Fallout 3 Review - 31st Oct

Well, after the rampage with Crysis. I've moved on to Fallout 3 the game for the Post-Apocalyptic Experience and my, this one great experience. When the usual Role-Playing Game would provide you with some standard screen where you input your name, and distribute your attribute points accordingly, together with selecting the skills that you're proficient with, this game made this integral to the game, by playing your early years of life, even your appearance can be customized during these stages. This in my opinion is masterfully done and deserves an applaud for being different than the current mainstream. Well, this game is in fact relatively subjective in terms of game-play time, as it depends on your curiosity and speed.You may play it longer or even shorter than what I've done, but heck, let's move on to the main story first.

Living in a vault for 19 years, your in-game father suddenly left the vault and you're not sure why. (Sorry Mr., I've amnesia and I only remember 4 days of all these years:- My birth, 10 years old, 16 years old - GOAT test and today, when I'm 19 years old.) So, you decided to search for him outside the vault ( Can't I choose to stay in and not go outside?) And in the process, you find out all your father's projects such as the Project Purity, to bring clean water to the people of the Capital Wasteland and in fact, you're not even born in the vault. The ultimate objective here would be the Project itself and finding your father is one part of it. In between, you'll meet all sorts of people, ranging for common people to the Enclave. The story in this game is rather generic, saving the world, although this is not so important before you found your in-game father as it will be your main focus, halfway throughout the game. Although, the story seems rather odd and it is one of the main cons of the game. I believe Bethesda should have done a better job in this department.

Gameplay wise, I would say that, even it may seem a little repetitive after a while, but with the high number of weapons available for you to use, makes it variable even towards the end of the game. The graphical gore of limbs flying and heads bursting with eyes popping gives a minor sense of satisfaction when you shoot something. Due to the fact that you're able to play in real time or using the VATS, it plays like a first-person shooter and also like an RPG, which helps in prolonging the gameplay. But I would rather have the enemies to be a little more varying. So far, i fought: Cockroaches, Molerats, Bugfly, Deathclaws, Humans, Super Mutants, Enclave, Centaurs, Mutant Behemoths, Robobrain, Giant Ants and Protectron which sums up all the enemies I've encountered during my play through. I've played it through in 24 hours and would say that it is possible to play it up to at least 50 hours if you are willing to finish all quests and explore every inch of the Capital Wasteland but one annoyance would be that your level cap is only at 20 which makes it rather pointless to actually explore and do everything.

Graphics-wise, it is quite nice, considering that the developers were able to provide the atmosphere and mood to the post apocalyptic condition of the Wasteland. This in my opinion translate rather well from the previous versions of Fallout and I think, have done a better job in making the whole scenario more believable. In the previous installments of Fallouts, the wasteland is rather empty with barren lands while the Capital Wasteland is strewn with all sorts of structures and roads, and places to go. With the proper setting, the Capital Wasteland would definitely look realistic but with my computer specifications, I'd rather put all to low settings and surprisingly, it still looks great. The grim and half-destroyed buildings, even the obelisk in the distance is mesmeriizng.

Overall, I would say that this is a great game and very well made, but minus a couple of annoyance and this would be the perfect way of experiencing the post apocalyptic world that we may face in the future. And so, the score for the game would be:-

Story:- 4/10
Gameplay:- 8/10
Graphics:- 8/10
Overall:- 8/10

On9Ads.Com - 30th Oct

On9Ads.com

Before this, I've said before that my site will launch at around this time of the year, but yet it didn't. After almost 5 months of developing the site, I guess it's now 75% done. Although, at this stage, the site still looks a little primitive and does not have all the sleek graphics that modern websites used to have these days. And the thing is that the back-end system for the site is still not done, which means: the thing that we need to do now would be the testing and system back-end setup. Maybe at the meantime, I should be making up tutorials and step by step guide to making your websites with Dreamweaver? I wonder how many people would benefit from this? Up to this point, I've only made tutorials that cover word based procedures without actually showing the detailed steps. But anyways, back to my site, I guess the timeframe for earliest beta release would be at the end of this year perhaps? Perhaps...perhaps...

Tracing Dependents in MS Excel - 29th Oct

I'm not sure if this information is actually redundant and everybody else knows about this, but I'm putting it here so that Iwouldn't have to look when I need it later. It regards the dependency check for certain formulas or cells.

