CentOS

Dell Vostro 1510 Laptop

Last few days, I installed CentOS Linux into my Dell Vostro 1510 laptop. Initially I intended to install Redhat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) Version 5 but I didn't. Why did I opt for CentOS over the other Linux distribution? It was mainly because I just followed my friend advice who was expert in Linux. He said that CentOS Kernel was exactly same and compatible to Redhat Enterprise Linux version. Some more it was completely free and allowed users to make Linux update. It was my first time to install linux into my own laptor with dual boot system.

Prepare to install CentOS

What are the steps?

1. First, download the latest CentOS ISO file (4.2Gbytes) from www.centos.org, choosing x86_64.
2. After that burn the ISO file into DVD.
3. Of course, have to make sure there are free space in my harddisk. I allocated about 40Gbytes for that.
4. Put the DVD into DVD rom and restart my laptop. (have to make sure that the first boot is using DVD rom instead of hard disk. You may choose it in BIOS setup)
5. then the start up screen will be appeared. press enter to proceed.
6. To test the DVD, you can skip it if you are sure that the DVD is workable
7. Choose language...
   
8. Choose "use free space on selected drives and create default layout" to install if you do not plan to customize harddisk (the easiest method)
   
9. then just click on forward button... pretty easy in fact.. along the way, the system will ask you to insert root password
   

Welcome page (1st time log in)

My CentOS desktop

After that, I have to modify a file in /etc/boot/grub/grub.conf so that I can make my laptop dual boot. To do so, I have to be root user (type su in terminal).



Have fun :)

Anandtech.com & Tom hardware

I would like to introduce a good webpage called Anandtech- your source of hardware analysis and news. It always publishs the latest news about computer related products such as microprocessors, chipsets, memories, video cards, motherboards, digital cameras news. Besides this, it also makes product comparisons, for example, the comparison of micoprocessor performance in between Intel and AMD. The more impressive words about the stiff competition is "The return of the Jedi". Moreover, the website also gives comments and introduction about computer products.

GeForce GTX 285

45nm Phenom II X4 940 at 3.0GHz and the 920 at 2.8GHz

Nahalem Architecture

Nahalem Chip Floorplan

If you are computer mania then it is a good site to keep abreast of computer latest development.

Source of the above pictures: anandtech.com

The other good website about computer news and products is Tom's Hardware. The specialty of the site is doing some strange tests on mircoprocessor. Besides this, it also guides you how to overclock microprocessors .

Microprocessor too hot? (source: tomhardware)

Required giant fan to cool down processor? who makes processor angry? (source: tomhardware)

stress test on AMD and Intel processors (source: tomhardware)

I personally think that Anadtech is much better than Tom's hardware because it give more relevent information. But sometime, I do check on Tom's hardware to see some weird stuff..

endless battle between AMD and Intel

Tesco Semenyih

Tesco Semenyih in Wikimapia

A very good news to Semenyih residence that Tesco Semenyih has been opened today morning. For those planning to purchase some stuff for Chinese New Year, you might opt for this new option which always provide low price. It might give stiff competition to The Store in Semenyih.

Tesco Semenyih @ Taman Pelangi Semenyih

Here is the map to Tesco Semenyih. It is situated to Taman Pelangi Semenyih entrance. Near to the Tesco, there will be a giant police station, still under construcion. Someone said it will be a police headquater or training center.

View Larger Map

The blue rectangle shap is Tesco Semenyih, while blue icon is giant police station

This new open Tesco will definitely provide an alternative choice to Semenyih residence and of course students in the University of Nottingham. But will it make the traffic in Jalan Semenyih worse!! OMG!

drive-through KFC and Pizza Hut

I nearly forgot to mention that beside the Tesco Semenyih, there is a drive-through KFC and Pizza Hut. Wahh, the second KFC restaurant in Semenyih. Great!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Updated (May 09)

At the Tesco Semenyih, there is a KFC restaurant also although a drive-through KFC and Pizza Hut are located at the outside of the Tesco . Besides that, Old Town White Coffee can be found here too. It provides a good place for local food like Laksa, prawn mee, toast and its famous white coffee.

Malaysia style Kyros Kebab

I like this Old Town White Coffee restaurant

Tesco food court

The nearest Bata shop from Semenyih

a variety of mee/noodles

a number of goods

vegetables + meats

Nice Read from George Carlin

This is a master piece. If you have not read it take the time to read it now. If you have read it take time to read it again!

