Streaming RCTI

Today I read some tweets from Indonesian artists in Twitter, so I knew that some of them will perform in a TV program called Dahsyat. Dahsyat was broadcasted by an Indonesian TV station called RCTI (Rajawali Citra Televisi Indonesia). I tried to googling (searching by using Google) and I got some result from www.binus-access.com/bee-watch/

Picture 1 Binus Access

but it is not possible to establish a network connection at that time. I searched more and I found this website is useful since I could stream RCTI from http://www.mivo.tv/

Picture 2 Mivo.tv

If you need to stream RCTI as well, you can try to access it and choose RCTI.

P.S.: This is some of the thing that might happen to us, the international student.

Communication through Twitter

Twitter, as a social networking site, is viewed useless by many people, but when I checked out its rank in Competeinc, based on unique visitors within a month it was in top 50 (it got the 38th position). Twitter looks simple and lack of features, but it could manage to be popular. Hence, I am trying it.

This is the screenshot from Twitter.com (without log-in) when I searched for "@dell":

Picture 1 Twitter Main Page

It is (mostly) possible for people to search and read Twitter user's posts about certain topics. Twitter has many users from around the world who post various topics, so the results (which are sorted based on time of latest posts) can be considered as up-to-date news.

As a Twitter user, I could follow (receive posts) from other users that I follow, so whenever they post a tweet (= a message) I will receive it. The good thing is, Twitter user could only make a message (= a tweet) within 140 characters limit (look at the picture below), so Twitter could send it to the Twitter user's followers through text message. In that way, information could be spread from a Twitter user to his/her followers in short time (time is valuable).

Picture 2 Twitter Home (after log-in)

For personal purpose, if I follow my friends and they are active users, they will often tweet and I will get up-to-date information from them about themselves, rumors around them, world news, etc. (similar practices were seen on Gossip Girl Season 1 Episode 1). Basically I will get information from users that I follow, so if I follow the right users, I may get information that I wanted such as weather forecast, discounted products, match results, world news. It can be like making your own newspaper. Furthermore, it can be used for team work. If each team member follow each others, spreading information can be faster. As an example, a team is separated into small groups in different locations. One group has a problem, the group post a tweet, then everyone in the team receive the tweet. When another group has already done something about the problem, they post another tweet and everyone don't have to worry about it anymore.

For organizational purposes, if I follow a firm then when the firm has a special offer, the firm posts a tweet and its followers will get the information about that. Furthermore the followers may also re-tweet (RT) the post to their followers, and so on. Thus, information can spread to many more people. Moreover, the firm itself will be able to get responses, such as the keywords get into trending topics can mean that it is interesting, people's comments on the tweet, etc.

Those are some uses of Twitter.

Additional Information:
1. You can visit http://bit.ly to shorten URL (because URL usually consumes a lot of character, for example URL for this post is http://icetrack.blogspot.com/2009/10/communication-through-twitter.html
(71 characters) and we only have 140 characters to write).
2. Share your photos with http://tweetphoto.com (log-in with your Twitter account).
3. You can browse Twitter data through Bing Twitter (a search engine).
4. See statistics about Twitter user at http://twittercounter.com.
5. When you visit Twitter, if you find Twitter down such as

Picture 3 Twitter down

Picture 4 Twitter down-2

Don't worry, it usually will not take a long time, just refresh a couple seconds later.

Easy Way in Maroubra

I went to Maroubra Junction. Before I crossed the street to the shopping mall, I saw a crowd.

Picture 1 A Crowd in Maroubra Junction

I crossed the street and took a closer look.

Picture 2 Easy Way Announcement Board

Due to an opening of new store in Maroubra, Easy Way made a promotional program for about a week. This was seen to be successful looking at the queuing.

