Then after my tickets went unanswered for few days, weeks, I don’t really care about my server and almost forgot about it I until I got the news that the provider has been bought by new owner. Thankfully the new owner has better support than previous one, my tickets answered quickly and my server is back online!

I guess price does not lie, and I need to be more careful next time I choose a provider.

After some googling, I found a bash script on ameir.net, which I thought it would be perfect for the job. But unfortunately gmail refused to receive the backups emails since its larger than 20MB/message. Then I modified the script to allow the backup files compressed using tar.gz format (previously its using .zip format), automatically splitting them every 15MB, and finally sends each individual attachment. Just put the code somewhere in your server, then configure cron to execute it how often you want your files to be backed up.

PS: on ameir.net I’ve also found a script to dump mysql database and sends them to email. You should check out the website.

#! /bin/bash# Ameir Abdeldayem# http://www.ameir.net# You are free to modify and distribute this code,# so long as you keep my name and URL in it.
# Last modified: August 1, 2006
#-------------------------------------------------------------
# your server's name
SERVER=servername.yourdomain.com
# directory to backup to
BACKDIR=~/backups
# date format that is appended to filename
DATE=`date +'%m-%d-%Y'`
# directories to backup, separated by a space
# if this script is a level above a directory you want to backup,
# you can simply enter its name, otherwise, type the absolute path,
# with or without a trailing slash.
DIRS="/your/directory/"
# set to 'y' if you want to backup all your folders. this will backup
# all files and folders in the script's parent directory
BACKALL=n
#----------------------Mail Settings--------------------#
# set to 'y' if you'd like to be emailed the backup (requires mutt)
MAIL=y
# email addresses to send backups to, separated by a space
EMAILS="youremail@yordomain.com"
# email subject
SUBJECT="Directory Backup on $SERVER ($DATE)"
#----------------------FTP Settings--------------------#
# set "FTP=y" if you want to enable FTP backups
FTP=n
# FTP server settings; should be self-explanatory
FTPHOST="ftp.server.com"
FTPUSER="user"
FTPPASS="password"
# directory to backup to. if it doesn't exist, file will be uploaded to
# first logged-in directory
FTPDIR="backups"
#-------------------Deletion Settings-------------------#
# delete old files?
DELETE=y
# how many days of backups do you want to keep?
DAYS=3
#----------------------End of Settings------------------#
# check of the backup directory exists
# if not, create it
if [ -e $BACKDIR ]
then
echo Backups directory already exists
else
mkdir $BACKDIR
fi
# This is a list of folders to be backed up.
# You can add more entries if you want more
# directories to be backed up. The ${PWD##*/}
# from the first entry gets the base name from
# the current directory and uses it in the filename.
# Format: zip -9 -r (where to save) (what to backup).
# Be sure to include $BACKDIR/ in the beginning
# so that the file is saved in the backup directory.
if [ $BACKALL = "y" ]
then
echo Backing up entire parent directory...
tar cfz $BACKDIR/${PWD##*/}-backup-$SERVER-$DATE.zip ./
else
echo Backing up selected directories...
for directory in $DIRS
do
DIR=`echo $directory | sed -e 's/^\///g' -e 's/\/$//g' -e 's/~//g' -e 's/\.//g' -e 's/home\///g' -e 's/\//_/g'`
echo Backing up folder named $directory as $DIR...
tar cfz $BACKDIR/$DIR-backup-$SERVER-$DATE.tar.gz $directory
split -b 15m $BACKDIR/$DIR-backup-$SERVER-$DATE.tar.gz $BACKDIR/$DIR-backup-$SERVER-$DATE.tar.gz
done
fi
if [ $MAIL = "y" ]
then
BODY="Your backup is ready!"
ATTACH=`for filea in $BACKDIR/*$DATE.tar.gzaa; do echo -n "-a ${filea} "; done`
echo $BODY | mutt -s "$SUBJECT" $ATTACH $EMAILS
echo "Your backup part 1 has been emailed to you!"
ATTACH2=`for fileb in $BACKDIR/*$DATE.tar.gzab; do echo -n "-a ${fileb} "; done`
echo $BODY | mutt -s "$SUBJECT" $ATTACH2 $EMAILS
echo "Your backup part 2 has been emailed to you!"
ATTACH3=`for filec in $BACKDIR/*$DATE.tar.gzac; do echo -n "-a ${filec} "; done`
echo $BODY | mutt -s "$SUBJECT" $ATTACH3 $EMAILS
echo "Your backup part 3 has been emailed to you!"
ATTACH4=`for filed in $BACKDIR/*$DATE.tar.gzad; do echo -n "-a ${filed} "; done`
echo $BODY | mutt -s "$SUBJECT" $ATTACH4 $EMAILS
echo "Your backup part 4 has been emailed to you!"
fi
if [ $FTP = "y" ]
then
cd $BACKDIR
ATTACH=`for file in *$DATE.tar.gz; do echo -n -e "put ${file}\n"; done`
ftp -nv 

