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A Way Out

As a Christian we know that using illegal software is unrighteous. It is theft. If you take one year to develop a fully functional well tested software, using all your brain power and precious time, will you want someone to get it just RM5 and you don’t even earn a single cent from that RM5? Of course not, right? The bible says, “Do to others, what you want others to do to you.”.

Living in this country, illegal software is so prevalent. Even though, government has enforced much action to be taken, they are still out there for you to get it, so easily. The difference is too big, just RM5 you can get a bunch of softwares worth up to RM10,000. Indeed, a big temptation to Christian. Besides this, there is another issue. The original software is expensive. A software price can cost more than a brand new pc! Example, Window XP Pro OEM version costs RM500 which is half a price of a new pc. Also, there aren’t many retail shops to get original software, especially window operating system. Many do not realize that OEM version is only entitled for those who are buying a new pc.

Being an IT student and as a Christian some many years back, I have already started to think about it. I feel bothered by myself using illegal software because of the earlier question. But, what can I do? It is too much money to buy all original softwares for a student.

But, I still want to pursue to do what is right. So since then, I began to do to find solutions. And, finally I got it. The solutions is to use freeware or open source softwares.

The first column are all the freeware or open source software you can consider to use to replace the paid softwares which is at the second column. The third column I divide it into 2 main categories of usage: Corporate and Home. Actually, there are many softwares free for home use but definitely not for corporate use. So, do check their website for confirmation and for any latest changes.

Freeware / Open Source SoftwarePaid softwaresFree forDescription
UbuntuMs Window XP/VistaHome * and Corporate useThere are few open sources Operating System (OS) besides Ubuntu. But, I think Ubuntu is one of the most user-friendly, just like Window XP.
OpenOfficeMs OfficeHome and Corporate useIn Open Office, Writer is like Ms Word; Calc is like Ms Excel; Impress is like Ms PowerPoint in Ms Office.
AVGNorton AntivirusHome use only
KerioZone AlarmHome use onlyFirewall
We-BlockerTo filter pronography
SpybotHome and Corporate useCan scan and clean up spyware.
AdwareHome use onlyCan scan and clean up spyware.
7ZipWinZipHome and Corporate use
GIMPPhotoshop or Fireworksfor graphic design
HTMLKitDreamweaverText Editor
AceFTPWS FTPto upload or download your files.
RegcleanClean up your registry
MySqlSQL Server 7 or Ms AccessDatabase
WinMergeUsed during Implementation stage in Software Development

* Home use is another term for Personal use or Non-Commercial use.

The above are just some of the freeware or open source softwares I’m using. There are more out there.

Question: I am buying a new laptop now. The vendor asked if I would like to have Window Vista Home version or Professional version. Which version should I get?
My Answer: Normally if you are classic ASP or .NET developer, you might need IIS which is available in Professional version. And if your pc or laptop will be used in a corporate network, you should buy Professional version. Otherwise, you can just get a Home version.

Question: Where can I get all these freeware or open source softwares?
My Answer: You can easily download the latest version from download.com or from their website. They will even send a CD to your home for free. Example, Ubuntu. I went to their website and send my information and requested for a CD to install Ubuntu. Within two weeks, I received the CD and it is all free!

Question: I have downloaded Open Office and tried to use it. But, how come it is not the same like Ms Office and not easy to use?
My answer: I know that you might have some difficulty to use Open Office compare to Ms Office which you have been using all your life. But, I think this is because you are not used to it yet. But if you hang on there for a little while, you will get comfortable with it. Actually, with Open Office, example Writer, you can save your file as .doc (an extension for Ms Word). Same goes to other file type like .xls (an extension for Ms Excel) and .ppt (and extension for Ms PowerPoint).

Last but not least, say no to illegal softwares. It is stealing. And God does provide a way out (1 Corinthian 10: 13).

Categories
Singing

Singing karaoke at home

Just now, sing around 45 minutes of karaoke at home. Feel that time time, better output compare to last time. But song still too high for now. Feel like I need to use maximum push from my diaphram to output those continuous high notes. After a while, diaphram can’t tahan liao.

Also tried out something new, using falsetto to hit low notes. Seem can work. Just gotta practice more. When I change to use falsetto to hit the notes, so much easier and comfortable.

Just gotta keep train myself in my support/breathing. I think hearing is not that bad. I can’t hear myself out of pitch.

