Monday, March 31, 2008

CDE or JDS login error in Solaris 10 (Rev: 1.1)



Situation

After updating the Sun Ultra Enterprise 450 server Solaris 10 patches and performed a reboot, the users encountered the below pop up error message upon logging to the Common Desktop Environment (CDE):

The DT messaging system could not be started. To correct the problem:
1) Choose [OK] to return to the login screen
2) Select Failsafe Session from the login screen's option menu and log in.

3) Check to see that the hostname is correct in these locations:
/etc/src.sh
/etc/hosts
/usr/adm/inetd.sec

Check to see any magic cookie related error messages in these locations:
/var/adm/messages
$HOME/.dt/errorlog

For additional information, see the DT User's Guide.

After the user clicked the [OK] button in the error message, the system will immediately log out the user from the CDE desktop. If the user login to the Java Desktop System (JDS), the system will immediately log them out without showing the above error message.

Root login to CDE or JDS desktop has no problem. We did not use Network Information Service (NIS) or implement quota limitation in the Solaris 10 Operating System (OS). The root (/) file system still has about 1.8 GB of free space.


Solution

When I create the user account using the useradd command, I normally specify the user home directory as /home/username. However, the system actually create the user home directory at /export/home/username. This is because the automounter (autofs) in Solaris 10 OS defines both /home and /net as autofs mount points that is specified in the /etc/auto_master file. Since /home is an autofs mount point, you cannot create directories there.

For my login account jack, my home directory (/home/jack)files were at /export/home/jack directory. Below is my jack account in the /etc/passwd file:
jack:x:200:100:JackNg:/home/jack:/bin/tcsh

When I login to Solaris 10 as user jack, the system will auto mount my home directory as /export/home/jack. After updating the patches, it seems that the system failed to auto mount my home directory as /export/home/jack correctly. Instead, it tried to look for my home directory at /home/jack as specified in the /etc/passwd file. As the /home directory is empty, it failed with the "The DT messaging system could not be started" error message.

To solve the login problem, I login as root user and modified the user home directory from /home/username to /export/home/username in the /etc/passwd file. For example, I modified the user jack account in the /etc/passwd file as shown below:
jack:x:200:100:JackNg:/export/home/jack:/bin/tcsh

Sunday, March 30, 2008

Starnet X-Win32 (Rev: 1.5)



X-Win32 is a X11 server installs in a Windows pc that enables secure graphical access to remote machines that run Linux or Unix Operating System (OS). After connection to the remote machine is established, you can run the graphical applications from the remote machines in your windows pc desktop. The details of the remote connection and the display on your local pc can be configured through X-Config that is a configuration utility program provided with X-Win32.

Assumptions:

  • Windows pc where X-Win32 is installed is Windows XP Professional SP2 OS.

  • Remote host is Fedora Core 6 or higher version OS running KDE desktop.

  • You have login to the NUS network using wired connection. If you are using wireless connection (NUS), please login to the WebVPN first before trying to connect to the remote Linux/Unix host.

Procedures:

1. Please fill up the form at http://www.starnet.com/products/xwin32/download.php in order to download a 1 month trial copy of X-Win32 v8.2 build 1215 (for WinXP or Vista) or higher version.


2. Assume you have installed X-Win32 in your Windows pc with your given trial license key and have obtained a 1 month usage period license key from Starnet. Kindly click Start All ProgramsX-Win32 8.2X-Win32.

When X-Win32 is started, an X-Win32 icon is setup in the tray:

One icon is displayed for each instance of X-Win32.


3. Kindly right-click on the X-Win32 icon and select X-Config.


This will open the X-Config window:



4. Kindly click “Manual…” to create a new session.


Please select “SSH” as the connection method. Secure SHell (SSH) connection provides automatic data encryption and is recommended for security reason.



5. Please enter the Session Name (any name you like), Host (the remote machine IP address or hostname), Login (login user name to the remote machine) and Command as shown below:

Common commands include:
For GNOME (RedHat): /usr/bin/gnome-session
For KDE (SuSE): /opt/kde3/bin/startkde
For KDE (Fedora Core): /usr/bin/startkde

For CDE (AIX ): /usr/dt/bin/Xsession
For CDE (Solaris): /usr/dt/bin/Xsession
For JDS (Solaris 10): /usr/bin/gnome-session


6. Kindly click the “Advanced” tab and set the settings as shown below:

Kindly click “Save” to save your session.


7. Kindly click the “Security” tab at the X-Config window. Add 127.0.0.1 as an Allow Host Address:



8. Kindly click the “Sessions” tab at the X-Config window. Please select your created session (eg: RemoteMachine_FC6_KDE) & click the “Launch” button to start connecting to the remote host.


Please enter your user login name and password if prompt:



9. You will be connected to the remote host and present with the desktop environment (depending on the command you use) of the remote host in your Windows pc.


Note:

You can also use the free Xming X Window Server for Microsoft Windows (XP/2003/Vista) Operating System (OS) that enables secure graphical access to remote machines that run Linux or Unix OS.


Reference:

[1] Starnet X-Win32

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Japanese language learning experience (Rev: 1.6)



From year 1994 to 1997, I took the Japanese Language Course (Elementary, Intermediate and Advanced-I) at the Japanese Cultural Society (JCS) Japanese Language School. Although I have passed the Japanese Language Proficiency Test (JLPT) Level 3 on Dec 1995, I still cannot speak Japanese fluently.

