大家相處了一段時光, 已堆積不少的情感。 每週的接觸, 你的個性我亦十分了解。 你有很多優點. 有氣質, 有原則, 有錢。 但我不懂得欣賞。 其實我是一個簡單的人, 只需要一些簡單的東西。 可是從你身上, 我找不到 ... ... 我不想在這裡談論太多我們的問題。 阿 "蕉" 隻歌都有唱:
Be a man, if you can, 就算一朝翻了臉
做個君子好相見, 愛不了當買個經驗
Be a man, if you can, 別揭私隱那麼賤
共你畢竟相好過, 你都要面, 將愛恨留念
多謝你給我的一切, blogspot.com. Best wish to you! 我的新 blog 是:
http://sammycafe.blogsome.com 有空的話, 請來坐坐吧!
Thursday, August 10, 2006
Friday, July 28, 2006
Sammy Cafe II
"森記茶餐廳"將于年內開業﹐正在learn中文打字。敬請留意。
Sammy Cafe II will be opened later this year. This time I want to write a chinese blog.
Sammy Cafe II will be opened later this year. This time I want to write a chinese blog.
Thursday, July 27, 2006
Macau EE Talents
Recently I have some contact with staffs and EE students in U of Macau VLSI Lab. They have several very good IC design talents. Mr. Mak won a prize of Student Design Contest in DAC/ISCCC (Major IC conference in US) last year. It is very impressive. Hopefully they will help the growth of IC Design industry in MacauUM Analog and Mixed-Signal VLSI Lab
DAC/ISSCC Student Design Contest Award (U of Macau 2nd place)
Monday, July 24, 2006
Saturday, June 24, 2006
10 Years
This month is exactly my 10th years working as an engineer. The first three years I worked in a downsizing company, from 200 people to 30. I have served nine different boss. Work as three different positions from software to hardware to service. Beside technical stuff, the most important thing I learn is a dynamic working style and surviving mentality.The next seven years is opposite. I work in an up sizing company. I serve the same boss and work at the same position. Beside technical stuff, the most important thing I learn is pleasing my boss and avoiding mistake.
That's what 10 years can do to an employee ... ... :P
Sometimes I wonder what have I really learnt all these years. Seriously I don't feel I've learnt much. Everyday just need to work this and that. Never really have time to learn certain thing specifically. Until recently, I get some answer.
Last month, my team hired a summer intern who is a master student. He is actually pretty smart. But still, he often comes to ask me all kind of question from software usage, programming trick, circuit design, semiconductor theory, even email writing style. Surprisingly, most of time I answer him with ease. Those things seem to be basic facts to me that I don't need to think much.
I look back. Probably I don't know most of these things when I was in college. But somehow during 10 years of working, we just learn them without notice. Perhaps, that is what people call experience.
So this blog concludes a full year of Sammy Cafe. Now it goes to a break. Cheers!
Saturday, June 17, 2006
Second to the Last
This blog was started last June. Initially I just want to be "In" and catch up with the Internet trend. Later on I find some interest on writing, so I keep it going. I like to post a new blog in a regular schedule, especially on Saturday. It is in honor with my favorite HK comic "Dragon Tiger Gate", which used to release on every Saturday. The comic usually hit the street on Friday, so as my blog.Recently I ran out of new blog topic. I don't want to write my daily stuff as it is quite routine: family->work->child care->school->family. There are many interesting tech development in my industry that I want to share. But they are too specific (chip design stuff) and there are some confidential concern. So I don't think it is good material for general public.
My point, this will be the second last blog of Sammy Cafe. Then I will stop writing this blog for a while.
Saturday, June 10, 2006
Invincible vs. Invincible

