http://soundexpert.org/testing-room
This interesting website provides blind test to compare between lossless wave audio with mp3 or aac encoded one. In the wave file they provide, there are two tracks of exactly same music, but with different encoding. One is the original wave track, but another one is AAC or MP3 encoded track. They won't tell you which one comes first, so that you will guess what is what.
Using the tested statistics gathered from the public including yourself, they show and compare the quality of the encoding codec.
It's fun, and even you can test your hearing and sound equipment!
Tuesday, 7 July 2015
Monday, 29 June 2015
Exchanging/using money while travelling overseas for Australians.
There are several ways of using Australian dollars overseas.
1. Just bring Australian dollars in cash
In most countries it's very easy to find out exchange stalls where they exchange your Australian dollar into their currency. This is good method if you're traveling developing countries and you do not intend to spend much money, as bringing a lot of cash is somewhat risky to be stolen or lost.
If you travel to economically developed country, such as USA, Europe, or Japan, you can choose either to change the currency in Australia, or to change overseas. As different country will give you a slightly different exchange rate, check which is better option. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter though, since Australian dollar has still significant fame in most countries.
2. Exchange to cash before leaving Australia
If you choose to change cash in Australia, those private stalls in CBD such as Travelx usually have better exchange rate than banks. If the amount is not a lot, and you do not have to worry much about stolen cash during your travel (e.g. using safer transportation, staying in mid-range accommodation), then carrying cash is the best option as it gives good exchange rate and you don't have to be annoyed to find out which shop accepts card or not. Just remember that if it is the currency of developing countries, they might charge much higher commission (which is already applied in the exchange rate). In that case, just bring Australian dollar and exchange overseas is better option.
3. Credit/Debit card
Australian major banks usually have 2~3% surcharge for spending overseas, plus extra $3~$5 for ATM cash withdrawal. Some smaller banks and credit card companies, such as Citibank or 28 Degrees, have free of charge credit/debit card for international transactions. Citibank has vast ATMs across the world where they don't charge any ATM fee. If you care about those small fees (which can be significant if you use more money), it's better to open a new account in those banks or credit card before you leave Australia and put all budget into the account. This is best option if you don't want to carry cash, especially if you stay overseas for long term.
Remind that all foreign currencies except for USD will be changed to USD first and then changed to AUD. It means they charge more exchange commission if the currency is not in USD. Also, do not pay in AUD even if the retailer suggested, since there will be much more exchange omission applied, e.g. AUD->local currency ->USD->AUD.
4. Travel money card
Those travel money cards including QantasCash and Mastercards' Travel Money Card are very similar to credit/debit card in terms of how to spend money overseas. You have to find shops or ATMs accepting Mastercard or Visa, although there is no international transaction fee. The only advantage or drawback of this type of card is that you have to load the money in foreign currency in advance. For example, if you plan to travel to Europe, you should preload money in Euro currency before you use the card in order to get the full benefit. Otherwise, when you didn't have enough fund in that currency, they charge 3%~4% of currency transfer fee for automatic currency change. Also, some banks have 1% re-load fee when you recharge the card. Overall, it is not as convenient as the credit/debit card, nor saving fees.
Especially when you're travelling to those countries where their local currency is not supported by the travel money card (usually developing countries), there is no way to avoid the 3~4% currency transfer fee because you cannot pre-load in the local currency. In that case, it's big loss compared to using the credit/debit card, so just use fee-free credit/debit card in those countries.
5. Exchange rate comparison
People sometimes have misconception about the exchange rate of banks that they use the same exchange rate for any transaction. Actually they apply different exchange rate for different type of transaction, such as exchange in cash, use credit card overseas, use travel money card overseas, etc, even in the same currency. Usually for the major banks, change in cash has the worst exchange rate compared to those electronic transactions. However, as I mentioned above, the small stalls in business district have much better exchange rate even in cash, which is almost same as or better than the electronic transfer rate of the major banks.
As in June 2015, exchange rates from AUD to EUR are almost same among 4 methods I mentioned above, although cash exchange in major banks has weirdly high commission rate. Therefore just choose the most convenient way for you depending on the amount of budget, the duration, and the security of the country.
