google services, like the iGoogle home page.
Read our review of Google Reader.
159. Netvibes
www.netvibes.com
Web
A personalized start page with an emphasis on widgets and feed readers, Netvibes also aggregates podcasts for you.
Read our review of NetVibes.
160. FeedDemon
www.newsgator.com/Individuals/FeedDemon
Windows
The preeminent desktop newsreader for Windows was recently overhauled to be faster and easier, while remaining extremely customizable to suit how you read feeds.
Read our review of FeedDemon, a PCMag.com Editors' Choice.
161. NetNewsWire
www.newsgator.com/individuals/netnewswire
Mac OS | Mobile
FeedDemon's sibling on the Macintosh platform has updated its interface and more, and now integrates with several other Mac apps like iCal and iPhoto to help you share as well as read.
162. RSS Bandit
rssbandit.org
Windows
Directly sync this reader with your online feeds at Google Reader or NewsGator Online. You'll get fast browsing on the desktop, but still have access to your feeds over the Web using other PCs.
163. Snarfer
www.snarfware.com
Windows
It won't win awards for visual innovation, but Snarfer does provide simplicity. It's arguably the best way to handle straight-up RSS info gathering and reading, and it's available in over 20 languages.

Synchronization

164. Dropbox
www.getdropbox.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux | Web
One of the few sync/backup tools to support Linux (Fedora and Ubuntu), Dropbox always gets kudos for its design and simple setup. Online backup space is free for up to 2GB.
165. Windows Live Sync
sync.live.com
Windows | Mac OS | Web
The replacement for FolderShare continues to do one thing and do it well: sync folders (up to 20) across multiple PCs over the Internet.
166. Windows Live Mesh
www.mesh.com
Windows | Mac OS | Mobile | Web
Microsoft's latest method for syncing folders on different PCs does FolderShare one better by including 5GB of online storage accessible from any PC, plus the ability to mesh special collaborative applications (like a group crossword puzzle!).
167. Syncplicity
www.syncplicity.com
Windows | Mobile | Web
Synchronize up to 10,000 files (or 2GB, whichever comes first) on up to two computers free. Sign up friends and you can add another 1GB per new user recruited.
168. Mozilla Weave
services.mozilla.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
A product of Mozilla Labs, Weave is meant to synchronize anything and everything related to Firefox among all the computers you use, plus extend some features to others for sharing. Registration is closed as of this writing, but should be back soon.

Video

169. CamStudio
www.camstudio.org
Windows
This open-source program for capturing videos of your screen turns what you do on your desktop, as well as the audio to go with it, into a movie, suitable for future demonstrations.
170. HandBrake
www.handbrake.fr
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Want to back up all those DVDs you own before they get scratched? This open-source tool does full DVD-to-MPEG-4 conversion, which you can play back later on media centers, even the Apple TV.
171. Miro
www.getmiro.com
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
Miro's a video player that promises to play back just about any video media file, organize files in playlists, and incorporate BitTorrent downloading to become a de facto PC-based TiVo.
172. TipCam
www.utipu.com/app
Windows
Another tool for capturing videos of your desktop, TipCam lets you take big, beautiful videos (up to 800 by 600 pixels)—you can even zoom in on specifics—and upload them direct to YouTube. Frequent users can get an account to store and display up to 250MB of video.
173. VLC media player
www.videolan.org/vlc
Windows | Mac OS | Linux
VideoLAN's open-source software plays back, well, just about everything. It can also serve up streaming video and music to other PCs on your network.

Copyright (c) 2009Ziff Davis Media Inc. All Rights Reserved.