I like the new color. Damn bloody awesome. Going to add yellow stripes to make it more awesomeness. Hahaha.

- sent from HTC desire z

At the moment, the client requested a mock up and I have identified 3 competitors bidding for this project. And since I don’t have time to draw more than 1 PSD format, I will have to make this a competition. I will submit all the designs and IF I win the bid, I will be awarding RM 1,250 to the winner (upon first payment from client).

These are the details:

1. The title is Faces Of Malaysia. It’s a travel website for a travel agency that sells ticket for inbound tourism. Which means to say, they promote Malaysia overseas about the attractions in our country. (No e-commerce or online booking at the moment)
2. If you took/borrowed pictures from Flickr, please remember who they’re from. I don’t want to be linked to copyright infringement.
3. The design must have a Header, Highlighted content (animated jQuery slideshow, but you do not need to do any jQuery stunts here), Content area, Sidebar, Footer and a Search Form.
4. Colors can be used freely, but preferable if you could justify the design.
5. Corporate look based on Grid layout. So those who likes fancy background, please loosen your art sense. (I generally prefer sharp and simple designs)
6. You can submit more than 1 design.
7. Remember, IF I won the project using your design, you will be rewarded. RM 1,250 for a start. I could give more if I win big. But IF I don’t, sorry
8. The layout belongs to you in case I don’t use it.
9. Please use the attached PSD, it can be downloaded from here. (it’s based on 960 grid system)
10. The design must be unique, not from template. Automatic ban for life applied (for future projects).
11. Closing date is on 11:55pm Monday, 8th February 2010. You can submit in JPEG or PNG to me, edwin@laman7.com

How to design? Have a look at LiteTheme mockup, Laman7, Innobiologics. This is what I mean by corporate. You might also want to Google on Travel Websites and get some fresh ideas from there. Best, check out CSS galleries. Here are some sample, statravel.com, travelocity.com, holidaytours.com.my, seduniatravel.com and trafalgar.com.

So you can’t design? Well, help me promote. If I win this project, I will give RM 50 to the top 5 redirecting to this post.

Remember, I am thriving on IF I WIN. But with good designs, I don’t see a reason to fail. So all the best to participants.

ps: I will do one also. If they like my design, then I am RM 1.25k richer.

I’ve been wondering for ages, how do I save links that I like and post it directly on my blog. I’ve finally found my way

1. Drag “Press This” (found in WP Admin > Tools > Tools) to your Browser’s Bookmark bar. It will appear as “Press This”
2. Go surf the web.
3. On your bookmark bar, click “Press This”
4. A popup window will appear along with Editor tool.
5. Write some gibberish (like this) and hit “Publish”
6. Tadaa~ Awesome stuff.

Happy “Press This” people.

ps: Jgn salah press sudah.

Not sure you follow? Well, I’m talking about spammers at Negaraku.net.

With spammers and bucket loads of bug, I am beginning to worry about the bitter-sour experience the users are facing. Ye lah, I made a solution, then tak maintain. What kind of person am I? And Bat was also kind enough to redesign the interface and yet, I procrastinate. It’s even worst when someone offered to purchase it from me. Ini keje gile!

No way in hell I’ll sell a half baked solution. Back to drawing board.. Go!

Deadline: Saturday.

It’s not really easy designing a web. The process and technology keeps improving by the minute. Even as experienced as I am, I usually get tangled between codes and designs.

Where did I save this? Where did I save that? Can I make it this way? How bout that way? Does this look good? Is this light enough? Minimalist enough? .. the never ending bucket load of questions never cease to end.

Then the software. “Use this, use that. Eh, this is better, use this.” Also series of recommendations on how to free yourself from designs and codes.

Personally, wearing nothing but a towel is TOTAL FREEDOM.

It’s cheapest solution I know, so far. (Try it, you might like it!)

Oh well. Maybe it’s just a series of bad habits I developed when I was in Uni.

ps: Geek meeting with @bat at Taman Connaught tonight. See yah

Designed for those who loves to LiveBlog from mobile phone via email to flickr. Also suitable for photoblog or portfolio. There are 6 widgets area. It’s only a matter of drag and drop. Main page, one column style. Single page, 2 columns with sidebar on the left right. Tested and worked with standard WP plugins. 100% CSS and introduced some CSS3 Elements. Can be seen on Firefox (Gecko) and Chrome & Safari (Webkit).

