Open Source and School Works
The increasing buzz about the omnipotence of Google and Open Source projects has left us wondering, what do students do with their research and course assignments today?
The Internet has become a huge reservoir of knowledge since the past two decades. The use of this knowledge has widen the gap in students thinking about traditional working environment, processes and ethics as well as their awareness of copyright laws and humanistic behavior and obligation. Unfortunately, many youngsters studying in local colleges and universities are not well aware of the pitfalls of using such information and open source projects.
With many years of software development (in both closed- and open- source) and research experience, I am able to quickly identify a genuine work or an adaptation of works from other people. I have seen many copy-and-paste work by students and even received copy-and-paste (exact copy-and-paste and adaptation) works by students applying for internship.
During a FYP judging 3 days ago, I had encountered a project which a student had adapted someone’s work as his own. With two simple questions, I established a firm “confidence” of plagiarism. The abridged story goes:
One Malaysian
I have mixed feeling about the 12th General Election which happened two days ago. The giant or the people of Malaysia has finally awaken and spoken. They used their vote to change the government. Although the National Front coalition (Barisan Nasional) has won with simple majority, the call is loud and clear! We don’t want racism. We don’t want corrupt government. We want freedom of speech, freedom of assembly and we want a transparent and efficient government!
This marked the remarkable and memorable day in Malaysia’s history where all three major races, Malays, Indians and Chinese hand-in-hand, heart-to-heart vote for a change. The outcry of the people has transformed into a political tsunami which rocked the entire nation.
Now, we are on our way to one nation, one Malaysian, “Satu Bangsa”! I, including my family, my children and millions of Malaysians will be proud to call themselves “Malaysian” in front of the world. This is the perfect time to say “Malaysia Boleh!” (Malaysia can)
Majority denied!
Latest news up to this point of time, People’s Front coalition has denied 2/3 majority seats of the National Front coalition by winning 76 seats in Parliament. There are 222 Parliament seats contested and the National Front coalition has won 108 seats. It needs to win 112 seats to be in majority.
The people’s front coalition has won 76 seats, DAP 27, PKR 25 and PAS 24. The people’s front coalition has taken on Penang, Kedah, Kelantan and Selangor and they are likely to take on Perak.
If the national front loses 2/3 majority, the coalition leader, Abdullah Badawi will face tremendous pressure in the coming party assembly and face step down. Let’s hope Malaysia will have a new remake.
Lim Guan Eng to be CM
It is confirmed that Guan Eng is the new Chief Minister of Penang. DAP will form a new government in Penang together with PKR. It will be a government for all Malaysians, he said. Well done!
I believe the new government in Penang will be a good start to reform Malaysia and her economy and internal security which all Malaysians are longing for. If the People’s Front can prove to Malaysians that they can run the government more efficiently, a bigger wind of change will be most likely to take place again in the next election.
Please, do your jobs well and don’t let the people down. Ganbatte kudasai!
The Awakening
The giant (Malaysians) has finally awaken! The wind of change is here. What took you so long? Huh?
IMHO, Raja Petra should be the top key person who helps stirring up the wind of change. His speeches are marvelous and inspiring. If you wish to watch his speeches, search for “Raja Petra” or “RPK” in YouTube.
And the latest news, Lim Guan Eng from DAP will be the next Chief Minister of Penang. This will be confirmed in the morning or on Monday. Anyhow, good luck to Guan Eng and DAP and please give the people all your best.
A Political Tsunami
A political tsunami is happening right now in Malaysia. Today is the polling day for the 12th General Election in Malaysia. The People’s Front (Opposition Parties) is taking on the ruling coalition (National Front) by storm. The People’s Front will be forming a new government in Penang which had been ruled by the ruling coalition for 40 years!
The wind of change is blowing furiously. This has voiced out people’s inner voice to have a change of the government. A tsunami is rocking the whole Malaysia right now. Logon to MalaysiaKini for more latest results/reports.
