Brawn and brains

The 2009 Formula 1 Season is finally up and running again with the customary first race in Melbourne. Being the first race of the season, where every team are still not 100%, Melbourne usually creates a lot of surprises, like Mark Webber's one and only podium finish in his debut race in a MINARDI, which was a really really bad car, struggling at times to even finish in a fast enough time to start the race! But to many, the 2009 Melbourne GP has yielded THE most surprising result EVER, with Brawn GP, a NEW team which has risen from the ashes of the Honda F1 team, popping their cherry by getting a VIRGIN 1-2 finish in their VIRGIN race!

But IS it really a big surprise, or even a FLUKE? Well, NO. So okay, for a manufacturer-backed team, Honda were abysmally bad for the last couple of years. But then Ross Brawn, who helped Schumacher win all those titles with Benetton and Ferrari, unexpectedly joined Honda as Team Principal at the start of last year. As the first few races proved that last year's car was a dud and there was no point spending resources improving it, Brawn quickly set on developing the car for 2009. With the raft of new changes introduced for 2009 which almost meant that all the teams had to start from scratch, this decision to develop the car much earlier than others proved significant. So if Honda were still around, their car WOULD be the Brawn car. I'm not sure how better the customer Mercedes engine is, but I doubt it has given them significant advantage over the Honda engines. Anyway, as we have learnt over the years, the chassis aerodynamics and tyre choice make much much more difference to lap times compared to the engine itself. This was proved at Melbourne where the top 3 teams in practice all had controversial rear diffusers which the other teams are protesting. The protest is still under appeal, and if found guilty the Melbourne victory for Brawn might be taken away. So all is not as rosy yet.

So what team do I support then? Well, it has always been Williams. A lot of the so-called local F1 fans don't know that before the era of Schumacher and Hakkinen, the Williams F1 team won a few titles in a row with DIFFERENT DRIVERS. Nigel Mansell, Alain Prost, Jacques Villeneuve, Damon Hill. Year after year, title after title. They've been in a bit of a rot recently once BMW left and they turned private. But even then with customer Toyota engines, they consistently beat the bigger-budgeted Toyota team. The new 2009 rules seemed to have brought new hope, with Williams doing well in testing, and Nico Rosberg even topping all three of the Melbourne practice sessions. He was on course to get at least 3rd place in the race before a disastrous pitstop and the wrong choice of tyres at the end meant he was lucky to come home in 6th. The less said of his teammate Nakajima the better. I'm just happy for him to FINISH a race, which was a target too far for him in Melbourne as he crashed his car on his own. You could see that his being in Williams is part of some deal that involved the use of the Toyota engines.

On to Sepang then. Should be interesting to see if Brawn can build on their strong start. Also, to see if Ferrari and McLaren can do something about it. But with the race coming so soon after Melbourne, and with similar racing conditions, I doubt it. Accidents and mistakes aside, I FULLY expect the podium to be taken up by drivers from Brawn, Williams and Toyota. Thanks to the Missus' employers, we got a good deal for seats in the K1 stand, which to me provides the best view in Sepang. It's at the end of turn 1, which gives you a view of the starting grid, and the first few turns, where usually most of the overtaking (and accidents!) happen.

Review of my MacBook Mini

I've had about a week now to play around with my Leopard-installed Dell Mini 9. As a Mac user, I absolutely LOVE it, but then again also as a Mac user, the Mini (unsurprisingly) is not a true Apple device and ultimately does have a few nags.

Pros:

• It's a small, light, portable, fully functional Mac OS laptop!
• It's FULLY FUNCTIONAL. Everything works - wifi, built-in 3G, trackpad, built-in webcam, audio out port (for headphones).
• The built-in wireless broadband is particularly useful. You can go online ANYWHERE without having to look for a hotspot! Even in the car!
• The LED-backlighted screen is gorgeous.
• Has a built-in SDHC card slot, which means that the internal storage space can be boosted by the mere insertion of a SDHC card. To save space on the internal SSD, I'm even running apps off the SDHC - Firefox, iLife '09 etc. Loading may be SLIGHTLY slower than on an iMac, but once loaded, it works flawlessly.
• WIth the internal SSD (Solid State Drive) storage, and no fan nor DVD-reader, the Mini has NO MOVING PARTS. Which should make it more robust to knocks while carrying it around.