I attended a JLPT preparatory course at JCS. Although the teacher is not a Japanese, he can speak Japanese fluently. We listened to the past years JLPT tapes. The teacher explained and gave us the answers to the questions from the tapes. My friend bought the JLPT preparation course book at a bookshop. From the standard answers given from the book, some of the answers gave by the teacher does not match it...


Types of speech in Japanese

There are 4 levels of speech in Japanese:

  1. Abrupt. Use when speaking "down" to children, animals or other social inferiors.

  2. Informal. Use when speaking with close friends, family members, or peers in a casual situation.

  3. Normal-polite. Use when speaking with strangers, business associates and others when courtesy is called for. This is what we usually learn in the JCS Japanese Language School.

  4. Honorific. Use in very formal situations or when speaking to superiors, clients, etc. If a wife speaks to his husband using the honorific speech during a heated argument, the meaning of "respect" towards the husband might not be true.

Each levels of speech in Japanese has different vocabulary, verb endings, grammatical constructions, etc. There is also a degree of acceptable overlap between the levels of speech, as well as certain traditional Honorific expressions that may be used at any level (greetings, apologies, etc). These are the parts where I find it difficult to master the Japanese language.

In school, we studied the normal-polite speech. However, informal verb endings are freely used in "Impersonal" speech such as broadcast news, formal announcements, Japanese comics and movie, etc. Whenever I watched a Japanese movie, I usually don't understand those informal speech because of the different vocabulary, grammatical construction, etc. If you are new to Japanese language, I would advice you to look for courses that teach informal Japanese speech in order to pick it up quickly.

Reference:

[1] Japanese verbs and essentials of grammar - a practical guide to the mastery of Japanese by Rita L. Lampkin.

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Remote Desktop Connection (Rev: 1.89)


Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) is a technology that allows you to sit at a computer/notebook and connect to a remote computer/server in a different location through the network. RDC is installed by default on all versions of Windows XP/Vista/7/8 Operating Systems (OS), but not at Windows 95/98/2000 OS.

Assumptions:
  • Your own local computer/notebook is running Windows XP Professional SP3 OS. If you are connecting to a remote computer that is running Windows Vista or Windows Server 2008 OS, please download and installed the RDC Terminal Services Client 6.1 in order to make use of the new Remote Desktop Services features in it. This will update your Remote Desktop Protocol to version 6.1.

    If you are connecting to a remote computer that is running Windows 7 or Windows Server 2008 R2 OS, please download and installed the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update [for pc running Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)] in order to make use of the new Remote Desktop Services features in it. This will update your Remote Desktop Protocol to version 7.0.


  • If your own local computer/notebook is running Windows 7 Service Pack 1 (SP1) or Windows Server 2008 R2 Service Pack 1 (SP1) OS, please download and installed the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP) 8.0 update in order to make use of the new Remote Desktop Services features. These features were introduced in Windows 8 and Windows Server 2012 R2 OS. This will update your Remote Desktop Protocol to version 8.0.


  • You have login to the National University of Singapore (NUS) network using wired connection. If you are using wireless connection (NUS), please login to the WebVPN first before trying to make a RDC to the remote computer/server in NUS.


  • Assume the remote computer/server is already powered on and no one has login to it.



Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac

Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac allows Macintosh computer users to connect to a remote Windows-based computer/server and work with programs and files on that remote Windows-based computer/server from their Macintosh computer.
  • If your MAC OS X is v10.5.8 or later, please download and install “Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.1.1” (for remote Windows-based computer/server running Windows XP/Vista/7/Server 2003 or 2008) or


  • If your MAC OS X is v10.4.9 (Tiger) or later, please download and install “Microsoft Remote Desktop Connection Client for Mac 2.0.1” (for remote Windows-based computer/server running Windows XP/Vista/Server 2003 or 2008) or


  • If your MAC OS X is v10.2.8 or later, please download and install "Remote Desktop Connection Client 1.0.3 for Mac" (for remote Windows-based computer/server running Windows NT Server 4.0/XP/Server 2000 or 2003). The Macintosh computer must be using Macintosh PowerPC Processor and the hard disk should be in Mac OS Extended (HFS+) format which is the default format for Mac. Microsoft does not currently support running Remote Desktop Connection from a hard disk that is in another format.

    Please note that "Remote Desktop Connection Client 1.0.3 for Mac" will not work if the remote Windows-based computer/server is running Windows Server 2008 OS.

For MAC user to connect to the remote Windows-based computer/server from their Macintosh computer/notebook, please input Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) or IP address of the remote Windows-based computer/server. For example, if the given remote Windows-based computer/server has a local hostname of remoteServerName and a parent domain name of stf.nus.edu.sg, the FQDN is "remoteServerName.stf.nus.edu.sg".



Remote Desktop Manager (by Devolutions Inc.)

Remote Desktop Manager (by Devolutions Inc.) v8.0.12.0 or higher version centralizes all your remote connections [Microsoft Remote Desktop (RDP), Microsoft Remote Assistance, VNC, Citrix (ICA/HDX), TeamViewer, Radmin, pc Anywhere, FTP/FTPs/SFTP, SSH, X Window, etc], passwords and credentials into a unique platform.

To make management simpler, Remote Desktop Manager lets you organize sessions in groups (folders). Then, you can open several sessions at the same time by selecting a group.

