Royal Fight

The blog world now is buzzing with Raja Petra Kamarudin aka RPK's 8 hour interrogation in Dang Wangi and his strong defiance over it. Kisah Malaysia semakin menarik... If you are right, you don't have to be scared, right?

What is more interesting is I found RPK who is royal blood fighting for Malaysia, which is truly uncommon among royals. So far I personally met one Tengku who is also fighting very hard for human rights in Malaysia. Although they are considered 'minor royals', but nevertheless still royal blood. Kudos.

Minor note:-

My office colleague threw me a belated birthday party in KFC today. Thank you very much guys. Tapi, I think I am getting too old for parties. Just give me a BMW would be fine. 

Installing PHP 5 & Apache 2 on Windows Vista

I wanted to use IIS 7 with PHP, but just couldn't get it right. I tried all solutions, installed the ISAPI extension, run the mapping script - zitto. After hours of trying I gave up. Screw it. 

So I decided to install Apache. Thinking it was an easy task... but no sir, it was equally time consuming. I just don't understand why. After much tinkering, finally got it to run. 

No, I refuse to use those all-in-one installers. No WAMP, XAMPP and etc for me.

Before you begin, this is a good site to refer to http://wamp.corephp.co.uk/index.php.

Who those who might be in the same predicament, here is the steps that I took:-

Step 1: Download PHP and Apache

• Download PHP from http://www.php.net/downloads.php. I first installed the MSI version, but then it caused more problem than good. I download the zip package instead.
• Once that is done, download Apache from http://httpd.apache.org/download.cgi. This one I choose the MSI version.

Step 2: Install

• Unzip the PHP zip file. You can store is anywhere, but the usual practise is C:\php. But its up to you. 
• Once done, now run Apache setup file. For installation steps - http://wamp.corephp.co.uk/step_07.php 
• For Apache, you can run it as service using port 80 or via console using port 8080. Its up to you. I am using console since I still need the stupid IIS to run .Net. 

Step 3: Configure

• Now, go open the C:\php folder. Rename the file php.ini-recommended to php.ini. Open the file. Look for the value "doc_root". After the "=" sign, type this "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs". This will tell PHP to look for the web files at the mentioned folder. You can always change the path. 
• Now save the file. You can do the other tweaking later on.
• Open your Windows Explorer to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\conf\default". 
• Rename the file httpd-win.conf to httpd.conf. Open the file in notepad or any editor of your choice.
• Now comes the part that caused me the most headache. Telling Apache to parse PHP. 
• Look for within .conf file for DSO. Under it there will be a bunch LoadModule statements. Just on top of the first statement, type this
• # PHP5
  LoadModule php5_module "c:/php/php5apache2_2.dll"
  PHPIniDir "C:/php"
  
  
  AddType application/x-httpd-php .php
  AddType application/x-httpd-php-source .phps
• Next look for the value DocumentRoot. Make sure it looks like this - DocumentRoot "C:/Program Files/Apache Software Foundation/Apache2.2/htdocs"
• Now save the file and copy the file out to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\conf" folder level. 
• Almost there... now depending on your Apache setup earlier, try this http://localhost/ or http://localhost:8080/.  You should be welcomed with "It Works!" message. 
• Make sure Apache is running. If your running console, use the CMD command and "cd" to "C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\bin" and type httpd. Don't close the windows, its your web server running!
• Now the acid test. Create a php file with the following syntax

  <?php
  
  phpinfo();
  
  ?>

  Save it as phpinfo.php in C:\Program Files\Apache Software Foundation\Apache2.2\htdocs. 
• Now run again http://localhost/phpinfo.php or http://localhost:8080/phpinfo.php.
• You should be able to see all the PHP config information. 
• If you don't, then probably there is some PHP or Apache config error. Good luck!

Fitness First Review : Menara Maxis

FF is located on the 3rd floor of Menara Maxis. Menara Maxis is located just beside KLCC. If you live in KL and don't know where is KLCC, I strongly suggest you find out where is it and jump from the top.

