My D-Link DFE-528TX Network Card

Nothing fancy to show off here. Just would like to share a network interface card (NIC) I bought recently a D-Link DFE-528TX 10/100 Fast Ethernet Desktop PCI Adapter.

Here are some crap about the card (I got it from D-Link website):

• 10/100Mbps auto-sensing with single shielded RJ-45
• 2-bit PCI Bus Master operation
• Full/half duplex support
• Low network command processing overhead
• Runs Win95, 98, NT, ME, 2000, NetWare, Unix
• Easy-to-view diagnostic LEDs

I had been facing some problems with my pc recently including blue screen of death once in a while (but not frequent), Windows XP hung at loading when restart PC, lagging problem and error while pinging. Coincidently, these problems occured when I was having network connection problem.

Thus I suspected that it might be caused by my onboard network chip. Foreseen that a NIC is not that expensive, I decided to buy one to have a try.

The reasons I bought D-Link DFE-528TX and not other model are:
1) Not sure what brand of NIC is better, other brands to choose from - Zyxel, Tecom.
2) D-Link is one of the market leader in low end end users' network products.
3) D-Link brand is well-known for its "quality" network products (Quality or not much depend on the description of different users).
3) The salesgirl gave me this card after I told her I am looking for a network card.

The NIC had been installed into my PC with the on board one had been disabled. After trying for few days... well... I would say not much help.
1) PC still lag in some extend
2) Blue screen not yet be seen (Touch wood!! Hope it won't be seen!!)
3) Pinging error - network so far still ok so didn't actually ping
4) Windows hang at loading page - errr.. if not mistaken it did hang once after I change to the new NIC!

Oh ya! It is made in China!

Eating Dim Sum @ Farley Food Court

Dim Sum is a Cantonese term which refers to Chinese cuisine involving wide range of light dishes served in small portion for the purpose of snacking normally during morning time.

[The Siu Mai or Sio Bi]

Dim Sum is not a common delicacy in Sibu as Sibu people prefer cost-effective with maximum energy supply's foods for breakfast where Kampua is the most symbolic representation in this group. Furthermore, cooking Dim Sum needs higher food preparation skills which is not easy to master. Therefore, as long as Sibu eating culture is concern, I think better open a Kampua stall than troubling yourself with the Dim Sum business. The former give you an easier path to be a rich man so why choose the latter?

[3 different flavors in a steamer basket]

However, that doesn't mean that you can't find Dim Sum in Sibu. You can find it at specific eateries spots and one of them is the one I visited with a friend on last Sunday - Farley food court.

 [The phoenix claw i.e. chicken feet]

There are variety of Dim Sum to choose from at this spot. The place is full of patrons looking for the food as well as other breakfast, so you don't expect to see the situation like in Hong Kong drama where the waiters or waitresses are pushing a trolley around selling Dim Sum from table to table.

[Prawn in it]

Here you just have to help yourself - queuing at the Dim Sum stall waiting for your turn, choose the Dim Sum you would like to try out, take it to the table you are seated then you can enjoy the foods.

[Qiong Fan]

Dim Sum are usually served in steamer basket as most of these foods are steamed. Some others like "Qiong Fan" is served in small plate. Normally there are only 3 pieces of Dim Sum inside each basket. As the portion is small, therefore usually people love to order more variety to get more stimulation to their gustatory sense.

[Spare ribs]

The price is quite reasonable. One serving is RM3.50 but if you order 3 at once then you will get a condolence discount of 50 cents. So, it's 3 for RM10.

[Glutinous rice - coarse and not well-cooked]

The taste? Well, I would say not too impressive but not too bad. Just moderate. I personally feel that the Dim Sum here are a little bit coarse in term of the texture as well as the taste. Improvement could be done on this.

[Pork innards]

[Curry chicken can also count as Dim Sum?]

We ordered this ice-blended mango drink. Very tall corn-shape glass and it is nice in presentation. It tasted not bad too! One cup of the drink costs RM3.90.

[Ice-blended mango drinks]

Besides all the above, my friend also ordered Kueh Chap for each of us! Gosh! My stomach was terribly full that morning but it was really enjoy to taste so many foods at once!

[Kueh Chap]

Qing Ming Festival 2010

For traditional Chinese family, Qing Ming is one of the most important festival in their calendar. Some people called it as tomb sweeping day. But I think the meaning of the festival is far more than that. It is a time to pay respect and commemorate to the late one by visiting their grave and tidying it up.

The festival is fall on early of April each year, but visiting graveyard is not necessary done on the actual day itself. Some people choose to do it few days earlier (usually on weekend) to avoid extreme traffic jam at graveyard compound during the actual day.

Chinese usually will check out the lunar calendar on when is the suitable time for doing Qing Ming. When the word "Qing Ming" is printed on the calendar, meaning it is the correct timing and usually that's about one week before the actual day.

Some families view this event as equal or even more important than Chinese New Year reunion. Therefore usually few days before to the actual day itself, those working outstation will come back to their hometown and normally during this time Sibu will have heavy traffic load in town, hotel occupancy and eateries business increase drastically.