R.Y.K.E.L.™

Internet Domain Suffixes

2012-01-09T10:32:00.000+08:00

This is a list of the internet domain suffixes. That is, the last word in a URL or email address. They can refer to the type of address (eg. businesses will be .com, governments will be .gov and schools will be .edu.) They also show the country, and these two can oftentimes mix. (eg. a school in Singapore can be .edu.sg and my Government is .gov.sg)

Credit: This list is adapted from UKTSupport.

Category Suffixes

AC - Academic (same as.edu)
CO - Commercial (same as .com)
COM - Commercial
EDU - Educational
GOV - Government
INT - International
MIL - Military
NET - Network
ORG - Non-Profit Organisation
ARPA - Old style Arpanet
NATO - Nato field

Country Suffixes

Note: American addresses seldom use their Country Suffix.

AD - Andorra
AE - United Arab Emirates
AF - Afghanistan
AG - Antigua and Barbuda
AI - Anguilla
AL - Albania
AM - Armenia
AN - Netherlands Antilles
AO - Angola
AQ - Antarctica
AR - Argentina
AS - American Samoa
AT - Austria
AU - Australia
AW - Aruba
AZ - Azerbaijan
BA - Bosnia Herzegovina
BB - Barbados
BD - Bangladesh
BE - Belgium
BF - Burkina Faso
BG - Bulgaria
BH - Bahrain
BI - Burundi
BJ - Benin
BM - Bermuda
BN - Brunei Darussalam
BO - Bolivia
BR - Brazil
BS - Bahamas
BT - Bhutan
BV - Bouvet Island
BW - Botswana
BY - Belarus
BZ - Belize
CA - Canada
CC - Cocos (Keeling) Islands
CF - Central African Republic
CG - Congo
CH - Switzerland
CI - Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
CK - Cook Islands
CL - Chile
CM - Cameroon
CN - China
CO - Colombia
CR - Costa Rica
CS - Czechoslovakia (former)
CU - Cuba
CV - Cape Verde
CX - Christmas Island
CY - Cyprus
CZ - Czech Republic
DE - Germany
DJ - Djibouti
DK - Denmark
DM - Dominica
DO - Dominican Republic
DZ - Algeria
EC - Ecuador
EE - Estonia
EG - Egypt
EH - Western Sahara
ER - Eritrea
ES - Spain
ET - Ethiopia
FI - Finland
FJ - Fiji
FK - Falkland Islands
FM - Micronesia
FO - Faroe Islands
FR - France
FX - France, Metropolitan
GA - Gabon
GB - Great Britain (UK)
GD - Grenada
GE - Georgia
GF - French Guiana
GH - Ghana
GI - Gibraltar
GL - Greenland
GM - Gambia
GN - Guinea
GP - Guadeloupe
GQ - Equatorial Guinea
GR - Greece
GS - South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands.
GT - Guatemala
GU - Guam
GW - Guinea-Bissau
GY - Guyana
HK - Hong Kong
HM - Heard and McDonald Islands
HN - Honduras
HR - Croatia (Hrvatska)
HT - Haiti
HU - Hungary
ID - Indonesia
IE - Ireland
IL - Israel
IN - India
IO - British Indian Ocean Territory
IQ - Iraq
IR - Iran
IS - Iceland
IT - Italy
JM - Jamaica
JO - Jordan
JP - Japan
KE - Kenya
KG - Kyrgyzstan
KH - Cambodia
KI - Kiribati
KM - Comoros
KN - Saint Kitts and Nevis
KP - North Korea
KR - South Korea
KW - Kuwait
KY - Cayman Islands
KZ - Kazakhstan
LA - Laos
LB - Lebanon
LC - Saint Lucia
LI - Liechtenstein
LK - Sri Lanka
LR - Liberia
LS - Lesotho
LT - Lithuania
LU - Luxembourg
LV - Latvia
LY - Libya
MA - Morocco
MC - Monaco
MD - Moldova
MG - Madagascar
MH - Marshall Islands
MK - Macedonia
ML - Mali
MM - Myanmar
MN - Mongolia
MO - Macau
MP - Northern Mariana Islands
MQ - Martinique
MR - Mauritania
MS - Montserrat
MT - Malta
MU - Mauritius
MV - Maldives
MW - Malawi
MX - Mexico
MY - Malaysia
MZ - Mozambique
NA - Namibia
NC - New Caledonia
NE - Niger
NF - Norfolk Island
NG - Nigeria
NI - Nicaragua
NL - Netherlands
NO - Norway
NP - Nepal
NR - Nauru
NT - Neutral Zone
NU - Niue
NZ - New Zealand (Aotearoa)
OM - Oman
PA - Panama
PE - Peru
PF - French Polynesia
PG - Papua New Guinea
PH - Philippines
PK - Pakistan
PL - Poland
PM - St. Pierre and Miquelon
PN - Pitcairn
PR - Puerto Rico
PT - Portugal
PW - Palau
PY - Paraguay
QA - Qatar
RE - Reunion
RO - Romania
RU - Russian Federation
RW - Rwanda
SA - Saudi Arabia
SB - Solomon Islands
SC - Seychelles
SD - Sudan
SE - Sweden
SG - Singapore
SH - St. Helena
SI - Slovenia
SJ - Svalbard and Jan Mayen Islands
SK - Slovak Republic
SL - Sierra Leone
SM - San Marino
SN - Senegal
SO - Somalia
SR - Suriname
ST - Sao Tome and Principe
SU - USSR (former)
SV - El Salvador
SY - Syria
SZ - Swaziland
TC - Turks and Caicos Islands
TD - Chad
TF - French Southern Territories
TG - Togo
TH - Thailand
TJ - Tajikistan
TK - Tokelau
TM - Turkmenistan
TN - Tunisia
TO - Tonga
TP - East Timor
TR - Turkey
TT - Trinidad and Tobago
TV - Tuvalu
TW - Taiwan
TZ - Tanzania
UA - Ukraine
UG - Uganda
UK - United Kingdom
UM - US Minor Outlying Islands
US - United States
UY - Uruguay
UZ - Uzbekistan
VA - Vatican City State
VC - Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
VE - Venezuela
VG - British Virgin Islands
VI - U.S. Virgin Island
VN - Vietnam
VU - Vanuatu
WF - Wallis and Futuna Islands
WS - Samoa
YE - Yemen
YT - Mayotte
YU - Yugoslavia
ZA - South Africa
ZM - Zambia
ZR - Zaire
ZW - Zimbabwe

Diaspora

2011-10-31T20:05:00.000+08:00

A new day has dawned in social networking!

Today, I simply want to announce to the world that a new day has dawned in social networking... DIASPORA Decentralised Social Networking has come.

In layman's term, YOU decide what the world can know about you, can retain your own account forever (no company can just terminate you for mysterious "violations of the ToS") and even set up your own "pod" so that you are providing the service to others.

NO company owns your data!

I will update this post as time permits. Very busy now building the Community and making money!

Problems with Skype for Android

2011-09-06T22:30:00.001+08:00

As most of you know, I am an avid user of Skype. I use Skype on the desktop and also on my phones. These include Skype for Android, Symbian and iPhone. I even tried Skype using USB Skype phones etc. I do not support Apple but then that is fodder for another post...

My current gripe with Skype stems from its Android version.

Here is a list of the Skype for Android problems I have experienced, and looking through the Reviews on Android Market and various Skype forums, I know that there are more.

Skype keeps logging out and in again, and it is very annoying to be "signing in..." twenty times in a day.
Even after signing in so very often, Skype is still unusable... it would be perpetually sync-ing itself to something. You can verify this by looking at the circle that loops clockwise in the status bar on top.
Many times, Skype would ask me to "reinstall" itself for no rhyme or reason.
When Skype is in the middle of dialing a phone number, I am unable to turn on the handsfree speaker, so I have to hold the phone close to my ear to listen to the progress of the call - which would then lead to Skype hanging up the phone due to some proximity sensor.

These 4 reasons alone have caused me to rate Skype "POOR" and I wish that Skype would debug and IMPROVE an otherwise fantastic (and highly desired) software.

Skype for Android Version: 2.1.0.46
Android Version: CyanogenMod MiniCM7 v6.0
Phone: Sony Ericsson X10 Mini Pro

Repentance And Religion

2011-08-23T11:46:00.007+08:00

The Word of God speaks again!

Early in the morning, as I was on my knees praying for the Presidential Election in my country, I read Matthew 3 as part of my personal daily Bible Study programme.

The two lessons that the Holy Spirit taught me through His Word are that:

Repentance Precedes Religion; and
Religion Is Still Relevant.

The Pharisees and Sadducees - the clergy - of John's day (John the Baptist, cousin of Jesus) were believers in his message of water baptism. That is why they came to him in the first place! Would you be baptised by anybody if you did not first subscribe to his or her message?

WHY the clergy believed in John is a topic for another day, but for now, let us look at John's conversation with them.

Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan, and were baptised of him in Jordan, confessing their sins. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance." (Matthew 3:5-8)

The clergy is already "spiritual" by any human standard. Indeed, they are the very ones who perform rites and rituals for others to participate in their faith.

Their going for baptism is like we going to church activities today. (Religion) However, John knew by the Spirit that they were trying to "be good" in order to receive salvation. He basically set the record straight by telling them that BEFORE you get involved with Religion, you must first possess REPENTANCE.

According to Princeton:

re·pent·ance
noun /riˈpentns/
repentances, plural
The action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse
- each person who turns to God in genuine repentance and faith will be saved

Therefore, REPENTANCE PRECEDES RELIGION. Your cell group participation, church attendance and ushering etc. means NOTHING and does NOTHING to help you "escape from the wrath to come"... UNLESS you first have a RELATIONSHIP with God. This is the result of repentance. Yes, a Relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

How can you know if you have repented? There are "fruits"! Just like there is the "fruit" of a Spirit-filled life. (fruit of the Spirit cf. Galatians 5:22)

Until you have fruits that REFLECT (meet) your repentance, Religion is meaningless.

Then comes the next question, Is Religion irrelevant? Can we be followers of Jesus without going to church, through water baptism, serving in our cellgroups, attending to prayer house and so on?

The answer lies in what Jesus told John the Baptist just before John tried to stop our Lord from His "Religion" (baptism - a religious act):

And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness. (Matthew 3:15)

YES! Religion is relevant. The truth is simply this - that Jesus Christ as Lord and God with us - did NOT have to go through water baptism, YET HE WENT THROUGH WITH IT.

Why? Simply because it was the right thing to do!

It is right to go to church regularly!
It is right to be water baptised!
It is right to attend cellgroup meetings!
It is right to pray consistently at prayer house!
It is right to fast!

It is RELEVANT to do the right thing. Thus, it is NOT correct to say that if you are an active churchgoer, you are "over-spiritual". It is alright to have Religion. However, you must remember at all times that "Repentance precedes Religion". Only then will your religion be true and acceptable to God.

Empty Taxis Did Not Pick Up Passengers

2011-07-23T13:27:00.000+08:00

Last night, I had the unfortunate need to take a Singapore taxi home at 11.00pm. Someone said before that taking a cab is a luxury.

In order to "discourage" commuters from taking cabs and switch to "public transport", plus ease traffic conditions, the Government has allowed the increase of fares with the introduction of various surcharges.

Back to my story, there was a long queue at the taxi stand and hardly any taxi in sight.

What was more frustrating, was that some drivers were traveling on empty vehicles and NOT picking up passengers. They might even be possibly circuiting around the area like a vulture hovers above its next meal. To add insult to injury, these cabbies did NOT even bother to turn off their bright "TAXI" signage on top of their cabin. Lest anyone says that they were "On Call", let me reassure you that no such sign was hung up too.

Interestingly, as many Singaporeans can attest, once the clock strikes 12 midnight, there will be taxis galore, and "mysteriously" all the taxi queues would disappear then.

My question is - are taxi drivers knowingly giving the poor, waiting passengers a miss - so that the latter would have "no choice" but to Call-A-Cab? (and pay the Taxi Booking Fee)

If so, then the solution to this national malady is to SCRAP the Taxi Booking Fee.

Pray For JAPAN

2011-03-15T03:13:00.000+08:00

Friends, Japan has met a most devastating history with the earthquake-tsunami this past week. Hundreds of thousands of lives are lost. Children have lost their parents. Adults are crying for their deceased kids. Everywhere once strong-willed individuals are mourning loudly. TRAGEDY! TRAGEDY! Please take a moment of silence and pray in solidarity for the survivors - that their spirits will not be broken by the massive destruction around them. God have mercy on JAPAN. We not only love all things Japanese, we love the PEOPLE of Japan. Regards, Rykel Lim (Singapore)

PowerPlayer - The Only Play You Will Ever Need

2011-03-10T11:22:00.000+08:00

It is now possible to go anything from Ruby Executive to Black Diamond Executive in MonaVie with just THREE (3) teams.

That is, a weekly income that grows from USD 2,000 to USD 29,000 simply by building numbers in the 3 teams! Go figure.

PowerPlayer cycles develop your first 2 teams so that you can go bananas on team 3.

New enrollees get excited too because they get to have a team built “with them, through them, for them” and they get all the money. The “problem” most of us active leaders have is that we have too many sign-ups that we want to give them away. The GUY AT THE BOTTOM BENEFITS THE MOST.

As for the current promotion, many TEAM members may choose to opt out of it as they are NOT going 20 wide. However, it is great for their friends from other Mv groups who are building left/right/left/right and I am sure we all rejoice with those who rejoice.

As for TEAM, a surprise is coming up for you all! Stay tuned.

