Scary Night Shopping

This is the new promotion logos about a few owls shopping late at night... However, I do not know if its intentional, these owl can also look as horrifying skeletons with big eyes and huge teeths... I have circled out the 2 huge eyes and the big mouth with white teeths. See this :

Scary?

Britannica Upgrading to Vista

Finally I had enough of running the trial on the old hardware on Britannica. Its time for an upgrade and that includes these parts :

1. Motherboard (478 to 775)
2. CPU (P4HT to Core2Duo)
3. RAM (DDR to DDR2)
4. Graphics (AGP GeForce 6600GT to PCI-X GeForce 7900GS)

So that ends up me with the following hardware :

1. Asus P5B-VM
2. Core 2 Duo 6400
3. Kingston 2x1GB DDR2 667
4. Leadtek PX 7900GS

Well, how does it fair? Fantastic. I just need to get some time to run benchmarks. BTW, does benchmarks works in Vista? Hehe, I got a Vista benchmark of 5.1 now!

Run=Dim

This is yet another failure attempt to use total 3D to do animation. There were Final Fantasy : The movie, then at least FF7-2 did a better job, but this is disastrous. I do not know if I have the nose for bad anime or what, Sousei no Aquarion was quite bad and so was this. One thing in common though... Call me racist, but both these anime has very strong korean staff backing... Most of the staff are korean...

Back to Run=Dim, I find that it tries too hard to be Gundam. Notice that even the word RUNDIM and GUNDAM is like only 2 letters differences... The enemy mech using green like Zaku and 2 fractions, one in space, one on Earth is just too much of a copycat. I am more of the Old Gundam fan so I believe in the New Type and all the tragedy. I even wrote a Gundam fan story named Gundam : Mobile Dark Revelation. Well, I did not finished it all the way to the final showdown between Gundam Archangel and Gundam Lucifer, but enough people had died along the way to make it. This is what is lacking here... Nobody important really dies until the last episode and those who it were like we saw it coming all along.

In terms of story, I would say its ok, but not original. The 3D is ok, but it doesn't beat animation anyday. The characters are hard to like though. The romance never really take place. The friendship never really had a chance either.

Well, at least I want to say something good. That's the ending theme, Heavens Knows. Its Japanese (phew) and its pretty cool beat.

Official Site :
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/run/dim.html

Pizza Gone Wild

Can you tell me whats wrong with these pizzas?



Looks like a vertical mishandling of pizzas. Anyway, I called immediately and was replaced with 2 new pizzas plus a free bottle of coke for this. Well, at least they replaced it without questions. So I will not bad mouth which pizza this is.

Windows Vistalization Project

What is Vistalization? Its the process (for poor people like me) to make Windows XP looks like Windows Vista.

Here are some of my results so far. Its actual screenshot. No modification.

Canon Canoscan 4200F for Vista

Yes, finally to say this scanner pays off. It was a gamble to buy it and hope that vista drivers will come out. But finally it is there. I wont post the link here, but you can easily find it at support from http://www.canon.com. Do take note that you need to download both the application (for your buttons to work) as well as the driver.

Direct link to Canon Support for 4200F :

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=SupportDetailAct&fcategoryid=235&modelid=10445

Acrobat Reader 8 for Vista

Guess what? I uninstalled Acrobat Pro Trial and then I gotten myself PDF Factory (http://www.fineprint.com) and I thought I am pretty over with making PDF. Wrong, I still need the Acrobat PDF Reader. But the lucky news is that when I visited the page, they claim there is a Acrobat Reader 8 for Vista. YES!

NO! Guess what? The same error message appears about permission with temp space. See my previous entry for the details. So, its back to square one. Have to extract the files and run the msi instead again. That got it installed finally.

But wait, run update immediately. Yes, there is already an update now and its not even in the install package.

Anyway, for the detail instructions, see my previous entry.

Yet another way to remove Acrobat 8 on Vista

Ok, the previous post, I did not go through all of it to be honest. There is another easier way, but if you had tried the previous, you can appreciate this even if this takes a bit longer!

You will need to extract the MSI files again using the Installing Acrobat on Vista instructions in the previous post. Next you click on the MSI again, not the EXE. And this time you select Remove!

All done!