There are 3 great sport events this weekend. First, World Cup, but only 1st round. Then NBA Final, but just 2nd game. And French Open, this is a tournament final. I will definitely watch this one.
Two great players reaches final, Roger Federer and Rafeal Nadel. I especially like Federer. In fact he bought back my interest to watch tennis again. Federer is the best player in the world. Many argue he has potential to be the greatest tennis player ever. He has skill, strength, precision, and most importantly, style! He plays calm and smooth. His signature one-arm back hand stroke makes his game so elegant. He tied all-time record 83 win last year and reaches every tournament final this year. He is almost invincible. Everyone plays against him is expected to lose, except Rafeal Nadel.
Nadel is the No.1 player on clay (French Open surface). He sets all-time record, 58 consecutive win on clay, and still counting. Federer had lost only 3 times this year but all against Nadal. However, Nadal tennis record on other surface is no match to Federer.
Federer has skill and style. Nadel has energy and quickness. This year's French Open final will be a high quality and exciting tennis match.
Wikipedia: Federer
Wikipedia: Nadal
Saturday, June 03, 2006
B.S. Scare
Sometimes I need to B.S. at work. I define B.S. like this: something I don't know exactly, but I still talk like I know it very well. This is not too easy when discussing technical stuff. Because people may ask question or even challenge. Why I need to B.S. anyway!? Can I just say "I don't know"? Sometimes it is the pride issue. Sometimes I have no choice, like this one:Last month, a co-worker invited me to listen his project presentation, because some part of this project was related to my work. This co-worker is a high-level engineer, so his presentation included audiences in VP and director level. I think he was just polite to invite a typical engineer like me. But when he presented the agenda, he introduced that I would talk one section, which related to my work. I didn't knowthis earlier. Even worst, from the presentation hand-out, he added some information on my part that I had no idea what it was!!
This was obviously a communication mistake. I should know this earlier, so I can prepare. But no time to complain. While my co-worker was still talking his part, I start to plan what to present. When it came to my turn, I use all my B.S. skill to sound like I knew the stuff. I used a lot positive word, praised other people's help, emphasize good things. Try to minimize negative statement as this often draw question. For those parts I don't understand I just skip quietly. Man, this was the most scary presentation I had in recent years.
Saturday, May 27, 2006
Rock Bands in Seattle
Recently I read the news about the music tours from Guns N' Roses and Pearl Jam. It reminds me the good old days when I was in college. Perhaps I was young at that time, I was on hook with American modern (back then) rock music. It was early 90s, I recalled the top notch rock bands included Guns N' Roses, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Metallica. U2 and REM were hot too, although I don't their music were as rock.Nirvana and Pearl Jam were from Seattle, where I studied. Before Pearl Jam became super famous, they once hosted a small free concert in Seattle Center (Space Needle) and I watched it. How much are their tickets now? I don't even try to ask.
For Nirvana, they became famous overnight with one hit song, Smell Like Teen Spirit. At the peak of their career, main member Kurt Cobain committed suicide. He shot himself in his head. It shocked the whole city. Then Nirvana went down quietly. With all the fame, fortune, and talent, it seems not enough without a loving soul.
Reference: Grunge Music
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Snap Shot: 123456
Saturday, May 20, 2006
Web Cast
Recently I have joined a few web casts. I find this is a convenient way of listening presentation. Someone from a remote site hosts a presentation, I logon the web cast network, then I can see the presentation online dynamically. Sometimes they use WebEx and sometimes MS Live Meeting. For listening the talk, I use telephone conference call function. The sound quality is still much better using the phone.When not asking question, I put mute on my phone. Then I can do other stuff on my desk and no one knows. If I want to take a break, I can just leave for a drink or restroom. No one cares. For knowledge learning, web cast is almost as efficient as listening presentation in person. The only problem, presentation is sometimes boring. Without people watching, I felt asleep a couple times during those web casts.
Saturday, May 13, 2006
Chinese Stocks
Following up my Christian Q&A blog this week. Here are some Chinese Stock I own and watching:
STP: A Solar Power company. China is hungry for energy resource.
ACTS: First public fabless IC design house, locate in Zhuhai. Makes mp3 players and other portable electronics.
SNDA: China biggest online game vendor. How many kids in China like to play online game? Go figure.
SMI: China first semiconductor foundry. China can not produce enough chip to supply domestic need. There are $6 billion trade deficit on IC chip last year.
LFC: China Life: China largest insurance company. As quality of life improves, people and business are more concern on insurance.
* Why I buy Chinese Stocks (1) (2) (3)
STP: A Solar Power company. China is hungry for energy resource.
ACTS: First public fabless IC design house, locate in Zhuhai. Makes mp3 players and other portable electronics.
