I just can't help but laugh at the following blog about how a student got cheated by a person who happens to help her plagarize works from the internet:
http://www.aweekofkindness.com/blog/archives/2005/03/laura_k_pahl_is.html
On a hindsight, I do think the author should have taken her name out.
Thursday, March 31, 2005
Tuesday, March 29, 2005
TSA Lied About Protecting Passenger Data
I just noticed a very interesting blog that in a nutshell are as follows:
TSA Lied About Protecting Passenger Data
The Transportation Security Administration (aftermath of 9/11) misled the public about its role in obtaining personal information about 12 million airline passengers to test a new computerized system that screens for terrorists, according to a government investigation.
The report, released Friday by Homeland Security Department Acting Inspector General Richard Skinner, said the agency misinformed individuals, the press and Congress in 2003 and 2004. It stopped short of saying TSA lied.
Slang
As being down in the weather both physically and mentally the last week, I happen to make a fool of myself by using slangs in the wrong language. In other words, I was using Thai Slangs by speaking it in English, and it didn't make any sense at all.
When I reflected back on it, somehow it makes me laugh at the absurbity of some of the slangs when literally translated. Here are some of my favorites:
Strange isn't it?
When I reflected back on it, somehow it makes me laugh at the absurbity of some of the slangs when literally translated. Here are some of my favorites:
LOST IN TRANSLATION
Snake snake, fish fish - the Thai idiom should mean the person doesn't know dittly squat!
Sleep Eat Home Eat City - the Thai idiom should mean sleep all day, being unproductive
Fuk - in Thai its actually a plant that you can eat, but in English, well I better not mention what phrase suggests
Kirei - a Japanese phrase that means cute, but the Thai word of the same name means the exact opposite!
Fab - A rather popular detergent which also is a Thai slang for a woman with little cleavage :P
Sick Politically - one of the few thai idioms that make sense after translation. Pretty nifty considering that politicians are generally slimey in a Universal sense ;)
Strange isn't it?
Wednesday, March 23, 2005
Sprained Fingers
Yesterday night, I've decided ro turn back the clock and went for a late night grueling session of competitive basketball. The lesson I learnt was that I was no longer fit enough for that and return home with a few sprained fingers.
Fallout from that? I won't be updating my blogs for a while to wait for my finger to heal :-/
Fallout from that? I won't be updating my blogs for a while to wait for my finger to heal :-/
Monday, March 21, 2005
Fenris Alliance Banner
I just finished making a new banner for the Fenris Alliance Banner, which is one of the oldest and long running alliances in a text based online game called StarKingdoms. Below is the copy of it:
Thursday, March 17, 2005
Life Imitates Art
One of my favorite syndicated comic is Dilbert. If you don't know what Dilbert is, Dilbert is one of the world's most popular 4 column comic about all the oddities of things you would face in the cubicle - or what you could say your office life.
In one of the columns that I distinguishly remembered well after all these years go by the following:
If you notice the above quotes, you can notice that its similar to the Chicken and Egg question. In addition to that, one additional quote that is very prominent in Dilbert theme books goes as the following:
By adding all of this together, you can notice one of the huge paradoxes about huge organizations and the way they work. Though these notes are writen in cartoon form, its highly interesting to see how life imitates art.
A very good example would be our government in Thailand. Four years ago, the government hatched an ambition Reengineering project to update the bureacracy by creating many new ministries to take care of issues closer than the previous organization. With much fanfare from many quarters of the society, there were numerous new ministries - which is a boon for politicians (as they get ministrial appointments), the civil service (more positions so many got promotions and increase bloat), and the public (who feels that changes have been done for the better). If you notice, that by adding more Ministries, it is like Decentralizing what is Centralized.
Fast forward four years, after the previous election, one of the news that really took me by surprise, is the PM has stated that he would be combining an number of different ministries together to help improve efficiency due to overlapping duties (if you didn't get it, you can notice that 4 years earlier he added so many ministries that many of the roles were overlapped!). As alot of Thai people have short memories, many of the public greeted this with enthusiam. Though many people look it that way, I have the reason to be skeptical and view it with the second quote in Dilbert - the reorganization process was done to cover the mistakes that have been done earlier. To my understanding, I do believe that in the Thaksin I government, the expanding ministries were used to pacify different factions in the party at the expense of organizational issues. However with Thaksin already gaining control over the various factions and it is deemed no longer necessary to keep as many ministries running with overlapping duties. Also another secondary goal of this reorganization is to provide a smokescreen against the opposition and the check and balance system by changing the system often to hide traces of irregularity - which is something I'm certain this government is full of.
