Browser War II has started… Safari fired the first shot!!

Do you know that Browser War II already started? Safari fired first by leading the implementation of new properties to make designing a website much more easier than before. Guess who’s being left behind? IE of course, but rumours are abound on how IE8 is shaping up to overtake Firefox and Opera.

In this article, we will take a look at what CSS Level 3 can provide us in designing websites and which browsers are leading and being left behind.

Read it here…

What you are missing with your browser

Do you know that you are missing a lot with your current browser? Take a loot at this screenshot taken from this game review:

The screenshot above was produced by a browser, it wasn’t done by any image editing tool like GIMP. It is natural. Can’t believe that it is possible?

Well, you should, and you are going to miss more and more such new features as we move closer to CSS Level 3 (aka CSS3). Currently, the browser with the most implementation of CSS3 is Apple’s Browser - Safari 3.x line. That’s correct, the screenshot above was from Safari 3.

I am not telling you to make the switch, as long as you are not using Internet Explorer, you’ll be fine. Firefox 3’s next upgrade v3.1 is already testing the features out. Opera is said to be experimenting with it already for Opera 10. IE8? No news and I’m not counting an early implementation from that browser (until they’re forced to because they’re losing users to their competitors - so make that switch! You don’t know how hard it is for us web designers to make the site appear fine in IE!!).

Btw, I do not know of any WYSIWYG that offers CSS3 support yet, CSS3 is still in development and only a few of its modules are near finalization. So for now, we’ll get down to the codes itself.

Gimme a Curve!

Many web designers have been dreaming of this feature, some used JavaScript to achieve the curved border corners, while some did it the old-fashioned way - lots of images.

With CSS3, a new property was/or will be introduced: “border-radius“. In my example above, I have it as

Code:

but that doesn’t work yet since it isn’t finalized, you have to add/use:

Code:

-moz for Gecko based browsers like Firefox; and -webkit for Webkit based browsers like Safari

Be sure to include the base form border-radius in case Opera and IE implements it, especially that the two mentioned browsers do not have their own CSS prefix (Opera used to be -o, then -opera; while for IE, I remember reading about -ie or -ie8, but I can not find that article anymore).

Known to work with: Firefox 3.x; Safari 3.x

CSS3 (via Firefox 3.0.1)

Gimme a Shadow!

“box-shadow” and just like the previous property, you have to use -moz-box-shadow and -webkit-box-shadow. My setup in my example:

Code:

However, for Mozilla, it will only work for Firefox 3.1 where it is currently being tested.

Known to work with: Firefox 3.1+; Safari 3.x

CSS3 (via Firefox 3.1a2)

Gimme text-shadow too!!

You got it already! The CSS3 Property is “text-shadow“! My setup:

Code:

For this property, you do not need the -moz and -webkit prefixes, it will work as it is in it’s correct format. This one works with Opera 9.51 as well.

Known to work with: Firefox 3.1+; Opera 9.51+; Safari 3.x

CSS3 (via Opera 9.51)

I also have another secret. If you are using Safari 3.x and Firefox 3.1.x, you may have noticed how your browser can display my Headline font which you know that you do not have. The secret is the ‘@font-face‘ CSS property which was actually introduced in CSS Level 2 (aka CSS2). The @font-face property was reported to be working on Opera 9.5x but I can’t get it to work (so probably it was in Opera 10).

Other browsers than IE only recently supported this ‘at’ property, Apple started the revival with the release of Safari 3. @font-face was proposed by the MSIE team and was accepted by the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium). However, for IE, they only support the EOT format and not TTF (TrueType Format) or OTF (OpenType Font), but details of this is for another discussion.

My code is simple:

Code:

The ‘local’ parameter is used in case the font is installed in the visitor’s machine, if not, it will fetch the font from the ‘URL’ as defined by the author. The ‘format’ is used to make it easy for the user’s browser to determine the type of the font. As simple as that. @font-face is an advance property, there are more uses to it than I presented above (and I am actually enjoying it in my test server). I will present some test cases of it sometime Or you can Google it..

A fair warning to you, be careful when “embedding” fonts into your webpages (it is not literally ‘embedding’ but that is the term used since). There are licenses to be followed and respected. To check, just right click then choose properties of the font file you want to upload. Under the Emdedding tab, it should say “Installable….” That is the only time you can upload a font and link it as shown in my example.

There are some exeptions to this depending on the Font License offered. Some do not have “Installable…” in the Font Properties Embedding tab, but somewhere on the Font’s official website is a clause that states you can use it for “@font-face” or “Web-fonts” or “Web Embedding". Be also mindful of the other clauses like giving credits back, as what I did for the font I am using for this blog (see above code).