Cons:

• The keyboard really needs getting used to. I'm still getting more than my usual amount of typos. The alphabet-keys are OK, just that the other keys are are not aligned the usual way, and some are REALLY tiny! The two buttons adjoining the space bar which are mapped as the Command (Apple) buttons are even smaller than the tip of my fingers!
• I was never really a fan of trackpads, especially on non-Apple products, but the Mini's trackpad is just BAD. It's overly sensitive, and there's too much friction. Remedied this problem by getting myself a Microsoft (!) bluetooth mouse which pairs beautifully.
• It can get really hot after prolonged usage - but that's expected considering it has no internal fan. Anyway, I'm used to having my MacBook Pro literally ROASTING my thighs!
• Maxis 3G is a bit hit-and-miss. If you're in an area with good HSDPA coverage, then it's excellent. But it's rather slow otherwise. Having said that, connection in EDGE areas are not THAT bad, comparable to Streamyx most of the times (which doesn't say much). One problem with connecting to the net via 3G on a Mac is that the built-in dialer doesn't tell you whether the connection is on HSDPA, 3G, EDGE or plain GPRS. But I guess that's a minor problem as you can easily check the type of coverage using any 3G-enabled phone.
• The sound output is a bit dodgy, particularly when playing back movie files using VLC. At first I thought this had something to do with the speakers, but plugging in headphones yielded the same outcome. Probably a driver update would fix this.
  
• The built-in camera, at 0.3MP, is understandably grainy, especially in low light.

So there you have it. Probably the photo above encapsulates the features of the Mini. As you can see, I'm sat outside by the KLCC lake and I'm happily connected to the net, checking my emails, facebook and the latest football news. The photo is snapped using the Mini's integrated camera (which explains the graininess), but I fixed it up a bit using iPhoto '09 software which is readily installed on the Mini.

Anyway, with this Mini, there's less excuse not to blog on a more regular basis!

MacBook Mini

A new trend in the computing world emerged in the 2nd half of 2008. Before, bigger was always better, and computer manufacturers were enticing consumers with larger hard disk storage, faster processors, better graphics cards, bigger screens, faster wireless connections, etc. Thing is, does the average user REALLY need all this? In the modern day of the internet, you can argue that 90% of home PC users only EVER use the home PC or laptop to surf the net, write emails, type the odd letter and maybe watch the latest Britney video on Youtube (well the latter applies to me, anyway). So manufacturers had this idea - why not produce a scaled down machine that's light, portable and CHEAP? And thus the Netbook market was created. Appropriately named, a netbook would be simply a device whose main purpose would be to connect to the internet. No CD/DVD drives, and specs that are unable to handle heavy resource-intensive games and applications. But they would be really small (most with 10-inch or smaller screens) and light (just over the 1kg mark), and thus are really appealing to those who need to surf, blog, and reply emails on the move. I was really tempted to get one, but with one small problem - they all ran Windows or Linux! But over the months, the Dell Mini 9 emerged as the best model to be Hackint0shed, i.e. "hacked" to run the Mac OS.

Now in Malaysia, the Dell website does not have the Mini 9, but some retailers in LowYat Plaza do have it (or used to, anyway). Better still, Maxis has a deal where for RM89/month for 24 months, you get the Dell Mini 9 with BUILT-IN 3G, 6 months' worth of unlimited Maxis Broadband subscription, and the option to continue the subscription after the 6th month for only RM77/month (RM22 less than the normal rate). Sounded like a good deal to me, especially as it had a built-in wireless 3G card, which means you don't have to attach any unsightly dongle to connect to the net. From my "research" at LowYat, no one seems to be selling this card separately. So I went for it.