- Compatible with Windows XP, 2003, Vista, 2008, 7, 8 and 2012
- Require Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 or higher version
- Comparing Standard Edition (free) and Enterprise Edition





Create a Remote Desktop Connection

1. Assume you have already login to NUS network in your computer/notebook. For Windows XP/7 OS, kindly click StartAll ProgramsAccessoriesRemote Desktop Connection to open the RDC.


2. At the RDC window, under the General tab, in Computer:, kindly types the remote computer name or its IP address.




3. Kindly click the Experience tab, in Performance, kindly select "LAN (10 Mbps or higher)".

Most of the Experience settings are related to the graphical nature of the desktop. Because the processing for graphics happens on the remote computer and must be transmitted to the desktop over the network connection, you can increase performance by allowing only the minimal settings that are necessary for your users. For optimal performance, the below configurations are recommended:




Desktop Experience Settings
SettingDescription
Desktop BackgroundAllows user to choose a custom background or wallpaper for their desktop. Because these can be very graphic-intensive, disable this setting unless it is necessary for your users.
Show contents of window while draggingRedraws the contents of a window rather than showing just the frame of the window when you move the window across the screen. Because this redrawing takes place on the server and needs to be transmitted over the network connection to display on the user's desktop, disable this setting unless it is necessary.
Menu and window animationEnables cascading menus and scroll transitions for menus and tool tips. Because this rendering takes place on the server and needs to be transmitted over the network connection to display on the user's desktop, disable this setting unless it is necessary.
ThemesAllows user to choose a background plus a set of sounds, icons, and other elements for their desktop. Because many themes are graphic-intensive, disable this setting unless it is necessary for your users.
Bitmap cachingStores frequently used images on the local computer to speed up the connection. By enabling this setting, these images do not have to be transmitted across the network connection each time they appear on the desktop. This setting is enabled by default.


4. Click Connect. The Credentials dialog box will appear:



In the Credentials dialog box, kindly type your UserID (nusstu\yourUserID for student or nusstf\yourUserID for staff) and Password, and then click OK to connect to the remote computer.




Copy and paste a file from a local computer to a remote computer

Method 1

1. Assume you have already login to NUS network in your computer/notebook. Kindly click StartAll ProgramsAccessoriesRemote Desktop Connection to open the RDC.


2. At the RDC window, kindly click the Local Resources tab, and then under Local devices and resources, click the More... button.




3. Click the plus sign (+) next to Drives, select the drives (eg: D:) on the local computer/notebook (the computer/notebook at which you are currently sitting) that you want to use in your Remote Desktop session, and then click OK.




4. At the RDC window, under the General tab, in Computer:, kindly types the remote computer name. Click Connect to establish a connection to the remote computer.

Kindly click Yes when prompt whether you trust the remote computer that you are connecting to.




5. At the remote computer, kindly open a Windows Explorer by clicking StartAll ProgramsAccessoriesWindows Explorer
In the Windows Explorer, you'll see the drives on the remote computer as well as the drives on your local computer. The following example shows how the drives on your local computer are named when they appear in the Windows Explorer on the remote computer:
D on yourComputerName




6. In the remote computer Windows Explorer, navigate to the file that you want to copy under the “D on yourComputerName” drive (represents your local computer d:\ drive), right-click the file that you want to transfer from your local computer, and then click Copy.


7. In the same remote computer Window Explorer, kindly navigate to the location on the remote computer where you want to paste the file, eg: Users (D:) drive. Right-click the drive/folder icon, and then click Paste to transfer the file from your local computer to the remote computer.


Method 2

If you are unable to use RDC to establish a connection to the remote computer, you can use this method provided that you have already configured a share folder at the remote computer.

1. Assume you have already login to NUS network and your d:\users\yourName folder at the remote computer has already been shared.


2. At the local computer, kindly open a Windows Explorer by clicking
StartAll ProgramsAccessoriesWindows Explorer

Kindly navigate in the Windows Explorer window to the file residing on your local computer that you want to transfer to the remote computer. Select the file, right-click and click Copy.


3. In the Windows Explorer Address, kindly type the remote computer name, eg: \\remotePcName and hit the Enter key.



After a while, Windows Explorer will list those shared folders at the remote computer.


4. Kindly locate your remote share folder at the remote computer. Right-click on your remote share folder icon and click Paste to transfer your file from your local computer to the remote computer.





To disconnect (lock) without ending a session

1. In the RDC window, click StartDisconnect (or Lock if the remote computer is running Windows Server 2008 OS), and then click the Disconnect button to disconnect your RDC session. You can also disconnect from a session by closing the RDC window.

Disconnect or lock your RDC session will still allow your running simulations to continue running so that you can check your simulation stage later.


Notes:
RDC automatically reconnects to this session the next time you connect to this remote computer (if the remote computer is configured to allow reconnection of disconnected sessions). By disconnecting without ending a session, the remote computer screen will still be locked by the remote user who previously login to use the RDC, and other users will not be able to login to use the remote computer.

To log off and end the session

1. In the RDC window, click StartLog Off, and then click the Log Off button to end your RDC session. By logging off and end the session, any running simulations or applications processes will end. The remote computer screen will not be locked. The remote computer will return back to the login screen so that others can login to it again.



Remote Desktop Connection (RDC) error message(s)

  • Please refer to the Microsoft website if you encounter the error message "Remote desktop connection "The local policy of this system does not permit you to logon interactively".