• Parking, you must be either very rich or insane to park in KLCC. For the rest of us, park at Avenue K. Its much cheaper. Weekends its a flat rate of RM 1. I can't remember on weekdays, but its not that expensive.. probably RM 2 for the first hour.
• Avenue K is connected to KLCC via the tunnel. The tunnel connect the KLCC LRT station to Suria KLCC. Either that, you can cross the street at the zebra crossing.
• Security is tight, so handover you IC or FF membership card to the security personel for registration purpose. You will get an access card in return. Scan it at the turnstile.
• There is a dedicated lift for FF here. Its the first one on your right. 3rd floor.
• Recently FF installed a turnstile, so you gotta swipe your membership card again before entering the gym.
• Well as you enter, you first hit the receptionist table. I don't want to comment much here, you go yourself and judge.
• Men changing room is on the left and the ladies on the right as you enter.
• 2 floor split.
• Changing room is OK, clean. Lockers look pretty old. The funny thing is the shower room. They have this tall glass shower room and yet, no hooks. How to hang lah?
• Cardio is fun here, all the machines are facing the window. So you can run, huff and puff while looking at the KL traffic + the construction work of Four Season. Enjoy.
• Some cardio machine, have this funny 5" LCD monitor. Lots of treadmill.
• Machines, I would say they have a complete sets of machines. They have those elusive machines such as glutes, calves and etc. Double of lateral pull down, rows, pulldowns... thumbs up!
• Now for those hardcore guys, your place is upstairs. The freeweights area is not the big, but big enough. 2 bench press machines, 1 smith machine and a 4-5 work bench. However the machines here are like in Manulife. Looks like hardcore Muscle Beach benches.
• Dumbbells can be limited at some time if there is a crowd.
• There is a quiet gym room for those looking for solidarity. Quite a large room.
• Chicks - this one no need to talk so much. Your center of KL, you know there will be hot mamas around.
• Only one thing I dislike is the abs area is under the staircase. You are like crunching and then you get to see people's ass chugging up and down the stairs. Come to think of it, its not that bad at all...

Ratings?

Check out for more reviews below
FF Island Plaza
FF Manulife
FF IOI Mall Puchong
FF Menara Axis
FF The Curve
FF DU
FF Consplant

Installing Ruby on Rails on Windows Vista

Ruby? Rails? Keretapi Tanah Melayu? Doesn't make sense? http://www.rubyonrails.org for explanation.

If you are new to ROR and want to find out about installing it on Windows, here it goes.

Before that, here are some other tutorials for your reference.

• http://www.onlamp.com/pub/a/onlamp/2005/01/20/rails.html
  
• http://allaboutruby.wordpress.com/2006/01/09/installing-rails-on-windows-step-by-step-tutorial/

But the above URL uses those all-in-one installers. I hate those all-in-one installers. Where is the fun? So, this tutorial is for those developers who are looking to install each package separately.

Actually the steps are outlined at http://www.rubyonrails.org/down. Just follow them. Also, I didn't thought of screen capturing the installation. So most of the steps here are text based.

Step 1: Downloads all the necessary stuff

• Head to http://www.rubyonrails.org/down
  
• Download Ruby from http://rubyforge.org/frs/?group_id=167. You can download this http://rubyforge.iasi.roedu.net/files/rubyinstaller/ruby186-25.exe. At the time of writing, Ruby is at version 1.86.
• Download RubyGem from http://rubyforge.org/frs/?group_id=126. You can download this - http://rubyforge.org/frs/download.php/20990/rubygems-0.9.4.zip. RubyGem is a packager for Ruby. You need this to run many stuff later on. At the time of writing, RubyGem is at version 0.9.4.
• Next is MySQL. Head to http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/mysql/5.0.html#win32. Download MySql 5.0 Community Server. I assume you are not running enterprise level application. Download the Windows Essential version. http://dev.mysql.com/get/Downloads/MySQL-5.0/mysql-essential-5.0.41-win32.msi/from/http://mysql.oss.eznetsols.org/
• Your download folder should look something like below:-

Step 2 : Install

• Run ruby186-25.exe. It will do all the installation. Just sit tight. Once its done, go to your search box and type in cmd. Once the command prompt screen pops up, type this "cd c:\ruby\bin" (I assume you have installed Ruby in C drive). Then type "ruby -v". If you have installed correct, it will show the version. If not, you have to reinstall Ruby again.
  