Star Trek in Hoyts IMAX

Picture 1 Star Trek (J. J. Abrams version)

Last night I watched Star Trek in Hoyts IMAX, Fox Studio. Here are some of my experiences:

1. On the ticket counter, my friend argued with the ticket-man because my friend saw on the website that the ticket price is $20/person and the ticket-man told us that it was $22/person. He told us that it was because it's IMAX, but then he checked it again for us. In the end, it's only around $17.33/person. I am happy with that, but I also think that it is important to be careful with it.
2. I felt fantastic when the movie started and then a couple minutes later I realized that something was missing, something important. Then I figured out that THERE WAS NO SUB-TITLE. It destroyed my hype in an instant.
3. There was a scene when James Kirk, as a student, told his friend, Leonard McCoy, that he would re-take a test which nobody has ever passed. The next scene was he did something on a bed with a green female alien and it was over when her room-mate, Nyota Uhura, returned and found out about him. After that, Kirk and some other students including McCoy and Uhura did the simulation test and beat it. Later, Kirk was in the court because he was found cheating on the test.

About no.3 The bed scene seems unimportant. Later I found in memory alpha that the name of the green alien was Gaila and she worked in the computer lab. Kirk asked for her help to release a cheat patch to the simulation test. That is the reason of the bed scene. Without knowing this, it is difficult to understand the story. It is also appear that something is not important but it is actually important if we can put the right frame (Framing is a technique of adding words into a sentence to give it more context).

Overall, the film is good.

Google is ...

After trying Twitter, I suddenly think about Google, my favorite search engine. Google has auto-complete feature, so when I type something in Google's text box, Google will show me some suggestion or prediction. I tried to write "Google is " and the result was as shown below:

Picture 1 Google is in Google.com

It shows a lot of phrases that unveils bad sides, users' expectations, people's perceptions, rumors, etc. Then I tried the same phrase in Bing and the result is as shown below:

Picture 2 Google is in Bing

I was interested with the last one, 'google is my resume', so I chose it and the result was as shown below:

Picture 2 Google is My Resume

I was quite surprised when I saw that the result referred to Google Docs file. I was a bit worried about this since I put some of my assignments in Google Docs to make collaboration with my friends easier and those will be checked with turnitin.

Marketing through Facebook

I have used Facebook to keep in touch with my friends around the world. The statistics show that Facebook is very demanding. Today, Facebook gets second rank in Top Sites by Alexa.com. Thus, Facebook can be considered as a successful business.

I was born in Indonesia, so I am Indonesian. Last Friday, 2 October 2009, Indonesian people was suggested to wear batik (Indonesian traditional clothes) by Indonesian Government. Since I am in Australia and I do not really hear much Indonesian news, it is difficult for people like us to know it unless it was advertised. I saw the advertisement in a very unexpected place as shown below:

Picture 1 Advertisement

The advertisement ("Batik, Proudly Indonesia") is in the right side in my Facebook page. I am an Indonesian and I got an advertisement that was targeted for Indonesian people. In other word, I would like to say that in this case, the advertisement reached the right person.

I think most of Facebook users give their personal data voluntarily to Facebook. That data can be used by Facebook to know each of its user better, for example: I set my birth date in Facebook, so Facebook can estimate my age (how old I am). Every product in the market (out there) was invented, developed, and built for certain group of people or, in marketing it is called, target market. An example of this is that milk powder products in supermarket, like Enfa A+, usually has a range of age written on its box to tell the buyer that the product was intended for a group of people in that age range.

Picture 2 Enfa A+

Target market is usually detail (consist of several criteria) such as gender (male/female), status in familiy (mother/children), condition (pregnant/growing), age range, country, etc. Many firms try to reach their target market. Facebook has various data of its users. Firms can ask Facebook to put their advertisement in certain users' Facebook page (target market). The more variations Facebook has, the more accurate Facebook can reach target markets. The more user Facebook has, the more people in each target market Facebook can reach.

In old days, Firms put their advertisement on billboards, newspapers, television, and any other medias that are used by many people, not specific people. Facebook has make it possible for the firms to reach more specific groups of people that become their target markets. In terms of marketing, it can be viewed to be a more effective way to reach the target market (some people like me see it as a revolution in marketing). No wonder Facebook grows like this.

