Intelligent Box

This entry is written so that my blog won't become stagnant haha. I'm in a nostalgic mood again! This time I'm going talk about something that has accompanied us till today, and has undergone drastic development throughout the years.

The first time I use a computer proper was back in Primary 2 or 3. Some vague impression of attending a computer workshop during kindergarten but no memory of what I did exactly.

Used to attend computer courses every Sunday, but was only taught very basic stuff like 'Paint'.

I started using this version of Windows...



...which is really full of windows...



I still remember typing the command "C:/windows" at the black DOS screen to boot Windows whenever I start up the computer. How troublesome haha. (And the 'Bad command of file name' never fails to annoy me)

Solitaire was the Windows game I played. Also played other external games saved in diskettes, such as Lemmings, One Must Fall, Three Kingdoms, etc. But these programs often hanged...





Then I started to play Pinball, which couldn't hold my interest for very long since I find it a bit repetitive. After my aunt taught me Minesweeper, I became addicted for a while. Attempted the 'advanced' level, but only completed it once after many tries. I never touched Hearts until I learned the game in JC.

There was this 'Touchtype' game in the school computer lab, but I never took it seriously. So up till now I can only type with two fingers haha. There was also a maths-related game involving silly monkeys =p. Everyone loved to play that game.

And there was this software to aid us in our learning. I wonder if this looks familiar to you guys...



I think the mousehole at the bottom right can be clicked haha. But I forgot where it will lead to, or what will appear. (a mouse or some other monster?)

Diversion

Though it’s the reading week, you can’t expect anyone to study all the way right? It would be really grueling to sit through 10+ hours per day reading textbooks and lecture notes. Some kind of diversion is definitely needed.

For the past few days I’ve been playing around with these mini games:

Spot The Difference



Ever seen this game in arcades? Without spending a single cent, we can get to play this addictive game through Facebook! The difficulty is on-par with those arcade versions. Don’t expect it to be easy...

One downside is, each player (facebook user) is only given 2 plays (credits) per day. Not a bad thing since I would keep playing non-stop if it were unlimited. Haha.

Can You Spot It?



This is from the same series as Spot The Difference. I love photo-related games! ^_^ You are supposed to point out the actual position in the full photo, given partial image extracts. Sounds easy? Not quite.

You can find many other photo/picture-related games in Facebook too!

Gravity Master



Not from Facebook but this site:
http://www.physicsgames.net/game/Gravity_Master.html

Well this is a physics game, so you definitely need to crack a bit of brain. This is one of the more addictive games in the site. After few hours of perseverance, I’m proud to announce that I’ve completed all the levels! =) It may not look easy, but it’s actually not that difficult once you have realized certain convenient tricks. Anyone who wants to complete the levels can feel free to ask me for tips =p.

Destacker

http://www.physicsgames.net/game/Destacker.html



From same physics game site. Rather than stacking blocks like tetris, you are now supposed to destroy it! Muhahaha…. (Tip: getting power ups really helps)

Redstar Fall

http://www.physicsgames.net/game/Redstar_Fall.html



Can’t get enough of destroying things? Here is another game from the same site. But this time you should destroy certain blocks selectively such that the star can land safely on the platform. Not hard at all...

By the way, there are sooooo many games in that site. Haven’t got the time to try most of them yet. You might probably find a game more interesting than any of these.

Farm Town



Obviously this game is about farming crops. A long term game in Facebook that needs some level of commitment. Its simplicity is one thing that attracted me. However I think I will stop playing the moment exams are over haha… since there are much better games out there. Anyway if anyone wants to start playing, please tell me first so that I can add you as my neighbour.

Technology Idiot (2)

So disappointed with my test performance today, even though it was a short and simple one which does not require much thinking. It could be completed within minutes but I took almost an hour for the task, just becos of my inflexibility. Sometimes I can only see what is ahead of me and presume that's the only way things can be done, instead of thinking out of box and attempting alternative methods to approach the tasks. Really need to build up on my problem-solving skills. Took unnecessary time and dripped unnecessary sweat, giving others false impression that the task was physically demanding. >_>

Passing out from my technician course this thursday but I still feel that I have not acquired enough skills to work on my own. It's like tackling A lvls when I barely pass my O lvls. Can foresee lots of scoldings and reprimandings from the instructors in my new unit. Now I understand why ppl usually complain that OJE is much tougher, though more independence and flexibility are permitted.

The hardest part in working on my own is to troubleshoot and solve problems in the vehicles, esp when we are often not told what to repair or rectify instead just given the faults itself. Same goes for my com. Now that my bro is living in the campus and is only at home on the weekends, I can't wait for him to come home and fix my pc everytime there is a problem. Can't rely on my bro forever as a 'home technician', like one now. Want to learn technical basics abt the com, but dunno where to start from, haha. Maybe till an actual problem arises, hehe.

Where to get reliable computer parts and what kind or brand to get. That's another major consideration...hmmm.

Technology Idiot (1)

I feel like a technology idiot. Whenever I listen to conversations involving the latest technology, such as in handphones, mp3 players, computers, cameras, I would become very lost and had to assume that I knew what was discussed. Too embarrassed to admit that I was unaware of such technology.

With the latest hype abt Comex, much discussion abt IT spurred among my friends, which made me realise how ignorant, ill-informed and backward I am. Ppl were sharing abt what they had planned to buy in the fair, boasting certain products, leaving me bewildered as of what specs are considered good, and what corresponding prices are considered reasonable. Seriously, I dun even know how much a typical harddrive costs, nor how many megapixels a good afforable camera should have.

As for handphones, forget it. Some ppl know various phone models and the features on the tips of their fingers, while I can't even remember the model of my current hp lol. (my parents gave it to me) All I know is it can make calls and send smses. Personally I dun crave for technology in hps, like camera/video functions, mp3 storage, fm tuner, etc; all these are optional for me, cos I dun use them so often to appreciate their existence.

MP3 player...though I listen to music often, surprisingly I dun have the desire to own it at all. Probably lazy to find mp3, or find it a hassle to bring it around with me (and worry abt it being stolen/misplaced).

I've lost the interest to take photos anymore. Guys dun seem to have the enthusiasm to take photos as compared to girls. Lazy to upload pictures too. My ancient cpu casing still has USB ports at the back, which is so inaccessible. My camera should be lying somewhere in my home gathering dust, and how megapixels was it huh?

In such times I really have to start learning how to appreciate technology, otherwise I would be no different from my parents. >_<