SimpleMind

$$$ website

2006-01-03T09:46:00.000+08:00

CafeExpress

Scorpion

2005-09-19T13:52:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, a black scorpion 'visited' my home..just happen to see and 'toast' its fragile skin with hot thermos....

Beyond Plasma and LCD TV

2005-07-14T14:47:00.000+08:00

Revolution of TV screen:
CRT to LCDs to Plasma to OLED / SED / DLP

Advantage of LCDs over plasma

Picture quality is similar to plasmas;
LCDs are immune to the burn-in that can affect plasma displays. This burn-in occurs when plasma units are used to display static images such as video game screens and stock or sports tickers.

Advantage of plasma over LCDs

Plasmas generally have an edge in the ability to produce deeper blacks and more saturated colors than LCDs.
Plasmas are also better at producing full motion video than LCDs because of the response time of the LCD panels, although this difference is disappearing.
LCD TVs are a bit more expensive than plasmas at 42" and larger sizes,
Plasma displays should last 20,000 – 25,000 hours and LCDs should give 30,000+ hours of useful life. However, the latest generation of plasma displays from NEC is claimed to have a 60,000 hour life.

Beyond plasma:

OLED, for Organic Light Emitting Diode

Developed by Kodak and Pioneer, this technology has been used for a few years in car stereo and cell phone displays. It's just about ready for prime time. Philips has shown a 13">
emits it’s own light, so it requires no backlight and has better contrast than a traditional LCD
have a wide viewing angle like a plasma display
Power usage is very low, less than 1/2 that of a traditional LCD display. At around 2mm deep, OLEDs are much thinner than either a plasma or LCD.
have fewer parts than LCD or plasma and can be manufactured using a novel ink jet printing process. This promises to keep prices low as the technology is implemented.

SED (Surface-conduction Electron-emitter Display)

under development by Toshiba and Canon Inc. since the 1990s, is a combination of CRT (cathode ray tube) and LCD (liquid crystal display) technologies.
basic construction is two glass plates separated by a vacuum. One of the plates is coated with phosphors the other is mounted with electron emitters. Electrons are ejected when a voltage of about 16 to 18 V is applied to the emitters. These electrons are then accelerated by a higher voltage into a beam similar to that in a CRT display
SED display is only an inch or two thick, depending upon screen size.
produce pictures that are as bright as CRT pictures and they don't have the slight time delay sometimes seen with LCDs and PDPs (plasma display panels),
use up to one-third less power than PDP panels of the same size
A unit shown by Toshiba at a Japanese trade show in April of 2005 even had it’s contrast ratio up to an incredible 100,000 to 1 by significantly reducing black luminance. Even if the specs were a bit inflated this would still amount to a fantastic contrast ratio, on the order of 5 times that of a traditional CRT

DLP (Digital Light Projetion) - (add in after Letti comment...Thanks )

DLP vs LCD

common complaint of LCD technology is the "Screen Door Effect" which causes the image to appear pixilated. DLP technology has a competitive advantage over LCD in reduced pixilation, because the pixels are much closer together and produce a cleaner image.
LCD units typically have better color saturation than DLP
LCD units can develop irreparable pixels, which can leave small blank spots on your screen
DLP units can produce a higher contrast video with deeper black levels than an LCD
LCD units tends to produce a sharper image, but with the "Screen Door Effect" this may cause noticeable problems
DLP units are usually lighter in weight, because there are less internal components
It is commonly thought that DLP's will last longer, but their most problematic issue is a bad lamp, which could cost up to 400 dollars to fix. Most manufacturers will warranty their lamps for a set period of time, but outside of the warranty it is the consumers responsibility. While lamp issues may arise the beautiful thing about a DLP is that it functions by light and mirrors, so the image quality will not degrade over time.

Source: ComputerWorld , Ezine , HDTVexpert , TV Authority

Green Furniture

2005-07-14T07:48:00.000+08:00

This is how it is done.

Source: ReadyMade

Deep Impact

2005-07-06T08:35:00.000+08:00

After 172 days and 431 million kilometers (268 million miles) of deep space stalking, Deep Impact successfully reached out and touched comet Tempel 1. The collision between the coffee table-sized impactor and city-sized comet occurred at 1:52 a.m. EDT. (14/7/2005)

Intro:
Comets are time capsules that hold clues about the formation and evolution of the solar system. They are composed of ice, gas and dust, primitive debris from the solar system's distant and coldest regions that formed 4.5 billion years ago. Deep Impact, a NASA Discovery Mission, is the first space mission to probe beneath the surface of a comet and reveal the secrets of its interior.

(artist impression)

The Deep Impact mission lasts six years from start to finish. Planning and design for the mission took place from November 1999 through May 2001. The mission team is proceeding with the building and testing of the two-part spacecraft. The larger "flyby" spacecraft carries a smaller "impactor" spacecraft to Tempel 1 and releases it into the comet's path for a planned collision. The spacecraft will be launched to air space with the help of Boeing Delta II rocket.

On July 4, 2005, the Deep Impact spacecraft arrives at Comet Tempel 1 to impact it with a 370-kg (~820-lbs) mass. On impact, the crater produced is expected to range in size from that of a house to that of a football stadium, and two to fourteen stories deep. Ice and dust debris is ejected from the crater revealing fresh material beneath. Sunlight reflecting off the ejected material provides a dramatic brightening that fades slowly as the debris dissipates into space or falls back onto the comet. Images from cameras and a spectrometer are sent to Earth covering the approach, the impact and its aftermath.

Sixty-nine days before it gets up-close-and-personal with a comet, NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft successfully photographed its quarry, comet Tempel 1, at a distance of 39.7 million miles. The image, taken on April 25, 2005, is the first of many comet portraits Deep Impact will take leading up to its historic comet encounter on July 4.

This image shows comet Tempel 1 as seen through the clear filter of the medium-resolution camera on NASA's Deep Impact spacecraft. It was taken on July 1, 2005, when the spacecraft was 2,446,529.1 kilometers (1,520,273 miles) away from the comet. Five images were combined together, and a logarithmic stretch was applied to enhance the coma of the comet.

This display shows highly processed images of the outburst of comet Tempel 1 between June 22 and 23, 2005. The images were taken by Deep Impact's medium-resolution camera. An average image of the comet has been subtracted from each picture to provide an enhanced view of the outburst. The intensity has also been stretched to show the faintest parts. This processing enables measurement of the outflow speed and the details of the dissipation of the outburst. The left image was taken when the comet was very close to its normal, non-bursting state, so almost nothing is visible.

A picture of Tempel 1(left) taken by Deep Impact's medium-resolution camera is shown next to data of the comet taken by the spacecraft's infrared spectrometer. This instrument breaks apart light like a prism to reveal the "fingerprints," or signatures, of chemicals. Even though the spacecraft was over 10 days away from the comet when these data were acquired, it detected some of the molecules making up the comet's gas and dust envelope, or coma. The signatures of these molecules - including water, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide - can be seen in the graph, or spectrum.

This false-color image shows comet Tempel 1 as seen by Chandra X-ray Observatory on June 30, 2005, Universal Time. The comet was bright and condensed. The X-rays observed from comets are caused by an interaction between highly charged oxygen in the solar wind and neutral gases from the comet. The observatory detected X-rays with an energy of 0.3 to 1.0 kilo electron Volts. The bulk of the X-rays were between 0.5 and 0.7 kilo electron Volts.

This plot consists of data taken by the Deep Impact's medium-resolution instrument before the mission's scheduled collision with comet Tempel 1. It shows the total brightness of the comet versus time until impact. Two outbursts of the comet can be seen as sharp peaks. One occurred three and two-third days before impact, and another just less than two days before. The large-scale, more gradual peaks are due to the rotation of the elongated comet nucleus. One rotation period is 41.85 hours. These data were acquired by the mission's navigation team.

These water maps of Tempel 1 show the location of water molecules around the comet. Each image corresponds to a different time interval - two before a comet outburst (left), one near the peak of an outburst (middle), and one after the outburst (right). The outward motion of the water during the outburst can be seen. This information will be used to understand the process by which outbursts occur.

This image shows comet Tempel 1 approximately 5 minutes before Deep Impact's probe smashed into its surface. It was taken by the probe's impactor targeting sensor. The Sun is to the right of the image and reveals terrain varying in brightness by a factor of two. Shadows and bright areas indicate surface topography. Smooth regions with no features (lower left and upper right) are probably younger than rougher areas with circular features, which are most likely impact craters. The probe crashed between the two dark-rimmed craters near the center and bottom of the comet.

This movie shows Deep Impact's impactor probe approaching comet Tempel 1. It is made up of images taken by the probe's impactor targeting sensor. The probe collided with the comet at 10:52 p.m. Pacific time, July 3 (1:52 a.m. Eastern time, July 4).

This image from NASA TV is a view from Deep Impact's flyby showing the impactor colliding with comet Tempel 1.

This image shows the initial ejecta that resulted when NASA's Deep Impact probe collided with comet Tempel 1 at 10:52 p.m. Pacific time, July 3 (1:52 a.m. Eastern time, July 4). It was taken by the spacecraft's high-resolution camera 13 seconds after impact. The image has been digitally processed to better show the comet's nucleus

Source: NASA

Roger Federer - The invincible

2005-07-02T08:08:00.000+08:00

Source : FedererMagic

Vaccine for cervical cancer

2005-06-28T09:51:00.000+08:00

Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection leads to a spectrum of disease from genital warts to precancerous lesions to cervical and anal cancer and is a worldwide public health problem of epidemic proportions. Unique to HPV-related neoplasia, the presence of specific viral antigens such as the L1 capsid structural protein and the oncoproteins E6 and E7 provide opportunities for vaccine therapy.

**Human Papillomavirus Type 16 E7 Oncoprotein-induced Abnormal Centrosome Synthesis Is an Early Event in the Evolving Malignant Phenotype (CancerResearch)

Most prophylactic vaccines are virus-like particles (VLP) composed of the L1 structural protein. Phase I trials have demonstrated safety and immunogenicity, but limited efficacy data are available. Therapeutic vaccine trials are reviewed including E6 and E7 vaccines comprised of peptides, fusion proteins, encapsulated plasmid DNA, and recombinant vaccinia virus

Since the vaccine does not contain any viral DNA, you cannot get infected with HPV by receiving this vaccine

Pap Smear: Atypical parakeratosis (highly suspicious for HPV in itself) and regular parakeratosis

Vaccine contains virus-like particles for HPV types 16 and 18, plus a substance called AS04, a novel proprietary adjuvant being developed by GSK Biologicals in collaboration with Corixa, that increases the immune system's response to a vaccine. GlaxoSmithKline announced in November 2004 that its vaccine, which contains two strains of HPV thought to cause 70 per cent of cervical cancers, had prevented 90 per cent of new infections and all persistent infections.

The US-based firm Merck announced similar results last week with its vaccine, which contains the same two cancer-causing HPV strains plus two strains that cause genital warts.

In 2004, the results from a phase II, randomised, double-blind clinical trial indicated that the vaccine may have clinical benefit to prevent HPV types 16 and 18.

