CD-R Shelf Life

CD-R shelf life refers to the length of time that a recordable compact disc will remain viable once data has been burned onto it. Top manufacturers like Mitsui, Verbatim, Maxell, Memorex and TDK claim that premium discs, with protective coating and special dyes, will last 50 or even 100 years.

Many industry experts, however, think that the unrecorded shelf life of a CD-R disc is more conservatively estimated to be between 5 and 10 years. One expert, from IBM, believes the number to be between 2 to 5 years.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) published results of accelerated aging tests on CD-Rs and DVD-Rs in 2004. CD-Rs that used phythalocyanine dye and had a gold and silver alloy coating performed best. Overall, the study estimated that 13% of discs would
fail in 50 years, if the media was stored under normal office environmental conditions.

Once a disc is burned, a laundry list of factors affects how long stored data can be retrieved. These variables include:

* Media quality: All CD-Rs are based on a thin, polycarbonate base. Any wobble or imbalancing of the disc -- caused, for example, by an applied label or out of level workstation -- can negatively impact the burning process.

* The type of dye used to protect the underside of the disc: This factor makes the most difference to the shelf life of a disc because the effect of sunlight can seriously impair longevity.

* Method of storage: Keeping discs in sleeves or stored upright in jewel cases when not in a drive minimizes the possibility of scratching.

* Storage environment: The ideal temperature range is 41-68F, with humidity between 30-50%. Direct sunlight should be avoided at all times.

* Marking method: Only a felt-tip water based marker on the label side of the CD-R should be used, ideally on the clear inner part near the center. Permanent markers (like "Sharpies") should be avoided. Paper labels should always be applied to the jewel case, never to the
disc itself. While manufacturers may sell circular adhesive labels that can be printed at the home or office, solvents in the paper, adhesives or inks can all degrade the disc. Uneven application of the labels can also cause the CD-R to wobble in high speed players, causing read/write errors or even damaging the player itself.

Irritating Ads From Maxis

I've been getting 3 (and counting) irritating Maxis promo sms up to this afternoon.

One about their stupid HotLink channel thingy, the other about celebrity & the last one about some darn news. Bloody HotLink.

update - 4.35pm, received another bloody Hotlink MMS promo message again.

update - 5.27pm, received the same MMS again. Darn Hotlink !!!

Clothes Hanging

Hmm... why do some people hang clothes inside out ?

Opening New Office 2007 File?

If someone sent you an Excel or Words or Power Point files created using the newer version of Microsoft Office, version 2007, for sure you will not be able to open the file, if you are using Office 2000 or XP or 2003.

Do not despair, there's a workaround. Click here to download & install a tool from Microsoft that could fix the problem.

Firefox 3 Beta 4

The browser - Firefox, a beta 4 version is out. Intereted? Click here to download.

Trust Is Hard to Earn

It's hard to earn someone's trust. I wonder how many people understand what I meant by that. If there are people who understood what that means, how many of you out there will not betray someone's trust.

It makes thing even difficult if you have lost trust in your subordinate. Have you been in this situation ?

Save Windows XP

Of all Microsoft Operating System, the only one that I like most is Windows XP. It works pretty well with most applications, easy to use - user friendly, it boots up faster compared to other Windows OS & it's very stable. I don't get cases like blue screen at home or workplace.

However, begining June 30th, Windows XP will no longer be available. Microsoft will forced users to shift to Windows Vista. That means, users will have to fork out more money to buy a higher specs pc to run Vista. Vista is also known for compatibility issues with some applications.

Don't let that happen. Join 100,000 out there who already signed an online petition urging Microsoft to reconsider its decision to discontinue Windows XP. Click here to sign the petition.





To read more about the updates, click on this link.

Access to US based sites cut off ?

For 10 mins, starting from 4pm, access to US based websites or sites hosted in US servers was totally impossible. Problem at TM Net ? Even my branch office at Johor is having same problem. Access to local sites are a okay though.

Anybody Can Lose !

Saw a sinister ads at the front page of The Sun paper today, especially when the election just over. It reads :

"Anybody can lose !"

There's a much smaller print at the bottom :

"Lose up to 3.3cm in just 14 days"


hehehe... funny eh ?

An Alternative to Photoshop

Have you seen the wonders of what Photoshop can do to a pic ? Well, can't afford to buy Photoshop or don't want to pay a single cent to use it ? Use GIMP. Click here to download GIMP (GNU Image Manipulation Program.

Downed

Downed with sore throat, flu & bad cough.

Is Your Email Account Hijacked?

A friend told me that, he has received a mail from her friend. In the mail, her friend has asked for financial help as she's stucked in some country as her wallet has been stolen. Shocked of the news, he gave her friend a rang. What came as a surprise was that, her friend never wrote the email. She said her email account has been stolen & hijacked by someone. Just imagine what will happened if he never call her up to asked ? He will have blindly bank in some money to the trickster.

Just look at the mail below which sounds so real. The mail was written with one objective in mind, that is to gain your sympathy. If you are those who is compassionate to help out people in trouble, you will surely fall into its trap.

How are you doing today? I am sorry i
didn't inform you about my traveling
to west africa for a program called
"Empowering Youth to Fight Racism,
HIV/AIDS, Poverty and Lack of Education,
the program is taking place in three
major countries in Europe like Spain,
france and United kingdom . It as been
a very sad and bad moment for me, the
present condition that i found myself
is very hard for me to explain.

