On9ads.com - 30th May

I finally got the advertising administration page function figured out after two days of hard thinking and lots and lots of trial and error. I realized that web design is a lot like steel connection design, you're provided with multiple tools, and its up to you on how to apply and manipulate them to your purpose and depending on creativity. These tools, although may not seem to work to your purpose individually, but in a team, they would generally perform the task you want.

Web Design is a little bit like a strategy game, to win, you assemble your army and duke it out with the enemy or the purpose. If it fails, build some more or different variation and try again until you win. Its also as addictive like gaming now that I talk about it. Once you put your mind into accomplishing certain tasks, you wouldn't want to stop unless either you're tired to think already or you've done it.

Dragon Boat Festival - 28th May

Today it is the Dragon Boat Festival or the 'Duan Wu Jie' (pronounced Dwan Woo Jyet) in Chinese. It is a festival where according to legend, are commemorating the loyal office Quan Yu from ancient China's history. Anyways, the main item for this festival would of course be Dragon Boat races and also the 'Chang' (glutinous rice cooked and filled with various delicacies such as Chinese chestnut, dried shrimp, pork and mushrooms and wrapped in bamboo leaves, in which they are cooked in hot water for 4 hours). It said that when Quan Yu committed suicide by jumping into the river, villagers threw 'Chang' into the river so that the fishes would not eat the body of Quan Yu while the villagers searched for his body.

Anyways, the Chinese community would probably be having a feast at their homes. Common dishes includes: Steamed chicken, Roast Pork, Double Boiled Soups and Prawns. Although they may seem like the usual food in this days, but in the early days of Chinese history, meats were considered as lavish foods and only enjoyed during festivities. Which is why in most homes, these dishes are so popular.

Genting Issue - 28th May

Argh...Yesterday night, I've tried to book rooms at Genting using my PB Visa Electron, everything went smoothly until the last part where there was an server error / database error of some sort. Eventually, the booking was not successful, but the thing is:- PB is still charging me! What? I mean, the booking was unsuccessful, but why does PB still charges me through my card?

I've tried emailing Genting and Public Bank. But, so far, they did not reply, not even a single whiff of response from them. Wonder how are they going to settle this issue? Its not cheap! RM118.80...I need some answers!

Update at 28/5 (1.40pm):
Called up the World Reservations Center, and the agent said that the charges will be nullified and considered void at the end of the month. Tried using the telephone booking but still must use credit card. tried to book again and still got error with my card. Wonder what is wrong? Checked online and some people managed to used the PB Visa Electron to book? Wonder what is happening?

Update at 28/5 (8.17pm):
Received, not only one but 2 emails from Genting:-

Quoted ->
" Kindly be informed that after investigating further, our system shows your online transaction (with ref transaction no. 01240226) failed. However, the amount for the transaction was captured by our payment system. As such, please be advised that should you wish, we will re-process your transaction and manually confirm your booking. This will take approximately 4-5 days, after which the confirmation letter will be emailed to you. Alternately, we will void the payment and reverse the charge back to your credit card. Any inconvenience is truly much regretted.

Do revert to us ASAP with your decision so that we can proceed accordingly. Rest assured, we will indeed guarantee your booking (with reservation ref # 01240226) if you wish it once we receive confirmation from you.

Should you have additional inquiries or require further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us. "

Hmmm..at least they know how to treat their customers nice. Replied them with the confirmation of a manual reservation. I will call them again tomorrow morning to re-confirm.

Update at 29/5 (9.43am):
I've tried calling the number which gave me a miscall. Its linked to the Reservation Center. What? Again I'm dumbfounded. Why would reservations call me? Shouldn't it be the Web department or something? This is making me more confused than ever.

Update at 29/5 (9.54am):
I finally got to speak with Martin, the agent responsible for this transaction. He said that the email was received and the manual reservation will be automatically done and may take 4-5 working days to get the confirmation email. Well, can't do much at this point besides to wait and see. Martin was very assuring, he probably understands the the issue very well and the urgency need to get a confirmation. It's RM118, why shouldn't I be nervous?