Wrong Again! (Anti-MLM Kingpins Exposed)

2011-03-10T10:55:00.000+08:00

Anti-MLM Kingpins are at it once more. This time, it is a new video circulating on Youtube that attempts to discredit TEAM and Orrin Woodward. Obviously, they hope that the average person who just joined Network Marketing will be swayed by their FUDs. Do not be a victim of Anti-MLM-ism.

I wrote the following response.

Hey guys, the video is NOT a very accurate portrayal of TEAM.

If time permits, I will drill in to all the places where the teacher should NOT have replied the way he replied in the video, because those sentences were NOT in line with TEAM teachings.

     eg. Girl: "Is it a get-rich-quick scheme?"
     Teacher: "YES! Who wouldn't want to get rich quick?"

Official TEAM Teaching: "The keys to wealth are 1. LONG TERM vision. 2. DELAYED gratification. 3. Power of Compounding." (cf. "Woodward Videos" at www.the-team.biz)

Do those words sound like, "Let's get rich QUICK!!!" to any of you?
Humour is really great - but only if it is ACCURATE.

This is the reason why TEAM is hardly affected by most of the Anti-TEAM kingpins' websites out there... they fail to reflect the arguments of TEAM accurately. Who wants to get into a reasonable discussion with an opponent who misrepresents your position?    :)

   "I believe in A."
   "You believe in B, and B is wrong, therefore you are wrong."
   "I do not believe in B, but I do believe in A."
   "No, you do believe in B, and B is wrong, therefore you are wrong."
   ("Against MLM" - The Straw-man diatribe of an Anti-MLM kingpin)

HOW TO: Set Up Empathy With Callcentric In Ubuntu Linux 10.10

2011-02-06T12:31:00.002+08:00

Empathy is the default IM and VoIP program in Ubuntu Linux 10.10 (Maverick).

You can access it from the Envelope icon in your top-right hand Notification Area.

Empathy is hidden in the Envelope icon.

For a long time now, I cannot seem to get it to work with my Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) provider so that people can reach me on my Linux desktop via my iNum.

However, I toyed with getting 3CXphone and CSipSimple on Android to work with the abovementioned SIP service and learnt a thing or two about SIP setups.

Today, I managed to get Empathy to work!

This is what you must do in 4 simple steps:

Set your username to 1777xxxxxxx@callcentric.com;
Open up the "Advanced" options;
REMOVE "Discover STUN server"; and
Set your Miscellaneous Options/Authentication username to 1777xxxxxxx

That should work!

Here is a screenshot of my setup for your reference.

Empathy with SIP setup

Google Chrome Removes Support For H.264 Format

2011-01-29T09:03:00.000+08:00

I would like to weigh in my opinion (in support of Google) with regards to the recent announcement that Google Chrome is dropping support for the proprietary (ie. closed) H.264 video format.

However, Mr Haavard at Opera has written such a good report on the matter that I have decided to reproduce his article in its entirety here.

Enjoy a well-written defense of true Openness.

Is the removal of H.264 from Chrome a step backward for openness?

Thursday, 13. January, 14:29

In a lengthy article at Ars Technica, Peter Bright argues that removing support for a closed standard from Chrome is a step backward for openness.

I disagree strongly with this assertion, and will try to somewhat briefly explain why, and what's wrong with the arguments put forth in the article.

1. "H.264 is an open standard"

Unfortunately, H.264 is patent-encumbered, and you need to pay money to use it. As per the W3C patent policy, this is incompatible with the definition of an open standard, particularly on the web. By the very definition of "open", H.264 cannot possibly be open, because it cannot be used unless you pay up.

2. "VP8 is not an open standard"

That is actually correct. VP8 is a technology with a specification, not a standard. However, Google has granted anyone the right to use it, and makes no claims about patents to restrict its royalty-free use. This means that VP8 is actually a good candidate for being turned into a proper open web standard.

3. "H.264 is free to use under certain circumstances"

Remember that H.264 still costs money. And even if products with a tiny user base may not have to pay right away, you still have to open your wallet at some point if you aim to do something on the web. The MPEG-LA has clevery provided the first shot for "free". Once you are hooked, they can start charging you.

It's called bait and switch.

4. "H.264 support isn't mandated in HTML5"

But it would become another closed de facto standard, just like IE6. And we all remember the damage that did to the web.

5. "Google bundles Flash, so it is being hypocritical"

This is comparing apples and oranges. Flash is a plugin, which Google chose to bundle because there is a lot of Flash content out there. On the other hand, H.264 would be part of the browser itself, and not a mere plugin.

One important thing to keep in mind is that Flash is already ubiquitous. If you want to do any kind of video on the web, you don't have a choice. Flash is needed (and that's assuming that you want to reach more than the comparatively tiny iOS user base). However, the "battle" over HTML5 video is still raging. There is no clear winner, but with Google dropping the closed H.264, it is much more likely that an open format will prevail in the end.

So when Google keeps bundling the Flash plugin, it makes perfect sense. Most video content on the web uses Flash, and that allows Google to continue to support just about all online video until native video support gains a proper foothold. There is no hypocrisy involved here, just pragmatism.

In the end, the question of Google's bundling of Flash is a red herring which takes away the focus from the real issue: Whether native video support in browsers is based on open or closed technologies.

Update: Some will raise iOS as a counter-argument, but it does not hold water. There's a reason why a lot of iDevice owners are resorting to pay for even poor quality video transcoding soluions on the iOS, and that is that they can't access most video sites. The reason iOS gets away with H.264 is basically that YouTube (Google's video service, and the biggest and most important video service on the web) supports it. The vast majority of video sites still require Flash. I understand that some major Apple fans are worried about Google's push for WebM, though. Losing YouTube support would be a major blow to Apple.

6. "H.264 is everywhere, and the web does not exist in a vacuum"

Just because a format is widespread offline does not mean that it is suitable for use on the web. Since the web requires open standards, H.264 is not suitable as the primary format for video on the web, by definition.

And the argument that H.264 is everywhere and everyone will have to handle it does not hold much water, in my opinion. Sites like YouTube will convert and compress videos anyway, so very few are publishing raw H.264 videos straight from your camera, and on to the web.

In other words: The processing will always be there, and instead of re-processing to a slightly more compressed H.264 file for online play, it can be converted to an open format.

7. "H.264 can be used in both Flash and through HTML5 video, ensuring a smooth transition"

As already explained, videos are typically re-encoded or processed in some way anyway. Indeed, most sites offer different bandwidth options and video sizes. They are already converting the video! They could simply convert it to an open format instead.

8. "Firefox users would be able to view H.264 content using Microsoft's plugin"

Notice the word "plugin". It means that we're basically removing HTML5 video, and returning to plugins. All the benefits of native video disappear just like that (and it's only available on Windows 7). On the other hand, I believe it's possible to fairly easily add support for WebM to both Safari and IE by adding it to the list of codecs supported by the system.

9. "The market share of browsers that support H.264 exceeds WebM capable browsers"

Google's online advertising monopoly is working on overdrive to ensure that won't happen. If I am not mistaken, the share of open standards based browsers is growing at the expense of Internet Explorer. Although browser market share is impossible to measure reliably, most of the data seems to confirm that.

10. "Google's decision gives users fewer choices"

Now we are starting get to the core of the issue. And sadly, it is H.264 which takes away choice. While WebM maintains the web as an open platform, H.264 is a closed standard owned by an industry cartel which would ruthlessly stamp out any attempts at getting alternatives up and running.

I also find it puzzling that Google is being accused of giving users fewer choices, while Microsoft and Apple aren't even mentioned. They refuse to support WebM, after all.

11. "VP8 is Google-controlled and proprietary"

I'm not sure if this is the actual claim, but it is my interpretation of it. And it is an incorrect claim. Read the WebM license page for more information. WebM is an open-source project sponsored by Google, and it is freely available because of the license.

The bottom line:

The article aims to show that Google's move is a step backwards for openness. In reality, the article brings up all sorts of things that are not really relevant to this question at all. This, I think, clouds the debate, because the question of openness is actually the most important one!

We can easily test what causes more openness in the context of the web:

H.264 is a patent-encumbered and therefore "closed" standard. It is incompatible with the W3C patent policy for an open web. Therefore, promoting H.264 as the primary format for HTML5 video is the opposite of promoting openness.
On the other hand, WebM is very much in the spirit of the W3C patent policy. Google grants anyone royalty-free access to the technology. Since WebM is open, it promotes an open web.

Conclusion: By rejecting that which closes the web, while at the same time promoting open technologies, Google is contributing to a more open web, contrary to the claims in the article.

The original blog post can be found at:
http://my.opera.com/haavard/blog/2011/01/13/openness

Regrets About My Wireless Keyboard

2010-12-16T01:39:00.000+08:00

My letter to Prolink Customer Support (Amended)

Dear Sir/Madam,

I was looking for a slim PC wireless keyboard that looks like the iMac keyboard with the "separated" AXS machine-like keys, and thought I got a great bargain when I bought the Prolink PCML-5308G selling for SGD 99,00 at Sim Lim Square! That was a week or so back.

Truth be told, I do NOT like the Prolink keyboard because my fingers are huge, and I have difficulty typing on it, not to mention that I regret getting your keyboard which does not come with a Numeric Pad. Indeed, I was asking myself why for the price, Prolink does not throw in some sort of keyboard cover to protect from coffee spillage.

Earlier tonight, I saw the exact item I was looking for on the website of Ranger... and it even came with a wireless Mouse and silicon protection cover - all for only SGD 39.00! (You can take a look at what I would have bought if I had seen it first from the URL below.)

Now, of course I have already bought the Prolink through no fault of yours and it is mine to keep, but I would just like you to know that this is a bad moment for me. Naturally, I would think RANGER first rather than Prolink before buying any PC accessory next time.

I am contemplating a purchase of the Ranger keyboard in question, which will in turn trash my Prolink keyboard into a white elephant.

Nevertheless, I hope that upon reading this email, someone in your company might be able to highlight to me why my $99 Prolink wireless keyboard is a better deal than the $39 Ranger wireless keyboard with mouse and silicon cover set.

A Much Better Value For Money? Prolink vs Ranger...
http://ranger-technology.com/products/ranger-2-dot-4ghz-wireless-keyboard-and-optical-mouse

Comments Now OK!

2010-10-12T12:19:00.000+08:00

For a while, I have been scratching my head and trying really hard to enable Comments on this blog, as they did not appear below my posts no matter what I do in the Settings.

Finally, I realise that if your Comments are disabled, you simply have to go to "Edit Post" --> "Post Options" and ALLOW "Reader Comments". Unfortunately, you have to do this one post at a time for all past articles.

So go ahead, post your Comments below!

Well, Google is your best friend. :)

Marriage

2010-10-12T02:10:00.008+08:00

You might be thinking, "With so many people - 830 couples, to be exact - tying the knot on 10 October 2010 (ie. 10.10.10) why not me?"

That was exactly what a good buddy of mine asked me earlier tonight, "Should I get married?"

You will hear the gist of my conversation with him, and may use my counsel as reference for your own future. Jokingly, I called it the "marriage package". (Team Leaders in my LOS will know what I mean!)

To begin with, there are three parts to the big picture - Before, During and After.

Let us start with the During, which is the EASIEST of all.

DURING MARRIAGE

That is, if you are married, Leaders, STAY MARRIED. No matter what may come. Whether you are still "in love" or not. Despite the differences, quarrels and frustrations you might be going through as a couple. By hook or by crook. ESPECIALLY SO IF YOU HAVE KIDS.

This last point was impressed upon me by someone very dear to me. His wife related to me how her parents' divorce scarred her and injured her little soul for life. She had initially believed all the reassuring words her parents said to her - how they (daddy and mommy) loved her, will be there for her and she is part of a brand new family - only to find out, to her horror of horrors, that her parents went their separate ways. She could no longer be part of a "family", wondered if SHE was the "cause" of her parents' divorce and how her dreams of growing up with pride and honour in her parents were dashed.

Then, my friend inquired sincerely, "Do you want me to STAY MARRIED even if we don't love each other anymore?" To his surprise, I said, "Yes."

"Why?" he implored curiously.

I said, "Because it is the RIGHT thing to do. You don't take marriage lightly, as if it is nothing more than just a ceremony. You will be blessed by God if you honour your marriage. It is a COVENANT - a contract, a word, a promise - that you will stay together through thick and thin, rain or shine, rich or poor, in health and sickness. The motivation for staying married is the same as to why we don't rob old women on the streets, take drugs or kidnap kids for sale. Simply because these things, including divorce, are WRONG. Morally, ethically wrong.

"The source of your stand to stay married will come from none other than God Himself, who said before, 'Unless your spouse commits adultery, there is NO rationale for divorce.' That is, everything is an excuse."

Does that mean that you go around "condemning" the people who are divorced?

You will be cursed by mankind if you do so. Obviously you do NOT judge others! All you should do is to live and follow the principle of Staying Married in your OWN life, and NOT meddle with others who might want to do otherwise. As an upline Counselor, you may only advise, but not dictate the final outcome of a relationship that is going through the most difficult times.

Staying Married is a CHOICE. Just as Love is a Choice, Faith is a Choice and Community Building is a Choice.

AFTER MARRIAGE

As for after marriage, you need to ask this very pertinent question, "What kind of LEGACY as parents do we want our kids to inherit when we are gone?"

Now, granted, only 5% of the population dreams and will do what it takes to raise kids in an environment which they will feel proud of later in life. So, the key is to determine if YOU are in the 5%-ter of society, or will you live your life one day at a time like the rest of the 95% outsiders?

You will choose to leave a GOOD NAME for yourself and your wife, I am sure, because you are TEAM Leaders.

