Center-mounted speedometer: Man it's stugly!

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If you ask me which car manufacturer started the idea of having center-mounted speedometer, I will promptly say I don't know. Who cares anyway? As far as I'm concern, Mini carries it's signature since it's first Morris Mini Minor in 1959. Being small, cute and compact, to have the speedometer at the middle of the dashboard does not downgrade its interior look at all, although some might consider it clownish. To me it just works for Mini but not for other cars, seriously!

1966 Morris Mini Cooper interior

Take, for example, the latest Perodua Kancil, its center-mounted speedometer looks so awkward, in fact it makes it one of the stugliest car interiors I've ever seen in this decade! Besides, what on earth did they make it twisted since they had twisted the focus of the driver at the very beginning...(?)

Last Kancil model
Center console is fine but with speedometer on top of it makes it look like two eyes-robot with twisted cap

For that reason, I hate Nissan Otti (Mitsubishi Kei-Car), Naza Sutera (Hafei Lobo), Saturn Ion, new Perodua Alza (2010), Toyota Vios/Belta (2007), Toyota Yaris/Vitz (2007). Besides, Vios really looks like a dugong to me.. as much as my Perodua Myvi looks so froggy to them.. huahuahua..

I never wonder why people still buy them. You manufacturers don't give buyers much options. If it is about buyers' preference, majority of us still prefer the conventional steering wheel-position speedometer rather than the center one. Speedometer is for the driver not passenger. I'm very sure if similar new cars are produced with two options, center-mounted and steering-wheel position speedometers, definitely the later outclassed the former in a huge margin. Think about it!

No x-bar symbol in Microsoft Word 2007: Create your own

It's almost new year and I need to submit my exp report to my superior as soon as possible. When statistical calculation involves, symbol such as overbar (¯) on an alphabet is hardly avoided. As an advanced Microsoft Word user, I agree that MW2007 works way better than MW2003. However, failing to find x-bar symbol in MW2007 was way too frustrating. How could such an important symbol like x-bar isn't included in MW2007 symbols?

I believe I'm not the only one in this world facing this problem.

For that reason I googled for solution. It takes less than one minute to realize that this problem has been addressed in the internet for quite sometimes. A general guideline to create an overbar has been quite well described by Suzanne S. Barnhill in CREATING OVERBAR.

The best solution has been posted by Christie Lewis in Youtube. I like her blog too. Her blog has been all about Microsoft Office.
http://officehowto.blogspot.com/

Short Video: Inserting an X-bar Symbol in Word

I learned my lesson well, alhamdulellah. Now I can create not just x-bar but I can personalize many other symbols which are not included in MW2007. It's easy, you can do it too.

Langkawi short island tour

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Langkawi Sky Bridge

Thank God for making me involved in ICONT 2009, otherwise I would not have the chance to be here again in the beautiful island of Langkawi. My first and last visit was in 1995. I was so impressed with the tourism development, just so upbeating. Dataran Helang, Pantai Cenang, Langkawi Cable Car to Mount Matchincang, Langkawi Sky Bridge, you name it - they really have the wow factor.

Overall I like Langkawi Cable Car and Langkawi Sky Bridge the most. Having queued for more than one hour, to be on top of Matchincang, it was just breathtaking. No doubt, this is a must visit place in Langkawi.

And not least I would like to thank Rosli for being my partner in this wonderful tour.

ICONT 2009 Langkawi

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International Conference on Nanotechnology - Research and Commercialization (ICONT 2009) was held in Langkawi on 14-17 December 2009. I was appointed as MC. Nice experience, alhamdulellah.

The most memorable photo shoot

Celebrating Eid al-Adha at Workplace

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Eid al-Adha was celebrated on Friday, 27 November 2009 in Malaysia. Eid al-Adha celebration may not be as huge as those held in the Middle East but still significant in many ways. Many of us including me 'balik kampung' (return to hometown) for celebration.

At my workplace, an activity has been organized by Kelab AMREC for commemorating that important event in Muslim Calender. It was held on Monday November 30th, when most of us returned back to work.

Meat cutting was done in the morning, followed by cooking and finally big meal at lunch time. I enjoyed the food, it was delicious. This time I maybe a photographer, next year I may hold the cutter, inshaAllah...

Sudirman, Bakri, Nizam (Tomok) and Yazid are busy cleaning the internal organs

The ladies cut meat into smaller pieces

My friend Nik and others

Ridhuan: Last day in AMREC SIRIM

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I don't remember when Ridhuan joined AMREC SIRIM, perhaps early this year. Regardless of the date and time he joined, he is now leaving.

People come and go, but the legacy remains, that's what most people say. More popular as Weng, I regard him as a talkative, happy-go-lucky, funny and friendly kind of guy.

Ridhuan will be joining National Space Agency (ANGKASA) this December. I don't have much to say in here, the best words could probably 'Good luck' and do keep in touch.

Here are some pictures taken at the last hour of the day:

The 3rd floor

Smile under the blue sky

Conversation between two good friends
Weng, "Matanya membuatku terpesona..."
Firdaus, "Ha.. kantoi! Patutla projek tak siap"
(Sorry no English translation)

Model of the year, eh?
(I think they can be the cover of People Magazine, December issue. What say you?)

Chester short night visit

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Chester was founded by the Romans in the 70s AD as a fortress during Roman expansion northward European region. I was so fortunate to be here since Chester is a very famous ancient city in UK. It has ancient defensive walls, not just famous but also the most complete city walls in Great Britain. Thanks to Mr Paul Micro Materials for taking Mr Amin and me here.

Although it was a short night visit, it was worth it. I managed to take many good pictures. My old Nikon Coolpix L12 really did a good job.

The famous Chester canal

View of canal from the city wall