ACE Leadership Competition - Testimonial

This is my testimonial for ACE's committee:

"Being a international student in UNSW means focus in studying by reading course materials, attending lectures, working on assignments, etc. to gain technical skills. It was me before I joined ACE Leadership Competition. The more I involved in the program, the more I realized that I need other skills beside technical skills and those are people skills through various challenging activities. Challenge drew me out of my comfort zone and entered learning zone which was perfect to develop myself. ACE Leadership Competition gave me not only the knowledge, but also chances to apply the knowledge and know myself better. I recommended this program to all postgraduate students in Australian Business School because I believe that everyone needs and is able to be a better person for his/her life and community."

I share this to the world because I found it quite good to motivate myself...^^;

8< - - - - - - - -

After the competition, I got
- 1 certificate of attendance
- 1 $50 voucher from UNSW Bookstore
Later, I got an e-mail from Student Development Office

Picture 1 e-mail

The content of the e-mail is that I got FREE TICKET to Magical Masquerade Ball worth $68. Thus, I have a very good impression to both the committee and GSA (Graduate Student Association).

Google Wave

This was how it will be when I haven't got an invitation to Google Wave but I tried to log in:

Picture 1 Google Wave (failed to log in)

My friend was invited by his friend on Thursday and on Friday he got the invitation, then he invited me. On Saturday I did not get the invitation. Next week, on Friday, I got the invitation to Google Wave. So, I thought the invitation was probably sent weekly on Friday.

This was how it looked after I logged in and post some "wave":

Picture 2 Google Wave (after Logged in)

It can even be simplified by minimising all of those:

Picture 3 Google Wave (simple)

Google Wave is claimed to be a system for people to exchange messages (in old days it was called a letter) in this days using current technology. This is how I see the difference:

• Post system (before up to now):

Picture 1 Post System

• Google Wave:

Picture 2 Google Wave

Personal Comments:

• Google Wave is another email. I need to check it quite often and it is still lack POP3, IMAP4 or other similar service. In this stage I think it is still difficult to send the wave to e-mail, what is more possible is sending notifications to the account holder.
• Google Wave is not another Office Suite. It can be used to make documents, but it is still lack of features to edit or format the documents compared to office suites.
• Google Wave is not another Facebook or Twitter. In Facebook or Twitter, I add my friends to my account. In Google Wave I just need to remember their contacts (e-mail) or just use Google Contacts to keep the information.

Facts:

• Google Wave is still in preview version
• Google Wave is linked with Google Contacts which is still in beta version

Magical Masquerade: Preparation

There will be a ball at the end of this teaching period (week 13). I volunteer to do marketing for the event. One of my job is making posters.

I found this websites are very useful to supply non-royalty pictures:
1. Stock Exchange
2. deviantART
(there are some that are free, but the rests are not free)

I found a website that can assist me to determine matching colors through themes, that is Adobe Kuler. I chose "africa" by "Sifa" from Kuler. Here is what the theme look like:

Picture 1 Kuler Theme: africa by Sifa

I used the color in the middle (third from left and right) as background like it is suggested by Kuler. This is an example of a poster that I made from that source:

Picture 2 Sample Poster

In the end, this poster was not chosen as one that will be used, but I think it looks good (since I am the one who made it.

FAQ about designing poster:
1. Q: What should I care about paper?
A: There are some different sizes and types of paper. As an example, that poster was printed in A3 (equals to 2 times A4 or 29.7 x 42.0 centimeters) in a glossy paper (200 grams).
2. Q: Which file format should I use for the poster?
A: It depends on your purpose. If it is to edit further, a raw file that still keep the picture as detail as possible is better. If it is to print, .pdf file would be sufficient.
3. Q: How to make sure that the picture quality will be good?
A: It is better to make sure that the pictures at least have a resolution of 300 dpi (dot per inch) and it is different with ppi (pixel per inch). Don't get messed up!