Scenario:- In MS Excel, you have a cell (A1) with formula say "=A2 + A3"
Then you have another cell (B1) with the formula "=A1 + B2"
Then you have another cell (B3) with the formula "=A4 + B4"
And many other cells with different / various formulas.
Suddenly you realise a few days later, you forgot what A1 stands for and which other formulas
actually refer to the values contained in cell (A1), therefore, you will need the dependancy check.

Solution:- All you have to do is:-
1> Select cell A1
2> Select "Tools" form Menu -> Formula Auditing
3> Click on Trace Dependants
4> That's it, you will have the dependencies highligted with arrows.
5> You can remove the arrows by clikcing on "Remove All Arrows" instead of "Trace Dependants"

Apocalypse: Second World War - 28th Oct

As the French evacuated Paris in June 1940, amateur filmmakers documented the exodus as thousands lined the roads with their families and most precious possessions. As the British sifted through the rubble, people grabbed cameras to capture what it meant to stand up to Hitler throughout the Blitz. And as the Nazi army slogged through the mud and snow of Soviet Russia on the way to Moscow, soldiers used 8mm cameras to film the hardships of the war as they experienced it. This was not the stock, newsreel or propaganda footage from World War II that authorities approved and audiences became accustomed to seeing. This was provocative and sometimes disturbing footage taken by those who witnessed the war first-hand. This was the footage deemed ‘unfit’ for civilians to see. At the end of the war, this and other “Top Secret” footage of the war’s destruction was stashed away and forgotten.

Thanks to the efforts of a few, private collectors and archivists, these forgotten films have been rediscovered, restored and made available by National Geographic Channel in an extraordinary six-part series: Apocalypse: The Second World War, in commemoration of the 70th anniversary of World War II. In addition to stunning footage, the series presents WWII in an innovative and provocative way, giving audiences an unprecedented sense of the reality of war not conveyed by black and white footage.

Made up entirely of original 35mm, 16mm and 8mm films, Apocalypse: The Second World War includes rare footage of the Polish officers’ massacre at Katyn, the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force at Dunkirk, the inhumane treatment of French soldiers taken prisoner by the Nazis and the sacrifice of Soviet soldiers at Stalingrad. By bringing this incredible footage together, Apocalypse: The Second World War provides viewers with a ground-breaking portrait of WWII that depicts not only its complexity, but the perspectives of both its victims and its victors.

EPISODES 1:

THE AGGRESSION

Germany. 1939. When almost nothing seems to stand in his way, and with the USSR as his ally, Hitler invades Poland. Britain and France declare war while the U.S. maintains its neutrality. “The Phoney War” begins as millions of civilians wait to see if the conflict will resolve itself and Germany builds up its arsenal. The Aggression features fascinating, colourised footage of Hitler as he visits the Austrian village where he grew up (and the children still run barefoot), as well as footage shot by Eva Braun, his mistress, of the Führer relaxing at his Alpine chalet. Witness haunting images of the persecution of the Jews in the Lodz Ghetto in Poland, Stalin’s gulags for political prisoners, and the magnificent city of Strasbourg emptied of its residents. Watch heart-felt good-byes as French soldiers leave loved ones
at Gare de l’Est train station in Paris and civilians – young and old – as they prepare for air raids by donning gas masks. As Hitler continues his conquest of Europe, he invades Holland and Belgium and plans to make a surprise “sickle cut” through the dense Ardennes Forest, leaving the Allies with little chance of escape.

Download links:
Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944626/1b6f87a/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E1-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944627/a1a26e4/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E1-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944629/bde4e6f/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E1-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944628/f42a3f3/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E1-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944708/1ace4f0/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E1-gavn.part5.rar.html

EPISODES 2:

THE CRUSHING DEFEAT

France. 1940. The Allied defensive lines are broken by Hitler’s daring sickle cut through the supposedly impenetrable Ardennes forest. British troops hastily evacuate from the beaches at Dunkirk, France, but are forced to abandon kilometres of precious military vehicles and equipment. The French army, once considered the best in the world, is in a shambles as almost two million soldiers are taken prisoner. Within a matter of days, the Germans march into Paris at daybreak. The Crushing Defeat includes colourised footage taken by Nazi soldiers on the beaches at Dunkirk as they gather around an old record player to celebrate their victory, as well as sound recordings taken by German Secret Service at the signing of the Franco-German Armistice. Heart-rending footage captures the plight of thousands of French civilians as they flee from the Nazis, as well as home movies taken by Londoners as they dig out from daily bombings, sleep in tube stations and carry on despite the death and destruction that surrounds them. In yet another daring gamble, Hitler now turns his attention to his Eastern campaign.

