Before today, the only Apples I had were from the supermarket

visions of blue skies and green grass underfoot

So I bought a Macbook. Yes, an Apple computer. The folks were shocked. No one could believe that the greatest anti-mac critic has joined the Apple camp. I was the traitor, I was what Cain was to Abel...
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Do not blame them. For they will not understand. For the 'Truth' is only for the chosen few. Perhaps someday some of them would be selected too, and I'll look forward to welcoming Them. To become one of Us.

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The Bundle
Now the elegant simplicity of the Apple family really gets to you, right from the start.

Apple laptops came in 3 categories > MacBook Air, MacBook, and MacBook Pro.

It doesn't take a scientist to figure out from a quick glance at the specs that Air is the light ultra portable series while Pro is the high end performance range.

MacBook is the intermediate and most common option. I got myself one of these with some rather high end specs for the current series.

13-inch: White
2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo.
4 GB memory
160GB hard drive1
Double-layer SuperDrive

Including a free sleeve, the bundled price came up to SGD 2,455 - quite a hefty sum.

=================================================================but its alright because its an Apple.
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Hardware Installation
Installation was a breeze, if there was even an installation to speak of. Just like what the sales pitch described, just plug anything in and they will work, automatically. The portable hard disk was detected instantly, and Printer model recognized once connected.
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Software
I hooked up the ethernet cable and came online. No setup needed. And then the system offered to update all the drivers and installed software. These were carried out faithfully with no fuss. I didn't even have to reboot once.

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Functionality
Needless to mention, the MacBook was aesthetically pleasing, with all the ports conveniently located on the left hand side. The Mac power plug links to the MacBook magnetically, a creative marvel by itself. (I continued to be surprised at every step.)

The keyboard too, with its large and well spaced keys was a joy to type on. (This blog entry was written on the MacBook, can picture myself doing this in future at Bottles & Bottles, with a glass besides the MacBook)
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Overall Perception
All in all, I get the impression that Apple genuinely cares about the customer's experience. Everything was so well taken care of. Compared to OS X, the Windows Platform look hopelessly outclassed.
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The only thing left to do now is to fetch some fuel and torch those worthless PC components.
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- Fanaticism is a sign of repressed doubt

Completed 5th High Key ICT

Was a good ICT, with several familiar faces attending this call back, and also got to know a few other interesting people from earlier batches.
We narrowly averted a major exercise and only went through a one night + one day technical deployment. *** SENSITIVE DATA DELETED ***

After thoughts upon returning from the deployment:
This was more pleasant than what we went through last year. The worst part was dealing with biting insects. We brought along adequate safari beds this time, so at least some decent rest were possible*.

More and more I begun to appreciate how lucky we are, being allowed to stay out on all nights other than during an exercise. Must aim to finish all my ICTs before the unit gets disbanded**.

In the spirit of nostalgia, I've dug out the link to my old webpage article on Exercise Kujarra 1 refered to as K-1 the first Gun live fire conducted in Australia, in the Woomera desert. It was undoubtedly the most memorable time during our active days, and still fondly talked about among our mates today. (ed: When reading this featured link, preferably, read "Prologue" first , and then scroll straight to "Deployment", to avoid the boring segments) ,


*not that we can't deal with just one single night without sleep, however I can still remember how painful it was sleeping bare backed on the hard tarmac during the last ICT.

**This rumor had been circulating ever since the last decade, few believe it would really happen, but if it does, we might get transfered to the FDS which would be tough.

The Systems Migration Plan

Major flaws in governments arise from a fear of making radical internal changes
even though a need is clearly seen

Objective:
The Systems Migration Plan is a goal to eventually replace the desktop with a laptop.
To source for a laptop that fulfills the stated purpose and to remain aligned with following policies

Background:
As lifestyle changes, hardware servicing becomes increasing expensive in terms of time spent.
I simply cannot afford to waste precious annual leave days, traveling to some out of the way equipment service centers, or deal with computers that fails from time to time. Selection criteria shifts from "good value for money" to "stability and fuss free support" Naturally this will cost more, but careful study and prudent sourcing will justify over the unseen cost and qualitative factors.

Purpose:
Complete support/ Low failure rate - One stop coverage for the entire system.

