I will not be preaching or discussing the current state of world economy. It’s still happening and I’m not an expert in it. The point I will be relaying in today’s entry is the sense of being economical in projects.
I am currently developing an application in a few spared hours of my dull life. I’m a few months delayed because of improper planning. The application I am developing requires massive information storage. Information that is improperly organized is simply garbage in a storage bin. Therefore, I will be using a database to organize the information. According to my projection, I can’t afford to use flatfile or filebased database system. I need an engine to run and manage the database system. There only a few RDBMS out there that’re stable enough to handle megabytes of information daily.
If you are talking about software, which company would first pop-up in your head? Microsoft. Since we are all used to Microsoft’s softwares, a programmer would easily decide to use MSSQL Server. In my case, I’m very picky when it comes to database management. I am not loyal to anyone because I choose according to my needs. However, I would avoid MSSQL.
The few reasons I have for ignoring MSSQL Server are (1) there’s a cheaper solution that can offer the same or superior quality, (2) difficult to use [not intuitive]. I can’t say never, but I don’t overestimate my needs because they cost a lot. I’m a Filipino and Filipinos always (not often) believe that the more expensive the product, the more superior it is. I don’t value something because it costs a lot. In database management system industry, it surely is not true. I always use MySQL for my large scale database needs. It’s free, easy to use, portable, and you have unlimited support from the community. And if you are upgrading to enterprise-scale data, then you can purchase an enterprise version for a handsome cost.
I honestly believe that’s economical. At work, I have MySQL deployed so that I can store needed information anytime I want without asking for a budget. The reason why I wrote this is that I’m running source install on my Western Digital MyBook and it’s been hours since I sent a Make command. It’s my way of killing time I guess.
October 12th, 2008
I was tagged (by Muymuy) and I had a dilemma (as if it’s life changing) whether to publish an entry on this or not.
Rule: List all the names you were called by and the people who call you that. Tag at least 5 members of your contacts and give a comment on their site for them to know they’ve been tagged.
Alfonso — My real name. Professionally, I prefer to be called by this name. Classmates here in the States call me by this name. It may sound old, but I won’t exchange it for something else. I was named after my grandfather. It defines me.
Nonó — This is my nickname and where the site’s name came from. Take note on the accent on the second syllable. Everyone in the family up to the second degree calls me by this name. Everyone in our barangay knows me by this name. My classmates and friends from Kindergarten to Grade 2 call me by this name.
Alponsó — When a family member is angry at me, they mess up the pronounciation.
Pons — My classmates from Roxas City, Capiz (Grade 3 to 3rd Year HS) call me this and anyone who knows me who is not a relative and an Ilonggo.
Fons — Some people from work calls me by this name.
Alfons — Some people from work calls me by this name. I’m really intrigued as to why the last vowel had to be cropped out.
Al — Someone used to call me this.
Alfie — People sometimes call me by this name.
Fonse. — Some people from work calls me by this name. I’m kind of fond of this now as you would realize. It has become my Gravatar name. I even went overboard as to adding a period at the end as if it’s a monoword sentence. Just to keep it cool and different I guess.
October 2nd, 2008
The other night I was watching Nuts Entertainment on GMA PinoyTV and Senator Francis Joseph “Chiz” Escudero was the guest in the Balakubak segment. One question was whether he’d consider running in the presidential election in 2010. As usual, Chiz gave an intelligent answer whereas he said that he’s only thirty-nine years old so he won’t comment on such, but he hinted that he would be forty by the election day. Unlike the United States which requires a 35-year-old limit, the Philippines requires that its President is at least forty. Escudero has been considered to be one of the candidates in 2010, and so thoughts amassed.
So far, the hopefuls that I’m aware of are Mar Roxas, Manny Villar, Noli De Castro, Loren Legarda, Chiz Escudero, and Bayani Fernando. To follow are my two cents:
Bayani Fernando would be insignificant in this race. Though he is famous around the National Capital Region for his MMDA, the provinces are not aware of his accomplishments. Addition to that, he has divided support within the region. I strongly believe that the progress he dreams of for the nation is purely cosmetic. I won’t be surprised if he’s in the office and make the country foolish by nominating it for the Olympics… Sorry I couldn’t resist humor.
