Approval letter of PhD study

Just now I got the approval letter from Waikato University through email, and hopefully I'll receive the original letter tomorrow. Now then I'll have to consider my VISA thing as the Immigration has been marked as a trouble maker by many (including me). So far everything is basically under my control. But I'm not sure if there'll be any trouble in the Immigration. Since my enrolment will be from Sep/1/2005 and there're some more time for me to "struggle" the Immigration thing (1 month should be enough! ...I hope), I still hope that any strange problem (like the X-Ray issues happened last year) would not happen any more.

Return back the stuff

As I've known what's the problem with the USB2 pcmcia card, I returned the USB2 card and the AC adapter back to Dick'n'Smith today. The reason? Too expensive. The USB2 card (NZ$57) and the AC adapter (NZ$39) would have cost me nearly NZ$ 100, which is 3 times as expensive as in TW!! I'd rather ask someone in TW send one to NZ (it'd still be much cheaper even the shipment is included). IT products in NZ are really extremely expensive...

The last try...

Having tried any thing I can do (including different cards, drivers, BIOS, patches, whatsoever) and realized none of them work, I decided to return the pcmcia USB2 card back to Dick'n'Smith. ...but before that, there's one more (and really the last) test I'd try - voltage. So far I've realized that data can be written into yet can't be read out from my MO drive. That is, voltage shouldn't be the problem (because normally writing data in requires more voltage than does reading out.) Thus I really don't think this would work. But anyway, I just give it a go as otherwise I can do nothing on it. The voltage the pcmcia card requires is 5V, which is somewhat unusual. What I could find in Dick'n'Smith and other shops were 4.5V or 5.5V AC adapters. I shouldn't use those voltages don't match the usb2 card as it would work improperly or even damage the card. Finally I found a 5V one (actually it's multivoltage). It cost NZ$39...my two green notes... After home, I set the voltage into 5V, plugged into the slot, powered on my laptop, moved the pointer, dragged a big file and then ... Eh ? ... It WORKED !!?? Cracking me!! It transfered (both writing in and reading out) the data withoug any freeze! Although it's good of it to work without any problem any more, I still can't take it now! How come is that?!

Struggling with USB2 pcmcia card

So far I've tried a bunch of possible ways to resolve the pcmcia problem. None of them make thing better. > Try each port on the pcmcia card => still freeze when transfering data > Install the USB2 card driver in the bundled CD rather than the window's default one => freeze > windowsUpdate WinXP sp1 and some patches again => still freeze > Install sp2 (this is not my idea anyway; it's PB's engineer's) => still freeze (see, I know that). By the way, I'd updated EndNote 6 to 6.02 previously so that it could be compatible with WinXP sp2. > Try to find if there's any new driver, patch, document, support or even FAQ on Compaq's website => nothing much > Normally updating BIOS is not advisable as it may more or less accompany with risk. However I noticed that an old version of BIOS on Compaq's website had fixed the pcmcia bug (by old I mean compare with the newest one KAM 1.60. My KAM 1.49 in my laptop is even older than the fixed version though) and decided to give it a go. The old BIOS was hidden in the website so that I could hardly notice the fix note. However, even though now I can write data into MO disks successfully (congratulations!) after update my BIOS to KAM1.52, it still freeze when copying data out of the MO disks. Well, at least it's a big improvement isn't it. > Keep looking around Compaq.com and google if there's any information or even a small hint about my presario => still nothing much. > A crazy feeling came up to my mind when I was almost running out of my idea about those devices. I hope I'm wrong but now I'm doubting the most impossible part - the chipset built in my laptop. Sometimes there's chance that chipsets could go wrong when they're produced by manufacturers. (I still remember the famous chipset-bugs "FDIV Bug" and "F00F Bug" of Intel which happened around 10 years ago.) I'm picking that this time the pcmcia controller chipset can be the case. I find my chipset's model is O2Micro OZ6912. Try to search on google to see if there is any information about the chipset and guess what, BINGO: PC Card Controller patch for the OZ6912 (on DELL) The unofficial Dell Inspiron Notebook/O2Micro PCMCIA Cardbus Controller Fix Page ...and bunch of discussion around USB2/O2Micro pcmcia on everythinusb.com It looks like I've got some more works to do around the patch and bios, and apparently I'm not the only "victim" of USB2...I should have got Firewire interface rather than USB2 at first. I reckon if I'm willing to change my laptop, that'd be because of this.