SNDA: China biggest online game vendor. How many kids in China like to play online game? Go figure.
SMI: China first semiconductor foundry. China can not produce enough chip to supply domestic need. There are $6 billion trade deficit on IC chip last year.
LFC: China Life: China largest insurance company. As quality of life improves, people and business are more concern on insurance.
* Why I buy Chinese Stocks (1) (2) (3)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Nerdy chat
During friends' gathering, usually I like chat with other people. Chat topics are typical: gossips, stocks, job markets, sport news, etc. But there is one topic that I like the most, which is tech industry related topic.If I meet people who are in IC industry, I won't be shy to open conversation with them. Somehow I like to know what other people do in this industry. Any new development? What's hot and what's not. I also like to talk to people who write software code or web development. These aren't main task at work but it is something I like to know about the latest developments.
My wife says I look really nerdy when I keep talking tech related stuff in friends' gathering. Mmm ... I guess she is right.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Happiness as Flowers
Recently I bought a mainland TV drama: 幸福像花儿一样. My motivation is to have some quiet time watching TV with my wife. That last time we watched a complete TV series was over three years ago.I am not a big fan of TV drama. This one interests me because of:
1. It is a love drama (the only type my wife likes)
2. Starred by 孙俪 (she is good in 玉观音)
3. The story background is Liberty army in the 80's (that's odd for a love drama)
This love drama is not as cheesy and involves more thinking. The story describes how two girl friends finding their desired happy lives. Although most characters are soldiers, their feeling, desire, love, joy, and sadness are similar to ordinary people. After all, soliders are human too.
P.S. Drama theme song in my Stickam.
Saturday, April 22, 2006
Animation in PowerPoint
On Friday I finished the presentation of my school project. It is a so-call "CMOS UWB IQ Modulator". In short, it is a Radio Frequency (RF) Circuit.I and my partner first started the project in 2003. At first we planned to do "Automatic Gain Control System". But this design was difficult and references were limited. We spend 2.5 years but couldn't got anything going. Fortunately my partner is doing RF circuit at work now. Then we change the project topic. And bang! We get it done in half a year.
I will skip all the circuit stuff here. But there is one interesting thing we learn from this project, which is using animation in PowerPoint. Our design involves some not-so-easy RF theories. In a book those theories can take a few pages to explain. So we use animation to present those ideas. To my surprise it is pretty easy to add animation in PowerPoint. And the result is good. It makes the presentation much easier for audiences to follow.
I still need to submit a long report. That I can't use animation. But with all the training form blogging, it shouldn't be too hard to B.S. all the writing.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
Departing Flight
Still remember that time when graduating from high school. We, as teenagers, were so passionate. We exchanged card, photos. Sadness started to build up throughout the last months of the semester. Usually songs like "Friends", "Wish" would be K-Song hits. But as we grow older, we see friends leaving numerous time. The emotion is no longer strong. Friend's departure, it seems to be just part of life.This time Henry is going to HK for good. His departure comes quite suddenly, really caught our surprise. In contrast, last year, another friend told everyone he was leaving but turn out staying. He didn't mean to fool us, life itself just isn't easy to predict.
Anyway, Henry continues his 奇異旅程 in HK. Good luck and God bless!
Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Blog. Friend.
Recently, I found a blog of an old friend, who I didn't keep in touch for long time. In the normal circumstance, I should be pretty excited to find a friend in this situation. But I have mixed feeling this time.
He was my friend throughout elementary and high school. We went to same college and were roommate for many years. However, there were some very unpleasant incidents happened to our gang of friends during college year. Then he slowly stayed away and we lost touch.
I were struggle to leave him a blog message or not. There is no big problem happened between our friendship. However I'm afraid my appearance may remind his unpleasant memory of those days. Plus he seems to meet a new group of friends and happy now. Why disturb?
He was my friend throughout elementary and high school. We went to same college and were roommate for many years. However, there were some very unpleasant incidents happened to our gang of friends during college year. Then he slowly stayed away and we lost touch.
I were struggle to leave him a blog message or not. There is no big problem happened between our friendship. However I'm afraid my appearance may remind his unpleasant memory of those days. Plus he seems to meet a new group of friends and happy now. Why disturb?
Saturday, April 08, 2006
Dinner Ideas
Me and my wife often have problem to come up cooking ideas. So recently I start to take picture of any new dishes we make. We plan to put all these photo in a blog. Then we won't forgot what we've cooked. It may helps us come up new dinner idea. Here are some dishes we had recently:

Went out of food at home, so just noodle mixed with soy source, plus wonton.

I were pretty hungry at that time, so cook a lot: a) Korean BBQ source on Pork, b) Egg-Flower soup with tomato and crab meat, c) Seafood pasta, d) stir fried vegetable with lots of Garlic

Pork rib soup with a Chinese herb and mixed vegetable. It taste better after putting in a frig overnight so can filter out the grease.

Went out of food at home, so just noodle mixed with soy source, plus wonton.

I were pretty hungry at that time, so cook a lot: a) Korean BBQ source on Pork, b) Egg-Flower soup with tomato and crab meat, c) Seafood pasta, d) stir fried vegetable with lots of Garlic

Pork rib soup with a Chinese herb and mixed vegetable. It taste better after putting in a frig overnight so can filter out the grease.
Saturday, April 01, 2006
Scripting in Windows
I mainly work in Unix environment, so I write script quite often. I am more familiar with Perl because I used it to write CGI since I was in college.A while ago I tried to do some script programming using my PC at home. The idea is to look-up eBay items automatically and do some marketing analysis (helping my brother because he is a professional ebay seller). Doing such task with Perl is pretty easy in Unix/Linux. In Window, it is a little troublesome. I need to install a Perl compiler. Then the program syntax need to be changed a little to fit DOS. It works but not quite convenient.
Recently, Microsoft announces it will support an open-source script language: Python. This is a good news for script programming fans such as myself. Python is a pretty neat language. Its syntax is closer to serious programming language such as C++ but can still program like a script. The things I like about Python are: 1. No need to compile 2. It is an Interpreter 3. Easier to program in Object Oriented.
Microsoft IronPython goes beta
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Two playboys
I have two good friends. They are both very smart and charming. They also have one common point, both have many girlfriends before. I think I need both hands and foots to count all the gfs I know about from them. So I often joke to them they are playboys.Let's call them Mr. W and Mr. O.
Mr. W is my high school pal. He was the best computer genius in our high school. We came to US to study but in different colleges. We often chatted on the phone and visited each other. Mr. O is my college pal. He was also my roommate and business adventure partner. I met many of his girlfriends before. All of them were movie-star pretty, seriously.
These two guys changes gfs so often, so my first greeting to them was often this: having a new date recently? But last month, to my surprise, both of them told me they were getting married. I am glad that they finally settle down.
Mr. W is in UK and Mr. O is in NYC now. We didn't keep in touch as often. I just want to let them know I am very happy for them about their marriage. And I missed all the fun time we had together.
Saturday, March 18, 2006
Self Study: System on Chip
System on Chip(SoC) is a popular topic in chip design nowadays. SoC means combining digital and analog system on a single chip. Circuits used to build on a large board, now it can be packed on a tiny chip. The outcome, small multi-function devices such as cell phone and iPod.Digital and analog system are often design separately. For digital system (e.g. CPU), CMOS technology is the favorite choice because it is cheap and consumes little power. For analog system (e.g. amplifiers, radio receivers), BJT, SiGe or GaAs technology are often employed because they have much better performance. CMOS, BJT, SiGe, GaAs are different semiconductor. Usually they can't be combined together so they are built separately.
As CPU becomes so popular, CMOS is now the dominate main-stream semiconductor. To reduce cost, companies are demanding designers to build both digital and analog system using only CMOS. Unfortunately, CMOS semiconductor naturally has weak analog performance. But the demand is there and money make people think. Designers gradually come up new ideas to build good analog circuits using CMOS. As a result people know better on packing both digital and analog system on a single chip based on CMOS. Maturity of SoC design should bring more creative portable electronics to the market.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Snap Shot : Snow Peak
The 1st time I see snow for the seven years living in the Bay Area ...
Snow on Mission Peak