Long live Malaysia! Long live Malaysians!
I’m ready!
Yes. I woke up early this morning despite of late night sleep. I am all set to goto my designated polling station. I had taken a neutral stand in the 11th general election 4 years ago but enough is enough. This time I am going to use my vote to help change this country for a better future for my children and all.
Good luck all!
Japanese Cultural Performance
The MMU’s Japanese Language Society had organized The Japanese Cultural Night on March 2. My karate doukoukai was given an opportunity to put up a performance on that night. The lead was established in December last year and my students and I had been busying for the performance since January and especially after the Chinese New Year.
Tonight, it was finally over, after two weeks of preparation. IMHO, the performance was very good comparing to previous performance.
A team consisted of 4 best female students had been selected to perform in the Japanese Culture Night organized by MMU’s Japanese Language Society on March 2, 2008. The team was led by Adrian Senpai. This performance showcased full Uechi-ryu techniques and training culture of Okinawa. The team had performed the best show ever since the formation of Malaysia Uechi-ryu.
The demo team members were:
- Allison Beh (MMU)
- Ong Lee Ying (SMK Ayer Keroh)
- Dalilah Mohmad Khaidar (Jasin)
- Batrisyia Mohmad Khaidar (Jasin)
The performance included:
- Dalilah and Batrisyia performing dantai no Sanchin
- Batrisyia performing Kanshiwa
- Allison and Ong performing dantai no Sanchin and received advanced Sanchin kitae
- Dantai no kata: Kanshiwa, Kanshuu, Seichin and Seisan
- Advanced kote kitae
- Renzoku kumite
These photos are courtesy of Mr. Thum Chia Chieh.
Adrian Senpai leading a bow in seiza position.
Two senior students performing Sanchin and received advanced Sanchin kitae from Adrian Senpai.
Adrian Senpai performing dantai no Kanshiwa with two senior students.
Adrian Senpai performing in dantai no kata with two senior students.
Adrian Senpai and Allison performing advanced kote kitae (body conditioning).
Adrian Senpai and Allison performing renzoku kumite.
The Politicians in Malaysia
Politicians are clowns, comedians and liars. Well, as I get older (and wiser?), I see clearer and deeper, I see more contrast and colors in the dramas and personalities they portray. These clowns have low IQ and even acted more childish then children.
It is so sad that there are still many people have been deceived by their disguise. Luckily, there are also many young people are starting to see the awful faces of these stupid politicians. Hopefully, these new forces from the younger generation may one day change the country.
Little Indians
Do you still remember this rhyme? Well, a good remake to portray the Malaysia politics in the Indians community. On February 16, Indian women and children marched in KL city with roses in hands. They were going to send the roses to our prime minister but instead of meeting him, they met the FDU (Federal Reserved Unit) armed with shields and batons. Several women including an 11 year-old girl were arrested! This was the reason behind the massive traffic jam at Sg. Besi toll.
Which party are you going to vote?
The 12th Malaysia General Election is here on March 8. Posters and flyers everywhere. Useless politicians whom you don’t see them all year round suddenly appear in markets, streets and even going door-to-door. WTF!
With all the happenings in Malaysia, I hope dear Malaysians know who they are going to vote for this time. Here is a video for you to laugh and relax. So, no headache, just relax and cast your vote wisely this time.
Sex, lies and videotape
About 20 years ago, there was a movie with the title “Sex, Lies and Videotape”. Twenty years later, Malaysia released the first home brewed sequel, which shot down the minister of health. The sex scandal had stirred great upheaval in Malaysian society. People searched for the video high and low. Police hunted down the distribution channel and yet could not wipe it out simply because it had gone deeper underground. The scandal cost the post of the minister of health. Here’s something to laugh at.