That’s it for now - CSS3, things to come and things you can already use.

Have fun and enjoy!!

References:
CSS3 from W3C - World Wide Web Consortium
CSS3 Previews from CSS3.info - Keep up-to-date with anything CSS3
exljbris Font Foundry - creator of the font Fertigo Pro

Live Sample (test in order = Firefox 3.0.1 -> Opera 9.51 -> Firefox 3.1a2 -> Safari 3.1.2):
Secret Maryo Chronicles - from Libre Game World

Except where otherwise noted, this content is
licensed under a Creative Commons License.

OpenDisc, burnfree, and Ubuntu Internet Cafe

This is not really a review, but I think in a way it is. I posted about back in 2008-Aug-17 about three services I found that will be very useful for the everyone especially for the Filipinos - OpenDisc, a compilation of FLOSS applications; burnfree, a service where you can get your free GNU/Linux distros; and Ubuntu Internet Cafe, an iCafe package that will give you a chance to enter the lucrative iCafe business using Ubuntu.

Read about it here.

Asean Final Medal Tally for the Beijing 2008 Olympics

The Beijing 2008 Olympics has ended two days ago. Over at Asia’s Perfect 10 blog we followed the Medal Tally for the Asean Countries as well as the two countries seeking full membership - Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste.

Check out the final tally and the results of the first ever Olympics Special Event at Asean Citizens.

Beijing 2008 Olympics Asean Medal Tally

The Beijing 2008 Olympics closed at 12:21am of 2008-08-25 Monday, the Closing Ceremony started at 08:08pm of 2008-08-24 Sunday, ACT (Asean Common Time). [Note: ACT and China Local Time are both UTC+0800, no DST.] The next Summer Olympics will be on 2012, London, England (for the 3rd time!)

But before we get excited about London 2012 Olympics, here are the Asean Beijing 2008 Olympics Final Medal Tally, the updates that transpired, and the results of the Wushu Special Event during the Olympics.

(Trivia: The International Olympics Committee never allowed any other competitions in the host city during the Olympics - 1 Week Before up to 1 Week After. The Wushu Competition was allowed due to the fact that it is embedded in the Chinese culture. This is a first in Olympics history, and Wushu is on a bid to be part of the 2012 Olympics.)

Congratulations to All Asean Athletes! The same goes to the Special Olympics Event (the first in Olympic history) - Wushu.

Wushu Medal Tally

• Asean Total - 1 Gold; 4 Silver; 9 Bronze = 14 Medals
• Indonesia - 1 Bronze = 1 Medal
• Malaysia - 2 Silver; 3 Bronze = 5 Medals
• Philippines - 1 Gold; 1 Silver; 2 Bronze = 4 Medals
• VietNam - 1 Silver; 3 Bronze = 4 Medals

Under the Taolu discipline:

• Men’s Nanquan & Nangun combined
  
  • Willy Wang (PHI) won Gold
  • Pui Fook Chien (MAS) won Bronze
• Men’s Jianshu & Qiangshu combined
  
  • Lim Yew Fai (MAS) won Silver
  • Nguyen Huy Thanh (VIE) won Bronze
• Women’s Daoshu & Gunshu combined
  
  • Chai Fong Wei (MAS) won Bronze
• Women’s Nanquan & Nandao combined
  
  • Diana Bong Siong Lin (MAS) won Bronze
• Women’s Jianshu & Qiangshu combined
  
  • Nguyen Mai Phuong (VIE) won Bronze
• Women’s Taijiquan & Taijijian combined
  
  • Chai Fong Ying (MAS) won Silver

Under the Sanshou discipline:

• Men’s 56kg
  
  • Benjie Rivera (PHI) won Bronze
• Women’s 52kg
  
  • Mary Jane Estimar (PHI) won Silver
  • Nguyen Thuy Ngan (VIE) won Bronze
• Women’s 60kg
  
  • Luong Thi Hoa (VIE) won Silver
  • Mariane Mariano (PHI) won Bronze

Nation				Total
ASEAN (Grand Total)	3	5	3	11
Indonesia [INA]	1	1	3	5
Singapore [SIN]	0	1	0	1
Thailand [THA]	2	2	0	4
VietNam [VIE]	0	1	0	1

Updates Summary from Asean 2008 Olympics Medal Tally

Except where otherwise noted, this content is
licensed under a Creative Commons License.

Secret Maryo Chronicles

Our first Game Focus is Secret Maryo Chronicles, a FLOSS Game developed in C++ and using OpenGL as its graphics engine. If you are familiar with Super Mario Bros. (which you are), then you will be hooked playing Secret Maryo Chronicles.

