I hereby announce that my blog has been moved to http://wahyu.adi.student.ugm.ac.id/blog/.
If you have any difficulties accessing it, please let me know, or let the administrator know.
I hope you like it. Keep visiting, OK? And don't forget to comment out! Thanks!
Tuesday, December 21, 2004
Monday, December 20, 2004
About to Move...
Hi...
Long time no see, and now I'm happy to tell you that my blog is about to move to http://wahyu.adi.student.ugm.ac.id/blog/ very soon.
It's almost done right now. All I need is just a permission to place my pre-existing database (containing some postings) into the webstudent server's directory, then all should work as expected shortly afterward.
Why do I move? I have 3 good reasons:
1. Blogger is getting slower now, especially after they decided to change their look like the way they are. However, speed really matters to me. The prettier look and easier user interface can't compensate that. I simply can't stand waiting for a couple of minutes just to start writing a new post, and wait for another couple of minutes to have it published. That's quite annoying. I just want to [write | blog] and not to get impressed with the appearance. (OK! OK! Stop! You're talking too much!)
2. I've decided to give WordPress a (big) shot. It's a fast, simple, easy to use blogtool I've ever seen. It also offers a lot of customized features for the benefit of beginner and for the sake of advanced users' "itchy hands". Like they say, "WordPress is a state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability."
What's the point? WordPress requires a hosting with PHP and MySQL support, something that my webstudent server provides for free (but of course, with limited space :P).
3. More reasons? Aren't those enough? OK, if you insist. Since it is built entirely on PHP and backed up by MySQL, it's really a good chance for me to learn coding (programming) and learn writing (blogging) at the same time. I retain the control, I like it. I might just need bigger responsibility to cope with this bigger control.
However, I still owe many thanks to Blogger whose service has helped me into blogging for almost a year (Gee! Time's rolling fast, indeed). I thank Blogger for providing all of them for free. Therefore, I still recommend it to those who start blogging or are thinking to move from other free blogtool service providers (yes, including WordPress, if that's what you mean).
It's just like "the right tool for the right people". Pick one that suits your need.
Long time no see, and now I'm happy to tell you that my blog is about to move to http://wahyu.adi.student.ugm.ac.id/blog/ very soon.
It's almost done right now. All I need is just a permission to place my pre-existing database (containing some postings) into the webstudent server's directory, then all should work as expected shortly afterward.
Why do I move? I have 3 good reasons:
1. Blogger is getting slower now, especially after they decided to change their look like the way they are. However, speed really matters to me. The prettier look and easier user interface can't compensate that. I simply can't stand waiting for a couple of minutes just to start writing a new post, and wait for another couple of minutes to have it published. That's quite annoying. I just want to [write | blog] and not to get impressed with the appearance. (OK! OK! Stop! You're talking too much!)
2. I've decided to give WordPress a (big) shot. It's a fast, simple, easy to use blogtool I've ever seen. It also offers a lot of customized features for the benefit of beginner and for the sake of advanced users' "itchy hands". Like they say, "WordPress is a state-of-the-art semantic personal publishing platform with a focus on aesthetics, web standards, and usability."
What's the point? WordPress requires a hosting with PHP and MySQL support, something that my webstudent server provides for free (but of course, with limited space :P).
3. More reasons? Aren't those enough? OK, if you insist. Since it is built entirely on PHP and backed up by MySQL, it's really a good chance for me to learn coding (programming) and learn writing (blogging) at the same time. I retain the control, I like it. I might just need bigger responsibility to cope with this bigger control.
However, I still owe many thanks to Blogger whose service has helped me into blogging for almost a year (Gee! Time's rolling fast, indeed). I thank Blogger for providing all of them for free. Therefore, I still recommend it to those who start blogging or are thinking to move from other free blogtool service providers (yes, including WordPress, if that's what you mean).
It's just like "the right tool for the right people". Pick one that suits your need.
Monday, December 06, 2004
Celebrating the 1st Anniversary of BloggerFamily...
The world of blogging has never been the same since the founding of BloggerFamily© (BlogFam) on December 17th, 2003. Originally intended to connect Indonesian bloggers worlwide and maintain warm relationship among them, this forum has been amazingly gaining large participation from bloggers community. As of current timestamp, it has a total of 520 approved members, a fantastic number ever reached by a blogger community.
