What’s so good about it?

• Design
  Personally I prefer something that is simple and not over the top. And
  the design of this keyboard is very elegant. I would go one step further
  to tout that this keyboard

• Form Factor
  It looked great. The key size feels right, the space between the keys is also good. The arrangement of the key is arguably one of the best I’ve used so far. (I’m a programmer, believe me I’ve used heaps of keyboard before).
• Comfort
  All in all, this is the most comfortable keyboard I have used so far.
• Backlighting
  Since this is the Logitech Illuminated keyboard, I thought I should touch on the backlighting. Logitech have done an awesome job here – the lighting on all keys are perfect, the etching on the keys are very precise and the letters are big and legible. On this department, I have nothing to complain about.
• Durability
  I will tell you in about 5 years whether this is a worthwhile investment or not

What’s bad about it?

• Price!
  Let’s put it this way. I used to think that Apple’s keyboard is the
  winner in all department compared to other keyboard you find on the
  market these days. It’s comfortable, it looked good, and it’s got that
  USB port on the side (that I never really use because it’s slow). This
  keyboard is a big step forward from the Apple keyboard, it is
  comparatively better in every respect – unfortunately it’s also way more
  expensive.

Does it work with Ubuntu?

Yes it does. I plugged it in, and
it worked, period. I am still on Ubuntu 9.10 – but I imagine the support
on 10.04 would be better still.

Conclusion

You do think about
whether something so simple should cost so much or not. I used to be a bit of a skeptic too but once I used this, I can see where all my money went. Whether you splurge for something you type on everyday or not is really up to you

In the past few months, I have been wondering where he’d gone because he is usually very active on the net. I was a little bit afraid that the darkness would consume him as I feel that it was in there from our exchange of thoughts, but because I never knew him at personal level, I never asked the question. He left me a message before saying he will respond to my latest comment, but never did.

Weeks passed, and today I received a DM from his twitter account – @VinaMist notified me that Chris (lethe’s real name) had passed away a month ago. I was just at Taste Of Melbourne, in rapture after savouring the myriad of beautiful food and wine in that place. To receive news of death at such a joyous occasion is a new experience to me.

To be honest I feel for him, not many people connects to others with that amount of sincerity. He connects to people through his work – I feel that had he not died, he would have contributed greatly to the world of literature. He invited me once to converse over Skype, I wished I had taken that opportunity while it was still knocking on my door. But such is life, I guess.

I don’t think that the news ruined the experience. I accept that this is the nature of things, that for every beginning there is an end. At the back of my mind I wanted to know, how did he passed away? But for me who is on the other side of the world, this would be a no-question. This would be like asking whether the Dailai Lama owned  a pair of jeans or not.

For those who have no means to find out, it is a no-question. I will never know. And so I let go of the question and appreciate what little is left.

Lethe, this will be my final poetry for you. May you rest in peace, my friend.

The Day Turned

With eyes open I stepped outside;
on the pond was the moon,
reflected.

Darkness falls, the day is gone
and the sun’s warmth in my heart,
remembered.

It is common practice for Oracle stored procedure to pass cursors to calling client. The client then needs to guarantee that the cursors are handled and closed properly, otherwise overtime the open cursor will accumulate into an ORA-1000 error (“ORA-1000 Maximum Number of Cursors Exceeded”)

In Java world, cursor translates as ResultSet. In the case where an open cursor is passed from a stored procedure to a Java code (over JDBC), the code must work with the ResultSet and not forget to close() it after it’s done with it. However, this is often overlooked, because when ResultSet is garbage collected, the close() is not called and as a result, the open cursor remains open in the Oracle server.

This fault is surprisingly common amidst Java programmer – and the reason is because inexperienced Java programmers are usually spoiled by Garbage Collection, and many of them failed to develop the strict habit of clearing resource after they are used.

Therefore, Java programmers should always remember to explicitly close() any resource that is explicitly open such as file, and in this case, Oracle database cursors (ResultSet).