BEFORE MARRIAGE

Now we come to the mother of all beginnings. How do you select the right person to spend the rest of your life with? And why?

You will find it useful to break down the things you will need to do before settling down into FOUR (4) "homework assignments".

Determine if you want an economic "Shortcut";
Verify the past and stories;
Spend quality time with his/her surrounding people; and
Observe personal habits, preferences and behaviour.

I will go through each of the above in a concise and short manner.

DETERMINE IF YOU WANT AN ECONOMIC "SHORTCUT"

Simply put, marrying a financially stable, economically strong person with a dose of social and academic standing can make a world of difference in your life!

While money is not everything, most things CAN be solved with money. Since we are all going to have troubles rich or poor, I have gladly chosen to go through problems in life with riches in my pocket. That frees up your time to solve those challenges which money indeed cannot resolve.

There are historical examples of man and woman whose life took a turn for the better upon marrying a social giant. In fact, a certain prophet of a major world religion married a businesswoman and benefited greatly from her wealthy support - and she was at least fifteen years older than him!

While those of you who are already married CANNOT and should NOT drool over this shortcut, the singles among you still stand this chance. The future is wide open for you to make a different choice, should you so desire.

VERIFY THE PAST AND STORIES

Many a times, if you find yourself rapidly falling in love AND the other party requesting for marriage before you knew it, then you need to check out his/her past and if the stories he/she told you is true. Obviously, being humans, we tend to remember things imperfectly, so the details of his/her stories might be a bit different when heard on separate occasions, but if the discrepancy be so great and the facts so contradictory, that they should become your RED FLAGS.

Do NOT get married to a person whose "congruency" is not there. That is, the narration do not seem to tally from one time to another. The integrity of the past must be there and cannot be compromised.

SPEND QUALITY TIME WITH HIS/HER SURROUNDING PEOPLE

You are a child of your environment, and surely by "environment" I mean more of the PEOPLE who influenced you rather than the physical circumstances of your life. Of course, that plays a part too, but is minor in comparison to the relationships you grew up with and value.

Only by indulging in the lives of your potential partner's parents, siblings, friends, ex-boyfriends/girlfriends and maybe even enemies, will you then know who your spouse will turn out to be tomorrow or ten years down the road. Ask yourself if you like the type of people he/she is surrounded by.

OBSERVE PERSONAL PREFERENCES, HABITS AND BEHAVIOUR

Now that I have learnt and use Amway personal care products, I cannot imagine myself living with someone who can just buy a cheap-brand shampoo or body gel and start scrubbing away with it for life. That is, your standard of living, your expectation of product quality and your level of hygiene should ideally be close to your future husband/wife's.

Little things accumulate to become major issues of conflict. An example is: Your wife is a "clear desk policy" lady - that is, she MUST have the tables and countertops cleared of items before retiring for the night; however, you grew up in a family where plates, books and food can be left around the house past midnight without concern, and suddenly you find your wife trying to argue with you on why you simply cannot be bothered to be more "tidy".

Well it is late here in Singapore and I have to stop this writing. You should do well following the above guidelines for "Before, During and After" Marriage.

Remember, it is more than just about feelings and mutual affection (crushes), it is about living an exemplary, extraordinary life as Leaders of man.

By the way, breaking up a dating relationship before marriage is NOT wrong. It is NOT a divorce. You date so that you can discern. You only have ONE chance at Getting Married and Staying Married, so use it WISELY.

Please Save XMarks!

2010-09-30T21:34:00.005+08:00

Tonight, I would like to ask you to save XMarks!

XMarks is the ONLY Firefox Add-On that can sync your bookmarks across Firefox, Google Chrome/Chromium, Apple Safari and Microsoft Internet Explorer - FREE OF CHARGE.

However, the guys there are unable to pay the bills and will shut down their valuable and unique service in January 2011.

Please save them!

The Official XMarks Announcement:
http://blog.xmarks.com/?p=1886

Christians and the Torah

2010-09-05T23:54:00.007+08:00

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version of the Bible.

Should Christians follow the Torah (Law) of Moses and the traditions of the Jewish elders? For example, circumcision, eating only Kosher food and worshipping on the Sabbath.

Christians, the answer is NO.

In Acts 15, some Messianic Jews (Jews who follow Jesus as Messiah, Lord and Saviour) demanded that the Gentile disciples of Jesus Christ "must" also keep the Law of Moses.

This led to a great debate among the apostles of the church. So intense was the issue that they convened in Jerusalem to make a final resolution. The outcome of it was that the apostles collectively agreed that GENTILES DO NOT NEED TO KEEP THE LAW OF MOSES!

However, Gentiles are commanded instead to abstain from:

Things polluted by idols;
Sexual immorality (fornication);
Things that are strangled; and
Blood.

So, it is OK, for example, for a Christian to eat pork (non-Kosher) but he must make sure that the animal was not offered to other gods before (unless there is no choice), strangled and did not contain blood:

¹⁸ “Known to God from eternity are all His works. ¹⁹ Therefore I judge that we should not trouble those from among the Gentiles who are turning to God, ²⁰ but that we write to them to abstain from things polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:18-20

By the way, Messianic Jews today who insist that Gentile background believers must also be circumcised, eat Kosher, keep the Sabbath etc. are buying into a doctrine promoted by "Judaizers", the very same group of people who are called "Brood of vipers" by the Son of God Himself. That is, the Pharisees.

The bulk of the book of Galatians was written by St Paul against Judaizers!

So if you are a Messianic Jew reading this, please be informed that you must NOT impose the Torah on Gentile believers, and NOT judge them for not keeping the Law of Moses too.

Messianic Jews CAN continue to keep the Torah and live 100% as a Jew, but must NEVER cause division in the Body of Christ by claiming to be the only "true" Christianity or that to be saved one must keep the Law.

Indeed, I wish and I know that Messianic Jews will NOT think that their keeping of the Law of Moses will earn them salvation. Their keeping of the Torah is simply their culture, period.

Salvation is by Grace through Faith Alone!

Facebook Deleted My Account Without Warning

2010-08-29T15:54:00.005+08:00

Facebook DELETED my account without warning and refuses to restore it or at least allow me to retrieve my personal items even after many emails pleading them to do so. They are not even replying emails anymore after a crude, "Our decision is final and no appeals can be made."

Today I decided to go public with this post because patience runs thin!

Is there anyone I can turn to for help with this matter?

James Phang

2010-07-25T03:22:00.006+08:00

James Phang has been convicted of crime and the judge might sentence him to a harsh reality in prison by the end of this month. Most of the world thinks that he is a conman and ought to go right into the cell.

This is the same world that says that MLMs are pyramid schemes.

I do not proscribe myself to know everything about James Phang or Sunshine Empire - and I am NOT saying that he was not running a pyramid scheme, but as a Networker, MLMer (YES, I am a MLMer and I am proud of my industry!), I believe you can learn ONE very important lesson from this man.

He is going to jail in the name of Network Marketing. He often said, "身为传销人死为传销魂。" (I was born again as a Networker, I shall die as a Networker.)

May this legend, Uniquely Singapore, take comfort in knowing that for every James Phang that goes to jail, there shall arise from his shadows 10 more Networkers who will die for the PERFECT Business. (cf. Robert Kiyosaki)

He truly IS the "Lao Da" (boss) of MLM.

I am putting in One Million Leaders In One Auditorium In 21 Years.

We will be FIT (Health), financially SECURE (Wealth) and have LOTS of FRIENDS (Relationships).

YOU owe it to yourself to follow us the TEAM and be part of the BIGGEST Community in the history of Network Marketing.

The REAL System

2010-07-23T01:38:00.003+08:00

Everybody in MLM today claims that he has a "system" or the "best" system.

The truth is that 95% of the MLMers know squat about the System.

The REAL System is NOT:

Books, CDs and Meetings - although these are certainly TOOLS of the System;
Red ties, black suits, white shirts or anything apparel; and
Flipcharts, Compensation Plans and Product Samples.

On a related topic, just because you joined an MLM does NOT make you a B Quadrant Business Owner. Indeed, you have simply moved into the Self-Employed (S) Quadrant. The difference is between Bridge Building and Barge Working. Between Pipeline Building and Bucket Carrying. Between Passive and Active Income.

TEAM Singapore 2010

2010-07-12T10:56:00.004+08:00

The Team is moving on and we are preparing for 2011.

As such, I am keen to reflect on the achievements of our country and nation, Singapore and expound on the power of sacrificial volunteering.

If you have a chronology of the accomplishments of Singapore OR ideas of how we can inspire our people to commit themselves to giving their best shot, let me know below in the Comments section!

Thank you so much.

Skype for Symbian 1.1

2010-07-01T14:43:00.005+08:00

Posted this on Skype blog "Skype for Symbian 1.1"... for archive purpose --

Thank you so much for Skype for Symbian 1.1!

For once, I feel good using Symbian vs. iPhone. (what happened to the Android guys?? Can you kindly give them a Skype client too??)

I generally like 1.1 more than the previous version, and in just 2 versions, Skype for Symbian has indeed improved a LOT! (esp. the battery life, QoS over 3G, size/looks of the icons, new and refreshing keypad assignments [eg. able to now use End Call to, well, end calls], sign-in time etc.)

Problems that exists now or still remains are:

More frequent "sudden" crashes. (either Skype or phone reboots)
End Call key can now be used to end Skype calls (GREAT!) but when we are on a call, the screen usually dims and pressing End Call brings the backlight back to the screen, and then straight to the Main Active Screen - and leaves the Skype call running in the background! (PLEASE FIX THIS)
Skype Symbian does NOT load ALL online contacts, only random ones. Unlike the desktop Skype, which loads a whole list of online contacts. (PLEASE FIX THIS)

I am using Nokia E63 with the latest firmware for Singapore.

Skype Alternatives

2010-06-01T13:14:00.006+08:00

Skype on 3G for iPhone is finally out!

Unfortunately, it is NOT free and it will be a premium service later this year. This was the wake-up call to resume my search for the ultimate Skype alternative.

Thus, when I have the money, I would employ a team of programmers to create a mVoIP phone that the world can be proud of.

Meanwhile, the Skype alternative I am looking for is:

Open Source Client
Runs on both PC and Mobile phones
Runs on both wifi and 3G
Peer-to-Peer (VERY IMPORTANT - this is the reason why the MORE people use Skype, the better it gets)
Some crystal clear codec that can rival SILK/Global IP (voice) and On2 VP7 (video)

The closest to a credible alternative sometime ago was Gizmo Project, and now that it has been acquired by Google, hopefully, Google takes on Skype and give us something better.

If you know of anything that fits the bill above, please let us know.

A Week With Orrin

2010-05-24T10:21:00.003+08:00

Orrin Woodward & Rykel Lim at Dining Table

It is exactly one week since i arrived in Florida and stayed with Orrin Woodward and his wonderful family. (Orrin is TEAM Founder and Presidential Black Diamond.)

To say that it is anything but what I expected is an understatement.

I was expecting Orrin to show me how grand his mansion is, how much money he makes and all the techniques plus methods that will make a person rich selling the MonaVie opportunity.

But Orrin showed me none of the above.

Yupp, you read that right. None of the above.

Instead, Orrin spent a great deal of time helping me to see how a man can and should live a godly life.

If there is one camel who went through the eye of a needle, I think I found him.

When asked why does not more people know about his wealth, he said that he wishes for his CHARACTER to define him, not the material things which God has blessed him with, and can indeed be taken away if God so desires.

He is wealthy by God's grace alone.

Indeed, Orrin was once upon a time not who he is today. Now, he does not watch TV, does not believe in anything unbiblical & liberal, seldom shops at shopping malls, does not drown his body with Coke & junk, eats fruits/nuts as snacks, drinks lots of juice (MonaVie & EMV!), believes that social security is not biblical (and that the church should look after the old folks instead of govt), spends 90% of his time reading the Bible + other thinking books, loves Laurie and the kids so much they are around each other most of the time, & spent an entire week working with me to help me get my relationship right with the Lord, tells me, "Help a man get right with God, the business will take care of itself."

It is unbelievable, but I have scoured thru' thousands of friends and acquaintances to find this one model of a godly AND blessed man, and my prayer has been answered.

Going To USA

2010-05-16T18:03:00.004+08:00

In 48 hours, I will be meeting Orrin Woodward in Florida, and I cannot wait to absorb his experiences and understanding like a hungry sponge!

This was a photo I took with Orrin and Chris at St Louis some time ago...

A MonaVie Home Office

2010-05-13T19:53:00.001+08:00

I spent a week with my friend MonaVie Hawaiian Blue Diamond JC and here is a video of his home office.

MLM And Pyramid Selling Schemes

2009-10-14T21:23:00.007+08:00

Sunshine Empire is now on trial. This thread will contain some of my thoughts on the case. As the title says, I will also reflect accurate writings on other pyramid schemes here too.

By the way, Multilevel Marketing (MLM) is NOT a pyramid scheme, but in Singapore, MLM is defined by the Multilevel Marketing and Pyramid Selling (PROHIBITION) Act as indeed a pyramid scheme. That is, in Singapore, MLM = Pyramid Selling.

However, in 2000, the Government ratified the law and came out with an Exclusion Order, which allowed SOME companies to be excluded from the Act.

It is in this light that I mention Sunshine Empire as a pyramid scheme, until proven NOT guilty (that is, has fulfilled the Exclusion Order requirements) by the Singapore Courts.

I posted this note on Youtube and it summarises where I think the Sunshine Empire issue is going.