    If the remote computer had already applied the above suggested resolutions but still encountered the same error message, please delete all the users in the Remote Desktop users list and click OK to System properties → Remote tab window (detail steps shown in the next error message, "Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:" below). Then, add the users to the Remote Desktop users list again.





  • Assume you have already logged in to the WebVPN using your Windows 7 OS notebook at your home and is trying to use RDC to remote access your Windows XP Professional SP3 OS computer in a laboratory in NUS, but encountered the below error messages when using RDC to connect to your NUS laboratory computer using that computer name:

    Remote Desktop can't connect to the remote computer for one of these reasons:

    1) Remote access to the server is not enabled

    2) The remote computer is turned off

    3) The remote computer is not available on the network

    Make sure the remote computer is turned on and connected to the network, and that remote access is enabled.

    Assume that the NUS lab computer is already power on and no one has login to it, please try the below solutions:

    1. In that NUS lab computer that is running Windows XP SP3 OS, click StartControl panelSystem. At the System properties window, click the Remote tab, check the "Allow users to connect remotely to this computer". Then, click the "Select Remote Users..." button and add your userID (nusstu\yourUserID for student or nusstf\yourUserID for staff) to the Remote Desktop users list.

    2. Ensure that the NUS lab computer firewall is on and exception is allowed for "Remote Desktop" with "TCP 3389" service with "Any" scope configuration.

    3. (optional) Please download and installed the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update (for pc running Windows XP SP3, Windows Vista SP1 or SP2) for that NUS lab computer that is running Windows XP SP3 OS.

    4. In your Windows 7 OS notebook at home, open a "Command Prompt" (Under Accessories Programs). At the Command Prompt, type
      ping labComputerName

      If there is a reply from your labComputerName with IP address of 204.xxx.xxx.xxx, please call your friend in that lab in NUS to use his/her computer in the lab to perform a ping to that labComputerName. If your friend gets a reply from your labComputerName with IP address of 172.xxx.xxx.xxx, note down that IP address of 172.xxx.xxx.xxx.

      In your Windows 7 OS notebook at home, run RDC and fill in the "Computer:" as "172.xxx.xxx.xxx". Also fill in your userID (nusstu\yourUserID for student or nusstf\yourUserID for staff) to the "User name:" in RDC and click the "Connect" button.





  • When using RDC in your Windows XP SP3 x86 OS computer to connect to a remote server that had configured RDC with Network Level Authentication (NLA) setting, you encountered the below error message:

    The remote computer requires Network Level Authentication which your computer does not support. For assistant, contact your system administrator or technical support.

    This is because your computer is either not running at least RDC version 6.0 or higher version, or the Credential Security Support Provider (CredSSP) is not turn on in your Windows XP SP3 x86 OS.

    For pc running Windows XP SP2 x64 OS, the Network Level Authentication in RDC is not enabled by default. Microsoft does not provides any support on how to enable the Network Level Authentication in RDC for Windows XP SP2 x64 OS. Hence, user with Windows XP SP2 x64 OS pc cannot connect to a remote server that had configured RDC with Network Level Authentication (NLA) setting.

    If your Windows XP SP3 x86 OS computer is running RDC below version 6.0, it does not support NLA. Please download and installed the Remote Desktop Connection 7.0 client update [for pc running Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3), Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1), and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 (SP2)] in order to make use of the new Remote Desktop Services features in it.

    CredSSP is a new Security Support Provider (SSP) that is available in Windows XP SP3 x86 OS by using the Security Support Provider Interface (SSPI). CredSSP enables a program to use client-side SSP to delegate user credentials from the client computer to the target server. Please refer to the Microsoft website on how to enable the CredSSP protocol via a registry modification on Windows XP SP3 x86 OS.

    After turning on the CredSSP, you need to restart your computer for it to take effect before using RDC, or else you will encounter an error message "An authentication error has occurred (code: 0x507). Remote computer: xxx" when using RDC to connect to the remote computer.





  • When attempting to establish a Remote Desktop Connection using RD client (mstsc.exe) to a Remote Desktop server which is running Windows Server 2008 R2, you may encounter the below message:

    The connection cannot be completed because the remote computer that was reached is not the one you specified. This could be caused by an outdated entry in the DNS cache. Try using the IP address of the computer instead of the name.

    To resolve the issue, please login as a local administrator to the Remote Desktop (RD) server. Then, kindly change the remote desktop security on the RD server to RDP Security Layer to allow a secure connection using Remote Desktop Protocol encryption:

    1. Navigate to Start > Administrative Tools > Terminal Services > Terminal Services Manager.

    2. With RD Session Host Configuration selected view under Connections.

    3. Right click RDP Listener (Connection Name: RDP-Tcp) with connection type Microsoft RDP 6.1 and choose Properties.

    4. In the "General" tab of the properties dialog box under Security, select RDP Security Layer as the Security Layer. You can leave the "Encryption Level" as "Client Compatible".

    5. Click OK.

    Note: This setting does not need a restart of the Server or Remote Desktop Service.




  • Solved cannot copy and paste in the Remote Desktop Session (RDS)

    The clipboard implements a "clipboard viewer chain" and is application-controlled. Every applications that is added to this "clipboard viewer chain" is responsible for passing on notification messages to the next viewer in the chain. There are applications that do not pass the messages and causes the copy and paste problem in the RDS.

    For example, if you used FEKO application and had finished your FEKO simulations in the Windows Server Enterprise 2008 (x64) SP2 Operating System in the RDS of the remote machine, but encountered the copy and paste problem, the FEKO application might still be using the rdpclip.exe process (consumed about 8.2 GB of memory) and has not passed the notification messages to the next viewer in the "clipboard viewer chain".