How to uninstall Acrobat Acrobat 8 on Vista

In the previous post, you just learned how to mess around and install Acorbat 8. Now, do you really need Acrobat 8? Yes, I need to put some of my word documents into PDF. My spreadsheet in excel too, cos some of the friend just doesn't use excel or they are using mac or something. Well, Excel has a output to PDF option. At least for MS Office 2007. So I do not really need Acrobat 8 writer at least. Let's uninstall it in this article!

Firstly, do try and uninstall using "Program Features" in vista. If that works, good for you!
For some people, it just doesn't or you did some "repair" and find that you do not have the extracted files in the previous documents and the Acrobat 8 is totally screwed up now. Now you need to uninstall it the hard way.

1. Go to "%ProgramData%\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Startup" and delete the 2 Acrobat Links.
2. You will need to boot to safe mode of Vista next. The rest are based on Adobe article :

Remove Adobe Acrobat 8.0 registered files using the command prompt
Acrobat registers a numerous files with the operating system during the installation. These files must be removed in order to successfully remove the application. Registered files can be removed from the operating system with the shell is not running.
Press Control-Alt-Delete and choose Task Manager.
On the Processes tab, select explorer.exe and choose End Process (this will make items on your desktop disappear).Important: The Task Manager should remain open during this process
Click Yes in the warning box.
Choose File > New Task.
Under Open, type cmd and click OK.
Minimize the Task Manager.
Type cd "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat Elements" and press Enter.
Type del ContextMenu.dll and press Enter.
Type cd "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX" and press Enter.
Type del AcroIEHelper.dll and press Enter.
Type del AcroPDF.dll and press Enter.
Type del pdfshell.dll and press Enter.
Type exit and press Enter.
Maximize the Task Manager.
In Task Manager, choose File > New Task.
Type explorer.exe and click OK. (Your desktop should reappear.)
Exit the Task Manager.

Grant full control permissions to all installed files and folders
Give Administrators Full Control of the Resources folder and replicate permissions down to child objects.
To Reset Permission Using Windows Security
Click Start > Run, type cmd, and click OK.
Type each of the bold command below and press enter:
If any error messages are received after typing any of the below command verify the command and try again.
c:cacls "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Resources" /T /E /C /G administrators:Fexit
Important: Enter spaces between /T, /E, /C, and /G in the third line.
Remove remaining folders and files for Adobe Acrobat 8.0
Back up any personal files you want to save from the following directories, and then remove the listed folders and files:
Program Files\Adobe\
Acrobat 8.
Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\
Acrobat
Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\
FLEXnet Publisher
Program Files\Internet Explorer\PLUGINS\
nppdf32.dll
Documents and Settings\[User Name]\Application Data\Adobe\
Acrobat
Designer
Adobe PDF
Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\Adobe\
Acrobat
Designer
Adobe PDF
ALM
Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\FLEXnet\
adobe_00080000_tsf.data
Documents and Settings\All Users\Desktop\
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional.lnk
Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional.lnk
Acrobat Distiller 8.lnk
Adobe LiveCycle Designer 8.0.lnk
Windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\
ADGELP.INI
ADPDF8.BPD
ADPDF8.PPD
ADREGP.DLL
ADUIGP.DLL
Ps5ui.dll
Pscript.hlp
PSCRIPT.NTF
PSCRIPT5.DLL
Windows\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\
ADGelP.INI
ADPDF8.PPD
ADReGP.dll
ADUIGP.DLL
PS5UI.DLL
PSCRIPT.HLP
pscript.ntf
PSCRIPT5.DLL
Windows\system32\
adobePDF.dll
Program Files\Netscape\Netscape Browser\plugins\
nppdf32.dll

