I was unable to get into my desired GEMS course during my allocated registration timing.
But today, I camped in front of the computer from 8.50AM. As soon as 9.00AM is seen on on my clock, I quickly register searched for my desired GEMS course and took the very last available slot....
I GOT INTO BUILD YOUR OWN PC GEMS COURSE!!! YATTA!!!! CAN GO THERE SLEEP!!!
First off, sorry for the delay. I was so busy this holiday that I barely had time to login to blogger.com to update my blog.
During this 1 month holiday, I did many things. Once again I worked at an IT convention to earn some extra bucks for this holiday. I worked for Toshiba, selling laptops, which was so much more successful than my previous time with Samsung (I sold like err....less than 5 in 4 days?). This time I sold around 19 laptops, together with my basic pay I earned about S$500. Too bad huh?
Next, I got myself a PSP (playstation portable). That's right. Not the slim one. Although I hear many people telling me to get the slim PSP, but after a hands-on at Sony Gallery, I was disappointed with the fact the it's much more difficult to keep the new PSP slim in your hands compared to the normal PSP, especially playing music games like DJ Max Portable and Tatsujin No Taiko (Taiko drums game - Hui Ning, I know you would want to have a go at it!). Total damage was S$460+, including a standard pack white PSP, high quality screen protector, 4GB Memory stick, a high quality expensive looking pouch and a UMD game (Pursuit Force).
In this holiday, I also went on a trip to Kuala Lumpur with two of my friends, Alan and Kun Long; although halfway Matthew joined us too. For this trip, we did lots of time attack record breaking on Wangan Midnight, with myself breaking my fastest record of 4'01"693 on Wangan Line Eastbound. My current record is 4'01"650, still a little far from the top players in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Japan. Next we did lots and lots of shopping, not to mention enjoying some tasty food. For this trip, I would have to thank Kun Long and Alan for making this trip successful. Thank you guys very much.
Anyways, school's gonna start soon, I will be updating soon. This time I have changed the youtube video to my current favorite song, Hikari Sasuhou FK metal version by BACK-ON. Although this is just the Murder Princess Opening version, I hope you guys enjoy it.
I was shocked after seeing this news: By Chua Hian Hou
The Singapore distributor of Japanese animated cartoons called anime has won the right to track down fans who download the programmes illegally using Starhub internet accounts.
A subordinate court has ordered the Telco to disclose the identity of about 1,000 of its subscribers accused of illegally downloading anime.
It is believed to be one of the largest crackdowns illegal Internet downloading by home users in Singapore.
The recent hearing was held in closed chamber session, so few details of the case are available publicly. The action was taken by local anime distributor ODEX.
Starhub had initially resisted the company’s efforts to get its customer data, said a spokesman for Telco, as it had "an obligation to protect our customer' information". But it now has no choice but to comply with the court order, as ODEX had “satisfied the court of its need for the information”.
Once ODEX obtains the identities of these Internet users from Starhub , it is expected to write to them demanding a settlement of up to $5,000 and a promise to stop further illegal downloading.
In May, ODEX went after 17 Singnet subscribers after obtaining a similar court order. It then sent more letters to an undisclosed number of other Singnet subscribers also accused of illegally downloading anime.
Odex Director Peter GO said a few infringers with financial difficulties were allowed to settle for about $1000. He added that a number of those who had received the letter had engaged lawyers, BUT DID NOT CONTEST ODEX'S CASE.
Having suceeded in getting SingNet and Starhub customer lists, ODEX will now go after customers of another internet service provider, Pacific Internet, in the subordinate courts later this week. It is understood ODEX has accused about 1,000 PacNet users of illegal downloading.
PacNet spokeman Bernard Ho, said the firm was "resisting the application" made by ODEX in court.
However, lawyers familiar with such applications say they have STRONG track record of sucess. But infromation obtained this way is not always useful to the plaintiff. For instance, the user may no longer be in the country.
Popular with both children and adults, the anime industry was worth as much as US$5 Billion ($7.5billion) world wide according to 2004 Business Week report. However, illegal downloads, available online since the late 1990s, have cut deeply into the profits of producers and distributers.
Mr Peter GO said the South Korean anime market, once the world's second largest after Japan, collapsed several years ago due to piracy problems.
This prompted Japanese studios making anime to band together to mount the crackdown here as they were worried Singapore, although not big a market, would end up the same way.
A 23 year old anime fan acknowledged that there some truth to Mr GO'S words. "At my peak a while ago, I used to download 5 to 10 gigabytes of anime a week, " said the undergraduate, who declined to be named. Now, he is resigned that his past will catch up with him.
"It's just a matter of time before I get the dreaded ODEX Letter."
After seeing this news, I have decided that I will stop downloading all the licensed anime that I have been downloading:
1. Seto No Hanayome
2. Nagasarete Airantou
3. Umisho
So please, don't assume that because you are using starhub you are fine. Stop downloading licensed anime!!!!
In the 2nd half of July, 2 new arcade games were released: Initial D Arcade Stage 4 and Wangan Midnight Maximum Tune 3. Generally, both are great games, but I prefer Wangan Midnight more because of the sensation of speed (>300km/h woots!!!) For people who wanna try, do leave a comment or leave a message at the tagboard. I would be pleased to join you.
Right now, it's the month of August and its gonna be a very busy month. With End Semester Tests, coming up, I would be spending time to study. But I do wish you guys luck and hope you all would pass with flying colours!
I know it's been long...many thing happened, like the SP Poly50 and the cosfest. Furthermore I had a great pile of assignments and projects to work on. So I apologize for not being able to update for so long. This time, I am bringing to you guys 2 photos from the costest. The photos were taken with SPJCC and the photographer is none other than my bro, Jeremy. Thanks!
For more photos, you can view it here:
http://spjcs.blogspot.com/2007_08_01_archive.htmlI will be uploading the visual kei group photos soon! Stay tuned.
In many forums where discussions about anime and manga are held and also many blogs with posts commenting about the latest anime, many of these people have reported that they have been issued a demand letter by our fellow local distribution cmopany, ODEX.
And to protect myself, I have decided to stop downloading titles which are licensed. (Seto no Hanayome, Nagasarete Airantou & Bleach) Seriously, screw Singapore. Not being able to download anime freely is like someone coming to my house, taking a sledge hammer and smash my TV, telling me that I cannot watch TV anymore.
Note: The offense of downloading anime is S$10,000 per article and jail terms. Even if you choose to settle outside courts, do note that you might still have to fork out a settlement fee that cost at least S$3,500 and above.
So please, stop downloading licensed anime.
I wonder how can I curb my withdrawal from watching my favourite titles......
I know I look kinda gay with the thick eyeliner, which I felt made me look more like a clown instead. Anyways the open house was kinda fun, with so many secondary school students staring at Rui En(the one with the black tie), Rain(the one in the white dress) and myself, probably wondering what's up with our outfits. Well, I would probably be dressing up like that again during the upcoming cosfest, but this time I will do something about the make up to make me look more normal.