2 days from scratch. Not bad for an old man huh?

Hopefully when weekend arrives, I’ll be able to complete the full blown coding. I’ll probably throw in some jQuery stuff and something I picked up very recently. Let’s just hope it’s not much of a hassle.

As far as I’m concerned, everything is order. Till then, good night!

Interested in using the theme? Subscribe to LiteTheme’s twitter and I’ll keep you posted. Comments are very much welcome.

Mirror download.
Features

1. There are 6 Widget ready area. 1 for advertisement, 1 for right bar, 4 for the bottom row.
2. Automatically extracts the first image from your post. No need to manually update excerpt.
3. Very light. Minus the unused graphic, it should stand below 80kb.
4. Specifically designed for Live Bloggers who uses Flickr to update their blog.

Changelog

Version 1.0

1. Completed. Looking forward to add some javascript to spice up the theme
2. IE 7, Firefox 3, Chrome and Safari compatible (thankfully doesn’t require me to pull my hair out!)
3. Needs Option Page. Will explore a little more on that soon.

ps: As part of my ongoing effort to kill IE 6, I will NOT waste my time to troubleshoot the lazy outdated browser. Come on guys, it’s time to upgrade.

I wanted to play some touch rugby, I don’t know where I left my socks.

I wanted to jog, I don’t which car I left my shoes.

I wanted to play PS2, darn, I’ve completed every single game.

I need to socialize. I need to get out. I rang Syam and Azman, they’re both up for it. It’s very uncommon for an urban boy to fly kite. I was excited more than ever!

Our rendezvous was Shell near Karak’s exit.

The park. Clear blue sky with a hint that it might shower.

It wasn’t very windy, but it’s enough to get the kite in the air.

This kid’s expression says it all, “How do I get my kite up there?”

Let Abg Azman show you. He could even sweet talk his girl while flying it! (Note to Employer: This is the kind of guy you want, a multi-tasker)

I had no idea how I got this color.

Azman and his trademark, thick and furry mustache.

After several attempts, I managed to fly.. solo.. wohoo!

Syam annoyingly said, “Kite ade layang-layang, awak takde…”

“Wey! Aku suruh lompat! Bukan angkat kaki!” – eddie

“Allow me to show you how to pose with a kite”, – eddie.

This is HOW you jump, with a beam highlighting my.. ehem interesting part? LoL! (Cool lens glare don’t do you think?)

Who the hell flew this kite and hit me in the head? I’m gonna screw your brain out!

Even saturation can’t save the boy from Doomsday. Takut kan? Oleh it, smyg!

Don’t be fooled by the colors, it’s fake.

As the sun touches the ground, Yam (life4hire), Sae (callister) and some friends arrived with a basket. Sweet! My tummy started growling, I knew there had to be a roll of sandwich in that basket.

Turns out, a basket for the kitty. Alahaii…

Just for the sake of letting it out of my head.

via my flick

ps: I had fun. Flying the kite, snapping photos and most importantly, editing it!

pss: Should I take photography seriously? You tell me!

via: my flickr

It wasn’t hard to find a background, since the room next to mine is pretty much empty, due to renovation. The process was painful and mind numbing. We had little knowledge (or rather I) of lightings and angles. Some pose like crossed arm were automatically banned. Crossed arm means being defensive (body language, don’t ask).

Though it was a dreadful process, I really did enjoy the session. Most importantly, the Adobe Skin Care (removing scars in 3 minutes).

There was a few pose that striked me. “I should play with this picture!” And so I did.

(tipu! baju raya 2000 ni!)

Arguably the most annoying advertisement on TV (in between news). “Abg.. ini rumah kita.. ” !@#$%^&* (takkan rumah Khir Toyo plak? Lameeeeeeee.)

If I have to chose, it’d be GAP.

Poyo? Just because I’m talented and daring, doesn’t mean you have the rights to judge in anyway you like. Stop degrading others and see the world in different views.

ps: Anyone can be a model.

