August 30, 2002
Head Game
The finals of the 11th Annual World Memory Championships, held in London, gathered together some of the world's sharpest minds for the ultimate celebration of cerebral virtuosity.
For those who have trouble remembering a simple telephone number or shopping list, the mental feats of these memory maestros are truly mind-boggling.
Each event starts with a cry from the starter: "Neurons-on-the-ready … Go!" Competitors must then accurately memorize thousands of items including long numbers, unfamiliar names and faces, quotations, dates and random words. The grand finale is a race to memorize the sequence of a pack of shuffled playing cards in less than a minute.
Money is the Root of All Evil?
"So you think that money is the root of all evil?" said Francisco d'Anconia. "Have you ever asked what is the root of money? Money is a tool of exchange, which can't exist unless there are goods produced and men able to produce them. Money is the material shape of the principle that men who wish to deal with one another must deal by trade and give value for value. Money is not the tool of the moochers, who claim your product by tears, or of the looters, who take it from you by force. Money is made possible only by the men who produce. Is this what you consider evil?
Posted at 03:12 PM | Perspective
Me, A Man, and Einstein
For the reason of humanity, especially in racism, I might be affected by a long last time memory when i was still a child. My father, as usually began to talk with me, in any topics has come. He was a best teacher for his son, openly, and warm. He never been get anger, may just be a bit of eye-bombardment. In a time where i forgot when it happened, my father told me, "A man actually be racist!" What's a shock for my childhood.Thankfully, he then continued to explain for his little kid, why he did told that. He meant all what he said is, in the deep heart of every man, we never forget our ancestors, where us came from, what color is our skin, and later. But, he pointed me that by whatever we had coloring our soul, we should never be pick any color to judge others. Be coloring it only by what they did.
Einstein proved me that, in 1919 he wrote a letter to the London Times daily in 1919 stating: "Today in Germany I am called a German man of science and in England I am represented as a Swiss Jew. If I come to be regarded as a bete noire, the description will be reversed, and I shall be become a Swiss Jew for the Germans and a German man of science for the English."
Guardian Weblog Special
Thanks to Guardian Weblog Special which has been approved my publishing request and now my weblog has been listed there. They commented, "Personal blog by Arif, a 'lonely Indonesian geek'. Wide-ranging and well designed." Enjoy to browse Guardian's visitor!
Posted at 10:20 AM | Me and Myself
August 29, 2002
Memorizing This Day in 1883
Actually it was a couple of days ago, but I missed it. So, what happened? On August 26, 1883, the island volcano of Krakatau ("Krakatoa") in Indonesia erupted with world-wide impact. "The eruption was one of the most catastrophic natural disasters in recorded history," according to Dr. George Pararas-Carayannis. "Fine ashes from the eruption were carried by upper level winds as far away as New York City. The explosion was heard more than 3000 miles away. Volcanic dust blew into the upper atmosphere affecting incoming solar radiation and the earth's weather for several years." Dr. PC adds, "A series of large tsunami waves generated by the main explosion, some reaching a height of nearly 40 meters (more than 120 feet) above sea level, killed more than 36,000 people in the coastal towns and villages along the Sunda Strait on Java and Sumatra islands." Less importantly, the events inspired a hollywood movie "Krakatoa, East of Java" (Krakatau is actually west of Java, but don't tell Hollywood.)Here are a couple other interesting websites about Krakatau:
--thanks for Joe Friend who wrote this, he always writes a very nice things about Indonesia.
Thanks For All
My buddy, Farid wrote this in his weblog:Arif, seems to have a very great day today. This is because his web-statistic shows an extraordinary result than all-days before. His visitors grow up more and more, especially for today. In my vision, it's all happenned since his website was ranked on "Site of The Week" (Situs Minggu Ini) of Search Indonesia. Yeah, he indeed has a very cool personal website and I think he deserves to get it.In time, before all gone lost, i would glad to thanks for all people who made this happen. Including these are: SearchIndonesia.com that just picked me as its Site of The Week which then drove a huge traffic to my personal website (incredibly i never dream it before). Of course, i must be thanks for you, who by your sake visited to this un-perfect personal website, i hope you'll never been boring to revisit again. For you who signing my guestbook, who commented my post, and for you who exchanged a link with me. Especially for Farid, whom until today still the best friend for me, I would always waiting for special things you'd post on your weblog (and copied to mine, gee :p), you had a great "bright for the future" things posted on your web. And for all people who might be couldn't be listed here all. Without you all, this site would be never been like now. Last but not least, I should gives all appreciation for the Web and its board of activists, who gives their best job connected the world like recent.
To Arif: So far, you've done very good, bro. Keep up that great work! I wish you enjoy a great life and a bright future! :)
Posted at 12:48 PM | Me and Myself
The BlogMD Initiative
It's our lucky now meeting with probably the greatest leap, that World Wide Web reshape its form as a new new media since its has been initiated by Tim Berners-Lee a decade ago. Yes, may be some of you ask a question, what does really different between weblog and ordinary website? The answer is, the weblog is really the same as website. The fact, a weblog is must be a website. So, what's a big deal that now weblog take over the buzzy word over there?If i could answer, the weblog gives us so many opportunity while the "last" WWW didn't (or deferred). To mention a few is: weblog tools (all are free, eg: Blogger, MovableType, etc); weblog directory: eaton web, diarist, etc; weblog index: weblogs, blogdex, etc; weblog ecosystem: ecosystem, meylin, etc; and so many others has been growth endlessly. It was not so really different with the web at all. Differently, the growth of weblog just make significant by many independent participant involved. It was amazed while the last WWW just conquered by website behemoth created by many huge capital company.
