MySQL + PHP + UTF-8 = ????

The title is not a question. It actually describes a common problem: i.e., when UTF-8 characters stored in MySQL is queried through PHP
they displayed as question marks on the web page. The solution (courtesy of Shawn Olson) is call this before any of your database manipulation code:

mysql_query("SET NAMES 'utf8'");

BTW, I host my site and MySQL database at GoDaddy and it supports UTF-8 "out of the box" without any special config.

How to implement a hyperlink that "Save File As Target"

This is useful for linking to media file when you want your user to download the whole file before playing instead of opening the media player and "progressive download", i.e, buffer some and play right away before download is completed. Most modern browser and media player work well together in this regards and the former is an option from
right-mouse-click but I got a requirement to do this from left-mouse-click from my dad (No, right-mouse-click is not user-friendly enough according to my "customer")! So I found this solution in PHP.

Barry Bonds Day

This is a good year to be a baseball fan in San Francisco (even though the Giants have one of the worst season in recent history) First, we had the All-star game in July. Second, Barry Bonds hit his record breaking 756 HR here at AT&T park on Aug 7th. Today Mayor Gavin "Handsome" Newsom hosted a celebration honoring Barry's historic achievement and gave him the key to the city.

Canon TWAIN Driver 6.7.0 for Windows 2000

I am trying to unload pictures from my TX1 to my Win2K PC. Win2K did not recognize it as a generic USB mass storage device (unlike XP or Ubuntu) so I had to look for a driver. I was not able to find it from Canon USA's website but I found it here. Not sure if I'm supposed to use it outside Asia but I'm Asian so I guess I qualified >:) (BTW, it asks what region I was in during installation and I picked US. No problem)

Install emacs

I am an Emacser. There, I said it! It is not included as part of Ubuntu (but vi is! How unfair!) In order to try the latest and greatest version (22), I had to download and compile the source myself. The instruction in INSTALL works, only after I researched how to get rid of the various error (need to apt-get build-essential and libncurses5-dev.) Now I have it running in character mode! The journey to windows mode will continue...

Create DVD on which videos are played sequentially

This is a followup to my previous post on DVD Authoring with tovid on Linux. One thing I really don't like is that after one video is played, it always jump back to the menu. My desired behavior is playing the next video instead unless it is the last one. (Here is one example: I create DVD for videos taken at classes. Each sub-menu on my DVD corresponds to a lesson and contains all videos from that lesson. )

To achieve the desired behavior, I have two choices:
1) group videos from a lesson together so that they will be played one after another but I lose the chapter markers.
2) edit the XML. Each of my video (the proper term is PGC) has a post-action, which is written as "call menu;" by tovid. I simply need to change them to "jump title X;" where X refers to the number of the next video.

My Ubuntu Experience: VCD/DVD Authoring

At first I thought about trying DeVeDe but I read that DeVeDe is incompatible with the MPlayer shipped with Ubuntu Feisty Fawn so I tried tovid instead.

I) Installation: follow the instructions from here.

II) Start the App: simply type tovidgui under any writable directory (e.g. your home)

[1. Layout]: you add videos here. The simplest VCD or DVD requires 1 menu and all videos could go under the menu. Name your source and destination files without spaces and underscores if you can.

[2. Encode]: just hit "Start encoding" and let it finish.

[3. Burn]: this is where I ran into trouble. If I simply hit "Start", both VCD and DVD failed.

VCD trouble: the cue and bin files were created successfully. However, when it tried burning them using cdrdao, nothing happened. I had to kill that process and repeat the cdrdao command in Terminal. Then it burned the VCD. However, I could only play the resulting disc on computer but not my VCD player. Your mileage may vary.

DVD trouble: again, the files were created successfully. However, when it executed dvdauthor, it does not like the titleset with -noask in the XML. So the solution is re-run the last command right after [2. Encode]: i.e., the makexml command, but take out the -noask option. This will generate a good XML. Then I could hit "Start" under [3. Burn] without problem.

(Link to the official Tovid GUI guide .)

