Working smart, working hard.. working long hours.

Posted by mkhairul - March 31, 2007 at 02:03:39 pm - No Comments

Categories: blog

Previously I typed alot and firefox decided to crash. I have to recall from memory what I typed just now. Damn It.

So as I was saying, working hard without guidance is hard. Working without documentation adds it up a notch on the ladder. I’ve been there and it wasn’t pretty. The only documentation we had at that time was the Senior Developer. I had to stare at the code for a few hours to get into the zone. Most of it is trial and error. Which is becoming more and more tedious. Bestow upon us a proper documention!

There was no guideline, no coding standards. Everyone was using generic variables and it was fucking confusing. Bugs and Issues were reported on pen and paper forms. To fix this, I implemented an issue tracking system, Mantis Bug Tracking. Still some took advantage by reporting stupid issues and solving it himself. He thinks I’m fucking stupid is it? I decided to ignore it.

Lack of documentation was a thorn in the ass. Yes, I can’t sit comfortably. I pushed the agenda to management and it falls into deaf ears. The other developer aren’t interested, my guess is due to the lack of command and understanding of the English language or maybe it was their writing skills. My guess is both. I’m not saying I’m good at it. How can we be good at it if don’t practice it? Waiting for divine intervention from the heavens bestowing 1337 technical writing skills? HAHAHA!

So I implemented a wiki. For notes or discussion among peers. The senior developer used it. I noticed it. Thats a good change.

Sometime later when I left, the same fucker who tried to cheat his way broke the server’s HDD! WTH?! Most data are lost, except for the application of course. I managed to recover it using PC Inspector File Recovery.

Without any proper SCM(Software Configuration Management), chaos will surely ensues. Code reviews, patches, proper conduct and standard operating procedures for a specific scenario, without it be prepared for working hard and long hours.

My effort in trying to develop a "work smart" environment at that company was futile. Random rants has ended.

Another interview..

Posted by mkhairul - March 29, 2007 at 12:03:54 pm - No Comments

Categories: blog

I went to Dataran Prima for an interview session. Its actually quite near to my house but, due to bus route I have to go the long way. It takes about 90 minutes to get there with all the waiting and traffic jams. I should think of buying a bike after my first salary IF I get to work there, things would be easier less bus hopping more exercise!

Another place before this I didnt know even exist. Lots of IT-related companies there.

There was a test, a C++ test even though its a simple one, still escapes me. Its been a long time since I did any C or C++ coding. Last time was a packet filtering program. Dissects the packet and read through to find a specific bit of information.

I was asked about Ajax, Flash. I know what I did, the term just escapes me. Well maybe thats because there’s nobody ever listen to me when I talk technical stuffs, even if they listen they wouldn’t understand and just agree and nod. They just want to get the work done in whichever way possible. 

So, anyway I was nervous as usual. Most of the questions which I thought would come up didn’t.

1. What are your strengths?
2. What are you doing now? (this one was asked, in a different way)
3. Why do you want to work with us?

Lol.

Instead, Tell me about yourself (the most common question EVER!) the one that came up. I dont know why I’m not as assertive as usual. Maybe the environment, the waiting and the interview.

PNG Transparency strikes again!

Posted by mkhairul - March 27, 2007 at 08:03:11 pm - No Comments

Categories: Development

I’ve done this and settled it before, but as always it slips away. Now i’ve got my wiki, I dont intend anything to slip away this time. Everything must be noted. Well.. almost everything.

I built a site for a client, as usual, my browser choice for development is Firefox and it looks just great. This kind of thing just doesn’t cut it, I tested on variety of browsers and as usual ie6 is giving me problems. I’ve got to try a few other hacks to make it work.

iepngfix usually does the job. Before this I used pngbehaviour.htc. 

I found a few sites that might help.

• IE7

• The PNG problem in Windows Internet Explorer

• The easiest way to PNG support in IE6

• IE PNG Fix 

Well, IE PNG Fix settles it. But still somethings must be done manually. Damn IE6.

Raconteur

Posted by mkhairul - March 25, 2007 at 10:03:15 pm - No Comments

Categories: blog

I’m a big fan of Penny-Arcade. A new term came to light, "raconteur". 

Someone who tells amusing or interesting stories is known as a raconteur. Near synonyms include storyteller and anecdotist. This noun is a compliment to the person it describes since a raconteur is known for relating stories well. Example: "Michael is always welcome at parties because he is such a witty raconteur." Raconteur was taken from the French verb raconter (to relate) in the 1800s. …

You can read the strip here. 

Its been such a blur lately. Not much interesting stuffs. Everything is going slow… very slow. No news on the work promised. Reading bash, playing DotA. Argh, tension.

300 Issues..

Posted by mkhairul - March 22, 2007 at 09:03:16 am - No Comments

Categories: blog

Yesterday while I was hanging out with some friends, we talked bout lots of MMOs (Massive Multiplayer Online). One after another the conversation steers towards 300. While one of my friend, praising 300 and me agreeing with him, my other friend frowned and words of anger came through him. Propaganda.