Registering for the Dell Mini at the KLCC Maxis Centre was easy enough - received it via courier less than 2 days later. Tested it a bit - didn't notice it being slower than any normal machine on Win XP, and the Maxis 3G connection was BLAZINGLY fast (provided there's a good HSDPA signal). So got myself a copy of the Mac Box Set (Mac OS 10.5.6 + iLife '09 + iWork '09) and went ahead with turning the Dell Mini 9 into a tiny MacBook.

The whole installation process was done using the simple step-by-step process given by the folks at mydellmini.com. I used the first 2 USB drive method, as it means I don't have to source for an external DVD drive. Just needed to insert the Mac OS installation disc into the iMac, then mirror it to a 16GB SDHC card. I did have to jump through a few more hoops though as the Dell Mini from Maxis only comes with a 8GB SSD, which is too small for a full installation of Mac OS Leopard, so I had to do a custom install, removing most of the unnecessary stuff to slim down the OS. I have to admit I did encounter several other problems along the way, but a quick search through the mydellmini.com forums shows that these were known problems and can be easily remedied.

In the end, installation of Mac OS Leopard onto the Dell Mini 9 was a SUCCESS, and the best thing is, EVERYTHING WORKS! In particular, the built-in wireless 3G works and I can connect to the Maxis 3G network. Only problem under Mac is it just tells me that I'm connected, there's no indication on type of network (HSDPA, EDGE, GPRS) or even how strong the signal is. Hoping to find a remedy for this in the next few days. The lack of a DVD-drive is no problem as the package of drivers downloaded from mydellmini.com includes a driver that makes the Dell thing that it's a MacBook Air. This enables the Remote Disc feature, which means that it will WIRELESSLY use the DVD-drive on my iMac as its own! So if I need to install programs or watch DVDs, all I need to do is insert the required DVD into my iMac, and it will turn up on the Dell screen as if it was inserted into its own drive! The Dell even automatically added the NAS (network attached storage) that I have connected to my router. After allowing for the OS (or what's left of it anyway), I only have less than 1GB of storage left on the internal SSD. However, the earlier mentioned 16GB SDHC (Class 6) inserted in the built-in card reader gives the needed additional space. Partitioned it into 2 separate partitions - one for Time Machine and another for applications and files. I installed Firefox, VLC and iPhoto on the SDHC, and there's really no noticeable lag.

So there you have it. I now have my very own 8.9-inch, 1.04kg MacBook Mini! Now all I need is to find away to remove that hideous Dell logo.

The 'Ol Switcheroo!

One thing about me that really irks my friends is that I seem to change my mobile number at least twice a year. About a year ago I switched providers from Maxis to DiGi. Reasons being:

1. Rates and charges were cheaper than Maxis, and as the Missus has a supplementary number, calls and SMS's between us are free WITH NO LIMIT.
2. I opted for the unlimited data plan, which was cheaper at RM66/month, albeit EDGE is the fastest speed available. Which was fine with me, as my 1st-gen iPhone has no 3G anyway (boohoo!).
3. When I signed up for the unlimited data plan, there was a promotion of free 12 month's use of the Airzed wi-fi network, which is the most widely available in KL.

So, all's good then? WRONG. The reception is just so POOR it's laughable. HYSTERICAL even. I have virtually no reception in my room at my in-laws' at Taman Duta, which has led me to MISS so many calls my friends and parents have almost GIVEN UP on trying to get hold of me in the evenings. If I'm in a lift or if I just go one floor down a basement level, there's just NO POINT even checking for reception. "That's expected" I hear you say. Well, that was not the case with my old Maxis number. Worked fine in lifts (well the ones in my office building anyway), and basements weren't too much of a problem unless I went REALLY FAR DOWN.