The two palm trees nearby my home
Snow on Mission Peak



The two palm trees nearby my home
Monday, March 13, 2006
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Three years of waiting
Is there anything you want to get an answer. But there is nothing you can do, except waiting. I have been waiting for something for three years. Last Tuesday, the waiting is over. My 1st ever US patent was granted. It was filed on April 2003.As a tech guy, I always want to invent something. But honestly I don't have enough talent to innovate anything significant alone. I were fortunate to join an interesting research project. And unexpectedly, the research results had enough commercial value to make it a product. So the company filed a patent for protection. It was a rare opportunity and a nice experience for me.
Another topic, I realize my blog didn't talk about any tech stuff for nearly three months. I talked too much about personal this and that. It is drifting away from my original theme "Tech Life in the Valley". So starting next week I will post more self-study technical topics. I find by writing technical stuff into an easy-to-read style, it helps me to understand it better too. Hopefully someone will find those blogs worth killing time.
Saturday, March 04, 2006
Dream Job II
Not sure if this is just me, most of the cartoon character I draw has a name. Each character has its personality, follow with some story. This weird habit began since I were very little. I don't like to repeat the character's personality and its stroy. So every time I try to come up something different. Slowly I ran out of idea on cartoon character. At 25 year old, I even lost interest on the story of Kung Fu comic. So as my drawing skill stalled.But then I developed a new hobby. I started to write. My English grammar was poor, so I write in Chinese. I don't know how to type Chinese so I can only write on paper. I had written several short stories for fun. There was one problem. I had no reader. So my wife was victimized to be my reader. She sometimes gave positive comments on my stories. She also correct my typo with a pen... like a teacher.
So I conclude my dream job is actually a fiction writer. In fact I have a Love Story in mind that I want to write seriously. It is based on real-life story of my far relatives, a respectful old couples. I have some compelling ideas but not yet able connecting the piece into a story. Plus I need to do more research on the society background of their age. So, this writing project will be on hold ... ... for a loooong time.
Better you go, better be friends
(1st ever English story. Very silly, I've warned you)
Saturday, February 25, 2006
Dream Job I
What's your dream!? Let's say you can work for another job with similar salary and growth potential. What kind of job you will do for living?In the Valley, when we meet new friends who wear glasses, it will be a good bet that they are Software guys or Engineers. But I wonder how many of them really like to work in front of a computer eight hours a day!?
Before 25 years old, my dream job was a comic artist. I know how to draw Hong Kong Ku Fung style cartoon since very little (5 years old maybe). I drew cartoon on my text book from element school to college. Even now, I draw on my notebook at work. I even draw during meeting. Most of my colleagues know that, they never seem to mind. When I talk with friends on the phone, I hold the phone with one hand and draw with another. It is interesting I often draw unconsciously. When I hung up, sometimes I am surprised what I have just drawn.
My drawing skill improved as I read more comic books. After 25 years old, my skill started to stall. And I slowly understood why I liked to draw so much. In fact, I realize what I really want to do is not a comic artist. My dream job is something else ... (to be continued ...)
Saturday, February 18, 2006
Nerds in Romance
On Valentine's day, I went to buy roses. I went to a flower department, then I saw a handful of nerd-look men shopping there as well. Most guys were struggle what type, or what price in more accurate, to buy. It was funny to look at them shopping with a confused expressionFor me, I went straight to the cooler and looked for a dozen roses. Man, they doubled the price! Well, it was V-day. Then I thought about which color to pick. I already brought pink and red in the past months. So I tried something different, I picked yellow roses this time.
When I went home, my wife was happy to see the flower. But then she asked why I picked yellow!? She thought yellow roses means break-up! No kidding. I were speechless .... The next day I did some googling on roses. Yellow rose means "friendship fall into love". Turn out my wife is as nerd as me. Anyway, next time I should just pick red.
Rose Color Meaning
Sunday, February 12, 2006
Emil Chau in Concert
Last Friday evening, I went to Emil Chau's concert. Since the tech bubble burst, it has been a long time for a famous Asian singer to perform concernt in the Bay Area. In this evening, it was a full house. Emil was charming and humorous. The whole concert had great atmosphere, audience often sang along with Emil (including me ...). He missed a couple tones in the beginning, but he quickly got into mood then sang very well one song after another. Emil brought his Easy Band with him. The live music were excellent. There was an interesting moment. A female fan rushed on stage. Then Emil sang with her together. This girl hugged Emil like her boyfriend. All audience laugh out loud.I know almost all of Emil's songs during the 90's, both Cantonese and Mandarin. I was attracted by his Cantonese songs first. Then I looked for his older Mandarin songs and I liked them as well. I owned many of his album. Here I recommend my top three favorites:
1. 弦途有你 : Emil's 2nd Cantonese album. Most songs composed by him purposely for this album. With lots of heart! This album sold really well and then Emil got the nickname of 天王殺手.
2. 風雨無阻 : Emil's Mandarin album during his prime time at 90's. At the time he and Jacky Cheung were the top 2 Mandarin singers. This album contains large variety of style. All 10 songs have great rhythm and well singing.
3. 小天堂 : Emil re-sings a collection of his famous Mandarin songs, with newly composed music played by his Easy Band. A good review of Emil's song with different feeling.
Saturday, February 11, 2006
Seattle -- UW
Seahawk superbowl run reminds me the good old day in Seattle. So here I am to share some nice place in the city. For this blog, it is the beautiful campus of University of Washington.