Najib has been asked so many times on what 1Malaysia means? His reply was either too lame or lack of enthusiasm. Leaders like him kills the guerrilla marketing.

So here’s my meaning of Merdeka, a wallpaper with:

1. Rukun Negara
2. All the states in Malaysia
3. All race, religion, language*
4. All Prime Ministers
5. All Colors in Jalur Gemilang
6. All involved in the meeting in London for Independence.
7. All that symbolizes Malaysia*

And that for me, is what Malaysian Independence Day is all about, (remembering your root). So what does Merdeka means to you?

Wallpaper sizes:

• 1920 x 1200 (180kb) | Download
• 1920 x 1080 (177kb) | Download
• 1680 x 1050 (171kb) | Download
• 1440 x 900 (120kb) | Download
• 1280 x 1024 (120kb) | Download
• 1280 x 800 (116kb) | Download
• 1024 x 768 (100kb) | Download
• The PSD file | Download

ps: In 50 years time, no one will remember the old days. We should video cast old folks about Merdeka before they fade into history.

pss: *All race, religion and Malaysian symbols that I can think of. The coloring took me 30 mins to complete but the Font placement took me 2 hours & 30 mins. Total time spent, 3 hours for wallpaper!

This is the first time in life, accidentally deleting a database. I’m not exactly a noob when it comes to PHP and MySQL. I make my living using these foreign languages. However, the ‘un-sangka-rable’ thing happened. Everyone stumbles.

I am mad at myself. Utterly and disgracefully hated what I did.

Negaraku has been going on for almost a year, maybe more. For bloggers, that’s the perfect place to find new exciting stories and to blog hop when they’re bored. But to think that it went dead in a blink of an eye? Urrghh! I don’t care about it’s reputation or mine, but rather the effort bloggers have piled up, makes me feel like such a loser.

Sorry. No matter how many times I have uttered this word, I still feel guilty, even if bloggers say it’s ok. But, somethings in life can’t be undone and Negaraku isn’t exactly 100% perfect. It was a swamp of spams. I used to diligently delete them, one by one, but I’m just a mere human, spammers are using automated bots, quickly dissing me to the sidewalks.

Enough of grieving. Let’s take baby steps and push forward.

I can’t promise much improvement as compared to the previous one, but I plan to make it spam proof. Other matters might include, using Malay as it’s medium (still thinking) and more people friendly. It shouldn’t be just place to land for a good 1 mins and 30 seconds (average time spent). It should be more than that. I’ve also started a Twitter account for Negaraku, the id is negarakunet.

In case if you have any idea on how to make it exciting or to further improve, go to this GoogleDoc, and add what you have in mind. You can also leave your comment here.

Question: Negaraku – Malaysian Social Bookmarking; English or Malay?

ps: I’m working on it as we speak. Go Ed go!

Before I start coding & designing, I initially set 5 aims.

• Pull image tag (PHP) – Success!
• Extract favicon when linking (CSS) – Success!
• Watermarking (CSS) – Partially, I know the method.
• Ajax commenting (PHP) – Failed. jQuery doesn’t play nicely.
• Cascading sidebar (PHP) – Not needed.

I’ve also added a drawer feature on top, which I called, Peekaboo! In Peekaboo, there are 4 dynamic bars or shall I say widgetize bar (you can edit via admin).

The funny writings only appears on main page. If you are diligent enough, hit refresh, you’ll see 3 more designs. Using PHP, rotating images. I plan to add 10 of those.

On the sidebar, I’ve limit the sidebar to 3 fields.

1. Featured article. It pulls the first <img> tag and overlays the title of the post.
2. Recent Comments. It helps me to get around quickly.
3. Recently Read. Automated from GoogleReader, which also features favicon.

In any web design, there are two major considerations; IE6 (backwards compatibility) and total size. There’s nothing you can do about IE6 other than force your users to upgrade. The latter is worrying.

Last month, I nearly blew my 50Gb allocated hosting bandwidth. I was only 3Gb shy to being suspended. For NH alone, I used up 20Gb! Assuming 1Mb per visit, that’s about 20,000 visitors! I have other domains (Negaraku & Laman7) riding on NH’s back. For that reason alone, I have to conserve bandwidth.

