The following few posts will be written as if done near the end of each day, but in fact have been written in the spare time when my laptop has had battery and I’ve had the patience. So don’t be curious about how I’ve had internet in order to post them as it’s been done afterwards.

Back of My iPod by clarkalastair on Zooomr

Over the past day or two I’ve been encoding videos from an avi (DivX/Xvid) format to MP4 for my iPod and PSP Slim + Lite. This has been one of my major issues of running as my main portable media device.

iTunes doesn’t easily support getting DVDs, DivX/Xvid or other popular formats onto your iPod. This I understand is a marketing technique to get people to buy from the iTunes store. However I feel this doesn’t fit well with Apple’s whole design style of ease of use and simplicity. It’s especially annoying to those who buy real DVDs and want to have them available on their lovely box of tricks.

If I want to get a DVD (let’s assume a 90 minute film) onto my iPod, I must use a 2 step process, decrypt the DVD onto my hard disk and then encode it for my iPod. Decrypting the DVD is potentially illegal, and the software that is available to do this has had all development suspended due to threat of RIAA legal action.

To encode the decrypted files (which are usually around 4-5GB) for use on your iPod you must either shell money out for a registered version of Quicktime and even more for the DVD mpeg decoder. There’s an opensource solution using FFMPEG via the commandline, but the interface isn’t very pretty or user friendly for the uninitiated. An alternative is Videora, which I’ve been happyily using for a while.

This is fine, if all you want is to get the damn thing onto your iPod. If your aim is backup as well, then this is not for you. The pixel size that you will use for the ipod is too small to be worthy of watching on anything larger.

A good solution for backup is to use the value-for-money DivX converter. This codec has been among the piraters choice for some time and has a good trade off between file size, quality and conversion time. It has a dead simple user interface and you can hardly fail to go wrong with it using the normal settings.

Getting back to the issue in hand is that once you have the DivX file, you still need to convert it for your iPod. Using the original DVD extraction has advantages in quality, but you loose out in speed of conversion as there’s more data to read. It also stresses your computer as a result of more hard disk accesses and longer running times generating heat on the processor.

Converting from the DivX file you suffer from double conversion syndrome. Encoding formats work by ditching bits that aren’t as important for your eyes, for example loosing some sharpness and loosing some accuracy in the colours. If you convert one format to another as they work differently, you loose some areas in the first conversion and then different areas in the second.

Saying all that, the chances are that you won’t see the difference on such a small screen. But why does it have to be so complicated? Apple, why can’t you and the DVD encryption folks work something out that lets it be a one click process…”Import!” just like CDs? Because frankly at the moment it’s a right pain.

There are all kinds of libraries in the world.They always present the palace of knowledge. In another word,the library is such a good place for improving ourselves.Maybe that makes it become the most charming place in the world.

Firstly,the library can provide a good environment for us.In one hand,it forms a quiet atmosphere.All kinds of book revolve around us.No one wrangles in the library.We can concentrate on our own things for a long time and forcus on something in our mind without any disturbing.In another hand, all the people in the library have a clear purpose that exploring the knowledge and riching themselves.The atmosphere exploring the knowledge has a strong effect on me.When sitting among the people who are eager for knowledge,we will have a strong desire for knowledge which is out of our own control.The atmosphere in the library which is quiet and knowledgeable really have a good effect on studying.

Secondly,the library is a place that stores all kinds of books,in another word ,that makes it become the most knowledgeable place in the world.That’s maybe why people said”Just sit in the library,you may get smartAnd in fact,the most effective way of getting smart is making a good use of the library,most people will choose this way of course.In the library,we can get anything we like,such as geography,biology,and psychology.We needn’t go around to explore them.It can help us get as much as knowledge without traveling by ourselves.Just because our lives are limited,not only as much as knowledge we can get,but also as much as time we can save.Maybe we haven’t decided what we really interest in.At this time,the library is a good teacher who can help us to wide our eyes and clear our interest or even ensure our future with her rich knowledge.

So that’s why I said that the library is my favourite place in the world.And if I have a chance,I’ll go to see all the famous libraries in the world,and feel the deep academic atmosphere in it.

Just like the believes, everyone has the interest in some kinds of superstitions which the majority of people in this region believe in. For example to Koreans and Japanese, people trust in the theory of the blood types. However, today I will tell you another one — the Horoscope.

People in China, United states and even some Euopean countries have faith in the Horoscopes. They regard it as their fate which the horoscopes will tell you what about your hobbies, your personalites, your relationship with your friends and so on. It will indicate your future what is going on and give you a better instruction for not making mistakes.