 Download links:

Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944712/bd5953a/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E2-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944744/cfcac22/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E2-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944815/245d5bb/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E2-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944848/0e3f723/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E2-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944859/9a4a3ba/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E2-gavn.part5.rar.html

EPISODES 3:

SHOCK

Prague. Copenhagen. Paris. 1941. The Germans now occupy several capital cities in Europe. After the Germans defeat France, Nazi soldiers are sent to Paris for rest and recreation while Polish prisoners and Jews are forced into slave labour to complete Nazi building projects. The Italian army is in disarray so Hitler dispatches one of his best generals to Libya. The Afrika Korps fry eggs on the surfaces of their tanks amidst the blistering desert sands of North Africa. Shock includes vivid colourised footage of the battle for the Soviet Union as the Germans struggle toward Moscow in the brutal Russian winter. Russian civilians are forced to burn their homes and fields so as to leave nothing behind for the Germans to salvage. No longer able to wash or to change their clothes and suffering from dysentery and typhus, German troops are just 30 kilometres from Moscow, when they are finally pushed back by the Red Army. Moscow is saved – but the USSR has been ravaged. Two days after Hitler’s first, major defeat, Japan launches a surprise attack on the United States at Pearl Harbour and the war officially becomes a “World War.”

 Download links:

Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944862/9fbe724/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E3-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944885/33584e4/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E3-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944929/43bf8f7/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E3-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944933/be7e262/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E3-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/11944969/c2de75f/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E3-gavn.part5.rar.html

EPISODES 4:

WORLD ABLAZE
Following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt declares war on Japan. The war becomes global.

 Download links:

Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/12005463/b834bd9/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E4-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12005324/a76d329/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E4-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12006293/78ec717/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E4-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12005326/ddda230/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E4-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12005322/105c70e/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E4-gavn.part5.rar.html

EPISODES 5:

Great Landings
D-Day in Normandy and Saipan in the Pacific.

Download links:

Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001300/798a509/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E5-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001368/c8cc57d/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E5-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001484/c40ea08/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E5-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001554/66e333a/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E5-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001561/58dc2d4/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E5-gavn.part5.rar.html

EPISODES 6:

INFERNO
Bombing of Germany; the Holocaust; V Day; the atomic bomb.

Download links:
Hotfile for All countries:
http://hotfile.com/dl/12000848/77956ed/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E6-gavn.part1.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12000849/48fe1e2/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E6-gavn.part2.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12006563/829a242/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E6-gavn.part3.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12000851/0837715/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E6-gavn.part4.rar.html
http://hotfile.com/dl/12001823/e5fd16f/Apocalypse-The_Second_World_War.2008.E6-gavn.part5.rar.html

Everyone Connects? - 27th Oct

Quite a while ago, the media was buzzed with the hype generated by "Everybody Connects" ( site HERE )with the submission of a CD containing a single track:- Through My Window. A visit to the site shows download links to their song and some interesting things to see, such as "Banner Concerts". Well, I would not say that the Everybody Connects is band, but heck the idea is quite intriguing. But the main point of it would be the song itself, entitled" Through My Window.

Although, I wouldn't say that it is a bad attempt, but I would say that the song is plain tad and not to my taste. In my opinion, it sounds somewhat like some typical Rock Band with no style of their own, the music wasn't catchy enough for me and for a person who listens to some Indie songs, I would say that it wouldn't be a chart topper but it may last for a couple of months due to the hype generated. They say that they're open to collaborations? I mean, so fast? They're not even famous. Well, I have to say, listening to song once reveals how the band would be like soon enough and I think, once will do. Unless they make up a really good song, this band is definiely not for me.

Indie Folk Songs - 26th Oct

After the introduction by my pal to the "indie folk" genre, I currently have an acquired taste for indie folk songs! Indie folk, as Wikipedia would define it ( HERE ):-  indie rock with heavy influences of 50s, 60s and early 70s folk music. While, in my definition, indie folk is more like some rock, with catchy tunes, and a small dash of mysticism into it where its more like those fantasy theme music. The band I started with was "Fleet Foxes", they have marvelous voices and harmonics. Among the recommended highlights includes:- White Winter Hynmal, Mykonos and Tiger Mountain Peasant Song.