In conclusion to this ramble, I just wanted to point out how strange it is - in how Life Just Imitates Art.
In one of the columns that I distinguishly remembered well after all these years go by the following:
On Management Genius
If your organization has much red tape, you should decentralize what is centralized to improve organizational efficiency.
If your organization has too little control, you should centralized what is decentralized to put back the sense of direction in the organization.
If you notice the above quotes, you can notice that its similar to the Chicken and Egg question. In addition to that, one additional quote that is very prominent in Dilbert theme books goes as the following:
Organizations reengineer to hide their glaring mistakes and improve shareholder value without any actual work done
By adding all of this together, you can notice one of the huge paradoxes about huge organizations and the way they work. Though these notes are writen in cartoon form, its highly interesting to see how life imitates art.
A very good example would be our government in Thailand. Four years ago, the government hatched an ambition Reengineering project to update the bureacracy by creating many new ministries to take care of issues closer than the previous organization. With much fanfare from many quarters of the society, there were numerous new ministries - which is a boon for politicians (as they get ministrial appointments), the civil service (more positions so many got promotions and increase bloat), and the public (who feels that changes have been done for the better). If you notice, that by adding more Ministries, it is like Decentralizing what is Centralized.
Fast forward four years, after the previous election, one of the news that really took me by surprise, is the PM has stated that he would be combining an number of different ministries together to help improve efficiency due to overlapping duties (if you didn't get it, you can notice that 4 years earlier he added so many ministries that many of the roles were overlapped!). As alot of Thai people have short memories, many of the public greeted this with enthusiam. Though many people look it that way, I have the reason to be skeptical and view it with the second quote in Dilbert - the reorganization process was done to cover the mistakes that have been done earlier. To my understanding, I do believe that in the Thaksin I government, the expanding ministries were used to pacify different factions in the party at the expense of organizational issues. However with Thaksin already gaining control over the various factions and it is deemed no longer necessary to keep as many ministries running with overlapping duties. Also another secondary goal of this reorganization is to provide a smokescreen against the opposition and the check and balance system by changing the system often to hide traces of irregularity - which is something I'm certain this government is full of.
In conclusion to this ramble, I just wanted to point out how strange it is - in how Life Just Imitates Art.
Chain Mail #2
Oh well, another chain mail, so I decided just to do it for the heck of it. Here are the answers to it. Feel free to copy it and make your own version just for the heck of it :P
1.หนังสือเล่มล่าสุดที่อ่าน?
- Khrushchev - The man and his era
2.ภาพยนตร์เรื่องล่าสุดที่ดู? ไปดูกับใคร? ที่ไหน?
- The Phantom - at home with my brothers
3.รายการวิทยุที่กำลังฟังอยู่หรือเพลงที่กำลังฟังอยู่ตอนนี้
- FM 98.5, Best of Cuba Jazz
4. ชอบฟังเพลงแนวไหนมากที่สุด?
- Fusion Jazz, New Age, Easy Listening
5. พูดคำว่า รัก ครั้งสุดท้ายเมื่อไหร่จำได้ป่าว?
- จำไม่ได้เหมือนกัน มันนานมากแล้ว
6. ข้อดีของคุณ ?
- ตรงไปตรงมา (ทุกเรื่องยกเว็นความรัก)
7. แล้วข้อเสียล่ะ ?
- ไม่ค่อยจะเห็นใจคนอื่น
8. แล้วมองคนอื่นยังไง?
- What is important is what you think about yourself, not what others think of you
9. Wallpaper ที่คอมพิวเตอร์เป็นรูปอะไร?
- Abstract Art
10. สถานที่ที่อยากไปมากที่สุด?
- Tibet
11. คำพูดติดปาก ที่พูดประจำเลย?
- Hmm.., I'm hungry
12. ตอนนี้คิดถึงใครอยู่หรือเปล่า?
- ...
13. เวลามองเห็นทะเลแล้วรู้สึกอะไร?
- อยากนอน
14. ผลไม้สุดโปรด?
- Peach, Chestnuts, Dates
15. มีโทรศัพทถึงคุณกี่ครั้งใน 1 วัน ?
- 2-3 ครั้ง
16. คติประจำใจในการดำเนินชีวิต ?
- I dream my dream, and I walk my walk.
17. ตั้งเป้าหมายในชีวิตว่าจะเรียนถึงระดับไหน?
- Post Graduate
18. ถ้าถามเรื่องความรัก คิดยังไงกับประโยคที่ว่า "รักคนที่เค้ารักเรา"
- มันเป็นเรื่องที่ยากที่จะหาคนที่เค้ารักเราที่เรารัก
19. เพื่อนเราแอบชอบแฟนเราจะทำยังไง?