Some striking news online

The strike activity is not merely at Waikato University; it actually is a nationwide deal... University strike to cause huge disruption (on NZ Herald) University staff strike but classes go ahead (on NZ Herald) Hard times loom at Massey (on Waikato Times) Universities disrupted by strike (on Waikato Times) Otago escapes strike after cutting pay deal (on Waikato Times) University staff start two weeks of industrial action (on Waikato Times) Massey student numbers falling (on Waikato Times) Varsity picket makes striking impression (on Waikato Times) Massey staff to take part in strike (on Waikato Times)

Welcome back to NZ, Waleed !!

Many students in LI finished their course would go to the university or move to other countries. A few of them, however, would come back after couples of weeks or months after that. Waleed, a friend of mine from Oman, is a good example of that. Actually I'd seen him on the bus several days ago, but unfortunately he didn't notice me (and also I wasn't quite sure if it really was Waleed as he'd gone back to Oman months ago). Today I met him in the computer lab and, needless to say, we both were very happy with our reunion. Now I know that he's going to study in NZ and is studying in CAEL course at this moment. Hopefully he'll study at the University of Waikato as well. All in all, it's really good to see old friend after sometime. ...By the way, do you know where Rabiahl is, Waleed??

Another USB2 adapter

PB made some suggestions after I showed them the freezing problem among USB2 in front of them this afternoon, including drivers, drives, disks, and WinXP. Of course I'd tried all of them before. I was somewhat annoyed about what they said "USB2 doesn't work properly on WinXP unless it's upgraded to sp2" when they knew mine was WinXP sp1. How far can I believe these words since I never heard of it on any document, and also the manual of the USB2 didn't say anything about sp2? I might give sp2 a go if I have a chance in the future (though I don't like sp2 and also I'm quite sure it won't work on my problem), but at this moment I just returned the adapter back and got my refund since I'd rather find another adapter at other shop (the STLab card was the only one they had). The fourth shop was Dick'n'Smith, quite a big shop. Here I found another USB2 adapter easily. In case the freeze happens after home, I tested the connection in front of the staff. Oh yeah, it's NEC chipset and this time it didn't freeze after connection. We then tried to transfer some big files between my laptop and MO. Unfortunately the good luck didn't last too long - still freezed up in a few minutes. Hmm, it's odd... The staff doubted that it's my MO's problem, thus they connected the MO onto their desktop show machine. Again, it didn't freeze their system, so my MO drive and disk shouldn't be broken. But wait...the transfering speed was rediculously slow. How come it said "transfer time 120 minutes remained when it's just only a ~100MB file? ...Because the staff plugged the cable onto USB2 USB port by mistake... Anyway, we couldn't see any problem on my devices after the transfering test on their desktop through USB2 without any problem (both writing into and reading out from the MO). Now he thought it might be the pcmcia card's fault (again?). However, somehow the staff got another one, printed receipt out, handed me both the adapter and the receipt and then said, "bring both the adapter and receipt back and you may get refund if it still doesn't work at home". ...I hadn't paid for it yet... Not to mension he got emparrassed when I told him the fact and paid the money (wow, NZ$57...) Or should I have kept it secret? (He must had been working too hard today.) As with the new pcmcia adapter, the hardware problem still couldn't get improvement. Geeze... what else could go wrong?

The strike day ...

