Aperture and F-Number

In photography, Aperture refers to how big the lens hole opens for the light to travel across. High aperture means big hole, and low aperture means small hole. Controling aperture stop of the photographic lens means controling the amount of light reaching the film or image sensor.

F-Number or F-Stop
In our DSLR, f-number is used to describe the aperture of a lens. Please be aware that the f-number and the aperture level have inverse relationship. What is that mean?
Small f-number = High aperture
Large f-number = Low aperture
F-number or aperture also explain the speed of the lens. Higher aperture (Smaller f-number) has better lens speed. Professional Zoom Lens with aperture f2.8 is faster than the Normal Zoom Lens with aperture f3.5-f5.6.

How to read the lens aperture?
If you have a 18-55mm, f3.5-5.6 lens, it doesn’t mean that maximum aperture is f3.5 and the minimum is f5.6. However, it describes the maximum aperture vary with the focal length.
Focal length = 18mm; Maximum aperture = f3.5 
(Range is about f3.5 to f22)
Focal length = 55mm; Maximum aperture = f5.6 
(Range is about f5.6 to f22)
If you see a 18-200mm, f2.8 lens, it means the maximum aperture is f2.8 no matter the focal length is 18mm or increased to 200mm.

What can Aperture do for us?
1. Background Blur
Under a same focal length and camera distance from the shooting object, high aperture can increase the background blur, low aperture can decrease the background blur.
*Using manual focus has greater control to create foreground blur or background blur.

2. Increasing Shutter Speed
Under a same ISO level and lighting condition, high aperture can increase the camera’s shutter speed. In contrast, small aperture decrease camera’s shutter speed.
*When the light is not enough, maximize the aperture/minimize the f-number (shutter speed increased) can decrease the probability of blur picture output.

Now you can try to use the Aperture Priority mode (A or Av) and snap some objects with different aperture, then see the effects... ^ ^

Shutter Speed

What produce a photograph? The very basic 3 elements combination for camera setting is Shutter Speed, Aperture and ISO (Light Sensitivity), creating various parameters of an exposure. And, we called it exposure triangle.

So what is shutter speed?
Shutter speed is the time length for our camera use to take a photograph, or the duration when we press on the shutter button until the camera releases it.
In technical aspect, shutter speed is a term used to discuss exposure time:
- The effective length of time a camera's shutter or lens is open.
- Duration of light reaching the film or image sensor.
There are different shutter speed in DSLR such as 1/1000s, 1/500s, 1/250s, 1/125s, 1/60s, 1/30s, 1/15s, 1/8s, 1/4s, 1/2s, 1s and so on. And, the “s” means “second”.
1/60s means “1 divide by 60” second or 0.016667 second shutter duration.

What can shutter speed do?
Fast shutter speed can freeze the moment and slow shutter speed can create blur motion in a photograph.

Let’s see some examples below:

Got it? Get your camera and test withome shot! Good luck...
Note: Keep the shutter speed at 1/lens focal length or faster to minimize hand shake.

Photoshop Shortcuts For Beginners

Changing Workspace: Window Tab -> Workspace -> Basic or Legacy

Create New Document: Crtl + N

Zoom In: Ctrl + Space + Left Click

Zoom Out: Ctrl + Alt + Space + Left Click

Moving Art board (When Art board is zoom until larger than screen): Space + Left Click & Drag

Fit On Screen: Ctrl + 0

Viewing Actual Pixel: Ctrl + Alt + 0

Image Size: Ctrl + Alt + I

Canvas Size: Ctrl + Alt + C

Switching Foreground & Background Color: X

Move Tool: V

Type Tool: T

Create New Layer: Ctrl + Shift + N

Duplicate Layer: Ctrl + J

Delete Layer: Select Layer + Delete Button

Undo (Step Backward): Ctrl + Alt + Z

Redo (Step Forward): Ctrl + Shift + Z

Save As (New File / Other File Formats): Shift + Ctrl + S

Open Document: Ctrl + O

Let's practice it and make our photo editing and design more efficient!
Click here to download Adobe Photoshop CS3 Full Version Keyboard Shortcuts (PC)

The Four Main Modes in DSLR

Before we see the four main modes, let’s have some basic understanding on the scene modes.