Update at 02/6 (9.06am) :
Finally! Thank God they are doing things right. Bless Genting to have so much business. Received booking confirmation from the Genting yesterday. So, you can say that they are very reliable and the officers are very helpful. For anyone having the same problems, you leave a comment and I would gladly help you sort this out. Email me also at: siong_hean@hotmail.com

The Used to be Foolish Blog - 27th May

I was searching on some info for Maple (I play games and I don't care whether they look like kiddie games) and I came across this blog from a girl. Haha...yeah it sounds strange how these things actually link together, but anyways, I was reading through her blog on Maple and oh, its actually on the Maple ep.2 announcement. Looking around, I read some blogs and most of it sound very distant and sad. Even her blog title reflects this: "Used to be foolish, by foolish Girl"...

Well, what came over to my mind was that she really do need a friend that can support her all the way and cheer her up some how when she needs it. One of her blogs, on the friends forever expresses her sadness and disappointment over her 'friend' and their 'friendship'...wonder if this 'friend' is actually a guy and this 'friendship' is their relationship? I'm not too sure. But, I could understand what she's been through with all that writing. Well: "Don't Give Up Foolish Girl, I'll be rooting for you!"...I know that the loss of a friendship is something hard to digest, trust me, I've been in that condition before. "The lost of something would result in something new!" A lot of her blog also are on her daily life, how she's always boring and bore, and anxiety on her exams and such...

Anyways, I'm following her blog at this point. Sounds interesting to follow-up I guess. Other people stories are always interesting, its like watching a real life drama series..hope she will one day, be happy...

Oh, and her blog is here:- Used To be Foolish

FREE COMPANY SHARES - 27th May

Recently, I've just joined a site where you can get free shares of the company:-

Quoted from site:-

" I just became a shareholder in me2everyone and I never had to pay a single penny for the shares! Pre-launched in January 2009, more than 30,000 new members are discovering me2everyone every week: and when the full site launches we are expecting a huge surge in new memberships. You can register for free and it never has to cost you a single penny!

me2everyone is going to be a cool new virtual world where you can meet friends, chat, shop, play, watch videos, create an art gallery, open a virtual newspaper, play the free inworld lottery and make money from your own online store! You and everyone you know make the decisions, shape the world, create real incomes and share in the profits. It’s a new place where you meet new people or invite your friends. Learn new skills or expand your business. Find the love of your life or help the planet.

It will eventually become a hybrid between a 2D social network and a 3D world. There will be scope for business and there are plans to put 72,000 people into work over the next 3 years. This is something that you simply have to consider registering for. You details are 100% safe and the Company is run by professional directors. This is an excellent chance for all of us to make some real progress in 2009 and beyond! Please do not miss it.

If you are looking for something really good in 2009: something that changes your view on the world, then you really have to spend just one minute and look at this website."

Not sure whether its true, but worth trying since it's totally free:-
Go here!

On9ads.com Backlink Test - 25th May

Since I'm going to use blog ads, I might as well test blog back-linking with pictures. And here is the code:-

< a href="put the site you want it to go back to here." >< img src="put your img url here" >< /a >


Brought to by On9Ads.Com - Take your Ads on9!

Try and click to test functionality.
Email me at: siong_hean@hotmail.com if it doesn't work!
(Disclaimer - I'm not in any way trying to promote FFVII or its related company, the picture trademarks belong to SquareEnix. So, do not push in legal issues.)

Edit: 1 minute after posting -> it works!

The Lonely Life - 25th May

Recently I came across my old university-mate's blog (not the same course but the same university [UTHM]) about how she's getting a lot of "kenduri" invitation for her friends weddings or engagements...she was also saying how she's alone and God still haven't found one for her...I wonder myself, I'm too in the same situation (although not all my friends are married or engaged) and ironically I was advising her to relax and enjoy life as there is so much more to explore.

The fact is that, reading it reminds me of my own fate and how I'm also wondering if God has other plans for me or whether He's preparing me to face it later when the time comes. I don't know, but all I know, there is still a long read ahead filled with bends and twists but I would rather not face it alone...Imagining myself sitting in a house when I'm old with all the lights turned on and only the sound of the clock ticking until the day I go 6-feet under makes me feel very very melancholy...

