Archive for April, 2007
April 21, 2007 at 2:15 am · Filed under ジオの軌跡
室友俊豪有一台 NDS Lite 。他一直以來都很期望找多另外一台來進行“對戰”。据他所說，雖然 NDS 本身通過 WiFi 也能夠跟 “遠方的朋友” 進行對戰（他甚至試過在本地跟遠在日本、香港的玩家連綫對戰過），不過如果是能跟朋友幾個人聚在一起連綫對戰那麽就會更加好玩。所以一直以來俊豪都會 “誘惑” 我和樺榮買架來玩。
上個星期與 housemate Norelle 談天時才知道她原來也有台。室友俊豪知道后“悲憤莫名”，原來自己長期以來一直要找的玩伴就那麽地 “遠在天邊，近在眼前”。那天晚上 Norelle 回來后俊豪就馬上跟她 “攤派”，結果話缸子一開，他們倆越聊越興奮，還知道了 Norelle 平時 “收埋收埋” （廣東話），回到家后靜靜的不出聲，原來她跟俊豪一樣，是 Nintendo 的忠實支持者。他們稍微有些 “相見恨晚” 的感覺（Norelle 跟我同期搬進來，俊豪大約去年十月搬進來，所以他們 “知道彼此的存在” 也有3個多月了，雖然這之前都不是很熟… 不過我和俊豪很快又要搬走了）…
爲了一圓俊豪的“心願”，平時少在家的 Norelle 答應這個星期借她的NDS 給我玩3天，好讓俊豪和我可以有多些時間玩 “對戰”。結果，俊豪就很 “坏 + 沒良心 + 現實” 地一直期望 Norelle 快些回來。“Aiyo… Norelle 到底幾時才回來…” “喲… 平時又不見你那麽關心她… 你好壞哦…” “哦… 不擔心不擔心… 反正要玩的人又不是我（我已經有了一台了 
）… la la la…” “…"
由於生病的關係， Norelle 星期二下午（好像…）才回到來。Norelle 很遵守諾言，一回來沒多久就說要借我，不過我稍微推了下，說暫時應該沒時間玩（做功課lor… 雖然最後還是動都沒動）。星期三晚，“終于” 跟她借來了玩，而俊豪幾乎是同一時間拉我去玩一連串的聯機對戰遊戲，尤其是《Mario Kart DS》，玩了好多輪，玩到我也上癮了 
。
接下來的幾天，由於都在 “家”（當然是指 Cyberia，不是KL的老家）的關係（課已經上完/翹課/Lecturer不得空故無課），我還真的是可謂 “動不動” 就開那台 NDS 來玩。星期五晚上，Norelle 放工回來后，由於 NDS 的關係，我、俊豪、Norelle 可謂是 “打成一片”（閒聊 + Norelle與俊豪對戰 + 我觀戰 + 你踩我我踩你 etc）。這可説是我搬來 Cyberia 后第一次有那麽 “融洽” “和樂融融” 的感覺（very sadly but yes…. 因爲之前大家都是各做各的）…
好，不說太多了，先來看下我為它拍下的 “寫真”。這些照片都 “得來不易” 啊！都被他們 “踩” 了。俊豪說：“Huh? 都不是你的，拍什麽嘛… 要拍等你買了以後拍自己的才好嘛…” Norelle 說：“Yor… 有人要寫 blog 哦…” … 順帶一題，相機是從跟俊豪借的（雖然相素比較低），謝謝俊豪！:D
對，是粉紅的/pink/merah jambu/ピンク… Norelle 說爲了 “防止” 男友 “搶去霸來玩”，所以 “特意” 選了粉紅色。Hmm… 粉紅色也不錯嘛…
機身底部。有電線是因爲在充著電
以上那台白色的是俊豪的
兩者對比
“試玩期” 結束后，馬上就要將 NDS 還囘給 Norelle 了。唉… 現在搞到我也很想買了…
April 19, 2007 at 3:59 pm · Filed under ジオとRandom
(轉載自《星洲日報》2007.04.19)
"
多媒體大學出現橫幅傳單
大學生反對無聊創記錄
updated:2007-04-19 11:46:59 MYT
（賽城訊）對於校方一再舉辦沒有意義及無聊的創記錄活動，賽城多媒體大學，一群大學生在校內懸掛橫幅及派發傳單，表達他們的不滿。