These cherry blossom trees came from Japan about 100 years ago. Every spring, there is one week of full boom.

The water fountain is designed to form a straight line with downtown Seattle and the Mt. Rainier.


Suzzallo Library.

Husky Union Building, a.k.a. HUB, place for students to hang out.

Statue of George Washington. Birds often like to rest on his head ...

Husky Staduim. People can Kayak on the Lake Union waterfront behind.


These cherry blossom trees came from Japan about 100 years ago. Every spring, there is one week of full boom.

The water fountain is designed to form a straight line with downtown Seattle and the Mt. Rainier.


Suzzallo Library.

Husky Union Building, a.k.a. HUB, place for students to hang out.

Statue of George Washington. Birds often like to rest on his head ...

Husky Staduim. People can Kayak on the Lake Union waterfront behind.
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Go Seahawk!
I used to study and work in Seattle, for 8+ years. So I always have a special feeling tied to this city. I like most of stuff in Seattle. The city is beautiful, surround by lots of tree and water. People are usually friendly. It is a city filled with unique culture.This Sunday, the Seattle football team, Seahawk, will play for Superbowl for the 1st time in franchise history. News show the city is crazy on this coming event, and I can feel their emotion.
It is sad most pre-game analysis don't give Seahawk a chance to win. Every so-call experts favour Steeler, although Seahawk has a better record in regular season. Perhaps Seattle often give people an impression as "layback" city, lack of aggressiveness in another word. But I have a gut feeling the Seahawk will win this Sunday, and win big!! Go Seahawk!!
Sunday, January 29, 2006
Saturday, January 28, 2006
Mission Peak
The highest mountain peak in South Bay is "Mission Peak" in Fremont city. I see it everyday when I drive home. It reminds me when I was in Seattle, the Mt. Rainer was also a beautiful landmark for me when I drove to work.The mission peak hiking trail is one of my favourite. This trail isn't easy. It takes me at least 2 hours to get to the top, good exercise though. At the peak, I can see the whole south bay, even San Francisco downtown in sunny day. It is a very refresh view.
I used to go there hiking often. Last year, I was very busy so I pretty much stop all activities including hiking. But now I start to have more free time, so I'm thinking to go up there agian in a weekend.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Monday, January 23, 2006
STP
The combination of:
1. following a stock since its IPO
2. it keeps going up $1~2 every day
3. hesitate to buy
= painful !!
1. following a stock since its IPO
2. it keeps going up $1~2 every day
3. hesitate to buy
= painful !!
Saturday, January 21, 2006
Disconnected Management
A friend of my friend recently has some complaints to his manager. His manager was once a technical guy (20+ years ago). But now he starts to forget the difficulty of each technical tasks. And often assign tasks to his employee with unreasonable scope and time frame. For example:* Manager says: Just do a sweep of analysis on all possible cases, create some nice charts, so I can make a decision. (Well, many cases are similar, it is waste of time)
* Late Friday afternoon, manager says: "Kick off this job so we will have the data next Monday. Have a nice weekend. (He seems to think it takes zero time for preparation. And he assume nothing will go wrong during the weekend. But if something goes wrong, he think the engineer makes bad preparation)