Scene modes such as Landscape, Night, Macro, Portraits, Sports, Sunset and so on are the modes preprogrammed by the manufacturer to automatically give the best exposure and settings for each scene. Sometimes we call it Auto Modes because we just need to select the scene and let the camera adjust the setting combination automatically.
To read more about Scene Modes, please click here.

PASM Modes
The four main modes, sometimes abbreviated "PASM", are Program, Aperture Priority, Shutter Priority and Manual. Normally you can found it in the manual guide when you purchase a new DSLR.

So what are the differences?
P: Program mode has the camera calculate both shutter speed and aperture (given a manually or automatically selected ISO). The difference between Program mode and Full Auto mode is that in program mode, only the exposure is automatic, while other camera settings (e.g., shooting mode, exposure compensation, flash) can be set manually; in Full Auto mode everything is automatic.

A or Av: Aperture priority or 'Aperture value' enables manual control of the aperture, and shutter speed is calculated by the camera for proper exposure (given an ISO sensitivity).

S or Tv: Shutter priority or 'Time value' enables manual control of the shutter speed, and aperture is calculated by the camera for proper exposure (given an ISO sensitivity).

M: Manual mode both shutter speed and aperture and independently set manually (with ISO sensitivity also set manually), where proper image exposure requires accurate manual adjustment.

There are some less commonly seen modes like:
- Sv (Sensitivity Priority or ISO Priority)
- DEP (DEPth of Field Mode)
- A-DEP (Automatic DEPth of Field Mode)

These modes are only available with certain brands and models.
*Source from Wikipedia.org

Warren Buffet - The Legendary Investor

There was an interview on CNBC with Warren Buffet, the third richest man (2nd Richest before 2010) who has donated over $31 billion to charity.

What can we know about his life? 
Here are some very interesting aspects of his life:
1. He bought his first share at age 11 and he now regrets that he started too late!

2. He bought a small farm at age 14 with savings from delivering newspapers.

3. He still lives in the same small 3-bedroom house in mid-town Omaha, that he bought after he got married 50 years ago. He says that he has everything he needs in that house. His house does not have a wall or a fence.

4. He drives his own car everywhere and does not have a driver or security people around him.

5. He never travels by private jet, although he owns the world's largest private jet company.

6. His company, Berkshire Hathaway, owns 63 companies. He writes only one letter each year to the CEOs of these companies, giving them goals for the year. He never holds meetings or calls them on a regular basis. He has given his CEO's only two rules. Rule number 1: do not lose any of your share holder's money. Rule number 2: Do not forget rule number 1.

7. He does not socialize with the high society crowd. His past time after he gets home is to make himself some pop corn and watch television.

8. Bill Gates, the world's richest man met him for the first time only 5 years ago. Bill Gates did not think he had anything in common with Warren Buffet. So he had scheduled his meeting only for half hour. But when Gates met him, the meeting lasted for ten hours and Bill Gates became a devotee of Warren Buffet.

9. Warren Buffet does not carry a cell phone, nor has a computer on his desk.


Buffet's Advices to Young People:
"Stay away from credit cards and invest in yourself and remember:
1. Money doesn't create man but it is the man who created money.
2. Live your life as simple as you are.
3. Don't do what others say, just listen them, but do what you feel good.
4. Don't go on brand name; just wear those things in which u feel comfortable.
5. Don't waste your money on unnecessary things; just spend on them who really in need rather.
6. After all it's your life then why give chance to others to rule our life."

Why I Love Universiti Utara Malaysia

Universiti Utara Malaysia is an interesting university! Why? See the pictures and you will understand! 

When Ultraman standing behind Dewan MAS

Should play movies during semester break

Kamen Rider visiting Chancellory

Ip Man 3?

Legend of the Fist: Return of Chen Zhen (to UUM)

Who am I? I'm UUM Spiderman

The scene in Transformer 4: Transforming University

Hopefully this will not happen

Kitty at EDC Hotel

Sometimes can listen to Barack Obama's speech

Pikachu is on Chancellory

Now I think I will miss my university always after graduate... ^ ^
Do share it with your UUM friends!