Basically, BlogFam is a forum for bloggers. Like any other forums, there are offline meetings for bloggers residing in certain area, sharing ideas about almost all topics you can ever name, having smalltalk in miscellaneous topics or whatever. What makes it different is that BlogFam actually connects blogs into a networked people on the Net, a well-known concept successfully implemented by Friendster earlier. Consequently, having blog is an obligatory for any member-to-be. Through the postings as well as other details in the blog, people can get along well with the owner at first encounter so that the chance of getting acquaintance in the future is widely open. Furthermore, by the time a member has already been familiar with any others, the slogan of "we are a virtual family" becomes his/her reality.
I have a wonderful experience with BlogFam. Only in a short time after signing up as a new member, I feel instantly at home with the existing members' welcoming statements. One of them, aunty JuJu, even call me with my virtual name: "Hahaha, finally you're here! Come on in! Welcome to the club, kangmasadi... and happy postings always.". It's like she has known me for long time. Later on, even though rarely do I create postings (only 7 so far since May 2004), I find it quite useful to browse to the forums. Sometimes I laugh out loud when reading spontaneous comments of a particular topic, as if I was there listening to the conversation myself. In short, I give two thumbs up for BlogFam mainly because it can incorporate all its members' diversity into UBO (United Bloggers Online).
Before I blow the candle of BlogFam's first anniversary cake, I have some wishes to make. First, the small thing. There should be an "official" timezone for all members, based on (say) Waktu Indonesia Barat (GMT+7), so that all members can adjust it with their local time. There will be no more time confusion, especially when dealing with sensitive deadline like this writing contest. Second, the big thing. I wonder if we could create documentation of all members' activities in a concise but complete manner. Not only can we have something like "memories album" containing milestone of important events, we can also have a good source of data which anyone wishing to conduct a research about blogging world will gladly receive. It can be done simply by any member who carry out the agenda, as long as s/he follows the approved format.
Amin.
*Silence grows a moment*
Phewwwwww!!! *blowing the candle*
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY, BlogFam!!!
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Monday, November 29, 2004
English Fluency Degradation: How Come???
Some students, having been studying abroad before, can not stop thinking why their English fluency (particulary in a formal writing) degrades significantly when they have returned to and lived in the home country ("Indonesia") for a couple of months. This phenomenon usually raises whenever they have to make report to their school as a part of their internship assignment, a little while since their arrival. Many of them, whose IELTS score is as high as 7, make grammatical mistakes that cannot be considered as misstyping in any way and some typical errors that usually made by intermediate (or even lower grade!) students.
It is not that they do not know the cause (the "why"); it is generally believed that the lack of condusive environment plays the major roles. Instead, it is more about the "how", ie. how could it happen whereas at the same time they are still capable, according to a less-than-2-years-old English test score and their previous years of international atmosphere exposure, to communicate their thoughts in the target language?
Presuming there is nothing wrong with the existing English proficiency test they have taken, I guess it is all about motivation, which is of course partially influenced by the environment. Motivation decreases and increases as a function of some factors. At the first time they plan to study abroad, students do their best to pass the selection phases and make reasonable language preparation in order to survive in the crowd of strangers out there. In other words, the uncertainty factor of living and studying in the land they have never been to has encouraged them to do their homeworks: enriching their vocabs, improving the grammar, shaping their style, which in turn help them express their thought to others clearly yet correctly.
Unfortunately, the story goes different as they come back to Indonesia. Being an overseas educated students, they finally find their previously missing comfort on being sorrounded by people peering at them with admiring look. Facing this situation, they might lower the standard, reducing from a highly dynamic, applicable working language to a static, words-per-words translation pattern of language.
Those who lack of motivation to stay consistent in learning will suffer unpleasant consequences. Taking this matter lightly, they might think English proficiency is only a matter of speaking English along with original British/American accent, and writing is as simple as transforming those spoken words into a piece of paper. This way, they have left the important aspect of written languange: understandability. People listening others talk can immediately ask and/or clarify which points they are missing, while in the written English, they do not have such luxury. Therefore, those who are highly motivated to keep learning and shaping their fluency are more likely to be alert to common mistakes in writing, as they are in spoken English to correct spelling and proper intonation.
It is essential for students studying a foreign language take precautionary actions whenever they are not exposed to the target language any longer. I am talking about re-studying and reviewing. Just because you have been graduated from Advanced 4 of a reputable English course in the world or having been going abroad for a few years doesn't mean you become an English language expert. You are still students, and this level you are now standing might degrades slowly but sure unless you are willing to learn more and more. You are still students in the "real" school of language.