So I got the particular photos page removed on my blog, and I deleted the entire album on facebook. When I look the server logs on the page hits several days ago, I was not worried, I thought google only caches the thumbnails, the important thing is I’ve deleted the actual file. But after did some checking myself to google image search the keyword, I found out that the search results returns actual images physical link address to facebook server, altough it returns 404 errors in my blog. Then I clicked on the see full size link and guess what? THE IMAGES IS STILL ACCESSIBLE ON FACEBOOK SERVER! IN FULL SIZE!

I’m pissed, because I found out that I don’t have full control the information about me on facebook. Facebook still retains the image even though I’ve deleted it from facebook interface. I wonder what other information retained by facebook after you delete it from facebook.

A while ago I read an article on nytimes that facebook keeps your records even if you close your account in facebook, and the user find it hard time to force facebook to delete the account.

I also found on facebook privacy policy page:

Access and control over most personal information on Facebook is readily available through the profile editing tools. Facebook users may modify or delete any of their profile information at any time by logging into their account. Information will be updated immediately. Individuals who wish to deactivate their Facebook account may do so on the My Account page. Removed information may persist in backup copies for a reasonable period of time but will not be generally available to members of Facebook.

It is reasonable if the information persist in backup copies for a reasonable period amount of time, and not generally available to members of facebook, I’m OK with that. But why my deleted photos still accessible by anyone on the internet? Although with the help with google image search but at least facebook should delete or at least block access for general users to the deleted images link.

I’ve filed a complaint to facebook, lets see how it goes.

When I found mobipush.com this is quite a good candidate to solve my problem, as they offers retrieving emails from all imap/pop email accounts and push it to your windows mobile device using Microsoft Direct Push technology. Here’s the features offered:

Features & Benefits

• Push eMail for IMAP and POP3 (Including Gmail, Yahoo!, AOL, Exchange…)
• Compatible with all DirectPush devices, including Windows Mobile SmartPhone and PocketPC
• No software or Hardware installation required
• Use your existing eMail account
• Synchronize Read/Unread Status and eMail deletions
• Secure communication using SSL encryption
• Synchronize up to 5 personal and/or business eMail Accounts
• Remote device wipe in case your device is lost or stolen

The good thing is, when you replied an email, the email will appears from original to: email address from sender, not from the default email account, which is not offered by mail2web.com. The only negative I found is only lack of syncing contacts, appointments, calendar events etc compared to syncing with real exchange server. But hey, currently I only need it to sync emails.

If you configure the push mail to access IMAP email accounts supporting IMAP idle commands, your email(s) will almost instantly delivered to your mobile device. But if it does not suport IMAP idle or only support POP access, is not as instant as it’s a pull email. Usually it checks for new emails every 5 to 10 minutes for POP emails.

IBM/Lenovo after sales service is very good, at least when you live near the service center. Just two months ago the notebook just stopped working. At that time I was lucky, the notebook broke during my home leave period in Jakarta, and I can quickly get it serviced. I was really satisfied with their service, it only took them 2 days to get my notebook repaired. The mainboard  is replaced, and for added bonus, they replaced the faded letters on the keyboard keys with a new one. My notebook looks almost new again. The CPU temprature dramatically decreased, previously it hovers around 55C minimum, now it sits around 40C. I was really satisfied.