Now that I've been introduced to it and think that its actually a great genre, I began searching online for more indie folk bands and Wikipedia already has two stated besides Fleet Foxes: Bon Iver and Beirut. After listening both, I decided to ditch Bon Iver as it sounds too 'lovey-dovey', soft, mellow and the catchiness of it is lacking. Instead, Beirut makes wonder from its songs. I've posted here one of my favorite songs from the band:-



The other band that I've also heard from somewhere, would be: Dead Man's Bones. Songs by this band is rather melancholy, but the mysticism is still there with some catchy tunes. Although this, the songs by this band are more dark-themed compared to the others and a major part of it is the somber death, but not all of it either. Here's one of my favorite songs by this band:-



Enjoy the songs!

10 billion dollars? - 22nd Oct

I've stumbled across a site which claims that you are able to make ten billion dollars with just some simple tasks HERE . All you have to do would be to do some marketing and in post links in Google to get money from Google. But, the thing is that, things that are too good to be true are often correct. Imagine, 10 billion dollars by just posting links? Even a 5-year old computer illeterate kid can be a billionaire with some minor trainings. Even if the sales page do not have all the bells and whistles, I would remidn people to read the Terms and Conditions or "Secret Dungeon of Demise" to look for some clues that this must be some scam.

Quote from the Make10 billion dollar sales page (Terms and Conditions):-

By submitting your credit card information, you are agreeing to the Terms and Conditions for all 21 Google kits listed on this page, as set forth: By sampling all of those products for shipping and handling charges of the various bizarre and random trial fees assigned to them you will be given a period of six days from the time you place the order to decide if you want to continue using the products. You will receive 21 usernames and passwords in your “Welcome” email at the time you complete your original transaction. This email will be sent to the email address provided at time of sign up, however we have programmatically designed the email to trip your spam filters so that it gets sent to your junk email box. Please ensure you view your “Junk” email folders to find your email with this important information as your filters may put it there. This will allow us to claim that we sent you immediately access the website and defeat any dispute claims you may be thinking of filing with your credit card company or bank. Please allow several days to receive your product. A good way to figure out when you'll receive the various products is to take the number of trial days allowed and multiply that number by 5. You can cancel at any time during the various trial periods by unsubscribing at all 21 websites with no further obligations. In fact, you can keep the trial product as our gift to you for trying these offers (and by “gift” we mean a CD-Rom loaded with malicious trojans). In the event you do not cancel within your alloted number of trial days, you will be automatically enrolled in our convenient home delivery plan and your credit card will be charged $2,972.34. Thereafter, 30 days from your initial order, you will be billed the monthly charge of $5,241.22 each month. Limit of twenty-one trial samples per household. If, at any time thereafter, you wish to cancel the convenient home delivery plans, you may unsubscribe at your local post office with no further obligations. Please take the time to read our complete Terms and Conditions below before continuing.

See all the extra charges involved after you give them your credit card number / information? It's in the small and hard to read Terms and Condition area which is also masked with a green background and white font (which is a pain to read). It's extremely longwinded, but it will definitely help keep your money in your pockets from these yokels who is thinking of prying them from you. And the best part would be that all these are not stated in the sales pitch, which is sort of leading you into the drain with telling you that you'll reach happiness walking over it when you will definitely fall into the drain. While you're in the drain, this guy happily hops on your head over the other side.

Way the go buddy. No wonder he claims that his method can help you make 10 billion dollars.
Yeah, it sure did for him with all the extra hidden charges that you can't blame him for.

I think I would be often posting a review of sales pages found online, whether in Bahasa Melayu or in English and telling readers the points that have them exposed as frauds. There are, I admit, real oppurtunities, but yet, better be skeptical than lose tonnes of money.

Oh, and before I forget, here's a total giveaway for the scam of the page, that made it fail:-
( It says:- (Auto-Insert Potential Victim’s City Here) )

Official Malaysia Day (16th Sept) - 20th Oct

It is finally official today that 16th Sept is a public holiday for the whole country! The states of Sabah and Sarawak has been arguing and fighting for this for a very long time and its finally official. The article can be found through the "The Star" Newspaper online site. Well, if you include the East Malaysia sentiment, of course this holiday is important but if you exclude it the sentiment, its another public holiday to add to the already abundant of public holidays in the country. I'm sure many people don't realise that foreigners actually consider our public holidays as a joke as we have way more holidays than they do, but yet they do not realize that it is vital to have all the public holidays due to variation of races in the country. It is important to show that the government did consider the culture of all races and religion.

