After 6 hours...

Phew!!! Managed to reconstruct 1/2 of the server functions. It was no easy task. The Active Directory keeps fumbling with all sorts of errors. My back-up server was an old Win2K. It didn't connect very well with Win2003. But after a few trial and errors, i managed to find a trick to fool the system into believing it's a PDC and overwrite the old configuration.

The second problem was Oracle 9i. The enterprise edition was very fussy about it's settings and with the scarce documentation that I had with me. I set about to re-install the whole thing instead of trying to salvage whatever i can from the old back-up tape. Fortunately for me, there was a system snapshot of the old config so that I have at least a way to revive the database.

The third problem was with the ApacheTomcat installation. The provided documentation was totally different with what my system was configured. So with what little I have on my hands, i changed the whole lot of the XML files to suit the system need.

Well.. things to do:-
1) Optimize and tweak the system for peak performance.
2) BACKUP! Backup! backup!
3) Harden the security of the system to prevent my stupid apprentice from fumbling with the system.
4) Claim exorbitantly for the service so that it could pay my trip to Europe (i wish*)

Hahahha... 6 more hours to go

Server FUBR!!

My boss called me up today and asked me to come to the office PRONTO!!. Took me about 6 hours of driving just to find out that my apprentice had fucked up the main Xeon server beyond human repair in just about a week of my absence. Even the back-up recovery software could not help much. Darn!!! This will set us back about 1 year of development. What I really missed the most is the fact that i had lost all the data collected last year. This is a terrible loss as it took me months to program. Now I have about 12 hours to re-construct all the data back into the server before the end of the week.

NOTE TO MYSELF: Never ever use Windows 2003 again. It's slow.. it's buggy and it's totally fucked up. Kudos to Bill Gates for successfully making such a "pain in the ass" OS.

GOAL: Rebuilt a Windows 2003 Server in record time of 6 hours. Additional software to install:-
- Oracle 9i
- Apache Tomcat
- Apache HTTPD
- MySQL
- SquidNT
- Mail Daemon

Ok.. that's about it.. (for now)
BTW: FUBR = Fucked Up Beyond Repair

Sabbatical Holiday

Today is the start of my sabbatical holiday. Yeap.. i've taken 1 year off to finish my thesis and pursue my doctorate degree. But that does not mean I won't be around. Just not as frequent as i use to be. I'm really looking forward to this holiday as it means I can better focus on my studies and take my mind off of things.

Besides that, I am thankful that some of the problem that have been around mychub have been eliminated. The culprit have been found. Thank you to all the Mychub Webteam members who had work so hard in keeping and maintaining mychub in order.

So what's planned for my holidays ? Hmm.. well.. I will be going to Taiwan for a a couple of months visit. There are a few places in Taipei and Kaohshioung that hold the key to my thesis as well as a few old time friends that wants me to visit them.

I'm doing research on VLSInet (Very Large Scale Information network). A new concept of bringing broadband internet via multiple points to provide critical information and data across remote areas. (Through mountains and Sea using atoms and molecules within the matter to convey data). That is all that i can say, other information is classified at the moment. It's very exciting for me as this sort of work has never been actually produced.

Okay that's all for now.. hope to write more soon.

Points to ponder

every once in awhile, for no particular reason, something good just happens. And when these good things happen, no matter how small, it's worth taking note.

There are so many times in life that things are at their worse and yet when we stand strong something good comes out of it.

Provocation

Recently that has been some surges that tries to provoke me and my work with mychub. But their efforts were futile. It's not because they didn't try hard enough... but the fact of the matter is, if they have dark intentions and it can never succeed. People nowadays know better... they are more learned.. we have seen them do the same "modus operandi" again and again in the past. They try to sabotage us by copying our work and bad-mouthing our efforts in more sinister ways under the veil of internet anonymity. Posing as some unknown nickname and spreading more lies.

I just realize something too.. that writing is more powefull than the sword itself. My writing would be copied, twisted and spread all over the internet. But's it's still my writings and people would still revert back to the source and that's me.