Example

This is an example of stored procedure using cursor:

PROCEDURE A_PROC(P_1 IN VARCHAR2, P_OUT_VAL OUT SYS_REFCURSOR) IS
    -- body of execution ---
    OPEN P_OUT_VAL ...
    -- exception handling --
    EXCEPTION WHEN OTHERS THEN
    -- don't forget to close cursor here
END A_PROC;

on stored procedures that passes cursor to the client, it is important to first agree on the way cursors will be handled on exception cases. The best case is usually for the stored procedure to close all open cursor that it can close in the case of exception. In the case where open cursor is successfully passed, the Java/JDBC code need to handle it like so:

CallableStatement cstmt = conn.prepareCall("SQL...");
ResultSet rs = null;
try {
   rs = // obtain result set here
}catch(Exception ex){
   // handle exception here
}
finally{
   // ensure result set (cursors) are closed
   rs.close();
   // ensure statement is closed here
   cstmt.close();
}

Offline ResultSet

What if you need to use the result set outside the context of the operation? Then use CachedRowSet – Oracle provide a concrete implementation that will work fine, called OracleCachedRowSet. Like so:

// this is where the live cursor is
ResultSet rs;
// define offline container & populate it.
CachedRowSet crs = new OracleCachedRowSet();
crs.populate(rs);

But beware:

• ResultSet can be huge, CachedRowSet is convenient but beware of extracting too many data into the cached rowset. That cache lives in memory, don’t blow it out.
• ResultSet resource lifecycle still need to be maintained as per usual, close if when you’ve done reading.

Corner case: Cursor Spike

It is also possible to encounter ORA-1000 error when a JDBC Connection (Oracle Session) is shared amongst multiple thread of execution. A cursor limit is usually imposed on a given Session – sometimes it is possible that due to high usage of the shared session, the cursor ‘spikes’ and exceeded this limit.

This will give a false impression and could cause database developers and JDBC developers to go round chasing the cause for days, while in fact it is not a code problem, but rather session capacity / provisioning problem.

The solution to this is to implement good logging in both end (JDBC & DB side) to isolate the cause, working with DBAs to categorically record session usage and seeing patterns in which the session is being used.

The ideal solution is to control the Connection sharing via Connection Pools.

The middle way is not found in the fanatics
It is also not found in the ignorant and non-believers.

The middle way is not for the lazy
It is also not found in overwork.

The middle way is more subtle
than the hint of sweetness in a strong black coffee.

It is unimaginably difficult to perceive.
yet for those who have seen it, it can’t not be seen again.

As Buddha say in the lotus Sutra
“The Door to enlightenment is difficult to perceive and impossible to attain”

It is only with constant practice, and determined effort
can one understand one’s true nature

And it is only through understanding of the one true nature
that the universe is subdued.

When this done,
The way that is no way
will be in full play.

this is a very good way of capturing notes on the go. This is done through an application called MaStory. Seriously, is there anything this phone can’t do!?

Btw I am gathering notes on n900 configuration. It will be one hell of a guide once it’s done.

On art & reframing of context

I agree with you – art is not the invention of an object. Art is the expression that captures the perception of the artist towards that object at that moment. In doing so, the work is imbued with the artist’s life state. Such work leaves us in awe because the better the expression, the clearer/easier it is for us to EXPERIENCE that imbued life state.

In doing so, great work of art inspires.

Reflecting on the narrative of Basquat

My immediate emotion after watching the film was sadness.
How is it that a certain narrative comes to define a person’s life?

This is the nature of all phenomena: From thought comes intent. From intent, action. From action, interaction. From interaction, causes are made. From causes, effect/impact on the world.

Simply, our life is our ultimate work of art. That Basquiat’s life inspires sadness is proof that his mind works in that plane. It is very sad indeed because it is unnecessarily so.

Success, Fame and the price you pay.

“Success breeds disappointment, because success and failure are two sides of the same coin” – I disagree with this. I think we are not disappointed by our failure, but rather by our expectation to succeed being unfulfilled.

Basquiat aspires to be famous. He works his ass off to be famous. I imagine that he expect that if he does so, fame will follow. And if fame arrives, happiness will, too. But what if success didn’t come as he wish it to be? What if he is not famous? Well, in this case, he does, but at what cost?

People who base their happiness and “success” on how many of these expectation will materialize will live very unhappy life. Because we don’t control every single event that happens around us. It is such a dangerous and subtle trap. it is like having a hole in your attic. From this hole came one mouse to steal your food. And from where one came, many will follow.

This is why you say from Fame comes Isolation, Impact on one’s character, beliefs and mindset and the terrible fate that awaits the successful artist who can not handle the weight of his own glory.

But the weight and devastation comes not from the fame. It comes from the subtle trap.

So here is a little bit of my buddhism dump. Hope you like it

Cause and Effect

Those who yearn for fame and success,
believing it will bring them happiness
is like an unlit candle who yearn to be
the warmth and illumination in a cold dark room.

