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Some Initial Thoughts on Oracle’s Deal to Buy Sun

Published April 21, 2009 in My Thoughts and Tech Talk. 0 Comments

Oracle to Buy Sun
Image from Sun Microsystems

When a banner like this is published at Sun official website, we know this is not a rumours anymore, but a solid fact. And yes, Oracle acquisition of Sun is agreed at approximately $7.4 billion.

If either of these 2 tech giant names is infamiliar to you, the this news is most probably not of your interest. As to me, this headline has provoked some immediate thoughts in me, cos there are too many Sun labels in my office laptop, my job has a lot of direct relations to Sun open source stacks.

In general, personally, I’m not in favour of Sun acquisition by Oracle. The first thought when I read Joe’s tweet before having dinner, was “ha??? why Oracle? sh*t!”

To me, based on Oracle’s past acquisition records, Oracle is not really considered a company who has keen willingness to pump in huge monetary support on open source projects. The only relation that I can think of on Oracle acquisition moves, is to wipe out competition. Oracle is still very much a business entity with corporate directions heavily driven by commercial licensing. On a related note, IBM actually shows better commitment in supporting open source projects, and use them as the code-base for value-added commercial products.

Following are some of my initial thoughts on the fate of some products from Sun open source stacks.

Java Programming Language

Luckily, I do believe very much that, Java will still survive very well and grow stronger with Oracle acquisition. Right now, many tools that come with Oracle products are actually developed on Java. Besides, Oracle is also into the business of Java application server with WebLogic. Oracle Fusion Middleware is also very much dependent on Java web technologies. In other words, I don’t think Oracle can live without a strong growth in Java. In fact, Oracle’s presence in steering of Java technologies and directions, will give them a competitive edge, with control and influence over the future specifications.

As highlighted in many press releases and news entries, Java is one of the most important assets gained by Oracle from this acquisition.

MySQL

This is something that I’m getting worried. I don’t think Oracle is interested in the code-base of MySQL, as Oracle itself actually began its presence in the tech world with database business.

If MySQL code-base is not beneficial to the array of Oracle database products, I really doubt how much monetary investment will Oracle be pumping into MySQL development.

Besides, Oracle sales agents couldn’t go out and sell subscriptions of 2 different database products right?

NetBeans

I think NetBeans will very likely be replacing Oracle’s JBuilder, since NetBeans’ adoption is undoutedly at an encouraging stage, and JBuilder is at nothing close to its competitiveness. Oracle can always develop some extensions and plugins to support connectivity of Oracle products, and bundle into NetBeans.

GlassFish

At first thought, GlassFish appears to be conflicting with WebLogic. However, at second thought, I think GlassFish will still continue to play an important role in the development of Java EE. As long as Java EE continues to get R&D support from its new fund master - Oracle, there’s still an undoubtable need for GlassFish to grow as model implementation of the latest Java EE specifications.

But sadly, I think GlassFish might only stay as the model java EE application server implementation for community, instead of unleashing its full potential to have a real big significant presence in enterprises. As long as enterprise presence is concerned, Oracle can choose not to provide commercial support for GlassFish, and focus their bullets on WebLogic. Without commercial support, it’s very hard for GlassFish to make real presence in enterprise deployments.

Solaris OS and Sun SPARC Servers

Solaris and Sun servers, with almost no doubt at all, will get definite love from Oracle, since operating system and hardware business was something not within Oracle’s offering, until this acquisition is realized.

With control over server and operating system technologies, Oracle can also specifically offer some advanced database features which are only available in Solaris on Sun hardware. This is especially important as cloud computing and virtualization is getting as the next big buzz word in the tech world.

Well… let’s keep our fingers crossed, as for now. Shall we believe some nice words mentioned in Oracle’s FAQ (pdf)?

How to Reply Tweet without Spamming Every Twitter Follower?

Published April 4, 2009 in Tips & Tricks and Web Applications. 1 Comment

If you’re like me, following a small but very active group of Twitter users, Twitter will soon be blended into part of life. Now, where ever I go, as long as I have a few minutes to sit down or wait for someone, then I will surely fire up my phone browser and nagivate to m.twitter.com. If I don’t read tweets I’m following for 1 day, I think I will easily miss out at least, at least 60 tweets.

At times, you might come into situation when, someone asked you a question on Twitter, and you don’t feel like exposing the responding answer to all your Twitter followers, for personal resaon, privacy concern or simply don’t want to spam every single reply to all followers.