Angels and Demons - 23rd May

I've watched the movie; 'Angels and Demons' today with Yuan and my brother. Directed by the director of 'Da Vinci Code', its basically about relationship between science and religion. Overall, I would say that the movie is quite interesting but not as interesting as the 'Da Vinci Code' due to the lack of mystery, puzzle solving and 'Why didnt I think of that?' kind of feeling. Tom Hanks as the main character still made Prof.Langdon look real smart as a symbolist. But anyways, the movie really got me thinking. as said in the movie:

"Science and religion do not conflict, instead, science is a tool to understand God's design of the world".

It is a topic that I've thought about a few years back already but I did not ask the opinion of experts on this. And I've yet to find a good answer. I do agree that there are things that science is unable to explain about, especially on things that do not reveal any form of material / real / convincing evidence. Maybe it is science that is too young to understand God. Yet, if science and religion is conflicting, why did God let us have the forbidden knowledge and let His children question his authority? There definitely a reason as to why did He do that I'm sure. Perhaps to teach His children to create a world as he desires and yet do not have to look after all the time? What are the answers? Only God knows...

Foul Language and Our Lifes - 23rd May

We've all said it. Sometimes not once or twice but a couple of times a day. For some of us, its mixed in our daily language, every word or sentence we speak must be sandwiched with it between. We mostly say it when we're angry or maybe even when we're not angry, but it has penetrated to our everyday lives without us realizing it. It is the colorful language of foulness...

Now, foul language appears in most languages, a form of communication that we use to express our sense of disgust, anger or all negative feelings at the same time. Its easy too learn and hard to forget and also easy to recognize as it is one of the most basic language and mostly single or double syllable words. Rather than saying 'argh' or 'rargh' or some other grunt, we place meaning in those expression and prefer to humiliate the other person. Forms of humiliation includes, humiliating one's mother or using perverted analogy and also comparing one with another item of lowest stature. Among the 'foulest' word in the English 'colorful' dictionary would be: F**k, and while in the Cantonese 'dictionary' would be: C*b*i.

In actual fact / reality, saying the colorful language would only serve to increase the flames already started (if there was one), as mentioned earlier, a form language that tend to put the receiver in a lowest possible situation. In my opinion, resorting to 'foul' language indicates that the giver, either does not have a proper language vocabulary and is not very proficient in expressing him/herself efficiently. Another impression would be that, the giver has essentially lost the argument and did not know what else to say. In a non-argumentative situation, the impression would be that the giver is not of high education levels.

To better serve the original purpose of the colorful language, givers could possibly use more subtle language, which, instead of saying F**k You, the alternative maybe 'Make Love to You' etc. This would is some ways induce the receiver into in awe as it is of formal proportions and sounded some polite instead. Anger would not be increased and probably be reduced due to the subtle way of putting it. But, actually, there is no point of using 'foul' language, it also shows how immature and childish you are, how that you're somewhat not grown up at the very least. There are many ways of expressing anger, and one of the ways not to is to use the colorful language. Using it would only invite a barrage of other colorful language that would continue on further due to the ego in receivers, which would lead to further even more horrendous actions such as fights or kills.

Conclusively: Steer away from foul language unless you're stupid (oops...)

Realization - 21st May

I've realized that I've wrote a lot on my website recently. With all the progress development and such. I wonder, am I too obsessed with getting the website up? Even if I was, is it wrong? But, I think, I'll probably put up more stuff in my blog other than the website development stuff. Can't blame actually, besides my usual gaming, and my Masters, this has taken up most of my lifetime when I'm awake. Looking back at the amount of time spent already and the amount of time that will be spent, I really hope that I will at least get back my capital through my website...maybe at least a RM500-RM1000 profit and I'll be happy enough...

