On CentOS machine:

Stop any service that’s running httpd, svnserve, etc.

Add RPMForge repository as that’s where the latest SVN is

# i386
$ wget http://apt.sw.be/redhat/el5/en/i386/RPMS.dag/rpmforge-release-0.3.6-1.el5.rf.i386.rpm
$ rpm -i rpmforge-release-0.3.6-1.el5.rf.*.rpm

This will create /etc/yum.repo.d/rpmforge.repo file. Edit this file, change enable=0 as RPMForge contains bleeding edge, often unstable packages. You don’t want to do $ yum update accidentally and put your entire system at risk if you don’t know what you’re doing.

You may not need this but just in case, backup your SVN repo.

$ svnadmin dump /path/to/repository > dumpfile.txt

If anything goes wrong, even if you install a new copy of SVN, you can recover you data with this:

$ svnadmin create /path/to/newrepository
$ svnadmin load /path/to/newrepository < dumpfile.txt

Now check for SVN update

$ yum --enablerepo=rpmforge check-update subversion

It should display the latest version like this

subversion.x86_64    1.6.6-0.1.el5.rf  rpmforge

Then upgrade

$ yum --enablerepo=rpmforge update subversion

This will update SVN from the RPMForge.

Restart the service httpd, svnserve, etc.

That’s Martha, Nicholas’ daughter (of OSCC). She won the OLPC hands down during FOSS.my 2008, beating all other grown ups in a little game for OLPC giveaway. I think she’s the youngest audience in the hall. Nice trick Nic, I know you want the OLPC for geek self :p!

FOSS.my 2009 - little Martha holding her OLPC

Anyway, the AI course – I like the lecturer already, she encourages us to use open source in doing assignments. And she’ll tailored the assignments to fit the background of her students. One thing that I like is that she’ll fail anyone who doesn’t submit assignments even though it carries 40%.

And yeah the introduction to AI that we went through today has made me to look at MyMeeting on a whole new perspective. It’s a far fetched thing but I’d like it to be able to tell the user what will happen to his projects in advance, say 3 months early. It would be cool if the system can predict whether or not the action will be taken care of by specific agency or not. So this can evolve to something else, like picking the right agency to implement a task, since the system holds its past performance. Fuyyoh very high ambitions, feeling rather productive at this minute… hahaha.

You know I miss doing integration between systems. Too bad I’m working for OSCC which has a few products but I’m only working on one product. I reminisce the day when procurement department can approve parts purchase by the red light indicator beside its name, and how customer service department can send alerts automatically when reservoir level is too low. Initially there were many independent apps going on there but when it’s integrated, great things can happen.

From all these apps, the high level management then only can see, for example, how much they have spent, how much water has been saved, at what pace the water is being consumed, are they ready for the next quarter etc. This kind of thing helped alot in driving the direction the company is going. The point I’m trying to make is, sometimes big bosses they ask for something high level like this when the data are not there to begin with.

Hmmpphhh I’ve to go, next class is starting.

Man… so many people got ‘excited’ over me sitting in the dark discussion room, minding my own business, with my laptop on et cetera. Seriously, I have reasons for doing so. It’s not a habit of mine to go around looking high and low for any dark place to sit just because I feel like it (ok sometimes I do, what do you expect I’m a woman ).

It didn’t bug me at first even though it was such a novelty for everyone that someone is sitting in the dark in the office – oh why is she sitting there? What is she doing there? Eric said to Nic once, I’ve just patah hati. Nice one hahahaha!! So many times I patah hati la then – I must’ve been living a pathetic life. Last time I sat on the couch in the lobby area to do my work – that raised some questions also but hey, my back hurt those few days. Besides, we have wireless and I have a laptop, why can’t I make use of it of being portable? Truth be told, I like coding in just my pyjamas and whatnot, tak mandi, food around the corner, bed is just one feet away…. hmmm… best! Although I agree we need office environment to get certain things done, the feeling like you can do whatever, sit whenever, turn on the tv, feed the fish if you feel drained – fuh! I tell you, it is such a booster. I swear if we had benches and wifi along the corridor, I would sit there and enjoy the greenery and the wind, coding the day away.

Anyway, back to the dark rooms. Hiish, what’s the big deal lah. People go to cinemas because it’s dark. People go to cc to play games because it’s dark. People go for a date at night because it’s dark. See people are more comfortable when it’s dark. Unless you’re such a gay person, we love our comfort zones.