GEORGE CARLIN (His wife recently died...)


Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

A Message by George Carlin:

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways,but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less. We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts, yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.

We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.

We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor. We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.

We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, 'I love you' to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

If you don't send this to other people....Who cares?

George Carlin

Cadbury Chocolate!

Sheeps for my nieces: Jing Hong & Jing Da

My sister flew back from New Zealand last month. She was so generous that she bought us a lot of gifts like NZ T-shirts, fresh strawberries and cherries, iconic sheep toys for my nieces, and of course, sweet chocolates!!

New Zealand sheep toy

I was intrigued by the sheep toy above, I found it quite interesting and cute. It could yell like a real sheep when the sheep is rolled over or flip over. My father was surprized to hear sheep sounds in upstair when the sheep was kept on yelling in the downstair of my house. At that time, he had not seen the sheep yet.

size view of New Zealand sheep toy

The other thing worth to mention was Cadbury chocolates. Before this, I did not know about this brand, perhap I seldom buy chocolate. My sistor told me that it was a famous chocolate company. She did pay a visit on the Cadbury factory, seeing how the chocolates were made and processed. I just snapshoted the chocolates as below:

Cadbury: Flake

Flake chocolates taste very good but a bit sweet

Cadbury: Pinky

Pinky chocolates was, of course, pink in colour on its inner side. Girls must be loving them a lot. I also found the chocolates were quite sweet. I was in pink mode! :P

Cadbury: Milk Tray

This chocolates consist of various types of flavour and design.

Cadbury: Continental Old Gold

Cadbury: Continental Old Gold (almost finished in a minute)

Ops!! I almost finished all the chocolate!

Kiwi Fruit Chocolates

Chocolate Cherries

In New Zealand, kiwi fruit and cherry were famous and in abundance. Hence, kiwi fruit and cherry chocolates were ideal gifts to friends and relatives but they did not belong to Cadbury brand if I was not mistaken

Oriental Crystal Hotel @ New Year Dinner

Oriental Crystal Hotel Main Entrance

In order to celebrate new year 2009, my family decided to have scrumptious dinner at Oriental Cyrstal Hotel, situated in Kajang town, near to Jalan Bukit. It was a 4 stars new hotel in Kajang town, creating stiff competition to Prescott Metro Inn (previously was Metro Kajang Inn). If I was not mistaken, it was established in 2007. I had never been to this hotel before.

Lobby hall

The Oriental Imperial Chinese Restaurant was on the first floor with splendid view. It was renowned for its Peking duck with BBQ sources. As a result, it was the first order we made, a must-try dish. Then we also ordered the other 5 dishes.

Peking Roast Duck @ Oriental Imperial Restaurant

Slicing the duck skin with skillful knife kung fu

The most impressive dishes was, of course, Peking Duck. A chief served us a well roasted Peking duck, putting on a small trolley. After that, he was demostrating his skillful knife kung to show how to cut the duck skin in the finest pieces. The other helper rolled the sliced skin with pancakes 荷葉餅. The total process was swift and did not make us impatient. Besides the rolls, it also came with prawn crackers. It also came together with special-made BBQ source, making the dish to perfect. Needless to say, the taste was fantastic and luscious.

Rolling the duck skin with pancake 荷葉餅

Peking Roast Duck served with pancakes and prawn crackers

closer look on Peking Duck rolls

Peking Duck meat was served too

Besides enjoying the duck skin, we were also served with the duck meat, otherwise it was quite a waste. The other dishes that we ordered were as below:

Kai Lan vegetables, topping with crispy Kai Lan vegetables

I found the crispy Kai Lan very good (the topping part). I had tasted it before in Penang :P

Special home-made bean-curds (so so only..)

草湾鱼 Fish served with gingers

served with dried shrimp

Sushi-like dishes- very yummy & special

As an overall, we were quite satisfied with the dishes. How much did this dinner cost? haha.. it was around RM330 in total, including taxes. I felt it was a bit expensive but my father said it was ok as compared to the other restaurant in Taman Kajang Prima....
Fortunately, we had special discount on that day..

Here provide a map to Oriental Crystal Hotel:

View Larger Map