Remove remaining registry entries for Adobe Acrobat 8.0
Remove the application registry keys from the registry, if they are available.
Note: You must be logged into the computer as an Administrator to modify your registry.
Disclaimer: This procedure involves editing the Windows registry. Adobe doesn't support editing the registry, which contains critical system and application information. For information on the Windows Registry Editor, see the documentation for Windows or contact Microsoft Technical Support. You may not have all of these files.
Important: Make a backup copy of the registry before you edit it.
Choose Start > Run, and type regedit in the Open text box; click OK.
Navigate to one of the registry keys listed below and select it in the left panel; it will appear in the registry editor as a folder.
Choose Edit > Delete. Click Yes in the Confirm Key Delete dialog box.
Repeat steps 1-3 as needed for any remaining registry entries.
Remove the following registry entries
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Acrobat DistillerHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Acrobat ElementsHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Acrobat PDFMakerHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Adobe AcrobatHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\Designer\8.0HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\PDF SettingsHKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Adobe\ALM\AcrobatProfessional-8.0-ALL
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Acrobat DistillerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Acrobat ElementsHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Acrobat PDFMakerHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Adobe AcrobatHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Repair\Adobe AcrobatHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\Designer\8.0HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\PDF Admin SettingsHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Adobe\PDF Settings
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Installer\UserData\S-1-5-18\Products\68AB67CA330100007706000000000030HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\{AC76BA86-1033-0000-7760-000000000003}HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Products\68AB67CA330100007706000000000030HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Classes\Installer\Features\68AB67CA330100007706000000000030
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Word\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddinHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Excel\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddinHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\MS Project\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddinHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Outlook\Addins\PDFMOutlook.PDFMOutlookHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\PowerPoint\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddinHKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Office\Publisher\Addins\PDFMaker.OfficeAddin
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Policies\Adobe\Adobe Acrobat
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{191DA03B-FBE7-4579-B64D-273DC8358F1B}HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Low Rights\ElevationPolicy\{907131E3-3ECF-4027-B0EB-3324883441D1}

Complete the removal
Empty your Recycle Bin and restart your computer.

Installing Adobe Acrobat8 on Vista

And yes, we have Adobe Acrobat 8, the next generation which is going to work for the year 2007 at least with the latest OS...



Sorry, let's take back the part about the latest OS. Acrobat 8 does not work with Vista, at least you can't install it at all!



Well, thats what you think. Just launch the installer and wait for the very long decompressing to happen. By the time the error message appear, do not click on it! Instead go to :

"%USERPROFILE%\AppData\LocalLow\Netopsystems\temp"


There is a "Adobe Acrobat 8.0" Directory there. Copy it out elsewhere. BTW, that is an incredible 1GB as compared to the compressed 100MB! (Great job, Netop System!)

Now, instead of running setup.exe which I am sure 90% of the people will and resulting in the same error, run AcroPro.msi (or whatever your msi is called). Then all is normal.

Shortcoming of this, you need to expand and repeat all that whenever you need to upgrade Acrobat again. My suggestion is you burn that onto a DVDR.

Evolution of Banking

I had seen how banking is evolving but is really kinda worried at the latest stage this is getting to... Lets take a look at the cycle :

Paper Banking -> ATM Banking -> Phone Banking -> Internet Banking -> Home Banking

What is home banking? Well, its something you can only do at home and not elsewhere. Why? Because we need a 2FA token now. this 2 factor authentication token is small, but would someone carries like a whole bunch of them, one for each bank? No, not me. I have a few and they all stay at home. no more banking in the office, banking at Macdonald (btw, that is so the wrong thing to do) and banking at Microsoft. I can only bank at home now.

This is certainly not a step forward. Some bank tries to overcome this by giving a mobile phone option which is much better. Otherwise, I really hope they can sit down and unify the token instead. There is just not enough common sense to assume people will carry all the bunch of token all around.

Transformers : More mistakes than meets the eyes!

Yes, 4 months before the show I am already forseeing this to be a disaster! Other than the few points I pointed out in the previous post :

1. Optimus Prime model is wrong
2. Bumble bee looks like a monster

Here are some which I already spoted :

1. Megatron has been changed into a Jet from a Gun.
2. Scorpinok was suppose to be huge. His size is to be rivial by Metroplex. Of course, there was Fortress Maximus later...
3. Originally Devastator was in the movie, but not the same Constructicon we know. We can only hope to see any of those 5-in-1 in Transformers 2.
4. No Dinobots. Yes, not even one of them.

Read more at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transformers_(2007_film)

Btw, here are some pretty hard questions for your Transformers fan out there.

1. How many cassettle "pets" did Soundwave have? Can you name them all?
2. In one of the episode, there was an Autobot who can transform in to a Flying Saucer and did not want to be part of the war. What is his name?
3. Who created Defensor?
4. Who was it that Optimus Prime is able to merge with in G2/3 to become a more powerful Optimus?

Finally, the trailer :
http://playlist.yahoo.com/makeplaylist.dll?sid=31652517&sdm=web&pt=rd

The blind can see, in Singapore!