Categories
Singing

Today’s Singing Journal

Forum

Today, during work, type out “singing forum vocal” and from then realize that I can learn much from here. And just now, went to the forum again. But, seems a lot of forum and much to read. But, I settle down in this forum called, http://singing.eblah.com

I spend quite a long time in this “Rate my singing” category. Wow, learnt much from the comment. Great tips from the experts there. Also feel a little comforted because hearing some less better than me when I got a hang of myself. But, I shouldn’t be proud and laugh at her which I did in my heart. No good. Repent.

Some really sing very well there like law77. Hope to hear more great singing from there to get inspired. I think hearing normal people singing inspire me more than the real singer. I think this inspiration insight began when I went to S.H.E singing competition yesterday. Indeed, I got inspired. And gotta bear in mind not to chase after to be a singer nor popularity but rather a better motivation, to sing better for my church and to inspires others because I’m not very talented. I think I give myself 2 out of 5 talent (Parable of the talent).

I think I will do the same, record myself down and post it for feedback. It is a good way. Actually, just by hearing myself I can give comment to myself but some I can see/hear it, blind spot.

I think I will also add some good website and forum link to my http://music.findingsteve.net for the help and benefits of others who go to my website.

Notes

Gotta record down the things I learnt from there.

  • Use nose instead of mouth. Reason is because using mouth will dry out the vocal cord. But, mouth is used for quick breath taking.
  • Remember resonance. It is like wood and guitar. Keyword is relax. To create voice of a fuller voice and ‘ringing quality’. Allow air in your wind pipe, lungs, facial sinus, nose and mouth (vibrate in the same wave cycle) more.
  • the need of accompanient or vocal teacher.
  • sing right types and range of songs. It is pop or others?
  • there is something called raw material which is the voice. Is there any talent? How much?
  • Use vibrato during warm up and straight during performance, to protect vocal cord.

Question to find ask about myself

  • What kind of voice I have? Rich deep? Normal?
  • How much is my voice talent? 1 to 5. [ self-awareness. honesty from others can really hurts here. ]
Categories
Singing

S.H.E encounter

Realize that today Vivian and Nicole will participate S.H.E singing content. After I finish my PA meeting, when I am about to leave and watch the clock. It’s 3pm and then thought about their singing contest which is at 3pm. So, just go for it.

When I reached there, the place is so crowded, with mostly teens and young people. Their turn is 43 and at time when I reached there is only around 10 plus. Listening to those contestant, I am actually blown away. They really sing in accurate pitch. Some, not only sing in pitch but can hear the maturity of the voice and they also dance. Wow. How can they dance and sing at the same time? Sing already not easy. Another scene is just so cute to see little girl sang and she can sing in pitch! One very funny one is a girl duet with a boy. I think he is the only boy contestant. I think they are siblings. Hehe.. Back to great singing, one group sang so harmoniously, create the kind of Boyz 2 Men effect. Amazing! And I love it. Some sang with risk level, high and loud, making their singing powerful in my opinion. Awesome. That should be the way. All the way and not holding back. And they are also very confident, shouting, communicating with the crowd.

And at the end, is Vivian and Nicole’s turn. I actually feel nervous. At the end, I feel that their singing is normal compare to their many strong competitor. I always like Vivian’s voice and singing. She has the talent (voice). But, not powerful. I believe due to not yet use diaphram to output the voice. When she managed to get a hang of this diaphram breathing, she can sing more powerfully and more beautiful tone. Same goes with Nicole.

Also, I thought that in order to win this kind or any kind of singing competition, we need not only can sing well but many other things all needed like motivation or mental strength which leads to confidence and not to be nervous or afraid. They also need to record their singing many times to listen to themselves back. And many more things like strategy, selection of songs.

But, I believe this is a great experience and need to compliment them for taking out the courage to try. Many try also too afraid. These are the one who will regret much at the end.

Other than that, I think I begin to like this group of singers. Nice songs. 🙂

Categories
Singing

Gotta back to basic

I realize that my singing has gotten so one kind. I can’t even sing normal. When I sing certain way or normal, I short of breath. I need to think about breathing. Yes, it’s true that I get it more and more the diaphram breathing but I need to strongly focus on the basic and need a lot of practice, with the help of good wall. So, that I can hear back myself and thus keep me aware where am I. And those echo from them helps a lot.

What in the world … one week later … I’m going to sing in front of many people for Kuantan service with this one kind singing?

What in the world … a ‘song leader’ for my church in this worse-than-normal people level?

Gotta really hardwork to practice and practice and practice.