The alternative option available in this case, is to send Direct Message. By sending Direct Message using Twitter, only the intended recipient will be able to read your tweet.

How to Send Twitter Direct Message?

Login to your Twitter account, and go to Home page. You will see a menu link labeled “Direct Messages” on the right sidebar.
In the Direct Messages page, you will be able to select a recipient from the list containing all your followers. Select a recipient, type in your message, press the Send button, and you’re done with it.

In TwitterFox, there’s a panel that shows all direct messages that you have received. You can also send direct message from TwitterFox using this format — d twitterUser yourMessage. Example: d google this is a direct message to google. Note that it doesn’t require the @ character

Upside-Down YouTube

Published April 1, 2009 in Google. 0 Comments

Today, as the world is probably fooling around on 1st Apr, YouTube is also joining the crowd by introducing a new TouTube page layout - Upside-Down. When the flip=1 parameter is appended into URL of any YouTube clip, the video player as well as most of the text in the page will be flipped.

These are some suggestions given by YouTube, for you to enjoy a new video viewing experience.

Turn your monitor upside-down
- Our internal tests have shown that modern computer monitors give a higher quality picture when put upside down—just like it’s best to rotate your mattress every six months. You might find that YouTube videos look better this way.
Tilt your head to the side
- Imagine you have water in your ear and need to get it out. Tilt your head towards one shoulder and watch the video
Move to Australia
- As you probably know, everything in Australia is upside-down, so moving to Australia may provide you with a more natural YouTube viewing experience. (Note: If you live Down Under and the page is still upside-down for you, then we recommended moving to the northern hemisphere.)

What’s Next? Wait for Another Year?

Published March 29, 2009 in My Thoughts. 0 Comments

Personally, I’m very impressed with the rapid growth of support gained by Earth Hour campaign. Began in 2007 for the first time with only 1 city - Sydney, Earth Hour campaign has got some global supports for the following year - 2008. This year, Earth Hour 2009 has expanded its reach to 85 countries. I believe this “Vote for Earth” campaign has created broader awareness on the attentive need for energy and resource conservation (which in turn tackles global warming issue), to communities that otherwise didn’t realize the fact.

So ya, many have shown support by turning off the lights of some prominent geograhical landmarks, business premises and homes. At the same time, all social networking sites have also witnessed a flood of #earthhour tag, as well as surging search on related keywords.

Many bloggers have also taken opportunity to announce to the blogsphere that they have voted for Earth. Status message like “I Vote for Earth” is also easily spotted in instant messaging contact list from channels such as MSN and Yahoo Messenger.

(Don’t ask why you never seen these status messages from me. ‘Cos I never posted them haha, did this just for the sake of creating an image for this blog entry)

So now, the question is, what’s next?? Wait for another year, switch off lights for an hour on 27th Mar 2010, and go party? Wait for another year, and take the chance to post similar status messages or blog posts again? Wait for another year, and stand-by at strategic location with DSLR and tripod to take before-after pictures of KL skyline at 8.30pm? Wait for another year, take some in-the-dark pictures and show to the world? Continue reading ‘What’s Next? Wait for Another Year?’

How Do You Spend RM50

Published March 24, 2009 in My Thoughts. 1 Comment

How can a note of RM50 be easily spent? Ya, I’m saying easily, cos RM50 nowadays is really not that big. Young executives and engineers earning a living in KL and Selangor, can easily spend RM50 on a dinner, or more than that on a chill-out session at pubs/bistros. Many school children nowadays, are spending RM50 on telco charges. I also heard about instances of schooling teenage girls claiming about spending RM90 on facial masks, as something cheap.

If you are tuned into some of the FM stations like MY FM and Mix FM, you would have heard about how you can spend RM50 every month on kids in need. Ya, I’m talking about World Vision Child Sponsorship. If you are still indecisive, or in doubt of what World Vision has done, why not take a look at World Vision Malaysia Annual Report 2008 [pdf]?

Image by mselam

To keep sponsors in the loop, you will also be updated with the progress report of your sponsored child, like how LiewCF has got his.

While RM50 might be less significant to some of the fortunate ones in Malaysia, but it’s definitely a big deal to those in need, especially children born in poverty. My sign-up is inspired by a friend, Micol; she has been sponsoring a Mongolian child for many years, way before World Vision is really known among Malaysians.

However, on a related note, at present, sponsorship to World Vision Malaysia is not tax deductible. But, I don’t think tax deduction is the only reason for you to participate in child sponsorship right?