- ต้องพูดให้ clear กันก่อนเสียเพื่อนและ/หรือแฟน
20. อกหักรู้สึกอย่างไร? แล้วจะทำยังไง?
- ...
22. เป็นคนขี้หึงไหม?
- ไม่
23. ถ้าขอพรได้ 1 ข้อจะขออะไร?
- ขอให้ขอพรได้อีกเท่าไรก็ได้
24. คุณคิดว่าคนเราเกิดมาเพื่ออะไร?
- เราก็จะรู้อีกไม่นาน
25. เลี้ยงรุ่นครั้งต่อไปเมื่อไหร่?
- ม. ปลาย ครั้งสุดท้ายนี่ 2 ปีแล้ว
26. คิดไงกับเพื่อนที่มหาลัยเหรอ ?
- ก็ดีนะ
Monday, March 14, 2005
Before Shaking Another Person's Hand
Here is one experiment that I think would be interesting and easy to conduct, and a food for thought before you shake another person's hand. Try going to any public toilet, and stay there for a few minutes. Try counting how many people after finishing their business actually wash their hands. You'll be surprised with the results.
Say I didn't warn you :P
Say I didn't warn you :P
Friday, March 11, 2005
The Traits/Accomplishments of Exceptional Leaders
Last week, my father dropped a book in my room. The book was entitled: "What the Best Ceos Know" which was written by Jeffrey A. Krames, and it was another book that the Thai PM has told civil servants to read. He dropped me the copy and told me what I thought about it. The next day I finished the book, though rather unimpressed. I have to admit the book is easy and fun to read and the author had the knack of summarizing key issues in short bullet points. However as being an avid reader, I do want to point out I do prefer business history books that offer more indepth details in the lifes of great CEOs than a collection of notes from the list. However for busy managers, I guess this book does cater the market well. Anyway, before I sign off this post, I just wanted to leave one of the key points from the book which I think would nicely sum up the 200 so pages of the whole book:
The Traits/Accomplishments of Exceptional Leaders
1) An "Outside-in" Perspective
2) An evangelical leadership gene
3) Understands the critical role of culture
4) Creates next generation products, processes, or solutions
5) Implements the best ideas, regardless of origin
6) Advances the leadership body of knowledge
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Game Development Seminar at Srinakharinwirot University - February 18, 2005
On February 18, 2005, I was invited as a guest speaker to speak at Srinakharinwirot University on the topic "Game Development in a CS Perspective", which was part of the seminar "Game Development as a Academic/Career Field". The seminar was conducted for CS students in the 3rd and 4th year, who are interested in game development topics as a graduating topic, and/or interested in working in the game development field.
The seminar started off with Pisal Setthawong (myself) with the topic of "Game Development in a CS Perspective". In this topic, I reiterated some of the key CS subjects and topics and how they are usefulness in the Game Development process. Later I wrapped up the discussion by talking how can game development meet with the academic requirements of the degree by pointing out common misconceptions and solutions on both the lecturer and student side on making game development as a senior project.
Later Mr. Suphot (PromptNow) spoke upon his experiences as a student in a CS field and about how to approach a senior project on a game related topic. He went on lengths to discuss about common mistakes he made, which many students in the seminar enjoyed due to details which are all to familiar - such as doing late rush jobs.
After a brief coffee break the seminar continued with me and Suphot starting things off by talking about some quick pointers and introductory material for students who are interested in the game development. This talk touched about the major game types and about related development tools, books, and websites that could help cover the introductionary material.
The last part of the seminar was conducted by Mr. Honda (PromptNow) who concluded a quick overview of "Career Opportunities in the Game Development Field", which was informative and provides a quick overview of the Industry in Thailand.
The seminar was concluded a little later, though a little later than scheduled due to a high number of inquiries and questions from the audience.
The seminar started off with Pisal Setthawong (myself) with the topic of "Game Development in a CS Perspective". In this topic, I reiterated some of the key CS subjects and topics and how they are usefulness in the Game Development process. Later I wrapped up the discussion by talking how can game development meet with the academic requirements of the degree by pointing out common misconceptions and solutions on both the lecturer and student side on making game development as a senior project.
Later Mr. Suphot (PromptNow) spoke upon his experiences as a student in a CS field and about how to approach a senior project on a game related topic. He went on lengths to discuss about common mistakes he made, which many students in the seminar enjoyed due to details which are all to familiar - such as doing late rush jobs.
After a brief coffee break the seminar continued with me and Suphot starting things off by talking about some quick pointers and introductory material for students who are interested in the game development. This talk touched about the major game types and about related development tools, books, and websites that could help cover the introductionary material.