據瞭解，這群對學校一再舉辦這類沒有意義及無聊的創造大馬記錄及世界記錄的活動不滿的學生，在上週二（4月10日）開始在校內懸掛布條，表達不滿及抗議，並在隔日在校園派發傳單，希望校內的其他同學聲援他們的行動，他們也設立部落格傳達的心聲。
校方馬上拆除橫幅
校方在發現有關橫幅後，已經第一時間將它拆除，不過由於發起人派發的傳單已經廣泛的在校園內流傳，因此不少學生都知道，校內有人對校方一再主辦這類創記錄活動的不滿。
據一些學生透露，這項活動雖然並未獲得校方的批准，但是已經在學校學生的網上論壇，引起學生的熱烈討論，這項醒覺運動的發起人，設立的部落閣網址為：http://records-frenzy.blogspot.com/
多媒體大學（賽城）院校在今年3月期間，曾經以製造長達4.7公里的中東燒餅，而被列入大馬記錄大全及世界記錄大全，在過去也曾多次創造這類記錄，當中包括最長的馬來年糕（Dodol）、不停自衛術表演等。
發起人談話：
不滿為創記錄辦活動
我們共有約10位同學參與這次的校園醒覺運動，我們是希望通過這樣的行動，來告訴同學們，主辦這樣的活動是一種浪費金錢、時間、人力及沒有意義的。
雖然說，主辦世界最長中東燒餅的學生代表理事會宣稱，將會把製作的中東燒餅義賣，為一家孤兒院籌款，但是最後的結果是，中東燒餅因為擺放太久而變餿，結果很多燒餅都丟入垃圾桶。
雖然說這項活動獲得商家的贊助，但是這也不表示能夠因此浪費食物。對我而言，製造無謂的需求，也是一種浪費。
這次的醒覺運動，其實算成功引起同學們的注意及醒覺了，很多同學都有到我們的網站遊覽。我們共畫了6條橫幅及5種設計的傳單在校園內派發。
我們並不是反對創記錄的活動，一些商家主辦的創記錄活動，可能是為了宣傳、為慈善機構籌款，這類的創記錄是我們能夠接受的，但是多媒體大學的創記錄活動，主辦單位明確的說明，他們是為了創記錄而主辦這類活動的，對於這樣的目的，我們是反對的。
他強調，活動的目的為提高學生的思維，並不是針對任何人士。
行動由學生個人發起
戴禎榮（金融工程系，二年級）
的確是有一些同學在上個星期，自主性的在校園內，懸掛及派發反對校方主辦創記錄活動的橫幅及傳單，這項反對行動是學生自己組織的，並不是由任何學生團體號召的。
他們的這項行動，在學校內引起了不少的輿論。
我個人不贊成主辦這類無聊的創記錄活動的，因為他根本就沒有任何意義可言，如果創造的記錄是，奧林匹克運動會的金牌，等憑實力，真才實學創造的記錄就另當別論。
提昇學生福利更實際
黃騰廣（電機工程系，一年級）：
我覺得校方與其主辦這類無謂的創記錄活動，不如將主辦這類活動的經費用在提昇學生福利，或者校方設備方面，會更為實際。
據說，校方在上一次主辦的世界最長中東燒餅（Kebab）長達4.7公里，今年是4.7公里，明年會不會在來一次47公里呢？
"
April 11, 2007 at 6:37 pm · Filed under ジオとアニメ
3月的結束，4月的到來，也代表著日本新的一個 anime 季節的來臨。此話何解？因爲到了3月尾時很多 anime 都會陸續播完（是很多，不是全部，詳細的日本 anime 播放時間表可以參看這裡），所以到了4月時自然會有一堆新的接擋。
去年的這個時候，那時是我剛剛追看完《Mai-Otome》的時候。那時也沒什麽去留意出了什麽新的 anime，只是去幾個常去的 bt 站稍微 “掃一掃” 。記得那時下載了一集《Utawarerumono》（傳頌之物），不過就僅僅那一集，然後就沒有追看下去（知道大半年后才去找來看… ）。後來有追看下去的有《Blood+》、《School Rumble Nigakki》…好像還有一套，忘記了…
現在，多虧（這裡也同時帶有些許貶義）Omni’s Blog 的 “幫忙”，懂了很多關於這一個 season 新 anime 的情報（真是的，其他東西又不見我那麽認真勤勞…）。所以打從這個月頭開始就已經定下了一個追看 “shortlist”。開始時 list 並沒有很多，不過看了 Omni 的《Spring 2007 Preview》后，咳咳… list 變成有 13 套之多（汗…）。現在一個星期過去了，下載了幾套來看后，確定會追下去的是：
1.
