* Posts by Long Fei

128 publicly visible posts • joined 14 Jun 2007

Apple girds loins for 'obscene iPad sales surge'

Long Fei
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Asus

I seem to remember reading that Asus's lappad Transformer was doing rather well, probably because it sold with a keyboard as a 'computer' with a detachable screen. I bought one myself, where I would never buy just a pad.

A fad is a time thing, the pads could still be one, even with many sold.

Also, could we have a 'raving fanboi' label on the Reg's authors please? Just so I'm ready for the drooling and the raving and the waving of arms and so on in the article.

Sorry, time travelers, you’re still just fiction

Long Fei
FAIL

HK UST

"It's not comedy racism. It's a well-known fact in science circles that the best and brightest in China (and not just China, but many countri..."

If you do a bit or research you'd find that HK UST is a very highly placed university in world rankings. Many of the professors there are from Havard and other top universities.

This is in HK too remember, not mainland China.

Lenovo chief says netbook's day is done

Long Fei

Lappads

I'd not buy a pad simply because I couldn't justify the niche usage. However, I'm rather drooling at the new Asus eee pad with keboard (a category I've decided to call lappads). This would basically give me another laptop to replace my aging one, whilst letting me detach the screen to use as a pad for those few times that I'd do that.

Lappads. The future. IMHO. ;)

Asus Eee Pad Transformer Android tablet

Long Fei
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Yes!

I'm so going to get this as a replacement for my old laptop.

I can't justify a pad device, I simply wouldn't use it enough. However this is perfect. It's a laptop most of the time, and a pad for the few times that I'd use a pad.

And great battery life!

Antimatter hangs around at CERN

Long Fei
Mushroom

Anahilated.

So if an anti and a (plus) meet they are zapped, does this mean they vanish? Where to they go if so? Or are they converted to energy?

Using the internet in the People's Republic of China

Long Fei
Alert

Varies.

Apps sometimes link and sometimes don't, I guess it depends on the app. Appbrain is blocked, as an example, and their app doesn't work either.

Also different cities tend to vary, and even at different times. Sometimes I get through to blogger for example (not often mind). (I'm in Beijing).

@Semihere: Many proxies are also blocked. Recently they had a big clampdown on VPNs as well which all but killed my service for a while.

More on life in China on my blog: Chinarensblog.com

The new killer app is … MMS

Long Fei
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yeah.

Whilst I can't argue with the numbers, the point is that SMS/MMS aren't exactly the same thing are they? Send a text to people without asking and they'll scream spam at you for a start.

Thrutu

Long Fei
Stop

Gaaa

Can you link to the app in the marketplace rather than appbrain? Appbrain is blocked in China. For goodness knows what reason.

It's very annoying.

iPhone lead in ad revenue generation slipping away

Long Fei
WTF?

Confused

What's the difference between Nokia OS and Symbian OS???

China Unicom readies mobile OS

Long Fei
Alert

Apps

Many apps aren't available in China in the various App stores. It's very annoying.

And yes, 'wo' means 'me' or 'I' in Chinese. Never an original thought here.

Utah to honour Browning M1911 semi-automatic

Long Fei
WTF?

Yeah,

So it's alright to sell guns then. Sorry, this doesn't wash.

Any simpleton can currently buy a gun with great ease. Mixing explosives would likely end in him blowing himself up.

Cutting access to guns isn't going to result in *more* killings! Compare the US to the rest of the (more civilised) world.

Top Ten Arcade Classics

Long Fei
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Out Run

Out Run was more than just choosing your music, it was the first game that let you choose the 'route' so having multiple courses that you had to master.

I pumped a heckofalot of money into that game.

Also: Ghosts and Goblins!

Chinese regime opens Google Earth rival

Long Fei

FF?

Works alright in FF (and Opera) for me.

AOL sales drop by a quarter, reports billion dollar loss

Long Fei
WTF?

AOL

I can't believe this company is still around, but then again its customers were just about always the most computer illiterate people. (from years of tech support and running my own PC repair business).

I remember the term 'Assholes OnLine', which suited most very well.

The day this company dies should be declared a public holiday. I'd celebrate.

China renews Google's internet licence

Long Fei

Strange

...cos I'm still redirected to HK. (From Beijing).

China sidesteps Great Firewall with web roadmap

Long Fei

Chinese

Strangely enough, most Chinese don't know and don't care about the blocked content on the net.

They have their own sites which they use, and the vast, vast majority don't even know about the blocked stuff, let alone worry about it!

Of course, that doesn't mean it's right, but the problem isn't all it's made out to be in the west.

Still annoying having to use a VPN to access Youtube, facebook and the rest though.

Queuing for an iPad? Why?

Long Fei
Stop

Games

I tend to veer over to various flash games sites when I'm bored. I think the iPad would be a great platform for... oh, wait.

China hits back at Google's uncensored Hong Kong servers

Long Fei
WTF?

Gaaah!

It's not just google.cn they've redirected, but Google.com as well! I'm not sure why they've done .com too, as that wasn't filtered (by Google) in China before anyway. (It was filtered by China though).