Pulau Payar Marine Park (Go Green Tourism)

I was invited to Rainforest of the Sea Discovery review trip at Pulau Payar Marine Park by Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd. The trip was participated by a group of Penang bloggers who are Calvyn, Sherming, Kelvin, Luporti and Kellaw.

We departed at 8.30am from Penang Jetty to Pulau Payar. It tooks around two hours to reach there. We reached a Langkawi Coral platform, but not Pulau Payar beach. A briefing session about the time and activities was given to us and the tourists.

Pulau Payar Marine Park is rich with underwater splendours from gorgeous gardens with enchanting corals to colourful marine life with vast diversity of species and varieties.

What can you do there?

Swimming and Snorkeling – Viewing the coral and fish under the sea.

Scuba Diving (Additional Charge) - Dive in the deep sea level, using a scuba set to breathe underwater 

Underwater Observatory – Watching fishes under the platform.

Fishes Feeding – Throwing bread to sea to feed to fishes.

Sun Bathing or Beach Walk at the Pulau Payar beach.

Fishes like the bread so much, is their favorite foods. It should be brought to the marine park. Once we throw the bread to the sea, there were many fishes coming to get their foods. Compared to Pulau Redang, Pulau Payar marine park has more fishes. There are many small sharks too, and I never met even one in Pulau Redang last year.

Buffet Lunch are included in this trip package. The foods include fried rice, spaghetti, soup, salads and some snack. Besides that, there is no accomodation in Pulau Payar, the tourists can either go to Pulau Langkawi or Pulau Pinang after the day trip at Pulau Payar marine park.

Soap and shampoo are not allowed to protect the lives and the natural marine park. This trip package promote Go Green Tourism, environmentally responsible travel to natural areas to appreciate nature and promote conservation, and sustain the well being of local people.
*Langkawi Coral is the name of a Go Green Tourism Project at Pulau Payar Marine Park, managed by Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd.

This Rainforest of Sea Discovery review trip is sponsored by
Langkawi Saga Travel & Tours Sdn Bhd
16, Jalan Tanjung Bungah, 11200 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Tel : 604-899 8822
Email: sales@langkawicoral.com
Website: http://www.langkawicoral.com

Canon vs Nikon (Buying DSLR)

Using DSLR (Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera) is a recent trend and causing many people want to own one and taking good picture. When beginners want to buy DSLR, they ask: Which brand I should buy? Canon or Nikon?

Personally, I have faced this question for many times. This is not a good question when we want to buy DSLR, so my answer is “No Answer”. Both of them are good and have their own competitive advantage. Today Canon and Nikon battle for the top spot in the SLR market, while Olympus, Pentax and Sony duke it out for a position in third.

Of course we know that the purpose of buying DSLR is taking picture, but the question is what kind of picture you like?

Some people like to take picture outdoor (vacation or landscape), some people like to shoot models (portrait) and some people like to take photo indoor (events or wedding). The choice of DLSR should be suite to type of photo you like. And, the lens and flash (speed light) will affect your picture output too. There are many genre of photography such as Portraits, Candid, Street, Landscape, Sports, Nature, Travel, Wedding, Events, Stage, Food, Product, Macro and so on. Hence, understand the type of picture you like is essential before buying DSLR.

A good question when you want to buy DLSR should be: “I like to take XXX pictures, which model I should buy?” instead of “I want to take good picture, which brand I should buy?”
Oh ya... you need to deal with your budget too!

I understand that people want to know about the differences between Canon vs. Nikon. My tip is don’t ask the DSLR beginners and the camera promoters to differentiate the brands for you. You should listen to the professional photographers who have tried both brands and discover photography for many years (at least 5 years).  Only these photographers have the experience and eligible to talk about the review.

I’ve found some good reviews from experienced photographers for Canon and Nikon. They have tried both and their reviews are useful for people who want to know about the Nikon DLSR and Canon DSLR.
*Must compare same level of different brand DSLR, eg: Entry level, Amatuer DSLR, Semi-Pro DSLR, else, you won't get a accurate comparison result! 