Hayate no Gotoku!
http://hayatenogotoku.com/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期天10:00am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語：很典型的輕鬆搞笑劇，有我喜歡的釘宮理恵配音，不過當然最讚的是一坡接一坡的連串 parodies （就好像這個和這個）。
2.
Heroic Age
http://www.xebec-inc.co.jp/anime/heroicage/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期一01:30am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語：第一集一開頭就很 epic （史詩）的感覺，配樂也不錯，動作場面雖不是很特出但也夠精彩。雖然人物造型給人很 Gundam Seed 的感覺（character design 為同一個人），不過整體還是很喜歡。
3.
Idolmaster XENOGLOSSIA
http://www.sunrise-inc.co.jp/idolmaster/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期二02:30am
情報: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語： 其實並不是很吸引我追下去（人物/機體/故事背景），不過看在一衆我喜歡的配音員份上，看看下lo…
4.
Claymore
http://www.ntv.co.jp/claymore/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期三01:26am
情報: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語： 其實整體上沒有什麽特別好看的地方，或許是因爲我喜歡它的片尾曲的關係罷…
5.
Nagasarete Airantou
http://www.starchild.co.jp/special/airantou/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期四01:20am
情報: ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語： 本來並不打算追的，不過手多多下載一集來看后… hmm… 非常有娛樂性（孤島 + 1男 + 多名“飢渴”少女 + …）
6.
RomeoXJuliet
http://www.romejuli.jp/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期四01:45am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語： 爭權 + 動作 + 愛情，加上超好聽的配樂（愛死它的主題曲《Inori ~You Raise Me Up~》by Lena Park），絕對要看！不過它是 Gonzo Production… 有點擔心…
7.
Darker than BLACK -Kuro no Keiyakusha-
http://www.d-black.net/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期五01:25am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語：之前看了它的預告片還有 Omni 的介紹后都挺期待的，不過看了第一集后覺得沒什麽特別，不過應該還會看下去。或許是爲了想知道這個（背景的墻）到底是什麽…
8.
Blue Dragon
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/anime/bluedragon/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期六9:00am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語：本來不在我的 list 内。給我一個 “新版的龍珠” 的感覺（沒辦法，鳥山明作品），不過看了第一集后覺得還不錯（就是片頭/片尾曲不怎麽好聽…）。順帶一提，此乃一個很暢銷的同名遊戲改編的。
9.
Bokurano
http://bokurano.jp/
日本播映時間：(JST, GMT+9)星期一01:30am
情報：ANN Encyclopedia, AnimeNfo
評語：也是關於機器人的，不過整體感覺上稍微陰沉。主題曲我也是很喜歡。
哇… 想不到共有九套醬多，以後我一定會很痛苦… 9套一起追的後果就是我那區區的40GB Harddisk 肯定消化不來（更堪的是，我只能留最多20GB的位子…）… 若再加上現在追著的《Bleach》《Death Note》… :S
April 11, 2007 at 10:18 am · Filed under ジオとRandom
Hmm… 還記得我上個月所發的關於我大學裏所弄得一個 “世界紀錄” 嗎？從一開始到活動結束后都一直有許多反彈的聲音，現在連 “專用部落格” 也有了…
http://records-frenzy.blogspot.com/
"
1. Is making Dodol and Kebab an effective way of promoting racial integration and understanding among different cultures, as what have been the main objectives of CCIP?
2. Is there other non-foppish way to achieve your activities objectives?
3. How does this different from buying a place in the record books?
4. Does making something longest (in length or in time) make it the best? Does quantity equal QUALITY?
5. Do the records make our university (as well as country) more competitive in facing global challenge?
6. By the end of the events, what are the benefits you bring to yourself, the society, our country and the humankind?
" （載自http://records-frenzy.blogspot.com/）
不單單是如此，竟然在校园内，有人公开表达他的不满：
（更多請看這裡）
以後要搞什麽沒有建設性只有 “觀賞” 性的垃圾紀錄事真的要好好認真仔細想一想才好行動，致所有要搞 “紀錄” 的人士/單位/組織共勉之。
April 10, 2007 at 9:41 pm · Filed under ジオとRandom
Why Public Malaysian Universities will Never Improve
by ex-researcher
I used to work in a Malaysian university holding a professorial post on contract. I could not be confirmed because I do not have a SPM (more later). I worked in research dealing with stem cells but left after 3 years despite the offer of renewal for another 2 years. I am a Malaysian Chinese who spent nearly 20 years overseas in some of the big name universities in Australia and the UK.