Francis Escudero entered his first term in the executive position a year ago. Intellegent, young, ambitious and with great vision. If elected, my expectation on his policies would be too high. He’s one of the better nationalists in the country. However, I would question his experience. Are his accomplishments enough to say that he has experience in the executive level? My bet is that his greater chances is at age forty-seven. He’s one of the better politicians in the national level in the country I must say.
Loren Legarda is probably one of the most greedy politician I could think of. Should we say power monger? She failed to win as the vice president, so she’s expected to take a stab at the presidency and become the third madam president. Cory and Gloria I think are enough to screw the nation. Is that sexist to you? It’s a fact! Not only the gender that will render incapability to lead the country for Legarda, it’s also the fact that she’s a news woman. A journalist must be objective, but a journalist also knows all the tricks to hide and confide things. They can be their own PR strategist. The public could be easily blinded. She is intelligent and courageous, but those aren’t enough.
Vice President Noli De Castro could be a force to reckon with during the elections. He has a wide fanbase way back his MGB days. He’s literally done nothing (as far as I know) that can smudge his reputation, but he’s also done nothing for the country. He’s playing a neutral role now as he tries to win the public through image. I believe he will fight during the elections using righteous image and maintain his fanbase. Like I said about journalists, I hope he doesn’t rule the country.
That brings me to the two men who will probably have a showdown in 2010. Them being Ilonggos are mere coincidents. I don’t have wide knowledge of all these six politicians I’ve mentioned, my opinion is based on tidbits of knowledge about them.
Roxas is a respected Senator and is a descendant of the former President Manuel Roxas. In fact, he won more votes than the current president had, so he’s popular also. He’s rich and intelligent. He appeals to the masses and he’s media friendly. The only negative on him would probably his bachelor status. Being a family person is usually a factor in becoming the leader of a nation (it’s a big deal in the US anyway). Other than that, he may as well be the next president of the Philippines.
Roxas may have a greater chance to win the presidency, but he won’t get it so easily. Manny Villar will most likely make a stir and give Roxas a fight of his life. Villar has led the Congress and the Senate in his public service in the last decade. Though I’m not knowledgeable of him, I’ve seen him on a TV interview once. I don’t need books to tell me what this person can bring the nation. He has a clear vision of what he will give for the country, the values he set for the country to straighten. I don’t invision him to lead the country and make it prosper. I see him leading the country to a path which could eventually lead to properity. A very intelligent man who seems to have his priority set straight.
I may have misinformed you on facts, however these are thoughts without allusions. I may have just paraded my ignorance, but at least I’ve cleared my head.
September 2nd, 2008
I’ve been out of Eee PC news for a while, so I decided to check on what ASUStek has in store for us. They have a 10.0″ beauty in the 1000H 80G model. I strongly recommend the unit for Windows-slave users because it has a gigabyte of RAM and 80GB hard drive running on Genuine Windows XP Home. It’s not a solid state drive before you get your hopes too high.
The model I’m speaking of is using a regular hard drive which explains the minimal cost at huge storage space. Nonetheless, there’s a model sporting a 20GB SSD if you’re interested. The unit weighs 3.2lbs which is not bad. It’s a decent replacement for MacBooks that cost ridiculously high, Toshibas, or Sonys. The battery life is estimated to run at about 7.5 hours. That’s excellent provided the weight. It has Bluetooth capability in addition to WiFi. The webcam is stil mediocre, but it’s not an important peripheral for me.
I’m still not replacing my 701.
August 7th, 2008
I was looking around WordPress for an idea for today and stumbled upon a bloggers iPersonic entry and thought I’d give it a try. I have the results below. Not perfect, but some are sound. Psychological theories are still a long way to go. I really believe that each individual is a diffusion of each other. They are the same, yet different. It’s like Philosophy. I’ve spent a few years searching for my niche in Philosophy, but I can’t completely pinpoint my loyalty.