Warmth and illumination
are simply by-products of FIRE.
When the fire is alight,
warmth and illumination will follow.

This is the law of cause and effect.
It is very simply, plain common sense.
So focus on the cause, not on the effect.
and light the fire within.

In this way, come what may,
success or no success,
fame or no fame,
acceptance or rejection,

The artist will retain his beauty.
the work will retain his originality.
and his life, his ultimate work of art,
will be sublime.

Oh, and click play here:

java -Xdebug -Xrunjdwp:transport=dt_socket,address=8888,server=y ....

Then, any decent IDE (such as Eclipse) with facility to remote debug a java application will be able to attach into the running process under the specified port (in this case, 8888).

in Eclipse:

• Run > debug configurations > remote java application
• Use standard (socket attach), specify the port
• Attach the project source code
• start debugging

Not a netbeans fan so I don’t know how to work netbeans to do remote debug, but I imagine similar facility should be available.

Wept the Autumn Wind
and all, hundred-thousand
cherry blossom petals,
rains upon the ground.

In awe and admiration,
I observe this change of season.
Oh, heavenly orchestration!
How did you become?

My own self dies
as I realize
the “I”
that was never there

Beautiful is
the heart that appreciates,
the eye that sees
the world as is.

-

written in response to one by Lethe Bashar called ‘The theatre is self-contained‘. Note: tree image is found through google, I didn’t take this picture.

The Ten Factors (10-nyoze)  is a model for conceptualizing the law of cause and effect as expounded by Gautama Buddha in the 2nd chapter of the Lotus Sutra. This note covers my study on understanding its meaning.

To me, to understand Cause and Effect is to understand the very fundamental aspect of this universe. There is not a single atom or particle in this world that does not interact with any other entity. If there is, then such an entity will be unknown to us.

Lotus Sutra – Cause and Effect.

The Lotus Sutra is the final sermon given by Gautama Buddha – unlike other Sutra who is preached by Buddha to answer a given problem, the Lotus Sutra seeks out to enlighten its audience to the ultimate truth. Lotus embodies Cause and Effect due to its nature – it blossoms and plant it seeds at the same time. This signifies that when a Cause is made, the Effect is determined at the same instant.

The law of cause and effect is NOT a system created by Gautama Buddha – he simply realizes it. And to this day, I have not found anything that defies this law.

Ten Factors

They are:

1. Appearance: the external look that is seen by others, the physical aspect of our entity.
2. Nature: our temperament, likes and dislikes and so on – non-physical aspect of our entity.
3. Entity: a complete representation of our life as a being, a combination of (1) and (2).
4. Energy: the internal drive within that propels it to act.
5. Influence: the impact exerted by an entity as a result of the action taken
6. Internal Cause: Is the possibility inherent in our life
7. External Cause: Manifestation of that possibility through an action (thus creating a tangible cause)
8. Latent Effect: Is the effect of the causes made in (7) – that is still unmanifest
9. Manifest Effect: Is manifestation of (8) when it becomes tangible
10. Consistency from beginning to end: a consistent representation of 1-9 at any given moment, embodying the integrity of the law.

Elaboration through example

Character: Appearance, Nature, and Entity.

let’s take a look at this picture (which I obtained from Google Images by querying: ‘kids playing’)

Appearance (1st factor) is simply the aspect of how one living being appears to other living being who can see/hear/feel it. Here, we can see many children holding hands and playing on a grassy playground, under a blue sky. The one on the left, wearing a red jumper, is smiling and appears to be very happy. This is appearance – very simple. But just by looking alone, can you tell his nature? Why is he wearing a red jumper, as opposed to a blue one? Why is he playing with others, as oppose to staying with his parents?

To understand this is to understand the boy’s Nature (2nd factor). Does the boy like to throw tantrum, or will he listen, respect, and learn from his parents? Does he likes playing in the outdoor, is he social, or is he more of the shy type, who shuns other and prefers the company of their parents? These are aspect of an entity that you can not perceive by just looking at them alone. True, some of us have the gift to perceive a lot of information from just the appearance, but this is why we have the term “appearance can be deceiving”.

Now if you have perceived the boy’s Appearance – and if you have spoken to the boy and understood his Nature, then it can be said that you have understood the boy’s Entity (3rd factor).

In summary: My head, my face, my body, by clothes, my glasses are some of the things that made up my appearance. My fashion taste is part of my nature that made me buy the clothes I am wearing today. My mood and preference is what made me wear those clothes today. So you can say that to understand these 2 factors is to understand my entity, or my character.