At the time of the conversation, I didn’t understand what is he angry about. After a few remarks I steer the conversation away from 300 and into Star Wars Galaxies. Safe. This kind of tension ruins the atmosphere.

In the night news, Iranian President makes a media conference regarding 300. Now I get it what and why he’s angry about. Its this. I searched the net for several remarks regarding this issue. The Iran 300 Complaint nearly convinces me of its arguments but I missed something. Whether its fictional or not, if it is related to real events and historical values, nothing good will come out of it. To be on the safe side, make sure its pure fiction (lord of the rings, eragon, star wars, etc).

For example, if someone makes a movie, with "fictional" stamp on it about christians being some sort of monster, I’m pretty sure there will be outburst all over the world, the same goes for Islam, and other religions. You make movies about Maorians(New Zealand natives) being some sort of devilish monster, I’m sure it’ll be banned at New Zealand. Labeling it "fictional" doesnt cut it.

In Search of Education..

Posted by mkhairul - March 18, 2007 at 01:03:53 am - No Comments

Categories: blog

Today was one of those long days. Leg hurts, as tired as an rabbit outrunning a cheetah.

I went out to midvalley only to discover that there was an education fair. Mediocre and medium sized one. So-so. After that I went to KL Sentral using KTM komuter, RM1 for the tickets. At KL Sentral I used the monorail to Raja Chulan RM2.10 to pickup my cousin’s PDA. The office was fucking close. The company told us to pick it up today. Sheesh. So.. on our way to KLCC, we looked out for Impiana Hotel for New Zealand’s education fair.

The hotel was classy, I’m not used to all these stuffs. Like a sheep in an ox pen. Something like that. We went into the exhibition hall, before that fill in some form and they’ll give ya a bag. I just sit around, my feet are aching, restless and uncomfortable. As time passed, we went to the praying room. The door there is like a trap door in some ancient castle. If there wasnt a sign and it is the same color as any other wall, I wouldn’t have noticed it. I spent quite a few minutes admiring the door.

At KLCC.. it was crowded, like a bee’s nest and there was a concert by Ella. She sang some song that sounds familiar yet I cant remember the title. If it wasn’t for my cousin I would NEVER have gone there. NEVER! But still I have no regrets.

In the convention center, I stumble into my aunt’s family. My niece was applying for a few colleges. She can afford it. Maybe someday I will too. I’m still just a lowly diploma graduate. I always use this excuse to taunt most of my friend’s who ask me for help. "How can you dont know? You’re a degree graduate yet I’m just a diploma". lol.

It was huge, so many people.. so tiring. After finishing our rounds we went back to KL Sentral and then Midvalley. I missed the first bus. 2nd headed for Kota Raya and the 3rd one is the ONE! On the way home, I nearly fell a few times from dozing off in the bus.

My feet is still aching, worn out from all those walking. Oyasuminasai. Mata ne.

In the shadows..

Posted by mkhairul - March 16, 2007 at 10:03:39 pm - No Comments

Categories: blog

Hello World!

I’ve been away for a while. After abandoning DoTA for quite sometime, I’m back. Little bit addicted. Controllable nonetheless. So I’m off to a new turning point! After one round of DotA. /afk.

Woot a new display!

Posted by mkhairul - March 4, 2007 at 10:03:23 am - 2 Comments

Categories: blog

Finally, I got around to buy myself a new LCD 19" display. Now, I’m aiming for TripleHead2Go and another LCD. Other than Dual Core AM2 of course.

Other than that, I’ve been pretty busy with work.. keeping up with work.. and keeping in touch with people about work. Ah.. so much things to do.

 

First things first! Breakfast!
 

Frustations to no end..

Posted by mkhairul - March 1, 2007 at 01:03:14 pm - No Comments

Categories: blog

Lately I’ve been disappointed and frustrated by a specific project. All the blame is put upon me for the delay. Without considering the time they took to provide me with the content (what? want me to create content? Why dont you just give me your fucking company). 

Not to mention the delay and damage causes by putting ANOTHER middle man that causes information to be misinterpreted. Work together la.. like this also I must tell ha? You know me, I know you and we are working together with tight budget. If there’s error dont bambu me la. WTH la. Send me an email with ENOUGH information. Dont write sms shortform email to me. WTF man. It shows you’re lazy beyond mortal understanding.

Wasting my time complaining about shits and stuff. You give me 1K, and expect me build a full fledged system (ok, maybe its a little bit my fault for accepting this project) and expect a PERFECT system. WTH man? Other than blaming me for the time spent (3 months) which he generously include time waiting for the content and misleading information by him. WTF la?

Features I added aren’t appreciated (I should have known by now, I think I’ve learned my lesson). Ah.. all this.. have the potential to douse my passion. But my burning desire and passion is still lit, strong enough to keep me going and brush this shit aside (but still bear in mind).

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