150th Post - 19th Oct

The 150th post marks another of my milestone in the blog posting world, I'd never thought that I'll be able to achieve this much posting when I first started blogging. They say that most bloggers quit after the 50th post, I guess this must be a real achievement then to be able to reach this far. But anyways, hopefully the posting tradition for this blog would continue to remain for a long long time to come. Anyways, I wasn't too sure on how should I celebrate this milestone, therefore, I'll just be posting the lyrics and video to "Mykonos" by Fleet Foxes which I enjoy very much. Lastly, a very big thanks to all who have been supporting and reading this blog. Hope to hear your comments under this posting as another encouragement for me to go on keeping this blog alive!

================ Mykonos =======================



The door slammed loud and rose up a cloud of dust on us
Footsteps follow, down through the hollow sound, torn up.

And you will go to Mykonos
With a vision of a gentle coast
And a sun to maybe dissipate
Shadows of the mess you made

How did animals in the snow tipped pines, I find
Hatching from the seed of your thin mind, all night?

And you will go to Mykonos
With a vision of a gentle coast
And a sun to maybe dissipate
Shadows of the mess you made

Brother you don't need to turn me away
I was waiting down at the ancient gate

You go
Wherever you go today
You go today

I remember how they took you down
As the winter turned the meadow brown

You go
Wherever you go today
You go today

When I'm walking brother don't you forget
It ain't often that you'll ever find a friend

You go
Wherever you go today
You go today


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

Games Galore - 16th Oct

The end of the year period is often a joyful time for gamers. This is when, a number of publishers decide to release games in anticipation of the holidays for winter, especially in North America and Europe. This is the season when students get holidays from school and adults get bonuses from work, in which, the gamers among them would be buying games, coupled with them staying indoors, the perfect timing to release any new games. We, who live at the Equator, although do not just sit at home, but too relish this period of the year as gamers. Well, henceforth, there are a couple of games that will be released that I myself is waiting for, including: Modern Warfare 2, Borderlands, and also Dragon Age: Origins.

Well here we have a couple of videos on the games mentioned.
Although, Modern Warfare 2 is not shown as it was posted before on this blog.

Borderlands


Dragon Age: Origins

I'm Sorry - 16th Oct

Recently, I've stumbled upon a ex-university friend's blog (it was short, 3 postings only), I suddenly realize, it has been more than 2 years now since I've last talked to him. We were housemates at that time, at the university's hostel. At first, it was so much fun, with a lot of laughter at times, and sometimes, heart aching moments. After a while, things began to change, my life at a certain point, began to plunge into darkness (its not like I've turned to crime, but a couple of incidents have lead me to began questioning my luck). Things then began to get heated up and heart-aching incidents began to be more frequent.

One of the main incident highlights was that when I went to the library in the morning on a Saturday and came back being isolated by the rest of the housemates. Apparently, one of them started the whole thing. Rumors began to fly in the house and hating season took off just like. The point is, up to today, the whole cause of it is still unclear. Although, it did happen that one of the housemates wasn't such a petty person in which we could still talk and what I could conclude was that I wasn't being too generous? Ok, maybe I wasn't being generous in giving out but at that point, I don't think anyone actually considered how I felt, what was my idea and what is the actual fact that was happening?

All they knew, this 'one' person influenced them to do the same and with 'mental torture' they gave me, do they actually think I would give in? I'm the kind of person who in times where, the more you want me to do it, the more I don't want to. I really care a lot about the freedom to do things as I see fit. And to the 'housemate' who has given me tonnes of 'mental torture', the term 'forgive and forget' will, and shall never ever apply to you, the ache still burns and I will remember the moments for the rest of my lifes to my grave.The things is, I'm still not sure why did he have to drag everyone else into the story?

To rest, although I'm not sure what was actually happening, I'm very sorry.
To the guy with the motorcycle, I apologize to you for all my wrongs.
To the guy with the laptop, I'll remember the aches, you'll not be forgiven as you said so.
To the guy with the beard, I apologize.

This posting is also applicable to all people who has in my lifetime, I've offended, said wrong things to, made fun of, talked about or anything that deserves an apology. Here I am, to say an apology from the deepest of my heart. And to the guy which would definitely reply to this posting, my advice is don't, I don't want to hear any comments on this post.

Da Vinci the Genius Exhibition - 14th Oct

There are three classes of people: those who see,
those who see when they are shown,
those who do not see. 