By posting this, i would glad to tell you about the last weblog advancement, it is The BlogMD Initiative. According to its initiator, "The principle behind the BlogMD initiative is that by creating standards in the weblog metadata "problem space", we can enable greater collaboration and interaction between existing applications, as well as paving the way for future, currently unforeseen metadata applications by reducing or eliminating much of the redundant, "reinventing the wheel" work currently involved in creating a new weblog metadata application." It's really great! I just wonder, how many works i could there. Absolutely, it's so lovely living in the wired world.
August 28, 2002
Why Not Put Off Till Tomorrow the Novel You Could Begin Today?
It still my obsession that I probably could write somewhat novel in my life. For this reason I usually trains my self, practising, and exercising in every kind of writing. But, I really just knew today that Ann Pechett wrote (registration required), "Starting a novel isn't so different from starting a marriage. The dreams you pin on these people are enormous. You are diving into the lives of your characters, knowing that you will fall in love with all of them, knowing (as surely Elizabeth Taylor knew) that in the end the love will finish and turn you out on the street alone." The difficulties is, i never been married before. So, i easily don't know much how to figured out everything to pin point the characters which i should met. Fortunately, Ms. Ann told me a nice tips in her last essays that, "Sometimes if there's a book you really want to read, you have to write it yourself." Yes, it is kindly best practising tips ever after.Great Compilation of E-Book links
For everyone who loves to read, this compilation did by Jaringan Islam Liberal probably could help you to find out free e-books out there. Update: For you who interested to learn about Islam in more open perspective, probably you should visits this lists of website compiled by Charles Kurzman at University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Alchemist Design Contest
Hot info! AlltheWeb invites you to participate in their first design contest using the new AlltheWeb Alchemist™. Alchemist allows you to personalize the presentation of search results on AlltheWeb and to create your own look and feel to the site using your own Cascading Style Sheet (CSS). Prizes will be awarded for submissions in three categories. Grand Prize in each category: $750 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Second Prize in each category: $350 gift certificate to Amazon.com. Third Prize in each category: $50 gift certificate to Amazon.com. The first 100 approved entrants will receive an AlltheWeb "True Alchemist" T-shirt. C'mon!---thanks to Firda
Indonesian youngster ousts Kournikova in 44 minutes
Though it was late for two days, this is a very great news for Indonesia that one of Indonesian young tennis-player, Angelique Widjaja, beat Russian glamour girl Anna Kournikova on Monday in the first round match of the US Open. And She (Angie) will now meet Stephanie Foretz of France in the second round. Yet, Kournikova is famously known tennis player, but by refering to her feat, analyst said Foretz might be more hardly opponent. Indonesia will always beside you Angie!--via Farid
The Most Dangerous Institution
For nearly a hundred years, American living the life of dangerous games that luckily also has been shaped the country's movement. With this lifestyle mob, American creatively done tehir best job by did and does, create and shape, publicly and secretly, moving toward their movements. Inside those movement, there are so many "dark era" had been met by American, luckily, they also creatively did the best job to solve this problem. One of American luckily have is Edgar J. Hoover, a man who later known as FBI's greatest director, ruling in his 40 years or so, and creating the bureau disciplined, eficiency, and more than less, the system of investgations. He starting serving his job as bureau's director at 29, and marking his job with very well duties.Surely, pros and cons has been together accompanied with the bureau's years. I don't know how American feels with its FBI or CIA or NSA or whatever their goverment had. But, I really feels angry if someone else recorded for other's privacy information. Do the govt mind we are no humanity? But, what should goverment do if they can't prevented criminals with their own country? Are they should be damned? This is might be the US goverment describe their bureau's functionality, the most dangerous institution, that was really hated to be, but really needed when it comes. That is why every American should feels that they need it, including its sisters and may be some more in the future :)
Don't forget, by the reason of a man's hiding obsession (oh no, i forget where i read before), every man loves to plays with secret game, including is: politics, loves, and espionage. That's why, American never supposed to be, still loves their bureau whatever they had done with their privacy and secret. And still some talented people there obsessed to be a kind of a secret agent :p Com'on don't you remember A Beautiful Mind story?
August 27, 2002
Search Indonesia's Situs Minggu Ini
Happily, my website listed at SearchIndonesia.com, a leading Indonesian search engine and portal website, as its Site of the Week (Situs Minggu Ini) categorized as personal website. They commented that my website for first time is occasionally picked for the lists (they usually only list company/organization related website). Enjoy to browse Search Indonesia's visitors!
Posted at 11:14 AM | Me and Myself
August 26, 2002
Pretty Resources
Some of the best compilation of weblog world:- Science Blog
- Unknown Blog
- Green blog
- Liberal Progressive Blog
- New Left Directory
- Journalist Blog
- Literary Blog
- Unesco Library Blog
- Research Blog
Flying Lesson
When I recall my child memory, it was a wonderful story happened when I was at third grade. It was a sunny day, but the wind blows smothly. The day goes fresh. I was in the play yard of my school, a paper plane who I just created holded in my right hand. I stay beside a 30 meter or so tall cypress tree, i watching the sky that nicely goes clear. Just a second before I flying the plane, the wind blows heavily. The paper plane goes up smothly, and luckily taking the way the wind goes. Wonderfully, by lining in the wind's path, my paper plane surprisingly flies in unoccasionally way. It flies unusual height, nearly reach the top of the tree.May be you don't believe this story by the fact my paper plane could fly as height as that, but it was true. I don't know how it could be, but it might be caused by the wind who blew more heavily than usual and I luckily in the right path. This is one of my best memory I ever had from my childhood. It learned me a lesson about fly, if we supposed to be, and we stand inside of the the great lucky (like the wind who blew up my plane), we just easily get the best of flying. If you want to rememorize your flying lesson in your childhood, i just found a great website about how to create and design paper plane that can fly. Most of the design is new for me, for that, i should get to try it later.
Search and Win at Google
Hey, hurry up, Google give up one hundred Timbuk2 messenger bags sporting the Google logo and other wonderful Google-centric prizes. To enter, all you have to do is show your Google prowess by taking the Google Quiz.Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Fifty-seven years ago, the United States dropped two atomic bombs, unleashing mass death and destruction—and an arms race lasting a half-century. The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, coupled with the firebombings of many other cities, including Tokyo, unquestionably shortened the war and halted a tide of Japanese militarism that had been rising for years. Even now, many continue to wonder, Was it necessary?I think the world should just be happy, in fact, only 'just' two cities were bombed by atomic bomb instead of three in plan (including Yokohama). Only by the God's sake, the pilot who caried the packet for Yokohama just cancelled his order prior to unknown reason. For this miracle, i don't know what punishment will he accept although he had saved thousand people there. This stories likely very unpopular out there, luckily i knew this story from Timequake, a novel authored by Kurt Vonnegut. Many countries still playing the atomic game in recent days, i don't know how they easily forget as many as thousand soul which could be dissapear with such game. So, I don't know why the world still need an atomic bombs anymore?
August 24, 2002
True lies?
Coups, assassinations and vast conspiracies? No, not really. The inside story of America’s Central Intelligence Agency.Need a cheap lie detector? Buy it!
August 23, 2002
Faces of American Islam
This is a readable research work can be read both for Muslim and American (West for generally). It's an brief introduction about generally muslim who live in American, many was imigrant but a native as well. This brief concludes muslim American's world from its demography, its history of imigrant, religious practice, and also coverage of intra-muslim relationship and children. It is important for us to understanding each other, wether our history or our ideology. I hate people who judging before they thought, like Pramoedya Ananto Toer wrote in his Bumi Manusia, be fair since in your minds. It seems lovely to think open since now, don't you? Oh yeah, If you were not a muslim, and supposedly to know more deep, try to read Karen Armstrong work titled as Islam: A Short History. There's no reason to reject this option while she is also non-muslim, its book is a very kind of open-minded work. And, nice weekend to celebrate!
Posted at 06:02 PM | Perspective
Arab Investors vs US: You Sell, We Bought!
Moves by Saudi investors to shift tens of billions of dollars out of the US have added to market concerns that global fund managers are becoming increasingly disenchanted with the US, analysts said on Wednesday.According to some independent analyst, this anxiety comes speculatively from widen law treatment from major families of 9/11's victims. The Saudi (mostly royal family) suspected has a relatives or connected with 9/11 terrorist. In while, this followed by major law treatment by most Arabic student and families who felt abused and terrorized by media and US's communities.
Economists and bond strategists were on Wednesday considering the impact of Saudi disinvestment on the dollar and US Treasury prices, following an FT report that as much $200bn of Saudi money may have left the US in the last few months amid deteriorating bilateral relations.
"Watch for Middle Eastern asset switches out of US dollars into the euro," UBS Warburg's London-based fixed-income team advised in its daily note. "If a trickle becomes a flood, it could force the spread [of US Treasuries to German bonds] wider in double-quick time."
Your Eyes Can Write
I just wondering one hope for this new tools, can I use this tools to track the girls eyes? So, I could understanding whether they loves me much or just disgust with me. It just a matter of time to wait.New software could allow computer users with disabilities or busy hands to write nearly twice as fast, more accurately and more comfortably than before. The software could also speed up writing on palm-tops and typing in Japanese and Chinese, its developers say.
The package, called Dasher, "exploits our eyes' natural ability to navigate and spot familiar patterns", says one of its inventors, computer scientist David MacKay of the Cavendish Laboratory in Cambridge, UK.
An eye-tracking device lets users select letters from a screen. Dasher calculates the probability of one letter coming after another. It then presents the letters required as if contained on infinitely expanding bookshelves.
Posted at 02:13 PM | Technology
August 22, 2002
Wanna be tall?: Get rich first!
A recent study by the World Health Organization found that increased height among Indonesian men was associated with increased income. The study, reported in the Bulletin of the World Health Organization, found that a one percent increase in height was associated on average with an additional 2.6 percent in earnings.So, if we got to be tall now, shall we rich? I'm tall guys (180cm, proudly said with chicken smile), you could guess how rich I'm :D Update: Unfortunately, the Jakarta Post link above dead now, it seem stupid while yesterday i could view it without any problem. I don't know how their programmers did their work while they can't keep their whole archive work, may be they should hire me to fix them. If you know someone in The Jakarta Post, please refer me for the world sake :)
The Third World versus the West
Islamic terrorist incidents against the West are signs of the Third World’s revolt by proxy against a global order that offers no realistic hope to the poorest nations......Therefore, the two motors of change must run in parallel: military security and economic reform. This will require a grand strategy accepted and supported by the industrial world and as widely as possible elsewhere. There is no question that the world’s only remaining superpower, the US, must remain in the lead and the world should be grateful for that; but US intentions must be known and accepted. Otherwise unilateralism means only the dictatorship of an administration with a particular political ideology – in an NBC world that is far too dangerous.Military? Nuclear anymore? Or just drawn away all has been created? And, US take a lead? How about another moguls? We should think a long way from that.
Posted at 04:08 PM | Perspective
Nuclear Warfare: A 'Chicken' Game!