URL Variables Passing - 20th May

Before I was writing this blog, I hit a snag again since yesterday. It was the issue of passing the URL variables to another page besides the intended target page. All i want to do was like:-

I've made a page called [ item_list.php ] where there are currently 2 links to [ item_info.php?item_id=1 ] and [ item_info.php?item_id=2 ]. When a user clicks either they will go to page for item 1 or item 2. [ item_info.php ] is a page that will be used to display each item's information individually, depending on item_id passed earlier. In [ item_info.php ], there's also a form for users to add further info, displayed only if they're logged in. The login form is also in the [ item_info.php ] page for convenience.

So, my question is, what do i put into the success redirect page box? I've tried:- item_info.php?item_id={GET.item_id} and item_info.php?item_id=echo $_GET('item_id') into the redirect box but both doesn't work....they redirected me to item_info with item_id=0

But I finally got it to work moments ago. There was a typo error with my code, where the login success redirect page should be:

-> item_info.php?item_id={GET.item_id}
instead of -> item_info.php? item_id={GET.item_id}

Just a minor spacing error and everything's haywire. Coding is such a fickle thing.

Image Links - 18th May

For all I know, sometimes, we may want to put up images and link them to our website. I've found out the way to do so, by putting this line of code, but this is applicable only for forums which allow image posting...

1> Go to Google / Yahoo and search for the image you like.
2> Click on the image you like in the "Image Search Result Page"
3> Wait for the actual website to load all images.
4> Right mouse click on the actual image and select "Copy Link Location"
5> Then, in forum posting, use code:

[url=(1)][img](2)[/img][/url]

replacing ->
(1) with the site page you like to link to e.g: http://www.google.com
(2) Paste the link location

That is for image linking!

On9Ads.com - 17th May

Seriously, today, for not even single bit am I regretting downloading the Adobe Developer Toolbox. There are a lot of things which the main software itself can't do but which the Toolbox complements. This add-on is really useful, I've now made the "Bid" function for auctions and probably can be used for placing messages on board too! Although the full system is not yet done but as I've said before: Progress! Progress!

On9Ads.com - 16th May

I really feel like tearing the computer apart moments ago. this is really frustrating, but I've finally managed to get it working after a lots and lots of hardwork and research and countless trial and errors. I've finally managed to get the login function running. The issue was the connection to the remoter MySQL database.

So, the problem is that it was not possible to connect directly to the MySQL server remotely. I was only able to get it working by creating a database with mySQL and making connections with assumption that I'm in the web hosting server, therefore, the local info would have to be changed, where the http address is: http://yourdomainname.com (without the www). Then also, the MySQL Connection (under Database), must be as following:-

Connection Name: [ Any ]
MySQL server: localhost
User name: (cpanel login name)_(database user name)
Password: (database password)
Database: (cpanel login name)_(database name)

Where substitution is done accordingly, without the "(" and ")".
I've tried uploading it and test registration. It really works! I wonder how about retrieving data from database? Will it work? have to try and see. Anyways, again I ask, email me if anyone needs help with this at: siong_hean@hotmail.com.

Oh, and go to http://www.on9ads.com/register.php and try registering!
I will list the names of people who registered, in this blog when it reaches 5 people!

On9ads.com - 15th May

Website Layout....done
Pictures..........not done
Functions.........not done
Advertising.......not done

Woah...looks like my website still has a long way more to go and there are still tonnes of work left to be completed. But well, nobody says that starting a business is easy is it? Anyway, I'm happy with my progress at the moment and at least this took my mind off gaming for a while...this has turned into a hobby for me...Anyone wants to start a website can leave a comment below!

Come to think of it, 1st April (although is April Fool's Day), is really historical as it made me understand and get interested in this stuff. I would like to thank the author of the e-book I bought, although I never actually used much of his tips but well, it was worth my time reading it.

On9Ads.com - 14th May

I've progressed a tremendous amount in my website layout at the moment. I've almost completed all the arrangement, leaving only the main content arrangement. When I tried CSS, a simple header and logo took me hours to figure out the "float" function and yet still couldn't get it to look right. The same area took me only 10 minutes to set it up, starting from scratch and being a newbie...image that...that's a lot difference...So, for anyone who says that tables are for tabular data, I would say CSS is for text, that's the original purpose and it won't look right for a website layout. Coupled together with a 'headache' browser compatibility issue...I would say CSS wasted a couple of hours of my life learning where I can do more with the conventional tables. Furthermore, if tables were 'dumb' and should be used for tabular data, I wonder where the Internet started? From CSS?