For ages long, I've heard of this great Master, the embodiment of the definition of a Renaissance Man, the person whose talents reaches far more than anyone living in the modern world today. The father to the Mona Lisa, The Adoration of the Magi, The Last Supper, modern post-Morten techniques and father to various inventions that has astounded the mind, awed many and be praised by the thousands. He is:- The Leonardo from Vinci, commonly known as:-

LEONARDO DA VINCI

And, from 1st October 2009 onwards, all Leonardo da Vinci's fans in Malaysia, heck, any Da Vinci's Code and the fan of the actual person from any corner of the world should visit the exhibition, entitled:-

Leonardo Da Vinci - The Genius Exhibition

Location:- National Science Centre, Malaysia

Ticket Price:- 
RM 20 (adult), 
RM 70 (2 adults, 2 children package),

RM 13 (Seniors, 55 years above) and 
RM 20 for children.

I myself can't wait to go and see the exhibition. As I can't afford the flight ticket to Paris and visit the Louvre
to see some of the great masterpieces or go to the birthplace of Leonardo in Italy, this would definitely be a chance to see some of his works, inventions, ideas and his drawings. I want to see with my eyes, the truth of the conspiracies, the truth to the claims by experts and to see firsthand, the inventions that made him the Genius that time had never forgotten. Further information of the exhibition can be found HERE The main things I really want to see would be the Adoration of the Magi, Maddona of the Rocks, The Last Supper, The Mona Lisa and of course, his notes!

Oh, you can try to get free tickets to the Malaysian exhibition here!

Divinity 2 Short Review - 12th Oct

Divinity 2: Ego Draconis by Larian Studios is in fact not officially out yet but the German version is released and I had the oppurtunity to play the German version. With a little tweak (which I would not reveal how) converts the dialouge to English. This would enable me to understand the dialouge by reading the actual text as the spoken language is still in German. Anyhow, I've only gotten the game quite a while only ago and there wasn't much progress at this stage but several of the ideas and mechanics are already there which I think is sufficient for a small review without the scores.

So, in the game, there's only one playable character that you can customize. Although the aesthetic customization is not as extensive as Fallout 3, as most of the customization available are presets. I'm still not sure what are the effects if the gender but it is available to choose. You start with yourself being transported to somewhere without being told of your backstory and why. All you need to know is that you are undergoing a series of training to help you become a Dragon Slayer, an elite kind of Hero. At this stage, you'll be able to select your first specialization although at later stages you may even combine specializations such as having mage spells with warrior skills. There are 4 specialzaions to choose from: Warrior, Ranger, Mage, Priest and the standard Slayer skills.

In terms of graphics, I'm rather annoyed. Having a 8600gt w/1Gb VRAM (See My Computer Specs HERE doesn't even let me enjoy the graphics properly. I've disabled most items or set it to lowest, besides the resolution (anything less than the 1024 setting renders the text incomprehensible on screen) on the Graphics Menu but yet it still feels sluggish and laggy. Although with this setting, the graphics still look somewhat nice but not as expected with everything blocky or textury. There's no slider bar or anything for you to set it to lowest details or such which is not good for older systems.But, as I do not know whether is the posting of screenshots of unreleased game illegal, it shall remain on my computer for now.

In terms of gameplay, I'm not sure is it me or the game itself, but I feel lost in every quest available as I'm not sure where everyone or everything is. It feels like the world is just too large and I'm wondering why I can't afford some of the most basic weapons in the game at this moment. The combat is just umimaginative and like Diablo, it a mouse-clicking fest. The thing is with the combat is that the you have to face your enemy to actually hit it, but with the ease of camera turning, it becomes rather apparent that its hard to be a warrior, especially when you're being mobbed and surrounded by several critters. Overall, the game is quite ok, but the low framerate really puts me off, which I hope can be fixed soon. The combat also should be fixed soon to keep the player engrossed.

Crysis Review - 8th Oct

After the run-down with Far Cry 2 on the 27th Sept, which can be found HERE, I continued on to try and finish Crysis, which I did yesterday. And so, here's a small review of the game in my own experience and opinion. It took me about 10 hours plus or take to finish this and it's indeed short.

Well, the game starts with a nice note, a group of elite US Marines trying to save an archeologist who were captured by the North Korean Army. The time line is in the near future. Although its in the near future, not many things actually reminds us of this. You are a part of the elite US Marines and you play as "Nomad" although your real name / how you look like is unknown, and you wear a high-tech nanosuit with various powers such as superhuman strength, speed, cloaking and can also turn your suit into a tough regenerative armor. In the story then you will encounter alien technology which is rather unknown and not reveal a lot in detail even at the end of the game. What's known about them is that they're biological, absorbs energy and they're over thousands of years old.