Some people do not see my point. They think joining formal grammar reinforcement program (or things like that) will solve the problem; In fact, it will definitely not. Formal education is not the key factor at this stage of learning. You have already had all you need, all the theories and those grammatical stuffs (and even better, you have had the chance to use it in the "battlefield"). Learn informally through the real cases, from any means available. Compare it with what you have got. Not only will you have more experience and fun, you will also be a eye witness of the evolving language, noticing something new added to the language and pondering the old stuffs that removed from it. It is something like "living in the language", and may be one solution among plenty of others.
Well, it's a matter of opinion. The rest is yours. ^___^
It is not that they do not know the cause (the "why"); it is generally believed that the lack of condusive environment plays the major roles. Instead, it is more about the "how", ie. how could it happen whereas at the same time they are still capable, according to a less-than-2-years-old English test score and their previous years of international atmosphere exposure, to communicate their thoughts in the target language?
Presuming there is nothing wrong with the existing English proficiency test they have taken, I guess it is all about motivation, which is of course partially influenced by the environment. Motivation decreases and increases as a function of some factors. At the first time they plan to study abroad, students do their best to pass the selection phases and make reasonable language preparation in order to survive in the crowd of strangers out there. In other words, the uncertainty factor of living and studying in the land they have never been to has encouraged them to do their homeworks: enriching their vocabs, improving the grammar, shaping their style, which in turn help them express their thought to others clearly yet correctly.
Unfortunately, the story goes different as they come back to Indonesia. Being an overseas educated students, they finally find their previously missing comfort on being sorrounded by people peering at them with admiring look. Facing this situation, they might lower the standard, reducing from a highly dynamic, applicable working language to a static, words-per-words translation pattern of language.
Those who lack of motivation to stay consistent in learning will suffer unpleasant consequences. Taking this matter lightly, they might think English proficiency is only a matter of speaking English along with original British/American accent, and writing is as simple as transforming those spoken words into a piece of paper. This way, they have left the important aspect of written languange: understandability. People listening others talk can immediately ask and/or clarify which points they are missing, while in the written English, they do not have such luxury. Therefore, those who are highly motivated to keep learning and shaping their fluency are more likely to be alert to common mistakes in writing, as they are in spoken English to correct spelling and proper intonation.
It is essential for students studying a foreign language take precautionary actions whenever they are not exposed to the target language any longer. I am talking about re-studying and reviewing. Just because you have been graduated from Advanced 4 of a reputable English course in the world or having been going abroad for a few years doesn't mean you become an English language expert. You are still students, and this level you are now standing might degrades slowly but sure unless you are willing to learn more and more. You are still students in the "real" school of language.
Some people do not see my point. They think joining formal grammar reinforcement program (or things like that) will solve the problem; In fact, it will definitely not. Formal education is not the key factor at this stage of learning. You have already had all you need, all the theories and those grammatical stuffs (and even better, you have had the chance to use it in the "battlefield"). Learn informally through the real cases, from any means available. Compare it with what you have got. Not only will you have more experience and fun, you will also be a eye witness of the evolving language, noticing something new added to the language and pondering the old stuffs that removed from it. It is something like "living in the language", and may be one solution among plenty of others.
Well, it's a matter of opinion. The rest is yours. ^___^
Friday, November 26, 2004
Happy Idul Fitri...
Happy idul fitri, everyone!!!
yeah... i know... calm down... It's been 13 days late for saying that, but I think we all agree that 365 days in a year are all-good-days to forgive and forget, to apologize for any mistakes that we have made in the past. Coz "to err is a human", say a proverb and a quote from Quran.
That's what this posting for: to conveniently beg for your forgiving, merciful heart; to apologize my accidental faults since i was present in the bloggerland and my presence in this world (if you happen to know me offline).
I also thank all people who bother themselves saying hi and wishing me happy idul fitri to me in the shoutbox, comment box, as well as leaving offline messages in Y!Messenger and Friendster's bulletin board, and I am really sorry if I've missed any one of you while wishing the same in return, one way or another.
Final words, let's make a hope together that from this beautiful day forward, we could become a better person for everyone we love and everyone we share this world with.
yeah... i know... calm down... It's been 13 days late for saying that, but I think we all agree that 365 days in a year are all-good-days to forgive and forget, to apologize for any mistakes that we have made in the past. Coz "to err is a human", say a proverb and a quote from Quran.
That's what this posting for: to conveniently beg for your forgiving, merciful heart; to apologize my accidental faults since i was present in the bloggerland and my presence in this world (if you happen to know me offline).
I also thank all people who bother themselves saying hi and wishing me happy idul fitri to me in the shoutbox, comment box, as well as leaving offline messages in Y!Messenger and Friendster's bulletin board, and I am really sorry if I've missed any one of you while wishing the same in return, one way or another.