1. Just bring Australian dollars in cash
In most countries it's very easy to find out exchange stalls where they exchange your Australian dollar into their currency. This is good method if you're traveling developing countries and you do not intend to spend much money, as bringing a lot of cash is somewhat risky to be stolen or lost.
If you travel to economically developed country, such as USA, Europe, or Japan, you can choose either to change the currency in Australia, or to change overseas. As different country will give you a slightly different exchange rate, check which is better option. In my opinion, it doesn't really matter though, since Australian dollar has still significant fame in most countries.
2. Exchange to cash before leaving Australia
If you choose to change cash in Australia, those private stalls in CBD such as Travelx usually have better exchange rate than banks. If the amount is not a lot, and you do not have to worry much about stolen cash during your travel (e.g. using safer transportation, staying in mid-range accommodation), then carrying cash is the best option as it gives good exchange rate and you don't have to be annoyed to find out which shop accepts card or not. Just remember that if it is the currency of developing countries, they might charge much higher commission (which is already applied in the exchange rate). In that case, just bring Australian dollar and exchange overseas is better option.
3. Credit/Debit card
Australian major banks usually have 2~3% surcharge for spending overseas, plus extra $3~$5 for ATM cash withdrawal. Some smaller banks and credit card companies, such as Citibank or 28 Degrees, have free of charge credit/debit card for international transactions. Citibank has vast ATMs across the world where they don't charge any ATM fee. If you care about those small fees (which can be significant if you use more money), it's better to open a new account in those banks or credit card before you leave Australia and put all budget into the account. This is best option if you don't want to carry cash, especially if you stay overseas for long term.
Remind that all foreign currencies except for USD will be changed to USD first and then changed to AUD. It means they charge more exchange commission if the currency is not in USD. Also, do not pay in AUD even if the retailer suggested, since there will be much more exchange omission applied, e.g. AUD->local currency ->USD->AUD.
4. Travel money card
Those travel money cards including QantasCash and Mastercards' Travel Money Card are very similar to credit/debit card in terms of how to spend money overseas. You have to find shops or ATMs accepting Mastercard or Visa, although there is no international transaction fee. The only advantage or drawback of this type of card is that you have to load the money in foreign currency in advance. For example, if you plan to travel to Europe, you should preload money in Euro currency before you use the card in order to get the full benefit. Otherwise, when you didn't have enough fund in that currency, they charge 3%~4% of currency transfer fee for automatic currency change. Also, some banks have 1% re-load fee when you recharge the card. Overall, it is not as convenient as the credit/debit card, nor saving fees.
Especially when you're travelling to those countries where their local currency is not supported by the travel money card (usually developing countries), there is no way to avoid the 3~4% currency transfer fee because you cannot pre-load in the local currency. In that case, it's big loss compared to using the credit/debit card, so just use fee-free credit/debit card in those countries.
5. Exchange rate comparison
People sometimes have misconception about the exchange rate of banks that they use the same exchange rate for any transaction. Actually they apply different exchange rate for different type of transaction, such as exchange in cash, use credit card overseas, use travel money card overseas, etc, even in the same currency. Usually for the major banks, change in cash has the worst exchange rate compared to those electronic transactions. However, as I mentioned above, the small stalls in business district have much better exchange rate even in cash, which is almost same as or better than the electronic transfer rate of the major banks.
As in June 2015, exchange rates from AUD to EUR are almost same among 4 methods I mentioned above, although cash exchange in major banks has weirdly high commission rate. Therefore just choose the most convenient way for you depending on the amount of budget, the duration, and the security of the country.
Thursday, 26 February 2015
Android charging using Apple charger or vice versa
Both Apple and Android chargers has standard USB 5V voltage. This 5V main current is passing through the pin no 1, named VCC, of the USB cable. USB has 4 pins, and the last pin (#4) connects to the ground.
The other two pins, pin no 2 and 3, or Data+ and Data-, are for data transfer when USB is connected between a computer and the device. However, they are used in different way for chargers, as data transfer is not necessary for charging.