I just read a new translated book of Bertrand Russell (Indonesian revised edition), Common Sense and Nuclear Warfare. It's interested books, not too thick tough, but inspireable and chalengging. This book presents Bertrand Russell's keen insights into the threat of nuclear conflict, and his argument that the only way to end this threat is to end war itself. Written at the height of the Cold War, this book offers an understanding of Russell's involvement in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and his passionate campaigning for peace. It remains significant in the modern nuclear world, and is should be useful for those interested in Russell and postwar history.Instead of serious only excerpt, i found a funny fable about nuclear warfare, it's named 'Chicken Game'. The game did use an only stright-paving-road with white line in center and two cars vis a vis. Each hoped still stand in white line in the center while both cars drive collided. More close each droves, more danger they will be. If one of them turn away the stir (to avoid collide because he must be scary), then the antagonist which stand on white line will exclaim loudly "Chicken!". Ironically to this analogy, when it plays on nuclear warfare, when the times is arrived (both cars still stand on white line), they will create a catastrophe for the world. Yet, still none of them will be a chicken! Only the people would be just a fried chicken :)
Posted at 02:09 PM | Perspective
August 21, 2002
Let Mulder and Scully Acts to Answer
The shortage of available facts did not prevent the creation of an instant legend - a legend that the US government and the US media were pleased to propagate, and that the American public have been eager, for the most part, to accept as fact. The legend goes like this: the passengers on the hijacked United flight, alerted on their mobile phones to the news of the other three hijacked planes, decide that if they are not going to save themselves at least they will do the patriotic thing and spare the lives of those who are the terrorists' intended targets; so they charge down the aisle, storm the cockpit, where a terrorist is at the controls, and, in the ensuing struggle, force the plane down.
This stunning article in the Independent reads like a lost episode of the X Files, or at least the script for a new Oliver Stone movie. While acknowledging the bravery of Flight 93's passengers, it calls into question what actually happened before it went down on 9/11. The US media has turned this tragedy into the stuff of legend, perhaps to understandably soothe a wounded nation with tales of unprecedented heroism. However, there are many unanswered questions listed in the article which can only add fuel to all kinds of conspiracy theories. Are we looking at yet another government cover-up?
Blogsphere
Thinking about weblog world, everyone should wonder that there should be a universe. Though it seem a bit confuse to imagine, there were really an ecosystem, luckily i found another one. After jumping there and see the list, how'd you imagine your ecosystem? Are your weblog healthy (it's means you get the life of real live weblog), by the mean you were linked, or you link to anyother. After all, i proud living in the Blog-osphere, it's absolutely fun as well.
Weblog Resource
This early days, i made a horrible visit to others weblog, and these some of a note:- Shi'a Pundit, weblog for Shi'a and Islam related news.
- Seb's Open Research Blog, a great resource to explore weblog, its future, its development and its philoshopy. Gergous work to see.
- Dan Gillmor: Behind economy's dark clouds, here are some silver linings
- and more..?
---via sassafras
What does Trackback Really?
Someone asking me in her comment, what does trackback really? In this post, i decide to answer in my best understanding about trackback. I hope this explanation could clearly introduce this technology (if you hadn't knew it before).The trackback is a new feature introduced by MovableType (the engine which i used to publish this weblog), it is implemented since June 10, 2002 (MT version 2.21). Though the concept of TrackBack may be a bit confusing, for short description, it would give you a chance to share and 'connecting' your weblog (individual post) with other's weblog in same or identical topics, or may you just refering to them, or contrarily any weblogger out there could refering to your individual post. Both post (your's and other's who refered to you) then has a way to see each others. So, it would be great advancement if any weblogger could connecting their thoughts. (To see the real implementation click the MT trackback which i ping by this post, you could see my trackback showed there).
Luckily (or may be greatly), MoveableType creator doesn't made this featured exclusive matter, it's openly introduce to all weblog aplication to implement it. Basically, this feature use a simple HTTP GET protocol to ping weblog resource. After two weblog handshaking, they would continue to create a friendship and tell the world what their relationship announcement (the post). So, figure out if your post and mine could linked like the one below (click the trackback link, i just made a trackback link from Keledai Pintar website). What's a wonderful heh? Update: If you want to know some more information about weblog advancement, how to promote your weblog in search engine and weblog portal, and more about Trackback Directory, visit this website. It has clearly and readable useful information about weblog.
August 20, 2002
Kick Out World Our Free-World
Globalization as you ever heard before, widely means as a success of human future, while every nation alltogether could join to develop a better world--that's it the theory. Whether the practices said another, the stories filling the front pages in recent weeks -- about economic crisis and contagion in Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil, about President Bush getting the trade bill he wanted -- are all part of the same story, the largest story of our times: what globalization has done, or has failed to do. For Indonesia, in my respect, globalization merely done his lack of job. I really agree with the New York Times which said, globalization need to be reformed.Besides the equality in all form of the theory, the practical world told many worse in result. While every 'powerful country' get it chance, most so-called 'the thirld world' (mostly in Asia, Africa and America Latin) only get its garbage. In every WTO meetings, those countries like a club of beggars waiting to count any trash food discarded by those boss meetings. Yet, the country's people get its mostly more worse.
One ironic example happening here my beloved country, 4000 workers of Nike production agency in Indonesia protested the dismissals following an impending halt in orders. Refering to Joe Friend, "They aren't protesting low wages, they are protesting a cut in orders that will cost jobs. Wages are so low here by western standards, but having some job is so much more important to most people. Sure, they'd love to get paid a lot. But that isn't even on their radar."
Though not very skeptistic about my country, I don't know how to talk anymore. Nevertheless, I'd really hoped that there will any meetings, any chance to rethink our world by what globalization need to turn. We also need to think about the lack of our system (i think it still debated) by the happening of our financial crisis this year. I suggested an inspiring read on George Soros' analysis that our market needs to be regulated. It's a rumor that IMF in such the thirld world is not helping, but killing. Instead of just meet with the mogul's country of WTO or G7 (now G8), we all together need to talk much closer, what's happen with our world?
PHP Everywhere
http://php.weblogs.com/XML-RPC vs SOAP
Within the world of XML there are two main ways to implement a Remote Procedure Call (RPC), XML-RPC and SOAP. This document will explore the differences between these two methods in order to help you decide which is best suited to your needs.August 19, 2002
Gus Dur Launched His Website
Former president Abdurrahman Wahid, or Gus Dur as he is familiarly known, celebrated the country's 57th independence anniversary on Saturday by launching his website www.gusdur.net.The website was formally introduced to the public during a function at the Acacia Hotel, just across from the head office of Nahdlatul Ulama, which Gus Dur used to chair.The website is part of a media center designed to promote Gus Dur's vision and thoughts on many issues.