Sending the notebook to Jakarta is really not an option, I really need it for work. Afterall, it can took 7-10 days to get it delivered to Jakarta by using DHL! I wonder will Lenovo/IBM just send me the sparepart (the fan), then I will replaced it myself. I choose thinkpad because its reputation of reability, and I’m expect it to last longer without any service.

Why Digital SLR? I always liked the quality offered with film SLR camera, as I already used my dad’s canon SLR back in 1990’s. The funny thing is I used it not on purpose. The point and shoot camera was broken at the time, and the SLR is the only camera available, and I need to use it, so I had no choice. Thank God the camera already has auto mode, including the flash gun, altough the autofocus button still located on the lens body. The usage is simple, but a bit inconvenient to carry it around, I was complaining most of the time. When I had the film developed and printed, I was shocked. The quality of the picture is much much better than a point and shoot camera. Totally worth it to carry big and heavy camera around.

On digital era, it should be similar. Although digital point and shoot cameras are getting better, it will not defeat the quality of a DSLR using same technology. Larger lens and sensor, and higher quality optics which means more light and detail can be captured with the camera using similar sensor technology. It just can defy the law of physics. Unless you use alien technology

First thing is to set the budget, initially I set for body + kit lens and essential tools such as camera bag, memory card, cleaning kit, filter, etc should be nore more than $800. I intends to use this camera just for hobby, and  its highly unlikely I’ll be going into professional photographer sometime in the future. So under $800 seems right for initial investment. After all, my fiance will kill me if I spend too much   . The price range fits right into entry level DSLR and gives me options like Nikon D60, Canon 450D/1000D, Sony A200/A300/A350, Olympus E520, Pentax K20D etc.

I began to read and carefully studied dozens of reviews available on the internet. After a while,  I took D60 out of my option, because it does not have AF motor built in the body, making the lens upgrade choice quite limited and more expensive. After all, the specs/features also lower than its competitors priced within the same range. I also took out Canon 1000D and Olympus E520, because the reviews is not impressive enough.

That leaves me with Canon 450D and Sony A350. I left out Sony A300 and A200 because they are not in the same price range as 450D. 450D and A350 sits about the same price (around $750), whereas A200 is $450 and A300 is $550. 450D and A350 has similar features, but  according to reviews it seems canon wins on low light/high iso noise, and sony won over its live view system and tilting LCD.  Canon seems more popular, but Sony also has the potential because knowledge from Konica Minolta they bought several years ago. I wasn’t able to make up my mind at that time, until I begin to look more information on sony’s cheaper model, A200 and A300.

I found out that the only difference between A300 and A350 the imaging sensor. A300 is (only) 10 MP and A350 is 14MP, the other features are exactly same, from physical size, tilting LCD, etc. A300 has faster burst shot (3 fps instead 2.5 fps on A350) due to smaller files to process, and theoretically it should has lower noise levels than A350 due to lower pixel density. Then my choice begun lean towards to A300 due to  being $200 cheaper than A350 and 450D. A200 is even cheaper by $100 more, has all the features except live view and tilt LCD.

A lot of people says that the optical viewfinder on A300/A350 is much smaller than A200 due to implementation of live view system. Sony took different approach than most of its competitors, adding secondary imaging sensor near the optical viewfinder, reducing room resulting smaller viewfinder. The advantages is, the live view system much more responsive, faster AF, no delayed shutter, etc. I was thinking to go for A200 instead, but after some thinking maybe the live view + tilting LCD will be useful. Especially when shooting at awkward angle (low angle or shooting over the crowds) or when you want someone else to take photos of you who never use a DSLR camera.

In the end, I bought the A300. I choose A300 because I heard good reviews on them, and the price is very good. The only negative issue I heard is just the noise at high ISO since the A300 is using CCD instead CMOS on 450D. But the advantages of CCD is (according to the people on many forums) is very good IQ.  The sony also has in body image stabilization, which makes all lens attached to it has image stabilization, including 20 year old minolta lenses.