After having suffered this INCONVENIENCE for about a year, I decided to switch back to Maxis. And the Mobile Number Portability scheme in place in Malaysia now makes the process easier, as we get to keep our DiGi numbers! Only downside is the unlimited data plan under Maxis is RM99/month. But then, it is 3G, and though I can't benefit from it yet, I do expect to do so in a few months, when hopefully I can get my hands on the 3rd generation of the iPhone!

So I made my way to the Maxis service centre in Bangsar and told the guy we had learnt our lessons, have SEEN THE LIGHT and would now hope that Maxis can forgive us and take us back. The whole process was surprisingly easy. Just handed over my IC, gave the guy my home address, current DiGi phone number and which Maxis plans I wish to subscribe to - and voila! Now I just need to wait for an SMS confirming the switch before I can insert my new Maxis sim. The best part - I don't need to call DiGi to inform them of the switch. Everything should be done automatically!

Remote-ly crazy!

Everyone who knows me personally know that I'm a geek with a capital G. I am very passionate about tech, and do own more than my fair share of state-of-the-art gadgets. However, besides a few posts on my beloved iPhone, I've never really talked about my other toys. Until now. I'll start with my Home Entertainment System, and I think there's no better way to do it than to look at the remotes!

1. Astro MAX

When I was studying for my Masters in London a few years back, we subscribed to Sky+, which was basically the UK version of TiVo. With Sky+, YOU were in control of your own time. You can rewind live TV at any time in case you missed that goal or didn't hear what the film dialogue the first time round. But better still, you need only tell Sky+ that you wish it to record a certain TV programme, and it would continue to record and save each subsequent episode of the same programme until you tell it to stop. But what I loved most about it is that I always watch TV programmes 10-15 minutes after it has started. Then, whenever there's an advert break, I can just speed through the adverts!

So what about Astro MAX then? Well, it's supposed to do the same things as Sky+, only difference is that Astro MAX is CRAP. They should rename it Astro MIN instead. It is EXTREMELY buggy. Hangs all the time, and not a day goes by without my needing to hard reboot the system by pulling out the power cord. And when it doesn't hang, it suffers from serious lag, having to wait a couple of seconds for a button press to register. Lately a new problem has cropped up - at random times it just goes haywire altogether. Press "5" on the remote, and the decoder would recognise it as "4". Nothing to do with the remote, as this happens on more than one remote! It is telling though that on the astro homepage, there is no mention of Astro MAX, and under the "Packages & Decoders" section, it is stated that "... the Astro MAX decoder is no longer available".

2. JVC TH-V70 Home Theatre System

Got this by winning a slogan competition organised by The Star a number of years back. It's a 5.1 system and the DVD player has glowing lights and can be mounted either normally or vertically. The front panel slides down a bit everytime you need to insert or eject a DVD. And the sub-woofer is quite heavy and powerful. Everything in the room literally shakes whenever I watch a film on it. The TV is also connected to the JVC, so turning it up when I'm shooting down enemy soldiers in Call Of Duty on the PS3 is just AWESOME!

3. Sony Trinitron DRC-MF 29" Flatscreen CRT TV

Another one I won through a slogan competition - yup, I am just that good at slogans! A real massive TV which needs at least 3 people to carry around. It's a CRT, but unlike most CRTs it has multiple component/RGB inputs and progressive scan. The picture quality is just perfect, and there's no trace of the many horizontal lines that you can see across normal CRTs. Don't use it as my main TV ever since I got the LCD, but I put the footie on it on weekend nights while I watch TV or play games on the LCD.

4. Pioneer DV-585K DVD Player

An inexpensive model that I received as a wedding gift. Nothing much to shout about, except for one thing - it plays DivX files! No more watching downloaded TV series on the computer screen. Just burn the DivX files onto a DVD-RW, insert disc into DVD player and voila! So it's a dedicated DivX player until recently when I encountered less troublesome ways to enjoy my downloads.