A discussion, which also featured Gus Dur himself, highlighted the launch ceremony, which was also marked by a poetry recital by street children. ---Taken from The Jakarta Post
Weblog of Indonesian
First, i say thanks to Deadly Bloody Serious, which i've found on my today's statistic has linking to my sites. So, after go there, i found this little interested things to share. DBS has did a little research about Indonesian weblog around the world. You know i linking a few of that, but this views from outer probably could give some meaningful thinking about Indonesian webloggers. Now i'm happy to know my neighbour there!Is It Godzilla?
What the hell those lawyer did to this website creator's huh? Any idea to think?
Posted at 04:03 PM | Entertainment
Fast Checkup
I know that of you reading this posting right now. Isn't it cool?
Posted at 03:59 PM | Me and Myself
Dirgahayu 57 tahun Indonesia
Auguts 17, Indonesia Celebrate its Independence Day or "Hari Kemerdekaan". Indonesia is 57 years old now. There are special celebrations in whole country. So, Happy Day for Indonesia!NASA plans to read terrorist's minds at airports
Airport security screeners may soon try to read the minds of travelers to identify terrorists.Officials of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration have told Northwest Airlines security specialists that the agency is developing brain-monitoring devices in cooperation with a commercial firm, which it did not identify.
August 16, 2002
Keledai Pintar
In English, it's mean "Smart Donkey", yeah what a heck is it. In short, i'm very proud by my progress today since i just plan it tonight, and hoplaa, it has been launched. What's a hell which every donkey getting smarter? Yes, it's about a donkey who has taking care theirself and stick around browsing the net, so they get smarter and they "probably" doesn't get named again dumn animal again. I love donkey, who smart of course. This website is my personal exhibitions, to help Indonesian netter with my tech-writings covering technology-internet related subject. I hope, the mission to teach every donkey could get its way.
Posted at 05:50 PM | Me and Myself
Writing the Living Web
Your information architecture is as smooth, clear, and inviting as a lake. Your design rocks. Your code works. But what keeps readers coming back is compelling writing that’s continually fresh and new. Updating daily content can challenge the most dedicated scribe or site owner. Mark Bernstein’s ten tips will help you keep the good words (and readers) coming.I Wanna Hold Your Hand!
The day goes clear, may be a little bit coldy, i think season will be rain soon. After take a bath, i then walk around to the near bus station and get one arrives. I take it soon, and sit peacefully. When the bus comes near to the Blok-M station (my destination), there were two man as usually want to play music for rupiahs (ngamen). Waiting some surprises is also my hobby since i usually interested to wait whether they play music good or not, or plays nerd, silly, or just made laugh. Yes, i was surprised while they play one of Beatles hit, "I wanna hold your hand", and two others. Oh yeah, come on, girls, it's so lovely hearing their nice songs, they had beautiful sounds, plays instrument at right way, and we, all passengers just hookay dokkaay to dance in their minds :)) Oh I miss Beatles right now, i think i should look around to get Beatles plays on my ears.
Posted at 01:36 PM | Me and Myself
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How Blogaholic are You?
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August 15, 2002
Tommy Soeharto transferred to Nusakambangan prison
What do you think if a son of former 32 years ruled president has been jailed far away from the 'world' (in case of Indonesia, Nusakambangan in the sounth of Central Java, is far away to reach). As a good reason, Nusakambangan is likely Al Catraz prisone which used to jailing crap criminal like Al Capone. Differently, Al Catraz surely known very damned for every criminal, so it would be good to keep the bad people there. But what do you think in Indonesia? As a bad reason, Tommy would get its new palace there. Paying back the staff (bribe), get new housekeeper, buy new things, and gotcha he must be get new paradise there while he stay in jail :) It is very unoptimistic thinking of course, but, by wondering if Tommy was jailed there, the press probably have no much time to control over and over. It's really different if Tommy jailed in Cipinang, Jakarta (for example). In Cipinang, every Jakarta's journalists probably look for there every day (covering everyday criminal). It creates stimultaneously control over there. So, i have no wonder what's will going on in the next half-year by Tommy over Nusakambangan? New company, new business, new girlfriends? May be, let's see!The tragedy of the French Left
"The old is dying, and the new cannot be born. The catastrophic defeat of Lionel Jospin and his socialist party in the recent French elections was more than just another swing of the political cycle; it reflects the Left’s lack of understanding of the society it aspires to represent. Only an honest engagement with its own society, with a globalised world, with a changed Europe, and with its own illusions, can free the French Left from the immense weight of its own past."If the West goes scared like those happened, what does will happen in the East, or preferably in Indonesia? Many riot? I hope not so! Any body still thinking about our world future?
Posted at 05:56 PM | Perspective
The CIA Does Blog
"It's fascinating, of course, that the CIA sees blogware as an important defense technology. I suppose they'll be using Traction to bring down Saddam and the House of Saud; maybe get the bad boys so obsessed with blogwars they don't notice the laser-guided precision bombs blowing the phone system to bits. That would be cool." ---via DentonRelated links:
- Traction Software
- In Q Tel
It's All About Pee
What do you wonder every guys do after hanging out and drinking at the pub? Pee of course. And, what the most interesting to do while you were peeing? (For dumb man of course, no lady needs to answer) Yes, seeing you pee lining and dancing over the urinoir :) But, what if you has been chalengged to play 'a golf' like game with pee? Is must bee interesting :) Take Aim! Errrr, or just want others now what you had did with your pee? Feel relax to pee, made your records, and send it to your loves one :D Hahaha, it's cool huh?! Sorry for the girls, I think you can't do it all :D
Posted at 04:44 PM | Entertainment
Everything About Programming
Programmers - a spotter's guide classifies programmers into 20 types. They were "I Am the Greatest", "Internet Vegetable" until "What Colour Should That Be?" and "It's Safety Critical..." types. What type are you? For me, i think i have all that types :) There's also a guide which offered as a service to help programmers find their nature's programming language. Or just wants to know the differences between the newbie and the guru?