The $200 difference also can be saved to upgrade the 18-70mm kit lens in the future. The choice of lens altough quite limited compared to Nikon or Canon but I think its enough for me. I wont buying all those lenses anyway. My initial plan is to buy those super zooms for travelling/all round lens (18-250mm) and fixed/prime (50mm f/1.7) or short zoom (17-50mm f/2.8) with large aperture lens for low-light/indoor stuffs, which all available in sony/alpha /minolta AF mount. Large arpeture tele zooms are just too expensive for me, the good one can cost around $6000!

Well, I can’t prove anything yet, as I haven’t got the camera in my hands. The camera already arrived back at my home in Jakarta, but I haven’t found a way to get it delivered to here. After all, I just received an email that no photograph to be taken on project site unless I have permission from the management, so  goodbye my initial plan to took photos of the project site at night . Oh well, I still able to shoot something else, although the choices are quite limited here. Currently I’m stayed in one of the remotest place in Indonesia, which has most of its nature still untouched, but the area I’m working are surrounded by fences. The only way to get outside this area is using a boat, and of course through security gate. Feels like living in a prison. Out there there is a lot of potential object to shoot. Maybe I can took some photos of it on the way back to Jakarta later. Anyway, I’ll update when I got the camera in my hands.

I haven’t seen it directly though, I just saw it via photos captured by my brother’s mobile phone. Next week I’ll be back in Jakarta, and hopefully the result is better if I saw it directly, and more useful used in the real road conditions.

UPDATE:  Since I’ve seen it directly in action, I must say I’m very impressed! The road surface illuminated  so much better than using halogen.  The money totally well spent! I’m also took better photos of the beam pattern. For your information, the bulb in the photos below is using 6000K color temperature, 4300K color temperature was not available at the time. As the time of this update, the bulb already replaced with 4300K one, so it should illuminate the road even better. Click on the thumbnails to enlarge the photos.

The problem is, it was hard to locate a HID projector in Indonesia. In the end I purchased an HID plug and play kit to replace the halogen H7 bulb in my headlights. The lowest colour temprature I can get was 6000K, I really wanted lower than that, at least 4300K or 5000K. The result? it was really BRIGHT. I was quite impressed with the output, altough it does produce glare.

hid reflector

A little more than one year later, one of the ballast is faulty. So I put back the original halogen bulbs on the headlamps. I miss the brightness of HID. But I made a decision not to buy another HID bulb unless I do projector retrofit.

Around six month ago, I found on local online forum (modifikasi.com) thread that someone in Jakarta, Indonesia are selling HID projectors. I immediately tempted to bought it. I was already in Papua at that time. The projector is quite pricey, I can get new set of headlights for my car for that price! But I was affraid I will not found another HID projector for sale in Indonesia. So I bought it, transferred the money and I ask my brother to met the seller and check the condition of the projector. The projectors are coming from an RX-8, and after I researched on the internet, particularly on hidplanet’s forums it is not the best projector, but still OK. The projector came with clear lens and should produce additional light intensity and sharper cutoff.

rx8 projector

Then, around 2 weeks ago I almost forgot about my intention to do HID retrofit. Since my home leave vacation are coming within a month, I began to continue to search additional parts to complete my retrofit. Firstly I’m looking for used headlights for my car. Luckily, I found Galant VR-4 headlights in good condition. The low beam reflector already replaced with projector, but I think that’s halogen projector. I’m going to replace it with the RX-8 projector anyway.

vr4 headlights

After I found it, I began to search where should I buy the D2S bulbs and its ballasts. Unfortunately no one in the local online forum sells OEM ballast + philips 4300K D2S bulbs at the time. My other options are to buy from overseas, I searched on ebay for OEM ballasts (denso) and philips I can get them for around $300. But I never bought stuffs form overseas before, I’m bit worried on the customs. How much I need to pay the tax for this?