If you would like to contribute to help children in need, and at the same time would like to be entitled for tax deduction, then you may consider to contact Unicef Malaysia. Unicef is also running programmes to help child survival and development, in terms of offering basic education and medical assistance. Click here to learn what Unicef does. I have a friend recently signed up with Unicef Malaysia, for commitment of RM38 a month.

A Short Trip to Batam

Published March 22, 2009 in Travelogue. 0 Comments

Batam? An place that many people would probably be confused on its belonging country. It’s so near to Singapore, and thus so common among Singaporeans, that some people could have thought by mistake, that it’s an island belonging to Singapore. However, the fact is, Batam is one of the 3000 Riau islands, part of Indonesia.

Being just a 20-minute ferry journey from Singapore, no wonder Batam is a popular weekend city-escape destination among Singaporeans. Even the Phua Chu Kang comedy also mentions about Batam - “Best in Singapore, JB, and some say Batam”. So, as expected, most of the Batam accommodations advertised online are tagged with Sing dollar S$.

Men’s Heaven?

From the impressions that I’ve been told by people, Batam seems to be especially known for brothels, serving the demands coming from Singapore, as well as westerners working in Batam (Batam is concentrated with oil, gas and electronics industries).

So I went there for adult entertaintment?? Hahaha.. No la.. just to clarify, I went for a work related matter, and so my trip was almost (cos I didn’t claim for full cost of car rental, it’s a leisure for myself hehe) fully paid for. Batam is a place where S$ is circulating le, you think those escort girls will quote in Ringgit Malaysia or Rupiah standard meh LOL

Went Batam from JB by Ferry

For once, AirAsia used to be flying to Batam. However, this route is dropped from AirAsia network; I think not much demand from Malaysia residents. Anyway, starting May 2009, Firefly will be flying to Batam from Subang.

So right now, the only option is to take ferry from The ZON Ferry Terminal in Johor Bahru. The 100-minute ferry journey will bring you to Batam Centre Ferry Terminal. The 2-way ferry fare was RM112. The ZON seaport tax was RM8, while Batam Centre seaport tax was 120,000Rp (about RM36).

So, the ferry transportation cost wasn’t cheap though, total up to about RM156.

Stayed in Indah Puri Resort

Thanks to George, he given me contacts to book for an apartment in Indah Puri Resort, as well as car rental. I’ve got a 3-bedroom apartment for S$150 per night. At first, I requested for a sea-facing unit. However, upon arrival at the club house, I was told that my booking was canceled, as I was late (4pm) to arrive at Indah Puri without any prior payment made. Receptionist told me that there are only very few sea-facing units available for daily rental. So, ended up without the sea breeze.

However, George and some of my friends were there on the same day for vacation, and so I actually met up with them, who were staying in George’s sister’s apartment, also located in Indah Puri. His sister’s apartment is perfectly greeted with lots of sea breezes. Continue reading ‘A Short Trip to Batam’

Last Minute Surprise - Going to Batam

Published March 7, 2009 in Travelogue. 0 Comments

On Thursday, I was told by my Director of Operations, that I need to go Batam this weekend, for some work-related stuffs. As I’m currently on no-big-expense mode as my house renovation is about to begin very soon, so didn’t expect to travel anywhere, despite the coming public holiday falling on Monday.

So, this subsidized (transportation, accommodation and allowance claims) Batam trip came as a BIG last-minute surprise.

However, without knowing any head and tail on Batam geographical topology, I started having stars above me trying to decide on accommodation and transportation plans. Luckily, informative internet resources like batam.com came in handy. Most importantly, I have an extremely helpful friend, the owner of Makantrip.com and Batam Apartment, who recommended me some rule-of-thumb guides, especially on accommodation.

With some helps, very quickly I’ve decided to book a 1-night stay at Indah Puri Apartment for SGD150, and rent a Honda Odyssey for 400,000Rp. If without a car, I would have definitely opt for an accommodation option at Nagoya (better known as Lubuk Baja), the major city center of Batam, and the place where Nagoya Hill Shopping Mall is located.

As of getting to Batam, I will be heading to Johor Bahru The ZON Ferry Terminal, and travel to Batam Center by 90-minutes ferry journey. The ferry fare is not cheap - RM118 for 2-way journey, inclusive of RM8 seaport tax.

Hope I will come bk with some pictures.