Yes, do not believe me? Ask Singapore's blind superstar Chen Wei Lian. He personally claim that Andy Lau's and Faye Wong's dancing sucks and they are still super star!

Its just a few days ago on the newspaper. Its was not that I am not sympathetic to the disabled, but one should never had been as aggrogant as him. In the first place, I had never support him and I didn't think out of all the unblind people in Singapore, there is no better man. I had always felt it was a joke some country had elected a blind president. Well, Singapore had a blind super star!

That aside, out of everyone, he is the last that has the right to comment about other people dancing! If he comment about bad singing, I will not penalize him. Moreover, if you had watched Andy Lau's Vision 2006 tour, you would know that commenting him about his dancing is not fair at all. Being disabled doesn't give one the priviledge to condemn others without using the brain (well, unless the disabled has no brain, then excuse me).

Not that I really dislike Wei Lian, but this time he just gone too far!

Are you underpaid?

Well, I know I sure am. Despite 9.2% increment, my pay still sucks compare to a junior auditor. Why? I also dun know. Do I work hard? I come back at 10pm quite often. Do I hate my job? No...

Emm... Its time to meditate. I am looking ahead for another job and I have a feeling it wil lbe far far away... Will it be at G****E? :) Only time will tell....

Meanwhile, get your hanky, read this and cry and wonder why are you the only one underpaid...
http://www.kellyservices.com.sg/res/content/sg/services/en/docs/kellysalaryguide.pdf

Transformers : Their War, Our World

Strangely the Sub-Title is not "Robot in Disguise" or "More than meets the eyes". There is a huge trailer out there with HD option. Just google for it. However, I must say I never thought there will be this day. In the intro you get to see Optimus Prime, but no Megatron... And even that I saw lots of post about using the wrong truck mode and OMG BumbleBee looks like a REAL bee and nothhing like what is is suppose to look like...

I just hope despite all these, they do not screw up with the story and no Quatizors I hope, those creature kinda spoilt the story of Transformers anyway.

BTW, My favourite is still Omega Supreme.

M2 1GB at $89

Finally bought my M2 memory card for my K800i. It costed me $89, but I guess its ok. Consider that M2 2GB is only $160. then I came home and saw Yahoo auction at $82. Emm. Well, bought is bought. Now I am happily loading all my MP4, yes, to hell with MP3 now... Mp4 is much hi-tech now :)

Seriously, 1 GB is very large for songs and pictures. My K800i is not much for apps and games so I suppose I did make a good choice to stick with 1GB instead of 2GB.

FREE Microsoft Office Accounting 2007 Express

Need an accounting software? Find all those outside selling for thousands of dollars and none of them even looks good? Too complicated? Well, welcome to Microsoft Office Accounting 2007.

Learn more about it :
http://www.ideawins.com/expressdemo/

Download it at :
http://www.ideawins.com

Grand Seasons International

Just got a call. My contact was pickup from somewhere I drop in those major shopping mall. I had won a Watch, A Spa voucher and a free stay at some hotel. Sound good? Sound familiar? Sound like Timeshare. :)

I chatted with the lady and ask if I needed to attend any talks, any seminar whatever. She say no, just see an exibition and this company wants to promote long term relationship with customer. They even dare company themselves to Chan Brothers. Anyone from Chan Brothers should get this. This comments is definitely unhealthy for your image!

So I dragged and dragged. Told her my wife cannot attend... Ba ba.. while I can buy time to check them out. Guess what, the place to collect : Delfi Orchard... The Timeshare blackspot of Singapore. sorry to say, I do not think any respectable company will house themselve in that building.

Google it man. And some nice links here :
Grand Seasons International - Timeshare Scam Company
Trackbacks for 'Grand Seasons International - Timeshare Scam Company'
timeshare list -- Timeshare Victims Support Group
Grand Seasons International -- Timeshare Victims Support Group
http://samaryn.com/2006/10/22/timeshare-scam/
Lifestyle Services in Delfi -- Timeshare Victims Support Group

Ok, we definitely hit it this time. buts lets make the best of the situation. Can I gain anything out of this? Try to counter-con them? Set up a chance to CASE to get them? But I tried so many times and CASE doesn't really give a damn until I become a victim. So passiveness! If they do not proactively catch these matchstick men, there is no way to make Singapore a clean timeshare-less nation.