Source: NewScientist, OBGYNet , Uni. of York , Art of Cytology , Med-ars

Dartfish

2005-06-27T17:32:00.000+08:00

Given an assignement on acompany which mastered in-motion technology. The company changed its name to Dartfish. Here are some spectacular pictures the software can take.

Source:

Transfer of Learning Matrix

2005-06-23T15:21:00.000+08:00

Source:ReproLine

Denison Organizational Culture Model

2005-06-23T13:03:00.000+08:00

This model is based on a series of studies conducted over a 15-year period on over 1,000 organizations and 40,000 respondents. These studies examined the impact of organizational culture on performance and identified four organizational culture traits that impact performance:

Involvement (empowerment, team orientation, capability development)
Consistency (core value, agreement, coordination and integration)
Adaptability (org. learning, customer focus, creating change)
Mission. (strategic direction, goal objectives, vision)

Each of the four traits represents a central ideal about the determinants of organizational performance and effectiveness. The profile displays scores in quartiles and percentiles which compare an organization's score to the higher and lower-performing organizations in Dr. Denison's research. Third and fourth quartile scores are those generally found in higher-performing organizations.

The profile splits horizontally to distinguish between an external focus (top half) and an internal focus (bottom half).

Involvement and Consistency address the internal dynamics of an organization, but do not address the interaction of the organization with the external environment. Adaptability and Mission, in contrast, take as their focus the relationship between the organization and the external environment.

The profile splits vertically to distinguish between a flexible organization (left half) and a stable organization (right half

Involvement and Adaptability emphasize an organization's capacity for flexibility and change. Opposite that, Consistency and Mission emphasize the organization's capacity for stability and direction.

While research shows that the four traits in the model each has a positive impact on performance, some of the traits, at least on the surface, may appear to contradict others. For example, highly consistent cultures may become inbred, and may be the most difficult to change. In contrast, highly adaptive cultures may have difficulty in achieving the high rates of efficiency or shared sense of purpose often found in cultures that are well integrated.

In a similar sense, the traits of Mission and Involvement may also seem contradictory: the meaning and direction established by an organizational mission may limit the involvement of some of the organization's members. As many organizations have discovered, simply declaring a new organizational mission does not necessarily imply the support and commitment of the organization's members. By the same token, high involvement among an organization's members does not necessarily imply a clear sense of direction and purpose.

Soure: DenisonCulture

Goffee and Jones' cultural model

2005-06-22T09:50:00.000+08:00

Solidarity
Solidarity is the degree to which people think together in the same ways, sharing tasks and mutual interests. The main driving force in decisions is logic.
Positive solidarity gets the job done efficiently and effectively. Negative solidarity does not care for other people and can have high levels of internal conflict or inefficient self-interest.

Sociability
Sociability comes from mutual esteem and concern for ones colleagues. The main driving force in decisions is emotion and social concern. High sociability is people-based, low sociability has a greater task focus.
Positive sociability is people helping one another to succeed. Negative sociability is covering up for other people and tolerating poor performance in the name of friendship or ‘saving face’.

The Double-S Model
The double-S model is a two-by-two matrix that identifies four cultures, depending on high and low solidarity and sociability.

		Solidarity
		Low	High
Sociability	High	Networked Culture	Communal culture
Sociability	Low	Fragmented Culture	Mercenary Culture

Networked Culture
This has high sociability and low solidarity leading to:

Open physical spaces including social areas.
Decorations with such as photos.
Separated marked spaces to show territory (especially in negative forms).
Much talk, including informal meetings.
Lots of use of email, phones, etc.
Attention to communicating in the 'right' way.
Socialising during work hours, which can be long.
People identify with one another.

Communal Culture
This has high sociability and high solidarity leading to:

Open plan spaces.
Highly visible corporate symbols.
Focus on face-face communications.
Persuasion is often based on guilt or shame.
Work as living and vice-versa. Work-life balance is irrelevant.
People identify with company values

Fragmented Culture
This has low sociability and low solidarity leading to:

Private offices or people who work from home.
Little talk or communications (with little opportunity for casual chat too).
Talk is focused on specific topics and kept short.
Most talk is directed to people outside the organization.
People identify with individualism and freedom.

Mercenary Culture
This has low sociability and high solidarity leading to:

Functional spaces that do the job and little more.
Displays of awards and recognitions.
Talk is short and focused.
Argument is confrontational.
Long hours when it is needed (which is often).
People identify with winning.

Source: ChangingMinds

Mother Theresa - Saint of the Gutters

2005-06-14T07:52:00.000+08:00

Born Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu in 1910 in Skopje, Yugoslavia, she joined the Sisters of Loreto in 1928. She took the name "Teresa" after St. Teresa of Lesiux, patroness of the Missionaries.

In 1948, she came across a half-dead woman lying in front of a Calcutta hospital. She stayed with the woman until she died. From that point on, she dedicated the majority of her life to helping the poorest of the poor in India, thus gaining her the name "Saint of the Gutters." She founded an order of nuns called the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta, India dedicated to serving the poor. Almost 60 years later, the Missionaries of Charity have grown from 12 sisters in India to over 3,000 in 517 missions throughout 100 countries worldwide

In 1952, she founded the Nirmal Hriday Home for the Dying in a former temple in Calcutta. It was there that they would care for the dying Indians that were found on the streets. Mother would see Jesus in everyone that she met. It didn't matter whether they were dying of AIDS or Leprosy. She wanted them to be able to die in peace and with dignity. For over 50 years, she worked unselfishly helping the poor. That devotion towards the poor won her respect throughout the world and the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.

Famous Quotes

If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.
Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.
Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary. What we need is to love without getting tired
Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. It doesn't matter who it is, and that will help you to grow up in greater love for each other
Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat. We must find each other.
The trouble is that rich people, well-to-do people, very often don't really know who the poor are; and that is why we can forgive them, for knowledge can only lead to love, and love to service. And so, if they are not touched by them, it's because they do not know them.
Love has a hem to her garment that reaches the very dust. It sweeps the streets and lanes, and because it can, it must.
If you want to make peace, you don't talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.
I prefer you to make mistakes in kindness than work miracles in unkindness.
Technology is a way of organizing the universe so that man doesn't have to experience it.
If you are discouraged it is a sign of pride, because it shows you trust in your own powers. Never bother about other people's opinions. Be humble and you will never be disturbed. Remember St. Aloysius, who said he would continue to play billiards even if he knew he was going to die. Do you play well? Sleep well? Eat well? These are duties. Nothing is small for God.
There is much suffering in the world - physical, material, mental. The suffering of some can be blamed on the greed of others. The material and physical suffering is suffering from hunger, from homelessness, from all kinds of diseases. But the greatest suffering is being lonely, feeling unloved, having no one. I have come more and more to realize that it is being unwanted that is the worst disease that any human being can ever experience

Source:
Acadian , Don Doman

ChessAnalysis2

2005-06-11T07:30:00.000+08:00

Rxd4 !!!

White to move. Is Rxd4 sound ??

Click here for the game analysis

Chess Analysis1

2005-06-09T11:57:00.000+08:00

This is not my game but an extract from somewhere which I forgot the source. Anyway, using the recently bought software to do the analysis and publishing.

White to move

Click here for the game

Happy Wedding, Letti

2005-06-08T09:04:00.000+08:00

First Sale

2005-06-07T08:15:00.000+08:00

Well, this is my first sale in business. And expected more to come in the future.

For more information about price and warranty, please refer here.

GNU-Doug

2005-06-07T07:53:00.000+08:00

Bought a software Shredder 9 from Kenyalang which costs only RM5.00. Trying to find a sofware that could publish my chess game in the Net and finally done it. Check it out and there would be more to come in the future.

White to move to gain better advantage?
Click here for the game

FreeKick for free !!

2005-05-27T17:43:00.000+08:00

Some of the interesting websites cater for free FREEKICk online.. Click the below links :

DragonGamez
SuperFreeKick

This picture paints a thousand words

2005-05-26T12:59:00.000+08:00

Super GM Tournament, Topalov,V (2778) - Ponomariov,R (2695) Round 9

2005-05-24T08:35:00.000+08:00

Topalov,V (2778) - Ponomariov,R (2695) [E15]Mtel Masters Sofia BUL (9), 21.05.2005

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3. b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Nc3 0-0

8.Rc1. c6 9.e4 d5

10.e5N. This is a novelty, and it is obviously played with uncompromising attack in mind.

Veselin Topalov after playing his novelty

10.Ne4 11.Bd3 Nxc3 12.Rxc3 c5 13.dxc5 bxc5 14.h4 h6.

Topalov is manoeuvering his pieces – all of them – with one single goal: to go for the enemy king. Watch how systematically he goes about it: 15.Bb1! This is a key move which Ponomariov had underestimated in his deliberations. Apparently Topalov and his seconds had looked at it in their home preparation. 15...f5. After the game Veselin said that Black had to play 15...Nd7 to bring the knight into play to defend the king. But the young Ukraine seems to know no fear. 16.exf6 Bxf6 17.Qc2 d4

What would you do here? Move the rook to d3? Or first give a queen check on h7? Topalov does neither, he continues his murderous attack: 18.Ng5! hxg5 19.hxg5 dxc3. Well calculated. White is a rook and a knight down but already winning. 20.Bf4 Kf7 21.Qg6+ Ke7 22.gxf6+ Rxf6 23.Qxg7+ Rf7 24.Bg5+ Kd6 25.Qxf7 Qxg5 26.Rh7 Qe5+ 27.Kf1 Kc6 28.Qe8+ Kb6

It's all over: 29.Qd8+ Kc6. Black allows a mate 30.Be4+ and resigns one move before it is executed. 1-0.

The game is playable here
Source

Topalov,V (2778) - Anand,V (2785), Super GM Tournament Sofia, 2005 Round 6

2005-05-23T17:37:00.000+08:00

Super GM Tournament in SofiaWorld's top six players clash in the M-Tel Masters
May 11 to 22, 2005in the Grand Hotel Sofia, Bulgaria

Round 6
Topalov,V (2778) - Anand,V (2785) [E15]Mtel Masters Sofia BUL (6), 18.05.2005

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 b6 4.g3 Ba6 5.b3 Bb4+ 6.Bd2 Be7 7.Nc3 c6 8.e4 d5 9.Qc2 dxe4 10.Nxe4 Bb7 11.Neg5. Topalov's novelty. Topalov-Anand. 11.Neg5 is a new move exactly here – it usually comes after 11.Bg2 c5, as Topalov himself played against Leko in Melody Amber this year. 11...c5 12.d5 exd5 13.cxd5 h6

14.Nxf7!? The surprise Topalov had in store for Anand. His speculative sacrifice here has some similarities to the old Cochrane Gambit in the Petroff. (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7!?).
14...Kxf7 15.0-0-0 Bd6 16.Nh4 Bc8 17.Re1 Na6 18.Re6!

Topalov offers to turn his material investment into a whole rook. But if Black accepted he would be wiped out on the light squares, which are full of holes around his king: 18...Bxe6? 19.dxe6+ Kg8 20.Bxa6.

