iPhone IOS 4 update is a pain

Updating iPhone IOS 4 to the latest version is really a big headache! Why can't Apple provide a separate file download? Why must it go through the iTunes 10 software for update? Mind you the file size is really huge at 666.6 MB (uh, the number of the beast too?) that's about the size of a CD-ROM. I know, I know, it takes me just as much trouble to download the 700 MB Ubuntu Linux ISO file, but I can use those helpful download software like uGet to continue my download if the connection breaks and also split my downloads to a couple of days if the server is really slow.

 

 

And this Apple update server is indeed really crawling at a snails pace! Could be Streamyx throttling my speed due to large download file. Or perhaps both, a slow server from Apple plus Streamyx broadband throttle, now that would really make your download day a super slow event. Wish they have a separate file for download. That would really make things it easier. I wonder why they don't do that? Perhaps they are afraid hackers would get at their code and reverse engineer it?

 

Whatever the reason, it makes for a poor user experience. That's why I don't always want to update my phone software, be it Apple's iPhone or Google's Android. Fortunately the Android update was far more faster, took me only about an hour plus for the update to be done.

 

However, my wife complained that the Apple iPhone was getting cranky and according to her fellow iPhone users in her office, that the mobile phone needs an update to make more stable. Her colleague left the phone overnight with the PC to download the update. Uh, with 666 MB and a slow server and broadband throttling, I guess that's the way to go about it.

Otherwise to keep your sanity the other option is to bring it over to the Telco (after all they bundled the phone in the mobile phone plan package) for the update since they have far more faster connection and perhaps even have the software at hand or they simply just have ultra fast broadband connection without being throttled.  

 

Anyway, I'm going to give this self-updating of Apple iPhone IOS 4 a go before crying surrender if it fails. Anything for dear wife!

 

 

Seven signs that your child loves you

Just received this newsletter from Baby Centre. This really warms the heart and gives you a nice buzz for the day!

Some of the points is still not applicable to baby just yet (eg points 5, 6 and 7). I do noticed baby is doing some of the things describe in this brief article.

 

Cheers!

 

Seven signs that your child loves you

 

1. Your newborn stares into your eyes — he's actually working hard to memorise your face. He doesn't understand anything else about the world, but he knows you're important.

 

2. Your baby thinks about you even when you're not around. Between eight and 12 months old, he'll start to scrunch his face and look around when you leave the room — and he'll smile when you return.

 

3. Your toddler throws wicked tantrums. Nope, those screaming fits don't mean he's stopped loving you. He couldn't show he was so hurt and angry if he didn't trust you so deeply.

 

4. Your toddler runs to you for comfort when he falls down or feels sad. Children this age may not truly understand the meaning of "I love you," but their actions speak louder than words.

 

5. Your preschooler gives you a flower picked from the garden, a finger-painted heart, a sparkly stone or another gift.

 

6. Your preschooler wants your approval. He'll start to be more cooperative around the house and he'll look for chances to impress. "Look at me!" will become a catchphrase.

 

7. Your school-age child trusts you with secrets, such as his first crush or his most embarrassing moment. You're his confidante, even if he shies away from your hugs in public.

 

Source: babycentre•co•uk (June 2010)

 

 

 

Mad rush, then car accident

Serves me right for being impatient. Rush hour in the morning is very tough for me. Worse, when there are slow 'apek' drivers testing your patience.
In a fit of insanity, I decided to do a foolhadry overtaking cutting too close with another car.
It wasn't anything serious. Just a scratch. Perhaps God is looking out for me. It could have been pretty bad.
Anyway, now I will have to take him to a car workshop for minor spray paint job.
Them the breaks when you don't have flexi working hours and a boss who enforce every little rule to the letter!
Sigh!

Baby 15 months old and walking!

Baby is 15 months and he just started to walk unassisted! This is a milestone for baby. For the past couple months, he was just crawling all over the place with some minor walks by bracing himself on furnitures.
It took a lot of prompting to get him to try walking more. The motivation came when I took him to the shopping mall and decideed to just hold one hand and let him walk assisted.
He would look at others walking by and he would notice other children who would walk. Going home later, he would try to walk more assisted. And when he was ready, he walked without support! And in some instance still managed to walk unassisted while holding on to some bulky containers!
He still need more encouragement so will let him walk more while holding his hand.
He is still a little wobbly and I noticed his walk was rather bow legged. A quick check online from baby centre, and it was explained that it was normal. Baby will grow out of it when his muscle strengthens. So now just need to encourage him to walk more!

Digital Pen Livescribe 2GB Echo now at MYR399

Prices are coming down, the digital pen Livescribe 2GB Echo model has drop to MYR399. Ouch! If I have known I would have waited instead. I bought my 2GB Pulse model some 3 months back.

So what's the difference?

The new Echo model has new features, it is more ergonomic and rubber grip. That should help ease my aching hand from prolong usage.

And it uses a cable rather than a dongle, so you can use it like a mosue while connected to your PC.
And they not round like a cylinder so it won't roll off your table.

These are little extras. Initially they were marketing it for MYR699. That price too steep lah. Now at MYR399 then more reasonable. If between Pulse vs Echo at same price, then Echo is the better choice.
Well, too late now. Will just have to make do with my Livescribe 2GB Pulse digital pen instead of the improve 2GB Echo version

My review of Livescribe 2GB Pulse model
Big'Ant Malaysia / K-One Technology, distributor of LiveScribe has closed shop

The trouble with maids

Usually this kind of things shouldn’t happen, but this maid that we got was particular troublesome.

Having a maid is suppose to help you out in the house. Sometimes you get good maid and they are really a big help. And sometimes you get one that is too smart for her own good. No doubt she was able to do many of things instructed even using complicated household equipment like that expensive vacuum cleaner that my wife bought and even do fruit juicing.

However she has some very notorious bad habits. She don’t quite like to be a maid and yet she is now stuck in Malaysia due to her contract. Unfortunately she was not able to tough out the 2 years contract necessary to return back to Cambodia.

Rothman circle traffic lights is working

So finally the traffic lights at the rothman circle in sek 19 PJ is working. No more crazy circle jams I hope. Let's see how's their timing, better or worse?
Traffic here is quite heavy to be regulated by traffic light junction.

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Next day, the traffic lights were switched off. I think they were testing it out. From the looks of it, the timing sequence was rather poor. They will have to come up with a better timing sequence if they want to avoid a bad traffic congestion at the former Rothman Circle in Section 19, PJ.