After observing the system from the inside I can tell you that Malaysian universities will never improve, and whatever improvement you see will not last. I will set out my reasons in a concise manner.
1) Staff are not hire on merit
I’ve noticed that most the new staff hired are Malays. There are very few Chinese and Indian staff on tenure track. Infact most of the non-Malays I came across are hired on contract. It does not take a genius to know that if you don’t put people on tenure, they will not give their best.
One day I asked a DVC in private why there are so few non-Malay staff on tenure. I was surprised when he told me directly that there was an unofficial quota. He further told me that there is a lot of resistance from the junior Malay staff when non-Malays come in because they perceived the non-Malays are better researchers and academics. He also told me that good non-Malay staff go overseas, especially to Singapore so they do not want to waste their time in hiring non-Malay staff. I do not if this is true.
2) No research culture since promotion is not based on research
Despite all the talk by the Minister, there is no research culture. Infact, most local academics are not interested in research. A few of the Malay academics told me straight in the face that they like group or cluster research because it is “easier”. They don’t go for excellence or individual research. They also tell me that promotion is based on administrative work and “cables” to the Minister or VC. In fact a few of them tell me that good researchers are punished by the whole group because they make the others look bad or lazy. Thus no matter how good you are when you join, by putting you in a “research group” they are slowing the good ones down and before you know it, they become part of the group culture.
In the university where I was working, the VC or DVC did not published a single paper in an international referred journal. Except for one DVC, the VC and the other DVC do not even have a single book. The DVC with a book is a textbook in Malay and when I looked at it, I realized that it was mainly translation he passed off as his own work. Two of the DVC were active with UMNO and the VC is a relative of an UMNO strongman. Thus the “cable” theory appears to be true.
A retired Malay professor told me the most important criteria for promotion is “how you get along with people”. He also told me if you are good, they will bring you down because if the universities have standards, then they cannot survive in their jobs. In his own words, more than 4/5 of the current university staff will never be able to get academic jobs in a real university.
3) Pettiness and Jealously
The Malay culture is based in group behaviour and gossip and during my time there, I noticed that even academic staff took a lot of time in gossiping about nonsense. Most of the female academic staff used gossip to bring down capable people. For example, one Malay guy who just came back with his PhD had to endure a lot of gossip, all because one female academic staff complained that he did not hold a kenduri to celebrate his successful completion of PhD.
Another time, all the academic staff, including the Dean, ganged up against me because I had managed to published a paper in a leading international journal. Immediately after my name was mentioned by the VC as an example, the Dean started telling other academic staff that I did not “contribute enough” to the faculty.
I was under the impression that I was there to do research and publish but for these people, who cannot do research, the priority was on social events. This Dean was not even an academic in the first place but was a civil servant before he was appointed Dean. All the academics he has appointed since he became Dean all come from his state and all are local graduates. So how to improve?
There are many more things I want to say but these are the main reasons why Malaysian universities have no hope of ever being world class. As long as everything is based on race, pettiness and not on merit, I cannot see a way out.
I am writing this not out of frustration ( I am now overseas) but to also show why local universities waste so much money joining the Geneva Exhibitions and the like (as reported in the newspapers). The sad truth is when you have people who cannot publish in real academic journals, then they play silly games like join exhibitions.
The USM DVC who defended this practice would be laughed at if he was at a real university. In fact, to be frank, people like him cannot get a real academic job in Singapore, NZ or US. He is a symbol of what is wrong at local universities.
In sum, you have the blind leading the blind.
（轉載自《林吉祥部落格》）
中學的朋友要嘛到國外留學，要嘛在本地的私立大專深造。倒是小學幾個去上囯中的後來有到本地大專升學。由於少與他們聯絡，所以也不知道裏面的情況是不是好像上文所說的那麽差（是的話就真得很悲哀lor…）。至於我現在就讀的大學，“看起來”（畢竟我不是 academic staff，所以並不知道實情）好像好不錯。至少師資都還不錯，全部到幾有料一下。
關於上述的文章，有位讀者 “pulau_sibu” 留下了一段挺有意思的評語：
pulau_sibu Says:
April 5th, 2007 at 1:18 pm
I always cannot understand why a person well established outside bolehland has to come back. Usually we heard of the very impressive intention - trying to serve the motherland. In fact, many of these returned birds are those who cannot set their foot probably overseas. Instead of being half-past six and unrecognized persons overseas, they hope to be treated as heros at home. The fact is bolehland cannot treat any one coming back from overseas as hero.
Next entries »