    Please use the Task Manager to kill the rdpclip.exe process and try the copy and paste again in the RDS of the remote machine. If the copy and paste problem is still not solved, please click "Start" -> "Run". Kindly type rdpclip.exe and click the OK button to restart the rdpclip.exe process to restore the clipboard communication.




Disable beep sound in Remote Desktop Connection

In Windows XP, click StartControl PanelSystem. Click the Hardware tab and then click the "Device Manager" button.

At the "Device Manager" window, kindly click ViewShow hidden devices. Under "Non-Plug and Play Drivers", select the "Beep" device, right-click and select "Properties".

At the "General" tab, kindly change the "Device usage" from "Use this device (enable)" to "Do not use this device (disable)". Click the "OK" button and restart the computer when prompt.

Please note you will not hear any beep sound (whenever an application requests it, or when an error occurs that trigger a beep sound) in your computer after you have disable the "Beep" device from your computer.





References:

[1]  RDP connection to Remote Desktop server running Windows Server 2008 R2 may fail with message 'The Local Security Authority cannot be contacted'

[2] Remote Desktop Manager (by Devolutions Inc.)

[3] Fixing Copy/Paste for Remote Desktop Sessions

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Import Singapore Holidays into Microsoft Outlook Calendar (Rev: 1.7)


You can imported Singapore holidays into Microsoft Outlook so that you can make better plans of your schedule when using the Microsoft Outlook Calendar:
  1. Please download the Singapore holidays year 2013 from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website in the form of iCalendar format (.ics). If you have problem downloading it, please send an email to JackNg.

  2. Assume you are using Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007/2010.
    In Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007, please click File -> Import and Export...
    In Microsoft Outlook 2010, please click File -> Open -> Import.

  3. Kindly select "Import an iCalendar (.ics) or vCalendar file (.vcs) and click "Next".
    Import and export wizard
    For Microsoft Outlook 2003/2007/2010

  4. Kindly browse to your directory where you have downloaded the .ics file (public_holidays.sg.2013.ics) from the MOM website, select it and click "OK".

  5. Kindly select Import if prompted.

Friday, March 14, 2008

Photos/Contact Me (Rev: 1.74)


A brief introduction of myself:
Jack NgJack Ng
Singaporean
  • Diploma in Electrical Engineering
  • Professional Diploma in Management
  • Degree of Bachelor of Science in Computer Science with Management

Email: jackngch@aim.com


Smoking: No
Drinking: No
Can speak English, Chinese, Hokkien and simple Japanese



当你爱一个人时,你会愿意照顾她一生,陪她度过人世间的沧桑与温馨。


宇宙一切随时在变,
自己因此要懂得自强,
要随时反省, 努力修养学问,
要永恒的前进,不能停留。

一念天堂, 一念地狱


活的像没有明天,
学的像能活永远。



秀色可餐的女人,我请客。
锈色可餐的女人,各付各。


(注:生)


有些人的人生,是直达车,有些人却是慢车,中间总要经过许多站,经历许多人…
有人总是下错站,坐过头,不是错失了窗外风景,就是错过了身旁的人, 没有人知道,能陪自己坐到终点站的人,究竟会是谁… (Shu Meng)


Latest photos

Jack Ng
JackNg on Jan 2006.


Jack Ng
JackNg on Feb 2008.


Jack Ng
JackNg on 25 March 2010




Young photos


I was fat when I was young...


At Singapore Mount Faber Park...

Trip to Thailand during oversea army training...



Trip to Thailand during oversea army training. The "burnt" skin was caused by training under the hot sun..


Trip to Malaysia Gentling Highlands...

Monday, March 10, 2008

Links (Rev: 1.6)


Queens Beaute (Nail, Eyebrow and Face services)



Send free SMS in Singapore
  1. M1 Message Center
  2. Singtel Internet SMS (Need to sign up for a free account first)
  3. Starhub - Free Web SMS

Jokes (Rev: 3.0)





Woman and God

A middle aged woman had a heart attack and was taken to the hospital. While on the operating table, she had a near death experience. Seeing God, she asked: "Is my time up ?". God said: "No, you have another 43 years, 2 months and 8 days to live".

Upon recovery, the woman decided to stay in the hospital and have a facelift, liposuction, and a tummy tuck. She even had someone come in and change her hair color. Since she had so much more time to live, she figured that she might as well make the most of it. After her last operation, she was released from the hospital. While crossing the street on her way home, she was killed by an ambulance.

Arriving in front of God, she demanded: "I thought you said I had another 40 years ? Why didn't you pull me out from the path of the ambulance ?"

God replied: "I didn't recognize you".


Cannibal Beauty

The ambassador of a small African nation visit Russia, and was entertained by his opposite number, the Russian ambassador. For three days, the African ambassador was wined, dined, and generally, treated to the best hospitality that Russia had to offer.

On the final day of his visit, the Russian ambassador said, "As your stay is coming to an end, it is time for you to play our traditional game, Russian roulette (gambling game played with a revolving wheel or disk). One of the six chambers of this gun is loaded and you spin the cylinder, point the gun at your head, and pull the trigger."

This fazed the African slightly, but he was a proud man of a warrior class, and to show fear would be unthinkable.