• Excellent. Now lets install RubyGem. Unzip rubygems-0.9.4.zip. Click on setup.rb. The setup will run in command window.
  
• Once done, now you need to run post-install.rb. This will create the RUBYOPT environment variable to the value rubygems in Windows. More information at http://docs.rubygems.org/read/chapter/3.
  
• Well, we are done with RubyGem, now Rails. Open the command prompt window. Type "c:\ruby\bin ". Now type this "gem install rails --include-dependencies". What happens now that it will fetch the latest Rails framework from http://gems.rubyforge.org/ .
  
• Don't worry if its slow and looks like its hanged, its downloading. There is a standalone package, but I haven't tried installing it that way. Once done you will see the screen as below (look at the 3rd last line in the screen):-

• Now is MySQL. Unzip mysql-5.0.41-win32.zip and run the setup.exe. I am not going to explain on the steps here. You can refer to to section II of http://allaboutruby.wordpress.com/2006/01/09/installing-rails-on-windows-step-by-step-tutorial/
• Thats it. Your done! You are ready to launch your Ruby application. Just to note, your Ruby application file can reside other drives either than C.

Step 3: Create and Run!

• To create your application, open up the command prompt. Assuming its at D drive, type "D:\", then "mkdir projects", then "cd projects", then "rails myfirstproject". (You can replace the word "myfirstproject" with any words of your choice. Rails will create all the file structure for you.
• Then type "cd myfirstproject" if you are not in the newly created directory. Then type "ruby script/server". This will boot up WEBrick web server. Btw, don't close this windows as it will shutdown your webserver.
• Type in http://127.0.0.1:3000. Tada! You have your Ruby application up and running. Well almost....
  
  
  
  
• There are additional steps, however you can refer to section IV of http://allaboutruby.wordpress.com/2006/01/09/installing-rails-on-windows-step-by-step-tutorial/.
  

Enjoy your ROR!

Maxis e-billing with Mozilla

Beware, if you are using Microsoft Vista and IE7, you can't view your Maxis bill online (e-billing). However there is a workaround with Mozilla. This steps was provided by Maxis Customer Support.

1. Open your Mozilla browser (version 2 and above).
2. Type into your address bar "about:config". This will list out a list of parameters.
3. Below the address bar there is a filter bar. Type in the word "security". This will be bring you to the first parameter on security.
4. Look for security.ssl2.des_64 until security.ui.enable parameter. Mark them and all other parameters between them, double click on the value column and make sure all of them are changed to "true".
5. Restart your Mozilla browser.

Songkran in Thailand

What is New Year if we do not celebrate it? 2008 is to far away, so, my wife and I made a trip to Thailand. Songkran!

2nd time in Thailand but first time in Bangkok. We took the AirAsia flight to Suvarnabumi Airport, Thailand. Below are the bullet points of my entire trip:-

Airport

• One of the most amazing airport I have ever seen. Its huge! Way bigger than KLIA.
  
  
• The blue lights looks beautiful matching the airport exterior design.
  
  
• Its huge!
  
  
• Very modern and yet it blends together with the Thai culture. Alot of statues in the airport as a deco.
  
  
• Thai immigration officers are damn rude. I seen many times how they treat tourists. They shout at them for the slightest mistake. They never smile, and you will think, this are the front liners of Thai government and they don't smile or even say Thank You.
  
  
• Waiting for luggage is the same as KLIA. Long wait.
  