18...Nb4 19.Bxb4 cxb4 20.Bc4 b5. The rook is untouchable: 20...Bxe6?? 21.dxe6 Kf8 22.Ng6+ and White wins the queen with mate soon. 21.Bxb5 Be7?. Anand was defending well until this move, which had the logical plan of attacking the d5 pawn. 22.Ng6 Nxd5.

23.Rxe7+. The game would have ended more quickly had Topalov found the Fritzy move 23.Re5!, which keeps the threat against the rook on h8 and also threatens Rxd5 and the rook is immune because of the Bc4 pin. But chess is hard and Topalov followed the line Anand was probably looking at when he played 21...Be7, going into an endgame in which Topalov has an extra pawn and much better pieces. The final race looked close, but Topalov had it under control.

23...Nxe7 24.Bc4+ Kf6 25.Nxh8 Qd4 26.Rd1 Qa1+ 27.Kd2 Qd4+ 28.Ke1 Qe5+ 29.Qe2 Qxe2+ 30.Kxe2 Nf5 31.Nf7 a5 32.g4 Nh4 33.h3 Ra7 34.Rd6+ Ke7 35.Rb6 Rc7 36.Ne5 Ng2 37.Ng6+ Kd8 38.Kf1 Bb7 39.Rxb7 Rxb7 40.Kxg2 Rd7 41.Nf8 Rd2 42.Ne6+ Ke7 43.Nxg7 Rxa2 44.Nf5+ Kf6 45.Nxh6 Rc2.

46.Bf7. Topalov's last chance to blunder would have been 46.h4?? Rxc4 and black is winning. 46...Rc3 47.f4 a4 48.bxa4 b3 49.g5+ Kg7 50.f5 b2 51.f6+ Kh7 52.Nf5 1-0.

The final move, allowing Black to queen, is quite pretty. After 52...b2Q it's mate in three: 53.g6+ Kh8 54.g7+ Kh7 55.g8Q#.

The game is playable here

Source:

LAN /JPA degree course recognition

2005-05-23T16:57:00.000+08:00

Check out the folowing website : (click on the LAN and JPA logo)

Futsal

2005-05-21T13:58:00.000+08:00

The terms FUTSAL is the international term used for the game. It is derived from the Spanish or Portuguese word for .soccer., FUTbo, FUTebol and the French or Spanish word for indoor, Salon or SALa. Futsal is a 5-a-side version of soccer that is played indoors on a variety of surfaces.
The origin of futsal can be traced back to Montevideo, Uruguay in 1930 when Juan Carlos Ceriani devised a five a side version of soccer for youth competition in YMCA.s. Because the sports is a great skill developer, demanding quick reflexes, fast thinking and pin point passing, its an exciting game for children as well as adults

Law of the game

PITCH

1. Dimensions: 25-42 m long x 15-25 m wide
In international matches the dimensions of the pitch shall be: length, 38 - 42 m, and breadth, 18 - 22 m.
2. Marking: 8 cm wide touchlines at the sides, goal lines at the ends, and a halfway-line across; 3 m center circle; no walls or dasherboards
3. Penalty Area: Arc measuring 6 m from each post
4. Penalty Mark: 6 m from the mid-point of goal line
5. Second Penalty Mark: 12 m from the mid-point of the goal line
6. Substitution Zones: 6 m zone (3 m on each side of halfway-line) on the bench side of the pitch
7. The Goals: 2 m high x 3 m wide
8. Surface of the Pitch: Smooth, flat and non-abrasive (e.g. wood, synthetic materials; avoid concrete and tarmac; artificial turf not acceptance for international matches)

BALL
Size: #4
Circumference: 62-64 cm
Weight: 390-430 grams
Bounce: 55-65 cm on first bounce
Material: Leather or other suitable material (i.e., not dangerous)

Number of Players
1. Minimum Number of Players to Start Match: 5, one of whom shall be a goalkeeper
2. Minimum Number of Players to Finish Match: 2
3. Maximum Number of Substitutes: 7
4. Substitution Limit: None
5. Substitution Method: "Flying substitution" (all players but the goalkeeper enter and leave as they please; goalkeeper substitutions can only be made when the ball is out of play and with a referee's consent)

Time duration

20 minutes each half

More Source:

FIFA
GoFutsal

Porter - 5 Forces

2005-05-19T15:58:00.000+08:00

Bargaining power of suppliers - more powerful if

there are only a few suppliers - difficult to switch to alternative supplier
there are no substitutes
suppliers prices form a large part of total costs of org. - price increase hits added value
supplier can undertake value added process of org. e.g. forward integration such as direct holiday selling, direct insurance

Bargaining power of buyers, more powerful if

Buyer are concentrated and there are few of them - org has little option but to negotiate with buyers e.g. national Govt contracts in health, defence & education.
Undifferentiated product - i.e. much the same as everybody else's, buyer can easily switch to another supplier.
Backward integration possible - as with supplier, buyer bargaining power increased if buyer can take over role of supplier
Supplier selling price unimportant to total costs of buyer.

Threat of potential new entrants
New entrants come into market when profit margins are attractive and barriers to entry are low. Porter identifies 7 barriers to entry:

Economies of scale - large production capacity needed to achieve low cost levels
Product differentiation - branding, customer knowledge, service levels force new entrants to spend extra funds or simply take longer to become established in market e.g Ikea
Capital requirements - major investments needed in technology, plant, distribution, service outlets
Switching costs - satisfied buyer is difficult to switch to new supplier e.g. Msoft windows to Apple.
Access to distribution channels - can be limited e.g. petrol companies own their retail petrol sites.
Cost disadvantages independent of scale - established company, with loyal customers, confidence of major buyers, specialist expertise e.g. Malaysian & Korean car companies competing in Europe against Ford & VW.
Govt Policy - to protect certain companies or sectors e.g. telecoms, health authorities & utilities.

Threat of Substitutes
From a strategy viewpoint key issues are:

possible threat of obsolescence
ability of customers to switch to substitute
building in switching costs
likely reduction in profits if prices reduce or remain the same

Extent of competitive rivalry
In highly competitive markets companies will:

monitor price changes and match rivals immediately
examine rival products in great detail and attempt to better them
watch competitor investments in competing plant and regularly have drives to reduce their own cost levels
attempt to poach employees

Criticisms of 5 forces model:

Assumes orgn. own interests come first. Not so in charities and govt bodies.
Assumes buyers have equal importance to other environmental factors. Many writers believe customers are the most important element of strategy.
Presumes the environment poses a threat to an orgn. whereas many companies engage in close co-operation with suppliers.
Ignores human resources aspects of strategy e.g. country cultures, management skills.

Example:

Airline Market

Smallpox vaccine market

The Internet and its effect on Industry Structure

Oyster Yummy

2005-05-17T09:57:00.000+08:00

Oyster classification

Pacific - Originally from Japan, the Pacific Oyster is the most widely cultured oyster in the world. Example of Pacific oyster is a Samish Bay with a crisp full taste and lots of meat because of its full cup. Kumamoto oyster has a buttery finish, it is one of the best sellers at the restaurant because it is considered a beginner's oyster due its small size and mild taste.Others include Steamboats, Pearl Bay, Malaspina, Royal Myagi, each with a different finish from very creamy to metallic to just a hint of salt or nuts.
Olympia -found primarily in Washington's Sound, it is a very small oyster seldom exceeding 2 inches. This oyster has a very full flavor with a distinct aftertaste
Atlantic -such as Malpeque, Caraquet, Blue Point, Pine Island, Pugwash, and more. Each oyster has its own degree of saltiness. It taste more salty compared to Pacific. Pine Island because it has a fruity finish, and some prefer a Pemequid because of its almond finish.

The art of consumption !!

1) Using your shellfish fork, make sure the oyster is completely detached from its shell. While admiring the beauty, grace and freshness of my oyster, I like to gently move it around a little to ascertain that it's ready to be gracefully slurped.

Might consider: squeeze of lemon, strings of fresh-grated horseradish, a dollop of zippy cocktail sauce or a drop or two of red wide vinegar-and-shallot mignonette

2) Grasp the oyster shell comfortably, cradling it in the nook between your thumb and first two fingers. Look for the best "sipping lip" on the shell. Alter your grasp, if you need to, so you can easily slurp both your oyster and its liquid from this point on the shell.

3) Lift the shell to your lips and, in one swift move, tip shell up and slurp both the oyster and juices into your mouth. Relax. Savor the high note of briny freshness. Think of the ocean. Don't try to swallow your oyster whole. While oysters don't require vigorous chewing, like squid or octopus, they do need to be caressed with your molars a few times. As you do this, you may notice other flavors (cucumber, melon, toasted almonds) emerge.

Many ways of preparing the dish

Oyster pancake. Source: Sixthseal

Delicious oyster cuisine includes the "oyster and vegetable pot" with miso paste along the inner edge of an earthenware pot, "oysters cooked with sake, soy sauce and ginger," "fried oysters," "fresh oysters with cocktail sauce" and "butter-sauteed oysters." Source: Miyagi

Chipotle Cheese Oysters .Source:OCCC

Oyster Egg. Source: Global Gourmet

Oysters Rockefeller: Using food processor, process spinach, onion tops and parsley until fine. Mix with celery, melted butter and lemon juice. Fill 6 pie plates or tins half full with rock salt. Place 6 oysters on half shell in each plate. Cover each oyster with 1 teaspoon vegetable mixture. Place plates under broiler; cook until edges of oysters curl, then serve immediately. Makes 6 servings or 36 appetizers. Source :RecipeIndian

Fried Oysters Rockefeller : Lightly fried select oysters and pernod cream spinach topped with Hollandaise, applewood bacon & blue crabmeat. Source:Lavechiaas

Raspberry Mignonette on Oysters on the Half Shell. Source: WillieGreen

Spicy fried oyster salad. Source: RecipeIndian

More:
Little facts on oyster

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948)

2005-05-15T16:34:00.000+08:00

Mohandas K. Gandhi was born in 1869 to Hindu parents in the state of Gujarat in Western India. He entered an arranged marriage with Kasturbai Makanji when both were 13 years old. His family later sent him to London to study law, and in 1891 he was admitted to the Inner Temple, and called to the bar. In Southern Africa he worked ceaselessly to improve the rights of the immigrant Indians. It was there that he developed his creed of passive resistance against injustice, satyagraha, meaning truth force, and was frequently jailed as a result of the protests that he led. Before he returned to India with his wife and children in 1915, he had radically changed the lives of Indians living in Southern Africa.

Young lawyer in Natal

Back in India, it was not long before he was taking the lead in the long struggle for independence from Britain. He never wavered in his unshakable belief in nonviolent protest and religious tolerance. When Muslim and Hindu compatriots committed acts of violence, whether against the British who ruled India, or against each other, he fasted until the fighting ceased. Independence, when it came in 1947, was not a military victory, but a triumph of human will. To Gandhi's despair, however, the country was partitioned into Hindu India and Muslim Pakistan. The last two months of his life were spent trying to end the appalling violence which ensued, leading him to fast to the brink of death, an act which finally quelled the riots. In January 1948, at the age of 79, he was killed by an assassin as he walked through a crowed garden in New Delhi to take evening prayers.