In short, these people are just afraid. Afraid of losing power.. afraid of losing popularity. Jealous of the success that MyChub had gained over the years.

When people ask me, "What is the secret to MyChub's success over the year". All i could think of is sincerity. If you are sincere in your work, sooner or later... people would see that and appreciate it.

As I was walking along in JB one day, a guy actually stopped me and asked.. are you GemukChub ? and I replied "yes". he continued thanking me because of my work in MyChub, he has met his lover and he is happier now that he has come to terms with himself.

To all the people who had supported mychub, I give my deepest gratitude. Without your endearing support.. we would not achieved this far.

Lots of huggsss.

Chinese New Year 2005 - Headache

"Gadek Hot Spring, Melacca"

Yeah.. this chinese new year holiday was not as good as the year before. I got a splitting headache all due to my giddyness of taking a 7-Eleven Slurpee at 3 AM in the morning. Felt bored and went driving aimlessly.

Slept at 6 AM. Woke-up in the afternoon and still feeling sober. So went out and had a bowl of chicken soup. Felt really better after that. Went to the office to check my mails and messages. Didn't do much programming with this headache still on me.

Went out with a friend on a shopping spree. Bought some stuff which i think i can use later.. or maybe not.

My be I'll just drop by the local "Gadek Hot Spring" for a hot swim. That probably that will cheer me up.

Making up plans to travel to Singapore to meet old friends. Been ages since I got in touch with them.

Penang Trip 2005

Went to Penang for Hari Raya Haji. We started from Melacca at 2pm. Me, Abu & Ben Mashimaro. Stopped by KL and met-up with Hardchub & Ezam. BTW Happy Birthday Ezam. Hardchub was estatic showing his new Lasik Eyes (Lazer Eye Treatment). Maybe I want to get those too. But I like my glasses as well. We all parted at 6.00 pm. The road was jammed up until Tapah. Luckily, i was driving Abu_Chub new Gen-2 car with auto transmission. So it was just a breeze.

Reached Penang at 4.30 am. Imagine driving on a high-way at 3o mph. Anyway, it's good for the car's engine running-in. Abu went back to his mom's house. While me and Ben stayed in Butterworth coz Abu's house was full with family and friends.

Later we met up with Usman for a KFC lunch and then Imran joined us at Usman's house for Hari Raya ketupat & rendang (courtesy of Abu's mom). I was so tired that the day time ended with me sleeping the whole day, while Ben played some games with on PS2. At night we went for some kareoke sessions at bandar Perda. Alimin joined us in the midst of us trying to croon to Mariah Carey "My All". Which was really like a low key a rendition.

The next day the 3 of us went to one of Abu's schoolmate house on Penang Island for a Hari Raya treat. Nasi Briyani Penang style. Got really bloated.. food was good. Later Usman & Alimin joined us at Komtar. We all went to Gurney Plaza for a movie titled "Elektra". Imran went bitching about how bad the movie was, which I couldn't agree more. We all came back to Butterworth at 2.00 am. Had a light dinner cum supper at Subaidah.

The next day woke up really late. Then had some lunch with all of the gang. After which we all went to Penang Megamall for some shopping. Then Alimin brought us to Kulim for a traditional massage. It's a new experience but can't elaborate here.. maybe later. Then went back to sleep.

The final day, went to Bayan Lepas to send Ben back to the airport. Then me and Abu drove to Penang Road to find some souveniers. There had been a massive traffic jam all around the city area. Had lunch at "Line Clear" Restaurant. Arghhh.. still the same.. with motorbikes going through the kitchen and serving food with their raw hands.

Went back to Melacca afterthat. This time the roads were smooth and no traffic jams on the highway. Had a quick bite near Bukit Merah Laketown Resort. All due to Abu had taken a wrong road. Anyway, the food was nice.

Wut da Fuck!!! Apple came out with a Mini Mac !

I want ONE ! I want......... I wanttttttt

Just when u couldn't think things can get anything better.. Apple Computers came out with the cutest PC on da' planete. It's been my dream to own an apple.. Now Mini Mac just made my wish came true. And it's darn cheap too... USD $499.