Graphically, it was pretty impressive. Although my settings is where all were set to medium (on a 8600gt), it still manages to look great with the shadows and glare still breathtaking. I did, a couple of times, just stand and look at the surroundings without doing anything else. The forests themselves look pretty much realistic although you can still tell its computer graphics. Instead, the alien world, doesn't look too convincing to me and it's just bland. The cut-scenes themselves are quite good but I'm annoyed as to why Dr.Rosenthal just doesn't look like realistic, but more like a simply made model. She's one of the main NPC's of the game and essential to the story, why not make her look nicer? Other than that, I do not have much other qualms about the graphics, in short, its really great. Sometimes, people would compare this to Far Cry 2, but I would say that in comparison to Crysis, Far Cry 2 is not much of a looker as there isn't really much to see in Far Cry 2.

In terms of gameplay, it was pretty fun at the start but a couple of things put me off.  One would be the lack of weapons and second would be the lack of the ability to combo the suit powers. I mean, so as long as I'm within the confines of power consumption, combining powers should be fine? Like say, strength and cloaking. In this game, its only either powers activated at certain times. The lack of guns is apparent after a while, but maybe due to its short gameplay, it makes it not too noticeable. Another would be the satisfaction of shooting someone down is just not there. If compared to Far Cry 2, the satisfaction is there, which I'm not sure is caused by which reasons, but I was hoping something similar. Without the satisfaction, it sure would seem bland. Overall, the gameplay it just as expected from an FPS (with exception of COD), with tonnes of shooting action. Combine the nanosuit powers and the shooting action of the game, its not too much of a new experience but its sort of an extension of the current FPS out there at the moment.


Overall, the scores for Crysis are:-
Gameplay:- 7/10
Graphics:- 9/10
Story:- 5/10
Overall:- 8/10

I was thinking to buy Crysis Warhead, but some review says that Crysis and Crysis Warhead is almost similar and do not vary much in terms of gameplay, which puts me off buying Crysis Warhead. Anyone got any first-hand experience on this?

Singapore's Tease and Wash - 7th Oct

OMG! That's the first word said after reading this blog post by Wingz: HERE. I mean, the story is that a company in Singapore organized a car-wash session where the washers are partially in their 'birthday suits'. The thing is that, these washers were ladies / females.

Earlier on, many people were speculating that the event will be hoax with various theories and put-offs. In the end, the event was indeed a reality and I'm sure many of the 'wolfie' guys were down in Singapore, oogling at the extra 'skin' displayed. I wonder if anyone of the readers out there were actually at the event? ( Well, it's not that I'm interested to know of the details, but just kind of curious as to the experience provided ). Well, here's my take on this event:- I mean, these ladies are only showing their chests, I wonder who doesn't have chests? With Singapore resorting to this, it just goes to show that the spirit of kiasuness is still going very much strong, not wanting to lose to anyone else in ASEAN.

I sure am thinking that this one big cheap and dirty tactic employed by Singapore to attract more people to the country. Well, I'm just a Malaysian citizen, what more can I say when Geylang, the 'red light' district is a legal area in the Singapore government. But, I'm not putting up the pictures in my blog, I'm not too sure what the other ladies would think, whether offensive or not, so playing on the safe side, I'll only be posting up links to some of the pictures here for those who desperately want to get a glimpse of the event:-

WARNING: The pictures contains some form of displays of 'extra akin'.
Viewer discretion is advised.
 

- WARNING - WARNING - Picture1 Picture2 Picture3 Picture4 Picture5 Picture6 - WARNING - WARNING -

And Singapore will be organizing yet another session of the car-wash.
Well, looks like some fellas will be planning to go to Singapore pretty soon.
Heck, I wonder am I writing up this post? It's more like free publicity for Singapore.

Mid-Autumn Fest Celebration - 3rd Oct

Today is the actual day of the lantern / mooncake festival and I'm back at father's kampung (hometown village). There was a simple celebration where we had the usual foods for every festivals we had here:- fried noodles, fried vermicelli, pork cooked with black fungus, cheese cake and barbecued chicken wings. Undoubtedly the water caltropm, sweet mini yam and mooncakes were unavoidable. It was quite an  enjoyable affair with the number of people among friends of relatives came by.

