Category: Tech

I spent a day going through line by line, portion by portion and converted my IRCQuotes site from ASP to PHP. There are only improvements and not a bit of problem anywhere.

Lines of code: Reduced from approximately 280+ to 200+.
Time to process: From around 30 milliseconds down to 10 ms.

It was fun going “Hey! With PHP, I could improve this portion of code this way!.” and “Oooh, with PHP, I can reduce this code from 10 lines down to 2!”. Functions like htmlentities() and nl2br() helped a lot.

This is the very reason why since the day I stepped into PHP, I never looked back at ASP. Never.

But this blog site is still in ASP!! Hahaha! *proceeds to grumble about lack of time*

I’m done with the design of my new personal project. Might need a few more adjustments but the general layout has been decided. I’ve also planned to sign up with a webhost for this. They have 500MB of space and unlimited bandwidth. The only downside is their bandwidth speeds are low and the directory name icons/ seems to be reserved. Right now I’m on their 30days trial so it’s not too late to pull out. I need to rush up a working site so the webhost can be tested.

Comparing this webhost with the one my company works with, the number one thing I like with my new webhost is the version of their PHP and MySQL is not too old. The control panels provided by both are easy to use.

You can preview the site at http://got.wyred.nu/ .

The ThermalTake Tsunami PC Chassis (mentioned a few entries ago) that I’ve been waiting like a fool for, have finally arrived at SimLim Square. Retail Price starts from $285!! [:(] I must have a look at it in person today.

Well, it was just for 3 hours. My boss’s friend at the office bought a new computer and needed my help to install windows and stuff for him. I managed to finish everything in 2 hours. And here’s me fooling around in IRC. [XD]

I just love the smell of new hardware. [X)]

Made more changes to this blog. As you can see, I’ve merged my tech entries and life entries again but this time, I’m seperating them by color. Orange == Tech and Blue == Life.

The last 2 weeks went by fast. My thoughts have been the next upgrade for my computer. At first I wanted to get an Athlon64. Then after some posts in HardWareZone forums and research, I decided on an AthlonXP 3200+ instead. Then again, someone pointed out the fact that I could have gotten myself an Athlon64 with that amount of money which brings me back to where I started. Should I give in to Desire or Budget?

And then, technology moves on fast enough to keep you waiting forever. When a new tech arrives in the local market, some people will say wait again for an even better tech that they’ve read on the news. And when that better tech comes, news of an even better one gets published and us consumers will be waiting again for that tech to come. [X(]

Right now, I think I will wait for just 1 more month. I’m waiting for this cool ThermalTake Tsunami PC chasis to reach Singapore. Meantime, I have downloaded the Ragnarok MMORPG and will have to rely on the 15 days trial period to see me through till I get my new system to play Final Fantasy XI. [X)]

So far, the only thing I dislike about Ragnarok is the camera view. Perhaps I don’t know the controls but I can’t get the camera to move down so I can look into the distance. I feel kind of restricted.

Everyone must have a their ways of relaxing from work, destress. Most gamers escape reality and by indulging in various games especially MMORPGs. Anime fans have anime and perhaps, manga.

This may be a repeated topic but I want to write on the things that have fascinated me since birth.

Ghost in the Shell – The idea of accessing the “internet” directly via plugs behind one’s neck is cool. People can replace their senses with machinery for superhuman reflexes. My interest in Batou soared after watching the visually impressive trailer of the second movie, Ghost in the Shell: Innocence. I thank Mamoru Oshii for bringing us this provocative world of Japan in 2029.

Final Fantasy – Each episode in the FF series contains a world of mystery and adventure. The apocalyptic world after Kefka played around with the three statues in the floating continent in FF6 shocked me. The sudden death of Aerith under Sephiroth’s Masamune in FF7 saddens me. I’m moved by Squall’s love for Rinoa in FF8, the scene where he goes out in space to rescue her. Nobuo Uematsu has done a great job with the soundtrack. The Final Fantasy Prelude music that appeared in most games was most enchanting.

Final Fantasy 11 online – I have the game right now but not a good machine to play it well. I’m saving up for one now and I can’t wait to explore this new world in 3D, form hunting parties with Americans or Japanese, complete various missions. Tempting… Damn you SquareEnix for always providing entertainment on a new level.

Lineage 2 – This mass multiplayer online role playing game has been to me, the most absorbing game I’ve ever played. I’ve participated in a raid of the Queen Ant at her lair. About 50-60 Japanese and a few english-speaking players. It was quite enjoyable teaming up with people from far away to kill a boss monster. I love Lineage 2 too but too bad the Final Fantasy series has already captured my heart years before Lineage existed.