My people, have you not realised that in Singapore, the PARTICIPANTS of a pyramid scheme (aka Sunshine Empire members) are just as guilty as the OPERATORS of the pyramid scheme, and if James Phang gets a fine and goes to jail, EVERY Sunshine Empire member (ie. the victims) should also get a fine and go to jail too? Be careful how much you want James Phang dead. You are putting the uncles and aunties at risk too.

UPDATE: 28 January 2010

There is a new round of "gifting" schemes going on in town, and I refused to be involved!

Buying Handphones!

2009-09-20T22:14:00.006+08:00

Hi fellas,

This post will be THE place where I buy your brand new mobile phones... and of course, where you may buy them too.

However, please note that the ONLY phones I will trade in/out for now would be Android phones and Nokia phones with the Internet Telephone (SIP Client) such as the E71.

To start off, if you have the following phones to sell to me, you may leave a Comment OR private message (PM) me at Skype/Gmail: rykel98

HTC Hero
Nokia E63
Samsung i7500 Galaxy

To reach me on iNum, check out http://bit.ly/howtoinum

p/s. You may get a brand new phone by signing a line/recontracting an expired line with your telephone company. If it is legally OK for me to buy your phone, please let me know.

Lost Mobile Phone

2009-08-13T02:33:00.003+08:00

I just want to let you guys know that I lost my Nokia E71 mobile phone with a MaxMobile data SIM card in it on bus 147 at 12.20am Thursday 13 August 2009. Hopefully, someone with a heart would return me my phone.

If not, I hope that Google Maps (with GPS) or iNum can be activated accidentally by the finder, so that I can perhaps trace it.

I will be asking Starhub to do a location trace based on the cell tower information.

Time to rest. Very upset about this loss, as there are precious photos and information on that device, But fortunately, i have ALL my Gmail Contacts and Calendar intact, as I do sync them with Google servers. (This incident shows why we should all get into the "cloud"!)

Sympathy

2009-07-13T09:42:00.005+08:00

Today I cannot help but write a short thought about a certain (highly respected) Amway Diamond who has decided to quit his business and help out a certain juice company.

No doubt, this Diamond was one of the most popular, USA renowned, politically influential person walking in the circles of Amway, and his books and CDs have inspired and transformed the lives of many, many, far and wide.

However, at the current moment, distributors of that certain juice company are saying that with this Diamond joining their ranks, it will take their company higher, and help them build a "bigger" business.

To these distributors I say, "While you may be proven quite right - not right now though - it will take years to see the RESULTS from this Diamond's efforts, what makes me tenderhearted towards all of you rank and file distributors in the juice company is that many of you seem to have pinned the hopes of your ENTIRE company on this one man.

I posted a Youtube comment similar to the one below, and I hope it will bring some decency back to your table, and possibly some self-esteem to a broken soul. God Bless, Rykel.

To all who are with JUICE COMPANY... Come on, have some pride... the Diamond is joining you, NOT the other way round. Some of you speak as if without AMWAY and this Diamond, your Juice Company cannot go higher. Your Juice Company has done it WITHOUT this Diamond. You do NOT hear MonaVie saying, "Amway Executive Diamond Council Orrin Woodward and TEAM will take MonaVie higher," but to the contrary, we hear EDC Orrin saying, "MonaVie did not make the TEAM, but it will make the TEAM better." This is the MonaVie/TEAM difference. :)

Nokia vs. Google

2009-06-27T11:24:00.003+08:00

I wrote the following comments on a Symbian forum, and thought I should archive it here. I believe that at the rate Nokia is going, it is still not doing enough to shore itself against the coming tidal wave that is Google/Android (Linux). It is my prediction that Google will turn Nokia into a thing of the past
just like it has done so with Yahoo, with the latter never to regain its position of dominance ever again. At the heart of it, it is like what Steven Covey says, "TRUST at the speed of light". Yahoo broke the sacred TRUST of users when they decided that they have grown so big that they can hold our photos ransom in Yahoo Photos.

Anyway, here are the paragraphs I mentioned:

Hi, I am from Singapore, I love my E71 and bought it primarily for the Internet Telephone. I also wanted to try out the supposedly solid QWERTY keys. Indeed it is, and so far, the E71 is one of the BEST phones I have used! It is *almost* a PC replacement for me as it stands already.

However, there are things which I cannot tolerate with the device as well, and high on my list is the inability to replace the Symbian OS with the latest version. I use Linux on my desktop and I enjoy getting the latest and greatest versions of my OS and apps every six months or less! Not to mention that if I do not like my particular distribution of the Linux OS, I can easily replace it with another, and there are so many of them out there! (All hail Open Source, hehe)

With that said, I believe that unless Nokia makes good on their promise to open source Symbian, it will be just a matter of time before Google and Android (Linux, ie. open source and highly extensible - think iPhone) wipes Nokia into the pages of phone history.

Google overtook Yahoo as the king of the internet when Yahoo was causing consternation with their customers - for example, while Gmail was going for 1GB storage, Ymail was insisting that xyzMB was enough. Gmail started POP downloading when Yahoo chose to SELL their POP mailbox. When Yahoo Photos decided to keep our high resolution photos for themselves AND sell them to us the owners, that was the last straw on the camel's back and I decided NEVER to touch Yahoo stuff again.

See, Google/Android will offer a OS that can be upgradeable, possibly even replaceable, while Nokia/Symbian will be trying play catchup, AFTER telling customers that they have to BUY an E72 to get the lastest SymbianOS. Oh, did I tell you that Nokia Ovi Sync is too late to the Google/Nokia Sync party? Who needs Nokia Ovi Contacts when you can sync Gmail Contacts + Nokia phones? Not to mention Google Calendar Sync, which then integrates nicely into Gmail. Ovi is at best good for Notes, Tasks (for now!) and Store - which btw, has terribly low numbers of free apps. Heck, I cannot even find a free theme for my E71!

Therefore, I am also interested to know if and how anybody has hacked the OS and replaced it with the latest Symbian too.

Best Regards,

Rykel
Singapore
+(883) 51000-1190777 (http://bit.ly/howtoinum)

System Tools

2009-06-03T22:36:00.010+08:00

I have 5 minutes here so this will be a short post!

An aspiring and young individual in Team asked me to recommend some tools for her follow up session with her new Team members, and that is the right question. Team building is so much easier with the tools sold by TEAM - everything a Team member need to know is in the System.

As it is written on page 185 of The Team Builder's Textbook,

"Duplication... When the Team MonaVie business is built properly, business owners are plugged into the training system. The training SYSTEM then becomes their source of information. They learn to listen to CDs to answer their questions. They learn to read books to improve themselves. And they attend seminars and major functions to get inspired, get recognised, and learn the information that will be vital to helping them move on. The key here is that the SYSTEM becomes their source, NOT THE UPLINE BUSINESS OWNER. If a business owner builds his or her team properly by plugging them entirely into the training System, then that business owner has developed what Robert Kiyosaki calls a "B-Type" business. This is a business in which a SYSTEM runs the business INSTEAD of the Owner..."

Team Asia has put together 4 of the best Team tools from the Team USA menu on "Follow Through and Rotating The Pattern"... namely, "The Team Builder's Textbook", "Leadership Conventions DVD Pack", "How To Get Started 6-CD Pack" and "How To Get Started 20-Booklet Pack".

SUCCESS magazine (Team editions) did a few reviews of the tools mentioned above and I shall quote their most powerful endorsement when time permits.

Keep yourself glued to this post!

Singapore Political Notes

2009-05-29T02:31:00.007+08:00

The recent announcement by the Prime Minister of Singapore, PM Lee Hsien Loong, to increase the base number of elected opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) and Non-Constituency Members of Parliament (NCMPs) to a minimum of nine, has raised a flurry of comments in the opposition camps.

At the heart of it lies the fear among the opposition that, since most Singaporeans (presumably) do not understand that a NCMP is NOT the same as a MP, they may simply not vote for the opposition candidates at all. "They will just wait for the NCMPs to fill the opposition seats".

Today, I attempt to present my views with regards to this issue to you my reader, and hopefully you might find a valuable moderate voice in my words below. I wrote this in a comment on a social networking site, so please pardon the bad English! Enjoy...

anyway, abt NCMP.. i say take it! better than nothing at all! (haha, i bit e carrot alrdy.. or did i not?) - in all sobriety, e opposition will LOOK BAD (yet again) to my ppl if you do not sportingly appreciate e PM's "generosity". (I trust tat u guys kn tat much of politics is abt being seen doing e right things, not just being right.)

truth is, e new changes r a great PR move as much as gd show of relating to electorate.... Read More

While most ppl might not kn tat NCMP is not e same as an MP, e way fwd is to embrace tis chg wholeheartedly & magnify e idea tat chg CAN happen - praise e Govt for it, & work towards educating our ppl on "What is an MP? (vs. NCMP)" -- & tat work has to start NOW.

only by doing what I suggest can e opposition hv a fighting chance of NOT being rapidly sunk & buried into e NCMP quicksand.

"S'poreans do NOT like opposition, they like propositions." i stand to be corrected. :)

No To Gmail Mobile Drafts

2009-05-08T18:04:00.000+08:00

I would like to recommend that anyone who uses the official Gmail Mobile client NOT save their drafts in it. (ie. Mobile Draft)

Today is yet another devastating occasion where Gmail mobile client "restarted" (is starting for the first time) itself, and ALL my drafts were wiped out!

I had this happened on Nokia 6121 Classic and E71.

Until Google improves this aspect of the software, I discourage everybody from storing their unfinished emails in the Mobile Drafts folder.

Love In Ancient Egypt

2009-05-04T05:52:00.005+08:00

Today, I offer my readers a heartwarming poem from ancient Egypt, where eternal love notes still echo within the souls of lovers young today. Enjoy this short note from Mark Rigby's site...

She is one girl, there is no one like her. She is more beautiful than any other. Look, she is like a star goddess arising at the beginning of a happy new year; brilliantly white, bright skinned; with beautiful eyes for looking, with sweet lips for speaking; she has not one phrase too many. With a long neck and white breast, her hair of genuine lapis lazuli; her arm more brilliant than gold; her fingers like lotus flowers, with heavy buttocks and girt waist. Her thighs offer her beauty, with a brisk step she treads on ground. She has captured my heart in her embrace. She makes all men turn their necks to look at her. One looks at her passing by, this one, the unique one.

HowTo: iNum

2009-04-11T14:41:00.013+08:00

UPDATED (10 June 2010)
-- My new iNum Number and mentions of Nimbuzz and Nokia SIP Client

I am a firm believer in innovation and progress!

In the field of telecommunications, I predict that the next big wave will be INUM sweeping across the globe and taking the world by storm.

Now, that storm may take more than two years to materialise, but early adopters are invited to try out the service NOW.

What is iNum? It is a Telephone Number. Yes, it is. It starts with country code +(883)... wait a minute, a country code? Did you ask which country is it? It is a NEW Country Code approved by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) for the global Internet Community.

In the near future, you will be able to dial +(883)xxxxxxxxxxxx (eg. my inum phone number is+(883) 51000-1190777) and reach me. The best part is, I may or may not pick up your call from a phone. I can choose to pick up your call from a SIP device or a software phone (such as Twinkle, QuteCom, X-Lite, Fring, Nimbuzz and even Nokia phones with the SIP Client).

In the meantime, you can call a local telephone number (known as Access Numbers) in your country and enter a person's iNum to reach him/her. The list of iNum Access Numbers is here.

It can be a slight hassle to call an Access Number and then to enter an iNum number. Thankfully, you can use the "Pause" function on your phone to save you time.

Give it a shot!

Call me on my iNum to say Hello to me - I promise you, I am really friendly and will NOT eat you up. :)

Rykel's iNum (calling from Singapore) - Dial 31581212 (enter iNum No. 883 51000 1190777) or31581212p(pause)883510001190777.

NOTE: To dial the "p" on Nokia phones, press the * key 3x until you get a "p".

God Bless,

Rykel
Singapore
+(883) 51000-1190777

UPDATE (28 April 2009) - I am using Callcentric instead of VoipDiscount, VoipBuster or any of the Betamax daughters, because Callcentric is one of the earliest pioneer to give out free iNums. However, people cannot call me back at +(883) 51000-1190777 because iNum is not recognised yet in Singapore. So, Callcentric has generously helped me set my Caller ID to my Singapore mobile. You might be able to do the same with your SIP provider.

UPDATE (23 May 2009) - To get your iNum, go to http://bit.ly/myinum, sign up for a FREE account and purchase an "Incoming Telephone Number". Choose "iNum" for your Country. Then, Add Funds so that you can forward your iNum calls to your existing phone number to enjoy crystal clear iNum-to-iNum calls without the need for wifi, 3G or the internet.

UPDATE (2 June 2009) - Please help accelerate the adoption of iNum in your country by using all your phones to call me at +(883) 51000-1190777, then, if it cannot get through, call up your telephone operator to check. You MIGHT be charged a minute of call even though you cannot get through. So ask your phone company why they are charging you for an invalid call, if they do. :)

For Singapore handphones, you may get help from your respective mobile service providers. Namely:
Singtel: http://www.singtel.com/ or dial 1610
Starhub: http://www.starhub.com/ or dial 1633
M1: http://www.m1.com.sg or 1622
UPDATE (7 August 2009) - I just tested iNum in Malacca, Malaysia! Celcom Mobile has a "Daily Unlimited Broadband" plan running on their 3G Prepaid Card** and well, I was at this resort hotel at Jalan Melaka Raya with free wifi.