My Ubuntu Experience: 1 Month Anniversary

I have been using Ubuntu on my desktop workstation for one monthly already! I still can't kick the habit of booting to Windows from time to time (See reasons mentioned later) but that's something I'm determine to avoid doing (Ever since I got Frethog and removed it, my anti-virus keeps finding worms, e.g. Winko/auto.exe, which seems to come from the usual suspect, judging by the fact that a number of posts analyzing these worms were written by Chinese experts. Anyway, I digressed)

Let me summarize a few more things I was able to do on Ubuntu successfully since last time:
1) Burn music CD from MP3: simply use Applications -> Sound & Video -> Serpentine. Works like a charm.

2) Remote Login to Windows. Yes I know there is RDP for Linux but my remote server runs TightVNC. There is no native TightVNC client on Linux but the Java Applet TightVNC Viewer does the job.

3) Mount Windows NTFS directories in Read/Write mode: they are mounted as Read-only by default. The easiest way to mount them as Read/Write is using NTFS Configuration Tool.

4) Mount remote directories in Read/Write mode: if you setup Windows to share a directory on the network, it is accessible using SMB on Linux. These are the steps to mount them permanently and read/writable (Note: VLC could only play remote files on the LAN this way)

Not so successful:
1) SlingPlayer on Wine (link to WineHQ): the sound gets choppy when I work on other windows and the video is grainy as the video tuning wizard refuse to run.

2) VMWare: I ran the free VMWare Converter to create an image of my existing Windows installation but VMWare Server had problem running this image (got a black screen after starting momentarily and then it just quit)

In any case, for day to day web browsing/blogging/e-mail/office app, Ubuntu has done a pretty good job. I heard some people commented that Ubuntu's "budding" relationship with Dell is not very dissimilar to that of Microsoft and IBM and other early PC clone manufacturer! I am not sure if that is a positive comment.

[Update: I ran into this bug (and the solution provided in the same link worked for me) for my SMB mount. An example of STOP_SERVICE line looks like this:
STOP_SERVICES="mysql samba-shares "
(modified from the mysql only line)
]

Baseball All Star Week in SF Part III: The Game

The MVP of the game, Ichiro Suzuki, led off.



Two local All Star, Barry Bonds and Dan Haren, faced off.



Ken Griffey Jr was about to drive Jose Reyes home from 2nd base to score the 1st run of the game.

Baseball All Star Week in SF Part II: Home Run Derby

Vladimir Guerrero, before hitting his winning home run in the final round.

Baseball All Star Week in SF Part I: Fan Fest

Charlie Brown @ Moscone Center

Watch DVD on portable device

I just found another use of my Pocket PC: watch DVD. I got my instructions from the always helpful VideoHelp.com. Of course the ripped AVI will work on any computer. You could download AutoGK from here.

My Ubuntu Experience: Day 2

More items accomplished from my list:

4) I've finally got Chinese input working! Again, I did everything from the menu system (i.e, no command line :D ) Here are the steps (courtesy of this instruction):
i) Choose System->Administration->Language Support. It will automatically download some packages. Check the Chinese checkbox. It will install Chinese. Close it when it's done.
ii) Again, Choose System->Administration->Language Support. The previously checked "Enable Support to input Complex character" will become unchecked. Check it again.
iii) Log out and log back in.
我現在可以打中文了！

Also, contrary to what some people said, I was actually able to type Chinese in Open Office as well.

5) Watch Real Media encoded video:
Download the installer from http://www.real.com/linux . Change permission to executable and execute it. I chose to install to /usr/local/RealPlayer and the symlink dir option is the default (/usr) which symlink it as /usr/bin/realplay

Since I use SCIM, I got core dump when executing realplay, the workaround is do first:
export GTK_IM_MODULE=xim
Then execute "realplay &" from the same shell.
(Link to Detailed Instructions)

[Update: To associate the .rmvb file extension with Real Player, try this]