Java: How to Generate Encrypted String without Any Special Character

Published March 4, 2009 in Java. 0 Comments

Many times, when we generate an encrypted string, the resulted output string is filled with all sorts of special characters. While this encrypted string is usually fine and safe for database storage, but it’s a big problem in some instances - such as XML file, or when it’s needed to be transmitted as HTTP GET request.

In this case, we can apply Base64 on the encrypted string, convert it to an US-ASCII character string. Following is an example of code snippet. Please note that, the Encryption class is just a dummy example to simplify this example. You may use the Java Cryptography Architecture (JCA) Cipher class to achieve reversible encryption.

String encryptedString = Encryption.encrypt("StringToBeEncrypted", "key");
String base64Encoded = Base64.encode(encryptedString.getBytes());
System.out.println("Encoded: " + base64Encoded);

byte[] base64Decoded = Base64.decode(base64Encoded);
String descryptedString = Encryption.decrypt(new String(base64Decoded), "key");
System.out.println("Decrypted: " + descryptedString);

In the above example, I’m using com.sun.org.apache.xerces.internal.impl.dv.util.Base64 (found in rt.jar of Java5 and above) to apply Base64 encoding. You may also use org.apache.commons.codec.binary.Base64 found in Apache Commons Codec to achieve the same result.

Damages that The Medias have Done on Kelantan

Published March 3, 2009 in My Thoughts. 0 Comments

I’ve got an interesting comment in the travelogue post “Peninsula Trip Part 2 – Day 2: Kota Bharu” from a reader named F.F. Lin. According to the posting IP, this comment was posted from Australia (not necessarily an Australian though, could be a student studying in Aus).

Thank you for your amazing travelogue. I never knew that a PAS governed state allowed such huge statue of Buddha to be built there. How many temples are there in the State of Kelantan? How about Trengganu? Were the malays friendly? Can the local Chinese there eat pork? Are there Chinese schools in the two states? I heard that the states are governed by extremists.

I may visit these states when I go to Malaysia.

After replying his/her questions, I’m just too tempted to make this a post on its own, hopefully to help creating a fair image to Kelantan, especially the present ruling party. This is my reply (no, I swear I’m not paid to write this :p):

There are simply too many Buddhist temples in Kelantan, especially those of Thai influence (listing of Thai Buddhist temples in Kelantan). Kelantanese Malays are generally very friendly And yes, Kelantanese Chinese have no issue with eating pork (”bak kut teh” restaurants can be found in Kota Bharu too), they are free to practice any Chinese cultures and celebrate Chinese celebrations like others. Besides, Chinese schools are readily available too. Don’t be fooled by mis-conceptions portrayed from mainstream medias.

By the way, Terengganu is currently (after the 8th Mar 2008 election) under the governance of national ruling party, not PAS.

Saw the extend of negative impressions that mainstream medias have created for Kelantan?? To no surprise, even some Malaysians who have not visited Kelantan before, have some mis-conceptions on the state too. Continue reading ‘Damages that The Medias have Done on Kelantan’

Valentine’s Day 2010 is Not Going to be Business Friendly

Published February 14, 2009 in My Thoughts. 1 Comment

hehe.. today is Valentine’s Day 2009, and I’m already talking about 14 Feb of 2010, counting down
365 days from now.

Took a look at Chinese Lunar Calendar, and it reveals that 14 Feb 2009 is:
虎年正月初一日 (year of tiger, month 1, day 1)

Guess what?? Next year’s Valentine’s Day is falling on the first day of Chinese New Year!

Since Chinese New Year is one of the most celebrated festive celebrations in Malaysia, I think Valentine’s Day for 2010 is not going to be business-friendly.

One thing for sure, many people will not be able to make it for couple’s candle light dinner, or any special arrangement abandoning family members, hehe. So, I guess those specially-arranged double-price Valentine’s Day menus are going to receive the worst ever response. Though many people will still be celebrating in advance, or a few days later, but restaurants will have no better reason to “chop vegetable head” (inflate the price).

Similar situation goes to the Chinese florists as well - to take the once-in-a-year order book, or close for Chinese New Year. I think most florists will not miss out the chance though; take orders in advance, prepare them a day earlier, and hire delivery boys to do the job at higher price. But, talking about delivery, if the recipient is a Chinese, all the best to the delivery boy too - probably need to revisit the address more than once.

Anyway, wishing everyone Happy Valentine’s Day If you’re single and having a date tonight, do something about it la, so that you could probably have 2 occasions merged into 1 date ma