Posted at 03:16 PM | Entertainment
August 14, 2002
Two worldviews of Islam and the impacts
Very interesting article by a Muslim legistator from Jakarta on the two world-views at battle in Islam."Many Islamic thinkers opine that such a great divergence could only be caused by differing interpretations concerning the basic meaning of "Islam". According to Muhammad Said al-Ashmawi, a former Egyptian chief justice, initially Islam meant "obedience to God (Allah)". And the "being" of God cannot be experienced intellectually, but only spiritually. Therefore "cultural-Islam" people emphasize the spirituality of Islam. To them theology is the most important aspect in Islam, not jurisprudence, or fiqh.
This basic and literal meaning of Islam has been altered and reduced by proponents of political Islam. They argue that the meaning of Islam is not only obedience toward God, but also obedience toward The Prophet as God's messenger.
Islam further came to mean obedience toward every ulema (scribe) who understands the messages of God revealed to Prophet Muhammad, and also toward every holder of state power. According to al-Ashmawi again, it was in this way that Islam underwent reduction in meaning, from faith in the oneness of God to 'an ideology in the service of worldly power-holders in their pursuit of political objectives.'"
Indonesian intelligence set up group in 1970s now accused of terrorism, report says
The report, released by the International Crisis Group, a Brussels, Belgium-based think tank, says that Jemaah Islamiyah -- a shadowy group allegedly trying to topple governments in Southeast Asia and carve out an Islamic state -- was created in the 1970's by the head of Indonesia's military intelligence.The goal was to compromise Muslim opponents of then-dictator Suharto and to depict them as fundamentalists, the document said.
George W. Bush, Scorecard of Evil
President Bush took a sharp right turn in policy soon after his inauguration, surprising a country that heard a carefully crafted message of moderate governance during the campaign. He's picked some strange battles early in his administration, prompting an outcry from everyone ranging from liberal Democrats to moderate Republicans. It's getting harder every day to remember all of the truly mystifying policies the Bush administration is pursuing, so the Wage Slave Journal offers this scorecard to help you keep track of all of the evil deeds Bush commits and, more important, to provide a record for your perusal when November 2004 rolls around.
Posted at 01:20 PM | Entertainment
Safe Under the Roof
Finally, i had finished the new Fira Basuki's book "Atap" today's early morning (yeha, after long awake until 3am, i should think to get a sleep for few hour man). Fortunately, the story much more thick than two former series, rationally it is the last series. The only i could say to you is, Fira done his job well. Even this book (in my opinion) didn't get many attention like others Indonesian woman author (Ayu Utami and Dee), i get impressed by what she did. The line of story, the style, and the plot really different. It has a "curhat" strorytelling (like a private talk with your buddies), and Fira makes it so different, we were so closed with the role character either Bowo or June. We feels all they felt in the whole story like we did it by myself, that's so wonderful story. By this style, most critic told that Fira had nothing sense work because it style likely a writing of young girls talk with other's friend. Ah, he makes it because it should be. The line of whole story is June and Bowo (brother and sister) who tell each other with their personal problem. By the book one, Fira made June starting the stories and open the reader's perspective and begin to introduce all the main characters including Bowo. The first one is absolutely about June's personal story told to us (book's reader). The second book differently hold us to hear the story in Bowo's view, which also had a connection with June story before. So, the final story, the third book finalising all that story, which clearly told all connections had been made. So, this is a story about a Javanese culture, told by its young-modern generation, educated in western academic, with their personal life and problem (above all is love), with some mystical adventure of Javanese mysticism (ever there also some view Tibetan, Chinese, and Islamism philoshopy), and a spiritual gathering into philosophical contemplation. The difference of what Fira's work is, it's all told by private talk, really simple, flows, and inspiring. After that all, that is why this latest book titled as "Atap" (Roof in English), following "Jendela-Jendeal" (Windows) and "Pintu" (Door), it's all about our home, where our soul take a place to its freedom and peace.
August 13, 2002
End of History?
Has History Restarted Since September 11?, by Francis FukuyamaIllegally XXX
Since it has been not played in Indonesian theatre yet, i go for fun into local CD rental (Indonesia Take a New Role
Constitutionally a WinnerHow very proud I am after heard the great leap of political substancial changes in my country. Despite of what others said, we only had a hope that our country still have a brave to change. I don't know is it truly reasonable to say, but every people must be have to ask theirself, "Will this changes made a benefit for their life?".
The world's third largest democracy took a great leap forward last week when Indonesia's highest legislative body agreed to sweeping constitutional reforms, paving the way for direct presidential elections in 2004. The fractious People's Consultative Assembly, a holdover from the three-decade rule of deposed President Suharto, also agreed to transform itself into a bicameral body similar to the United States Congress. "This is historical," enthuses political analyst and columnist Bara Hasibuan. "For the first time, we'll be using a presidential system where all branches are equal. There will now be a separation of power rather than a division of power."
So, by talking is it benefit or not, for me, I only had a hope that people (i mean all people including politician, law supremation, and global communities) should alltogether work hard to realise that. I couldn't believe everything goes well just by a new better planned system whether the people who run its system just screwed and sucking theirself. In fact, I also couldn't believe those new system will benefit for its people if they only run amuck everyday.
Ah, we still had many work to do. That law should be revised, and many more should be changed following that changed. With the new revised system, people also should be better educated. The revised UUD 45 in section "Hak Asasi Manusia" which plan new and more open culture should be get their best, thinking process should be more openly. And so many more homework. By the changing, we also should consider that many changing goes unpredictable. So, i prefer we watch and take care of myself. If all people do the best of theirself, all believes the world goes well. MORE...