Read about it only at Libre Game World.

Secret Maryo Chronicles

Status:
Category:

Singleplayer:
Multiplayer:
Platform:

Commercial
Side-Scroller

Yes
n/a

Game Site:
Dev/GSP:

License:
Bus. Type:
Retail Price:

secretmaryo.org
SMC Team

FLOSS
n/a
free-of-charge

Rating/Review

I was looking for a FLOSS version, clone, or adaptation of Nintendo®’s Super Mario Bros.™, the first console game I played with my first and only console platform - the Nintendo Family Computer (released 1984 in the Philippines, after the massive product recall of the first version). I found Tux-related versions, however, as cute as Penguins are and a Linux user myself, I still want something closer to the original ‘SMB’. I found Secret Maryo Chronicles.

The Game

Secret Maryo Chronicles or SMC was inspired by SMB, instead of creating a FLOSS remake they created a completely new one using C++ as the underlying language and OpenGL as its graphics engine. They used sprites from SMB in the past versions but they are replacing these with new ones as they become available (you can help). The game is familiar and yet more challenging. Just like SMB, it is a 2D side-scroller game, you run, you jump, you bump or break boxes and woods, collect coins, name it. What makes SMC different are the new features.

New Items and Features

There is now a Blue Mushroom that will transform Maryo into an Ice Maryo and shoot up Iceballs. Mobs immune to Fireballs will be frozen (and killed) with Iceballs. There is also the Ghost Mushroom that turns Maryo into a Ghost - hidden to all Enemies, which will also enable Maryo to see hidden Ghost Blocks which takes you to hidden areas and other valuable items. There is also the Moon which gives 3 Lives (very hard to acquire one tho).

Create your own World and Levels

For the Level Designers or those who wants to learn to be one, just press F8 to open the SMC Level/World Editor. Serious Level Designers can submit their levels to SMC and if approved, will eventually be added to the game or as a downloadable from the website. The power of the Community maximized in SMC. There are many Community created levels in SMC, some are fun and easy while others are very challenging.

Stars: 9 out of 10

For adding original ideas, letting the Community take part in its development (no, not just in the code itself but in the Levels), and the BGMs, I give SMC 9 out of 10 Stars. However, I think SMC need more ‘SMC’ BGMs instead of ‘SMB’ remixes, other than that, it is a must installed game to every PC in the world.

Conclusion

These are but a few of what Secret Maryo Chronicles has to offer, and being a FLOSS Game, we can only expect more exciting features, levels, and FUN as development continues. This is one of the many FLOSS Games that are being actively developed, so there is no worry about the project dying out in a few months or years (and I doubt a game like SMC will just disappear and forgotten).

Except where otherwise noted, this content is
licensed under a Creative Commons License.

CHEAP iCafe Investment and Get your FREE Linux CD

Found three cool sites, no awesome sites, that sure will be helpful for all the Filipinos, especially the Free/Libre Open-Source Software (FLOSS) Community. A Linux iCafe offering, Free CD and DVD Burning, and OpenDisc.

More after the jump…

First, OpenDisc (http://theopendisc.com):

OpenDisc is a high quality collection of [Free/Libre] Open-Source Software ([FL]OSS) for the Microsoft Windows operating system.

The two main goals of the project are:

• To provide a free (both free-of-charge and freedom) alternative to costly software, with equal or often better quality equivalents to proprietary, shareware, or freeware software for Microsoft Windows.
• To educate users of Linux as an operating system for home, business, and educational use.

The majority of programs featured on OpenDisc are also available on Linux.

Some of the FLOSS application included that I personal tried and/or using are:

• Blender - advanced 3D graphics modeling program (used by many animation companies, some or most of which you’ve probably watched in DVD and the Cinema)
• The GIMP - the image manipulation program used to design GNU/Linux Logo - the Tux
• Inkscape - easy to use vector graphics editor that uses the Scalable Vector Graphics (SVG) file format (If you are not aware, SVG is the standard format for vector images today.)
• Scribus - a professional desktop publishing application, with a combination of “press-ready” output and new approaches to page layout
• FileZilla - definitely way better than JetCar/FlashGet (JetCar or FlashGet is NOT a FLOSS application, there are known issues raised that are not being addressed by its Mainland Chinese developers)
• Mozilla Firefox - best browser on the planet (what else?)
• Pidgin - free (as in free-of-charge and freedom) alternative to Trillian, as simple as that
• RSSOwl - XML Feed Reader that can read the XML Feed Standard Atom and the non-standard RSS
• Mozilla Thunderbird - Mozilla’s Email client
• Audacity - sound editing program
• Stellarium - a planetarium for your computer (where Microsoft got the idea to create their own version after Stellarium got very popular)
• VLC media player - play any audio and video, no need to download Codecs
• GnuCash - financial-accounting software
• OpenOffice.org - uses the ISO Standard OpenDocument Format (ODF)
• 7-Zip - your free (free-of-charge and freedom) File Zip utility (no more cracking or annoying pop-ups reminding you to pay coz you are violating using an illegal copy already, common with WinRAR and WinZIP)
• and many more not included in my/this list…