Results? With the free wifi provided, I was able to make and receive SOLID iNum calls. But with the Celcom 3G broadband, I was TOTALLY UNABLE to even get connected to the iNum service. I called their customer service a couple of times, and most of them have NO IDEA what "SIP Settings" is... so, morale of the story - until further notice - anyone travelling to Malacca, PLEASE ensure that you have wifi OR call forwarding to your Malaysian mobile number enabled. Speaking of which, I DID forward and the calls were GOOD. :)

** Please note that MOST of the Celcom Prepaid Cards you find in the shops are NON-3G. You have to look at the physical SIM card (it will write "3G") AND call 1111 from another Celcom phone to double-check with the staff if the card you are looking at is 3G or non-3G. I know this is really troublesome, but then, give the Malaysians some time and I am sure they will catch up fast. At least with their SIM cards, you can receive FREE incoming calls (NOT like the fake "free" incoming calls in Singapore, where you pay 59-60 cents a day for the feature) and make outgoing calls, while surfing the net with an unlimited data plan! (ie. ONE single device does it all)

UPDATE (23 August 2009) - I just wrote to ITU a week back to see if they could help us accelerate the adoption of iNum in Singapore, and here is the letter... no reply todate, but I am keeping my hopes up! --

"Dear Sir/Madam,

Greetings and I hope this email finds you well.

First of all, I want to say a big thank you to everyone who works in your organisation, because you have made the world a wonderful place, especially with the recent release of the +883 country code. You are a visionary union and I am glad that an institution such as yours exists.

Therefore, I hope you can direct me to the relevant person/department who can assist me in the following matter. I am trying to call +883 telephone numbers from Singapore mobile phones, but unfortunately, I cannot seem to do so. Calling the mobile operators was no help too, because the staff claims that there is "no such country code" as +883.

I believe that You are the most appropriate agency which can assist the Singapore telecommunication companies understand iNum and to connect their users to the country code.

Thank you very much, and I hope to hear from you soon.

p/s. It would be fabulous if a +883 hotline was to be set up for ITU too. Your league is above all countries and it befits your image to be accessible from a +883 country code as well as the existing +41! :)

Best Regards,

Rykel
+(883) 51000-1190777
http://bit.ly/howtoinum "

UPDATE (10 JUNE 2010) - I wrote on Skype Forum about the cost of maintaining a Singapore mobile number and mentioned iNum.

I am a SkypeOut Unlimited Subscriber in Singapore.

Incoming Singapore numbers are exactly what Skype users like me need.

The situation here is this - there are NO free incoming calls at all from ANY of the carriers. There are only unlimited incoming calls. Notice the difference!

By FREE incoming calls, I mean you do not have to pay a monthly fee to receive phone calls. A good example of a FREE telephone number would be an iNum number. (See "How To Obtain An iNum" to learn more)

On the other hand, we pay approximately SGD 18.00 a month to maintain a Singapore mobile number for incoming calls. (both prepaid buyers and postpaid subcribers alike)

Meanwhile, 3G data plans are relatively affordable and Singapore has a robust 3G network. Using Skype Mobile, I have 90% reliability, including while travelling on buses and cars. (exclude underground tunnels)

The reason for this is that the country is heavily wired, especially in town areas and on the expressways, and the minimum speed from any mobile ISP is 1Mbps.

Even the FREE government Wireless@SG wifi networks are 80% reliable when sustaining proper SkypeOut/Skype-to-Skype calls.

What all this means is that an avid Skype Subscriber CAN indeed use SkypeOut heavily, BUT has to carry TWO devices - one with an incoming call number, and another for SkypeOut calls via an unlimited data plan.

There is one possibly good Singapore number provider though, but the only drawback with them is that the cost is USD 19.95 (approximately SGD 28.00) and the number CANNOT receive SMS. Compared to maintaining a SGD 18.00 prepaid card, that is EXPENSIVE. So unless you are OK with shelling out a lot more for less features, sticking to a prepaid card for incoming calls is a wiser use of your talents.

btw, using Skype on Mobile "Always On" via 3G DRAINS your mobile battery life, so carrying a second phone with you is also a good idea. Just switch it to 2G and you are good to go for at least 2-3 days!

If anyone up in Skype can help us, please help us find a SINGAPORE SkypeIn Number, which is:
AFFORDABLE - less than USD 12.00 a month (SGD 18.00); and
Able to receive FREE incoming SMS
This will be exactly what the carriers here provide for SGD 18.00 a month.

Thank you so much for listening!

p/s. Please support my iNum link above, as I believe that the ultimate solution to ANY incoming call number in any country is iNum. Here is the link again - "How To Obtain An iNum".

Orrin's Years of Hardwork

2009-03-26T02:56:00.000+08:00

In one of his/her latest post, an internet poster asked a few questions and planted a few doubts of Team and Orrin.

1. What is Orrin doing or has done in order to make more than US$3,000,000 last year, both from MonaVie product sales and Team tool sales?
2. Should Team leaders not be scrutinising Orrin more closely to see if his income is justified?
3. Did Orrin receive a deal from Darlin Larsen to move his Amway line of sponsorship over to MonaVie?
4. Is the MonaVie Juice worth drinking, since it is presumably not doing anything curative in nature, such as curing backaches and cancer?

Here is a great response to the post from Rykel. Hopefully, the darkness of the Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt (FUD) cast by his/her article will be significantly replaced by the Truths and Facts that shall SHINE.

Hi,

Howdy and yet another interesting and humorously worded post from you! I only hope all writers would be as fun to read as you, rather than some of those who refuse to give others the benefit of the doubt (eg. claiming that I was lying when I said I was busy travelling), and think that all of us leaders have all the interest in the world to engage in debates with them. (we are NOT.) *smile*

Frankly, you have asked many questions in your message, and in most respects, perhaps Orrin is the best man to answer them, since you are asking HIM those queries.

Additionally, some books and history reading would help clarify some of the nagging thoughts, such as "how" Orrin makes $3million a year - namely, the MonaVie Compensation Plan booklet, the MonaVie Income Disclosure Statement and how Orrin started 14 years ago with a decision to build an Amway business.

Further details can also be found in the books, The Team Builder's Textbook, Commerce Through Community, The Science of the Acai DVD, and the How To Get Started With MonaVie CD Pack. Collect Them All. :)

To set the record straight, Orrin himself, in an interview with Art Jonak, said that he did NOT take four months to reach Presidential Black Diamond - it took him FOURTEEN YEARS to reach Presidential Black Diamond. Thank goodness he believed in starting, learnt how to and built a solid AMWAY Team.

Like you mentioned, Orrin does rightfully earn $3million+ from the juice consumption of indeed 10,000+ distributors and he has never failed to let everyone know that the Team is his group of customers. As it is written in the Team website, "A team is a group of CUSTOMERS." AND that YOUR downline team is YOUR group of customers too.

Orrin seeks to serve his customers very well - making everyone feel great about themselves (validation), teaching the team the principles of financial management/healthy marriage relationship/assurance of faith in Jesus Christ etc. At this stage, a man can choose to judge Orrin as less than honorable, or a fabulous and holistic leader.

Orrin's positive influence on others' lives is enormous, and unless you know the man personally, it is difficult for you to even fathom the amount of broken relationships/desperate lives he has directly/indirectly saved, not to mention the number of humans whose health have become better thanks to Orrin making public the existence of the acai berry juice.

And I personally know retrenched citizens of Singapore who went into the MonaVie business with Orrin, and, learning the ropes of retailing, now makes a Good living moving 12 cases of juice PER WEEK to Retail Customers, who call them up for the juice via word of mouth referrals. These people LOVE Orrin Woodward, for your information. He has made a difference in their finances!

Does Orrin have a sweet deal with Darlin Larsen to "move" over his Amway downline?

First of all, there is ZERO evidence that Orrin had any deals. Secondly, EVEN if Orrin had a deal, does he not deserve a special offer, since he took more than a DECADE to build up the Team? Just like a CEO getting a BIG deal for switching over to a different company, Orrin is only enjoying the fruits of his labour. (again, Orrin has NO deal, but we are just assuming for the sake of discussion)

So, to answer your questions once again in summary -

1. What is Orrin doing or has done in order to make more than US$3,000,000 last year, both from MonaVie product sales and Team tool sales?
2. Should Team leaders not be scrutinising Orrin more closely to see if his income is justified?
3. Did Orrin receive a deal from Darlin Larsen to move his Amway line of sponsorship over to MonaVie?
4. s the MonaVie Juice worth drinking, since it is presumably not doing anything curative in nature?

Here are my answers for your sincere consideration -

1. Yes, Orrin is earning an OVERRIDE of bonuses from the MonaVie 8-type compensation plan AND profit-sharing from his share of the Team profits;
2. Yes, indeed, tens, if not hundreds and thousands of Team leaders, have investigated Orrin's claims/activities and found his integrity satisfactory;
3. Yes, NO deal from Darlin. If there was, Amway would have found the proof; and
4. Yes, drinking 19 fruit juices a day in and of itself is worth every penny. We are not talking about apples and oranges, but rather, Acai, Aronia, Camu Camu and other expensive, precious and exotic fruits.

* The Hong Kongers have told us Singaporeans that MonaVie would cost MORE THAN US$40 per bottle of we bought the same blend from the juice stalls.

Last but not least, to answer your moral question in a nutshell, "Does Orrin deserve or is he entitled to so much income?"

I humbly submit that my answer is a resounding

YES, YES and YES!!!

God Bless, Rykel from Singapore

Intelligent Design

2009-03-10T14:47:00.004+08:00

I have always had an interest in animal and insect biology, from ants, spiders, lizards and cockroaches to birds, dogs, rabbits and kangaroos. Now one thing that fascinates me is the ability of the animal world/insect kingdom to display intelligence beyond our imagination, and here is a latest article from Sweden that got me exclaiming, "Wow! Woohoo!" Read on and see if chimpanzees are evolving faster than we would think about.

Zoo chimp 'planned' stone attacks

A male chimpanzee in a Swedish zoo planned hundreds of stone-throwing attacks on zoo visitors, according to researchers.

Keepers at Furuvik Zoo found that the chimp collected and stored stones that he would later use as missiles.

Further, the chimp learned to recognise how and when parts of his concrete enclosure could be pulled apart to fashion further projectiles.

The findings are reported in the journal Current Biology.

There has been scant evidence in previous research that animals can plan for future events.
Crucial to the current study is the fact that Santino, a chimpanzee at the zoo in the city north of Stockholm, collected the stones in a calm state, prior to the zoo opening in the morning.
The launching of the stones occurred hours later - during dominance displays to zoo visitors - with Santino in an "agitated" state.
This suggests that Santino was anticipating a future mental state - an ability that has been difficult to definitively prove in animals, according to Mathias Osvath, a cognitive scientist from Lund University in Sweden and author of the new research.
"We've done experimental studies, and the chimps in my mind show very clearly that they do plan for future needs, but it has been argued that perhaps this was an experimental artefact," Dr Osvath told BBC News.
"Now we have this spontaneous behaviour, which is always in some sense better evidence."
Cracking show
Dr Osvath embarked on the study after zoo staff discovered caches of stones in the section of the enclosure facing the public viewing area.
Since the initial discovery in 1997, hundreds of the caches have been removed to protect visitors, to whom the caching and the aggressive displays seem strictly related; in the off season, Santino neither hoards the projectiles nor hurls them.

Most interestingly, Santino seems to have learned how to spot weak parts of the concrete "boulders" in the centre of the enclosure.
When water seeps into cracks in the concrete and freezes, portions become detached that make a hollow sound when tapped.
Santino was observed gently knocking on the "boulders", hitting harder to detach bits that were loosened and adding those to his stashes of ammunition.
There are a number of examples of complex behaviour in apes that suggest forms of consciousness.
Planning behaviour like that of the current work is connected to so-called autonoetic consciousness, where information due to memory can be distinguished from that from the senses.
"I'm personally convinced that at least chimps do plan for future needs, that they do have this autonoetic consciousness," Dr Osvath said.
"I hope that other zoos or those in the wild will look more closely at what is happening," he added.
"I bet there must be a lot of these kinds of behaviours out there, and I wouldn't be surprised if we find them in dolphins or other species."

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Where Am I?

2009-03-02T20:51:00.004+08:00

Here is a quick update of my location, as reflected in my comment to a thread below:

Hi all,
Thanks to JC for the compliment… yes, I am thankful for the opportunity to express myself on the internet, and more so for people like him who takes out precious time to offer his point of view and hence engage in a productive conversation.

I also think the reader of these comments (YOU) are a great student of ideas and I look forward to serving you with more insights and hearing your views too.
Obviously there are stiff differences between people but that does not mean that we should be mean to those who disagree with us, right?
I do NOT think that a person is stupid just because they have yet to come to terms with my opinions - who knows, I might be wrong, I can be wrong and I have been wrong before.
I only ask that you my fair detractor, also have the courage to say the same, although it really does not matter if you would not.
Unlike what G said, I did not run away from this thread, as I went to St Louis, Missouri, USA for a Winter Convention right after Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
I only had 2 days to pack up after touching down in Singapore and I had to spend quality time with family too. I love my family a lot and would not want to miss out on them.
I travelled more than 26 hours to reach my hotel beside the Arch and since there was no proper internet connection where I was, and the convention activities went back-to-back, obviously I had to wait until a more suitable time to revert to you all. (like now)
It is 4.30am at LAX airport and although I am very energetic, yet even the strongest of all men requires sleep, so I shall find the next available slot to fill you all in on the details.
I AM committed to you, whether you believe it or not.
By the way, just for your information, I have trips planned for Jakarta/Indonesia (March), Guangzhou/China (April), Bangkok/Thailand (May), Kentucky/USA (June), Hong Kong (July) and so on until the end of the year. Yes, ALL the trips are networking, community-building trips.
I AM taking time out for this blog AND building the business, and Joecool’s appreciation made my day.
So I pray for your further understanding and accommodation as I write to this blog out of a very busy schedule, and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Be right back - and see you at the top of Network Marketing!
Rykel in Los Angeles Airport

Len Clements' First Podcast

2009-02-11T02:33:00.006+08:00

If there ever was one author in the network marketing industry whom I respect and read, it is Len Clements.