For chargers, they are used to identify whether the device is connected to either a charger or a computer, as well as to identify the type of charger.
Apple charger provides 2.0~2.5V current on Data+/- lines of the cable, while Android charger in general makes shortage between Data+/-. Therefore, Apple's iPhone or iPad is not chargeable by Android chargers, as they do not provide 2.5v current on those Data lines.
On the other hand, when Android mobiles are connected to a Apple charger, they can be charged with limited current, e.g. 500mA. Because Apple charger does not have shortage between Data+/- lines, Android phones recognize the charger as a standard USB port on a computer, thus it consumes only 500mA, the standard currents.
The other two pins, pin no 2 and 3, or Data+ and Data-, are for data transfer when USB is connected between a computer and the device. However, they are used in different way for chargers, as data transfer is not necessary for charging.
For chargers, they are used to identify whether the device is connected to either a charger or a computer, as well as to identify the type of charger.
Apple charger provides 2.0~2.5V current on Data+/- lines of the cable, while Android charger in general makes shortage between Data+/-. Therefore, Apple's iPhone or iPad is not chargeable by Android chargers, as they do not provide 2.5v current on those Data lines.
On the other hand, when Android mobiles are connected to a Apple charger, they can be charged with limited current, e.g. 500mA. Because Apple charger does not have shortage between Data+/- lines, Android phones recognize the charger as a standard USB port on a computer, thus it consumes only 500mA, the standard currents.
Monday, 20 October 2014
Screen size: Nexus 9 vs iPad Air vs Galaxy Tab S 8.4
Screen Size comparison: Nexus 9 need to be compared with Galaxy TabS 8.4!
1. iPad Air
- Diagonal size: 9.7"
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Screen size: 7.75" x 5.83"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.75" x 4.36"
2. Nexus 9
- Diagonal size: 8.9"
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Screen size: 7.11" x 5.35"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.11" x 4.0"
3. Galaxy TabS 10.5
- Diagonal size: 10.5"
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Screen size: 8.9" x 5.56"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 8.9" x 5.0"
4. Galaxy TabS 8.4
- Diagonal size: 8.4"
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Screen size: 7.12" x 4.45"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.12" x 4.0"
Since both iPad Air and Nexus 9 have 4:3 screen ratio, the screen size of Nexus 9 is slightly smaller than iPad Air in length and width, as the diagonal size showed.
However, when Nexus 9 or iPad Air is compared with Samsung's Galaxy Tab series, we should be aware of the different screen ratio. Actually, the length of Nexus 9 screen is same with the Galaxy TabS 8.4, not with the 10.5 model. It means if you're using tablet mainly for watching videos, Galaxy TabS 8.4 has same visible screen size with Nexus 9 if you play 16:9 or any wide-screen videos. Nexus 9 is 0.9" wider than TabS 8.4, but both are in the same length.
In this manner, TabS 8.4 can be also an alternative for Nexus 9 for those who are mainly watching wide-screen videos on their tablets.
1. iPad Air
- Diagonal size: 9.7"
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Screen size: 7.75" x 5.83"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.75" x 4.36"
2. Nexus 9
- Diagonal size: 8.9"
- Aspect ratio: 4:3
- Screen size: 7.11" x 5.35"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.11" x 4.0"
3. Galaxy TabS 10.5
- Diagonal size: 10.5"
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Screen size: 8.9" x 5.56"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 8.9" x 5.0"
4. Galaxy TabS 8.4
- Diagonal size: 8.4"
- Aspect ratio: 16:10
- Screen size: 7.12" x 4.45"
- Actual image size for 16:9 video source: 7.12" x 4.0"
Since both iPad Air and Nexus 9 have 4:3 screen ratio, the screen size of Nexus 9 is slightly smaller than iPad Air in length and width, as the diagonal size showed.