Sometimes you can surf the internet for the Fate of Horoscope. It will tell you today is a bad day or nice day. Mostly there are five stars representing five levels of your day. If it reads five stars in every conditions containing health conditions, love, the capability of success for working etr, it means you will enjoy a nice day indicating you will behavior very well. Or you just own few stars in each condition, don’t feel pity, there is always suggestion underlying to help you that in which aspect you should notice and how to sovle when happen to face the difficulties.

Estimated, girls are likely to trust in and be fond of it more than boys because girls want to know the chracteristics of each horoscopes in order to understand their boyfriends more. It isn’t denifition, but it does help a lot for the girls to control the hobbies and temper which their boyfriends own. And often when a girl have fallen in love with a boy but too shy to propose, they will firstly scan some tests of horoscopes which will tell you whether your horoscope matches the boys’ and how well you will get along with him. Also, if it does, it is satisfying and encouraging the girl to go ahead with her love. If not, we can learn a lesson from that when treating your boy friend or you can only think of it as a joke.

Considering myself as an Aries through the horoscope, I like to take ventures being adventurous, energetic, pioneering and courageous. Some people like me tend to be frank and open. When they are taking at work, they all enjoy them with enthusiasm which affects the people around them. And personally speaking, we are loyal to our family and friends. The most fit for Aries are Gemini and leo. Also there are some disadvantages of the personalities the Aris have, but thinking you can find on the internet, I will not tell you.

If you believe in it, please check it for picking up your horoscope by your date of your birthday and read your characterstics, it is fun for you to enjoy and behavior well every day. So what are you waiting for? Hurry up!

I’m sure most of us had a lot of dreams when we were in childhood. Some wished to be a doctor, some wished to be a teacher, an engineer, a lawyer, a writer or even an astronaut. However, as we grow up, we put aside our dreams and live up to others’ expectation. We lost our dreams.

Nowadays, it seems to be very silly to talk about dreams. People may say, “Dreams are high-sounding nothing.” “Dreams are outdated.” “Dreams are daydreaming.” “Be realistic and practical, don’t dream.” The so-called “dream” for university students are: car, house, wife or husband and son. Are these your dreams?

Today, let me tell you what dreams are and why dreams are so important in our life, especially for you, university students. Dreams are “mental pictures of our future,” in other words, dreams are visions, hope, goals and aims of our life. Talking about dreams is not talking about daydreaming. We are referring dreams as the focal point of our life which involves action and which makes our life meaningful.

Dreams provide a focal point of life. Most of you, after graduation, will work in society. You are going to face more challenges and bear more responsibilities. You are going to meet people from all walks of life and with different value systems. You are going to lead a very different life from that in university. Some of you may feel lost and disoriented during this transitional period. But I assure you, dreams give us a direction to follow and target to achieve so that we will not get lost in the complex society. In sociology, there is theory called “self-fulfilling prophecy” which best describes why dreams can provide a direction for us. This theory says, “when situations are defined as real, we act to make it real.” From this point of view, when I have a dream, I’ll do something to make it real. For example, if I have a dream of being a successful business executive, I’ll do my best to make it real, no matter what difficulties I have to encounter. In this sense, dreams give us a direction and a focal point in our life.

Today, I’m addressing to you, the future leaders of China. In fact, dreams are one of the essential elements of becoming a leader. An analysis about the key characteristics of leaders states that a charismatic leader has a vision, the ability to articulate the vision and strong conviction about the vision. Visions are dreams. Dr. Sun Yetsen was the revolutionary leader. He had a dream that one day, China would be freed from the Qing Dynasty rule. He fought for this dream and led the Chinese people to the road of republic. To be a leader, you need to have dreams.

Indeed, we are living in a world which is made of “dreams.” Why do I say so? Many great inventions are actually dreams of the inventors at the very beginning. The dream of Edison led to the invention of light bulbs. The dream of Steve Jobs led to the invention of high-quality electronic products. Without dreams, I can dare say that we will not have telephones, satellite, airplanes, computers, and the Internet. Dreams make our life innovative and creative. Dreams improve our quality of life and make advancements in society.

Dreams are hope of life. We are like plant and dreams are sunlight. A plant depends on not only sand and water to grow, but also sunlight. A life without dreams is like a plant without sunlight, which certainly cannot grow healthily. Dreams make our life colorful and hopeful. It is actually a way of life. During the Second World War, many people were caught in the concentration camp in Nazi Germany. Later, it was found that those who survived in this suffering were those who had hope and dreams. Dreams sustain us to live.

I’m sure everybody has heard this saying by Martin Luther King, the civil rights movement leader in the United States, “I have a dream…” Dreams paint a vivid picture in our life, make our life more innovative, vigorous and fruitful. Dear university students, start thinking about your dream and struggling for your dream!

Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,

Today, I wanna share some of my feelings these days. Honestly speaking, I didn’t feel very high after becoming a sophomore. I began to think about the future of mine. So I did a part-time job in the street near my university. I just wanted to practice my living ability, but after only a week I quitted this job for the reason why I couldn’t have enough time to study and the job made me really so extracted. Then I said to myself, “That’s just a mistake. All things are gonna be OK.”I thought I failed. But I can’t be upset all the time, and I must stand up. So I went on to think about my future. I had talked about lot things to my friends about the preparing of the new world I will have one day. They didn’t have a clear idea as well. You know, we just have the ability of language. Language is tool for communicating, but if a person who majored in language and wanna find a good job, he has to learn another ability besides English or any language else. After the brainstorming with a long time, I still can’t figure it out. So I decided to study my own major hard for present. As I’m learning English and Japanese, I won’t stop thinking over the problem and paying attention to any information I may adopt in the future.

So now are you feeling hungry? Are you hunger for the good job or only a sandwich?

I’ve been reading the nanotech book that Shay and Lesley gave me at bedtime, and it’s quite interesting. It talks about the problems arising engineering these small systems and the interactions between the quantum laws and mechanics and the macro world and more standard dynamics. It’s written by/for/with the editors of Scientific American and as such requires a relatively high degree of prerequisite knowledge and understanding. The title is “Understanding Technology” Isbn 0-446-67956-9 USD $13.

The tag line is “Science made accessible” and I don’t think it does what it says on the tin in this respect. It’s made accessible to people who have some basic physics / computer knowledge, but even for me, I’m feeling a bit pushed to understand it fully. I think I’ll leave it for the plane trip home, as inevitably the iPod and psp will run out of juice and I’ll have to revert to old tech.

I’m feeling a little deprived of books at the moment actually, so I’ll need to have a look on the Chinese version of Amazon, called Joyo. These books sell much cheaper than the western counterparts and is a good source of textbooks. I’ve bought some of Knuth’s famous “Art of computer programming” books for under 5 pounds, is dual language, and compared to Britain is brilliantly cheap. The local bookstore stocks some as well, so it’s useful for noting down the Chinese isbn, as it’s a different version of the book for the Chinese market (i.e. more cheaply produced), and getting it cheaper from the Internet.

One thing that has really kept me sane here has been TV shows from the UK and America. I freely admit however that I am too easily distracted from work to watch the latest installment of whatever TV series that I’ve been following. This detracts from life somewhat, makes me less productive and in turn less sharp. This however doesn’t make the value and quality of the shows any less, and I’d like to introduce a few here that I’ve recently enjoyed.

Better Off Ted

This follows a high ranking manager at a product development company and the office interactions between him and a couple of scientists, the female MD, a silly female project manager, and his daughter. Although seeming a bit cheesy at first, the music and light content make this an amusing series and well worth watching.

Rescue Me

Based in a New York firehouse, and focused on one character Tommy Gavin, it deals with some very touchy subjects in such a way that has had me in tears with laughter on more than a few occasions. It has a surprising range that is very sensitive to emotions, but tends to have coarse language and graphic content. Not for the kids.

From my experience in China I’m guessing the environment you find in Starbucks anywhere in the world is going to be the same. The staff here speak enough English to take orders. The menu is in English. The decor, chairs, couches, music, advertising, free internet are all just like you find in England. The one thing that really bothers me is that the prices are the same.

There’s a hefty tax on imported goods in China, and local coffee doesn’t seem readily available here. I understand that there’s an inherent cost there, especially with the espresso machine, but as far as I understand everything else is cheaper. Wages, rent on the shop space, construction of the shop, furniture etc. The bottom line, however, is that people are prepared to pay the prices, but it annoys me just the same. It’s Western, must be stylish and worth paying for.

I’m currently running a WordPress install for Miao’s website and Drupal for my own. WordPress is incredibly easy to use and manage, and looks good right out of the box. I had it all configured and updated with Miao’s old blog content, comments and all within a few hours. The module installation for WordPress is the height of simplicity. There’s a directory within the admin interface of your website. You select the module you want to install, enter your ftp details and it automatically uploads, extracts and installs it (with the correct permissions) for you. I’ve installed modules that do SEO configuration so that it can be seen nicely by big search companies, Sitemap configuration to notify search engines when content changes, Google Analytics to track how many people visit, and social network integration to allow cross authentication with Facebook and Twitter for people to leave comments.

It’s an entirely different story when you compare this with Drupal, one which I’m still grappling with at the moment. The module installation isn’t much more complicated, but you have to manually upload and extract the compressed files yourself. The out of the box installation doesn’t come with as many tools automatically installed and there’s no comment import modules that I’ve seen for blogger and other big blog hosting sites. Drupal is very obviously very powerful, but it’s got quite a sharp learning curve.Today I’ve been tidying up the HTML codes in my blogger blog, so that my entries get imported more nicely into Drupal.