  
• Walking from point A to B in this airport is really a task. Sometimes it feels like going thru a maze.
  
  
• There is no standard uniform for immigration officers here, some wear uniform, others wear suit (a suit!?), normal shirt... aiya....
  
  
• I saw a Israel airline! First time in my life. All this while I didn't know Israel had airlines, just warplanes.

Deco in the Airport

Taxi

• We got a cab from the airport. Their standard taxis are Toyota Altis. Yup, the exact same one that is costing us RM 100K here.
  
  
• Now, important lesson about Thai taxis. Always ask the price before you get in. Negotiate for the best price. Why? Even if you ask them to use the meter, they will use the longest route to get to your destination. Its always a lose-lose situation for us.
  
  
• Yes, all taxi drivers in Thai are disgruntled ex-F1 drivers. So put on your crash helmet.
  
  

City

• I was amazed with the city. Everything is huge here.
  
  
• They have about 8 to 4 lanes highway stretching from the airport to the city and the toll is much cheaper compared to KL. Most of the roads leading into and out of the city are highways. Some are elevated highways. We went to Pattaya on an elevated highway. I think we were on the highway for about 1 hour or so. Compare to our Prolintas. You do the math.
  
  
• BKK is very modern city compared to KL. The city is well planned, but can't say much about traffic congestion. They have digital traffic congestion signboard.
  
  
• Bill boards are triple the size of those in KL.
  
  
• While on the trip to Pattaya, left and rights were factories. Not just one but just factories all over until your eyes can see. Huge economy here.
  
  
• They really have huge malls here. Sadly didn't managed to venture into one.
  
  
• So many fitness centers here. I didn't managed to go to Fitness First here. They have FF Plus - with salt water swimming pool!

Songkran - now for the best part

• Songkran is synonym to water festival. Basically they throw water on you and wish you Happy New Year. I guess it started with sprinkling of water as a blessing but some smart aleck decided to take it further with water guns.
  
  
• I met with my friend and his wife (who became our host) and they took us around to celebrate Songkran. Well thinking Songkran was over, I wore my T-Shirt and Jeans. What a mistake.
  
  
• We got onto a Tuk-Tuk (Yeah! finally), and he brought us around from our hotel. The next thing I knew, every corner there will be a group of ppl waiting with pails of water. Seriously, PAILS of WATER. They have past the water gun stage here.
  
  
• After one round of getting splashed with water (I didn't get hit much), my friend said "Ganee, hold this water gun, hold it?". Well OK. Bad move.
  
  
• Well, the rule of the thumb is if you hold a water gun, your gonna get it. I learn this the hard way.
  
  
• What I saw next was, WATER, WATER and WATER. Splash! Blink open eyes, SPLASH! SPLASH! We are talking about buckets here ppl.
  
  
• BKK was hot and didn't rain, but the roads were wet until the next day. That much water was used.
  
  
• I was soaking wet with my socks and jeans and it was not over yet.
  
  
• After soaking wet in Nana Road we went to Koa Sarn Road. The entire road was filled with people and each one of them looked like zombie. Apart from throwing water, they now put white powder unto your face. Escape!
  
  
• At one corner I saw someone taking water from this filthy river and preparing it to throw. Yuck!

A scene of water splashing

Yes, they go in pickup trucks and start a water war

Shopping

• There is this huge flea market in BKK. Its called Chatuchak. It houses hundreds of small stores selling all kindda thing from small key chain to t-shirts, shoes, fake jewellery, all kindda souvenir. I think we only finish about 20% of the area and we went around for 4 hours.
  
  
• Earlier mentioned was the flea market that operates only in the morning. There is another flea market that operates in the night. But this one has a huge open air food court with live entertainment and a huge screen.
  
  
• I missed going to Siam Paragon which is the biggest mall in BKK.

Pattaya beach

• We made a day trip to Pattaya beach for some sun and sea. It was about 2 hours bus ride, but it was highway all the way.
  
  
• We did nothing but lay around the beach, sleep and eat. In other words, being a slob.
  