Action: Energy, Influence

Made up of the following factors: (4) energy, (5) influence

No living being can stop taking action. It is impossible to NOT take action, unless, you are dead. To hold your breath, or to breathe is an action. In fact, if you are facing a crisis and you decide that you don’t want to take any action – that in itself is an action!

We are not a puppet that is controlled and moved by something outside ourselves. We move our own body. We decide what we want to do and we do what we do. Energy (4th factor) is the fuel that drives a living entity to live. You can also call this Free Will.

When you act, you interact with the world. When you type, your hand touches the keyboard – when you take a glass, drank water, and put it down on the table, your hand interact with the glass, and the glass interacts with the table. This interaction causes things around you to change. In other words, your Action, carried as you are fuelled by the Energy within, have caused an Influence (5th factor) to the things around you.

Thus defines your existence in this world.

Cause

Imagine, for example, that you are born into a family with a history of being prone to a particular disease, such as cancer or high blood pressure (Scientist attributes such things to genes).

As you grew up, from a very young age you are raised in an environment that really provokes your interest in music. We can then say that such a person, at any given moment, have the possibility of developing cancer, as well as becoming a rock musician. This possibility is driven by our blueprints, as well as by our everyday life. This possibility is factor (6) – Internal Cause.

These internal cause affects our day to day action. If I have lived a life of negligence and ignorance, I would perhaps not worry about my health at all, and all the more reason to pursue a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll!!

This internal cause of negligence and ignorance would perhaps manifest itself in my decision to take a particular action of drowning myself in drinkin way more than I should drink in a day. But perhaps it would also increases my creativity, and thus my ability to produce better rock music.

When this possibility is manifest in an action, the external cause – factor (7) – is made. And when a cause is made, the effect will follow.

Effect

Let’s follow through from the example set in the section above (cause) . Obviously concerned friends and family members would gave sound advice to my over-drinking life, to take it easy and not drink so much. But the moment I decided that I don’t want to listen to them and I want to drink as much as I want to, when I want to, then the inherent effect (factor is already made. No human can calculate what this inherent effect will be – if you can, then perhaps you have attained enlightenment (in which case, congrats!)

Perhaps one day my liver will blow, or perhaps I will get into an accident from drink-driving. All of this are inhenrent, they have not happened yet. But sooner or later it will – it is only a matter of time.

When the inherent effect DID manifest – then it is called the Manifest Event, which is factor number (9). At here, you can say that I have reaped the effect of the cause I have mad ein the past: a life full of over-drinking and not listening to sound advice from friends and family!

Is to refine himself by quietude,
and develop virtue by frugality.
Without detachment there is no way to clarify the will;
without serenity there is no way to get far.

Talent requires study,
study requires calm,
Without study there is no way to expand talent,
without calm there is no way to accomplish study.

If you laze, you cannot do thorough research;
if you are impulsive, you cannot govern your nature.
If your will is not strong,
if your thought does not oppose injustice,

You will fritter away, your life stuck in the commonplace,
silently submitting to the bonds of emotion,
forever cowering before mediocrities,
never escaping the downward flow.

Aspiration should remain lofty and far-sighted,
look to the precedents of the wise;
Be patient in tight situations as well as easy one,
eliminate all pettiness!

Seek knowledge by questioning widely,
set aside aversion and reluctance.

What loss is there in dignity,
what worry is there of failure?

Zhuge Liang and the essay

Wikipedia Entry:

Zhuge Liang (traditional Chinese: 諸葛亮; simplified Chinese: 诸葛亮; pinyin: Zhūgě Liàng, 181–234) was Chancellor of Shu Han during the Three Kingdoms period of China. He is often recognised as the greatest and most accomplished strategist of his era.^[1]

Often depicted wearing a robe and holding a fan made of crane feathers,^[2] Zhuge was not only an important military strategist and statesman; he was also an accomplished scholar and inventor. His reputation as an intelligent and learned scholar grew even while he was living in relative seclusion, earning him the nickname “Wòlóng” (臥龍, or “Sleeping Dragon”).

Zhuge is an uncommon two-character compound family name. His name – even his surname alone – has become synonymous with intelligence and tactics in Chinese culture.

The ‘poetry’ above is an appendage of two letters that are sent out by Zhuge Liang to his nephew and his son on his dying days (which I found in the intro to The Way Of The Generals)

Combining the two letters together and rearranging the sentences and prose, I ended up with a poetry whose title is derived from the first line in the letter,’the practice of a cultivated man’.