Aesthetic/ Space - Significantly free up tabletop real estate, cable clutters, and do away with bulky boxes of spare hardware.

Portability - Self explanatory.

Future-proofing - Technology that remains valid over the next 3 years, so that no further cost necessary beyond the one time outlay.

Timeframe:
- Complete migration by end of 2010 (2 years time)
- To carry out migration while old system still remains serviceable, and to run in parallel until transition is deemed complete and secured.
- Proceed earlier if circumstances makes it necessary.

Fiscal Policy:
- No further funding for any non-migrateable hardware. (eg. desktop rams, hard disks, cards)
- Allow purchase of accessories that may complement future system (eg. speakers, routers)
- Attempt to salvage from old system by selling off non critical and non-migrateable items. Cash proceeds will continue to subject to said fiscal policy.

Environmental Considerations:
- Strong preference for alternatives which takes up less physical space. (eg Portable HDD iso burning stacks of DVDs)

Change is preferable to extinction

Air Export. Is the department that I have transferred to.
Today is my the first day as a Console Planner and I report to 夫人

Was feeling melancholic, as I unceremoniously evicted my former desk, early in the morning, before the 3rd floor denizens begun showing. Despite the preparations, leaving the CAM team was still a heavy hearted affair, particularly at the point when Momo asked if everything was alright.

But to be honest, that's only because I've gotten too soft and allowed myself to get entrenched in a comfort zone. It is now difficult to uproot myself, and all the more I should, while I still can. This will be a good change, to force myself into unfamiliar territory, take on new skills, and hone my edge once again.
In an awkward twist of fact, this change also draws some parallels to my previous company (which I despise). Albeit in a reversed fashion:

1. My constant transition from one department after another, usually within overnight notices*.
2. Ostracized framed and banished by team mates which I didn't cared about.
3. Developing a phobia of console planners due to the years of intimidation by the CRCP aunties and ah lians.**
   

Back then, I was no more than a fortune hunter, with nothing to lose. Switching around was nothing more than changing desks among people who happened to be in the same team.
Unlike now, surrounded by friends, and with a good reason not to give up.

Also, what better way to overcome the phobia, than to become a planner myself.

*FLASHBACK: Back then in the old company, a conversation that went like this with my skeptical patron.

A####t (the CS AGM): ..would you like to..
Me: *interrupts* I'll do my best Sir.
A####t: well, the reason I...
Me: Yes, I understand there will be no increments for this.
A####t: the Motorola team is a challenging posting and I want your promise to stay on for at least half a year.
Me: *with a mad man's grin* I look forward to the training.
A####t: *in a last ditch attempt to frighten me off* ok I'll call E***** your new Manager immediately, and he'll bring you down tomorrow morning.
Me: Thank you for the opportunity
A####t: *a look of disbelief*

**There are exceptions of course. J was one of the kindest person to me during that dark period

when will we find lasting peace? -Part 1

Looks like things are pretty shaken up for our merry little gang. Or shall I say all my different merry little gangs.
In a nutshell:

1 老爷 and Momo
老爷caught up in moving to his new place, pretty much gone MIA for the pass two weeks.
Heard that 夫人 fell sick recently, not much information, as I don't have time to drop by, as a matter of fact, there's no time to catch up with any of the HODs as well.
Momo is quite badly wrecked by the extra workload after getting her new accounts, falling sick and stuff like that. Did what I could to assist, but I'm caught up with training my successor, which has greater priority in the long term. (After I leave the team, a well trained replacement can render far more value than the limited support I could offer at this point)

2 Fags
With the exception of the 做Boh civil servants (as usual), everyone's too busy with their respective careers and family planning to meet up.
Had a couple of drinks with Chunz, and Wei Pin joins us once in a while too. Also managed to catch William once. We will have no Christmas party time year.

3 Church mates
No updates as we don't really have time for sharing anymore.

The meek see potential threats everywhere. The bold see potential profits

Will be going to join Operations in Dec. By now its an open secret, though only the inner circle knows the specifics*. This is happening 3 mths after my official promotion, and not unexpected. I guess management is indeed keeping their word to groom me.

*As a sidenote, many are speculating about my new role. Traditionally, collective bets will take place. Such bonding among colleagues are just so heartwarming.