To overcome this, I use GooglePages. Any file that exceeds 30kb, will be uploaded there. Usually images and jQuery library. This way, you download content simultaneously from both Google and NH, saving you that extra miliseconds. In short, killing 2 birds with 1 stone

I use 960.gs grid system. They’ve also been kind enough to provide .psd template (photoshop), which makes life, a hell lot easier.

One last feature I’d like to show, is the 404 page.

I like it

Ok, I probably sound like fat kid drooling over cupcakes. No more technical stuff.

ps: My light-headedness isn’t getting any better, so is my fever. I’ll go to HKL and check for H1N1 tomorrow. Seriously people, H1N1 is not a laughing matter. So don’t go around saying, “tah tah H1N1 kot?“

Renowned film and advertising director Yasmin Ahmad died here at about 11.25 pm Saturday night. She was reported to have suffered a stroke and brain hemorrhage. Bernama

What a lost to the nation.

Credit: Doghouse

I love her ads. Short and very thought provoking. Often leaving me teary eyed. I guess we won’t be seeing any more of her work during festive seasons. Seriously, such a big lost to the nation.

Embed is my most favorite clip.

[flash http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v66VMFBPq8E w=100%]

Let’s just pray she left with no regrets. Amen.

ps: Hope to see more and more of her work. Sadly..  :cry:

In a nutshell, IE 6 is the classic case of “telan mati mak, luah mati bapak” [1. Walking on thin line]“. Here’s 6 reasons why to ditch the old school browser.

Lack of Transperency PNG support

I love PNG. Though sometimes it’s larger than JPG or GIF images, it usually is crispier and “kacak“ [2. Handsome]. On IE6, it’ll turn into a fugly greyish area. Of course there are hacks, but it’s an additional path that I no longer want to follow.

CSS Float + Margin / Padding Issues

Internet Explorer 6 adds double the amount of margin or padding on DIVs that are floated the same direction as the margin/padding. For non techies, think of margin as your cloth, padding as your skin, underneath both is your content. There are hacks for this, again, it’s troublesome.

No Min-Height CSS Support

Usually to display a proper background, I resort to min-height CSS. It creates a height big enough to fit a background image. IE 6 doesn’t support this.

Often Crash

With very little code, the browser could crumble leaving us to despair.

IE 6 Trailing Behind

With newer and better Internet Explorer (no way it’s better than alternative browsers), IE 6 falls handsomely behind. I’m glad my prayers were heard. (source)

Microsoft Team Pushing IE 8

The Internet Explore marketing team are aggressively pushing IE 8 into the browser war. They know themselves, IE 6 is no longer fit for modern web. Goodbye IE 6.

#8 on Top 25 Worst Tech (additional point)

From PCW, IE6 (2001) is number 8. Good enough to kick it out the door.

***

Personally, IE 6 is similar to IE 5 or 5.5. Microsoft smeared on some lipsticks and slapped its’ ass out the door. Besides, there’s no reason for you to deny the fastest growing technology on Earth, the Internet. So, please, do yourselves a favor, upgrade your browser. Better yet, use Firefox, Opera or Safari.

Today is probably the happiest day of 2009!

ps: Template company on it’s way. Let’s hope I can complete by end of July. Name: Lite: Clean & Crispy Templates

Yes, I know. I’m awesome and I get brag about it. Lalala~

Want to see the high quality one? Right click here and save as (1mb).

ps: Another step to a super bike?

Few months ago, MK ran a logo contest. Procrastinating as always, I failed to make the 13th October deadline. Since the contest is already on, I guess my logo will be nothing more than a scrap on the internet.

So here’s my logo.

Clean, minimalist and innocent, argh! It doesn’t feel like me.

That certainly took the load of my chest, evil computer from hell  

Computers are from hell. It makes the day feels shorter, it stresses you when it’s not working and burn a whole in your wallet if you need an upgrade.

Like a girl, you can’t live with or without computer.

ps: Diarrhea + Fever + Headache + Super busy, I could never ask for a better timing.

pss: Tomorrow’s the last fasting day for Puasa 6.