Man and Wife : Mohandas and KasturbaPicture taken in 1915 upon Gandhi's return to India

Gandhi's Talisman

"I will give you a talisman. Whenever you are in doubt, or when the self becomes too much with you, apply the following test. Recall the face of the poorest and the weakest man [woman] whom you may have seen, and ask yourself, if the step you contemplate is going to be of any use to him [her]. Will he [she] gain anything by it? Will it restore him [her] to a control over his [her] own life and destiny? In other words, will it lead to swaraj [freedom] for the hungry and spiritually starving millions?Then you will find your doubts and your self melt away."

Famous quote

Nonviolence is the greatest force at the disposal of mankind. It is mightier than the mightiest weapon of destruction devised by the ingenuity of man.
The weak can never forgive. Forgiveness is the attribute of the strong
Hate the sin and love the sinner
An eye for eye only ends up making the whole world blind.
Whenever you are confronted with an opponent. Conquer him with love
Whenever you have truth it must be given with love, or the message and the messenger will be rejected
My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.
Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.
A coward is incapable of exhibiting love; it is the prerogative of the brave.
An ounce of practice is worth more than tons of preaching.

The World's Tallest Thermometer

2005-05-15T16:03:00.000+08:00

It is the centerpiece in the center of the Mojave Desert. It is locaed at the freeway in Southern California
Technically, it isn't a thermometer at all. It is an electric sign built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Co. of Salt Lake City. It weighs 76,812 pounds, is held together by 125 cubic yards of concrete, and stands 134 feet tall, a symbolic measurement in tribute to the 134 degrees recorded in nearby Death Valley in 1913 - the highest temperature ever recorded in North America.

Value Chain- Michael Porter

2005-05-14T13:50:00.000+08:00

Value Chain Analysis
The value chain is a systematic approach to examining the development of competitive advantage. It was created by M. E. Porter in his book, Competitive Advantage (1980). The chain consists of a series of activities that create and build value. They culminate in the total value delivered by an organisation. The 'margin' depicted in the diagram is the same as added value. The organisation is split into 'primary activities' and 'support activities.'

Primary Activities
Inbound Logistics
Here goods are received from a company's suppliers. They are stored until they are needed on the production/assembly line. Goods are moved around the organisation.
Operations
This is where goods are manufactured or assembled. Individual operations could include room service in an hotel, packing of books/videos/games by an online retailer, or the final tune for a new car's engine.
Outbound Logistics
The goods are now finished, and they need to be sent along the supply chain to wholesalers, retailers or the final consumer.
Marketing and Sales
In true customer orientated fashion, at this stage the organisation prepares the offering to meet the needs of targeted customers. This area focuses strongly upon marketing communications and the promotions mix.
Service
This includes all areas of service such as installation, after-sales service, complaints handling, training and so on.

Support Activities
Procurement
This function is responsible for all purchasing of goods, services and materials. The aim is to secure the lowest possible price for purchases of the highest possible quality. They will be responsible for outsourcing (components or operations that would normally be done in-house are done by other organisations), and ePurchasing (using IT and web-based technologies to achieve procurement aims).
Technology Development
Technology is an important source of competitive advantage. Companies need to innovate to reduce costs and to protect and sustain competitive advantage. This could include production technology, Internet marketing activities, lean manufacturing, Customer Relationship Management (CRM), and many other technological developments.
Human Resource Management (HRM)
Employees are an expensive and vital resource. An organisation would manage recruitment and selection, training and development, and rewards and remuneration. The mission and objectives of the organisation would be driving force behind the HRM strategy.
Firm Infrastructure
This activity includes and is driven by corporate or strategic planning. It includes the Management Information System (MIS), and other mechanisms for planning and control such as the accounting department.

Example of value chain :

TAFE NZW (A trainning instituition)

Food value chain

Game development value chain

Electronic Commerce Value Chain

Forest Tourism Value Chain

Click here for slideshow

Today is Friday the 13th

2005-05-13T10:33:00.000+08:00

The name "Friday" came from a Norse deity worshipped on the sixth day, known either as Frigg (goddess of marriage and fertility), or Freya (goddess of sex and fertility), or both, the two figures having become intertwined in the handing-down of myths over time (the etymology of "Friday" has been given both ways). Frigg/Freya corresponded to Venus, the goddess of love of the Romans, who named the sixth day of the week in her honor "dies Veneris."

Triskaidekaphobics -Fear of 13

Paraskevidekatriaphobia - fear of Friday the 13th

It is said:

The Turks so disliked the number 13 that it was practically expunged from their vocabulary (Brewer, 1894).
13 letters in your name, you will have the devil's luck (Jack the Ripper, Charles Manson, Jeffrey Dahmer, Theodore Bundy and Albert De Salvo all have 13 letters in their names).
There are 13 witches in a coven.
Judas, the 13th apostle at the Last Supper with Jesus, later betrayed him to the Romans, setting the stage for a Friday morning crucifixion.
The ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission left the launching pad at 13:13 hours and was aborted on April 13
Some cities skip 13th Ave. Some buildings skip from the 12th to the 14th floor, which, of course, means that the 14th floor is actually the 13th floor.
Italians omit the number 13 from their national lottery
the number of hospital admissions due to accidents was significantly higher than on "normal" Fridays.

the end of the knight Templars took place on a Friday the 13th October , 1307, (Knights Templar, the legendary order of "warrior monks" formed during the Christian Crusades to combat Islam)

Source:
UrbanLegends

Star War: Revenge of the Sith

2005-05-10T09:37:00.000+08:00

(larger image) - Family Tree of Star Wars

Click here for Slide show

Wound Closure without needle / suturing (Clozex)

2005-05-10T08:17:00.000+08:00

ClozeX has made dramatic improvements in a revolutionary closure category called coaptive films. The outcome: a family of non-invasive products featuring ClozeX wound closures. ClozeX represents the next generation of skin closures which provide advantages over existing methods in speed, safety and satisfaction for both the physician and patient

Click Video for wound closure demo

Source:

Melanoma

2005-05-09T15:27:00.000+08:00

Malignant melanoma is the most aggressive and life-threatening skin cancer. It develops in the cells that give the skin its color (melanocytes) and has a very high tendency to spread to other parts of the body

How to spot malignant melanoma: (ABCDE)

Assymetry and Borders irregular

Colour irregular

Diamter of > 5mm

Elevation

Source:
SkinCancer

Typhi Rapid

2005-05-07T11:54:00.000+08:00

Typhoid Disease is caused by Salmonella typhi.

"Woman Cook a Walking Typhoid Fever Factory," said the headline in a New York City newspaper in 1907. The woman was Mary Mallon, an Irish immigrant who as "Typhoid Mary" would become a notorious symbol of a public health menace

Researchers at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) have scored a world's first in coming out with a rapid diagnostics kit for typhoid.The kit produced by a research team headed by Prof Asma Ismail can detect the disease in patients in as little as 15 minutes.

The kit named TYPHIRAPID-IgM has been used to help the Kota Bharu Hospital in Kelantan in tackling the recent outbreak of typhoid in the state.

Advantages:
Able to produce results in 15 minutes,
High sensitivity (87-90%),
High specificity (90-95%),
Easy to perform,
Economical,
Does not need cold chain for transportation and storage, conditions necessary for remote areas.

(click picture to enlarge)

See Me Fly-Mandarin

2005-05-04T17:09:00.000+08:00

From:
8812345

刘德华:一起走过的日子

2005-05-04T16:41:00.000+08:00

游鸿明:爱我的人和我爱的人

2005-05-04T16:35:00.000+08:00

刘德华:上海滩

2005-05-04T16:30:00.000+08:00

From:
XiaoYouXi

Salmon

2005-05-04T09:03:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I had salmon for my dinner. And would like to research on that rare fish in Malaysia.

There are 7 species of what are classically labeled "true" Pacific salmon. All are found on the Asian side of the Pacific Ocean, but only five (chinook, coho, sockeye, chum, and pink) are found on the North American side .There are also two species of sea-running trout (rainbow or steelhead and cutthroat) that have similar life histories and are usually lumped in the genus Oncorhynchus with the five North American true salmon and treated as "Pacific salmon"

5 species of salmon with distinct characteristics:

Chinook – (spring) salmon is Pacific’s largest, averaging between 20 lbs (9 kg) to 70 lbs (31kg). - the largest ever caught on record is 126lbs. (51.5 kg). Chinook spend three to four years at see before returning to spawn. They start running May and continue to September, and their firm flesh ranging in colour from ivory to deep red is fatty and delicious for grilling.

Sockeye (red salmon) – commonly reach 12 lbs (5.5kg) with an average of 5-8 (3- 3.5kg). They spend up to eight years at sea and start running from July continuing to early September. Sockeye is the most sought after because of its dark colour, high fat content and firm flesh.

Coho (a.k.a silver bright) spend one year at sea and average 10 – 20 lbs (4.5 to 9 kg) . The flesh is firm and turns flaky after cooking. Coho starts running in July and continues to October. They were introduced four decades ago to Ontario’s Great Lakes and still thrive there. Coho is the most widely available salmon.

Pink salmon is the smallest (1.5 to 2.5kg) and are abundant representing approximately 60 percent of the entire commercial catch. They are the least peripatetic salmon, travelling no more than 250 km. from the estuary of their birth. They run July to September and have a delicate pink flesh.

Chum – is the second most abundant salmon specie averaging 10 – 15 lbs (4.5 to 7 kg), with the lowest fat content. Most of this specie is canned, as it does not travel well.

Source:
Restoring Salmon
NutritionData

Mouse Loves Rice (Mandarin-female singer)

2005-05-03T09:03:00.000+08:00

Take Me To You Heart

2005-05-02T15:44:00.000+08:00

Protein !!

2005-05-02T12:54:00.000+08:00

To calculate your daily protein need (the easy way):

Desired body weight _______, in kilos times 0.8-1.2 grams; in pounds times 0.36-0.6 grams; equals _______ grams per day.

Example: A healthy man, 175 lbs./79.54 kilos, exercising regularly with no health problems would need 72 (71.59) grams of protein per day. That works out to about 24 grams per meal. If stressed or ill the calculation might go as high as 95 grams per day.

PROTEIN CHART (based on grams per 1oo grams)

Beverages

Cereal,biscuit,cakes,deserts

Egg,cheese

Fish, seafood

Meat product

Milk product

Sauce,condiments

Nuts

Sugars, jams, spreads

Sweets

Vegetables

Source:
HealthyEating Club

Monogram in cuneiform

2005-04-30T12:54:00.000+08:00

My first name in Sumerian cunieform would looks like this:

Source: Sumerian Script

What colour are you?

2005-04-30T12:31:00.000+08:00

Green

92%

Yellow

67%

Red

67%

White

50%

Purple

50%

Blue

42%

Rainbow

42%

Black

33%

Orange

33%

created with QuizFarm.com

Name in Egyptian Hieroglyphs

2005-04-30T11:47:00.000+08:00

'DOUGLAS' in Egyptian Hieroglyphs would looks like this:

Source: Write Like an Egyptian

Oral HIV Test

2005-04-30T11:19:00.000+08:00

In October 2004, OraSure Technologies, Inc, the maker of the test, announced that it had FDA approval for a new rapid test that can detect antibodies to both HIV-1 and HIV type 2 (HIV-2). This is called the OraQuick Advance Rapid HIV-1/2 Antibody Test. It can provide results in 20 minutes using saliva, blood, or plasma.

To perform an oral test, the tester takes the device that has an absorbent pad at one end, places the pad above a person’s teeth along the outer gum, and swabs once around both the upper and lower gums. The tester then inserts the device into a vial containing the developing solution. In 20 minutes, the device indicates whether HIV-1 or HIV-2 antibodies are present. If one line appears on the strip, it means that the person is not infected with HIV (with 99.8% accuracy). If two lines appear, the person is likely infected (99.3% accuracy). If the result is positive, it has to be confirmed with an additional, more specific test.

Oral mucosal transudate has high concentrations of IgG; salivahas practically none. Oral mucosal transudate comes from the tissues of the cheek and gum; saliva comes from the salivary glands.

The cost for the new tests is about $8 per test for public health officials and $8-$20 for other organizations. This is comparable to the price of the rapid blood test.

Source:
OraSure

Altered Ego

2005-04-30T09:58:00.000+08:00

You scored as The Beast. Your alter ego is The Beast! But that is only a name... you are kind hearted and sweet, people just misunderstand you.

The Beast

75%

Pinocchio

63%

Cinderella

63%

Peter Pan

63%

Donald Duck

56%

Goofy

56%

Snow White

50%

Ariel

44%

Cruella De Ville

38%

Sleeping Beauty

31%

Which Disney Character is your Alter Ego?
created with QuizFarm.com

Optical illusion II

2005-04-27T09:25:00.000+08:00

Pillar or human?

30 animals?

Houses? Or Heads?

Clouds? Ships?

Horses?

How many people?

Living inside Jigsaw puzzle?

Running water?

How many deer?

How many faces?

Skating on the clouds?

Cycling on the tree?

Faces or Seaside

Source:
PopArtUK
PlasticBags
Welaf
Trick4U

Optical illusion

2005-04-26T14:00:00.000+08:00

How many legs does this elephant have? 4? 5? 6?

Does the book open its pages so you can read them, or does it face away?

Is this man playing a horn, or do you see a woman?

Red indian or an Eskimo?

Distorted circle

Entangled? Look again- individual circles

Is it a woman looking into a vanity or a skull?

Rabbit or Duck

A bigger monster chasing a smaller monster? Think again

Missing Square - Optical Illusion Drawing

Phantom Dots

Never ending staircase

Impossible triangle

How many faces??

Going Up or Down?

The centre black dot is growing !!

Rotating?

Wavy Lines

Is this really rotating? Or it is just an another illusion? See again...

Source:
TeachNet
CoolOpticalIllus.

Hilarious picture

2005-04-26T10:32:00.000+08:00

Map of the world

This mouse is no more

Friendship forever

Boys will be boys

Ready-made ice cream

I go an itch

Clever hunter

Latest entertainment for chicken

Evolution

Finger Eye

Focus on my eye

Snake Food

Candy bar story

Milk cow

Pissing fire hydrant

Smart Fly

Virus Reading A Book

Wood cycle

Innovative

Never give up

Duck Hunting

From
JokesMagazine

Genographic Project

2005-04-20T12:23:00.000+08:00

New DNA studies suggest that all humans descended from a single African ancestor who lived some 60,000 years ago. To uncover the paths that lead from him to every living human, the National Geographic Society today launched the Genographic Project at its Washington, D.C., headquarters. The project is a five-year endeavor undertaken as a partnership between IBM and National Geographic. It will combine population genetics and molecular biology to trace the migration of humans from the time we first left Africa, 50,000 to 60,000 years ago, to the places where we live today.

Ten research centers around the world will receive funding from the Waitt Family Foundation to collect and analyze blood samples from indigenous populations (such as aboriginal groups), many in remote areas. The Genographic Project hopes to collect more than a hundred thousand DNA samples to create the largest gene bank in the world. The 10 research centers are located around the world and will represent their respective regions. The centers are located in

Australia (Australia/Pacific),
Brazil (South America),
China (East/Southeast Asia),
France (Western/Central Europe),
India,
Lebanon (Middle East/North Africa),
Russia (North Eurasia),
South Africa (Sub-Saharan Africa),
the United Kingdom (Western/Central Europe), and
the United States (North America).

More info:
National geographic
http://www5.nationalgeographic.com/genographic (Mutation gene explained)
http://www5.nationalgeographic.com/genographic/population.html (Halogroup,natural selection, genetic drift,human family tree)

Honda Magna 750cc

2005-04-20T09:33:00.000+08:00

ENGINE & DRIVETRAIN
Type: Liquid-cooled, 90-degree
V-4Valve arrangement: DOHC, 2 intake valves, 2 exhaust valves; adjusting shims under buckets
Displacement, bore x stroke: 748cc, 70 x 49mm
Compression ratio: 10.8:1
Carburetion: 4, 34mm Keihin
CVLubrication: Wet sump, 4.0 qt
Minimum fuel grade: 87 octane
Transmission: Wet, multiplate clutch; 5 speeds
Final drive: No. 530 chain, 40/16

PERFORMANCE
Fuel mileage: 31 to 44 mpg, 38.1 mpg average
Average range: 137 miles
RPM at 60 mph, top gear: 3980
200 yard, top-gear acceleration from 50 mph, terminal speed: 74.3 mph
Quarter-mile acceleration: 12.76 sec., 102.8 mph

ELECTRICAL & INSTRUMENTATION
Charging output: 374 watts
Battery: 12v, 10AH
Forward lighting: 5.5-in. headlight; position lights
Taillight: Single bulb
Instruments: Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, tripmeter; warning lights for high beam, turn signals, neutral, oil pressure, coolant temperature, sidestand

CHASSIS
Wet weight: 538 lb
GVWR: 942 lb
Wheelbase: 65.0 in.
Overall length: 93.0 in.
Rake/trail: 32 degrees / 5.2 in.
Wheels: Cast-alloy, 17 x 3.0 in. front, 15 x 3.5 in. rear
Front tire: 120/80-17 Dunlop K555F, tubeless
Rear tire: 150/80-17 Dunlop K555, tubeless
Front brake: Single-action caliper, 12.4-in disc
Rear brake: Rod-operated, single leading shoe drum
Front suspension: 41mm stanchions, 5.9 in. travel
Rear suspension: 2 dampers, 3.9 in. travel, adjustable for preload
Fuel capacity: 3.6 gal (.8 gal reserve)
Seat height: 28.0 in.
Handlebar width: 31.5 in.

a) b)
c) d)
e)

a) The Fork of the Magna offers a comfortable ride and controlled handling for those who like to rush through corners. The tubeless tires provide respectable traction for such antics.
b) The fins and polished-chrome "cam boxes" are actually just cosmetic covers
c) You can unbolt the passenger seat though, and enjoy the good rider accommodations
d) The tachometer is a necessity and adds to the performance-cruiser character of the Magna
e) Stylish wheel and rim

Fibonacci numbers

2005-04-19T14:37:00.000+08:00

The "greatest European mathematician of the middle ages", Leonardo of Pisa, or Leonardo Pisano in Italian pioneered this Fibonacci number. He was born in Pisa (Italy), the city with the famous Leaning Tower, about 1175 AD.

Fibonacci numbers is formed by starting with 0 and 1 and then adding the latest two numbers to get the next one

Thus, the Fibonacci numbers are 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13 ......
Divide any number in the Fibonacci sequence by the one before it, for example 55/34, or 21/13, and the answer is always close to 1.61803. This is known as the Golden Ratio, and hence Fibonacci's Sequence is also called the Golden Sequence

Unlikely though it might seem, this series of numbers is the common factor linking rabbits, cauliflowers and snails.
Suppose a newly born pair of rabbits (one male and one female) are put in a field. These rabbits take a month to become sexually mature, after which time they produce a new pair of baby rabbits or 'kits' (again, one male and one female). How many pairs will there be in subsequent years?
Number of pairs per month

As models of population growth go, it may not be the best, as it does not allow for rabbits to have more than two kits, to have kits of the same sex, or to take time off at Easter to deliver goodies.

The number of leaves in any stage will also be a Fibonacci number

See any pattern in the above?

Fibonacci spiral (interactive, click the green button)

Lets say that to calculate the value of the Fibonacci number that comes after 8. For this, use the Successor Formula:
Example

The connection of Fibonaci number with 1/89
1/89 = 0.011235955056179...

(Note: the last few columns do not add up exactly because of carried numbers from previous additions. If you begin with the rightmost column and move left, you can verify the addition.)

For more info:
Fibonacci Numbers in Nature
Fibonacci Series
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/5numbers3.shtml
http://www.mcs.surrey.ac.uk/Personal/R.Knott/Fibonacci/fib.html

Design logo

2005-04-18T13:46:00.000+08:00

A good logo design in theory should be able to

create a positive, powerful first impression.
create a long lasting one as well. Examples? Just think of IBM's and McDonalds' logo.

convey to viewers, your company's ethos, mission and products/services to them.
builds your brand and gives a polished, more professional look to your business.
reflect the nature of your business and what kind of services you offer. If it's a bank, then classic and bold typeface works well to suggest solid and protected look. If business is based on speedy service, you might consider italics or dashes to suggest movement.
be simple and works well in black and white. Examples of excellent logos; Nike's swoosh, Sony, Dell, and BMW. Can you recognize them in black and white? From adistance? or even just a part of it? The simpler your logo, the easier it is on the eyes and the faster it will register in your future customers' minds. Exceptions apply to Governments Organizations, 5 star hotels or exclusive clubs. This is because a good logo for them would more often be classical in nature to give an image of stability and exclusivity.

Colors are not as important in a good logo design as you might think. If logo does not look good in black and white, it won't look good in any color. However ,choose only colors that represent company well. (colour name)

Yellow or sky blue - youthful and energetic look.
Navy or lavender - a calm, professional feel.
Red, orange -strong and intense
Green and magenta - respect.

In the end, think ahead and avoid being too 'modern'. A trendy look might work now, but 5 years later it might look dated. A good logo design should last a minimum of 15 years, as it might be costly to 'update' your logo a few years later.

Strong weight, colour and shape make Dell's logo recognisable.

No matter how you treat the Apple logo, its strong outline shape is unmistakable.
Lotus's unique shape works very well, set in a circle of contrasting colour. The other meaningful shapes (word and letter-form) fit nicely inside the shape, with just enough clear space to keep the elements sharp.

The Nike logo ('Nike' text and symbol, or 'Nike' or symbol alone) are such recognisable shapes, that they can be displayed in almost any colour combinations

Timelessness: Logos are the longest living corporate identity that an organization enjoys, sometimes more than the employees in the company. Successful logos stand the test of time - the shelf life of an average logo is considered to be around 20 years. An evolutionary change may be needed in bringing a logo more in tune with changing business conditions but a sudden and drastic change can more often than not affect the company adversely when consumers are not able to adapt to the change thus bringing the company to square one. Coca-Cola is a classic case in this aspect. Designed in the late 19th century (1886) by the company's book keeper, the logo still looks fresh and attractive and denotes a distinctive feel to the company image.