Both men took their guns, spun and pulled the triggers. Both chambers were empty, and both ambassadors breathed a sigh of relief. The African ambassador was much impressed with the courageous game, and thought hard about the subject before the Russian Ambassador was due to visit his country the next year.

When the visit came, the African ambassador treated the Russian with all hospitality, until the final day of his stay. Leading him to a private room in the palace, the African ambassador spoke, "Now it is time for you to sample our game, African roulette". After saying, he led the Russian into the room, the only occupants of which were six beautiful, naked women.

The African ambassador said, "These women are the most beautiful members of our tribes. Any one of them will give you a very great blow job, so take your pick."

The Russian was not entirely opposed to this idea, but he couldn't see the connection with Russian Roulette. He said, "Well, it is great, but where is the roulette part ? Where is the danger ?"

With a big grin on his face, the African ambassador answered, "One of them is a cannibal (person who eats human flesh)".




Advancement

Deng Xiao Ping went to US and had a meeting with the US president, Bill Clinton.
Bill: "I want to show you the US advancement. Come with me". He took him to a forest.
Bill: "Dig the ground."
Deng dig it.
Bill: "More, more, more..."
Deng dig up to 100 feet.
Bill: "Now, try to search for something".
Deng: "I got a wire."
Bill: "You know, it shows that even 100 years ago, we used to have telephones."

The following year, Bill was in China as Deng had invited him.

Deng: "I want to show you our advancement". He took Bill to a forest.
Deng: "Dig the ground."
Bill does.
Deng: "More, more, more..."
Bill dig up to almost 400 feet.
Deng: "Try to find something."
Bill tries.
Deng: "Did you get anything ?"
Bill: "No, there is nothing here."
Deng: "You know, it shows that even 400 years ago, we used to have WIRELESS."


Royal blood

Four mothers got together and were discussing their sons.

"Our family has Royal blood", said the first proud woman. "When my son enters a room, people look at him and say, "Oh, Your Highness".

The second mother went on, "My son is a bishop. When he enters a room, people say, "Oh, Your Excellency".

"My son is a cardinal," continued the next one. "When he enters a room, people say, "Oh, Your Eminence".

The fourth mother thought for a moment. "My son is short, weighs 185 kilos and bald. People actually WORSHIPS him", she said. "When he enters a room, people look at him and say, "Oh, My God !"



5 lessons worth remembering
  1. A young executive was leaving the office at 9 pm and found the CEO standing in front of a shredder with a piece of paper in his hand.

    "Listen," said the CEO, "this is a very sensitive and important document, and my secretary has left. Can you make this thing work ?"

    "Certainly," said the young executive. He turned the machine on, inserted the paper, and pressed the start button.

    "Excellent, excellent !" said the CEO as his paper disappeared inside the machine. "I just need one copy."

    Lesson 1 - Never, never assume that your BOSS knows everything.


  2. A crusty old man walks into a bank and says to the teller at the window: "I want to open a damn checking account."

    To which the astonished woman replies: "I beg your pardon, sir. I must have misunderstood you. What did you say ?"

    "Listen up bitch ! I said, I want to open a damn checking account right now !"

    "I am very sorry sir, but we do not tolerate that kind of language in this bank."
    Having said this, the teller leaves the window and goes over to the bank manager to tell him about her problem customer.

    They both return and the manager asks the old geezer: "What seems to be the problem here ?"

    "There is no damn problem, sonny," the elderly man says. "I just won 50 million bucks in the damn lottery and I want to open a damn checking account in this damn bank !"

    "I see," says the manager thoughtfully. "And you are saying that this bitch here is giving you a hard time ?"

    Lesson 2 - If you are RICH, you can get away with almost anything.


  3. An American and a Japanese were sitting on the plane on the way to LA when the American turned to the Japanese and asked, "What kind of -ese are you ?"

    The Japanese confused, replied, "Sorry, but I don't understand what you mean."

    The American repeated, "What kind of -ese are you ?"
    Again, the Japanese was confused over the question.
    The American, now irritated, then yelled, "What kind of -ese are you... Are you a Chinese, Japanese, Vietnamese, etc...?"

    The Japanese then replied, "Oh, I am a Japanese."

    A while later, the Japanese turned to the American and asked what kind of '-key' was he. The American, frustrated, yelled, "What do you mean what kind of '-key' I am ?"
    The Japanese said, "Are you a Yankee, donkey or monkey ?"

    Lesson 3 - Never insult anyone.


  4. There were these 4 guys, a Russian, a German, a British and a French. They found a small genie bottle. When they rubbed the bottle, a genie appeared.

    Thankful that the 4 guys had released him out of the bottle, he said, "Next to you all are 4 swimming pools, I will give each of you a wish. When you run towards the pool and jump, you shout what you want the pool of water to become, and your wish will come true."

    The French wanted to start first. He ran towards the pool, jumped and shouted "WINE".

    The pool immediately changed into a pool of wine. The Frenchman was happily swimming and drinking from the pool.

    Next is the Russian turn. He did the same and shouted, "VODKA" and immersed himself into a pool of vodka. The German was next and he jumped and shouted, "BEER". He was very contented with his beer pool.

    The last is the British. He was running towards the pool when suddenly he steps on a banana peel. He slipped towards the pool and shouted, "SHIT...!"

    Lesson 4 - Think twice before you say something, because sometimes what you say accidentally does happen.


  5. A junior manager, a senior manager and their boss are on their way to a meeting. On their way through a park, they come across a wonder lamp. They rub the lamp and a ghost appears. The ghost says, "Normally, one is granted three wishes but as there are 3 of you, I will allow only one wish for each of you."

