I will be building my Quad Core system in these few weeks to come. It will be based off the older Kensfield platform as prices are really very affordable now. The thing with the new Yorksfield system is the price and when released later this year, will be high up in the $600-$1000 range for a decent processor + motherboard combo. My stand is that even if you can afford it, it’s no point spending more than $1000 on technology which will be definitely become obsolete in a few months time.

Been looking forward and monitoring these hardware prices since early this year. It will be a good time to act and swipe the Quad core processor, motherboard, graphic card and 4GB RAM upgrade totaling a sub $1000. At least I can transition off the AGP era in PCI-E and Socket 478 to LGA 775.

Besides being a more capable workstation and multi-tasking powerhouse, this will also be the system capable for Crysis & Unreal Tournament 3 at maximum settings, not to mention future favorites like the current Team Fortress 2 and upcoming Starcraft II.

After that, would be setting my crosshairs next on the N95 8GB when it hits in the sub $600 priceline. My Dad don’t need a new phone, so he’s allowing me to upgrade through his Singtel mobile plan.

Happy Deepavali to all Hindus celebrating the occasion today. It’s a public holiday and a much needed breather from school today. At least tomorrow’s friday! TGIF!

It’s raining cats and dogs here now in southern Singapore. Got about some coding for a portal together with finishing up some other miscellaneous flash presentation for another client, been busy even in the weekends. Tomorrow is Monday already, and week 7 (halfway mark) of our final project semester. Time do pass very fast!

The evening run today is very cool and relaxing, a good thing with pacing and fitness level with just 4 weeks left to tackle the year end marathon. Despite a minor flu yesterday, everything went well for today’s planned run and things looks set for race day! My running route is exceptionally packed today, especially along Prince Charles road the cooler weather could have attracted more runners. Got about running with my usual trusty RS400sd for distance.

The wonder of a running computer is the ability to run anywhere your wish without having to plan your route. It also beats having to measure the distance later on Google earth, (which I used to do previously). The need to do so reduces the error greatly in your estimates- park connector distance markers are not always accurate, and if you cut some corners, your actual running distance won’t be the one you thought to be.

Crossed the 900km mark for runs this year too! It will be less than 2 more months to hit my target of 1000km this year and beyond!

Got quite a few calls from few reputable banks over the last week asking to apply for their credit and platinum credit cards. Do not know where do they get my contacts from. But I always have the heck of getting such calls and most people would usually simply slam down on them.

For me, knowing that these poor peeps have to put up with so much negatively during their daily cold call sessions, I’ve tested and devised a new technique to evade them and them, not you will be the one trying hurriedly to end the call. Listen to their intro speech and simply go “uh-huh”, “yes” and let them flare out all the benefits like their lives depend on it (you need not listen), just keep going uh-huh uh-huh, no matter how catchy they can get with their sales pitch. At the end, if they belong to any bank you do not have any credit cards from, say any of these:

• Ask for their income requirements and say you earn less than it
• Tell them you are a student (which I am!)
• Tell them you are unemployed/jobless (Suggestion from my dad)

All these, particularly the last one will end the call fast and easy within 5 seconds. Then you will simply go laughing at the end of the call when they go “Huh? but the records? umm…. nevermind… Thank you for your time.”

Works everytime.

Swissotel Vertical Marathon
Collected my pack today at the Raffles City Fullerton Room. Participants get quite a lot of goodies this year compared to the last. In a a black event shoe bag, we have:

At least the polo tee this year is more descent than previous Vertical Marathonss, it’s at least something I can wear without being a walking billboard for the sponsors!

Got the result of the Spinnovex 2008 posting today. My team is heading for a confirmed spot in the Grand Plaza Tentage! Yea! *jumps round room for a while* And so are 5 other teams in our CIE group as well. That is the best honor we can get as a project group and it’s a big hurdle cleared for us. Would be fighting up front for the gold and distinction award for round two! Now the main thing now is to deliver what we promised and impress you – the visitor at our coming school public exhibition. Stay tuned!

Overheard some other students while gyming out today, talking about the results on the Spinnovex project postings. Some were rather puzzled on the postings and wonder if they are based on priority, as naive as they may sound, yes it’s definitely based on the interest of the judges, school and public, so those which meets all these criteria as show stoppers will have a higher chance to get the hot spots in the tent. Theres more weight in the tent too – where the press will not only be more evident, but thats also where the guest of honors and judging panel will place more pressure on as well. Oh hell yea, bring it on!

Many happy returns to my project teammate Danson whose birthday is on today and for the boxes of donuts he brought in for our class in the project center to chow as well!

Today is also a day of few accomplishments as well, finally got the fabrication started after obtaining all the bits and piece of loose parts such as bearings. And the delivery of our pneumatic parts will be in next week. Our project room TSO today was also head-over-heels over his new Macbook which arrived today. Man was he excited as well! Only that he’s up looking to install Windows XP into the Macbook together with OS X 10.5 (Leopard) as well lol!

Oh well, it’s friday today, TGIF. Time to relax before continuing on some work tomorrow, not to mention Swissotel vertical marathon goodie bag collection tomorrow as well.