Able to evoke emotions: Successful logos are able to evoke desired images in the mind of the prospect. Whether it is the font type that expresses this or the accompanying graphic and colors, the message that gets across to the audience. For example, the Michelin man - the logo (cum mascot) of the French tire company Michelin develops an amiable feeling towards the company with the use of a human character.

Simplicity:Times are changing ... and so are the logos. Logos in earlier times used to be very elaborate and 'detailed'. Nowadays they more simpler, minimalistic yet elegant and attractive; somewhat a sign of people not having the time to look at detailed logos.Needless to say there are certain logos that maintain their earlier look but quite a few companies changed their logo to reflect changing times and even changing cultures. The AT&T logo for example experienced such changes making it more sleeker and less cluttered along the way.
Play the Evolution of the AT&T Corporate Signature

At the turn of the century, 3M was more concerned about its survival than it was about a logo. The young abrasives company was comfortable in its descriptor..."Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing Company.". The first logo was churned out in 1906 with the current logo designed as recently in 1978.

Adidas:Named after the founder Adolf (Adi) Dasler, the Adidas logo has a triangle cut into three pieces. The three pieces reportedly represent his three sons!

Linux: The competition to Windows and Mac OS, Linux also has a penguin as its logo (and mascot). Named 'Tux', the penguin was chosen from a list of sharks, foxes, eagles and hawks as the Linus Torvalds, the founder of Linux, had a liking for the bird and thought it to be unusual and different for a logo. While the other creatures were fierce and strong, Linus insisted on the penguin being “fat, cute and cuddly - instead of anything else. Incidentally the name 'Tux' was brought up from Torvalds UniX -TUX.

More info:
GoodLogo
WebdesignFrom Scratch

Dory fish fillet

2005-04-17T10:02:00.000+08:00

Yesterday, I went to a local cafe with friends to order a dory fish fillet rice. Going to find more info about i the fish and how it really looks like. Beside, this dory fish fillet is commonly packaged in local supermarket.

Smooth / Black Dory Smooth Dory is a member of the deep sea Oreo Dory family and produces a firm, high quality, white fillet for the most discerning markets. Black Dory is also a high quality fillet with slightly firmer texture than smooth dory and a more distinct flavour. Smooth and Black Dory are sub-antarctic species and are bottom trawled at depths of up to 1,000 metres. Harvesting is year-round, while premium quality is ensured by short trawls and rapid freezing.

John Dory also known as St. Peter's fish, have a distinctive round, black spot with a yellow halo on each side of the body their flesh is white, firm and finely flaked.
Dory fillets are processed from both iced whole fish and frozen-at-sea headed and gutted product. Filleting is generally performed either by hand or sophisticated mechanical equipment to achieve maximum recovery and maintain quality standards.
Dory fillets are small, thin and quite delicate. Dory is useful in portion-controlled menu situations, as a whole fillet may be used. It is excellent for restaurants, function caterers and retail fish bars.

Nutritional Information (per 100g)
Energy (kcal) 88
Protein (g) 13.9
Oil (g) 3.6
Cholesterol (mg) 31
Sodium (mg) 90
Potassium (mg) 85

More info about:

edible fish
How to fillet fish

Wholphin gave birth

2005-04-16T15:48:00.000+08:00

Wholphin -terms used for mixture of dolphin and whale - 2 different species

On December 23,2004 Kekaimalu, a mix of a false killer whale and an Atlantic bottlenose dolphin gave birth to a baby 'girl' calf. The young as-yet unnamed wholphin is 1/4 false killer whale and 3/4 Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Her slick skin is an even blend of a dolphin's light gray and the black coloring of a false killer whale.

The calf still depends fully on her mother's milk, but sometimes snatches frozen capelin from the hands of trainers, then toys with the sardine-like fish in Sea Life Park Hawaii

She is jumbo-sized compared with purebred dolphins, and is already the size of a one-year-old bottlenose.

Ffalse killer whales and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins are different species, but
not that far apart in terms of taxonomy. There have been reports of wholphins in the wild.

Kekaimalu, whose name means "from the peaceful ocean," was born 19 years ago after a surprise coupling between a 14-foot, 2,000-pound false killer whale and a 6-foot, 400-pound dolphin. The animals were the leads in the park's popular tourist water show, featured in the Adam Sandler movie "50 First Dates."

Kekaimalu has given birth to two other calves. One lived for nine years and the other, born when Kekaimalu was very young, died a few days after birth.

Park researchers suspect the wholphin's father is a 8-foot long Atlantic bottlenose dolphin named Mikioi.

False killer whales do not closely resemble killer whales. They grow to 20 feet, weigh up to two tons and have a tapering, rounded snout that overhangs their toothed jaw.

A3G (short for APOBEC3G)

2005-04-15T10:54:00.000+08:00

APOBEC3G ??
Digest this !!

Popular known facts: HIV virus attacks T-cell
Concealed fact: HIV only attack 'activated' T-cell not resting T-cell. Roughly 95 percent of T-cells that circulate in the blood are in what is called a "resting state." As long as these immune cells are quiet, the AIDS virus leaves them alone.
20 years old-mystery for the Western researchers (obviously never a mystery in Malaysia) : So how the activated T-cell get infected by HIV?

Answer: APOBEC3G- human proteins in T-cell

Resting T-cells deploy an anti-viral shield that is amazingly effective against HIV
When T-cell activated, it lower down its protecting 'shield' or APOBEC3G
HIV uniquely has a protein that appears to neutralize APOBEC-- called VIF -- might disarm a cell's defenses by destroying APOBEC.

HIV Gene (click diagram to enlarge)

The latest research, conducted by Dr. Warner Greene and colleagues at the Gladstone institute, provides a plausible reason why HIV can only infect T- cells when they are active. The experiment used specially designed "gene-silencer" that knocked out the lightweight version of APOBEC in resting T-cells. Without that enzyme, the resting T-cells were infected just as easily by HIV as activated T-cells.
The lightweight APOBEC is lethal to HIV, while the heavyweight version is readily destroyed by VIF. In fact, Greene's researchers found that when T- cells become active, the free-floating lightweight proteins are scooped up into the heavyweight "complexes," like anti-aircraft missiles returned to their bunkers. In the imagery of Star Trek, the "shields are down." HIV then destroys them in their bunkers.

Implication of the findings:

Future study to spot chemical compounds that might block the "shields down" order, or otherwise mimic the antiviral properties of lightweight APOBEC.
Evidence that "there are things in the body that inhibit HIV."
Raises all sorts of critical questions about the wider functions of APOBEC proteins.
Their findings open up exciting new possibilities for drug development

Researcher:

Postdoctoral fellow Ya-Lin Chiu the lead researcher
Dr. Greene senior author of the study, Director of the Gladstone Institute of Virology and Immunology at the University of California at San Francisco.

Source:

Wall Street Journal - April 14, 2005.
http://www.aegis.com/
British journal Nature (online edition)

Pet dye,anyone??

2005-04-14T09:41:00.000+08:00

A Japanese company Merry Do Beauty Products has teamed up with Pet Esthe to sell pet dye.Check out thier variants colour offered.

E-paper Watch

2005-04-12T15:39:00.000+08:00

Seiko Watch Corp and Seiko Epson Corp have developed a wristwatch using an electronic paper A 3 x 9 cm electronic paper is curved and embedded along the watch's bracelet-shaped surface. The e-paper displays a constantly-altering mosaic pattern, in addition to the conventional time display.
Seiko Epson combined electrophoretic paper that E Ink has been developing, with its driver IC and developed them into a module. This paper-like display contains segmented electrodes for each displayed pattern. It is a monochrome display with a contrast ratio of 10:1.

click here for animation of E-paper technology

OAT wonder

2005-04-12T10:57:00.000+08:00

Scientific name- Avena sativa
Benefits:
Lower cholesterol
Contain a specific type of fiber known as beta-glucan-beneficial effects of this special fiber on cholesterol levels.
Individuals with high cholesterol (above 220 mg/dl), consuming just 3 grams of soluble oat fiber per day (an amount found in one bowl of oatmeal) typically lowers total cholesterol by 8-23%
Antioxidant arteriosclerosis
Jean Mayer USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture) Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging (HNRCA) at Tufts University in Boston purified avenanthramides from oats and exposed them to human arterial wall cells for 24 hours. While observing the mixture under incubation, researchers found significant reductions in both the expression of adhesion molecules (that glue blood cells to artery walls) and the sticking of blood cells to arterial wall cells. They concluded the adhesion suppression by the oat-compound may prevent the narrowing of artery walls caused by a buildup of blood cells and inflammation, which eventually leads to atherosclerosis. (June 2004 issue of The Journal of Nutrition)
Oat phenols act synergistically with vitamin C, in extending the time of oxidation of LDL from 137 to 216 minutes. Advice: Cut an orange in quarters or pour yourself a glass of orange juice to enjoy along with your oatmeal.
Antioxidant for cancer
Good source of selenium. A necessary cofactor of the important antioxidant, glutathione peroxidase, selenium works with vitamin E in numerous vital antioxidant systems throughout the body.
Selenium is involved in DNA repair and is associated with a reduced risk for cancer, especially colon cancer.
Immune System
Beta-glucan helps neutrophils navigate to the site of an infection more quickly, enhances their killing ability. (Jonathan Reichner of the Department of Surgery at Rhode Island Hospital and Brown University)
Blood sugar
Higher intakes of whole grains are associated with increased sensitivity to insulin in population studies and clinical trials

Chess Puzzle

2005-04-12T08:46:00.000+08:00

White moves mate in 2

Solution: Qa7 !!

Marburg hemorrhagic fever

2005-04-08T08:11:00.000+08:00

Click pic to enlarge

The Marburg virus

Species classification
Order :Mononegavirales
Family :Filoviridae
Genus :Marburgvirus
Species :Lake Victoria marburgvirus
the causative agent of Marburg hemorrhagic fever
viral structure is typical of filoviruses,-long threadlike particles which have a consistent diameter but vary greatly in length from an average of 800 nanometres up to 14,000 nm, with peak infectious activity at about 790 nm.
Virions (viral particles) contain7 known structural proteins.
While nearly identical to Ebola virus in structure, Marburg virus is antigenically distinct from Ebola virus— it produces different antibodies in infected organisms.
It was the first filovirus to be

Symptoms:

incubation period of 5-10 days- sudden onset of fever, headache, and muscle pain after an
within a week-maculopapular rash ,vomiting, chest and abdominal pain, diarrhea
jaundice, delirium, liver failure, and extensive hemorrhage.

Complication:

marked by orchitis,
recurrent hepatitis,
transverse myelitis or uveitis,
inflammation of spinal cord, eye, or parotid gland

Fatalaity:

25 %[CDC] up to 92 % [WHO]

Recent outbreak:

2000-Republic of Congo- killed 140 people in just 2 weeks
Between 1998 and 2000 - neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo killed 123 people
End of 2004-Northern Angola
April 6, 2005-Angola-156 of 181 known cases had been fatal.

