I don’t know whether I should be happy or angry with Canon when I saw this press announcement last night. This news was been released earlier on this month and has been circulating around most major forums regarding photography for awhile, so I guess I’m pretty late on this. If you have no idea what it’s all about, you can read it all here.

Apparently it wasn’t only Canon that was affected by this CCD problem issue, Konica Minolta, Nikon, Fujifilm and Sony were all affected as well. Mainly those lower-end models of digital cameras by these manufacturers were hugely affected by the CCD malfunction. Only certain affected models are been mentioned, so check your respective manufacturer’s website for your digital camera if it has broke down or spoiled recently and has the anomalies or symptoms mentioned on the website of the manufacturer.

Thank you for using Canon products.

A problem has been discovered in some of the CCDs used in Canon digital camera and digital video camera products that causes images to appear distorted or not to appear at all. We apologize for the considerable inconvenience this represents for our customers. Along with our respectful apology, we would like to advise our customers of the details of this issue and our policy for handling it, which are as follows.

Affected Models
The CCDs in question are used in the following models.

Digital Cameras
PowerShot A60, PowerShot A70, PowerShot A75, PowerShot A300, PowerShot A310, Digital IXUS V3, Digital IXUS II, Digital IXUS IIs

Digital Video Cameras
MV600i, MV630i, MV650i, MV700i, MV730i, MV750i, MV5i, MV5i MC, MV6i MC
ZR60, ZR65 MC, ZR70 MC, ZR80, ZR85, ZR90, Elura 40 MC, Elura 50

The Malfunction
Among the CCDs used in the affected products listed above, it has been confirmed that, especially under high-temperature/high-humidity environments, the internal wiring may come undone in some places.

If this defect occurs, the signal is not output from the CCD correctly when in shooting mode, which results in symptoms like the following in captured images. These symptoms can be confirmed on the LCD monitor. The same symptoms may also occur in recorded images.

• Images do not appear
• Images appear distorted

Canon’s Response
With apologies for the inconvenience involved, we ask that users who have confirmed these symptoms contact the nearest Canon Service Center. Free repairs will be made for affected products in cases where it has been confirmed that the internal CCD wiring has come undone in some places.

We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by this issue. We strive to make even greater efforts in our quality control to provide products that our customers can use with confidence. We hope that these efforts will earn your continued patronage.

I’m glad to say now, that I finally found out what’s wrong with my camera. My 3 years old IXUS V3 was exhibiting the distorted images anomaly a few months ago when I switched it on one day, and I was puzzled by it and wondering why did it break down on me suddenly under normal usage circumstances. I only dropped it once but that’s about it, even then it was in my leather pouch too. Will be taking it down to Canon’s service centre one day to let them check it out and repair it, since it will be free of charge.

And on a side note, 2 more days to the big day. And I think I’m still unprepared for it. Die lah. _|￣|O

I’m totally sick. Down with flu and sore throat. Just feel like sleeping the whole day instead of touching my books. Pure irritated to the fact, I have to carry a dozen tissues with me everywhere I go. Appetite haven’t been very well either, I think this whole exam period thingy is affecting me too much, I’m just pretty worried, stressed and emotionally challenged right now. Why emotionally challenged? Cause some people can be so non-chalant and talk about stuffs that hurt your feelings through their blogs. I really don’t wanna go back to square one with this, but all I wanna say to this person is that if you wanna be so indignant about that matter, then so be it. I can’t change your opinion nor idealism. In the first place, ask yourself why you are doing such self-gratification to yourself, while shrugging my words to you away simply and giving yourself excuses to avoid the whole topic. I don’t really give a fuck about whether you are in the comfort zone or not, or whether anything is fair in this world, cause like you said, it’s all about finding that balance in life. And you jolly well know your limits in life too. If you wanna talk about respect and trust to me, you better go back to your roots and find some for yourself first.

So skipping the non-related topics aside, I was feeling bored just now so I decided to upload some pictures I took with my Sharp 903SH recently. I don’t have any mood to talk about anything today, so just sit back and enjoy the pictures. I’m gonna head off to bed after this, cause I have to wake up at 6am later to send Timothy off at the airport, for his trip to Perth. He’s leaving for good, gonna join the rest of his family there. Guess we’re really gonna miss him, but oh well nowadays with technology, nothing’s impossible for long-distance communication. Skype and MSN is here to stay. (^ ^)

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Ohayo minna-san! Woke up early as usual today to study even though I reached home pretty late close to 4am last night due to the KTV session I had with my clique. Yesterday was also Timothy’s farewell dinner, we had zi char at somewhere near Boon Keng, it was pretty oishii man. So after dinner, we headed to Boat Quay’s Partyworld for KTV with the guys, had a pretty good singing session with them. Really enjoyed myself, and I think Timothy enjoyed himself too. Oh and he’s finally an owner of a Pink Nintendo DS, thanks to Deli and Jac as well as the rest of them who chipped in for his present. As for me and the rest of the guys, we will be presenting our present (still a secret lol) to him on the 27th which will also be the day when he’s flying off to Perth, to re-unite with his family and also part of his migration and study plans. (sob sob) Anyway good things will always come to an end, so let’s cherish the memories we all had together all these while, and may our friendship last forever. Here’s to our friendship; May it be reckoned long as a lifetime, close as a second.