Yeap ladies and gentelman, a mac PC that fits into your palm. Now what i got to do is to find some cash to buy one of those thingies. Mail order it from da' US. How convinient.

Singapore Trip 2004

Came back to Malaysia on the 23rd. Then took my car and drove to Singapore the next day. Celebrated Christmas at Orchard Road. There were thousands of people flocking the streets. Some familar malaysian faces too.

Then off to Tanjong Pagar for dinner and checked-in to a hotel. The air-cond was too cold for my comfort.

The next day we went to Bugis Street to eat. Little did we know that an earthquake had hit Sumatera and a tidal tsunami was hitting asia. We were inside the MRT when it happened and luckily, it didn't felt a thing. Later, i got news that the tremors were felt as far as KL.

In the afternoon, we strolled around Chinatown. I missed the Oishi Genmai Flavour Green Tea in Thailand but there were none in SG.

Things are a bit different in SG as everything was expensive. In my mind, i had kept calculating the currency everytime we bought something. Double the price.

The next day, we were in the MRT to go back to Kranji, a girl puked in the crowded MRT and made a mess on the floor.

Bangkok Trip 2004

Went to Bangkok for my vacation this year. It was really great. Stayed for 1 week. 15th December - 23rd December. There were the 3 of us, Bob Sani, Abu-Chub & me.

We stayed mainly at Malaysia Hotel. But due to the peak tourist season, we had to change hotels 2 - 3 times due to over booked rooms.

The 2nd hotel (Tunmahamek Privacy Hotel) was really the pits. Below the building, protitutes were setting up shop in the room rows below and men on bikes lined up to get their service. The scary part was that were loud noises from the adjacent room where it was being renovated. Minor setbacks really.

Overall, Bangkok is a great place to visit. Here are some photos taken from the trip.


Visited many interesting places like Jatuchak (.. did i spell it right) Market where the prices are dirt cheap, Bought lots of (RM 2 ringgits = 20 bht) necktie. The market is also HUGE. They sell everything under the sun. Local delicacies includes fried bugs, worms and other unindentified thingies. My favorite edible dish is the sweet deserts stuff which was served in cups and it's good. Consisting of bananas, yam and milk. At the pets section there were some weird animals for sale like a baby crocodile.

Went to IChub too. Had our dinner there. Unfortunately, there is a new law in Bangkok which limits entertainment places opened after 1 o'clock. (Bummer!) So after 1 a.m, we all went to Silom for supper and went back to the hotel. Silom is like Chow Kit where hawkers and sellers sells their wares along the roadside. A popular spot is Cafe Society.

Near Silom is the famous Patpong area. Where you can see sex shows. We went into one of the A-Go-Go Boys club where the entry was free but a glass of coke cost RM 20 ringgits. The show was horrible. Guys with huge dicks and pseudo sex acts. We quickly moved to another club featuring muscular men called the Tartawan club. Upon entering, all the staff was lining on stage doing a masturbating act and those who can cum, gets a round of applause. The most shocking was the fucking show, where 2 couples in ski mask was really fucking on stage and then goes down to one table after another around the club asking for tips.

On monday, we went up the Cho-Praya river. saw the royal barge which i was told was made out of 100% gold. Bought some stuff at the floating market. Then some picture session at the riverside temple. And lastly some fish feeding frenzy at the fish farm.

After the boat ride we went to the Grand Palace and the Sanam Luang Park where we feeds the friendly birds. An interesting sight is the stalls. Where they set up picnic style. Sitting on the park and enjoying the afternoon sun.

At night, we went to the Suan Lum Night Bazaar. There were lots of cheap handicraft items to buy and there were live bands performing at the beer garden. It was hip and trendy.

The next day, we went to Mabukom (MBK) equivalent to KL Central Market for breakfat cum dinner and strolled around athe this XXXXXL shop which sells big size shirts . Then we headed to the IT centre and after that walked all the way to the World Plaza. There were also live bands performing at the beer garden.

Lots more to write next time.. huggs