The last part of the seminar was conducted by Mr. Honda (PromptNow) who concluded a quick overview of "Career Opportunities in the Game Development Field", which was informative and provides a quick overview of the Industry in Thailand.
The seminar was concluded a little later, though a little later than scheduled due to a high number of inquiries and questions from the audience.
Sunday, March 06, 2005
Concert Rant
Yesterday I went to the Frances Yip concert. If you don't know who is Frances Yip and from the younger generation, its not strange because Frances Yip belongs to the generation before us. If I'm not mistaken during the concert Ms. Frances Yip used to quip that she was singing for over 30 years, which makes her in the age group as most our parents and maybe grandparents for our younger members. Her most famous recording was the title track to the Shanghai Beach, or in Thailand we usually call Jao Por Shanghai (Shanghai Godfather), in which anyone in the 80s and 90s in Thailand should be very well acquianted as it is one of the most famous Hongkong drama series that was imported into Thailand.
As you noticed, the age group that came to the concert are rather older than most other concerts - in which you would see lots of rows which are filled with white and gray hair. Though you might think this would be an enjoyable concert through memory lane, I have to admit I've grown rather weary of the concert habits of many of the people in the concert. In rock concerts, there aren't many mannerism that you have to follow except to refrain from punching someone in the face. In other pop concerts the norm vary. However as I grew up listening to alot of classical concerts, I've gained a few rather strict listening habits in which I had a huge problem when faced with a rather uncivilized audience, which I'll list things that I was rather irritated by listing out the following grievances:
1) People who wear too little clothes and get sick in the concert. In this example I do want to remind people that most concert halls are cold, and its advisable bring along a jacket or sweater than to stay fashionable.
2) Constant chatter during performance. I really have a short fuse when listening to a concert, and you hear people talking to and forth during the song, not after the song has ended. I suppose alot of people don't understand people pay to go to a concert not to listen to the people talk, but to hear the singer sing.
Anyway, during the concert, I ended up being like a order Nazi, constantly reminding older people around me not to talk during the song but during the intermission. I don't know what impression hit me, but all I know is that alot of people must thought of me to be strange. No matter what, at least having a peace of mind with less chatter around the concert is a good tradeoff, though I might suspect some peeps don't.
As you noticed, the age group that came to the concert are rather older than most other concerts - in which you would see lots of rows which are filled with white and gray hair. Though you might think this would be an enjoyable concert through memory lane, I have to admit I've grown rather weary of the concert habits of many of the people in the concert. In rock concerts, there aren't many mannerism that you have to follow except to refrain from punching someone in the face. In other pop concerts the norm vary. However as I grew up listening to alot of classical concerts, I've gained a few rather strict listening habits in which I had a huge problem when faced with a rather uncivilized audience, which I'll list things that I was rather irritated by listing out the following grievances:
1) People who wear too little clothes and get sick in the concert. In this example I do want to remind people that most concert halls are cold, and its advisable bring along a jacket or sweater than to stay fashionable.
2) Constant chatter during performance. I really have a short fuse when listening to a concert, and you hear people talking to and forth during the song, not after the song has ended. I suppose alot of people don't understand people pay to go to a concert not to listen to the people talk, but to hear the singer sing.
Anyway, during the concert, I ended up being like a order Nazi, constantly reminding older people around me not to talk during the song but during the intermission. I don't know what impression hit me, but all I know is that alot of people must thought of me to be strange. No matter what, at least having a peace of mind with less chatter around the concert is a good tradeoff, though I might suspect some peeps don't.
Tuesday, March 01, 2005
Critical
In one forum where I frequent (SK Forums), there are a number of colorful personalities that are divided between the political and religious members who usually debate on a number of random topics. The religious arm of the forums usually have a tendency to use heavy handed tactics in their discussion in religious themes making some quarters of the forums rather uneasy and upset. One of the results of that tirade was a person posting the following picture in the forum as to make fun of the other camp.
The debate that followed, though not as serious as the previous discussion was on whether the picture was really one posted by the church or a work of a vandal. I do agree that this was more of a creative vandal's work but anyway, it just struck to me a critical eloquent quote that sprang up in my head regarding that picture:
The debate that followed, though not as serious as the previous discussion was on whether the picture was really one posted by the church or a work of a vandal. I do agree that this was more of a creative vandal's work but anyway, it just struck to me a critical eloquent quote that sprang up in my head regarding that picture:
All I can say regardless of this is true or false, a reality or a hoax, it is only human tendency to be blind to their own faults but be critical of others.
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