However, when Nexus 9 or iPad Air is compared with Samsung's Galaxy Tab series, we should be aware of the different screen ratio. Actually, the length of Nexus 9 screen is same with the Galaxy TabS 8.4, not with the 10.5 model. It means if you're using tablet mainly for watching videos, Galaxy TabS 8.4 has same visible screen size with Nexus 9 if you play 16:9 or any wide-screen videos. Nexus 9 is 0.9" wider than TabS 8.4, but both are in the same length.
In this manner, TabS 8.4 can be also an alternative for Nexus 9 for those who are mainly watching wide-screen videos on their tablets.
Monday, 7 July 2014
The Beautiful End - the Venerable Pup Jeong
Who is the Venerable Pup Jeong?
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,8986,0,0,1,0#.U7uXxfmSx8E
1. Now
The beautiful end is to appreciate my own life. Realise that there was no other way in my life other than the one I have followed, and accept that it has made me grown up. The beautiful end is to thank for understanding every consequence and the meaning over its procedure in my life. Thanks my life and its existence which gives me a chance to grow up.
Do not forget that you are living at this moment in this place; your life is not in the past nor in the future. The most tragic part of our life is that something has been dying in ourselves during our lives, not the fact that we will die eventually, such as becoming insensitive to flowers or moon, not looking back our life in front of gorgeous sunset, becoming a routine of starring to television. These are a actual step towards real dead.
What is the laziness? It is a procrastination postponing the work terminable in short. At that time, at that place, living in that way is the life of the day. Such everyday life builds up our life. There is nothing already done. Everything is building up by ourself.
2. Non-possession.
Someday, everyone will face the moment that they should release everything that they have been possessed. For sure, it will come. If we hesitate at that moment, our life has gone in wrong way. Is there anything owned by me in nature? We only hold things for a while. Therefore, we should train to throw things away at times generously. We can become a real free person at last.
When you are happy, do not stuck on it. When you are unhappy, do not avoid it, but just accept it. Then, look at your own life every minute with clear mind.
Preparing and stacking up in advance by concerning of being insufficient in the future is actually the lack. They knew how to enjoy their life at every moment. They knew what is more necessary in the life. They didn't want to own anything more than necessary.
The actual wealth is not relevant to obsess many things. Do not misunderstand that owning a longing is the wealth. Instead, it is a relative term depending on the desire.
3. Love
Understanding. Saying "Don't worry, it's not a big deal". Love is a deep understanding.
If I meet someone one day, he should be more pleasant and happier after that day. Then, my life, who met him, would become more mature and rich.
In any situation, if you can avoid behaving capriciously but share your humanity and rich personality with others, you will be a good neighbour with everyone. If you have such a friend, you are lucky.
Catching up too frequently and becoming too close to each other leads to loose the essential spirit of the person, because of distraction from unimportant factors. Even though very special relationship, it should become trivial after all if they always hangout together. Relationships need a bit of longing and inconvenience to keep the freshness.
For humans or things, or even for sceneries, they suppose to be delighted from looking a bit far in the distance. Neither too close or too far, at proper distance, they need to look at each other.
I took a notion of just appreciating everyone. Also, I suddenly felt appreciation every thing around me. We are not living alone, but with others together by giving and taking.
If a person want to leave a pleasant after-taste, they should not waste their time for worthless works. They must manage their life continuously by introspecting themselves. They should grow themselves slowly as like vegetating from seeds. Then others can feel freshness from them every time.
http://www.buddhistchannel.tv/index.php?id=9,8986,0,0,1,0#.U7uXxfmSx8E
1. Now
The beautiful end is to appreciate my own life. Realise that there was no other way in my life other than the one I have followed, and accept that it has made me grown up. The beautiful end is to thank for understanding every consequence and the meaning over its procedure in my life. Thanks my life and its existence which gives me a chance to grow up.
Do not forget that you are living at this moment in this place; your life is not in the past nor in the future. The most tragic part of our life is that something has been dying in ourselves during our lives, not the fact that we will die eventually, such as becoming insensitive to flowers or moon, not looking back our life in front of gorgeous sunset, becoming a routine of starring to television. These are a actual step towards real dead.