Second, BurnFree (http://burnfree.com.ph):

We’d like to make meaning among Filipinos and make a contribution to Filipinos regardless of class (upper, middle, lower). How? We believe that the average Filipino has either a digital camera and/or a camera phone. Either he/she doesn’t have access to a PC or a Mac - which prohibits him/her from importing, saving, and organizing digital pictures - or he/she simply doesn’t have the time to import, save, and organize digital pictures. We make picture slideshows for free (limited number of pictures) or a fee (greater number of pictures), then we save them to a CD/DVD. We also do straight copy (jpeg) for free or a fee. Also for free, we burn other forms of data that are nto subject to copyright laws.

What other forms of data? Mostly FLOSS applications, distributions (aka ‘distros’), and the likes. Example, you can ask them to burn you a copy for free of the latest version of GNU/Linux Ubuntu flavor or maybe Kubuntu (if you like a Windows-like interface), or other distros they currently have. Saves you from downloading a 600mb to 700mb ISO file which you have to burn into a CD first before you can install it.

Finally, Ubuntu iCafe (http://ubuntu.icafebusiness.com):

Now, you don’t need to worry about licenses!

The Ubuntu Internet Cafe is now in the Philippines! Let us accept the fact that there are still many Internet Cafes in the Philippines who are using pirated Windows. Ok, it’s not bad to have a business. But your business must be 100% legal.

And puts your business in high risk for Anti-Piracy Raids, which will, if you do not know how to negotiate, cost you all your machines to be confiscated. Or buy the expensive MS Windows OS, which today you can only buy the much more expensive Windows Vista (Windows XP is not available anymore).

Their currently available Ubuntu iCafe packages are the P63K and P61K with the following specs:

• 5 PCs
  
  • AMD Athlon 64-bit 2.2 GHz Processor
  • 1gb Kingston RAM
  • New 256mb Chip G-Force Video for faster game play
  • 80gb (SATA type for gaming) HDD
• Keyboard
• Mouse
• Headset (only for P63K)
• Webcam (only for P63K)
• Free: 17″ Monitor (second hand with warranty)
• Optional: 256mb G-Force Sparkle Video Card @ P1,000.00/PC

The expected ROI (Return of Investment) according to them is 5 to 6 months. Not bad in my opinion, and if you are worrying about if local online games, international online games, and games popularly played here in the Philippines will work under Ubuntu, worry not as gameshogun.ws is currently reviewing and studying different games and how to install them successfully in Ubuntu. Of course, Ubuntu iCafe also did their research and study and will provide free training courses for managing your new Ubuntu iCafe business.

Dare to be different? Dare to be a PIONEER? Get your own Ubuntu iCafe NOW!!

Watch out for our review and installation guides of games for GNU/Linux Ubuntu at Libre Game World blog.

Source: Ubuntu Philippines

Dekaron SEA Now On Closed Beta

http://dekaron.mobiusgames.net

According to mobiusgames, Dekaron SEA is now on Closed Beta for the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia. The internationally bestselling mmorpg went live on Closed Beta last Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 1600H (Philippine Time). Playing the game, as well as registration for the Closed Beta, is absolutely free.

Though beset with connectivity problems for the first couple of hours, the game has been running smoothly since Day 1. CBT period will last until August 26, 2008.

mobiusgames has several events, and promos for CBT players to enjoy in order for them to experience the game fully during the short period of time that is the duration of the CBT. Rewards will be awarded during the Open Beta period.

Check out the press release from their blog: http://mobiusgames.wordpress.com/2008/08/12/dekaron-on-cbt-today/

Surface of the Federal Republic of the Philippines Resolution

The Federal Republic of the Philippines - is it really in the horizon? It appears so now that the Senate issued the “Senate Joint Resolution No. 10” which proposes 1 Federal Administrative Region and 11 Federal States.

A total of 16 Senators approved SJR#10 which is a call “to convene the congress into a Constituent Assembly for the purpose of revising the Constitution to establish a Federal System of Government".

Pimentel said the federalization of the republic is meant to accomplish two main goals: 1. Cause the speedy development of the entire country by unleashing the forces of competitiveness among the component federal states, and 2. Dissipate the causes of rebellion in the country, particularly in Mindanao.

