Canon Digital SLR Lense : EF 55-200mm II USM

Old lense from Canon, but still a good lense. Focusing fast and accurate. Image quality not bad, at least better than my 18-55mm IS kit lense. Below are sample pictures that I took today.

The cam :


The lense cap :


Shots at 55mm :


Shots at 150-185mm :



Shots at 200mm :

New version of HDMI coming out!

HDMI LLC, the company which licenses HDMI standards has announced the features that HDMI 1.4 will include. The latest HDMI will sport an HDMI Ethernet Channel to provide data transfer of up to 100 Mbps. It also features a bi-directional connection, which creates compatibility between the Internet functions of a broadband TV and a, HDMI 1.4 connected device, such as a gaming console.

HDMI 1.4 also includes an Audio Return Channel which eliminates the need for additional cables when broadcast audio is being directly received by HDTVs and streamed to an external amp for processing. It includes Automatic Content Enhancement, which supports future 3D technologies, dual stream 1080p resolution, and content recognition to automatically optimize output based on the content that is connected to your HDTV.

The new specification also supports resolutions 4 times the resolution of 1080p. The 4K x 2K support will allow transfer of content at the same rate as digital theaters. It can transmit 3840x2160 at 24Hz, 25Hz & 30Hz as well as 4096x2160 at 24Hz. Color space support has been increased to allow for digital cameras, specifically DSLRs.

HDMI LLC is also rolling out Micro HDMI connector support for portable devices. The 19-pin connector is 50% smaller than the size of the current HDMI Mini connection. The full specs will be available to download starting June 30th on the HDMI LLC website, with the list of products supporting HDMI 1.4 to be released shortly thereafter.

For more details, see below:

Features of version 1.4:

• HDMI Ethernet Channel - HDMI gets a data channel with “high-speed bi-directional communication”. Expect to see speeds of up to 100Mb/sec. Internet sharing from one HDMI device to another will be possible as well.
• Audio Return Channel - this means you won’t need an extra cable for upstream audio transfers
• 3D Over HDMI - 1.4 “define[s] common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices”, up to 1080p.
• 4K x 2K Resolution Support - huge resolution HD is not now supported, including 3840×2160, 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz, and 4096×2160 24Hz
• Expanded Support For Color Spaces - “now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras” like sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601. This means better color on your television.
• Micro HDMI Connector - this is a smaller connector, about half the size of a standard 19-pin HDMI connector
• Automotive Connection System - a system better suited for in-vehicle use.

Confused yet? The new spec has five cable types (from the release):

• Standard HDMI Cable – supports data rates up to 1080i/60
• High Speed HDMI Cable – supports data rates beyond 1080p, including Deep Color and all 3D formats of the new 1.4 specification
• Standard HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity
• High Speed HDMI Cable with Ethernet – includes Ethernet connectivity
• Automotive HDMI Cable – allows the connection of external HDMI-enabled devices to an in-vehicle HDMI device.

1 nice article that I found online for job-seekers out there

It's interesting and true. Wondering how many people agree with it?

AS a career coach, I am often amazed by the myths my clients hold to be true. I wonder whether these beliefs stem from naivety or pure ignorance. Perpetuating these myths as truths can be detrimental to your career journey or job success.

The key to avoid falling into the “career myth” trap is to talk to an authoritative or experienced professional in people management, career or human resource development. Make it a point to review your career with someone well-qualified and knowledgeable about career matters or vocational development on a periodic and regular basis.

Let me share some of these common myths and try to dispel them.

1 “A good university degree is a guarantee for getting a good job.”

Few job hunters realise it but many employers usually stipulate a university degree or a polytechnic diploma in their job advertisement purely to limit the number of applications they will receive.

Employers generally use degrees and diplomas as an indication of the candidates’ intelligence — an ability to think objectively, logically and critically. It is also a measure of the ability to comment, evaluate and make observations. This is then tested at the interview by appropriate questioning and discussion.

Often, employers are looking for the right expertise, experience, personality and competence. Understand what the selection process is all about before assuming that a degree or diploma is the sole consideration. More importantly, craft your resumé in a manner that will demonstrate your potential in the context of the job scope.

2 “This must be a good job as the pay is high.”

What constitutes a good job is debatable. Often, a job with an attractive remuneration is assumed to be a good job. This is sometimes far from the truth. Candidates need to check out what the job entails — maybe the high pay is to compensate for particularly high pressure or stress levels you will face. Or there are certain performance indicators you have to meet in a very short time on the job or you are out the door.

Before you call a job “good”, be clear in your own mind what will be a good job for you. Don’t look just at pay. Look at how you will you grow in the job and progress in your career. Explore the opportunities it will offer in years to come. Research has shown that more people leave their jobs because of bad bosses or nasty colleagues, rather than unhappiness with pay.

Some employers offer higher remuneration simply because of the challenge in the job or the “hardship” of long hours, disruption to your family or personal life or the need to deal with difficult or exacting customers or clients. Always understand why the employer is offering higher pay than the market median for the job.

3 “My dream job will be fantastic!”

Ask yourself if you are drawn to your “dream” job because it promises glamour or hype. Look carefully at what is really needed in that dream job. There are many jobs where employers are looking for the right experience, ability and personality; and it can still be a dream job. Therefore, spend time “researching” the employer’s needs before you apply for that job.

Dream jobs can often turn out to be a nightmare. For example, a client of mine admitted that he took on a job with a start-up company because it required travel in the region. He assumed travel would generally involve business class tickets and accommodation in five star hotels. It did not take him long to realise that most start-ups keep a tight lid on expenditure. Even his boss would choose the most inexpensive option.

My client has moved on, wiser for the experience. He realises that a dream job is one where you are a good fit with the environment and the job itself. As he now readily admits, that “dream” job will always remain elusive. Being flexible and open to adjusting to new situations are critical if you want to be happy in any job.

Bowling Session - not me, but other people

as the title stated, I didn't actually playing, I just went there CCSS. and polishing my shooting skills.

When I reached there, i saw a big banner stating there will be a contest of bowling on 1st June.



The night's theme : Wash Longkang



Let's see the excited winner post of the night:



Dissppointing moments :



Killer posts of the night:






some other candid shots:


go in... go in....


the rest are personal pictures of those guys. Better don't put it up haha.

How to reduce company operating cost?

The ultimate answer is illustrated in this picture: