Win a free copy of Halo 3:ODST

A contest from the Star.

Win a copy of Halo 3: ODST!

You read the review, now play the game. Just answer two simple questions and you stand a chance to snag a copy of Halo 3: ODST for the Xbox 360, courtesy of Gamer’s Hideout Sdn Bhd (www.gamershideout.com.my).

Submit your entries by Oct 26 to techcentral@istar.com.my. Only one entry per contestant, please. Multiple entries will be disqualified.

Don’t forget to include your full name as per MyKad, MyKad number, address and contact number.

Here are the questions:

1. Which of the following actors provides the voice for the character Buck in Halo 3: OSDT? a. Adam Baldwin b. Nathan Fillian c. Joseph Staten d. Nolan North

2. Tie breaker: Come up with the wackiest, most original acronym for the letters ODST.

Rules & Regulations:

1.This contest is open to all residents of Malaysia.

2.Prizes are not exchangeable for cash and the organiser reserves the right to exchange the prize with that of a similar value without prior notice.

3.Staff of Star Publications (M) Bhd or its affiliate companies and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

4.The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entertained.

5.The winner will be notified via e-mail.

6.The prize will only be mailed if the winner is from outside the Klang Valley. TechCentral will not be liable for damage and/or loss during the transit.

7.For more information, please e-mail us at techcentral@istar.com.my

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/10/9/prodit/20091009114932&sec=prodit

Intel Core i5 in Malaysia

Core i7 is the latest Processor from Intel but is not within the budgets of many people.

The Core i5 was created for people who want a similar experience for a slightly lower price.

It's still expensive but you still save money.

Intel’s new Cores are out





NEW: The Intel Core i5-750 processor, featuring the new LGA 1156 socket.

PETALING JAYA: INTEL recently announced the release of several new microprocessors based on the company’s Nehalem microarchitecture.

Intel Core i5-750 box

The new processors, namely the Core i7-870 (2.93Ghz), Core i7-860 (2.80GHz) and Core i5-750 (2.66GHz), come with 8MB of Intel SmartCache, integrated PCIe controllers and an all-new LGA 1156 socket.

The new socket means that users who wish to upgrade will need to buy a whole new motherboard, specifically one based on the new Intel P55 chipset.

All three are quad-core processors and the biggest difference between the Core i7 series and the Core i5 is that the Core i7 supports Intel’s HyperThreading technology while the Core i5 does not.

HyperThreading can significantly enhance the performance of supported applications (such as video encoding and transcoding) by allowing each core to be treated as two processors instead of one by the operating system. This thereby allows up to eight processing threads to be shared amongst the four physical cores and four virtual cores, Intel said.

According to Intel Malaysia country manager Ryaz Patel, the lower price point of the Core i5 family means that a consumer can get a high-performance quad-core system for as low as RM2,199. — TAN KIT HOONG

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www.intel.com

http://star-techcentral.com/tech/story.asp?file=/2009/9/23/technology/20090923171437&sec=technology

Grape Vineyard in Malaysia

This is not a joke or hoax.

We can and have grapes growing in Malaysia.

Read on:

Duo growing grapes in Sendayan

By C.S.NATHAN

GRAPES here? That can’t be possible. That’s the response I got after telling friends of my visit to the Sendayan Fruit Valley — a vineyard and orchard located on a 20ha site, practically in my own backyard.

But for software engineer turned grape grower Azrul Nazim Abd Aziz, it was the question of “Why not?,” that encouraged him to try his hand at cultivating grapes here.

“In Thailand, they have been growing grapes for decades so why not here? After all, we share the same climate.

Good crop: Azrul (right) and Baumann showing off the fruits of their labour.

“No doubt we may not be able to cultivate a large variety but we can still churn out good-quality grapes for local consumption,” he said.

Azrul, the managing director of A-WINN Global Market Services said he approached grape growers in Thailand for their expertise in the field before setting up his first vineyard.

“We started off a few years back on a plot of land in Selangor. With Thai know-how, we experimented with different varieties of grape until we had a winning formula for sweet table grapes.

“Once we were confident of a good product, we started scouting for land and that is when we decided to set up in Sendayan,” he said.

The vineyard is just a 20-minute drive from Seremban’s town centre (about 80km south of Kuala Lumpur), located on land leased from the state government.

Growing well: Two-month-old grape vines at the vineyard.

Set up in 2007 and aiming to produce grapes on a commercial scale, Sendayan Fruit Valley is neither the first nor the only vineyard in the country but Azrul believes the high investment cost may be a deterrent for many other hopeful grape-growers.

“There are a couple of small-scale vineyards here but not many people are willing to take a chance on cultivating grapes commercially. Costs are high and we ourselves have put in about RM6mil into the business.

“The bulk of the costs were chanelled into research and development and we spend about RM10,000 monthly on labour, maintenance and equipment,” he said.

However, the 35-year-old is pleased with his venture and has no regrets despite the many challenges he faced in the beginning.