Tired is a reason to be lazy

This is my current status: "Tired is a reason to be lazy"
I believe that it is originally made by myself. I checked it here:

Picture 1 Google Search Result

Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream

This morning my friend told me that & Jerry's would come to UNSW Anzac Parade at 12:00AM. He knew it from his friend's post in Twitter. So, around that time I went out to Anzac Parade and I could not find it there. About one hour later, I found out that it was not on the street, but it was inside UNSW. So, they brought their car into UNSW and make crowd. The ice cream was free and there are two different flavor: vanilla and chocolate.

Picture 1 Ben & Jerry's Van from Angle 1

Picture 2 Ben & Jerry's Van (Closer Look)

There are two people, the one on the left (purple shirt) gave vanilla-flavored ice cream, the other one (blue shirt) gave chocolate-flavored ice cream.

Picture 3 Other than Ice Cream

The chocolate one is less desirable, so I just took it (I did not have to wait as long as if I got the vanilla one). It is sweet with a little bit bitter taste (just like chocolate). It is nice.

Picture 3 Chocolate Flavored Ice Cream (with Chocolate Chip)

Sydney in Orange

This morning I woke up at around seven o'clock and I saw the sky was orange. I thought I woke up too early, then I checked my watch and I was still too early, so I felt asleep again. Later, when I would go out of my house, my house-mate told me that there was a thunderstorm. Later, I realized that the sky was orange because of dust and it happened everywhere in Sydney. My friend even told me that he thought that he was gonna die and he did not have to study again. I did not take any photos at that time, but my friend took it from her apartment in Anzac Parade Street, Kingsford.

Picture 1 Anzac Parade Street in the morning

This is photos at around eleven o'clock it's already much better.

Picture 2 Anzac Parade Street at around 10AM

Picture 3 UNSW at around 10AM

Note: Thank you for the photo, Tina!

HP Envy vs. Apple Macbook Pro

I just saw an article about new HP product, HP Envy. I really surprised to see that that particular product, in front of my eyes, look so similar with Apple MacBook Pro.

Picture of HP Envy (Left) and Apple Macbook Pro (Right)

Although the specification is rather different, both products...

1. Similar screen size, about 13 inch. Even the frame of the screen uses similar black color.

2. Similar multi touch trackpad

3. Similar chiclet keyboard in similar black color

4. Similar body model, but different material. HP Envy uses carbon fiber, while Apple Macbook Pro uses aluminium

What has happened with laptop/notebook industry? Why HP make such similar product (Apple Macbook Pro has launched earlier)? The competition in the industry seems to be quite tight and not enough protection (like patents) put in the product so competitor can easily make similar product in different ways. For HP, it is possible that the product can be successful just like the Apple one since relatively many people like the design, but it will come in Windows OS instead of Mac OS which is considered more common and popular. Many people don't like changes, so the existing Windows users that are attracted to the product may not have to migrate to Mac OS or buy Windows OS. In the other hand, people like me may think that it is not an original idea, so HP brand can be damaged. It seems like an ice track.

Thank you for your appreciation toward this matter.

Source: HP, Apple, Reuters, TechTree, Amazon, Team Digital, and many other websites that support this articles.

Gossip Geek

UNSW CSE (School of Computer Science and Engineering) Revue is going to do a play, "Gossip Geek" between Tuesday (22) to Thursday (24 September 2009) in Science Theatre. The theatre is a teaching space, so it is often used for lecture. They put brochures in many places, but besides that they do this with the building:

Picture 1 Outside Science Theatre

I can read "Gossip Geek" from the arrangement of paper on the window. This is how if you look at it from inside:

Picture 2 Inside Science Theatre

I can read "geek" in reverse order. They put the posters in certain arrangement, so from outside it can be read as "gossip geek". It will be difficult to notice it from inside, I may just think as a stupid way to arrange the posters.