Anyway, I had some spare time to do up the review for my new phone this morning, so I decided to get on with it and present to you guys some pictures of my new toy as well as a mini-review of the phone. First and foremost, may I present to you the official press release and full specifications of the Sharp 903SH, by Vodafone Japan (now officially known as Softbank Mobile Corp).

Official Press Release on 11th of August, 2005.
Vodafone K.K. today announced that, as part of its new 3G lineup, from mid August 2005 it will offer the Vodafone 903SH handset by Sharp, it features the industry’s first 3.2 megapixel auto focus mobile camera with 2X optical zoom.

The 903SH’s best-in-class*1 3.20 megapixel mobile CCD camera can bring both the foreground and background clearly into focus with its 5 high-performance aspheric glass lenses. The camera also uses the Frame Interline Transfer process, the same type used in professional-quality broadcast video cameras, to prevent the “smear”*2 phenomenon. Vodafone 903SH customers can also enjoy advanced photography with picture sizes of up to QXGA sizes (1,536 x 2,048 pixel).

*1: As of 28 July 2005 in the Japanese market (according to Vodafone K.K.).

*2: Smear phenomenon: phenomenon typical of CCDs, for example, when headlights or light from the sun causes vertical streaks of light to appear on the image.

3D Surround Stereo Side Speakers for realistic sound enjoyment
The Vodafone 903SH comes equipped with 3D Surround Stereo Side Speakers on the left and right of the handset display panel so customers can experience unprecedented audio realism. The 903SH has pre-installed ringtones and games that support 3D sound.

2.4-inch Mobile ASV LCD for superior display and wide-angle viewing
The Vodafone 903SH’s 180 degree reversible Swivel Style 2.4-inch giant LCD display uses Mobile ASV, which is based on ASV (Advanced Super View) liquid crystal display technology found in Sharp’s AQUOS line of LCD TVs. The handset offers remarkably clear viewing in bright locations outside and in dark spots indoors, as well as wide views of 160 degrees* from all angles without any colour distortion. As a result customers can freely enjoy photography or image viewing at a variety of angles.
*In conformance with JEITA standards (5:1 contrast ratio)

Fully supports Vodafone K.K. 3G services
The Vodafone 903SH fully supports Vodafone K.K. 3G services such as Vodafone live! BB, which lets customers enjoy rich music and video content by downloading large files via their PCs, video calls, international roaming and Chaku-Uta Full® full track music downloads.

View Full Specifications: here.

View Product Features: here.

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Hey all. It’s been about 2 weeks since I last blogged. I’m pretty good, just a little more busy recently due to my upcoming exams, which is gonna take place in about 2 more weeks.

It’s stress and more stress, slowly accumulating up there. A little bit of it is good in a sense, cause it makes you wake up your idea in life and gets things moving, or rather gets my lazy ass moving. But sometimes a little too much can really drive me crazy. Sometimes, I just wanna be nonchalant to the things around me, and just be myself, be the little boy in my heart. But I can’t, I just can’t. I have responsibilities on hand and I know time is running out. Sigh. Reality check.

Recently in my life, I was been hit by some issues. What kind of issues, I won’t go into it. Let’s just say, apparently those friends whom you think u can trust, doesn’t trust you that much. So when things happen presumingly involving your name and that person’s name, the first thing they show you or slam you in the face, is their doubts and disbeliefs.

Fortunately, things got clarified and resolved, with the help of a modern technology called mobile phones, so it wasn’t that bad afterall. But after this particular thing has happened, it has certainly got me thinking. Thinking that while you are amiable with some people, there will always be some other people out there who are out to sow discord among you and your friends. And if the friendship is not strong within the clique, things might just turn out uglier than you would even imagine.

From the KJV Bible, under the Proverbs Chapter 6: 16 - 19, there’s this very concise meaning in the extract.
[16]These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: [17] A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, [18] An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, [19] A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

In short, it means of the seven things listed here that the Lord hates, three of them are sins of the tongue: a lying tongue, a false witness, and one who sows discord. The Lord hates it when we lie, or when we say something untrue about someone else or when we speak divisive words of someone. This is simply a reality check of the wrong human behavior, that we shouldn’t even possess or have in the first place.