More after the jump…

The SJR#10 was authored by Senator Aquilino Q. Pimentel and signed by:

• Senate President Manny Villar
• Senator Edgardo J. Angara
• Senator Rodolfo G. Biazon
• Senator “Companera” Pia S. Cayetano
• Senator Juan Ponce Enrile
• Senator Francis “Chiz” G. Escudero
• Senator Jinggoy P. Ejercito-Estrada
• Senator Gregorio B. Honasan II
• Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
• Senator Francis N. Pangilinan
• Senator Ramon A. Revilla Jr.
• Senator Juan Miguel F. Zubiri
• Senator Manuel “Lito” M. Lapid
• Senator Loren B. Legarda
• Senator Benigno S. Aquino III

“The federal proposal will hopefully provide a just and lasting redress of the grievances of the powerless and the neglected sectors of society, like the Moro peoples of Mindanao,” the opposition senator said in a keynote address at the seminar on federalism hereunder the auspices of the UP Center for Local and Regional Governance/National College of Public Administration and Governance (UP CLRG/NCPAG) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Manila Southwoods, Golf Country Club, Carmona, Cavite.

This table shows us the States of the Federal Republic of the Philippines.

“The move to federalize the country is not simply a ‘political’ undertaking. It is also an economic effort. By creating 11 federal states and by converting Metro Manila as a federal administrative region, we immediately establish 12 centers of power, finance and development throughout the country,” Pimentel said.

In contrast, he said that under the existing unitary system that has characterized the government for centuries, the country had only one center of power, finance and development - Metro Manila.

Other important information:

• The Senate will increase from 24 to 75 members. Six (6) Senators each from all the Eleven (11) States of the Federal Republic, and Nine (9) Senators representing the Filipino Citizens working or residing in foreign countries.
  
  (The Federal Administrative Region? I do not know. As far as my first pass of the SJR#10, I did not read anything about the FAR being able to vote for Senators. This might be a mis-calculation or it might be intentional, we still have to wait for news about it.)
  
• There will be only 350 Seats for the House of Representatives which will be voted on a per District basis across the Federal Republic.
• The President and Vice-President will be voted as a Team with:
  
  • 6 Years Term
  • 1 Re-Election
• The Senators will have:
  
  • 6 Years Term
  • 2 Terms
• Members of the House of Representatives will have:
  
  • 3 Years Term
  • 4 Terms
• Executive Department office: FAR
• Legislative Department office: Federal State of Central Visayas
• Judicial Department office: Federal State of Northern Mindanao

In terms of allocating the resources of the Republic, Pimentel said a formula is provided in the resolution: 30 percent will go to the Federal Government and 70 percent to the component states. Of the 70 percent accruing to the states, 30 percent will go to the state governments and 70 percent to the provinces, cities, municipalities and barangays.

That’s the quick overview of the changes most of us Filipinos will care about. I am still writing my analysis of the proposal as a Filipino Citizen, where I will have more comments and possibly criticisms about it.

You can also read the Press Release from Senator Pimentel.

Disclosure

My Political stance:

• Form of Government: Federal / Federalism
• Type of Government: Parliament / Parliamentary (UK version)
• Economy System: Socialism - specifically Social Democracy (Social-Democrat)

Win U$20,000 in the ASEAN Anthem Competition

On Sunday, 2007-November-25, I wrote the A Citizen’s Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution and gave suggestions about the ASEAN Anthem which according to Article 40: ASEAN shall have an anthem – meaning that we do not have an Anthem yet. Some people have mistaken the ASEAN Hymn Song of Unity and ASEAN Community Song Let Us Move Ahead as the ASEAN Anthem, however, the ASEAN Charter says otherwise.

Article 40: ASEAN Anthem

This one, the ‘new’ ASEAN Anthem is still to be written and composed. I strongly suggest to our Secretary-General that you make this an open competition for all ASEAN Citizens. Entries must be recognized as “Asean", not as “Filipino/Philippines", “Singapore", “Laotian", “Khmer", and so on. Then open a fool-proof voting system online and let the people take part in the voting for some percentage. Then the other percentage will be taken from the decision of the high-level and/or top-level ASEAN Ministers.

For the ASEAN Citizens, I suggest you start writing and composing, then gather everyone’s contribution together, I am listening to three ASEAN songs while writing this.

The time has come for all ASEAN Citizens to submit their compositions for the ASEAN Anthem! The winning entry will be played and sung during the ASEAN Flag Raising Ceremony on the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand and will receive U$20,000.

Format of Competition

This is an Open Competition - open to all the Nationals of the 10-Member Countries of ASEAN.