Eid ul-Fitr 1430

I sent a text to my friend, he is a muslim, like this:

Faith makes things possible.

Hope makes things work.

Love makes life beautiful.

Happy Eid ul-Fitr!

Shall peace and forgiveness be shared among us.

and one of my friends replied like this:

Thanks a lot, Bro. Thanks for all wonderful wishes :)

I sent the text because the moslem celebrate the event, Eid ul-Fitr. After fasting for one month called "Ramadan", they celebrated it on 20th September 2009. When I passed Allison Road, I saw the Malaysians were celebrating it.

Picture 1 Malaysia Hall from Angle-1

Picture 2 Malaysia Hall from Angle-2

It seemed to be very nice to gather with many other people that have the same religion after one month of hard work (fasting). Sometimes hard work can cause excessive work load and fatigue. It is not enjoyable, but after it finished, it usually can give relieving feeling and that feels good.

UNSW: Randwick Campus

UNSW Main Campus is in Kensington, but they have several other campuses like this one, Randwick Campus. The Campus in Randwick is mainly used for language study.

Picture 1 UNSW in Randwick

Picture 2 Language School

Picture 3 Street View

It is actually separated from the main campus by Royal Randwick Race Course and one block of housing in Allison Road. Now it is difficult for the main campus and this campus to expand their land because their surroundings have already been occupied and the price has already relatively high. So, UNSW has some campuses in different area and for students like me, it is an opportunity to visit the other campuses.

Gloria Jean's Coffee: Iced Chocolate

Gloria Jean's Coffee is the largest coffee shop chain in Australia. They have more shops than Starbucks. I went there and they actually had chocolate drink product. When I asked the shop keeper whether they had chocolate drink products, she asked me about iced chocolate and I just agreed. So I bought a regular iced chocolate with whip cream for AUD5.

Picture 1 Iced Chocolate

So, the whip cream was sweet and the chocolate was sweet too and some of it still left icy. It is nice to enjoy it in a warm-hot weather like this spring. Hmm... Nice!

McDonalds: Big Mac

McDonalds is a famous burger restaurant chain that has been franchised to many countries. We have it too in here and there is one just near my campus (but it is still outside, not inside). I bought a Big Mac only (not meal) for AUD4.25

Picture 1 Big Mac Package

Picture 2 The Big Mac

It was said in the package that it was made by Australian beef and lettuce. In other word, they wanted to convey message that it was an Australian product because it was made of genuine Australian ingredients. I'm lovin it.

Tip Top Raisin Toast bread

Ingredients:

- Tip Top Raisin Toast bread

- Butter

Tools:

- Toaster

How to serve it?

Toast multiple slice of Tip Top is the One Cafe bread. Put a butter on it. It's ready to serve.

Comment: It is a nice convenience product for breakfast. The bread has already contained raisins, so if you don't mind about raisin, this is for you. Be careful when you buy it, because there are some versions and if your toaster is not supported thick slice bread, don't buy the thick slice one.

Picture 1 Ingredients

UNSW Open Day 2009

I was so surprised with this university. I had never thought that they can attract a lot of people. I knew that they put posters in the university and other places, they bought spaces in public area like bus stop, and they have a website about it. They also managed to provide free direct bus (no. 900) from central station (City) to UNSW (Kensington Campus) every about 5 minutes.

One day before Open Day (Friday), it was still quite quiet.

Picture 1 Track for Solar Cars

On Open Day, it was very crowded since morning. UNSW practically only gave free guide books, goodie bags, ballpoints, and other simple merchandises. They also give free pop corn and cotton candy. There are also free stuffs from sponsors like V (in cans).

Picture 2 Lower Campus View

Picture 3 Upper Campus View

Picture 4 Free Pop Corn (behind it, there was a free cotton candy stand)

I don't know how they did it, but it seemed to be a successful Open Day. I also thought that brand name was very important because people who came there was not only teenagers, but also adults. I thought they have already have a perception that UNSW was a good university and that day was a good chance to get more information about their desirable course.