Internet connection here in UP has to pass through the Diliman Network (Dilnet) of the UP Computer Center. Since we are always under proxy servers, all our connections get to be filtered. Not all sites are accessible through the network, most especially the porn sites.

Even the T1 connection in EEE is not spared from the vigilance of Dilnet. One thing great with EEE's internet connection is that it has great speeds... most especially at night. Among my favorite pastimes is to watch movies, and these I readily download from the internet. Not only that I get to download movies for free, most of it are in DVD quality. I get these movies from a forums site wherein I a member of. Some of the members upload the movies in upload sites such as megaupload, rapidshare, sendspace et al.

A typical xVid - DVD quality movie file is about 700Mb; with EEE's internet speed, I can download it for as fast as 1.5 hours with a download speed of 2000 kb/s! This is one of the reasons why I don't usually go to moviehouses nowadays. Going to the mall in order to watch a movie is impractical for me; not unless the movie would be a future classic.

I guess I have to kiss "downloading movies for free" goodbye now, since Dilnet already blocked my favorite uploadsites from now on. I can't blame them for doing that. Though I have to admit, they are 'killjoys'.

Anybody who knows a workaround for the filters, I'd be glad to hear from you. ;)

I am enrolled in 14 units for this semester. Only 5 units (thesis = EEE 198) is really required for me. Considering that I am still a full-time student, I opted to take additional units to make good use of my vacant time. I took 6 units of higher Nihonggo (Jap 12-13), and another 3 units in Advanced Computer Architecture, a graduate subject.

I am like a hybrid BS-MS student since I had been taking graduate courses already. The subject I took, (Elma -> classmate) is being taught by David Patterson himself. Patterson is a professor from University of California - Berkeley, a renowned author of a Computer Architecture book (which we had used last sem). Mode of teaching is via recorded video. This subject is actually a long-distance learning program since our teacher is from the "other side".

As for my Nihonggo skills, I'd say it's rusty. It was about 2 years ago since my Jap 11. There are already too many 'Kanji' to be familiarized with. I need to catch up with my "fresh" classmates. I don't want to end up being the class goat. Anyway, we had an activity last meeting dealing with real Japanese students. It had been fun trying to understand each other. It would be nice if I can have a Japanese friend to talk to. I can teach him/her English, while he/she can teach me Nihonggo. Come to think of it, it would even be better if the Japanese friend would be a woman. ;)

Classes had already begun for the first semester and here I am, still a student. Most of my batchmates are already busy starting off with their careers, reviewing for their board exams, or enjoying the purgatory between college life and the real world. As for me, I shall be extending my stay in the university for another 2 semesters. Despite being able to catch up with my EEE batchmates after my lapse in EEE33, I was not still able to make it on time. I only have 8 units remaining till I graduate. Unfortunately, only 5 units (thesis) is offered for this sem.

I have to admit, I am not the ideal EEE student the department can boast off in terms of scholastic achievements. I had been surviving myself throughout my EEE life. Being an average/normal student having high hopes in EEE, I know there is something
wrong within the system.

First of all, the system is not student-friendly. Many hopes had been crashed, many talents had been thrashed. The department had been very proud housing the "cream of the crop" aka whiz kids, but fails in developing/improving new ones. Faculty: they're bright but they can't teach well, save for some. An MS student shares his comparison between foreign professors and EEE faculty; for example, given that you had finished all requirements given to you by the foreign prof, your grade would definitely be "uno". Pero pag taga-EEE, kukupalin ka pa hangga't mahanapan ka ng mali (bug) sa project mo!

Sigh. Forgive me for bashing my own department, but I guess this is an effect of being strangled by the system for so long. The 8 units for one year really hurts and costs much of my time. Plans had already been layed out, yet I think there need to be a new one to be drafted as adjustment for these delays.

For this semester, aside from the thesis work, at least I had enrolled myself with another 6 units of Nihonggo and the "Berkeley" class (EE298). These may be non-credit units but at least I have something to improve with myself. I don't even know whether pursuing an MS in Microelectronics would still be a viable option for the future, since there already had been problems arising with most MS students nowadays (i.e. Php1500 per unit, loss of scholarship, etc.).

God knows opportunity awaits.

EDIT: Added a Pic

At last I had finally purchased my own personal laptop. The long list had been narrowed down, leading me to the Acer-TravelMate-2413NLCi.

Anyway, here is its
Specifications:

- Intel Celeron M Processor 370
- 1MB L2 Cache, 1.50 GHz, 400MHz FSB
- Intel 910GML Express Chipset
- 256MB DDR2 533MHz Memory
- 15" XGA TFT LCD Monitor
- Intel Graphics Media Accelerator 900 with DVMT
- 40GB Hard Disk Drive
- CD-RW/DVD-ROM Combo Drive
- 802.11b/g Wireless LAN (54 Mbps)
- 10/100 Mbps LAN
- 56Kbps Fax Modem
- (4) USB Ports, 1 VGA Port
- Ergonomic Keypad
- Li-Ion battery pack
- Linux Operating System
- Weight: 2.6 Kgs.

A brand new one costs at around 40k. Laptops come cheap nowadays. Of course, this is not the high end one. More of a value-based laptop. The more costly computers are based on dual-core systems (2 processor cores in 1 die) and Centrino (an Intel system) which focuses in energy savings.
I could say that I had about a month-long of research in laptop systems, and this laptop I bought is not far off from the high end ones.

Why Celeron M?
In the past few years, Celeron processors had been somewhat called as "budget" processors of Intel since it is offered cheap. Of course its performance is not as great as the Pentium line of processors. The highly-marketed Centrino system uses Pentium M processors. Its distinctive features are its embedded wi-fi and power savings feature (aka Intel speed step technology) which would prolong battery life. How do we weigh the Celeron M then? Just think of it as a Pentium M with no Intel speed step technology (and probably less L2 cache size since it ranges from 1Mb to 2Mb).

L2 (Level 2) Cache size?
In the past, Intel and AMD had been fighting over for the fastest clock speed. However, clock speed can not be a measure for overall performance alone. Today's L2 memory cache sizes (e.g. 1 Mb) are larger as compared to before (128kb/256kb). Some systems may be very fast, but remember little. Mine would be fast, and remember more.

DDR vs. DDR2
Actually, the DDR2 has only a slight edge in terms of performance. One thing significant is its low voltage use of 1.8V as compared to DDR's 2.5V.

Aside from these specifics, primary requirements include wi-fi capability (EEE is one hotspot), LAN (widely used internet/network connectivity, EEE can reach 800kb/s dl speed at night!), combo drive (burn cd's and watch DVD!), USB ports (floppies are obsolete!), and a good Video chipset.

If you would want to buy one (2nd hand or bnew), contact me! Let me be your middleman! c",?
*From my own search, I had learned so many things... I can share you my expertise! c",?