I'll post updates on my blog ChinarensBlog.com if they change it. I can still reach country specific Googles though, like .co.uk, so doesn't really make much sense.

Then again, half of what China does doesn't make much sense.

Google redirects China to uncensored Hong Kong servers

Long Fei

Just as long...

...as they don't block gmail. Remember google.com is still available here (China), though some results don't come up. Annoying.

Daily Mail reader out-tw*ts the Tw*t-O-Tron

Long Fei
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Ha!

turdspurts! ROFL. Great word.

Nokia No.2 is so sorry for N97 debacle

Long Fei
Alert

Bugs?

Well I've had my n97 for nearly six months now, and never had any problems with it, neither has the missus.

@AC: And of course it has a comma and fullstop. Look next to the return key!

Aussie anti-censor attacks strafe gov websites

Long Fei
Go

Because

Because China is a potentially massive market, and Australia mostly isn't.

Nokia Q4 shows it ain't dead yet

Long Fei
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Nokia

How the hell did this become a discussion about Apple FFS?

Nokia still make good phones, but I've always hated their PC software. The OVI stuff isn't a great improvement, or any improvement really. They need to totally start over in this area.

Here's hoping the N900 will spawn others of its kind and pull Nokia back on track. They can do some good stuff if they put their mind to it.

Amazon 'makes it easier' for authors to DRM Kindle ebooks

Long Fei
Unhappy

DRM is one thing.

I noticed the DRM option when I loaded my ebook (Free PDF copy at www.TiredofDeath.com btw!), but what I'd *really* like them to do is to make it so I can get paid by Paypal rather than check!

I don't have a US tax number, and I live in China, but if I wish to get online payments I need US tax details. If not, then it's a check, which isn't the best option for anybody. Especially as mail often doesn't reach me out here.

I don't understand why they can send a check and not pay online wihout this information either, it makes no sense to me. They haven't replied to my questions on this yet either.

Still, at least I can publish there now I suppose. We should be thankful for what we've got. :s

Apple's iPad - the tablet with the data center soul

Long Fei
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Consumption

I don't disagree the slate will be for 'consumption', but so are laptops, so whilst your argument isn't wrong, it misses the point.

No doubt devout Apple fans will buy one, but they won't replace laptops for functionality, and most people aren't going to buy another expensive device when they have a perfectly good laptop.

It's not about not wanting to have, it's about the practicality and cost.

Google flips default switch for always-on Gmail crypto

Long Fei

Ads

I wonder how this will affect their targeted ads.

El Reg sparks international incident with Olympics committee

Long Fei
FAIL

Strict

I was working here in China for a franchise, the main office of which was an Olympic sponsor of the 08 games.

Before the Olympics we had a bunch of *very8 stern warnings that franchises couldn't use the Olympic logo in promotions, unless they paid a frankly stupid amount of money to HO.

Needles to say, this being China, those emails were ignored. Lol.

Hubble probes deepest universe

Long Fei
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Life.

"And then some people still believe that intelligent life exists only on Earth. Clearly they exclude themselves out of that count though..."

Exactly what I was going to say AC. How can people even *doubt* there's other life out there with all those galaxies?

A mind blowing picture, really. I look at it in sheer awe and amazement.

vBulletin denies busting downloads in paid-up protester ban

Long Fei
Alert

Alternatives

I looked at a number of different forum apps, and discounted vBull early on, on account that is looked good, but not good enough to pay for when you can get phpbb and SMF for free.

Try either of these is my recommendation. I used phpbb for a while, but then switched to SMF as I liked it better. However, there's not much to choose from the two, and both have sites that offer free support, and both have tons of excellent mods.

China's The9 sued over Warcraft ditching

Long Fei
Stop

Business in China

Yeah, companies in China (not all of them of course, but a lot) are run by greedy, short sighted people, who's ethical values fall short of a rats. I've known many people come here with the hope of making money, only to be fleeced by their so called Chinese 'partners' who are after a quick buck.

I have more info about living and working in China on my blog:

http://www.ChinarensBlog.com

It's possibly to make money here, but you have to know the market, and you MUST have a totally reliable local partner. Really, like your spouse or something. Either that or be a multinational company.

China strengthens Great Firewall ahead of anniversary

Long Fei
Stop

Yah

It's sure getting harder to get through these days here in Beijing. I can confirm that the few proxy sites that are still working no longer function with certain web sites.

I've resorted to using VPN software, though how long that will last I don't know. This is my second one, as the first was blocked.

www.ChinarensBlog.com

Blue Shield provokes fresh China censorware row

Long Fei
Stop

Wall

If you stop buying stuff made in China, who do you think will suffer? It will be the workers who make the stuff. They're already on a pittance as it is.

Anyway, this new stuff seems to be working, as even proxies don't work at times now (here in Beijing).

Sheesh.

Facebook acquires 300 millionth user

Long Fei
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comments

What a wonderfully high standard of comments.

Nokia bigs up innovators... kinda

Long Fei
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Do you come?