These are the links:
1. http://www.digital-slr-guide.com/canon-vs-nikon.html
2. http://www.digitalphotographywriter.com/

According to Willy Foo (Technopreneur, Photographer, Marketer) from Singapore, Nikon DSLR have better flash control, vibrant colors and well designed body. Canon DSLR have better Pro lens like TS-E lenses and more natural colors.

So, if you are interested (now or in the future) of taking a lot of photos using flash instead of natural light, then go with Nikon. Nikon has done a great deal of work to ensure that their cameras communicate well with their flashes - something Nikon calls the "Creative Lighting System" or CLS for short. However, everyone has their own preference on both brands.

Every Photographer Must Believe
Finally, no matter what brand & camera you are using, remember that every camera can take good picture, it depends on how you utilize your the camera, your creativity, the environment and so on. Think creatively, you can take good picture even with a iPhone camera or digital camera.

I will write about the setting of DSLR in my next post. Stay tuned…

China's No.1 Billionaire Philanthropist

Name: Chen Guang Biao
Nett Worth: 5 Billion Yuan
Source: Recycling, Construction Waste
Company: Jiangsu Huangpu Renewable Resources Utilisation Ltd
Position: President
Donated: 1.3 Billion Yuan

Chen Guangbiao, a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, and a very good role model for entrepreneurs. He likes to help the needy community and concern very much about the environmental problems. He said that he is willing to donate all of his wealth to charity funds in China when he dies. Besides that, he has also persuaded more than 100 entrepreneurs to donate all their personal wealth.

Watch the following interview session with Chen Guangbiao and you will know more about him.
Interview Session - Part 1 (English Sub.)


Interview Session - Part 2  (English Sub.)

Ferringhi Garden (Penang)

Thanks to my girl friend, Tiffany Lo. During my 23rd Birthday, she brought me to Ferringhi Garden, having dinner together. It was a little birthday celebration for me.

Ferringhi Garden – Malaysia Cuisine, Seafood and Steak, has been awarded the cleanest and most pleasant restaurant in Penang. The environment is super good, using the natural plant as decoration, using wooden design for the building, and playing soft music. It creates a nature environment for the customers, giving them a feeling of enjoying meal in the pretty jungle.

In this high standard of environment, the foods and beverage are not really expansive, I think that it is standard with their nature garden environment. Depends on what you order, for example, a pasta and a fish&chip, it cost around RM25.00 and RM35.00 respectively and it is big enough for one person.

How to go?
Ferringhi Restaurant is near to Batu Ferringhi Beach. If you know The Ship and Park Royal Hotel, you can find Ferringi Garden too.
If you come from Gurney Drive, find the way to Batu Ferringhi. When you pass Batu Ferringhi , look for The Ship (A big ship restaurant on your right). Ferringhi Garden is 500m ahead. They have a signboard, it would be helpful for you.
There is a car park behind Ferringhi Garden. It is only for their customers.
*Early reservation has to be made.
Tel: 604-881 1193
Fax: 604-881 1195

Many people has post the review on their blog. Hence, if you want to read more about it, I have prepared some links to the blog post about Ferringhi Garden!

Here are the links:

1. Malaysian Foodie

2. Trip Advisor

3. More Photos of Ferringhi Garden Restaurant

I Love Yoo!

I’m taking Franchising Management subject this semester. During the presentation period, there was a group interview I Love Yoo in Sunway Carnival Mall, and presenting about I Love Yoo in the class. I just realized this brand and restaurant, it is a franchise business too. After few weeks, I visited Sunway Carnival Mall, then looking for I Love Yoo to taste their foods.

The core product of I Love Yoo is You Tiao, Chinese food, some people call it Yau Zha Guai (Cantonese), and it is bread stick. Normally, You Tiao is breakfast food, eat together with porridge.

Beside You Tiao, they are selling Butterfly Bun, Fried Bun, Sesame Ball and Mix Bun. The price is RM1.40 per pack.

There are also Dry Scallop Porridge and Dry Oyster Peanut Porridge, the price is RM2.90 per pack.