I am really stranded in nigeria,
because I forgot my little bag in
the Taxi where my money, passport,
documents and other valuable things
were kept on my way to the Hotel am
staying, I am facing a hard time
here because i have no money on me.
I am now owning a hotel bill of $
1550 and they wanted me to pay the
bill soon else they will have to
seize my bag and hand me over to
the Hotel Management., I need this
help from you urgently to help me
back home, I need you to help me
with the hotel bill and i will also
need $1600 to feed and help myself
back home so please can you help me
with a sum of $3500 to sort out my
problems here? I need this help so
much and on time because i am in a
terrible and tight situation here,
I don't even have money to feed
myself for a day which means i had
been starving so please understand
how urgent i needed your help.

I am sending you this e-mail from
the city Library and I only have
30 min, I will appreciate whatsoever
you can afford to send me for now
and I promise to pay back your money
as soon as i return home. so
please let me know on time so that i
can forward you the details you
need to transfer the money through
Money Gram or Western Union. i will
await your response so that i can tell
you where to send the money.I
am sorry again for not informing you
before i left but i will explain to
you better when i return  home..And
i again i am contacting you just
because  i dont want anyone to hear
about this. i know you are the only
person who can help me out...I will
be waiting for your reply..

Melaka & Genting Trip . . . Part 3

Forget to get the name of this satay celup shop, but it's along Jalan Ong Kim Wee. There are two satay celup shops, but once you are there, you will definately know which one to choose. I think me & LING wallap about 30 over sticks. Shouldn't miss satay celup if you are in Melaka. Remember to drink alot to cool your body down as satay celup is heaty.

















Satay Celup in Jalan Ong Kim Wee.

When night falls, Jonker Walk swing into action. Not much different to the usual pasar malam. Just that, it's very well lighted with neon lights.


















LING at the start of Jonker Walk.


















We found lots of drink & foods along the way. On the left is 'pearl' drink.























This guy is selling pets. Yup, spiders, scorpions, hamsters, etc.


















It's the end of the Jonker Walk.


















Star walking towards the hotel.


















Aldy Hotel night view.


2/3, check out & exit Melaka.

















Good bye Melakaaaaaaaaaaa...


The journey to Genting was a smooth one. The route to the top is a bit tough though. LING managed to get the RM33 deal at First World Hotel, inclusive of breakfast. So worth it.






















This statue of girl was showing its butt at the hotel lobby. Snapped a pic of it & LING said something is really wrong with me :)


















The walk way just outside the lobby.

Finally, after 2 hours of waiting, we managed to get a room. The lobby was so pack with peoples, mostly not local. We head straight to the Monte Carlo casino. Not much of luck for me, but LING won something back. Funny thing was, I was wearing a dark blue sleeveless jacket. Some aunties thought I was the staff of Genting. Ghezz...

Melaka & Genting Trip . . . Part 2

After Mini Malaysia, we drove to town. Heard of Hoe Kee restaurant which is popular with chicken rice balls & asam fish. Well, I did some home work few days prior to the trip. Downloaded a map of Melaka from Amazing Melaka.com which is very helpful. Click here for the link.

















The famous Melaka chicken rice balls. Oh ya, the bean soup also not bad.


















Ordered additional dish - Asam fish. Delicious. Will certainly try it again.


We proceed to the hotel. Too bad, the budget hotel we suppose to stay, Baba House is fully booked. Called few days earlier, was told to just drop in as it's not a peak period? Gheez! Went into the Tourist Information Centre. Glad we went in. They allow us to make free calls to hotel which are in their list, ranging from resort to 1 star hotel. LING suggested Aldy Hotel which is just a walking distance away from the Tourist Information Centre, behind the police station. It's a smart choice as Aldy Hotel is strategically located in between the historical sites, Jonkers Walk, Dataran Pahlawan, Melaka Megamall, Newton Food Village & Mahkota Parade. Very convenient. Standard room all taken, only Superior @ RM167 available. The room, bathroom is pretty ok, no cigarette smell, air cond is cold, hair dryer & fridge are available, friendly staffs. Will I stay here again ? A definate Yes!


We proceed to Dataran Pahlawan, which is just few minutes walk from the hotel. So much has changed since the last visit with LING.

















Dataran Pahlawan. Last time used to be the hawker centre.


















Melaka Megamall. Wonder what will happened to Mahkota Parade business.


















Megamall entrance.














There are lots of shops. Carrefour is connected with the mall.














Newton Culture Food Village is just right infront of Megamall.


After hours spent in Megamall, we head back to hotel to take a nap. Stay celup & Jonker Walk will be our next destination.

Melaka & Genting Trip . . . Part 1

Been away for few days. Drove to Melaka, Genting with my LING. We had great time all the way. Started our journey on Saturday early in the morning. We had good conversation along the way, then LING slept for a while (must be too tired from the 6 hours bus journey earlier. Ok lah, kasi chan dia tidor, kesian mah).

Stopped at Air Keroh R&R KFC for breakfast.

















The overhead bridge KFC restaurant at Air Keroh is quite huge.






















While waiting for my turn for ordering, this teenage was infront of me. Look at how he wear his pant? I think if I pull it slightly, it will have no problem dropping to the ground.

















Vehicles passing underneath the restaurant. Cool !

Continue with our journey, exit Air Keroh tol & heading to Mini Malaysia.

Tips : if you are asked whether you bring camera when buying tickets, just say NO! It could save you RM3. Use it to buy ice cream instead.

















Just right at the entrance. LING & the flags.


















The Perlis traditional house & the pretty girl.


















This is how the Perak house looks like last time.


















Selangor house. Quite big & spacious inside.


















The N. Sembilan house.


















The simple Melaka house.


















The famous Kuda Kepang. Johor house.


















The Kelantan house.


















Trengganu house.


















Pahang house & the pretty girl.


















Sabah house. Try climbing up using the steep leader, then walk around.


















Sarawak house.