This year, we had total strangers among the guests. Two girls from Holland were walking along the street where the old house is located and one of my relative invited them in to eat with us. (Sorry, I don't know their names) But anyways, we introduced them to what was happening and invited them also to eat what we were having. From their reaction, I'm sure they hadn't had a lot of Chinese food in their lives. They were going to Taman Negara (National Park) on the next day and were walking around taking pictures of the place they were at. My father's hometown is actually located near one of the main jetties to go to the Park, which I assume that the foreigners would be boarding the boat to Taman Negara the next day.

After the scrumptious feast, some continued to stay outside, while some were having a karaoke session and some were playing Mahjong. As I write thispot, I could still hear the laugther, chatter, the clacking of Mahjong tiles and also people singing karaoke.  The picture that I have here showing the karaoke session being held in the living room, one of my nieces (Name witheld to her request) is going bananas over the karaoke session. This reminds me to think, how are other people doing at the moment in this celebration of the mooncake / mid-autumn festival?

Mooncake Festival - 2sn Sept

Its already Mid-Autumn Festival  / Mooncake Festival soon! In fact, it's tomorrow. During this time of the year, I'm sure many people would be thinking of moon cakes, lanterns and the moon itself and anything associated with the festival. There are also a couple of things which are not eaten during other times of the year or in any other Chinese festivals, such as the sweet sticky Yam and also the all-time wierd food:- The Water Caltrop.

Water Caltrop? what's that? Is it a water chestnut?
Yes and No. Water Chestnuts and water caltrop actually share the same family.
The Chinese for Water Caltrop is 菱角 or "Bull's Horn" for Mooncake Festival.
Well, see for yourself this root based food:-

They sure look menancing, like a bull head used for some sort of rituals and no, no one purposely shaped the 'fruit' to be like that just for the sake of the festival. This is its original shape and looks. It tastes a little like charcoal cooked water-chestnuts and skin is thick and hard. Well, as it is a bit hard to eat, the tradition is begining to lose its appeal among the younger generation. The other item rarely eaten other items would be the mini-yams. Due to their small size which is probably due to the maturity of the tuber, its more starchy than the normal versions. I don't really like it as it is too sticky for my taste.

 

Hopefully someday, the younger generation would look back to this post and revive this again when the tradition was long forgotten. I wonder how many of the younger generation actually remember any of these foods?

Making Money with Online Surveys - 1st Oct

I'm sure many of the netizens out there have heard of making money online through surveys. It is said that you can make money by just answering some questions posed to you on either a product, or a service, or  anything else where the customer's opinion matters. The concept is fairly simple, a retail / services company contacts the survey company which you've joined and asks them to do a survey where the retail company will pay the survey company for doing so, and in turn, the survey company will pay their users a small amount for participating in the survey. No doubt, the survey company acts as the middleman and takes most of the profit. Sounds like a good deal? It sure does to me.

I don't know what about in the United States or any other countries, but making money out of taking surveys here in Malaysia is utter nonsensical, in my experience. Many people here, I've seen, promoting on e-books which claims to teach you about this and help you to find places where you can get money taking surveys. The thing that we've never thought about is that these guys probably scooped up the information somewhere and with a little word-processing magic, produced another so called 'guide'. Heck, it may happen that they were conned to part their money for a similar book and therefore now looking to scam other people with their supposedly 'valuable' information. I'm guessing that they haven't actually tried making money from taking surveys and are trying to market their e-books of their alleged experience.

In my case, I've been into at least 4-5 survey sites that claims to help you make lots of extra cash to spend. So far, all this has just been dreams of heavan. It never happened. Why? you ask. Well, I'm not sure about other people, but it seems that I'm constantly not elligible for the surveys that they get and sent to me to participate in. After answering several questions, the survey itself found that I'm not elligible for the survey. I wouldn't midn missing out on some surveys if the surveys are aplenty but the thing is the surveys that they ask me to participate in is so scarce to the point that I get a survey invitation like only once every 2 months? I mean, if you're looking to make money out of surveys, yes you can, but don't depend on it too much, it won't put food on the table. The things is that you'll have to wait until you have earned a certain amount before you can cash out and with surveys once every 2 months and each survey is approximately $1-$2, I think you probably can buy that item you've wanted for so long, only after it has stopped production.

Well, I can't say the same for people from other countries, but in this country, you might as well set-up a stall by the roadside selling tidbits, it much easier than making money with surveys. I wonder if anyone has a good experience with making online money by just taking surveys?