* Manager: write a script program to automatic this task, so just one click to do the job. By the way I need the result tomorrow. (So he thinks it just take one click to write a script program)
* The engineer is in a hurry to finish task ABC, which his manager assigned yesterday. Then the manager suddenly come and says: "Do you think XYZ is also important. Please give me the result of XYZ also tomorrow." Then the engineer asks, "Should I try to finish ABC first?" The manager replies: "It is your call." (ABC$&%*XYZ)
Well, this friend isn't just finding someone to blame. He does praise his team lead (not the manager) know how to break down tasks, and assign them to his teammates with reasonable time frame.
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Solar Cell 123

One of the latest hot technology in the Valley is Solar Cell. It hits the right market nowadays: Energy. Solar cells are made by silicon mostly. Its function is to translate sun light into Energy. So, source is free and the cost is the device itself. One application is house hold electricity generator (placing solar cells on the roof). Product lifetime is usually 20 years. Some keywords for this topic:
1. Dollar per Watt : most solar cells in the market are $4 per watt. It means you need to invest $100 on solar cells to operate a 25 watt light bulk. But then you never need to pay electricity bill again. Most researchers are working on $1 per watt solar cell, which believed to be the breaking point for Solar cells to become main stream.
2. Efficiency: most solar cell have only 10~15% efficiency nowadays. So it can only translate 15% of sun light into energy. This is mainly due to the limitation of silicon itself. Higher efficiency translates to lower Dollar per watt.
3. Spectrum: If the Solar cell can absorb light with border spectrum, there will be more source available to convert to energy (think as a radio that can receive more channel). This again translates to lower Dollar per Watt.
Well, just some self-study to prepare for this soon-to-be main stream technology.
Solar cell reading 1
Solar cell reading 2
Saturday, January 07, 2006
First NBA game
In the last Wednesday of 2005. I brought my brother, who was visiting me from Macau, to watch his 1st NBA game. It was also my 1st.There are several professional sport teams in the bay area, NFL Raiders, 49ers, MLB Giants, A's, NBA Warriors, NHL Shark, and formerly MLS Earthquake. I went to watch Giants, A's, and Shark before, but never watch any NBA or NFL game. The main reason I missed those games is because of the expensive tickets. But this time my brother come to visit me, and he is a basketball fan, so I open my wallet.
We left home from San Jose early, one hour before the game. We get to the Oakland area 30 minutes before tip-off. But don't know if it is always like that or we were unlucky. There was a huge traffic jam in the last two miles. When we entered the arena, the game was already in the 2nd quarter. We were pissed off. But when we saw the basketball court and the full crowd, we quickly became so excited and enjoyed the game immediately. It was Warriors vs. Celtics, closed game throughout. It become a tie game with 30 seconds left. Then the arena started to play the Rocky music. Everyone started to stand and yell. Emotion was so high. Then Derek Fisher took the last shot and finished off the Celtics ... everyone in the Arena became crazy!!
Woo! It was a fun experience. My brother loved it. It worths all the money and traffic jam.
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