And yes, this particular message is written in the hope, that whatever happens in life, you do not go and backstab or say something untrue about your friend, no matter what he or she has done to you. For God’s sake, he or she doesn’t owe you a living or what in the first place, so please don’t go and spread rumours or say something that’s untrue about him or her. Of course, if your heart is truly made of evil, then I have absolutely nothing to say. Please go kiss and hold the balls of the Devil then, go worship him and continue your evil-doings. And to that particular someone who’s reading this, YES YOU! If you don’t have any intentions of turning over a new leaf, all I can say is please fuck off and don’t come fucking mess with me. Cause if you do, I will not and I repeat, I will not hesitate to show you what I’m totally capable of.

So, that matter has finally blown over. All’s well again at the birthday boy’s dinner celebration which we had yesterday at Fish N Co at the Glasshouse opposite Plaza Singapura. Thanks to Ronald for the wonderful dinner, and hope you like our presents. Enjoy playing with your new toy too, I know you won’t regret it, cause I didn’t. (^ ^)V

So all things aside, I just got myself a new toy last week. Just a teaser picture for now, more pictures and a review to come.

Alrights it’s late, gotta go catch some sleep before I wake up later in the morning to do some more mugging. Later guys good night!

Life.

My life has been pretty good recently. As in, I have found amity among my bunch of friends, without too much politics. There are still politics talk whenever it’s concerned, but tell me which clique doesn’t have politics? Nevertheless, it’s good to know what we want, and we can voice out to each other comfortably, without actually creating conflicts among ourselves internally. Mutual understanding and compromising plays a part here too, and I’m glad all of them possess it.

I can’t believe that the discussion I had on Saturday with my group of clique, triggered some reminiscent times I shared with my previous clique, and actually made me look back at my past blog entries, dated as old as the year 2002. It was a year when alot of things changed for me. Lotsa things. The big dispute I had with my previous clique at Blk 532, which resulted in tears in my eyes. (I guess only Shaun remembers about this now?) The day I finally realised that I had been used and cheated by a friend whom I had regarded as a close friend of my. (I will never ever forget this…) Enlisting into national service on the day of enlistment itself, alone. (Yes, my clique wasn’t there for me back then)

Looking back at all these, it just felt like it happened only yesterday. So much things has happened, and we had all come a long way. Now thinking back, lotsa things I did back then were pretty foolish and immatured. Naive was what I was back then. I can hold on to my beliefs, regardless of how many people tend to fail my expectations. I always believe in my friends, regardless of whether they would bite me when I turn my back. I shared my wealth and happiness, regardless of whether they think I am flaunting about it. And it’s all because of a simple reason; I believe in them, my friends. I want them to be happy like me.

Unfortunately, this world isn’t perfect. Jealousy and discontentment exists among people. I can still remember back then someone actually scolded me and said that I was using my wealth to buy friendships. What mockery. I was stunned and shocked, especially when it was coming from a friend. What can I say? Of course I was hurted. It was a reality check.

Taking friends for granted. How often have you actually took your friends for granted? I always try not to, but I know I did. Thinking that my friends will be so agreeable, so forgiving and so nice to actually understand my reasons or excuses. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Once bitten, twice shy. People show you what they are capable of, when you pissed them off. And it hurts, it fucking hurts I tell ya.

I wished I was living in Heaven. But unfortunately this is the Earth that we are living in. Where we are bound by systems, and politics. Playing by the rules, and breaking the rules. And when it happens, we pay with consequences. Everything in life is bound to be billed with some consequences, whether you feel like been responsible or not. If you don’t like your life, you can only fucking blame it on yourself. That why you didn’t attempt to make it better, and why is it that your life’s so fucking sucks, that it doesn’t even make sense. Ask yourself, question yourself. It’s always good to ask when you don’t know something. At least you’ll learn something new at the end of the day.

I can’t believe that I was actually so nice, to consider forgiving this someone whom I used to distaste so much. (I don’t hate him that much now, since I can be pretty non-chalant these days) And why am I not surprised to know that he had been talking about my lan jiao wei behind my back, even though he doesn’t really know me that well. And like what Jimmy has said, I do wholly agree on the fact that he has to be taught a lesson, if not he won’t learn to respect others. This guy has totally no fucking idea how many people are waiting to beat him up, and yet he still can fucking assuringly think that it’s not selfish to ask for forgiveness. Think about your actions first, before you ask for something. If your actions doesn’t concede with what you are saying in the first place, do you think people would give you any chance, to prove yourself?

I’m waiting for the day, where he has the guts to scold me in the face. And if that happens, then that will be the day when I will finally beat the guts out of him too, don’t need to give face liao. We shall see.

There’s a limit to how nice I can be. If you have doubts, you are very welcome to try me.