I have to say I'm somewhat disappointed surprised that the whole day is amazingly peaceful (well, at least much more than I'd expected previously). As usual the city bus drove toward the campus this morning. However, the bus driver honked when the bus was just turning into Gate 1."That is somewhat unusal," I thought. Looking outside, there were many staff standing at Gate 1 and holding yellow boards with slogan "HONK IF YOU SUPPORT US" on it. Ah huh! no wonder~~ Walking around the university, it could be observed that the whole campus was unusually quite, except Gate 8 and library. There were another group of staff (with slogan and boards, of course) at Gate 8 just like those at Gate 1. In front of the library, there're still another group of staff gathering there. Some of them provided leaflets and others holding slogan boards and yet others "announcing" their purpose and idea with microphone. Similar slogans could be seen everywhere. As the leaflet said "most of the facilities and services would not be available or operated by skeleton staff", I went up to the International Centre our of curiosity and see what it would look like. Nothing much. As far as I saw, the International Centre staff were working as usual. "So, not all of 'em went striking, right?" I thought. Then I realized I was wrong. There was no working staff in the library. It looks like even the LAIN building is empty as well. Literally skelton. Anyway, it doesn't matter to students as they're still allowed to enter the library. Hence I found a seat in the skelton building, sit down and started my self-study. However, about half a hour after that, we heard some yells of slogan from outside. A big march of staff started moving (probably toward the vice-chancelor's office). Nothing happened after the march. It looked like every staff returned back to their own positions and as if nothing had happened. Almost all the slogan boards had also gone before I came home. So, what the earth had happened today??? It looks like a ceremony to me more than a strike...

USB2 blue... :(

As I'd picked, the USB2 adapter is still not available. How come is that?! The RecycledTechnology's staff phoned some other stores if they'd got some stock with them, and finally there're some at PB Technology, which is on Anglesea street and two blocks away from LI. Anyway, the one I got from the PB Tech is provided by STLab, 4 ports and VIA(!) Chipset (not NEC chip?!): My Compaq Presario 2166ae can detect it without any error. The M$winXP can recognize it correctly as an USB2 card without extra driver installation (I've seen several cases that some "USB2" cards are in fact merely USB cards which means FAKE). It was fine until I connected my MO onto the adapter and the whole system soon freezed up! There's no BSOD (Blue Screen of Death) and even 3-keys-hot-reboot didn't work. In case it's caused by the MO 1.3GB disk, I tried other 650MB and 230MB MO disks and even my thumb drive but still no lucks, so my drives and disks shouldn't be the source of the problem. How come it freezed as soon as I connected them on then? "Something to do with its driver?" I thoght. Disabled the device, I tried the driver CD and replaced the default one in the windows. Still freeze. There's no resource conflict on my system. The problem wasn't even improved after updating the USB2 patch and driver for WinXP on M$'s website. The website of both PB Technology and STLab are totally worthless as there're no useful information but price and features around this product. The latter even doesn't provide the driver and manual (there's no link for downloading). It seems I'll have to rush back to the store and see what's wrong with this adapter.

Strike on news

I just found that the on-going strike had been reported on some news websites: Disruption looms in uni strike (on Waikato Times) Universities to be hit by strike (on NZ Herald) ...It looks like it's not just the matter of the Waikato University but of other universities...

Big strike to held tomorrow !?

This morning I noticed that there was an unusal leaflet on the door of a building. Looking (and walking) around the campus, I also noticed that the same leaflet had been stuck everywhere. It is about the strike of the University of Waikato which was going to be held by all staff tomorrow. According to it, the staff were going to protest againt their vice chancellor over the issue of salary - their salary in NZ were less than in other countries whereas the chancellor had been refusing to raise it. All staff are going to attend the strike. That is, subsequently, those lectures, tutorials, classes, and facilities (e.g. library service) would not be held or available as well. Not only the staff in the campus, but also major staff of LI are also going to strike tomorrow. Since there's a leaflet of it on the door of a student advisor's office, it looks like even student advisors are going to follow the crowd. That's a big deal! What the earth will happen tomorrow? Peaceful protest? Throwing eggs or even rocks? Well, time will tell anyway... ######################################### By the way, somehow the ordered USB2 adapter is still not availabe today. The staff of RecycledTechnology said it shall be arrived the next morning. Now I'm a bit annoyed and getting doubt if they really can get one for me.

Nowhere stocks USB2 adapter?

It's really annoying that you can't get what you need when you need it. I looked around SmartPC and Millenium for USB2 pcmcia card, but none of them have the product. Then I asked RecycledTechnology, the third computer shop I tried, if they had stock. Unfortunately, the answer was still disappointing - not at this moment. However, they said they'd order one for me and, hopefully, it'd be available by tomorrow afternoon. Hence I ordered it. By the way, it's NZ$ 45 (GST not included...), more expensive than in TW.