Final words, let's make a hope together that from this beautiful day forward, we could become a better person for everyone we love and everyone we share this world with.
Thursday, October 28, 2004
My Thesis Supervisor Passed Away T___T....
Hikz...
For the second time, another sad story like the one I wrote about some couple of months ago happened. My thesis supervisor, Mr. Heri Pratomo, M.Kom, passed away on Oct 27 2004 at 8 pm after getting hospitalized for about 2 weeks. He got sore throat that became much worse in the end.
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
*sigh* Hopefully, the Faculty will appoint another supervisor who is as good and kind as he was for my ongoing thesis. And may he rest in peace, an may his family will be strong enought to get through this difficult time.
For the second time, another sad story like the one I wrote about some couple of months ago happened. My thesis supervisor, Mr. Heri Pratomo, M.Kom, passed away on Oct 27 2004 at 8 pm after getting hospitalized for about 2 weeks. He got sore throat that became much worse in the end.
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
Oh my... what about my thesis....
*sigh* Hopefully, the Faculty will appoint another supervisor who is as good and kind as he was for my ongoing thesis. And may he rest in peace, an may his family will be strong enought to get through this difficult time.
Saturday, October 23, 2004
Microsoft Financial Fraud: Another "Finally, The Truth is Out There"?
I've just read the article about Microsoft Financial Fraud that is referred to by an article written in Humorix.
FYI, Humorix is a site that shows "the lighter side of Linux, the open source operating system everyone and their brother are talking about" and presents "jokes and fake news about Slashdot, Microsoft, and Tux Penguin" for "good measure".
However, I still consider it true. How about you?
FYI, Humorix is a site that shows "the lighter side of Linux, the open source operating system everyone and their brother are talking about" and presents "jokes and fake news about Slashdot, Microsoft, and Tux Penguin" for "good measure".
However, I still consider it true. How about you?
Friday, October 08, 2004
SURRPRISE...!!!
I'm gonna show up right in front of the door and shock him up, saying that I support him for his jobs and thesis. He wouldn't realize it since I knew he thought I was still at home and enjoying the weekend there. Yess... that's perfect. He's gonna love it.
That was your thought. Think again. What do you miss? Nothing. Everything seems to be all right. He's gonna stay at the office 'till afternoon and that's all I need.
I was on the way to his office. I sent him an SMS. Honey, are you still there? Your 'stuff' is almost there.
There comes the reply. What? You send it now? I can't honey. I'm living very soon, I had a promise with my client and he doesn't want to wait any longer. Can't you just give it to anyone here so I can pick it up later?
I sent another. Oh no, please... if you go right now, there's no point the 'gift' should be delivered. It's me, you know... Me! I'm coming here just to see you, to cheer you up and hold you tight. Do you hear that? I'm the 'stuff'. And now I'm already in front of the office.
Received another. Ooohhh.... I'm so flattered honey, thank you... Please come in and see Mrs. Ambar. She's heard a lot about you, I'm sure she wants to see you right away.
No, thanks. I'd better leave.
Please, honey... for me? Please... At least you won't come back emptyhanded
Well, if that's what you want...
Thanks
Moral of the story: Whenever you plan to give somebody a surprising gift, make sure you have checked and re-checked his/her schedule so that you can be sure it goes to the right hand at very first time.
That was your thought. Think again. What do you miss? Nothing. Everything seems to be all right. He's gonna stay at the office 'till afternoon and that's all I need.
I was on the way to his office. I sent him an SMS. Honey, are you still there? Your 'stuff' is almost there.
There comes the reply. What? You send it now? I can't honey. I'm living very soon, I had a promise with my client and he doesn't want to wait any longer. Can't you just give it to anyone here so I can pick it up later?
I sent another. Oh no, please... if you go right now, there's no point the 'gift' should be delivered. It's me, you know... Me! I'm coming here just to see you, to cheer you up and hold you tight. Do you hear that? I'm the 'stuff'. And now I'm already in front of the office.
Received another. Ooohhh.... I'm so flattered honey, thank you... Please come in and see Mrs. Ambar. She's heard a lot about you, I'm sure she wants to see you right away.
No, thanks. I'd better leave.
Please, honey... for me? Please... At least you won't come back emptyhanded
Well, if that's what you want...
Thanks
Moral of the story: Whenever you plan to give somebody a surprising gift, make sure you have checked and re-checked his/her schedule so that you can be sure it goes to the right hand at very first time.
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
...Don't Give Up on Your Fate!