This virus was first documented in 1967, when 37 people became ill in the German town of Marburg, after which it is named (as well as in Frankfurt am Main and the then Yugoslavian city of Belgrade). It was caused by infectious, African monkeys (grivets Cercopithecus aethiops) from Uganda used in developing polio vaccines. The monkeys were imported by the Behringwerke, a Marburg company founded by the first Nobel Prize winner in Medicine Emil Adolf von Behring. The company, which at the time was owned by Hoechst and is now part of Dade Behring, was originally set up to develop sera against Tetanus and Diphtheria

See the latest update on the 2005 outbreak

Filovirus in-depth

Pope John Paul II

2005-04-06T12:25:00.000+08:00

Facts of life
1. Birth name -Karol Jozef Wojtyla. Born onMay 18, 1920 at Wadowice, Poland. He died April 2, 2005 at his apartment in the Vatican.
2. Growing up, he was a great student and very athletic. He liked to play soccer, backpack, hike, and he wanted to have a career in theater. In 1942, he thought he might want a career in the religious life. In 1946, he was ordained a priest.
3. Became the Catholic Pope John Paul II at age 58 on October 16, 1978. The first Polish pope and also the first non-Italian pope since Pope Adrian VI in 1522.
4. Can speak 8 languages. Learned Spanish after becoming the Pope. Travelled more than any Pope in history.
5. An advocate for human rights .Wants world peace, and he has been actively trying to help the world acheive peace.
6. Added the Luminous mysteries to the Rosary.
7. Spoke out against abortion, artificial birth conrol, and euthanasia several times. He believes these things are not good in the world.
8. Time magazine - Pope John Paul II the Man of the Year in 1994.
9. Pope John Paul II has Parkinson's disease, but he wrote books explaining his faith. The best seller, "Crossing the Threshold of Hope," are answers from the Pope to questions from an Italian journalist.
10. Important Dates:
1920 - Born in Poland on May 18
1946 - Ordained a priest
1954 - Appointed professor of ethics at Catholic University of Lublin
1964 - Appointment as resident Archbishop of Krakow
1978 - Chosen by the College of Cardinals to lead the Roman Catholic Church.
1981 - Was shot by an assassin
1983 - Met with the assassin but the conversation was confidential
2005 - Died at his apartment in the Vatican

Quotes:

Each of you is preciousto Christ,He knows you personally,He loves you tenderly, even when you arenot aware of it.
Do not forget that true love sets no conditions; it does not calculate or complain, but simply loves.
The cemetery of the victims of human cruelty in our century is extended to include yet another vast cemetery, that of the unborn.
The question confronting the Church today is not any longer whether the man in the street can grasp a religious message, but how to employ the communications media so as to let him have the full impact of the Gospel message.
Modern Society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyles.
As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.
Modern society will find no solution to the ecological problem unless it takes a serious look at its lifestyle
Science can purify religion from error and superstition. Religion can purify science from idolatry and false absolutes
An excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guarded.
Young people are threatened... by the evil use of advertising techniques that stimulate the natural inclination to avoid hard work by promising the immediate satisfaction of every desire.
Anything done for another is done for oneself.
The truth is not always the same as the majority decision.
The worst prison would be a closed heart.
Man matures through work Which inspires him to difficult good.

4th Annual World Automotive Design Competition winners

2005-04-05T09:06:00.000+08:00

The 4th annual World Automotive Design Competition was hosted by the Canadian International Auto Show in Toronto, Ontario, on February 17,2005. Students were asked to design a world car that has universal appeal.

1st- Christophe Charbault,(Universite de Montreal)
Design concept-'Virtuoo'.
Judge Ken Gross stated that Virtuoo received top honours because “the design was futuristic, attractive, practical and affordable.

2nd- Antonio Borja,(Academy of Art University in San Francisco, USA)
Design concept-'Ford G Truck'.
Judge Ken Gross felt that the Ford G-Truck is a “hip hop concept - modernized for the future. Excellent balance of styling, technology, innovation with youth appeal reflects this audiences well.”

3rd- Yoshiyuki Kashiwagi(Japan's Tokyo Zokei University)
Design concept -'C-H Compact'.
Judge Akira Fujimoto commented that Kashiwagi's entry “clearly and effectively expresses the idea of a compact, multi-purpose vehicle with a high-level of digital technology.”

Virtuoo

Ford G Truck

C-H Compact Home

Saleen S7 Twin Turbo

2005-04-04T13:53:00.000+08:00

FORBES most expensive car 2005 (top 10 countdown)

2005-04-01T13:28:00.000+08:00

1. Saleen S7 ($560,000)
2. Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren ($452,750)
3. Porsche Carrera GT ($443,000)
4. Maybach 62 ($377,000)
5. Rolls-Royce Phantom ($320,000)
6. Maybach 57 ($327,750)
7. Lamborghini Murciélago ($280,000)
8. Aston Martin V-12 Vanquish ($256,350)
9. Ferrari 612 Scaglietti ($254,150)
10. Ferrari 575M Maranello ($225,090)

HIV pictorial

2005-04-01T11:15:00.000+08:00

Structure of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus(HIV)
The viral corecontains the genome, or genetic material, which is accompanied by several essential enzymes to successful reproduction, including protease (p9) [for "protein 9"], reverse transcriptase & RNAse (p66), and integrase (p32). This material is held within the capsid, a single layer of structural proteins (p24).
Surrounding this in turn is the matrix protein membrane, composed of additional structural proteins (p17). Finally, encasing all these elements, is the viral envelope(gp160)which is composed of lipids taken from the host cell (usually an human immune cell such as a T-Lymphocyte or macrophage). Protruding through the lipid membrane are numerous spikes of envelope glycoprotein (gp160),which are used by the virus to facilitate attachment to the host cell via various cell surface receptors. The envelope glycoproteins have two separate parts: the surface glycoprotein (SU), designated gp120, and the transmembrane glycoprotein (TM), designated gp41.
Please note that these numbers represent the approximate atomic weight of these proteins, expressed in daltons. The sum of these wo weights (120 + 41) equals roughly 160 daltons, hence the desgnation of the combined envelope glycoprotein as gp160.

This is a scanning electron micrograph show HIV (dark green area) surrounding the T4 lymphocyte

Immature HIV, human immunodeficiency virus ( Retroviridae), low-pass filtered to 6 nm.(electron tomography)

link to HIV site

2005-04-01T09:22:00.000+08:00

AEGIS AIDS - News updates and AIDS/HIV knowledge base
HIV Insite Gateway to HIV and AIDS knowledge - UCSF San Francisco
AIDS.Org - because good information is still the best cure for AIDS

The New Toyota Hilux

2005-03-28T07:52:00.000+08:00

Features:

models conceived for the ambitious Innovative International Multi-purpose Vehicles (IMV) Project.
aerodynamics
‘GOA-certified’ and ‘GOA’, which stands for Global Outstanding Assessment’ - tough in-house safety standard, primarily concerning crash testing.
ABS as standard for the brakes and a limited-slip differential (LSD) to maintain stability on slippery surfaces. A load-sensing, Proportioning and By-pass valve is also fitted to ensure that whatever the load on board, brake distribution will be optimised to avoid rear wheel lock-up.
cabin does not have hard surfaces that can cause injuries . All occupants get seatbelts and for the driver, there is also an airbag.

The instrument panel, has a sporty design and the 6-speaker audio system has MP3 capability.

Storage spaces are also plentiful and include a clever fold-up rear seat feature which provides more room for a golfbag or luggage to be stowed inside the cabin.

Hilux TOP chassis has a frame with thicker members and is also longer to accommodate the larger, heavier body. As an example, the cross-section of the box beams is now 140 mm high, 17% more than for the previous Hilux. The frame, which now has less welding joints, employs a one-piece two-tier metal design that is seamless, enhancing strength and durability so that the ride is smoother in all driving conditions.
The Hilux uses a double wishbone/coil spring design at the front which offers independent suspension movement for good control and comfort. For better handling, the front and rear suspension mounts have been strengthened at the joints which meet the frame, increasing rigidity. The benefit is that the driver of the new Hilux will also enjoy better straightline stability – often lacking in pick-ups. Using coil springs also enabled the floor to be lower for easier movement in and out of the cabin. Power-assistance is standard, adding to driving ease.
equipped with security system that meets the UK Thatcham-1 security standard, the highest for vehicle security systems. It consists of an engine immobiliser, tilt sensor (to prevent unauthorized towing), hyper-frequency sensor (to detect cabin intrusion) and a back-up battery for the siren.
comes with a 36-month/100,000 kms (whichever occurs earlier after first registration) warranty.

Specification for:

Courtesy from:

Carlsen-Ernst

2005-03-24T14:35:00.000+08:00

Carlsen,M (2484) - Ernst,S (2474) [B19]
GMC Wijk aan Zee NED (12), 24.01.2004

White To Move

18. Ng6! fxg6. 18...Rfe8 19.Nxe7+ Rxe7 20.dxc5 wins a pawn.

19.Qxe6+ Kh8

20.hxg6! now there decisive threats of a devastating sacrifice on h6. 20.Qxe7 Nd5 21.Bd2 Qxa2+ 22.Kxa2 Nxe7 is less convincing. 20...Ng8 seems to protect e7 and h6. Lubos Kavalek points out that after 20...Rd7 the stunning rook sacrifice 21.Rxh6+! leads to a mating attack after 21...gxh6 22.Bxh6 Rg8 23.Qf7! cxd4 24.Bg5 Qxg5 25.Rh1+ and mate in two to follow; and on the other hand 20...Rde8 allows 21.Rxh6+! gxh6 22.Bxh6 Rg8 23.Rh1 Rxg6 24.Bf8+ winning.

21.Bxh6! gxh6. 21...Nxh6 22.Rxh6+ gxh6 23.Qxe7 with a forced mate on h7.

22.Rxh6+ Nxh6. 22...Kg7 23.Rh7#.

23.Qxe7 Nf7.

24.gxf7! This is the novelty played by young Carlsen. 24...Kg7. The black king is helpless against the onslaught of White's heavy artillary.

25.Rd3 Rd6

26.Rg3+. Not 26.Qxd6 because of 26...Qe1+ and mate.26...Rg6

27.Qe5+ Kxf7

28.Qf5+ Rf6

29.Qd7# 1-0.

For more please check in into : Stunning Moves

Green, Pink, Yellow, Blue, White, Purple, Black

2005-03-24T13:37:00.000+08:00

Ah Beng went for an job interview for a sales job. When the manager saw Ah Beng's colourful attire, his mind is shouting "Not this man!!"

Nevertheless he still had to entertain Ah Beng. So he told Ah Beng, "If you can form a sentence using the words I gave you, then maybe I will give you a chance!"

"The words are Green, Pink, Yellow, Blue, White, Purple, Black".

Ah Beng thought for a while and said "I heard the phone go green, green, and then I went to pink up the phone and said Yellow.Blue's that? White did you say? Aiyoh, long number. Don't Purplely disturb people and don't call Black la ok?"