CSS vs Tables - 13th May

Again, i'm dumbfounded...and the issue goes like this:- For putting down website layouts, there are currently 2 mainstream methods used:- Tables and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS). The tables method would be based on "tables" in table method. Particularly simple and this method has been used by a lot of website. Meanwhile, on the other hand, the CSS method used a lot of "div" tags, absolute positioning, "td"s and of course, the often used "float". But now, I'm in a real dilemma to choose either as my website layout method.

I've found 2 sites:-
i> http://iamelgringo.blogspot.com/2009/02/tables-vs-css-css-trolls-begone.html

(Nice site talkng about the author's stay in Table methods - and read the comments - it gives me a headache just reading a whole bunch of them...especially the pro-css ones who tend to say:- tables are for tabular data only and are horrible....if they're horrible, they would have stopped using it long time ago....)

ii> http://www.decloak.com/Dev/CSSTables/CSS_Tables_14.aspx

(This one is about the 15 things to think of before using CSS...a lot of logics)

From what I've found out, CSS is really troublesome at the early stages but may bring benefits at later stages while Tables are great at the early stages and may bring trouble at later stages. But, my point would be, as a new website, I'll go with Tables...first impressions lasts forever...and if I can't make the first impression, how many of my members / would-be members be back, with all the browser compatibality and hacks just to make CSS look right? And beacause of the CSS implementation, my site would just go down the drain just like that and waste all my effort.

In fact, I've tried CSS and I'm not happy with the results, not sure whether its a bug, but I think I've done everything right but it won't output nicely as I expected it to. It's just frustrating....Well, back to tables!

50th post - 13th May

Recently , my friend posted on his 50th posting aniversary. Well, my first thing would be to congratulate him. I myself wonder when I can reach a 50 posting point. But, up to this point, I was wondering, besides myself and 2 friends, I wonder if there's actually anyone reading? In fact, should I care about whether there's anyone reading? But, well can't blame anyone, as the original reason why this blog was put up was to make it into a sort of like a personal diary, where I jot down all my thoughts and some ocassional daily happenings. Sigh....even the original purpose was already to not care, maybe I should really stick to it and not budge. Anyways, whoever is reading, you're welcome to stay if you like....

On9Ads.com - 11th May

I really want to thank my "Creator" a.k.a God for showing me the solutions to my problems so far. The image uploading issue I've encountered since yesterday was solved to day with the: Adobe Developer Toolkit, it sure saved me a lot of time thinking about the issue. The next thing now that I want to clarify would be the CSS design issue...I still need to learn. According to some websites on website development, using tables as the layout guides would generate lots of issues at later time and would hamper smooth flow of the website. Looks like that would be my next target!

As usual, I welcome anyone who wants to learn more on this.
Email me:- siong_hean@hotmail.com

On9Ads.com - 11th May

I've hit a snag again yesterday. The problem was really basic but due to the unavailability of the function in dreamweaver, I'm having a big headache thinking about solving this. My issue is on letting users upload pictures on my website and displaying them accordingly on my website, like pictures for their classified ads. Online suggestions:- coldfusion, mysql blob, upload php.

If I use coldfusion, the server might not be able to run the website. I cant understand mysql blob and I've tried upload php which doesn't work. I also found that the adobe developer toolbox might be able to help. Haven't tried that yet, but I'm going to download it later. All I want is just the ability to display certain images uploaded by the user which would definitely make a better ads page. Hope to be able to get it running as soon as possible, as I've most components in place now, left out is this basic problem only.

The UM Library - 7th May

UM's Library feels so empty today. Probably its due to the fact that this week is the last final exam for this semester week. Most students would have probably gone home at this moment. Relaxing and enjoying. Well, Masters student don't get the same privilages as degree students. So, no holiday for me...considering also that I'm working as an RA here...