重男轻女
我太太的一位朋友因为流产须要留医没法照顾她那18个月大的女儿。她要求我太太帮忙照顾一天，因为她的奶妈家有急事不能照顾，我太太基于朋友关系而欣然答应了。
我和我太太谈了一会才知道她朋友的丈夫要出勤而不能照顾。简着是废话。她丈夫自己开修车厂，而今天是星期日，有什么事急过于照顾女儿和太太？而她的家婆那里，一个人都没去医院探望她！她丈夫带他女儿出街，从未带过她去吃东西，就算俭朴，也不寒酸到这个地步吧？如果是个男儿，我相信她丈夫那里的人今天可会飞扑过来照顾了。她和丈夫都是广东籍。广东籍的人多数都是重男轻女，简直不可理喻，太过分了！
An idiotic culture
Many Chinese are practicing the burning of paper offerings to their Gods. It is an idiotic culture practice as it does not make any senses and is destructive to our environment. These paper offerings, as its name implies, are made of papers which are made of trees. The burning of paper offerings destroy many trees and does not bring any benefits at all. The smell and ashes are a nuisance. Ashes flying everywhere.
The Chinese believes the paper products will turn into real stuff after burning them. There are paper made TV, cars, airplane, cell phones an etc. to be offered to the dead. There are papers with silver, gold and/or other printing symbolize silver, gold and others respectively to be offered to the “Gods”. Take a paper with a square rectangle silver printed on it, after burning, it will turn into silver!
If the “Gods” are almighty, He does not need our offerings. After all, He does not need ashes, does He? We are able to have a job and earn money to buy these paper offerings to be turned into silver/gold for the God. In contrast, the God has to wait to receive offerings from us. If we have the power of turning paper to ashes to gold, aren’t we mightier than God? Why do we need God anyway? Think!
Two of my neighbors practice burning paper offerings. Despite of complaints I have forwarded to them and advise them to use a burning container with lid cover, they ignore and often will just say sorry. Every first day of Chinese New Year we have to suffer from the ashes dirtying our compound and my car which I just washed last night.
I will find a time during which they burn paper offerings and send them a strong verbal protest. This is too much. I hope the government will ban burning paper offerings as it does not bring any benefits but destruction to our environment. If the government is going to pass this bill, I will be 100% supportive. It is time to stop such idiotic and superstitious practice. It is a culture which should not be followed.
Goods sold are not returnable
Do you know your rights as a consumer? Read on. Benji sent me this information yesterday. I think it is good to share this information to exercise consumers’ rights to shape a better community.
Legal Issue on Contract Law in Malaysia – Good for us to know
Do you notice that most of the time, the receipt / invoice you received from the merchant carries this exclusion clause or similarly worded statement: “Goods sold are not returnable” or “No refund once sold”.
Please remember that : “As long as your goods is purchased for home use and not for business ( i.e. to be resold), the above exclusion clause is void.
That means, as long as the good is defective, regardless of what is worded, you can get back all your money spent . You do not have to accept a repair on the good or an exchange. You can ask for a refund. And you are legally right and entitled to!
And most of the time the merchant will refuse to return you your money.
You may threaten the merchant with four words: “See you in court!”
The court here refers to the Small Claims Tribunal Court. Any goods which is worth RM25,000 and below can apply to this Court.
However, you don’t have to tell them what court! All you have to pay is RM10 admin fee and the loser (the merchant) will have to refund you the money plus the admin fee!
I have seen that most educated people are cowed by such unfair wordings (which includes a few of my friends).
Please try not to let the merchant fleece you the next time you have defective goods.
You can file this On the 16th floor of Putra Place (The Mall opposite Putra World Trade Centre) . The form cost RM5.00 . The Tribunal will settle within 2 months period.
Tribunal Tuntutan Pengguna Malaysia,
Tingkat 16, Putra Place,
100, Jalan Putra,
50622 KUALA LUMPUR
Tel: 03 – 40492300 / 40424181 Fax: 03 – 40424259
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