You can try the You Tiao + Porridge package or You Tiao + Soya Drink package. The price is RM3.90.

The beverage include Tau Fu Fa, Soya Drinks, Liong Fun, Hainan Coffee and White Coffee.

The foods are delicious and prices are not too expansive, you can have a try there. I suggest that you can visit with a group of friends, so that you can order more different foods and taste all of it.

How to go?
For penangites, there are outlets at Sunway Carnival Mall lower ground floor and Queensbay Mall too.
If want to know about the other outlets in other places, you may check out at their website. Click here!

The following funny video is the Ah Beng You Tiao Production in I Love Yoo!.

Visit the official website of I Love Yoo if you want to know more.

This is the website address: http://iloveyoo.com.my/

Photography Glossary (Starting of New Topic)

Soon from now, I’ll increase the topic in my blog. I’m going to blog about photography. For people who would like to learn about photography and DSLR from the basic, you are welcomed to visit my blog.
For the beginning, I post about the photography glossary. It would be helpful if you understand the short form of the terms because you can understand what other photographers talk about easily.

These are some important Photography Glossary
DSLR - Digital Single Lens Reflex Camera

SLR - Single Lens Reflex Camera

PSAM / PASM Modes - Camera Modes: Program/Shutter/Aperture/Manual

AF / MF - Auto Focus / Manual Focus

Shutter Speed - Length of time a shutter is open

Aperture - Size of opening in lens to allow light into camera

ISO - Sensitivity of Sensor or  International Standards Organisation

F. Number - A number describing the inverse relation to the Aperture. Small F number E.g. F2.8 has a bigger aperture than F5.6

EV - Exposure Value or Exposure Compensation Value

Focal Length - Level of 'zoom' of the lens (ie. 35mm)

DOF - Depth of Field

Bokeh - Out of focus backgrounds (Background blur)

IS / VR - Image Stabilisation / Vibration Reduction

RGB - Red, Green, Blue

CMYK - Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, Key (Black)

WB - White Balance (Colour Model)

CCD - Charge Coupled Device (Image Sensor)

CMOS  - Complementary Metal–Oxide–Semiconductor, Image Sensor capable of High ISO

CF Card - Compact Flash (Memory Card)

SD Card - Secure Digital Memory Card

JPG / JPEG - Joint Photographic Experts Group (Image Type)

TIF / TIFF - Tagged Image File Format (Image Type)

Pixel - One of the many dots that form an image

MP - Megapixel (or one million Pixels)

DPI / PPI - Dots Per Inch / Pixels Per Inch

If you want to know more about it, you can go to Wikipedia or Google and search for the information.
Next post will be about the myth of Brand – Canon vs Nikon
Stay Tuned... ^ ^

Legendary Nasi Lemak in Changloon

I heard about there is a very nice Nasi Lemak stall at Changloon since semester two. Finally, I tried it in my final semester that means after two years.

So, what is the “Legend”?
What I heard about the Legendary Nasi Lemak is:
The Nasi Lemak is very very delicious and their business is very good. You have to go around 5am morning to eat. The Nasi Lemak will be sold out after 6am. If you go after 6am, then please come on the next day.
After hearing the legend, normally people will say “Is it really so delicious? I must try it one day, but can I wake up?!”

The Nasi Lemak smells good, taste good too. However, about the add-on foods for Nasi Lemak, some of them are delicious, some are not. It tastes too salty. For girls, they may don’t like it because it is fat (lemak) for them, can only try a little bit in order to take care of their body shape.

I asked the boss, what is the time your stall open? And, this is the fact. The boss told me that they open at 5am until 3pm, the best time you come to eat Nasi Lemak is 6am because they will prepare more foods for Nasi Lemak. Besides Nasi Lemak, they are selling Roti Canai too. That means it is not closed at 6am and Nasi Lemak will not sold out at 6am. I found that most of the customers are UUM students especially Malay students.