My Ubuntu Experience: Day 1

That Frethog!generic episode motivated me to switch to Linux for my primary workstation, finally. And Ubuntu has the biggest buzz/hype in the Linux world these days so I went with it. (I know mainsteam is not my thing but with limited Linux experience for personal usage, I'd rather go with the mass since more info/help/how-to will be available and I'm sure I need a lot of them)

Let me briefly go over my installation: I downloaded the iso from here. Burned a CD. Went to BIOS and move my CD-ROM up in the order of boot device. Then boot the computer with the CD. Chose the first option on the menu, which start Ubuntu from the CD (that's why it's called a Live CD) Once I'm in it. I clicked the Install icon on the Desktop and the installer asked a series of questions, which I picked the default for most of them. The only tricky question was about partitioning: I had 5 partitions on my first hard drive: 1) Windows (NTFS), 2) Swap, 3) a /boot (ext3), 4) a root (ext3) and 5) a FAT16 partition. (2)-(4) were there because I had previously installed RedHat and I want to replace RedHat with Ubuntu, i.e., use the same partitions but don't care about keeping the content. So I picked "Manual" when the Installer asked about partitioning and edit the old RedHat parititions to indicate they will be used as /boot, root(/) and so on. Finally, the default location for the "Dual Boot loader" (which allows me to run multiple OS as I'm still keeping XP) was (hda0) and I was a bit skeptical at first since I recall going through a few extra steps to take care of that for RedHat (put GRUB on /boot instead of MBR) but it turns out fine.

Now, actually using it was when the fun began. I have a habit of making a list of things I want to try with any new toy before it arrive. So I did the same for Ubuntu. More things work out of the box then expected!

1) Browsing Chinese websites: I didn't need to install any extra font. It just worked!
2) Change monitor resolution to 1920x1200: this requires some work, non-trivial but manageable:
- Install Restricted driver
- Run the Autodetect Script Again (follow the section with the same name)
3) Watch videos: I tried a few of my favourite videos and the included Totem player can't play any of them but I knew a simple solution:
- Install VLC (Application->Add/Remove, choose All available applications and look for VLC)
I have been using VLC on Windows anyway.

Stay tuned for more of my Ubuntu Experience!

How I got rid of Frethog!generic

My computer was infected by the trojan Frethog!generic when I accidentally clicked on an unknown Chinese website last week. My CA Anti-virus (got it free from SBC Yahoo as a DSL customer) discovered it very quickly. Unfortunately, it was only able to remove copies of the virus but not the "original." I googled it immediately but couldn't find much info at first. The first thing I found out was that it was a password stealer. And that's enough to make me lose sleep. Since I was not able to find a quick solution, the next best thing I did was turn off the computer and unplug it from the network.

Fortunately I found a solution from Google later:
1) download a program called ComboFix from here or here.
2) reboot your PC, hit F8 before Windows started and start Windows in "Safe mode"
3) execute ComboFix.exe. It will start a "Text" window and scan your system for "bad stuff." This may take a long time (~10 min for me) After it removed the bad files, it will ask you to reboot. The program resumes after reboot and finally generate a report which includes all files created on your system recently. So in case it cannot find the offender, you still get a clue on what files could possibly be infecting your system.

Even though I dodged a bullet this time, I think it's a sign that I should finally seriously consider to switch OS on my primary workstation. Please read my next post!

Free RSS Reader for Pocket PC/Windows Mobile

My Dell Axim X30 is getting even more useful these days thanks to the free RSS Reader pRSSReader

When I had my Palm, I used to sync RSS feeds to using Sunrise (on Desktop) and Plucker (on Palm) However, now pRSSReader allows me to take advantage of the built-in Wifi on X30 to download directly to the PDA.

Two useful tips:
1) To download the web page linked to the news item for offline viewing, simple choose your feed from Site Manager, then choose File->Properties. Choose the "Caching" tab and check "Cache content for offline browsing" box.
2) To download podcast, again, choose your feed from Site Manager, then choose File->Properties. Choose the "Caching" tab and check "Automatically cache enclosures" box

Skating for the first time

First time ever for Madeline. First time in 8 years for me!