Independent Thinkers are analytical and witty persons. They are normally self-confident and do not let themselves get worked up by conflicts and criticism. They are very much aware of their own strengths and have no doubts about their abilities. People of this personality type are often very successful in their career as they have both competence and purposefulness. Independent Thinkers are excellent strategists; logic, systematics and theoretical considerations are their world. They are eager for knowledge and always endeavor to expand and perfect their knowledge in any area which is interesting for them. Abstract thinking comes naturally to them; scientists and computer specialists are often of this type.
Independent Thinkers are specialists in their area. 
The development of their ideas and visions is important to them; they love being as flexible as possible and, ideally, of being able to work alone because they often find it a strain having to make their complex trains of thought understandable to other people. Independent Thinkers cannot stand routine. Once they consider an idea to be good it is difficult to make them give it up; they pursue the implementation of that idea obstinately and persistently, also in the face of external opposition.
Independent Thinkers are not the type who easily comes out of his shell. Speaking about their emotional life is also not one of their strong points. Anyway, social relationships are not particularly important to them; they are happy with just a few, close friends who find it easy to share their intellectual world. They find it difficult to establish new ties. In love, they need a lot of space and independence but this does not mean that their partner is not important to them. Independent Thinkers often make a cool and reserved impression on others; but this impression is deceptive: they can hardly bear it if people close to them should reject them. They prefer a harmonious, balanced relationship with a partner who shares their interests and with whom they can realize their visions.
Take the free personality test and determine your iPersonic type!
July 24th, 2008
It’s Independence Day weekend and for those who will be staying home (like me) during the long weekend, I am recommending the films below. They are all foreign films (not if you’re Japanese or Korean). I have them as part of my tiny DVD collection. They aren’t new. They’re about at least 3 years old already and I’m guessing that most of my readers have not seen them yet. I’m a huge fan of martial arts films especially the ninja and samurai. That’s not the only reason why I’m recommmending them, however. These films possess deeper meaning. I have found those meanings in my own perception. It’s up to you to find for yourself.
I will recommend more films later on.
SHINOBI — The movie contains one of the greatest fight scenes ever shown on film. The hero and heroin possess amazing powers and the fit the actors portraying the characters. Probably one aspect of the movie that made me love it is the cinematography. Amazing, amazing, amazing.
AZUMI I — The first of the two. The history of Azumi; how she became. An excellent display of swordplay. I’m a huge fan of the ways of samurai. I’m a man who adores perfection through simplicity and the samurai way of life is that. Simple, precise, perfect. The pretty face of Azumi is a plus.
AZUMI II — The second installation. The continuation of Azumi’s journey towards cleansing. Aagain, contains a great display of swordplay. Unlike most sequels, this one did not disappoint me. Azumi still looking good especially with a cloak (that’s when she really kicks ass).
SHADOWLESS SWORD — This is a Korean film that I can proudly recommend. Korean films are becoming better and could probably replace Hollywood. The film contains another excellent display of swordplay. A must see.
July 4th, 2008
Readiness and Disaster Management are the recent issues in the Philippines. PAGASA claims that there was a breakdown in the structural aspect of their readiness program during typhoon Frank. There is no such thing as readiness. Nature is uncontrolled that’s why most of us thrive to be unnatural. The only thing a forecast can do is minimize casualties; it’s not a prevention. I guess it’s a readiness to be killed for the dead. I’m a huge fan of the natural and I missed one good nature loving during the typhoon. I miss the days back home when we encounter annual typhoon visits. It’s exhilarating. Now most of you will definitely say that it’s insensitive of me to be thinking that way after many people lost their lives. Sorry to disappoint you, but that’s what we call “natural death”. Sooner or later you’ll die, so why not give your life to something that gave and is giving you life and not to some illness caused by the artificial or ambitions. I want to die with nature’s help or during my sleep. That way there’s nobody to blame for my death.
Disaster Management — I’ve nothing on this one. I don’t have the luxury to think about helping the victims. If it was me, I’d look at this as a rebirth and reset my life. I would disappear and live life anew. I’ve been waiting for something like this to happen to me; especially when I’m traveling by plane. I always wish my plane crashes in an inhabited island so that if I survived, I’d live in solitude. Did I just digress?
June 30th, 2008
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