Author: Michael Yung

Michael possessed over 30 years of experience in Information Technology with focuses on complex application development, database technologies and IT strategy. He also spent the last 20 years in Internet technology, eCommerce development / operations, web usability, computer security and Public Key Infrastructure technologies.

#16

It is obviously to me with so many things happening together, keeping any schedule is very difficult. In one of my favorite web sites (http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/), it says this is a problem of always connected, never focused.

Do you remember the last time you were really focused on doing just one thing? Have you noticed that it has become much harder to stay focused, because we are that much more connected now than before. Mobile phones, SMS, e-mail, wireless e-mail, Instant Messaging, Internet access, PDA and so on.

It is an indisputable fact that I can be reached almost anytime and anywhere, and I am. I can also reach almost anyone of you the same way, and I do.

So, if you recognize the feeling of being scattered all over the place, that it’s hard to stay focused. However, the web site suggested:

  • have the mobile phone turned off a few hours every day
  • if you are in the middle of a conversation, and the phone rings, don’t always pick it up
  • if the phone rings, don’t always pick it up period.
  • every once in a while, sign out from Instant Messaging even if you are connected and working at your computer
  • sign out from your e-mail application a couple of times every day, so that you won’t be tempted to check e-mail every two minutes
  • plan at least one weekend every month without going online
  • don’t bring your PDA with you every time you leave the house
  • go back to the habit of giving flowers or [insert nice thing here] regularly to your partner
  • spend more time with your family, and while you do, don’t think about other things
  • take a walk every now and then, not to get things but just to take a
    walk

Personally, this list is really a challenge to me. But may be many of you can do this, focus on delivering good things, one at a time.

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Again, no book recommendation this month as I have passed around a few good books already “The design of sites“, “Code Complete“, “Homepage usability” etc.. But if you do have time to focus in reading books, pop in to my room and I will show you some new ones – “It’s Your Ship“, “Good to Great“, “Design for Community“, “Design from both sides of the screen“, “A Pattern Language“.

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As long as you’re going to be thinking anyway, THINK BIG.

~ Donald Trump ~

Mid Autumn Festival

Today is the Mid Autumn Festival in South East Asian countries such as China, Singapore, Malaysia etc.

According to the Chinese luner calendar, today is the full moon of 8th month of the year. It’s the time to celebrate harvest after a year of hard work, a time to share a good meal with the family members. Other seasonal food includes moon cake, and various of fruits.

In addition, all young kids celebrate the holiday with a Chinese lantern. Happy Mid Autumn Festival to you all.

What’s your camera gear ?

Although I own a few cameras, I don’t think expensive equipment is the key factor to take good photos. I never own a Nikon and Canon SLR cameras (except the Canon DC), so brand name is also not important. But what’s the most important gear for travel photography ?

Get a wide-angle lens for your camera – as wide as possible to cover the whole lake, mountain or building. A 28mm lens just don’t cut it – get a 24mm or 21mm lens.

Also, get a sunset filter with you, my preference is Cokin System but I’m sure there are a lot of good filters around. It will be useful if the day is cloudy – no blue sky and lovely white clouds. You then can take the photo with the filter to pretend you’re taking the photo during sunset !

Macau Fireworks Fiesta

Geez …. no news for two weeks. You know, life is really tough in this part of the world and people work like a dog to survive. However, if you have a weekend to spare here in Hong Kong or Macau, the next five weekends are chances to take a good break.

Every year, experts are invited to Macau to show people how good they are in designing fireworks. This year, 10 countries will compete in front of the Macau Tower Convention & Entertainment Centre. For details, please visit their official website. Enjoy !

#15

“It takes both rain and sunshine, to make a rainbow.”

Remember today, it’s the day we march forward, to make our own rainbow. We shall review what we are doing today and decide what need to be improved, what need to be replaced and what need to be dropped.

Every one of you has a part to play.

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No more e-Book for this month, instead I suggest you all to visit one web site:

http://www.dontbeanumber.com/

“Don’t be a number” is a web site of Iowa Private Colleges, and the message of the web site is “thinking independently”. Surf to this site, then compare to the other similar educational websites in town and then ask yourself, if you have to decide based on the information from the websites, which institution will you join ?

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I have had dreams, and I have had nightmares. I overcame the nightmares because of my dreams.

~ Dr. Jonas Salk, developer of the first polio vaccine