They said looking at the screen in the dark is not good for the eyes? I’ve found it quite the opposite. Dark themes go easier on my eyes. Dark surrounding makes the screen clearer for me. I don’t even have to turn on the screen brightness level all the way up. Maybe they mean something else, but I don’t have problems with my eyes (yet). I know reading in the dark is no-no for the eyes, but reading off the screen, lights blaring away, does it considered the same thing?? Hmmmm.

The biggest cons is probably if someone called, I’m not at my place so I’ll be considered MIA or hard to reach. Heh! Well, can’t say much about this, only that that’s why IM is important. Government folks tend to be more traditional I guess. And as an adiitional note, I don’t understand people banning IM in their office. If you’re scared of your staff chat more that work, there’s something wrong with your hiring skills.

So let me just be honest with you. I go to discussion room and lobby because I need peace and quiet, and to avoid this glare on my screen if I sit at my place. The way I work, I can work/think better if it’s quiet, especially if it involves urgent matters. And if it’s dark, I just want my eyes to see the codes better.

So bottomline is, it’s all a matter of preference actually. If you’re fine with your place then I’m not judging you. Hey, whatever works. Me, I like alternatives. Freedom of choice, see. I can’t thrive in a restrictive environment. Nobody does (unless you like routines). So yeah, whatever works.

Ok normally what you do when saving a contact, you’ll want to save the name and most of the time the reference point to differentiate some contacts who accidentally have the same name. People usually will save it in this format: eg. Siti Skali or Siti Putrajaya or Siti OSCC(these are different person, one working for Skali, one is my current housemate, one is working for OSCC).

Instead of that format, I use this:

Think about it. It’s ok if I remember the name so I can just scroll to S right? What happens if I can’t recall at all, the only thing I remember is the place where I met her? What’s the name of the one I met briefly at that so and so meeting?? Now I can just scroll to O and I can see all my OSCC contacts in a row.

I’ve found that using this format has a few benefits. Say your phone dies on you and all you have left is an old 5 years ago phone that’s still amazingly working. All contacts on your SIM card now such a pain to search without that advance search you’re quite used to now, doesn’t it. Also, using this way you reduce the headache of memorizing contact names. If you’re like me with some memory problem, I can’t be bothered to memorize everyone’s name lah (of people I only met briefly but felt I should have their numbers). My brain has so much other things to do than what my phone can do for me. And you get to see your contacts grouped (in a way) so oh it’s so easy to select multiple recipients. I get to know faster too if I haven’t had someone’s number yet from my workplace (for example).

See this method has been giving my brain a break for quite a number of times already. I’m spreading the goodness to you people! All I ask in return is free food and free petrol

Very secluded and kind of private area, considering we went on Sunday

Last Sunday we went out to Port Dickson to paaaaaaaartayyy… but sadly it rained noon onwards… ceh! Kinda like a family day or something coz everyone seemed to bring their friends/family. What I like the most about it is everyone was so generous with whatever they were supposed to bring. Great friends!

We got lucky enough they were alot of huge trees so we didn't get sunburned.

Abdullah told us about the place – it was not crowded at all. Except for that very huge hole on the road leading there, everything was nice and relaxing. I’m so thankful I decided not to drive that day or else takut2 kete aku calar senerih retakan jalan amat humongous itu. Hmm.. nobody dared to stop and snap a pic of that hole or I would have guaranteed you you will all be awed by the mere sight of it. Other than that, fun and good laughters.

Ella's kids have unbelievably good manners - Sarves (2), Sharo (8), Divya (10)

Another thing that I like about this outing is that I got to talk to these 2 girls. The boy is just so adorable! Reminds me of the time when I tutored 3 indian kids. You’ll be surprised at their quick replies. And you’ll get the most honest conversation ever with them. I like to talk to them like an adult. They’re so great at listening, very attentive and interested. Or maybe because they’re girls?

Kids are just a whole lot of fun to talk to.

Pics thanks to Eavay!

Urghhhh I have fever today, my wrist feel weird after a while holding the mouse. Satu badan lembik! And it’s so warm it’s not comfortable at all. I hate fever.

I read the news yesterday that Israel is starting a war or something? WTF? Sudahla dia block the road from any bantuan kemanusiaan masuk since long time ago, now they want to invade Gaza? On what basis? Hamas?? You started the whole thing and now you’re blaming others pulak? And the US seems to support the invasion, tell me what’s new. I’m sorry to say this in public but Israel can go to hell.

There I’ve said it.

Now we move on with events surrounding my personal life right now. Attended a cousin’s engagement ceremony last Sunday and I met Farah of OSCC (formerly)! Said she’s the bride-to-be’s best friend since primary school. That got my mom worried hahaha… We’re hoping for the best of course. Farah is Farah, nice girl and everything but abit of a wild side anyone would notice. But she’s cool.

My car is in dire need of some tyre alignment. Got me really scared the other day when exiting on a ramp, something happened and I almost lost control of the car. S-C-A-R-Y. Alignment pronto.

That said, the car needs its periodical service also (oil change bla bla bla). Can anyone tell me any Perodua service center around Putrajaya/Cyberjaya? It’s hell to go back to Klang just because there’s the only place I know that has it. Of course I’ve googled but if people told me about it I tend to remember it better. Such lame excuse but yea I’m practicing writing important notes down now so I won’t forget it. I’m a forgetful person. Oh yea I got this cute little notebook with super hot jacket from Prudential (thanks Ping Ting!). The notebook jacket is black and red (oooh I like) and what’s more the jacket can be used as passport holder. How I longed for a passport holder ever since I got my passport – that’s a few years back.  It looks ugy now what with wear and tear but it’s going to be kept in it’s pristine condition from now on tra la la la….

What else? Oh for last Friday I have to thank abdza for packing up my stuff in the office and Saro for any any covering up for me heh, it was really an emergency thing. Went to meet up friend to pick up my stuff on lunch break. Supposed to be back in office after that but things happened and yea I was in a tied position. Sometimes there’s other matters that weighs more than work. I found my laptop safe this morning – I was worried. Now today my Friday work comes on top and interrupting my planned Tuesday list. Seems I have alot to do but still have time to blog…heheh… I’m flexible, can’t you tell already.

Came in the office with my right part of the upper head hurt. Had coffee and then it was fine. Hmmm didn’t figure stuff as poisonous as caffeine would be the right fix.

Planned to do year end shopping but lot looks like that not going to happen.. *sigh*

Which reminds me I haven’t collected the RM600+ road tax reimbursment thingy yet. The light bulb kinda went on early this morning out of nowhere. Hmmm… that money will go to credit card payment obviously. Still no shopping for me. Sad,

I have to get my eyes checked. I couldn’t read the signboards from decent distance this morning. That got me worried.

Right now I’m planning a secret project, nothing to do with IT, none whatsoever. No I’m not furthering my studies. No I’m not changing job. No I’m not starting up a business. No it’s nothing to do with computers. Nothing to do with IT, none whatsoever. So stop fiddling around figuring out what it is. And no I’m not going to entertain private message/email enquiries. Friends who know me know how I can keep it sealed as long as I want. So don’t bother. *insert creepy laughs with eerie background music here*

Alright girls, it is important that I announce this one:

Mailing list for FOSSchix.my has landed on earth

Come join and participate okay. It’s new so no activity in there yet but it’s coming! If you’re in IT, please subscribe as you’ll never know. I’m an open source chick but hey girl, no matter what OS you using, as long as you’re interested in contributing to the Malaysian open source arena, this could be the first step for you (and surprise surprise you don’t even have to be a developer to join). Come and join and make acquaintances. Learn and share knowledge.

*****************

Cool in-house bunting design using what else, Inkscape!

On another note, I want to shamelessly put this here.

Anyway, if you can’t see the url, it’s http://trac.oscc.org.my/mymeeting. Really took a huge amount of courage to put it here. So there it is…

The Regency is actually quite a good place. We rented a few apartments to stay. Quite a turn up for the event. I personally didn’t expect much but everyone who was there sure made everything fun and happening. Kudos to the organizing committee.

The theme for the BBQ nite was red. Despite all the thoughts that went into it, I didn’t wear anything red… lalalala…. Sort of accidental actually, by the time I realized it, it was too late to do anything about it.

The resort staff is preparing the place for BBQ nite, it's candle-lighted, well sort of

The stage

OSCC booth always looks the same anywhere - same colors, same buntings, same words

View from the balcony

View from balcony

Another view from the room balcony

The pool

The pool from the conference hall level

Missed FOSS.my monthly meetup last night. Urghh!