  
• I can't believe the number of beach peddler who bugs your life every 5 second. How can one enjoy the beach?
  
  
• But the beach is too hot for comfort, on the way back, we kena baling water again. The street is not safe at all.

Pattaya Beach

Food

• Tx to my buddy, halal food was easy to find compared to Phuket.
  
  
• I tried an extremely hot spicy food, can't remember the name. I had to buy an ice-cream to cool down. 40 baht! Cut throat!
  

IMPORTANT:

Although the trip was suppose to be all fun, but I had a lot of opportunity to learn about different culture and country. I learn about people and aspiration. I learn about economy and democracy. I learn about people's passion for the King. This was a study trip for me and have open my mind to think out of the box. This trip helped my self-esteem and my outlook towards life. It was a good trip.

A shout out to my buddy for your sincere help in accommodation, paying my meals , taking us around BKK and Pattaya, shopping and host of other stuff. Thanks man!

Stolen laptop recovered!

Today I got a call from my colleague saying the Police found our laptops. My boss and I rushed to IPK (Jln Hang Tuah) to check it out. To our delights, YES! Its our laptop. Its back! They managed to retrieve 2 out 4 laptops.

All the data are intact but there is a few scratches on the surface due to the rude handling of the f**king thief. But to my dismay, we were not allowed to take back our laptop because they need it as evidence to prosecute the culprit. Aiyah... so we got ourselves an external HDD and spent the entire evening transferring files.

At least I got my data back. That is more than enough. You can keep the laptop. Anyway, my new laptop is just a week away. I saw the freaking culprit. I wish I could strangle you, but alas then I might end up sitting beside you with cuffs. Learn to earn a decent and honest living idiot!

All in all, its been a tiring but exciting day. I got my data back! I am alive!

To Koperal Zakri (very nice man), Koperal Subra (another nice chap) and team from IPK KL, D4B, thank you very much for you assistance.

My laptop stolen!

Stupid f*ck**ng bloody useless scumbags! During lunch time, 4 laptops was stolen in my office and one of it is mine. Gone all my precious data. That is nothing in this world that can repay it back.

Don't you useless piece of walking meat have anything better to do than to steal other ppl's belonging. I really hope, let me say this is Malay - "Harap harap kau kena langgar dgn kontena lori laptop Dell and mati tertimbun dlm ribuan laptop. Dan juga aku harap semua RAM, motherboard masuk dlm korongkong busuk kau dan perut kau terburai dgn sisa-sisa toksik batteri laptop tu. Itu pun aku rasa tak puas tgk kau mati macam tu, biar lori kontena gilis kau 5000x, sampai badan kau tinggal sisa daging dan tulang utk dilapah oleh anjing kurap yang gila." Also, I hope you get fried, baked, steamed and cooked in hell for eternity.

Really upset and disappointed. Habis baik, aku tak tangkap kau dlm ofis.

Fitness First Review : Island Plaza, Penang

For someone who doesn't go to gym so often, I sure write alot about gym. What the heck...

FF Island Plaza is located in Island Plaza shopping complex, Penang. I believe its on the way to Feringgi Beach. I was staying in Sg. Dua at the particular time. Travelling across the island, thru the horrible Penang traffic for 1 hour gym workout. Not worth it. But anyway...

• Parking is paid by hour. I think its about RM 1-3.
• Take the lift and go up to 4th floor (I think). FF its on the left turning (I think).
• The receiptionist was friendly and helpful. Thumbs up!
• 2 level floor. The juice bar on the upper level. (Why do they ever do this!?)
• The whole place looks kindda small. All the machines and cardio equipments are cramped into a small place. More like a warehouse sale.
• The free weight are is small, more or less like DU.
• Big glass windows along the gym. You can see Penang and its wonderful condos.
• I think this place is frequented by expats.
• One studio and 1 small abs area.
• Machines, more or less the same as the rest of the FF gyms.
• Plus point, they have a sitting area just outside of the changing room. Not bad.