Where is the Nasi Lemak Stall?
First of all, please don’t go on Friday, they do not open on Friday.
The stall is located on the way from Universiti Utara Malaysia to Changloon Town. It is about the middle of these two places. If you depart from UUM, it is on your left.
Once you pass EDC hotel, drive around 2-3 minutes ahead. There is a 30 degree junction. It is the first stall after enter the junction. If you go at 6am, I think it is the only stall open, you should have seen them since they turn on the light. After enjoying the Nasi Lemak breakfast, it's time to see sunrise!
*Refer to the picture below, so you can have some idea on how it looks like. It is the Nasi Lemak stall. The picture was taken at 6.30pm. It will be safe if your survey the place before you go!

Thailand’s McDonald's

I’m Lovin It – a very familiar slogan for everyone! Yea! That’s McDonald’s!

I have visited McDonald’s at Hatyai, Thailand few months ago. I couldn’t see any McDonald’s in Danok, so I think it is nearest Thai McDonald’s from Malaysia. Due to the demographic and cultural difference, the Thai McDonald’s has been modified to suite to the local market, same goes to China McDonald’s, and McDonald’s in other countries.

What are the differences?

There are many differences between McDonald’s in Thailand and Malaysia. For example: the menu is different, using Thai and English language. The chili sauce is Thai Chili, color is more transparent. The McFlurry Cup is smaller compared to Malaysia. The shape and packaging design of drink container is different too.

McDonald’s has some same foods with McDonald’s in Malaysia and other countries. However, there are also some set meals which we can’t get it in Malaysia expect during festival or promotion period. And, these are Double Filet Set, Double Cheese Burger and Double Big Mac. Big Mac is big enough for one person, I can’t imagine how big the Double Big Mac is! Besides that, the McSpicy Chicken Burger is actually the Spicy Chicken McDeluxe in Malaysia.

Since it is Non-Halal, Thai McDonald’s sells Pork. There is a burger called Samurai Pork Burger. For chinese and indian who eat pork, you can taste it there because it can’t be found in Malaysia.

There is no refill service for your drink. In Malaysia McDonald’s, we can request for refill after we finished our coke. However, in Thailand, you cannot request for drink refill. I tried once and I have been rejected by the server!

McCafe

Have you heard about McCafe in Malaysia? I believe that most of Malaysian don’t know what is McCafe unless they visited it in oversea. I remember that McDonald’s shout that they want to fight Starbucks, now I understand how they try to penetrate the coffee café market.

McCafe is inside the McDonald’s outlet. The beverage menu in McCafe include Expresso Coffee, Hot Drinks, Iced Drinks and Blended Coffee. I have tried Blended Chocolate Frappe, and the quality is as good as what can be made by the Starbucks Coffee. Hence, you can choose coffee beverage instead coke in your McDonald’s set meal.

McCafe also sells bread and cakes. So if you don’t want to eat McDonald’s set meal, you can try the cakes in McCafe. 

How to go?

This Thai McDonald’s outlet is located in Hatyai. Hence, once you reach Hatyai, find a tut-tut car and ask them to send you to Lee Garden Shopping Mall. (I’m not sure with the spelling, but the sound is Lee or Li.) The McDonald’s outlet is in the ground floor. Once you reach Lee Garden Shopping Mall, I’m sure that you can see the McDolands signboard.

There is another option. You can try to ask the people around “Where is Lee Garden?” (I’m not sure with the spelling, but the sound is Lee or Li.) Then, walk to Lee Garden after you get the direction! Good luck…

COB Practicum Briefing (UPDATED)

These information are only applicable to following courses: B.Mktg, B.Ent, BBA, BBA (Logistic & Trans), BMA,  BIBM, B.Tech.Mgt, and B.Oper.Mgt!

Thanks to Brian for giving me update. These information are applicable for the following courses too: BHRM, BBank, BFin, BRMI, BIFB, BAcct.IS, and BAcct!

First of all, there is something you should know about the new name of UIL. The name of UIL (Centre of University-Industry Link) has been changed to CUIC (Centre for University Industry Collaboration).

