The Amazing Panda Sneeze

Still on the subject matter of the amazingly cute giant panda, here is a video that generated over 135 million views on YouTube as of now (not counting those duplicates!!!). It's been around for quite some time now but just in case you are not among those who had watched how a baby panda's sneeze caught its mother by surprise, here it is:

Super Cute Panda Live Wallpaper

One advantage that I can think of of unrooted Android phones over non-jailbroken iPhones is the live wallpaper. For those that are more backwards than me, live wallpaper on an Android phone is similar to a PC desktop wallpaper, just that it is animated and some even interacts with the user.

As I am a panda lover, I had always wanted a wallpaper that has cute pandas in it. I was totally mesmerised when I read about one such wallpaper while flipping through an Android app magazine at a bookstore (yup, I still visit bookstores!). What's more... it's a live wallpaper with a cute panda with eyes that follow your touches! Below is a screenshot of it:

You can download the free version of the live wallpaper from the official Android Market Google Play here. There is also a paid version that allows some form of customisation but I did not try to purchase it because I'm totally happy with the free one. Cheapskate signing out!

Obviously is out. Abuden is in!

My dearest friend pointed me to this very obvious video...

Yes, yes, yes, sometimes it's really very irritating when people state the obvious but we are all guilty of doing it all the same, abuden!

Left Standing this 立春

I'm totally excited being able to make an egg stand this very first day of Spring! But why do eggs particularly stand on 立春? That part I have no idea. o.O

HDR In Photojournalism

My initial interpretation of HDR (high dynamic range) photography was over-processed photos but after a long period of web surfing and reading more about it, I find it can make a photo more realistic (in terms of dynamic range) than straight out of the camera. Before I go further, HDR is basically combining a few photos taken of the same scene at varying exposures.

Back to the purpose of this post, I came across an article from dpreview.com which mentioned about a debate in using HDR in photojournalism. You can read more about it here. I find the pro-HDR reply pretty much agreeable. Below, excerpts of the reply:

There is no camera in existence, digital or film, which can accurately reproduce what the human vision system can capture and process in real time. While today’s digital cameras capture a much larger dynamic range in a single shot than any color transparency film ever could in the past, they still can't match the tonal range humans can see. And so, using HDR software and processing tools is the only method a photographer has to deliver precisely what he or she witnessed at the time of an image capture. 

and...

Improper use of HDR can clearly create a misrepresentation of the photographic moment, but when HDR techniques are used as they should, they absolutely meet, and might, in fact, go above and beyond the standards of the NPPA’s code of ethics which state, in part:

• Be accurate and comprehensive in the representation of subjects.
• Editing should maintain the integrity of the photographic images' content and context. Do not manipulate images or add or alter sound in any way that can mislead viewers or misrepresent subjects. 
• Respect the integrity of the photographic moment.

Proper use of HDR does not alter, mislead or misrepresent a scene. In fact, true color HDR processing and tone mapping techniques restore the integrity of the photograph, and is the best way to reproduce the original high contrast scene, in low dynamic range media such as newsprint or on our LCD computer or handheld displays.

When Pigs Fly

As the saying goes "when pigs fly"... and here they are:

So, watch what you say. It may just happen!

Pssst... tomorrow's a working day...

"Pssst... it's back to work tomorrow, bud..."

"D'oh!"

Gong Xi Fa Cai! Have a Leapin' Dragon Year!

Enjoy the Dragon year to the fullest, folks! And don't worry, I don't think the world will end just yet! :)

Revolutionary Evasion

Eric Schmidt on Sergey Brin: ...he evaded my guidance. And as a result, built a multimillion-dollar business.

from the book that I'm currently reading every night before I sleep: Googled. The End of the World As We Know It.

Personal Computing in Graphs

Looking at the chart below, it's mighty interesting how mobile computing has beaten the number of PCs shipped in such a short time. My heart goes to the Atari ST... my very first PC which I abandoned in favour of an Intel-powered PC almost 2 decades ago...

via @legalnomads.

Historically Fake

I'm totally perplexed that part of the history lessons that I had gone through during my school days was conjured out of people's imaginations and this had to be my second blog post of 2012... the year the Mayans will invade us from space, harvest all our minerals and farm us like batteries to power they toys... or did I get that wrong, too?

Ahem, anyways, I had heard that Hang Tuah and gang were myths some time back but didn't believe it because they were historical heroes in our history books but now that it was made official, I rest my case. Hang  Tuah and gang shall go down in history like Wong Fei Hung and gang...

via The Star Online.

Welcome, 2012!

2012 shall be the beginning of a better world and not the end of it! Happy New Year!

Manually Shifting to Automatic Transmission

Huuuuuh? Did I read this correctly? From May 2012, there will be two types of driving licenses... a manual transmission one and an automatic transmission one... If I'm not careful, I might think that if I have a manual transmission driving license, I can't drive a car with auto transmission... and will there be a summon if a person with an auto transmission license is caught driving a car with manual transmission?

Automatically confused. Both ingenious and insane.

via The Star Online

Almost All New Ringgit Notes while RM20 Makes a Comeback

According to The Star Online, Bank Negara will issue new bank notes for all denominations save for RM50 in mid-2012. The RM20 which was long been removed from circulation will be returning.

La Nina and Monsoon Tag Team

Be careful out there, fellow Malaysians living in the Klang Valley! The monsoon and La Nina are about to unleash their forces upon us, bringing strong winds and severe thunderstorms. Take care and be safe!

via Star Online.