Anyways, there are still some people here in the library, but the amount of students around, if put into my ex-uni (UTHM) library would seem like a lot of students, the main one of course. The other one, called the "New Library", but not supposed to as it doesnt contain all the necessary books to called so, would be some what like a quarter of the UM library floor for a single level. Imagine how big is the UM library.

On9Ads.com Main Page - 7th May

Woohoo...this marks another achievement in my website! I finally figured it out after quite a number of uploading tries. I no longer have to depend on the free site builder provided trough cpanel. In fact, I can now make and upload my own main site. If any readers out there have been following my blog (Thanks! I appreciate the support), you would have noticed the old website layout and now we have a new one: "Under Construction!". Anyways, anyone out there need help with this? Hola me at: siong_hean@hotmail.com and I'll guide you! The optimism that I was supposed to cultivate is building right now and I like the feeling!

On9Ads.com - 6th May

Web design and coding (well, not much coding actually) is quite fruitful today. I've learned how to make login pages, how make your administration back end and data manipulation sites. From these methods, I'm quite sure that I'm able to create auction sites, sales sites and probably blogs today. The only thing is that I'm still not that good at it and still require some practice, but I'm sure I'll be able to master it in no time.

Up to today, I'm still not sure how to upload the man page onto the web hosting server. Can it be overwritten? Hopefully I'm able to...if, not I'll have to edit it using the sitebuilder which is in fact quite crappy. The Zencart, osCommerce and others are not so user friendly to me at the moment. To be user-friendly, it should cater to people who do not know how to do websites with simple click and paste etc methods. But well, no wonder they charge so much to make a website....

The Website - 6th May

I tried looking for my website today through Google by searching for: on9ads, but the results, really surprised me. In fact, I didn't expect any results, but the results was really strange. Although it really did appear, but it shown was not the main website but the Cafe Townsend website which I uploaded as a tutorial / testing. But, gosh, guess I've to take it down. Might spoil my reputation and give me legal headaches later.

Today also, I went to look around for ads, competitors you might say and see how are they doing their share of business. Again, it was unbelievable. Some were rock bottom cheap. Looking at them, instead of being intimidated, I was literally on fire. I'm now even more determined to succeed, and make things work. They say that rich people have the optimism for them to succeed and make them rich, and that's what I'm trying to cultivate here: optimism. Well, with competitors, I will improve myself until I'm better than them and hopefully that will help me.

The New Website On9Ads.com - 6th May

Recently, I was talking about making websites as my business site, and I finally got one!

Its here:- http://www.on9ads.com/
(Feel free to visit anytime!)

I've paid a total of USD70.80 for 2 years of hosting and this domain is a lifetime domain. So, whoever is reading this, you can still visit it now, but at the moment only the base is running which doesn't reflect the actual layout of the site.

I've also uploaded a test site:- http://www.on9ads.com/cafe_townsend
(Disclaimer:- Feel free to visit but I'm not related to Cafe Townsend nor is this is a ad for it)

Its just a testing of site making basics and also site uploading. So far so good. Anyways, if anyone would like a tutorial on your first website, feel free to leave comments and I'll start with a website building blog with Dreamweaver. Since I'm a newbie too, I suppose it would greatly help you too as the concept is:- I'm a noob and you're a noob too, if you can't understand it. Neither do I. So, stay tuned for more progress on the website!

You can also email me at: admin@on9ads.com

The New Job - 3th April

I've started my new job today. Now working as a Research Assistant (RA) in Universiti Malaya for Dr.Nor Hafizah. There was nothing to be done at the moment, there was no tasks provided to me yet. So far, I feel quite relaxed here and I'm free to do my research, which is a good thing. But to say frankly, this job is almost like the Uni is paying me to do my research.

Paypal Account - 2nd May

I've got my Paypal account working! Looks like you don't have to wait for the statement, you just have to call Public Bank Card Services and ask them for the Paypal number. Today I even got back my USD 1.95, so there was no loss. I've also banked in some money through the cash deposit machine...works the same as through the counter. So, I'm still looking at hosting methods....