August 12, 2002
Absolute Write
I found this interested website from the new Tempo magazine links, Absolute Write: freelance writing, screenwriting, playwriting, novels, non-fiction. It provides an interested material about writing, including articles, tips, links, book's recomendation, some interviews, essays, and memoars from former popular writer. Take it read!After the Weekend
The weekend gone happily, i really enjoy with that. Everything done, washed, and cleaned. Finally, i could bought "Atap", a new book by Fira Basuki which is a last series of her trilogy following "Jendela-Jendela" and "Pintu". It's nice fascinating comeback's work (she is an award-winning writer in the past) from young woman writers that happily also a Javanese, from East Java (how racistly do you man?) No, i mean not really. Basically, the novels tell a story of human relationship in different place, such as Indonesia, United States and Singapore. The main characters of the novels are June and Bowo, who have a Javanese background but exposed by some foreign values. The thumb rule of reading Fira’s trilogy is: If you read only one novel, that’s fine. But then, if you read three novels at once, you would find some connections. In fact, the characters, June and Bowo are closely connected, so are others. I like that.Other than book, i had been protested by two of my friends in the talk at sunny Sunday. They finally told that my writing in this page (in this weblog) is really funny with always any mistake I had in English. Yeah man, I'm a native Javanese, I really happy with that reality. I spoke Indonesian as my second language. Finally, English is only my third language or so. Even i had used it (passive) in a long period, I still didn't get a clue, something like big-bell-ringing on my head that always noticed me to use this kind of grammar, that structure, and so on, like, either use present-continous i then get to simple-present, and something like that. I will not shy even I was a Javanese (what's a connection?), continue writing in English, and I still hope this page could help me improve and correct some of my next-mistake. Not so too brave, i hope you don't laugh that now I just start learning another new European language :)
Posted at 10:54 AM | Me and Myself
August 10, 2002
Indonesia on Inteligence Report
I was surprised after read the new documents published by International Crisis Group that mentioned a network called Ngruki Network in Solo, Central Java (happily, not East Java, my hometown). One network of militant Muslims has produced all the Indonesian nationals so far suspected of links to al-Qaeda. This briefing paper (full PDF version) explains how that network emerged, its historical antecedents, and the political dynamics over the last two decades that led some of its members from Indonesia to Malaysia to Afghanistan.Happily, i'm very satisfied by reading the conclusion in the bottom of the page that said, "Indonesia is not a terrorist hotbed. Proponents of radical Islam remain a small minority, and most of those are devout practitioners who would never dream of using violence. But even a tiny group of people can cause an immense amount of damage. The challenge, both for the Indonesian government and the international community, is to be alert to the possibility of individuals making common cause with international criminals, without taking steps that will undermine Indonesia’s fragile democratic institutions.", Yeah, it's just a matter of stupidity whose Indonesian people still just inhabit :D
What's a weblog phenomenon anymore?
It's TrackBack. A feature that enhanced by MoveableType creator which gives us an ability to track/get the flow of information goes/in to our weblogs. It uses some kind of XML/RPC SOAP protocls that enabled weblog application (through independent protocol like HTTP GET) communicate each others, tell what's new and what's related inside two or more weblog. So, it's nice to figured out that our Web (the same World Wide Web thought by Tim Berners-Lee except it seem didn't work well and need a long time awaiting until weblog generation came) was really being connected now. We so loves it. So am I that I could participate in it.Nah, it's a good news that Blogroots (i still tried in two days and can't figured out how is it work, but i still in interest) just enabled new section called Blogpopuli. Paul Bausch, one of Blogroot's creators, writes, "We hope it becomes a central space for collecting news related to weblogs. Using TrackBack, any weblog author can contribute to the flow of weblog information by pinging our server when they post about weblogs." They've also put up a nicely compiled how-to for their users and a web form for non-MT users to ping.
So, if you're weblogging about weblogging, make sure to check out Blogpopuli. It is the future of our communication ways. For my sake, I was very proud if I could be there altogether to participate.
PS: For everyone who seem interested to weblogging todays, I prefer you should try/use MT first. Its features was amazing stories although it still free until now. This is the leading weblogging application I ever tried.
August 09, 2002
Need a Barcode? It's Free :)
Why Iraq Should be Attacked?
Even I had noticed a major issues in today's newspaper about US-Iraq conflict, I haven't decided to take a chance reading a piece of that, i was bored at that time. Today, after have been knocked by a paper, I got that interest, I then jump to Guardian and found complete section that not only tell us on Iraq-US movements, but also a complete guide to understanding every pros-cons whether both countries still needs a war to exhibits their ego. I was also found a good website by veteran Guardian's journalist Brian Whitaker that creates a website titled as "AN OPEN DOOR TO THE ARAB WORLD" (Al Bab means door in Arabic). Wow, it's such geourgeous works he did.Referred to Whitaker, "More widely, there is the perception of double standards. The US claims that the quarrel with Iraq involves certain unwavering principles, though as far as much of the world is concerned they are principles that the US only invokes when it wants to. In the eyes of the Arab and Muslim world particularly, Iraq's offences - military occupation, flouting UN resolutions and developing weapons of mass destruction - are similar in nature, if not necessarily degree, to those of Israel. Yet one offender gets embargoed; the other is supported with money and weaponry."
I had been so awful if remembering a fact that Saddam in past is one of US' doll in the Arab world, US creates Saddam as same as US creates Osama bin Laden. If so, is this a truly "conflict" or just conflict that naturally created?