Time to consider USB2

I didn't notice that my laptop comes with USB but not USB2 when I puechased it. Actually it'd been too late when I recognized the fact as I came to NZ soon after I bought the laptop in TW. I can't replace it with another model in NZ, can I? Normally usb works fine to me for normal use, as the data in my thumb drive (Transcend 128MB USB2) is not that big and the waiting time is still bearable. However, it takes rediculously long time when it comes to backup my big bunch of data into 1.3 GB removable media (Fujitsu GigaMO 1300U2). Who can stand waiting for more than half a hour (or sometimes 1 hour) for backing data up (especially I'll use it more frequently in the near future)? It seems I really have to take it seriously to get a USB2 adapter for my laptop. Therefore, I make up my mind to get one in the town tomorrow, without knowing that some big problems shall come after that.

AMD vs Intel

Those who realize my habit of assembling computers should know that I prefer using AMD for CPU than Intel. Actually, except my first computer, I have been using AMD CPUs only. There're some reasons on this. Performance, price, brand-preference(?), and the most important, the history of cpu manufacturers. Those who have been handling computer hardware for decades must also have heard the history of the relationship between AMD and Intel. At the age of 8086, AMD and Intel were still business mates - until 80286 era. After that Intel has been abusing her patents as well as filthy business policies and thus had made AMD almost ruined. Although business competition is itself an extremely cruel deal, what Intel has been taking are such obnoxious that I (at least myself) wouldn't buy Intel's CPU products. Ok, I admit that it's out of sympathic to AMD. But I reckon everyone should admits that if there wasn't AMD, there wouldn't have good and cheap CPUs in our market. Anybody still remembers how expensive CPUs were before AMD started to compete against Intel? Take Pentium 200 for example, at least NZ$ 800... Below are some news of "AMD vs Intel". Your Processor, Your Compiler, and You: The Case of the Secret CPUID String AMD alleges Intel compilers create crash code for its chips AMD Full Complaint PDF AMD Files Antitrust Complaint Against Intel In U.S. Federal District Court AMD Japan Files Claim for Damages Arising from Violations of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act Against Intel K.K. in Tokyo High Court and Tokyo District Court AMD Responds to Intel’s “Acceptance” of The Fair Trade Commission Of Japan’s Ruling that Intel Violated Antimonopoly Act AMD Supports Fair Trade Commission Of Japan’s (JFTC) Decision To Stop Illegal Business Practices By Intel

EndNote tutorial

On Monday, professor forwarded me a mail of EndNote tutorial held today in the computer lab. As it's been 3-4 years since I used EndNote last time, I attended it as a revision. The tutor is Cheryl, a librarian specializes(?) in scientific area. The version of the software is ver8. Obviously it has upgraded times from which I used to use (ver.5) during my Master study in Taiwan. However, I can't see too many changes on the interface. The tutorial includes: building personal library, typing references (such as authors, articles, dates, etc), importing and inserting citations, and so on. Although these're totally nothing new to me, the tutorial was still a good revision. After that, I asked Cheryl a small question about authers' name - how to type those authers' name with strange characters (like French or German or whatever). Unfortunately she had no idea as well, and I was asked to let her know through mail if I found the way to do this. So, how should I solve this...?

Find it.

The news about Maori & Taiwan.

Maori & Taiwan

This morning I was told by Andrew that there was a radio (or text?) news reporting about the first Maori. According to the news, a recent science research based on DNA technology discovered that the first Maori in NZ might come from Taiwan centuries ago. In fact, Carol once told me that someone supposed the ancient Maori might come from one of the Asian countries as Maori cultures are similar to some Asian countries in some ways (although no one exactly knows which country they came from). Now this discovery might provide some clues over the myth. I can't find the complete news report on any media at the moment; maybe I'll find it tomorrow. ...Wait. Does it mean...Maori are one of we Taiwanese' ancestors ?!