5. PlayStation 3

Now, to the uninitiated (me too at first), the PS3 is nothing more than a games console, albeit a pricey one. Only difference between this and the older PS2 was just that the PS3 had better graphics. Oh how wrong that is. The PlayStation 3 is a full-blooded home entertainment system. With its 1080p HDMI output, you can watch high-def Blu-Rays and normal DVDs. It has built-in wifi, which means that apart from being able to play games online with fellow gamers around the world, you can also surf the net from the comfort of your living room sofa! This can be done by connecting ANY normal PC keyboard and mouse into the 2 USB ports. Or, if you prefer, just connect the peripherals wirelessly via the PS3's built-in Bluetooth!

The thing I like most about the PS3 though is its ability to play numerous media formats, which includes DivX movie files. And, via wifi, you can wireless stream files directly from your PC or Mac! So no more having to transfer files! You can literally browse the folders on your PC or Mac directly using the PS3! However, the PS3 does not recognise certain DivX codecs, and won't even attempt to read high-def MKV files! Which is where the next device comes in...

6. Western Digital WDTV HD Media Player

The WDTV is a small device, but connect a portable HDD via one of its two USB ports, and it will play virtually ANYTHING you throw at it! And this in HD too as it has a HDMI port that supports up to 1080p!

7. Nintendo Wii

Everyone knows about the Wii's unique "physical" game controls, and is a sure hit at parties. When I'm playing it alone though, I favourites are Guitar Hero (with wireless guitar "controller"!) and Resident Evil 4 (superb game controls where you hold the Wii controller like a gun and aim at the screen to shoot!).

8. Sharp Aquos LC-32A33M 32" HD-Ready LCD TV

LCD TV prices are dropping faster than Liverpool are dropping points in the EPL, and this model from Sharp is a real good deal. You can get it as low as RM1,600 in certain shops, and with its natural, not-over-saturated colour, 3 HDMI inputs and ambient light sensor, it doesn't compromise on features. It's not 1080p, but at 32" it doesn't really make much difference.

9. Logitech Harmony 525 Universal Remote Control

With as many gadgets as myself, you can probably guess the problems I face just by looking at the main photo. Each device comes with its own remote, and it's a nightmare just trying to organise them as neatly as possible, let alone avoiding confusion each time you need to change a channel or turn up the volume! This is where the Harmony 525 plays its part. With it, I can keep away ALL of the remotes in the photo above (apart from the PS3 and Wii). Setting up the remote is done using the included software which connects to the Logitech servers. This is good as it can then tap into the database of virtually all products that have infrared remotes. And I mean ALL. It has the settings for the Astro MAX settop box, the WDTV media player, and even other non-entertainment devices such as air-cond units! The downside of this though is that with no internet connection, you simply CAN'T configure the remote, and the process tends to be a bit slow and buggy.

So once you've added each device to the remote, next step is to set up your "activities", such as "Watching ASTRO", or "PS3 time". The software would ask you a series of questions - What device do you use for sound? Which device would display the video? On which input channel should the TV be on?. This process, though seemingly straightforward, may take a few attempts to get right through a trial and error process. But when it's done, it's just PERFECT. For example, if I want to watch normal TV I just need to press ONE button on the remote. The remote would then switch on the TV, Astro set-top box, and home theatre system, and set both the TV and home theatre system to the correct input. Say I then want to watch a DVD. Again, with another press of a button, the remote would switch off Astro, switch on the DVD player, and change the input on the TV. When I need to do something else I just press the power button on the remote and it turns off EVERYTHING. Again I stress, all these things are done by just pressing ONE BUTTON! And it's also smart enough to map the right controls to the remote. So when I'm watching TV, the volume buttons would control the home theatre system, but the number buttons would control the Astro decoder. No more fiddling around with multiple remotes. You are happy as everything's a breeze to control, and the missus is happy as half the coffee table is not taken up by numerous remotes!

So there you go, a "brief" introduction to my gadgets. I'll write more in detail about one of the above gadgets, or even write about the other gadgets that I own, in a future post.

Surviving the Slim River rapids!