Important Dates for Practicum Session A101: 
Report Duty Date:
1. 20/12/2010 – 19/4/2011 (4 months Practicum)
2. 20/12/2010 – 19/6/2011 (6 months Practicum)
Report Submission Date:
1. 3/5/2011 (4 months Practicum)
2. 3/7/2011 (6 months Practicum)

Once you start the practicum in the company, you have to submit the report form. It has to be mail or fax to Pn. Salina Ali one week from date of registration which is 20/12/2010 – 3/1/2011.
The address is Student Department & Alumni Office, FWB Building, COB. However, the fax number is 04-9286406. Please be aware to send it to the right person who is Pn. Salina Ali. If it is not submitted, mark will be deducted.

The Evaluation of Practicum
The evaluation of the undergraduates’ practicum consists of employer’s report (20%), UUM Supervisor (20%) and Final Report (60%).

The 20% of employer’s report will be judged based on work discipline, ability to critical analysis, leadership, skills, physical personality traits.

The evaluation by UUM lecturer will be based on Log Book, Attendance, Student’s Characteristics, Student’s General Knowledge. And, the 20% of UUM Supervisor evaluation will be divided to log book contents (10%) and attendance (10%).

Regarding to Employer's Report, please make sure that it reach to your Practicum supervisor! There are two options:
1. Fax to your Practicum supervisor (Attention to your practicum supervisor). Fax Number: 04-928 6406
2. Submit by yourself (Put it in envelope and seal it).

Please be aware with the Employer’s Confidential Form too. After downloading it, remember to fill in your personal details and your practicum lecturer details. Because it has to be send to your practicum lecturer but not the practicum coordinator, so the details of your lecturer is very important to make sure it is sent to the right person.

Important Reminders for Practicum Undergraduates
- Buy log book at CUIC and read the regulation inside the log book.
- Write on the log book everyday and neatly.
- Contact CUIC for any problems during practicum.
- Check email and portal from time to time.
- Download related forms from CUIC website. The session of Practicum starting from December 2010 is A101.
- You are not allowed to apply any leave & holiday except you have M.C from government hospital.
- Introduce yourself to your practicum lecturer in UUM before the practicum starts.

Attention to BAcct.IS and BAcct Students 

The Final Report is in different format compared with other courses. Remember to meet your practicum report supervisors for more clarification. And, the report cover must be Light blue plain paper and comb binding.

Important Dates:

Report Proposal - Send before or on 20 February 2011 by E-mail to your Practicum Supervisor.

Progress Report - Send before or on 24 April 2011.

Final Report - Send on 03 July 2011.

- Apply "Tidak Lengkap" Status on 03 July 2011 - 04 August 2011

- Apply "Tidak Lengkap 2" Status on 04 August 2011 - 04 September 2011

*Information above are contributed by Brian Fernandes, UUM BAcct.IS student.

To download the related forms and documents, please visit CUIC website. Go to downloads and then find forms (Students). 

The CUIC web address is http://www.cuic.uum.edu.my

Telephone No: 04-928 5193, 04-928 5194

Fax No: 04-928 5760

*Practicum Lecturer = Practicum Supervisor (Search it in your Portal)

Share it to your friends if they didn't attend the Practicum Briefing!
The review of Practicum Report Syllabus for B.Ent and BBA soon! Stay tuned...

Thai Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC)

Personally I not really tried KFC at Thailand, just visited once and watching my friends enjoying the KFC meal!
According to my friends, Malaysia KFC is more delicious! Maybe it has been adjusted to suite Malaysian taste! KFC at Thailand taste different compared to Malaysia due to the same reason – demographic and cultural different.  The taste has been adjusted to suite Thailand people’s taste too.

The chicken is smaller, the packaging design are different, the language used, the rounded square plate and also the way of eating KFC meal! While we (Malaysian) are using hand when eating KFC chicken, Thailand KFC provides their customer fork and knife to eat the chicken.

According to my franchise lecturer, Malaysia KFC was using almost the same method in early year, it was like western foods restaurant. The way to eat KFC was like eating chicken chop, and there were waiter or waitress serving you in KFC outlet. Due to longer customer turnover time, KFC Malaysia decided to educate their customers to use hand. Hence, they can finish their meal faster.
So, if you go to Danok, you can visit KFC, and experience the foods and environment. It will be a good experience to see how the same brand and business operate in different country.