    The eager senior manager shouted, "I want to make the first wish. I want to be in Bahamas, on a fast boat and have no worries."
    "Puff...", and he was gone.

    The junior manager could not keep quiet and also shouted, "I want to be in Florida with beautiful girls, plenty of fine food and cocktails."
    "Puff...", and he was also gone.

    The boss calmly said, "I want these two idiots back in the office after lunch."

    Lesson 5- Always allow the bosses to speak first.



Sperm is sweet ?

At a biology class in the Harvard University, a professor was discussing the high glucose levels found in semen which gives the sperm all the energy for their journey. A female freshman raised her hand and asked, "If I understand you correctly, you are saying that there is a lot of glucose, as in sugar, in semen ?"

"That is correct", responded the professor who carrying on to add statistical info.

Raising her hand again, she asked, "Then why doesn't it taste sweet ?"

After a stunned silence, the whole class burst out laughing. The poor girl's face turned bright red as she realized exactly what she had inadvertently said. She picked up her books and quickly walked out of the class. However, as she was going out the door, the professor's reply was classic.

Totally straight-faced, he answered her question. "It doesn't taste sweet because the taste buds for sweetness are on the tip of your tongue and not the back of your throat. Have a good day."


Human Resources

One day while walking down the street, a highly successful human resources manager was tragically hit by a bus and she died. Her soul arrived up in heaven where she was met at the Pearly Gates by St. Peter himself.

"Welcome to Heaven", said St. Peter. "Before you get settled in, it seems that we have a problem. You see, strangely enough, we have never once had a human resources manager here and we are not really sure what to do with you."

"No problem, just let me in," said the woman.

"Well, I'd like to, but I have higher orders. What we are going to do is let you have a day in Hell and a day in Heaven. Then you can choose whichever one you want to spend an eternity in."

"Actually, I think I have made up my mind. I prefer to stay in Heaven", said the woman.

"Sorry, we have rules..."

And with that St. Peter put the manager in an elevator and it went all the way down to hell. The doors opened and she found herself stepping out onto a beautiful golf course. In the distance was a country club and standing in front of her were all her friends - fellow executives that she had worked with and they were well dressed in evening gowns and cheering for her. They ran up and kissed her on both cheeks and they talked about old times. They played an excellent round of golf and at night went to the country club where she enjoyed an excellent steak and lobster dinner. She met the Devil who was actually a really nice guy and she had a great time telling jokes and dancing. She was having such a good time that before she knew it, it was time to leave. Everybody shook her hand and waved goodbye as she got on the elevator. The elevator went all the way up and opened back up at the Pearly Gates. St.Peter was waiting for her.

"Now it is time to spend a day in heaven," he said. Hence, she spent the next 24 hours lounging around on clouds and playing the harp and singing. She had a great time and before she knew it, her 24 hours were up and St. Peter came to her.

"So, you have spent a day in hell and also a day in heaven. Now you must choose your eternity."

The woman paused for a second and then replied, "Well, I never thought I'd say this, I mean, Heaven has been really great, but I think I had a much better time in Hell."

Hence, St. Peter escorted her to the elevator and again she went all the way down to Hell. When the doors of the elevator opened, she found herself standing in a desolate wasteland covered in garbage and filth. She saw her friends were dressed in rags and were picking up the garbage and putting it into the sacks. The Devil came up to her and put his arm around her.

"I don't understand," stammered the woman, "yesterday, I was here and there was a golf course and a country club. We ate lobster, danced and had a great time. Now, there is a wasteland of garbage and all my friends look miserable."

The Devil looked at her and smiled.
"Yesterday we were recruiting you, today you are a staff..."




Donate sperm

A very old man comes into a hospital and says: "I want to donate some sperm". The nurse gives him a jar and tells him to come back tomorrow with the sperm. The next day, he came back but the jar was empty. So, the nurse asks: "What happened ? Where is the sperm ?"

Well, he replies: "I went home and I tried so hard. I used my right hand and then my left hand. Then my wife tried. She used her right hand and then she tried her left hand. Then she used her mouth, once using her teeth and once without. Then we asked our neighbour to come over and she tried with her left hand and then her right hand. Then she tried with her mouth, once with her teeth and once without."

The nurse gasps... "Oh dear ! You even asked your neighbour..."

The man says... "Yeah...and we still couldn't get the jar open."


The Golden Saloon

A guy comes home completely drunk one night. He lurches through the door and is met by his scowling wife, who is most definitely not happy.
"Where the hell have you been all night?" she demands.
"At this fantastic new bar," he says. "The Golden Saloon. Everything there is golden. It's got huge golden doors, a golden floor, etc. Hell, even the urinal is gold !"

The wife doesn't believe his story. The next day, she checks the phone book and find a place across the town calls The Golden Saloon. She calls up the place to check her husband story. "Is this The Golden Saloon ?" she asks when the bartender answers the phone.
"Yes it is," bartender answers.
"Do you have huge golden doors ?"
"Sure do."
"Do you have a golden floor ?"
"Most certainly do."
"What about golden urinals ?"

There is a long pause, then the woman hears the bartender yelling, "Hey, duke, I think I got a lead on the guy that pissed in your saxophone last night !"


Are you kidding

Reaching the end of a job interview, the Human Resources manager asked a young engineer who was fresh out of the Massachusettes Institute of Technology (MIT): "What starting salary were you thinking about ?"