Wise Up Week

All right. So the orientation week (aka Wise Up Week) is this week, but it's not everyday for everyone. To all international students, the seminars on Thursday is compulsory and it seems I also have to attend the orientation of the School of Science and Engineering on 18 July (i.e. next Monday!?). There're also some other tutorials in the library on Tuesday and Thursday. These could also be useful for me.

When is Wise Up Week then?

As I'm applying PhD registration, I'm waiting my conditional offer at the moment (another 3 weeks...). and thus I wouldn't have got any enrolment documents (except the formal offer for Post. Diploma received before, but I've given it up). On the other hand, there'll be an whole-week (and compulsory) orientation for each of new student next week. Although I haven't enrolled as an administered student, it must be a good idea to join the event and get familiar with the campus. The problem is...when is the orientation?? According to the offer (again, for Diploma but not for PhD), it looks like to be from the 11th of July; that is tomorrow. Whereas I just read on Waikato Uni.'s website right now and it says it's from 14th to 18th !? So when on earth is it then? It looks like I'll have to ask staff in International Centre earlier tomorrow morning.

Auckland zoo

Hilary has been asking her parents for going to the Auckland zoo for long time, and today her dream finally comes true. Ducks. Chicken on the road...? Look! Two chicks!! Oh oh, they're following us. Lovely and colorful birds. Snapshot of "rainbow" bird. Lovely fish. Baby penguin. Peacock and kangaroo walabee. Giant turtle! (frontview) Giant turtle! (sideview) Baby turtle...Hey! Are you all right? Baby turtle...finally it gets up.

Confirmation

All right. Since the assistant told me that she'd got my documents for PhD studying and had been under the process of registration, I'm sure I've finished my first step. Phew~~finally I can sleep earlier..(I really can't stand going to sleep after 2 or 3 o'clock everyday...)

Finally send documents out

I went to the International Centre right after getting off the bus this morning. Normally I would hand my documents to an assistant of the Centre as I'd talked with her for many times, but unfortunately, all the staff are joining conference today and thus she as well is not available until tomorrow. Hence I could just hand my application form, statement and the most important – research proposal – to receptionist. I'll come here tomorrow and make sure if the assistant get my stuff.

Last work on the initial PhD proposal

I've been working on my research proposal for weeks. To apply for studying PhD course, I have to submit research proposal with application form. However, I couldn't send them out these days as my supervisor told me that my topic was not big enough for a PhD thesis, and thus I had been working on searching some more journal articles and figuring out some ideas. Discussing with and also asking advice from professor (a very busy gentle man) these days, I finally finished my draft last night and approached the professor for correcting it this afternoon. Of course as usual, I asked some questions about research skill, and I was surprised that the old professor could use not only thumb drive but Endnote – reference managing software. Professor asked me if I knew this software, and actually I used to use that for sorting references of my Master thesis 3-4 years ago. As far as I know, nobody in my department (even staff) but me knew Endnote and used it on research that days. Although I didn't show on my face, I was quite amazed that even such an old professor in front of me knew this tool. In addition to the questions, some new ideas came to my mind and I might add them into my research project in future. Professor also showed me a manuka honey impregnated pad. It is a coffee-coloured pad without any smell (according my amazing nose). According to him, it will suck up large amount of exudate without losing its antibacterial function. Actually I had been imaging that there would be medicinal smell (such as providon iodine or hydrogen peroxide) on the pad as it would be used as a medicinal dressing. Anyway I got the revised proposal from professor tonight and also corrected mistakes. Finally I can send these documents out to the International Centre tomorrow!

Katherine's got a broken(?) leg

It was in resource centre this afternoon. When I was working on my research proposal, I looked toward the resource centre through the window. "Hey, isn't this Katherine? Long time no see!" I thought. I waved my hand, and niticeing I was there, she also waved hand to me. However, what caught my eyes was not here waving hand but her leg. According to her, the leg had been damaged during her dancing, and she needs some assistances such as sticks and helper these days. It seems that Menaka as well had had the same experience before. "Now I'm much closing Arizio". Katherine said. Well, at least you haven't got wooden legs with you, Katherine. Any way, hope you get better soon.

This naughty puss

Sometimes what you see is not exactly what it is... It looks like just a normal bun news paper... Eh...? What's this? Hey! What are you doing there Charlie!?