Android 2.0 New Developer Features

Media Framework

• Revamped graphics architecture for improved performance that enables better hardware acceleration.

Bluetooth

• Bluetooth 2.1
• New BT profiles: Object Push Profile (OPP) and Phone Book Access Profile (PBAP)

New Framework APIs

• Includes several new developer APIs. 
• For an overview of new APIs, see the Android 2.0 version notes. 
• For a complete report of all API changes, see the API Differences Report.

Need For Speed: SHIFT & Transmitter from Regular John

The music video for single Transmitter from Aussie band Regular John, features footage from Need For Speed SHIFT. Pretty cool stuff.

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Performance Tuning

If you are into speed & cars, tuning is basically your baby step to awesomeness... Well here is a little taste to a sweet race.

Windows - Fooling around with Services

Creating A Service.

DON'Ts

1. Once a service has been installed, do not change the path of the executable (*.exe, *.dll, etc.) that the service is running. This is because in registry, the path of the executable is "hardcoded". Eg. C:\Folder\ServiceApp.exe. To view this, Run > regedit for the Registry Editor. \\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\[ServiceName]\ImagePath

Running A Service.

A service can be started under a different user account (either on the local machine or on the domain).

This setting can be modified at

1. Control Panel > Administrative Tools > [Services | Component Services > Services]
2. Right click on the service name.
3. Log On tab.

If a service is running but there are error thrown in the ServiceMain function loop, then try troubleshooting the below:

1. The user may have access rights only to the particular service and not to make modifications to the Service Control Manager. Ensure that the Service to be ran does not try to modify system related settings or values. Eg. OpenSCManager(NULL,NULL,SC_MANAGER_ALL_ACCESS) is not allowed. Try using the SC_MANAGER_CONNECT flag.

Setting Service Permission.

There is limited permission given to a normal user account to manipulate a service. Starting the service with Tools as a normal user privilege will cause an “Error 5: Access is denied.” message. Try troubleshooting with the below steps one at a time:

1. The service program (*.exe) is in a protected folder. If the service is started by a user that is not registered as the local machine user account, then the user may not have access to the folder to execute the service.
2. The user does not have rights to execute any service related actions. Please refer to SubInACL usage below. Eg. To check if the service exist using command line: subinacl.exe /service monkeylogging. If it does the result will display the service details and Permission ACS (PACE). Eg. To change the service permission using command line: subinacl.exe /service \\[ComputerName]\[ServiceName] /grant=[domain]\[username]=F. The service PACE should now show the new permission “/pace =[domain]\[username] ...”. Reference Setting Service permissions with subinacl.exe. SubInACL (SubInACL.exe) is a command-line tool that enables administrators to obtain security information about files, registry keys, and services, and transfer this information from user to user, from local or global group to group, and from domain to domain. This is part of the Windows Resource Kits and by default will be installed in C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools. For command line arguments, refer to C:\Program Files\Windows Resource Kits\Tools\subinacl.htm.

OR

1. How to grant users rights to manage services in Windows 2000 using Group Policy.

The Beauty of Need for Speed: SHIFT

Portraying the level of detail in both gameplay mechanics and visual art in Need for Speed SHIFT.

My New Ride

Anyone that knows me personally would think that my new ride would be something like the latest Honda Type-R. Well in the UK its not so cost effective to get petrol powered vehicle. Anyway this is my new ride, an electric powered Windsor LPX. Specification as below:~

• 6 speed shimano gears
• 200W intelligent brushless motor
• Throttle and pedal assist modes
• 26V/10.5Ah Lithium Polymer lightweight battery
• Charging time 2 - 4 hours (from flat)
• up to 30 mile range
• Top speed up to 15 mph

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Track Guide: London Circuit

At the time this post went online, I'm no longer living in London. However, during the time while I worked on NFS, I was there.

When you live in London, work in London and while working, playing NFS on the London circuit. Well you pretty much have a superbly cool thing going on for yourself. What more to say when the office is almost just on the next street where the "circuit" is. You will feel like you are right there overtaking the 188 bus.

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Car Battle Mode

Need for Speed: SHIFT - TV Commercial

Music In Malaysia

I'm a really music buff. Not one of pure heart, I'm bias for certain genre but I'll accept anything with really good meaningful lyrics. I'm glad that the music taste in Malaysia is stepping up a lot and evolving into something that is modern and upbeat (yes we used to have really 60s styled songs written in the 90s). Now local artists are more open to sing about life, love and troubles of modern life and not only about nature! A nice piece by OAG:

And one from Estrella. She is such a sweet thing!

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Opening Video

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Tommy Milner on Instinct

Tommy Milner, driver for the Rahal Letterman Racing team, talks about his experience behind the wheel of the BMW M3 GT2. He offers a great insight to the mind of a racing driver, what it takes to compete and what it takes to win.

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Andrea Bertolini on Focus

Andrea Bertolini is one of the most fortunate racing drivers in the world as he gets to call the Maserati MC12 his company car. He is currently driving for Vitaphone Racing in the FIA GT Championship.

Need For Speed: Shift - Chris Rado on Passion

Chris Rado talks about his passion for racing. With one of the most distinct cars on the racing circuit, the dual-spoilered Scion tC, Rado has made a name for himself on the Time Attack world setting some of the fastest times on record.

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Drift Reveal

Need for Speed: SHIFT - Driver Profile

Need for Speed: SHIFT - GT2 Reveal

I'm mainly posting this video mainly for the scene & background transition. Looks & feels cool to me.

StarCraft II Beta

SWEET~~~ Calling out to all potential SC II beta testers.

Yeah well beta testing sign-ups are open so why are you hardcore gamers still doing playing that old game? Get to it and sign up to be a SC II beta tester via Battle.net Account Management, create a beta profile of your system specification and get notified to be a beta tester...

Ohhhhh..... I just can't wait. More details here at this link.

Need For Speed: SHIFT

This is the 1st game I've ever worked on.

OnLive

Sweet~ This "may be" the next big thing...

Dead Space Video

I love the style, reminds me of Bioshock but more gothic.