The engineer said, "$120,000 a year, depending on the benefits package."

The manager said, "Well, what would you say to a package of 5 weeks vacation, 14 paid holidays, full medical and dental benefits, and a company car leases every 2 years - say, a Mercedes-Benz ?"

The engineer sat up straight and said, "Wow! Are you kidding ?"

The manager replied, "Yeah, but you started it first."


The florist's mistake

On opening his new store, a man received a bouquet of flowers. He became dismayed on reading the enclosed card that is expressed "Deepest sympathy".

While puzzling over the message, his telephone rang. It is the florist, apologizing for having sent the wrong card.

"Oh, it's alright." said the storekeeper. "I'm a businessman and I understand how these things can happen."

"But," added the florist, "I accidentally sent your card to a funeral party."

"Well, what did it say ?" ask the storekeeper.

"Congratulations on your new location." was the reply.


Two black eyes

A man came home from work with two black eyes.
"What happened to you ?" asked his wife.
"I will never understand women," he replied. "I was riding up in an escalator behind this pretty young girl. I notice that her skirt was stuck in the crack of her butt. So, I pulled it out and she turned around and punched me in the eye !"

"I can certainly understand that," said the wife, "but how did you get the second black eye ?"

"Well, I figured she like it that way," said the husband, "so I pushed it back in."




MacDonald

There was this woman who was having problems with her sex life. She was not getting enough sex from her guy so she went to see a sex therapist. After explaining her problem, the doctor gave her a pill to slip in her boyfriend's drink next time they had dinner and he assured her she would be in for a great time.

The next day the doctor called her up and asked how she went, and the girl said that everything was perfect except for one thing.
"Well, what was that ?" the doctor asked.
"Well, I slipped the tablet into his drink during dinner. He went wild, grabbed me, kissed me and touched me like never before. Then he pushed everything off the table and we made wild passionate love right there on top of the dinner table. It was the best ever !"
The doctor then asked, "Then, what was your problem ?"
"I don't think we will be welcome at MacDonald anymore."


Mental

A man has been sent to a state hospital (mental home) because he thought he was a mouse. After some weeks, he was asked by a doctor of the hospital a couple of questions to check if he got normal again.

The doctor asked him: "Are you a man or a mouse ?"
The man said: "I am a man"
The doctor asked: "Are you sure ?"
"Yes, I am 100% sure", said the man.
They released him but after 5 minutes, he came back running and said to the doctor: "Please lock me again in my room ! A cat is hunting me !"
The doctor said: "Why are you afraid of a cat. You are a man and not a mouse."
The man said: "I know that I am a man and not a mouse, but does the cat knows this too ?"


Flight passenger

A crowded United flight was canceled. A single agent was rebooking a long line of inconvenienced travelers. Suddenly, an angry passenger pushed his way to the desk. He slapped his ticket down on the counter and said, "I HAVE to be on this flight and it has to be FIRST CLASS."

The agent replied, "I'm sorry, sir. I will be happy to try to help you, but I have got to help these folks first, and I am sure we will be able to work something out."

The passenger was unimpressed. He asked loudly, so that the passengers behind him could hear, "Do you have any idea who I am ?"

Without hesitating, the agent smiled and grabbed her public address microphone. "May I have your attention please. We have a passenger here at the gate WHO DOES NOT KNOW WHO HE IS. If anyone can help him find his identity, please come to the gate. Thank you."

With the folks behind him in line laughing hysterically, the man glared at the agent, gritted his teeth and said, "F**K you !"

She smiled and said, "I am sorry, sir, but you will have to stand in line for that, too."


Cab driver

After a preacher died and went to heaven, he noticed that a New York cab driver had been awarded a higher place than he.

"I don't understand," he complained to Saint Peter. "I devoted my entire life to my congregation."

"Our policy here in Heaven is to reward results," Saint Peter explained. "Now, was your congregation well attuned to you whenever you gave a sermon ?"

"Well," the preacher had to admit,"some in the congregation fell asleep from time to time."

"Exactly," said Saint Peter. "When people rode in this man's taxi, not only they stayed awake, they even prayed."


Parrot

A man goes into a pet shop to buy a parrot. The shop owner points a 3 identical looking parrots on a perch and says: "The parrot on the left costs $500 dollars".
"Why does it cost so much", asked the man.
The owner says: "Well, the parrot knows how to use a computer".
The man then asks about the next parrot and was told that it costs $1000 dollars because it can do everything the other parrot can do plus it knows how to use the LINUX operating system.
Naturally, the man asks about the third parrot and was told that it costs $2000 dollars.
"What can it do", asked the man curiously.
To which the owner replies: "To be honest, I have never seen it do anything but the other 2 parrots call him boss".

Important of "Correct Punctuation" (Rev: 1.1)



Dear Ah Long,

I want a man who knows what love is all about. You are generous, kind, thoughtful. People who are not like you admit to being useless and interferior. You have ruined me for other men. I yearn for you. I have no feelings whatsoever when we're apart. I can be forever happy. Will you let me be yours ?

Ah Lian



Dear Ah Long,

I want a man who knows what love is. All about you are generous, kind, thoughtful people, who are not like you. Admit to being useless and interferior. You have ruined me. For other men, I yearn. For you, I have no feelings whatsoever. When we're apart, I can be forever happy. Will you let me be ?

Yours, Ah Lian