Posted at 02:13 PM | Perspective
Moh. Hatta Edition
Today's Kompas featuring an edition with special issues covering Mr. Muhammad Hatta's annual brithday (on Auguts 12, 2002). He is one of Indonesia first people in leadership also the first people on thinking. He is one and first people who has thought us encouragement for Indonesian people to get the freedom because as a man we are naturally life in freedom. The issues publishes esays and views from major Indonesian thinker, politician, lawyer, and many others and also one view from Hatta's family (his daughter, Ms Meutia Hatta). For everyone who lived in Indonesia, and interested to understand every bit of Indonesia, i think you should get this issue, it is good to collect on your library.August 07, 2002
Who Needs Paper? Not Iowa College
One Midwestern community college is nixing the paper and working toward an all-digital campus, all the time. The school has no library or books and depends almost entirely on e-textbooks and online resources.It's amazing stories to heard since Bill Gates wrote Business at the Speed of Thought in 1999. I has reading many report covering such issues, though entirely still no institution had realising that (in my memory, correct me if wrong). Hence, this implementation of all digital life was really amazing stories. It is our future, combining such technologies with internet, web, and e-books, and some others kind of tech-stuffs then, gotcha you've got digital life.
Internet was also a gift from the century. It was amazing. It has changing whole aspect of the world from business, education, politics and especially the day of communication era. Its magical gives most developing countries get a chance to get involve in the world movements and changing. They could introduce their work to the global communities out there without border difficulties. Now, every people who had connected to the internet could share their thought and work without any difference in race, religion, country and ages.
Posted at 10:27 AM | Technology
August 06, 2002
The Girl from the Coast reviewed by Salon
Salon has reviewed Pram's book, "The Girl From the Coast," a story about a poor woman from a nearly un-clivilised fisherman family who had orthodox ways, who plucked from her village to be the "practise wife" of local aristrocat.I has read this book several months ago, may be a year or so. It was the second book i had read after Para Priyayi, authored by Umar Kayam, that also has a part telling a stories about young woman who plucked by their poor family with very closed mindview, orthodox, and live among an uncivilised communities. The girl usually "given" to local aristrocat or some kind of that (in their close relative view) in hope for some better wealthy life for all of their family. The story goes, then we could say in ordinary ways that everything was sucks really. How they (aristrocat, the girl's family, and dumb communities) could do that with their only girl? How they were really think?
Yet, that was not really the last story. In recent days, some Javanese, though some communities beside them has better educated (high school and a few are graduate), still kept thinking a way of married by nobleman is the best life even the the man did very terrible things.
August 05, 2002
Somewhat Damn-Interesting I Had
I think you must be knew that Internet is global-huge-inter-connected-people's-database-in-the-world. It could be told somewhat like this, if we would try to find something, even it just a bug in your hair (not my hair :), you would possibly found tons of that. It does really.Hence, it was me that trying to find a few clearly-told-magazine with rare interesting subject, i then go to Google, type what i expected on my mind, and click the button. I got the result. It's the amazing experience we have on the internet. It also what would we have with weblog phenomenon, we get touched by other, we approach, we links, we are connected, cause we're absolutely a generation world-of-we.
Not surprisingly, i would then noticing you about this magazine (ezine). I found it from someone's weblog that also fascinating to see, a Joe Weblog, a weblog about Indonesia. The ezine named as Relevant Magazine. I don't know how it could be named like that, but supposedly the founder made to think theirself a kind of very relevant people than anyone. Imagine if we so had tons of what so called damn-interested things to collect, i think our pocket won't be enough to save all. So, i made this post is likely to collect things like this. If it goes judged more interested, i think i will drop the links into my side bar.
PS: I should making a correction, Joe Weblog is not an Indonesian citizen, he was an American, now he lived in Indonesia teaching IT course at somewhat college in West Java. He write in his weblog telling his voyeour and adventure while he stay in Indonesia's beauty.
MP3 Political Party Launch In The UK
The UK Electoral Commission has agreed to register the MP3 Party, meaning that the party can stand in all local and national elections. "Elect us and we will delete one regulation per day, one law per week, one subsidy per month and one tax per year" is their proposed campaign slogans.So is the MP3 Party a breath of fresh air that may breath some life into a political scene dominated by voter apathy and distrust? Or re-fried Libertarians with a stupid catchphrase?"
August 03, 2002
Focus on Problem or Solutions?
I don't know it's true or not, but it seem truly laughing :0Subject: The Difference between "Focus on problems" and "Focus on solutions"
> This is really simple and interesting. Very often we get carried away in problem solving. Keep it simple and move on. I'm sure a number of us could learn from this....
> When NASA began the launch of astronauts into space, they found out that the pens wouldn't work at zero gravity. In order to solve this problem, they hired Andersen Consulting (Accenture today). It took them one decade and 12 million dollars. They developed a pen that worked at zero gravity, upside down, under water, on practically any surface including crystal and in a temperature range from below freezing to over 300 degrees C.
> The Russians used a pencil.
Posted at 12:29 AM | Entertainment
August 02, 2002
Plays Pencak Silat on Your Computer
Do you know Pencak Silat? Pencak Silat ("Silat") is the generic term for the indigenous martial arts of the Indonesian/Malay archipelago which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. But, it also famously practiced in many modern countries, just in example this one from United Kingdom. Now, you have the chance to play it virtually without leaving your computer. If you had earned some winning, you could use the points you've collected to buy Beras Kencur or Jamu Kuat, a term of ancient Indonesian traditional health-food to make you more stronger and health. Take a journey to this fabulous Indonesian martial arts for your sake.MORE...
3AM? What are you doing at that time?
"From 'cutting edge short fiction' to political satire and music reviews, 3am is a dream publication for the young, literary and clued-up..." - The Times, London.I found this webzine from a link in someone's weblog whose i luckily jump by my Blogsnob, it is cool by the way, the title was fascinating me. In fact, i really appreciate with the subjects they alltogether give for reader. For instance, you should linking it in your site.
August 01, 2002
New Version, A Better hope
Today, I starting to post to this page using a new tools. It is Moveable Type that I really appreciate, its system ease my works with lots of features and support including categorisation, pre/post date post, import/export tools, generated RSS/XML document, etc. In short, i need lot of time to explore it all.
Posted at 10:13 PM | Me and Myself