What is the laziness? It is a procrastination postponing the work terminable in short. At that time, at that place, living in that way is the life of the day. Such everyday life builds up our life. There is nothing already done. Everything is building up by ourself.
2. Non-possession.
Someday, everyone will face the moment that they should release everything that they have been possessed. For sure, it will come. If we hesitate at that moment, our life has gone in wrong way. Is there anything owned by me in nature? We only hold things for a while. Therefore, we should train to throw things away at times generously. We can become a real free person at last.
When you are happy, do not stuck on it. When you are unhappy, do not avoid it, but just accept it. Then, look at your own life every minute with clear mind.
Preparing and stacking up in advance by concerning of being insufficient in the future is actually the lack. They knew how to enjoy their life at every moment. They knew what is more necessary in the life. They didn't want to own anything more than necessary.
The actual wealth is not relevant to obsess many things. Do not misunderstand that owning a longing is the wealth. Instead, it is a relative term depending on the desire.
3. Love
Understanding. Saying "Don't worry, it's not a big deal". Love is a deep understanding.
If I meet someone one day, he should be more pleasant and happier after that day. Then, my life, who met him, would become more mature and rich.
In any situation, if you can avoid behaving capriciously but share your humanity and rich personality with others, you will be a good neighbour with everyone. If you have such a friend, you are lucky.
Catching up too frequently and becoming too close to each other leads to loose the essential spirit of the person, because of distraction from unimportant factors. Even though very special relationship, it should become trivial after all if they always hangout together. Relationships need a bit of longing and inconvenience to keep the freshness.
For humans or things, or even for sceneries, they suppose to be delighted from looking a bit far in the distance. Neither too close or too far, at proper distance, they need to look at each other.
I took a notion of just appreciating everyone. Also, I suddenly felt appreciation every thing around me. We are not living alone, but with others together by giving and taking.
If a person want to leave a pleasant after-taste, they should not waste their time for worthless works. They must manage their life continuously by introspecting themselves. They should grow themselves slowly as like vegetating from seeds. Then others can feel freshness from them every time.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
FedEx International Priority shipping summary from Hongkong to Australia.
Summary of Fedex shipping status based on the day counted from the shipment pick-up time. Applicable for major cities in Australia.
0 day anytime. Shipment information sent to FedEx - Only shipping information is created by Fedex system, and item is still not collected by Fedex.
1st day anytime. Picked up (Package received after FedEx cutoff)
1st day evening. Left FedEx origin facility
2nd day morning. In transit - Left Fedex facility in Hongkong as an air cargo and delivering to Australia by either direct flight or connecting .
3rd day morning. At destination sort facility - Arrived Australian airport
3rd day morning. International shipment release - Import - Clearing Australian customs
3rd day afternoon. In transit - Left Fedex's airport facility and in transit to your nearest local depot. This may take longer if your house is far from the importing airport.
4th day morning. At local FedEx facility
4th day morning. On FedEx vehicle for delivery - Ready for delivering to your house!
4th day anytime. Delivered
There is an expected delivery date on the Fedex tracking system, but you may be eager on knowing what's happening to your precious shipment. Hope it will relieve your concern about when you can take the goods from Fedex.
0 day anytime. Shipment information sent to FedEx - Only shipping information is created by Fedex system, and item is still not collected by Fedex.
1st day anytime. Picked up (Package received after FedEx cutoff)
1st day evening. Left FedEx origin facility
2nd day morning. In transit - Left Fedex facility in Hongkong as an air cargo and delivering to Australia by either direct flight or connecting .
3rd day morning. At destination sort facility - Arrived Australian airport
3rd day morning. International shipment release - Import - Clearing Australian customs
3rd day afternoon. In transit - Left Fedex's airport facility and in transit to your nearest local depot. This may take longer if your house is far from the importing airport.
4th day morning. At local FedEx facility
4th day morning. On FedEx vehicle for delivery - Ready for delivering to your house!
4th day anytime. Delivered
There is an expected delivery date on the Fedex tracking system, but you may be eager on knowing what's happening to your precious shipment. Hope it will relieve your concern about when you can take the goods from Fedex.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
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