Competition Rounds

• 1st Round: National Competition in each member countries. Only 20 compositions will be selected for each country
• 2nd Round: Regional Competition in Thailand in mid 2008-October. Only 20 compositions will be selected
• Final Round: Of the Final-20 Compositions, one will be selected as the Official ASEAN Anthem

Criteria

• Language: English
• The Anthem should incorporate the following elements:
  
  • Should reflect ASEAN Dignity, Coopration, and Solidarity;
  • Reflect ASEAN’s diverse culture and ethnicity;
  • The ASEAN Anthem should be an original composition;
  • Must be no longer than 60 seconds

Form of Entries and Timeline

• Entries to be sent with score and sheet music (note and lyrics) with voice and musical instruments (preferably piano) recording submitted on CD;
• Submission of compositions is open from the date the Member Country decides but will be only until 2008-September-20 for all;
• Thailand, as host of the competition, will be responsible for rearrangement of the winning entry, as well as adaptation into a full orchestra version for use at the 14th ASEAN Summit in Thailand in 2008-December
• Entries should be submitted to the ASEAN National Secretariat - visit this Official List to know the address and telephone numbers of your ASEAN National Secretariat

Copyright

The selected composition can be revised and rearranged into the Anthem of ASEAN. The ASEAN Anthem will be the Reserved Copyright of ASEAN.

Prize

The winning composition will receive U$20,000 (Twenty Thousand US Dollars).

ASEAN Composers Forum

We require that National representations to the ASEAN Composers Forum are able to judge on both lyrics and melody of all entries.

Thailand will convene an “ASEAN Composers Forum” consisting of one prominent composer from each Member Countries plus up to three prominent musical experts from a musical institution in a neutral country, in mind 2008-October.

Sources:

• South-East Asian Community comes of age
• ASEAN Anthem Competition
• Asean Anthem Competition
• Competition to look for an ASEAN anthem
• The ASEAN Charter - Bulleted Summary
• A Citizen’s Summary of the 1st ASEAN Constitution

ASEAN First Medals from the Beijing 2008 Olympics

Today, Sunday is when the ASEAN Community took home its first 3 Medals from the Beijing 2008 Olympics - One Gold, One Silver, and One Bronze from Thailand, VietNam, and Indonesia respectively.

These are all from the Weightlifting competition. Thailand’s JAROENRATTANATARAKOON Prapawadee won Gold Medal for the Women’s 53kg Weightlifting and two from the Men’s 56kg Weightlifting category by HOANG Anh Tuan of VietNam who won Silver and IRAWAN Eko Yuli of Indonesia who won Bronze Medal.

Congratulations to the Athletes, to their Nations, and to the ASEAN People!! GO FOR GOLD!

See the latest and updated tally for ASEAN only at Asia’s Perfect 10.

Funny Bugs in Online Games

You know, when you are into bug testing (and you love it like I do), you will eventually see some memorable and funny bugs along the way.

One of this is from Activision Blizzard’s World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Closed Beta Test, where exactly in-game? Alliance’s new Stormwind Harbor - EPIC FAIL indeed!!

The video after the jump…

Too bad this was fixed already, the WoW Team should have let this go on for just one week after release just for fun.

via: Blizzplanet.

Teaser: WoW: WotLK will be released 4th Quarter of 2008 as mentioned numerous times by Activision Blizzard top people. Let’s hope for the best Christmas 2008 gift!!

Happy Asean Day!!

Let me be the first to greet all of you my fellow Aseans a Happy 41st Asean Day! The theme for our 41st anniversary is no other than “One ASEAN Identity, One ASEAN Community by 2015“. We are going that way and we will be there just in time. You don’t believe me?

Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) ratified the ASEAN Charter last July 21, 2008, though it was not expected, it wasn’t a surprised either. Now three countries are left to ratify the charter namely - Indonesia, Philippines, and Thailand, and I am still very positive the ASEAN Charter will be ratified by all 10 just in-time for the next ASEAN Summit in Thailand where ASEAN was born.

Before I ask the multi-billion dollar question, here are two videos I like to share with you all.

One ASEAN Identity, One ASEAN Community by 2015. The question still lingers - what is an ASEAN Identity to us ordinary citizens? I’ve written about it before on my blog, but with the recent developments, more awareness, and the ASEAN Peoples now more responsive and voices out their opinions, it is only right that we ask the question again, perhaps this time we will have a clearer definition.

So tell us, your fellow Aseans, What is an ASEAN Identity to YOU?

Holy Order of the Light™ featured on RF Online

Finally, you are a Community, a unique group. A circle has no end. It continues forever, with all parts equally important in the success of the whole. And I quote this from Ultima VI’s the Book of Circles, as I and our guild (Holy Order of the Light™) can proudly claim that: Our society is the same. It too continues forever, with all members (and all virtues) equal parts of the unified whole.