Almost a decade ago, when the internet was still in its infancy, when Networking was a swear-word in Singapore, I was very hungry for information and knowledge on the intricacies of Community Building (Networking).

I would "sarpoo" (swallow up) all the books, magazines and articles I could find about this wonderful Relationship Industry, and some of my earliest Networking reads include "We Create Millionaires" (SUCCESS Magazine), "The Road To Making Millions" (Women At Work [?] Magazine, "Street-Smart Network Marketing", "Q&A On NM" (John Brahmer [?]), "Be The Best That You Can Be" (John Kalench), "Your First Year In Network Marketing" (Mark Yarnell) etc.

I remember clearly that I was VERY fortunate to land my hands on a copy of Len's book, "Inside Network Marketing".

It was a really funny, honest-to-goodness, hard-look at Network Marketing type of book, and I can recall many of the lessons and suggestions in that book till this very day. For example, in a land at a time when Networkers fight tooth and nail to outdo each other (eg. NOP was battling Asayo, Neways was sparring with Sunrider), Len asked, "Why are we NOT prospecting for the acres of gold that is right under our feet?" (He called it the "Land of the hundred thousand unrecruited people" or something).. that made me decide there and then that I would NOT purposefully try to convince a current Leader in a MLM company to switch camp.

Len also gave me my first glimpse into a VERY effective "direct approach" which contrasts with the Curiosity Approach, and that works extremely well till today. He asks, "Have you heard of Network Marketing?" From this simple question, I have enrolled countless people into my Community... it is like Orrin says about MonaVie in Asia, "Have you heard of MonaVie?" (thanks, Len!!)

Now, Len Clements recently launched his first podcast, and it caught my attention because he mentioned Sunshine Empire. As most of you from Singapore knows, James Phang has been charged with multiple crimes and is on bail of $600,000 until 5 March 2009. I was pleasantly surprised that Len would even discuss SE, as I only know of one other Caucasian industry writer who will report occasionally on the Asian Networking news, and that is Rod Cook of MLMWatchDog.

Not only that, I saw that my friend IBOFightBack also heartily recommended Len's new podcast on his TTAA website, and I know that if it is good enough for TTAA, it is good enough for RYKEL Blog. I have taken the liberty to copy IBOFB's posting here, and I hope you my readers, will enjoy what IBOFB has written:

One of my favourite commentators on the Network Marketing industry is Len Clements of MarketWave Inc. Len has been very much at the forefront of defending the industry against anti-mlm zealots like Robert FitzPatrick and Jon Taylor. He unfortunately has had a tendency to repeat some of the unfair generalizations about Amway that are based on the behaviours of some Amway affiliated groups, but his work in promoting a professional view of Network Marketing and debunking myths is in my opinion without peer.

This week Len has launched a podcast, an online radio show, where you can hear Len talk about various industry issues. In this first episode he talks about some controversies surrounding NWM companies Zrii and YTB Travel and the “bias” against NWM that companies like Verizon, PayPal, and eBay have in their terms of service. His segment on the challenges currently being faced by YTB Travel is an excellent coverage of the legal status of multi-level marketing and what makes something a potential pyramid or not. Len is of the the opinion that YTB Travel setup may cross the line, and I’m afraid I have to agree with him.

I heartily recommend you give his Inside Network Marketing podcast a listen. It’s about 1h15m long, but that’s the great thing about a podcast - you can pause it and continue listening whenever you want!

So here it is, Len Clements at his first shot on Podcast:
http://www.marketwaveinc.com/RadioShow.asp

God Bless,

Rykel
rykel.blogspot.com

Death of Open Source Ardour

2009-02-07T10:09:00.002+08:00

Today I felt a tinge of alarm when I read an article on Linuxtoday entitled "Red alert: Ardour is in serious trouble". Ardour is a professional-grade audio suite designed on the Linux platform. This is how it looks like (click on the picture to see a bigger version):

While I am not a user of Ardour, I am a big fan and supporter of Free/Open Source. If you have followed my life and blog, you will know that I advocate and live/breathe Open Source everywhere I go.I take concern whenever a big project, which makes a difference in the lives of thousands, possibly millions, of users around the world - from the rich to poor - loses its leaders because of a lack of finances. It is because that vacuum is almost bound to be usurped by some proprietary software, which then seeks to "lock" users in to their own formats and of course, prices.

A brainstorm of thoughts went through my mind right away, and I came to the conclusion that since Open Source is Community-Owned, then the Community should take ownership of the future of the program. Practically speaking, this includes donating hard cash to Open Source projects. Sure, a big corporation does have trillions of dollars. However, those trillions came from the gazillions of consumers who bought their goods. Are not these paying consumers the very Community that we are? (ie. We, the People)

Thus, does it not make sense that if every single one of us were to contribute a dollar or two, we shall raise trillions (that used to come from corporations) to keep our favourite programs alive?

Now, just as I was able to pen down my thoughts, along came this note by Carla Schroder that aptly summarised my thinking, and I have taken the liberty to post her article here in its entirety. You will find that Carla's writing is easy to read and if, like Carla and me, you believe in Open Source, then let us make a difference - because WE ARE THE COMMUNITY.

p/s. In fact, our Team is a Community-owned, new generation "open source" company, too.

Editor's Note: You Get What You Pay For
(Feb 7th, 00:04:11 )

by Carla Schroder
Managing Editor

"You get what you pay for" is a common FUDphrase used to discredit Linux and FOSS, because so much of it is available free of cost. Which scares the purveyors of overpriced crapware, who would rather walk barefoot through broken glass and burning dung than write software that customers actually feel happy paying for. It's hooey and we know it. But there is a related truism that is valid, which is "Whoever pays the piper calls the tune." You could shorten this to "money talks." And that is definitely true.
One of today's articles got me to thinking about this. Red alert: Ardour is in serious trouble. Ardour is Free Software, licensed under the GPL, and is also free of cost. It is a professional-quality multi-channel digital audio workstation that competes with the expensive closed-source proprietary applications, such as M-Audio's ProTools and Steinberg's Nuendo, both of which will suck hundreds or even thousands of dollars out of your pocket before you know what hit you. Cubase, Sequoia, Adobe Audition, Cakewalk, and all the rest add insult to injury with inconsistent support for standards and formats, and many of them try to lock you in to their own hardware as well as software.
Of course they're all Windows applications, with some token support for Mac OS X, which is a joke because Windows is a lousy platform for serious audio work. So Ardour fills a very important and under-served niche.
Ardour has been sponsored by the School of Audio Engineering (SAE) since early 2007. I'm guessing that they're having financial problems just like everyone else; whatever the reason for withdrawing their support, it illustrates the peril of depending too much on a single sponsor. Hopefully Ardour users will increase their financial support and save the project.
LWN Saved By Readers
It's happened before: for example, Linux Weekly News almost went out of business because the publishers could not afford to keep it going. Fortunately, they came up with a successful subscription model and readers rallied 'round, and so we still have the benefit of this excellent publication.
There is this weird multiple-personality thinking that infests the FOSS world. On the one hand, we boast much of Community. On the other hand, we crave corporate acceptance and support. But suits are bad! But we need them, or rather we need their money and approval, but not their interference. The reality is that serious financial support comes from business, and not from FOSS users.
It's becoming a more acute problem because the rapid growth of Linux has brought a huge infusion of Windows and Apple refugees who bring their bad proprietary habits with them, such as being demanding and whiny instead of pitching in and helping.
So I am suggesting that everyone take a look at all the great FOSS goodies they are using, and pick a few of them to sponsor yourself. I've heard all the usual objections-- there are too many so how do you choose, your few dollars won't make a difference, you're too broke, blah blah blah. Put those tired excuses out of your mind, it's not that difficult. You know what applications you rely on the most, and how many thousands of dollars FOSS is saving you, and if they have a "Donations go here!" link then you're in business. If they appear well-funded, then find someone who looks like they will benefit from your support. A few dollars are always better than zero dollars.
As this big fun recession spreads, it's even more important to reach out and help wherever we can. Just to get the ball rolling I'm going to list my own favorites that I've been intending to financially support for ages, and never quite got around to: Audacity, Digikam, and I'm going to revive my subscription to Linux Weekly News. Who do you think is worthy of financial support?

Printed from Linux Today (http://linuxtoday.com).
http://linuxtoday.com/infrastructure/2009020700335OSCY

Art Jonak on Orrin

2009-01-14T16:23:00.001+08:00

I was looking for some word on Randy & Tara Shroeder's enrollment into MonaVie (and the alleged million dollar bribe), and was pleasantly surprised to read a highly positive review of Orrin Woodward and "Launching A Leadership Revolution" book from Art Jonak, a veteran in the community building industry. Here is Art in his own words -

Troy,

I had the pleasure of spending two days with Mr. Orrin Woodward this week. A truly amazing and inspiring leader.

Orrin shared with me: “As we grow in leadership, we have more responsibility and less privilege.” We had a full hour-long discussion just on this topic.

With rising levels of leadership, people will take shots at you. It’s part of the process.

I do my best to follow Carnegie’s three “C’s” : Never Criticize, Condemn or Complain (from How To Win Friends and Influence People). I’ve seen the 3 C’s serve many of my mentors and their professions very well. Tom “Big Al” Schreiter always reminded me of the 3 C’s early on in my career.

We should directly put ourselves into somebody else’s shoes, with their perspectives, history, relationships, current circumstances, etc. before we even begin to consider Criticizing, Condemning or Complaining about them or about what they do / did.

For the most part, I’ve found top Network Marketing leaders to be good people who lead based in ways they believe to be best. And once you meet them in person, you start to truly see their perspective.

Mark Yarnell once said:

“We are the only profession who circle our wagons and shoot ‘inward’ when attacked.” (I paraphrase as I don’t remember the exact quote.)

As Network Marketing Professionals, let’s be part of the solution, not the problem. Let’s celebrate the successes (Dallin — I celebrate your success with Monavie! Your success is great for everyone in Network Marketing and direct sales) and let’s do our best to fix the imperfections (there will always be ways to do better).

Troy, I applaud you for reflecting back, looking at things from a bird’s eye-view, for looking at the long-term picture.

“The rising tide lifts all ships.”

I believe we have an obligation to raise the Network Marketing Profession up at every possibility, to bring Network Marketing mainstream. We are all still the “pioneer generation” of Network Marketing. Let’s do our best to give Network Marketing a stellar reputation, so as the next generation of leaders who join, they are joining a profession where the masses say, “Network Marketing? It’s FANTASTIC!”

Troy, thank you for always growing, for always working on you, for doing what you believe is best.

I appreciate you,

-Art Jonak

PS: If you have not read Orrin Woodward and Chris Brady’s book “Launching a Leadership Revolution” may I suggest anyone reading this post to pick up a copy ASAP. . . and read it. I’ve read it twice, I use it as a leadership manual and have even have my 15-year young daughter reading it.

Amway and IBOs

2009-01-11T01:41:00.000+08:00

This is a mirror of my recent post on TTAA.

Rykel from Singapore

Jan 10th, 2009 at 18:37

Hi IBOFB,

Really? Well, if Diamonds are responsible for the lack of incentives for newly sponsored IBOs in my market, then maybe it is time for a change of guards. Maybe the Diamonds still think that the cost of living is what it was 20 years ago, Oh Amway Diamonds, be not jaded!! hehe

And yes, you are right on the spot… I have been with Amway since 2002 and todate, there is seriously nothing in the Plan in my market for newly enrolled IBOs except Retail Profit, Performance Bonus and non-cash items such as free products. (maybe if Amway offered free Positrim Shakes and Protein Powder as free products for sponsoring new downlines, we might have at least substituted them for real meals - get the intended meaning?)

All the SIP all these years in Singapore were primarily for Platinums. No Platinum, no SIP. In the last two years, the so-called SQ Plus bonuses were introduced, only for new IBOs to find out that they do NOT have enough time to easily qualify.

I am not sure if what you mentioned about Orrin and pricing is totally accurate, since the price reductions did occur only AFTER Orrin’s departure (9 August 2007) - like the recent Tolsom reduction in Australia (2008), but I for one do NOT like the idea of Employee quadrant gals trying to “control” the System, much less to “merge” or “educate” the Systems. Amway should just retreat into the cool shade and continue the perfect role of product manufacturer rather than “MLM trainer”.

And it really makes me a bit uncomfortable when Amway staff calls their bosses “upline” (yes, they do! In my market at least, but tongue-in-cheek/humorously, of course) and then in the same breath, labeling IBOs as “our salesforce”.

I just hope that this once great company will not go the way of so many others and end up as a “direct sales” company on the pages of history, and possibly “lose all the distributor force” due to a severe lack of leadership (to quote Orrin), and return to the basic principles of serving “Amway distributors first”.

As it is, already MonaVie has reached the US$1,000,000,000 threshold in USA and, correct me if I am wrong, there are only two MLMs that have this turnover on American soil, and MonaVie is probably 2/3 former Amway SYSTEM leaders, such as Brig Hart and Orrin. (the other 1/3 being RS of Agel fame) Which means that if MonaVie plays its card well, the SYSTEMS will take MonaVie beyond her wildest dreams, just like how the System has and still continues to take Amway above its highest peak… and not to mention the slight thought that perhaps the simple juice (like the simple LOC) might buy out Amway Global in a near future.