Apparently you can send very personal messages with it too, and then blame it on the program. Not a bad idea...

~runs off to download~

Four arrested in China over net-paralysing gaming spat

Long Fei
Stop

charged with

The charges were 'Blocking the internet in an unauthorized fashion' As opposed to the *authorized* fashion that the Great firewall does.

South Africa official calls for 'outright ban' on pornography

Long Fei
FAIL

Sheesh

It's really past time when all Govt. people should be made to take a 'realism' test, an IT test and a 'am I a stupid bastard?' test before being allowed to make any announcement. Better still, before being allowed to run for office, although this would reduce the number of politicians by about 98%.

China's attempts are hardly wonderfully successful either. I can, er could (if I wanted ahem) access all sort of disgusting filth, should I wish. Not that I've tried you understand.

However, China will no doubt get around to the porn sites once it's finish blocking every blog and other innocent and harmless site known to man. (More on my blog: www.ChinarensBlog.com about my difficulties with that).

Australian media group rejects Amazon's Kindle

Long Fei
FAIL

Typical

So I guess they somehow think that no profit is better than a small profit.

I doubt the Apple tablet, should it emerge, will focus on the same kind of market as the Kindle, which is already set up and ready to go. And of course, even if it does offer the facility, what's wrong with doing both?

This is why newspapers are dying.

Microsoft throws Bing into Hotmail mix

Long Fei
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Annoying

Bing annoys me.

Now China has let me use it that is. Even when I specify English only, it still chucks about half of the results at me in Chinese.

I'll stick with Goo... er, Yahoo. Can't access Google most of the time either. Bloody Chinese firewall.

Pirate Bay sells out to Swedish software firm for $7.7m

Long Fei
Alert

Well, good for them.

I don't understand how people can call them names.

After all TPB has been a reliable 'free service' for years, and then when they finally sell out (and wouldn't you, for 7m?) freetards throw a spaz and blame them of being greedy!!!

Where's the irony icon???

Beijing snuffs Google.com

Long Fei
Pint

Yeah

I've gone back to Yahoo as my main search engine, as Google is all but useless now. Gmail is okay, but it's very on/off.

And...

Ohh, new icons! ~Chooses beer icon, 'cos I quite fancy a pint right now~

Google submits to Beijing porn drive

Long Fei
Stop

Given up on Google search

I've given up searching using Google. Half the time one of the results is hanging about near a 'banned' site, and then the whole page stops.

I use Yahoo for searching now, as China has apparently forgotten about other search engines. Which makes a joke of the whole thing of course.

More holes open up in Green Dam Youth Escort

Long Fei
Stop

Not much difference

I doubt this will affect that many people, relatively speaking. Most people in China buy their PC from big electrical markets, run by small businesses. Most of these businesses don't exactly use, ahem, 'real' software, so I seiously doubt they'll be installing this either.

Chinese firm unveils long-distance e-car

Long Fei
Stop

The only problem with this for China...

The main problem this would have in China is charging it up! Most Chinese live in apartments,and parking is outside or in a garage underground, and these places don't have electricity outlets.

Going to be a total bastard lugging those batteries up seven flights of stairs!! (Chinese apartments of less than seven stories don't have lifts!).

My living in china blog: www.ChinarensBlog.com

Twitter Yi not, as Beijing bins Bing

Long Fei

forgot to say

Oh, and I can send English using MSN and so on okay here. ?

Long Fei
Stop

Blocked everywhere

I'm surprised I can access anything out of China ATM. YTube, blogspot, Bebo and countless others. And now this. Well, Twit being blocked is something of a blessing, as mentioned, but the rest is a pain. You've no idea how many Ytube vids are embedded about the web until you can't see them.

And did you know about half of all blogs are on Bspot? Goofle truly owns the web.

Texting in English is still okay here though. (Beijing), so not sure what that's about.

Google News stumbles again

Long Fei
Alert

Google owns blogs too!

As China has now blocked Blogspot, it's become apparent that about half the blogging world use this service.

BlackBerries outselling Apple iPhones

Long Fei

World or US?

I'm assuming this is US only, as they only seem to understand Blackberrys and iPhones over there.

China bans YouTube again

Long Fei
Unhappy

Trade

@Scott

You obviously don't konw much about the world economy. China owns an extremely large amount of US debt,and the US govt. would like it to buy more. It's not going to piss China off just now over this.

In that case you should ban trade with all the other countries that don't have a 'free' democracy. There's a long list there...

And yes, there's no YT from my office. (Beijing). But then I don't really care about that site. All the other sites China has blocked recently though... :(

Battlestar Galactica eyes 'technology run amok'

Long Fei
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Yeah

I agree with the above comment, the writers of the show didn't know where it was going early on. They were just making things up as they went.

The ending was... meh. I kinda expected it.

Worm burrows into Church of England email system

Long Fei
Joke

God will SMITE them!

The bishop will have the last laugh, knowing these sinners will reside in hell for their spams. Maybe he could make a new sin?

Thou shalt not send viruses or spam or porn. Well, maybe the porn's okay as long as it's choirboy stuff...