~ from The Principles and Virtues of Ultima VI on Guild Management

The Holy Order of the Light™ of the Anthenuria Principality™ was featured in RF Online Philippines.

More after the jump…

I am so proud of this Community Guild. They created the Farewell to Philippine Perfect World CBT which we usually see being played during events of Level-Up Philippines. They also created one of the R.O.S.E. Online video favorites a few years ago, and they won the Championship in the Perfect World National Tournament.

These are just the “publicly” available or announced achievements of this Community, and today they once again showed us who they are, what makes them the best Community, and why they exist.

How do you wish your guild to be known for by the community?
Based on the guild’s doctrines, members of the guild should always try to be on the side of whatever’s good for the majority. In our case, we would want to be known as a guild that values camaraderie within the guild and across the other guilds. We try to promote respect within our ranks and we would like to be known as a guild that respects other guilds.

What makes your guild unique?
We are among, if not, the only guild … that holds roleplaying events inside the guild. Aside from that, … [is] our application process which involves a series of interviews and a 3-vouch system.

Do you have any events/activities in-gmae? What are they?
We hold our own events. The guild master and founders give missions to the members through our forums, and they usually have to collect evidence by means of screenshot or video. Sometimes, when the guild master is only, he trains the guild in puzzle solving and gives them different word puzzles to figure out. Most of the time, the events involve repelling, raiding, and searching for a lost soldier in a certain map.

Do you have any events/activities in real life? What are they?
Outside the game, the guild occasionally holds eyeballs or gimmicks. We just had a grand EB this summer, which involved a lot of singing and swimming.

The above came from the interview, I’ve selected and edited out some of the answers to give emphasis on the guild as a whole - not just HOL-RF. You can read it in full by clicking here.

As the founder and on behalf of the pioneer batches, congratulations to the largest and longest-running Community guild in the Philippines and ASEAN - the Holy Order of the Light™, you always make us all proud.

PRESS RELEASE: Registration for DEKARON Closed Beta Testing Now Open

http://mobiusgames.wordpress.com/2008/07/25/dekaron-registration-for-closed-beta-testing-now-open-for-this-violent-free-mmorpg/

DEKARON CBT Registration Now Ongoing

Registration for the closed beta testing of Dekaron for Southeast Asia officially begins Wednesday, July 23.

Gamers, who have been eagerly anticipating the release of Dekaron in the SEA region, can now head over to the special splash page created by mobiusgames for the said registration. The address is http://dekaron.mobiusgames.net

Earlier this year, mobiusgames already announced its plans of big surprises for 2008. With the back-to-back release of GONG! and Dekaron, mobiusgames seems to be going not just for “big”, but for “massively epic proportions.”

Dekaron is hailed all over the world as the most violent MMORPG title to date. It is set in the world of “Trieste”, a hauntingly beautiful place of medieval fantasy that combines epic adventure with gruesome violence. Through six (6) different character classes, players can join the fight against the evil known as “Karon”, ridding the world of the corruption, or simply put, “Dekaron”.

Dekaron can be played for free. For more information, visit the official website: http://dekaron.mobiusgames.net .

Step into the Wonderful World of…

I got my ümobile and I’m happy, so is my girlfriend Sherlene, we are very thankful! We’ve been waiting for our ümobile SIM for a month or so, why? As they say:

ümobile is the first ad-funded mobile network in the Philippines and ASEAN, it was patterned after UK’s Blyk^, where (currently) Gen Y’s can enjoy free-of-charge SMS by just viewing highly targetted advertisements (SMS and MMS).

Well, technically speaking. If you don’t do something with the ADs you are receiving, I doubt you will receive any free credits, so in the end you just top-up your ümobile just like any other mobile network. But who cares if:

• You have a cool prefix - 0999
• You can change your mobile number on-the-fly
• Can get into exclusive events
• Get free PhP100.00 for the first 6-months of joining ümobile
• Receive only highly targetted ADs that you agreed to

And many more… Even for businesses like Online Games - HighStreet 5, GONG!, CrazyKart, to mention a few, can advertise in ümobile and reach their target market effectively and guaranteed. It is push advertising, legally, because when you joined ümobile, you opt-in to receive mobile ads.

Neat! You don’t agree? Well I am sure you are pissed receiving unsolicited ads from Globe, Smart, and SUN mobile networks and they claim those are free-of-charge. With ümobile, you get what they think you will like, based on the profile details that you gave them.