And this is just MonaVie. I heard that more and more companies are having a heyday picking up the disillusioned IBOs thanks to Amway’s treatment of Team. Of course, whether these other non-MonaVie players can RETAIN Amway System leaders and be good enough to marry them is another matter.

What does the future hold? (To be continued…)

It's Coming Together

2008-11-25T14:45:00.000+08:00

I am bringing together all aspects of my life into this blog, so all things related to my personal hobbies, passion, business perspective, social activities and involvement and so on will henceforth be collected right here at the R.Y.K.E.L. blog. This is a massive undertaking and so, please keep checking back!

Angry with Foods Made In China

2008-09-22T01:20:00.000+08:00

I am getting angry with China and food companies which make their products in China... the latest milk poisoning should hit the last nail into the coffin and tell the world to boycott and BAN all foods made in China!

Nowadays many processed foods, including brand sweets such as HALLS, are made in China.

If the manufacturers cannot even have the basic conscience of not hurting babies, what is left to ensure that they will not poison adults next?!

The criminals who did this should not be simply jailed, but to be put to death under capital punishment. After all, did not some of the toddlers die?

To those who insist that a one-party government is "essential" to China, tell me, who is now going to take the government to task for the baby-killing corruption within its rank?

Shortcuts

2008-09-01T15:46:00.001+08:00

As most of my personal friends know, I am a passionate advocate of Linux and Open Source software, and in fact I am using the latest Ubuntu Hardy Netbook Remix on my trustworthy Asus EeePC 4G. (see my lovely screenshot below - TEAM™ members might recognise my Black Diamond external hard disk and the "million people" wallpaper in the background!)

Now, using Netbook Remix, I had to get to the Desktop frequently via the "Ubuntu Show Desktop" icon at the top right-hand corner of my screen, but I know that there is always a keybord shortcut for everything, and sure enough, I found a long list of shortcuts for Ubuntu. I want to share this shortcut list with you all so that you can save some mouse-click times as well!

Ubuntu Hardy Heron Keyboard Shortcuts

General keyboard shortcuts

Ctrl + A = Select all
Ctrl + C = Copy the highlighted content to clipboard
Ctrl + V = Paste the clipboard content
Ctrl + N = New (Create a new document, not in terminal)
Ctrl + O = Open a document
Ctrl + S = Save the current document
Ctrl + P = Print the current document
Ctrl + W = Close the close document
Ctrl + Q = Quit the current application

Keyboard shortcuts for GNOME desktop

Ctrl + Alt + F1 = Switch to the first virtual terminal
Ctrl + Alt + F2(F3)(F4)(F5)(F6) = Select the different virtual terminals
Ctrl + Alt + F7 = Restore back to the current terminal session with X
Ctrl + Alt + Backspace = Restart GNOME
Alt + Tab = Switch between open programs
Ctrl + Alt + L = Lock the screen.
Alt + F1 = opens the Applications menu
Alt + F2 = opens the Run Application dialog box.
Alt + F3 = opens the Deskbar Applet
Alt + F4 = closes the current window.
Alt + F5 = unmaximizes the current window.
Alt + F7 = move the current window
Alt + F8 = resizes the current window.
Alt + F9 = minimizes the current window.
Alt + F10 = maximizes the current window.
Alt + Space = opens the window menu.
Ctrl + Alt + + = Switch to next X resolution
Ctrl + Alt + - = Switch to previous X resolution
Ctrl + Alt + Left/Right = move to the next/previous workspace

Keyboard shortcuts for Terminal

Ctrl + A = Move cursor to beginning of line
Ctrl + E = Move cursor to end of line
Ctrl + C = kills the current process.
Ctrl + Z = sends the current process to the background.
Ctrl + D = logs you out.
Ctrl + R = finds the last command matching the entered letters.
Enter a letter, followed by Tab + Tab = lists the available commands beginning with those letters.
Ctrl + U = deletes the current line.
Ctrl + K = deletes the command from the cursor right.
Ctrl + W = deletes the word before the cursor.
Ctrl + L = clears the terminal output
Shift + Ctrl + C = copy the highlighted command to the clipboard.
Shift + Ctrl + V (or Shift + Insert) = pastes the contents of the clipboard.
Alt + F = moves forward one word.
Alt + B = moves backward one word.
Arrow Up/Down = browse command history
Shift + PageUp / PageDown = Scroll terminal output

Keyboard shortcuts for Compiz

Alt + Tab = switch between open windows
Win + Tab = switch between open windows with Shift Switcher or Ring Switcher effect
Win + E = Expo, show all workspace
Ctrl + Alt + Down = Film Effect
Ctrl + Alt + Left mouse button = Rotate Desktop Cube
Alt + Shift + Up = Scale Windows
Ctrl + Alt + D = Show Desktop
Win + Left mouse button = take screenshot on selected area
Win + Mousewheel = Zoom In/Out
Alt + Mousewheel = Transparent Window
Alt + F8 = Resize Window
Alt + F7 = Move Window
Win + P = Add Helper
F9 = show widget layer
Shift + F9 = show water effects
Win + Shift + Left mouse button = Fire Effects
Win + Shift + C = Clear Fire Effects
Win + Left mouse button = Annotate: Draw
Win + 1 = Start annotation
Win + 3 = End annotation
Win + S = selects windows for grouping
Win + T = Group Windows together
Win + U = Ungroup Windows
Win + Left/Right = Flip Windows

Keyboard shortcut for Nautilus

Shift + Ctrl + N = Create New Folder
Ctrl + T = Delete selected file(s) to trash
Alt + ENTER = Show File/Folder Properties
Ctrl + 1 = Toggle View As Icons
Ctrl + 2 = Toggle View As List
Shift + Right = Open Directory (Only in List View)
Shift + Left = Close Directory (Only in List View)
Ctrl + S = Select Pattern
F2 = Rename File
Ctrl + A = Select all files and folders
Ctrl + W = Close Window
Ctrl + Shift + W = Close All Nautilus Windows
Ctrl + R = Reload Nautilus Window
Alt + Up = Open parent directory
Alt + Left = Back
Alt + Right = Forward
Alt + Home = go to Home folder
Ctrl + L = go to location bar
F9 = Show sidepane
Ctrl + H = Show Hidden Files
Ctrl + + = Zoom In
Ctrl + - = Zoom Out
Ctrl + 0 = Normal Size

(For those who want to configure your own keyboard shortcuts, you can do it at System->Preferences->Keyboard Shortcuts.)

Which one is your favorite keyboard shortcuts?

Is there anymore shortcut that I have left out? Let me know in the comments and I will add it in.

2008-06-19T14:42:00.000+08:00

My post for today is not exactly a posting, but a log of a possible Chinese phone scam that happened to me.

Basically, a lady going by the name of Zhang Jin, who spoke in perfect Mandarin, purportedly called me from Hong Kong, and in a nutshell, "informed" me that I won a prize in some Hong Kong pre-launch company draw, and asked me for my:

Full Name (both English and Chinese)
NRIC (the Singapore ID)
Bank Account Number

In order for her company to deposit the prize. I am a highly skeptical person by nature, but yet, the promise of a winning was hard to let go, so taking a gamble, I gave the details she desired. However, my gut instinct tells me that this is one of those China Phone Scams, and knowing that I have given the details above, chances are that they would either fake my identity somewhere, or phish (fish) out my bank account. Fortunately, the account I gave her contains no gold and in future, I would be using a different bank altogether.

She "explained" that her company will be launching in Singapore in August 2008, and that as the prize winner, they hope I could participate in their launch publicity and promote their products for them. Well, if it is a true hardware and services company like she mentioned, of course I have no problem, since technology is my favourite pastime too.

The elaborate efforts her organisation took to bring out my information involved calling me a few days back to inform me that they are having some roadshows at the Esplanade, then calling me again on the day of the event to let me know that I won some prize, and yet again after the show to get my details.

Right after gaining my particulars, Zhang Jin seemed eager to hang up. So, was that a SCAM?? Only time will tell... : )

What are you paying me?

2008-06-12T17:27:00.001+08:00

Hmmm, interestingly, I received a call from a China lady who claimed that she is from the "Singapore Market Survey" company and wanted to ask me a couple of questions... she started with whether I am using 3G, the brand of my mobile (I forgot to tell her that I own Nokia, Vodafone, Samsung, Sony Ericsson... which one does she want?), my Surname and lastly my Given Name...

I had worked as a telemarketer before, and understand that part of the unspoken "benefit" of calling up strangers and asking questions is gathering fresh data about a person - such as their current mobile phone number, for use in future marketing activities.

So, in response, I asked her, quite a few times, what BENEFITS will I receive if I help her with HER survey. I am most willing to comply and help out, IF I am paid to do so in a form or another. For example, I am most willing to click on Gmail ads because Google gives me a great email product. I buy Amway because I get paid a Performance Bonus for using their stuff. I recommend Amazon because I am an affiliate.

Now, genuine surveys usually come with some sort of rewards for the respondent, so when she could not produce any, and sounded sheepish over the phone, I said Goodbye to her, and that was the end of the conversation.

As an aside, she insisted that I give her my name in CHINESE - which makes the whole call suspicious, because in Singapore, we conduct interviews in ENGLISH, seldom CHINESE.

Robocop vs Terminator

2008-06-11T10:08:00.001+08:00

Now THIS is why I think there are talents outside of Hollywood... this video kicks ass! Watch it for yourself if you are a Robocop or Terminator fan.

McDonald's Singapore is a GOOD company

2008-06-10T11:00:00.000+08:00

Some people wonder why I am a "McDonald's kid" and choose to do my stuff (eg. meeting people, surfing the net etc.) at McD, as it is affectionately called, instead of my office.

A short answer would be, "I support companies which place customers - including non-buying customers - first."

First of all, are you aware that apart from Starbucks, TCC and CoffeeBean (some) - which sell luxury coffee by the way, no doubt their coffee tastes good! - McDonald's is possibly the only other major F&B outlet in Singapore that actually provides ELECTRICAL SOCKETS alongside with the FREE wifi and affordable meals, while operating at high cost?

Which other joint which provides these air-conditioned facilities and such menu prices opens 24 hours a day, even if it is just on weekends? Only McDonald's, I am afraid.

Which other place allows you to wait for your friends or even just sit down and study your textbooks AND talk on the phone WITHOUT interference or asking you to leave their premises because you ain't buying anything? Only McDonald's, yet again. For those who do not need to talk or discuss, the National Library at Bugis is a nice place to read...

Name me KFC and Burger King, and I will tell you about great food, but NOT great facilities to attract the clouding™ people like me. Sockets? Forget about it, these people are not keen to have Internet Idols™ cybersitting in their restaurants. Just an aside, there seems to be more KFC in Malaysia than Macs, and apparently many of the KFCs there are operating similarly to McDonald's Singapore - ie. 24 hours, no interference, wifi WITH SOCKETS etc.

Then, just a few days ago, I had the unpleasant experience of topping up my Hot Fudge Sundae with extra chocolate, only to be charged 50 cents more - an increase of 34% over the cost. (S$1.50) Not to mention that toppings used to be FREE. Then, I promptly sent in a feedback and indicated that I would gladly pay whatever is on the menu, provided it IS on the menu in the first place, and price increases are communicated promptly to consumers before they are levied.

Unexpectedly, a gentleman by the name of Vincent called me at 11am on Tuesday 10 June 2008 to apologise and said that McDonald's will do a better job next time communicating with customers. In fact, he took my 34% increase concern seriously and mentioned that the committee is now looking into whether it is a justifiable increase.

Now that is what I call CUSTOMER SERVICE, and the reason why I hope McDonald's continue to grow and expand their services in this part of the world. Why should I not?

VoIP and Mobile VoIP

2008-06-04T12:36:00.000+08:00

Posted on UbuntuForums on 4 June 2008.

Hi friends,

I have been experimenting with OpenWengo 2.1.2 (from Hardy repository), Ekiga, Twinkle, Gizmo5, Jabbin and Empathy. On my Nokia 6121 Classic I have tried Fring, Talkonaut, Gizmo5, Nimbuzz and Symmy.

Right now, I have settled down on running both Meebo.com, OpenWengo and Skype side-by-side with each other, with Fring and Gizmo5 on my mobile phone.

Meebo.com - for all my IM. I prefer my chat logs to be stored in the clouds.
OpenWengo - Works well with VoipDiscount. Just log out and create a new Profile to log in with the VoipDiscount info.
Skype - For IM with Skype users, what else. If only Meebo.com or OpenWengo support Skype and voice or vice versa... : (
Fring - Closed source but the best all-in-one. It connects to all my IM, including Skype AND can make both SkypeOut and SIP calls. 2 caveats though: Fring does not have SMS and you can only see the nicknames not email addresses of your IM buddies.
Gizmo5 - I leave this on my phone purely for SMS purposes.

Why not Ekiga, Twinkle, Gizmo5, Jabbin or Empathy?

Jabbin and Empathy are both not mature enough yet, imho. The interface, ease of installation, ease of setting up, number of users adopting them etc. all beg for more time.

Twinkle is a KDE program but I prefer non-KDE programs if available, because KDE software usually shows every single option available in any configuration dialog instead of offering Basic and Advanced views. That is, too time-consuming trying to read or figure out what each option means!! *ready for KDE flames*

Gizmo5? Proprietary software that is almost perfect, but does NOT allow you to use their competitors' SIP services. (eg. VoipDiscount) It does pretend to connect for a while, though. p/s. Gizmo5 SMS on Symbian S60 phones is good! Fring, Talkonaut and possibly Nimbuzz do NOT have SMS.