“It took some time to get it right but that first harvest makes it all worth it. It’s a very satisfying labour of love.

Currently, the vineyard is home to 6,000 grapevines with four varieties namely the black opal, shiraz and black pearl — all dark grapes and the white malaga, a green variety.

For a start, the grapes are harvested twice a year and 1,000 vines yield about three tonnes (3,000kg) of grapes which works out to an average of 30 tonnes (30,000kg) per year.

Yield is also dependent on the variety of grape as the size of the fruit differs.

At present, less than half of the land is used for grapes and Azrul is sure production will leapfrog once more vines are put in.

“By the middle of next year, we hope to have a continuous supply of grapes all year-round. Grapes are grown in a cycle and it takes about a year from seedling to fruit.

“We are also growing mangoes, lychee, dragonfruit, guava, bidara (Chinese apple) and longan here among others so there’ll be quite a harvest of fruit,” he said.

Azrul is assisted by his Swiss-Thai project director Arthur Baumann @ Adil Mustafa Abdullah, 49, who is just as passionate about growing grapes as he is.

In fact, Baumann had been growing grapes in Thailand for over a decade before he was roped in to help.

“I jumped at the chance as my wife is Malaysian and had wanted to come back for a long time,” he said.

Grapes need tender loving care to grow well and for that Azrul has employed four local women, whose job it is to check on the vines daily.

There are no machines involved as the grapes have to be picked entirely by hand.

Another five people including two Thais work on the vineyard full-time while Azrul and Baumann make weekly trips to check on its progress.

For a taste of these locally-produced grapes, consumers have to visit the vineyard as they are not in the market just yet.

“Our grapes are much cheaper than the imported varieties plus it is good for you. Pesticides are kept to the minimum and we use our own organic fertiliser,” said Baumann.

Bonsai grapes and grape seedlings — starter kits for aspiring home grape-growers are also for sale at the vineyard.

Although the vineyard does not resemble its Napa or Loire valley counterparts in the Napa or Loire just yet, it is still a nice place to visit for a change of scenery and a taste of made-in-Malaysia grapes.

Both Azrul and Baumann hope that the Sendayan Fruit Valley will become an agro-tourism site where visitors can come and pick their own fruit and have picnics among the vines.

“Now, all we have to do is wait for the trees to mature and to provide a cosy spot for picnickers and the like. That’s what this is really - a sort of orchard, only with grapes instead of durian.

“You’ll not find a combination like this anywhere else,” said Azrul.

As for me, a visit to the vineyard with my friends are on the cards — nothing else will wipe the disbelief off their faces than a taste of one of those sweet crunchy Sendayan Fruit Valley grapes.

To buy grapes from the vineyard, contact 016-228 8819 (Arthur Baumann) or 012-376 4751 (Farah).

http://thestar.com.my/metro/story.asp?file=/2009/9/17/central/4713021&sec=central

Friday a holiday for all schools

PETALING JAYA: All schools will be given a special holiday on Friday, Sept 18 in conjunction with the Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebrations, which is expected to fall on either Sunday or next Monday.

Education Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said the Cabinet made the decision to enable parents to make plans for their families to travel earlier to their hometowns and avoid traffic jams.

“This decision covers all schools and educational institutions under the Education Ministry,” he said in a statement.

Muhyiddin who is also the deputy prime minister, said the decision meant the ministry’s earlier circular on additional holidays for Hari Raya Aidilfitri was revoked.

Taken from:

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/16/nation/20090916174640&sec=nation

Hari Raya Cheer: Toll Discounts

Selamat Hari Raya to those who are celebrating!

Toll discounts for motorists during Hari raya

PETALING JAYA: The North-South Highway Project (PLUS) will be offering up to 20 percent discount on toll charges to Class 1 motorists using the North-South Expressway and ELITE in conjunction with Aidilfitri celebrations.

PLUS Expressways Chief Operations Officer Nik Airina Nik Jaffar said the discount would be valid from midnight to 7am on Sept 16, 17, 18, 22, 24 and 25.

"The discount will be an addition to the current 10 percent discount enjoyed by Class 1 motorists using both highways at off-peak hours daily," she said at a news conference, here Friday.

Nik Airina also advised motorists to follow the Proposed Travel Schedule which was introduced by PLUS Expressways two years ago.

He said the schedule enforced was for six days starting on Sept 18, 19, 22, 23, 26 and 27.

"We expect the traffic volume on our highways, especially the North-South Expressway, to shoot up to 1.3 million vehicles during peak hours compared to the usual 1 million vehicles on normal days," she said.

"We hope motorists will follow the schedule which has been proven to contribute to smooth flowing traffic on the highway.

"We will distribute the schedule to motorists starting next week at all main toll plazas nationwide," she said.

She added that around 2,500 PLUS personnel and 400 policemen and members of the St Johns Ambulance will be stationed at toll plazas and rest and service areas along the highway to deal with the increasing traffic. - Bernama

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/11/nation/20090911195047&sec=nation

Proposal in newspapers

What would you do if it happened to you?