But be warned. Currently, ümobile is not reachable by Globe and SUN subscribers, not by SMS or Calls. Additionally, ümobile can only Call Globe and SUN, SMS will not work either. However, ümobile and Smart are working fine since ümobile is using Smart’s network (why build your own infrastructure if you can join one of the local networks?) I strongly suggest that they build a Community Blog where they can easily and casually update their users.

Example, I sent emails to them before but I did not receive a single reply. But they have people answering their 999 hotline. I wonder if they’re doing it the old way? Calls only, no emails? That’s where the Blog will come into play, for sure they are receiving a lot of emails and maybe most are asking the same inquiries, or they are having problems like they can’t access their email servers.

With a Community Blog, they can address similar inquiries in one go. With a Community Blog, they can inform us that they are having problems accessing their emails and so they will not be able to reply ,or our emails were lost in the interwebs. It could be anything, Content that are not applicable to be put in the Product site.

Anyway, ümobile really need to have a Community Blog, that is the best way to engage your community. You don’t stop with building your Community, your next step is to Engage them. Then after that, you Empower us, I call that BEE Communities (Building, Engaging, Empowering). Check out Blyk^’s Community Blog, that will help you a lot ümobile team.

Also please get that “Change your Mobile” page back up please T_T, I don’t want to use my ümobile until I have the number I want. I already have a list of vanity numbers I will try to acquire, a couple from Top to Bottom, whichever was not yet taken, that I will use more likely - permanently. Didn’t I tell you, that is the reason why I joined ümobile (other than to get ads)?

Now for the invites… If you are between the ages of 15-35 (as of this writing, those are the Generation Y folks), just reply back here with your Name and Email Address. I only have 10 invites and some are for my relatives already. If you are lucky then you’ll have one your way, and ff ümobile will give me invite codes (a hundred maybe), then most of you will get an invite.

Slide: Gen Y, Web 2.0, and Social Media

Here are three slides that I highly recommend to everyone, especially the Gen X’ers (who are currently the ones running companies and governments) and the Gen Y’ers (who are the incoming corporates and leaders).

Embedded slides after the jump.

First the “Marketing to Gen Y“, but before you start the slide, I want to share my Point-of-View of what the Generation Y covers.

In my opinion and research, Gen Y’ers are those born from 1977 to 1994. I see three sub-groupings for this generation:

• Early Gen-overlap - 1977 to 1982 (Gen Y’ers who can clearly relate to Gen X’ers)
• Core Group - 1982 to 1992 (most are not aware of the Gen X world anymore; except for a few like me; some calls the Video Games Generation)
• Late Gen-overlap - 1992 to 1994 (Gen Y’ers who lives in a world almost as similar with today’s Gen Z’ers; some calls the Interwebs Generation)

Commonly accepted Gen Y’ers:

• #1: 1977 to 1992
• #2: 1980 to 1995

But do not be confused. The official cut-off dates for Gen Y will only be established once the Gen Z’s let themselves known and starts shaping our one world society. Additionally, there are some adjustments per country, but overall, since the days of the Gen Y’s, the world has become small we won’t see much difference in generations on different countries. So without further ado….

| View | Upload your own

The second slide: “Web 2.0 and Brand Advocacy“

| View | Upload your own

And finally, “What the F**K is Social Media?“

| View | Upload your own

PRESS RELEASE: GONG! Opens Soccer Season with Coin Shop

http://gong.mobiusgames.net

GONG!–the biggest casual mmo soccer game to hit Southeast Asia–formally starts the Soccer Season with the introduction of exclusive “coin items” in its in-game shops. With this new feature in operation, mobiusgames now officially launches the game into its commercial run.

Starting this July, GONG! coins go up for sale on the mobiusonline.net website. Players can now convert their ePoints easily to GONG! coins simply by logging in to their mobiusgames accounts, and choosing the amount of GONG! coins they want to purchase.

The GONG! coin is one of the two currencies accepted in GONG! along with the Full Star. GONG! offers a wide variety of items in its various in-game shops. With Full Stars or GONG! coins, players can dress up their characters to suit their personalities, buy wacky skills to wow their friends, and use funny items that will surely get everyone LOL-ing.

GONG! is the hilarious new casual MMO soccer game from mobiusgames, developed by TOSE Shanghai. With its unique gameplay, and fresh visual look, it isn’t a surprise that GONG! is the biggest online sports game craze sweeping all over the Philippines, Singapore, and Malaysia.

“It’s a confectionery of colorful, crazy outfits in a cool casual game,” says Imo Ong, product manager for GONG!.

The best part of it is that GONG! plays for free. The installer is available for downloading at the mobiusgames website. For more information, visit the official GONG! website for Southeast Asia.