Ekiga? The WORST of the lot. Cannot register to VoipDiscount service, and worse, cannot register to its own Ekiga.net service even!

On the phone, Talknonaut, Nimbuzz and Symmy are out. Talkonaut only works well with SipPhone or their own service providers and refuses to work consistently with VoipDiscount. Nimbuzz seems to use PSTN for some stuff (cannot recall offhand) so it defeats my vision of communicating on 3G Internet-Only. (To be fair to Symmy, I did not get to use it yet, since I was too lazy to create yet another VoIP account)

Having said everything, I hope that Fring can become Open Source AND continue to innovate, lead and improve. (eg. allowing users to see their buddies' email addresses)

Last but not least, I hope that OpenWengo gets into version 2.2 soon, as I read that the future of the project is currently uncertain due to it no longer having any corporate leadership. If you are a developer who loves open source VoIP, I implore you to help OpenWengo!

Hope that helps.

The Kelsey Briggs Story. (Original)

2008-05-30T04:12:00.001+08:00

After watching this video, I just could not help myself but cry for Kelsey... she is such a baby!

Support iNum!

2008-05-18T21:54:00.000+08:00

Go register your interest for iNum today!

What is iNum?

It is a borderless Area Code.

For example, currently, if your Singapore number is 82888049, your REAL, actual number would be +65-82888049, with +65 being the Country/Area Code for Singapore.

People outside of Singapore will have to pay international toll charges to call you.

Now, assuming that you are able to get a iNum number that looks like the one you have today, then your new number is +883-82888049.

Let us say that you are then residing in Tokyo, ANYONE in ANY country can just pick up their phone, call you and NOT pay international calls, because iNum numbers are classified as Local Numbers!

Cool? Me thinks it is uber cool.

iNum: http://www.iNum.net

Back To BlogO'sphere

2008-04-25T06:54:00.001+08:00

Well its been a while since i last blogged but guessed tat the saying
is true, "Once a blogger, always a blogger."

So here we go again... Aen

--
Sent from Gmail for mobile | mobile.google.com

Linux Today... Another Look

2007-11-09T01:55:00.001+08:00

Another video showcasing the power of Ubuntu Linux with Compiz!

Linux Today!

2007-11-09T01:52:00.001+08:00

Wow, I can't detach myself from my laptop nowadays... I really can't, because I just LOOOOVE the cool 3D effects called Linux/Compiz... I am using Ubuntu 7.10 and this powerful OS is simply stunning... if only I can show it off in person. But no worries, with the video attached, you can also experienced a bit of Linux today... Come on, enjoy ~~

MaxMobile and Linux

2007-10-11T17:00:00.000+08:00

Posted this on Ubuntuforums

For those of you on Singapore Starhub MaxMobile and Ubuntu Linux Dapper Drake, simply:

Start your PC with the modem plugged in.
Launch GNOME PPP. (See Screenshot)
Username: star
Password: hub
Phone Number: *99#
Connect

That's all!

Go Starhub!

Baby at the Pool

2007-09-27T17:28:00.001+08:00

Today I brought baby Li Hui to SAFRA Toa Payoh in Singapore for her very first swim!

As it was a one-man show, I could not take a few shots of her learning how to tread, but I did manage to capture some before and after photos. The one here shows her in her brand new pool costume looking curiously at the waters.

Well, it turned out that she definitely did not want to go home... a future swimmer in the making.

Complain About What

2007-09-27T01:58:00.000+08:00

The following item by an anonymous author, with numbers which are only approximate, has been widely quoted for many years, and puts it all in perspective:

If we could shrink the earth's population to a village of precisely 100 people, with all the existing human ratios remaining the same, it would look something like the following. There would be:

57 Asians
21 Europeans
14 from the Western Hemisphere, both north and south
8 would be Africans
52 would be female
48 would be male
70 would be non-white
30 would be white
70 would be non-Christian
30 would be Christian
6 people would possess 59% of the entire world's wealth and all 6 would
be from the United States.
80 would live in substandard housing
70 would be unable to read
50 would suffer from malnutrition
ONE would be near death; ONE would be near birth
ONE would have a college education
ONE would own a computer.

When one considers our world from such a compressed perspective, you recognize that you are indeed among the fortunate......

And, therefore . . .

If you woke up this morning with more health than illness, you are more blessed than the million who won't survive the week.

If you have never experienced the danger of battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture or the pangs of starvation, you are ahead of 20 million people around the world.

If you attend a church meeting without fear of harassment, arrest, torture, or death, you are more blessed than almost three billion people in the world.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof over your head and a place to sleep, you are richer than 75% of this world.

If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish someplace, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

If your parents are still married and alive, you are very rare, especially in the United States.

If you hold up your head with a smile on your face and are truly thankful, you are blessed because the majority can, but most do not.

If you can hold someone's hand, hug them or even touch them on the shoulder, you are blessed because you can offer God's healing touch.

If you can read this message, you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world
that cannot read anything at all.

You are so blessed in ways you may never even know.

If you are feeling blessed, repay the blessings bestowed unto you and do something for others.

A blessing cannot be kept. If it stops with you, then the blessing will disappear. The blessing will only keep working if it is continuously passed around. If you are a recipient of a blessing, keep the blessing working by being the source of blessing to other people.

不得不爱 MV

2007-09-21T00:45:00.001+08:00

This is the actual MV for the MMV song "不得不爱" in the last post.

MMV - Bu De Bu Ai (Gotta Love) 不得不愛

2007-09-21T00:40:00.001+08:00

I enjoyed myself tonight while watching this "MMV"... hmm, apparently there are lots of MMVs around on Youtube and they all look (sound) good. Hope you like it too!

Batman vs. Alien vs. Predator

2007-09-11T04:31:00.001+08:00

I was just browsing thru' reviews for "The Invasion" (which I watched at GV VivoCity earlier tonight), came across upcoming films "Robotech" (starring Spidey Tobey Macquire) and of course, my highly anticipated "Alien vs. Predator: Requiem"... AvP 1 was a total disaster but guess what? I came across this video... which absolutely amazed me!! You need to watch it to know why... please welcome, "Batman vs. Alien vs. Predator". The official website for AvP:R is here.

MSN Sucks...

2007-08-17T11:13:00.000+08:00

I could not believe it... MSN Messenger does NOT receive offline messages!! (at least the version prior to the latest.)

Meebo.com has been telling me for months since I started using it, that "so-and-so appears to be offline. Your message MAY not be received," rather than WILL not be received.

Time to use Google Talk, people! And please support Meebo.com.

Finally, No More M1 Only!

2007-08-07T00:53:00.000+08:00

It is here! The days of the Limited M1 Broadband in Singapore is numbered.

I have been using, very reluctantly, the M1 Broadband for a few months now... the service is stable, the mobility is fantastic and the speed is fast - except for the 5GB USAGE LIMIT.

There are months where I hit close to the 5GB limit and called M1 for complimentary GB but was turned down consistently. I further asked if they could come up with an Unlimited Plan, but to no avail.

Well, anyone using the internet today knows the truth of the matter is that 5GB is ridiculously low for users like me - Hi-definition trailer downloads from Azureus, video uploads and downloads, mp3tunes storage, Skype voip, continuously running MSN etc.

The good news is that Starhub has stepped into the fighting ring to give M1 a run for their money. There is now an UNLIMITED Starhub data plan that comes with NO MINIMUM CONTRACT either! On top of that, the speed is a whopping 7.2Mbps!!

The only "catch" is that you would have to buy the Huawei E270 modem for $398, which is a steal, since I am sure you CAN buy the modem elsewhere for a lower price.

Thank you Starhub, once again, for coming to our rescue... you were the first to come up with Per Second Billing, FREE Incoming Calls - and now, UNLIMITED 3G broadband.

I am a Hub.

Wife 1.0

2007-07-27T05:56:00.000+08:00

Something for all you my readers before I go to dreamland...

Dear Tech Support,

Last year I upgraded from Girlfriend 7.0 to Wife 1.0. I soon noticed that the new program began unexpected child processing that took up a lot of space and valuable resources. In addition, Wife 1.0 installed itself into all other programs and now monitors all other system activity. Applications such as Poker Night 10.3, Football 5.0, Hunting and Fishing 7.5, and Racing 3.6.

I can't seem to keep Wife 1.0 in the background while attempting to run my favorite applications. I'm thinking about going back to Girlfriend 7.0 , but the uninstall doesn't work on Wife 1.0. Please help!

Thanks,
A Troubled User named husband

Return from HK

2007-07-13T03:09:00.000+08:00

WARNING! This post might be a little bit political, but what the heck, just have fun.

For those of you from my beloved country of Singapore, you would recognise the return of the YONG from Hong Kong... but take a look at the Golum who returned too... Noticed something?

Family Guy vs Christianity

2007-06-22T06:21:00.001+08:00

this is soooo sacrilegious but just sooooo funny tat i can't help but share it with the world!

日本の形ー折り紙

2007-06-22T04:35:00.001+08:00

This is one of the most interesting vid I have watched in the last 2 days and if you want to see something really unexpected, stick to the end...

Last Time, We...

2007-06-17T02:07:00.000+08:00

Someone on SB forum asked us to list the things we could remember from our childhood days, and here are 10 things which brings "uncle" Rykel nostalgia...!

Do you remember the time, when...

1. We caught fighting spiders at AMK garden?
2. Being able to use and manipulate DOS made you a Power User?
3. KARATEKA alone could absorb you for hours and hours in front of the screen?
4. You spent money renting Hong Kong kung fu comics from the market uncle and complained about why the issues were not printed in HK but in Malaysia (and had GREEN hair sometimes when Tiger Wang was supposed to have Yellow hair)?
5. You dated gals using the phone rather than MSN or SMS?
6. ROBOTECH was a series we would watch eagerly after school everyday, only to find out that SBC would swop the slot to some other nonsensical programmes without completing the cartoon series we were following?
7. We would spend a dollar to buy a BLACK packet from the mamak shop to find out the "mysterious" toys in the pack?
8. Collecting Ultraman/Macross/etc. STICKERS in a New Victory sticker book was the hottest things among the students?
9. Sembawang, Sengkang and Punggol were "jungles" to be explored?
10. I would save my pocket allowance, miss my meals, buy ZOIDS and be scolded for "anyhow spending money"...

One word, Thank goodness we have the Internet. Thank goodness we can now access all the episodes we used to miss. Thank goodness travel is now convenient enough for us to buy the original Jap stuff.

The world has indeed changed. : )

Transformers MTV Movie Awards clip

2007-06-16T02:06:00.001+08:00

Like every true-blooded male, I can't help not posting this on my own blog! Long live Transformers!!! : )

R(A) - Do NOT Read If You Are Underage!!

2007-06-13T16:59:00.000+08:00

MISS UNIVERSE: International Variations
Posted on Tuesday, June 05, 2007

AMERICA
Question: Miss America, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss America: Well, I can say that the male organ in America is like a gentleman.
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss America: Because it stands every time it sees a woman!
(Applause! Applause!)

SPAIN
Question: Miss Spain, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss Spain: Male organs in our country are like our very own Bullfight or Toro (Bull).
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss Spain: Because it charges every time it sees an opening.
(Applause! Applause!)

PHILIPPINES
Question: Miss Philippines, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss Philippines: Well, I can say that male organs in our country are like gossip or rumours.
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss Philippines: Because they pass from mouth to mouth.
(Applause! Applause! Standing Ovation! Applause! Applause!)

SAUDI ARABIA
Question: Miss Saudi Arabia, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss Saudi Arabia: Well, I can say that male organs in Saudi Arabia are like thieves.
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss Saudi Arabia: Because they like to enter through the back door.
(Applause! Applause! Laughter! Laughter! Applause! Applause!)

INDIA
Question: Miss India, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss India: Well, I can say the male organs in India are like labourers.
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss India: Because they work day and night.
(Applause! Applause! Applause!)

MALAYSIA
Question: Miss Malaysia, how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss Malaysia: Well, I can say that male organs in Malaysia are like Proton cars.
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss Malaysia: They look tough but are actually very soft...
(Applause! Applause! Laughter! Laughter! Applause! )

SINGAPORE
Question: Miss Singapore,how would you describe a male organ in your country?
Miss Singapore: Well, I can say that the male organ in Singapore is very kiasu (Afraid to lose).
Question: Why do you say so?
Miss Singapore: It always wants to rush in quickly, but leave 15 minutes before the show is over.
(Applause! Applause! Applause! Applause! Applause!)

© http://www.TalkingCock.com 2001-2003. All rights reserved.
(If you're circulating this by email to your friends, please include this attribution. It's only polite, leh!)

To My Child...

2007-06-11T15:00:00.001+08:00

Read a nice poem today from a father to his daughter... here it is:

TO MY CHILD

Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.

Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.

Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry and pick you up and take you to the park to play.

Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.

Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.

Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.

Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.

Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.

Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.

Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.

Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.

Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars.

Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favourite TV shows.

Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you smile, I will simply be grateful that I have been given the greatest gift ever given.

I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms. The mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly and screaming inside that little body.

And when I kiss you goodnight I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. In that I will be thankful for you, and wish for nothing, except one more day.

Shibuya In Pastel

2007-06-10T08:07:00.001+08:00

shibuya in pastel, originally uploaded by chillntravel.

This is the type of picture that makes my heart melt... the colours, the vibrance, the angle, the "distance", the intensity, the shopping, the people, the architecture... they make up that indescribable feeling and bubbling emotion I get peering into its details.

It is familiar - it feels like it could be a place right here at home Singapore, yet so foreign - because it is far away in reality... just like some of the best things in life, so near, yet so far.

Flickr

2007-06-10T07:44:00.001+08:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.