" ...don't give up on your fate,
love comes to those who believe it,
and that's the way it is". (sung by Celine Dion)
I was born some twenty years or so ago, crying. I spent my childhood in the happiness perfectly depicted in the "in the eyes of a child" lyrics (Air Supply) with "Sozo" (Kitaro) playing in the background. I learnt to play and run here and there with my friends, making a fool of a cow baby that was accidentally out of the shepherd's sight and control.
I grew up. I joined kindergarten and had new friends who liked bullying other kids and had ever made me cry for some reasons I already forgot. But I didn't even cry when I had vaccination, unlike the others. I was the only kid who was smiling when injected by the doctor, while others crying with trembling knees.
I survived. I became an elementary student. From the first grade when I didn't know how to get all classmate ready in a row, as I was pointed as a class leader. The third class, as I formed a clique named "the three detective" to explore the mysterious tiny bamboo forest in the school backyard. I came to relate a moisturizing cream covering my aunty's face as an acne and later found out it was not. I gigled just remembering that. Also the first time I had to be X-rayed because of my persistent cough. Also the terrible violence that once threatened my family.
Three years in junior high. I remember I made a great achievement at the final exam (ebtanas), having 2 perfect grade (10) at English and Mathematics. My parents were really surprised; I was excited.
Another 3 at senior high. I met my first love, but never said the magic words because my heart didn't allow me to. I applied for AFS Intercultural Programs but only made it until the last selection phase. Not succeded in the last step. But I was okay. At least, I thought I was. The devastating economy crises began. The prices were so high my family should erase milk and snacks from the monthly shopping list, limit our pocket money only for transportation cost, and cook jipang vegetables (that was the cheapest one at the market) almost everyday with tempe and tahu interchangable as the side dishes. But we survived. I and my family.
The last year as a university student. I had a crush on somebody I'd never met before (well, once we met but didn't recognize each other; only a face in the crowd). I hesitated, but my hearts urged me to say what I felt. It's done. I won her heart (but not because I could play guitar :P *quoting Roxette's Cinnamon Street*). And we're happy for each other ever since.
Now I am striving to be graduated really soon and I know I will. I never give up on my fate and I won't. My long long historical life tell me not to. The past has been so long. And the rest is waiting, unforeseen.
Life is hard. But I should not give up for that. Never. Stop struggling and I'm a history.
love comes to those who believe it,
and that's the way it is". (sung by Celine Dion)
I was born some twenty years or so ago, crying. I spent my childhood in the happiness perfectly depicted in the "in the eyes of a child" lyrics (Air Supply) with "Sozo" (Kitaro) playing in the background. I learnt to play and run here and there with my friends, making a fool of a cow baby that was accidentally out of the shepherd's sight and control.
I grew up. I joined kindergarten and had new friends who liked bullying other kids and had ever made me cry for some reasons I already forgot. But I didn't even cry when I had vaccination, unlike the others. I was the only kid who was smiling when injected by the doctor, while others crying with trembling knees.
I survived. I became an elementary student. From the first grade when I didn't know how to get all classmate ready in a row, as I was pointed as a class leader. The third class, as I formed a clique named "the three detective" to explore the mysterious tiny bamboo forest in the school backyard. I came to relate a moisturizing cream covering my aunty's face as an acne and later found out it was not. I gigled just remembering that. Also the first time I had to be X-rayed because of my persistent cough. Also the terrible violence that once threatened my family.
Three years in junior high. I remember I made a great achievement at the final exam (ebtanas), having 2 perfect grade (10) at English and Mathematics. My parents were really surprised; I was excited.
Another 3 at senior high. I met my first love, but never said the magic words because my heart didn't allow me to. I applied for AFS Intercultural Programs but only made it until the last selection phase. Not succeded in the last step. But I was okay. At least, I thought I was. The devastating economy crises began. The prices were so high my family should erase milk and snacks from the monthly shopping list, limit our pocket money only for transportation cost, and cook jipang vegetables (that was the cheapest one at the market) almost everyday with tempe and tahu interchangable as the side dishes. But we survived. I and my family.
The last year as a university student. I had a crush on somebody I'd never met before (well, once we met but didn't recognize each other; only a face in the crowd). I hesitated, but my hearts urged me to say what I felt. It's done. I won her heart (but not because I could play guitar :P *quoting Roxette's Cinnamon Street*). And we're happy for each other ever since.
Now I am striving to be graduated really soon and I know I will. I never give up on my fate and I won't. My long long historical life tell me not to. The past has been so long. And the rest is waiting, unforeseen.
Life is hard. But I should not give up for that. Never. Stop struggling and I'm a history.
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