How to get there (KFC @ Danok)?
KFC is very near to Malaysia-Thailand Kastam. Once you pass the Kastam and enter to Danok (Thailand). Then, you can walk for around 1 minutes to north. You can see a big KFC signboard there (*refer to the photo on top)! It is very easy to go.

Bill Gate's Advices to Young People

Bill Gates, one of my idol, had given a high school speech:
11 things you will not learn in school.
He talks about how feel good P.C. teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept has set them up to fail in the real world.

Personally, I think they are useful advices and facts in life, it should be read by the people who wish to success in their life!  He has very powerful experience for us to learn since he has the ability to be the richest man in the world, built Microsoft Coporation and changing people's life with technology


Rule 1: 
Life is not fair -- get used to it!
Rule 2: 
The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.
Rule 3: 
You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.
Rule 4: 
If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.
Rule 5:
Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping -- they called it opportunity.
Rule 6: 
If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.
Rule 7: 
Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you are. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.
Rule 8: 
Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.
Rule 9: 
Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.
Rule 10:
Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.
Rule 11: 
Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.


About Bill Gates

William Henry "Bill" Gates III (born October 28, 1955) is an American business magnate, philanthropist, author and chairman of Microsoft, the software company he founded with Paul Allen. He is consistently ranked among the world's wealthiest people and was the wealthiest overall from 1995 to 2009, excluding 2008, when he was ranked third. During his career at Microsoft, Gates held the positions of CEO and chief software architect, and remains the largest individual shareholder with more than 8 percent of the common stock.He has also authored or co-authored several books.

Bill Gates stepped down as chief executive officer of Microsoft in January 2000. He remained as chairman and created the position of chief software architect. In June 2006, Gates announced that he would be transitioning from full-time work at Microsoft to part-time work and full-time work at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. He gradually transferred his duties to Ray Ozzie, chief software architect and Craig Mundie, chief research and strategy officer. Gates' last full-time day at Microsoft was June 27, 2008. He remains at Microsoft as non-executive chairman.
(source from wikipedia.org)

Thai 7-Eleven at Danok

7-Eleven at Thailand is different with 7-Eleven in Malaysia. Yea, they are 24 hours retail outlets, but some products and services are different due to the different culture and demographic in the both country.

When you enter the 7-Eleven outlets in Danok, you can feel the different. People are talking in Thai language. The products packaging and price tags are using Thai language and only some English words. The magazine, DVD and menu as well, using Thai language. You can even watch Ip Man talking in Thai language! However, for foods menu, they have English words. So you can understand. If you still don’t understand, then you gonna use your finger to point the things you want.
Besides that, 7-Eleven outlets in Danok sell Non-Halal products such as pork burger, beer and liquor. We cannot get these things in Malaysia 7-Eleven.

What you cannot get in Malaysia 7-Eleven outlets?
It is the fast food. Danok 7-Eleven outlets sell fast foods such as sausage, burger, rice, hotdog and so on. After you order, the cashier will prepare the food for you. Then you have to serve yourself (Self-service) to add the vegetable, tomato, mayonnaise, and chili sauce to your food. And yes, it is cheap and delicious!

You can use Malaysia Ringgit in Danok 7-Eleven outlets. The cashiers will help you to convert the currency. For example, you buy a $180(Thai) drink, it is around RM1.80, then you can pay the cashier RM2.00. Remember, you do not need to wait for the RM0.20 change. It is a part of service charge even you buy something cost RM1.50.
Some outlets will charge extra RM1.00 if you buy something cost 100.00 Thai Bath and paying 10.00 Malaysia Ringgit!
If you don’t want to use Malaysia Ringgit, then you have to visit Money changer to convert your currency.


How to go?
Very simple! After you pass the Malaysia-Thailand Kastam and reach Danok, then you can see many 7-Eleven outlets around that area. If I’m not mistaken, there are over five 7-Eleven outlets in the Danok town area. Don’t ask me why, I also don’t know… ^ ^
So, if the foods you want have run out of stock, then you can leave and go to another outlet to get it.