Ratings?

Check out for more reviews below
FF Manulife
FF IOI Mall Puchong
FF Menara Axis
FF The Curve
FF DU
FF Consplant

Interviews

My position in the company requires me to interview and hire candidates applying for an advertised position. Throughout the years, I have interviewed no less than 50 people for various position. On the net, there is a lot of information regarding how a candidate should prepare for an interview.

Now, you guys listen to me. Direct from an employer. This is a grunt from me as an employer to all those job seekers.

1. Only apply for a job if you are INTERESTED!
   Don't waste a person's time. I shift through hundreds of resumes looking to shortlist candidates. So don't waste my time to call you and to find out that you are not interested.
   
   
2. Read the freaking job advert line by line!
   Study if you match the requirement stated. I got a candidate telling me on the phone, that he is only interested if the job is beneficial for him! In which planet are you in!? No one takes employees to only benefit on one side. There should be a balance on both party. If you don't match the job spec, don't apply!
   
   
3. Be polite on the phone. You are talking to your future employer.
   Some candidates just think they are hellavu great. Be polite and courteous. You are not the only person we are calling. After shifting through hundred of people and we think you are important enough to be called for an interview, have the respect and decency to talk politely. This kind of people usually get rejected immediately from me. So remember, the first phone call is important if you are serious about the job.
   
   
4. Make time for an interview!
   I got candidates telling me they are not free for an interview for the whole week. Why did you apply then? Negotiate politely for a best interview time. I don't care if you are busy, I am much busier than you are but yet I made time to call you. Always prepare a suitable time in case you are called for an interview.
   
   I used to conduct interview during the weekends to make those working candidate's life easier. Almost 60% did not show up for an interview. What!?
   
   
5. Show up for your interview! If you can't make it, call one day in advance.
   Some candidate don't even bother to call. Remember, someone on the other end had sacrifice his weekend is waiting for you to show up.
   
   
6. Bring all the necessary documentation, demo, source code and etc.
   Some candidates comes in for an interview with just a pen. I am not interested in your degree. Show me your project source code, demo and such. This will impress your interviewer more. And dress appropriately matching the company's attire.
   
   
7. Don't waste my time!
   There are candidate who comes in for interview just to 'test water'. I had one guy who had the cheek to tell me that. If you seriously looking for money, go sell VCD or something.
   
   
8. If you don't know the answer to a question, admit it!
   Don't try to wiggle your way out. It makes you look stupid. Don't try to correct your interviewer either. I would not be asking a question if I didn't know the answer earlier.
   
   I had candidate telling me she can't answer theoretical questions, but can perform exceptionally well if given practical work. No problem, I flip open a test paper which I have kept prepared. Do it now. Didn't do well either. Now, why do you get yourself in such a dumb situation?
   
   
9. Once you get a job offer, show up for work!
   If you have received another job offer, please inform you employer about it, ASAP. Don't make them prepare your offer letter, get a desk and PC for you, install the necessary software, waiting in anticipation for you and only to find out later through 3rd party that you got another job.
   
   This are really sick people and deserve to burn in hell. Its no joke since you got the HR, Management and Technical department all working for your arrival. Not to mention the projects that you are suppose to handle.
   
   
10. Keep your promises once you have entered your job!
    Most candidate will promises anything during the interview, but the moment they enter the workforce, things change.
    
    My gold fish needs a bath, I can't work late. I can't do this, can't do that. My pay is not enough, gossips, chatting on IMs, taking long lunch breaks, frequent MCs, surfing jobstreet in the office.
    
    You knew what you were getting into, so shut up and start working. Ask all relevant questions before signing the contract. Don't like working in the company, then leave, PLS!
    
    

In each industry, I believe its a small world. You will end up meeting the same industry people for meetings or projects. Top management tend to meet each other more often. So there is an opportunity to ask about a future candidate application. So don't screw up with any of your employers. The news will get passed around.

Take interviews seriously. "I got no time".