The Conservatives (Hong Kong edition)

If you're tried of the Christian Right in the States, I would like to introduce you to their Hong Kong equivalent. Check out 3 videos about Society of Truth and Light*:


Part I


Part II


Part III

*This is a group that is against legislation of anti-discrimination based on sexual orientation.

RC Sailing

RC stands for radio controlled. This is my newest hobby. I've always loved boats, especially sail boats. In fact, I have taken 2 sailing lessons! However, given my current schedule, it will be quite difficult for me to sail "the real thing" So I went for the RC version. Although the size is very different, the principles are the same. (I was also inspired by the character who owns a lot of RC toys from one of the cartoons my daughter watches. You know which one, right?)

After sailing for a few times, I'd like to share some of my thoughts:
1) This is a kinda messy hobby. It is not normally the type of things I like to play with. (You might say playing with computer is messy though but that's another story) For example, I don't like getting my hands wet. There were very few exceptions, and this has become one of them. Actually, my feet got wet when launching and retrieving the boat too. And of course, the boat needs to be cleaned after I sail every time.
2) This is a kinda niche hobby. Fortunately, there are several clubs in my area:
- North Bay R/C Sailing Association: sails at Marin County Civic Center Lagoon in San Rafael
- Shoreline Model Yacht Club: sails at Shoreline Park in Mountain View
- South Bay Model Yacht Club: sails at Lake Cunningham in San Jose. Also Sandy Wool Lake at Ed Levin County Park in Milpitas.
Other than these lakes, it is not allowed in most others, especially those in the East Bay Regional Park system (only one near Quarry Lake in Fremont allows model yacht and it seems to be for power boats rather than sail boats) Also, looks like the One Metre class is the most popular in this area. The folks at Shoreline sail CR914 but they are kind enough to allow me sailing my Nirvana II with them. I hope Nirvana catches on in my area soon. (If you sail one, please comment!)
3) I think a typical beginner like me go through these stages:
Stage 1: Happy as long as it comes back in one piece.
Stage 2: Happy as long as I could control it to sail in whichever direction I want.
Stage 3: Happy as long as it is moving at the best possible speed allowed by the wind condition.
My biggest fear so far is not being able to get my boat back. Touch wood it hasn't happened yet. I think it helps when:
- I sailed in a relatively small area
- I turned the rudder so that the boat sail in roughly the direction of where I was
- I used fresh battery and kept track of the time.
- I practiced using this simulator.

Here are some videos I took. (Just like my Go Motorboard 2000X, I bought my Nirvana II sight unseen. I hope my videos would help potential buyers)

Maiden Sail


In control (sort of)

Review: Nintendo Wii Part 3 (Madden 07)

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but this is the first game I ran out and buy after getting a Wii. Game critics pointed out that Wii's version is not much different from those on other consoles except that it is taking advantage of Wii's motion sensing controller for passing, tackling and certain running moves. For a football fanatic who has never been good at playing games using traditional controller, i.e. yours truly, the last aspect became the biggest selling point. Football video games have always been complicated because of its nature: there are so many players on the field, so many formation to choose, and then so many different moves you could make. I have played football games from several different eras, from DOS and keyboard based to PlayStation's (not old enough to play character mode on PDP8 though) I felt that game makers put in great effort to make them easier and easier for casual gamers. And Madden 07 on Wii is the most fun so far.

Madden 07 made it easier not only to control the players but also to pick a play to run. Under "Easy Mode", plays are grouped into run, pass and deep pass, with only a few key plays in each group. Intermediate players could choose plays "by type" under normal mode, with more groups (e.g Play Action or Screen) and more plays. Finally, advanced players could choose plays the traditional way, "by formation" (e.g. I-formation, single back, shot gun...)

In addition to playing single "standalone" games, I've also played the "franchise mode" (draft my own franchise and play multiple seasons. My Cowboy team has drafted Vince Young, Cedric Benson and Roy Williams, unintentionally!) and "Hall of fame mode" (created my own player, a QB that has been drafted by the Texans and started in place of David Carr!) Looks like I'll still be playing this game in 08!