I saw an advertisement in the Star today using the movie "The Proposal" as the main idea.

I thought it was fake until I saw in Loywat.net that this is TRUE.

I think a lot of girls will like it.

I'm a guy so all I think about is the money spent on this.

PS.You can see this at a Billboard in Tropicana City Mall going towards highway.

The boyfriend has too much money.

Malaysia Boleh:Malaysian is top English student at London varsity

Malaysian is top English student at London varsity

Who thought it could be possible?

KUALA LUMPUR: A 21-year-old has done Malaysia proud when she was adjudged top student in English at the University of London’s Queen Mary College recently.

Adelina Raisa Sufian, who obtained a Bachelor of Arts (English) degree with first class honours, won the coveted 2009 Westfield Trust Prize for outstanding academic achievement in English at the university last month.

Commenting on her achievement, Adelina attributed her success to encouragement from her parents, businessman Datuk Sufian Majid and Datin Alissa Fitri.

Top scorer: Adelina (left) posing for a photo with friends after she won the Westfield Trust Prize at the University of London recently. — Bernama

“I set a target throughout my study,” she said. “Most importantly, we must have the determination and confidence to succeed.

“I am glad that I was able to compete with native speakers of English, as well as students from other countries,” she told Ber- nama.

Adelina, who is also an accomplished pianist, has represented Queen Mary College in choir and mathematics competitions.

While pursuing higher education at the Oakham School, Britain, in 2004, she won the Headmaster’s Prize and was adjudged top student in Mathematics, English and Chemistry.

On her future, Adelina said she planned to write, pursue a Master’s degree and work in Malaysia.

“I love my country,” she added.

Taken from

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/8/nation/4670488&sec=nation

Malaysia Boleh:McCurry Bests McDonald's

US' McDonald's loses trademark fight against M'sian McCurry

Wow, I don't believe it but it's true. I guess it is possible to beat an international company in a lawsuit.
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PUTRAJAYA: US fast food giant McDonald’s lost an eight-year trademark battle to prevent local restaurant
McCurry from using the ‘Mc’ prefix in a precedent-setting judgment by Malaysia’s highest court.

The Federal Court ruled Tuesday that McDonald’s cannot appeal against another court’s verdict that had allowed McCurry to use ‘Mc’ in its name. The owner says McCurry, which serves Indian food, is an abbreviation for Malaysian Chicken Curry.

The ruling by a three-member panel of the Federal Court ends all legal avenues for McDonald’s to protect its name from what it said was a trademark infringement.

File pic shows McCurry restaurant owner, P. Suppiah, putting the 'c' back onto the signboard of his shop on April 30 after winning the earlier court case. The simple gesture marked the end of an eight-year David and Goliath court case against US fastfood giant McDonalds to keep the name of his Indian restaurant located on Jalan Ipoh. Starpic by Ibrahim Mohtar

“On the basis of unanimous decision, our view is that” McDonald’s plea to carry the case forward has no merit, said chief judge Arifin Zakaria. “It is unfortunate that we have to dismiss the application with costs,” he said.

McDonald’s will have to pay RM10,000 to McCurry, a popular eatery in Jalan Ipoh on the edge of Kuala Lumpur’s downtown. McDonald’s lawyers refused to comment, except to say the company will abide by the judgment.

McCurry lawyer Sri Devi Nair said the ruling means McDonald’s does not have a monopoly on the prefix ‘Mc,’ and that other restaurants could also use it as long as they distinguish their food from McDonald’s.

“This is a precedent for everyone to follow,” he said.

A view of the McCurry shop. - Star file pic

A three-member Appeal Court panel had ruled in favour of McCurry Restaurant in April this year when it overturned a 2006 high court ruling that had upheld McDonald’s contention.

Arifin said McDonald’s lawyers were unable to point out faults in the Appeal Court judgment, which had said there was no evidence to show that McCurry was passing off McDonald’s business as its own. The Appeals Court also said McDonald’s cannot claim an exclusive right to the ‘Mc’ prefix in the country.

McDonald’s asked the Federal Court for permission to appeal against that decision but was denied Tuesday.

“We are very much relieved. We hope to expand. This is what we wanted to do from the beginning and we were stalled for eight years,” said A.M.S.P. Suppiah, the owner of McCurry.

“I am so happy ... we have nothing in similarity with them at all. That’s how we have felt all this while,” said his wife, Kanageswary Suppiah.

The Appeal Court said McCurry’s signboard has white and grey letters against a red background with a picture of a smiling chicken giving a double thumbs-up, in contrast to McDonald’s red and yellow “M” logo. McCurry also serves only Indian food, not competing with McDonald’s Western menu, the court said.

McDonald’s began operations in Malaysia in 1982 and has 137 outlets in the country. -- AP

Taken from
http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/9/8/business/20090908111316&sec=business