In the end I chose to use another HID kit (non oem). Fortunately I found a workshop who sells HID kit D2S bulbs with 4300K colour temprature locally. The workshop name is Delapan Satu. It’s quite cheap (only 60% from what I paid for my HID kit in 2006) and they also offers retrofitting service! They also got HID projectors for sale but since I already  got one I don’t bought it. Now my car is in the workshop for retrofitting. I really want to be involved in the retrofitting process, but I got very limited time in my hometown.

I hope the output will be good, at least can be compared with the guys at hidplanet.com forums who did really good job on the retrofitting.

UPDATE: the final result can be found in here.

The only driver I download just the nvidia graphics driver, but that’s only took few clicks away and you only need to download it if you want to enable 3d and desktop effects. To be honest, I kinda like desktop effects/eye candy, multiple desktop + 3d cube, wobbly & 3d windows, etc. Two of my friends already asks me to install ubuntu on their notebook, just by looking ubuntu’s visual effects. Apart from visually appealing, multiple virtual desktops proven really useful for me.

To install additional things such as codecs to play various type of audio and video files, flashplayer, java virtual machine, etc also relatively easy, all the guides can be found on ubuntuforums.com . Maybe I will compile all essential guides on my blog sometime later.

Performance wise, it does boots faster than my windows vista x64 sp1. But since I got quite large amount of ram, running applications such as spreadsheets, email client, internet browser, etc feels the same on both OS.

Stability wise, both os has similar results on me. I never got any unexpected crash on both OS.

Security wise, it seems ubuntu is the winner. I don’t need to use any antivirus software, since most viruses and malware are written for windows systems. This not means that linux is not vulnerable to malicious code though, it’s just got much less chance to get infected/compromised.

Office Application wise, this one windows seems still the winner. Altough there is OpenOffce suite installed default in ubuntu, I still have not found replacement for Excel 2007.  I need this for work, as I’m using some functions which only available in Excel 2007.  To overcome this I’m installing Windows XP and install Excel 2007 inside Vmware in Ubuntu. I tried to install Excel 2007 on wine, it does run, but the excel often crashes, especially when I clicked on save. One more thing, I have not found a way to sync my Windows Mobile 6.1 PDA with linux, so I still need Windows in Vmware to sync my contacts, appointments, etc.

UPDATE: I got Office Word & Excel 2007 instlaled in linux using wine! The guide can be found in ubuntuforums.org. But when working on large excel files, sometimes the application just crashed.

Games wise, of course windows still the best, but I don’t games often so it is not a problem for me.

Value wise, ubuntu is free with open office installed as default, in my opinion it’s comparable with Microsoft Office 2003. Ubuntu also has large application repository, with access to thousands of free and/or opensource applications. Just enable the additional repo, browse using synaptics, select, install! So ubuntu is the winner.

In addition, I’m also found a way to sync songs my jailbroken iPod Touch in linux wirelessly using rythymbox, something you can not do yet on windows (or mac maybe?) I found the guide from the net, with few modified lines in the scripts to allow passwordless mount.

First impression when I got here, our main contractor changed their network configuration. They add some internet policy control to control their users to use the internet. I was thinking, ah at last, welcome to the end of slow network connection, I say horray for bandwidth and content management! From what I heard, they ask IT technician from their main head quarter in Japan to set it up the network. But in reality, the internet only good for several days, then it went hell again.

A lot of sites and ports already blocked, now the users are really limited, because they employ some TCP proxy system, which intercepts HTTP and HTTPS ports, which automatically redirect users to login page before they can browse the internet. This automatically disable the use of IM/P2P clients, or any other internet applications which not browser based. They intercept the TCP port, modify the contents by using 301 redirect to login page, after login go to the intended site.  But I’m not sure why I got connection problems often, usually happens during in the lunchtime, all the way to the 7pm. In the morning usually OK. During normal speed, usually the latency to the outsite world is about 700-800ms, but when its bad, it can go as high as 10 secs with 90% packetloss, and from the traceroute, it already happen on the first hop from my computer. The first hop still in local network, because during normal time, the pings are not more than 3ms.