All posts by The Artist

Technology

Nintendo DSi

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Samm, my friend, wanted to sell me her used PlayStation as she is upgrading to a newer version. To be honest, I thought that I am already past the age of playing with game consoles but she said that even people who are older than us are hooked on them.

I told her I would think about it because I do not see justification spending a few hundred bucks on a game console, even if it’s a used set. I would also have to buy games for it, I was told. And that’s more money that I am reluctant to spend especially in the current economic climate.

Meanwhile, a friend visited me recently and let me have a go at his spanking new Nintendo DSi and I was instantly hooked. I have to admit that I am now thinking of buying the Nintendo DSi in black instead of my friend’s used pink PSP.

A brand new Nintendo DSi is sold at US$169.99 only and there is not such a huge difference in price between a new Nintendo DSi and Samm’s used PSP so of course a new game console is way more attractive and appealing. I could even share games with my sister and friend since they own a Nintendo as well!

Technology

Pre-book Your BlackBerry Storm With Maxis

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A couple of my friends are so looking forward to the BlackBerry Storm that they are so ecstatic that Maxis has allowed customers to pre-book their BlackBerry Storm from 7th to 24th April, 2009. They will only be able to collect their BlackBerry Storm in early May. Other BlackBerry Storm lovers who would like to own a unit will only be able to purchase it from mid-May, 2009 onwards.

300 early birds will receive exclusive an accessory pack which includes a BlackBerry charging pod, leather holster and Jabra Bluetooth headset.

Maxis is selling the BlackBerry Storm at RM2,199 which comes with a 24-month contract plan while the one without contract will be sold at RM2,499. If it were me, I would surely opt out of a contract since the difference is only RM300.

It is said that BlackBerry Storm is one of the most innovative smart devices to date with its new touch screen feature where the screen will actually depress upon pressing. I’ve got to see this!

Finances

Tutorial On Covered Calls

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I was discussing with a friend about his new investment portfolio on US stocks. I think that it’s pretty risky and did not partner with him so he is doing it alone since he has sufficient capital.

Even though I am not joining him, I told him abut the free trial that is offered by Power Options on their stock investment tools that would help him in making the correct stock investment decisions.

I remember reading a very comprehensive tutorial on their website on covered calls and how to exit a covered call position. The short tutorial covers various scenarios and what we should do if our stock price falls, rise or remain the same.

I cautioned my friend that he has to educate himself well. Since he is a newbie, there is no escaping the homework that he has to do so that he would not lose his capital.

Computing & Internet

FTP File Sharing

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I was told by a friend that I could share large files with him if I open up a folder to share on my computer. These are large, very large files that I downloaded from the internet, which he is lazy to do. He says that sharing is caring and since I already downloaded them, he could get them off me.

At first, he requested that I burn the files onto DVD and pass the disks to him. I was reluctant because of all the work involved. He then said that since I am lazy, he could download them from me. I said that no way am I going to split the files and upload them on the web so that he could download them. Why doesn’t he download the files directly from source?

My friend says that I don’t have to do that as I could just open up my folder and he could grab my files from them. I was afraid and asked what happens if he introduces a virus to my hard disk.

He laughed and said that it would be a dumb move if he was to do that. Crashing my hard disk would not serve a purpose as that means he wouldn’t be able to grab those files too, right? Hhmm true also!!

But then I am so lazy to read up on how to open up my folder. LOL Didn’t I say that I do not have a technical mind??

Computing & Internet

Restaurant City

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A friend read about my prowess on Facebook’s Pet Society and says that I must join Restaurant City. It is also a game by PlayFish, the developers of Pet Society. She says she needs more of her Facebook friends to install the game so tat she could level up.

I did install the game as instructed so that she has more friends to visit but thankfully, I did not enjoy playing it. In fact, I think that it’s a pretty dumb game to play even if it’s an open ended game which one could play on and on and on.

I say thankfully because being addicted to one game, Pet Society, is enough. If I am bored with it already, after bagging the trophies and furnished all nine rooms (I only have six rooms now), I would probably stop playing it but I hope not to waste more time on computer games after that and spend more time blogging. LOL

Another thing that puts me off playing Restaurant City is the difficulty in loading the game and even visiting the restaurants of friends. Besides, have you noticed that the site seems to be perpetually under maintenance?

Travel

Adults Only Cancun Holiday

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Samantha, my friend, told me that she is searching all over the web for exotic holiday packages for her honeymoon later this year. I understand that she will be holding her wedding either in November or December so she plans to go on her honeymoon in December when she is able to take at least two weeks off from work.

Samantha says she plans to enjoy herself thoroughly for two full weeks because she has not been able to take a vacation break for a long time so I told her about the Adults Only Cancun vacation packages which I think are suitable for the occasion of her honeymoon. Looking at the photos on the website of Karisma Hotels & Resorts makes one feel in love all over again.

I understand that the secluded beaches of El Dorado Royale, an adult-only spa resort, is perfect for couples who would like some privacy and to just get away from everything.

Computing & Internet

1 Terabyte (TB) Hard Disk Drive

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My friend, Terrence, told me that he bought one 1TB external hard disk drive. Another friend, Albert, bought a 320GB external hard disk drive.

Since I am also in the market for an external hard disk drive, I asked Albert why he did not buy a larger one since the price difference is slight.

Albert told me that he actually has a few smaller external hard disk drives. He says that is because he is afraid that if he only has one large external hard disk drive, like a 1TB HDD, for example, he is afraid that he would lose everything should the disk conk out. LOL How pessimistic!

Right now, I already have a 320GB hard disk drive, so I don’t know if I should buy another of similar size, or a larger one and move everything over. What if, like Albert says, my single external hard disk drive conks out or is stolen and I lose everything?