Miss World 2008

2005-03-24T13:33:00.000+08:00

Miss America, Miss Australia, and Miss Singapore are the finalists of a beauty contest. The judges are asking 4 questions to the finalists

The 1st question was:
"Name me an electrical appliance starting with the letter L." Miss America is as confident as ever, and replies straight away:"lamp" Miss Australia replies: "light bulb". Miss Singapore is not too sure, she finally says:

"...ladio..."

Then the judges say: "Sorry, radio doesn't start with letter L!"

The 2nd question was: "Name me an animal starting with the letter L."
Miss America says confidently:"lion"
and Miss Australia says: "leopard". Miss Singapore isn't too sure again....she says:

"...labbit..."

The judges say: "Sorry, rabbit doesn't start with the letter L."

Now, for the 3rd question:
"Name me a fruit starting with the letter L"
Miss America says: "lime"
Miss Australia says: "lemon"
Now Miss Singapore knows the answer for once.....she is very confident about it and says: "Liew lian!!!" (she meant to say Durian)

The judges shook their heads, but nevertheless proceeded to the final question:
"Name me a part of the human body that begins with the letter L"
Miss America says: "Lung"
Miss Australia says: "ermm...liver."
Miss Singapore grins and says.... "LAN CIAU?"

Stupid Drivers

2005-03-24T13:29:00.000+08:00

Two rich men were talking over coffee one day and one of them said to the other one

"Hey I tell you my driver is really stupid... you don't believe? Let me show you." and he called his driver Ah Beng over and said "Ah Beng, here is a 10 dollar note, go to the car showroom and buy me a Mercedes."
to which Ah Beng replied, "Yes Sir! right away!" and rushed off to the showroom.

The rich man turned to his friend and said, "See, I told you he was stupid."

The other rich man said, "That's nothing, you want to see stupid, I will show you stupid." and he called his driver, Ali. "Ali, go home now and check to see if I'm at home." to which Ali said, "Yes Sir, right away Sir." and ran home. "See what I told you? He doesn't even have enough brains to know that I cannot be at home if I am here."

Later on, the two drivers met on the road. Ah Beng said to Ali, "Eh, you know my boss is sooo stupid. He gave me 10 dollars and ask me to go to the car showroom and buy him a Mercedes..... Doesn't he know that today is Sunday lah, the showroom is closed!"

Ali replied, "You think he is stupid ah? My boss lagi worse, he asked me to go home to check if he is at home.... He got hand phone what, can just call up to check lah!!!!"

Baby mixup

2005-03-24T13:24:00.000+08:00

One day, 4 babies were born at K.K. Hospital: a German, a Jewish, a Filipino and a Singaporean.

However, someone mixed up the babies by mistake, and the nurses couldn't differentiate between them.

However, the head sister had a bright idea. She lined the babies up in front of her and exclaimed, "Heil Hitler!"

At hearing this, the German baby raised his arm in a salute, while the Jewish baby soiled his diapers. In the meantime, the Singaporean baby turned to the Filipino baby and said, "Clean that up!"

Ah Beng and the Firing Squad

2005-03-24T13:23:00.000+08:00

During the Japanese Occupation, 3 Singaporeans, Ah Meng, Ah Seng and Ah Beng were caught for smuggling. They were sentenced to death by firing squad.

That night, Ah Meng came up with a plan. He told the others that the Japanese were afraid of natural disasters. So he would cause them to panic, and escape in the confusion.

The next morning, Ah Meng was led to the wall. The firing squad was lined up and the Captain commanded, "Ready.. Aim..", but before he could complete, Ah Meng shouted, " Earthquake!! Earthquake!" The Japanese soldiers panicked and Ah Meng made his escape.

Later, the soldiers took Ah Seng out and the firing squad were ready. The captain commanded, "Ready... Aim..." This time Ah Seng shouted. " Flood! Flood!!" Again, the Japanese soldiers panicked and this time, Ah Seng made his escape.

Observing all this, Ah Beng began to get the idea. "It's important to get the timing right."

Soon, it was Ah Beng's turn. "Timing, that's the key.." Ah Beng kept saying to himself. The soldiers lined up in front of him. The captain started, "Ready..."

"Timing," Ah Beng thought to himself

"Aim..."

"Okay," thought Ah Beng, and shouted, " FIRE!!! FIRE!!! "

Liver n’ Cheese

2005-03-24T13:06:00.000+08:00

There were these three guys at a cafe, drinking their coffee - an Malay guy, an Indian guy, and a Chinese guy.

They saw a really attractive waitress and commented on her good looks. Next thing you know they started to make bets on who can get her to go out with them first.

The waitress overheard them, and she went up to them and said, "Hey, I heard you talking about me. Well, I like an intelligent guy, so let’s see who can make the best sentence using the words ’liver’ and ’cheese’."

So the Malay guy had a go first - "That’s easy. I love liver and I hate cheese."
The waitress shook her heard in disgust.

The Indian guy said, "Well, I hate liver and I love cheese."

The waitress said, "That is so stupid. That’s essentially the same thing!"

Then the Chinese guy stood up and put his arm around the waitress’ waist. "Liver alone, cheese mine!"

2 important qualities as a doctor

2005-03-24T09:27:00.000+08:00

First-year students at University Malaya Med School were receiving their first anatomy class, with a real dead human body. They all gathered around the surgery table with the body covered with a white sheet. The professor started the class by telling them, "In medicine, it is necessary to have 2 important qualities as a doctor: The first is that you not be disgusted by anything involving the human body."

For an example, the Professor pulled back the sheet, stuck his finger in the butt of the corpse, withdrew it and stuck it in his mouth.

"Go ahead and do the same thing," he told his students.

The students freaked out, hesitated for several minutes. But eventually took turns sticking a finger in the butt of the dead body and sucking on it.

When everyone finished, the Professor looked at them and told them, "The second most important quality is observation. I stuck in my middle finger and sucked on my index finger. Now learn to pay attention."

..::Guys and Girls::..

2005-03-23T14:29:00.000+08:00

Guys drink to forget about the girl...
Girls drink to think back about the guy...

When guys are in love, they become poor.
When girls are in love, they become pretty...

Guys can forget, but cannot forgive...
Girls can forgive, but cannot forget..

Guys care the most about the quantity of love...
Girls care the most about the quality of love..

Guys break-up when they feel love from another Girl...
Girls break-up when they feel the feeling of Separation from her man...

Guys feel curiosity towards all girls...
Girls feel curiosity towards guys who are Interested in her..

When guys are heartbroken, they try to forget About the girl by going out with another girl...
When girls are heartbroken, they try to find his Characteristics from another guy...

Guys wish to be her first love....
Girls wish to be his last love...

..::System upgrade (B4 and after marriage)::..

2005-03-23T14:28:00.000+08:00

..::System upgrade (B4 and after marriage)::..
Dear Technical Support:

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a slow down in the overall performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0.

In addition, Husband 1.0 un-installed many other valuable programs such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, but installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 and NBA 3.0.

And now Conversation 8.0 no longer runs and House Cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system.
I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.
What can I do?

Signed,
DESPERATE
*********************************************************
Reply:
Dear Desperate:

First keep in mind; Boyfriend 5.0 is an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try entering the command C:\I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME and download Tears 6.2 to install Guilt 3.0. If all works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create SnoringLoudly.wav files.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0 and the worms might cause the program to automatically upgrade itself to Husband 2.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider additional software to improve memory and performance. I personally recommend Hot Food 3.0 and Lingerie 6.9.

Good Luck,

TECHNICAL SUPPORT

Proud Fathers

2005-03-23T14:25:00.000+08:00

Successful SonsFour friends reunited at a party after 30 years. After a few laughs and drinks, one of them had to go to the rest room. The ones who stayed behind began to talk about their kids and their successes.

The first guy says: I am very proud of my son, he is my pride and joy. He started working at a very successful company at the bottom of the barrel. He studied Economics and Business Administration soon he was promoted and began to climb the corporate ladder becoming the General Manager and now he is the president of the company. He became so rich that he gave his best friend a top of the line Mercedes Benz for his birthday.

The second guy says: Damn, that's terrific!! My son is also my pride and joy, I am very proud of him. He started working at a traveling agency for a very big airline. He went to flight school to become a pilot and also manage to become a partner in the company where he now owns the majority of the assets. He became so rich that he gave his best friend a brand new jet for his birthday.

The third guy says: Well, well, well congratulations!! My son is also my pride and joy and he is also very rich. He studied in the best universities and became an Engineer. He started his own construction company and became very successful and a multimillionaire. He also gave away some thing very nice and expensive to his best friend for his birthday. He built a 30,000 sq ft mansion specially for his friend.

The three friends congratulated each other mutually for the successes of theirs sons.
The forth friend who earlier had gone to restroom returned and asked: "What's going on, what are all the congratulations for?" One of the three said: We were talking about the pride we feel for the successes of our sons. And then he asked, "What about your son?"
The forth man replied: My son is Gay and he makes a living dancing as a stripper at a nightclub. The three friends said: What a shame that must be, that is horrible, what a disappointment you must feel.

The forth man replied: No, I am not ashamed. Not at all. He is my son and I love him just as well, he is my pride and joy. And he is very lucky too. Did you know that his birthday just passed and the other day he received a beautiful 30,000 sq ft mansion, a brand new jet and a top of the line Mercedes Benz from his three boyfriends.

Space Mission

2005-03-23T14:20:00.000+08:00

First Malaysian in spaceDr. Mahathir was about to send the first Malaysian rocket into space.
3 potential astronauts were called for an interview - one Indian, one Malay and one Chinese.

Dr. Mahathir interviewed the Indian first: "So, Kumar, this is a dangerous mission... how much do you think you should be paid for it?"
Kumar thought for a while and said, "1 million ringgit.""
Why so much?" asked Dr. Mahathir.
"Nowadays toddy wery expensive, Datuk..." replied Kumar.
"I see," said Dr. Mahathir. "Thank you... please ask the Malay guy to come here."

So the Malay walked up, and was asked the same question.
"Uh... 2 million boleh lah," replied Ahmad, the Malay applicant.
"2 million? That's a lot of money! Even the aneh before you only asked for one million!"
"You see, Datuk," explained Ahmad. "I have 4 wives and 15 children...so, 20 of us in the family, we need a lot of money to support ourselves..."
"I see," said Dr. Mahathir "Okay, can you ask the Chinese guy to come up here now?"

The Chinese guy came in and Dr. Mahathir asked, "Ah Kow, this is a dangerous mission... how much do you think you should be paid?"
Ah Kow thought for a while, and suddenly said, "3 million."
Dr Mahathir was shocked. "WHAT?!?! 3 million? Why so much?!"
Ah Kow beckoned Dr. Mahathir to come closer, and whispered, "One million you keep, one million I keep, and then one more million to send the aneh into space."

Guess who didn't get his drink?

2005-03-23T14:16:00.000+08:00

One night, three guys went to a bar, two were 'Kwai-Low' and the other is a Malay who has recently learnt English. When the bartender gestured to the group...
The first 'Kwai-Low' said "Jack Daniel"...
The second 'Kwai-Low' replied "Johnny Walker"...
While the Malay answered "Misbun Sidek"...
Guess who didn't get his drink?